Time seeped through our hold as the days flew by. Seasons changed, leaves withered or prospered, and knowledge was gained gradually over the many months. There were only a couple days left until Little Mahmut would join the schooling to follow step one in achieving his goal.
Gentle human fingers, running through my fur as if my pelt was silk, provided a moment of tranquility in the moving carriage. Pages turned when Little Mahmut finished the book he was reading, and I rested my head on the floor of the vehicle while observing a certain bird in a position of rest. How are you resting in this place? I tried, but couldn't. Foreign travel never sat right with me. Humans and the pitiful technology they use to get around...
Isklander was sleeping in the corner of the bumpy carriage, leaning on a corner to sleep up straight. He was no longer a short bird I tossed around without mercy. His brown feathers had grown as well as his height, and his flying skills extended further than what I had thought possible. He was now an adult falcon, able to tear smaller animals apart with his claws. However, Isklander wasn't an idiot. If he attempted such with me, I wouldn't hesitate to tear his claws off.
Mahmut has grown a little taller as well. The baby fat has been fading away as he grew but remained because there was a lot of time to go before he even reached adulthood. At this slow rate of height growth, however, it appears Little Mahmut might remain little compared to the average human. Time and time again; I've seen the human child stress quietly over this issue. Apparently, humans don't take others seriously if they're small enough(a bit odd since even a togapi can destroy a mountain with the wag of a finger.). The aged human who looked after him had soothed Little Mahmut's worries with words of wisdom, but my negative opinion on him remained even after all this time.
Yes, despite these slight changes in body structure; Mahmut and Isklander have been trying their best during these past two years. I can acknowledge that at least.
As for me, I merely gave them little pushes and continued to watch them progress.
"I can't believe it." Little Mahmut whispered, eyes on the roof of the carriage covering us. The vehicle had these comfortable attributes due to his guardian's money. "I'm already off to training. It's going to be hard." His tiny digits paused as he took a moment to think. "How will I become a pasha, like this?" He glanced to his small hands with a hint of disdain. "I'm too small. Too childish." The blond grumbled while biting his lip. I then stared at him as if he were stupid. Little Mahmut didn't notice.
You are a child, silly human pup. I yawned under the sound of horse galloping from the front. I don't see the issue. The side of my fur was invaded by his fingers again before I was lifted off the ground and forced to stare at him while my legs dangled from the air. This wasn't the most comfortable position. My own eyes stared into his swirling blue of ice. My ear twitched in faint annoyance but Mahmut apparently had a question in mind.
"Do you think...I can do it?" His soft voice tickled my long ears into lowering a little. Little Mahmut's tone of uncertainty was a bit of a blow to my rooting skills. His doubt in himself might last for years, it seems. There wasn't much I could do about that but attempt to comfort him in these false fears of his.
In reply to his inquiry, I leaned forward until my nose was able to touch his forehead. Neck aching, I nuzzled the top of his head. I'd prefer not to coddle you, but I'd rather this than deal with increasing self-esteem issues. "Ve." You can do it, I then said in my natural tongue.
Seconds later, Mahmut cuddled me in his arms. He was careful like all the other times, keeping my tail and ears away from his tiny arms to avoid pushing against them as he held my fluffy form. I allowed it for several reasons; one of them being he provided a decent grounding compared to the rumbling carriage's floor. Little Mahmut was warm too, a bonus to the cool midnight air.
"Thanks." The young blond mumbled into my fur. My very core could practically experience the amount of nervousness off him. I likely would've suffocated under it if I weren't used to intense emotion spikes. Instead, a tiny breath left my mouth before I closed my eyes in an attempt to get some rest like Isklander over there. Carefully listening to Mahmut's heartbeat, I dozed off in the warmth surrounding me.
