5:00PM, Feline District, New Haven
Nicole and Jake ran together on the sidewalk, evading fellow anthro pedestrians as they made their way to Jennifer's and Eddie's apartment.
The wind had intensified slightly since they first entered the coffee shop on Yarn-Ball Avenue, and Nicole started to feel it. The cool air began displacing some of the fur on top of her head, as well as Jake's, which now began to look completely ruffled, orange fur displaced in every direction.
"Woah! Do you- do you usually get wind storms like this?!"
Nicole asked, as Jake let out a chuckle.
"Well, periodically, although the good thing about this is you don't have to worry about any power outages like you did on Earth! Our power grid is completely invulnerable to any exterior environmental factors like weather!"
Nicole was somewhat relieved to hear this. She always dreaded intense weather, especially when it was wind that would bring a chill to the air back in Elmore...she recollected on past instances in her childhood and early teens where some of her evenings walking home from school extracurricular activities, would see wind and rain storms much akin to this one her and Jake were experiencing now.
Nicole soon began to shiver, the cold wind cutting through her fur like a knife and piercing her nerves. She could handle the warm summers and heat waves of Elmore, that was no issue...but she LOATHED feeling cold...
Jake quickly noticed this, and stopped her by placing his paw on her shoulder.
"Hey? Are you okay?"
Nicole didn't notice Jake's voice at first, being immersed in her own thoughts, but soon reengaged with her surroundings to see Jake giving a compassionate, but concerned look to her.
"Oh! Y-yeah, *shivers* yeah Jake, I'm fine..."
Nicole always tried to hide her weakness, remaining stoic as her main defense to remain tough. Her parents would always cite Marcus Aurelius' stoicism philosophy to incite that "tough love" approach...but just beneath the surface...Nicole was just yearning for compassion and understanding...not some girl that could be used for "Merit points".
Jake knew in his gut that she was lying, trying to hide her true feelings, and quickly unzipped his beige jacket that he was wearing.
"Jake? What are you doing?"
The tall athletic fox soon wrapped his jacket around the shivering blue feline, as she quickly embraced the extra warmth that was offered.
"Nicole? It's okay to accept help you know...is there something you're not telling me?"
The blue feline held her forearm with one of her paws and held a regretful expression.
"Why...why don't we get to Eddie's and your sister's apartment first? At least we won't have the wind hounding us when we are talking!"
Jake gave a slight smile, as they continued running down the many blocks of the feline district.
Nicole once again retreated into her subconscious, as she accompanied and remained close to Jake.
She really didn't want to be transparent on her past...but she felt guilty not coming clean...especially with Jake being so transparent with her on his terrible past with his sister at the hands of Nate Drexler.
But...she truly felt a close connection with Jake...something was there, tangible, just underneath the surface...she hadn't felt this way since she met-
Nicole shook her head...that path was gone...at least temporarily. She couldn't worry about her life back on Earth...when the possibility of one being made here for these 3 months was within her grasp.
Soon, the two young adult anthro's approached an apartment complex.
"Well, this is it!"
Jake quickly moved underneath the awning of the apartment complex entrance, and quickly buzzed Eddie's apartment number.
"Helloooooooo?"
"Hey Jen, do you and Eddie mind if I come visit for a bit? I uh...have a guest here that I think would love to hang out with the 3 of us."
There was a cheer of happiness over the intercom, as Jake and Nicole both smiled at one another from the obviously happy reaction that Jennifer just had.
"Of course you can big bro! Eddie and I would be glad to have you and your guest up to visit!"
"Thanks Jen, we'll be up in a bit!"
Jake released his claw from the apartment complex intercom, turning towards Nicole with a smile over his face.
"Well, judging from the cheering we just heard..."
Nicole giggled.
"You'd say they're excited?"
"VERY!"
Both young adult anthro's made their way through the main lobby of the apartment complex, which was much more modern and cleanly than anything Nicole had seen on Earth in Elmore.
There was not a spec of dust or uncleanliness that she could spot, and everything appeared to be well maintained. It was a recurring spectacle that she was graced with, and a motif she had almost become accustomed to already, and welcomed...this truly was a place of spiritual omnipotence.
Nicole kept gazing at the warm burgundy colors that littered the lobby, providing a warm and tranquil atmosphere wherever she assessed. She truly wanted to find a shortfall of some sort, a noteworthy analyzation of something she could direct towards the staff that needed improvement...but she could find none. In hindsight, she felt guilty that she WAS attempting to scan her environment for imperfections...something that was drilled into her by her parents, Mary and Daniel, as a mandate of how a young lady should conduct herself through life.
