Ry ran a hand through his unruly hair. "How did she sleep last night?"
Jos forced a smile up at Ry. "Fairly well thanks to the bassinette you found for her." She fumbled with the stuffed rabbit she held as she waited for the doors of the stuffy conference room to open. "Has Peg said anything else?" She muttered in a worried whisper.
Ry shook his head. "Only that the council is split on what should and shouldn't be done. Arei is in there arguing with them as we speak."
"Is… is Shiori with him?" Jos asked hesitantly as she clutched the rabbit to her chest.
Ry blew out a troubled sigh. "Last I saw they had taken her to a separate room for examinations. They called in a specialist to identify and treat all the children."
"They don't need identification. Hecate has already done that!"
Ry frowned. "She has… but they will not take her word on the matter… maybe they would have had she not put in her own set of adoption papers…"
What little hope Jos had been clinging to seemed to deflate as she hunkered down into the chair she'd been waiting in for well over two hours now. "It's taking too long. Shiori is probably scared and hungry by now…"
Ry leaned back in his seat. "I'm sure Arei won't let anything happen to her… if for no other reason than for your sake."
The doors creaked open, and people began to pour into the cramped room. Jos's worried gaze scanned each person as they pushed through the narrow doorway. Her breath caught as Arei entered, her eyes searching his arms for Shiori. Her heart fell, the pressure of its throbbing thumps echoed in her ears. Her eyes questioned him as he neared, but all Arei could do was shake his head. She could feel tears build as he, alone, neared. "Where is she?" Jos whispered as he closed the distance between them and gave her shoulder a squeeze.
"They still have her in the back rooms… I suspect with the other children and the doctors…"
Jos clasped his forearm as she pulled herself to standing. "It shouldn't take this long to examine her! They already know what she is so why-"
"Shh…" Sensing how close she was to a full-on panic, Arei tried to soothe her though his own anxiety was dramatically elevated. "I'm sure we'll get her back once this meeting is over."
Jos clasped his arms tighter. "But it's been over two hours! She's bound to be scared by now. What if she thinks we've abandoned her… We have to go to her!"
Arei forced down his own emotions as reversed their hold on each other and shifted her between him and Ry as Ry pushed up from his seat. He stared down into her turbulent eyes as they shifted swiftly between her usual aqua and monstrous white. He could feel a tentacle begin to inch up his leg. "Jos, you have to calm down. If you lose control now, we'll likely never see Shiori again." He nodded over her shoulder toward Ry.
Ry stepped closer, pressing himself against Jos's back, and the origin of the tentacles that were threatening to reveal themselves to the entire room. He bent and whispered against the top of her head loud enough for only her and Arei to hear her. "Calm down. I'll go find her and bring her back." He gave the base of one of the tentacles a squeeze to emphasize his point, not releasing it until it began to retract. "Are you good now?" He asked quietly as he took a step back, retracting his hand from her now flat lower back.
Jos pressed her head against Arei's chest as she nodded, still trying to control her emotions.
Arei gave Ry a nod. "Thanks, man." He wrapped his arms around Jos as she drowned her frustrated sobs into the front of his shirt.
Ry patted Arei's arm. "No problem…" His eyes moved around the staring faces, daring them to say anything as he made his way out of the room.
Theseus arched a skeptical brow but didn't say anything as the others whispered to one another. He tapped his documents loudly against the table drawing the attention of the room. "Shall we begin, then?"
Arei gave Jos's arms a reassuring squeeze as he pushed away from her. "Let's take a seat. Just remember what Hecate said, alright."
Jos nodded but doubt still weighed heavily in her eyes.
Theseus narrowed his eyes not lifting his gaze from the stack of documents. "Typically, these meetings would be held among the parties of those most impacted by the situation to be judged. Present today is the entirety of the current working council along with messengers of the overseeing council gods as the decision made here today has the potential to affect us all. With that being said, the matter has already been debated amongst us individually. Normally, the matter would be resolved amongst us before joining you in this room… however, that is not the case in today's hearing. We have been left at odds about what to do in this situation." He raised his gaze to indicate the others who had followed him into the room. "We will go around the room and provide our individual votes along with the reasonings for such." His eyes locked on Jos and Arei. "I shall start… As the representative of the human populace. I vote no to the approval of the adoption of one kitsune to one Joslyn Decker and Areion Cavallo. I am inclined to believe the instability of Miss Decker and Mr. Cavallo's relationship is not suitable to raise a child of any kind… let alone one of such a potential power." When Jos and Arei were about to reply, he lifted his hand to stop them. "You will be given the opportunity to speak once everyone has provided their vote and reasoning." His eyes narrowed on Jos. "I would also like it noted that Miss Decker still seems to lack the required control of her own powers." His eyes burned into Jos as he sat down and rested his hands over the stack of papers before him.
