This party was getting rather boring, Terrence decided. He was sitting lazily on one of the cushioned couches, slumped back with one leg crossed over the other and a glass of wine in his right hand. Now eighteen years old, Terrence had been permitted his first glass of strong, colorful wine that had immediately captured him. But after the second fill, it had gotten boring - just like this party.

There were plenty of people to chat with, but all they wanted to do was wish Terrence a happy birthday and continue on with what they had been doing previously. Even the women! Terrence had always been told by his mother that he was a striking young man. So where were all the ladies?

Huffing, Terrence absently took another sip of his wine. His eyes caught on his reflection in a nearby mirror, one of the many that lined the huge room. His dark, wavy brown hair was a mess - curling about the forehead and around his ears. Thousands of freckles were scattered across his whole face, complimented by his tan skin. His blue eyes, the only bright thin on him aside from his classy clothes, twinkled mischievously at himself. 

Yeah, he thought, grinning crookedly at his reflection. Definitely a striking young man. He smiled at his own humor, turning his head away from the mirror. Really not sure why the young women aren't all over me. 

Yawning, Terrence tapped the glass loud enough for one of the servants to hear. The middle-aged servant, a Fox Karavan with ashy hair and amber eyes, wordlessly took glass away.

For as long as Terrence and lived longer, the Foxes had been kept under the human's reign. Years and years before, the land called Alandia had been inhabited only by Karavans, human-like animals. But a century ago, human explorers had landed on Alandia and tried to make peace with the Karavans. Unfortunately, the beasts had been extremely hostile towards those that were not their own. The humans had been forced to fight back, which had resulted in the extinction of all Karavans but the crafty, sneaky Foxes, who hadn't been a part of the war. The humans had taken advantage of the Foxes and their Magic, which led to the owning of Fox servants or bodyguards.

Terrence's parents, Lord Drakon and Mistress Nala Wilfer, owned several Foxes. Their wealth and power allowed them to do this, and Terrence quite enjoyed it. 

Not only because most of the servants were around his age, but because sometimes he could convince them to use their Magic to perform some foxy pranks. Most of the time, Terrence and the many pranksters got away with their joyous mischief. 

But sometimes, Terrence's strict father would catch them in the act. Of course, Terrence was punished only by severe words, while the servant usually underwent a beating an no food for two days.

Terrence couldn't help but feel bad for the Foxes, but he knew that it was for the better. If the sneaky, lying Karavans got any sense of control or power, they would undoubtedly turn on the humans. 

"Rise and welcome Lord Drakon and Mistress Nala," a loud male voice called, and everyone seated person in the room automatically rose to their feet. 

Terrence's grin came back as he found the Fox servant who had announced his parent's arrival. The old Karavan was named Kita, and he had been a family servant since before Terrence was born.

The doors that Kita was standing by slowly opened, and two Foxlings hurried through to swing the doors open fully. Behind them were Terrence's parents, adorned with jewelry and fine clothes. 

Drakon was a tall, handsome man. He stood easily over six feet, towering above his wife and servants. His eyes were black as obsidian, and aside from a few gray streaks, his neat, short hair was the same. Today it was slicked back, showing his thick, sharp eyebrows that came him an intimidating appearance. His jaw was sharp and clean-shaven, but the furred rim of his coat nearly hid his chin. His mouth was curved into the usual cunning smirk that had snatched Nala right away.

Mistress Nala was everything a man would wish for. Not only because she was doting, loyal, and level-headed; but also because she was beautiful, and Terrence loved to proudly boast about this fact. Even though she and Drakon had both just turned forty, Nala was still a breathtaking woman. She had full, rosy lips; long and wavy blonde hair; wide, dazzling green eyes; and the perfect body. Today, she wore a slim red dress with a feathery scarf around her neck and jewelry cuffing her wrists. Because she doted and loved her boys, Terrence considered himself lucky that she was his mother. 

Terrence grinned crookedly and crossed the room, opening his arms to his parents. His mother immediately smothered him in a hug that he gladly returned.

"Happy birthday, my wonderful little rascal," Nala said joyfully, pulling back and smiling at him. Terrence had been wished a happy birthday by his parents that morning, and although he knew his mother was saying it again for the guests to hear, Terrence appreciated it. 

"He's not so little anymore, Nala," Drakon chucked coolly, reaching out with a gloved hand to tussle Terrence's already messy hair. 

