It was morning outside and the grass rustled as the early breeze took its flight. Ghilo's red scarf waved as the wind blew. The skies were clear and he was laying down the mound beside a hole which was the Burrow's entrance. With a long straw grass in his mouth and a memory from a previous Link from Raloc, the day felt more than fine.
Ghilo, white fur just like snow, held the three fingers of his paw like a gun and aimed at the sky. A cloud resembled a cow. Squinting one red eye, "Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything."
Ghilo fired and tilted his hand upward, reenacting the recoil. He blew on the barrel of his make-believe revolver. "Looks like I'll be havin' me some steak tonight."
Something blundered at a distance which caught Ghilo's attention. He holstered his finger gun and took a peek. An oversized poncho and someone thrashed from within. "Carwen?"
Carwen, a stout beige-furred Hopsch, finally found his poncho's hole. His underbite got snagged for second but he managed. He sighed of relief which quickly changed once he found the cross-legged Hopsch nearby. "Ghilo! Darn it! Will you please get back in? You can't keep on doing this! You're gonna get me fired!"
"Why don't you drag me in, Carwen?" teased Ghilo. "Have you ever gone out of that hole? It's nice and spacious over here. Come take a load off."
"N-No!" Carwen's eyebrows furrowed and he pouted. His plump cheeks looked like he ate a carrot whole. "And I don't wanna! Get inside, Ghilo! I happen to like my poncho!"
Not all Hopsch were fit to become Timekeepers. Carwen, a Gate Watcher, was given a poncho with the colors of the Burrow. The piece of clothing gave him a sense of pride he didn't know he had in him. He repeatedly tapped on his arm and stomped his foot. He was adamant as he could be as he gestured Ghilo to come back inside.
Ghilo's hands were behind his head and a leg dangled on top of the other. He was unfazed and kept his stare at the sky. "Not until the fireworks are over, Carwen."
"F-Fireworks?!" Carwen placed his knuckles on his wide hips. "It's morning, Ghilo! If no one hadn't linked it to you, you should be aware that fireworks happen at- ...night."
From the clouds, thunder roared and the hissing of electricity echoed. A giant armored dragon swooped down and pierced the sky. Slivers of lightning cackled from its large violet eyes. It was majestic and frightening. Calling it a tank in the sky would be an understatement.
In response, a loud ear-piercing siren emitted from the city below, miles away from the Burrow. Fighter planes launched one after the other from the city. The swarm of thirty maneuvered and left cloud trails as they headed towards the dragon. Missiles were fired. The payloads zoomed ahead and the clustered explosions erupted at the target's belly.
The dragon roared loudly but it wasn't because of the pain inflicted. It summoned its power. Molten rocks, infused with electricity, fell from above the dragon. These rocks exploded midair on the battlefield, similar to a jet's use of flares as countermeasures but far more deadly. The shrapnel of rocks sizzled with static and went in every direction. and collided into some jets. The explosions drew a constellation of flame. The others zigzagged to evade certain death while bombarding the massive beast.
Ghilo spat away the long straw grass. His red eyes gleamed at the scene. "Looks like it's the Humans and Err-Thak going at it today. Guess the Fellden didn't wake up for this one."
Teary eyed, Carwen sought cover with the Burrow's entrance. He meekly tapped the ground and begged Ghilo. "Come on Ghilo… I don't wanna die… I just got this poncho last month!"
Ghilo saw the wet mess Carwen was and scratched his head. He knew that Carwen was a cry baby and once he began, the waterworks would never stop. He got on his feet and headed for the entrance. "Alright, alright! I'm going! Come on buddy, I'll get you more pie once we get below."
-----
The two got down the ladder and Ghilo looked up from where they came from. It was a long tunnel upwards. He sighed. These gates were the only way of going in and out of the Burrows. The miniscule hole, all the way up top, reflected in his eyes. He muttered, "Why are we so far away…"
Carwen patted the dust off his poncho and angrily wiped the tears and snot off his face. He glared at his troublemaking friend. "Ghilo, you know I hate going up there! It gets my poncho all dirty and yucky... Tricking me with pie... It's unfair! Why don't you fool around at the other gate?!"
Ghilo wrapped his arm around Carwen's neck. "We've been buddies ever since Carwen. All the way back to eating baby carrots! If you hate it so much, why'd you sign up as a Gate Watcher anyways?"
"Because... Because... I like ponchos…"
Ghilo leaned in, "What was that?"
"I LIKE THE DAMN PONCHOS GHILO! It's a matter of preference!" Carwen ducked out of Ghilo's arm. He clenched his poncho then pointed up. He sniveled as he went on, "Besides... If I'm a Gate Watcher, I don't have to go out there… Stop making my job so hard…"
Ghilo smiled at Carwen who slowly went back to a sopping mess. He patted his friend's back. "Sorry Carwen, I just wanted to do my job. I want to be a great Timekeeper and become a witness to great things! I want to see it myself, through my own eyes, that decisive moment in time that changes everything. Just like a quick draw."
Carwen, whose face turned to mush, stared at Ghilo who looked shining. Light escaped through the hole above onto the white rabbit. He wiped his tears and smiled. "You owe me more pie, Ghilo."
