Waiting...

Everly stood by the large window looking out from the vestibule. She placed her hand against the glass, feeling the cold that had gathered on the other side. She leaned forward, craning her neck and trying to look east. She knew that they were expecting some new people soon, and that's the direction they would be coming from. Everly sighed. She was unable to get a good look at the road from here.

Taking careful, delicate steps she walked towards the front doors. She remembered the days when a helpful, ready servant would have rushed forward as soon as they saw her making for the door. They would be there and waiting by the time she approached, and the doors would be pulled back for her, a light breeze gently brushing against her face and dress. She would walk proudly through them, and stop to wait on the front porch for Gibson's return.

But now, she stopped short in front of motionless doors. Everly looked around, stupidly hopeful that someone would come to her aid. She sighed again, dropping her shoulders in defeat, even though she had known that those days were long past. Don't be silly, she thought to herself and placed a reluctant hand on the left door handle.

Of course, the actual effort wasn't much. Everly didn't even have to push down as she sent her focus briefly to her palm and the door swung open easily. But it wasn't the effort that bothered her. It was the principal, the meaning behind the whole situation. Her life had changed, and she didn't want to get used to it.

The breeze was nice, but in the distance, Everly could see the skies darkening. It was beginning to look like a storm. She wrapped her arms around her chest and walked to the edge of the porch. It was as far as she could go, but from here she could see the dirt road that led into the trees. There was no one coming down the road as of yet. She lifted her chin, glancing up at the increasingly threatening sky, and she hoped that the newcomers would make it back before the storm hit.


((Just because I was bored. Feel free to join when you get back to the castle! ^^ I think almost everyone's out now. Poor Everly, all by herself. XD))

Zerda smiled gently as he followed Valentin close once again. He was happy to see the entrance of the castle. He would already feel the warmth of what he imagined to be a fire in the center of a large room surrounded with decorations as old as the castle. Then of course there would be food. Zerda walked over the ground that was for the carriages and it felt different. Like little stone pebbles that were only a little bigger than the sands on the beach. He smiled at them as he realized they were gentle on his feet and a nice reminder of home once more. At the entrance Zerda saw a woman waiting, or so he thought she seemed see through. Though it was probably just his eyes playing tricks on him as the cold seemed to be leaning over them. It looked as if the sky would cry tears of pain and hatred. He hurried up the street and hoped that Valentin was following this time.

At the top of the steps Zerda looked upon the details of the door and knew they had reached the destination. He looked up at the woman and shrunk down into his shoulder. "H-Hello....uh my name is Zerda Vulpes...who are you?" He asked quietly.

Finally, Everly saw some people heading towards the castle. She felt a small bout of nervous excitement flutter in her chest. Everything was in motion. She really was about to open up her castle to who knows how many teachers and students. The idea was frightening, but she couldn't deny that she was looking forward to it all the same.

With dark clouds rolling in quickly behind them, two boys were trotting towards her. The taller one had a set of antlers on his head and she immediately recognized him as Valentin. It didn't feel as if it was that long ago that he and Kale had stumbled upon her and her castle, but here they were, opening a school.

The other boy was slightly shorter, and began moving more quickly after he noticed the sky. Soon enough, he was up on the porch next to her, and Everly looked down at him as his head sunk into his shoulders. He looked almost ragged, long brown hair covering his eyes and bandages where a shirt should be.

When he spoke, Everly smiled sweetly down at him. She wasn't sure exactly how to welcome the new student properly, but there was something about him that made her want to pet him. "Hello Zerda. I'm Headmistress Everly. I'm so glad you've arrived safely." As she spoke, Everly reached down to brush the hair out of Zerda's eyes. Overall the boy looked rather wild. And was that... sand?

"Oh dear," Everly said. "Don't worry, I'll get a bath going right away." She turned to the other student, still making his way to the porch. "Valentin!" she called, on the edge of urgent.

