This is the fourth book of "Stories from Chakona" serie set in the concepts and ideas created by  Goldfur
The present story is titled "Ties of Life" and tells the continuation of previous three books. Drawing by the talented  sethtriggs

I hope you enjoy it.

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CHAPTER 09

As Esteban read the letter, his mind immersed itself in the vivid memory of Vroeg. Each sentence transported him back, like a magical apparition. In one part of that sea of words, he could read with clarity:

"...I met a young human who reminds me a lot of you. I saw him as disoriented and alone as you were that time when we found you, do you remember Ping? He is a good guy. He has great potential to become a great man of your species. Generosity and compassion are in his heart, but he must learn to stay firm on his surfboard before shining. He will do great things for himself and others. But I regret not being able to spend more time with him, just as the two of us did, my son, for there is no more beautiful gift than sharing the time granted to you with the people you love..."

At that moment, tears clouded his vision. The words of his friend and mentor had deeply moved him. He was excited to know that Vroeg had always believed in him and in his ability to do the right thing.

Rena and Ping, noticing his emotion, approached him and embraced him affectionately. Rena kept licking his cheeks and wiping away his tears.
"Are you okay, Esteban?" asked the skunktaur with the flower in the hair.
"Yes, Rena. Don't worry. It was wonderful to feel Vroeg speaking to me again."
"I told you, Esteban. I hope reading my father's message helps dispel your doubts," Ping added, smiling.
"Hy did, Mr. Ping. Vroeg always saw things in me that I didn't. And by Grom, hy was right."
"Dad had that quality of seeing deeply into others," Rena added.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Ping, for letting me read your personal message. Thanks to all three of you for sharing it with me," Esteban replied gratefully.

Chorre, who had been staring intently at his parents' adorned grave after many years of absence, asked hys two siblings to come closer to hym. After saying a few words in a language unknown to Esteban, Fa Ping stood between the skunktaurs, taking their hands. The family was reunited again after a long time. Esteban watched them from a distance, thinking about the wonderful parents Vroeg and Maine had been to them. He was fascinated to know that his old friend had secretly adopted a human son.

"That's why it was natural for you to approach me, wasn't it Vroeg? You were so patient with me because you already had practice with Ping... heh heh heh.... You're full of surprises, dear friend," Esteban thought to himself.

The family stayed a while longer at the cemetery. Then Rena invited everyone, including Esteban, to hys house.
"Thank you very much, dear Rena, but I must decline the invitation. I have a date with my skunktaur tonight, heh heh."

"I understand, Esteban. And I think it's better for you to go home today. I have a feeling good news is waiting for you there," said Rena.
"Really? Why do you say that?"
"Eh, well. Look at the color of the paw on my chest. Heh heh. Trust my talent."
"I see, thank you Rena."
"It was an honor to meet you in person, Esteban," said Ping kindly, shaking his hand once more.
"Likewise, Mr. Ping."
"Esteban, I'm very happy for Lilethe and Doren, whom I'd like to meet," Chorre said in turn.
"Whenever you'd like. And you're all welcome at the Renzar household, heh heh," Esteban finally said, before leaving the cemetery heading towards the city center. As he walked away, his heart beat calmly. After reading those words, he had more clarity about himself and what he had to do.

***

The appropriate social behavior of chakonians and the low crime rates meant that Amistad's penitentiary system was one of the least populated in the entire Federation. It was uncommon for citizens to end up incarcerated for serious crimes. And when that did happen, the penitentiary system allowed for a rapid reintegration into society.
Brend Netgek, the renzar incarcerated for assaulting two humans, had been serving his sentence for almost three years. The former Khudok fighter, however, had not stopped training at the prison's sports complex, maintaining his good physical condition despite the confinement.
During the last year, a chakat social worker had frequently visited him to help improve his legal situation. On that afternoon, the chakat was once again fulfilling his duty, while Brend remained on the other side of the bars. The renzar was surprised to notice the presence of a small chakat cub with them.
"I'm sorry, Brend. Shi is my son. I had to pick him up early from school. And...shi was very excited to meet you," said the adult chakat.
"Meet me?" the renzar asked incredulously.
"Wow! He's very big, Mom! Hello, Mr. Brend, I'm Cashir," said the cub, wagging hir tail. The renzar let out a slight growl and crossed his arms.
"Hmm..."
"Cashir, don't bother Brend," the adult chakat hurried to say.
"I like Khudok! And the fighters, look!" Cashir declared, showing Brend a collection of cards of the fighters from the Amistad League.
"This is you! One of my favorites!" the little one insisted. Brend looked at him in surprise. He didn't remember his bulky figure being part of a card collection. He took it in his hands and saw himself posing like a gladiator in the sports arena, an old memory of better times.

