You stood absolutely petrified. You were lucky to escape the first Deluma you ran into. She had literally made your life into a suspense thriller. You spent every other day wondering if you’d get snatched up off of the street and disappear into what ever dark hole she threw you into. But now? Now you’ve discovered she has a brother who is remarkably similar to his sister, from the way he carried himself to the glasses he wore, there was no doubt that he was Silvia Deluma’s brother.

Seeming to sense your feeling of dread he smiled and took a step back, “No need to be afraid, I’m not here to harm you.”

You shifted you’re weight to your back foot as you watched his every move, “Nobody ever ‘wants’ to harm me until it becomes an inconvenience for them not to.”

Malcom put a hand to his chin and chuckled as he nodded his head, “Fascinating… I knew you were capable of speech, but not to this extent. Your sentence structure and grasp of meaning is well beyond anything that I would have expected.” A dubious expression flashed across your face before Malcolm quickly composed himself, “Forgive me, I’m just excited to meet you is all. As for what you said a moment ago, I’m inclined to agree to an extent. However, I would say that that line of rationality would only apply to those who are interested in realizing their own selfish goals without any regard for collateral damage.”

You gave the multi tailed canine a doubtful stare, “And you have such a regard?”

Malcolm gazed at you with wonder, “Such an insightful creature,” He muttered before answering your question, “I do. I understand that it might be hard to believe given what my older sister has put you through. However, the fact of the matter is that I feel I can learn much from you without turning you into a prisoner or science project. I’m sure you’d agree that conversation and diagrams are more pleasant than chains and scare tactics, wouldn’t you?”

“I would,” You replied, “But what you’re suggesting is the polar opposite of what I’ve experienced.”

“I understand and you have my sympathy. For now, I think I’ll have you stay with my cousin and a friend of hers whom I think you know rather well.”

Not long after he finished his sentence, you found Luna and Tanya along with Hunter and Annika entering the room. You slowly moved in their direction while cautiously watching Malcom. The large anthro made no move to stop you. He watched you with a neutral expression until you found yourself in Luna’s arms.

She gave you an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. But we were worried that you’d panic if we told you we were taking you to meet another Deluma.”

You wanted to be angry, but you couldn’t deny that she was probably right and made a wise decision keeping you in the dark, “It’s alright, I’m just… surprised is all.”

Malcolm cleared his throat, grabbing your attention, “You’ll stay at Tanya’s house for the foreseeable future. I have quite a bit to do to make sure that you’re stay will be comfortable here, but I’m confident that it will be beneficial for you as well as anyone who has assisted you.” You weren’t entirely sure what that meant, but you decided not to ask. Malcolm crossed his arms and smiled, “Well that’s all I have for today. You can go if you’d like. I’m sure you’re not too comfortable with me just yet. Just know that you’re safe in this city. Both the governor and myself will see to that.” You tilted your head as a perplexed expression glued itself to your face. An expression of comprehension washed over Malcolm’s face as he spoke, “Ah, yes. I suppose I should mention that I’m the mayor of this city just as my sister is the mayor of her city. Anyway, go… enjoy some peace and fresh air.” 

Luna and Tanya took you and walked you out. You barely registered them guiding you to the door as you tried to process what just took place. Mayor Silvia Deluma had a brother. A brother who was similar to her in every respect with the exception of being a heartless dictator bent on chaining you up and cutting you open…. Or at least, that’s how it seemed. And said brother had his own city to look after. A city that you were now protected in.

By the time you’d checked back into reality, you were in the back of Tanya’s car, presumably on the way to her house with Annika and Hunter on either side of you. 

The white fox looked at you with concern, “Are you feeling okay?”

You quietly nodded, “Yeah, I’m just… trying to take it all in I guess.”

Before long, you arrived at a modest two story home in the suburbs. Tanya got out and stretched while Luna looked around to view the surroundings. Here ears twitched as she turned this way and that. She looked a lot like a watch dog on high alert.

