The Truth Comes Out
2:00 PM, New Haven Park, Greater New Haven
Luke conjured a coin.
"Alright, so here's what this entails..."
Luke gathered the two females feline and his best buddy fox in a huddle.
"To keep things fair, we're going to have an even split between the genders here. One boy and one girl shall occupy one duo, and the same for the other, we okay with that?"
Nicole, Alyssa, and Jake all collectively nodded, as Luke extended his paw to initiate a "Rock, Papers, Scissors" match.
"Alright, we go by process of elimination here to decide who gets to decide their partner for the game..."
The first round saw Alyssa eliminated first, followed by Luke, leaving only Nicole and Jake to duke it out...
"It seems we're not even in the game yet and we're already adversaries Jake..."
Nicole said with a playful tone in her voice, as Jake gave a warm smile, with a slight wag and flick to his tail.
Rock, Paper, Scissors, shoot!
Outstretching their paws, both feline and fox had drawn paper for their first hand.
Rock, Paper, Scissors, shoot!
Jake had drawn scissors, while Nicole had drawn paper, allowing the male fox to choose his partner for the first game.
Unbeknownst to Nicole, Jake was also very curious about this competitive side to her. What was she like back on Earth?
Jake smiled for a moment, seeing himself triumphant to have won the ability to choose his partner for the game, but as he looked up...he noticed Nicole's expression.
She had a warm smile, but in her eyes, there was a fire burning...like a tumultuous battle of her consciousness saying "I'm happy that you won!" and "You're going to regret that".
Suffice to say, it had Jake caught a little off guard...but strangely enough further intrigued...
The sun was beating down, but the cool breeze offered the perfect conditions to initiate a game of football.
Jake, now the sole decider of who will be the teams for the first game, decided to try a litmus test. Whether or not he would regret this decision later, remained to be seen...
"I think I'm going to have Alyssa for my partner this game!"
Alyssa's eyes lit up, as she ran over and gave Jake a high five, in which Jake promptly accepted.
"Let's DO this, Jake! We can win! I know we can!"
Alyssa was as jubilant as ever in her tone, but Jake glanced over to see Nicole step beside Luke with a sly smirk towards Jake...not malicious just..."You're my friend, but as long as you're over there; you're the enemy" being what Jake had perceived from her stare...her eyes were locked on him... and only him.
"Well girl, I guess we better change into something more fitting for the occasion don't you think? I don't think grass stains and Jeans go well together..."
Alyssa's remarks allowed Nicole to briefly break her gaze away from Jake for a moment to respond.
"O-oh yeah...you're right Alyssa..."
With a snap of their fingers, the feline ladies' attire quickly changed to sport t-shirts with mesh material, as well as athletic shorts that allowed for flexibility for running and to allow for breathability.
Luke and Jake, although trying their hardest not to make their attractions known, still fell privy to the impulses of being guys, as their eyes widened, along with a slight oscillating wag indicating that they were "very happy".
Jake even noticed a little happy canine whimper emit from Luke, but decided not to comment on it...despite knowing that Alyssa and Nicole probably heard it too judging by their laughter and giggling.
"W-was that you Luke?!"
Alyssa chuckled, as Luke's cheeks began to shift to a bright "rogue" on his face.
"Oh! Uhh...sorry...that happens...actually, that rarely ever happens..."
Feeling like her friend was embarrassed, Alyssa quickly jogged over to give the German Shepherd a hug, which only further caused the canine to wag his tail ferociously, and this time, the whine was even more pronounced as he embraced the hug.
This prompted Jake and Nicole to smile warmly at them, as Alyssa looked up to smile at her childhood friend.
"Let's go have some fun together, huh? Football is pretty fun to play with friends!"
She playfully bopped his nose.
"Just make sure you can keep up!"
Alyssa playfully said, as Nicole stepped beside Luke, who was still in a trance over seeing just how beautiful and kind the snow leopard still was since they departed...it was nice to see that she had become more fun loving and boisterous...the complete opposite of the shy girl he met alone in the corner of the angel training academy all those years ago...
"You okay there, Luke? It's almost as if you had just seen an angel! No uh...pun intended of course...hehe..."