The social worker then approached the bars and declared:
"Brend, I heard you requested to speak with that boy, Esteban, again. And to be frank, I think it's a good decision. It's the best option you have for getting parole. That, coupled with your good behavior over these years, could make the judge reconsider his verdict."
"Hmmm... I suppose you're right," said the renzar, "although I'd prefer to return to Grom."
"That will be more complicated. You'll have to be patient."
"Grrr..." the renzar growled in discontent.
"Brend, will you fight again when you get out of here?" the little chakat suddenly asked with round, excited eyes.
"Uh? Me?"
"Please, please. You're the strongest!" the child insisted, offering him the card.
"Cashir, I told you to leave Mr. Brend alone," the chakat insisted.
"Let hir. Shi's a brave child," Brend responded, petting hir little head.
"Will you, Brend? Will you fight again?" Cashir persisted.
"Hmmm, we'll see, little one, we'll see," Brend replied. The social worker noticed the prisoner was cracking a slight smile, something he had never seen from him since being assigned his case.

***

Dusk had hidden behind the horizon when Esteban arrived in the city center. The lights of the streets and buildings shone once more, tinting the atmosphere with vivid colors as a crowd of taurs and bipeds moved back and forth. Restaurants and nightclubs opened their doors, and street musicians filled everyone's lives with beautiful melodies.
At Lorel's bar, Doren was finishing serving hys last table before ending hys shift. Hy was happy to finally be able to return home after an exhausting day. As hy headed to the dressing room to take off hys waiter's uniform, hands covered hys eyes from behind.
"Hmmm... It's impossible for you to fool my sense of smell, Esteban," hy said smiling.
"Darn! I forget how developed the five senses of skunktaurs are," the engineer exclaimed.
"Heh heh heh, you and your old human habits. Anyway, I love that you try to surprise me," Doren said, then giving the newcomer a kiss on the cheek.
"I wanted to continue making amends for what I said today. I'm sorry, Doren."
"Stop there... Enough, no more apologies. You're here. You came for me. That's what's important," the skunktaur in male phase responded, caressing his face.
"While I change, sit down and order something for the two of us. I'm treating this time."
"Heh heh, okay," Esteban replied.
The human greeted some employed chakats and then sat at a table. A soft melody harmoniously mixed by a chakat DJ played over the bar's speakers as new diners entered, eager to enjoy a few hours of relaxation after work.
"Prrrr... It's good to see you here, Esteban. You're here for Doren, aren't you?"
"You got it, Liner."
"I'm glad you two get along so well. And you look great too, Esteban," said the dark-furred chakat who gently approached to serve him.
"Thanks, Liner. I can say the same about you. Are you working as a waitress tonight?"
"It's an old habit. I like serving customers. Lorel went on a business trip and I'm in charge. So I have to be on top of everything, heh."
"I see."
"Tell me, what can I get you?"
"Grom liquor, softened please, one for Doren too."
"Ok. I'll be right back, dear."
"Thanks," Esteban replied with a smile. The soft melody filling the atmosphere of the place transported him back to Vroeg's words etched in the letter Ping had shared with him.
"I hope I don't disappoint you, old friend," he thought, watching a pair of chakats gently dancing to the music's rhythm.
"I'm ready! Your punishment is over," Doren said upon returning. Hy had put on a striking green blouse that accentuated his whitish breasts and brown fur.
"Doren! You changed to female phase!" Esteban exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course. Isn't that what you wanted? Heh heh."
"Well, yes. But it doesn't matter what you and Lilethe are. I love you both just as you are," the engineer replied.
"I know. Come here," the skunktaur said, catching the human in a warm embrace. Their lips met once more, like a sweet and gentle confrontation. Doren passionately thrust hys tongue into Esteban's mouth, as hy knows how to do. The engineer felt transported to a state of sublime well-being. The soft melody perfectly complemented both of their ecstasy.
