'Howling Fox' Chapter One

It was Monday morning once again, and it was common business in the bachelor Howlor domain; get up out of bed, grumble all the way to his shower and fur dryer, then fuss over his unusually-thick tail being caught in the lower intake valve.

I have to get someone here to fix that, he thought to himself as he finished his morning routine, a russet robe complimenting melting colors of brick red and brown cinched firmly about his waist, sighing as he sat down to Eggs Benedict, orange juice, and a slice of rye toast. It was a weekly splurge he found healthy against his usual threadbare eating habits, glancing up with hazel eyes and a grin at the gray ferret in perfectly pressed tuxedo common to his job of gentleman’s gentleman.

“Rugsby, thank you, as usual. Heh, what would I do without you, hmm?” He was still grinning as he started to eat, glancing over the Wall Street Journal, muttering to himself on occasion as he saw different stocks rise and fall with the trends.

“I do not know, Rowlph. However, that is not a subject of concern, for either of us, is it?” A smile was on the older ferret’s jowls as he finished cleaning the dishes, his own long tail twitching idly behind him, calling back in his usual calm tones. “I do have unfortunate news, though. Once again, the laboratory in charge of the EM null gravity project is requesting extra funds and resources. They are also behind schedule, and have not made allowances. I am afraid that your earlier suspicions were founded.” He frowned in irritation, his tail sliding faster above the floor at the thoughts of someone involved in wrongdoing.

A deep sigh accompanied a sip of juice as Rowlph leaned his head back, crossing his arms behind his head, stretching as he grunted in displeasure. “Yeah, I figured as much. Either it’s one of the accountants, or one of the senior techs in that lab. I hate to say it, but with this much time and evidence behind things, something has to be done. Do me a favor, though.” At a pair of white-tipped ears perking, he continued. “Put some feelers out into that section, and into the employment offices. Either way, someone will have to go. And, either way, I’d rather not cut someone innocent.”

When Rugsby gave a short nod in return, Rowlph got back up, sighing once more, shaking his head as he muttered, “I’m going to go change. My usual suit pressed?” He knew it was a redundant question; Rugsby was simply too good at what he did. But, he still got a soft nod for reply as he walked back into the bedroom, stretching once more as he muttered, “Once more unto the breach!”

In another household, things were not that simple. The water splattered along the tiled floor of her bathroom, several thick towels used to dry off-white fur of this arctic vixen. A sigh left her mouth as she wrapped one around her healthy curves. Sky-blue eyes glanced at the mirror, and she shook her head softly; yes, she loved her job, but once again, the same thing followed her, wherever she went. Ridicule, rumors, and all those hungry stares. Was it her fault that she inherited her mother’s generous looks and figure??

She shivered softly, her soft fur fluffing against her skin as she rubbed her arms. “No. I’m there because I proved myself. Not because of… these. Right. Gotta remember that.” Looking back upwards, she cleared her throat, pasted a smile on her face, and went to the small bedroom to get dressed.

After only twenty minutes, Krystal Fox walked out into the tiny living room, wearing a beige knee-length skirt and light-blue silk blouse, slipping on a long, white laboratory coat as she walked to the door in sandaled shoes, having never liked high heels.

“Well, yet another day… Maybe they’ll finally let me work on something worthwhile. I am SO tired with running all those wavelength analyses and field simulations! What do they think I am, some kind of trophy girl?!” Her tail swished rapidly as she fumed, then she sighed, shaking her head, muttering to herself. “Well, maybe I can ask Montgomery if he needs some help with the emitter protocols. That is, if I can tear his eyes away from the monitor.” She chuckled softly, the nerdy hare was one of the only guys in the whole section who didn’t ogle at her at all, or rather, didn’t do it openly. She adjusted her hair a little at a small wall mirror, and sighed once more, locking then dead bolting the door behind her. Her pace picked up speed down the dank hallway of the run-down apartment complex; the dark always made her on edge.

The vocal chords of Mozart’s Requiem sounded firmly through the back area of the limousine, and Rowlph hummed along with the recording, the tip of his tail twitching in time with the cordon notes and heavy-voiced choir. “Ahh, such a moving piece. It is filled with the fury of Dante and the rage of the seventh circle itself.” A light sigh left his mouth as the recording ended, closing his hazel eyes for a second to gather mental focus, and then opening them once more. An almost determined glitter might be seen in his gaze as he stepped out of the now-parked car.

