En:hT Jesters

A Toast

How long have they been at it? The coyote collapsed, letting out a strained wheeze when his friend landed on him. The black-furred fox was groaning as he rested on the coyote.

"Ya good, fox?" Lachlan asked, his chest heaving with every tongue-hanging pant. He should have kept track of the time. And he was also pretty sure it was the same for everyone involved. But with how high the Sun was and how sharp the heat had become. Holy scat. It was already noon. The coyote fidgeted so he did not bother Rutherford, who had gone limp atop his abdomen. The blonde raised a brow while poking at the fox. Did he pass out? Ah, never mind.

The fox elbowing his paw away made the coyote laugh. He mumbled something about smelly coyotes and clumsy, dumb bulls. So Lachlan focused on catching his breath. Smirking, he basked in the warmth. Every inch of him ached, the good kind, and it brought a wag to his tail.

“Stars above. Everything hurts." Rutherford grumbled, rolling over to his back. Lachlan moved to play with his ears.

“Feels good, though." Lachlan grinned, teasing the ears whenever they flicked about.

“Thou are not with a numb rear, yote." The blonde chuckled.

The pair jolted when a sharp whistle rang across the field, climbing onto their feet when a fierce Atten-hut followed it. After a slight hiccup in helping Rutherford up later, the duo stood in formation with the rest. Everyone present was wearing simple shirts, a pair of trousers with camouflage patterns, and a pair of boots. Their postures were straight while holding their heads proudly. All the cadets awaited as a scarred polar bear stalked before them. Her brown eye scanned from one end to another before she huffed.

“Did ya maggots have fun?" The ursine smirked at the mixed reactions. “Good. Ya lot know vhat day it is, aye?" The sow asked as she stopped before the cadets with her back facing them. “Final PT vith me. And that means I'm going to push ya maggots one last time to make sure ya vere up to my standards. And let me be clear." She turned to the group, her eye set in a cold glare. Holding the pause longer, she hid her amusement from those who squirmed.

“I am pleased." Cheers rang out as some broke formation for dances while others bumped their chests. Lachlan and Rutherford shared an excited high-five amidst the chaos. “Enough," Her smile matched the cadets as she began to pace. “All yer blood, sweat, and tears vere not vasted. They should not be vasted. I expect all of ya maggots to keep yer body at peak condition. Understood."

“Yes, ma'am!" All thirty-two cadets answered with a roar, scattering to do their stretches. The bison that had slipped and used Rutherford's tail to stop his fall, came over to apologize. Lachlan winced at the memory. Luckily for the bull, the fox forgave and waved him off with a polite smile, shockingly. Foxes did not like it when someone touched their tails. Lachlan knew since he was a pup. Then they moved on to relaxing their more abstract muscles next. Lachlan maintained a small fire on his palms, a simple trick of igniting mana and keeping it fed. Meanwhile, Rutherford wrote glowing runes that danced around him as crackling sparks jumped between his digits.

“I've been told that some of ya maggots haven't gotten yer letters yet, aye?" The ursine inquired, shaking her head when she got many nods. “Damn, desk clerks," she sighed, “Rest assured. I'll tear them a new one if ya haven't received them by tomorrow." The sow added while checking her ARK, noting the time before calling for attention. Her voice softened just a smidge. “I von't keep ya cubs any longer. And ya lot know I'm not one for speeches." The cadets grew quiet. Some sat down while others stayed on their feet. They gave their eyes and ears to their instructor.

“It is dangerous out in the frontiers. So I vant all of ya to keep sharp, vatch yer back, and rely on yer wits and each other. Because out of a hundred and sixty-seven in this class, ya have reached this point. Many have failed, some have left, and we lost a few." The instructor paused for a moment of silence.

For Adelyn, who held strong so others could get across. For Zoja, who held off Zvidrs to buy time and got mauled. For Matis, who drowned so another had enough air to reach the surface. And for the others who have had their time cut short.

“I vant all of ya to live for them. To explore the stars and to return to yer dens afterward for their sake. For they are still vith us and vill continue to guide us." She steadied herself. Gazing into the solemn but determined eyes of her cubs, she continued. “I have taught ya all I know. All that ya will need to survive out there."

“It von't be enough. So learn. Grow. Keep improving yerselves. And most of all, make us proud."

The bear opened her arms to anyone who stepped forward. Her hugs were strong and lingered for a while. No one complained. The cadets were happy to stay for as long as she kept them. She whispered final teachings and encouragement to them as the class ended. Lachlan got a warning to keep his recklessness in check while she told Rutherford to keep an eye on the coyote. Finally, she told them to solve problems in ways only coyotes and foxes could.

It was a quiet stroll to the lockers with them lost in their thoughts. Navigating through the forest was easy now that they had used it all year. The coyote nudged the silence away.

“You got any plans after this, fox?" Lachlan asked.

“Might take a nap," Rutherford replied. Passing the fence that kept the training grounds separate from the rest. A crater that formed after a mishap at the start of the semester was still present. At least they removed the poor trees that got caught in the blast. And with another turn at a scuffed wall, the canines arrived at a small building. “I might wander about off-campus later. What about thou, yote?"

