Something foxy...

When Lera steps completely into the sunlight that is the first time you notice something, a pair of identical shapes atop her crimson haired head. You stare for a moment in confusion before it finally hits you; the shapes are like a pair of soft edged triangles...if you were to guess you'd almost say they look like ears. With a sudden twitch one of the triangles moves, swiveling around the slightest bit making your eyebrows jump in surprise. Upon closer inspection you see the finer ruby fur, the slight nervous twitching and the picture comes into focus. Sitting on her head Lera has a pair of movable foxes ears the same color as her hair.

Just as you are about to comment you notice something else, something odd about Lera. You cast a glance to Lera's side and find your brown orbs locked onto a fluffy tail, a long appendage of crimson with a pure white tip that sways behind Lera's back. The tail twitches slight and slowly wraps around Lera's leg, the length beginning at Lera's lower back and ending around her ankle. You suddenly look up into Lera's eyes, a sharp motion that gives her cause to jump and stare at you with a worried look. Her eyes really do glow, the emerald reflecting a slight shimmer as her pupils constrict to a fine cat like slit.

"L-Lera..."

You can tell your voice is drenched with nervousness and to a point, fear. Even with this knowledge it still hurts when Lera winces and looks away from you, her eyes turning from you as she takes another step back into the darkness, "I'm sorry Jack...I shouldn't-" On reflex you approach Lera, your years of consoling her when her boyfriends break up with her kicking in as you cup the side of her face with your hand, "Lera, it's alright." She gently pulls away, a **** act as she takes one step further from your touch, "No, I shouldn't have done this. I mean...this is a lot to bring down on you but I thought...I thought I'd..."

You can tell she is on the edge of tears, her body starting to shiver as the ears on her head lay down flat upon her skull. Without thinking you lunge at her, your arms wrapping around her tightly as you pull her into one of you patented bear hugs, "oh no, no, no, no crying now!" You can feel her tense up, her nerves getting the better of her as she tries to weakly pull away. You hold Lera tight, not once letting go despite her words, "J-Jack...why are you...I'm...I'm not like you." For a moment you're at a loss for words, your muscles loosening just a bit, giving Lera the opportunity to slip from your grasp, "see...the second I remind you, you let me go."

With a speed you didn't know she had, Lera is once again in the shadows of the room, the only indication of her presence being a faint shadow and a pair of softly glowing eyes. "No Lera, don't-" You start but Lera laughs, a callous chuckle as she turns away from you, "Don't worry Jack, I had a feeling it would go like this...it's nothing against you...it's me, I know." You remain speechless as Lera faces away from you completely, the setting sun slowly casting more light on her body as it becomes level with the windows in the room, "I'm not human and I understand that would freak anyone out."

"What are you Lera?" you ask quietly, curiosity allowing you a brief moment of speech. Another sardonic chuckle cuts the air as she speaks, "I'm a fox demon Jack, one of those immortal things they talk about in mythology class. I've lived longer than most people can count back their generations. I've lived in a disguise for so long it takes me effort to think back and revert to what I truly am." Lera slowly holds up her hand as she stares down at it, "This is the first time in so long that I've gone back to my real form...that I've used my real name too...I’ve lived through school hundreds of time and died in some sort of accident so no one figured me out."

Disbelief still runs through you but you gather up the courage to ask, "Why tell me?" Lera is silent for a bit, simply staring at her hand, before she lets it drop, "Why? I don't know, I really don't...there's just something about you Jack...something I want to be around and trust. Since I met you in high school I've wanted to be around you, to tell you everything about me, to show you what I really am." Lera snorts, shrugging her shoulders as she turns to face you, "You're the first mortal, immortal, or otherwise that I've ever willing decided to show what I am! I've befriended over a million people, animals, and demons and you're the first fucking one!" You can see Lera's eyes are watery, unshed tears just balancing in the background of her shimmering emerald gaze.

You feel something twist in your chest, just seeing her cry makes your heart hurt, "Lera, I-" "Oh I know you're terrified," she shrugs, turning away from you once more, "Who wouldn't be? Either I'm a psycho furry who dressed up like a fox and decided to share my favorite kink with you or I'm what I say I am and you don't know if I'm being friendly or preparing to eat you alive. Either way it must be fucking scary thinking a nut job like me is your best friend." With each word you wince, emotional pain strangling you but at the same time, infuriating you. "I understand if this makes you want to leave this college, I mean I don't know what I was thinking. Showing you this...you're probably about to crap your pants. I'm sorry Jack but don't worry about leaving," Lera says, her tough voice sounding crackled and broken, "I'll just take off and start another life somewhere else. It shouldn't be too hard faking suicide. That way you won't have to hear about me ever aga-"

SMACK!!

With a sharp crack Lera's head snaps forward, your slap on the back of her head causing her to suddenly stop and turn around to face you. By her folded ears and curled tail you can tell your face is twisted in fury, your hand upright and held in the position where you smacked her, "if you dare leave this school I'll hunt you down and tie your tail to a train!" You don't know what possesses you to say that, at the moment you are running on pure adrenaline as Lera stutters out, "B-but don't I freak you out?" You roll your eyes, giving a soft sigh as you let your hand fall, "Lera, you're my best friend! I really don't care what the fuck you are as long as you're with me!"

Even in the darkness you can see a light hint of red come across Lera's cheeks, her gaze turning away from you again as she speaks, "You...you're not scared? Everything I told you and you’re not scared?" With a heavy sigh you do something Lera usually hits you for, you grab her in a massive hug and hold her tight to your chest. She lets out a soft yelp, something that usually comes before she punches you in the stomach. However, this time no punch comes, only her leaning into your embrace, "Lera, I'm not scared. I'll admit I'm surprised, a little amazed, but not freaked out or scared."

One of the frequent silent moments arises, nothing but your breathing echoes through the room. "Jack," Lera whispers, "You better not be screwing with me because I will kill you in the most creative and painful way possible." You laugh and let Lera go, a bright grin on your lips as you ruffle her long, crimson locks, "I'm not messing with you...foxy lady." For a moment you can catch Lera's blush, a happy smile on her lips...moments before it turns into a glare and a growl, "very funny smart ass, don't make me go medieval on you!" Feeling ballsy you grin, "I'm sure you could granny."

Instantly the temperature in the room plummets, fog forming on the windows as Lera's face turns abysmally dark, "What. Did. You. Say." Thinking fast you reply with frantic speed, "I said I'm sure you could eviscerate me and make me eat my own guts oh lovely and wonderful fox queen! Please do not kill this humble mortal for he shall serve you in any way you see fit!" Lera smiles brightly at you and the rooms temperature turns back to normal, "that's what I thought you said."