Chapter 102 The Indecisive Kitsune

Evernya turned toward Aya before asking, “So what do you want to do?”

Without delay, Aya responded, “Anything Nya wants to do.”

“I figured you would say that, however, before we do anything you should eat something,” Evernya suggested.

“Aya already ate today,” Aya replied.

Evernya stared at her mate with a puzzled expression as she questioned, “What did you eat? I don’t think there is any food in my bedroom.”

Aya pointed one of her tails toward Evernya as she said, “You.”

“Me? I think I would have noticed if you had taken a bite out of me.” Evernya replied in amusement.

“Nya is particularly tasty,” Aya commented with a dreamy expression.

Curiosity got the better of Evernya prompting her to ask, “What did you eat? I am pretty sure I can account for all my body parts.”

As if it’s the most obvious thing in the world Aya replied, “Your delicious soul.”

“You ate my soul!?” Evernya exclaimed in shock.

Caught off guard by her mate’s reaction, Aya quickly explained, “Only a small sip Nya would heal within a day. Kitsune need to drink non-Kitsune souls regularly to sustain themselves. The stronger the Kitsune, the more often Kitsune need to take sips, before Aya could sustain herself by taking sips once a week but now Aya needs to daily. Fortunately, Nya can sustain Aya without harm.”

“So, like I need mana to survive. Don’t you need to eat something physical?” Evernya questioned.

“Kitsune doesn’t need to eat but Aya doesn’t know if it still applies to her,” Aya replied with a hint of uncertainty.

Evernya scanned her mate’s malnourished body before commenting, “I noticed you look a little underweight. Did the slavers starve you?”

Aya glanced toward the hall Meira left through as she replied, “Aya doesn’t remember much about her slavery but Aya has been feeling hungry for more than soul.”

Evernya nodded her head in understanding as she said, “Be right back.”

Evernya gently disconnected the clinging Kitsune from her arm before trotting toward the kitchen. A minute later, she returned carrying two half-gallon jug smoothies. She set one in front of Aya before sitting back down. Aya stared at the smoothie in front of her with hunger, but did not reach for it.

After taking a few large chugs, Evernya noticed, so she prodded, “If you want it, drink it.”

Aya’s hungry gaze shifted away from the smoothie in front of her, glancing at her mate’s half-empty smoothie before speaking, “But Nya hasn’t finished hers yet.”

“Why would I need to finish first? As I have said many times, we are equals. You do not need to wait to eat nor need permission.” Evernya insisted.

Hesitantly Aya reached for the smoothie as if she was fighting a war with herself on if she should or not. All hesitation left her when she took the first small sip. She entered a frenzy, chugging the smoothie down.

Evernya forgot her own smoothie, watching her mate down her smoothie. Somehow, like Evernya, she drank the entire smoothie in one sitting. When finished, she let out a burp as she slumped onto the couch in contentment.

Evernya finished her smoothie while watching her mate with an amused expression. A few minutes later Aya’s expression turned horrified. She jumped off the couch, dropping into Seiza on the floor in front of Evernya.

“Aya is so sorry! Please punish me as you see fit!” Aya shouted telepathically.

Evernya’s amusement disappeared, replaced by anger at seeing her mate kneeling before her. She telekinetically lifted Aya to her feet before standing up. Aya looked down to avoid eye contact, but Evernya lifted her chin with her hand to force their eyes to meet before drilling into her. “Do not ever kneel in front of me as if you are below me! Do not ask me to punish you! You did nothing wrong! If you did, I would tell you, but I would never punish you!”

“Aya, sorry.” Aya apologized out loud with tearful eyes before crumbling to the floor after Evernya released her telekinetic hold. Not wanted to be yelled at again, Aya shakily forced herself to her feet. She then deposited herself on the couch next to Evernya, devoid of her usual grace.

Evernya picked up one of the books on the table to read while her mate recovered. Meira handwrote the book summarizing the region’s wilds, including common mana beasts and points of interests. Evernya burned through the book at ridiculous speeds, much faster than her previous reading speeds.

The wilds should be fun to explore as long as I avoid some of these scary beasts. From what the book says, it doesn’t become too dangerous until around forty kilometers from an outer barrier, but there is always a risk. Those natural mana springs sound delicious. I will have to find one hopefully without some strong monster living there.

She glanced at her mate, who was leaning against her, sleeping with her tails acting as a blanket for both of them. Not wanting to disturb Aya, Evernya read another book instead of getting up. She levitated the finished book onto the table in front of Aya before levitating the next book from the main stack toward her. The next book was a monster manual of all known mana beasts in the region. She opened the book to find each mana beast had a section explaining their capabilities, weaknesses, common environments, and any other info pertaining to each. Each mana beast had a danger rating, starting with the weakest at the beginning of the book.

