Impure - Chapter Twenty (Patreon)

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Chapter Twenty

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Rivi hummed to himself as he finished drying off after a morning shower. Argos and he had alternated bathing schedules to allow them both a little more hot water. Argos showered the evening before, while Rivi waited until the morning. Argos claimed that allowed each of them a larger share of the daily water rations, but Rivi suspected otherwise. Rivi imagined their allowance reset every midnight, or so. Which meant Rivi had plenty of water in the morning, while Argos was left with whatever remained after a day’s use.

“We’ve got to be in and out quicker, Rivi.” The cheetah inspected himself for especially damp spots, then rubbed his fur vigorously with the towel. “Just because Argos wants to be chivalrous is no excuse for not ensuring there’s enough water left for him.” 

When his first was mostly dry, Rivi hung the towel up on the silver rack, near the glass-enclosed shower. He fetched one several fur brushes with different tooth sizes, and worked it through his fur from his head, to his feet. When that was finished, he swapped the brush for one with a finer comb size, and went through his fur once more. Finally, he picked up an even finer brush, and used it to carefully groom the fine, silken fur across his face and head. Then he pulled it down across his neck, fluffing out the slightly thicker fur there.

“We’re wasting our time, Rivi.” The cheetah turned his head, fluffing up the opposite side. “He’s only going to see us this way for minutes, at most.” Rivi snorted, clicking his teeth. “That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look nice for him, Rivi.” He brushed the fine comb down over his chest. “It’s not as if we’re going on a…” Rivi scowled, unable to bring himself to say the word ‘date’. “We’re just going with him to see something beautiful, that’s all.” A smile graced the cheetah’s muzzle. “And we want to look beautiful too!”

Rivi set the brush down. “Alright, Rivi, now we’re talking to ourselves worse than usual.”

There was a knock on the bathroom door. “You almost ready, Spots?”

Rivi glanced towards the clean clothes he’d laid out, but not yet put on. “Not exactly. Do you need the facilities? I can put my cold weather undergarments on, and swap places with you, then finish dressing afterwards.”

The door muffled Argos’s barked laughter. “No, I’m fine. Just checking on you. You’ve been in there a while.”

Rivi flicked his ears back. “My apologies!”

“Nothing to be sorry for! Take your time.”

Rivi checked his spectacles. When he saw they were no longer fogged over, he put them on. The cheetah took a few steps back, looking at himself in the mirror. His gold-beige, with its many black spots, looked perfectly groomed. It was almost a shame he had to put clothes and mess everything up. Not that he’d have had the courage or general lack of modesty required to parade nude before Argos, anyway. Rivi giggled at the idea, doing his best not to picture it too intimately.

“Careful, Rivi,” he said, still giggling. “If you end up in a compromised state, you’re going to be in here even longer.” He went to his clothing, and picked up a pair of long, woolen undergarments. They were going to be spending a lot of time out on the viewing deck today, and Rivi wanted to stay warm. Rivi stepped into his clothing, and pulled them up. They slide across his fur, pressing against it and ruffling it up. Rivi sighed. “See, Rivi? We wasted all that time brushing our fur, just to ruin our efforts.” Rivi picked up a long sleeved gray undershirt, thick and warm. He pulled it over his head, scowling. “At least we can brush our face, again.”

Rivi readjusted his spectacles, then retrieved his shirt. It was one of his favorites, lilac-hued, and with fanciful yellow patterns running down its long sleeves and around its collar. Ebony buttons with a silver swirl adorned it. Rivi pulled it on over his underlayer, buttoning it up. At least, he thought, Argos could see him in his nice shirt and with his facial and head fur properly groomed before he had to smother himself in the rest of his winter garb.

In the several days that had passed since Argos caught him mid-tantrum, in his night clothes, with his tear stained fur a mess, Rivi found that he wanted to look nice for Argos. It wasn’t that he feared the coyote thought less of him after seeing him that way. Quite the opposite, in fact. Argos had shown him nothing but comfort, his encircling arms and gentle voice a sheltering port in a raging storm. Despite that, Rivi discovered a growing desire to look his finest, whenever the coyote was around.

It was a new experience for him. It wasn’t that Rivi hadn’t taken care of himself, or dressed well. The cheetah found proper hygiene and grooming quite important, in fact. And he always made sure to look his best for important appointments, meetings, and so on. But dressing up for a interview with ministry officials, was a very different thing then wanting to look nice for someone he fancied.

And he did fancy Argos. That much was all too clear to him, now. Much as it terrified him to admit, he was nearly as interested in Argos, as Argos seemed to be in him. In another life, in another world, Rivi liked to imagine things would be simpler. He’d allow the coyote to court him, and together, they’d discover whether or not there was something deeper there. And that would be that. But in this world, in the life he lived, such impure courting was strictly forbidden.

At least for Rivi.

Argos lived the sort of life Rivi could only dream of. He wore his impurity not only openly, but as a badge of honor. A challenge to the rest of the world to accept him, or get the hell out of his way. And if anyone dared to try and harm him for it, Argos had the means, the training, and the employers to ensure his own safety. Here, on the ship, Rivi had Argos to keep him safe, as well. But back home, he’d have nothing. Rivi knew, in his heart, that whatever strange, wonderful, and terrifying thing was developing between them could never truly last.

But that didn’t mean the cheetah couldn’t look his damned best every single day he spent with Argos, if only to make the coyote smile. To make himself smile. Rivi liked looking nice, for Argos. Liked that the coyote appreciated his efforts. Liked the way Argos complimented him, looked at him, touched him. Rivi also knew he should not it escalate. That this would not last. It simply could not last. That when the voyage ended, they would part ways, and he would be left with only memories. Unless he let things go too far. And then the cheetah would have not only memories, but the lifelong, soul-staining taint of Impurity.

Rivi hissed to himself as he pulled on his trousers. They were darker purple than his shirt, with silver piping down the seams. “Do we even care about impurity, Rivi?” He struggled to work his pants up over the thick, woolen undergarments. “Do we believe in it? Or do we only believe in it, because they believe in it?” Rivi paused at that thought, then yanked his pants the rest of the way up, bunching up his long underwear. “If we don’t believe Argos is forever damned simply because he’s impure than why would we be?”

Rivi wrestled with that every question more and more with every passing day. For now, the cheetah told himself he was happy enough just to be with Argos. To spend time with him. To look nice for him. To see him smile. The cheetah grunted when a little jolt of discomfort jarred him out of his thoughts. His bunched up clothing had pinched the fur of thigh. Rivi fidgeted with his pants, freeing his trapped fur but unable to fully smooth them out.

“Argos?” Rivi called out through the door. “Are you still out there?”

“Yeah, Spots.” The coyote’s voice returned to him, slightly muffled. “Whatcha need?”

“It is still cold out, right?” He tugged his pants a few times, managing to smooth down one bunched up area, at the expense of causing a second. “I shall feel quite the fool if I dress for the frigid weather and end up overheated.”

“Yeah, it’s still cold out. Why, you having trouble?” Argos knocked on the door. “If you’re decent, I might be able to help.”

Rivi worked on the newest wrinkled up area. “I’m clothed, you may enter.” Then he glanced in the mirror, and saw the fur across his head was all ruffled up from putting his undershirt on. “Oh, damnation! I’m not ready!”

The door opened halfway, only to freeze. “Not ready as in, I shouldn’t come in?”

Rivi sighed, picking up the fine-toothed brush again. “You may as well. My fur’s a mess, though.” He quickly brushed it out the best he could.

Argos entered the bathroom, giving Rivi a quick once over. “You look great to me, Spots.” He approached the cheetah and gently laid a hand on Rivi’s arm. “You know you’re gonna be wearing your hat anyway, right? And it’s gonna be windy. You don’t wanna worry about your fur.”

Rivi offered him a shy, sheepish smile. “That’s no excuse for not taking care of yourself.” He worked the brush over his cheeks, and back down to his neck. “Especially when you want to look nice for someone.”

