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

Assuring himself that Anubis would be fine, Ifrit walked towards the living room, hoping to find something for breakfast. He approached the firewood stove and started putting in firewood and light it up to heat up some water for tea. As the fire ate the firewood, Ifrit could not help but pry his eyes away from it. Soon, the fire made patterns that proved to pull all his attention in. He admired how they danced among the logs, mesmerizing him. He loved how it licked the air in the oven. Ifrit felt that the fire looked alive, and the warmth was so inviting. He put his hand inside and felt it rejuvenating him like a good smell of tea in the morning. It’s so refreshing. So…stimulating.

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

Rhynsa and Arnulfe were standing in front of him, with Arnulfe waving his wing to greet him. Ifrit wondered if that was something he liked to do, and the hellhound kind of liked it. It contrasted with Rhynsa’s serious expression. Ifrit then looked at Rhynsa. He was wearing a short shawl that did not cover most of his upper body, leaving his fur-covered abdomen bare. His wings were out for view neatly folded behind him. Then, for the first time since Ifrit met him, Rhynsa’s short, stubbed tail was visible from the base of his spine. The first time he met the Fuzandre, he was wearing a cloak that covered most of his body, so he did not notice the short tail. Arnulfe, due to having his wings as his arms, wore pants and a vest with a burgundy-colored cloak over it. The vest had holes big enough to fit his wings and seemed to be the only article of clothing that could fit his unusual anatomy.

While Arnulfe was more expressive due to his personality, Rhynsa was more reserved, making him look like he was frowning all the time. Their faces looked like a cross of a rat and a canine, plus a nose that was similar to a hog or a pig, except extended from his short snout. Two long, prominent fangs extended out of their maws, with Arnulfe’s more prominent and much longer. It made them quite memorable and different.

“(Hello, Ifrit),” said Arnulfe with a cheery voice. “(Have a good night’s sleep?)”

“(We thought we’d return later),” said Rhynsa. “(But you’re early).”

“(How early?)” asked Ifrit.

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

Ifrit welcomed Rhynsa and Arnulfe into the bungalow, to which both saw Anubis sleeping soundly.

“(He looks so cute sleeping, isn’t he?)” remarked Arnulfe. “(And not shivering cold. It was hard seeing him suffering like that).”

“(That water does great things for both of us),” said Ifrit. “(Even I haven’t had that good of a sleep. Yeah, I agree about Anubis. He was in a worse state when I found him in the prison).”

Like Ifrit, Arnulfe and Rhynsa felt elated to see that Anubis was so calm and peaceful. It assured them that the mission was a resounding success. It was almost two days since they escaped the prison fortress, with both hellhounds sleeping the whole day after bathing in the hot springs. No one bothered to wake them up, and it helped them recover much faster.

While Ifrit prepared some tea for both of his guests, Rhynsa decided to have a small talk with the hellhound while Arnulfe walked to Anubis, waiting for him to wake up.

“(You slept well?)” he asked.

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

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

Ifrit was quick to sense that Rhynsa and Arnulfe’s visit was for a reason. His face turned serious upon hearing that.

“(A job?)” remarked the hellhound.

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

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

“Sugar?” asked Ifrit.

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

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

“(She forgave me),” Rhynsa remarked.

“(For what?)”

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

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

“(Which was stupid and reckless).”

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

Rhynsa sighed, not wanting to debate on Ifrit’s undoubtedly reckless action and him standing firm on his choice. He wasn’t sure how he survived it, though one of his transformed legs could be a clue. Maybe Ifrit realized that it was peculiar, but if not, Rhynsa hoped it wasn’t something that would haunt them later.

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

“(We’re to travel to Summinat and report to Anarim Winsel. I don’t know what he’s got in mind for us, but I can bet that the first time he’ll ask is about you and Anubis. I mean, why not? Anubis is a Caropus, after all. He’s our best chance of ever getting the upper hand).”

“(So, what should I expect?)”

“(A job, like you assumed. If I must guess, it’s more of that ‘finding more allies’ job again. We’re still too far from actually fighting the demons in their own territory. Three Royal hellhounds hardly change anything).”