“Would you cut that out? You’re starting to make me nervous,” Tanya said as she came around from behind the car to stand behind you.

“Sorry,” Luna apologized, “I’m just being careful. I’d to find out that Silvia sent a retrieval package for Kiba.”

Tanya rolled her eyes, “You want the riding mower so that you can patrol the perimeter?”

Luna scowled at the white fox, “Funny,” She muttered.

“I thought it was,” Tanya snickered as she turned her attention to you, “Come on, let’s get you comfortable.” You followed the twin tailed fox into the house. You found that Annika and Hunter had already made themselves at home, claiming bedrooms and making snacks in the kitchen. You gave them both an incredulous look.

Hunter seemed to take notice of this, “Tonya is our aunt,” He explained.

“We’ve spent several summers here, so this is basically like a second home to us,” Annika interjected.

“That explains a lot,” You murmured as Tanya grinned and led you upstairs. She took you to a small bedroom. It was pretty basic as far as rooms went. It had a bed, a dresser, a closet, ceiling fan and nightstand. You weren’t complaining though, you happy to have a place to sleep at all.

“Here you are,” Tanya brightly declared as she put her hands on her hips, “Anything else I can do for ya?”

“No,” You replied, “This is perfect.”

Tanya grinned, “Great, you probably already figured this out. But my name is Tanya. Luna and I are very good friends and the two fur balls that tagged along with you happen to be me niece and nephew. They’re good kids, they just get a little excited.”

“Yeah,” You murmured as you thought back to your first encounter with the quartet of foxes.

Just then Luna walked in with a smile, “I’m glad to see you’re settling in.”

“Are you heading back out?” Tanya asked.

Luna nodded and sighed, “Yeah, I have to meet up with Malcolm and give him my report on Silvia. He want to know what he’s up against so that he can prepare both in the political arena and physically.”

You looked up at Luna, “You don’t think she knows we skipped town yet, but she’ll figure it out eventually.”

Tanya nodded and sighed, “And you can bet that the minute she does, she’s not going to be one to sit quietly and let it go.”

Luna frowned, “She’s as vindictive and aggressive as she is sly and calculated. I have no doubt that she’ll come for us, that’s why I’m meeting with Malcolm to discuss a plan of action.”

“Well feel free to take the car, we’ll be here when you get back,” Tanya replied. Luna nodded, flashing you a quick smile before she walked out of the room. Tanya came over and patted you on the shoulder as you stared at the empty doorway where Luna once stood, “You okay?”

“Huh? Oh yeah,” You replied as you forced a smile and looked up at Tanya. She didn’t seem convinced.

“Don’t worry, it’ll all work out,” She stated as she left the room, “Why don’t you get some rest. You can find something to keep you’re mind off of Silvia tomorrow.”

You nodded and started getting ready for bed.

“How!? How could he have slipped through my fingers!?” Silvia roared as she paced her office. Her tails swayed erratically as she scowled at an imaginary target that seemed to be right in front of her. Just then there was a knock at her door. Her head snapped up as she paused, she then eyed the clock on the wall. She sighed as she calmed herself and strode briskly back over to her desk where she sat. She rested her elbows on the desk and interlocked her fingers. “Come in.”

The large wooden double door swung open revealing the black lab that acted as Silvia’s personal agent, “The group you requested has arrived.”

The mayor nodded, “Good, send them in.”

The lab returned to the hallway as a group of anthros walked in. First, a trio of rabbits walked in. Two were male, while the third was female. They were all in casual street clothes, denim jeans and t shirts. Following them, there was a pair of mice walked in. They were both males wearing dark and baggy clothes. The last anthro that walked in was a lioness. She wore a tactical vest, green cargo pants and a grey tank top.

“Thank you all for coming,” Silvia started, “I’ve called you here because I have a job for you. Something was recently taken from me and I want it back.”