“Aww.” Argos gave a little coo, then gently nosed at Rivi’s neck. “Dare I ask who you’re trying to look nice for?”

Rivi shoved his muzzle away, giggling. “I just groomed that spot.” He brushed down the spot he’d just ruffled with his snout. “But to answer your question…” Rivi smirked, looking away. “Iosa.”

Argos chuckled, wagging his tail. “Then I’ll be sure to tell her how handsome you look, right now.”

“Please do,” Rivi said, turning to smile at the coyote. “After all, we can’t all look good as effortlessly as you do.”

The coyote grinned, turning around as if to show himself off to the cheetah. Argos was dressed in his usual combination of waistcoat and collared shirt, along with semi-formal cut trousers. Today, his waistcoat was a warm golden hue, with black filigree patterns, over a plain black shirt. His trousers were slate gray, with a faint pleat down the sides. The coyote already had leather boots on for the cold.

“Like I said.” Rivi brushed the other side of his neck. “Effortlessly good.”

“Nah, effortless would be more like this.” Argos took on an overly casual pose, with one hand in a pocket and a pensive look upon his face, his ears half folded back. He stared off into the distance. He adopted a faux -serious tone, mimicking a radio advert. “Vests by Ederro. The new Golden Glory line, now available at top department stores.”

Rivi snickered to himself, brushing the fur of his throat. “If only I were allowed to take your photograph. That’d make an excellent audition to be model for that magazine you were reading the other day.” He waggled the brush at Argos, smirking. “Aside from the fact that you’re wearing a waistcoat, not a vest.”

Argos rolled his eyes. “You and Iosa just won’t let that die.” He turned towards the cheetah, unbuttoning his waistcoat. “Besides, I think if I was gonna model for Firearms and Fashion, I think it’d be more like this.” He tucked one side of his waistcoat back, exposing his service pistol as he set his hand on his hip. Argos rested the other arm across the sink, leaning forward. “You listen here, you little punk. You tell me where the stolen cash is hidden, or so help me, I’ll continue to pose dramatically for this magazine.”

Rivi chirruped musical feline laughter. “Yes, exactly!” He set the brush down, and then stood up straight before the coyote. “Discounting the fact I’ll be wearing my coat anyway, how do I look?”

“Just like I said.” Argos smiled, his eyes wandering over Rivi’s body. “Handsome as fuck.”

“Thank you.” Rivi beamed, happy warmth swelling in his breast. Just hearing that from Argos somehow made his whole morning seem brighter. “There was a lot of effort involved.” He looked down at himself, adjusting his shirt. “Most of which was immediately erased when I put my clothing on.”

Argos chuckled, straightening out a few creased areas. “Well, you look lovely Rivi. I really like this shirt a lot, too.”

“I’m glad.” Rivi’s ears heated. He flattened them back. He was still ever so unused to so many compliments. “It’s one of my favorites. And even though it’ll be hidden under my coat, I still wanted to wear it for our…” He caught himself, swallowing. “For the viewing excursion, that you invited me on.”

“Right.” Argos chuckled, stepping back to give Rivi another once over. “For that. Well, I appreciate it just the same, Rivi. And now I’ll know how nice you look under the coat.” He gestured towards Rivi’s lower half. “You got a bulge, though.”

The cheetah gave a loud cough. “Through multiple layers? Are you certain you’re not only seeing what you wish to see?” Rivi glanced down, just in case.

Argos’s smile only widened. “Oh, I am.” He pointed towards the cheetah’s left leg. “But I meant that.”

Rivi realized another portion of his trousers had bunched up again. “Oh, bother, and inconvenience!”

Argos gave a low, plaintive whine. “Boy, that’s strong language, for you.”

Rivi fidgeted with his pants again, struggling to get things in order. “This is the issue I was dealing with a moment ago.” He tugged them back and forth. “You know, these long undergarments I bought for the colder climes might be lovely and warm, but they’re also a pain in the posterior.”

“You keep twisting your trousers around, and they’re gonna become a pain in something else.” Argos walked to the door, waving for Rivi to follow him. “Come out here, I’ll help you.”

Rivi followed the coyote into the other room. Several of his cameras sat out on the table, where Argos had been preparing them. Before he had a chance to inspect them, he found himself distracted by watching Argos’s tail sway back and forth. Even after roughly a week with the coyote, he still found the natural to and fro motions of his bushy tail nearly hypnotic. Rivi imagined that, his impure attractions to Argos aside, it was simply because canine tails were so unlike feline tails. He found nearly all of them fascinating. Argos’s tail was tail was even more enthralling, though, simply because it belonged to Argos.

“You sit on the couch, and I’ll sit in the chair.” Argos moved a chair over in front of Rivi’s makeshift bed.

“Very well.” Rivi settled down on the sofa. The blankets were all folded for the day, the pillows piled up nearby. “May I ask what your plan is?”

“Nothing untoward.” Argos sat across from Rivi, then held his hands out. “Lemme see your foot. Also, is it okay if I touch your footpads by accident, or is that a no-no too?”

“It’s not ideal, but those are of far less intimacy than the pads of our hands and fingers.” Rivi splayed his ears, not certain what Argos had in mind. He leaned back against the sofa, lifting his leg to offer his foot to the coyote. “What are you intending to do?”

“Something quite simple.” Argos grasped the cheetah’s foot, and rested it across his knees. Then he carefully slipped his fingers into the bottom of Rivi’s trousers, and gripped the thermal layer beneath it. “Alright, Spots. You hold everything up, while I pull each pant leg down. That should straighten them out so they’ll stop bunching up.”

Rivi gripped the hem of his trousers, and his long undergarments alike. “You’re right. That is far too simple. I’d have never thought of it.”

Argos pulled until Rivi’s woolen layer straightened itself out properly. The feeling of the thick, woven fabric rubbing against his fur was an odd one. But it worked well, and soon Argos soon did the same with his outer layer. Rivi then swapped one foot for the other so that Argos could repeat the trick. Once both sides were fixed, Rivi stood back up, looking down at himself. His trousers now looked properly smooth. However, the gray bottoms of his underlayer peeked out from beneath the cuffs of his trousers.

“Oh, bother.” He lifted a foot, wiggling it. “Now everyone’s going to be staring at my underwear!”

Argos lifted a single ear, but said nothing.

Rivi swallowed, setting his foot back down. “That wasn’t entirely what I meant to say.” He lifted the other foot and saw it suffered from the same faux paus. “Do you think people will be snickering at me, behind my back?”

“If they do, I’ll stuff their heads through the nearest porthole.” Argos stood up, then put a hand on Rivi’s shoulder, grinning at him. “Honestly, no one is gonna notice, Spots. Get your boots, we should get going.”

Rivi huffed, bending over to tuck the bottoms of his woolen layer back up into his pants. “I thought we still had hours before they’d come into view?”

“We did, when I first woke you.” Argos chuckled, fetching Rivi’s golden gloves. “Then you spent an hour getting ready. Besides, people line up early for these things, Spots.”

“Oh…” Rivi’s ears drooped. “I hope I haven’t jeopardize our viewing position.” He wrung his hands. “I didn’t mean to take so long.”

“And I,” Argos said, softening his voice. “Didn’t mean that as an accusation.” He returned to the cheetah, and set Rivi’s gloves over the back of a chair. Argos reached out to gently stroke his hands over Rivi’s ears. “And it was time well spent, anyway. You look lovely, Spots.” He glanced down. “You missed a button, though. May I?”

“I did?” Rivi looked down, struggling not to melt into the coyote’s affection. A bit of gray undershirt was visible where one of the buttons lay undone. “Go ahead.”

Argos gently did up the single undone button on Rivi’s shirt. The cheetah wasn’t even sure how he’d missed it. Perhaps he’d been too focused on brushing his fur, or fidgeting with his pants. Rivi knew he must have been too focused on something, because he sure as hell hadn’t realized he’d been readying himself for an hour. See, Rivi? We wasted all that time, and why? Because we like him, that’s why!

