Username: loverboy_
Name: Chio
Prompt:
“If you don’t get in you come right home, you understand me?” Chio’s mom held his face between her paws, forehead on his. Chio smiled.
“Yes momma.” It had been three weeks since auditions had opened at the largest entertainment agency in Kalonea, and Chio had finally received a letter confirming his slot. He had packed as quickly as possible and his flight was in an hour.
“You remember our promise?” His little sister, Serena, spoke up. She was still just a kit, small and fluffy. She ran up to Chio and hugged his legs. He patted her head.
“Of course.” He reached into his bag and pulled out the collar. The oversized brass bell tinkled. “I’ll wear it every day, until I come back to perform right here!” Serena jumped.
“Yay! I know you’ll do great big brother. You’re the best at singing.” Chio looked at his little family, two Kalons who loved him no matter what. He began to tear up, and took a deep breath.
“Okay. I have to go now.” He looked down at his sister. “Serena, you be a good girl and watch over momma. Can you do that?” Serena made a determined face.
“You can count on me!” Chio chuckled.
“I feel safer already.” Their mom said. She was crying a little.
“Mom. I’ll miss you a lot. You’ve always been so good to me.” Chio told her. She nodded.
“I knew someday you would leave me. That’s what it is to be a mother. But you can always come home. Don’t forget that.” They hugged, and Serena joined in. Finally, Chio had to go. He extricated himself from his family’s embrace and got in the taxi that had now been a waiting a few minutes. The driver looked at him in the rearview mirror.
“You took your time. Where to?”
“East airport.” Chio waved to his mom and sister as the car pulled away.
I’ll make you proud.Extra:
“Hey Chi, why do you always wear that noisy thing?” It was midafternoon, and Chio’s trainee group was starting dance practice. Chio was in the midst of warming up, his bell jingling with his every move. The Kal who had asked, a taller fellow with dark blue fur, stood over him with a frown. Chio didn’t look his way.
“I made a promise with my sister. I have to wear it until I perform in my hometown.” The blue Kalon laughed.
“It’ll be a real shame when you can’t keep that promise.” He said. Chio frowned.
“Hey.” It was another voice, from across the room. “Team B’s practice time is over, Silas. Get going.” Silas held his paws up.
“Alright, alright. But the cream puff shouldn’t get his hopes up.” He walked away. Chio sighed.
“I could have handled him.” He said to the Kalon who had spoken up, a pink-furred one with a short mane.
“Yeah, okay, if you say so.” He sat on the floor next to Chio.
“Karter!” He punched him lightly in the arm. They laughed. Ever since arriving in Kalonea a year ago, Chio had spent nearly every day working harder than he ever had before. Learning Kalonese had been tough enough, having grown up in a human country speaking English, but adapting to the different culture was enough to make him want to go running back home. Karter, a native Kalonean fluent in English, had been a godsend for Chio those first difficult months. His help had saved Chio’s tail everywhere, from conference rooms to dance classes.
“For the record, I like your bell.” The pink Kalon said. Chio tapped the metal sphere gently.
“Thanks.”
“It’s good for making sure you don’t wander off.” Karter’s smile was sassy.
“Why, you-” Chio jumped him, aiming for a tickle attack.
“Uh, what’s going on guys? Or do I want to know?” Someone had entered the room.
“Lewis! We were just, warming up?” The older Kalon had cool grey fur and a cooler expression. He waved a paw dismissively.
“I brought the others.” From behind him came the remaining two trainees on their team: Bandit, and Dewey. Bandit was the oldest and as usual seemed like his mind was elsewhere. Dewey’s eyes raced around erratically, nervous as he always was when dance practice came around. The young Kals spread out through the room and allowed Karter to lead them in some stretches. Chio was the youngest of the five, too old for Team A but still a little young for Team C. He had never had brothers, but he imagined this was what having older brothers would be like. Sure, learning to be an idol was hard, but Chio didn’t mind, as long as he got to chase his dream with good friends like these by his side.