“This is just some standard paperwork, I’m sure you understand,” Slick said with a smile as he motioned for Black Fox to sit in the chair across from him. “Standard procedure whenever we train someone from a different village.”

“I didn’t think that was standard at all,” the fox replied. He was the first one they’d seen, so he was the first one Slick would question. And somehow he had to do it without showing the wolves could scent they weren’t the same fox.

“Not standard practice, but there are procedures. Circumstances happen,” Slick said. “I don’t want you to feel like this is an interrogation. It’s not. Think of it as an opportunity.”

Black ears twitched and the nose lifted a bit, blue eyes zeroing in on the papers spread across the desk. “Opportunity?”

“To guide your education,” Slick clarified. “Share any concerns or worries. To learn. I know on the first day we told you the instructors were available any time, day or night, for emergencies. You are also able to approach the guard if you have any concerns. You are able to identify the guard, correct?”

Fox eyes rolled at the admittedly silly question. “Of course. Are all the questions this stupid?”

Slick shrugged and rubbed at his ear. “Some. I will admit most of the orphans we take in are much… younger. The procedure is pretty much the same.”

Shoulders relaxing and a small huff of breath told Slick he’d hit his mark; the fox wouldn’t think twice about strange questions thrown in when they were meant for five-year-olds. “All right, then. What do you need to know?”

“I guess I should start at the beginning.” Slick threw in a deliberate wince. “And apologize in advance. These are not very ‘ninja’ questions. Feel free to ask anything you like in return. Can you tell me your name?”

“Black Fox,” the fox answered with an irritated twitch of his ear.

“Height.”

“4 foot ten.”

“Really?” Slick asked, letting his tail wag a bit. “You seemed taller.”

The fox shrugged. “I haven’t been measured in a while, but that’s what it was the last time I was.”

Foxes were shorter in general, evolution not making up for being a small race, but it wasn’t about the height. It was about the game and the information this little fox revealed. “Weight?”

“120.”

“Eye color.”

“Blue.” Another heavy breath that meant he thought these questions were dull.

“Fur color.”

“Black?”

Slick paused. “You sure? That sounded like a question.”

“You’re being deliberately blind, aren’t you?”

Slick gave him a smile. “Sorry. The forms are rather boring. I have to get my fun where I can. Let’s move on to something more interesting. Have you had any prior education?”

Blue eyes narrowed. “Can you clarify?”

Not quite bored enough for that, then. “The question is mostly looking for how advanced you are. For example: if you can read, write, use specific weapons, speak other languages, and if you’ve had any education in your fur, like finding food and water.”

“I can read and write,” the fox said slowly. He was thinking through the question deliberately, Slick could tell, and guessed he’d only get half an answer at best. “Weapons, not so much. I’ve been trained enough not to impale my own foot with a dagger, I guess. I don’t speak other languages. I could find water in the forest while in my fur, but didn’t hunt.”

Partial truths. Slick wondered what other languages he was familiar with. He’d have to be more specific in his next questions to get back to the bored and fidgeting stage. He took notes that were really just scribbles; Trace was monitoring the entire conversation so he wasn’t worried about that. “What about what you want to learn?” he asked. “Do you have any interest in languages and diplomacy?” he tacked on before the fox could answer.

“Not specifically,” the fox said, shifting uncomfortably.

“Maybe more general skills, such as math and accounting?”

“Ugh, those are boring.”

“Boring, but needed.” Slick smiled. “I’ll just put you down for the basic courses in those so you can get a taste. Not everything can be solved with a sword after all. Do you have any known allergies?”

“No.”

“Then how about a few of the home courses, as well? Cooking, hunting, and camping. They may not sound grand but they will help you to blend in around the desert. I get the feeling you’re not familiar with our foods.”

“What makes you say that?” he asked, suddenly on alert.

Slick raised an eyebrow. “Do you even know what you ate for breakfast this morning?”

The fox squirmed, the arrogance crumbling under the simple challenge.

“Just because you don’t mind eating it doesn’t mean you’re familiar with it. And if someone asked you to buy some, you wouldn’t know what you were getting. I know it’s not exactly a fun time. You don’t have to take them. But I thought you might want to be able to talk with your classmates without asking what things were all the time.” A bit of consideration and concern built guilt, and the fox agreed with a frown.

Slick smiled brightly. “Great! And all the standard ninja courses, per your father. We have to start with the basics on those until we have a better understanding of your skill level, so I’m sorry to say you’ll be with children for at least the better part of another week, probably more.” The resignation on the fox’s face was expected.

“Is there anything in particular you want to learn about? Or a goal you want to work towards?” Slick asked.

“General skills,” the fox said, shrugging. “I’m sure dad sent all the details. Do I have access to the training areas?”

Slick made a note even as he wondered about the brush off. There was a goal there. He was sure of it. “Under supervision. That will last until we are sure you have a general understanding of how to use the equipment without injury, and more advanced areas will open up as your training progresses. Certain training fields will be blocked when used by a class, but are otherwise free for general use when you’re cleared.”

“Are there any restrictions to when I can use them?” the fox pressed. “Aside from if a class is in session, I mean. Do I have to book the time or something?”

“Not particularly, though we do ask that training fields be shared if there isn’t enough space,” Slick said. “Is there any particular reason you’re so interested in training outside class?”

The fox shrugged, leaning back. “Sometimes I need to practice a bit to get things right and I don’t really want to do that in front of everyone. I thought if the fields were private…”

That it would be a good meeting place to make a switch, more likely. “Privacy is hard to find on the training grounds. There are few outside the walls which aren’t used as frequently. Those, however, do require check in with the guard both when leaving and returning, must be scheduled, and must be during daylight hours. You won’t have access to those for a few weeks yet, when you pass basic orientation.” Or maybe longer, depending on how the captain felt about giving them an easy place to switch. “Since they are outside the walls they aren’t maintained as often, and can be out of service for weeks.”

The fox nodded. “Okay. I mean, it doesn’t have to be that private. Just someplace I won’t have every wolf in the dorms seeing me fall on my butt.”

Slick smiled again, and it felt just as fake as all the other times. “I think we can arrange that.” Except the camera on that training ground would be on around the clock.