Like a Fox

“We’re almost there.” Raffy spoke up as the group neared a town called Ferrero in the distance.

They had travelled north for four more days. It would have been another week and a half, but they ran into a merchant on a wagon, speeding down the road with wolves on his tail.

It only took a hand gesture and a blink for Gideon to knock them out, causing the merchant to look back and notice the party when the howls stopped. After Milipitas skinned them for pelts, he was all too happy to give everyone a lift in exchange for them.

Roze peeked out from the wagon, her eyes lighting up as she saw trails of steam rising from the surrounding area.

“First time, lady?” The merchant, whose name was Orbin, looked back at her. Apparently, it was obvious that she was the most green of her travel companions. “I’m sure you have your reasons to come here. You all look ready to tackle the Northern Lands. I hear about groups like you now and then, thinking that you have what it takes. Pretty much all of them come running back sooner or later. Well, this is a good place to relax beforehand, and after your butts are sore for that matter. That steam rising from town, that’s the natural hot springs that this place is known for.”

“Hot springs?”

“Warm water to bathe in. Quite the luxury. A dip here normally costs a week’s worth of lodgings in any city inn. They’re all run by the Volpe race.”

“Volpe?”

Roze tilted her head at the name. She had heard of it before. It was a type of demi-human that lived up north, where the forests were thick and cold seeped into people’s bones. She had never been far enough north to really run into one. Her great-great grandparents would have maybe held memories of fleeing Clockenspiel and meeting some, but that was far removed from any stories passed down to her.

She looked around the area, seeing clusters of people as the wagon rolled into town. Her jaw hung as pointed fox ears protruded from the inhabitants’ heads and fluffy tails could be seen from their backsides. They all got out and found a tavern to grab some food, Roze still amused by how cute the features looked on the Volpe.

An energetic Volpe waitress came by with a tray full of food and drinks, winking at Raffy. It was like his charisma naturally invited attention and made the people loosen up around them.

And then, Roze recalled her forgotten question.

“This is Raffy’s hometown? His clan?”

All eyes went to him, who looked back nonchalantly. He pulled off the cloth hat to reveal a pair of fox ears that had been flat against the top of his head. Now that the secret was out, they pointed straight up to show that he was indeed a demi-human as well.

“I prefer to keep quiet about them in the capital. While the Volpe aren’t particularly seen in a bad light, there is always a certain type of people who think demi-humans aren’t like them. The wise choice is to simply blend in and pretend otherwise.”

Particularly when it came to holding a distinguished position, Roze was well aware of those who would use his non-human features as some sort of bias against him. With the capacity to treat their own kind so harshly for possessing a certain type of magic, it left no certainty that the view on Volpe wouldn’t suddenly change in the future.

“Not many of us live in the capital, but those that do tend to be just as proficient at disguising ourselves.”

“Says the person with a completely different face,” Gideon teased. “But then again, your bishi mug being toned down has kept any passersby from dwelling too long on you. It blends perfectly with the rag tag group of adventurers we are. Glad to know that your powers can lend us a hand.”

Roze looked out the window at the streets. Children ran down alleys, playfully flinging sparks of elemental magic at each other. A merchant roasted meat by holding a constant flame from his palm over a grill, and another shopkeeper was busy reshaping and hardening earth to craft statues. Magic determined the activities of daily life here more than any other place.

“Volpe are a race that attune to nature, so it’s no wonder that they possess more magic capacity than the average human.”

Roze looked back at Raffy, who instantly knew what was on her mind.

“Knighthood is a meritocracy. While Volpe may start off with higher potential, experience and education even the playing field. For that reason, I left my home to apprentice in the capital, where my wits could be used to their full capacity.”

“Sounds like my smarty pants friends that moved away to go to college. Even in this world, I’ve seen how people just leap forward into the unknown or settle into the doldrums of what they have. It makes me wonder what would have happened if I had decided differently.”

Gideon shook his head to clear away those memories. He was paralyzed when it came to that choice. The crossroads of adulthood meant that he would be missing out on a way of life either way. There was simply no trying for different options. As those who he once called friends made their choices and moved on without him, opportunities in front of him expired. In the end, he was left alone with hardly anything notable to present to the bigger world.

Because of that, he curled up and simply settled for an entry position, being at the whim of all those before him who were looking for a minion to handle errands. He did what he was given, not what he chose. All because he hesitated at the time when he could choose for himself.

Roze eyed him curiously. She reached over, about to touch his hand, but then, she pulled back.

“Do you regret not following along? Did you not consider the possibilities?”

“I’ve always been a sucker when it came to the fear of missing out. Whether it’s something going on with one of my friends or a neat new item coming out that I want to share with others, I soon realized that they were having fun without me. They had moved on, and I was stuck looking at updates about them. More and more, I felt bitter in comparison. So the only thing I could do was ignore it all.”

One by one, Gideon removed his friends from his contacts. Day by day, he pulled the wool over his eyes, so he wouldn’t have to be tempted. He felt that even if he followed along, his actions were just imitating their own.

“But you know what? After I got this power, I don’t have those worries anymore. I got to test my options, and now, I have a concrete goal to work towards. Getting rid of this countdown, so I can enjoy everyday of my life here without having to worry about the future!”

Gideon raised a mug, which prompted the others to celebrate by clinking them together. Raffy was the first to add to the cheers.

“I, for one, wish to know more about the capabilities of Time magic. As such, accompanying Roze and Gideon to an environment that will supplement their natural abilities has me thinking. Perhaps, I may even be able to take you under my wing in the future.”

“Hold it, Raffy. I have eyes on Roze and Gideon. They will lead our dark elf tribe after their journey’s end. I am here to make sure that point isn’t forgotten.”

Sparks erupted between the two of them. Opposites clashed as they mentally stared each other down. Meanwhile Ferdinand slammed his mug down between them.

“Before you have ‘em do that, I might need a hand in refining my creations. Gotta win one over my old man, so I’ll finally get that invitation to join the royal armory.”

Roze watched as the others bickered. She leaned over to Gideon and whispered in his ear.

“Shouldn’t you be worried that they are deciding for you again?”

Gideon shook his head and whispered back.

“No, I think I finally got it through my head. There was no need to let it all get to me. I just needed a bit more time to get used to things. After going through the same cycle several times, I realized that even the same choices would give me something different each time. If I found something to look forward to, then none of those other moments that I missed out on mattered. I just needed to find that one thing for myself and march forward.”

“And what is that one thing?”

Gideon started to say something, but then he paused ever so slightly. He smiled and patted Roze on the shoulder.

“This journey.”

“Hey, wait. That’s totally a fib. Tell me the-”

“Waitress, bill please! C’mon, everyone. You heard what that merchant said! We have to sample the local specialty before heading out to the Northern Lands. The sun’s setting, so we should get a move on! To the hot springs!”

The others rose from their seat, blocking Roze from any chance of pestering Gideon for his real answer.

She was not that dense. Yet, she was afraid of being wrong as well. It was now her turn to regret keeping silent about it.