“Same thing. Minus the off-campus part." The showers were crowded, with too many mammals for his liking. With cabinets lining the walls, a trail of benches drew a line in the middle. He was looking forward to lying down. He also wanted to make sure no one ogled his friend. The locker cabinets had mirrors, and the ones behind the fox gave some mammals a good view of his backside. Collecting his bag, the coyote grabbed a spare shirt and stood between the fox and those mirrors while facing away from him. Rutherford was striking, especially with his dual equipment. Best of both worlds as a hermaphrodite, Lachlan thought with rosy pink ears. He caught a few stray glimpses before.

Jumping slightly when a tail brushed against him, he turned when he heard the jingles of a belt loop. The coyote stuffed his shirt into the bag as he followed the vulpine out of the building. Comfortable silence accompanied them as they made for the dorms. Lachlan had gotten to know the vulpine better. The fox rarely talked to fill the silence, which suited him fine. He never liked talking for the sake of talking. Some mammals could learn to appreciate silence more often.

The cobblestone paths were warm while pink blossom petals swayed through the air. With just a week from graduation, the campus would be less crowded. They only saw stray cadets and instructors milling about. Standing proud in the center was a three-story building with brick walls. The paint had faded and peeled with age while being adorned by flowering vines. Lachlan once saw it as proud and mighty. But the novelty had grown weaker, just a tiny bit. The canids skipped the main building, passed a fountain with some abstract shapes spewing water, and then turned left. The dorms were in the same condition as the main building.

And just before they went to their respective floors. Rutherford paused with a growing smile, tapping his friend on the shoulder. A swift, teasing lick was planted on the side of his chin when he got his attention. The fox grinned wider when the blonde jumped with a dusting of pink on his handsome mug.

“What was that for?" Lachlan huffed with a raised brow.

“Just felt like teasing," Rutherford held that fox grin as he entered his room.

Lachlan shook his head, a little smile on his muzzle. Sun damned foxes, he thought, trying to cease his wagging tail. And it remained in that state as the blonde went up another flight of stairs. The rooms provided to the cadets were barebones. The single window with a bed and wardrobe beside it. With a desk that sat opposite it and a small bathroom. The coyote had filled it with some personal touches. And now he had to pack them up before the week ended. He was going to miss this little den of his.

Setting his bag down by the door, Lachlan hopped in for a quick shower. He opted for a pair of briefs as he towled himself dry. Until soft chimes from his ARK, shaped like a bracelet, drew his attention. It was merely an advertisement. Ignoring it as he got on his bed, a few swipes across a holographic screen brought forth a picture taken four years ago. It was when spring was strong with blooming flowers. One hundred and sixty-seven cadets posed proudly for the occasion. Some made goofy faces, while others struggled to stay stern. Good times, the blonde sighed softly. Lowering the volume setting, he set his ARK aside and drifted off to sleep.

He dreamt of his parents and the last time he saw them. The lessons his grandpa would impart while the old blighter nursed on whiskey. The subtle softness under those harsh eyes and walls. Along with those calloused paws whenever they tugged or brushed his ears.

Then he dreamt of his classmates.

Sweet Adelyn always offered encouragement whenever someone needed it. A kind word and maybe warm hugs if she was close enough to you. Many wept for her when she left to dance with the Sun.

Brave Zoja always charged ahead despite his fears. He would always be the first to bring up morale and rally mammals for decisive actions. He would have been a great leader. A lot wept for him when he joined Adelyn.

Kind Matis always forgave misgivings. He offered his shoulders and ears whenever one needed them. Every gentle and helpful. He would tend to wounds and health no matter how insistent the refusals were. They wept for him when he joined the others at the Sun. Lachlan wept harder for Matis than he did for Adelyn and Zoja. Rutherford did as well.

Then he dreamt of his vulpine friend. The short moments they spent together during the first three years of university. The brogue that seeped into his slightly archaic tongue whenever he grew heated. The partial mane the fox grew so he could wear a braid. And the beauty of his magic.

An insistent buzzing pulled him to the waking world. Smacking his dry lips, the coyote reached for his ARK. The sound was not coming from it. And a flicking ear told him where it was from. Lachlan stood up groggily. Some quiet grumbles and annoyed tail twitches followed him as he opened the door. Blinking wearily, a tiny floating box with hands greeted him.

“Delivery for Lachlan Leighton and Rutherford Esther." The bot chimed, handing over something. The coyote tapped his ARK against the delivery bot after accepting it. He let the tiny bot leave after it released a pleased chime. And Lachlan closed the door with a wide yawn. A glance at the time told him it was well into the evening. His sleep-addled mind supplied that Rutherford could be off-campus. You needed to report that you would be away from campus after all. The blonde finally looked at what he got with a hum. And the lingering grogginess left him.

“FOX!"

“Stars' sake. Don't yell like that, yote," Lachlan apologized. Setting the bracelet down to quickly riffle through his wardrobe to get dressed. “What got thou being loud?"

