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Short story time from the world that is the Furry Basketball Association. Today we will feature Jona Vastenhout, one of the two players I have enlisted into the FBA draft for this year. This story comes with help of Herr Wozzeck - Herr Wozzeck FA - and his character Agundio Atti-Morales.

Jona Vastenhot played by me.

This takes place in the FBA universe - Furry Basketball Association

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Jona was up early in his hotel room after the combine game doing a bit of stretching. The two games were a bit rough but that was because it had been the first time the draftees all played together. Beyond that he knew that he played his best out there. After his stretching the marten looked over his phone to see the number of messages and voicemail from his family, friends, and classmates. Going through each of the voicemail first, he chuckled at some of the messages he heard over the speaker; yeah, they knew there was something special in him. Going from the voicemail to the messages, he found one particular one he was looking for.

"Hello Jona, it's Agundio. I saw you play at the Combine game tonight. Call me as soon as you get this message, I'd really like to catch up before the Draft."

Knowing the conversation with his college teammate will last a while, Jona first called the hotel desk to order breakfast and have it delivered to his door. Soon after that he used his cell phone to call Agundio. He has seen Agundio play when he first entered the school and knew that they would be keeping up on each other when it was time for him to enter the draft.

The call was answered with a click. "Hello?"

"Agundio; it's Jona calling back. How are things out there?"

"Things are... alright," said Agundio. "I'm looking forward to the season, and dreading other things in my life. But that is neither here nor there." He paused, and Jona heard a shifting in the background. "Anyway, how are you?"

"I am doing quite well myself" Jona started while taking a seat on the side of the bed. "My dad always said there are challenges in front of us no matter where we are or what we do. My challenge yesterday happened to be the combine games. So how did I look out there?"

"I think you did quite well, myself," said Agundio. "It is interesting, actually. Seeing your progress makes me think back to when we used to play, and you've only improved in the year I've been in the FBA."

"Thanks. I still remember some of the nights before the games where we hung out at the court and practiced. I seemed to have picked up on a lot of things during my time at the school", the marten recollected as if it happened a few nights ago.

"You never could stay away from the court for long," Agundio mused. "And now, here you are. Another Top 24 contender. You have to wonder how Coach Brigham feels now that he's sent _two_people to the Top 24."

"That seemed to be my safe haven; whether it was just taking shots or sitting at the bleachers with my headphones on. I couldn't let this dream pass by me. And yeah, Top 24. From what my agent tells me, I could potentially be in the Top 3 from the way I played out there. I know the coach is beaming with pride. And I think he deserves it too."

"He does," Agundio conceded. "And I am certain he is proud. I haven't talked to him much as of late, but knowing him, it would not surprise me." He then paused. "But I did call more than just for that. How are you managing everything that's happening?"

Jona gave it some thought about the question and gave a small sigh. "It is quite a lot to take in. Even after I declared for the draft, things has been on fast forward. I know I have some time between now and the draft itself but my agent is keeping me on my toes from interviews to checking out potential places to live to even scheduling a time to find a nice suit. The college classes wasn't this brutal."

"And I will tell you, it will only get more stressful once you are part of the League," said Agundio. "I know you truly want to be part of the FBA so I know you are serious, but... I will warn you that, having played a full season in the FBA, it is a very difficult environment. I wish I could go back to when the suit I would wear was my biggest worry..." He then paused, chuckling. "Though I suppose you will have the good fortune of not having to endure the family issues I dealt with throughout my rookie season."

Jona had paid attention every now and then to Agundio's career through sports news and the like. And knowing the avian is a devout christian, he figured there would be some concerns about going through that as well as what he had been through during childhood. There were days when the marten wanted to call Agundio and find out if things were all right during that last year. "I feel I am prepared for the worst entering the FBA. I know there are some veterans out there knowing that they could be threatened to be benched by the younger more sporadic players coming in. I just have to make sure I can fit in without most issues."

"And I am certain you will be able to," said Agundio. "One thing I will say that I wish someone had told me: you can only keep going forward once you're in. That's the only direction to go, really."

"Why would I want to take a step backwards? Once I'm in, I'm in. I'm committed. Gotta play your best!" The marten hopped up from the bed and walked over to the window to look out at the streets of Albany.

"That's the spirit, Jona," said Agundio. "That's the spirit." He paused. "Wouldn't it be quite something if we could play on the Firestorm together? I don't think it will happen, but you'd fit in pretty well here."

"I was thinking about that; me and you playing side by side. The world would definitely get a good look at how we play together," Jona exclaims. "But I am guessing that won't happen anytime soon."

"Unfortunately, they won't need a point guard," said Agundio. "And anyway, at your current standing in the Top 24 you'll be drafted long before they get to go. So alas..."

"There is a team out there that needs a point guard. That or they will get me and find a way to trade me for someone else. I'm sure we have seen that happen during the draft. Either way, I am looking forward to playing with you again even if we play in different teams."

"I feel much the same, Jona," said Agundio. "It will be a pleasure to play against you." He paused. "Though on that note, we should hope we do not end up in separate conferences. We will almost never get to see each other then!"

"Oh yeah; I forgot about that." Jona pondered for a moment. "If that is the case, then we both will know we will be doing our best. Who knows, we may do these phone conversations every now and then just to catch up on things."

"Perhaps," said Agundio. "Or perhaps we might see each other at draft night. Mr. Wregget says he may bring some of his players with him to the Draft, and I would very much like to go again."

"I do need a crowd behind me at the Draft," the marten answered back. "I would love to bring my family over from The Netherlands but I am saving that up for when I make my first start on the FBA. So any support that I can get now I will take."

"It is quite a long journey," Agundio replied. "I would ask my family to keep you company in that case, but we're already reeling from a trip to Europe ourselves, and anyway Pietro has school he can't miss, so unfortunately, I can't help you there, except to be in the same room."

"That's okay; I know my family will be excited to spend a week over here just to see me play. I know I will have my agent by my side." Jona chuckles to himself lightly and settles down on the chair beside the window.

"Hopefully he is a good one," Agundio replied. A voice sounded from outside the phone, to which Agundio replied in muffled tones before his voice came back on the phone. "Apologies, Jona, but Pietro wants me to say hello to some people. We've... I was in Italy just now. I've finally met my Italian family."

"Italy? That's where you are at?"

"It was where I was a couple days ago," said Agundio. "It was... quite the emotional roller coaster. Anyway, two of my cousins are on Skype, and they wanted to talk to me for a little bit."

"That sounds cool", Jona smiled. "I guess I should let you go then; this seems like an important part of your life coming together."

"Thank you, Jona," said Agundio. "If I do end up at the Draft, don't be a stranger, yes?"

"Of course not. I want to meet as many people as I can there including the draftees", Jona replied.

"Very well," said Agundio. "Good night, Jona. I hope you are well!"

"Good night to you too."

And with that, the call disconnected. Jona got up with a happy sigh, knowing that from this point on, things will just go up and up. His ears perked quickly upon hearing the door knock, sensing that his breakfast is awaiting on the other side of the door.