A Tail’s Misfortune

Sora’s laughter still echoed in her ears, a pleasant reminder of the day’s start, filled with lighthearted banter and the occasional exaggerated swing that sent the ball spiraling in impossible directions.

Overhead, she could imagine the sun, high and bright, watching over the green stretches of the golf course, a silent observer of the playful rivalry that had unfolded throughout their morning. It seemed like forever since she had the chance to enjoy her father like this.

Setting her ground and positioning her hips as he’d shown her, Sora prepared herself to lose their third game. She honed her focus, trying not to get distracted by her father’s smug smirk.

What is up with him having such a good villain face sometimes!? Ugh. Even with a little magical nudge, Dad still beat me by a mile. I’m trash!

A warm chuckle shook her father’s chest, his eyes crinkling in amusement as he watched her latest attempt to guide the ball with a discreet swirl of magic. “Trying to bend the rules, are we?” Jarlath teased, the Irish lilt in his voice dancing with mirth.

“Isn’t that the family tradition? Besides, I’m still getting used to swinging with my tail,” Sora retorted, her tail swishing in feigned indignation as she lined up for the shot.

“Always excuses from a fox, eh? Reminds me of some other tailed ginger.”

“Oh, shut up!” she huffed with a smirk. “Mom’s not even ginger; she’s full-on red. And you’re just trying to distract me!”

“Fair. Fair. Go on. Show me what a young lassie with the addition of a magical tail can deliver.”

“My butt, a tail helps me! Okay, breathe… Wind patterns, angle, and…strike!”

The ball soared into the air as if taking on her name…and landed just outside the sand dunes. The game had continued amidst their laughter, each joke a light tap against the delicate framework of their morning’s deeper conversations.

Now, as the Miami sun crowned the day at its zenith, Sora found her ears and tail low, delivering a light glare at her whistling father while putting their clubs in the back.

“I totally let you win.”

“I’m sure you did, Sweetheart,” he snickered. “If by letting me win, you didn’t magic your ball to fly straight into the hole or change the wind on me, wait… You did do that one.”

“Once! How did you even know?” she genuinely asked, getting into the driver’s side of her Bentley to drive back to the hotel. “I thought I was being pretty slick.”

“It’s the wind,” her dad replied as if that was the answer. “When it abruptly changes in another direction while the breeze several meters away keeps on true, then I’d say there’s some magical meddling afoot.”

Sora’s shoulders and ears slumped at the reveal. “Oh… Well, that makes more sense. I should have made an illusion or something to trick you. Notes for next time. Still, I did better than I ever have before…granted, with magic, but better!”

“No. No, I’m impressed,” her dad nodded, dropping into his seat with a grunt. “Maybe you’ll take your new bird friend on a date here and show him the ropes.”

“M-My what—ahh?! Dad!” Sora choked and cried out as his comment made her tail stick in the path of her closing door to strike her poor fifth limb. “Ou-ou-ou…”

She cradled her tail with a real teary-eyed glare that had her father holding up his hand in defense.

“It can’t all be my fault for you being unable to control the furry thing. Seems I hit a cord, too. So you do like him, huh?”

Sora growled and repositioned her smarting tail before shutting the door. “Look, he’s cute and nice and really dependable. He’s always there when I need him. I just…don’t know if he likes me that way. Honestly, it’s frustrating, Dad. I don’t know if he’s flirting or not. Why are hot boys always like that in school—don’t think I didn’t notice all the hot guys totally knowing they’re hot and playing all the girls,” she mumbled, starting the car.

Her dad hummed, rubbing his chin and leaning against the door to look at her. “Darling, you’re more than attractive enough to pull any guy, and that’s not just a dad talking. You’re a literal fox goddess, Sweetheart.”

Sora threw her arm up before putting the car out of park to pull out into the lot. “And he’s a flipping bird god, or whatever; your point is moot, Dad.” Brushing her bangs to the side, she huffed. “I don’t know if he’s naturally flirty or if he’s friend-zoning or anything else. Plus, he is, like, Kari’s kind of big brother and I’m not sure how that relationship is going so far. It’s just frustrating, Dad.”

