Flying isn't Just for Birds [Closed]

[Kari Muffin]

He had done something amazing. He had actually managed to fly. His dreams had become a reality. And the more amazing thing was that people knew about it. People knew his name, and were asking him how he did it. Rocky was actually getting recognition for his work. Amazing was a bit of an understatement. Rocky had never dealt with this before.

The raccoon was skipping down the street. It was a quiet day in his part of Corvistowne, and since he didn't have any major research to do he could take a bit of a break and check out one of the local cafe. He knew perfectly well that no one would be around. It was a weekday after all, and most people forgot about lunch time. He couldn't exactly blame them either, he often forgot to eat when he was busy.

He just wasn't sure what to do today beside... well being happy. Nothing could ruin his day.

[danishweasel]

It wasn't often that Ataxia went out wandering around Corvistowne. Usually, she beelined it to wherever she needed to go to get food or supplies and promptly went back to work. This time, however, she had a completely different reason and a not-so-clear destination. Through her usual workings throughout the town, she occasionally heard bits and snippets of the latest news and gossip. Usually, it all went through one ear and out the other. This time, there was talk of a flying raccoon. Her daily chores were quickly forgotten.

Bounding down the street, she asked passerby after passerby if they had seen him. Even people who didn't know him personally couldn't mistake seeing a winged black-and-green raccoon with six limbs. Eventually, she saw him at the cafe. Not too many people there, but even if there was a crowd, he'd be easy to spot. Those red and yellow wings, just as tall as he was, clashed gorgeously with his fur. They must have blended in perfectly with the sunsets. She continued her bounding, pouncing a few feet away, panting for breath.

"I heard there was a flying raccoon around here. That wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"

Her wide grin and beaming eyes said it all. Congratulations, Rocky. I knew you'd fly.

[Kari Muffin]

Rocky turned his head when he heard the question. The voice sounded very familiar and--"Ataxia!" The raccoon said with a bounce in his step. He was grinning as wide as possible as he suddenly gave the canine a hug.

"I'm so happy to see you! I was going to come and tell you about it, but you weren't there when I rang the doorbell. Would you like to have some lunch with me so we can celebrate?" Rocky was far too happy to think coherently. Maybe she had something to do that day? Well, he had things to do but he was willing to put them off for a little while. He had attained his goal, and Ataxia had come to congratulate him. Why shouldn't they have lunch together?

"I'm so happy! I can't believe I actually did it! And you're here so I can celebrate with someone!" He said cheerfully. Even if Ataxia refused, he wouldn't hear it.

[danishweasel]

Ataxia snuggled Rocky as he pulled her into a hug. She could tell that he was already on cloud nine, even if his feet were still on the ground, and for good reason. Nothing made a Corvie feel more accomplished than succeeding in their research. And for Rocky, she was sure that it meant so much more.

"Yeah, I was out doing errands, but I heard through the grape vine that you did it! You actually did it! Flying! So I trailed you down here and found you and...Oh Rocky, this is fantastic! Of course I'll celebrate with you! Why, if I was better working with gunpowder, I would've made fireworks!"

Her tail was wagging so hard, it almost hurt. She did have work to do to prepare for upcoming events. But that didn't matter. Rocky could finally fly and celebrating that event became the priority.

[Kari Muffin]

"I'm glad you found me!" The raccoon said as he released Ataxia from his embrace. "It's much more fun to celebrate with a friend rather than alone. And I'll buy anything that you want! It's a celebration after all!"

He was far too happy for his own good. His feathers puffed up with pride and joy as he entered the cafe. Looks of surprise crossed the servers faces as they stared at the raccoon. Not one of them spoke until he gave his order.

He looked to Ataxia and waited for her to tell him what she wanted before almost skipping over to one of the tables. He still didn't need a chair, of course, but it was nice to sit at a table anyway. They would bring their order out when it was ready. The raccoon's tail flicked with happy anticipation. "How have you been doing yourself?" he asked when she joined him.

