Steady breaths was the thought that ran through Richard. One foot in front of the other, that was what had won him the regional track and field ribbon. He really needed this run to clear his head and right now it was better than the graduation ceremony. Walking across that stage in front of his class, with a bunch of angry ex's. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. That when he slammed into something tripping over whatever it was that he hit tumbling onto his face.
"Ow" he said rubbing his head as he sat up to see what he hit. It was another Anthropoid who was picking himself off the ground and turned to see what had hit him. It left Richard speechless.
"Richard" said the other.
"Paul" he replied with astonishment. "When did you get back?"
"A few days ago, I've been real busy."
"It's um, good to see you."
"You too." They stood up and did some kind of awkward dance and decided on a handshake. "I decided that I just needed a run."
"Yeah, I needed one to. Want to walk around the track?"
"Sure, I guess."
They hadn't seen each other for little over two years. Paul had shown interest in the medical field and if he wanted to get into a good medical university he need to go to the Lyon Junior Academy which was a fancy private school on the other side of the colony. They had tried to keep their relationship going but they drifted apart and Richard had known that it had been his fault. He had had the opportunity to spend time with Paul but he didn't take it and through his childish antics he had drove him away. He tried not to blame himself because he was still a child but he hadn't put his priorities straight.
"So Paul, how is Reginald?" He tried not to put a snob accent with the name but he couldn't help it.
"He's fine, with his new boyfriend."
"Oh, sorry."
"It's okay, it wouldn't have worked out since I'm not really from an old name."
"But you're a Kitsune!"
"Not really. How is Allison?"
"Who?"
"That girl you were seeing the last time we spoke." They had tried to keep a friendship but it became too painful for them either though neither would admit it.
"Oh, that Dalmatian?"
"Yes."
"Well, her brother was a firefighter and more fun to play with."
"Richard!"
"In my defense he came on to me. How was I to refuse one of our first responders?"
"That is just not right." He stopped and Richard stopped with him. "Look, I guess I'm happy we ran into each other so that I can do this face to face. The Admiralty is moving the Captain to Terra and he's taking his crew, which includes my dad, with him. So since you like everything spelled out to you, that means I'm going too. I've already been accepted to the Terra Medical College. We're leaving tonight."
"Oh. That's good. Thank you."
"Thank you? That's good. That's all you have to say? Just don't Rich. This was never going to work, it was never going to work. That's not how it works. This isn't how it is going to work. Don't even say you're sorry because it's not me and it's not you. Goodbye Rich."
"Goodbye Paul." He stood there and watched as the fox turned around and left, he just stood there and watched him leave. He stood there for several more minutes before deciding to head to the park. He sat on a bench as the birds flew by, he mind a blank. He didn't even notice as a different fox, who had been walking with a black wolf snuck up behind him much to the wolf's protests. The fox sat down next to him on the bench.
"Why such the long face honey?"
"I just stood there and let him go. I can't believe I did that. I couldn't tell him that all those others, I was just trying to fill the hole he left in my heart. It never worked out with them because they weren't him. I was a fool. I should have followed him. I should have punched that smug Reginald in the face. It's too late now. I doubt he wants to see me let alone speak to me. On top of that he's moving to Terra. I didn't make room for him in my life, I tried to. Why didn't I go after him?"
"Oh honey, you're just a child, there's others out there."
"Not like him, if he wasn't the one, if what we had wasn't love, then I don't know what is."
"Hmmm, Terra you say."
"Oh no, I know what you're thinking" said his companion.
"Oh relax Pavel. We'll make the shuttle. Look, you shouldn't do this alone. Lucky for you we're also heading to Terra, and maybe we can take you with us."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I mean it seems you really love this guy and this could be your chance. Understand though that there will be no turning back. You'll have to leave the life here behind and if you take our offer you'll have to enter the Federal Service."
"If it's for Paul, then it would be worth it. I'll do it."
"Look kid, are you even eighteen" asked the wolf.
"Yes I am, and today was my graduation."
"Then all I need is your signature" said the fox as he pulled out a Flimsy, un-scrolling it and handing the wand to Rich so that he could sign on the dotted line which he did. "Then we're all set. I'll have a team go to your house and gather your family and your things so that they can get out of here too."
"What is going on?"
"Tonight, Count Rouen will be making the announcement that the Nationalists have won and that the Templars will be mediating a change in government. Central is pulling all of the Federation assets out now since the Nationalists favor the Republic."
"You're just going to leave them here! You can't let the Nationalists take power!"
"There's nothing that can be done, they won. They're going to be the legitimate government of the Francian peoples."
"They have blatant anti-Anthropoid policies! It will be a death sentence! Why can't the Federation get everyone out!"
"We don't have the logistics or the power to do so."
"You have to warm them!"
"It would cause a panic and could force the Republic to make a move. Then all the Federation forces
would be trapped. Then your people wouldn't have a chance and on top of that tens of thousands of Federal Troops would most likely be slaughtered. The first thing you're going to have to learn in the Federal Service is to take orders without question. Cheer up honey, war is hell but you'll have friends, comrades, and hopefully someone who loves you to get you through it."
