Ant and Four

Ant and Four Chapter 9

This is a story about two boys growing up in the galaxy, in a distant future. Neither of them is human.

It is not an erotic tale, but one of friendship and love. The story contains no AI-generated material.

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**Ant and Four 9 - Antipathy
**

by Winter

 Early the next morning, the boys were crossing the pylon bridge again, this time riding the bus. It was a large vehicle with seats for, Ant guessed, at least thirty people. Right now it was mostly empty. Up ahead he could see heads turn from time to time, to glance at him. No hostile stares, though, just curiosity. He and Four were sitting in the back, and while he was more interested in the vehicle itself, the ferry boy was watching the scenery pass by.

Ant knew how electric motors and batteries worked, but he was still puzzled by combustion engines. They ran on water, and made a rumbly noise when they burned off hydrogen. That was the extent of his knowledge. The bus had the loudest engine he had ever heard, and his tail wagged every time it sped up. He had found schematics using the datapad, but they were no substitute for finding out for himself. Some day, hopefully soon, he wanted to get his hands on a car, so he could take it apart piece by piece.

To see how it worked.

And, he wanted to drive one. However, if he had learned anything over the past couple of days, it was that he couldn't do something, just because he wanted to. Who would teach a wolf how to drive a car? That was a question for a later time, but not too much later.

The bus stopped briefly in Mountainside, to let people on and off. Four pressed his nose against the window and pointed up the mountain, while he cheerfully recapitulated the previous day. Every now and then, Ant leaned over him to watch, while he added to the conversation. He tried not to think about the cable cars, though, since he still felt a little embarrassed by his reaction. At the front of the bus, he saw a man and a woman step on. As he was begrudgingly getting used to, their smiling faces fell as soon as they saw him, and they sat as far away from him and Four as they could.

"Another one?"

"Two other ones."

"Don't let them ruin your day, Ant," Four said, patting Ant's knee. "They don't know what a sweetheart you are."

"Thanks."

Ant leaned against his friend, feeling better already, while Four pretended to get squashed against the window.

When the bus passed the last stop before the beach, Four pulled on a string that ran along the ceiling, and a ding lit up the 'Stop' sign up front. They were the only ones to hop off, and when the bus drove away, Ant couldn't help following it with his gaze.

"I wonder it those two were really going further, or if they stayed on 'cause we got off."

"Who cares? They don't matter. We do. Now, the beach!"

"Are we doing short sentences now?"

"Yup!"

'Seashore Beach'. Ant grinned and shook his head when he saw the sign. Well, if anything, the people of the Range were consistent when it came to naming. The bus time table had only called it 'Resort'. There were houses on both sides of the road, forming a small community, and most of it seemed centred on the beach. He saw clothing stores whose windows mostly displayed beachwear, cafés and restaurants with ocean themes, and a place renting out surfboards. Ant's tail wagged. He had tried surfing once, and though he mostly fell off as soon as a wave caught the board, it had been fun. Any other day, he would have been tempted, but though he and Four had a peaceful afternoon yesterday, making toys back in the Fourtitude, he was still sore from climbing practice. Plus, there was no wind at all, and the ocean was completely calm.

Even this early, the beach was a bit crowded. Small children were running around, chasing large colourful balls or splashing through the shallow water, while most adults were sitting on towels or blankets. Talking, eating breakfast or just enjoying the warm light from the rising sun. Only a few were swimming, and Ant could tell why; even as he set one foot on the sand, he could feel the cold. He smiled; he didn't mind cold water.

Back in the Mining Belt there hadn't been any running hot water, and all baths were cold. Warm showers were a luxury he had learned to enjoy aboard the Morning Calm. First time he tried, though, he nearly scalded himself. Raeder heard his shrieks and came to help, which led to even more yelling as Ant didn't agree with getting walked in on, while being naked. His ears flicked. It hadn't been a very dignified moment.

Four found them a spot close to the water where, judging by curious glances and shy smiles, nobody seemed to have anything against Ant. The ferry boy hummed happily as he took a red-and-white chequered blanket from the wicker basket Ant was carrying, and spread it on the sand. A café near the Lakeview square sold readymade picnic baskets, and the owner had filled theirs with all kinds of goodness. Including, Ant thought as he licked his lips, sparkling grape juice. They sat down, and leaned against one another as they watched the sky-mirror ocean.

