*****

Chapter Twelve

*****

Rivi had rarely felt so impure, and yet so completely at peace. In his head, he knew what he was doing was wrong. That Argos was not simply keeping him steady, but holding him. Rivi was not quite so naïve as to view it in any romantic sort of context, given that he’d only known Argos since the previous day. Yet, neither was it a purely platonic gesture. Argos held Rivi against his body as he might cradle someone he was courting. Rivi knew that was wrong. Rivi knew it was terribly impure for one male to hold another that way. But Rivi, for perhaps the first time in all his life, did not care.

For in his heart, in his very soul, Rivi was happy.

Rivi was uncertain when last he’d allowed himself to indulge in such open, defiant, impurity. Back home, such things were strictly forbidden. Those who suffered such thoughts and urges did everything they could to keep them secret, and avoid acting upon them. It was simply safer that way. The Church had developed entire sets of laws and correctional methodologies developed to contain the soul-corrupting taint of impurity.

Thoughts were just that, an ephemeral moment of corruption. Those were atoneable with prayer alone. Minor impure acts such as a slip of the tongue, a lingering glance, usually only required a humble, if humiliating, apology. However, repeated offenses may require stricter penance. Physical acts of contrition were designed to correct the impure individual’s behavior, and eliminate the tainted urges from within them. The more intimate the act, the more severe the punishment.

Rivi, in his youth, struggled to communicate as openly and easily as others did. In the same way, he struggled to hide the way he might look at some one, or talk to someone. His thoughts often sped across his tongue, forming themselves into words before he could even parse exactly what it was he was thinking. In his university days, Rivi had been made to take penance a number of times. Eventually, he had better learned how to suppress and hide his impurity more often than not.

Nowadays, it had been years since Rivi’s last correctional penance, after the lion, in the bar. That time, and that time only, Rivi had flashed defiance instead of shame, and contrition. And in return, they had fetched his father. The cheetah’s breath caught in his throat. He grit his teeth, forcing the painful, humiliating memories aside. Now was not the time to dwell on the darkest moments of his shameful life. No, Rivi told himself. Now was the time to revel in the warm embrace of a kindred soul.

In all Rivi’s life, Argos was the first person he’d ever met who so openly admitted his own impurity. Hell, Argos didn’t just admit it, Argos embraced it. The very concept both terrified and exhilarated Rivi. The Church might well jail a citizen who refused correctional penance in favor of reveling in their own unnatural urges. Rivi never would have let another male hold him this way in public, back home. And yet, it seemed to be completely normal for Argos. How wonderful it must be, Rivi thought, how freeing, to simply be allowed to be yourself.

Rivi wondered just how many more people like Argos were out there, somewhere. Living as their true selves, without fear or care for what others may think of them. Was that normal amongst Argos’s people? Or was it because of Argos’s job? Who would dare attempt to enforce vice laws against an actual secret policeman? Or was it more than that? Was it possible that impure acts were simply allowed in whatever land Argos called home? Rivi had never even considered there might be nations out there in which displays of impurity were not outlawed.

He glanced up at the Coyote. Argos stared out into the snowstorm, watching the white-blanketed ground slowly fall away beneath them. Fresh snow dusted the coyote’s head and ears. Argos seemed as oblivious to the snow against his fur as he was to the dirty looks Rivi imagined they were getting. What must it be like, Rivi wondered, to be so unmoved by the opinions of others? Was it now terrifying, to stand before a world that hated those like you, and demand instead their acceptance? Rivi doubted he would ever find the strength to accept himself that completely, much less the courage and conviction to demand others do the same.

The cheetah smiled, still looking at Argos’s face. “He’s so courageous, Rivi.”

“Aww, thanks, Spots.” A grin spread over the coyote’s muzzle. “I’ve been on lots of airships, though. I’m pretty used to the ascent.”

Rivi’s ears went back. “That’s not…” He swallowed, struggling to keep from choking on his own tongue. “I mean, I didn’t…” The cheetah’s eyes darted around. None of the other revelers celebrating the ship’s departure paid them any attention. “I hadn’t meant to say that out loud!”