I followed Little Mahmut next to his heels through the halls of the military academy. The human pup was less nervous but his steps held a certain lightness to them. His walking style indicated caution and wariness. I couldn't fault him for it; the older humans were giving him odd looks as we moved forward. Some paused to stare while others continued on their way, likely thinking Little Mahmut was a guest or visitor.
Isklander resided outside for the moment, as the hallways were a bit too narrow to carry him on Mahmut's arm. The falcon was being watched by a few teachers, a couple of humans who researched animals. Mahmut's bird was not to be harmed or mistreated in any way. He would finally join us when we found our room.
Honestly, this special treatment is making you sick. I carefully regarded Mahmut's eyes furrow when he passed several doors down.
I finally made a move to jump onto his bag hanging at his waist and opened the thing with my nose. Little Mahmut barely reacted as I made myself comfortable inside the 'pocket'-like space as he opened the door to the quarter's he'd be staying at for quite some time. It wasn't a private dorm room. There were others in there. Judging by the noises behind the door structure, about two other humans resided in that room.
His blue eyes trailed over to me, and I merely stared back at him blankly.
Mahmut finally glanced back toward the door and gave it a hard knock with his tiny fists. The door opened, and the voices behind it ceased immediately. Little Mahmut walked into the room as someone held the door open for him. Two older human males greeted him there, one was somewhat indifferent while the other was obviously curious.
Little Mahmut quietly took in a breath and released it seconds later. "Hello. My name is Tughril Mahmut." He introduced himself while I watched him in the corner of my eyes. "I'll be training at this academy and since we're sharing this room; it's good to know each other's names." His voice was soft as ever, but at least he kept his tone firm. "It's nice to meet you." He finished, nodding to the older males in the room.
The seemingly unfriendly humans looked to one another, a silent message passing between them. The one filled with indifference merely shrugged and boredly gave out his name. I couldn't care less for such details, and merely relaxed further in the bag I rested in. "Sure. Make yourself at home, Kid." Little Mahmut's hand twitches but otherwise didn't react. "You got the bed on the left."
The carrier moved when Mahmut did, and I heard the room descend into silence as I finally left the bag and jumped onto his respective bed.
"...You do know we can't bring animals in here, right?" Indifference Human, I'll call him, spoke warily as he watched me curl up on the bed and pretend to rest. "It's a rule. Besides, what even is that? A rabbit?" The squinting was very apparent and rude. My ears lowered to detect the bed for traps or bugs. There were none.
Little Mahmat gave him a small look. "You can if they're registered." He explained, soft voice gaining an edge of hidden annoyance.
"Big words for someone so small." Indifference Human sighed.
Mahmut didn't react to this statement, but one with good senses could tell the fine hairs on his head nearly bristled to that comment. "Thanks…" He finally avoided eye-contact.
"What is it, anyway?" Curious human piped up, nearly attempting an approach near my form. He froze when I abruptly lifted my head and growled in his direction. Smelling faint traces of caution, the same human remained in his spot with a frown. "Not friendly either…" He grumbled.
I ignored any look Mahmut gave me. "I don't really know," He admitted slowly. "But I don't care either way. Despite how this creature acts, they won't attack unless provoked. You'll be fine as long as you don't bother it." He finally shook his head and began to unpack in peaceful quiet.
The room then stayed in silence for the rest of the hour, and Mahmut left to the window and opened it after a moment's struggle. He took out a familiar magical jewel and spun it, the whistle itching my sensitive ears. I buried my head further into the bed, dismissing the high-pitched sound.
Our bird companion flew inside seconds later, perching on Mahmut's arm.
Indifference Human and Curious Human looked slightly miffed despite being amazed at the falcon before them. Isklander seemed to notice the attention, puffing his chest out in pride while Mahmut gave him a comforting rub on the head.
"...Got any more?" Indifference Human murmured in bored wonder. His answer was met with a shake of the head. "Right. Well, I got class." He stood and left the room, voice fading with distance as the door shut. "It was nice to meet you, Mahmut." And then the footsteps became fainter "Don't get kicked out so quickly."
