~ Christmas at the Vaight Cottage 2031~

"Um...We...We have to take Daisy and her-his-it's mother to a special reserve, where they can be free and happy and...grassy." Darien gesticulated vaguely.

Daisy's ears perked up. Mjumma, what's a reserve?

Um...A...park I think. His mother had no clue.

"But..." that meant that they weren't going to stay with him. Darius' lower lip started to tremble. "But... but..."

"Oh Darius honey," Diana kneeled down so they were at the same height. "The Garden is much too small for them. They won't be happy here for long."

"And you can visit them every day!" Darien rashly promised. "It's a nice big park, and they can come and say hello, and they'll be free. It's not far."

Daisy nuzzled at Darius' hand. Don't cry master.

"But... I want to keep them..." Darius said softly.

"Uh...you will be keeping them-in a way! They'll still be your friends, it's just that they need to be free too." Darien attempted to explain. "You wouldn't want them to be unhappy, would you?"

Darius wanted to say otherwise but he shook his head. No. He didn't want them to be unhappy. But... but then he would be back at square one: he'll have no one.

Darius looked so miserable Diana bit her lower lip and looked at her husband.

Darien turned and whispered into Diana's ear. "Should we bring out the present?"

Diana shook her head. It should be for later, when they actually bring the animals to the reserve. She could only imagine what Darius would be feeling then. He'd need something to lift him up. It was Christmas after all.

"Where are you taking them?" Darius asked looking down at the foxes.

"A reserve. A special reserve full of things for them to hunt and be safe from mean people." Darien pointed vaguely in the direction he presumed it to be.

The mother fox nudged the boy in what she thought to be a reassuring manner. She was quite looking forward to it. Peace, tranquillity...Space to fly...

"Alright." Darius sighed. He wasn't going to cry. He wasn't going to cry. He was a big boy now. Shoot.

"Oh dear." Diana said hugging Darius who couldn't stop the tears.

Darien awkwardly hovered in the background, out of habit and masculinity.

Daisy hopped over and licked Darius' ankle. Don't worry, every little thing is going to be alright...

"I'm going to be alone again..." Darius sobbed.

"Oh, oh." Diana cooed. She picked Darius up. "You aren't alone, honey."

"No!" Darien joined them in the hug. "We're here! And you can visit both Daisy and Dice whenever you want!"

"But it's not the same!" He wiped his eyes furiously.

"M--Maybe not." Darien's face fell. "But you have to be a big boy Darius...It wouldn't be fair to keep them here. And isn't it better they be really happy?"

"Hmhm." Darius nodded and decided to bury his face in his mother's shoulder.

Darien promptly shut up. He wasn't helping.

Daisy hopped on the spot, trying to reach Darius to lick him better. He didn't like seeing his master cry.

Diana was methodically rubbing Darius' back in a comforting manner. "I think you should take them to the reserve while I calm him down." She mouthed.

Darien nodded, and scooped up the smaller fox, which whimpered quietly. The mother followed closely, suspicious.

"Cmon you two." He whispered, enlarging the cage for them both to edge into, before the shrinking charm came into force.

They were still pretty heavy though. Even when carried by magic.

Darting to the car, he unlocked it and belted the cage into the back seat. "Let's go."

"Do you want to come to the reserve, honey?" Diana asked. "We don't have to."

Darius nodded. "I want to go." He said softly.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

He nodded.

"Alright then." She carried him towards the car. She opened the backseat and let Darius crawl in, before going to the front seat.

Darien smiled awkwardly at her. "Right, let's get going!" He made an effort to sound cheery.

"Do you remember the place?" He asked Diana as he turned off the drive, glancing at the compass.

"Clarence Rook's Animal Reserve I think it was." Diana said racking her brain. She held the compass.

Darius looked at the foxes sadly.

Darien nodded, falling back into silence as he focused on driving.

Daisy put a paw through the cage and licked his master's hand. Don't worry Master, don't cry. I'll come and visit, promise. His eyes seemed to stay.

Darius petted Daisy softly knowing it could well be the last time.

Daisy licked his master's hand. He would miss him.

His mother let him say goodbye to his master, and tentatively did the same. It seemed to be helping the little boy, if only a bit.