Hours earlier on the current day...
Nicole sat dumbfounded upon the grass.
"Wha-How?!...WHERE AM I?!"
Nicole stated in a bewildered and expressionist tone of voice.
Before her, stood Alyssa, the same snow leopard that was present with her on the Golden Gate Bridge she-
"AM I DEAD?!"
Nicole shouted, as Alyssa rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Noooooooo, silly! You're not dead! Well...at least, not technically anyway...to be honest, girl? I'm not even sure of the fine print, it wasn't really in my job description."
Alyssa extended her paw towards the blue feline, as she gave a smile to Nicole.
"Come on, let me help you up."
Nicole's face soon shifted to that of anger and contempt, as she swiped away the paw in front of her.
"WHY WOULD I NEED YOUR HELP?! FOR ALL I KNOW, YOU PROBABLY HAD A HAND IN MY DEATH! YOU PLANNED THIS, DIDN'T YOU?!"
Nicole had tears streaming down her cheeks, she was that infuriated and perturbed. Alyssa quickly sighed and crossed her arms.
"Okay, WOW...you're not taking this as well as I thought you would sister..."
Nicole was fuming as she heard this, quickly springing to her feet.
"Well? WELL?! I JUST FELL OFF A BRIDGE AND DIED, AND YOU WANTED ME TO PERCEIVE THIS AS BEING "TAKEN WELL"?!
Alyssa quickly backed up, and swiftly gestured to Nicole to calm down.
"Okay, there's a few things we need to get out of the way first...One: As I have said before, you're not dead, at least not completely, Two: You really need to learn personal space, girl! You just spit all over me! Finally, three! Is this any way to talk to your guardian angel?"
Alyssa crossed her arms with the question posed to the blue feline adjacent to her, as Nicole was about to berate the snow leopard once more; before pausing with a confused expression.
"Wha-what...did you just say?"
Nicole asked, with her anger slowly dissipating from her voice.
Alyssa, who still had her arms crossed, now shook her head slowly.
"See what happens when you actually listen?! Gosh...I swear, with emotions like that, I really find it hard to believe someone didn't kill you quicker in your old life...which is still your current life, but...ahhh what the hell, it'll be explained in a few moments anyway!"
Alyssa took a deep breath, and looked to Nicole once more.
"I'm your guardian angel, have been ever since you were...well, both of us were kids!"
Nicole was confused by the leopard's words, as she helped herself to her feet; wiping off any remnants of grass stains on her clothes.
Then she noticed...she was wearing a completely new outfit!
"What...happened to my hoodie and jeans?!"
Nicole was absolutely flabbergasted, as she glanced downwards at her torso, to see that she was wearing a floral patterned sundress.
"Oh...yeah...about that. You see, when you're a new arrival in Purgatory, whether born or upon death, you kinda...arrive here in your birthday suit..."
Alyssa explained, as Nicole's eyes widened.
"I...I was...NAKED?!"
Alyssa chuckled, as Nicole was still petrified at the thought of being so vulnerable in this new..."place". If here even was a place.
"Don't fret girl! I used a little portion of my powers and watched over you while you were unconscious, plus, the residents in New Haven are pretty moral people...for the most part anyway."
As the leopard was speaking, Nicole was slowly observing her dress, admiring it's design...rudimentary, but still beautiful.
"Do you like it?"
Nicole snapped to attention, as Alyssa was smiling at her warmly.
"It's...it's actually beautiful..."
The leopard chuckled, as Nicole continued to admire the blue and white floral patterns that were sowed into the fabric of her new outfit.
"It's...almost identical to the one I wore as a teenager when I first met-"
"Richard?"
Nicole stopped admiring her dress, and immediately shifted her attention towards Alyssa.
"What...did you just say?"
"Richard! Your boyfriend, right?"
Nicole was absolutely bewildered and stunned, she just met this girl a few moments ago, and yet she already knows a crucial part of her private life already!
"How...how did you know that?!"
Nicole softened her tone when she asked this, still utterly shocked at how the leopard knew of this.