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

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

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

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

“(He’s not one of those people).”

“(I mean what I said. Take your time to prepare before he wakes, Schelkz. Clothes are in the bag. I’ll talk to him).” But then he saw Arnulfe already waiting for Anubis, so he sighed and said, “(You know what? I’ll let the kid do it).”

Ifrit wondered if Rhynsa would be as blunt if he talked to him. Maybe he realized this and let Arnulfe do the sweet talking. Rhynsa did have a cranky attitude, after all, which was partially Ifrit’s parents’ fault. Honestly, Ifrit hoped the Fuzandre would just let it go. That animosity died the moment his blood parents died during the Uprising, at least for Ifrit. Or he was just doing it for fun to keep Ifrit on edge all the time. Maybe he was just enjoying himself. He did not seem to show it, though. He remained the stoic Fuzandre he was, at least until he started talking.

The hellhound tried not to think much about it as he prepared himself. He took the long-sleeved shirt and pants along with suspenders from inside Rhynsa’s bag, which fitted his size. The other set was smaller, so he assumed that they were for Anubis. He lamented the fact that his fedora was not there. After wearing it for a while to cover his horn, he grew to like it. Now, there was no way to cover the damage on his ear and horn. He silently blamed Rhynsa for the visible damage, all because of a misguided attempt to exact his revenge. While the two had settled their differences, Ifrit still could not forgive the Fuzandre for that.

Still, he could at least ask Rhynsa to buy him a new hat, just to see his reaction.

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

“(Rise and shine, sleepyhead),” said Arnulfe’s chirpy voice.

Arnulfe’s voice surprised him since he was expecting Ifrit. He wasn’t sure where Arnulfe was, but he was pretty sure the Fuzandre was on his right.

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

“(Rhynsa got something to talk about with Ifrit. I just happen to tag along),” said Arnulfe. “(How are you feeling?)”

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

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

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

Anubis stroked Arnulfe’s furless skin and leathery wings, feeling how soft it was. There was no indication that there was any fur at all. It was just leathery skin

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

“(Huh?!)” Anubis quickly pulled his hand. “(S-sorry! I didn’t mean to! I, uh…wondered why I can’t feel any fur).”

“(I’m furless),” said Arnulfe. “(Naked as a mole, as the surface people said. Been like this for as long as I remembered. Oh, and that leathery thing? That’s my wing).”

“(You have wings?)”

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

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

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

“(What?! O-oh, but you don’t…).”

Arnulfe touched and directed one of the Jackal’s hands to his chiropteran face and slowly let his fingers felt his face. Anubis felt the contour and edges and was again surprised by the lack of fur. He was surprised by how different they felt compared to a Jackal’s face, especially since Arnulfe had a short snout and a different nose. Then, he reached his big ears, and felt how big they were, almost comparable to a Jackal’s tall and thin ears.

“(C-careful there, Ani),” said Arnulfe, whose breathing started to quicken. “(M-my ears are very sensitive. Also, careful with the claws. You don’t want to accidentally poke my eyes out).”

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

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

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

Anubis slowly pulled his hands away from Arnulfe’s head, fearing that he might’ve hurt the Fuzandre. He only realized Arnulfe was just playing with him when the Fuzandre let out a light-hearted laugh.

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

“(R-right),” said Anubis, feeling a little embarrassed after realizing that he did not factor in his claws when touching Arnulfe’s face. Seeing that Anubis felt guilty, he stroked his Jackal cheek with one of his leathery wings.

“(Hey, don’t worry too much about it),” said Arnulfe. When Arnulfe heard Rhynsa telling him to stop joking around, he said, “(So, uh, just to be clear. We’re going to travel).”

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

“(Arnulfe).”

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

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

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

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

“(To be honest, I’d prefer staying if I turned out to be an inconvenience).”

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

Anubis wasn’t sure what to expect, but he knew Arnulfe wasn’t lying about supporting him. The Fuzandre was a smooth talker, and the Jackal already liked him just because of his light-hearted disposition and friendly attitude.

All the Jackal could do was smile, knowing that he was with friends. It was a long time coming.