“Yes, Rivi, we do like him, but…” Rivi trailed off when he realized his thoughts were slipping out across his tongue again. “Uh, nevermind.”

Argos only laughed, and gently poked Rivi’s nose. “Shall I valiantly pretend I heard nothing?”

“Oh, I was just arguing with myself again.” Rivi waved a spotted hand. Then he looked away, licking his nose. “About you.”

Argos picked up Rivi’s gloves, offering them to him. “Anything new, this time?”

Rivi smiled at the coyote’s thoughtfulness. “Thank you. And no, not really. I think I was on the cusp of berating myself for spending so much time trying to look nice for you, as though you were taking me on-” Rivi snapped his jaws shut. A date. He just couldn’t bring himself to say it. “Even though we’ll be outside and in public and the wind will be blowing my fur and I’ll be covered up in a hat and coat anyway, and it’s not really…” He trailed off, focusing instead on pulling a glove on. “Even if it…” Rivi swallowed. “Sort of is.”

Argos chuckled, rubbing Rivi’s arm. “You want me to say the words you ain’t comfortable with?”

Rivi nodded, putting the other glove on. He glanced down at his own bare, spotted feet. “Yes, please.”

“Lemme see if I got this right.” He crooked a finger under Rivi’s muzzle, gently lifting his chin. Rivi found himself staring into the coyote’s beautiful golden eyes as he spoke. “Somewhere, in your tumbled-up soul, there’s some part of you that feels like we’re going on a date. So even though I’d only see you without your hat and coat for a few moments, you still wanted to make sure you looked your best for me.”

Rivi swallowed hard, his ears splaying. “Y-yes. Which is very foolish, I realize. Especially since this isn’t a…” He licked his nose, struggling just to say the word. “D-date. And now I feel as if I’ve been wasting all this time, when we should have been claiming our place to view the-”

“Spots.” Argos lifted his hand. “That ain’t foolish. It’s sweet. Incredibly sweet, actually.” He squeezed the cheetah’s shoulder. “And it ain’t not a date. Kinda like the guns. That wasn’t exactly a date, either, but it wasn’t not one. I just figure you ain’t comfortable enough to officially be asked.”

Rivi’s ears went flatter still. “I don’t know what I’m comfortable with. I feel like I’m warring with myself on that very subject.” He looked away, unable to meet Argos’s gaze for a moment. “But, if the time ever came, I’d…” Rivi rubbed the back of his hand. “Certainly at least consider saying yes.”

Argos gave a happy, yipping laugh. “Good to know. And I’ll be sure to ask you nice and clear, so you don’t gotta worry about misconstruing anything. Fair?”

Rivi managed a smile, turning his attention back to the coyote. “Very fair.”

“Good.” Argos stroked Rivi’s arm. “In the meantime, would you care to accompany on what is different not a date, to view one of the world’s most awe-inspiring sites?”

“Oh, absolutely.” He smiled at the coyote, struggling not to lose himself anew in Argos’s eyes. “I should get my boots on.”

“You do that.” Argos moved out of his way. “I’ll get your photography equipment while you put them on.” He walked towards the center table. “I readied the ones you wanted while you were showering and dressing.”

“Yes, I saw they were out. Thank you for that.” Rivi collected his boots, as well as a pair of clean, wool socks. He carried them back to the sofa and sat down. “Are you certain the Crystal Colormaster will be alright out there?”

“Should be.” Argos checked over the camera in question, then packed it up into its protective case. “It’s just cold, today. There’s no snow or anything. I’d say take it out, take your shots, and put it away quickly, just to be sure. Take the rest with your others. But you’ll definitely want color photographs of this. Trust me.”

“I do.” Rivi glanced up at the coyote with a smile. “A trust you’ve proven you deserve.” He pulled one of his boots, and quickly laced it up.

Argos wagged his tail as he packed up a few more cameras. “Think of this one as sort a test run, for your photography. We’ll get the photos developed, and by the time we’re nearing the really big ones, you’ll know what to adjust to get the most of your pictures.”

“That makes sense.” Rivi put on his other boot. “How many times have you seen them?”

“Dozens, probably.” Argos snapped the last camera case closed. “And they never get old.” He patted one of the cases. “I’ll help you carry these.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Rivi stood up. “My arms are feeling much better, now.” He worked his shoulder a few times. The ache that had developed after an entire afternoon spent shooting firearms was mostly gone, now. “You know, I never did get to see you show off.” He blinked, freezing in place. “W-with the guns, I mean. Not any other possible context.”

Argos laughed as he carried a few camera cases over to Rivi. “Plenty of time left for you to see me showing off in every context. Besides, someone I know used up all the ammo, anyway. Who’s fault do you suppose that was?”

Rivi smiled to himself as he fetched his coat. “Yours, for not packing enough of it.”

The coyote gave another amused bark. “I guess you got a point, there. I’m just glad you had such a great time.”

Rivi pushed his arms into his indigo overcoat, pulling it on. “I’m still ever so pleased with myself for striking a bullseye!” He did up the buttons, his grin faltering. “Even if it took me an entire box of your ammunition to manage it.”

“Bullseyes’s a bullseye, spots.” Argos retrieved his own drab, gray coat. “You were a great shot.”

“I did hit the target, more often than I missed it.” Rivi perked his ears. “They weren’t all close to the center, but for my first time, I’ll happily take it.”

“As you should!” Argos grabbed Rivi’s purple hat, and passed it to the cheetah. “You were a natural, Spots. You honed in real fast.”

Rivi pulled his hat down over his ears. “Thank you.” He worked his arm up and down. “Do you suppose my arm will always be that sore, if we go target shooting again?”

“Probably not.” Argos handed Rivi a camera case, and carried two more himself. “Honestly, we probably overdid it a bit for your first time. But we can damn sure go again, if you’d like. Hell, we could go lots of times.”

“I’d like that.” Rivi carried the camera towards the door, then opened it and held it for Argos. “Do you have your key and billfold and things?”

Argos stood where he was, grinning at the coyote. “I do. Do you have your key and billfold and things?”

Rivi immediately closed the door again and walked back into the room. “I do not.”

“They’re on the bar counter,” Argos said. “At the far side.”

“Thank you!” Rivi hurried to fetch them.

Several days had passed since Argos took him shooting. As much as Rivi would have enjoyed going again, he woke the next day to found his arms stricken with a terrible soreness. They put off their plans for skeet shooting to give the cheetah’s sore muscles time to recover. Rivi took advantage of the quiet days to get some work done. He had plenty of writing to catch up on, to detail not only his first days aboard The Worldstrider, but his frantic days of travel just before. He also took a bevy of film to the ship’s dark room facilities.

While he waited for those to be developed, Rivi worked on putting his damaged photo album back together. Earlier, Argos helped him clean up the mess he made. He was grateful for the coyote’s assistance, but when it came to the scrapbook, Rivi thought it was important to mend it himself. Argos was, of course, welcome to keep him company during the process.

As the cheetah worked on his Wandering Scholar documentation, Argos split his time between hanging out with Rivi, and meeting with Iosa. The cheetah did not know what sort of secret policeman meetings they were having, but he could only imagine how exciting and stressful such conversations must be. From what he’d gathered, the two of them were transporting a variety of weaponry and ammunition across the Sundered Sea. Whether or not any of their transported goods were contraband, Rivi dared not ask. He also dared not ask too deep a question about the Guild the two of them worked for. He’d put together that people from outside his homeland generally seemed to have a broader understanding of the organization than he did. Or, at the very least, people from outside his own sheltered upbringing.

They had not yet talked further about his father, with one exception. Argos made it clear that he was very proud of Rivi, for finding the strength in himself to tell Argos who his father was. The fact that Argos had already sussed it out undercut Rivi’s own pride a little bit, but he reminded himself that he did not realize Argos knew when he deigned to tell him. That Argos was proud of him made him happier than his own pride, anyway.

