Glider [i]“Man, the weather sure is nicer in this part of the country.”[/i] a mouse thought to himself, strolling down a busy downtown street. A crisp breeze swept through the buildings, the sun shining down from the blue sky above. He’d fit right in that sky with his typical blue shirt and darker pants, if it weren’t for his red collar and bell he always wore. [i]“Not too warm, not too cold. Maybe I should visit this place more often.”[/i] Trevor raised his arms up, the brown rodent stretching and taking it all in. Sure, the constant vehicles and the tall skyscrapers were a change of pace from the fields he was used to, but it felt nice to experience the hustle and bustle now and then. [i]“That said…”[/i] he lightly tapped his cheek a few times. He couldn’t forget [i]why[/i] he was here. Funds were a bit low and he was on his way to several interviews. He didn’t need much, but a part time gig here or there would really supplement things back home. As much as he would have liked to bask in the nice day a bit longer, he had places to be, so continue down the streets he did. A diner here, a bank office there - Trevor swore he was heading in the right direction, but… [i]“Was it right or left here? And uh...three blocks or four blocks after?”[/i] The city was a much bigger place than he was used to, and normally he had a friend or two with him that knew where they were going. Well, surely if he kept going he’d find someone to help him out and point him in the right direction! Ten minutes passed. Twenty. Trevor noticed there weren’t as many people in this area of town. Things were getting a bit more spread out and less commercial. Fewer vehicles too. Trevor could hear the bell on his collar jingle lightly - the sound having been drowned out by the hustle and bustle earlier. [i]“Uh..maybe I should turn around?” he thought.[/i] “Hey, mouse!” Trevor swung around, nearly whipping himself with his tail “Whatrya doin’ here? Ya dun look like one of ours…” a larger lizard-like fellow called out from across the street gruffly, crossing his arms. “Hmph...Yer not supposed to be here, ya know…” Trevor’s ears shot up in nervousness. [i]“Shoot did I wander into a gang’s territory or something?”[/i] The lizard continued. “There’s a lotta construction goin on here! Not safe man.” he tapped his hat with a large claw. Trevor looked a little closer. This lizard was a muscular fellow, no shirt, a belt of tools around his waist, and a durable looking hard hat. “Did you even realize? Looked like ya were in a bit of a daze there, son.” Trevor looked around. When did that happen? Had he wandered into a construction site? Steel beams were being hoisted around by cranes nearby, swinging through the air. Heavy machinery being operated, a bunch of more muscular men at work. Even those not as large had a roughened look to them as they welded, screwed, hammered around the building they were working on. “Ah...I...I guess I didn’t? Sorry I’m not from around here” Trevor replied. “No worries man, just be careful.” The lizard approached, extending his claw with a nod. “Name’s Brunhart. Foreman here.” Trevor shook the red claw. Brunhart was bigger up close but seemed normal enough. “Trevor” the mouse replied, nodding back. “Trevor, got it. So, Trevor, what’cha doin’ over here? You’re a good ways from the shopping district ya know.” Brunhart listened while Trevor explained - not from the city, trying to find some work, got lost. “Not a city mouse, makes sense. Well, I got work to do, but you’re looking for the Owl’s Roost right? That hotel for the next interview? Few of my guys are staying there, I can point ya there.” Brunhart reached for one of his pouches and started to pull out a small pad of paper before stopping. “...Then again, you said you’re looking for work, right?” “Uh...yessir, I am?” Trevor tilted his head sheepishly. Some gears were turning in Brunhart’s head. “Hmm hmm...Say, Trevor. Look around at my crew.” Brunhart gestured towards the construction site. Trevor swept the area quickly. A few pigs, some rather beastly looking fellows with long tails and horns...Was that even a manticore? The more monstrous ones were doing a lot of heavy lifting. There were quite a few lizardfolk like Brunhart too. A bear, a griffon...Trevor started to piece it together. “We’re a buncha large ones, aren’t we?” “Ah, yep I guess you could say that.” “-And the thing about that is these jobs don’t always need muscle. See what I’m getting at, Trev?” “...I think so?” “Wanna give it a shot, mouse? I can certainly pay more than that hotel you’re ‘bout to go for. Just gotta pass the test and we can give you the work you’re looking for. Contract job too so it won’t last too long.” Trevor was caught off guard. This random stranger offering him a job? On a [i]construction[/i] crew of all things? Trevor didn’t know the first thing about construction! Still, he thought of his shrinking bank account. He steeled his resolve. “You said..a test?” Brunhart clapped his claws and bellowed a laugh. “Hahaaaa, that’s what I like to hear! Alright Trev, let’s see….I think I know what you can do for us right now. See the beam way up a few stories jutting out? We just got word we gotta run a cable through it, but hell if it ain’t annoying for us to scale. Nimble fellow like you, though?” Brunhart ducked away into a nearby shed and came back out holding a power drill. “Just take this up there and drill it right through in the middle. Don’t worry, it’ll do the work. We just need someone to get up there.” Trevor took the drill curiously. Not that heavy...