video; seelie/unseelie

[glacio]

[ when Elsa clicks the feed on, the camera isn't focused on her, but on a little itty baby fox kit that looks very much like this, but with pure ( snow ) white fur, much like this. she's just a wee little thing, standing at Elsa's feet, and just- waiting. tail wagging, ears perked. and when she yips it's just this little tiny sound, excited and pleased and-

oh god, Elsa has no idea how to take care of her, she just loves her so much already, and that's clear by her tone when she finally speaks up. ]

Hello, everyone. As you can see, I have a new friend! Which, I know, it's probably silly to address you all about this, but I've never had a pet before and I am rather happy to have her around. The only problem is that I've had her for over a day and I'm still not sure what to call her. [ she turns her locket to face her now, expression hopeful ] I was hoping I could get suggestions from all of you, if you wouldn't mind.

Comments

audio;

[caditquaestio]

...relieve yourself of the creature.

Take it past the river and leave it to its ways.

audio;

[glacio]

I can't. And I won't! She was given to me by the fairies of my court, and for very good reason.

[caditquaestio]

Listen - no, truly, listen. No good can come of foxes. They eat what they catch: dogs, cats, children. And they don't take to the taming.

With dogs, you become, as they say, the bigger creature. Not the master, the leader. With wolves, the same. They stay in your pack while you show strength and wait obediently for your death to assume status. They've the mind and the patience. Foxes don't follow. They overcome you, and if they well and can't, they leave to their own devices. Did you not think of why they are never in a pack?

Trust me: there's merit in the creatures. And back home, we've tried to keep them. But they don't lend themselves to the life, and only harm comes of it. We saw one tear apart a toddler, thinking it prey.

[glacio]

[ s q u i n t ]

She is not going to eat anyone. The fairies assured me she was safe to be around, and that she would grow to be like a companion to me. Why would they lie about something like that, if she was truly a danger to any of us?

[caditquaestio]

Because it is in the way of men to look at something frail and sweet and think it harmless?

[glacio]

I'm not sure the fairies here really fall under that generalization.

[caditquaestio]

All right, then tell me in honesty: do you think the animal a creature you can master, or are you holding it close for stubbornness' sake?

[glacio]

In all honesty, I think the fairies were being honest when they said she would grow to be like a sort of companion. A familiar of sorts. I never thought myself the type for a pet, but it doesn't feel that way with her.

[ there's really no sane way to say "it feels like we were meant to meet" or "I feel more like myself when she's around", so. she's trying not to. ]

She's different. Special.

[caditquaestio]

[ Oh so dryly - ]

'Different.' 'Special.'

[ And then he laughs. ]

I don't believe in merits unproven. But you do, and that is of matter here. Keep the animal, then. Do as you would. It's on you what becomes of it.

[glacio]

And I will gladly take that responsibility.

[ she's looking off camera at the little fox again though, trying not to smile too much when the kit promptly drops onto her side and rolls on her back, begging for a pet. oh yes! definitely a crazed wild animal, this one. she isn't worried. ]

Have you ever had pets of your own?

[caditquaestio]

[ Enough hesitation now to suggest longing - ]

I kept a horse.

[ And another pause. ]

No. I raised a horse.

[glacio]

So you'll understand why I'm already so attached to my kit. The fairies told me she needs a new family, someone to look out for her. To raise her. I trust that there is a very good reason why they believe I'm the one that should be left with that responsibility, I just need to figure out what it is.

[caditquaestio]

I understand attachment. But feeling should not triumph over reason.

Horses have a time-honoured tradition of taming. They are strong spirits and choose their master, but the cruelty has been bred free of them.

[glacio]

[ she huffs, a little tiny thing ] You've missed my point. But that's alright.

I suppose you only came here to tell me why I'm wrong to want to raise her, and not help in naming her?

[caditquaestio]

Would you want me to? Truly.

[ But, well enough - an exasperated sigh. ]

What do you suppose to be the month of her birth?

[glacio]

She can't be more than two or three months old, I would guess.

[caditquaestio]

Two months ago. Young enough for a naming - fair.

You have a female and she is of the woods. Tradition would call for Artemis-Diana.

[glacio]

Traditionally according to whom?

[caditquaestio]

The folks' tales. History. Mythology.

[glacio]

Artemis is a pretty name...

[caditquaestio]

Artemis, then. Virgin goddess to the woods and the hunt. May it bear luck.