"Several million years ago, our ancestors crawled out of the sea and took their first steps on land. Those creatures changed and evolved over time into the many species on our planet today," Ms. Wilks said as she pointed to various diagrams pinned to the corkboard.
"We didn't," interrupted one kurach student. "Our species was made by the faefolk."
"I am aware of the kurach creation myth, but this is a science class. You may discuss mythology in the history class," Ms. Wilks said curtly.
"It's not a myth," Chekov argued. "Faefolk are real. I've met them, I've seen what they can do, and they did make us."
"If you do not cease, Mr. Chekov, not only will I send you to the principal, but also to the school counselor," Ms. Wilks said sternly. "Faefolk are no more real than angels, demons, djinn, or those fantastical wizards from children's story books." Chekov slumped back in his seat and glared daggers at his desk. Satisfied, Ms. Wilks continued her lecture on the human theory of life origins before the bell rang to dismiss the students to lunch break.
"I don't see how humans can acknowledge magic and even teach it right along science and physics, but deny faefolk just because they can't find any little preserved bones," Chekov grumbled after he sat down at the kurach lunch table. "They still haven't found the almighty 'missing link' for our species."
"Ignorance is bliss," Shanku shrugged. "Never undestimate the power of denial."
"So you believe me then, don't you?" Chekov asked.
"Hell, yeah, I do," Shanku nodded fervently. "I've been on both continents and all over the islands in between. There are things in old ruins that'll make your fur stand on end."
"Although a troublesome military brat doesn't carry much credibility," teased Jagan.
"Neither does an ass-kissing pretty boy," Shanku teased back.
"You two cut it out before you both get into another brawl and get detention again," Chekov rolled his eyes.
"Point. I got plans tonight. Truce, Jagan," Shanku said.
"Truce," Jagan nodded and continued to eat his lunch.
"So, what's your plans? Exploring abandoned factories and narrowly dodging the cops again?" asked Jagan's buddy, Hiral.
"Nope! I'm going to be a normal kid. Gonna go to the arcade, have a nice meal, and then probably wander around aimlessly at the park until that freakin' curfew comes," Shanku replied.
"Since when do you abide by the curfew?" Hiral asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Since my current dummy isn't fooling the night rounds," Shanku grumbled. "This place is such a prison. We had more freedom on most of the bases."
"That I can agree with you on," Jagan remarked. "The sooner we graduate and can go home, the better."
"I just hope this stupid brainwashing of theirs doesn't destroy our culture," Chekov grumbled. "'All creatures evolved', bullshit!"
"I guess so long as they don't make it mandatory to go to human schools for the duration of our entire education, it'll be alright. We'll just have to teach our cubs to look at it as human mythology," Shanku suggested. "Although, quite technically, we're just heavily modified canines, so I guess originally part of us evolved."
"And that's how the slippery slope to accepting human beliefs and stamping out kurach beliefs starts," Chekov groaned.
"At least until we can prove the potency of magic," Shanku grinned. "Met a chatty old dragon in the mountains that swears up and down magic used to be more prevalent and powerful."
"Nobody's going to believe a senile old lizard though," Chekov said flatly. "Especially not a caterwauling glasscraft. They have a worse reputation than you do."
"Ah, but my dear friend, there is so much truth to be found among such creatures," Shanku replied with a twinkle in her eye.
"Even the glasscraft?"
"Especially the glasscraft."
"I think you're both nuttier than the glasscraft," Jagan huffed. "Hurry up and finish, lunch break is about over."
"So bossy," Shanku feigned hurt and stuck her tongue out at him.