“Well, I’m gonna take it as a compliment, anyway.” Argos rubbed Rivi’s arm. “But I’ll pretend I didn’t hear you, if it makes you feel better.”

Rivi brushed snow off his muzzle, shaking his head. “N-no, it’s alright. I wasn’t referring to the airship, either.”

Argos looked down at him, his head tilted. “You don’t gotta explain, especially if I wasn’t supposed to hear.”

“Thank you.” Rivi shifted slightly, freeing up his hands to wring them together, even as he continued leaning against the coyote. “But I feel I should tell you, just the same.” He took a slow, steadying breath. “I think you’re incredibly courageous, for…” The cheetah trailed off, unsure how to phrase it without sounding offensive. “Allowing yourself to be who you are, no matter who knows, or what they think of you.”

“Ah, that kinda courage.” Argos fell silent for several long moments. His bushy tail swished, shedding snow. It bumped Rivi a few times, and each little touch made the cheetah shiver, ever so slightly. “Suppose that’s a complicated subject. I know it’s easier for someone like me, living a life like mine, than someone in your place. But thanks, Spots.” Argos squeezed the cheetah against him. “I appreciate it just the same.”

Rivi managed a little smile. “I was just thinking about that, actually. I fear even if such things were not punished, back home, I would still lack the courage to ever admit to such impure feelings.”

Argos shrugged. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Spots. You’re being open about it with me, right?”

Rivi mewled in bittersweet amusement. “Only because I blurted out the wrong thing, and you…” He waggled his fingers. “Secret policeman detected your way into sussing me out.” He splayed his ears. “You don’t work for a vice squad, do you?”

“Fuck, no.” Argos growled, gnashing his teeth. “People I work for don’t give two shits about that kinda thing. Hell, if I was in that line of work, I’d be on the other side. I’d be the guy smuggling so-called impure folks away from your Church, and off to somewhere safe.” Argos breathed in, slow and deep, then let it all back out in a long sigh. His breath drifted away in a vast cloud. “Point I was trying to make is…” He squeezed Rivi against his body, smiling. “Look what you’re doing right now. For you? This is courage.”

Rivi glanced down at his boots. Snow smothered them. He nudged one against the deck, scraping little lines through the freshly fallen powder. “More sin, than courage, I should think. A pleasant, comfortable sort of sin, but sin just the same.”

“Listen, Spots.” Argos gently rubbed Rivi’s arm. “I can only imagine the ocean of turmoil that musta been roiling in your head, when I held my hand out for you. When I offered…” He squeezed the cheetah again. “This. And you gazed into what musta felt like an abyss of temptation…” The coyote waved his free hand at the snow. “And what I’m sure your people taught you was the road to damnation, and you said…” Argos grinned down at him. “Bring it the fuck on. I wanna cuddle with that coyote. And that’s courage, Spots. To stare down your fears, and bare your fuckin’ teeth.”

Rivi rubbed his golden gloves together. His tail tip flicked back and forth, and a smile slowly crept across his muzzle. “I don’t think those were exactly the words I used.”

Argos yapped canine laughter. “Yeah, I know. You woulda said ‘fuck’ a few more times, right?”

Rivi’s smile grew. “Oh, at least three or four more, yes. As I’m certain you’ve noticed, I’m notorious for my foul mouth. Why, I might have even included a reference to a lascivious act.”

“Right, how could I forget?” Argos released Rivi from his grasp, only to turn towards him. He clasped his hands together in imitation of Rivi’s frequent hand-wringing. Then he scowled, his ears swiveled to odd angles, looking somehow both annoyed and anxious at the same time. When Argos spoke again, he took on a pretentiously lilting accent. “Now, you listen here, Fear, you fucking rapscallion! I daresay, I’ll give you what fucking for! And if you don’t fucking like it, then I hereby invite you to fellate me!”

Rivi stared at Argos in silence, his eyes wide behind his snow-flecked speckles. The cheetah’s jaw hung open. Then a single, chirping giggle escaped him. Another soon followed it, and another, until an entire landslide of musical, feline giggles erupted from the cheetah. He put a hand over his muzzle, as if to hold into his own laughter. Yet all he managed was to giggle into his pads.

“I do not sound like that!” Rivi gave Argos a playful shove, still giggling.