His favorite deep-burgundy suit shifted with his calm steps, matching and complimenting his natural colors as he waved towards few other members of his staff that happened to pass by, a light smile on his face as he waited for the elevator. His lupine ears perked at a pair of raised voices, but it didn’t truly capture his attention as he rode up the vacant elevator to his offices.

Her soft growl reverberated in her throat when she felt a sharp, but light, tug at the gray tip of her tail, spinning around to face the perpetrator, her eyes blazing in anger at the tiger before her. “Felix! Quit it, already! I’ve told you plenty of times that… I HATE THAT!!” Krystal huffed softly, turning back to face the elevator.

“Uh-huh. Right, babe. Sure you do. So, you going to shoot the bearer of good news, huh?” A feline grin spread over his face while his eyes roamed over her concealed figure, always considering him the penultimate ladies’ fur.

“What kind of good news could you have, Felix?! What, you’re leaving the project? Heh. That would be good news.” She kept her chin upturned in disgust, and it was not faked! That feline always got on her worst nerve; in her personal history, he was the worst man yet!

“Very simple, vixen. Fisher and I have noticed how… bored you are with running all those simulations and analyses.” He grinned wider, showing his fangs as he continued. “So, we have a special assignment set up, all for your special skills.”

Sky-blue eyes turned to look at him in shock, he HAD to be kidding! “Really? You and Mr. Fisher finally have a good job for me?” A rare smile slipped over her muzzle, and her posture subtly calmed, shifting gently. “Well, thank you, Felix. It feels good… to be appreciated.” The sparkle and shimmer behind her eyes, and the subtle twitch of her lush tail, showed the true possibility of her radiant beauty. Her smile widened as she turned to face him fully, hope and interest in her voice. “So, what is the assignment?”

His smile widened exponentially as he murmured lightly, almost purring in delicious glee at her change in attitude. She was always so frosty and hostile towards him. But, this would humble that little vixen! “Well, the prototype is finished, as you know. The emitters need to be calibrated for optimal output. Normally, that hare would do it, but we felt that someone with ‘skilled hands’ should handle the job. Enjoy!” He laughed softly as he watched her fume, her tail bristling in anger, walking towards an elevator with a gentle wave.

She snarled viciously in the empty elevator, kicking the side of the thick glass pane over and over again. “I can’t BELIEVE this! They want me to do emitter calibrations?! That’s ridiculous!!” She leaned back against the wall of the car, and whimpered, lowering her head as her eyes closed, her voice a soft, pained whisper. “I thought they had finally… started to accept me… Damn.”

She sobbed for a moment, then wiped her eyes a little, clearing her throat as the elevator car stopped on the tenth floor basement, where their project laboratory was. Her eyes were downcast as she walked down the hall, and automatically ended up in one of the side offices, one belonging to a Montgomery E. Harre, technician extraordinaire.

Long ears perked at some silent noise behind him, and a light sigh left his pursed mouth as he spun around in his swiveling chair. Montgomery was the classic nerd, with one exception; he had perfect eyesight. Though it would seem odd to some, he was hearing-impaired! Reaching into his pocket protector and adjusting the receptor pack for his hearing aids, he murmured gently, his voice both compassionate and caring, much like the gaze from his earth-brown eyes. “Are you all right, Krys? Did Felix get to you today?” Again, he added mentally. Having to play mediator between the two of them was a hassle, and he had said as much to Mr. Fisher one time. He quickly learned that mistake as his favorite female friend almost lost her job over it!

She snorted softly with a whimpering pout, shaking her head softly as she sat down on the modified beanbag that had been fashioned into a rather-comfortable chair. “I think he lives just to grate my nerves like cheese, Monty. First off, he tugs my tail AGAIN, then he gets my hopes up about a new assignment within this project, which turns out to be emitter calibrations for the prototype!” She sighed lightly, frowning hard as her head tilted back. “Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I still work here. Maybe I should just go to E.S. Productions, see if Mr. Squirrel would take me back.”

“Perhaps. But, then who would put up with me all the time like you do?” A light grin slid over the hare’s face, which was answered by her soft laughter. “Someone has to tolerate my eccentricities. You happen to fit the bill fairly well. It would take me far too long to get someone else used to me, you know…”

“Okay, Monty! Okay!! You made your point.” She laughed softly, giggling a bit as she sighed. “Thanks. I needed a good laugh. You always know how to cheer me up.”

The brown hare just shrugged softly. “I do what I can. So, do you want any help with those calibrations?” As usual, his ears perked silently, his voice was methodically calm and gentle.