“Have you asked him?”

“What—are you crazy?!” Sora shot a look at him before stopping to look both ways. “What age did you grow up again? Geez. I can’t look desperate! It’s practically social suicide. You’re a guy; you wouldn’t get it. I don’t even know if I like him like that… Sure, physically and emotionally he seems to check off those boyfriend boxes, but—why am I talking about this with my dad?!

“Isn’t this something I should ask Mom? I’m confused…” she snarled, scratching her ear, cheeks darkened at the look her dad gave her. “You’re supposed to be the shotgun Dad who takes the guy out to the cabin in the woods to tie him up or something. The whole protective dad thing. Although, to be fair, Mom has been making some questionable relationship steps since coming back.”

“And I thought you were more into the J-dramas,” her dad chuckled. “No, I want to see you explore, Sora. You’re a teenage girl about to go to some mystical school in Avalon—literal Avalon. Don’t sweat it right now. Focus on what you most want and don’t shy away from it. Be bold, and who cares about what society says? You’ve got fire, Darling, literal fire.”

Sora sighed as they stopped at a light, her face and mood softening as she reached over to squeeze his arm. “Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, Dad… It means a lot. It’s nice to know you trust me, too. What do you plan to do when we get back?” she asked, guiding the Bentley to the hotel, the soft hum of the engine a soothing backdrop to her turbulent thoughts.

Her dad scratched his neck and smiled. “I took my younger daughter out for a special time, so why not do the same to my older daughter? Well, if she’ll be up to it.”

Emotions settling, Sora nodded. “That sounds wonderful.”

The drive was smooth, her hands steady on the wheel, each turn and stop executed with careful precision—a far cry from her flailing attempts at golf. I really do have an amazing dad. And at least I can drive better than I can golf! I have a car now! I wonder if I could get this into Avalon? I could be the only girl in the school with a cool car! Interesting. Interesting.

Pulling into the hotel’s underground garage, the cool shade enveloped the vehicle, a stark contrast to the glaring heat outside. Sora followed the instructions of the attendant into the car elevator, and her heart sang upon doing it for the first time, spotting the proud look on her dad’s face.

Once in their suite, she used the system to bring her car to the proper place with a satisfied sigh. She glanced at her father, who had managed to keep a grin throughout their ride back. They shared a secretive smile, an unspoken agreement that their morning’s discussion was a victory in its own right.

As they left the expansive suite garage, now seemingly linked to all the other floor’s three parking areas, they made their way into the kitchen. Noelia and her mother were pouring over some fancy Italian dish they’d printed out online—more specifically, Noelia had printed out, since her mom was a technology dunce. No, scratch that, she wasn’t a dunce, she was a full on jinx!

Smelling Kari and Eyia’s scent leading to the elevator without a return trip, she expected them to have gone off somewhere. Wendy was in the back room, catching up on the last few weeks of an anime that came out this season.

Sora’s ears perked up when the medley aromas of their dishes wafted into her stimulated brain from the stovetop where they attempted to orchestrate lunch. The scene was endearing and slightly chaotic, a visual melody of their attempts at culinary cooperation; her mother was a living disaster.

“Did you two have fun going out without waking me?” Mia asked with a curious smile while trying to hide what appeared to be burned onions with her tails.

She knows we’re up to something. Sora couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face, sharing a conspiratorial glance with her father. “Oh, loads! You should have seen Dad’s face when I almost got a…oh, can’t talk about that! It’s a secret,” she winked.

Her mom gave her a cute pout. “How mean! Well, I would say Noelia, Wendy, and I have had our own fun morning activities. I put in an order for a new laptop for both of us,” she said with pride, as if she hadn’t been the one to ruin her laptop with her clawed pokes.

Sora laughed, the sound mingling with the sizzle from the pans. “I hope you didn’t break Noelia’s phone. Oh, Dad gave me my first car—the Bentley!”

“Mistress, the onions… That’s wonderful, Sora!”