She didn't hate them for striving to see her daughter succeed...just that it was excessive...and devoid of something she also craved...love and support.
Nicole shook her head, as she felt a small claw tap her shoulder.
"Hey...are you alright?"
Her senses were soon soothed, as she was engulfed back into her current reality...where, at least temporarily, she could place her past life on hold for a moment...
She glanced to her shoulder, and noticed the soft and gentle touch of an orange hand and index claw.
The blue feline then trailed her eyes, focusing upon her date...Jake, the young male fox who had been so kind to her ever since she entered the library yesterday.
"Y-yeah, I'm okay, just flustered by the place, that's all Jake..."
The male fox chuckled, as he began to nod.
"Yeah, it's going to be like that for a few days for you, you're new to all of this still; there's a lot of beauty to this place that you've only begun to see first hand. You're just scratching the surface..."
The young adult anthros made their way to the elevator, before Nicole grabbed the arm of Jake.
"Say...why don't we take the stairs?"
"The stairs...you want some exercise?"
Nicole fixed some fur out of her eye, slightly adjusting it to the side of her face.
"Well, that...but also, I want to see how fast you are..."
Jake had a confused smile, but began to shift to a warm smile.
"Is it because I'm a fox? We're some of the most agile predators here in New Haven..."
"Partly the reason, but mostly it's just some fun competition I wanted to have with you, it's been an enjoyable date so far...let's make it even more enjoyable, shall we?"
Jake flicked his tail playfully, before stepping towards the apartment complex grand staircase. He turned the knob, opening the door, before bowing as he pointed to the open doorway.
"Ladies first, Madame Senicourt..."
Nicole pretended to blush, as she began walking to the doorway swinging her tail like a pendulum.
"Didn't know you foxes were so cordial..."
"We have our moments..."
As both adult anthros stood at the base of the staircase, they both turned and smiled at one another.
"I believe this is yours, I don't think I need it right now...thank you again for lending it, that was very kind of you."
Nicole grasped the beige jacket and returned it to Jake, who quickly wrapped the sleeves around his waist, tying a know to ensure it wouldn't slip off.
"Of course, I hated seeing you cold, so feel free to ask me anytime. Perhaps I could even take you for a date to the New Haven mall if you wanted to shop for a jacket of your choice sometime! Unless, the thin jean jacket you're wearing will suffice for you..."
Jake sheepishly rubbed the back of his head in slight shyness at asking Nicole if she wanted to go the mall together, but his sincerity and genuine tone really caught Nicole's attention . He really enjoyed having the company of a girl it seemed...something he wasn't acquainted with his entire life, but quickly beginning to become accustomed to now in the brief company of Nicole.
The blue female feline chuckled at the adorable request, before smiling warmly.
"Well...how about a deal?"
The male fox's ears soon perked upright, and his pupils dilated.
"A d-deal?"
"Yeah! I'll accept your request, but let's spice it up a little, shall we?"
Jake nodded, a little anxious at what the deal Nicole was proposing.
"O-okay..."
"Wonderful, but first I have to know which floor Eddie's and Jen's apartment is on first."
"It's the very last floor, the seventh.
"Oooooooo, perfect!"
Nicole took off her jean jacket, and wrapped it around her waist tightly.
"Here's the deal then...if I win the race up to the top floor, YOU have to pay for the cost of the jacket I pick out at the mall when we meet next occasion. If you win, I'll pay for it...sound like a fun little challenge?"
Jake felt relieved from hearing this challenge and bet...actually, he felt pretty happy! It was a win-win scenario!
Jake liked being the gentleman and helping Nicole, so losing wasn't a bad prospect, and winning wasn't either...but he would rather see Nicole happy and not having her pay out of her magical currency if she didn't have to...he reached a conclusion then and there...he was going to sacrifice the win...for her sake...she deserved to be happy given her circumstances...and if he could do it here, with this opportunity, he was going to seize it.
"Alrighty then...you're on!"
Jake put a bit of competitive flare on his remarks, hoping it would spark a greater initiative in Nicole to defeat him in the race. He wanted to maintain a steady pace with her to create the impression that he was enthusiastic to win, but just enough leeway to give her the edge to cross the finish line first at the top of the staircase.