She shook her head a little, frowning as she mumbled with fire in her voice. “No, no. I know you, Monty. This is your baby! You’ve got enough on your plate as is.” She slowly got up, stretching a bit before she waved at him. “Well, I guess I’ve better get going. Those emitters don’t move themselves, you know! Even though… this isn’t what I expected when I accepted this assignment.” Though her shoulders did slump a bit, her pace was brisk as she left his office and walked down the hall.

“Neither was it for me, Krystal. Not for me.” The hare sighed softly, and then turned his chair back around, staring back at his computer monitor, the image of an arctic vixen barely able to be seen behind the multiple program windows running simultaneously.

With a light sigh, Krystal pulled herself out from under the new prototype, grunting gently as she rose from her hands and knees, and ‘YIP’-ed loudly when she heard someone behind her! “What the..?! Huh?” She glanced around, then frowned softly as her tail bristled, then finally stood up, turning around, and blinked when she nearly bumped into the manager of the project, Mr. Fisher. Trying to be genial, despite the inner voice that railed at him about making her do this, “Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Fisher. I didn’t know you were here. And, by the way, the calibrations are done. You can check them yourself.” She walked over to a sink, and started to scrub her forearms.

“No, no… I have confidence in your abilities, Ms. Fox.” He grinned gently, having watched her for a few moments before making himself known. “However, since your current assignment is done, I would appreciate talking with you in my office. Do you have a moment?” He straightened his lab coat, and waved an arm towards his office door.

“Hmm… Yes, I suppose so.” She sighed softly, her tail twitching lightly to work a slight kink free, and she started to dry her arms and slender hands, walking after him into his office, not really caring that he had shut his door, though her ears did perk at a soft ‘click’. “What was that, Mr. Fisher? The door lock??”

“Relax, Ms. Fox. We simply have… sensitive materials to discuss regarding the project, and I would prefer it that remains confidential. Rest assured, the blinds are up, so nothing untoward can happen behind closed doors.” Although, she did not know that polarized glass had recently been installed, effectively making that office blocked to outside vision. He cleared his throat, and then sat down at the desk, his girthy, thick body shifting in his chair. “First of all, Ms. Fox, I want you to know that your efforts thus far are appreciated…”

During the rambling, one-sided discussion happening between Krystal and Mr. Fisher, another altercation was already in progress. “Yeah, what do you want this time, rabbit?!” His features were in a light snarl of annoyance as Felix Fellin stood before Monty, who was in his usual chair, earth-brown eyes glancing up at him.

“Rest assured, Felix, this would not take very long. I simply want you to be made aware of something.” After a pregnant pause, and just before the tiger would speak, Monty continued. “You should know that I am well aware of what you and Mr. Fisher are doing. ALL of it. In the past, I have not spoken up, for I felt that you would trip yourselves up. However, I leave you with this knowledge; if you continue to harass Krystal, I WILL speak up. The company heads will be made aware of your actions, and I trust that the both of you will rest your tails in jail for quite a long time.”

During this small speech, Felix’s jaw dropped slowly, his eyes widening gently as he gulped and stuttered out frantically, “N-n-n-no! You don’t know about anything, you rabbit! Fisher and I have done nothing wrong!!” His tail swayed lightly in his growing agitation.

“Not exactly, Felix. I have records of your equipment requests, and also the online transaction records of your selling them online on Fur-E-Bay. It would be a simple matter to hand all those records to Mr. Rugsby. You know him? The chief of security in this company?” A light smile was on Monty’s face as his trap was sprung; it had taken a lot to prepare all of this, but he had tolerated enough of these two mistreating Krystal!! His short puff of tail twitched once, his voice nothing more than a calm, serene whisper. “If you leave her be, I will also leave you and Mr. Fisher to your own devices. If not… I hope you enjoy being bunkmates for ten to twenty years.” With a soft snuff, he nodded towards the door. “You may leave now, Felix.”

The tiger almost stumbled out, absolutely speechless… How could that hare know all that?! Trying to keep his breathing calm, Felix slowly walked to his cubicle, his hands tightly clenching into fists, almost growling in his throat in impotent rage at that know-it-all!!

