shadows_fall | Nyx and Fox

"Are those chickens?" Nyx asked, looking down at the tiny hen houses and the mouse sized chickens running in and out of them.

"Obviously, they are clearly not ducks," Fox replied, looking puzzled by the question.

"...Are you going to eat them?" Nyx asked, appearing concerned now as he crouched low to examine the little creatures.

Fox tilted his head slightly to the left, considering the prince for a long moment. "Eventually, probably. For now they are here to lay eggs. Some to eat, some to hatch. That's why there is a rooster as well. I am hopeful he will be good breeding stock."

Nyx wrinkled his nose.

"You dislike eggs?" Fox asked, looking amused now.

"I wouldn't know, I've never had them," Nyx said, still frowning as he stood back up.

"You should try one. They're good. They are not alive you know. They simply hold potential- Without seed they are an uncooked breakfast," Fox said cheerfully. "It's why the rooster and most of the hens are separate. Some to breed, some to just lay."

Nyx still seemed unsure, but let it be. "Is this what you wanted to see me for?" he asked. "Chickens?"

Fox shook his head, eating a bit of bread and then offering Nyx half as he sat on the edge of the bed. The prince rarely turned down food, taking the bread and joining him.

"I thought we could play," Fox said finally.

"What, like pixies?" Nyx asked with a laugh. He hadn't played since he was a boy, and he wasn't exactly feeling playful these days anyway. He had too much on his mind.

Fox shook his head though, finishing his bread and then shifting into a fox. An actual fox. Slim and ginger, but tall. He let out a little 'yip', then pounced a bit near Nyx's leg.

"Absolutely not," Nyx insisted, his refusal prompting the fox to tug on his robe. "I'm a prince, I'm not playing chase with you," he huffed, trying to tug the fabric from Fox's jaws.

Fox held tight though, pulling a bit harder and growling.

"You're ridiculous, do you know that?" Nyx huffed, tugging harder, then sighing. "Fine, I'll play, just get off!"

Fox made a happy sound then, his tail fluffing out.

Nyx rolled his eyes, but after a moment shifted into a fox as well. He was a petite little creature, all white with big green eyes.

Fox squealed again, then pounced, sending them both crashing to the floor.

The pair played for hours, running bouncing, tacking one another. Eventually play turned rough, the pair fighting a bit as they rolled across the floor, until Fox finally caught Nyx by the throat and pinned him down.

For a moment Nyx's heart fluttered, certain things were about to take a turn to something truly fun- Only for Fox to suddenly let go and shift back into his human form.

Nyx studied him a beat, then did the same.

"Tease," the prince accused gently, expecting Fox to laugh and maybe even return the playful jab. Instead Fox just moved away slightly.

"You should go, I should really take care of the garden now," Fox said as he got to his feet.

Confused, Nyx didn't know what to say at first, though he eventually got to his feet, rubbing his neck where Fox's teeth had been only a moment ago. "Alright. ...You did invite me here though, I didn't come sniff you out..."

Sighing a little, Fox pushed his hair back and shrugged. "And it was nice, but now I have work to do."

Rolling his eyes, Nyx shook his head. "Sure, you seen oh so busy," he drawled. "You know you lecture me about not taking care of my needs- But I'm doing fine now, Fox. You're the one looking for playmates..."

Fox didn't answer though, heading over to his garden and setting to work.