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Feyrahl, FurAffinity Edition

The Kingdom of Feyrahl, Ch 1.2

Kenzie sat on the opulent bed that stood pride of place in the center of her very spacious room looking down at her crumpled, worn pants as she slowly stripped them off. They had dried since her time in the ocean and they clung to her legs, saltwater having made quite an impact. Her poor socks were ruined, and her feet had fared only marginally better-- the only bright side there was that Silas' powder had seemed to have worked well and, rather than the split blisters and raw skin she'd expected, Kenzie only found the red marks of obviously unhappy-but-unharmed flesh.

She took the time to take off her blouse and undo her bra, letting out a long sigh of contentment as she was finally free of the clothing she'd spent, by her measure, nearly 36 hours wearing. The young woman used a wash basin resting near a wall-mounted mirror to clean herself up with the help of a rough cloth. While it was a far cry from a proper shower, it felt good to be free of the dried saltwater and sweat that had stuck with her ever since she found herself in the strange world she'd come to inhabit.

Once she was at least passably clean, Kenzie went to the wardrobe situated against the wall opposite the foot of her bed. Just as Cecil had suggested there was a large collection of clothes; the variety was limited to long, flowing dresses but she wasn't picky at that point: clean was clean. The Human woman didn't take too long to obsess over what she was choosing except to ensure that it fit; she was honestly surprised that it seemed every last one of the dresses appeared to be perfectly sized for her. She ended up choosing a rich, dark blue one with baby-blue lace-work.

It took her two tries to figure out how to properly lace up the bodice but, once she had, she was surprised to feel that it supported her breasts not unlike a bra, but in a much more freeing manner-- but she didn't fully trust the cloth to accommodate any real exercise without some kind of 'wardrobe malfunction'; She made the dedicated point to remember not to run while wearing it. She glanced fondly toward the comfortable bed but, she reminded herself, she'd had a few hours of sleep while riding atop the strange lizard mount.

Heading toward the door, Kenzie reminded herself "If you're going to keep a reasonable sleeping schedule you shouldn't be napping at noon."

Cecil seemed surprised when she opened the door. "I-is everything alright, Lady Fuller? I had expected you to spend longer resting."

While the Ferret's tone was official and full of respect Kenzie couldn't help but notice that his ears reddened slightly and his whiskers twitched. His eyes were taking full gauge of her new clothing and, she was pleased to notice, they weren't dwelling on her breasts; she had no doubt that Victor's would. Pushing that thought from her mind, the young woman smiled. "I felt bad thinking that you'd be standing out here all alone so I hope it's alright if I go for a walk."

His ears reddened even more. "Oh, you don't have to worry about me, Lady Fuller. It's my job to stand guard."

Smiling, Kenzie folded her arms as she leaned back against the wall on the opposite side of her chamber door in the hallway. She couldn't keep an impish smirk off her face. "Well... I suppose we can both stand here, but I was hoping for something a little more interesting... like, perhaps, being shown around the castle."

The Ferret stood up a little straighter, fidgeting slightly as he turned his head to regard her. "Oh! I... I apologize, Lady Fuller... I hadn't realized you wanted--"

Kenzie laughed, straightening back up. "It's alright, Cecil... I'm just joking. I don't expect you to read my mind."

Her bodyguard offered a slightly unsure, hesitant smile, and a half-hearted laugh. "Oh... ah... ha ha... right. I... ah... don't have Spirit Magic."

That statement made her freeze in her tracks. "...people can DO that?"

Cecil's whiskers twitched for several second before the corner of his lips pulled up and he snorted out a barely restrained chuckle. His eyes met hers and she saw his pupils dilate and his muzzle dropped open in erstwhile horror. "Oh... Lady Fuller! I did not mean to laugh at your expense, it was... I mean, I--"

She felt simultaneously horrified at his self-reproach and gratified by the fact that he'd actually felt comfortable enough to joke with her and, when she laughed, she was pleased to see that the Ferret calmed quickly. Reaching out to take hold of his forearm, she gestured toward the hall. "You can make it up to me by showing me around."

A series of expressions flashed across his muzzle, but the professionalism returned quickly and he nodded, eyes slowly drifting down to where her hand was resting on the right sleeve of his uniform. "If... that is what you wish, My Lady."

Although 'My Lady' sounded much more formal, there was something about it that made her a little more at ease; she was displeased to see however that he seemed even more uptight. "Is something wrong, Cecil?"