Nicole chuckled softly, as Luke snapped out of his daze.
"None...none taken, Nicole...umm...I'd better be clear about what the rules entail for the game though..."
Luke motioned with his paw for everyone to congregate to the middle of the vacant field they were currently in, as Nicole accompanied the German shepherd.
Jake and Alyssa quickly obliged, as the four now met perfectly in the middle of the field.
"Alright, I know you all said that you were familiar with the rules of the game, but we're going to do a slight modification to how this plays out..."
Luke quickly pulled up a holographic projection of their surroundings using his magic, as the overhead view of the field appeared on screen.
"Alright, so given our current position on the field, we lie perfectly adjacent to the two tree lines on the opposite side of each end. We'll use those two tree lines as markers for our "end zones".
Luke motioned his claw and paw to mark the tree lines, before motioning back to the individual dots on the map that represented the four of them playing.
"Running plays are only possible with the passer, the quarter back, once the snapper has thrown the ball back to them; but you are still allowed to throw to the other person once you have possession of the ball. It should even things out since we all opted for the contact version of the sport...thankfully this is Purgatory, otherwise there would be multiple concussions from today...which would disqualify us from playing full contact...for obvious reasons I don't need to go into detail for, as I'm sure you all know."
Luke glanced up to see if all three of his friends were paying attention, and with glee, he was happy to see that they were...but once again he found himself getting back into a trance with Alyssa...whose eyes were trained on him...their aqua tinge pierced his very soul...
His observations were abruptly interrupted, as he noticed an orange paw in front of his face.
"Yoo hoo?! Everything alright bro?"
Jake's voice brought the German Shepherd out of his mental wonderland as his surroundings quickly came back into focus.
Alyssa blushed, as she knew that it was her that had the canine all in a conundrum...ever since they reunited...there's been a strange aura between the two...and now Luke was beginning to understand why Jake had fallen for Nicole so quickly...
"Oh! Y-yeah, I'm fine...thanks Jake...as I was saying..."
Luke promptly pointed back to his holographic map/graph that he had been using.
"We'll leave out field goals as well, and just count each touchdown as seven points, instead of six, to help keep the pace of the game relatively fresh and exciting."
Luke also pondered further, hoping to have planned this all out carefully and with relative easy-to-understand explanation.
"On second thought, to help relieve the snapper from any back trouble, I'm going to include some of my own magic to allow the ball to stand in a horizontal position on the ground, and will snap back to the passer once the person has counted down from three, only being thrown back on the last count."
With everything being resolved on the front of the rules, the German Shepherd conjured the coin that would decide who takes possession of the ball first on offence, and who attempts to defend or retake possession of the ball before the other team reaches their "end zone" and scores seven points.
"Alright Jake, what do you and Alyssa call? Since you won the ability to draft your teammate, it is also only befitting that you call the first coin toss of the game."
Jake looked over to the female snow leopard, who had her paw rested on her chin, obviously contemplating on the decision.
"It's your call Liz, what do you think we should choose?"
"Hmmmm...well, I always had good luck with calling tails in the past...I'm going with my gut! We'll go with tails!"
The female feline cried with enthusiasm in her voice, as Nicole, Luke, and Jake all chuckled at the adorable innocence in her tone.
"Alrighty then! So that leaves Nicole and I with heads...good luck everyone!"
The German Shepherd flicked his thumb, sending the coin relatively high into the air. Nicole and Alyssa being felines, trained their eyes on the object; prone to their still animal half of their DNA, pupils constricting into feline slits. In coinciding with this, Jake and Luke also tapped into the canine aspects of their DNA, wagging their tails with anticipation and excitement as to what the result of the coin toss would be.
What was a few moments, felt like an eternity, as the coin soon impacted onto the swaying soft blades of grass littering the field they were in.
As the four young adult anthros closed in to inspect the coin.
The silver sheen reflected by the sunlight soon gave them their answer: Tails.
"Well Jake, it appears lady luck is by your side today, you get to choose whether you will go on the defensive or offensive today for the first snap!"
Jake smiled, as he looked over to Alyssa.