Curious Human shot Mahmut a tiny smile. "Just ask us anything. We'll help you out the best we can since we're your upperclassmen. Alright?" He stood up, giving us a tiny wave. "Have a good day." Curious Human than left the room after Indifference Human.
Finally. Privacy. My mind supplied in relief. A gentle nudge of a beak poked my side, and I curled tighter in a ball. My torso was once again pressed against, and I battle Isklander away with the unconscious swipe of a bushy tail. My ears detecting the squawk of surprise and the swift flap of wings as he retreated to the other side of the bed.
Another weight roughly joined the soft structure, and my head raised to regard the human pup with disdain. Little Mahmut had thrown himself on the bed, outstretched across the sheets and eyes staring at the ceiling. "We're here." He whispered, almost out of disbelief.
Yes. I agreed, turning back on my side and eventually standing. I jumped to the window, placing a paw on the glass to balance myself. I watched the outside scenery; a completely new place. We're here.
Isklander released a small sound of confidence, leaving us in a time-lapse of memories of the past few years.
The training academy was demanding. It wanted one's sleep, will, and spirit. Little Mahmut suffered but his utter determination pushed him forwards. His scores are high, but apparently, he lacks in teamwork.
Judging by how the older humans treat him as an oddity; this doesn't surprise me. If a random overly young growlithe suddenly joined a pack of arcanine; there's bound to be hostility and envy for the little one's smarts. Their poisonous jealousy was stunting Mahmut's growth, leaving him on the sidelines while the others continued to watch him warily from that distance. Despite this treatment from his peers, Little Mahmut made no move to confront them. If he did, they were more likely to call him out and declare him childish.
Humans. My mind expressed in disdain.
Currently, Little Mahmut had accidentally left his bag behind in his last class session on his way to the library. I've decided to do him a favor and retrieve it for him before he notices it's absence. Dragging the fabric around shouldn't be too difficult. The carrier isn't too heavy for me, even with my size.
My paws carefully walked over the wood floors as I crossed hallways without much effort. Most of the humans should be in their respective training area, and so the halls were a lot more clear rather than the usual jungle of long legs and heavy feet in the morning and in between training classes.
It's only been two weeks since we've arrived but I could still feel the lingering stares and occasional look of contempt. There was also minor disgust but such a feeling was in the hearts of the few who believe only humans deserve to wander these halls. No surprise there, a couple of those exist in every species intelligent enough to envy others.
My ears caught the smallest sound of a shuffle.
I straightened my sense of hearing and forced my steps to become quiet and swift.
"Do you...Come...Back?" The unfamiliar voice of a human caught my attention only because I was walking in that direction. What are the chances I happen to catch wind of their conversation? We'll likely pass one another at least. Judging by the whispered talking, there were two humans speaking about something apparently important.
No matter. This doesn't concern me. The goal was the bag, and that was it. Impatience bit at my nerves and I ignored the feeling in favor of staying calm performing the quick chore.
Thankfully, the classroom door wasn't closed. I used my muzzle to push through, the structure releasing a light squeak as I padded on through. The voices ceased immediately, and my senses dismissed the lack of sounds as a minor inconvenience to someone else. After taking several steps into the classroom, my nose caught a whiff of a familiar unpleasant smell.
Under the strong stench that made my throat shift in disgust; I could faintly smell Mahmut's bag nearby.
Without a moment to pause, I leaped onto a nearby table. The flash of brown from my pelt might've alerted the humans a few feet away; they paused to look in my direction. Both human males were confused by my appearance while I kept my leveled gaze on them. One of them, the taller human, held my charge's bag. The other held a bottle with a strange liquid on the inside.
"What the hell is that?" The smaller human questioned dumbly as my ear slightly twitched. "Some kind of rare rabbit?" There was a stretch of silence as the taller human coughed lightly in one hand.
