by a fox when he stepped from his apartment building that morning. Tongue lolling, the animal lay circled in the middle of the sidewalk, making passersby smile as they walked around it. Obviously the fox had supreme confidence that no one would step on it.
From the intelligence in its eyes, Raz concluded that the fox was a Fam animal. Someone had gotten lucky. Fams were still scarce, most of the matches of Fam and human conducted by Danith D’Ash. And most Fams were cats or dogs, though a rage for fox jewels, faux fox fur, and images had occurred a while back.
When the fox saw him, it sat up and yipped. Greetyou, storyman.
Raz halted. “What did you call me?”
Storyman. The man in the viz stories that my person and I watch.
That sounded reasonable. A couple of his plays had been recorded. “Storyman.” Raz allowed himself to be charmed. He inclined his torso in a half bow. “Greetyou, FamFox.”
I am Shunuk.
“Greetyou, Shunuk.” They were taking up the whole sidewalk. Raz gestured in the direction he was going—to the Thespian Club for breakfast.
You rise late, the fox commented. I have cleaned out all the mice in the alley this morning while waiting for you. Cached a few for snacks later.
“Ah.” Raz cleared his throat. “I was in a story last night, it runs very late.”
Shunuk bobbed his head. Do you go for morning food now?
“Yes.”
You do not make your food?
“I go to congregate with other story people in the morning. We work together and talk.”
Ah, clans and circles and dens.
“Somewhat.” Raz stopped at the PublicCarrier plinth. The Thespian Club was a long walk and he had errands to run. He had a glider, but he wanted to save the energy needed to power it for that night. This evening’s party would be work and he had to be fresh. He was already running behind, but if the fox proved amusing, he could delay his chores for a while.
The carrier glided up and Raz stepped through the weathershielded door to the interior, took a cushy seat. To Raz’s surprise, the fox hopped onto his lap. He held it as the carrier accelerated, looked down to see big yellow eyes with a black-slit pupil staring up at him. Glinting with laughter? Raz frowned. “Why are you here?”
I like eggs for breakfast.
Raz was sure that wasn’t the only reason. The fox was being cagy. “I suppose I could order you some eggs. Didn’t you say you have a Fam person?”
I am new to Druida City. I wanted to see the storyman. Smell if he is a good human or not. Many things to do and see in the city. The fox sniffed lustily.
“And . . . ?”
I like your scent. It is good.
Raz was sure that the fox didn’t mean the slight scent of cleanser that lingered on his skin. He supposed he should have been grateful that the fox didn’t bury his nose in Raz’s groin.
I am not so rude. Shunuk narrowed his eyes.
A little shaken that the Fam had answered his thoughts, Raz replied telepathically, You heard me?
I saw an image of myself and you in your head. You visualize well, storyman.
It is part of my craft.
We speak well together. It is good. Shunuk sat up straight in Raz’s lap, pointed his muzzle at the opposite window. Tell me of the city. Especially if you know where other foxes’ den.
I don’t. But I know of Danith D’Ash, she who matches Fam and human. Raz could be indirect and cagy, too. Who was Shunuk’s person?
The fox flicked a dismissive ear. She is only for city Fams, those who cannot find their humans themselves.
Oh? Where do you come from?
I have been many places. Last was Steep Springs and Gael City. The fox slanted him a sly gaze. Came to Druida on a shuttle with cherries tinted on the side. Smelled a little like you.
My Family’s business, Raz said shortly. Why are you here?
To smell you. Shunuk’s tongue flicked out and across Raz’s chin. You taste good, too.
Staring into those eyes, Raz knew he’d get no more from the Fam, and he had the feeling he was missing something
From the intelligence in its eyes, Raz concluded that the fox was a Fam animal. Someone had gotten lucky. Fams were still scarce, most of the matches of Fam and human conducted by Danith D’Ash. And most Fams were cats or dogs, though a rage for fox jewels, faux fox fur, and images had occurred a while back.
When the fox saw him, it sat up and yipped. Greetyou, storyman.
Raz halted. “What did you call me?”
Storyman. The man in the viz stories that my person and I watch.
That sounded reasonable. A couple of his plays had been recorded. “Storyman.” Raz allowed himself to be charmed. He inclined his torso in a half bow. “Greetyou, FamFox.”
I am Shunuk.
“Greetyou, Shunuk.” They were taking up the whole sidewalk. Raz gestured in the direction he was going—to the Thespian Club for breakfast.
You rise late, the fox commented. I have cleaned out all the mice in the alley this morning while waiting for you. Cached a few for snacks later.
“Ah.” Raz cleared his throat. “I was in a story last night, it runs very late.”
Shunuk bobbed his head. Do you go for morning food now?
“Yes.”
You do not make your food?
“I go to congregate with other story people in the morning. We work together and talk.”
Ah, clans and circles and dens.
“Somewhat.” Raz stopped at the PublicCarrier plinth. The Thespian Club was a long walk and he had errands to run. He had a glider, but he wanted to save the energy needed to power it for that night. This evening’s party would be work and he had to be fresh. He was already running behind, but if the fox proved amusing, he could delay his chores for a while.
The carrier glided up and Raz stepped through the weathershielded door to the interior, took a cushy seat. To Raz’s surprise, the fox hopped onto his lap. He held it as the carrier accelerated, looked down to see big yellow eyes with a black-slit pupil staring up at him. Glinting with laughter? Raz frowned. “Why are you here?”
I like eggs for breakfast.
Raz was sure that wasn’t the only reason. The fox was being cagy. “I suppose I could order you some eggs. Didn’t you say you have a Fam person?”
I am new to Druida City. I wanted to see the storyman. Smell if he is a good human or not. Many things to do and see in the city. The fox sniffed lustily.
“And . . . ?”
I like your scent. It is good.
Raz was sure that the fox didn’t mean the slight scent of cleanser that lingered on his skin. He supposed he should have been grateful that the fox didn’t bury his nose in Raz’s groin.
I am not so rude. Shunuk narrowed his eyes.
A little shaken that the Fam had answered his thoughts, Raz replied telepathically, You heard me?
I saw an image of myself and you in your head. You visualize well, storyman.
It is part of my craft.
We speak well together. It is good. Shunuk sat up straight in Raz’s lap, pointed his muzzle at the opposite window. Tell me of the city. Especially if you know where other foxes’ den.
I don’t. But I know of Danith D’Ash, she who matches Fam and human. Raz could be indirect and cagy, too. Who was Shunuk’s person?
The fox flicked a dismissive ear. She is only for city Fams, those who cannot find their humans themselves.
Oh? Where do you come from?
I have been many places. Last was Steep Springs and Gael City. The fox slanted him a sly gaze. Came to Druida on a shuttle with cherries tinted on the side. Smelled a little like you.
My Family’s business, Raz said shortly. Why are you here?
To smell you. Shunuk’s tongue flicked out and across Raz’s chin. You taste good, too.
Staring into those eyes, Raz knew he’d get no more from the Fam, and he had the feeling he was missing something
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