The coyote barely even shifted, grinning. “Yeah, you’re right. I shoulda used way more swearing.”

Rivi rolled his eyes, swatting at Argos’s shoulder. “Yes, that’s what would have made it more accurate.” He gave the coyote’s arm another playful smack, then looked away, trying to wipe the smile off his muzzle. “Actually, I must admit, that was quite good. Though, I daresay I’ve never actually used the word…” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Fellate, before.”

Argos folded his arms, smirking. “Now you have.”

Rivi giggled again, leaning up against the railing. “I suppose I have. Though, I certainly haven’t ever invited anyone to do…” He straightened up, clearing his throat. “That.”

“Not even as an insult?” Argos finally brushed the snow off his head, running both hands over his ears.

Rivi considered it, his smile twisting into a thoughtful scowl. “Not in my memory, anyway. Perhaps in my rebellious youth, back when I might have first heard such lascivious phrases back in school.” He perked his ears, waggling a finger. “Oh, but I did once tell someone to…” He lowered his voice again. “To kiss my ass.”

Argos lifted a single ear. “You did?”

“Yes!” Rivi nodded a few times, then glanced away, his ears falling. “Well, I believe I told them to press their muzzle to my posterior, but close enough!”

Argos gave a bark of laughter. “You know, putting it that way might actually be more insulting.” He turned back towards the railing, then held his arm open again. “So, you wanna stand out there in the cold, or you wanna cuddle again?”

Rivi gave a mock gasp. “Certainly not! First you tease me about an invitation to fellatio, and then you suggest we were cuddling? How very uncouth, Sir!” Rivi turned away, smiling to himself.

“Speaking of uncouth,” Argos said, his tail wagging and bumping the railing. “When you say it like that, it kinda sounds like you’re inviting me-”

“You shush right there, you foul-mouthed ruffian!” Rivi tossed his head back in the haughtiest expression he could manage. “I have issued no such invitation, nor do I appreciate the implications there of! You insult me, sir!” He glanced over his shoulder, still grinning. “Therefor, my wounded honor demands recompense.” Rivi slowly backed up until he bumped up against the coyote. “And seeing as it is dangerous frigid out, and we stand upon an unsteady vessel, I demand that you see to my warmth, and stability.”

Argos slowly wrapped his arm around the cheetah again. “Very well, then, Sir.” The coyote pulled him close. “But only for safety’s sake.”

“As it should be.” Rivi pressed himself against the coyote, savoring the comfort of having his arm draped around him, and the return of Argos’s warmth. “And remember, if I fall over or develop frostbite, I shall hold you to account.”

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t want that.” Argos rubbed Rivi’s arm. “You might get angry, and insult me…” A smirk crept across his muzzle. “By inviting me to fellate you.”

Rivi giggled again, the inside of his ears heating despite the falling snow. “I fear you’d take it as an actual invitation.”

Argos shrugged, pulling the cat closer still. “Well, we are sharing a room.”

The cheetah gulped hard, trying not to visualize that particular scenario. “May I ask you something?”

“Of course.” Argos’s hand drifted lower down Rivi’s arm, nearly brushing his gloved fingers. “And please, Rivi, teasing aside. Tell me if anything I do makes you uncomfortable. I promise you, I’ll stop immediately. I just gotta know where the boundaries are, that’s all.”

“I’m wondering that myself, right now.” Rivi lifted his fingers just enough to brush Argos’s, then let his arm fall back against his side. “Are you always this openly flirty and…” He gestured between them. “Physically affectionate with new companions?”

The coyote’s hand stilled against Rivi’s arm. “Kind of a complicated question. Might be worth talking about in detail in private, if you’re interested.”

Rivi looked up at him, smiling. “I’m interested in anything you have to say.”

Argos returned the feline’s smile, his ears perked. “Kinda feeling the same way, Spots. The short answer to your question is, yes, though I ain’t always so quick to say, cuddle someone. I’m pretty quick to flirt, unless someone don’t like it. But hell, I dunno, Spots. There’s just something about you. Like there’s a part me that knows you need this, even if you ain’t realized it. And sometimes, people just…” He shrugged. “Connect. Right off the bat. Can’t really explain it. Life don’t always make sense, and matters of the heart and soul make a lot less sense. You want me to stop?”