"I'm pretty sure it belongs to the brat. He actually walks around with two animals, his falcon is usually with him at the academy. This...Thing stays at the dorms. At least, that's what everyone's been saying." The mention of rumors reminded my mind of the current actions these humans were willing to take to indirectly harm Little Mahmut. "It's...Kinda cute." The last comment was highly unneeded.
I carefully adjusted my paws without moving my body too much. The fur on my tail was starting to bristle but I prevented worse from showing.
"Well, it saw us. What do we do?" The smaller human spoke again, almost wary but clearly unwilling to drop the bottle.
"Leave it alone. It's not like it can do anything to us." Both humans seemed to nod in agreement to their own statement. "Let's just get this over with before anyone comes back. We'll be extremely unlucky if the next thing to pop through that door is an instructor or something like that." The reasoning was apparently sound as they got back to 'work', allowing my legs to get in position and my tail keeping my balance.
"I'd rather face a bloodthirsty rabbit." The smaller human drily commented, glancing toward me before blinking. "Wait, what's it doing?-" The other human male tried to look at my form as well but I moved before they could properly react. My paws left the table and joined the air as I dived in their direction with a straight face.
Both gave indignant squawks of surprise, especially when I was suddenly standing on the taller human's face. My paw pads stepped on soft flesh and I purposely dug my little claws in there for effect.
The yell erupting from the human below me was very satisfying. Not even a second later I was slapped off but I used the momentum to grab onto the bag while falling to the floor. My tail purposely brushed the bottle out of the other human's hands. The other sudden weight ripped the carrier out of human grip and I tumbled to the floor with the heavy thing. Recoil slammed against my paws and side but I managed to scramble back up to my feet and begin dragging the bag away.
A few seconds is all I need, My mind fueled as I forcefully used my strength to wriggle the bag out the room with my teeth. Back in the classroom, I heard the swift shuffling of movement and swears, the scattered conversation of 'clean it up!' along with 'I know! That thing is gonna be dead when I'm through with it!'. Anger and malice practically reeked out the room, and I made sure to quicken my pace.
The hallways seemed longer than usual as I attempted to pick out Mahmut's faint scent. Where was the library? I don't remember the pathway. My ear twitched as I calmly turned a corner. Did I pass it? The possibility was likely. My paws came to a stop as I reached a dead end. I dropped the bag to relieve my mouth of the stress, turning around to find another pathway out.
My choices were denied by two semi-familiar humans. One was holding a broom, the other held a twisted look his eyes. They blocked the halls with their so-called defense stances.
"Little shit," The smaller human growled with seviper venom. "You're not getting away." Judging by how he moved his foot; his brilliant idea was to stomp me under his dirty shoes.
I jumped away easily, impassive about the situation and the overly slow movements of supposed-to-be military trainees. Can't I just charge my way through? However, if I recklessly charged in without resistant; Little Mahmut might be upset. I could end up banned from the academy floors if I harmed someone. My language barrier would only further worsen the situation if these two idiots decided to lie(which was more likely than Mahmut reading a book at night.) and confirm my ban sentence.
Oh well, My mind supplied happily as a low growl broke out of my throat. My vision narrowed in on the human duo preventing my goals; the bag temporarily forgotten. I suppose that just means more rest for me when Little Mahmut's absent. There was also the reason the human pup would rather no harm come to us; as he quietly this whispered to us back in the carriage when he thought Isklander and I were asleep.
We weren't, and while our languages were different; both of us understood and took an invisible moment to hold his wish with pride.
Now, here comes putting my permission into play. I'll make it hurt less than usual, Another promise flew through the air as I crouched and my mouth began to tingle with familiarity. I stalked forward threateningly and the taller human raised the broom.
...If you believe a mere human cleaning tool is enough to stop me, so be it. I prepared myself to dart forward and prey upon the two taller beings.
"What do you think you're doing?"