"You really have just woken up from a slumber haven't you? I just said I was your guardian angel! I've been with you every step of the way, sister! And I mean EVERY step of the way! Well...except private moments in the washroom or bedroom...because, well...we're angels, we have standards and respect for our assigned persons...and plus, I don't need to see what happens after you had Mexican food...ewwww."
Nicole was going through a whirlwind of emotions, and had so many questions that required answers.
"I...I don't understand...so if you were my guardian angel, why did you only show up at the bridge? Why didn't you make any other appearances in the last few years you were by my side? Why didn't you stop me from falling off of the bridge just a few moments ago?"
Alyssa smiled, as she turned to face the view of the park and its lake, the occupants surrounding the two felines were going about their day in purgatory as the two young women spoke.
"Because...us celestial beings are only meant to keep a watchful eye, until it is time to reveal ourselves at a pivotal moment in the protection of our assigned person. We cannot interfere in the business of mortals, nor can we save you from your own free will...because, well...it's in the term! Free will! Your mind, your body, your spirit!"
Nicole was caught off guard from Alyssa's sudden shift in tone, now appearing full of wisdom and insight, as opposed to her spontaneous and comedic nature a few minutes ago.
"I...guess that makes sense..."
Nicole suddenly shifted her view towards the grass, absorbing and processing what has been thrown into her midst.
"But...I always did know you had a good heart Nicky, Richard really did show you that part of yourself when he was with you...and it was confirmed when you saved that young boy on the bridge..."
Nicole held her arm and looked out towards the park lake, thinking back to the supposed last moments of her last life.
"I only did what I had to do...I couldn't just leave that kid there to die...and leave two grieving parents..."
Alyssa, whose heart was over joyous to hear these words from the person she had protected since they were both kids, soon nodded with affirmation.
"It seems like I really was gifted a kind protection detail..."
The snow leopard said quietly, as Nicole turned to face her once more.
"You said earlier that I wasn't dead...what exactly did you mean by that?"
Alyssa perked her head upwards once more, her ears instantaneously becoming more alert, as if she had just heard she was given a ticket to a tropical vacation on a secluded island.
"Oooooooo! You're finally ready to have the big question answered, huh?!"
The snow leopard asked with a smug grin.
"...Yes?"
The snow leopard's face soon turned to that of a deadpan annoyance.
"Well too bad, I'm not giving it to you!"
Nicole's ears soon drooped, as her eyes shifted to the ground.
"Oh..."
The pale white spotted feline turned around, and began to walk a few steps in the other direction; before she began to chuckle subtly. This soon progressed into a full blown playful laughter, as she turned around once more to face Nicole, wiping away a few tears of laughter as she did so.
"Oh MAN! That was a good one, huh?! You should have seen your face! You were so melancholy! Haha!"
Nicole's facial expression now shifted to silent anger, as she was quickly becoming a tad annoyed at her supposed "Guardian Angel's" games and riddles.
Alyssa noticed this, and quickly opened her arms for a hug.
"Awwwwww, I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have done that...it was kinda mean of me. But! On the other hand, you were the one who became angry with me when she first arrived here; and didn't want to listen...so consider both of us even!"
Nicole scoffed, as she began to walk away from the snow leopard, as Alyssa did a quick jog to catch up in pace.
"Hey! I was only joking, girl! Of course I'll tell you what has happened since the incident of you falling off the bridge!"
Nicole quickly stopped and turned around, pointing one of her claws in the face of the leopard.
"Are you going to promise to cut the crap, speaking in riddles, and other useless shenanigans; and actually tell me what I want to hear?!"
The snow leopard played along, gesturing a cross on her chest.
"Cross my heart and hope to die, the door is locked and the key is under the rug, lips are zipped, so help me God!...or boss...do you mortals on Earth call him God or Boss? We call him boss, since we're his angels...hehe."
Nicole rolled her eyes.
"God...we call him God on Earth."
"Right! Right, I knew that!"
The leopard soon extended her paw outwards in the form of a handshake, as accompanied it with a gleeful smile.
"Well, Nicole Senicourt, I extend my hand as an angel pact to "cut the crap" as you would say, and formally swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth from henceforth with zero funny business!"
