Chapter Text
Young Max
“I’m going to be the next Sublime Beastar!”
The cheerful feline skipped down the woodland path, waving a rather large stick for his size. A small wolf chased after him with an annoyed look in his eye.
Young Tamaska
“In your dreams, Max! Beastars are cool and courageous.”
Young Max
“You don’t even know what courageous means, Tamaska!”
The feline swung the stick at the wolf playfully, they laugh as the wolf swats the wooden weapon from his face.
Young Tamaska
“You don’t either! Haha!”
In retaliation to the attack, the wolf pounced on the feline, causing them to tumble to the ground where they laid on their backs, looking up at the trees and laughing uncontrollably.
But the moment didn’t last, the small wolf was grabbed by the collar and pulled to his feet. Time itself seemed to distort as the wolf grew older. The woodland path turned into vinyl flooring and the trees had this contorting laugh of his fellow peers. Next thing he knew, Tamaska was shoved against a locker.
Cougar Bully
“Say it again! SAY IT TO MY FACE!”
A large cougar held Tamaska by his uniform, slamming his back against the locker yet again after refusing to answer. The swarm of laughter and cellphones watching didn’t help the situation. Again the wolf was slammed into the locker.
Cougar Bully
“Say it, asshole!”
Tamaska coughed, the wind barely shifting through his lungs.
Tamaska
“What?.. That you like watching two girls get it on? Heh.. You should really be more careful where you leave your material.”
The crowd seemed to love the spilled tea as the entire hallway erupted in laughter. The cougar’s expression of hatred was replaced by this ugly rage as Tamaska was thrown to the ground.
Cougar Bully
“You’re dead!”
The cougar lunged at Tamaska with teeth bearing. Tamaska rolled to the side and quickly returned to his feet, only to see a fist swing at him. A swift lean backwards avoids his snout from becoming mashed as the cougar loses his balance. The crowd cheered the fight on, fueling the wolf’s ego. Tamaska jumped on the cougar's back, punching the male with every ounce of strength.
The flurry of attacks was short lived as Tamaska received an elbow to the side, falling off the cougar and onto the floor. It seemed like the crowd kept getting bigger, growing in number or stature - Tamaska wasn’t sure from his perspective. The cougar had become a flaming ball of fury as he got on top of the wolf, beating him senseless. Despite the likely outcome, the cougar landed only a few punches to Tamaska’s face before being man-handled by the gym teacher.
Gym Coach
“That’s enough out of you two!”
The burly bear eventually let go of Tamaska’s opponent, getting an earful of the bear’s militaristic shouting. Tamaska propped himself up with his arms from his lying position, evaluating all the bruises and cracked ribs he received. The words of the gym coach drowned out as Tamaska rubbed his face, feeling the stinging sensation right below his eye. He flinched, looking down at the base of this thumb only to see his gray fur stained with a maroon red.
Tamaska’s heart skipped a bit, his breath feeling heavy. The blob of blood soaked into his fur as more dripped on his arm.
Tamaska
‘Am I salivating?’
Tamaska swallowed the large amount of liquid that covered his mouth, only to have it replaced by more. His head began to twirl as the hallway became twisted and distorted, elongating for miles on end. The beasts that statured above him became shadows with large fangs and red eyes, watching his every move. Fear fell over Tamaska like a bucket of water, causing him to lay there paralyzed. Whispers filled his ears which twitched with agitation. But within the whispers, one voice called out.
Childish Voice
“Tamaska..”
He turned his head around, only to see a small figure behind the crowd that hung over him. He tried to see more, but was called yet again.
Childish Voice
“Tamaska!”
The voice was louder, almost terrified. Tamaska looked around yet again, only able to see the caller ever so slightly. Tamaska couldn’t speak, it was like he was choking on his own spit.
Childish Voice
“TAMASKA!”
Tamaska
“WHAT?!”
Tamaska barked out with annoyance, lifting his head from the desk and towards the young lion.
Codda
“You.. fell asleep during class again.”
The lion said with a disappointed but concerned look. Now that he mentioned it.. Tamaska looked around at the desks that laid empty next to him, moving the long black hair that fell on his face. The teacher wasn’t even present! Tamaska looked at the clock that rested on the teacher’s desk.
1:34
Tamaska seemed to shrivel down as he realized he dozed off again, leaning back into his seat with an anxious look.
Tamaska
“Shit.. sorry Codda.”
The young lion, Codda, put his hand on Tamaska’s shoulder, having the other rub his thin mane.
Codda
“Don’t sweat it, pal! Come on, we still got some time to eat lunch!”
Codda jumped a tad bit with excitement, rubbing his belly as he began to recite today’s meal. Lunch time was always his favorite, at least from what Tamaska gathered from the past month. Thinking about the food made his stomach growl with anticipation, he couldn’t deny a meal. He began to pack his things quickly, picking up fallen pencils, stuffing binders into his bag, and securing his headphones around his neck. Tamaska couldn’t help but reflect on the dream he had. The fight.. and something else? He couldn’t remember what though. He rubbed the scar that laid below his eye, a memento of his last year’s achievement before being royalty kicked from the school.
What a day that was.