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Fundy smiled as he went up to Eret, "Papa! Papa, look!" His father gave him a strained smile, looking at the little machine in Fundy's hand. "What is it bud?" The fox turned the key connected to the machine, the little figure on starting spinning and soft lullabies went through the air. The figure itself was a blonde mermaid, sitting on a rock. "I found it next to the creek! Isn't it pretty?" His dad smiled, "Yes it is." Fundy nodded proudly, looking back to the mermaid and sat on his own rock, his favorite one in fact.
He heard his papa’s voice but he didn’t hear what he said, opting to listen to the soft lullaby of the siren. Fundy was suddenly picked up, “Hello my little champion,” exclaimed a foreign voice. The little fox struggled in the man’s hold, trying to turn to look at his captor. The man turned him around himself, he had pale skin and curly hair with glasses perched on his nose, wearing a nicer version of his papa’s uniform. “Wha! Who are you?”
“Why, Vienna, it’s me, your Dad! You remember me don’t you princess?” Fundy scrunched his nose, “my name’s not vienna! It’s Fundy, I’m a boy and you’re not my dad! That’s my papa,” He exclaimed as he pointed at Eret. The man looked back at Eret, expression appalled, sadness filling his eyes. “I tried to tell you Wil,” Papa said, expression tired. “How about we talk over a nice cup of Rose tea, then we’ll properly introduce you to Fundy, How’s that sound Wilbur?”
‘Wilbur’ nodded as he followed papa into the cottage, Fundy followed close behind Eret as soon as the other let him down, holding on his Papa’s skirt tightly, leaning into their hand as it ran through the ginger hair. His papa squatted down to look at him in the eyes, “Show general Soot to the dining room, funds. I’m going to start on the tea. Do you want extra honey?” The fox nodded excitedly, “Alright then. Show him the way.” Fundy turned to Soot and motioned to follow him, nodding as he did, marching his way to the Dining area.
Fundy grabbed a blank parchment from the middle of the table with a pencil, they were originally there in case papa had to write to someone but now they're used for drawing, which he started doing. The little fox let out little hums as he and Wilbur waited for papa, sniffing the air as floral aroma wafted in, making his tail wag. Eret walked in with their nice tea set, something they barely used like ever, setting it down next to the art supplies.
Eret hummed as They served Fundy tea, putting in 4 tablespoons of honey and blowing it gently, deeming it cool enough and setting the teacup in front of him. Wilbur had already poured himself some tea, only putting in one tablespoon, bringing the cup close to his mouth to blow. “Fundy,” his papa called, “This is General Soot, I used to work as his commander before you came in.”
“Hello,” Fundy mumbled drowsily, getting some chuckles from the adults. Eret ran a hand through his hair, “He’s actually your father funds. I was just tasked to take you in while He fought in the war..” The fox nodded as he sipped on his tea, gripping the teacup with both hands. “So what did you wanna to discuss Wilbur,” rang out Papa’s voice, though he was having a hard time paying attention.
“I need you back in Eret.. Both of you actually.” Eret froze, hand gripping the handle hard that it was a surprise it didn’t shatter. “You’re not implying what I think you’re implying..” Wilbur looked down to his cup, a solemn look on his face, “We need more people Eret… We have to train her-.. Him.” They scoffed, eyes squinting at the General, “Fundy is 7 years old. What makes you think he’s ready for war? Much less being prepared for it! You already have countless teens in your army but a child!? You are out of your goddamn mind Wilbur.”
Wilbur bit his lip, “As his father-” Eret interrupted him quickly, standing from his chair, “You're not the one who’s taken care of him! You left that job to me, I’m more of a father than you, General Soot!” Wilbur looked down with a pained expression, tears dripping into his tea, “I know, but,” A sigh. “As your General, I must insist you come back and serve. Actually.. It’s an order, not a request, Commander Eret.”
Tired brown bore into shock pearlescent, the pearls losing the battle of wit, looking at sleepy amber. “Alright then, give us a few days to pack..” Wilbur nodded dolefully as Eret picked up Fundy from his chair, “I’ll be back in a week to pick you guys up… See you then.. Commander.”