“And what if I fall?” “Ah ya won’t fall! But hey if you’re worried about that, here.” Brunhart slapped a hardhat down on top of the mouse. “This outta do the trick!” “Ow! Haha, very funny, a hat for a fall?” Trevor had never worn one of these before. Clamped down on his ears a bit as he felt around. His paws graced over the top and he noticed something. “Hey, why’s there a hole in this?” “No need to worry about that, it’s standard issue for smaller ones like you. Trust me it’ll do the job, now off with you!” Brunhart shoved Trevor towards the building. “It’s your first job, so, hey, do this one for me Trev and we’ll start you off with a $500 bonus.” Safety be damned, that was all Trevor needed to hear. He steeled all there was in that field mouse body of his, gripped the side of one of the beams and started scurrying like he was just going up a tree back home to watch the sunset. He didn’t need any fancy equipment like gloves or rope in the country, why would he need any here? He knew he was just fine with his bare paws to get him all the way. [i]“Heh, this is actually pretty simple.”[/i] Trevor thought. He secured the drill with his tail and within a minute he had scaled up the three stories as others of the crew looked on in confusion. It made sense to Trevor. It wasn’t like they knew their boss had been talking to him. Seeing a mouse run up and start climbing must have looked odd. Still, he had a ways to go so he paid them no mind. A skip here, a hop there. Plenty of supports to spring himself towards. If he didn’t know any better, Trevor would’ve sworn he was a squirrel right about now. As he got higher, he squinted a bit into the distance. [i]“Hmm. Less beams up here…Can’t hop around..”[/i] It was going to be a straight shot up from here on out. He’d have to grip with his paws and tug himself upward. Needed a good grip. Trevor smiled. [i]“But that’s why I’ve always got these, of course.”[/i] The mouse glanced at his right paw, glad for the aldgoat leather gloves he always wore on the job. A smidge of rubber padding on the fingertips made it oh so simple for Trevor to secure his hold on the beam. And so he continued his journey skyward. Pulling himself further, his feet felt a little odd. He wore half-socks over those paws, but the socks were dangling out past his feet now! Did his feet get smaller? That wasn’t right! [i]“They’re supposed to be…”[/i] As if hearing his thoughts, the socks hardened out their outer layer, swelling stronger and more durable. Trevor felt the familiar coeurl hide crawl up around his ankle and the steel plating bridge the open air in front of his toes. He gave a quick kick into the air and braced the foot back against the supports. [i]“Right, that’s better. I thought I had my boots on.”[/i] With that taken care of, the rest of the climb was a breeze. Trevor’s grip never wavered. A tug up, and those tattered leggings repaired themselves back to a tougher denim, kneepads included. Another tug, his shirt tightened around up around his neck, woven brown threads replacing the cheap light blue hues he swore he remembered. Another tug, his collar felt unusually heavy. Trevor deftly unlatched the bulky belt and fastened it around his waist where it belonged. Another tug, he was almost there. He reached down by his side, a jingle ringing from his belt’s red bell. A tug at the bell, and off it came. The weight felt natural to him. Ol’ reliable. The not-so-delicate holster had quite a bit of heft. Trevor grinned, aiming up towards the final destination Brunhart had pointed him to. [i]Click...[b]wshh-pau![/b] Chink![/i] The mouse was jerked from his climb, his trusty red hookshot striking the objective and finding a hold. [i]“Got it!”[/i] Trevor instinctively held his hard hat down with his free hand right before he was whisked through the sky. The air fwooshed past, pressing down against his snout and smoothing it across his face. With a TWANG long whiskers shot out from his cheeks, whipping back in the wind. The wind caught the mouse’s ears too, barely poking out from the hard hat. The powerful gust stretched the round pair back and back. The breeze felt great to Trevor! Something about his extra-long ears catching the wind always made him chipper! Trevor braced himself for the shock at the end of his shot. Right before impact he whipped an arm around the top of the beam and adeptly swept himself under and around. His feet found ground on the beam. Trevor immediately reached out in front, grabbing for the drill he had carried up before it was flung into the sky. Wait, how had he carried that drill up? In his tail, right? He knew he had put it there on the way up. But if that was the case...Trevor peered back. What tail? When did he have a long enough tail to do that? The small tuft off his backside confirmed he couldn’t possibly have carried a drill in that! Just what was going on? [i]“Eh, whatever.”