The cheetah quickly shook his head. “N-no. I was just…” He licked his nose, tasting snow. “Curious. I’m very unused to this sort of thing, and…I don’t know if this is even the normal pace for such relation-” He cut himself off, ears flat, then swiftly amended himself. “Friendships.”

“Every…” Argos flourished his free hand. “Friendship is different. But I have been accused of jumping into things a little too quickly. Getting attached a little too quickly.” He grimaced. “Mostly by Iosa. She’s right, of course. And you’re right too, by the way.” He dusted snow from the cheetah’s ears. “Friends is what we are. Even with…” The coyote hugged Rivi. “This, right now. We only just met, after all. But, I ain’t gonna lie to you, neither.” Argos resumed gently stroking Rivi’s arm. “This is the sort thing that might lead a person to start wondering if there’s room there for more than friendship.”

Rivi swallowed, staring over the railing. They were outside the city’s walls, now. Glimpses of ramshackle slums and refugee tents mixed in amidst rocky hills and stone spires. “I’ve never actually…” Rivi cleared his throat, ears flat. “N-nevermind.”

Argos flashed him his usual, easygoing grin. “You don’t gotta say nothing you’re not comfortable with, Spots. And, on that note…” The coyote took a slow breath. “This is as good a time as any to tell you that…” He tilted his head, chewing on his tongue as if struggling to find the right words. “If anything more than friendship were to develop?”

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Rivi forced himself to stare into the snowstorm. “I…I couldn’t…”

“I know, Spots.” Argos idly brushed his free hand back and forth across the barrister. “I know. And I’m only bringing this up, cause of…” He squeezed the coyote against his body. “This. Which just sorta happened. And sometimes, that’s how it goes. Things just sorta…happen, between two people. So, just in case, there’s something I gotta tell you. You okay with that?”

The cheetah slowly nodded. “Go ahead.”

“This little friendship we seem to have struck up, here.” He gestured between them. “Whatever this is, whatever it may become? It can only last until this voyage ends. Cause after that, you got your pilgrimage, and I got my work. And we’re both gonna be carried in different directions, whether we like it or not.”

Rivi’s stomach twisted. His mouth went dry. The cheetah worked his tongue around in his muzzle, struggling to moisten it. Why, he wondered, was that particularly obvious truth so difficult to hear? He told himself it was simply because so few people had ever treated him so kindly as Argos. And no one had ever shown him such simple, wholehearted acceptance. If nothing else, Rivi would miss that.

“I-I know,” Rivi said, his voice little more than a hoarse whisper.

“Now, I realize that…” He indicated the two of them again. “This right here is probably as far as it’s gonna go. I just…” Argos sighed, and looked away. “I figured it wouldn’t be right, to give you the wrong idea about how long it might last. Yanno, just in case.”

“Thank you, Argos.” Rivi forced himself to look up at the coyote’s face, even as Argos continued to stare off into the snow. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I’m certain that by the time we say farewell, I shall miss your kindness and acceptance, if nothing else. Perhaps…” Rivi licked his nose again. “Perhaps we could write one another letters, now and then?”

Argos only chuckled. “Yeah, maybe Spots.” He cleared his throat with a very canine sounding growl. “Anyway, that’s outta the way. May as well enjoy getting to know one another while we can, huh?”

Rivi managed a small nod. “Yes, I like that idea.” His gaze lingered on Argos’s face for a few moments longer before he took, peered out into the swirling storm. “You’re probably the kindest person I’ve met on my pilgrimage so far, Argos.”

The coyote stilled. His body tensed against Rivi. “No, I ain’t.” Argos’s free hand clenched the banister. “I keep trying to tell you, I ain’t a good person.”

Rivi’s ears fell. Fresh snow already crusted them. “I-I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?” He hissed under his breath. “We have to be more careful with what we say, Rivi!”

“No, Spots,” Argos said. “It ain’t that.” He looked down at himself, as if only now noticing all the snow that clung to his drab gray coat. He brushed it off with one hand, the other arm still encircled around Rivi. “It’s just that I don’t really think ‘kind’ is a good descriptor for me.”

