Auld Lang Syne

Posted on 10 Jan 2020 @ 3:12pm by Commander Jayla Kij

738 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Epilogue
Location: Symbiosis Commission Hospital
Timeline: June 2389

Being ever curious, of course Jayla had done some research on the little fox. She had watched countless videos of their behavior, read as many articles as she could get her hands on, and even visited a holozoo to learn as much as she could.

And so, it was that she came to her first interaction with him.

Being friendly herself- something the little fox could appreciate- she decided that someone had to befriend the little guy. Otherwise, how would they find him a home? So, at lunch time, about a week after her arrival, she headed to the cafeteria and took her lunch over to one of the tables near the little fox. “Hello,” she said to the fox, giving him a toothy grin- something that the horned fox recognized as friendly when unaccompanied by a growl.

The little fox’s head popped up and after a beat, he repeated the gesture.

Jayla suppressed a giggle and sat with her back to the little fox. This showed trust.

She had nearly finished her lunch and was just thinking about taking a walk before getting back to her patients when she felt something hit her leg. Looking down, she saw the little fox standing a short distance away. Had he just head butted her? Once he caught her eye, he bent his head down and did a little jig- his species’ invitation to play.

With a little giggle, she knelt before him and offered her arms in place of horns. She was, of course, much stronger than him, but she was very smart and knew enough not to use her full strength. She found herself barely trying as he “locked horns” with her- she grasping his horns and pretending to fight with him- but she was laughing an awful lot. True to the horned fox type, he began letting out funny soft little yips that mimicked laughter.

“Don’t think I’ve ever seen him play like that,” said a voice behind her.

She turned to see a petite black-haired Trill with a huge twinkling grin. “Hi!” said Jayla. “Doesn’t play much, does he?”

“Not since I’ve seen him,” answered the other woman as the fox turned and retreated to his corner. “I’m Peri Hyn,” she added, almost as an afterthought.

“Hyn!” exclaimed Jayla. “Hyn! Oh, my goodness! I’m Kij! Jayla Kij, specifically.”

“Kij!” replied Hyn, her smile spreading even more and laughing, the two women embraced. “What’s it been? Like five lifetimes?”

“Six for me,” answered Jayla as the hug broke and they looked each other over again. “Gavara’s life was cut short. But, my goodness, it’s good to see you again!”

“Technically, you’ve never seen me,” laughed Peri. “It was Aldur and Nura. Gosh, they were inseparable!”

“Epic friends for sure,” agreed Jayla. “Probably the best friends that ever lived.”

“Probably,” agreed Peri. “I see you’ve inherited his love of animals.”

“And his curiosity,” added Jayla. “I spent three days reading as much as I could about the horned fox. Did you know they’re also called the fairy antelope? Mostly by humans, but… and there’s that glazed look in the eye that Nura always used to get whenever Aldur would start trying to tell him of his academic pursuits.”

“Sorry,” laughed Peri. “I seem to have inherited Nura’s single-mindedness. Can’t seem to get interested in anything except surgery.”

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with that, really,” replied Jayla. “I have patients to get back to right now, but we should have lunch sometime. I’m here for the next six months.”

“I’m sure we can manage it in that amount of time,” agreed Peri. “How’s tomorrow?”

“It should work, unless something unexpected happens,” said Jayla. “I’ll keep you posted.”

“You’d better tell him goodbye before you go,” Peri said, nodding to the little fox, who was watching Jayla anxiously. “I’m not sure he can bear it.”

Jayla glances at him and grinned. “Bye, sweetie,” she said, giving him a tilt of the head. “I’ll come back tomorrow.”

The little fox sighed, turned in a circle and laid down.

“That’s amazing,” commented Peri. “Anyway, get back to your patients. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And so Jayla did just that, all the happier for her playtime with the fox and seeing an old friend from another lifetime.

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