The return to the Capital was quiet, under the cover of a moonless night.
When the group finally stumbled through the front door of the Little Whiskers Daycare, they looked like they had been chewed up and spit out by a dragon.
Rurik was waiting in the hallway, arms crossed, wearing his night-robe (which was just a bear pelt). Rajah and Lucien were playing chess by the fire.
They looked up.
"You're late," Rurik grunted. "And you smell like swamp water."
Then, he saw it.
Primrose walked in. Behind her, three fluffy tails (White, Silver, Gold) were joined by a fourth one.
It was sleek, emerald green, and tipped with a glowing flower that shed tiny sparkles of pollen on the rug.
Rajah dropped his chess piece. "Is that... are you growing a garden?"
"Don't ask," Primrose groaned, flopping onto the nearest sofa. "I am photosynthesizing. I need water and twelve hours of sleep."
"And what is that?" Lucien asked, his dark eyes fixing on Jasper.
