The Tiger and the Goat
Part IV
The next few days and weeks are speeding by now. Bill has classes every day. He has obligations to catch up on his missed work. He has to retake tests that he missed. This eats up huge spans of his time. At night he is building up knowledge for the next day. His gesture is going well but will take some real time. He must balance his days well if this is going to work. He is so busy that he doesn't even notice that Yuto has moved into the room with him. Els on the other hand is really enjoying the pressure of the upcoming festival. She is practicing constantly and taking classes that will get her ready for college. She is a smart goat and has signed up for advanced placement courses to get ahead. At night she is exhausted from the activities but the two creatures chat in small text exchanges. Nice pleasantries and basic notes from the day. Bill's voice is fully healed but he doesn't want to push Els into anything especially before his gesture is given and Els is still a little uneasy jumping full speed into a relationship just yet. She believes time heals all wounds. She misses him and he misses her.
The festival is fast approaching now. Costumes have been sewn, choreography finalized, and steps all learned. The music is flawless and the construction crew in town is setting up the stage. The city in general is in a rapid flux of growth. Flowers have been planted in every spot of free soil in the area. Large banners and signs with fertility symbols and slogans are hanging on every light post and sides of tall buildings. There is a smell of fresh earth in the air. The Rejuvenation festival is just that. The city itself is renewed. It is an exciting time for everyone. Well everyone but the tiger.
Bill has been working himself far too much. He wakes up early to do the extra work for classes and studies. He is taking on too much work in each of his courses due to catching up for so many missed days. He stays up late working on papers and on his gesture for Els. He is a vibrant feline, but the taxation is taking a toll on the strong creature. Bags have formed under his bloodshot eyes and he is losing weight. Sometimes he skips lunch or dinner just to get ahead for the next day. It is quite a worrying site, but no one really notices since he is a proud tiger. He just covers everything up with a smile and some charisma. Ellen occasionally bumps into Bill and makes a comment or two about how things are going but he just puts on a front and makes her believe that everything is going well. It's not. He doesn't know if he can hold on to this situation for too much longer. But, he has to for Els.
A few days before the festival, Bill gets a little relief in the form of Els and a text message. ZZZT. ZZZT. Bill didn't get the message at first. He had fallen asleep face down in his Algebra book. He had a 30 question test the next day and he was running over formulas over and over. He had even had Yuto run a few problems for him to solve. Carnivores get over fights quickly. ZZZT. ZZZT. The phone goes off again. Bill doesn't stir. Luckily Yuto hears the device vibrating and walks over to pick it up. He sees the picture of Els on the face of the phone. He thinks for a second about how Bill threw him up against the wall because of this girl. Yuto looks down at the passed-out tiger and pushes him on the shoulder. "Bill. BILL! Get up. Its Els." He puts the phone down by the carnivore and walks off for a soccer meeting. Bill has a difficult time waking up. He is really run down and his eyelids feel like falling off. He gives himself a good shake and punches his leg with all of his might. That did it. The feline shakes a bit and looks down at the phone. 6 missed messages. "Crap." His eyes are starting to focus now. He opens his phone to read the texts.
Message 1: "Bill, I had a crappy day, can we have a talk at the bench?"
Message 2: "I am heading down there now."
Message 3: "Just got here. Saving you a spot."
Message 4: Been here for 30 Minutes. Where are you?"
Message 5: "Bill?"
Message 6: I'm heading back to the dorm.
"Crap, I can still catch her." Bill shakes out the wooziness and runs out the door.
He looks like a baby giraffe when it is first born. He is a large hulking beast without the aid of his limbs. He bounces and leans on the walls of the dorm as he makes is way down the hall. He somehow manages to not fall down the stairs at the end of the building and runs like a possessed beast towards the cherry forest. He makes it to just a few feet from the first trees when he almost runs Els over. She had her head down and was skulking towards the girl's dorm. Bill trips over her and falls to the ground with a short roll on his side. Els is knocked down to her butt in the soft grass. She gives out a little yell while Bill just thuds into the earth. "I'm sorry Els, I'm so sorry. I was asleep and I missed your messages, but I'm here. I'm here. " His words fall out of his mouth as if they were sand escaping from behind his teeth. Els is a little shaken up but more surprised than anything. She gets to her feet and bends over to try to help the bag of liquid that is shaped like Bill up off of the ground.