"Ooo! I want to throw! I really like being the thrower!"
Alyssa jumped with excitement, as Jake and the rest of the snow leopard's friends laughed with her.
"I think that answers that question Luke, it looks like we will take the field as the offence for the first snap!"
Assuming their respective positions, Luke and Nicole covered their defensive end, while Jake took up his position adjacent to Alyssa, to run the length of the field to catch the ball when the snow leopard threw it in his direction.
Luke used his magic to allow the football to stand upright, as Alyssa began her countdown.
"1...2...3!"
On the very moment she uttered the word three, the ball was instantaneously thrown back to her.
Using her feline reflexes, Alyssa quickly snatched the ball being thrown at her, and held it in a protective stance like a professional quarterback.
Jake ran with all of his might, as he quickly blew past his best friend who was unable to match his speed and agility fast enough; leaving the fox to have an open field in front of him...which led to Jake having suspicions of where Nicole was positioned on the field, but at the moment...he was in prime territory to receive a pass and run for the end zone for a touchdown.
Alyssa used all of the strength in her arm to throw the ball quite a few yards into the air, as Jake trained his eyes behind him; attempting to position himself to where the ball would land.
The ball was nearly in his grasp, before he heard Alyssa shout in the distance, prompting his ears to point directly upward.
"Jake! Jake! She's right behind you!"
Now knowing that Nicole was being sneaky in anticipation for the pass, Jake leaped up in the air to beat the blue feline to the punch...but what happened next surprised and bewildered him.
The male red fox maintained possession of the ball, but not before he felt the impact of a mid-air tackle from Nicole, sending him down towards the ground on his back.
A little dazed from the tackle, he found himself looking up to Nicole, who had a playful growl emanate from her mouth; with a equally playful grin to go along with it.
"Keep your head on a swivel Jake, you may have caught the ball this time, but it's not going to be an easy task for you to score points..."
She quickly dusted herself off, before extending a very sportsmanlike paw, to help her friend...and secretly her romantic interest; off of the ground.
"Nonetheless though...nice catch...very impressive!"
Jake was still starstruck...she was a lot stronger than he initially thought...he had only been hit as hard as that by the hands of Nate...back when he was in training...but oddly enough...she had a very cute side to her competitive nature...
"Thanks Nicky...that was very impressive for what you did also! Nice touch to being stealthy and catching me off guard!"
Nicole soon blushed at the compliment, as she adjusted her athletic shorts out of an anxious tick.
"Oh well...it's...something that was taught to me and an old friend back in karate...having the element of surprise allows you to have an edge over your opponent...thanks Jake..."
Both friends soon departed, looking back at one another with a smile on their faces...Nicole would never admit it, but the intensity she had started with in her mind for the game...got toned down just a little by the kind aura of the fox.
Jake made his way back to his designated position on the field, adjacent to Alyssa, who was eagerly waiting for the ball to snap in her direction. Due to the yardage gained from the throw Alyssa made, and the catch that Jake had made, they were directly on top of the end zone...perfect for a run play.
Jake and Alyssa consolidated with each other in a mini huddle.
"So...you want me to fake a run, and hand it off to you?"
"Yes, and with the focus being put on you, that should allow me to run into the end zone for a touchdown!"
"Oooooo! That sounds super cooooool!"
The snow leopard was especially jubilant in her voice, leading to both Luke and Nicole smiling and giggling to themselves, even if they didn't understand the context of why they were laughing. The attitude and personality of the female feline was just infectious to everyone around her.
"Alright...you ready?"
Alyssa nodded with complete affirmation and determination in response to her fox teammate.
"LET'S DO THIS!"
Her triumphant roar echoed throughout the park, as Jake stood a few feet from her to the side, as he assumed a running stance...trying to simulate a passing play as best as he could.
When the ball finally snapped, Jake ran with all of his might, as Alyssa quickly ran alongside him.
Luke remained focused on Alyssa, as she drew him away from Jake, before handing off the football to the male fox; who was ready to carry the ball to the end zone.
But...of course...no plan ever goes accordingly.