The wind was picking up, and the first drops of rain began to darken the gray porch steps.

Zerda looked up at Everly with wide eyes as he tried to observe her more. She seemed to have a kind spirit that would be compared to a mothers. He smiled as he found such great people, though Valentin had scared him at first. He then saw the hand reaching down towards his bangs and he jerked back almost wanting to bite her hand in a defensive reaction. "Mmmmm....." He only showed a slight corner of his teeth then bit his lip. He didn't want to bite Everly, but he couldn't always keep his instincts down. She was just lucky this time. His ears perked up to the sound of the word "bath". Whats a baaaattthhh? He questioned himself. Perhaps it was a delicious fish plater with some sort of glaze that would dance on his taste buds. He smiled and looked at Valentin with a cheerful step, "Valentin, give me the bath! I want you to serve me a bath!" He said hoping he would accept. How sweet, little, sand cover Zerda's curiosity would only get him something he would regret. The little fox boy then looked up to the sky and lowered his ears. He dodged behind Everly and held tight to her dress. Smelling it for a moment he looked up at her and tilted his head, "Are you ta....." He paused for a moment and realized she was the headmistress. He closed his mouth and giggled a little. I think I will ask her that later....

Valentin wasn't quick enough after Zerda to avoid the first couple rain drops that splashed across his face. He hopped up onto the porch, hooves clopping quietly as he stepped up to the pair already there. He offered a respectful nod to Everly in greeting. "Headmistress." He noticed Zerda's avoidance when it came to his bangs and frowned thoughtfully, realizing that he had yet to get a good look at the boy's eyes.

His ears batted forwards to attention at Zerda's request and he had to pause a moment to consider why he was being asked such a thing. "Ahh..." His gaze flickers between the fox and the headmistress. Shrugging mildly, he looks to Everly with a bewildered gaze as if seeking instruction. He had missed the beginning of the conversation, so he wasn't sure if this was something she had suggested.

The wind coming in from over the ocean echoes a howl as it rushes around the stones of the building and sweeps the rain diagonally into their protected area. "Well how about we start by getting inside?" Valentin slipped around them and pulled open the door in a gentlemanly manner.

"Oh, yes." Everly said, attempting to duck as gracefully as she could to get away from the sudden onslaught of rain. She stepped through the open door with small, quick steps. She was so intent on getting out of the rain, that she wasn't sure if the fox-boy was still holding onto her dress.

It was still so ingrained within her that a servant should always be there to open the door for her, that she didn't even consider saying thank you. She simply walked into the main room and stood there, attempting to brushing the excess water off her blue dress. Then she reached up to her hair, pushing down the hairs that she knew must have broken free with the moisture outside.

When she was done, she folded her hands together and placed them in front of her so she appeared like a proper hostess. It's the stance that Gibson always wanted her to be in when guests arrived, and she thought it was best to use it now. She would wait patiently for everyone to be comfortably in the vestibule before she would explained the situation to Valentin further.

(( so should we just leave this one and go to the vestiblue topic or keep using this one?))

((this is in the vestibule. =P))

(( oh ok XD))

Zerda felt the droplets of water hit him and he shook them off quickly as he followed close to Everly still attached to her dress. He was quite confused, though she was see through he could still touch her and feel the fabric. She seemed a little more solid as the entered and perhaps the castle had something to do with this. He ignored this as he then noticed the surrounding views of the detailed castle markings. He smiled at them as he observed them closely with curiosity in hand. He wanted to ask so many questions, but had a hard time organizing through them. If ones brain could crash and die then perhaps thats what happened to Zerda. Blank expression, he returns the Everly and Valentin hugging them tight. He smiled finally and let go of them both, "You're my new family....don't ever leave okay...." He said almost whispering at the end.

The little fox boy then tilted his head up at the sight of a shadow blur past him. He walked up to the large tank that he though was only a giant water bowl and stared into it. He looked back at the two and tilted his head once again. "What's this?"