After a little while, Ant's tail began to stir. Not quite wagging, but brushing at the sand next to their blanket. His nose twitched, as he sorted through the smells of humans and cars and picnic food and sand, to focus on the scent of the sea. Salty. Slightly murky from a couple of seaweed blades that had floated ashore. And there was a faint... something... that he couldn't place, but which intrigued him. His tail made a jerk upwards, and sprayed sand onto his and Four's backs.

"Sorry."

"Wanna go swim?"

"Yeah!" Ant threw off his shirt, then emptied his pockets of loose change, and the datapad. And his money card, which Four tucked into the inside pocket of his own shorts. Ant pouted at him. "You're not coming?"

"I might dip my feet in the shallows, but I didn't bring my floaties. You know I can't swim without them."

"You don't mind being on your own?"

"I can manage," Four smiled. "Go."

"Rah!"

Ant jumped to his feet, and dashed into the water. The initial cold made his breath hitch, and a few seconds later when his fur got thoroughly soaked, he began to shiver. Still, he loved it. As soon as it was deep enough, he let himself fall, and went under. He flipped over, and floated on his back, sputtering slightly as water got into his nose. The smell of that something other was stronger out here, about a dozen metres from shore. What was it? Where was it? Not on the surface. Not in the sea itself. But hidden. He set his feet down, and stood up. His toes sank in the silt.

Aha!

Scanning the bottom as best he could through the ripples he created by moving, Ant caught sight of a slightly darker shadow. He pounced, head going under again as he began to dig furiously. When he emerged, he held up his prize, grinning. It was a dark brown thing. Not a pebble of rock, but smoother. And it smelled alive. Then a jet of water shot into his face, and he yelped with surprise. The thing fell from his fingers, and splashed into the water. As soon as he had blinked the salt away, he cast about, trying to catch a glimpse.

"Spit on me!" he growled. "Come back and I'll bite you."

But it was no use. Whatever it was, it was gone. Ant kicked at the bottom and raked his toe claws in the silt, but no result. Pouting, he glanced back, only to find a smiling Four standing right at the water's edge, pointing the datapad at him.

"Did you film me?"

"Yup. You're so funny."

"Don't tell me... when it got me in the face?"

"Yup." Four giggled. "In perfect zoom."

"I don't like you anymore," Ant huffed, and his tail drooped. "I ought to dunk you."

"I don't believe you," Four sing-sang. "Now get going and stop messing with the mussels. I wanna film you while you're swimming."

"Mussels?"

"That thing you caught." Ant tilted his head quizzically. "It's an animal called a mussel, and it lives inside that hard shell. Apparently, it can also squirt water."

"Hmph!"

Refusing to see the humour of the situation, Ant turned away from shore and trudged along until the water reached his shoulders. Then, he began to swim. Swimming had come easily enough to him, the first couple of times they visited lakes. As soon as his feet no longer touched the bottom, his body had known how to dog paddle. And longer strokes had followed with a natural ease. To give his friend a show, he turned and swam parallel to the shore, back and forth. After a little while, he flipped over and did back strokes. They were a bit trickier, and he splashed his face now and then.

His shoulders and his legs tired pretty much at the same time, so he headed for land. When his feet touched bottom, he stood up and shook water out of his fur, then started wading towards the blanket. The slight he had been dealt by that mussel thing was mostly forgotten. Instead, food beckoned.

* * * * * *

The midday sun was very warm, and Ant's tongue was lolling out. He lay on his back on the blanket, with his sunglasses on, listening to the shrieks and laughter of the children. It was a cacophony of voices, but he could still pick out Four's. He had run off to play with the other kids a couple of times already during the morning, and whenever he returned to the blanket they were soon back. Pleading with him to come and join in some new fun. This time, it was a game featuring a smaller ball. Not one of those large, inflatable plastic things with bright colours, but one more akin to a tennis ball. Each kid wore a thick glove for catching it, and the object was to throw the ball to their own teammates, and try to reach the opposing team's goal.

