Tails of Alpherion

Tails of Alpherion: #001 Pilot

ONE

Today is a special day for Samantha Snowfield. Not only is it the first day of a promising new year, Summerville U final exams are now upon them. This will determine the conclusion of her attendance after two full years. Samantha had just turned eighteen at the end of last year and she looks forward to being a responsible adult figure in the community. She had been working diligently on earning her certifications to become a Child Care Administrator. As of now, Sam possesses a quiet confidence. She tells herself that all of the hard work and studying will pay off for her come time for testing. Until then, everyone else on campus is more concerned about what they are going to do with a week-long break to kick off the month of New Spring.

While her peers are planning to find ways to spend their vacation away from the campus, she has yet to come up with any plans. Samantha did not mind the idea of staying put and enjoying the solitude. It is not as if she knows anyone well enough to go traveling with in the first place. Samantha typically goes out of her way to avoid mingling with other students, only because she feels that opening up to anyone will only distract her from studying and her goal to graduate. However, every so often, Sam did wonder if she would ever make time for at least one friendship. Especially since she let so much time go by without introducing herself to anyone besides her roommate a couple times.. Dealing with low self-esteem and insecurities really put a damper on her social life.

The alarm suddenly goes off on her dresser and Samantha slowly pokes her snout out from under her heavy blankets. After testing the temperature with her nose, she pokes out her arm and swings for her alarm clock until she accidentally smacks it onto the floor. Flustered, she pops her head out and scoops up the clock, shutting it off and then releasing a sigh of relief. She adjusts the strap to her tank top and then gets up to peek outside of her room, peering through the crack of the door. Everything is quiet and still, but even so, she sniffs the air once more as if to check for any signs of life. As she expects, Samantha is in the dorm alone, once again. Fortunately, this means that Sam can parade about as she pleases and she takes full advantage of this moment. Sam rushes to gather her things and prepares to take the longest shower she can stand. For most of her time at Summerville U, Sam had enjoyed the luxury of having the space to herself. It wasn't until about six months ago when Samantha began sharing her room with another student by the name of Najera Whitemane.

Samantha dances and sings with reckless abandon within the security of the bathroom walls. With the freedom of not having an audience, Samantha turns up the volume to her imaginary solo while soaking up the hot water. Once the concert comes to a conclusion, she gives herself a vigorous shake, hops out of the shower, and strikes a sassy pose in front of their foggy bathroom mirror.

"Thanks to everyone who came to hear my concert!" Samantha quietly projects as she pretends to yell over the sound of a cheering crow.

Samantha quickly grabs the nearest towel and tries to finish drying off. However, as soon as she starts drying her face in the mirror, Sam hears the door handle wobble. It sends a shock of fright down to the tip of her soggy tail. In her head, she thought she locked it behind her, but that was not the case. All Samantha can do is jump back and yelp as the door swings open. On the other side is none other than her mysterious roommate Najera Whitemane, who stumbles inside the bathroom and shuts the door. Najera's eyes are barely open and she fans her way through the heavy mist and plops down on the edge of the bathtub. At this moment, Samantha is utterly lost for words, but then, so is Najera. She simply sits there staring off into space, unaware that Samantha is standing a couple feet away from her.

"Jera?" Sam's instincts kick in and she knows exactly what's about to happen.

Without any prompts from Najera, Samantha lifts up the seat for Najera to barf just in the nick of time. Though she saves herself from witnessing the contents of Najera's stomach fill the bowl, the smell is just as bad. A pungent odor of sugar, bile, and alcohol waft within the bathroom. Sam covers her snout while turning away from it all; her maternal instincts kick in and she goes straight to work. Sam paces out of the bathroom and then returns with a small cup of low fat milk. Once Najera takes a moment to breathe, she hands the cup to Najera, and begins to rub her back in small circles.