Nicole had called their bluff, and was a formidable defender as she had shown earlier with the tackle on Jake.
Grinning as she stood at the very line of the end zone, Jake had to think of something quickly.
"Nowhere to run Jake!"
Jake smirked, as both young adult anthros deadlocked in their gaze's.
Nicole was fully prepared to stop him in his tracks...but Jake held one more trick up his sleeve.
"I wouldn't be so sure Nicole!"
With complete precision, Jake flipped into the air, vaulting over the unsuspecting blue feline as he planted his paws into the soft grass below...directly in the end zone.
Nicole stood with shock...and was also thoroughly impressed by the intuitive adaptability that Jake had...he could have contested her tackle and tried to run in...but he instead flipped over her...
Jake held the football in his paws, before respectfully handing it to the blue feline with a genuine, kind smile.
"I mean...you did tell me to keep my head on a swivel, right?"
Nicole's ears were perked, and her eyes widened with genuine surprise...she truly had underestimated Jake unconsciously, but the male fox was more resilient than she could have ever imagined...Mr. Drexler must have put him through hell in his training with him and his sister...
Nicole smirked, faintly blushing...she was not only spiritually attracted, but also physically. The way his tail flowed in the wind, the playful twitches of his ears, his smile...his piercing blue eyes that stared into her very soul with concern, care...and perhaps love?
Whatever the case, the game still had to go on, and she was the one carrying the ball in her possession.
New Haven Park, 5:00PM, Greater New Haven, Purgatory
The four anthro friends were thoroughly enjoying the games they had taken turns playing on offence and defence, but with the sun soon setting for the evening, this was going to be the last snap of the day.
"Alright guys! I think after this one, we call it a day! I don't know about you guys, but all of this today is making me hungry!"
Luke called out from his quarterback position behind the ball, as he counted down for the final paly of the day.
"3...2...1!"
The ball was snapped with accurate precision, as Alyssa rushed Luke, laughing adorably as she did so, utilizing her feline speed to close the gap between herself and the passer.
"Woah! Woah! Since when did you get so fast?! Haha!"
Luke was absolutely loving the adrenaline rush, as the female snow leopard pounced on his back for the ball.
"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme...the BALLLLLL!"
Both the German Shepherd and Snow Leopard were giggling, as it appeared the last snap would result in a "sack", where the defender prevents the quarterback from throwing the ball to the receiver in time.
Miraculously, as luck would have it, Luke let out one last shout to his teammate, who was eagerly waiting for the pass down the field; determination in her eyes to run and score a touchdown.
With a final Hail Mary attempt, Luke threw the hardest pass he could throw while having Alyssa glued to his back, the ball spiraling perfectly through the air.
Nicole's eyes turned to slits, as she watched the ball go in slow motion, in complete desperation.
Luke, who had been covering her on defence, quickly rushed to intercept the ball.
Just as it appeared that Nicole would catch the ball, she lost her grip on the ball, as it popped overhead, past her shoulder toward the ground...resulting in an incomplete pass.
But that wasn't Jake's concern now, the concern lay in Nicole. She had completely lost her composure to properly brace herself during her fall to the ground after leaping high into the air to catch the ball.
Jake had heard that felines could always land on their feet from near impossible heights, but he really didn't want to test that out here...he had made up his mind to help her.
Using every last burst of speed he had, he slid on his knees, his fur tearing up bits of ground and grass around him; as he laid out his arms.
Nicole braced for what was sure to be one of the hardest impacts she had ever felt in her life...first the Golden Gate Bridge, and now this?!
As she closed her eyes tightly, she was ready for the smack of Earth to hit her back with full force...but strangely enough it never came.
Instead, in its place, she felt something...strong, but still gentle and firm. She heard exasperated panting above her, and wondered just exactly what it was.
Opening her eyes slowly, she looked up...and saw the most handsome set of eyes staring back down at her...
Blue...as clear as the ocean on a sunny day with the refraction of light cascading its surface...and a smile that cut through her like butter...
"Oh thank goodness...that was close...Nicky are you alri-"
Before he could finish his question, Jake was overwhelmed with a hug that would send his senses into complete disarray and disorder.