Amusement and maybe some adoration adorned Valentin's face when Zerda released himself and Everly from their hug. He suddenly realized how far from home this kid must be, and for someone like Valentin who traveled all the time, this school excursion wasn't anything to miss home over. But maybe Zerda hadn't gotten to travel much in his life yet, and the deer thinks it brave that he came here all on his own, not knowing what to expect. "Don't worry kiddo, I think you're stuck with us for a while at least now."

Stepping up to the tank beside Zerda, Valentin tilted his head back to peer up into it, then down into the cavern that travels far into the cliff the castle sits upon. The tank had no visible bottom or top from where they stood. It rose from beneath the floor and the cylinder stretched all the way through the high two-story ceiling in this vestibule and into the ceiling, emerging about three feet up through the floor of a large third-floor sitting room. At the moment he didn't see anything too terribly interesting swimming about in there.

"This is a fish tank. See how it doesn't have a bottom? The tunnel there leads right down through the cliff and somewhere it opens up through the floor of the ocean. So the fish keep changing depending on who finds their way in." He peered up again through the tank, tilting his head to the side with his hands folded neatly behind his back. "If you go up to the third floor, it opens and you can hop in, but try to resist the temptation. Sometimes the fish that come in aren't very nice." He alluded to the resident muirr, of course, though he's not present at the moment.

Everly was taken offguard by the hug, and found herself at a loss for words after the fox-boy released her. His new family? She supposed that that made him part of her new family as well. She had been alone for so long now, the thought frightened her a bit. She watched the boy's curiosity at the fish tank, and smiled. It would be nice, she decided, to have some new members of her family running around. She wished that Valentin hadn't mentioned the entrance on the third floor though. She had a nagging feeling that this boy's curiosity might get the best of him at times.

Everly stepped forward, joining the conversation. "Yes, Charles had it put in not long before he died. He always had such inventive ideas." Everly watched the fish swim carelessly through the green-tinted water. "Anyway," she continued, focusing again on Zerda. "This is not where you'll take your bath. Valentin," she turned to face the other boy. "I believe there's an unoccupied guest room just east of here. Would you go start the water in the tub please?" She smiled brightly, at the same time making a shooing motion with the back of her hand.

Without waiting to see if the taller boy listened to her, she turned back to Zerda, leaning down so their faces were almost on the same level. "Now, I'll make sure there's some nice hot food waiting for you when you're done. What would you like?"

Zerda listened with caution as he didn't want to miss a word. He stepped closet to the tank and sniffed it slightly before opening his mouth to take a lick. He was only then stopped when he felt Valentin come closer. Sticking his tongue back into his mouth, he looked up at Valentin and smiled. "Thats so....coooool!" He said as he looked up and down the tank as if to find the end and beginning from there. The voice of Everly then filled his ears and he turned to see her next to him. Her voice was so lovely, he loved it oh so very much and he never wanted to let go. Though the words of bath then grabbed his attention more. He paused when he heard her direct Valentin on instructions of a bath then tilted his head as she mentioned what food he would want. Why would he prepare a bath ....then ask me about more food? He questioned himself. Were they not the same thing or perhaps it was just how they ate here.

He smiled as he looked up at Everly, with ears perked up. His eyes grew wide at the question and he hopped up and down a little as he could barely contain his excitement. "Oh! Oh! No one has ever asked me what I would like to eat? I'm not all that picky! Uh, but if I must say then....herb fish with a side plate of snow crab and melted butter to dip in. Then for sides, a nice potato salad and whole wheat bread!" He paused and blushed a bit, "I once saw that order on a piece of paper that wandered into the desert near my home....it looked so good!" Once again he could barely hold in his excitement. Hopping on his tip toes and snuggled up to Everly and smiled. "Thank you Everly....I'll go get a bath now with Valentin! I will see you later..." He said as he pulled off of her and ran down the hall after Valentin. He had not felt this happy in a long time.