Eventually, Calvin Fisher had slid out of his seat, his stocky form sitting on the edge of his desk, continuing the dissertation with aplomb. “I realize that, in the past, you and Mr. Fellin have not gotten along. And, I know you are unsatisfied with the current assignments you have been given. However, you have to understand something, Ms. Fox. Tenure is a powerful tool. Even though you are a valued member of both the company, and our team, you are also new to this business. Tests must be made to understand whether you are ready for more significant tasks regarding this, or other projects. I do hope you understand this matter, my dear.” His steel-gray eyes were not noticeable behind the thick lenses of his glasses, so he took them off, a light smile on his face.

She glanced aside, and then sighed heavily, something that was appreciated by the fishercat before her, if her mind was on other matters. “I suppose that does make sense… However, I was not given this assignment to run tests and calibrate emitters!” She tried to appeal to his sense of decency with her concerned tone. “I feel like… I’m being taken advantage of. Is my associate’s degree worth nothing to this project?! I admit, I’m not as sharp as Montgomery is, but I do have input that should be recognized!” Her tail twitched again, as she leaned forwards an inch, shaking her head softly. “I know I can be of value to the team, and this project, sir… I just want a chance to have an influence on this project. Something I can really sink my teeth into!” She shrugged gently; looking up at him hopefully, wan smile on her face. “I want to show how valuable a member of this team that I can be, Mr. Fisher!”

Five file folders sat in front of him. Each one of them was a complete investigative background check into each of the people on the top of the folders; Calvin Fisher, Felix Fellin, Montgomery Harre, Krystal Fox, and the accountant for that project, Samuel Pantan. A slender, long tail twitched behind him, as he started to examine each of them in turn once more; as Security Executive of ANIMalE Incorporated, he knew his business, and what was needed to keep Rowlph’s in check and balance.

“Hmm… I know Montgomery personally. It would be more likely the sun wouldn’t rise than him do anything illegal. And, Samuel has the highest credentials and record of any financier in this company.” With a grin, he muttered. “That’s why I referred him for this project to begin with.” He reached for two of the other folders, glancing between them. “Calvin Fisher and Felix Fellin… I’ve noticed them keeping close company. However,” he counter-argued, “that could simply be team camaraderie.” He sighed softly, sliding over Krystal’s folder, smirking a little. “And now, we come to the venerable Miss Fox.” Soft humming came from his mouth as he slowly glanced over the papers in her file folder; experience, credentials, education, the normal things… When he came to past work experience and personal information, he blinked.

He held up a scanned picture of her, critically glancing over it. Obviously, she had been a model at one point. He looked over her past work experience, and found a number for E.S. Productions at the top. Picking up a headset for his phone, he started to dial. “Interesting. … Excuse me, my name is Rugsby Ferette. I am looking for an… Eric Squirrel? Yes, I’ll hold. … Mr. Squirrel? Hello. My name is Rugsby, and I am calling from ANIMalE Incorporated in Manchester, New Hampshire. I’d like to ask you a few questions about a Miss Krystal Fox, a former employee of yours?” Soft nods were made on occasion as the conversation started, a light smile slowly growing over the older ferret’s face.

“WHAT THE..?!” With a ringing slap, she backed out of the chair, her face flush with anger, and her lush tail bristling in rage as her sky-blue eyes glared icy daggers upon this.. chauvinist male!! “How dare you try something like that, Mr. Fisher?! Who do you think you are??” She railed at him with her voice, tears brewing in her eyes as she screamed at him. Thankfully, the office was fairly soundproofed.

“Now, Krystal… I thought you knew how things worked around here. You are still on ninety-day probation, my dear. By my word, you are hired permanently, or terminated from employment. What would you want me to say, in front of the Employment Committee, hmm? That you were a valued team player, or an arrogant, self-serving worker? Which, do you think, would secure your residency?” He grinned lightly, slowly walking towards her.

Her tail twitched in annoyance behind her, how could he?! She almost growled at him as she muttered, “I don’t care! I will NOT be treated like a piece of meat!!” She turned around, and started on the latch, opening the door with a soft snarl. “If this means that I will be fired… so be it! No job is worth my dignity!” She stormed out; wiping her eyes to see better, and almost punched the button for the elevator, only to run headlong into the Chief of Security, Rugsby Ferette! “Ummm… excuse me, sir. I-i… have to go.”

“Pardon me, Miss Fox. But, before you pass me by…” His tone stopped her, and her tail slowly calmed itself. “I do have a request of you. Might I discuss an urgent matter, in the conference room? If you are busy, I have no objection.” He gently waved an arm towards the public conference room, smiling genially.