It was the size and the bounciness of the ball, that made Ant unable to watch. His instincts screamed at him to chase and catch. In any other place, he would have joined in, but during the day he had seen glimpses of people who were markedly avoiding him. Not fully glaring, but they treated him as if he had fleas. It was slowly making him paranoid, so much so that he didn't dare running around with the other kids, in case someone accused him of hunting them. So there he lay, huffing from time to time as he watched the seagulls glide on the updrafts from the warming ocean, and looked for clouds that were nowhere to be seen. Even the joy of finding sky-shapes, was denied him. He was happy that Four was having fun, but he couldn't help feeling sorry for himself.

The sunlight did feel nice, though. Ant's belly was full from a sandwich lunch, and his tongue still tingled from the grape juice. Soon his eyes fluttered shut, and he fell asleep.

The nap didn't last long. Ant woke up when he felt something stir on the blanket. His nose told him that it was Four, and that he had just opened the last bottle of juice. He sat up, yawning and stretching. Four was munching on a sugar cookie, and offered one to Ant.

"Feeling better?"

"A little." Ant took the treat and bit into it. "Thanks! I think I'm pretty much done with the Range, though."

"Leo told me his parents think you're a bad guy. I told him you're not, that you make toys and that you're really sweet."

"Aww, thanks. Is Leo one of your new friends?" Four nodded. "Why do they think I'm bad?"

"Dunno. Maybe they've met another wolf, who wasn't nice."

"You think?" Ant's ears perked. "Could there be others, out here somewhere?"

"It's not impossible." Four ate the last of his cookie, and chased it down with a gulp of juice. "Your people are free, after all, there's bound to be more travellers eventually."

"Part of me wants to ask someone, but I don't wanna talk to them."

"That doesn't make sense."

"I know." Ant accepted the bottle, and took a swig. "Do you want to play more?"

"Not really. The others are mostly leaving, and I'm kind of played out. Should we take the bus back? Or do you want to swim again?"

"I'm good. What I want is a shower, to get the salt out of my fur."

"No more chasing mussels?"

"No," Ant huffed. "I've decided I don't like them."

They packed up their things, and Ant double-checked that they had their money cards and the datapad. Then they found the nearest trash bin, and dumped empty bottles and food containers. On their way to the bus stop, they passed a couple of shops, and one display caught Four's eye.

"Ant, look, they've got hats! Can I get one?"

"Sure. You want a cap, or...?"

"I like that one."

The display showed a variety of different sports caps and sun hats, and Four picked out a simple white hat, with a wide brim. When he tried it on, however, it sank down over his eyes. Dejectedly, he put it back. Ant picked out a blue cap, and put it on his friend's head. It fit much better, but Four still pouted.

"Find anything you like?" The owner of the shop was a large man who wore beach clothes, and gave them a friendly smile. "Otherwise, we've got other models inside."

"I really like this white one," Four said. "But it's too big."

"One second." The man went into the store and came back with a box. Inside was the exact same type of hat, which he handed to Four. "Let's try this one."

"Ant, it fits!" His bright smile made Ant chuckle. "How do I look?"

"I know nothing about fashion," Ant admitted, "but to me you look great. Let me get it for you."

"I've got my own card. I can pay."

"I know, but I want to give it to you."

"I take it you won't need the box," the man said. "Or a bag."

"Nope!" Four spun around in a circle, while Ant scanned the box with his money card. "Ant, would you take a picture of me? I wanna see how I look."

"Let me," the shop owner offered, and Ant handed him the datapad. "Now move closer."

The two boys struck a pose, but just then, a gust of wind rustled Ant's fur. Watching Four's surprised face, as he fought to keep his hat on, made Ant laugh. The ferry boy pouted, while the wind seemed done with its prank. A second later, the air was as still as it had been all day.

"I got a great shot," the man chuckled. "Look."

On the screen were the two of them. Ant with his fur tousled, laughing with his eyes closed, while Four's eyes were wide as he tried to catch the hat. Touching a couple of buttons, Ant set the image as the datapad's new background. Four poked his arm.

"Now we'll have to see that all the time. I look so silly."

"So do I, with my fur like that."