“Oh! Would you look at that,” her mom said with red cheeks. “I got too carried away talking! You’ll have to drive me around and do some school shopping, Sora. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

Sora gave her mom a stare as she tried to pass up her bad cooking skills and scattered brain by blaming it on their timing. “Sure, Mom. Maybe tomorrow or something. But hey, is it cool if I steal you both so we can talk—alone? There’s…some, umm, stuff I need to know.”

Her mom nodded without hesitation, Noelia having to make up for the vulpes’ inactive and big tails getting in the way of cooking. “Of course, honey. I assume I’m first. How about the beach? I always find it calming to look out at the waves. Kinda makes you think about endless possibilities, doesn’t it?” she asked with a cute smile as Noelia handled the tornado the fox had left for her.

Her father pointed toward the entertainment room further down the hallway. “I’ll go talk to Wendy. Thanks for being patient with her, Noelia.”

The tanuki’s pulled-back ears lifted with an adorable blush and smile at the compliment, her tail puffing up with a slight quiver. “Oh, of course, Mr. Moore. I’ll get her whipped into shape. She made me promise to make her a decent mother, after all, and cooking is on the menu… As many burned dishes as it takes.”

“I’m not that bad,” the fox mumbled, glancing off to the side. “I just have…a lot on my mind that makes it hard to concentrate.”

“Which is why you’re always tripping and falling on your face recently,” her dad said with a short laugh while moving closer to bend down and kiss her. “Share the load a little more. I know it’s hard… Wendy.”

“Huh?! Yes, Mr. Moore?” the brunette called out from the room down the hall, the sound of Japanese voices ceasing. “Did you and Sora need help bringing up groceries? If so, tell Sora to not be lazy and spell them up.”

“What?! Are you kidding me, Wendy!? Who’s being lazy?!”

“Haha. Joking! Hey, give me a second and I’ll…”

“No, go ahead,” she called back as the adults smiled at her. “I’m taking my mom out for a talk, so be back in a while. Talk to you later!”

“Later!”

Sora nodded, feeling the weight of her earlier conversation with her dad anchoring her resolve as she tugged her mom off to the elevator. This is important. We need to clarify all of this… At least, I do.

Turning to Noelia, who appeared slightly apprehensive, her blue eyes darting between Mia and Jarlath. Sora offered a gentle smile. “Noelia, I’ll be back in a bit. I think it’d be good to talk privately. Just to clear the air, you know?”

Noelia’s nod was hesitant but sincere, her nerves seeming to settle down. “I want everything to go smoothly tonight. Just let me know, and I’ll do it. Personally, I look forward to discussing things with you privately, Sora. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.”

“Talk to you soon!”

With that settled, Sora led the way out of the suite and down to the beach, the soft sand warm under her feet. The sound of the waves provided a rhythmic backdrop to their steps, each crest a whisper of the coming conversation.

They found a quiet spot away from other beachgoers, the gentle breeze tugging at their hair and clothes. The early afternoon sun draped its golden warmth over Miami Beach as they walked along the shoreline, their bare feet sinking slightly into the soft, wet sand with each step.

The rhythmic lapping of the waves provided a soothing backdrop, their gentle rush and retreat mirroring the ebb and flow of Sora’s thoughts. Seagulls cried overhead, circling lazily against a backdrop of clear blue, their sharp calls slicing through the air with a carefree abandon, unlike her heart.

Her mom’s vibrant, red tails swished behind her, keeping a light, teasing tone, perhaps sensing the tension in her mood. “You know, I always thought golf was too slow for me. Too much walking, not enough chasing—your dad had the clothes on, Sweetie.”

“Right…”

“How you didn’t use your fox-talents to snatch the victory is beyond me; I would have done it. If you had won, you would have been bragging,” she winked, showing how observant her mother really was, despite her scattered brain. In fact, it may be those thoughts that were the cause of it.

Sora chuckled, the sound mingling with the breeze as they slowed their pace. Mom always knows how to lighten the mood, doesn’t she? No, I can tell she’s really nervous right now. She’s just trying to lighten the atmosphere a bit before I really start. Despite the levity, her heart felt heavy, burdened with the actions her mother had been taking.