Rivi rested his gloved hands against the railing. “I meant it as a compliment.”

“I know you did.” Argos sighed, his shoulders slumping beneath his overcoat. “Look, Spots. I’ve done a lot of bad things. And I’m gonna do a lot more. I sure as hell ain’t-”

“You’ve been kind to me,” Rivi said, turning towards the canine. The cheetah gently placed his arm on Argos’s arm. “I know a job like yours must force you into all sorts of unpleasantries. But…” He trailed off, struggling to wrangle the right words, in the right order, from the maelstrom swirling in his head. “We are not solely defined…” When Argos glanced down at him, Rivi forced himself to smile up at the canine. “By the worst things we do. Your kindness towards me?” He waved over the banister, towards the city they’d left behind. “Your desire to help those refugees? To stand up for those who struggle to stand up for themselves? Those things define you ever bit as much as the terrible deeds you may have done.”

Argos stared down at him for a moment. Something dark and uncertain roiled behind Argos’s golden eyes. It was so unlike what Rivi normally saw in Argos’s eyes, that it took him a moment to realize what it was. Fear. What Argos could possibly be afraid of, Rivi did not know. Perhaps, Rivi thought, Argos was worried that Rivi might be revulsed by the coyote, if he ever learned the horrifying details of Argos’s work. Why the coyote would about that of all things, Rivi did not know. He told himself he was surely wrong. But just in case…

Rivi glanced at his hands, reminding himself he wore his gloves. Then, gently as he could, he took Argos’s hand between his own. Rivi spoke slowly, choosing each word with care. “A soldier who goes to war, to fight for his country, is not defined only by the lives he’s forced to take, Argos. But by the lives he saves. The lives he touches, his comrades on the front, his family back home. The good deeds he does, to atone for the acts that haunt him. We are all a complex tapestry, woven by the divines. A single thread will never define us. You are every bit as much the kindness you’ve shown me, as you are the cruelties you’ve been forced to inflict.”

Argos took a shaking breath. He blinked a few times, then looked away and wiped his eyes. “Goddamn, Spots.”

Rivi squeezed Argos’s hand, smiling just a little. “I hope your blasphemy means my words have merit.”

“More than you realize, I imagine.” The coyote turned his face back towards the cheetah. Snow alighted on his gray and tan fur. “Thank you, Rivi.” Argos bowed his head. “I genuinely appreciate it.”

“You are quite welcome, Argos.” Rivi patted the coyote’s hand, then released it. “I just…” The cheetah scowled. “I don’t want you to feel as though you aren’t kind. Or that there isn’t goodness, in you. Because there is. Even if you feel like it’s all been smothered by darkness.” Rivi rubbed his hands together. “You know, it’s said that even the Divine who wove our world together, after the Fracturing, once did terrible things. That he stood in opposition to other Divines, and pitted their children against one another. But when the Cosmos shattered, he chose to stitch it back together, regardless of the cost to himself. And just like him? No one thing, good or ill, will wholly define any of us.”

Argos gave a little sigh. He reached out and swept snow from Rivi’s head and ears. “You’re awfully damn eloquent when you wanna be, Spots.”

The feline chirruped nervous laughter, resisting the urge to lean his head into Argos’s warm touch. “You’ve no idea how much effort that eloquence took. I’m usually far more articulate in my writings. And thank the divines for that, or I’d never have made it through University, let alone attained any of my scholar’s positions.” Rivi paused, splaying his ears again. “I’m sorry, I’m starting to ramble again. Case in point, I suppose.”

“Don’t be sorry.” Argos tapped Rivi’s head. “You got a lotta interesting shit rattling around in there. I think sometimes it just all wants to come out at once.”

“That’s actually quite accurate.” Rivi shoved his hands into the pockets of his indigo overcoat. “Usually, the wrong things tumble out first. I sometimes find I must really focus to put my words in the proper order, let alone to prevent the wrong thoughts from slipping free. Like when I called you…” He glanced away, whispering. “Handsome.” A tiny smile flitted across his muzzle. “Which you are.”

“So are you, Cat.” Argos dusted more snow off the back of Rivi’s overcoat.

