The sharp, ringing whistle filled the forest, , causing a few startled birds to leave the shelters of the trees they were nesting in. Almost as commanding - though not as shrill as the whistle - was Miss Mac Baren's voice as she let the red whistle fall from her mouth. "Alright! Line up in four neat rows for me! Let Mister Pleasant count your heads!" Not a single one of the anthro teenagers in line was dumb or brave enough to disobey Miss Baren's orders. Letting out a sigh, Miss Baren turned around.
Field days occurred rather seldomly at William Wolff High. So it was no wonder that Miss Baren cherished them every time. After all, they were mostly arranged by her. Mostly after weeks of nagging the school's principal. The spring sun stood high and mighty in the sky, and the air was filled with earthy, woody aromas. These stood in sharp contrast to the sharp stench of chlorine that usually congested the school's indoor swimming pool. And truthfully? The dolphin shorts and loose T-shirt provided some relief for Miss Baren. That tight swimsuit had clung to her like a second skin for weeks.
Deep in her introspection, Miss Baren ventured further into the forest. Perhaps to scout potential locations for an orienteering route? The sight of Du in the distance caught her off guard. He was sitting there on a rock, all alone. Perhaps equally as lost in thoughts as she was? With determined steps, she'd approach him. Leaning in, one of her paws would find his left shoulder, giving it a few soothing rubs. "You okay, Du?" Her voice was surprisingly soft, given her usual drill instructor-level sternness, that is.