“Actually, Mom,” Sora began, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the sea met the sky in a line of infinite possibilities, “talking about speed and chasing…there’s something I’ve been trying to catch up with myself. Something about…us, and umm, well, about Dad, you, and Noelia.”

Mia’s playful tail motions and expression became somewhat melancholy. “Oh? What’s on your mind, Sweetheart? You know you can tell me anything, even if you think it will hurt me.”

Sora tried to organize her feelings into thoughts for a moment. The sand crunched under their feet as they walked, the sun warm on their shoulders, creating long shadows that danced lightly on the beach. She took a deep breath, the salty air filling her lungs as she prepared to dive into the deep end.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about Noelia…and about Dad. And you,” she admitted, her voice barely above the sound of the waves. “Ahem. I talked to Dad this morning, and he helped me see things a bit clearer. He really does like Noelia, herself… What she’s brought to my life growing up…her care, her warmth. But it’s a lot, isn’t it? Asking Dad to have a second wife and all… I don’t get why you’re pushing for something I know you don’t want.”

Mia paused, her swaying tails slowing as she turned to face her. The sun highlighted the lines of concern that had begun to form on her usually buoyant face. She took a deep breath, her tails twitching in a rare show of nervousness.

“Sora, Darling,” she started, her voice softer, carrying the weight of knowledge Sora couldn’t dream of. “I know this must seem…more than a little complicated, and perhaps even a bit unfair to your father. And Noelia.”

Her gaze drifted out to the ocean, watching a wave crest before it broke gently on the shore. “It’s not about wanting or not wanting. It’s about needing—what we all need right now, as a family.”

Mia’s steps resumed as she wet her dry lips, slower now, her feet dragging slightly in the sand as if the weight of her decisions made it hard to lift them. “This isn’t about me or even your dad. It’s about stability, love, and support—about a future I cannot change that comes from past mistakes. Noelia has been that rock for us in ways that I…well, in ways that I couldn’t be,” she gulped, guilt flashing across her face as she looked away.

The beach seemed to respond to their somber mood, the waves crashing more insistently as if trying to wash away the oppressive silence that settled between them. Her mother stopped and faced her again, her eyes earnest and a little sad.

“You’re old enough for at least this truth, Sora. The truth is, Noelia could use all the support she can get. She’s given so much and asked for so little in return. This…relationship isn’t about crossing any boundaries—it’s not about any lascivious actions. I don’t expect there to be any sexual conduct between your father and Noelia…not that I can promise that or condemn it if it does happen.

“You might be worried about how things will develop in the future. With Wendy, Noelia, me, and your father. Know that this is also me acknowledging and respecting the incredible bond Noelia has developed with our family…with you girls and my husband.”

Sora listened, the rhythmic sound of the waves mixing with her mother’s pained words, each one sinking in slowly, like a sun dipping below the horizon. She could feel the sincerity and struggle in her mother’s voice, the strain of trying to balance the needs of everyone she loved.

Her mom chuckled lightly, a sound that seemed out of place with her serious tone. “Maybe I do push too hard sometimes… Without a doubt, I do joke or imply too much… Maybe about things I shouldn’t. It’s my way of coping, I guess. Of trying to bridge the gaps between us without making it all seem so…stark.”

The laughter of a nearby family playing by the water reached them when they reached the more public strip, a stark contrast to their own weighty conversation. Her mom glanced at them, then back at her.

“There could be a million things going through your mind due to the culture you’ve grown up in. This isn’t about wanting more than your father can give, introducing some exciting fling, or changing what we have…. It’s about answering to the mistakes I’ve made—me…not your father.

“It’s about not tearing Noelia away from the only family she’s been able to build after her traumatic childhood. It’s about an uncertain future I can’t…don’t have the power to change. Noelia is…she’s been more of a mother to you than I ever was, in many ways. And that’s a hard thing for a mother to admit,” she laughed, her voice cracking and tears gathering in her eyes. “Consider me comfortably in pain…haha, happily insane.”

