The moon had just gone behind a cloud, cutting off its light and darkening the room around the young wolf. It had been years since she her mother had removed and put away her nightlight, but something about tonight made Maika wish that she could have it back. Fighting off a sudden impulse to reach over and flick on her bedside lamp, she instead just turned over, pulling her thick blanket up and over her reddish brown hair. "Maybe," she whispered to herself, "if I don't think about it, it won't bother me."
Not thinking about it was harder than it sounded, though. Tomorrow would be the day, the big one. Since before she could remember, Maika had thought about it, curious and excited about all the new friends she would make and experiences she would have. But as the minutes passed, bringing her closer to morning, that excitement had started to turn into a fear, a dread. What if she made a mistake? What if no one would talk to her, or worse, if everyone started laughing at her? Maybe she'd be better off just staying home.
These concerns raced through her mind and kept the twelve-year-old tossing and turning in her bed, thinking about it over and over until her eyes started to well up. Kicking her sheets off to the floor, she jumped up and ran to the bathroom, tears streaming down her cheeks. She flicked on the lights and turned on the faucet, sticking her lightly-colored paws into the running water and bending her face down, splashing it several times. The cold water shocked her senses slightly, but at least it took her mind off of her worries… but only for a few moments.
After shutting off the water and drying her face, Maika glanced at her reflection in the mirror, frowning as she stared at the black patches of fur that streaked down her cheeks underneath each eye. "Stupid genetics," she muttered, rubbing her paw against her face in another futile attempt to make the botches somehow disappear. "Why can't I just have a normal face, like everyone else?"
Hearing the shuffle of footsteps in the hall, she turned her head towards the door. "Honey? Are you still awake?" Her mother's voice sounded concerned, if a bit sleepy.
"Yeah, Mom." Maika opened the door, seeing a slightly taller female wolf on the other side who also looked like she was having a restless night. "I'm… just worried about tomorrow, I guess."
"Aww, honey." Her mother placed her hands on Maika's shoulders, giving her a kiss between the ears. "I know how you feel. I was pretty nervous on my first day too. Why don't we head back into your bedroom and talk about it some?"
Maika nodded, and the two wolves stepped across the hall back into the young girl's bedroom. Turning on the lamp, Maika's mother sat down on the bed, motioning for her daughter to join her. "Now, what's got you so worried?"
"Well," Maika sniffled, "I'm just afraid that I'll mess up. I mean, it's a pretty big deal, right? I've never done anything like it before."
"I understand, hon." She pulled the girl closer, softly resting her muzzle rest on the reddish brown hair. "But neither have any of the other kids, right?"
"I guess." Maika looked down at her feetpaws, her mother's soft, gentle heartbeat beginning to comfort her. "But I just don't feel I'm gonna fit in. I mean, I've always been a little bit… different than everyone else. And, of course, there's my face…"
At this, her mother placed a paw underneath Maika's chin, tilting it up slightly and looking her in the eye. "'Your face'? Why, you have the most beautiful face of any wolf I know!"
"But…" Maika felt the tears starting to return despite her attempts to fight them off. "The streaks under my eyes. No one else has anything like that, and someone will point them out and make fun of them. Then everyone else will join in--"
"Maika." Her mother brought a finger up and placed it against the girl's lips. "I know you don't think so now, but you'll soon discover that having something unique like that is a blessing, not a curse. Take my eyes, for instance."
The young wolf looked into her mother's eyes, one a bright green, the other a deep blue. "You mean, how they're different colors? I've always thought that was beautiful."
Chuckling slightly, Maika's mother shook her head. "I didn't think so, when I was your age. I would've given anything to have both the same color. But when your father first saw them, he said that he had never seen a pair of eyes so pretty. Then, after we started talking, he found out that he liked me even more for my personality. Just as I know everyone tomorrow will like you for yours."
"Hmmm…" Maika hadn't ever considered this before. Would someone actually find these markings, the ones that had frustrated her so much over the last few years, attractive?
"Trust me," her mother continued as she stroked Maika's hair, "tomorrow will be a day you'll remember for the rest of your life. Why don't you try to get some sleep so you'll be able to fully enjoy it?"
A small smile spread on Maika's face as she wiped her eyes with her paw. "Okay, Mom," she said, still sniffling. "Thanks for talking to me. You always know just what to say."
"That's what a mother's job is." Standing up, she leaned over and hugged the girl tight, licking the side of her cheek. "Good night, my cub."
"Good night, Mom." As her mother switched off the lamp and left the room, Maika laid down in bed, pulling the covers up to her neck. A twinge of the worry from before still gnawed at her gut, but she now felt comforted enough to push those thoughts away and drift off into a peaceful sleep.