The sudden shout paused my motions for a quick moment, only taking my attention since the other two humans looked behind themselves in order to find the unfamiliar voice. It definitely wasn't Mahmut judging by the scent and size of the human who just appeared.
My soon-to-be assaulters stiffened but attempted to play their obvious guilt off with huffs of irritation and distress of their own. The taller human rounded on the new arrival, frown present on his face while I continued to stare at the smaller male. "What do you think? We're defending ourselves! You don't want to get hurt by this thing either, so scram!" He hissed, raising the wooden tool in my direction without properly looking at my position.
"Come on, I don't," There was an uncomfortable pause from the other. I almost felt regret for being so small, the humans in front blocked the other's appearance from my sight. "I don't think that's a good idea at all. Look at the poor fox; it looks scared." The apparently sympathetic human tried to reason, but his efforts went ignored over the hot rage and desire to avenge their hurt feelings. "Don't you feel bad?"
A foot slammed on the ground harshly, felt underneath my sensitive paws. "We thought it was harmless too; until it attacked my face." The broom-wielding human spat with venom. "Last chance. Scram."
The silence which followed after that allowed the song of the wind. The whistling rustled by the hallway windows. Light creaks trailed after the strong breeze, the outside branches and grass dancing to the tune under the sun despite the apparent violence going on indoors.
The tallest human took a step toward me once more, eyes hard. The silence was disrupted by the act of hostility.
Now that he's gone, And the event gave me a lot of time to think. I'll simply perform a quick sweep with these fools.
"No."
I paused as someone roughly shoved their way through the human-blockage. The sheer recklessness resulted in a slow blink from my eyes, unsure how to react to the new human with burning eyes of courage. I snuck a glance at the bag I was protecting a couple of feet away before focusing back on the taller creatures before me.
"You guys don't have the right to do this!" Dark hair with golden eyes matching a sly shinx emerged from the human-wall. My paws stood their ground in case the other turned out to be a threat; other senses sharp as can be as the tension spiked in the empty hall. "Leave it alone!"
Standing up for a 'creature-that-can't-defend itself'? Curious, but I wasn't annoyed as much as I could've been. In fact, I continued to observe out of the sheer interest and stupidity this clear golden-eyed being seemed to have. His face looked impassive but the gold mirror reflected the calm vexation brewing in the layers.
Without a word, the taller human viciously swung the broom at the other's face. The strange human blocked the blow with an arm, hardened anger beginning to shine forth in his jewel-colored eyes. Judging by the way his arm looked to be shaking while forcing the broom's handle back; it was safe to assume the battle of strength wasn't going to work. "Am I wrong?" He gritted out and managed an aura of malicious intent crossed with an ambition to prevent a possible tragedy.
Despite his efforts, I knew his rash actions weren't going to work. The pride of these humans wouldn't allow such to go unpunished.
The human with clear eyes seemed to notice this; he clicked his tongue with a heavy frown before rushing through in my direction.
I backed away immediately, growling as he neared. He had no malice directed in my path but I still wanted nothing to do with him. Unfortunately for me; he either didn't listen to my obvious displeasure or chose to ignore it as human hands scooped my form into his arms. My surroundings seemed to blur as the golden-eyed person swiftly decided to grab the bag I was protecting as a bonus, charging forward into the human-duo wall.
"Move it!" The one carrying me growled, tackling his way through dazed humans and continuing to dash down the hall. Almost immediately the other two gave chase. The sounds of shouts and heavy footsteps filled the air as everything suddenly fell into a rush. The clear-eyed human tightened his grip on my form before bolting around a corner, murmuring words I couldn't catch over the whip of the indoors wind.
Unwilling to face the further recoil of the air slapping my face, I ducked my head into the human's arm, biting down disgust. My ears slightly folded, purposely blocking out the loud noises assaulting my hearing.
Eventually, the sounds bugging me stopped and the air stilled back to its normal currents.