They said goodbye to the shop owner, and left Seashore Beach. Waiting for the bus turned out to be a chore, since one of the people in line was showering Ant with silent hostility. Pointedly ignoring the man, Ant kept talking to Four, but inside he was seething. He wanted to bite something. Or someone.

* * * * * *

To Ant's surprise, there were booths and tables set up along the edges of the Lakeview square, and a music band was playing on a stage next to the fountain. Neither he nor Four had heard anything about a market, which irked him a little. It would have been a good place to sell toys, and maybe show people that he wasn't a dangerous monster. While Four took a look around, proudly sporting his new hat, Ant stopped at a concession stand and bought a bag of freshly made crispy apple chips. The old lady who fried the treats to order, smiled happily as she gave him the once-over.

"I must say, I've been comin' here all my life, but I never seen the likes of you before."

"I'm a wolf," Ant replied, but without his usual pride and enthusiasm. "My name is Ant, and it's nice to see someone who doesn't look down their nose at me."

"I'm Elna, and please, don't mind the grumps, they don't know better." She chuckled. "Me, I'd know a pirate if I saw one, and I ain't lookin' at one now."

"Pirate?" Ant couldn't hold back a laugh. "I almost got killed by a pirate once. And they think I am one?"

"There was an attack, about a year ago, over on Westisle." Her smile faltered. "People got hurt, and a few died. Them's got friends and family over there, they don't like strange people anymore."

"Oh." Ant's tail both drooped and wagged at the same time, as he tasted one of the chips. "These are great!"

"My own recipe. There's a bit of cinnamon in there, can you taste it?"

"I can taste some kind of spice. I'm still learning about food and cooking."

"Where are you from, if I may ask?"

Ant spent a couple of minutes, sharing his story about growing up in the Mining Belt, and how he had been spending most of his time since then being a tourist, or selling toys. The old lady patted his arm when he was done.

"I'm happy for your people, Ant. And I'll make sure to tell everyone that you're not a pirate."

"It's okay, ma'am, no need to bother. Four and I are gonna leave soon."

"Oh, please don't! Not because a few people are short-sighted."

"Not just a few." He huffed. "And getting glared at isn't much fun."

"Stay for the Spring Feast, at least, it's in a couple of weeks. I can help you get a table, if you wanna sell."

"Well..."

"Here comes your little friend." Four was carrying a large paper bag, and his smile was radiant. "Think about what I've said."

"I will. Hey Four, what did you get?"

"Ant, you have to come and see! They've got so much stuff." He opened the bag. "Look, I got canvases, and new brushes and an oil painting kit. I'm gonna try to make my own art!"

"Cool!" Ant's tail wagged, and the old lady chuckled. "I got apple chips. Wanna try one?"

"Later." He tugged at Ant's arm. "C'mon!"

"Coming." Ant waved back over his shoulder. "Nice talking to you, ma'am."

"You too, my boy. Hope to see you again."

Four led him across the square, to a large booth surrounded by paintings on display. Ant took in landscapes and portraits, abstracts and still lifes, and he nodded appreciatively. This artist was good. But when he met the eyes of the young woman who manned the booth, all he saw was the sour frown. He huffed, fighting hard to keep his temper in check. Next to him, Four's face fell as he glanced between the two of them.

"Oh no, Xandra, please!" He leaned against the counter. "This is Ant, I told you about him. He's not a bad guy, I promise!"

"They all think I'm a pirate," Ant growled, and he scowled back at the woman. "I can show you my scar if you like, where a real pirate shot me."

"A rival?"

"I give up." He turned around. "You keep shopping if you want, Four, but I'm going home."

"But Ant, wait!" Ant felt a small hand take his, and he just barely stopped himself from shrugging it off. None of this was Four's fault, after all. "Ant, she's got modelling clay, it would be perfect for your bridge."

"Bridge?"

"Like I told you, Ant makes toys. And he wants to make a miniature bridge, with realistic stones. The clay would be perfect. Ant, please..."

"Okay..." Ant gave a slight smile. Would he ever be able to resist those pleading eyes? He turned to the woman, forcing his tone to be at least somewhat civil. "May I see some, please?"