The snow leopard, providing a rather humorous posh English accent to her words, soon left Nicole with an unamused expression next to her.
"Already off to a great start and taking this seriously I see?"
"You bet!"
Nicole rolled her eyes, as she glanced downwards towards the snow leopards paw, before looking back up to Alyssa; was still smiling ear to ear and nodding her head in anticipation for the blue feline to accept her terms.
"...UGGGGGGGGGGH FINE!"
"YES!"
The two felines shook paws for a few seconds, before Alyssa disengaged the pawshake, to clap hers together.
"Right! You want answers, and I shall provide them, but first! I must ask...you want the bad news or the good news first?"
Nicole crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"This is a serious question, I assure you, I just need to know-"
"Bad news first."
Alyssa was taken aback for a second, before clearing her throat.
"Very well...you're in the Elmore hospital and in an induced comatose state for recovery. You suffered a pretty nasty fall, and from the height of which you dropped? The physicians, doctors, and nurses still are perplexed as to HOW you're still alive. Your parents are the only visitors who have attended your side at the moment, and despite your past with them...they're pretty mortified to see you in such a way, especially your mother, Mary."
Nicole's eyes widened as she heard this, trying to process what Alyssa was saying.
"And...the good news?"
Alyssa's expression soon warmed up to a smile.
"That's just what I was going to tell you to lighten up all of this "Debbie Downer" stuff. Your recovery is expected within the span of a month, miraculously, even in the eyes of the rulers and leaders of both realms...who both were eager to see your soul judged to one of the realms of the afterlife."
Nicole's expression then shifted to one of confusion.
"My soul? It has to go through a judgment process?"
Alyssa nodded before the blue feline even answered the question, almost as if she had a premonition telling her this would be asked.
"Yes, both Satan and God meet for a "moot" or a conference as you mortals would call it. You are placed at the head of a podium, and your entire lifespan is replayed and reviewed by the two omnipotent deities and their colleagues. A judge oversees and presides over your...what do you mortals call it?"
"A trial?"
"Yes! Right! A trial...which will decide whether or not you spend an Eternity in peace and tranquility, or-"
"Damnation..."
Alyssa shook her head.
"That's a misconception many have of perdition and hell, eternal torture, suffering, yada, yada, yada...but it's really much like the same as purgatory or heaven."
Nicole lifted an eyebrow, confused at the concept she was just provided by her "Guardian Angel".
"I don't understand...how can it be a place of suffering then?"
Alyssa lifted one of her index claws in the air.
"Alrighty then, picture this: You lived your life in a way that is viewed...of ill repute, yes? So you are sentenced and condemned to perdition with the rest of the hooligans..."
Nicole nodded.
"Continue..."
"Well, Perdition in of itself, when it was constructed at least; was rather comfy and cozy as it was intended to be."
"What happened?"
Alyssa smirked slightly, and crossed her arms.
"Well, now I will pose a question to you Nicky! What do you believe happens when you place a bunch of people with violent and murderous tendencies in the same realm?"
Nicole then came to realization and transparency of her question earlier.
"Oh...now I see what you're getting at..."
"Yep! Satan is more like...a warden of that realm with the rest of his demons and demonesses...a large prison, in which the most violent and "corrupted" of your species on Earth are kept. Ironically...the suffering they inflicted on others on Earth...they now perpetuate on one another in hell...their own worst enemy and torturer..."
Nicole's face then nodded slowly once more, understanding the new world, or worlds, she had arrived in.
"In a way...that's the greatest torture of all."
"How so?"
Alyssa held a paw to her chin, almost contemplative in her expression.
"Well...think about it, if you have to live an Eternity still being able to live your life as you normally would but in a state of constant paranoia of who would kill or have sadistic tendencies for...other means of violent fulfillment; to satisfy their bloodlust...that would be more torture than ANYTHING that could be devised to harm one physically!"
Alyssa stopped for a moment.
"Yeah...yeah, it's really an ingenious design they got put in place down th-"
The snow leopard stopped for a moment, to glance upwards to see Nicole's eyes widened and full of shock; unsure of how to process what the enthusiastic feline was saying.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you sure you're a guardian angel?"
