Investigations will wait for this!

The demi-fox Freds tenderly reach out to pick up a kit from the nearest row of baskets, when a gentle cough from the manbear Synizn pauses this hear warming scene.
 
 

"Wrong bundle, gentlemen." The manbear says gently (he had noticed the difference in clothing....which gave away which Fred belonged to which Astra and children). This brings a slight chuckle from the adventurers (native and otherworldly), and the demi-fox Freds hold their offspring lovingly….one at a time. A tear runs down human Fred's face, truelly touched at the simple joy the demi-foxes are having with their new found families (he gently tossled the hair of his little ones, who were gentely snoring after yet another feeding by Astra).
 
 

"Deju vu?" Human Astra whispers to her husband.
 
 

"All over again." Human Fred says back.
 
 

Manfox Fred walks over to the demi-foxes, who the werebear Synizn has carroled into sitting on a stool in preparation for the next phase in this transformation. He clears his throat and places a bundle of clothes next to each demi-fox. The were-bear Synizn looks at Manfox Fred in puzzlement, and then comprehension dawns!
 
 

"I forgot that humans don't like running around in bathrobes….or naked!" he says, slapping his head in consternation. "I swear sometimes……"
 
 

"Yeah," smiles the demi-fox Synizn, coming over and looking at the clothing. "We had a tendency of doing that from time to time…..before we got used to living for long periods of time with normal humanity."
 
 

"I……lived in Walants," mutters Synizn. "I lived there for years among the humans, but…..most of my time when I wasn't out trying to help some poor slob, I was meditating for hours and hours on end….keeping the beast at bay. I never really got to really learn the fine details of human society."
 
 

"Don't worry, Syn." Chuckles Sigin from a corner. "If those reading your brothers got off of your Matrix are right, you'll be able to not have to worry about meditation and self control for quiet a while."
 
 

The were-bear smiles at that, and shakes his head in mute delight. He had been known well the wonders the methods of meditation of the Oriental dragons had been able to accomplish, in physical means (he'd been absolutely amazed to see one of his teachers demonstrate how he could hold his breath for two hours underwater…..and not be harmed in the slightest). Apparently, this mediation and self control he had acquired had also slowed the degradation of his Matrix……so that while it was too late for just one Cyrstallic to reverse the damage…..three could still do it (something about there being THREE of these powerful artifacts together….on the same plane of existence bothered him……but that would hopefully wait). He quickly got back to business with his brothers.
 
 

"So, you say that in addition of regaining my form," says a demi-fox Fred from the stool he sat upon. "You'll strengthen this.....Matrix thingy so that I can't be as easily altered as I was....last time?"
 
 

"Yes, I would just hate to think we'd have to go through this yet AGAIN!" growls the other demi-fox Fred. "I swear, I never want to see that toaster headed gorilla or that mage/scientist: Dr: Vincent again! What that nut was doing out in the Calimari desert was beyond me!"
 
 

"Oh, it'll be back to what it should be," reassures the manbear. "In fact, if I ever get my hands on that SOB who had done you so wrong with those sissors for hands......" The smile that the manbear gives off makes the demi-foxes glad he's not angry at THEM!
 
 

"Hmmph," mutters the demi-fox Synizn, who makes a little magical adjustment here and there and…..
 
 

Both demi-fox Freds are suddenly profoundly human….and naked on their stools. They both turn in startled surprise as they hear very human crying from the bundles that just a moment before held over a dozen demi-fox kits. Eyes open wider at the sight of…..Willian and his Astra quickly donning bathrobes to cover their now naked human bodies, just before gently shaking the still napping Astras (who are now human also!) awake.
 
 

Both the manbear and the wearbear Synizn open their mouths to speak, while wearing sheepish grins, but a roaring laugh from the demi-fox Synizn stops them.
 
 

"Hey," the demi-fox grins. "Can I help it if I…..we can handle several things at once with these magical items?" The Astra and Fred that had accompanied the little demi-fox mage smile, and then tell the others how their Synizn had done and said something similar….when HE cured THEM of their demi-fox tainted blood.
 
 

"You were going to also?" the manbear whispers to his were-bear counterpart. The slight nod…and the slight blush of embarrassment, tells the answer.
 
 

After about an hour of fussing over the infants (Alicia and the manfox Fred seem to bring the most giggles and fascinated cooing from the little ones…..something like a giant sized stuffed toy given life to the little babies perception), the proud grandfather finally sighs. In the midst of all this world wide disaster, this scene is sweeter and more beautiful just because of the contrast, but there was one item that he knew must be taken care of…..if only for the sake of sanity of all around him (and himself).
 
 

1. "I hate to bring this up," he says. "But folks, we need to do something about this same name business….it's confusing me….and it won't go away any time soon…..at least while we are all together like this!" 

 Go Back