“Liar,” Rivi said, his smile widening.

“Am not.” Argos brushed off Rivi’s sleeves, then tilted his head. “Ain’t you getting cold without a hat?”

Rivi scowled. All at once, his ears stung a little in the wind, even a gentle numbness crept across them. It was as if ever since Argos put his arm around the cheetah, Rivi hadn’t even noticed the chill settling in beneath his fur. Only now when Rivi actively thought about it did the feline realize just how cold his face and head were getting. He rubbed one of his ears, just to bring some feeling back into it.

“Now that you mention it,” Rivi said, rubbing his other ear. “Yes. Aren’t you cold, as well? You don’t even have gloves.”

Argos merely shrugged. “I’m okay. Fingers are a little cold, I guess. But I think my fur’s better suited to the cold than yours.”

“Probably true.” Rivi shoved his hands back into his pockets. “I was hoping to stay out long enough to photograph the landscape outside the city. The jagged cliffs plunging into the sea are supposed to be spectacular. Yet the higher we get, the more the snowstorm obscures the view, anyway.”

“Yeah.” Argos leaned over the railing, peering down. “Not much to see now, I’m afraid.”

Rivi peered down as well. Very little could be seen now aside from whirls of blinding snow. Occasionally, glimpses of towering cliffs loomed through the snow, gray walls shrouded by white veils. Somewhere out there, Rivi knew the waves of the Tavosan Sea were ever-pounding against sheer cliffsides and jagged rocks. Somewhere, further south, Tavosa possessed a sheltered harbor, where freight vessels and fisherman alike were surely moored. The cheetah doubted anyone was likely to venture out to sea in this weather.

With a sigh, Rivi straightened up and glanced at his camera case nearby. “I suppose I should at least attempt to get a shot of the shoreline through the snow.”

“Lemme help.” Argos crouched down and opened the case. He retrieved the camera, and passed it to the feline. “You want me to try? I probably get steadier hands than you, and I don’t mind leaning over the railing.”

“Be my guest,” Rivi said.

Rivi scanned the world beneath the ship. Down below, a long, narrow, elevated peninsula appeared through the snow. Sheer cliffs surrounded it on all sides, their normally gray faces painted white. Angry, frothing waves lashed against the stony shore. A lighthouse with vibrant crimson and gold striping tipped the peninsula. Beyond it, the land fell away into a series of ragged spires, like sharp, broken steps leading down into the roiling sea. The cheetah doubted the view would remain for long.

“Over there!” Rivi pointed towards it. “See if you can get a shot of that.”

“Sure thing.” Argos located the lighthouse, then snapped a photo. He cranked the film forward, and took another. The Coyote had time to for just one more image, and then the churning clouds of snow closed back in. “That’s that, I think.” Argos lowered the camera. “Hopefully those turn out well. Good timing on deciding to take the Snowblind back out.”

“Yes, that worked out well.” Rivi took it back from Argos. He peered through the viewfinder, gazing around the deck. The crowd had already thinned a bit, no doubt chased inside by the frigid cold. He snapped a picture. “Shame about the weather. I should imagine people might linger out here all afternoon, otherwise.”

“Some of them would, yeah.” Argos leaned back against the railing. “Speaking of which, we should probably get you inside before your ears get frostbite.”

“I don’t think they’re quite that cold,” Rivi said. He took another photograph, trying to match one he’d taken earlier to illustrate how much more snow had fallen since he’d been outside. “Then again, I’m not entirely sure what getting frostbite feels like.”

Argos rubbed his muzzle. “Pretty sure it’s one of those things where if you wait until you feel it, you’ve already got it. You don’t want your ears to shrivel up, and fall off, do you?”

Rivi’s eyes widened. He lowered the camera, turning back to the coyote. “Is that what happens?”

“Nah, they don’t actually fall off on their own.” Argos smirked. “They get amputated.”

The cheetah gulped. “That isn’t much better.” He blew snow off the Snowblind, then returned it to its case. “Perhaps I should venture back inside, just to be safe.”

“Probably a good idea.” Argos tilted his head. “Have you eaten yet?”