Rivi had been more careful about alcohol the last few nights. He did not wish to end up draped all over Argos again, making more jokes about the size of anatomy. Actually, Rivi thought, that wasn’t entirely true. The idea was an enticing one, to give in, and life his life as freely and openly as Argos did, even if only in private. Yet, should he choose to so indulge in more intimate behaviors, and bawdier jokes, then Rivi wanted it to be exactly that. His choice. Not the alcohol’s influence.

Despite his caution around what he was consuming, Rivi found himself increasingly comfortable around the coyote, just the same. They’d sat together on the sofa each night, simply talking and laughing. Invariably, Rivi ended up leaning against Argos. Sometimes he even dared put his head back on the coyote’s shoulder. He’d yet to hold the coyote’s hand, even with his gloves on. He’d also yet to tell Argos that such might be considered a big step forward, amongst his people, if only because he knew it made him sound like a prude.

But the more time Rivi spent with Argos, the more time he wanted to spend with him. Already, he dreaded the end of this voyage. Even if laying his head upon Argos’s shoulder was the furthest they ever went, Rivi feared that to part with Argos all too soon was going to shatter something, deep inside him. Not just his heart, but his soul. No one had ever known of his impurity, and treated him so completely like a person, just the same. Even if not for his growing infatuation with the coyote, Rivi would have missed that deeply. Here, with Argos, he could truly be himself. But after they parted ways, Rivi wondered if that would ever be true again.

At least, for now, they had time together.

Rivi rejoined Argos as soon as he had his billfold and key tucked away. This time, the coyote held the door open for him, despite Rivi’s attempts to do the same. Once in the hallway, Rivi followed along at Argos’s side. He tried to take one of the camera cases from the coyote, only for Argos to playfully spin away and keep it out of his grasp. Rivi sighed and rolled his eyes, settling for watching the coyote’s tail swish through the air. How was it, he wondered, that even after only a week together, Argos did more to take care of him and make his life easier than Fafren did? And Frafren had been paid to help him.

As they neared the lift, Rivi tried again to grasp the strap of one of his camera cases. “You know, I can carry those.”

“You can, but you don’t need to.” Argos tapped the button to summon the lift. “Keep it up, cat, and I’ll carry all three.” He smirked at the cheetah. “That’ll show ya.”

Rivi hugged his camera against his chest. “Certainly not! In fact, I forbid it, Sir! You simply must let me do at least some of the work.”

Argos only shrugged. “Once in a while.”

As they waited for the lift, Rivi looked around the lobby area for the VIP Suites. The beautiful marble statues that once adorned it were gone, though the spotlights remained. Their beams of light had been slightly redirected, and now glittered off the golden filigree decorating the dark wood walls. Rivi imagined it was in an effort to emphasize all the great, empty spaces where stone figures once stood. The small plaques that once explained who the statues were had also been removed. In their place were flowery explanations for their removal.

The Worldstrider’s famous historical figure galleries have been temporarily taken out of exhibit, in order to allow us to shelter and protect the less fortunate. Please be kind to our refugee guests. Our famous statue galleries will return on a subsequent voyage. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Rivi flattened his ears. He wondered how the refugees were managing, thus far. Given his relatively exclusive housing arrangements, the cheetah had only encountered masses of people whenever he ventured down to the common decks. And even there, Rivi often got the feeling he was mostly seeing crowds of passengers who were at least able to afford their own tickets ahead of time, rather than the masses of refugees fleeing calamity.

The cheetah looked down the adjoining corridors. They were mostly quiet and empty, save for a few housekeepers cleaning cabins, and porters making deliveries. Room service platters waited to be picked up upon plush, silver-gray carpets. Blue lights shone upon glass display cases, their historic contents generally ignored by the ship’s staff and the occasional well to do passenger walking by. Rivi noticed a few bare spots on the walls where large paintings once stood. It seemed even those had been removed to lower the ship’s weight. It was quiet and calm enough on the thirtieth deck that Rivi almost could have assumed the ship wasn’t filled with desperate refugees.

“Argos,” Rivi said, staring at a small group of well-dressed humans clustered around a coffee vender set up an in intersection. “Do you know how all the refugees are faring?”

“Better than the people stuck in Tivos.” The coyote’s muzzle twisted. He flicked an ear back. “I ain’t been down to steerage, or any of the other areas they stuck ‘em, if that’s what you mean.”

“Where else are they?” Rivi shifted the camera case in his arms. The weight of it was making his shoulder ache. “I think you said some of them would be put in unused restaurants, or something?”

“Anywhere they can fit ‘em, really.” Argos hooked a strap over his shoulder. “There’s some restaurants they closed, some ballrooms they aren’t using, and so on. Filled ‘em up with cots, and sleeping mats, and whatever else they had. Mostly on the lower decks. Second class, third class, and steerage. A few on the upper decks, too.”

“I see.” Rivi licked his nose, glancing at the crystalline dials indicating which floor the lifts were on. One was creeping closer. “I haven’t been down to the second class decks yet, let alone below that.”

“We can go, if you want.” Argos glanced over at the coyote, a smirk crawling across his muzzle. “Steerage would be a pretty eye-opening experience for someone like you, Rivi. No offense intended, of course.”

Rivi chuckled, shrugging. “None taken. I am increasingly well aware that in many ways, my life has been quite sheltered. I wouldn’t mind going down there, and seeing what it’s like for them.” He scrunched his snout. “With you, of course. You made it clear it wouldn’t be safe for me on my own.”

Argos grunted. “I wish I didn’t have to tell you that. And I don’t wanna give you the wrong idea. The vast, vast majority of people in steerage are good people. They just been dealt a rough hand, in life. Mostly, through no fault of their own. But there are some elements down there that are just flat out dangerous. Some of it’s desperation, some of it’s anger at the system or what have you. Some of them just don’t care who they hurt, as long as they benefit. Now…” Argos waved his hand at their opulent surroundings. “There’s people up here who are absolutely every bit as bad. Hell, there’s probably people on this deck that got a direct hand in the people in steerage being so poor. The difference though, especially where you’re concerned, is in how that bad element does their evil.” Argos sneered, a few fangs exposed. “On this deck, those kinda people would happily foreclose on your house and take for all you’re worth. They’d leave you in the gutter just to make themselves slightly richer. Down on steerage, they’d just shank you, and take your camera and your billfold, and leave you bleedin’ in some back hall. Make sense?”

Rivi swallowed, his spotted tail flicking. “Unfortunately, yes. Cruelty comes in many forms. Up here, I have to watch out for people like the wolf, who might try and get me to sign away the Church’s grants. Down there, though, the threats are much more immediate and physical.”

“Exactly.” Argos gave the cheetah a grin. “Now, again. Most of the people in steerage are great people. They’d happily share whatever meager things they got, with anyone who needs help.” As Argos spoke, his voice grew softer. “They find you naked and shivering, they’ll give you their own clothes. You find you starvin’, they’ll share their only piece of bread.” The coyote’s gaze grew distant, as though he was staring back through the mists of time, watching his own memories unfolded. “Someone tries to hurt you, they’ll jump in and take the knife, instead.”

Rivi mewled, a slightly sorrowful sound. Somehow, he doubted Argos was citing mere random examples. Though the cheetah knew Argos and his sister lived in the streets for a time, the coyote had yet to share with him the greater details. Rivi certainly did not want to pry. Just as he was about to reach out and touch Argos’s arm, the lift bell dinged loudly. The doors opened, and Argos pivoted away from the cheetah.

“Lift’s here, Spots.” Once again, Argos’s voice was back to its normal, cheery self. He gestured into it. “After you.”

Rivi entered the lift, with Argos at his heels. It was spacious, and mirrored, with crimson and brass accents. Yellow light shone from its glittering crystalline light fixture. A kobold with bronze scales and a red and silver uniform manned the lift’s control levers. He smiled and offered them a little bow.

“Greetings, Sirs.” The kobold’s tail idly swished behind him. “Destination, please?”

“We’re going to the VIP Viewing Deck, thank you.” Rivi smiled at the kobold manning the lift.

