Sly as a Fox

((July 3rd. If the title or date has been taken for anything major, I'll change. This thread is for Maid Marian, Robin Hood, Todd, Vixey, and any other hero foxes.))

Maid Marian picked up her petticoats as she walked through the tall grass of the plains. "I do hope Robin is all right. I hate it, when he leaves so suddenly. He always leaves me so worried."

She waved her hand as she approached a large rock formation. "Robin? Robin?! Are you there?" She adjusted her hat to fit more comfortably on her head. "Oh, please be all right..."

Under the shade provided by Pride Rock, Tod lay curled up in the grass with a content sort of expression on his face. With the rain of the previous month gone and no signs of threat from Dixie or Copper, he felt safe for the first time since he joined the heroes. There was nothing for him to worry about immediately and he felt content enough to just take the opportunity to relax. So relaxed was he that he had begun to doze off. Just as he began to nod off, though, one ear twitched and picked up the sound of someone's voice on the wind. Someone was calling Robin's name. He blinked sleepily and lifted his head from his paws. Who was there?

Tod could make out the shape of a two-legged being approaching, and at first he thought whoever it was happened to be human and dismissed it as such, but when he caught the crimson color of the individual he realized that perhaps it wasn't a human. Someone like Robin, perhaps? Tod wondered if that was the case. Perhaps it was his brother's mate coming to join the war at last. It seemed rather unlikely, and Tod realized this fact, but he decided to investigate anyway. So, he rose to his paws and padded toward the approaching bipedal fox.

"I'm afraid I haven't seen Robin yet today, but if you're looking for him then you're in the right place." Tod told her.

"Pardon?" Maid Marian looked up at the fox laying on the rocks. She stared at him curiously. It was... a curious creature on alls four. It had a face similar to her own, but he somehow appeared different. Perhaps the fellow was just lounging, but then...

The noblewoman covered her face with her hands and blushed, turning away. "Good sir, I thank you for letting me know my husband is here, but whatever happened to your clothes? I do beg pardon for ambling upon you in such a state." It just wasn't proper. But perhaps he had just gone swimming and was waiting for his clothes to dry, or perhaps he was waiting for their repairs. Whatever the reason, she stayed turned away, hoping to preserve his decency.

"Clothes?" Tod repeated. He'd never actually owned any, ignoring the fact that he had at least worn a collar once before when he was a pet, so the question came as a bit of a surprise to the quadruped fox. Then again, Marian and Robin were a different sort of fox. They'd grown up in a similar environment to what humans would find normal. So... non-clothed, wild animals must have been out of the norm. At length, Tod licked one paw and lifted it to his scruffy head fur to smooth it out a bit before deciding to answer in the most casual way possible. It was going to be a bit difficult explaining the differences in their backgrounds. At least, it would be as far as Tod was concerned.

"This... may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but it's actually rather normal for animals to not be clothed around here. See, I'm a wild fox. Not like you or Robin, miss. There are other animals that are pets, too. So far, I think you and Robin are the only animals I've seen that actually are wearing clothing outside of collars and the like." Tod said at length. How surprising would that have been? Well, Robin seemed to have been rather okay with the concept of wild animals. It would only be a matter of time before he found out how the other humanoid fox reacted to this bit of information.

Robin's maw parted slightly, brow furroughed in frustration. His back ached as he arched it, trying to walk like...well a normal fox. It was an embarrassment to be seen like this so he retreated to his tent. It was no use. It was just as hard for him to stand on four legs as it was for Tod to stand on two. His tail swished back and forth as he stood back in his normal pose, rubbing his head between his ears. He placed his hat back on his head, grabbed his trusty bow in his paw and walked out of his tent.

Spotting Tod by pride rock he smiled. His brother had become a companion of his; Robin enjoyed his company. He was convinced Tod was his brother even if they hadn't confirmed it. As a kit he'd always wanted a brother and now he had one.

Tod appeared to be speaking to a woman. As he approached he noticed the slender figure, the pink dress and the...white tipped tail?

"Marian?" He whispered with shock. Walking up to the two he saw it was indeed his beloved. "Marian!" He embraced her and pulled back. "What are you doing here?" He asked with a bright smile. "Tod this is Marian...my wife."

Marian was rather shocked at the fox on the rock's reply about not wearing clothes and that only she and Robin had been wearing clothes. Even the turtle's tended to wear something, and they already had shells to protect their nakedness. And what was a human? She had never heard that word before.

She was caught of guard as Robin took her in his arms. "I-I came to follow you, Robin. I do hope you are all right." She gestured to Tod on the rock. "Robin, what do you make of this not wearing clothes, business? Is it true what he says? Are we really the only ones wearing clothes?"