Considering what had just happened moments before, Krystal could not figure out for the life of her why exactly she had followed Mr. Ferette into the large conference room. Perhaps, it had to do with his calm, genial demeanor, so much like Monty’s. Or, maybe that because he was so reputable in the company, he wouldn’t try to do what Mr. Fisher had just attempted?! I hope that my blouse’s buttons aren’t snapped. That %*&#@ JERK had grabbed hard!, her inner thoughts flew by as she straightened her lab coat, buttoning it lightly for fleeting thoughts of self-preservation as she sat down across from the senior ferret. “I am here, sir. What… did you want to discuss?”

His ears twitched gently as he watched her with a critical eye. Something has happened. Something that she wishes to keep hidden, and perhaps involving her current dress. Perhaps, a code violation?, Rugsby mused as he nodded gently, starting out the conversation. “Now, I want to assure you, Miss Fox, that I have no intention of accusing you of anything; this is simply an informal discussion regarding some serious matters brought to my attention within your project. Please, any information you can provide would be helpful. Do you understand?”

She nodded softly, and her tail wrapped around her while she stroked it idly, an old nervous habit of hers. “Yes, of course. Please, ask away. I’ll do what I can to help your investigations.” Especially if it involves Felix and Mr. Fisher!!, her inner voice continued, but she deigned to listen to Mr. Ferette’s words.

“Very well. It has been noticed by me and Mr. Howlor that your project is requesting an abnormal amount of both funds and equipment, relative to the project’s success and completion progress. Therefore, I had to access your company files, as well as those of each member of the team, for my investigation. So far, I have found nothing incriminating. However, there was one reference you gave; Mr. Eric Squirrel. He and I talked briefly, and he assured me that you are a top-notch, trustworthy employee…” Rugsby continued his small speech, while Krystal just froze in abject fear when Eric’s name was mentioned!

Had her portfolio from E.S. Productions been seen? How would that reflect on her career?? Snippets of the short discussion with Mr. Fisher ran through her mind. Tenure, termination, recommendation… All of these terms made her gulp reflexively, and as Rugsby had started to explain exactly what he would like to know from her, she reacted explosively! “I haven’t done anything wrong! I am a good, hard-working employee, not some piece of meat on the rack!!” She whimpered softly, starting to collapse her face into her hands as she shivered and started to sob, trying to keep her voice from gurgling into tearful gasps for breath. “I’ve studied hard for my associate’s degrees, and I KNOW I can prove myself to this company, if anyone can just look past my breasts~!”

After fifty years of life, and service in the Howlor household for fifteen of them, Rugsby was confident that little could rattle him. It fit with the euphemism of, ‘I have seen it all! Nothing could surprise me!’ However, as is common with this ideal, it soon goes up in smoke, as Rugsby sputtered gently, feeling that this had ‘come out of left field’, as Rowlph would put it! “Miss Fox, I can assure you that it is not our business ideal to employ someone based upon their physical appearance. In fact, if anyone has made you think so, please, I insist that you alert me to this serious infraction!” He smiled lightly, and slowly got up, walking to the other side of the large table, and sat down two seats from her, offering ample room, but also showing concern for her welfare.

“I do know that, Mr. Ferette. But, well, you see…”, as she stumbled over her words, sighing gently as she shook her head. “I am just not comfortable with how I am treated by certain members of my team. They have me run tedious tests and simulations, then they make me run delivery detail, and just today, I had to calibrate the emitters on the prototype!” She whimpered again, wanting to tell Mr. Ferette about what had happened afterwards, but holding her tongue; what would happen if it got back to him that she had?!

While he had listened to everything she had said, noted all her grievances, his ears had perked in curiosity at the words ‘delivery detail’ and ‘prototype’. He hummed softly to himself as she went on, and when she stopped, he replied thoughtfully, “Miss Fox… I can understand the turmoil you feel behind your grievances, and rest assured, that if you want to pursue any actions, I would cooperate with you to the best of my ability. I would like to know a few things beforehand, if you do not mind?” A brow rose gently as he smiled comfortingly at her.

With a soft sigh, she nodded a little, murmuring softly. “Mr. Ferette, if there is anything you can to do help, I’d really like that. And, if I can help you, I will. What do you want to know?” She shrugged softly, her tail swaying back down behind her, twitching once or twice.

“Before, you had mentioned something about… delivery detail? Please, tell me about that. What exactly is involved? And, you also mentioned configuring the prototype’s emitters recently. Exactly how much work has been done on the prototype, Miss Fox?” Rugsby slowly got a small pad and black pen from his jacket pocket, straightening his glasses on his slender muzzle as he continued to ask her questions, and take notes.