"Are you ok Bill?" Els as usual, is the light shining on his face. "I'm fine. I was just studying, and I missed your messages." The beast is rolling over to stand and leans on the nearest tree. "Let's sit down." Els almost has to carry the creature over to the bench. He slumps down on the hard wood and Els sits next to him. "I am sorry Els, this is the first time that we have seen each other in weeks." His mind is starting to clear a bit. "Its ok Bill, but I am worried about you. You look sickly. Is there something wrong?" Els tries to hold back her emotions so she can clearly see what is happening. "No, no, nothing like that. I am just tired. I was catching up in all of my classes and I pulled a few all nighters. That's all. I missed a lot of classes earlier and I am making them up. It's no big deal. How are you?" Els is panicked now, "You aren't trying to hurt yourself, are you? Is it because we haven't seen each other? You aren't trying to do something stupid like I did are you?" Els is tearing up. "No, I am serious. I am just working really hard on things so I can catch up. I want everything to be done before the festival so I can spend it with you." Bill slumps over a bit as he talks but he is speaking more clearly. "You are trying to do a semester's worth of work in just a few weeks? You are going to kill yourself." Els is now greatly concerned and is trying to understand why he would do that to himself. "What about you? You said you were feeling down. What can I help with?" Bill shifts the focus back on Els. "Bill, I am fine compared to you. You seriously need sleep, real rest. If I tell you that you are going to make me cry, will you listen to what I tell you to do?" Els is a smart girl. "No, don't cry Els. What do you want me to do?" Bill is a simple guy. "We are going to get you back to your dorm so you can sleep. Don't go to class tomorrow or Friday. I will talk to your teachers and tell them you are sick. They will understand. Get rest and come find me at the festival on Saturday." Els channels her inner alpha and gives direct commands. "I don't know about that Els, I.." Before he can finish Els chimes in again. "No, I don't want our first date to be a crappy one. You will go home and do what I have asked of you. Do you understand?" Els almost gives herself a tingle at how she is taking charge. "Ok Els, I will." Bill concedes as he catches the fact that she said "date". "Promise me. Make your first promise to me." Els looks him directly in the eyes now. "I promise Els." The tiger rightly gives up. The small goat helps him stand and they slowly walk back towards his dorm. It takes a while to get him up the stairs, but Yuto sees the struggle coming back from his meeting and helps in the task. Bill is rolled into his bunk and Els takes off his shoes. "Thank you for the help…" "Yuto. My name is Yuto. I am Bill's friend. Thank you for getting him back here safely." Els pleads with Yuto to make him stay in bed if he gets up and Yuto agrees. "If he doesn't remember, make sure he gets to the Rejuvenation festival on Saturday ok?" Els pleads with the cat. "He will be there." Yuto reassures the goat. She gives him a bow and thanks him on the way out. Yuto just sits down and thinks of how much she cares for Bill. He is sorry for what he said about her.
The next day comes and Els words ring true. She gets Bill's schedule from Yuto and seeks out his teachers. She explains what he has been doing with the all nighters and everyone is sympathetic. His Algebra teacher smiles and tells Els to get him to the Rejuvenation festival to recharge. They will pick up things later. Els nods and agrees. Bill's Biology teacher gives Els a long lecture of how bad lack of sleep is for the body and even pulls out charts to show some of the long term effects. She has to politely interrupt the teach to make sure she isn't there all day. No teacher wants their students to harm themselves in the process of learning. Els is grateful and goes about her own days. There are last minute preparations for the dance team and a few class issues to take care of. She is far ahead of her schedule.
At the end of the day, Els checks in on Bill. ZZZT. ZZZT. "How are you doing Bill?" The goat sends a simple message. The response comes quickly. "This is Yuto, Bill is still sleeping. He had a good day." This makes Els happy. She thinks to herself that he will recover quickly, he is a strong tiger. "Thank you Yuto, I'll check again tomorrow." The cat responds with a simple "OK".
Friday comes and goes as quickly as ever. Els has a fitting for her dance team uniform and some last minute polishing and planning. Her classes have been light on Friday so that gives her more time to think about the festival. The school now is covered in beautiful decorations and the spirit of the festival. Everyone is abuzz with excitement for the weekend. Near the end of the day Els does her check in with Bill. ZZZT. ZZZT. "Feeling stronger today?" "This is Yuto. Bill is in the shower. He is feeling better. I made him eat in the cafeteria and didn't let him pick up any of his class stuff. I will have him call you when he gets back." Yuto didn't want her messages to go unanswered for too long, she might worry. "Yuto, you are a good friend." The cat reads the message and smiles. He puts Bill's phone on his bed in a spot that he can't miss and goes back to his plans for the festival.