Valentin didn't really seem to mind the way Everly handed out orders, or at least like he had grown somewhat accustomed to it since his arrival. At the dismissive wave of her hand, he bows his head politely, hands still folded neatly behind his back, then waits for Zerda to put in his order before showing him the way. The choice of meal amuses him, of course, and he smiled as his ears flipped forwards. He was tempted to slide in a complicated order of his own, but opts to just hold his tongue. Instead he just spins lithely on the heal of his hoof and starts leading the way towards the nearest guest room.

He leads the way into the north corridor where there is an empty set or rooms just down the hall off the vestibule. Still maintaining his gentlemanly manner, he pulls open the door for Zerda, revealing a beautifully furnished room, impeccably clean and neat because it is currently unoccupied. The first room is a den with a large dark wood desk on the far wall amongst a modest collection of books, and a couch, table, and chair set in the center. There are two doors other than the one they have entered to, one presumably leading into the bedroom area of the suite, and the other into the bathroom. Valentin heads towards the bathroom door, figuring Zerda will follow him. The bathroom is every bit as nice as the den, and furnished for relaxing. There is a soft deep-purple carpet leading the way to an ivory claw-foot tub in the the back corner with an amoire for bath linens nearby. A tall side-table beside the tub supplies a china bowl with a spout for rinsing since there is no shower head, and a beautiful carved wooden chair sits not far from the tub, beside a modest expanse of wooden counter with a polished marble slab on top to keep the wood protected from moisture. There are a couple plants hanging down from the top of the armoire and one with many twisting vines on the corner of the counter.

Heading for the tub, Valentin crouches, plugging the drain before adjusting the faucet's hot and cold knobs until he's found what he hopes is a good, warm temperature. He glances over his shoulder to see if Zerda has entered in after him.


(( So we're just going to stay in this thread instead of starting another new one since the guest room is right off the vestibule ;p We can worry about moving when it's time to go to the kitchen or the dining room, or wherever there will be food. ))

Zerda followed close to Valentin and as he did he observed the area around him. The castle was very big and he found lost already. The only thing he could do was atleast remember where the entrance and main rooms were. Everywhere else could be over looked unless they showed an importance...or held a lovely secret that couldn't keep him away. Zerda then watched as Valentin opened a door and to his surprise the contents were much more than he expected. With a step into the room he sniffed the air and found it very pleasant. It smelt of fresh clean cloth and had crisp air, almost like that of the air outside. He embraced the scent and the decoration of the den as he slowly followed Valentin to another door. As it opened he slowely popped his head in as Valentin walked over to the tub. He watched closely as Valentin turned the knobs and water dispersed into the tub. He watched the steam rise up out of the bath tub and tilted at the sight of it. The steam hit the ceiling and seem to dance across it like rolling clouds across the sky.

With amusement in hand he walked over to Valentin and smiled at him, "Valentin! Look they're like lovely clouds or waves on the sea! Its so wonderful! You must be a great wizard to make something like that!" He said with excitement. He looked down at the water and saw his reflection in the rippling waters. Looking back up at Valentin he shrugged then looked around. "Where is the bath Valentin?" The little fox had seen everything except a bath it had seemed, but of course food was still on his mind.

Everly smiled as she watched the two boys run off. It didn't seem like this school idea would be that bad. She already knew she liked Valentin, and this new boy seemed equally sweet, though perhaps more naive. And he had seemed so excited about his bath! That could be nothing but a good sign.

"Come to the Breakfast room when you're done!" she called after them, hoping they heard. She repeated Zerda's order in her head, smiling at his very specific choice. She was sure the cook could whip something up that was similar enough. She headed off to deliver the order to the kitchen.

Valenting shook his head and chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint, but this is just me turning knobs. I'm a shoddy wizard, the science of plumbing has done all the work here. See, this knob makes cold water come out, and this one makes hot water come out." He demonstrated with each knob as he was explaining them to Zerda, then twists both of them so that the water stops. "Then you just turn them off when you're all full."

