# Ch.21: Independent studies

Honestly, I think that you got the point with the food,

so I will stop writing about it.

Nah.

This time they had some kind of mystery flour

flatbread topped with "specialty Spam".

Fortunately, the bread had some lard so it wasn't too dry.

They also had some tarragon drinks with mint.

F4: What's in the paste this time?

J: Testicles, mustard, rape.

F6: Does it have salt?

G: Not a lot. We didn't think that following the

traditional recipe would have been a good idea.

And the bread also has salt.

F5: And you call this bread?

Z: Yes.

F4: Couldn't you use more, normal ingredients?

J: What, you want to try out the MREs?

F4: No?

F3: I think that some options are not being discussed here.

J: And what do you think you are? Free?

F4: Couldn't you at least prepare something for our sake?

F6: I think it tastes fine.

J>F4: Oh yeah! Let me write that down and put it in my slave suggestion box.

J: *Paper shredder noises*

F5: What a jerk.

G: To be fair, we were making full use of the ingredients.

F2: Wait, all them? Aren't some animal parts kinda nasty?

Z: No. We are not feeding you animal furs.

F2: Phew! You had me worried there!

Z: In other news, remember that science always beats lies.

F3: That reminds me: How are you alive?

Z: Very simple: Physics apply to everything inside the ship but us.

F1: That's oddly selective.

J: As I say, we wouldn't be stupid enough to kill ourselves. Right guys?

Z: ... G: ...

J: Most of the time, at least.

F4: What?

J: Anyways, I think that you guys just finished basic training.

F5: What?

Confetti was popped.

F2: The confetti fell into my drink.

J: Tough titties.

G: We will arrive to the main continent tomorrow night,

so you have the next day to do whatever you want.

F6: Can I try baki-

J: EXCEPT that you have to dedicate it to something useful.

F3: And how would you define that?

Z: Training or study with immediate field advantages.

F4: Such as?

Z: Getting better with a weapon, training said weapon with your other hand,

learning another basic skill such as-

F6: Cooking?

J: Sure, but no cookies. Can you even make anything else?

F6: Uhhh... I think I once made crackers by accident.

J: No crackers either then.

F2: Can I train with playing cards?

Z: It makes no sense to train for something you are already good at.

F2: Aw.

J: Remember that we don't need world-class experts on anything.

What we need is people that can do an OK job at everything.

F3: But what if-

J: WE ARE the world-class experts. No redundancy required.

G: Isn't it a bit egotistical from your part?

J: Well!? Tell me something I can't do.

Z: Continuum mechanics.

G: Aiming.

Z: Machine design.

G: Human empathy.

J: Ok! But you can do that!

Z: I guess that is correct.

J: If you need help with some complicated info, we can give it to you.

We only need you to not fuck everything up, and with you, that takes skill!

F3: Doesn't with everyone?

J: Not with a REAL adult, moreso with you toddlers.

F5: Will we ever graduate from being treated like toddlers?

Z: That's up to you.

G: Well, not to sound offensive, but they say you reap what you sow.

F4: Were we talking about farming?

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

J: Absolutely, fan-tas-tic.

F1: May I study clocks during my leisure time?

G: You may at the end of the day. But please, train some more for your safety.

F4: About the farming...

J: IT'S AN IDIOT, YOU IDIOM!

F4: W-what?

J: FUCK!

After that, the six little foxes went to bed.

And then, little red riding hood came... Nah.

Next day!

Breakfast. What's for breakfast?

Surely not Froot Loops... And you'd be right.

They had some plain old fruitcake, And by plain, I mean really plain,

as it didn't have eggs or milk.

F2: I had a dream...

J: "That people would be judged by their actions..."

Z: Didn't happen.

F2: What, no! I dreamt that I was bringing food to my grandma on a basket,

but then a big wolf came-

J: Oh, that one's a classic! Moral of the story: Don't be so fucking innocent.

F2: Huh? How did you-

J: Mind powers!

G: Fifi, you should know that there are lots

of people out there that want to hurt you,

and the rest will hurt you in their ignorance.

F2: But you don't want to, right?

J: Heh, she doesn't know...

G: Could you shut up for a second?

G>F2: You can't just trust people when they say something is for your good.

They may be wrong, or just trying to take advantage of you.

Throwing your life away for something you don't comprehend never ends well.

F2: But, what do I do then?

G: Only you can learn what's good in this world. Find the truth,

and you will know what to do.

F2: ...

F2: *sigh* ...Ok.

F5: Wait, she didn't cry?

J: As it turns out, she is more of a man than a certain person here.

Anyways, it's about time that you get to doing something productive.

G: You can ask us if you need help with something.

Z: Obviously, we are there to assist, not to babysit.

We will also be quite busy today.

G: I'm the more available of the lot, so I don't mind.

G: So, what do you plan to do today?

J: After the daily exercise routine?

F4: Ah, I forgot about that.

F6: I think I will try my hand at cooking.

J: Good! Because we probably won't be making food for you out there.

F5: What do you mean by probably?

J: Do you like your food with traces of poison and explosives?

F4: No?

J: Then we probably won't be cooking for you.

Z: To clarify, our slime tends to hold trace materials.

We can keep them separated from the toxins in a lake,

but not so much with a pack.

F2: Ohhh...

J: Anything else?

F2: Well, I think that I will try to get good at using weapons with both hands.

G: Great! It shouldn't be too hard, but call me if you need help.

F3: I will be... Hmmm...

F5: I think that I will train my aiming.

F3: *scratches nonexistent beard*

F4: I guess I will learn more maths with Filbert.

F3: Sure, I can teach you.

F1: May I try out fishing?

J: Do you have any prior experience with that?

F1: No, sir.

Z: I will leave you the supplies at the deck.

F1: Thanks.

J: Try reading the manual, and don't fall of the deck, ok!?

F1: Yes, sir.

And so, the foxes started their independent activities.

Let's start with F1.

He was sitting on a chair, on a ship, on an ocean.

On a world...

F1: Lovely day, Isn't it?

Goddamn maniac, talking to himself.

On his first try, he threw the rod into the ocean. Fortunately,

there were several spares.

F1: The ship's going a bit too fast, I think.

True.

He tried reading the manual and reassembling the rig.

F1: Alright, time for a little trolling.

He trolled them real good.

After a while, a tuna bit the line and F1 was almost sent flying.

Since he didn't want to end in the sea, he released the rod,

and went back to reading the manual.

F1: "Attach rod to ship to avoid dangerous pull from large fish."

He looked around, and there it was. A rod holder.

F1: Now I feel a bit dumb.

Even then, he would not shut up.