The Quick Brown Fox [Steven]

"Please," Yoka insisted. "I will not take without returning, especially to one who has treated me so kindly."

She watched him fall back onto the bed and tried to judge his response. Was he just becoming more comfortable? Or did her question trigger the response?

She was curious about the implications for this and watched him, crossing her arms and doing her best to project a blase air as though his answer meant very little to her, but in fact, she was quite interested.

Human, then. She nodded when he gave the answer. She was always curious with those who wielded fire if they had a touch of fox in their background.

"I suppose it's a plus your powers saved you from someone trying to kill you, instead of discovering your powers when your powers almost killed you," Yoka mused. "Although being the subject of attempted murder is never pleasent, so I commend you for your responsible attitude towards it."

"And tell me, if I may be so bold," Yoka pressed. "Did you discover the ice first? Or the first? Or the fire? Or did they come at the same time?"

Now she let some of her interest show openly on her face. Her amber eyes peered up at him from beneath her long lashes and her lips, which so often twisted into a sneer or a demure twist, were set into a firm straight line.

Yoka had lifted her long nails from her arm where she'd been tapping them and had the very tips pressed against her lips as though trying to bite back a shocked expression. Whatever pain had flashed across his face, Yoka had seen, and here he was speaking so calmly about it!

After a moment, she reached out and put her hand on his shoulder.

"I appreciate you sharing," she said.

Yoka worried that by helping her, she may have put himself in danger.

She reached her hand back from her shoulder and stuck her hand down into her bra. She fished around for a second and then pulled a business card with a logo featuring two crossed foxes, her name, and the phone number for the cross fox that would lead directly to her.

"Please add my number to your phone," she said. She used to say memorize it, but she was under the impression millennials (assuming he was one) were not as big on memorization as she was.

"If there is ever an instance where you feel that you might be taking on someone who could snap you in half, please give me a call," Yoka said. Her plump lips twisted into a wry smile. "I may not be able to stop someone from snapping you in half, but I can certainly even the odds a little bit."

She considered divulging the reason for her questioning but changed her mind at the last minute. Instead, she said, "I have but one more question for you before my ride comes, for I anticipate that Murphy should be on his way."

"Are you looking for a job?"

"I own an establishment in the underground called The Cross Fox," Yoka explained. She was not ashamed of owning a strip club--sex sells and it sells very well, after all--but she rarely brought this up in person. Either the reputation of the club itself would indicate what kind of work it was or they'd pick it up in person.

"Most of my hires are in entertainment," Yoka said. "But I am always seeking those who can utilize magic in various ways for odd contract jobs. I tend to pay cash for the jobs, usually hourly, but even part timers get some benefits of working "

Her phone buzzed and Yoka rose to her feet, although she put considerable weight on one leg over than the other. After a moment's hesitation, she leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"I do not forget the people who help me," she said.

"If you're looking for cash, or an adventure, please don't hesitate to call me," she said. She grinned, then headed over to the window and unlatched it. The quick fox jumped out the same way they'd come in, but when she landed on the ground outside, Yoka was back on four feet and scurrying as fast as her fox legs would carry her.


((ooc: it seemed like a natural place to end it~ let me know if you're up for him having some adventures in the future. I'm working on setting up some Yoka plots that could wind up getting Steven into some trouble in the future if you're interested. :) ))