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What will he be like? Will he be stern? Or kind? Is he perhaps an anthropian like me? No... I doubt it... What if he's my age? How would that even... Hmm... Perhaps...? Oh dear... Get it together, Dave, this is not the time to be losing your grip! You worry too much. You're putting thoughts in your head that shouldn't even be there. Master Nightfang is your teacher that you haven't even met yet. He's probably an elderly human who's looking for a worthy student to pass his lessons on to; I'm that student. I need to show Master Nightfang utmost respect. I won't disappoint him...

"Attention all passengers! We'll be arriving at Sentra station in a few moments. Please make sure you have all your belongings before exiting the Metro. We thank you for your patronage."

The robotic monotone announcement muffles my music and pulls me back from my thoughts, my paws groping the insides of my hoodie's pocket to grab hold of my audio player.

I carefully pull it out, checking the time.

Eight thirty... I really hope I'm not gonna be late...

I switch songs to something more fast paced, the neon cover art seeming to smile at me, the tinge of adrenaline it brings quickly warping my worry into a strange excitement still touched by the fingers of my own foreboding thoughts.

The metro slowly comes to a halt, the doors opening soundlessly once we had fully ceased movement. In an instant, the passengers begin spilling out into the station, the new vagabonds of this city slipping in as the old move out. With a swift step and a bit of skill, I manage to weave through the crowd, the steady beat of my music helping me keep pace and stay focused; the last thing I need is to be late over my own irrational fear of crowds.

What if Master Nightfang sends me away? What if I'm not the student he desires?

I sigh heavily before making my way up a winding flight of stairs.

I really hope he doesn't send me off... I want to learn to control this and make him proud. I can't just let this trip be for nothing.

I hop over the final step, landing perfectly on the concrete floor.

Which way do I go next? Hmm... Oh, yeah. I've gotta take a right and go through the tunnel and over the bridge. Take another right, and then it'll be dead ahead of me. That's where I'll find his apartment.

I make my way to the right of the crowd, slinking between the gaps formed by the bustling mass of commuters. Without too much trouble, I reach the tunnel leading out bridge, the amount of people thinning considerable as I make my way ahead.

Finally, a bit of space... can't stand all these people everywhere.

I take a deep breath, the fresh air of the outside slithering into the dim tunnel.

Finally, I make it out into the open, numerous sets of stairs of leading down into several other parts of the rich district. Ahead of me sits the glistening silver bridge leading to the towering apartments of the Sentra district.

"There," I mutter, pointing up at the tallest of the clustered buildings.

On the 27th floor, room number 301; that's where I'll find him.

I can't deny the sense of unease stroking my attention ever so slowly, the subtle sting of worry poking at my stomachs walls.

Relax, Dave. You've got this.

I take out my earphones, stashing them inside my messenger bag's pocket before beginning my commute to Master Nightfang's apartment.

What if I mess up? What if set something on fire or somehow end up harming him? Dammit, why do I have to be such a fucking wreck?

I sigh heavily, stopping briefly to allow myself a moment to listen to the city's quiet song.

Everything's gonna be fine... Just stay calm... It'll all work out...

"Mister Everton, you have received a new message."

My phone's AI calls out to me, bringing me back from my thoughts.

I retrieve the slim device from my pocket, unlocking it with a swift press of a button.

"Another message from Master Nightfang...?"

Strange...

"David, once you get to the apartment, be sure to tell the clerk behind the registration desk that you're my new student. He may request to see your identification profile, though that'd be all. I hope this does not inconvenience you. I anticipate your arrival excitedly."

Again, his slinking signature concludes his message, the sight of his name bringing a strange sense of urgency to my mind.

"Gotta go. Can't be late," I murmur as I slip my phone back into my pocket.

With fleet steps, I make my way toward the towering complex, climbing the maze of stairs to the sleek, modern plaza.

Not a person in sight... feels a bit lonely...