Bill comes in from the shower and Yuto relays the message. Bill picks up his phone and goes to pull the curtain closed on his bunk but Yuto stops him. "Don't worry, I need to run some errands. I will be back later. Don't stay up too late." Yuto grabs his books and leaves the room. Bill lays on his bed and calls Els. She picks up quickly and answers, "Bill?" "Hi Els." The tiger almost exhales as he hears her voice. "Bill are you feeling better?" "Much better." He responds. "Thank you for taking care of me again. I was really messing myself up." The tiger feels a little embarrassed. "I have to look after you Bill, we save each other." Els takes some comfort in that thought. "Look, I don't want to talk too much tonight ok, I want you to get some more rest. When you wake up eat a large breakfast and relax. Eat a large lunch and get ready. I want to see you for the first time at the festival. You can watch me dance. I think that would make a fun date." The goat is channeling her alpha again. It seems to be a good way to put Bill at ease. "I can do that Els." The tiger feels less pressure because he doesn't have to think about how things are going to go. When he over ramps his mind, worry and doubt slip in. He wants to say something witty or heart felt in response, but he draws a blank. He just responds, "Thank you." The goat feels the weight being lifted from Bill's shoulders. "Good night Bill. I can't wait to see you tomorrow." It's true. The goat falls over on her bed and feels her heart beating rapidly.
The night comes and goes, and the next day is exactly what the Rejuvenation festival is all about, the world is renewed. There is great energy again in all of the creatures of the world. The sun is as bright as ever and growth is rampant. The energy of the town is frantic and natural. Rest is the balance of motion and with his few days to recover, the tiger is reenergized. He wakes up early and eats a large breakfast as instructed. He lets the day come to him and takes some time to ponder through the early day. He doesn't worry about his school work or how his date is going to go. He thinks back to his time on the bench and how he could clear his mind and the world came to him. He gets dressed and goes down to the cafeteria to have a large lunch. The school has a special meal planned for today. Lots of new growth vegetables and juices. There are many fresh plants all around the space and flowers provided by the gardening club. The smell of the room is of new earth and overwhelmingly pleasant blooms. Bill enjoys his lunch and retires to his room to finish his gesture for Els.
The day moves along, and the time has come for the festival. Animals are walking all around the city. No one uses a car because it is bad luck on this day. Bill dresses in his nicest clothes that are well tailored for the large carnivore. Long sleek pants in a grey tone and a collared shirt with buttons in a light blue hue. It is very handsome on the orange fur of the feline. He takes in all of the sights as he walks down the hill towards town. Many other animals are walking as couples and holding hands. He just smiles to himself. In the past he has used this day to talk feline girls into doing some things that were unbecoming. Most animals are smitten by the feel of the town and the people around them during the festival. He reminds himself of all of the things that he has gone through to get to this point with Els. The conversations at the bench, the turmoil at the market, the hospital, his throat, her pneumonia, her family, and all of the little things that they have said or done for each other. Today is the day to start over. He will confess his feelings for her, and they can begin again. He lets his head swim as he makes it down to the city.
The stage is set for the dance performances to start around 4pm. Many festivities last later into the night, but the dance is more of a family event and better suited for the afternoon. The stage is settled beneath some large trees in the city park. It is surrounded by flowers in every direction. A large banner flies over the stage that reads: Welcome to the Rejuvenation Festival. It is lettered in beautiful script that must have taken hours to create. Animals are very kind to each other sharing the traditional greeting on this day. "Renewed strength to you." It is a blessing and a hope for the rejuvenation of all people. Bill overhears the greeting everywhere he goes. Carnivores, herbivores, adults, children, it doesn't matter. Everyone is in the spirit of the festival.
The dance will begin in about half an hour. Bill makes his way close to the stage to find a nice spot. Many animals are lounging around in the grass enjoying the day. Bill is a little nervous to be here for his first date with Els, but he is excited to be with her. The stage is about knee high on the large carnivore and there are special seats like bleachers arranged for the smallest animals near the front. Bill looks around to see that all of the preparations are set and it is just a waiting game until the performance starts, so he decides to scan the crowd a little.
Bill sees some of his friends from school in their normal clothes in the back of the park. There is a good group of his peer carnivore males and females holding hands and leaning into each other. It is a time for romance and entanglements. But that isn't Bill's place now. He looks over the families playing in the grass with kids running around having fun. He can just smile when he thinks of the times that he came to this festival as a kid. But he also remembers that he was only allowed to play with other carnivores. That pulled his mind down a little. He then caught eyes with someone that he needs to talk to.