Her mother puffed out her cheeks, seemingly releasing something held deep within her chest. “I already know I’m letting go of something sacred, Sora… As if I’m driving us off the road, I…take a good thing and I break it. You have no idea how that makes me feel…in my soul. I wish I could take it all back…but I can’t, and,” she let out a half-sigh and laughed, “maybe I have a habit for destruction. Sometimes…I wonder. But I cannot deny what I know…and I have to act on it.”

Sora felt the sincerity of her mother’s confession and struggle, the difficult admission that was clearly hard to express. She reached out, taking her mom’s hand, feeling the warmth and slight tremble that transferred with her spiritual waves.

“So, what you’re saying is…it’s more than just living together. It’s about giving Noelia the place she deserves in our family…even if it hurts you? Without making it…weird?”

Mia squeezed her hand, nodding. “Exactly, My Little Ember. I want her to feel as loved and as important as she truly is… To allow her vulnerable heart to peek out of the darkness and bask in a little light. And for your father, it’s…something between us.”

Biting her bottom lip, her mom ran her fingers through her hair while brushing away her tears. “Eternity is a long time, Sweetie…it really is. There is a lot that can happen when you have forever…a lot of baggage someone can carry, and Noelia is only a few thousand years old. The point is… I’m trying, Sora. I’m trying.”

Sora looked out at the ocean, watching a seagull dive into the surf, emerging with a fish. “It’s a lot to think about. And I want to get it, Mom. I really do. And I think…I think I can see why you’re doing all this…because of the guilt. I just wanted to know that no one was being compelled into anything… I know most of this is between the three of you. I’m just…trying to understand. I’m glad a lot of it also rests in Dad’s hands to choose how much he’s willing to accept.”

Her mom’s relief was palpable, her shoulders relaxing as she pulled her into a gentle hug. “Thank you, Sora. For listening, for understanding. I know it’s a lot—more than a lot to ask. We…no, I don’t expect you to be okay with everything all at once. But knowing we can talk about it, that we can communicate… It means everything to me.”

As they resumed walking, the sound of the waves seemed less oppressive, more a part of the vast, complex world they navigated together. Sora felt things starting to fall into place, like the sunrise after a long, dark night. “Okay. Can we go back up and I can talk to Noelia about how she feels?”

“Of course,” her mom whispered, turning them around to walk up the beach. “I know I’m not the perfect goddess of a mother you likely envisioned… How I came across when we first met…when I knew everything and wasn’t so frustratingly limited, as I am now. I’ve made…so many mistakes across millions of years, Sora. I’m a flawed woman…who doesn’t even feel qualified yet to truly be called a mother…but I’m trying.”

Squeezing her hand again, Sora knew there was nothing she could say to make her mom feel better or more worthy. That would come by Sora loving her and showing her how much she thought of her as her mother over time.

Resting her head against hers, Sora linked tails with her mom. “I love you, Mom.”

As they walked back along the beach, the waves lapping at their feet in a gentle, rhythmic cadence, Sora felt a sense of peace settle over her. The conversation with her mother had been heavy but necessary, and she was grateful for the honesty they had shared. The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over Miami Beach, and the soft breeze carried the salty tang of the ocean air, bringing a cleansing sensation through her soul.

Returning to the hotel, they entered the elevator, and Sora’s heart felt a little lighter. Her mother’s earlier tension had given way to a soft, genuine smile, and as they rode up to their suite, Sora leaned against the cool mirror wall, her mind already shifting to her next conversation.

Upon entering their suite, the delicious smell of lunch greeted them. Noelia was diligently working in the kitchen, a faint look of concentration on her face as she managed several dishes at once with her magic. Her mother gave Sora a quick squeeze before heading to take over, her red tails swaying behind her.

“Mom, I’m going to borrow Noelia for a bit,” she announced, her voice carrying a playful tone. “Think you can handle the kitchen without us?”

Her mom gave her a mock pout, her tails swishing with exaggerated disappointment. “You’re abandoning me to the culinary battlefield? How cruel, my daughter!”

