Phoenix Maplewood well, now what

he chuckled. "ah, a pity party?" he said, tilting his head in wry acknowledgement. "i've not heard that one before. i like it." he closed his eyes, breathing slowing as the hysterics died down. the heavy weight on his chest had lifted, replaced with fizzy, intoxicating humor.

then he felt easy's muzzle press againt his, and his eyes popped open in surprise.

"oh, hey, erm," aditya stammered, pulling back slightly to peer at her. one ear flicked backwards in inquiry, and his body flushed with nervous heat, every hair on his pelt prickling. what the bloody hell had just happened?

he was lost for words, and settled for peering at easy with a puzzled gaze, rolling onto his stomach and pushing himself up to sit on his haunches. he would leave the next move to her; he was the older man here, subject to more severe scrutiny than a girl not even a year old. anything he said or did now could be held against him, and not just in a court of law.