𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙻𝙳 𝚂𝙾 𝙲𝙾𝙻𝙳

Conflict Digs In

Benjamin and Volkov watched the news in the living room of the home that played from the laser projector which hung from the ceiling. The headline read "Amarok Invasion of N. MN." The female anthro news anchor spoke over footage of the Nation's Army rolling through the various towns in the protectorate and in the Southern Nations along with clips of combat units moving through the forests of North Minnesota as they search for After Common Era and to wage their war against them.

Amaria slumbered quietly upon Benjamin as they lied on the living room couch together. Benjamin watched the footage, feeling somber yet also contented they were no longer in the way of the war to come. Volkov stared at the images while listening carefully to what the anchor had to say as he slouched in a recliner. He listened intently for information that the Nation's Army was telling the public in regard to their operations in the state. The footage then cuts to a Nation's Army commander as he is being interviewed by a group of various news correspondents.

"We know the United States has taken up positions along our borders, but we are still questioning what their plan is. Whatever it is, we will be prepared to defend our people and our land." The commander says before the anchor returns to report on the other stories of the day.

Volkov sighed out softly, reclining further into the armchair he sat in. Benjamin gently lifted his head and looked over to the wolf. "Thinking about something?" Benjamin asked with a hushed tone so as to not wake the slumbering fox.

"I guess... I am just concerned about how all this will go." Volkov answers as he glances up towards the roof of the living room.

"What do you mean?" Benjamin then asked. Amaria then softly grunts  out softly in her sleep and brings the man closer to her.

"Just..." Volkov responds before bringing his hand up to his forehead and rubs his temple with his fingers.  "...the Nation's Army seems confident they can fight against the United States. However, I do fear they might be underestimating things. Yes, we do have the most powerful technology, but the United States is tenacious..." The wolf says before bringing his hand down and glancing back towards the projection screen.

Benjamin looked away from Volkov and lowered his head, turning his gaze back to the projector screen as well. "So, you think this whole thing won't end quickly?" He then asks.

"Not at all." Volkov softly says.

The two continue to observe the news in silence for a while, listening to the news anchor deliver each headline. Just then, Mrs. Romangrad exits out of the kitchen and into the grand dining room of the home with a tray full of plates of food. She sets the tray down upon the table and begins to place the plates. The sound of the ceramic plates causes Volkovs' ears to flick. He turns his head to look around above the recliner and towards the dining room, seeing his mother setting the table. He smiles to himself before rising to his feet and glances over to his two friends.

"Dinner time, you two." Volkov says before exiting the living room and into the dining room.

Benjamin then looks down at Amaria and gently shakes her. "Hey, love. Wake up. Dinner is finally ready." He says.

Amaria gently stirs. "Tha's fine jus' put it on my tab, babe..." She grumbles, bringing her hand up to the side of Benjamin's neck.

Benjamin chuckles softly, still gently shaking Amaria. "It's time to eat, you asked me to wake you up when it was ready." He says, still continuing to gently shake the fox. Finally, Amarias' eyes eventually flutter open and she lifts her head up and looks to Benjamin.

"Huh...?" She asked as she took in a breath through her nostrils, smelling the aroma of spices in the air. Her ears suddenly perk up before she lifted herself up and straddled Benjamin, sharply turned her head to the dining room and noticed Volkov and Mrs. Romangrad taking their seats at the table. She happily smiles to herself before removing herself off of Benjamins' lap before hastily exiting the living room.