"I know," Nala sighed dramatically, frowning sadly up at her husband, who stood a whole foot taller than her. "I'm going to miss our little boy." 

"Mother," Terrence laughed. "I'm not going anywhere. But yes," he boasted at Drakon, "I'm not little anymore. I'm only a few inches shorter than you, Father." He tapped Drakon's nose, where the top of his head reached. 

Lord Drakon jerked his head back, but his cool smile remained on his face. "We have a gift for you, Terrence." 

Terrence perked up, his lopsided grin widening. Every gift he'd been given by his parents was always extravagant - but sometimes a little much, like the huge fur coat he'd received from his mother last year - and he enjoyed seeing what he could do with them.

Every eye in the room followed Drakon's movement as he turned and nodded silently at a young Foxlan positioned by a door to their right. 

The Foxlan tapped on the closed door, peaking Terrence's curiosity. Normally his parents brought him the gift, so this one had to be special if it was behind a door. 

The door opened as the Foxlan stepped aside, revealing a young woman in a dress. She was average height, probably 5'5" with long, fiery red hair. Her eye was a dazzling emerald green, but the right eye was concealed by thick bangs. Her body was well-built and slender, her hands small and delicate. Her gaze was frosty and sharp, and locked directly on Terrence. The strangest part was the black-tipped, red Fox ears and the red, white-tipped tail. 

This was Terrence's gift?

A Foxling who couldn't be younger than himself? 

Terrence could feel his mother's smile, but he couldn't find one to pull onto his face. He wasn't upset, he knew; he was mostly surprised that the Foxling was looking fixedly into Terrence's eyes, her gaze openly reproachful. Most Foxes dared not make eye contact with the Wilfer family. 

"What's this?" Terrence asked his mother, knowing that she loved to proudly show off their gifts. As Terrence finally looked away and let a smile slip onto his face, Nala grinned widely at her son. 

"Your own personal Fox servant!" she proclaimed joyously, dramatically sweeping her arm toward the Foxling in the doorway. "She is silent and obedient, and quite young as well. She will serve you long and well." 

Terrence didn't know what to feel - disgust that a Foxling this young was a slave, pity for the girl, or honor that he finally had his own personal Fox. He decided to stamp those feelings down and let his curiosity rise. 

Slowly and calculatingly, Terrence strode toward her with a grin, holding his hands behind his back like a formal gentleman. He walked around her in a circle, examining her carefully. The Fox didn't move her head, but every time Terrence was in her view, her green eye followed him. 

Terrence halted in front of her and they locked eyes. "What's your name?" he asked her, being sure not to glance away under the Fox's cold stare. 

Silence as she watched Terrence. 

"Answer him, Foxling," commanded Drakon from behind Terrence. "He is your master now, girl." 

The Foxling's icy gaze flicked up and to the left, to where Drakon was standing. The sharp distaste sparked in her eye, but she looked back down at Terrence calmly. 

"Adrelia," she answered shortly, in a strong and smooth voice.

Terrence grinned. "Fantastic. I'm sure you already know who I am, but my name is Terrence Wilfer." 

Adrelia's eye scanned him up and down without any shame, but she said nothing. 

A bit ruffled by her cold demeanor, Terrence drew himself up imposingly. "It appears," he stated with authority, "that I am to be your master. You must serve me in any way I see fit, understand?" 

Once more, Adrelia didn't speak. She merely blinked nonchalantly at him, everything else completely still.

"I'll... take that as a yes," said Terrence with a light, confused laugh. He could sense his father's disapproving look - Drakon expected servants to be polite, obedient, and submissive. Even if they were quiet, which this girl very much was, they were supposed to speak when spoken to. 

Adrelia remained still, her emerald eye trained on Terrence's face.

"Well," Terrence said awkwardly, clearing his throat. This Foxling was quite different from any other Fox he'd met. He could work with that. 

"For your first task," Terrence ordered with a smirk, "fetch me another glass of wine."

~

First chapter of Burnt Fingertips!

Thank you for reading, even though I say that like every time! I mean it, though. Thank you.

Who's your favorite character so far?? 

Personally, I love Terrence and Adrelia both. Terrence is just... 

GREAT. 

And Adrelia is like the moody, silent teenager who openly hates people XD. 

I like this new twist I'm giving my character list, and I hope you guys do too! 

LOVE YOU ALL!!

P3ac3!!!~~~