[/i] He shrugged off the confusion. It didn’t matter. He felt like a gymnast sticking such an impressive landing AND securing his drill! [i]“Damn..I’m good. But dang it-”[/i] He dragged a hand down his face, annoyed. [i]“-No one EVER sees all the cool stuff I do up here! Bah, oh well.”[/i] A smaller, black nose remained on his face where the round one used to be. [i]“No time like the present.”[/i] Trevor sat down and got to work. He was a bit big for this but got comfortable enough. He started the drill and pressed down into the steel. [i]Whirrrrrrrr-[/i] Down the bit went. Trevor kept his hands on the power drill, pressing it further in. [i]Whirrrrrrrr-[/i] Trevor’s legs dangled off the side. [i]Whirrrrrrrr-[/i] Trevor felt oddly lighter. His legs didn’t dangle as far down anymore. [i]Whirrrrrrrr-[/i] He had to press down a little harder. He leaned forward, a little closer to the drill. [i]Whirrrrrrrr-[/i] A little closer. Didn’t feel like he was tucking his head down anymore, though. He swore he was doing that at the start. [i]Whirrrrrrrr-[/i] He put his other hand on the drill to stabilize. Did both hands always fit on the handle? [i]Whirrrrrrrr--vvvvrrreeeeeee![/i] Trevor almost fell over! The drill went right through and the bit spun freely on the other side. A bit surprised, he caught himself with his small hand. Trevor was glad he fit so well on the beam! Was just the right size for him. If he had been too big he might have lost his center of gravity. It’s a good thing he was as short as he was! [i]“Well, that’s that. ‘Nother job done.”[/i] Trevor reversed the drill and pulled the tool out. [i]“Woulda liked to see any of the lunks down there pull this one off, heh!”[/i] He stood up with a smug expression and stretched out. [i]“Just about time to head back dow-aag!”[/i] Suddenly the rodent felt a pressure in his head. The front? The back? The sides? Trevor couldn’t place it, but it swelled and swelled. His eyes shut, he tried not to move - this was the last place he wanted to stumble. He could barely stay standing as the sudden ache coalesced towards to the top of his head, pressing, pressing against the hard hat in all directions until- [i]PWOOOMPH!!![/i] Something shot out! [i]“W-what the?!”[/i] Trevor immediately swept a hand up to feel what had happened. His hand probed around the hole the hardhat came with and found something to prod at. He tugged- “OW! Ow ow what!” [i]“Okay, no pulling hard.”[/i] Trevor thought. He felt along the thing sticking out, back behind his head and grabbed something soft. Something he also felt. There were nerves in whatever it was? He didn’t pull it hard. What was this? He tried to spin around to look a few times, but the object stayed behind him. He spun faster! He’d get a look at this! Trevor spun too fast. His boot caught the edge of the beam and he stumbled back, teetering off the beam and starting to plummet. “Oh shi-!” Trevor reached up grasping for the beam or anything near, but his gloves caught nothing. As his tiny body accelerated he glimpsed the culprit still attached to his head. A yellow puff-ball, and a black string? No, he could feel it. Wire was more accurate. A black wire connected the puff-ball to his head. He didn’t have much time to think about it. Down and down, other buildings whizzing past his view. Trevor spun himself around and looked down. The small specks below were getting bigger. Fast. The other employees started to come into view. A few pointed and started yelling. Trevor couldn’t make anything out. [i]“This is it I’m going to die I’m going to die I’m going to die”[/i] He covered his eyes. He didn’t want to see this! “---tan, what are y---?? --gs!” What was that? His ears were picking something up, louder than the rest. Trevor couldn’t make it out with all the wind gushing past his ears. Maybe if he really listened… “---at do you think yo--- got tho-- -ings for, ya idiot! Gli--!” What? Was that Brunhart? What was he saying? Trevor tried to focus more, and he felt it. A tension in his upper back. Of course, that’s what the boss was saying! How could he forget about his own wings? As if responding to the realization, the pressure in his back was suddenly released. Membrane crept out and began to unfurl. The leathery flaps shot out quickly through the slits in the back of his jacket, catching the wind and wrapping up and around his sides. It clicked. “--ide you numnut! Glide! Glide!” It was all clear now. Trevor opened his eyes and grinned. He spun himself belly-first towards the ground and spread his arms out to slow his descent slightly. Next came his darker yellow wings. The wingspan wasn’t huge. They weren’t meant for flying, but catching some air on the way down was simple enough for small creatures like him. They flapped, searching for traces of a current on the wind to follow. His whiskers twitched as he locked in on the subtle differences in the sky. Trevor pitched his body slightly and rode the current. Better, but he was still falling a long ways. He had been through enough jobs with this crew. He pulled his goggles over his eyes quickly and scanned the area. [i]“Ah, there you are.”