“Certainly, Sir.” The kobold pushed the lever forward, and the lift began to ascend.

Rivi’s stomach lurched, and he grasped the brass hand rain. The cheetah scrunched his muzzle. “You’d think I’d grow accustomed to that eventually.”

Argos shrugged. “Some people never do.”

“It’s just strange that I scarcely notice the ship’s motions and vibrations, and yet the lifts always have my stomach doing somersaults.” Rivi set his camera case down to press a hand to his belly. “Hopefully within a few more weeks I’ll be more adjusted to it.”

“If I take you down to steerage, you’ll probably notice the ship itself a lot more down there. Closer to the engines, things can be a lot more…” Argos flattened his ears. “Noisy, I guess.”

“Rattly,” said the kobold. “You feel her vibrate and shake a lot more, too.” The bronze scaled lizard flashed them both a grin. “Lotta great food down there, though. Some fun bars, too. Least the ones that ain’t be filled up with cots for the refugees. And, uh, since one of you looks like you might be interested, there’s a few great gambling spots, too. Which you didn’t hear from me.”

Argos barked canine laughter. “No, of course not. Not that you’d know, but any such places we should definitely avoid?”

The kobold nodded, easing the lever back. “Yeah. Stay outta The Den. Generic name don’t make it sound like much, but they’ll cheat the fuck outta you, if you ain’t careful.”

“Good to know.” Argos tilted his head towards Rivi. “Any place you’d recommend I take my very inexperienced friend, here? Preferably the sort of place I won’t have to kick anyone’s ass for trying to rip him off.”

“Oh, sure.” The kobold glanced at Rivi. “If yer takin’ him for booze, Cat Claws is a good one. And not just cause he’s feline. If he wants to gamble, take him over to The Dragon’s Whore. They’ll treat him right.”

Rivi blinked. “I’m sorry, The Dragon’s What? D-did you say Hoard?”

“Nope.” The kobold eased the lever to a stop. “Your deck, Sirs.”

“Oh, shit, they re-opened the Worldstrider branch already?” Argos gave a low growl. “That was quick.”

“Yeah, turns out the dragons don’t like missing out on profits.” As the doors opened, the kobold flashed Argos a big, toothy smile. “If you wanna take your friend here to have some fun down in steerage, there’s a big dance and party going on in a couple nights. Watch your wallets, but it’ll be a blast.”

Rivi perked his ears. “Oh, I’m absolutely terrible at dancing, but…” He fetched his billfold, digging through it for a tip. “I can’t say I hate the idea of visiting it, at least.” He pulled an appropriately large note free, and handed it to kobold. “Thank you for the information!”

“My pleasure, Sir.” The kobold swiftly tucked it away. “Enjoy the creepy holes in the sky.”

Rivi chuckled, picking up his camera case. “I certainly intend to.”

The cheetah followed Argos out into a much more crowded hallway. Rivi remembered the area being jammed just before the ship’s launch, but now there were even more people here. The sheer amount of mingling voices and scents were nearly overwhelming. Rivi flattened his ears, his nose scrunching on its own accord. At least most of the gathered people seemed to have recently washed themselves and their clothing. It was still uncomfortably warm, though. The heat from so many bodies combined with the ship’s heaters left Rivi wishing he wasn’t already wearing his coat. The cheetah hadn’t realized there were so people with VIP status aboard. Then again, he supposed the deck might well simply be paid access. Or it might have relaxed its standards to accommodate all the extra people aboard.

“Oh, dear. Are these people all waiting in line to go outside?” Rivi scowled, pushing himself up onto his tip toes to try and see past everyone. “I do seem to have cost us our chance at a prime viewing position.”

“Don’t worry about them.” Argos pushed through the crowd, and began cutting around the line. “Just stick close to me.”

“I always do,” Rivi said.

Rivi followed the coyote as closely as he could. He stuck so close to Argos that the canine’s bushy tail occasionally brushed him in ways that might have been considered provocative. Normally, Rivi would have assumed that Argos was doing it on purpose. But given the way the coyote was weaving through a shoulder to shoulder crowd, he rather doubted it. At least wearing several layers of clothing kept Argos’s tail from tickling Rivi too intimately.

Soon, the chill of outside air began to infiltrate the over-warm corridor. With it came the scents of fresh air, with a faint tang of salt from the ocean far below. There was something else in the air, too, almost like a faint hint of rain and burning ozone, like the smell of an intensely electrical thunderstorm. There was also a whiff of some in the air, no doubt from the ship’s engines. Before long, Rivi spotted the long row of floor to ceiling windows separating the corridor from the viewing deck itself. A bored looking gnoll stood near one of the doorways, checking people’s identification and names against a list. Rivi was fairly certain it was the exact same gnoll, doing the exact same job as launch day. At least this time he had help. A more other, equally bored looking gnolls were also letting people out onto the deck.

“Follow me, Spots.” Argos cut through the line, walking not towards the gnolls manning the exits, but down an adjacent corridor. “This way, first.”

Rivi crinkled his nose. “Aren’t we going out to the viewing area?” He glanced through the windows as he walked past them. Most of the ship’s railings were already lined with people, though he spotted a few openings here and there. “There’s still a few places we could stand, without anyone in our way.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Argos walked past the gnolls and into the connecting hallway. “Iosa and I got a little surprise for you, first.”

“A surprise?” Rivi blinked, hurrying after Argos. “What kind of surprise?”

“You’ll see.” Argos glanced back, with perhaps the biggest smile on his muzzle Rivi had seen all day. “But I think you’re gonna like it. Don’t worry, it won’t take long.”

Confusion and excitement alike built in Rivi as Argos led him down a quiet side hall. Whatever it was, it must have been important for them to risk missing out on a prime spot to view something so incredible. After all, Rivi was certain Argos knew how much today’s event meant to the cheetah. They were able to gaze upon something sacred to his people, and Rivi would be devastated to miss it. While he knew there were other opportunities, to miss the first such chance would leave him quite upset. Rivi knew Argos would not do that to him, at least not on purpose. So whatever it was, must have been quite special indeed.

Argos came to a stop before a single, silver-painted door in the middle of the wood-paneled hallway. A sign alongside it read, Security – Break Room 3. “Here we are!” Argos knocked on the door.

Rivi tilted his head, his ears shifting to quizzical angles. “You’re taking me to a security guard’s break room?”

Argos chuckled, shaking his head. “Don’t think too hard about it. It’s just the most convenient location. Person we’re meeting, doesn’t have an office on this floor.”

The door opened, revealing the smiling face of a female gray fox. “Rivi! My favorite scholar.” She’d traded her usual colorful dresses for equally colorful winter clothing, including a bright purple sweater decorated with crimson flowers, and long, thick pants in a slightly paler hue. “Come in, come in!” She glanced at Argos, and gave him a derisive snort. “I suppose your butler may as well come in, as well.” Iosa stepped back, holding the door for them.

“Well, fuck you too, Iosa.” Argos walked in, grinning.

Rivi followed him, offering Iosa his friendliest smile in return. “Hello, Iosa! A pleasure to see you, again.”

“You too, Rivi.” Iosa closed the door before joining them. “You can take your coats off, if you want. But this should only take a few minutes.”

The break room had a large, oval shaped table inside it. The dark wood was marred with stains, scuffs, and scratches. A dozen padded chairs surrounded it. Some had solid backs, designed for humans, others had backs with openings cut for the comfort of tailed peoples. A radio sat on a shelf at one side of the room. Near it was an electric refrigeration unit for storing food. Iosa’s bright red and gold coat was already draped across one of the chairs.

At the far end of the table sat a tall human with a neatly trimmed beard, and slightly graying hair. He wore a crisply pressed indigo officer’s coat, with golden adornments upon its sleeves, and silver stripes on the shoulders. A large, black briefcase sat on the table before him. As soon as Rivi spotted the man, he rose to his feet, a big grin upon his face.

