Velasquez

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

corrected 10/07/2009

Carmen Velasquez walked up the dusty road towards Songmarks open gate. It was a road she well knew, each and every rut an old friend. Or enemy, the decision being wither she was leaving the compound in the morning or returning near supper time. Or later. Beside her walked an English mink. A mink who’s name had changed just an hour ago. Occasionally mink would look to anteater, her black furred paw drifting to hold the others as they walked. Alexia’s entire life, her future had changed forever due to this Mixtixia woman and where it would end she did not know. Still she looked forward to every minute to come. Be her destiny good or ill.

Today was the very last day a student guard would stand at the gates, this term. Both waiting students challenged Carmen, as was their responsibility. “Tatiana. Brigit” the anteater said in greeting as she reached into a pocket. What she removed was no pass, for third years rarely needed such. Certainly not now as on the last week of their education they were completely free to do whatever they wanted. This paper was a note from Miss Blande, allowing the entrance of one ‘Mrs. Alexia Velasquez, in order to correct certain errors upon her application form.’ Both Red Dorm girls examined the letter, comparing the signature to a copy they had at the gate. Grudgingly they allowed the two entry, though Tatiana gave the young mink a smile when the disgusted Bridget couldn’t see.

To Carmen their walk across Songmarks parade field was a welcome, and soon to be missed event. To Alexia though it was as if a thousand eyes were watching her. She already knew that her sister, Tina Humber, had been denied entry again. Though a paw written slip of paper with the official letter had said simply ‘Please do re-apply next year.’ Unsigned, both had wondered who had written it. Not even Carmen could place the pawwritting. Alexia herself had received no letter, either denial or acceptance. For her application was still officially ‘in flux.’ Carmen had been the one to explain that odd term, along with hundreds of other things she had felt her new wife should know about this school.

Knocking strongly upon the office door Carmen waited until a well known voice called for her to enter. Opening the door she stepped through first, Alexia following her. “Carmen Velasquez and wife Alexia Velasquez report. As ordered Miss Devinski” she announced, coming to an excellent Songmark Attention. Beside her Alexia did the same, or as best she could with only a week of training.

Before them stood the yellow furred Afghan known as Miss Devinski. The older hound barely looked at the two young women standing there, before returning to her filing. “All letters and telegrams have been sent” she remarked, her back now to the pair.

Alexia felt her stomach lurch, but held her position as Carmen had taught her. In her mind she remembered a line the anteater had once said. “In Songmark, nothing is as it appears. Everything is a test.” So she held herself strong, forcing her nervous tail to remain still only with great effort. After all, She was only here to make changes to her applications. That her sister had already been passed over meant only that she herself was most likely passed over. Another year working for Spontoon’s medical establishment supporting the Air Ambulance could be nothing but good experience for them both.

“We have come to correct wifes application” Carmen answered. “Nothing more.”

Turning to face the two girls the hound nodded in acceptance. “Very well. I was made to understand that this might occur. Miss Blande was quite careful to brief me before she left for South Island. You will find the application you wish to correct in the top drawer of that desk. Left side.” She then returned to her filing, acting as though nothing were unusual. Carmen and Alexia though, did not move.

After a quarter of an hour had passed and Miss Devinski had finished her filing she turned to find the two still waiting. Carmen looked as though she could hold that position for hours more. Alexia though was showing the strain already. “I see. You prefer that I do the work then?” she asked, walking to her desk to settle down.

“No one to touch desk but Faculty” Carmen answered. “On pain of expulsion. This is not bendable rule.”

“So you paid attention to something other than corrupting young minks over the last three years dear Carmen” the hound replied, a hint of laughter in her voice. Opening the mentioned drawer she pulled out a folder, offering it to the anteater. “There is a blank application with the old one. I am aware that certain events have occurred since that first application was made and we do prefer a clear original. Please take your wife to the library, to correct any existing errors. I will be here until four. After then she may mail the new application to be considered. Next year.”

Accepting the folder Carmen saluted, then turned to leave, lightly tugging the minks faded purple overalls as she did so. As the two left the hound smiled. She was aware that Carmen had married Alexia not more than an hour ago, dragging the mink from her workplace still wearing her work coveralls. That in Songmark best and SPQR work clothing the two had married, then come directly here. Carmen it seemed, was not one to stand upon ceremony when something she felt important was in the mix. Reopening that drawer the hound removed an envelope. One that was addressed to one Alexia Humber, and dutifully returned by Spontoons excellent mail service not five minutes before the two had stepped leather upon Eastern Islands soil. After all, by the time that this particular letter had reached its designated postal box, Alexia Humber no longer exited. Therefore the letter was regretfully returned as ‘undeliverable as addressed.’ One would think it strange such things occurred, then Spontoon was not like other nations. Not like them at all.