Done with preparing the tub, the deer stoodand turned to the fox with an uncertain look. "This is the bath. I'm assuming the Headmistress wanted you to clean out some of this sand. "He motioned to Zerda's sandy hair before planting his hand on his hip. "Soap and stuff is right there on the counter." Valentin crossed over to the armoire and found a fluffy burgundy towel and placed it on the counter beside the soaps. "And here's a towel for when you're done. I'll wait outside in this other room, ok?"

Valentin waited for confirmation that Zerda knows what to do.

Zerda looked back and forth between Valentin and the nobs and he smiled. He understood now and was glad he learned something new already. He then paused when he heard Valentin state that this was the bath. He looked at the water and seemed to quietly hiss at it. He didn't want to give up his lovely sand he obtained at the beach or what ever he had left in his pockets from the desert. He shook his head watching the little particles sprinkle out of his hair. "No..." He said before running over to the armoire digging through it till he came across a small box that was decorated with green panels and ebony wood surrounding each one. He smiled as he held it tight in his hands. He threw his head over his shoulder looking at Valentin. "You can't take my sand away from me...." He said as he took his box and opened it. He put his head over it and shook it wildly till he could shake no more. He opened his eyes and smiled at his collection in the box and nodded seeing it half full. Taking a hand into his pockets he pulled out what ever he could and added it to the collection.

Walking over to Valentin he smiled and closed the box, "See this is mine....well at least the sand....and I want to keep it!" He said hoping Valentin would understand. He placed it on the counter and then looked once more at the water. "Is it....as hot as it can be?" He asked not looking at Valentin. "I want only hot nothing cold....its this nob right?" He asked pointing to the one with a cursive "H" on it.

For a moment, Valentin was worried that Zerda was going to give him a hard time about taking a bath after the look he was giving the water. But then the kid starts shaking hid head over his box that he's found and Valentin lowered himself into the chair by the tub while he watches. He crossed one knee over the other, planted his elbow on his thigh and his chin in his hand, smirking against his fingers. "No worries, kiddo. I won't take your sand. We can find somewhere safe for it when we get to the dorms if you like."

Valentin nodded his head lazily in response to Zerda's motion towards the knob. "I made it pretty hot, but if you want it hotter, that's the one." His ears twitched around distractedly for a moment habitually. "You know there's a lot of sand around here right? A whole long strip of it at the bottom of those cliffs outside. One of these days when the sun comes out, we should head down. It's really nice there."

The bathroom they're in is an inner room, but the rain picking up outside echoes quietly from where it patters on the windows in the den next door as if to remind them of the current bad weather. It makes Valentin frown.

"'Course it does rain a lot here."

Zerda smiled as he heard Valentin's idea of putting his sand in a safe location. He nodded and dipped his hand into the water, "Thank you Valentin." He said as the temperature of the water was just fine. The thought of the sand on the beach made him happy once again and he was glad that he had met a friend that was willing to make him happy. The sounds of the rain had reached Zerda's ears and he sighed at them. Yes the horrible rain. Looking once more at the water he then turned and shooed Valentin towards the door, as if mocking Everly when she requested him to show him the way.

He smiled as he watched him leave, "If I need anything I'll ask, so no worries!" He yelled through the door before taking off his bandages slowly. He looked at them and admitted that yes, they were dirty. He threw them aside on the floor, completely oblivious to the hamper located somewhere in the room. He then shimmied out of his shorts and slipped his legs and tail out. With a flick of it, he dipped his tail in the water and swished the water around playfully. After a moment he pulled his hair out of his face and looked at his reflection frowning slightly at it. Shaking off his sad face he stepped into the tub and slowly emerged himself into the water, letting out a relaxing moan as he did. He would enjoy this time alone in the hot waters.