"You sound pretty eager to start!"
"Well, it'll be something interesting to try! I've heard about feline agility and how seamless it can be to climb objects and obstacles, so seeing it first hand? Consider me honored to be in your presence Madame Senicourt."
Jake dawned a French accent at the end humorously, causing Nicole to chuckle.
"Alright then buster, are you ready to have some fun?"
"Ready when you are!"
Nicole firmly grated her claws against the concrete with her feet, as she assumed a staunch position.
Jake did the same, flicking his tail in excitement as he prepared himself for the fast ascent.
"Want to do a countdown or-"
Before Jake could finish posing his question to the blue feline, she quickly dashed past him, pouncing up to the wall and digging her claws and climbing, performing acrobatics in the air so seamlessly, Jake was barely able to process her movements in real-time.
"Haha! Having the element of surprise favors the winners in life, Jake! You're going to have to be a lot quicker than that!"
Nicole shouted downwards towards the male red fox, as he continued to stare in awe.
"Okay...I genuinely expected her to be good...but I had NO idea she was this good..."
Jake finally snapped from his inner monologue, and quickly began his ascent, vaulting, sprinting, and climbing with the employ of his own claws to quickly shorten the distance between himself and Nicole.
Surprisingly, even to himself, he quickly gained enough edge to be neck and neck with her, running together up each individual step in fiery determination.
Nicole felt alive, her pulse and blood were pumping, it enhanced everything around her, her adrenaline gave her a hunger to win...she WAS going to make sure she triumphed in this...
"YEAHAHAHAHAHA! WOOOOOOOOOO!"
Nicole shouted, as she was smiling from ear to ear...she was truly loving this.
Jake was directly beside her, but he was feeling alive for another reason totally opposite to what Nicole was feeling competitively in this race with him.
His entire world seemed to linger in slow motion, as his eyes met her.
Jake was taking in all of her happiness...her infectious smile and laughter, her gorgeous eyes and fur...everything about her had him star struck and flabbergasted...he couldn't deny it any longer...he was madly in love with her. The more time they spent together on this date...and the more they shared in their words and experiences...the deeper the attraction grew within Jake.
This slowed motion continued for a few moments, as Jake couldn't help but smile at her as well.
"Hey, come to think of it, why am I not feeling any stai-"
*WOOSH!* *CRASH!* *BOOM!* *BANG!*
The red male fox sent himself spiraling down the stairs, inadvertently of course.
He thought the tumbling would never end, as he finally reached the end of the staircase of one of the apartment floors.
"Jake? Jake?!"
Jake could hear Nicole's voice faintly, as he tried to open his eyes, only to be greeted with blurred vision.
He could make out a blue apparition, that quickly came into focus over him...Nicole.
"Jake?! Say something! Are you okay?!"
Jake could feel her paw on his forehead, as he shook himself back to being alert and conscious.
"Wha-...What happened?"
Nicole exhaled, as her expression changed to one of genuine relief and concern.
"Oh Jake...you really did scare me for a moment...you lost your footing on one of the steps, and it looks like you slipped and fell backwards down the stairs..."
Jake adjusted his posture, raising himself upwards to lean against the wall behind him.
"Oh okay...so that's why I didn't feel the next step...that makes more sense now..."
Nicole gave a soft smile and rolled her eyes, before noticing a crucial detail on Jake...he didn't bare any injuries, bruises or marks...in fact, it was hardly as if he fell at all!
Nicole was stunned, as Jake noticed her expression.
"What's wrong?"
"Jake...you...you're not bruised or injured?"
Jake's eyes opened wide, as he realized he left one of the more crucial details of purgatory out of his explanation.
"Oh crap! I left that out...sorry..."
"Left what out?"
Jake then used his strength to pick himself up, as Nicole stood up as well.
"Here in purgatory...or well...New Haven...injuries, that would normally threaten your mortality on Earth...are not the case here."
Nicole was confused at first, but then the realization hit her.
"So...we really ARE immortal while we're here?"
Jake nodded.
"Pretty much! I mean...it takes dying on Earth to be here, or by other unconventional means...so it really wouldn't make sound logical sense to die again, since we're basically physical spirits."
Nicole pondered for a moment to absorb this information.
"Gee...each moment I'm here, I learn something new!"
Jake chuckled.
"It really is a wonderful place once you become adjusted to it."
The red fox then motioned his head towards the staircase.