Long before the lunch hour a knock came upon her office door again. She looked up, noted the single figure standing at her door (carefully placed mirrors and a lens projecting an image on a flat white section of wall were so useful) and smiled again. Pressing a peg under her desk with one booted foot she watched as the image faded. No student had yet spotted that trick, and she certainly wasn’t going to let a mere applicant have any chance of doing so. Then, setting a stern look upon her face she called the order to enter.

Alexia Velasquez entered, insuring that the door was securely closed behind her (an not quite upon her own tail) before returning to that place she had stood earlier. In her left paw was the folder she had departed with. Stopping, she came to the best attention that she knew how and saluted. “Alexia Velasquez reports, as requested” she announced.

“You are not a student Mrs. Velasquez” Miss Devinski noted. “However your attempt to appear as one is noted. Tell me dear. Just how do you spell Velasquez?”

“Very carefully, at present Mam” Alexia admitted.

“I see. And tell me this, if you will. Being as you had no interest in woman upon your first interview. Just why have you now married one?”

Alexia squirmed, for no other word would explain her bodies movement. “I honestly do not know how I fell in love with Carmen” she answered. “It just happened.”

“I see.” Settling back in her chair the hound waited a moment before speaking again. “Your application then. If you would be so kind?”

Moving more quickly than normal Alexia placed her folder as close to the desks middle as she could manage, then stepped back. Privately Catherine Devinski was amused at the minks nervousness. Alexia had gone to a place no one in her family had ever approached before. At least no one the mink was aware of. That being falling in love, then marrying a woman. All at the cost of being disowned by her family. Thrown out into the world without any support, without anyone to turn too should she need help. That was a huge price the hound knew, having watched as others of her students had paid much the same price for other choices. Yet her sister stood by her, had even transferred the BLACK ROSE’s title to Alexia yesterday as a wedding present. A huge wager on the younger minks side. For it might be enough for her to receive the same letter her sister had. That though was in the future, if ever. Pulling that folder to herself the hound opened it, then very slowly began to read.

As the older hound read Alexia stood waiting nervously. She was aware that there was no chance for her this year, and certainly being married to a student meant nothing. Nor did being a students daughter she imagined, though not enough time had passed since Songmarks opening for that little problem to raise its head. Even were she to be accepted next year, her training would be the harder Carmen had warned. “I tell you things you need know. They expect that. So they make education the harder. Be honest, always. And careful. Very careful.” She intended to follow that advice.

“You are aware of the colored sand backpacks” Miss Devinski abruptly asked.

“Yes Mam.”

“And that dorms returning from unapproved nights out tend to have ten mile forced marches before breakfast.”

“Yes Mam” Alexia admitted.

“So then, you would remain within the compound, being careful not to try to sneak away to meet your wife?”

“No Mam. What would be the fun of obeying all those rules? They are meant to be broken, and break them I shall. Should I ever be accepted to your training.”

“I see. And should we apply what you believe to be unfair punishment. You will then turn to your wife to help you?”

Alexia took a deep breath, shaking herself before answering. “Miss Devinski. If I should make a mistake, or earn a punishment. Then I will accept that punishment. Should that punishment be to run thirty laps around the parameter naked, in the rain. I shall do so.”

Looking up the hound smiled. “It was fifty Alexia, and she caught cold. I like you. I do not think that you will survive three years of Songmark. Not successfully. But I do like you. Very well, your application is accepted. And,” She drew that envelope from under her blotter. “This I believe is yours. It was returned because Alexia Humber no longer existed. Good day Mrs. Velasquez, and enjoy your honeymoon.”

Accepting the envelope Alexia brought herself to attention, saluted, then turned and left. She was certain that it was the same letter her sister had opened just this morning. It was only later, as she and Carmen were on a water taxi headed for Casino Island that the anteater convinced her to open that envelope. In doing so a smaller envelope fell out, one addressed to Carmen. Picking the envelope up the mink gave it to her wife, waiting patiently as the anteater flipped open her always ready knife, to slit open the missive. Alexia waited in silence as the anteater read, waiting to read her rejection letter.

“Miss Velasquez” Carmen read out loud. “Be happy your decision was not the one we went with.” It was unsigned, and the paw writing was different than the one on Tina’s note. It was also not one that Carmen recognized. Looking to Alexia Carmen raised an eyebrow. “You will read yours?” she asked.

Shoulders held as level as she could Alexia opened the folded page, prepared for the worst possible news. It is said that the minks scream of delight was head throughout Spontoon’s active harbor.