"Doren. Do you want to dance with me?"
"Uh? Are you serious? I'll remind you that the talented dancer is Lilethe, not me."
"Please say yes. Just let yourself go. I love this melody."
"Esteban..."
"Please!" the human insisted, inviting hym to stand on the dance floor in the center of the bar. They positioned themselves facing each other. Esteban put one of his arms behind Doren's taur waist while with the other he intertwined his fingers with hym's. The soft melody made their bodies sway slowly against each other. Doren rested hys head on Esteban's shoulder and let hymself be carried away by the subtle swaying.
"See, you can dance with me?"
"Heh heh, yes I can."
"Today I experienced something extraordinary, at the cemetery," the man whispered in one of the skunk's ears.
"Tell me."
"I met two of Vroeg's children. A skunktaur named Chorre and a human named Fa Ping."
"Vroeg had a human son?"
"As you hear it. Can you believe it, Doren? Vroeg and Maine found him abandoned in the city when he was just six years old. He's the heir to an ancient dynasty of Terran kings. That's why they kept the adoption a secret."
"Wow! I don't know what to say, Esteban. Vroeg was an exceptional guy," the skunktaur declared, surprised.
"Yes, hy was. And today I understood that Vroeg also believed in me."
"Esteban. I also believe in you. Look at me and listen carefully to what I'm going to say," Doren suddenly said with a solemn air. The engineer looked directly into those green eyes that shone with the multicolored lights of the bar.
"I'm with you because you are a person of pure feelings. With your qualities, you conquered my heart and made me understand how clumsy I had been for many years. Thanks to you, I reconciled with my parents. Thanks to you, I got Lilethe back. Thanks to you, today I have a new family, and thanks to you, Ugkar is happy on Vika-B."
"Doren..."
"And most importantly, my love, thanks to you, I'm very happy," the brown and white furred skunktaur concluded. Hy then took Esteban's face in hys hands and warmly kissed his lips once more. They continued swaying gently to the slow rhythm of the background music for a few minutes. Every now and then Esteban nuzzled his nose against Doren's, making hym smile.
"Your drinks are served, dears," Liner suddenly said, approaching them.
"Thanks. I ordered Grom liquor for both of us," Esteban replied.
"Mmmm, good choice," Doren commented, swishing hys fluffy tail. When they were about to return to the table and enjoy the Grom liquor, they suddenly felt their bodies caught between two soft, furry arms.
"Lilethe!!" they both exclaimed, surprised.
"My two loves! I'm sorry to interrupt you, but Sorah and Regthar sent me to get you."
"Lilethe, did something happen?" Esteban inquired, a little flustered.
"Of course, love. But don't worry, it's nothing bad. On the contrary!" the nurse replied. After a few seconds of silence, where the three looked at each other, Doren exclaimed:
"By Grom, Lilethe! I'm not a telepath to guess what you have to tell us. Speak up!"
"Sorry, it's just that I'm so excited... Listen... Sorah and Regthar are having a new baby!"
"What! Sorah is pregnant!" Esteban said, perplexed.
"That's right! And it will be a girl... And Doren," Lilethe added, taking her denmate by the shoulders, "Sorah decided to name her Lien, in honor of the two of us! 'Li' for Lilethe and 'En' for Doren. Isn't it wonderful?" Doren couldn't believe what he was hearing. A new baby in the family could only mean more joys. Hy had learned to be a nanny with Hajo and hys heart was overflowing with emotion.
"Lilethe! Esteban! You don't know how happy I feel!" hy exclaimed, wiping away tears. The three hugged for a few moments, then said goodbye to Liner and returned home in Lilethe's PTV. Along the way, overcome with emotion, Doren kept repeating the name of the new family member: Lien Sivem.
For his part, Esteban never imagined that at the end of the day, life would smile at him with such lovely news: meeting Vroeg's children and knowing that he would soon have a new renzar sister.