Alyssa chuckled a little, before doing a playful scoffing motion with her paw.
"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! I was just admiring the design and system the afterlife has! It really isn't meant to torture or reward anyone...but instead place people in the realm which suited them best in their previous lives!"
Nicole then nodded, and held her arm in a bit of guilt for judging the leopard too quickly.
"Oh...yeah, that makes sense... sorry Alyssa; I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable either..."
"Hey! It's alright! I was always known as the "weirder" angel amongst my peers, so don't sweat it girl!"
Nicole's heart sunk a little bit with compassion, as she heard that last comment from the snow leopard.
"You...were considered...weird?"
Alyssa's ears drooped down a little, as she held her arm in shyness; the polar opposite of her bubbly nature a few moments ago.
"Yeah...you see, back in angel training, we mature at a MUCH more accelerated rate than you mortals mentally. So when everyone else would be squeamish to talk about all the weird parts of your mortality, I was seen as the black sheep of the group...which wasn't necessarily a bad thing...it's just that...sometimes it got a little lonely with no one else to talk to about this stuff...or anything at all really, you know?"
The snow leopard's eyes shifted downwards towards the ground beneath her, before she felt a paw gently clasp her arm, reassuringly rubbing it with a thumb.
"Well...I don't think you're weird...a little hyperactive and annoying sure...but not weird. Actually, you seem pretty friendly to me!"
Nicole stated with a warm tone, and a gentle and subtle smile, as Alyssa's expression lit up once more.
"Thank you Nicole...although, I know you are a kind person as well, and it's been an honor to share those moments watching over you on Earth...hopefully that doesn't sound creepy, hehe."
Both felines laughed together, as Nicole made a "No worries" gesture with her paw.
"It's okay, Liz, as long as you didn't snoop during more private moments, I don't mind. I'm glad you had a watchful eye over me through the years I've had on Earth."
Alyssa smiled, as Nicole now surveyed her surroundings.
"So...this is where I am living for the next month?"
Nicole asked, as her blue and white floral dress was swaying in a horizontal fashion in the wind.
"Well...that's also something I wanted to touch upon...the passage of time in this realm is about three fold compared to what you experienced back in Elmore..."
Alyssa exclaimed, as Nicole's eyes widened.
"...Three months?!"
Alyssa chuckled at the blue feline's expression of surprise.
"Trust me, treat this as more of a vacation and leisurely escapade rather than the precarious realm between life and death. Your amenities, stresses and worries are alleviated in this place, comparatively more so than your time on Earth."
Nicole stood confused, as Alyssa gave a warm smirk.
"I guess this warrants another explanation I assume?"
Nicole nodded her head as if to say "What do you think?".
"WOW! So...I can conjure objects and items from the snap of my fingers...just simply by using my brain?"
Nicole asked in almost childlike enthusiasm, as Alyssa giggled at the blue feline's now more happy demeanor.
"That's right! You are allocated a specific amount of magic to use, although the real fancy term we use is "Metaphysical Magical Assets", but that became a little bit of a tongue tongue twister; so we simply settled upon "magic" or "magical currency" to keep things simplistic and comprehensible here."
Nicole was in awe, this truly was a different realm she had just found herself in...perhaps falling off of that bridge wasn't entirely bad...
"So...is there a way to obtain more?"
Alyssa chuckled, placing a paw on Nicole's shoulder; and using her index claw to point at Nicole's face.
"I had a feeling you were going to ask that! Of course! You can volunteer to obtain more magic at any of the job offerings that are posted throughout New Haven, or Purgatory. But you are given an allowance which covers your shelter, food, basic utilities, internet and entertainment...basically all you'd ever need! Buuuuuut, the volunteer jobs can help you save for a vacation to travel, or to simply refine your tastes if you want something more lavish, like a new home, new exquisite clothes, etc...although, as your guardian angel, I will say to not allow greed to consume you...frivolous lust for materialism is not exactly smiled upon by the boss..."
Alyssa stated, as she pointed upwards, causing Nicole to nod in understanding.