“I had a late breakfast in the room.” Rivi hooked the camera case over his shoulder. “I wouldn’t mind something light, though. Oh, and a hot beverage, perhaps.”

Argos waved at the drink vendors nearby. “You want something here? Or you wanna go find a coffee shop inside the ship? If you don’t drink coffee, they’ve got tea and things too.”

“I enjoy tea and coffee alike.” Rivi padded across the deck. He paused to scan the drinks menu set up outside a beverage vendor. “I think I should like a hot cider, but I’d certainly enjoy sitting with you in a coffee shop, if that’s also an option.”

“It is.” Argos walked along at his side. He flashed the vendor two fingers. “Couple ciders, please.”

Rivi set his camera case down near the booth, then stepped in front of Argos. “Let me pay.” He unbuttoned his coat just enough to retrieve his billfold from within. Cold air slipped inside, trying to infiltrate through his sweater. “You and Iosa paid for literally everything else yesterday.”

“One meal.” Argos folded his arms, but did not argue. “We paid for one meal. You make it sound like-”

“And all the tips for the service staff,” Rivi said, digging out a bank note. “And far more importantly, you’re paying for the room!”

Argos held his hands up. “I keep telling you, Spots. The room’s comped. It ain’t costing me nothing.”

Rivi ignored him, passing money to the human man working the stall. “Keep the change, please.” He tucked his wallet away again, then buttoned his coat back up.

“Thank you, Sir!” The human man working the stall offered Rivi a thankful smile. He stashed the money in the till, and then poured steaming hot cider into two large paper cups. Steam wafted from them as he passed them across the counter. “Here you are. Enjoy.”

Rivi took the cups, glancing at them. The Worldstrider’s logo was printed upon them in black. “They really do brand everything on this vessel, don’t they.” He passed one of them to Argos.

“Yeah, all the big intercontinental ships do that.” Argos sipped the drink, then scrunched his muzzle, his ears flat. “Ow, Ow! Hot! Too hot! Don’t drink it yet.”

Rivi flattened his ears. “I won’t. Are you alright?”

“I dunno.” Argos worked his tongue around in his snout. “Hard to tell with a mouthful of seared flesh.”

Rivi fought back a giggle. “You should eat some snow. That might help.”

“It might, actually.” Argos scooped up a handful of snow from an untouched chair. He stuffed it into his muzzle, and let it melt in his mouth. “Well, now I’ve gone from burned, to frozen.”

“Hopefully numbness has eased the pain, at least.” Rivi dug his gloved fingers through a pile of fresh snow. “I think I’ll put a little snow into mine, to cool it down.”

“Smart.” Argos held his cup in both hands. “I’m just gonna wait, and let it bring some feeling back into my fingers.”

Rivi dropped a little snow into the golden liquid, watching as it quickly vanished. “And here I thought you were impervious to the cold. We can go inside right away, if you want.”

“It’s fine.” Argos lifted his cider up to his muzzle, blowing on it. Steam swirled around his face. “It’ll cool down faster out here. Just need to make sure it doesn’t burn the rest of my face off.”

Rivi grinned at the coyote. “Do you want me to add some snow to yours, too?”

“Might as well.” Argos offered his cider to the cheetah.

The feline scooped up another handful of frigid powder. He added half of it to Argos’s, then the rest to his own. “Hopefully this won’t dilute it too badly. I didn’t add much.”

“Should be fine.” Argos blew on his drink again as the snow melted away.

Rivi sniffed at his. The scents of dried apples and spices wafted from it. He took a cautious drink, and found the temperature just about perfect. It was still hot, but pleasantly so, warming him down to his belly. The taste was similar to the scent, but stronger, with a richer apple flavor backed by cinnamon and nutmeg. Rivi took a long drink, and then gave a happy little sigh.

“This is quite good.” He glanced up at Argos. “If yours is still too hot, put a little more snow in.”

Argos sipped it again, then smiled, his snow-dusted tail wagging. “Nah, it’s fine now. And yeah, that’s good cider.”

Rivi sipped a little more. “It’s not alcoholic, is it?” He looked over his shoulder at the booth. The sign indicated that hard cider was available, but did not specify if it was standard. “Or is it?”