Jos could feel the surge of anger and frustration course through her body causing the creature within to stir more. She squeezed her eyes closed as she lowered her head toward the tabletop.
Next, Prometheus stood. He cleared his throat as his guilty gaze moved to Jos and Arei. "With the same reasoning as Theseus, I am resigned to agree… though I do put forth the option of fostering the child. If the probationary period can be reached with satisfactory results, then the adoption could commence." He sent Jos and Arei a resigned nod as he settled back down in his seat.
Pavato didn't bother standing up. His static-like voice filled the room drowning out the mutters of the others. "I too vote no, under the current status of the applicant couple."
A new member stood, pressing her hand to her chest. In a heavy accent, she introduced herself before providing her vote. "I am Ma'at, goddess of truth, temporary representative of the shifters." She nodded toward Themis and her daughters. "Balance is needed for the tafel… um… child… I vote not, for now." She ran her hand over her tight terracotta-colored dress as she lowered back to her set gracefully.
Jos gasped and clasped her chest as the next person stood.
Selene's guilt-ridden eyes met Jos. "I vote yes… with or without a fostering period." She cleared her throat as her eyes burned into Jos as if begging for forgiveness, herself. "As immortal beings, we have a never-ending period of time to make mistakes… and to atone for them… but atonement can not be reached without those willing to give second chances… Joslyn and Areion have already applied for and submitted their marriage certificate. What more could we, the council, ask of them?" She ignored the mutters all around her as she lowered back down to her seat.
Drake stood next. "I also vote yes. Areion… has proven time and time again to work to find the best solutions to solve any of the problems he's been sent out on… solutions that benefit all involved as much as possible… without holding the actions of a few individuals against the larger population within that faction. As for Joslyn… All of her controllable actions have been for the greater good of others around her regardless of how those actions may affect herself down the line. She's proven to have strong character and has already established a close bond with the child. For once, I ask this council to look past the faction and power of the creature, and instead, see the individuals behind those titles… And if you must only see it as the Kraken taking on a kitsune, then also see that the war horse Areion will be there by her side along with one of the largest remaining wolf clans, the only free Gin family, and the Eastern European vampire association."
A younger, familiar boy stood up and crossed his thick arms over his chest, a cocky grin curving his lips. "Don't forget the support of both the dark and light fae." He sent Jos a wink before turning his proud gaze toward the rest of the room.
Arei leaned toward Jos. "Who is that?"
"Raven's nephew. Last I saw him, she'd left him in charge of her bar." Jos whispered back.
He nodded as arguments began to break out around the room. "I see…"
"Enough!" Theseus called out over the commotion.
As the crowded room began to settle, Themis stood and moved to the front of the room. She fingered through the stack of papers in her hand before lifting her gaze and flitting across those in the room. She paused briefly on Jos. "We're gathered here to discuss the care of the young rescues brought in three days ago." Her eyes locked on Jos and Arei. "Particularly the care of the Kitsune." She sent a glare to those who had been arguing moments ago. "We are well aware of the difficulties there will surely be regardless of the outcome of our decision here today. The Asian Embassy has yet to reply to our request for support. Tracking down other Kitsune without the cooperation of the Asian Embassy will leave no means of reaching the Yokai realm." She lowered the papers. "I've been advised to approve this application, but many oppose it… and for good reason." Her eyes lingered on the others before moving to Jos and Arei. "I do not believe a proper judgment can be reached as we are currently. With that being said, please start by explaining to us what you personally know of the creature currently in your care."