------
Spreading open the blinds with her fingers, Maika peeked out the window, smiling as she saw the light of the rising sun. The dread that she had felt the night before had vanished, replaced by a sense of anxious excitement.
"Maika, honey," her mother's voice called from the hallway. "It's time to go."
Jumping to her feet, Maika rushed to the front door, where her mother stood, smiling and waiting. "Feeling better?"
"Yes, Mom," Maika nodded, nearly hopping up and down. "I'm so excited!!"
"Then let's head outside. They'll be here any minute."
The two wolves opened the door and walked through the grass of the front yard towards the dirt path that led up the hill to their house. Maika glanced around at the few other nearby houses, wondering if any of the other cubs she knew from the neighborhood would be part of her group.
"There they come!" Maika shouted as the head of a tall adult male tiger peaked over the horizon. As he got closer, Maika saw that four other young furs her age followed him, though she was a little disappointed that she didn't know any of them.
"Good morning, Mrs. Kumari." The tiger grinned and nodded his head, Maika recognizing a slight British accent in his voice. "It's a beautiful day for a first rampage, don't you agree?"
Maika's mother returned the smile, patting her daughter on the shoulder. "Absolutely, Mr. Blake. And I think my little girl here is ready for the challenge!"
Her cheeks blushing at the words "little girl", Maika rolled her eyes. "C'mon, Mom. Don't call me that in front of everyone."
"Hmm," Mr. Blake said as he rubbed his chin, looking down and examining Maika. "I think she might have a point, Mrs. Kumari. She's certainly big enough to stomp a few cars flat under those paws, maybe even tear down a building or two. Wouldn't you say?" He leaned down and placed his large, warm paw on Maika's head, rustling her hair up. Maika giggled, the leathery pads on the underside of his paw tickling her scalp.
As the tiger stood back up, she noticed one of the young furs in the group, a male silver-and-white-furred husky, seemed to be staring at her more so than the other cubs. Starting to feel a little embarrassed, Maika closed her eyes and took a deep breath, reminding herself of what her mother had said. They'll like me for my personality, she thought, opening her eyes and feeling a little better.
"Maika," Mrs. Kumari stepped up behind her and knelt down, wrapping her arms around the girl in a long embrace. "You're going to have so much fun during your first rampage today. Just make sure to stay safe out there. I love you, my darling."
"I love you too, Mom." She buried her face in her mother's neck fur, feeling conflicted at having to leave her for the day. Though her mother was right, Maika realized: she was sure to have a whole lot of fun.
As Maika stepped back and joined the group, Mr. Blake bowed slightly to the elder wolf. "Don't worry, ma'am. I watch out for my students with the same vigor I'd have for my own children. No one's gotten hurt on my watch, at least nothing more than a few scrapes and bruises."
"Well," Mrs. Kumari smiled as she stood back up, "I suppose that's to be expected whenever you go play around in the city, isn't it?"
"Indeed it is. Don't you worry, I'll have her back in one piece this evening. Till then, good day!" With that, the tiger waved his hand and headed back down the hill, Maika and the four other young furs following him. They made their way towards the sprawling city of the micros that lay in the valley a few miles from the hill where the macros lived.
As they traveled, Maika realized that the husky she had noticed staring at her earlier walked next her, looking a little nervous. "Hey," he finally said, his low voice cracking a little, "my name's Kavi."
For some strange reason, her heart seemed to be beating a little faster as she turned her head slightly in his direction. "I'm Maika."
"I know," he nodded. Maika shot the husky a questioning look, causing him to flinch slightly. "Y-you're mom said it earlier."
"O-oh. Right." Maika turned her head back down to her feet, seeing they had arrived at the outskirts of the micro's city and were now walking on an asphalt road. She had only seen pictures of this kind of surface before, and she was surprised at how easily it cracked beneath the weight of her paws, even despite how firm it felt. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw things that looked like trees, except they didn't even reach her knees, and soon tiny houses, small enough to crush flat just by sitting on them.
Her excitement continued to grow as the group continued its silent march. After a minute, though, Kavi cleared his throat again. "I-I like your markings."
"My what?"
"The streaks underneath your eyes." Maika could see the husky's cheeks turning red beneath his white facial fur. "They look like battle paint or something. They're cool."
Maika suddenly felt a little light-headed, and the corners of her lips went up in a smile. "T-thank you. Kavi."
The sound of Mr. Blake's voice interrupted the two canines. "Alright, children," the tiger said, grinning. "We're here. Let's have some fun."
Looking up, Maika saw that the group had reached the taller buildings of the downtown area. The streets were much wider than before, packed with cars, busses, and trucks. Hundreds of people lined the sidewalks, all of whom seemed to be gawking and screaming at the arrival of the macros. Smiling, she stretched her arms and took a deep breath, making sure she was ready. Her mother had been right; today would be a day she'd remember for the rest of her life.