“Mister Rivimiralous, I presume.” The man approached him, his voice warm. “A pleasure to meet you! I won’t offer to shake your hand, of course, though I see you are wearing your gloves.”

Rivi quickly set his camera down on the table. The human’s pronunciation of his full name was impeccable. He wondered just who the hell Argos and Iosa were introducing him too. “Yes, thank you. Because of the gloves, I can shake your head, if you like. I certainly mean no disrespect by otherwise declining. M-May I ask who you are?”

The man gave a booming laugh. “Nonsense. It’s a foolish gesture, anyway.” He cleared his throat. “My name is Jeremor Trentstone. You can call me Jer, if you like. I’m the Chief Press Officer, here aboard The Worldstrider.”

Rivi’s ears shot up. “Oh!” He glanced at Argos and Iosa, but they were busy settling into their own chairs. Rivi turned his attention back to the human. “What can I do for you, um…?” He tried to recall what sort of titles and honorifics humans preferred, but his mind yanked the knowledge away, leaving him stumbling over vague concepts of politeness. Humans sometimes used two names, did they prefer their first name, or last name? Did they prefer a title, first? What do we call him, Rivi? Mister Trentstone? Officer Jeremor?  Simply Sir? Rivi cleared his throat with an awkward cough, his tail coiling in nervous uncertainty. “Sir Mister Officer Jeremor Trentstone?” Sure, Rivi, why don’t we use all of them? That has to be what humans like.

The human laughed again, a boisterous yet mischievous sound, as though he thought Rivi was merely jesting with him. “Mister Trentstone is fine, if you really want to be formal. You’re not an employee here, after all.” He rested his hand over the notch-cut back of a chair designed to accommodate a tail. “Jer, works, as well, of course. What about you, how would you like to be addressed?”

Rivi wrung his gloved his hands. “If I’m to call you Jer, then it’s certainly fair to simply call me Rivi.”

“Perfect.” Jeremor pulled the chair out from the table. “Have a seat, Rivi. I’ll try not to keep you any longer than necessary.” He pulled a golden pocket watch from his jacket, glancing at the time. “Still plenty of time before they’re in clear view, anyway.”

Rivi settled into the chair, scooting it forward. He took his hat off, for now, and set it on the table. “Take as long as you need, Mister Jeremor.” He blinked, trying to amend himself. “Trentstone. Sir. Jer.” Rivi cleared his throat again, glancing at Argos. “We do hope to find a good viewing spot, however.”

The coyote leaned over to pat his gloved hand. “You’re doing great, Spots. And we got all the time we need, now.”

“Mister Argos is correct.” Jer tucked his watch away, then returned to his own seat. After sitting down, he pulled the briefcase closer. “You needn’t worry about fighting the crowds, now.”

“We don’t?” Rivi licked his muzzle. Confusion whirled in his head, sending little trickles of icy anxiety down into his belly. It twisted uncomfortably. The cheetah wasn’t entirely sure what was going on. “Why don’t we have to worry, Argos?”

When Argos only shrugged, Rivi turned to look at the coyote. Argos had said this was a surprise for him, and yet he wondered if he should just let Argos handle whatever it was. Rivi also noticed Argos hadn’t corrected the man for calling him ‘Mister’. Previously, he’d told Rivi to stop calling him that because he wasn’t his boss. The cheetah’s brain twisted in on itself, wondering if that implied something now. Or was Argos just tired of telling people to stop calling him that?

“A-Argos,” Rivi said, his voice trembling slightly. “What is going on?”

Argos only smiled, and gave his gloved hand a comforting squeeze. “This is between you two, Spots. You’re the Wandering Scholar, remember? You made it here, all on your own. You got strength in you, you don’t even know about. And you got the kinda smarts I can’t even dream of. You don’t need me, right now. You can handle your business yourself. I’ll be here if you need me, but I ain’t divin’ in unless you start sinkin’ beneath the waves. You get me?”

Rivi flicked his ears back. He curled his tail across his lap, kneading it a little. The cheetah knew what Argos was trying to do. He saw Rivi stumbling over his words, confronted with an unknown person of importance, and he wanted Rivi to step up, and deal with whatever the situation was, himself. There was a lesson here the coyote was trying to teach, he was certain. Whether that lesson was part of the surprise, or Argos just saw an opportunity to challenge Rivi and help him find his own confidence, he did not know. In any case, Rivi doubted Argos would judge him harshly if he failed. Yet he resolved to do his utmost to impress the coyote, just the same.

The cheetah took a deep breath, steading his shaky nerves. He pivoted back towards the human, and forced himself to offer a friendly smile. “Very well, Mister Trentstone, what can I do for you?”

The human returned the smile, glancing up as he opened his briefcase. “Jer will suffice, unless you’re more comfortable with formalities.”

“If we’re to conduct some manner of business, formality seems appropriate.” He held a hand up. “But you may still call me Rivi, if that’s more comfortable for you.”

“It’s more comfortable for my tongue, at least.” The man gave another boisterous laugh. If Rivi wasn’t so nervous, he might have found the human oddly charming. He seemed the sort to laugh hard at his own jokes, and harder still at the jests of others. “Rivi, my understanding is that you were originally meant to be aboard our sister ship, The Bridgehead. Is that correct?”

“Yes, it is.” Rivi set his hands on the table, a long ingrained feline gesture intended to show they were gloved. Gloved hands in turn implied both respectful formality, and lack of hostility, due to the inability to unsheathe one’s claws. “My guide abandoned me, some weeks ago, and I was forced to cross the rest of the continent on my own. It’s a wonder I made it  in time for this voyage.”

Jer scowled, slowly shaking his head. “Terrible shame, that. I hope they find that cowardly snow fox bastard, and revoke his guide licenses.”

Rivi did not miss the fact that Jer already knew his former guide was a fox. The man clearly knew more than he let on, though whether that was Argos doing or not, Rivi was unsure. “I’ve already sent a number of dispatches home. I’m sure my government will communicate with his, and ensure appropriate actions are taken.”

“Damn right.” Jer slapped the table. “But the important thing is, you made it. You’re here, on The Worldstrider. Which, some might choose to see as the bright side of things.” He leaned forward, grinning. “Between you and me, The Worldstrider is a far finer vessel than The Bridgehead. And the world’s largest, you know.”

“Yes, I’ve been quite pleased with it so far. I’d never even seen such a large ship, before, much less ridden upon one.” Rivi looked around the room, imagining the rest of the ship looming over them. “I’d wager this ship is, at the very least, several times larger than the largest ship we have back home. And those are military!”

Jer eased back into his chair, still grinning. “Indeed. We at Black Star take great pride in our innovative shipbuilding, and our entire fleet. Now…” He took what appeared to be a Worldstrider identification badge out of his briefcase. “Please correct me if I’m wrong, but, my understanding is as your people’s Wandering Scholar, you’re on a pilgrimage to document the world, and all you see throughout it.”

Rivi slowly nodded. “That’s correct, yes. At the end of my pilgrimage, I shall have a great book published…” He trailed off, then amended himself with a playful smile. “Great as in the size of it. Perhaps not the quality. Though I certainly hope people will enjoy it.” We’re about to start rambling, Rivi. Stay focused! Rivi worked his jaws in silence for a moment, searching for a thread to grasp that would keep him centered. The book, Rivi. Give him a simple explanation of the book. “It will have photographs, and articles.” That was too simple, Rivi! “All the incredible sites I see, the things I do, and the people I meet.”

“Well, that sounds like a journalist’s work, to me.” Jer passed the badge over. “Which means you’ll need one of these.”

Rivi took the badge in both hands, staring at it. The Worldstrider’s logo was emblazoned on both sides. One on side, there was a silvery-gray image of him, along with his name, and his title. Rivamiralous – Wandering Scholar. On the other side, there was an image of a camera, along with the repeated phrase, Foreign Press Access.

Rivi turned it over in his hands a few times, then slowly looked up at the human again. “What is this?”

