A Soviet's Struggle

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8:45 am. What a time to be alive. It was now August. A week before classes began - in September, to be precise. Right now, Mariya was in a car with Gerwalt and a couple of other characters she met about 10 minutes ago. His brother, Burhardt, a tall and proud Arctic Fox with Gerwalt's Arctic Blue eyes who had a knack for perversions and partying, and a quiet and calm Siberian Tigress, who was mixed with snow leopard due to her spots, named Akari. She was shorter than the average Animalloid, at about 5'8", and adorned Complete Heterochromia, an eye condition where her eyes were two separate colours - Green and Hazel. On top of this, she wore black rimmed glasses. The four of them were in one of the several cars heading to Binzer Beach off the coast of the Baltic sea for a beach party, the very same beach party Mariya and Alexandra, which the latter could not make it due to catching the seasonal flu, were invited to.

The road trip would take several hours - 3 hours and 15 minutes - on good conditions. Mariya packed light, using the backpack she got from Nömberg, packing only her whiteboard, markers, sketchbook, pencil and charcoal, and a change of clothes. Of course, she brought her trusty gas mask, which she was wearing. Being the only mute in a car filled with Animalloids who could speak was uncomfortable, to say the least, for the Hybrid. She wanted to communicate with these Animalloids, but she simply couldn't. She looked out the window curiously, watching the city skyline and listening to the radio, which was playing European, early 2000's, pop music. According to Gerwalt, there were a total of 3 cars, theirs being one of them, travelling to Binzer, so Mariya was looking forward to seeing a ton of new faces. Unfortunately, with Alexandra not being able to attend, Silsina getting busy trying to get her name out on the music market, and Jasmine not passing the exams, Mariya really only "knew" Gerwalt; even if she didn't even know him that well. For all she knew, they could be lying to her and they're actually taking her to a secluded location to end her life. Either way, she thought, this would be fun.

"Thank you so much for joining us today, Klaus, but better luck next time! Up next is, 'Without me' by Eminem; and hey, message the station at Masurenallee 8, 14057 Berlin, Germany, maybe you'll be our next pick for our trivia! Thank you, and enjoy the music!"

"Oh, I love this song!" Gerwalt exclaimed, turning the volume knob on the dashboard on high. Mariya turned to watch him do this, looking up at his face, which wore a happy smile. She heard Burhardt scoff, getting surprised when a muzzle popped into her vision as the Arctic Fox leaned into the centre console.

"You like Eminem? I guess we aren't so different after all!"

Gerwalt chuckled, turning to Mariya, who was still looking at the Fox muzzle that surprised her so suddenly. "Do you like rap music?" He asked, his eyes quickly darting back onto the road.

Both boys awaited a form of response, Gerwalt forgetting temporarily that Maryia couldn't reply vocally. She looked to Burhardt's eyes, who were staring right back into hers, and shrugged.

"She shrugged."

"Oh," The Polar Bear said. "This might change your mind then!"

Akari watched the three interact, her calm demeanour not shifting in the slightest. She smiled softly as the two boys playfully teased this newcomer to their group. Her attention was turned to Burhardt, who had sat back in his seat as Gerwalt changed lanes to get onto the AutoBahn. He turned to Akari, and they locked eyes for a short moment.

He smiled, asking: "What do you think of rap music?"

"Oh, nothing much. I'm not the biggest fan, personally. I much rather prefer American classic rock." She said, shifting in her chair slightly.

The Polar Bear chuckled at the remark, lifting his head up slightly, sarcastically noting that: "We have some Animalloids without any taste!"

Mariya took note of the comment, and turned her attention back to the window. The brothers were jamming out, singing their lungs out. It must be nice, she thought, having friends like these. Maybe she, too, will have that chance.