Biology Day
It's been awhile since Aluko broke it off with the only other fox she's known. Still, she can't seem to reach out to anymore of her kind...
The forest. An autumn forest. Well, she liked that they changed per season. The quality of the biology rooms was unquestionable; they felt real, tangible, as though one was truly back home. Or, home as it tends to be for one's species. Thankfully for Aluko, this was as close as it would get to the untamed wilderness in Germany. A painted stream on the wall, the faux sound of rushing water playing from embedded speakers, fabric leaves in fall hues drifting to the floor below. She caught one in her paw, covered in a fuzzy felt that teased her paw pads... Though it was comfortingly soft.
She stood against the base of a lone tree, an elaborate display of "papier-mâché" to mimic the incredible detail of worn down bark. It had been slightly disfigured by small sets of scratches, someone's attempt to climb until the branches had been removed... Aluko toyed with her leaf, guilt scattered briefly across her eyes. Now she was stuck on the ground floor, "meeting" other foxes face-to-face. A suitable punishment, she thought.
As soon as she entered mere moments ago, she'd felt their eyes upon her. They glanced away from their conversations, looking to her with briefest curiosity before returning to sociality. She was unsure if any would be inclined to invite her in. It never really happened before. Perhaps they knew, smart as those bastards were - that she was too wild. Or maybe they knew some inkling of her past. Or maybe... They knew that she wasn't a real fox, at least, according to the stereotypical definition.
They were all red foxes, anyway. She'd never tried the arctic fox room, and she truthfully felt scared to do so... An open field, a coast, marked by the now-white pelts of vulpines that she believed were sophisticated. Even more-so than the reds, who she felt always had a mischievous air to them...
Making friends with any vulpes seemed impossible. Especially after the first and only one - aside from family - that she'd ever been acquainted to...
Poison seemed to fill her maw at the thought of him.
It hadn't yet ruined her perception of foxes... Although, she felt it would take a miracle to repair the - mostly nonexistent - relationship between her and her kind. Whether she was approached by one, or found the courage to interact herself.
Not today. But when? Aluko rubbed her arms fearfully. After some time, she parted from the room, finding herself out in the hallway to contemplate. She could probably just go home, empty-handed as usual. Her head turned to see the other doorways... African savannas, the rolling hills where the sheep roamed, the polar regions and the Australian grasslands... As well as other forests, just by the red foxes.
She approached one in particular, she'd peeked through many times before. Too many times. A crack in the door to fit her curious muzzle. Pupils dilated at forms caught beneath imitated sunlight: deer.
Some bore impressive crowns, or dangerous thorns... They stood guard over those who adorned no antlers. Many held their head high, a display of pride that Aluko rarely witnessed. They seemed to glow so brilliantly, their fur so soft, and that which laid beneath was something she wanted all too badly... She could see them so clearly, but they felt so far away. If only she could reach them.
Aluko hastily turned aside, she'd never know if she was caught. She'd never heard it if she was. Maybe it was for the best that she knew no cervids - except the one. A part of her might've wished that he cut things off before Joel allowed her piece. Well, he'd probably do it eventually anyway. She pulled on an ear, clenching her teeth. The thought wasn't pleasant but it was better than what could happen in the end. Bo could totally kick her ass, but there would still be other effects...
...
As she sat elsewhere, waiting for someone she knew to emerge, a new thought occupied her mind. After everything... What the hell was she going to do with herself? Watching the foxes begin to leave, she could feel her shot at reparations being lost. One by one they trickled out, arctics and reds, heading to their classes for the day. Maybe she was given a look or two that she reciprocated, but there was nothing more - and she felt no urge to catch one before they were gone. Eventually, all of them seemed to have left.
Holding her arms, she told herself, maybe next time.
Maybe next time.