Home, New Beginnings

Polishing off the pile of snacks, Ava idly chatted with the three girls, doing more listening than talking but chiming in every now and then with a funny story from her training. After chattering a bit, she couldn't help but take a glance at Lily, who was absentmindedly brushing a hand through her hair and let out a small smile before quickly turning her head back to the table and continuing the conversation.

After a few months, although Ava wasn't sure if this was what she had been looking for when she had come here, she was sure she had ended up in the right place. While it was hard to put down the caution in her heart that had been built up over years of suffering and experience, the more she knew about the people around her, the more it felt like it was okay to let down a little bit more of her guard and try to live a somewhat normal life.

Even if she still focused on training and could be considered an oddity, that was fine. Things as simple as birthdays, snacks, gifts, and laughter. These were things she had never dreamed of but now were so close at hand.

The ability to leave her money at home, to walk around without eying the nearest exit route at all times, to feel safe without a knife in her palm. Were these luxuries that a person could really afford?

Looking at Ahri, Haley, and Lily in front of her and thinking about the Madam in the office not so far away, Ava couldn't help but have a warm feeling as she realized that this was what was called home.

Not the worn-down shack she had lived in.

Not the place where she was born or conceived. No.

This was her home.

———

Ava woke up and roughly pushed her bed hair to the side while looking grumpily down at her chest. Over the past three years, as the two lumps of meat on her chest had started to grow in, they had given her no end of pains and sores, and if that wasn't enough, they also threw off her sense of balance, causing her to have to practice and re-train many things she had already learned, and with the rate they had been coming in, it seemed like she might have to go through the entire process again once they were fully grown.

Of course, if that was all, it was fine, but as she had started to grow taller and the flush red hue of nutrition shone on her skin, Ava's somewhat plain but well-defined features had started to draw eyes from some of the more unsavory lots from around town. It couldn't really be helped. Although the Foxes Respite had a reputation, it was more so reputable among the more well-informed and more able gray zone residents.

In the eyes of the fodder and thugs, they only saw it as a brothel, at most a slightly better-off one. Of course, anyone who was stupid enough to try something would learn a painful and often times fatal lesson, but nonetheless, the number of idiots was always greater than the wary.

Letting out a groan of frustration, Ava quickly hopped out of bed and changed into a suitable set of clothing that would allow her flexibility of movement and comfort. Although she had collected quite a few dresses over time, in part out of interest and in part because of the three girl's incessant need to give her gifts, after the initial awe and adoration of these plush new commodities had grown off, Ava had found herself with a simple style that suited her well.

As long as the clothing was comfortable and didn't stand out, preferably in darker blue and green shades, it was good in Ava's books.

Stepping out the door, Ava was quickly greeted by Ahri, who gave her a soft nod. Shrugging her shoulders, Ava walked over to Lily's door and gave it a light knock, and a moment later, Lily reluctantly opened the door with a messy look before seeing it was Ava. Her eyes lit up, she was about to hug Ava and drag her to bed before a thought shot through her mind, and she asked in surprise, "Wait, is today the day?"

Letting out a small nod, Ava eyeballed the silly girl in front of her. Over the past few years, Lily had only grown more beautiful, as her soft red locks had grown into a hairdo that reached down below her chest, and her originally soft and somewhat cute features had sharpened out, becoming salacious and tempting.

Blinking twice, Lily quickly stepped back inside and began changing into a new outfit, not even bothering to close the door. Ava let out a sigh and closed the door halfway before leaning against the wall right next to it, blocking off the view while giving a roll of her eyes to Ahri, who let out a small giggle.

Indeed, what could she do? Although Lily's body had grown in the past few years, it had to be said that her mentality… remained about the same, and she was still a happy-go-lucky girl who was clumsy in the silliest of situations.

While the two of them were waiting for Lily to change, Haley jogged over from not too far away, holding onto a basket of bread and a couple of pieces of fruit that she passed along after a few words of greeting.

Picking out an apple, Ava tossed it up with her hand and watched it fall before quickly catching it and taking a bite, and reveling in the crisp, sweet flesh.

Mmm, today would be a long day, but it would be a good day.

A moment later, Lily popped out of her room wearing a long white dress that reached her ankles, a small silver necklace that had a shining red stone in the center, and a somewhat crude and worn red bonnet on the top of her head.

Smiling, Ava grabbed a loaf of bread and passed it to Lily, who blinked for a moment before quickly eating.

Today was the day she had to eat well and prove that she could take care of herself!