[danishweasel]

"Oh, you don't have to do that. I might not be loaded, but I've got enough for a bite to eat."

Ataxia trotted into the cafe alongside Rocky. With a bit of confusion, she followed the stares of the others to Rocky. Nothing wrong there. He was just happy as a bushel of clams, though those puffed out feathers made her giggle a bit.

"You look as proud as a peacock, Rocky!"

She gave her order, sandwich cut into squares and a water, and jumped up on one of the chairs. Something simple, not too messy, best thing to get when eating out with friends. Especially when one actually had thumbs. It always felt a bit strange eating around someone who could pick up their food with their hands while she ate like...well, a dog. Thankfully, this was Rocky, so that bit of awkwardness wasn't so strong this time around.

"It's been going great. Exciting, really. I think I'm just about ready to go to the courts and become a Jack!"

[Kari Muffin]

"I am just as proud as a peacock! I actually did what I set out to do!" He said gleefully. If he could tap dance he probably would have at the moment. Today was just a fantastic day. He could fly successfully, he was eating out with a friend, and the weather outside was fantastic. Nothing could make him more gleeful.

Well, almost.

"That's amazing! I'm glad you're going to do what you're going to do. I'm a little sad though, I mean, it's not like I'll be able to visit you very often when you're in the courts." His ears flattened against his head in thought. It was very depressing, but she was doing what she loved. "But I would have to visit you. I wouldn't be very happy if I never saw you just because you were a noble and I was just a regular middle class citizen. I do wish you the best of luck though."

[danishweasel]

She paused in thought. No, she hadn't thought of that. If she was going to be with the courts, she would have to be there most of the time, and it was quite a distance between Corvistowne and the Court of Clubs...Suddenly, she sort of wished in the back of her mind that she had been born a Spade, if just to have her court closer to Corvistowne and Rocky.

"No, it won't be as often as when I'm here in Corvistowne..."

Suddenly, she lifted herself up with her front paws against the table, leaning closer to Rocky.

"But you'll still be able to see me. I don't care if I do become a noble of the courts. I'll find ways to come down to Corvistowne sometimes or we can meet in Capital City. Heck, if you wanted to go that far, you could come to the Court of Clubs. I'm sure if you have an invite from me, they can't turn you away."

Calming down a bit, she sat back down in her chair, looking down at her paws.

"It's weird...As excited as I am about all this, I'm...I'm a bit scared too. What if I mess up? And even if I don't...what's going to happen when I make it happen?"

[Kari Muffin]

Why was she so worried? She was perfectly capable of doing a Jack's quest. They weren't that difficult were they? "You'll do fantastic. I highly doubt that you could fail something like that. You've come so far you shouldn't be scared--but it's normal. I was scared before I tried to fly, but I ended up doing it!" Rocky said cheerfully.

He wasn't going to lose a friend because of distance. He had wings now, he imagined he could cut down on travel time a bit. It would be a while before he could fly a long distance though. His wings were brand new and not used to any sort of abuse. "I will visit. I'm not going to lose such an awesome friend like you because of distance. I'd never forgive myself if I did something like that." He didn't have that many friends he cared about. That's why he cherished them so very much. His heart would shatter if he lost one.

[danishweasel]

She hung her head a bit. It was a bit shameful to doubt herself when she was so close, though there were still those fears that cropped up as she went through her research. The what-ifs had started to cloud her mind to the point where she wasn't sure if she was on the right path anymore.

"I'm not talking about the Jack's quest, Rocky...I'm talking about after that. My plans for when I do reach the top."

Her voice went to a barely audible whisper as she leaned across the table to Rocky.

"I'm afraid that...no matter what I do to change things, there's going to be violence. People are going to get hurt. But people who can't defend themselves are being hurt now the way the society's set up. The way it is right now is wrong, but there's bound to be people who would fight to see the status quo kept the same as it's always been. I just have to wonder...in the end, will it all be worth it?"