I finally glanced up with ambiguous intent, staring at my new human captor. Our eyes met, but instead of a tightened grip; I was met with a gentle smile. He knelt and set me down. I allowed myself to get a decent feel of the ground by moving my paws in a half-circle movement before glancing up to meet the strange human's eyes once more. The human hummed in victory(?) after taking a long look moment to listen to the quiet sounds of non-hostile footsteps nearby.
"...Glad to know you aren't injured." He gave me a grin, and I briefly wondered if I was expected to throw one back at him.
What an absurd thought.
In reply; I merely looked away with indifference.
Instead of annoyance, like my internal reading had expected; the human released a light laugh in amusement. My eyes found him interesting enough to watch from the corner of my vision and I eventually leaped at the golden-eyed person. He squawked in surprise but merely blinked slowly in my direction when noticing my position hanging off Mahmut's bag in his other arm. It was a difficult post, with my back legs hanging in mid-air while my front held onto the carrier's material.
"Ah...You want to return this bag, right." He watched me for a moment before gently prying my paws off and allowing a safe return to the floor.
I rounded to face him with a frown, irritation and heavy annoyance spiked in my mind but the human opened his mouth quickly as if to ease my incoming thoughts of violence. "How about you show me where your caretaker is? This bag is a bit heavy." His statement wasn't incorrect but his sudden interference in my chore harmed my pride. A scowl threatened to break out on my face but I managed to stay impassive aside from the twitch of an ear.
I finally turned around halfway and after taking a quick whiff of the air and padded off. I continue to regard the human behind me with disdain; an occasional look of indifference tossed his way on purpose. He either chose to ignore my looks or feign ignorance to it. We walked in silence all the way up to the library.
Thankfully, the human was able to open the door with ease, and we walked in without any problems. There were even more people in the library than the halls, which served as a positive in my book.
Under the smell of paper and fixed fabric; I located Little Mahmut reading in his spot near the back. He looked peaceful, blissfully unaware of those who attempted to sabotage his bag. One hand was resting on the table while the other gracefully held a book. He gently flipped a page just like all the other times he read in quiet. I approached and took a swift leap onto the table with a tiny huff. Little Mahmut sluggishly blinked as if lost in a haze, glancing over to my form before smiling a little. His small fingers ran through my fur while he whispered a small greeting.
...Cute and all, but we have a problem. My ear flicked in the stranger's direction, and Mahmut got the hint.
He looked over at the stranger and caught sight of his bag. "...Apologies for bothering you. That's my bag." Little Mahmut politely started with a face of impassive stone. He then held out his hand while the golden-eyed human seemed lost. "Can I have it back?"
This finally snapped the other out of it. "O-Of course!" The older human scrambled to deliver the bag, nervousness beginning to radiate off him in waves. "Hold on, one sec…" A full three minutes passed before the carrier was back in Mahmut's hands. "I found it in the hall, with your...Friend?" He eyed me for a split second and likely noticed I seemed somewhat pleased with his wording. Gold eyes fell back to blond hair. "You should be more careful. There's a bunch of jerks in this place. I found a couple cornering your little friend here with a broom."
Mahmut didn't react but could feel the slightest jolt of his fingers in my fur. "...Could you explain what happened further?"
"Sure, but what's your name?" The other human took a seat at Little Mahmut's table. His posture was quite relaxed. "I'm Sapka Ibrahim. You?"
Mahmut released a quiet breath. "Tughril Mahmut."
And thus, the conversation of what happened minutes prior had begun. I allowed Little Mahmut to pull me into his lap; my presence apparently easing his own anxiety. As words were being exchanged, I noticed another atmosphere beginning to form. It was lighthearted and warm. There wasn't much tension compared to what the other trainees of this academy seemed to construct within ten minutes of conversation with Mahmut.
I watched Ibrahim under careful eyes.
For now, an ally would be most beneficial for his mental health. As Little Mahmut's guardian; I had no objections.