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Velvet's heart was beating a mile a minute and her legs were shaking. She was so frightened she thought she might wet herself, but was trying to hide it and be brave for her kids. Sorbet's wails were loud enough to make it hard to think. When the white fox stepped between them, it gave her a sense of protection, letting her calm down a bit and thus, more effectively soothe her toddler. She gently lowered the two older boys to the ground and let her magic dissipate. Flourish ran and hid his face in her side, hugging her around the waist. She'd never been scared of Aaric (he'd always been so careful and considerate) but being faced with an aggressive canine was more than she could bear. She didn't know what to say, and was glad that Nao started to talk to the wolf anthro. His voice was nice.

The wolf father was growling low in his throat, clutching his own son in a side hug while pinning him close to his side. His free hand was balled into a fist and he was shaking slightly with anger. His glowing eyes bored into Nao. "And just who are you? Grrr...sticking up for those sissy uni-cat freaks. They belong in a circus" he sneered. "Can't believe those two are meant to be boys" he spat in disgust, then snarled again softly "All right. Fine. I'll let it go, rrrrrr...this time! But if I ever see these freaks near my son again, there's gonna be trouble. I'll warn everyone I know 'bout their untamed magic, among other things" He backed off, looking at Jason "Where's your toy?" he growled curtly.

Jason pouted, "Catface threw it into the ball pit" he sulked, pointing to it.

Flourish scrubbed at his wet, teary face as he leaned around his mummy, "Onwly cause mew were bein' a jer-mmf!" Velvet pressed Flourish's face back into her side, trying to stop another fight rising up. She sharply shushed her elementary schooler. She used her magic, her horn lighting up with her magical aura, and the electronic game console lifted up from the ball pit and back into the wolf child's hands. "H-here, please take it and leave" she managed to utter, her voice a bit hushed.

The wolf glared at Nao again as he frowned and began to march his son, Jason, out of the play area with him. He snapped at Velvet on the way past her, scaring the alicorn and making her flinch. Her kids both hissed and mewed unhappily with fright at the snapping. The wolves left the room, slamming the door behind them. Flourish and Sorbet were both crying, and Velvet was blinking back her own sudden tears and trying to take calming breaths. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." she whispered to Nao, "I'm so sorry"

As if that all wasn't enough, the manager of the restaurant and inn came over to tell Velvet she'd been given a 6 month ban on the place, stating they'd had a lot of complaints and that her kids could come back if they had magic suppressors or magical training that would ensure they weren't a danger to other patrons.

As the manager walked away, Velvet sniffled and shifted Sorbet up on her hip a bit higher. "I...I guess we better go home. I'm so sorry for ruining your evening, kind sir. I...I've never seen those wolves before. They must be new in town. And this town is small, everyone knows everybody..." she let out a big sigh. Gods, she hoped she wouldn't bump into them anywhere else in town, and that they didn't spread nasty rumours around. The rumour mills already worked overtime talking about her and Aaric.

Velvet was glad Nao stayed to make sure things were okay after everyone else left the play place. She felt safer with him there. One, because he was a male and she liked being protected by stronger men, and two because he seemed to be pretty powerful, from the magic she'd seen him use earlier that had made her kids smile, and just from a certain aura around him. The way he spoke, that quiet confidence and calm and the way he carried himself. Not only that but she'd heard that foxes with more than one tail gained extra power for each tail, and Nao had a bunch of tails! So, she figured he was pretty strong.

After the traumatic moments were over, Velvet wiped her tears and took some cleansing breaths, getting her emotions back under control. Sorbet had quieted to muffled and half hearted crying, and Flourish was just silent and timid, clutching his mom's dress tight and staying pressed to her side.

Velvet's soft alicorn ears swivelled towards Nao's voice and she gave him a warm smile. "Oh, that's a very good idea, kind sir. There aren't many magic users in this town though. I'm not sure where to look. Perhaps you'd know of someone who wouldn't mind coming over to tutor my sons. Since you seem acquainted with magic yourself, I figure you might know someone here or there?" she asked, shifting her handbag on her shoulder and considering asking for Nao's phone number.

Velvet grabbed Flourish's paw and hoisted Sorbet higher again and followed Nao back to his table with her boys in tow. "Sorry Mister Nao. Before I go....I just have to express my sincere thanks for your help today. I think you scared that angry wolf father away, and I'm glad for the intervention. If there's anything I can do to repay your kindness today, please let me know" she said with a shy smile. "If it's okay, would you mind exhanging phone numbers? I don't have too many friends in this town; my herd all live a bit in the countryside and it would be nice to have someone to talk to if you don't mind..." She shifted her dainty hooves shyly, blushing a bit.

Velvet Star felt a flicker of disappointment when Nao said the other magic users he knew lived in the big city, but then her hope was restored by his following words, which were much promising indeed. She couldn't help but look happy when he mentioned growing fond of the town. It was a pretty little place, and it had a warm community feel to it, despite the drawbacks common to smaller towns where everyone knew each other and each other's business, or THOUGHT they did. Still, despite the occasional dickheads, there were plenty of nice and decent folk here.

Aaric and Velvet had simply fallen into an odd category that people weren't sure how to approach. They hadn't lived here all that long, really. Not how Velvet was hoping. She gave Nao a thankful and gleaming smile "Oh, would you, really?! That would be so wonderful. And I'm so glad to hear that this town is growing on you. It's at its best at this time of year, with all the flowering cherry blossom trees and other flowers around. I know today's impression has probably painted an unflattering picture of the town's residents but...there are plenty of good people here too, I promise. I've never met that wolf family before, so they must be newcomers" she said.

"Beneficial? Oh, yes!" Velvet released her grip on Flourish's little paw and grabbed the piece of parchment Nao offered while her children's eyes lit up at the purple smoke. "Thank you so much. I truly appreciate your most generous offer, dear sir" she said, bowing a little. "I'll send you a text from my phone when I get home and we can work out what days and times you might come by to do the magic lessons" she said, then nervously eyed the glaring owner and wait staff that were watching her, "Uhh, with that said, I suppose I'd better get going before I am kicked out. I look forward to talking to you again" she said, giving Nao one last smile and a small wave before grabbing Flourish's paw and leading him out while she carried Sorbet.

The toddler looked back over his mother's shoulder and waved clumsily at Nao "Bai bai! Fwuffy man!"