Jos began to answer, but Arei stopped her. He cleared his throat and began repeating all that he'd read over the past few days. "Kitsune are Yokai who can eventually elevate in power to the equivalence of a Shinto god. There are two distinct types of Kitsune, Zenko and Yako, with Zenko being more likely considered good while Yako tends to have a worse reputation. However, in our research of the past few days, we've seen no distinct division other than fur color when in fox form. They all seem to have the same capabilities." He nodded to Jos as he added. "We personally believe those that have been labeled as evil likely have a reason."
Themis nodded. "So, you have done some research and made some assumptions… What makes you believe you are the best fit for such a creature?"
"Volcanos, wind, and earthquakes… These are the powers of a Kitsune once they've reached god strength. It is the same strength my own family possesses. Who better to teach her to properly control them."
Themis narrowed her eyes. "You are intentionally leaving out some great details about this child's potential powers… are you not?"
Jos swallowed hard as she stood. "Shapeshifting, siren-like abilities, creating illusions… My abilities may not be exactly like hers, but I do understand them. Together with the support of those around us, I believe we will be able to help her deal with these things properly."
Themis relaxed a bit. "It seems you both have put adequate thought into this, but there are also the other children to take into consideration… and the question of why this child… why only this one?"
Jos shrugged. "I can't explain it. There was an instant connection between the two of us… as if it was a fated meeting or something."
Theseus stood next. "That is quite poetic, truly… but it does not change the fact that the child is potentially dangerous… just as you have proven to be as well Ms. Decker. Surely you do not expect your own recent transgressions… not to mention your earlier outburst… to be overlooked while discussing this matter?"
Jos's heart sank, but Hecate's words echoed in her mind giving her the strength she needed to continue fighting for Shiori. She straightened, pulling the courage and confidence from deep within as she replied. "I do not wish to have my own indiscretions overlooked. That is not why I'm here. If anything, I would ask that you review the final outcome of the trial involving them. You will see that, though misguided and outside of my personal jurisdiction, I would have been under an ethical if not legal obligation to step in and do what I did." She pushed on as others began to object. "I realize now, I should have gone through the proper channels of command before doing what I did… I shall never let that happen again, that is why I've taken a position working alongside my soon-to-be husband for the Embassy." She cleared her throat pushing herself to continue. "We want the chance to have something that by ourselves we may never be able to have… a child… And by doing so providing something Shiori- the child- may never have again either… parents… Please see that we are only asking for the chance to fill our lives with the one thing we've been missing for the better part of 500 years…" She smiled down at Arei quickly before moving her gaze back to the group around them. "Having that thing in which we want most by giving her the thing she needs most… a loving, supportive family…" She shrugged as she sent Drake a warm smile. "And like Mr. DeMarco said… with us, Shiori will have a huge extensive family full of people not only willing to help but also perfectly capable of providing help. Arei and I are the next best option to finding her own parents."
The room was silent for the longest time, everyone moved to silence by Jos's heartfelt words.
Themis's eyes moved around the room. Anyone who had been in disagreement at the start of the meeting was struggling to hide the effects Jos's speech had caused them. She closed the file in her hand as she sent Jos and Arei a pleased smile. "So then, it has been decided. You shall have immediate custody of the kitsune." She placed the folder on the table and slid it toward them. "You will need to fill these out before leaving this room today. This is the foster agreement. You will see that it is contracted for 180 days. By that time the two of you will provide evidence of a safe, stable home and home environment befitting such a creature. At the end of the 180 days, if the terms of the foster contract are not met, she will go into Embassy custody where she will most likely be expedited to the Asian Embassy. Do you understand?"
Jos and Arei both nodded as they both scanned over the documents in the file. Arei's eyes locked on the clause stating they must be wed within the 180 days causing his heart to tighten with both worry and longing. He hated that this was what would finally push her to marry him… but he was overjoyed with the possibility of finally calling her his and starting a family with her regardless of how it may happen. "This is all doable on our part. Isn't it Jos?"
Jos nodded as she grabbed a pen and began filling out the new forms.
Arei and Jos both breathed out sighs of relief as they made their way out of the cramped conference room. Ry waited by the doors with Shiori in his arms. "Finally done?"
"Yes!" Jos didn't waste any time as she came up to him and held her arms out for the baby. Jos hugged Shiori tightly as happy tears streamed down her face. "Our Shiori." She whispered against the baby's soft hair. "Let's go home."