Her frown lessened, but didn't disappear entirely, as she showed Ant to the side of her booth. There were different types of finished earthenware products, like vases, fine cups and saucers, and various ornaments. Some showed the bare pottery, but others were glazed and painted. Ant admired the artistry, but it was the square slabs of raw material that made his tail stir and his ears perk. There were different colours of clay, and none of them had the same smell.

"Do you have some I can touch? To get the feel of them?" She pointed to a tray filled with bits and pieces. "Are they all for firing, or can some of them dry on their own? We don't have a kiln or anything. I doubt that our little toaster oven will work."

"Do you know a lot about pottery?" Her voice sounded more neutral now, as she watched Ant play with the clay, moulding shapes and stacking them on top of one another. She picked up a bit of light greyish-brown material. "This one's good for air drying. Give it a couple of days after you've shaped it, then you can paint."

"Four's our master painter. I just build the stuff." Ant rolled a bit of the clay around in his palm, and found that he liked the texture. "And, well, I like all kinds of ways you can make things. I've never tried clay, but I've read about it."

"What else do you do?"

"I started out with metal and plastic, batteries and clockwork." He formed a cube, and used a claw to smooth the sides. "But I do wood carving and sewing as well, and I always wanna try new things."

"He sewed me a heart for All Hearts' Day," Four chimed in. "Like a stuffed toy. I really love it."

"Will you sell me this? Please?" Ant pointed to a brick of the air-drying clay, which was wrapped in clear plastic, then he flashed Xandra a grin. "I promise not to make cutlasses."

"Oh, all right!" she laughed. "But only because my new friend Four here, vouched for you."

"Thanks!"

"Don't leave it out in the air, keep it wrapped up when you're not using it."

"We will." Ant's tail wagged as she handed him two bricks, inside a small bag. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome." Ant paid, and they shook hands. "I'm sorry I was rude to you, and I hope you stay around until Spring Feast. I'd really like to see what you make."

"We promise to think about it, don't we, Ant?"

"We'll see."

After walking around the whole square one more time, without buying anything else, the two of them headed back to the Fourtitude. They were greeted with the familiar noise of the lowering ramp, and the soft thud of the door opening. Four dashed inside, clutching his bag in both arms, while Ant followed more slowly. Smiling to himself, he dug out a couple of coins from his pocket. Two cheerful voices thanked him as he dropped them into the money bowl.

After a thorough shower, Ant sat on the couch, running his brush through his fur. It had taken two shampooings before he felt clean from all the sea salt. Four had been happy to help, scrubbing his back vigorously with suds flying everywhere. Now, the ferry boy was frowning as he stared at a very blank canvas. Ant had rigged up an easel for him, on the workbench, using a couple of thin metal rods.

"What should I paint?" he asked again, with a bit of annoyance in his voice. "It's so easy to think of things I've seen, or pictures from the datanet, but I wanna do something that's me. My own art. A Four picture."

"How 'bout something you've never seen?"

"How?"

"What do you want to do, or see, but you haven't yet?"

"Like, me beating the obstacle course?" Four grinned. "Or me painting your claws pink?"

"No, that one did happen!" Ant huffed. "And I'm not letting you do it again, I looked ridiculous."

"You were so cute," Four giggled. "And you would, if I really begged."

"I'm spoiling you."

"Mhm." A happy sigh. "I know what I wanna paint now. Is it allowed to paint something that's never happened?"

"Of course. There's no limits."

"Except my own imagination." Four nodded. "Which wants me to paint our house."

"We don't have a house."

"That's what I meant! It's never happened, but it might."

"I still don't think I'm ready to settle down."

"Maybe we could settle down just a little?" Four tilted his head. "And then travel and tourist in between."

"In between what?"

"Settling down, of course."

Four set to work, while Ant eyed his own project. He had taken a square of thin wood, and laid it on the floor, then he drew in pencil the outlines of his bridge and the river it would cross. The frame would be made of wood, and then he wanted to use clay to make it look like uneven stones held together with mortar. He also wanted to make it look like there was grass and cattails growing at the water's edge, but hadn't made up his mind as to how. Maybe he could use clay there as well, or he could cut thin strips of paper and let Four paint them. Or both! He could roll up paper to form reeds, and make the cattails themselves out of clay.