Time had passed as Zerda relaxed in the hot water of the bathtub. Nearly falling asleep he realized it was time to get out. Can't keep the cook waiting of course. He was so hungry that he wished he ate first then took the bath, but then again after that bath he felt so relaxed. This place was very open and he enjoyed it very much, as well as enjoying the peoples company. Valentin was exceptionally kind towards him and he knew they would be the best of friends. Being able to make such a horrible day of traveling in cold weather and starvation into a warm cozy one was something in his book. After getting out the tub and realizing how dirty he was he laughed, "Maybe I did need this bath.." He then turned and looked at the burgundy towel Valentin left for him and grabbed it. "Oh! Its so soft!" He said snuggling up to it. Pulling his face off he realized the water on his face was gone and he gasped. "Whoa! It also drys things!" He said as he started to rub it all over him. This was much faster than his normal run around and shake till dry method.

After a moment of drying he threw it to the floor where his shorts here and frowned. He was clean now and he couldn't possible wear his dirty shorts now. He made his way around the room till he found a robe hanging on the far side of the room. He looked at it and questioned it. It had no place for his tail to poke through. He ignored it and just opened the door walking out in complete dude. "Hmm, maybe Everly knows where some clothes are....or if I can find Valentin first." He said hoping to fins someone in the den. "Valentin! Where are you! Don't make me hunt you down!" He said with slight laughter in his voice. He felt very playful right now.

Valentin nodded a 'you're welcome' before ducking towards the door. He offered a casual salute in response to Zerda's shooing motion, and retreated into the den area, pulling the bathroom door shut behind him. While he waited for Zerda to finish with his bath,and not wanting to leave in case he didn't make it back before the fox was finished, he decided to busy himself with the modest selection of books on the wall behind the desk. Finding an interesting looking volume, Valentin settled himself into the comfortable desk chair swung it around to face the window with his back to the bathroom door, popped his hooves up on the wooden sill in front of him, and cracked open his English translation of Phenomenes Electro-Dynamiques.

He completely lost track of whatever amount of time he had been reading, and was a startled out of his focused knowledge-gathering by the beckoning call from Zerda. His first reaction was panic because he had been so involved in reading that he hadn't ever heard the bathroom door open, and word choices like 'hunt' just struck that fleeing-nerve. But almost as soon as his muscles are ready to make him bolt, he's rummaged some control back, recognizing Zerda's voice. He takes a heart-steadying breath and folds the old book carefully shut, then pulls his hooves off the sill and spins the chair around to face the other student.

The deer opens his mouth to announce his location, but the words get interrupted before they can be spoken when Valentin realizes Zerda's state of dress. He sighs quietly and smirks, scratching idly at his jaw with one hand.

"Zerda..." He shakes his head amusedly, still smiling. This kid was kind of refreshing. He's ashamed to admit that living for so long in the clothed world of humans, away from his shameless herd of faun, he had come to be surprised by the rarer unabashed manner of beings from the wilds. "I think we need to find you some clothes."

Zerda smiled as he looked around then jumped at the sudden movement in the corner of the den. He pointed his ears forwards and then smiled, "VALENTIN!" He yelled as he ran up to him pulling him off the chair hugging him. His tail flipped back and forth with excitement as he had waited for him. Zerda let go and stepped back as Valentin stated he was in need of clothes. With a blush and grab of his tail, Zerda hid his boys behind it. "O-oh yeah... I guess I do, but I love to run around without clothes! Its much more refreshing!" With a turn he walked over to the book on the table and he smiled at it, then frowned after another long look. "What is this? So many large words....whats Phenomenes..." After a moment he put the book in Valentin's hands and huffed at it. He sat down on the floor and rocked back and forth, "....Okay I want clothes now....its cold...."