“Oh shush, you!”

Noelia turned and giggled, her confident expression fumbling a bit. “Oh, umm, of course, Sora. Wendy and your father have already left for an ice cream store to pick us up some treats. Just a second,” she said, finishing a delicate fold of what looked like Japanese dumplings. She wiped her hands on a towel and gave the red-tailed fox a dubious look.

“I honestly don’t know if I should leave you in the kitchen alone, Mistress. I can’t leave you for even a second without a safety measure… You really might burn down the hotel,” Noelia teased with a bit more ease.

Sora couldn’t help laughing and spelled a fire extinguisher to hover around her mom, which earned a mock offended look and a slump of her shoulders.

She laughed, making her way to Noelia, who was diligently stirring a pot on the stove. “Oh, don’t worry, Mom. I’ve spelled a fire extinguisher to follow you around, just in case.”

Her mother made a dramatic noise, glancing at the floating fire extinguisher with a defeated expression. “Treated like a kid in my own kitchen…”

Noelia, unable to hold back a giggle, turned to Sora with a bright smile. “I guess your mom’s reputation precedes her. Better safe than sorry, right?”

Sora grinned, pulling Noelia away from the stove. “Exactly! Now, come on. We need to talk.”

They moved to a quieter elevator of the suite, away from her grumbling mom, who had probably never had to cook in her life due to magic. She used her magic to make it descend, studying the puffy-tailed woman. The tanuki’s natural grace and energetic presence remained the same, even when in her true form, and she felt a wave of gratitude for the stability Noelia brought to her life growing up.

“Okay, let’s get straight to it,” Sora began, taking a deep breath. “I talked to my dad this morning and had a long chat with my mom just now. I want to understand how you’re feeling about all of this—about becoming a more official part of our family. I know it’s a lot, and I don’t want anyone to feel pressured or uncomfortable.”

Noelia’s blue eyes softened, and she reached out to hold her hands, the tanuki’s touch gentle and reassuring. “Sora, I appreciate you talking to me about this. It means the world to me that you care so much. Honestly, it’s…overwhelming, but in a good way. I’ve always wanted to be a part of your family, and now that it’s happening, I feel a mix of excitement and…and fear, I suppose. Your mom and dad have been so welcoming, but I don’t want to overstep or cause any tension. It’s just…hard to know where that line is recently.”

Sora nodded, feeling the sincerity in Noelia’s words; she really did look so much more alive than when first teleporting into her suite to reveal herself. The tanuki had probably been waiting for the moment she could enter her life again.

“My mom mentioned how important you are to…well, to the future, I guess. My dad was far more direct, I think,” she mumbled, ear twitching. “He thinks you’re good for my mom due to something in her past. My mom also said it’s not about replacing anyone or changing what we have, but about acknowledging the bond you’ve built with us, and I agree with that.”

She felt her nose turning red upon seeing tears forming in the brown-and-gray-haired raccoon’s big blue eyes. “I just want to make sure you’re okay with all of this…that you’re not being pushed into something you don’t want because I know how pushy my mom can be.”

Noelia cleared her throat as they got to the ground level and brushed away the liquid. “Can I think about that for a minute? This is a very…mixed bag of emotions for me.”

“Mhm! Take as much time as you want,” she added, spotting a mix of emotions fall over the woman’s face. “I’m not here to judge you, Noelia—like, at all! I know this is all my mom’s plot. Completely my mom! You mean a lot to me, too, Noelia… A lot, and I want you to be comfortable.”

Noelia gripped her elbow, rubbing it for a moment as they exited the elevator and made their way to their private beach. Her gaze was low, a searching look in her eyes. It wasn’t until they left the hotel party area and stood in front of the crashing waves that the tanuki spoke again.

“Sora…your mother and I have talked about this…a lot over the past week. It is strange—terrifying. Without Mia’s prompts and nudging, I doubt I would be as happy as I am now…and I am happy. I’m seeing a part of your mom that seems impossible. It puts a lot in perspective with my own father…since they’re around the same age. She asked for my support, and I’m more than willing to provide that. I care deeply for your father as well, and I want to be a part of this family in every way I can… Whatever position it is in, as servant, wife, or mother.”