“Don’t think so.” Argos drank a little deeper, then licked his nose. “Doesn’t taste like it. I think you gotta ask for that. Why, is this not what you wanted? As much as you tipped that guy, he’ll probably give you a boozy one for free.”

The cheetah shook his head. “No, it’s still a bit early in the day for alcohol.” A little grin parted his muzzle. “At least for me.”

Argos chuckled, working his cup back and forth, warming his fingers. “I ain’t had a drop yet today.” He paused, tilting his head. “Well, I guess technically I was drinking after midnight, but you know what I mean.”

Rivi shrugged. “I’m not the vice police. Besides…” He took a slow drink. “I somehow suspect your tolerance is significantly higher than mine. Why, I fear I was starting to make a drunken fool of myself last night, when only halfway through my lager!”

“Hardly a fool, Spots,” Argos said. “And I don’t think half a mug of lager is enough to get even you drunk.”

“Well…” Rivi flicked his tail. “Enjoyably tipsy, at the least.” He lifted his cup, pressing it against one of his chilly, half-numb ears. The warmth was almost uncomfortably intense. “Since yours has reached a drinkable temperature, perhaps we should head inside.”

“Oh, shit, right.” Argos walked towards the entryway back into the ship. Snow crunched beneath his shoes. “Don’t forget your camera.” The coyote paused to look back. “Actually, you want me to carry it?”

“No, thank you.” Rivi picked it back up, and hooked the strap over his shoulder. He caught up with Argos, and then walked at his side, sipping his cider. “I believe you made mention of a coffee shop?”

“I did.” Argos slipped around a few groups of people still braving the cold and snow. “They got a few that sell newspapers and magazines and the like, too. That might be best, cause they usually have extra seating. We can get a table for a while.”

“That sounds perfect,” Rivi said. “I should like to purchase a few periodicals, actually. Are you certain you don’t have any secret policeman business to attend?”

Argos flicked his ears back. “Nope. Iosa and I are off-duty most of the voyage, unless the ship requests our help with anything.” A scowl twisted his muzzle. “Granted, with all the extra passengers, they’ll probably request it more than usual, but…” He sipped his cider, and then flashed the feline his usual, easy-going smile. “For now, I’m all yours.”

“I’m heartened to hear it.” Rivi returned his smile. “I shall try not to prove too boring a companion.”

“Don’t think that’s gonna be a problem.” Argos turned back towards the doors, still grinning. “I’d tell you to lead the way, but pretty sure I’m the only one who knows where we’re going.”

“That’s correct.” Rivi followed after Argos. “I only found my way here, with the help of your map.”

Argos stopped just outside the entryway to shake snow from his coat. He stomped his boots a few times, then dusted off his head and tail. Rivi set his camera case back down long enough to follow the coyote’s lead. He shook out his coat, brushed off his head and tail, and stomped as much of the packed snow off his boots as he could manage. Then he followed the coyote through the doorways embedded in the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that lined the back edge of the VIP viewing deck.

Warm air washed across Rivi as soon as he stepped inside. He gave a happy sigh, relief rolling through him as feeling returned to his ears. The gnoll checking names remained, though most of the line to enter the viewing deck had long since diminished. Only a few stragglers remained, queued up to go out and see the snow and cold. Argos cut around them, walking swiftly down the corridor.

“Alright,” Argos said, without looking back. “So we got a few options. We can take the second lift bank, down to deck five. That’s a common-use deck, so it’s probably jammed with people. But it’s also got the largest coffee shops, and newsstands. Or, we can take the first set of lifts, and go up to deck thirty. That’s a first-class deck. It’ll probably be less crowded, but the selections at the news sellers might not be as expansive. Whatcha think, Spots?”

Rivi splayed his ears, sipping his cider. “I think I’m glad I have you here to navigate for me.”

“You’ll get the hang of it.” Argos paused as they neared the initial set of lifts. “Actually, how about we try the common deck, first? If we can’t find a table, you can always buy whatever reading material you want, and then we can take it to first class.”

“That sounds perfect,” Rivi said, following the coyote past the elevators.

Truth be told, Rivi thought, he didn’t care where they ended up. Right now, anything sounded perfect, as long as Argos was there too.