As he looked up at Valentin he then jumped up, "My sand!" He said scurrying back into the bathroom in a panic. Obviously the mess he left would be the end of him as he tripped over the towel he threw to the ground. Sliding across the bathroom floor he hit the tubs side hard. He layed there for a moment and shook his head, "Ow....curse you magical towel!" He yelled as he shook his fist at it. Zerda slowely got up and rubbed his head feeling a sharp pain. He looked down at his hand and saw blood. "Mmmm ow....."

"Oh, hello," Valentin muttered amusedly when he was pulled into the hug, and he awkwardly tries to pat Zerda's back. "That's cool, I run around without clothes on too. I just try to remember to run as a deer when I do." He was still smiling, unable to hide his diversion. He attention followed Zerda's and he glanced down at the book as Zerda placed it in his hands. "It's about electro dynamics.. Science'y stuff." He returned the book to the shelf he found it on, making a mental note to come back for it later. Kale would probably find it interesting as well.

"Right!" Clapping his hands together, Valentin turns back to face Zerda. "Let's find you those.." But his sentence trailed off when he was distracted by Zerda's sudden mad dash back towards the bathroom. He watched for a moment, a little confused, then the sound of a collision reached his ears. In a fraction of a moment, Valentin had hopped over the desk and darted into the bathroom after the fox. His hoofsteps echoed on the tiles as he hastily neared, and his nose received the metallic smell of blood before he saw it. His jaw clenched nervously and in his concern he reached towards Zerda's head, forgetting about the short episode when Everly had tried to touch him before. Swiping up the 'magical towel' with his other hand, he pressed it firmly against Zerda's scalp.

Zerda sniffled slightly as he held his head. He tried to sit up as he saw Valentin run in after him. He tried to scoot away as Valentin approached his head with the towel in hand, "N-no...." He murmered as Valentin held him tight. Zerda had squinted his eyes as the cut felt like his heart as it throbbed. Then in a moment he felt like he was ok, like he was in good arms, that that resembled his mothers when he was young. he looked up at Valentin then down at the towel that flopped over his face. In a moment the started to chuckle a bit, "You act like a mother Valentin....or a really caring mate." In a moment he sat up and grabbed the towel holding it to his head on his own. "Thank you Valentin." He said standing up with his tail still wrapped around him. "There you are...." walking over to the counter he picked up his box of sand and held it close. "I need a better place for you...." Wrapping the towel around his head he smiled at Valentin and hopped in place.

"Come on lets get some clothes! Then FOOD!" He said excitedly as he was about to run out the door again. He stopped and saw his shorts. Picking them up he placed them on the counter and smiled, "Okay...now lets go!" He said running out the door.

Valentin was ready to protest against Zerda moving around so suddenly, but he only manages to gape stupidly as Zerda took the towel and made his way to the counter. He had no response to the other student comparing him to a mother or a mate. He found that picturing himself as either kind of instantly stressed him out. Spinning around to watch the fox, ears forward and alert after the small scare, he nods compliantly.

"Yeah, sure clothes.. I--wait!" Valentin hurried out of the bathroom after Zerda. His hobbies had delivered him his share of head injuries and he was wary how disoriented a good one can make you. "Hey, slow down a bit, hey? Don't spill your sand!"

Pausing in the den, Valentin looks around the room. He didn't really want to parade Zerda around the building to find clothes, so they'd have to see what was available in this suite. He decided their best bet was to check the bedroom, so he made his way over to the other door in the den. The bedroom boasts a large queen canopy bed centered along the back wall of the room. There was a nice little sitting area near the unlit fireplace to the right, and an impressively sized wardrobe to the left.

"Hey, in here." After making his way to the wardrobe and pulling open the door, Valentin was a little bummed to find an organized array of dresses. He puffed out his cheeks and huffed in annoyance. There were a couple drawers below the dresses and he pulled out of of those to reveal some night-wear. The second drawer, finally, contained some nice trousers, but pulling out a charcoal-grey pair and flapping them open revealed that they were definitely going to be a bit too big for Zerda's smaller frame. "Well this might be what we have to work with for now.."