Somehow, someway, the little fox had made it back to Sularia. While she hadn't found Rowan or Hazel, Akira didn't quite mind. She was safe, and right now that was all that mattered. Thanks to some nice residents of the city, Akira and her dolly were nice and clean now, her kimono no longer sporting the stains of mud and fruit. Their hair has been brushed out, all the dirt clods washed out and knots removed. How can anyone get so dirty yet have a tail that appeared to be untouched by any mud and dirt?

With a piece of succulent meat in one hand, her dolly in the other, Akira went out to explore once more. It didn't matter to her that she found the poor thing half buried, Akira fished it out of the earth and kept it as a friend on the lonely roads. She has decided to call it Angel, for she helped even on the most scary of nights. The fox found herself in a maze, with other children running and laughing inside.

For awhile, she was able to run and play with them. Such a marvelous thing to not have to worry about her tail being pulled, to enjoy the time spent with kids her age. Akira, however, wasn't like most children, and when she spotted someone who looked like they knew where they were headed, walking with a purpose, the fox followed, intrigued and curious as to where they were going.

Being in Sularia was an odd feeling for Eldora. It was completely serene and yet there was screaming. Dreadful AWFUL screaming from the dead and dying. Eldora put a hand into her black hair and pulled it to keep her grounded. There was a Xunatar looking doll in her arms and her blue eyes were painfully open. Her midnight colored dress trailed on the ground as she walked behind her daughter. Estelle was on the move, a crawl really. But she was moving none the less as she crawled with a fierce speed that most infants couldn’t achieve.

She was feeling the bricks under her hands and knees. She was going up to the flowers and putting her nose right into the flowers. Some flowers made her sneeze from all the yellow stuff. Her mother called it pollen or something but it didn’t matter as she moved from plant to plant. She squealed as she neared the roses that reminded her of her mama so much. Eldora was stern, “Estelle no…” But why?

Estelle continued and Eldora rolled her blue eyes. She would come to find out why as she reached and grabbed for the stem to pull the roses down. A thorn went in her hand and a cry left her lips as she plopped on her bottom and stared at the blood. Eldora came over and a blue light touched Estelle’s hand. The wound closed and Estelle felt the pain go away. “Ma.. ma.. ma.” Estelle was now curious and like her mother before her went to touch the rose again just to see the light again.

“No,” Eldora was firm as she turned Estelle towards something else. “No more thorns…” She booped Estelle’s noise and the baby squealed and was back on the move towards other older children.

“Da… Da.. DA!” She reached up and went to yank on the white tail of a little girl.

“Estelle, that is rude.” Her mother said as she trailed behind.

Estelle looked up and attempted to do it anyways. “Da…”

“She isn’t your father… that is the wrong color fur… Or does she remind you of Da?” Eldora stopped her and knelt down. “Sorry, it appears she sees her father in you. Right, Estelle?”

“DA!” Estelle pointed at the ears now as Eldora looked up with her. She began to coo up to the girl and held up her arms so the girl could pick her up.

“I do believe… That Estelle wishes for you to pick her up so she can see your ears… Feel free to tell her…” Eldora mouthed no just in case and smiled at the baby with curly black hair, dark skin, and lively blue eyes.

Akira stopped and turned toward the younger child kept saying Da, reaching for her tail. Normally, she'd cry and try to run, yet, this wasn't a bigger kid and it was not with malicious intent. Her ears twitched, listening to the words the woman was speaking. Fur of different color? Was it possible that this child was the offspring of someone who looked like her?

This would mean that Akira was not as alone as she previously began to believe. The child looked at the woman who mouthed no, a genuine curious look etched in every feature as she returned her vision back to the baby. Akira crouched down to examine the smaller girl closer. Not wanting to drop such a fragile looking thing, the fox sat down on her bottom before pulling on the baby till she was practically hugging her around the middle while the baby was standing against her.

Tilting her head, Akira gave Estelle greater access to her ear. It was odd to see someone so much younger, a rarity for the fox-child. Greater still was the genuine curiosity of her beastly features that led to more innocent prodding. ”Akira no mind. You is not big meanies.” She explained, trying to convey the realization that she was not being bullied by a malicious soul. ”Who you? 'Da' like Akira?”

Playfully, Akira rubbed her nose against the baby's nose. Then she picked up the forgotten doll and held it up for Estelle to see. ”Angel like you! See? Angel smile.” If Estelle reached for it, Akira would let the younger one play with it.