Jer gestured at it. “That’s a press pass. Gets you access to quite a few parts of the ship you might be interested in documenting for your book. It also gets you access to the press photography areas, which means you’re going to have just about the best view of the Fractures you can imagine.”

Rivi gasped, his eyes wide and ears up. “A p-press pass?”

“That’s right. You can’t very well properly document your experience on a ship like the Worldstrider if you can’t go anywhere interesting.” Then he glanced at Argos, smirking. “Or at least, the sort of interesting places that mangy scavenger’s gonna take you. Those’ll be plenty interesting, but probably not the sorta thing you wanna put in a book for felines.”

Rivi tensed up. He did not imagine Argos would take being so insulted to his face very well. But just as he was ready to scramble out of the way of the enraged coyote, Argos only barked laughter, and shot the human an incredibly rude gesture. Rivi looked between the two of them, and Argos waved him on, as if he should continue to handle this on his own.

“Oh, I see, you’re…” He straightened himself up, adjusting his sleeves. “Old friends, I’d wager? Nonetheless, I must defend my good friend’s honor. He is not a scavenger, and he certainly is not mangy. Although, he has threatened to take me to the sort of establishments you’re talking about.”

“Yes, I’m sure he has.” Jer gave a little seated bow, for show. “My apologies, then, for my crass words. Mister Argos and I do go back quite a ways.” He reached over, and tapped the pass. “Now, this will get you into most of the ship. Some areas, you’ll need to arrange ahead of time, like the bridge.”

Rivi sucked in a breath. “The b-bridge?” Seeing the bridge of a vessel like this would be an incredible experience, he thought, and surely make for a fascinating article.

“Yes, we can arrange a tour of the bridge, if you like.” Jer smiled, rubbing his hands together. “Now, there are certain areas we can’t let you go, of course. The engine rooms and engineering decks are generally off limits, for example. Both for safety reasons, and due to proprietary Black Star technologies. And there are plenty of other areas where you’ll be required to have a staff escort. But…” Jer leaned back against his chair. “We thought, we’d be remiss to not to give a chance to see, and document as much of the ship as possible.”

“Y-yes, that would be…” Rivi set the badge down, his hands shaking slightly. “Quite wonderful. I should inform you that the intention of the Scholar’s Pilgrimage is to live as the locals live, throughout my journey. Being granted access to areas normally off limits to passengers does go against that, just a little. But…” He waved a spotted hand. “At the same time, I do concur that such access would provide a fascinating look into a world most of my people will never see. And is that not the most important purpose of the Scholar’s Pilgrimage?” Rivi glanced around. “It is, I should add. I didn’t mean that rhetorically. The Pilgrimage is meant to allow the outside world to get to know one of us, a little better. And to show the felines of the Church all the wonders and hardships of the Broken World.” Rivi gestured at the ship around them. “And this certainly is a wonder.” The cheetah bowed his head. “And so, I graciously accept your offer. Thank you very much, Mister Trentstone.”

“You’re more than welcome.” The human took a few more things out of his briefcase including a book, several folders, and a beautiful ballpoint pen of black and gold. “Now, there are a few other matters to discuss, first. And I’ll need your signature in a few places.”

Argos gently nudged Rivi, his voice a whisper. “Remember the wolf.”

Rivi glanced back at him, furrowing his face. He nodded once, and then pivoted back towards the human. “Mister Trentstone, I’m afraid I must insist on knowing the terms and fine details of anything you expect me to sign, before I shall even consider doing so.” Riv adjusted the sleeves of his coat. He trying to appear stern, but casual, even as his heart raced inside his chest, and his tail twitched constantly. “Furthermore, if I’m expected to pay for the privilege…” He tapped the badge with a single finger. “I’m afraid I shall have to politely decline.”

Argos patted his shoulder, but remained silent.

“Nothing of the sort,” Jer said. He opened one of the folders out, retrieving what looked like basic form contracts of some kind. “All we ask in return is-”

“Additionally,” Rivi said, sharpening his voice slightly. He hadn’t intended to cut Jeremor off, but a new thought bubbled up in his head, and escaped him before he could stop it. “If I am to be expected to provide only positive coverage of The Worldstrider, and my voyage upon it, I’m afraid I cannot do so. The chronicling of my journey will be true to my experiences, for better or for worse. If I have the greatest time of my life aboard your fine ship, then my people will read just that. Conversely, I’m mugged, or treated with disrespect by your staff, or what have you, then my people will read of that, instead. I can only offer them the truth as I experience it, no more, and no less.”

Argos leaned over and whispered into Rivi’s ear. “Fuck, yeah Spots.”

Rivi beamed, pride swelling his chest. Despite Argos’s usual use of foul language, he was certain the coyote approved. He made sure to keep his attention focused on the human, gesturing at the papers. “I should like to read everything myself, before I sign it.”

“Absolutely, Rivi.” Jer gathered up a few forms, and then passed them across the table to the cheetah. “And rest assured, we do not expect you to lie on our behalf. While we certainly hope to leave you, and subsequently your entire nation, with a positive impression of both The Worldstrider, and Black Star Intercontinental, what we’d like more than that is your honest assessment. To whit.” He tapped the top form with the pen. “Black Star Intercontinental upper management requests a copy of all the pertinent notes and documentation you take about your voyage.” He held his hand up. “This is for private, non-commercial, use, and will be shared only with Black Star employees in the hopes of further bettering our service, and our ships, in the future. You retain all rights to every single word you take down. However…”

Rivi lifted a single ear when the man trailed off. “However, what?” He glanced down, quickly skimming through the contract. It was fairly self-explanatory, and he soon saw what he thought Jer was referencing. “This says you reserve the right to use my writing to promote The Worldstrider and Black Star Intercontinental.”

“That’s correct.” Jer gestured at the forms. “If you were to say, write that traveling on The Worldstrider was the single greatest travel experience of your life, we could use that in advertisement.” Jer waved his hand in the air. “Greatest travel experience of my life, says the Wandering Scholar!” He dropped his hand back down. “That sort of thing. You retain all rights to your writing, you’re simply also allowing us to use any glowing praise in advertisements, employee recruitment and so on, for a period of five years, irrespective of whether or not said praise actually makes it into the final edition of your book. Does that make sense?”

“It does, I think.” Rivi carefully read through the document again. “This is in return for my press pass?” Something else caught his eye further down. “This also says, I would be granted special accommodations, as part of my compensation?”

Jer nodded. “Truth be told, The Bridgehead’s Press Officer was planning to offer you the same sort of access. He’d planned to give you a VIP Suite in return, along financial compensation. When I heard you were aboard our ship, instead, I had him send me over some radiophoto copies of his contracts. Now, obviously, the accommodations portion we can’t offer, given the ship’s overcrowded nature.”

“Luckily for him, I took care of that anyway,” Argos said, folding his arms.

“That you did, Mister Argos.” Jer showed him a second contract. “This one deals with financial compensation, in return for non-exclusive rights to some of your photographs. Meaning, if you have photographs of the Worldstrider, or say, sights you photograph from her decks, we may wish to use them in promotional materials, or otherwise. We will pay you a fee for every photo you allow us to use, and of course, you retain full rights to them. You’re simply allowing us to also use an image that may end up in your book. So that’s the gist of it.” Jer set the pen in front of Rivi. “In return for press access, financial compensation, and a few other perks listed herein, you give us the non-exclusive publication rights to use your writing, and your photographs, for the next five years.”

Rivi picked up the pen, looking at it. It was an elegant thing, made of thin black marble, with gold accoutrements. He set it back down after a moment. “Let me read this carefully, first.”

“Certainly.” Jer leaned back in his chair. “Take all the time you need. If you agree, we’ll get you up to the press viewing area right away.” He scratched his beard. “Actually, tell you what. Since I’m the one taking up your time, even if you choose not to sign, I’ll still give you access to the press area, for today’s viewing.”

“Thank you,” Rivi said, reading through the contracts. “That’s very generous.”