A yawn told him it was too late to get started. If he did, chances were he'd be up all night. And he really didn't want to be tired for his climbing lesson. Meeting Xandra had changed his mind, or at least tweaked it a little. He might win some people over, just by showing them the real Ant. It could be that all he needed was a bit of patience. Which, he had to admit, was not one of his virtues.

He curled up on the couch and closed his eyes, and with Four's happy humming coming from the workshop, he dozed off.

* * * * * *

"Ant? Ant, please wake up. I think I'm done."

The dreary landscape around him faded, as the dream came to an end. Ant's eyes blinked open, and he tried to find reality. A moment ago, he had been with the Morning Calm crew, and Four had been there as well. There were pirates, lots of them, and there was a battle. In the end it had been only him and the boss pirate, kicking and punching at one another. Until the other's face suddenly changed, and Ant fought... himself.

It was silly. He shook his head. Why did he let people get to him like that? He wasn't a pirate, he never had been and he never would be. The remains of the dream evaporated as he sat up, and was met with a joyful face. Four had paint all over his shirt. And his hands. And, Ant realised with a grin, even a splotch of blue on his cheek.

"Come on, I wanna show you!"

"Did you paint all night?"

"Mhm. After I started, I couldn't stop. My screen me slept instead."

"How does that even work?"

"Here it is. Do you like it?"

Ant walked around the work bench so he could see the painting, and broke into a smile. It wasn't picture perfect, but in his opinion, it was very good work. As Four had said, it showed a house. Or rather, a log cabin. It had a porch, and there, in a rocking chair, he sat. The fur colour was just right, and he was wearing a red shirt with his usual shorts. Painted Ant was sewing a plush wolf, and he looked peaceful and happy. To the side of the house was a little garden, and there, on his knees and poking in the soil with a trowel, was Four, his everyday clothing expanded with gardening gloves and his white sun hat. All around him were plants and flowers, thriving under his gentle care. Ant could also see an old-fashioned mail box, with the A&F logo on it, and the Fourtitude was parked in the back yard. In the trees in the background, was a flock of small birds, and even a squirrel. William, Ant presumed. A bright sun was shining from a blue sky, with little white puffs of clouds here and there.

"Ant?" There was worry in the voice now. "Ant, don't... don't you like it?"

"It's b-beautiful," Ant croaked, and he found that he had tears brimming his eyes. "Absolutely perfect."

"Not perfect. A photograph would look more realistic."

"Art doesn't have to look perfect to be perfect." Ant laid one arm across Four's shoulders, careful to avoid all the paint. He could see an apron purchase in the near future. "When we finally do settle down, I want it to be just like this."

"I've got a garden. See?" Four pointed to his painted self. "And you've got a workshop inside, though you can't see it 'cause the walls are in the way."

"We've got to get a nice frame for it." Ant returned to the main room, and Four followed. "I think it would look great here, above the fish tank."

"Yeah!" The ferry boy bounced, but then his smile turned into a pout. "I forgot to paint Trevor. Do you think he'll forgive me?"

"Sure he will." Ant grinned. "Let's say he's inside, on a shelf behind the couch. After all, that's where he'll be once we build our house."

"I love you, Ant," Four beamed. "I really wanna hug you, but I need a shower first. And fresh clothes."

He peeled off his shirt, and dropped it in the hamper. A vain hope, Ant mused. That much oil paint would probably never wash away completely. It was a good thing that Four's skin was easy to clean. And speaking of skin...

Ant chuckled as he caught a glimpse of a bare backside, dashing into the bathroom. A couple of seconds later Four peered out from behind the door, with a mischievous smile on his lips.

"Ant, will you help me get the water right? And maybe... wash my back?"

"You." Ant shook his head with an exaggerated sigh, while he began removing his own shirt. "Spoiled rotten."

All he got in return, was a happy giggle.

* * * * * *

There were streaks of mist in the morning air, and it was a bit chilly when Ant and Four made their way to Indoor Mountain. The sea was choppy from a steady breeze, which tried to snatch Four's hat from time to time. The mountaintops were hidden by clouds. To Ant, it was a good morning; the mist clung to interesting scents, and the wind brought salty freshness from the ocean.