Interesting, the last book mentioned danger ratings too. What I don’t get is why they need danger rating when mana beast’s strength usually coincides with their mana grade like everyone else. Though I suppose danger ratings are quite a bit more in depth. Like if I knew the danger rating of the ice wolves, I would know what to expect. From what the book said in the intro, they calculate danger ratings by their typical mana grade, special abilities, fighting capabilities, preferred environments, and many other variables. Danger rating ranges from one to ten, with one being killable solo by average awakened three person while ten is basically unkillable. I think could handle up to level three mana beasts as I am now, and maybe four if I get lucky.

She found the entry for a blue serpent about halfway into the level five section. Her eyes widened at the size and mana grade they could grow to. I’m not hunting one of these anytime soon. Meira wasn’t kidding when she said it was on the weaker end! They can grow five times the size of the one she killed and go up to peak arisen stage! How is this only a level five threat?

She read further to sate her curiosity. Oh, that’s why. Blue serpents lack magical defenses and racial abilities beyond some control over water to improve their swimming speed. They mainly attack using their sheer size and swimming speed to overpower their prey.

She moved on to other mana beasts but immediately regretted it, as every single one would make a meal out of her within seconds. Deciding to avoid nightmares, she stopped reading for now at the end of the level five section.

She glanced at the clock above the TV, finding she spent several hours reading. She gently nudged her mate awake. Aya stirred awake before suddenly bolting upright.

“It’s ok, you didn’t do anything wrong, you just fell asleep for a few hours.” Evernya comforted while giving her a tail hug, causing Aya to relax.

After giving her mate some time to calm down, Evernya inquired, “So, do you want to practice with some weapons? Meira has a weapon rack set up in the gym for us.”

“If Nya want to Aya does too,” Aya replied without pause.

Poor girl, it’s like she can’t make a decision on her own. Aya said she doesn’t remember much from her enslavement, but it definitely influenced her. Or maybe her indecisive, submissive nature came from her upbringing. For now, I’ll let it slide, but we will need to work on opening her up soon. Evernya thought with a saddened expression.

Putting her mate’s issues out of her mind, for now, Evernya materialized the dresser next to the couch before digging in it for a workout outfit. After a moment of thought, she oped to wear regular workout gear since Aya didn’t have a training suit. She wore a black sports bra, along with what seemed to be compression shorts that reached just above her knees. She then hid behind the large dresser to change.

“Choose whatever you want. Meira stocked this dresser and the one in my bedroom with clothes for us.” Evernya announced after finishing dressing. She folded and stored her pajamas in their dimensional storage before plopping back onto the couch. She laid back, enjoying the feeling of the air on her exposed skin.

Aya rummaged through the dresser for a few minutes, finding an outfit identical to Evernya’s before striping naked right in front of Evernya to change. Evernya averted her eyes to give the changing kitsune some privacy.

“You know you could wear something else you don’t have to wear the same as me,” Evernya commented.

“Aya likes what Nya likes.” Aya replied after returning to the couch.

Evernya forgot her previous stance as she insisted. “Still, you should find your own style. I am the last person you should copy. My dress code consists of boring dark colors with form fitting clothing and barefoot. I feel most comfortable with the least amount of clothes I can get away with. Somehow I doubt you would want to go out in public showing as much skin as I do. Though you did just strip naked in front of me.”

Without a hint of embarrassment, Aya replied, “Aya has nothing to hide from Nya, including her body.”

“I don’t care if you walk around naked or dress like me around me. I just want it to be your decision, not because you feel you have to. Please, at least look through the other clothes Meira bought for you.” Evernya begged.

Aya paused for a moment before stating, “Aya will look later.”

“If you don’t, Meira will be sad. She seems to be excited to buy clothes for you because I’m boring.” Evernya added.

With the conversation over, Evernya stored the dresser, then stood up from the couch. She trotted toward the hall leading to the gym, followed by Aya. Once inside the gym, they find the wall near the open area of the gym filled with all kinds of weapons, with staves and short swords being the most numerous. Evernya zeroed in on a steel single-edged short sword.

She picked it up from its stand, only to frown. Evernya gave it a few test swings, causing her frown to deepen. While shaking her head, she returned the sword to its stand.

Something about the sword feels wrong. I think for now I’ll experiment with hand-to-hand and clawed attacks for self-defense. There is no point in fumbling around with unknown weapons when I may never use them again once I get Neko to work. Actually, what type of style should I use? I learned quite a bit of martial arts Muay Thai, Krav Maga, and some jujitsu for self-defense and exercise, but I’m not sure if they are practical with magic involved. Krav Maga might work well with my lack of upper body strength, but Muay Thai may be perfect for emphasizing my leg strength with kicks. I guess I’ll have to experiment and see what will work. Evernya thought while surveying the other swords on display, finding the rest lacking.

With her decision made, Evernya turned toward Aya, standing in front of several staves. She picked up an oak staff and took a few test swings to try it before returning it to its stand and trying another. However, unlike Evernya after the third staff, Aya nodded her head. She swung the Red Oak staff a few times before walking toward Evernya.

“Let's go outside to practice,” Evernya announced as she trotted to the door leading to the backyard.