Before Ghilo could weasel his way out of the payment, a paw snuck behind him and tugged on his ear. Surprised, he was dragged down to the floor.
Raloc wasn't amused. "GHILO! How many times have I told you?! Stop making Carwen cry!"
"Raloc!?" exclaimed Ghilo as he tried to pry the Raloc's paw off his ear.
"That's Burrow Leader Raloc to you!" Raloc slapped Ghilo in the rear with his cane. He didn't let go of Ghilo's ear either. "Now come with me!
"You're really not giving me much of a-" Ghilo's ear wound tighter. He repeatedly slapped Raloc's arm. "I will! I will! Let go of my ear, you old shoe!
Carwen, happy that peace returned, waved goodbye with a bright smile then took out a notebook. He listed another pie under Ghilo's tab. "That makes seven."
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Ghilo tread on the heels of Raloc. They entered the town, normally vibrant, which was somber and had a thin tension in the air. The other Hopsch went about their day's work but sort of lugged themselves around. Their enthusiasm was sapped by recent events and tragedies.
A farmer towed his gabbit, a rabbit the size of a car with little to no intellect, to the side and the wheel of his wooden cart got caught on a rock. His produce fell to the ground but he stood and stared hopelessly. He didn't see the point of it all. It wasn't until other villagers helped that he bent down to pick them up.
Ghilo wanted to help but instead, looked down. He felt a pang in his chest. He turned to Raloc's back which seemed weak. He looked at the Raloc's cane, which he detested whenever it was used to teach him a lesson, but now it was just the old man's support. He had trouble finding the words but, eventually, asked, "Are you mad, Burrow Leader Raloc?"
Raloc's shoulders heaved up and down with a deep sigh. His shoulder bag almost fell but he quickly rose the sling back into position. He turned and patted Ghilo on the head. He smiled and spoke without any prejudice. "You have to be more responsible, Ghilo."
"Burrow Leader Raloc…" Ghilo twiddled his thumbs. "Could you give me another memory of those men with spurs on their boots? I'm really fond of them and if you do, I won't need to go back up! I promise."
Raloc was reluctant. He eyed Ghilo suspiciously but ultimately gave in. Ghilo was his student and even though Ghilo wanted those memories for enjoyment, it was still a part of history.
Raloc went near Ghilo and tipped his top hat back. He had to make more room for his forehead. Ghilo tiptoed up to reach Raloc's forehead with his. They closed their eyes as their foreheads met.
It was a memory of a man in a bar. He was dirty from the sand outside. He asked the bartender for water. The entire bar jeered and laughed. He didn't even need to decide. The bartender slid a small glass his way from across the bar and poured the man whiskey. Before he could take a sip, the saloon doors burst open. On instinct, the man kept his hand close to the gun on his hip.
After a few seconds, Raloc moved back and started walking again.
Ghilo shook his head and saw Raloc had walked further away. He caught up to his mentor's side. "Just a little more please!
"Ghilo, one story at a?"
Ghilo slumped his shoulders and replied like a kid who couldn't have ice cream on a sunday, "...One story at a time."
"Good." Raloc stopped in place. The odd pause made Ghilo look up at the Burrow Leader. Raloc cleared his throat and continued, "You see Ghilo, I don't have much left in me and I want you to become Burrow Leader of Bluntfoot one day. The Hopsch here… They have lost the passion, which you have an abundance of, and discipline, which, sadly, you thoroughly lack. Discipline will come in time, and I hope it comes for your sake, but passion is a fire hardly lit.
Ghilo thought something was amiss. "What happened in the meeting?"
"They were so frightened you could practically see their tails running off on their own." Raloc scoffed. His gentle demeanor came back as he faced Ghilo. He said, "Life has its own cycle but duty and purpose are what will stand against time. They either forgot or didn't understand that. To think at their rank they cower."
"If... If I was a Timekeeper, I'd go out there Raloc. I really would."
"Such admirable youth, Ghilo." Raloc showed his back as he rummaged through his bag. "If only you were born sooner. Time often has an ironic relationship with fate. I've seen it happen too many times."
When Raloc turned around, on his palm was a necktie. It was Ghilo's next rank.
Ghilo swiped it from Raloc's hand. He couldn't believe it. His red eyes glowed at the piece of clothing then he turned back to Raloc, "B-Burrow Leader Raloc! Are you sure? But what about the giving of rites?"
Raloc brushed the idea off with a swing of his cane in the air. "I doubt we have a moment to spare. Besides, ungovernable as you are, I believe you're more suited than most, Ghilo."
Ghilo couldn't wait any longer and wore the necktie. The knot was tangled and puffy but he didn't care. He hopped and hopped, overjoyed.
"Wear it proudly," advised Raloc. "It's one step closer to being a Timekeeper and maybe even Burrow Leader."
Raloc knew in himself that Ghilo was going to be a great Timekeeper. Still, he debated whether it was the right time. He had only wanted to get a leather pouch of water in his bag. The tie got caught in his fingers by mistake. Upon seeing Ghilo that happy, he shrugged.
While the master and student enjoyed their moment, a few Hopsch lurked in the corner. Sinister eyes peeked from the shadows. With a click of the tongue, they vanished.