Els mother and brother Tobi are in attendance to see her Els' performance. They have a small spot to the right side of the stage. This is one part of Bill's gesture to Els. He must make right with her family. Bill approaches the two small goats and bows deeply. "Renewed strength to you." Bill gives the customary greeting. Without thinking, the young boy replies, "Renewed strength to you." It is in a cute high pitched voice that could only come from a goat, but Els mother does not reply. "I am glad that I found you. I needed to talk to you. Could we have a conversation over here?" Bill gestures to a small space by a tree where there are not a lot of people. "Fine." The lady goat responds in a short and staccato voice. They walk over to the spot and begin a conversation.
"I know that we met under circumstances that were horrible, but I am trying to make things right." Bill drops down to both knees and almost certainly gets mud on his finely pressed pants. He drops his head down and bows to the mother goat. "My name is Bill the Bengal Tiger. I am in love with Els and I need to be allowed to date your daughter." Bill is a large creature and even bent over at the feet of this goat, he is still almost stomach high to the woman. He continues without lifting his gaze, "I know what you have been through with felines and carnivores. I am very sorry that you lost your husband to someone that looks like me. Someone who was born like me. For that I am truly sorry." A little silence is shared. Bill continues without looking up. "Els has saved me from many things but most importantly myself. She is helping me to be a better person and I am helping her to be happier. She is my everything and I look to you for guidance and acceptance." It came out very formal and a bit differently than what he rehearsed, but he said what he needed to. The mother goat reaches down to the top of Bill's head and grabs his fur. Bill never lifts his head. The mother goat leans in and whispers so the son can't hear. "She trusts you Bill, so I must trust you." The goat tears up a little. "Remember, she is all I have left of him." Bill understands. Bill doesn't move. His face is straight down into the soil and earth that is so beautiful for the festival. A few moments pass. "Please get up Bill. I don't want you to look dirty for your date. My girl deserves you at your best." The mother goat reaches down and takes his hand as he is standing up. His claws are massive when compared to her small hands. Bill gets to his feet and has teared up a bit. They both compose themselves as she brushes off his knees. She pulls out a handkerchief from her pocket, licks it, and begins to clean the soiled fabric on Bills pants.
Across the way, behind the stage, Els has seen the exchange. She didn't make out any of the conversation, but she could see the large tiger bowing to her mother and the subsequent conversation and cleaning. She can only think one thing in her head. "Bill what did you do?" She snickers to herself and hopes that he didn't mess things up too much. She gets the tap on the shoulder from Ellen that shakes her out of it. "It's go time girl. You ready?" "Yep. Let's go." Els is confident and energized at the previous site. Ellen has also seen the exchange and leans into Els and whispers, "He is really stepping it up for you." Els is just embarrassed. Her heart races more and she is ushered to the stage.
The gentle music begins playing. When it first comes on, all of the animals in the audience instinctually start massing in front of the stage. There is a large group now to see the performance. Everyone settles into a spot in just a few minutes. Bill and the goat family move towards the middle of the group. They don't want to embarrass Els by being in the front row. Especially a large tiger. The music picks up and the curtains open. A series of female animals in very beautiful costumes come dancing out. The motions are very elegant and light. The costumes remind the audience of blossoms and plants and life, they are flowing colors of pastels and organic shapes. The women move in patterns that mimic the motions of the world, undulating, waving, swirling and rising. It is a beautiful spectacle matched with music that follows the motions. Bill is captivated with only Els. He watches her every move. He hasn't seen this side of her before. It's not that he hasn't seen her dance, it is that it feels like she is only dancing for him. The world around them melts away and it is just a tiger watching a goat. Els never misses a step. Never misses a beat. The choreography is flawless and draws the audience in. The music swells and the actions follow. It is the very epitome of the rejuvenation festival. Youth renewed in form.
Bill's tunnel vision for Els fades when the loud applause pushes away his focus. Everyone is clapping for the young girls. The dance was perfect, and all that witness are better for it. Each of the dancers does a simple move and takes a bow. With each person, the audience swells in different tones of cheering. Mina the giraffe takes a large bow and the sounds escalate from the giraffe families. Ellen takes a bow and the sounds of equine voices all ring out. The different animals all have their following and all get a different sound for their efforts. It is now Els turn, she does a little pirouette and takes a bow. The sound of small herbivores are almost equaled by the sound of a loud tiger roaring powerfully. It is enough to make everyone in the area blush, especially Els. Els mother has to pull him down a bit by his pants leg to lower his voice a little. There is no longer a problem with his throat. Els just smiles and back up into her space in the choreography. At the end of the audience applause, the group turns and gracefully dance off stage. The curtain falls and the families start to disperse to find other events to enjoy.