"Jake...thank you..."
Jake's eyes widened once more, as he embraced the hug she initiated...it was a warm, genuine hug that brought him on cloud nine...
In the distant part of the field, Nicole and Jake turned to see Luke and Alyssa also hugging each other, Alyssa's laugh being as infectious as it was, caused Luke to laugh with her.
Both friends, now recently reunited, pressed their foreheads together.
"I missed you Liz..."
"I missed you too Luke..."
Nicky and Jake smiled at the sight, as they noticed the sun set over the trees and dip into the horizon...dusk had finally settled in...
New Haven Park, 8:00PM, Greater New Haven, Purgatory
After the four friends had used their magic to freshen up the sweat they had accumulated in the few hours they had been together playing and working out, all four returned to the park.
Nicole was quickly growing an affinity for magic, I mean...she theoretically never took a shower, but she felt just as fresh and clean as of she had just stepped out from the best shower in her life!
Her clothes that she had worn previously also had a fresh laundry detergent and freshener smell to them that she couldn't get over.
"This is really nice...is it always this peaceful and quiet in the park?"
Luke, who was walking with Alyssa by his side, nodded.
"Pretty much...as a matter of fact, most of Purgatory is pretty tranquil and quiet like this...it's pretty much Eternity before you reach Eternity...in a way...it's paradise...just not a permanent paradise for those who have yet to be judged by Death, or are simply temporary residents like yourself, Nicole..."
Nicole had an understanding expression, as Jake turned to her with a smile.
"I wouldn't think about that too much though, these next three months are going to feel like the best days of your life...I can promise you that, you haven't even scratched the surface of what New Haven has to offer!"
Luke regained his smile and happy demeanor as well.
"My good friend here is right, Nicky, you've only seen a fraction of this place...heck, you haven't even seen all of what the Feline and Universal districts have to offer!"
(If "Under an Ancient Sun by Jeremy Soule" is compatible on your device, please press play now)
As the four young adult anthros continued to walk through the park, the stars began to expose themselves through the now dispersing and sporadic clouds...leaving only the cool night air and bright moon in its place.
"Oh wow! Everyone, look at how gorgeous the sky looks!"
Alyssa exclaimed while her pupils dilated into adorable black circulations. Like a a kid who had seen the ice cream truck turn on their block and was driving down their street.
Exclamations and expressions of pure awe soon engulfed the group, as Nicole unconsciously wrapped herself around Jake's arm, and Luke placed his arm around the shoulder of Alyssa.
"Get used to it Nicole...you're going to be seeing a lot more constellations in the night sky like this...oh!"
A shooting star had soon shot past the broad canvas of the sky, painting the atmosphere above with it's beautiful streak cascading across its fellow kin...before disappearing over the horizon once more.
"It's...all so beautiful...more so than anything I had ever witnessed on Earth..."
Nicole was soft and tender in her tone of voice, almost motherly...she was in complete serenity for the first time in her life...no worries, no immediate deadlines or stressors of her job on Earth, upkeeping an apartment...trying to get ahead in the endless race and struggle of "Getting ahead"...she felt none of that here...she felt free...truly free...
While she held onto Jake's arm, and leant her head against his shoulder...her next words probably caught her in the heat of the moment of being too comfortable...
"Jake..."
Jake's ears perked up, as he turned his head slightly to notice his crush and most beautiful girl he had ever met...drifting off without even noticing she was doing it.
"Ye-yes Nicole?"
"I-I...love...you..."
Just as she was about to fall once more, Jake swiftly and quickly caught her in his arms, scooping her up in a carrying motion...cradling her soft, firm, and smaller feline figure...as he had a confused, yet happy expression soon come over his face in a wave.
Alyssa held her paws up to her mouth, and Luke had his eyes widened with his mouth in an expressive "O" shape to it.
"Did...did she just say what I thought she just said...Jake? Did she just-"
Jake turned back to look down at the female blue feline, who was audibly and comfortably purring in his arms...fixing a strand of fur from her eyes...he had a warm smile before saying:
"I love you too...Nicole..."
*END OF CHAPTER*