Tovarish: Prologue  
By: Jacob Newbegin
In a world much like our own there exists a multitude of races. The most prominent among the humans are the beastmen; a race of half human animals. They come in any range from common animals like dogs and cats, to the more rare and mythical like dragons and merfolk. Even with this new species appearing seemingly overnight the world has adapted rather easily and it’s not uncommon to see a human and beastmen as a couple. This is the world that I live and this is my story.
I woke up the same as I have every morning since I began college, to the sound of my phones alarm. I guess you could call me your average college student. I wasn’t all that uncommon for a fox except for having blue fur and nine tails. You could usually count on me waking up at noon and staying up well into the night and wee hours of the next morning, either to study or just playing video games after my classes concluded. I went to school to study culinary arts, and minor in hospitality management. So far it’s been going well, a little trouble here and there but that’s what makes it interesting. 
Every day seemed to flow into the next until I met him . . . He caught my eyes instantly. I was just sitting in Sociology listening to my professor drone on about Stratification or some such business when he walked into the auditorium. He glistened with jet black scales darker than a moonless night, which only made his red accents, burn brighter. He wore a mostly dark outfit, a nice grey sweatshirt a plain black tee, and a pair of worn navy jeans with some black sneakers. After ogling him for a moment I noticed he was approaching the podium and presented a yellow slip to the teacher, clearly an addition to the class; or so I hoped.
“Everyone we have a new student joining us! Would you please share your name with the class?” 
At the request he nodded and turned around. I think I might have been drooling at this time. He was even more gorgeous from the front. A face chiseled by angels with eyes as piercing and deep as the pits of hell, with flaming red hair that framed everything I was smitten.
“My name’s Vash. It’s nice to meet you all.”
My mind, and other various body parts were racing from the sheer shock of his beauty. My mind was screaming “Sit by me! Sit by me!” over and over. It was only silenced when he actually did.
“Hey there” He smiled as he sat in the next chair “Do you mind if I take a peek at your notes?” 
“Sure.” I stuttered a little handing him my notebook trying to keep from blushing all the while.
“Thanks” He took my note book and looked over the pages and giggled once or twice as he read. I assumed it was because of my doodles. Hey don’t judge me I get bored okay?
He smiled again handing the notebook back. “Thank you very much, and nice doodles by the way.” I think this time he must have noticed my blush, because I thought I could see a little surprise in his eyes.
“No problem . . . My names Jacob by the way, nice to meet you Vash.” I took my notes back, and began to take notes once more.
After being dismissed I gathered my things together and made my way for the door. It was then I felt a gentle claw on my shoulder; it was Vash again. “Hey can I ask another favor of you?” He looked nervous. 
“Sure what’s up?” I asked softly trying to make him feel more at ease.
“Well you see, I’m not sure where my dorm room is. I just moved in today.” He shifted his eyes to mine. God they were beautiful I was ensnared by them. 
“Sure I can help, do you have your schedule? It should say where it is.” After I asked he pulled a neatly folded sheet from his sweatshirt pocket and gave it to me. I took a quick gander and realized something. He was going to be my neighbor, I must have blushed hard. “Your room’s right next to mine . . . “