After a quick snack at a food truck, they went inside. Four dashed over to the obstacle course, where he repeated his loud greeting ritual with Chee, while Ant sat down and started tying his shoe laces. Since Caleb was talking to a couple of other young men, he started the warm-up routine on his own. By the time he was all but done, Caleb came over.

"Hey Ant," he said with a smile, and they bumped fists. "Sorry if I hop back and forth today, but I've got a couple of newbies."

"Newbies?"

"New guys."

"Is that what I am?"

"You've cleared your first wall, and in my book, that means you're now a rookie."

"All right," Ant laughed. " Can I climb on my own?"

"Nope." He led Ant over to a slightly older man, who had a bald head and drawings on his arms. Tattoos, Ant knew they were called. He had seen other people wear them, and they looked nice. It wasn't something he could do, though, covered in fur as he was. "This is Allen. He's the co-owner of Indoor Mountain, and he's a climbing pro. We'll take turns coaching you today."

Allen eschewed the fist bump, and instead they shook hands. He had a strong grip, and a ready smile that Ant liked. It wasn't long before he stood, harnessed and ready, at the bottom of the practice wall. His claws were itching.

* * * * * *

Ant downed a bottle of water in one go. He was tired and sweaty, but happy. After scaling the practice wall twice without any mishaps, he had been delighted when Allen led him over to one of the competition walls. Granted, it was the most junior one, but to Ant it was a new challenge. This one was taller, the holds were more randomly scattered, and there were a couple of sections where the wall itself leaned in different angles. It was on one of those, that Ant had his first fall.

It took him five more tries, before he made it. By then, the coaches had traded places, and it was Caleb who slapped his back and congratulated him when the harness gently set him down. Deciding that he'd had enough for the day, Ant grabbed a second bottle of water, and went over to the obstacle section.

Chee was drilling Four on how to jump between parallel bars, set a few metres apart. Holding on with his hands was no problem, neither was swinging to generate momentum for the jump. Where Four failed, and fell, was during the catch. His proxy body was built to mimic a twelve-year-old boy, and unless he grabbed the second bar just right, he didn't have enough strength. And with no muscles that could grow stronger, all he could do was practice precision.

When his head popped out of the foam pit for the fifth time in a row, he looked equal parts happy and frustrated.

"Are you ready to quit for the day, Ant?" he asked. "Because I think I am."

"I think so, too." Ant grinned. "I made it up one of the taller walls."

"I saw. Well done." Four gave him a brief hug, then flexed his hands. "I know they can't really get sore, but my fingers feel like they hurt."

"Want some water?"

"Thanks!"

They decided to stay at Indoor Mountain for a little while, to watch as others practiced and trained. Ant found himself trying to predict the paths of the climbers, wondering what he would have done in their place. Whenever someone reached the top, he joined in the cheering and clapping. He also cheered with Four, when Chee cleared the hardest obstacle course with barely a stumble. In a stage whisper, Four told him that she competed all over the local star cluster, and usually won.

Ant's one attempt ended down among the foam, on the second obstacle. Which made him even more impressed with Four's new friend. And, of course, with the ferry boy himself, who giggled and squirmed when Ant praised him.

Just then, Ant's ears perked, all on their own. Both Chee and Four fell silent, as he began to frown. There was something wrong.

And then he felt it again; a low rumble through the soles of his feet, followed by a barely discernible noise. Ant's hackles were up, and Four, who knew him almost as well as he did, took his hand. Turning his head back and forth, Ant still couldn't pinpoint the direction of the sound, but when he kicked off his shoes, the rumbling became clearer. Was there a groundquake?

"Ant..." The worry in the boy's voice made Ant forget everything else. He took Four's other hand, and they locked eyes. "Ant, the Fourtitude! They're..."

Then, the light in Four's eyes went out, as if someone had flipped a switch. He fell, and Ant just barely managed to catch him. His lower lip trembled, as he gently laid his friend down. With shivering fingers, he stroked Four's face, but there was no reaction. No response at all. Ant let out a whimper, shrugging his shoulders at Chee's concerned questions. He had no idea what was going on.

Then his ears flicked again.

There came another distant rumble, like the sound of thunder.