I look around, taking in every detail of my environment. A fountain of marble is situated in the center of the plaza, the gentle sound of splashing water seeming to greet my presence. From there, several tubes of sky blue light run through the ground, single beams slowly moving along their destined paths and into the ground, only to repeat the process several moments later.

To the left of the fountain, on the far side of the plaza, stands the statue of a mighty dragon, clad in the armor worn by those who fought in the War of Heaven's Roses, his stature proud and regal. Juxtaposing him, on the far right, stands the statue of a human, also wearing the armor worn by their race during the war. His stature, however, seemed a bit more arrogant, a sly grin plastered on his face. In the middle of it all, just beyond the fountain, stands the statue of a canid anthropian, he, too, standing clad in the armor of his people, with his paws folded behind his back, his expression serious and stoic.

It's somewhat ironic, really. These statues are fashioned in the images of warriors who have been lost to the ages. Thousands of years ago was fought the War of Heaven's Roses, a bloody conflict spurred by the dragons and humans alike, each seeking to further their own territories and powers by claiming divine right to be what entitled them to wage war against their allies. Only when the anthropian diplomats stepped in was a treaty formed, the eventual jumps in space travel and colonization allowing the still existing tension between the two to be lessened.

Even though the tensions have nearly dissipated, radicals on all sides, dragon, human, and anthropian alike, still exist. But, then again, that is to be expected; don't all ideas manifest radicals in one way or another?

I proceed through the plaza and toward the glass double doors, the reflection of the outside world masquerading the interior of the cascading housing complex.

C'mon, Dave, you've got this...

I inhale deeply before gripping the handle and pulling the doors apart, a friendly yet unfamiliar voice greeting me as I do.

"Good morning, Sir. How may I help you today?"

My ears prick and my tail stands stiff as my eyes look francticaly from left to right.

"Over here," announces the voice, the sight of an elderly hare catching my attention.

"Good morning! I assume that you are here to visit someone?"

I step over to the desk and nod.

"Yes, sir. I'm here to visit Master Nightfang."

My response is tense, charged by my own anxiety.

"Oh! Does your name happen to be David Everton?"

I nod.

"Indeed it is," I pause looking for a name tag or method of identification, "Alfred."

He smiles and chuckles heartily.

"Could I please see some method of identification? I just need to log visitors in case anything happens."

"Of course! One moment, please."

I begin digging through my messenger bag, retrieving my wallet from the bowels of the cheap leather bag.

"Here you go, Alfred."

I pass him my ID slip, swiftly withdrawn from my wallet.

He gently pulls it from my fingers and looks it over.

"Everything seems to be in order, here. Now, just let me add you to the list of visitors that have passed through today."

He slides my card along a thin opening in the desk, a quiet tone of confirmation playing afterwards.

"All done, Mister Everton. Just take the elevator over there to the 27th floor and look for room 301 on your right. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'll be more than happy to help out."

I nod my head and smile.

"Certainly. Thank you, Alfred."

The elderly hare chuckles and passes me my ID profile.

"It's my job to help anyone who comes through; it's good to know I do it well."

He folds his paws behind his back and smiles.

"Now, I think Master Nightfang is expecting you. Don't keep him waiting," he remarks, motioning toward the elevator.

"O-Oh! Can't be late!"

I scurry along the grandly furnished lobby, reaching the elevator within seconds.

"Have a good day, Alfred!" I shout as I look back, my right paw strafing against the elevator call button.

Alfred waves in response, before greeting the next person who had stepped into the lobby.

Their conversations is almost immediately drowned out by the sound of the elevator doors sliding open, allowing me to be whisked away to the floor of my choosing. I step inside without a moment of hesitation, finding the button labeled "27" and giving it a firm press. Almost instantly, the elevator begins moving, shooting hundreds of feet into the sky.

This is it... Today begins my journey to a life I'd been dreaming to live... Today, it begins.