"I understand...will he frown upon a vacation or a new apartment though?"
Nicole asked, as Alyssa chuckled adorably.
"Of course not, silly! I just meant in regards to doing illicit or illegal activity that results in sin! Despite Purgatory being somewhat orderly, sometimes things slip underneath the eyes of Death and his minions...or in this case Purgatory police. Sinful criminals still reside here...in the shadows, with a criminal underbelly looking to exploit the magic system for their own gain..."
Alyssa faded her thoughts and expression into melancholic disposition, before shifting back to Nicole with a slight smile.
"Come on, let's go to your new place in the feline district...we can talk more about the ins and outs of this place and what you can do to unwind while you wait to be awoken from your coma on Earth."
Alyssa placed a paw on the blue feline's shoulder, as the two young women walked through the park until the exit, opening a whole new world for Nicole...
The feline district was brimming with activity and...well...anthro felines like herself! Nicole and Alyssa walked side by side on the sidewalk, as Nicole witnessed the spectacles with her own eyes.
Apartments, unlike anything she had witnessed on Earth, reaching upwards to the sky, the streets; once littered and full of trash back in Elmore...were spotless! They were so sanitary, you could almost drop your lunch accidentally, pick it back up; and not give a second thought to the germs that had been acquired on its surface.
Shops...filled with smiling faces...families...gazing at the items stocked upon the shelves. Gyms...using...laser pointers to motivate those on the treadmills and various gym equipment.
Restaurants, filled with laughter and joy, excitement and jubilation. The cuisine? More fish platters than Nicole could count, causing her to unconsciously salivate, her teeth and fangs chattering with predatory intent.
Alyssa noticed this, and quickly gave a gentle nudge.
"Hey Nicky, you okay?"
Nicole snapped out of her gaze of the delicious meals through the restaurant window, and directed her attention towards the snow leopard.
"Wha-oh! Oh yeah...yeah, I'm fine...just hungry..."
Alyssa chuckled, as she continued walking with Nicole next to her, keeping pace with each other in complete synchronization.
"Lucky for you, I can conjure a delectable salmon dinner when we reach the apartment!"
Nicole's eyes lit up hearing this, her ears standing perked to attention.
"Salmon?! That's my favorite fish! How did you know?"
Nicole stopped for a moment, as she realized just who she was talking to, before sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment.
"Oh...right..."
Alyssa just gave a warm smile.
"It's okay Nicky, you only just arrived here! You're being introduced to a world you haven't grown accustomed to yet. Things are going to be a little slow starting out, but trust me it gets a lot more fun and interesting from here on out!"
As the two felines were conversing as they walked, Alyssa accidentally bumped shoulders with a male cheetah.
"Oops! Sorry for tha-"
Alyssa's expression of guilt quickly faded, as she saw the person who she had bumped into; as her eyes lit up.
"Ed? Eddie?!"
"Hey Alyssa!"
The cheetah and snow leopard quickly hugged, this lasting for a few moments, before they broke the embrace and looked at each other.
"It's been a while! How have you been?! My goodness you've grown so much too! You were only a little kit the last time I saw you!"
Eddie smiled as Alyssa spoke, before adjusting his grey hoodie collar.
"Yeah...things really have changed quite a bit..."
Eddie stated, as he glanced to the beautiful female fox standing beside him; which diverted the snow leopard's attention from him and towards her.
"Oh my goodness! Did you?"
"Find a lovely girlfriend? I did Liz!"
Alyssa smiled, as she held her paws to her mouth; tears of happiness beginning to form in her eyes.
"Oh my goodness! Congratulations to you both!"
Nicole held her arm in awkward and uncomfortable stature.
Jennifer stepped forward to Alyssa, whose eyes immediately lit up seeing the young woman approach her to extend a paw towards her.
"My name is Jennifer, it's a pleasure to meet you Alyssa!"
Alyssa ignored the paw-shake, and immediately went for a hug, which caught everyone by surprise.
"I'm so happy for you girl! Eddie was one of the kindest and purest souls we ever had enter purgatory, and I'm so glad your hearts both met each other!"