"Oh Marian...the war is dangerous...you shouldn't have..." He smiled and kissed her cheek. "But I am happy to see you. I've missed you so." Ears twitched as she mentioned Tod's nakedness. He laughed softly, pulling back from his wife. He shook his head.

"Things are so strange outside of Nottingham," he said, "There are these creature that walk on two legs like us...but they are not like us. Not animals. Then the animals here walk around naked with nothing on, not even a hat." He pointed to Tod. "Tod's been teaching me that. We really are the only animals wearing clothes. These humans wear clothing as well."

He took Marian's hand in his. "I shall show you. Tod would you like to come? Perhaps Marian could meet Vixey, your wife...er...mate..."

So this was the Marian that Robin had talked about. Tod had been keen to guess that it was, but it was a good thing regardless that he had met her. He'd been wanting to know what his brother's wife... mate... whatever had looked like and been like. "It's nice to make your acquaintance. I'm Tod, as Robin just said." he greeted. He didn't know if he should mention his and Robin's relationship as brothers, that idea seeming rather strange since Robin and he were so... different, but realized that sooner or later it might come up. For the moment, though, he was content to remain quiet on the issue. If it didn't come up then it didn't come up. If it did, then it did. That would be all there was to that as far as he was concerned.

In response to the question of whether or not he wanted to come with them around camp, Tod nodded. "Sure, I wouldn't mind coming along. I don't really have anything else to do right now, anyway. I don't think it'd be too bad an idea to show Marian around, either." he said. Who knew? Maybe they would run into Vixey like Robin had said.

"Oh, it would be so nice to become familar with your camp." Marian took Robin's hands and followed him. She still felt uncertain about the nakedness of the animals, but if Robin seemed comfortable with it, then why shouldn't she be? She stayed close to Robin. "I do hope I won't be a trouble. I didn't want to worry you."

She thought a moment about these humans. If they weren't animals, then what were they? And what of Vixey? Was she truly as naked as Tod? Marian would have died of embarrassment, if she were in such a state. It just wasn't proper for a young lady. "Robin, is there anything I can do to help? I... I want to stay, and make sure you're safe."

"Marian darling, I'd like it nothing better than to have you by my side," he purred, "But I can't have you in battle. You aren't trained in the ways of battle darling. Perhaps a medic would be a better career for you here in the war." Ears pinned back and he smiled, patting her hand. "Let us go, I can show you the tents and the medical spot. Perhaps we'll even run into the king. He's a lion just like back home." He chuckled softly, turning to Tod.

"Animals walk on all fours here, Marian," he explained, "Tod won't be upright any time soon." He figured she'd have questions about that.

Marian nodded at Robin's suggestion and advice. "Is he truly like my uncle? I would hate it, if he turned out like John. I'm afraid I didn't brind much money with me either." She thought about the medic part. "I definitely think it would be best for me to stay at camp. I... I know some about bandages and such. Oh, it will be so wonderful to be able to help. Still..." She sighed. "Perhaps I should learn something, though, like the bow or the sword. Just in case anyone were to ambush camp while you were out... As dreadful as that would be..."

Again, Tod found it sort of ironic. The Marian and Vixey had essentially followed Robin and Tod into war, and now there was the notion that Marian would be a medic. Just like Vixey. Was it just coincidence, or was it destiny of some kind? Either way, Tod wasn't going to complain. He simply nodded a little as Robin finished speaking. "Believe me, it's very dangerous out in battle. It's not that we don't think you can handle yourself. Battles aren't the same as training. I wouldn't want to think of something happening to you - or Vixey - out in battle because you were trying to help us." Tod said. His battle-worn appearance probably was a good testament to how dangerous it could get. Torn ears, fading scars... he practically was a walking scar by that point. Either way, he didn't want to keep lecturing. He'd said his piece.

"Vixey and the other medics really could use the extra help. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to welcome you."

"Perhaps the bow, but the sword...no...I don't want you to need hand to hand combat my darling," Robin said as they walked. They towered over Tod which made him feel slightly bad. Though if he were standing on two legs he'd be as tall as them. It was a curious situation. Ears flicked back as he rubbed Marian's hand. He felt terrible that she'd come here.

"Tod, if you would fetch Vixey," he said, "That would be wonderful. Vixey and Marian must meet."

((OOC: Don't want this thread to die, but I just 'bout had a heart attack, thinking one of Tod's recent posts was Vixey as I passed his banner, thinking I had lost time.))

Marian nodded shyly beneath her husband's decision. She was definitely better at a distance, anyways. She had no idea on how to wear armor or a shield, let alone wield weapons. She noticed the concern on her husband's face and nodded gently. "I came here by my own choice, Robin. You need not feel guilty. I will not leave the camp, unless there's someplace safer."

She watched Tod carefully a second. What was his wife, Vixey, like? She still wasn't settled on how good a person Tod was, but Robin seemed to trust him. "I really would like to meet her. Is she close?"