Sora let Noelia’s feelings sink in; in short, she’d take whatever scraps her mother was willing to throw at her. That was how isolated, unloved, and broken the tanuki woman was…and presumably, how much her father’s kindness had left an impact on her. Noelia truly was a refugee, but not from Cuba but another Founder territory.

“I’m really glad to hear that, Noelia. I just… I don’t want anyone to feel forced into anything. I want everyone to be happy and comfortable with the way things are moving. I want to help you feel welcomed, too.”

Noelia reached out, placing a gentle hand on hers. “Your concern means a lot to me, Sora. You’re not the first one to talk to me about this. Wendy has been discussing it at length with me. And I want you to know that I’m here for you both, too. You’re both incredible young women I’ve had the pleasure of raising—even if I’ve been absent for the past three years—and I’m so proud of who you’re both becoming.”

Sora smiled, feeling the weight of her worries lift a little more. “Thank you, Noelia. For everything. I feel a lot better now. Tonight’s ritual…I hope it brings us all closer together.”

Noelia’s eyes shone with warmth and understanding under the glow of the overhead sun. “It will, Sora. I’m…going to be a mother—a real mother to a daughter that wants and needs me.”

Happy for both her caretaker, second mother, and sister’s soon-to-be real mother, Sora drew her into a hug. They shared a quiet moment of connection, the bond between them strengthening with each passing second. Sora knew there would still be challenges to navigate between her parents and this unorthodox family they were building, but what family was perfect?

The tranquil sound of the waves brushing against the shoreline accompanied Sora and Noelia as they made their way down the sun-kissed beach. The sand beneath their feet seemed to soak up the late afternoon sun, radiating warmth with each step they took. Sora’s thoughts whirled like the seagulls overhead, each flap of their wings echoing the tumult of emotions stirring within her as she wanted more.

Okay, calm down. This is important. Just be honest, be kind, and listen. Noelia just wants to belong…to support a welcoming family…to heal.

Sora glanced at Noelia, noticing how the sunlight played on her hair, casting it in a halo of the layered colors. They found a quiet spot away from the livelier beachgoers, where the only sounds were the rhythmic surge of the ocean and the distant laughter of children.

Noelia’s expression had faltered a little, showing the self-doubt, anxiety, and insecurities she grappled with inside. Her gaze fixed on the vast expanse of water before them, and Sora wanted to know a little more about what the tanuki truly felt. The lines of her dress fluttered gently in the sea breeze, occasionally clinging to her form as if trying to comfort her, but it didn’t seem to get through the woman’s shell.

Sora inhaled deeply, the salty air filling her lungs and steadying her nerves. She’s nervous, maybe even scared. This isn’t just about me or Dad… Noelia’s part of this family, too. She needs to know she’s not alone in this.

“Thank you for coming out here with me,” Sora expressed, her voice soft against the sound of the waves. “I, umm, know there’s more that I want to ask. Is that really everything that’s on your heart? Don’t we need to be as close as we can so…you don’t disappear?”

Noelia turned to her, a small, thankful smile playing on her lips, yet her eyes held a weight waiting to be shed. “It’s complicated,” she admitted, her gaze drifting back to the horizon. “I suppose you could say we need to be closer since setting your heart at ease would help to lower spiritual defenses. All of this is so complicated.

“I feel… honored, Sora. To be considered part of your family. To have you care enough about me to pull me aside like this. But it’s also daunting. I never imagined being in such a position…being between your mother and father as they struggle to understand each other’s needs.”

Her fingers idly picked at the hem of her dress, a nervous habit that didn’t escape Sora’s notice. “I can’t help but feel like I’m intruding sometimes,” Noelia continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “Like I’m overstepping some invisible line. I don’t want to cause any rifts within your family.”