The snow leopard's tone was reminiscent of a proud mother discovering her son had settled down after surviving a brutal war or conflict.
"Yeah...I am too..."
Jennifer stated, as the two lovers touched noses briefly, before staring at each other dreamy eyed.
Jennifer then turned, and drew her attention towards Nicole, who was standing in awkward silence beside Alyssa.
"Who is the lovely lass with you today?"
Jennifer asked, as Nicole lifted her head and raised her paw awkwardly in a greeting gesture.
"This is Nicole! She actually just entered New Haven through a comatose state from falling off a bridge saving a young kid!"
Eddie and Alyssa both now assumed sympathetic expressions.
"Oh my...I'm so sorry to hear that..."
Jennifer stated, as she reached out her paw to gently grasp the blue feline's paw.
"That was very heroic of you nonetheless though...to risk your life to save another."
Jennifer stated in a mature and eloquent tone, as Nicole mustered a half smile herself.
"It was nothing...I'm just glad the kid is okay up there in the land of the living."
Nicole had a very melancholic weariness in her voice, almost sorrow filled.
"My recovery should be in a month on Earth, or three months as Alyssa explained to me; as my guardian angel."
Jennifer's face soon turned to a warm and compassionate expression.
"Well, I am glad you are able to go back to the land of the living...many who reside here in New Haven and Purgatory...never had the chance to experience that..."
Nicole's expression shifted to one of confusion, as she placed a loose fur follicle behind her ear and fixed it in place.
"What do you mean?"
"Most of us never experienced Earth, we were just born here in purgatory without a rhyme or reason...we get to view your world from here in videos, but never able to to visit..."
Jennifer looked down, as Eddie wrapped an arm around her shoulders to comfort her.
Nicole had a guilty expression as she heard the female vulpes' words.
"I'm...I'm sorry if I-"
Jennifer quickly stepped in to reassure Nicole before she could complete her sentence.
"Hey...It's okay Nicky! Can I call you Nicky? It sounds like it fits you well!"
Nicole smirked slightly, as she nodded.
"It's fine, it's a common nickname I had back in my old world."
"Awesome! To be completely honest Nicole, I'd much rather visit your world than visit it! It seems...a lot more stressful and less convenient than our own here in purgatory! But at the same time...there are a lot of beautiful landmarks and places I'd love to visit!"
Jennifer smiled with her jubilant tone, as Nicole chuckled.
"Yeah...there are a nice few places that are beautiful in our world on Earth. You're also right about it being more stressful and less convenient than your world...it's a LOT of stress if I am completely honest..."
Nicole stated, as Jennifer looked towards Eddie.
"Ha! I knew that Earth girl was full of crap at the party we went to! She was trying to paint the perfect picture of what her time was like down there, and I knew she was bluffing! Nicole just confirmed it!"
Jennifer had a pompous boom to her voice on the sidewalk, as Alyssa chuckled.
"Jen, I can tell you're already a pretty fun and cool gal to be around!"
Jennifer smiled with a friendly demeanor, dropping her smug attitude about besting the Earth girl at the party in the past.
"Why, thanks Alyssa! My brother has some quarrels and objections to my behavior sometimes...but I do keep a good balance between being moral and having fun!"
Eddie joined in the conversation as well from hearing this.
"If your brother Jake could hear that now, he would DEFINITELY object to what you just said! Haha!"
"Yeah, well he's busy at the library right now with his voluntary archivist position, isn't he Eddie?!"
Jennifer said with a snarky tone, as Alyssa had an almost "Eureka!" expression come over her.
"Excuse me for interrupting the fun here, but did you say your brother worked at the New Haven library?"
Jennifer stopped laughing alongside Eddie, as she turned back to the two feline ladies.
"Yes? Why do you ask, Alyssa?"
"Well, I was just contemplating on how to teach Nicole here how she can become better acquainted with her surroundings! Could your brother possibly help assist her at one of the computers tomorrow?"
Jennifer looked to Eddie, who simply shrugged his shoulders.