"How about...we consider that a win for you, huh?"
Nicole let out a soft and warm chuckle, as she nodded.
"I think that's fair, how did you even fall anyway? Did you lose your footing?"
Jake scratched the back of his neck, blushing secretly.
"Yeah...something like that..."
Nicole paced herself upwards for a few steps, before stopping and looking back at Jake.
"Well then...let's just walk up the stairs this time to reach Eddie's and Jennifer's place, agreed?"
Jake smiled, as he looked up and saw Nicole smiling back at him; his heart melting even further.
"Agreed."
The two young adult anthros soon approached a blank white door at the end of a long hallway scattered with similar doorframes.
"This is the place!"
Nicole was utterly confused, this was just a random door in a sea of them in this hallway, how could Jake tell this was Eddie and Jennifer's apartment?
"Uh...Jake? How can you tell this is-"
"Oh! Right! One sec-"
Jake turned to face the female blue feline.
"Okay...I want you to close your eyes real quick."
Nicole closed her eyes, as Jake nodded.
"Okay good, now, I want you to silently state in your mind the word "Scan Environment".
"So...just that phrase, silently?"
"Yep!"
Nicole clenched her hands in concentration, blocking out any distractions in her mind.
"Scan Environment"
Upon saying this, Nicole's eyes opened, revealing to her the pictures of the residents who lived or were currently occupying each apartment room.
"Woah! Jake!"
Nicole stumbled for a bit, clearly overwhelmed by the sheer detail and scale of the holographic projections by her mind, as she was about to lose her footing and fall to the floor.
Jake's eyes widened, as he saw what was about to occur.
The blue feline was about to hit her back against the the apartment complex floor, when she felt a hand gently hold her back, and another hand grabbing one of hers.
Both were exasperated, one from anxiety of seeing the other hurt herself, and the other a complete rush of almost falling and what she saw in her eyes and mind.
Both stared deeply into the others eyes, trying to catch their breath.
As to not make the situation any more awkward, Jake said the first thing that came to mind.
"H-hi..."
Nicole gave a nervous, but amused smile, as she kept staring into the male fox's blue eyes. They were a gorgeous sky blue...he had the look of years of fatigue and loneliness...but...a hidden kindness that longed to be set free...
"H-hi...thanks for stopping me from falling..."
"D-don't...don't mention it..."
Both the young man and young woman shared a quiet exchange of nervous laughter, before the door next to them suddenly opened.
"-Yeah! I'm just checking the hallway for them Ed! Maybe they are still trying to find the apar- Oh!"
Jennifer was at first startled by the sight in front of her, but quickly had an expression of amused joy, when she saw her older brother holding Nicole as if they had just finished dancing the tango.
"Well...if I knew you two were aching to dance...I would have invited you in sooner! Eddie has a surround sound stereo system that would be perfect for that!"
The vixen leant against the doorframe with a smug expression now, as Jake and Nicole both looked at one another, and then back at Jen.
"Uh...hi again, Jen!"
Both anthros said in unison, as Jennifer quickly giggled.
"Come on in you two, we're more than happy that you're here!"
After removing their jackets, Jake and Nicole were stunned by the large studio apartment...it almost appeared as if the dimensions couldn't possibly fit inside the building! But then again...this WAS New Haven after all...
"Well, make yourselves at home you two!"
Jennifer said jubilantly, as she plopped herself onto the large sofa in the middle of the room.
"Eddie should be out to join us any minute now, he's just in the shower."
Nicole was still stunned by how tidy everything was...it was quite...modern, yet had a futuristic style to it that she had not seen in Elmore...or anywhere on Earth!
"Jennifer...if I may ask...how do you and Eddie keep this place so pristine and tidy?!"
The vixen simply smiled in a friendly manner, before flicking her fingers and claws together.
"A little magic can go a long way, Nicky! Something you will soon discover in your stay here in New Haven!"
Jake rolled his eyes with a smile.
"If only you had such consideration for cleanliness back at my place!"
Jennifer playfully slapped her tail in her older brother's face gently, as Jake laughed.
"I'll be sure to write it down on my "To do list" for the next time Eddie and I visit, big brother!"
An abrupt opening of the washroom door across the room, saw Eddie exiting the washroom, this time clothed to much of the appreciation of Jake.
"Oh! You're here! Perfect timing too! We were just about to pull out some of my killer pizza that Jennifer helped me make last night!"