[/i] The landing pad. They always had one set up for him and any other lightfolk. “Pad” was a big of an exaggeration. It was more of a cluster of firm mattresses and pillows. Anything for someone dumb enough to jump from a skyscaper to aim for. Trevor braced himself, getting closer and closer, hearing the shouts from the coworkers. [i]“Let them shout,”[/i] he thought. [i]“They’re just jealous anyway.”[/i] He secured his hardhat and tucked his pom behind the back of his neck just in time. The ball of fluff zoomed past Brunhart and the others, crashing into a cacophony of feathers and other stuffings, tumbling forward in a light brown flash of fur. Trevor bounced and rolled from the start of the landing pad all the way into the mess of blankets haphazardly thrown against a wall and came to a halt, falling back onto the pad, head spinning. It was over before it began. The other workers looked over at Trevor and rolled their eyes, grunting and turning back to work. It didn’t matter how many times they saw it. Seemed every moogle they ever hired couldn’t just climb back down. Nope, they always had to jump. The sandy furred moogle took a moment. Everything was dizzy but gosh if that wasn’t exhilarating! [i]“Worth it every time,”[/i] he thought. Still, he couldn’t move yet, arms and legs splayed out to the sides as he stared up at the sky. Then found himself staring up at Brunhart, the boss looming over him. “Heh, welcome back down ‘ere. So, got the job done right?” He nodded to his boss. “Good, that’s what I like to hear. I tell ya it’s been rough with you away the last few weeks. And just like the contract says, you’ll get your bonus for it at the end of the job, ‘well as any others we need ya for.” Brunhart offered his claw, and the small paw below took it, easily being pulled to his feet. “Sound good, Tristan?” Tristan dusted himself off and checked up on his pom, freeing it and immediately feeling better, the pom bobbing lightly. “Sure kupo, that’s what we agreed upon anyway. I don’t trust every Bangaa I come across but you’ve always been to me and the others after all kupo-po.” He lifted his goggles back off his face, letting them rest against the top of his hard hat. “So boss, what’s next kupo?” Brunhart clasped the small moogle around the shoulder and led him back to the foreman’s trailer, showing Tristan where he was needed next. Confined space entry, needed a smaller employee to get through the holes to do some welding inside one of the tanks. No problem for a moogle of his talents. Tristan nodded along, gathered his tools and set off towards the job, whistling a light tune as the afternoon breeze lifted his spirits into the evening. --- Rowdy laughter filled the hall, gruff voices all talking over one another. Some shouted, some snarled, but they always came back to laughter. Tankards constantly clanked together in the hotel bar, everyone enjoying the local ale. Tristan was sandwiched between Brunhart on his left and Kingsley on his right. Most moogles would be scared right next to a hulking purple behemoth, but Tristan knew Kingsley too well. Big, powerful, but hilarious. Those horns didn’t scare Tristan at all. They had done all sorts of jobs today alone and standing on Kingsley’s shoulders always made it easy. They made a good team and the boss knew it. The moogle took a swig of his ale and grinned towards three cups on the counter, gesturing across the table. “Alright Mulat, really sure you wanna go again kupo?” A spotted blue chubby Seeq was opposite Tristan, scowling. “You ARE down eight in a row, are we gonna push it to nine kupo? Ten kupo-po?” Mulat grimaced and threw down another thousand gil on the table. “Haruumph, you can’t [i]*squeal*[/i] get all the luck! I’ve got your tricks down now, eyes of a hawk!” “So be it, kupo.” Kingsley laughed. “Should know better Mulat. Tristan doesn’t even lose to other moogles with this.” Tristan opened his palm, showing a small piece of materia. He placed it under the center cup, and within moments the shuffling began. Half a minute later, the bar heard another squeal of a groan from Mulat. The seeq stormed off to get a refill, and another buzzed bangaa slid in to try his luck. Tristan never lost, but the odds were too good to pass up. The evening passed into night, the construction crew shuffling off into their rooms to get some rest for the next day under the sun. Tristan yawned in front of his door, shuffled inside, slipped out of his outfit and set his boots by the door. Tomorrow was just another day of work that most moogles shied away from, but the pay was good and he liked his coworkers. He opened his window for some circulation and crawled into bed, feeling the light breeze pass over him. [i]“Man, the weather sure is nice in this part of the city, kupo.”[/i]