Soft, regular clicks echoed down the large lobby of ANIMalE Incorporated’s offices as someone walked by the receptionist, blatantly ignoring the calls to the security, slipping through a pair of closing elevator doors, a feral grin sliding over the dark feline’s face as the elevator slowly rose to the twentieth floor, home of the offices of one Rowlph Howlor. A soft purr rumbled in vibrating throat as the doors opened, and an onyx tail with an odd, ivory tip swayed softly with intent.

Moments later, when the elevator doors opened again, they revealed the slender figure of Danni Katt. That purr started to deepen in her throat as she stalked towards Rowlph’s offices and opened the doors with seasoned ease, her eyes glittering happily as the red wolf suddenly boltened and straightened in his chair. “Hmmm… miss me, puppy? I know I missed you.” As sensually as she knew how, she slinked over to his desk, walking around it over to him, leaving a claw trail on the finished marble, and promptly placed herself in his lap. Such actions were met with gasping surprise!

“D-Danielle!! What ARE you doing here?!” Being a gentlefur, he quickly grasped her waist, who prompted another healthy round of purring from her, and picked her up off his lap, standing straight as he straightened his tie, frowning softly at her. “Danielle, I though you were visiting your sister. Such an unexpected arrival…” Then, he happened to notice the ‘gloves’ and ‘socks’ of white fur at the end of her limbs, followed by that bit of white fur on the tip of her tail.

“Yeah, I know. Darke is always such a bore to be with.” She sighed gently, and slowly walked towards him, her slender tail twitched as her hands happened to find themselves on some part of his body, by her own design, no less!

“Be that as it may, Danielle, you don’t remember what happened before you left?! I found you in bed with another man!” He frowned hard, snarling softly at the onyx-furred feline, his thick tail twitching behind him… until she had it in her arms, and started to softly stroke it. He could not fight the soft murr that left him; that was one of his weak spots, and she knew it well! “You can’t just come waltzing in here, and… ohhm…” He shook his head softly, clearing it as he turned around, snapping his tail out of her arms, and pointed to the door again. “Danielle, or Danni, whatever… if you will not leave, on your own, I will be forced to call Rugsby. Please, don’t make me do that…”

She sighed gently, nodding a little as she looked up at him with golden eyes. “All right, Rowlph. But, I know you’ll come back to me… and, baby, you won’t regret it.” She smiled in that way that only felines can, and sauntered out of the office, leaving the same way she came.

With a weary sigh, he sat back down in his chair, and muttered to himself, “What else can happen in this day?” Then, the fax reception program on his integrated desktop fired up, and he frowned in curiosity as file after file loaded onto his computer. Krystal Fox, hmm? Where have I heard that name before? He slowly went over the company records, and glanced over the portfolio that had been requested from E.S. Productions not long ago.

“Yes, yes. Thank you, Miss Fox. You have given me more than ample information for my analysis and investigations. Now, about your personal matter… I believe that with the resolution of this situation about the project, your problems will cease. Montgomery is a stellar employee, as you repeatedly mentioned, and the pair of ‘thorns in your tail’, as you put it, should be leaving the company shortly afterwards.” A light grin was on this older ferret’s face at her happy smile; it was rare, but rewarding when he could use his position and talents to help others, and this seemed to be one of those times.

“I really do appreciate that, Mr. Ferette. Thank you so much, sir!” Krystal was nearly sobbing at the end of this discussion, whimpering and shivering softly as she was handed a silk handkerchief, and wiped her jowls lightly. “And, trust me, anytime I can be of service to the company, you just let me know!” Her smile widened proudly as she continued with full confidence, “I’ll be right there, eager to help!” Her tail twitched softly, as she slowly got up, checking the small watch clicked onto her purse, then blinked in surprise. “Oh my! It’s past six! Uh, er… I really have to go!!” With a gentle nod from him, Krystal nearly ran to her office, and waved a quick ‘bye’ to Monty as she caught the elevator going upstairs.

“Hmmm… Soon, Rowlph will have those files, by my estimation.” A soft chuckle sounded from his throat as he slowly stood up, and knew he could await a barrage of queries, all of them welcome. “At times, even HE underestimates my skills. Good thing, too.” Laughing softly, he pocketed both the small pad and pen, and waited at the elevator himself, intrigued by the possibilities of a new era in his charge’s life.

~* END. *~