Eddie was soundly jubilant, as Jennifer nervously chuckled.
"What's up sis?"
"Well...one of the pizza pies we made together was killer...the other one on the hand was promptly...uh, killed"
Eddie bellowed a hearty laugh, as he recalled the memory from last night.
"Well, it's a good thing you suggested to do a test of trying to bake one pizza separately from the other, in which case we would have burnt up two of our pizzas!"
Jake smiled, as he gave a surprise hug to Jennifer.
"Well, at least you're the voice of reason for some things!"
Jennifer promptly accepted the hug, after being caught off guard and startled.
"You really should give me more credit, most of the time I just like to tease you...buuuuuut! I do know what's right and wrong...despite the contrary of your sentiments of me..."
Jake smirked.
"I know...you really have come a long way sis, and I'm always so proud of you and what you have done."
"Really?!"
"Always...you're not just a sibling to me, but one of my closest friends..."
This made Jennifer feel warm and fuzzy with affection, as she promptly hugged her brother tighter.
"I love you, Jake..."
"I love you too, Jen..."
Both siblings shared their hug for a few moments longer, as Nicole and Eddie stared onwards with smiles across their faces.
"Well, how about I liven up this place a little with some tunes! It's time to celebrate the night with our guests of honor, Nicole and Jake, to their continued successful date together!"
Jake and Nicole collectively blushed upon hearing this, as Jennifer walked over to the sound system with a smile.
"Oooooo! Here's a good song! And it's all the way from Earth!"
(If "Sugar" by Maroon 5 is compatible with your device, please press play now!)
Nicole's ears soon perked up, as she heard the familiar tune that she heard so many times playing on the radio in Elmore.
"Oh my God! I love this song!"
"You do too?! It's one of Eddie's and I's favorite songs to dance to! As a matter of fact-"
Jennifer walked over to the cheetah, who was smiling warmly at his vixen companion.
"Care for a little dance, Ed?"
The cheetah gently grasped hands and claws with Jennifer, as they moved to a more spacious part of the room.
"With you? How could I say no?"
The couple soon began dancing to a medium tempo, as Nicole was sitting next to Jake. Jake did notice something though...and it was happening right next to him.
Jake shifted his head to his side, and noticed that Nicole was swinging her tail to the beat of the song, seemingly entranced and uplifted by it, to the point where she didn't even notice that she was softly hitting Jake's tail while doing it. Not only that, but she tapping her feet as well, silently screaming to the world that she wanted to dance.
Jake smiled, but then retreated into his own thoughts.
"Should I ask her? Would this be...weird or awkward? So early into knowing each other and already asking for a dance? Well...sometimes you only get one chance...here we go..."
"Uh...Nicole?"
Nicole seemingly snapped out of her trance with the song, and watching Eddie and Jennifer dance, and swiftly turned her head to lock eyes with the male red fox.
"Oh! Yes Jake? Something on your mind?"
Jake took a mental deep breath, these next few words were going to be the hardest question he had ever posed to anyone in his young adult life...but he was certainly going to try.
"Would you...like to dance as well? Together?"
Jake scratched the back of his neck, and he had completely burst into a full on blush.
Nicole giggled to herself internally.
"I never thought an apex predator like him could be so shy...he looks so nervous too..."
Nicole placed her hand on Jake's, as the red fox was surprised by this at first, before glancing to the blue female feline who was smiling lovingly towards him.
"I'd be delighted to dance with you, Jake..."
Jake's heart fluttered, the hard part was over...or at least one of the hardest parts of this interaction...he never danced with a girl before, so he wasn't sure HOW this would transpire...but he also felt...a sense of great happiness and joy?!
Nicole soon arose from the sofa, as she gestured towards the spacious part of the room where Eddie and Jennifer were currently dancing.
"Come on, let's have some more fun this evening, huh? After all, I gotta repay you back for that extra coffee you bought for me.."
Jake was completely entranced now, he couldn't believe this was actually happening! 48 Hours ago, he was nothing more than a part-time archivist at the New Haven library, and now he was about to dance for the first time in his life, on the also equally momentous first date! He almost had to pinch himself...he really couldn't believe it...
As he also arose from the couch, he placed his paw in front of him.
"Care for a dance...Nicole?"
"After the day we have had together? Absolutely."
Nicole then placed her smaller hand and claws into Jake's.
"Let's dance."
*END OF CHAPTER*