"Well...I am heading to my boyfriend's place here in the feline district to hang out for the night, but I can certainly call my brother in the morning and ask him if he's willing to take one more shift! He certainly doesn't mind helping people, and with the added magic currency and a lovely girl like Nicole involved? I'm sure that will persuade him enough to reconsider a day off."
Nicole blushed slightly at the compliment Jen gave her, slightly smiling uncomfortably.
"Perfect! That settles it then!"
Alyssa said, as she clapped her paws together.
"Well, we'd love to stay and chat, but I have to take Ms. Senicourt to her new place in the feline district! Also, Eddie? You do realize Jennifer needs a visitor pass here like all the other districts in the city that are not native to her species...considering she's a fox amongst...many cats...big and small."
Eddie chuckled, as he waved his paw.
"Wayyyyy ahead of you Liz!"
Eddie presented a small I.D visitor card from his pocket, displaying all the necessary information Jennifer needed to stay in the feline district; including her picture.
"Ah okay, that's great to know!"
Alyssa smiled, as she embraced Eddie.
"Well, it was nice to catch up with you Eddie, and again, it was a pleasure to meet you Jennifer!"
Jennifer smiled.
"Likewise Alyssa! As it was great to be introduced to the newest addition, Nicole! You'll really enjoy living on your own terms here Nicky! It's the polar opposite of Earth!"
Alyssa crossed her arms.
"Within reason and moral law set in place by Death of course, Jenny!"
She raised an eyebrow with a smile that would convey in words: "No extracurricular funny business!"
Jennifer just chuckled nervously, as she held Eddie's paw.
"Of course! Eddie is here to always ensure we don't get into danger or trouble! Isn't that right Eddie?"
Jennifer squeezed Eddie's paw to play along.
"Uhhhhh, yeah! Yeah of course!"
Alyssa rolled her eyes.
"Alriiiiight, whatever you saaaay! Have fun you two! It was nice catching up!"
Alyssa and Nicole both waved to the couple, as they began to walk away.
"They seemed nice!"
Nicole stated with a calm, yet complimentary tone; as Alyssa nodded.
"Yeah...but Eddie was always a case when he was a kid...always rambunctious..."
Nicole confused, inquired further.
"But...didn't you just say he was one of the kindest and purest souls that was ever born into Purgatory?"
"That's just to avoid suspicion, and to let on that I don't know anything about his TRUE nature: A silly nincompoop!"
Nicole and Alyssa both laughed with each other, as they both walked to the apartment.
(If "Somebody to Love by Queen" is compatible with your device, please press play now)
Jake opened his eyes, as the ringing from his phone had awoken him, its vibrant screen flashing a name across the screen.
"Ahhhhh...it's my day off..."
Jake said to himself, as he wiped his eyes groggily and focused his eyes further on the screen; holding the phone in his claws.
He soon came to his senses when he saw the name on the screen: "Jennifer"
He quickly accepted the call, swiping it with one of his fingers, and answering.
"Jen? Is everything alright? You didn't get hurt at Eddie's place did you?"
"Good morning to you too big bro! Geez, you really need to loosen up sometimes!"
Jake sighed of relief, as he continued to rub his eyes to regain his composure of his surroundings.
"Well, I'll assume- *yawn* I'll assume that means you're alright?"
Jennifer chuckled at the other end of the line.
"I'm fine, Jake. More than fine, I had a relaxing and fun night with Eddie no worries! I actually called for a favor..."
Jake pinched his nose.
"Oh boy, if this is another one of those "Can I have some magic?" favors, and then it turns out that you spent it on something completely unnecessary-"
"No, no! It's nothing like that, I swear! It's actually something that involves your part-time job at the library!"
Jake was confused, Jennifer hardly mentioned anything in relation to his job; so this was rather surprising coming from her.
"Wha-what do you need, sis?"
"Well, there's a new arrival from Earth that just arrived here, she's only meant to be here for a few months. She's connected to Eddie's friend, Alyssa, you know her by chance? She's a guardian angel?"
Jake nodded.
"I think I do...snow leopard? She has a few clients of hers that come to the library looking for a bit of information on how we live in purgatory. She's a bit flamboyant and eccentric, right?"