Sora reached out, placing a gentle hand on Noelia’s shoulder. “You’re not intruding, Noelia. You’re a part of us now, and that’s something we all want—maybe not in every way. But, hmm… I guess, do you… Do you love my dad?”

The question seemed to catch Noelia off guard. She paused, her eyes wide as they met Sora’s. A moment passed, a single heartbeat that felt like an eternity, before Noelia’s face softened, and she drew in her lips with a short, nervous chuckle.

“What a bold young woman you are, Sora…but I suppose that shouldn’t be new to me. Hmm. Do I love your father? I do,” she confessed, a blush coloring her cheeks. “And I know I’m horrible for having those feelings…that his heart is not mine. Still, call it whatever you want, I cannot deny the way my heart aches when I see his smile…his loyalty to you.”

She laughed, a sound tinged with nostalgia. “I remember the exact moment I realized it. It was during a trip to Tahiti on a cruise ship we were on… When he saw me lonely, off to the side while you and Wendy were dancing together…and he asked if I wanted to join… There was something about the way he held my body tight…how he moved me that left an impact I can’t deny.”

Sora remembered the cruise, remembered Noelia lost in a cloud when they arrived in Tahiti, but now the fun trip took on a new light. Yet, the tanuki’s story wasn’t finished as she spoke of a moment that was more magical than the powers she held.

“There was this evening, the sunset was breathtaking…painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Your father and I were alone on the deck, just…talking with you girls running ahead of us. He spoke of his hopes for you, for his daughter’s futures, and I saw a side of him that was so genuine, so caring…so dedicated. I think that was the moment my heart decided for me.”

With a wave of her hand, Noelia conjured a small, delicate illusion—a miniature replica of the cruise ship, complete with tiny waves lapping against its sides. “It was magical, not just the setting, but the sincerity in his words. He has a way of making everyone feel so valued, so loved, yet has a fire in him that rises to defend those he cares for…and he showed that when I slipped in my illusions and had a few men come onto me.”

Sora watched the illusion with wide eyes, moved by the simplicity and beauty of the memories Noelia cherished. “That sounds amazing… I had no idea.”

Noelia nodded, her smile wistful. “I do. But I also respect the bond he has with your mother, and I would never want to jeopardize that. This…mmm, situation, it’s not just about love, as your mom told me. It’s about family, about being there for each other in any capacity we can.”

She looked back out to the sea, her expression conflicted. “I feel guilty, sometimes…especially when sleeping in the same room as them… Guilty for the happiness I find in being loved by your father when he takes me out on these innocent, cute dates. And I feel dirty, like I’m tarnishing something sacred. But then I remember the laughter, the shared moments, and I think maybe…maybe it’s okay to be happy.”

Sora squeezed Noelia’s hand, a gesture of support and understanding. “It’s more than okay, Noelia. You’re not dirty or wrong for feeling loved. We all see how much you bring to our lives…and my dad is trying. I know he cares for you. You deserve to be happy, too, and you deserve to be loved—just as much as any of us.”

Noelia’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she turned to face her, the tanuki’s expression one of profound gratitude as she pulled her into a hug. “Thank you, Sora. Thank you for being so understanding, for listening…even to my horrible confessions. I’ve been so afraid of overstepping, of being seen as an outsider trying to steal away a piece of your father’s heart.”

“But you’re not stealing anything,” Sora reassured her, her voice firm and warm. “You’re adding to our family’s happiness; you’re enriching our lives. My mom wanted this…and I see the three of you trying really hard to make this work, so… I’m happy to support you, as you’ve always supported me…to the point of making my father hate you when you refused to give me those meds. I know that probably killed you. And whatever happens, we’ll face it together—as a family.”

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows on the sand, Sora felt a weight lift from her shoulders. The conversation, though heavy with emotional revelations, had brought them closer, weaving stronger bonds between their hearts.

They stood together, watching the sky change colors, feeling the cool breeze against their skin. And, in that moment, Sora knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would navigate them together, with love and understanding guiding their way. Tonight Wendy and Noelia would officially become a part of the true fox den—Wendy would become her true sister.