The princesses

The three young women had dark skin and black hair like their mother. Their facial features matched hers too, though they were softer and somewhat rounder. They were dressed in fine, revealing clothes as well.

The first wore a form-fitting transparent dress, tight against her short and slender body. It had a pattern of white flowers that seemed to shine against the backdrop of her sable skin, clustered strategically to become opaque where it mattered. Tucked neatly behind her ears, from which several earrings dangled, her silky hair flowed halfway down her back.

The second princess, a tall and curvy woman, had several sheets of some gold material wrapped around her torso, each running through and secured by a metal ring over her stomach, giving the impression that a single tug would leave her standing nude before him. Two more shiny rings were pushed up her upper arms, though these were purely decorative. Her hair was styled like her mother's, not quite to her shoulders.

The shape of the third princess was harder to discern under her flowing, toga-style red dress. She had short curly hair that bounced by her ears with every step, and wore no jewelry that Felix could see.

<<By Ra, what is that lovely creature?>> the long-haired princess asked when her eyes landed on Felix.

<<This is an exotic animal I've had imported for you, my daughters!>> A loud voice announced from behind Felix, giving him quite a fright. The hair on his already-fluffy tail stood on end as he whirled around and was caught in the queen's intense stare. Intimidated, the fox thought she was yelling at him and dropped into the kneeling position he'd taken in the throne room.

But the queen strode past him, speaking to her daughters. <<He seems quite docile, but if that changes I expect you to deal with him. You've been tutored in unarmed combat for a reason, after all. He's your pet and your responsibility.>>

<<We'll take care of him, mother. Thank you,>> the princess in the toga dress said. Approaching slowly, she held out a hand. When she was sure Felix would hold still she took the last step and touched his head, giving his fur an exploratory stroke. <<Oh, so soft! Come feel it Binnie, Kalia.>>

A moment later Felix was surrounded, six tentative hands caressing and scratching him from every direction. He allowed himself to close his eyes and enjoy their attentions. But before long the hands retreated, and the slender princess asked <<Does he have a name?>>

<<Not yet,>> the queen told her. <<You are to decide his name together.>>

The three girls nodded as they huddled up, whispering and giggling excitedly. After a minute they broke their huddle and the tallest princess returned.

<<Have you agreed on a name with your sisters, Kalia?>> her mother asked.

<<We have. We want to call him Max.>>

<<Maxy if we're feeling playful,>> the curly haired princess snickered.

<<Binnie, behave,>> the princess in white chided with a smile.

<<What? You're the one who suggested it, Rez!>>

<<Alright girls,>> the queen said indulgently. <<The first thing you'll have to do is train him to respond to his name. Whether it's Max or Maxy,>> she added with a chuckle that made Rez and Binnie blush.