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There were so many scents in the air. Too many scents that irritated Jack's nose. All kinds of perfumes were wafting from the shops or from the people walking by. Jack grimaced. He walked slowly along Maquillaville's most famous shopping street. He wasn't looking for anything in particular, he was just looking around. He wasn't really interested in such expensive things. He just ran his eyes through the windows to see if he could see something he could buy as a gift for his beloved. Although it wasn't like he had enough money to buy anything.
Jack had been in Maquillaville with the track and field team for a few days for an upcoming race. Professor Vargas thought it would be a good idea to arrive here early so they could get used to the terrain. However, they were given free time in the afternoon so they could mentally prepare for the serious race. So Jack decided to take a walk around the city and then return to train a little more.
He just didn't expect someone to call out to him on the street: “Jack? Jack Howl, is that you?” Jack found himself facing a tall, blond man. Jack looked the man over. He was wearing elegant expensive clothes, his hair was neatly arranged and fortunately only a slight smell of perfume came from him. He smelled familiar. Jack nodded politely.
“Oh Sevens! I knew it was you! How tall you have become since I last saw you, look at you!” The man smiled broadly. Memories suddenly hit the wolf.
“Mr. Venue?” Jack said in shock. Yes, the man in front of him was undoubtedly Eric Venue, Vil's father.
“Haha! Hello again little Jack. I see you don't call me Uncle Eric anymore.” Eric laughed cheerfully. Jack wagged his tail offended. “After all, I'm not a little kid anymore, Mr. Venue.”
“Yes, yes. You've grown a lot and you've become so handsome.” Eric patted the wolf on the shoulder. Jack blushed at the compliment. “And what brings you to Maquillaville?”
“We came to a race with my school track team. And you?”
“The annual Film Festival. We're celebrating the anniversary of the film The Fairest Queen. Vil's here too, with some of his schoolmates.”
“Vil's here too?!” Jack involuntarily started wagging his tail at the mention of Vil.
“Oh, you didn't know about him? You go to the same school as Vil, right?”
“Yeah, but it seems Vil got the invitation after the team and I had already left.”
“I see. Would you like to see him? I just got back from them.” Jack's tail wagged more excitedly at the idea, but he gave up after all.
“I don't want to bother him. I know how hard Vil works and he must have a lot of other things that are more important.” Jack mumbled embarrassedly. Eric laughed again.
“How considerate of you. You're a good boy, Jack.” Jack completely blushed. “Will you still accept an invitation to tea from me? I'd be happy to chat again, to remember old times.”
“Of course, Mr Venue.”
Eric's quarters were elegantly furnished yet exuded comfort.
“Sit down, I'll bring you some tea.” Eric gestured towards the sofa and disappeared into the kitchen with his phone still in his hand. Jack sat down a little nervously, his tail tucked under him, his ears flapped shyly.
“Et voilà!” Eric placed the two steaming cups on the coffee table and pushed one towards Jack. He himself sat down on the other side of the sofa, keeping a respectful distance.“So you also go to Night Raven. Tell me what high school life is like.”
“Well...um…”Jack began shyly. “I'm in the Savanaclaw house and a permanent member of the Spelldrive team. I'm also on the track and field team.”
“Your love for sports hasn't changed. Congratulations, you must have achieved a lot of success already.”
“Thank you, but my results are not that outstanding yet. I have room to improve.”
“Humble little Jack. Vil must always tell you not to underestimate your achievements.”
“Yes..hm..sometimes he does…” Jack blushed. Eric chuckled and took a sip of his tea.
“Vil talks a lot about you.” Eric smiled. Jack almost swallowed his tea.
“Really?” He asked scared, the hairs on his tail standing up towards the sky.
“Yes. He told me a lot about how happy he was that life had brought you together again. How happy he was to have you by his side again. He told me about your courage, your determination, your stubbornness. His voice is always so cheerful when he talks about you. I can hear the indelible smile in his voice. You make my son happy, Jack.”
“I have no other mission than to keep that smile.” Jack's answer was automatic, firm, as if he were just stating a general fact. It was natural for Jack to protect Vil. It was as clear as the sky being blue and the grass being green. Eric’s smile radiated calm, relief.
“Thank you, Jack.”
“There’s nothing to thank you for, Mr. Venue.”
“But I want to thank you, Jack. Thank you for loving my son.” Oops, the elephant in the room had been addressed. Even Jack’s ears were flushed. He opened and closed his mouth. He could only gape in shock.
“Vil recently told me that you were together. And don’t worry. I give you my full blessing. I’m just glad you’re protecting and making Vil happy. He needs someone to keep him grounded and not let him get lost in the dark. And it’s a good thing that that someone is you. Do you promise to continue to make him happy and protect him?”
“We wolves just know, sir. Vil is my one and only and nothing will change that. It's natural for me to protect and preserve his smile.
“Then I am reassured. Thank you again, Jack.” Eric bowed his head.
Then the door opened and a familiar voice filled the air. “Dad! I'm here! What did you want to talk about?” Vil appeared in the living room doorway. “Jack?” Jack unconsciously wagged his tail again, like a puppy when its owner returns home.
“Hi Vil! I accidentally ran into Jack and invited him for tea.” Eric answered instead of Jack.
“I didn't even know the competition would be in Maquillaville.”
“Sorry, I may have forgotten to mention it. Congratulations on the red carpet invitation, your dad told me. Who's with you?”
“Ace, Azul, Jamil, Grim and the prefect. Those spuldings needed quite a lot of regulation.” Vil threw himself down next to Jack tiredly.
“Hah, Ace is with you too. Deuce didn't even tell me.” Jack grimaced and put his tail possessively on Vil's lap. This had become a habit for them. Jack put his tail in Vil's lap, and Vil kept stroking it. Eric smiled slyly at the adorable couple.
“What are you grinning about?” Vil snorted.
“Oh, nothing, nothing.” Eric waved it off, but watched them with a wry smile from behind his cup.
Jack blushed, and Vil sighed. He knew they couldn't escape his father's detailed questions.