Jennifer let out a hardy laugh.
"Yep! That's the one! You're pretty funny sometimes, even if it's not intentional!"
Jake let out a soft chuckle.
"Thanks sis, but...what does this Alyssa need from me?"
"Well...you just said it! Her client's name is Nicole, same age as you, blue feline. She should be coming to the library sometime today, and I suggested on your behalf that you could assist her at one of the computers to help her become better acquainted with New Haven!"
Jake rolled his eyes.
"Alyssa I don't know if I-"
"You'll do it?! Thank you SO much Jake! I knew I could count on my older brother! Love you!"
Before Jake could utter another word after being abruptly interrupted, the line went dead.
"Of course you would hang up on me, you conniving little minx..."
Jake rolled his eyes and chuckled to himself, as he arose from the bed.
"Well...one more shift couldn't hurt..."
20 Minutes later...
Jake opened the doors to the library, as ironically enough, Luke was there once more.
"Oh! Jake! I didn't expect you to come in today! Wasn't this supposed to be your day off?"
Jake smiled, as he moved to the back of the receptionist desk, and placed his bag next to it.
"Yeah it was, but it was a favor asked by my sister. A friend of Eddie's is a guardian angel, and this client of hers just arrived; and I was asked to help assist her."
Luke gave a warm smile.
"Well, well! I didn't know you were so great at your job that you were being requested!"
Both fox and German shepherd let out hardy chuckles.
"I guess I was unaware as well, Luke..."
Luke smiled once more with Jake finishing his words, placing a paw on his shoulder.
"Well, good luck my dear friend. I'm sure you'll be fine in handling that favor, you kinda ARE the best archivist we have and you handle the introductions to New Haven quite well."
Jake rubbed the back of his neck scruff and fur with his paw.
"I'm humbled Luke, but I'm really just doing this since I like history and it's a quiet job for a little extra magic."
Luke chuckled.
"Always the humility...welp! I better get going to assist some customers! Before I go though, I will say that some of the computers have been a little wonky the past few weeks, so I would suggest using some of the new flat screen monitors that just arrived this morning! They have better quality for pixels and are much more...well...crisp!"
Luke finished stating, as Jake gave a playful salute.
"Duly noted!"
Both friends waved to each other, as Jake sat in the rotating circular chair behind the front desk.
"Well...I guess I'll play that water sorting puzzle game on my phone while I'm waiting..."
10 Minutes Later
"Damn it!"
Jake said to himself, as he was struggling with one of the more advanced levels. Despite the simplicity of just sorting vials of colored water, the game became surprisingly difficult as the player would reach the higher levels.
Before Jake could compose himself to retry the current level once more, the doors to the library opened; and his attention turned to them.
Walking towards him, with the sunshine gleaming and glistening her soft blue fur; appearing as an angel before the unsuspecting fox. She was wearing a white polo shirt, and greys skirt, similar to the one she had worn to the Rainbow Factory back on Earth, except she didn't have her company pin on her chest.
She was a natural beauty to Jake, a girl he would only see in the movies...but no...this was real!
She appeared to be walking in slow motion towards him, carrying her purse sling on her shoulder, as she carried herself with complete confidence...at least, that was Jake's perception.
"Woah..."
Was all the fox could say to himself subconsciously, as she looked to the fox with a questioning glare.
"Hi, you must be Jake? I was told that you were the one that could help me understand New Haven a little better?"
Jake was absolutely infatuated, his heartbeat was rapid, and his breaths fast and shallow. His palms and paw pads became sweaty, everything felt hot.
"Why am I sweating? Get a grip Jake! She just asked you a question!"
Jake tried to compose himself to mutter or vocalize anything to acknowledge her question, but he was completely dumbfounded, causing the female feline to raise an eyebrow.
"Are...you okay?"
Nicole asked, as Jake felt a stream of sweat drip from his head.
"Say something! You absolute incompetent fox!"
Then...the Fox felt as if the world around him ceased to move forward...time itself stopped.
"Am...Am I feeling what they call in the movies..."Love at first sight"?!"
END OF CHAPTER