Lupus Diabolus

A New Day, A New Job

            Ifrit woke up the next morning to find Anubis still sound asleep. Seeing the Jackal so peaceful made him glad that he could do something to help the blind Jackal cope. Trauma was something that he knew well, back when his foster family died protecting him. Unlike Anubis, however, things worked for him in the end. Anubis still had ways to go.

            With the knowledge that Anubis would be fine, Ifrit walked towards the living room, possibly to find something to eat for breakfast. He approached the firewood stove and started putting in firewood and light it up to heat up some water for tea. As the fire ate the firewood, Ifrit became pulled by the fire’s pattern and apparently become mesmerized by the fire. He admired how they danced among the logs. Loving how it licked the heated air inside the oven. Ifrit felt that the fire looked alive, and the warmth was so inviting. He put his hand inside and felt it rejuvenating him like a good smell of tea in the morning. It’s so refreshing.

            He was interrupted by a knock on the door, which snapped him out of his trance. He cleared his throat as he pulled his hand out of the fire, cleaning the soot that covered his hand before he walked to the door and opened it.

            Rhynsa was standing in front of him. He was wearing a short shawl that did not cover most of his upper body, leaving his fur-covered abdomen bare. His wings were out for view neatly folded behind him. Then, for the first time since Ifrit met him, Rhynsa’s short, stubbed tail was visible from the base of his spine. The first time he met the Fuzandre, he was wearing a cloak that covered most of his body, so he did not notice the short tail.

            As always, his chiropteran face was so different from a hellhound’s and a Lycan’s that it was hard for Ifrit to understand what his current mood was. His face looked like a cross of a rat and a canine, plus a nose that was similar to a hog or a pig, except extended from his short snout. Two long, prominent fangs extended out of his maws, giving him yet another quirk to be memorable.

            “(Hey),” he said. “(You’re up early).”

            “(How early?)”

            “(6 in the morning early. Anyway, I got something to tell you).”

            Ifrit welcomed Rhynsa into the bungalow, to which he saw Anubis sleeping soundly. Like Ifrit, seeing Anubis so calm and peaceful made him feel better already, knowing that his mission was successful. It was almost two days since they escaped the prison, with both hellhounds sleeping the whole day after bathing in the hot springs.

            While Ifrit prepared some tea for both of them, Rhynsa decided to have a small talk with the hellhound.

            “(You slept well?)” he asked.

            “(Never better. I didn’t think I would be that sore),” replied Ifrit as he put a tea kettle on the stove. “(Ani’s alright, all things considered).”

            “(And he deserved every minute of it).” Rhynsa then sighed. “(Too bad a good long rest is a luxury, nowadays).”

            Ifrit quickly surmised that Rhynsa bore bad news, but he had a feeling he came to visit for something else.

            “(A job?)” remarked the hellhound.

            “(Sharp as your father was),” said Rhynsa. “(Hate to admit it, but you can’t argue with facts).”

            The tea kettle let out a whistling sound, prompting Ifrit to take it off the heat while he prepared the tea. Ifrit did not seem to notice, but the water boiled a little too fast for a firewood stove. No one seemed to notice.

            “Sugar?” asked Ifrit.

            “No, thank you,” said Rhynsa. “(I see you learn the Tragorian way).”

            “(Lilac taught me).” Ifrit then poured the water into the nearby teapot through the tea strainer and the leaves inside it before serving the tea to Rhynsa. The Fuzandre did not drink it right away.

            “(She forgave me),” Rhynsa remarked.

            “(For what?)”

            “(For being the indirect cause of your death. If I didn’t issue that challenge…).”

            “(Our fight did tire us out, but you and I both know that I fell from the car because they pulled me off. And it wasn’t because of fatigue, either. I did it to protect all of you. Call it a moment of selflessness).”

            “(Which was stupid and reckless).”

            “(Selfless people get killed more often than selfish people. Isn’t that the rule of survival)?”

            Rhynsa sighed, not wanting to debate on Ifrit’s undoubtedly reckless action. He wasn’t sure how he survived it, though one of his transformed legs could be a clue. Rhynsa chose not to point about it, hoping to see if Ifrit considered it unnatural and ask Rhynsa about it.

            “(So, what are you going to tell me?)” asked Ifrit as he sipped his tea.

            “(We’re to travel to Summinat and report to Anarim Winsel. I don’t know what he’s got in mind for us, but I can bet that the first time he’ll ask is about you, Schelkz, and Caropus, of course).”

            “(So, what should I expect?)”

            “(A job, like you assumed. If I have to guess, it’s more of that ‘finding more allies’ job all over again).”

            “(And what does Ani have to do with this?)”

            “(He’s going to field training),” quipped Rhynsa. “(Let him loose out in the world).”

            “(Are they really that desperate? Rhynsa, Ani just got out of one traumatic ordeal. You can’t expect him to recover in just one day).”

            “(Sometimes, a good night’s rest is all we need).”

            “(He’s not one of those people).”

            “(I mean what I said. Take your time to prepare before he wakes, Schelkz. Clothes are in the bag. I’ll talk to him).”