The ladies of the dance team share a well-deserved pep talk from Ellen and Sheila on how well things went. They hit their steps, they moved gracefully, and the crowd loved it. Sheila dismisses the girls to go have fun at the festival and reminds them that they have a week off before they meet again at the dance hall. Each of the ladies reappear on stage or off to the side to talk to their families.
Bill and the goat family move up to the front of the stage waiting on Els. As she is putting parts of her costume away Ellen approaches the girl goat and says something into her ear. "You should meet him half way." Els is a little confused. "What do you mean?" "He is out there waiting for you. You can figure it out." Ellen feels smug about her comments, but she knows that Els will have fun figuring out what she meant. Els puts her costume away and walks out of the curtains. Waiting front and center is her family and Bill. The goat takes off in a sprint and leaps off of the stage directly into the arms of the tiger. Everyone is shocked at this including Els and Bill. Els is being held about three feet off of the ground by the large carnivore. She is embarrassed but right where she wants to be. Bill catches some movement on the stage and locks eyes with Ellen. She makes a gesture of her two hands lifting something up and bringing it up to her mouth. She then points to Els. Bill understands and complies.
Bill raises Els up high in the air. Much higher than a goat should be and brings her down to eye level. Bill whispers quietly to just Els, "Is this ok?" The timid goat just responds with, "Please." Bill brings her to his face and they share their first kiss. It is quite a sight for everyone to see. Els mother slaps him on the thigh and exclaims, "Save it please." Both of the creatures, Bill and Els are embarrassed but very elated. Bill gently puts Els down and begins to tell her how wonderfully she did on her dance.
Across the stage stands Ellen admiring her handywork. She is happy for the tiger and the goat. "You sure do have a way with people." A gentle voice from a canine Labrador fills her ears. "So do you." Ellen responds to Jack and reaches down to grab his hand. Jack is a little embarrassed but shrugs it off. "Well, you are in charge today. Do we have any plans?" The timid canine asks his much larger zebra lady friend. "Lots." She bends over and says it in his ear. Jack can do nothing but gulp loudly.
Els mom leans into the young couple and tells them that she has to take Tobi home. "You two have fun at the festival. Bill?" "Yes maam?" Bill responds. "Protect her." The goat mother makes her statement while in full eye contact with the tiger. "I will." Bill responds without losing that eye contact. Els mother and Tobi turn towards the park and walk off into the distance leaving just the two creatures on their date.
"Well, what would you like to do?" Els asks her companion to start off their date. "Well I have something for you." Bill's voice shakes a little. Els can only smile. Bill reaches into his shirt pocket and pulls out a simple necklace. At the end of the necklace is a wooden cherry blossom. It is intricately carved and is the perfect size for a herbivore of Els stature. "It is beautiful Bill." Els is taken back by the gift. Bill begins to explain it for her. "It is our bench. I took a small piece of it and carved it into a cherry blossom for you. Some of the best and worst times that we have had together come from that place. Now you can carry it with you, so we are never really that far away from it." This gesture is so profound to Els that she begins balling. She looks down to his hand and notices that he has no claws. "Yeah, it took a while to carve it down. I'm not really that good at that stuff but I used my claws to do it. It took all of them." He lifts both of his hands and all of his claws have been worn down to nothing. "Bill, no more gestures like this ok? Well at least not for a while." Bill just smiles down to his goat.
"Are you hungry, because I am hungry." Bill breaks up the day dreaming with his stomach. "Yeah, I can eat. Do you like ice cream?" Els chimes in with a good suggestion. "That sounds good." Bill reaches down and takes the hand of the small goat and they turn towards the river. "I feel bad that I didn't get you anything." Els says under her breath. "That's ok, you can buy my ice cream." Bill retorts and feels good about the situation. "Hey Bill?" "Yeah, Els?" "Do you want to go to the springs tomorrow for our second date? Ellen wants to take the other girls out and she invited Jack. It should be fun to watch him squirm." Els snickers a little. "Should I invite Yuto?" Bill asks. "Oh definitely."