Each contract was relatively simple. He saw no hidden loopholes or deceptive wording. Jer had laid things out clearly enough. Still, he wasn’t entirely certain he liked the idea of Black Star being allowed to use anything he wrote about the ship, or any photo he took upon it, without his direct permission, even in return for money. He did not mind them using his quotes, but something about the blanket permissions they were asking for him made him uncomfortable.

“I’m afraid…” Rivi glanced from Argos, to Jer. “I may not be able to accept this.”

Argos leaned over, patting Rivi’s hand. “They came to you. You’re the big deal, here. You’re the Wandering Scholar. Why don’t you dictate the terms?”

Rivi blinked, whispering to the coyote. “I can do that?”

Argos grinned. “If Black Star wants to make inroads with the felines, then who better to hold up as an example of a happy customer, than the Wandering Scholar? They wouldn’t want to quote you, if they didn’t think your words and photographs were valuable. If they truly want them, they’ll accept your terms.”

“I…I suppose that’s true.” Rivi turned his attention back to the contracts. He lifted the pen, and scratch bits and pieces out. “I should like to propose a counter offer. Do you have a blank piece of paper available? I shall show you my terms, and if you find them amenable, you have a new contract typed up and I shall that one at my earliest convenience.” He glanced up. “However, if you agree, I shall take the press pass with me immediately.”

Argos snorted, lightly thumping Rivi on the shoulder. “There ya go, Spots.”

Jer merely chuckled, passing Rivi a blank sheet of paper. “Here you are.”

Rivi quickly copied down the bits and pieces of the contracts he agreed with. Writing it out by hand made it easier for him to adopt the legal-speak in which they were drafted. To the cheetah, it was just like scholar’s work. Many times in his career he’d been required to take bits and pieces of different articles, tomes, ancient scrolls, newsprints, scriptures and so on, and write a summation incorporating all of it, without losing the feel of the original writing. He did the same thing here, adapting the tone and structure of the existing contracts in order to write his own. When he was finished, he passed it to Jer.

“My terms are simple.” Rivi spun the pen around his fingers, a habit he’d picked up over the years. “And not altogether different from your own. I will accept the press pass, and all its associated perks and benefits. I will offer you the opportunity to request use of my work, on a case by case basis. I will not grant you blanket permissions. If there is a quote you wish to use, you may tell me how you wish it to be used, and request my permission to do so. The same applies for photographs. As for my full notes and documentations, I’m afraid I cannot allow Black Star to take hold of them, even for non-commercial use. I will, however, offer limited selections that I believe will be beneficial. I will allow you…” Rivi gestured at Jer. “To go over my larger collection of documentation, before the voyage is over. You will do so in my presence, that you may request additional materials to be presented to Black Star. Any and all materials selected and approved will be met with appropriate financial compensation.” Rivi glanced around at the other two, faltering just a little. “I-I don’t actually need the money, but it would ever so exciting to be paid for my writing and my photographs.”

Argos chuckled, pointing at the human. “Finish your business, Spots.”

“Y-yes, of course.” Rivi sat up as straight as he could. “If you accept these terms, we can reach a verbal agreement now. When you’ve a typed copy, and I can read it and ensure nothing has changed, I’ll sign it. If you don’t agree, then I shall thank you for the opportunity, wish you well, and ask you to take us to the press viewing area, as promised.”

Jer scanned through the document, rubbing his bearded chin. “I think we can work with this.” He set the document down, and stood back up. “I’d say you have a deal, Mister Rivimiralous.”

Rivi followed his lead, standing as well. “That is excellent to hear.”

“Since you have your gloves, are you willing to shake hands? It’s customary, where I’m from, upon completion of an agreement.” Jer held his hand out. “Not mandatory, however.”

Rivi wasn’t sure if that was part of the test, or not. But he took the man’s hand, and gave it a firm squeeze. “We have an agreement, Mister Trentstone.”

“That we do.” Jer squeezed Rivi’s hand, and shook it forcefully several times before releasing it. “The pass is yours to take with you.” He gestured at the books and folders and other items. “I’ll have these delivered to your cabin.”

Rivi pulled his arm back. The vigorous shaking left his sore shoulder aching a little. “Might I enquire as to what those are?”

“Additional gifts, mementos and things.” Jeremor packed them back into his briefcase. “Photobooks of the Worldstrider, a book about Black Star’s history, facsimiles of historical Black Star travel documentation, berthing permits, and so on.” He gathered up all the contracts and put them on top, then closed the briefcase, chuckling. “Basically, whatever I could pull together on short notice that I thought a scholar might find fascinating. You can keep the pen.”

“Thank you!” Rivi smiled, tucking the pen away. “That’s very kind of you. I look forward to going through them all in the coming days.”

Argos stood up alongside him. “Yeah, Mister Rivamiralous here loves that shit.” He picked up Rivi’s badge, looking at it. “This is great, huh Spots?”

“That’s quite an understatement,” Rivi said. He reached for his pocketwatch, only to realize his hands were shaking. He forced himself to pull the watch free anyway. Rivi flicked it open. “Is there anything else, Mister Trentstone? I’d like to be in position to start taking photographs as soon as we can see them in the distance.”

“I think we’re finished here.” The human made a sweeping gesture towards the door. “May I accompany to the press area?”

“We know the way,” Argos said. He waggled the badge. “This will get us in, right?”

“That it will.” Jer offered Rivi a bow. “And in that case, I’ll leave you to it. Once again, a pleasure to meet you, Mister Rivimiralous.”

Rivi returned his bow. “And you as well, Mister Trentstone.”

The human brushed past him, smiling at the vixen across the table. “Always a pleasure, Miss Iosa.”

“Indeed.” Iosa smiled, fetching her coat from the back of the chair.

Jer walked past Argos, making a scoffing news. “Scavenger.”

Argos gave a derisive snort. “Dirtbag.” Then a small grin broke out across his muzzle. “Thanks, Jer.”

Jer nodded, returning the little smile. “Happy to. Later, then.”

As soon as Jer was out of the room, Argos spun towards the cheetah. “Shit, Spots! Look at you!” He clipped the badge to the front of Rivi’s coat. “Got your own press badge, and everything!”

Rivi couldn’t help but chirrup happy feline laughter. “So I do!” He looked between the coyote and the fox. “But as this was clearly your doing, I should be thanking the two of you.”

“Oh, no,” Iosa said, pulling on her crimson coat. “This was your doing. We just…” She waggled her fingers. “Nudged things along.”

“Exactly, Spots.” Argos jerked his thumb towards the door. “Jer wasn’t lying about The Bridgehead planning something similar. Once I realized you’re a big deal back home, I started asking around. Figured I could help set up a little meeting, but…” He grasped Rivi’s shoulders, smiling. “I knew you had to be the one to handle your business. And you did. Expertly.”

“Well…” Rivi’s face heated beneath his fur, the inside of his ears flushing. “With your help, anyway.”

Argos shook his head. “Oh, no. I ain’t taking the credit for this. Like Iosa said, I gave you a little nudge here and there, but that was it. You stayed focused on Jer, you communicated, and you laid down your terms like a fuckin’ badass.”

Rivi giggled again. “I-I don’t know about that…”

The coyote shrugged, rubbing Rivi’s arms. “Alright, fine. You laid down your terms like the highly-respected, sought after scholar and journalist you are.”

Rivi perked his ears, a muzzle-parting smile spreading across his face. “I suppose I can accept that one.”

“Damn right, you can.” Argos moved forward, pulling Rivi into a warm, sheltering hug. “I know you could handle this, Spots. You did great. You should be proud of yourself, because I’m damn sure proud of you right now.”

That, all by itself, made Rivi happier than any badge or recognition of his abilities ever could. He hugged the coyote back, mewling a joyous little noise before he could stop himself. Ironic, Rivi thought, that they’d come here to view one of the world’s greatest and most mysterious wonders, and yet suddenly, getting to see the world’s great Fractures for the first time could only ever be the second best part of his day.

For anything else would surely pale to making Argos proud.