He almost winced at that, but folded his arm more formally around hers and he began to walk. "It... would be more proper to refer to me as 'Sir Cecil', My Lady."

Kenzie blushed slightly, feeling horrible for having slighted him. "Oh... I'm sorry, SIR Cecil... I hadn't thought how disrespectful it would be to not acknowledge your status as a knight."

The statement caused him to stop where he was. "Oh! I'm... I'm not a knight, My Lady. Knights are noble, and are usually referred to by their house name."

The Human woman thought about that for a moment. "But... what about Sir Victor? I was introduced to him by his first name."

Cecil's expression looked like he'd just sucked on a lemon. "Ah... that is complicated, My Lady. Neither the Commander nor I are nobles. It is proper manners to refer to a member of the opposite name by Sir followed by their family name... unless you know them well or only if they have no family name do you use their given name."

Kenzie nodded, realizing she still had a lot to learn. "Very well... then Sir Cecil it shall be... and... once I get to know you better?"

Although he didn't stop walking, she did notice that his tail had puffed out like a bottle brush. "Oh... ah... I would not suggest that, My Lady."

"Why not?"

He fidgeted, round ears drooping faintly. "You have your reputation to consider."

Sighing, Kenzie attempted to keep her tone even. "So I ruin my reputation by having you in my room, AND by being seen with you?"

Slowly raising his eyes to meet her, his gaze was one of apology, just as much as his words. "This is no fault of yours, My Lady. I, sadly, am not well received at court."

The Human had trouble understanding. "Wait... aren't you PART of court?"

Cecil nodded. "I am... at the Emperor's request. Did you not hear me referred to as 'Blackguard'?"

She nodded. "Of course-- Gregor translated that for me. I thought that was just your family name or something."

The Ferret shook his head. "No, my Lady. I am a criminal, but the Emperor accepted an oath of loyalty from me... which is why I wear this." Cecil raised his left arm, pulling his sleeve back to reveal a bracer with the royal crest upon it. "I am bound in his service, but it does not mean that others who serve him think well of me."

There was something about the absurdity of it that angered Kenzie; she had always thought that any kind of proper justice system should focus on rehabilitation and Cecil, for as kind and thoughtful as he seemed was hardly worthy of scorn. Rather than opening her mouth and ruining the afternoon she instead focused on something more positive. "Then I guess it's a good thing I'm not like those uptight people in court; I think you're lovely."

His ears reddened further and he looked away, but his soft, meek voice spoke quietly. "Thank you, My Lady. I shall strive to be worthy of your praise."

She tightened her hold of his arm, drawing closer to him as they walked. "I seem to be well received at court, so maybe you hanging out with me will improve YOUR reputation."

His expression was pure incredulity, but he didn't object. "As you say, My Lady."

Cecil remained relatively quiet for the next few minutes as they meandered around the castle halls; Kenzie noticed that the Ferret seemed to be leading her around in areas that were not commonly visited by others. As she considered possible ways to help him relax a little a thought came to mind. "Sir Cecil?"

"Yes, My Lady?"

She glanced his way. "Would you perhaps show me a part of the castle you like to visit?"

He seemed taken aback by the request but, after a pause, his ears raised. "The Garden? I enjoy walks through the Garden in my free time. It is quiet, and open."

Kenzie smiled. "Then, yes-- the Garden sounds lovely."

His footsteps seemed a little lighter and the worried-frown left his muzzle as he took the next side-hall, moving with more purpose. The Human woman attempted to start a simple conversation with him, and was surprised that discussion seemed to come easier-- that all ended, however, when they passed a side-hall and a collection of well-dressed woman stood, chatting among one another; that chatter came to an immediate stop as all eyes were on Kenzie and Cecil. Quieter whispers started up immediately and the Ferret immediately shut down.

Although Kenzie couldn't understand the ladies, she knew enough about 'mean girls' from her time in high school to know what she was witnessing. Cecil's grip loosened from her arm. "Lady Kenzie, I--"

A green-white-and-orange blur slipped past and the courtly lady discussion was interrupted by the addition of a Fox. Eyes immediately left the Ferret and Human, focused instead on the comely vulpine suddenly engaging the ladies in discussion. Cecil made good on his escape, bringing Kenzie along away from the collection of noble women; she didn't miss the glance and wink from the Fox. She promised herself that she'd thank him later.