            Ifrit wondered if Rhynsa would be as blunt as he talked to him. He might just act that way towards the hellhound due to his history with Ifrit’s family. Honestly, Ifrit hoped the Fuzandre would just let it go. That animosity died the moment his blood parents died during the Uprising, at least for Ifrit. Or, he was just doing it for fun to keep Ifrit on edge all the time. Considering Rhynsa’s confrontational personality and cynicism three years ago, he might end up enjoying the sight of someone squirming.

            But the hellhound tried not to think much about it as he prepared himself. He took the clothes intended for him from inside Rhynsa’s bag. He took the long-sleeved shirt and pants along with suspenders. He lamented the fact that his fedora was not there. After wearing it for a while to cover his horn, he grew to like it. Now, there was no way to cover the damage on his ear and horn.

            Ifrit was filling the bathtub when Anubis woke up. He yawned and stretched his body, feeling refreshed after a day of sleep. After the hot spring bath and the sleep, his body felt renewed, with all the bruises and pain seemingly gone overnight. It felt like a long time ago since he was like this.

            “(You’re awake),” said Rhynsa’s voice as he sipped a tea.

            Rhynsa’s voice surprised him since he was expecting Ifrit. The voice also made him flustered as he remembered what he said the night before, especially about Ifrit’s suggestion. Ifrit calmly rejected him, which he did not think badly of and even respect the hellhound for being so honest yet courteous at the same time. However, the other person he had feelings to was in that room calling him.

            “(H-hi!)” said Anubis as his hands went everywhere trying to find his bearings. “(Didn’t expect you here).”

            “(Didn’t expect Schelkz to wake up that early. I thought I’d wake him up),” said Rhynsa. “(How are you feeling?)”

            “(I’m feeling refreshed. It’s like I’m sleeping on the clouds),” said Anubis with a smile. His concentration was quickly broken when his knee hit a low nightstand, causing him to stumble forward awkwardly as he tried to regain his balance. He expected to fall on the floor, but someone held him.

            “(Whoa, easy there. I thought you said you need a walking stick),” said Rhynsa.

            “(Yeah, I…wow. That’s soft, and leathery).”

            Anubis unknowingly grabbed one of Rhynsa’s wings as he tried to find where he was. He stroked it, feeling how soft it was while also thinking that it was alive. It was like someone’s skin.

            “(I took care of it),” said Rhynsa, unfurling one of his wings. “(Kinda sensitive, so, uh…Anubis? That’s…a little bit too much stroking).”

            “(Huh?! Wait, you have wings?)”

            “(I’m a Fuzandre. Of course, I have wings. Haven’t you heard about us?)”

            “(N-no. I haven’t met one. Wow. Now, I really wish I can see your face).”

            “(You can touch it if you want a feel),” said Rhynsa, smiling. This made Anubis fluster.

            “(What?! O-oh, but you don’t…).”

            Rhynsa grabbed one of the Jackal’s arm and slowly let his fingers felt his fur-covered face. Anubis felt the contour and edges. He was surprised by how different they felt compared to a Jackal’s face, especially since Rhynsa had a short snout and a different nose. Then, he reached his big ears, and felt how big they were, almost comparable to a Jackal’s tall and thin ears.

            “(Careful with the claw),” said Rhynsa calmly. “(You wouldn’t want to accidentally poke my eyes out, would ya?)”

            As Anubis tensed, Rhynsa continued, “(Do you want to guess where your claw is, Anubis? Don’t make any sudden moves, or you’ll end up actually plucking something out).”

            Anubis nodded, in fear that he might screwed up. He did not see Rhynsa grinning.

            “(Take a deep breath and calm yourself. I’m just playing with ya),” said the Fuzandre. “(But I’m not joking about the eyes. Don’t wanna join you in blind country that soon yet).”

            Anubis slowly pulled his hands away from Rhynsa’s head, fearing that he might’ve hurt the Fuzandre. He only realized Rhynsa was just playing with him when he chuckled.

            “(And that is how you know how dangerous you can be, Anubis, so stick with it. Even a blind Jackal can still kill if they know where to attack).”

            “(R-right),” said Anubis, feeling a little embarrassed after realizing that he did not factor in his claws when touching Rhynsa’s face.

            “(But don’t feel too bad about it),” said Rhynsa. “(I told Schelkz about it already but let me be brief. We’re going to travel together).”

            “(Travel? Uh…just so we’re clear…what’s your name again?)”

            “(Rhynsa).”

            “(Rhynsa, right. I know I shouldn’t say this too often, but I’m blind. I can’t even navigate this room without a walking stick and I know I’ll just be a burden if we travel, especially if it involves fighting).”

            “(Didn’t stop you from killing someone with your claws).”

            “(Ifrit held him. I don’t know if I can be any help alone).”

            “(Hey. Don’t sell yourself short. In any case, we’re not going to be in danger. I hope. But, let’s consider the alternative. You wouldn’t want to be cooped up in this bungalow the whole time, right? Don’t you want to be out there and not feeling vulnerable all the time?)”

            “(To be honest, I’d prefer staying if it means giving you more responsibility).”

            “(Nah. You won’t give us any problem. I’ll make sure of that).”

            Anubis wasn’t sure what to expect, but he knew Rhynsa wasn’t lying about supporting him. The Fuzandre was a smooth talker, and the Jackal already liked him just after he promised him protection.

            He just hoped that he would be the one.