“I'll show you!" The blonde stumbled, trying to get his jeans on. “Where are you right now, Ruther?" He wiggled into a white tee, brushing his fur to look more tame afterward. A quick snap secured the bracelet onto his right arm. And a shake sent the receiver to hover near his ear. Gently, he stuffed the packets into his jeans pocket.

“Near the park on Kehlani Gale," the fox answered. A brief search told Lachlan that Rutherford was not far off from campus. And seeing a place to celebrate near it, he began to leave with a grin. He would have to swing by the front desk and then gate security to inform them.

“You know the bar around the south of that park?" The coyote stopped at the front desk, heading to a free terminal. With some taps on the screen and scanning his paw prints, he headed for the front gates. The campus grounds were even more empty this time of the day.

“Drowsy Loiter, aye? Want me to wait for thou at the tram station?" A quick confirmation later, the fox ended the call. Lachlan had to jog to catch a tram after he informed the gate security. Almost narrowly missing it. The coyote stayed standing, causing passengers to get annoyed at him because of his helicopter tail. The ride was short since the tram only needed to drift past a boulevard of residential areas and a mall. Rutherford waited for him at the station as promised. The vulpine wore a button-down with a checkered sweater and slacks. The fox had his mane down without a braid.

“Alright, what got thy tail cleaning the underbrush, Lach?" The fox asked, his amused eyes tracking the blurry tail. He trailed off with wide eyes when the coyote took out two envelopes. The Eireilta's coat of arms shone proudly across the wax seal. His smile matched Lachlan as he accepted the one meant for him. They moved away to not block the station. Breaking the wax seal carefully, they began to read.

It was a standard congratulatory letter. Concise and encouraging. Along with a section of things they needed before their first expedition began. It also informed them who they would be reporting to. Pilar and Landon Fransic would be their handlers and mentors until they were deemed ready to venture without supervision. The canids grinned at one another, happy that they would be allowed to keep being a team.

“Hell yeah!" Lachlan exclaimed with a raised paw. Rutherford met it for a high-five. “Come on! Let's hit that bar," The blonde returned the letter to his pants pockets. He looped an arm around the fox's shoulder as he pocketed his letter. He began to lead the vulpine towards it. Rutherford chuckled, his tail matching the coyote.

“Thou did check that we'd be allowed to drink?" The fox asked, smirking when the coyote scratched his chin.

“Anyone above eighteen in this sector can drink, right? I'm well into my nineteen. And you're already two months into your eighteen. So why not try?" The coyote shrugged, looking forward to finally getting a taste of alcohol. After all the times he had seen his grandpa with a mug of it. He asked to try it several times. And that only amounted to refusals and the occasional ear tug.

The two-story building was a mix of bricks and wood with half-moon windows and potted plants that hung from rope baskets. And there was a bouncer at the entrance. So he asked, “Hey, what's the legal age for drinking here?"

“Sixteen and above," The tiger answered as he scanned their student IDs. The coyote raised his brows. He had to wait until he was twenty-one back where he grew up.

“Huh, just like back home." Rutherford supplied.

“So, you're telling me I got robbed of the experience for a while now," Lachlan grumbled. The fox and the tiger chuckled at his plight. He shot a pout at his grinning friend.

“Indulge responsibly," the tiger chuffed as he let them in. The atmosphere was lax and filled with soft jazz playing in the background. With wooden furniture spaced comfortably, not too close to make the place feel cluttered, and just far enough so mammals would not have to worry about someone overhearing them. Some indoor plants decorated the place alongside postcards and posters. Not a lot of patrons since it was still the weekdays.

So Lachlan got himself a glass of his grandpa's favorite whiskey. Meanwhile, Rutherford settled for a glass of rum. The pair settled for one of the seats beside a window that faced the sunset. The coyote drummed his paws across the table. His tail brushed the seat clean. The blonde watched his friend cross a leg over the other with all the grace of being a fox after he sat across him. The shorter male swirled his iced rum with a satisfied smile.

“Only a week left," The fox murmured. The coyote hummed with a nod. They did not have any more classes left to attend. Free to do anything. If not for his mind drawing a blank on what to do. He could go sightseeing. He had not explored this world with how busy he was. There would also be a month to prepare for his first expedition. What to do, what to do?

But first, “Let's make a toast," the blonde grasped his glass firmly. Leaning against the table, he raised his arm. The fox followed soon after. His gold eyes shone brilliantly from the setting sun. And Rutherford noted how the coyote's fur reflected the light. “To our classmates," Lachlan began. “May they be safe and prosper in the Sun's light. And may those dancing with the Sun guide us."

“May the Stars lead them home," Rutherford added. “And may those hunting amongst Them watch over us."

"And lastly," Lachlan smiled brightly. He could hear the fox's tail thumping against his seat. "To us. I look forward to working with you, partner." Their glasses clinked gently. And slowly, they brought the drinks to their lips. Lachlan hacked after the first gulp. “Holy scat, that is strong!" Rutherford chortled.