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Elliot stretched himself out as he heard the outside world coming to life. Chirping birds and buzzing cicadas greeted his ears. He let out a long yawn as he was staring up at the ceiling of his cabin. He'd almost forgotten where he was. He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He looked around the room. It appeared Luke had already woken up and left, and he blushed as he covered his eyes as he looked over at Allens bed.

That wolf really had no shame as he slept there on top of his bed covers, completely nude with a striking morning wood hovering over his belly. Elliot scratched the back of his head as he turned his back to the wolf. He started to rummage through the pack Kara made for him. He sighed. She packed everything but his swim trunks, and some of the shirts were too small for him.

"That's what I get for not packing..." he said to himself.

He got himself dressed and went out the front door. The lion stretched to the sky, his shirt riding up a bit to show off his gut. He twisted his body as he began to make his way to the main cabin. He only had his mind on coffee for the moment. He entered the building and made his way to the dining hall. He found the coffee machine and got his morning charge. He took a seat and ordered himself a breakfast.

He looked around the room, taking in the atmosphere. The dining hall slowly filled up as the rest of the camp started waking up. So many different faces for Elliot to learn. He was beginning to feel overwhelmed. He dropped his empty plate off at the dish station and ventured back outside to wander around. He spotted a garage in the distance and decided to investigate. He felt solace in a garage, working with tools and fixing things for people. He could hear the familiar clicking sounds of tools being used as he rounded the corner to the garage opening.

"Hello?" Elliot called out.

"Hm?... Oh!" a rather tall timber wolf came up from under the hood of the car he was working on and bowed to Elliot," Good day sir, are you lost?"

"Oh, no," said Elliot, "I was just looking for something to do, and saw this garage."

"My apologies sir," said the wolf, "This is the maintenance garage."

"Is it a rule to not come in and help?" Elliot chuckled, but paused as he took in the wolf's appearance. He looked like he'd gotten in a bad fight a long time ago. Clumps of fur were missing from the side of his face, and one of his ears was bitten in half.

"O...of course not sir!" said the wolf, "This is your vacation after all, and you may do as you wish. It's just, this is work. I would suggest finding one of the activities that the camp has to offer for you to relax and enjoy yourself."

"But I find this relaxing," said Elliot, the wolf hesitated and gave a nod as he held out the tool he was holding for the lion, "I appreciate it. What're you working on?"

"Nothing too difficult," said the wolf, "Just doing an oil change. I'm Chew Toy by the way."

Elliot paused as he was about to slide under the car, "O...oh?"

"Fancy nickname for a guy like me, huh?" he laughed as he pointed at his face.

"Uh...sure." said Elliot, feeling a bit uneasy and unsure how to respond, "I'm Elliot."

"A pleasure to meet you sir," said the wolf as he handed Elliot the oil filter.

Elliot gave him a polite nod and smile. Chew Toy was very kind, and Elliot wasn't sure if he should feel bad about calling him that nickname. The lion slid himself under the car and popped the old filter off, letting it drain into the pan down below. The wolf and him chatted for a while as they waited for the oil to empty out. When it was done, Elliot popped the new filter on and slid himself out from under the vehicle.

Chew Toy grabbed a few bottles of oil and started to refill the car. Just then, there was a knock on the side of the garage door. It was Elric. The ram walked in and Chew Toy bowed his head. Elliot hoped he hadn't gotten the wolf in trouble.

"Good day gentlemen," said the ram.

"Hello sir," the wolf said to the floor.

"Hey there," said Elliot, ready to defend the wolf.

"Chew Toy, I do hope you encouraged our new member to try other things?" said Elric.

"Yes sir."

"Very well," said Elric, "I do hope he was helpful."

"Yes sir."

Elric smiled and rubbed a paw between the wolf's ears. Chew Toy wagged his tail as he leaned up against the affection. What odd behaviour Elliot thought. He cleared his throat.

"My apologies," said Elric, "We do encourage you to relax and enjoy your time here."

"I enjoy working on cars," said Elliot, "It's what I do for a living."

"Ah," Elric gave him a big grin, "My dear lion, that is where you have failed in the experience of Dad Camp. You are here to relax and do new things. Is that not why you came?"

Elliot paused, "I'm not really sure why I came. I just needed a vacation."

Elric considered him for a moment, "Come with me...uhm..Sorry, I haven't learned any of our new members names yet."

"Elliot."

"Elliot," Elric smiled, "Please, do come with me."

Elliot said goodbye to Chew Toy. The wolf shook hands with the lion as Elric lead the way out of the garage. They walked a short distance, and the ram seemed to be working up a speech in his head.

"Elliot," said Elric, "I am deeply honored to have such a hard working individual offering help in our garage, but please understand. The camp was designed with you in mind. We offer many amenities for you to enjoy, whether it be sports, working out, going in the lake, or just relaxing. We are the effortless enjoyment away from the turmoils of life. Maybe to help you relax, may I suggest a nature walk. Even camp overnight in the woods. I find silence helps make me centered and comfortable with new environments."

Elliot nodded as he listened, "And if it doesn't work, I can hide in your garage?"

Elric laughed, "If that is your wish."

Elliot smiled, "It's a deal then."

Elric stopped walking with him when they got to the front of the main lodge, "Walther is working the counter today. He can give you a hiking pack and a tent should you need to stay out there overnight."

"Thank you, Elric," said Elliot as he held out his paw.

Elric shook his hand, "A pleasure Elliot. I hope you enjoy yourself."

Elliot went inside. The staff here sure were more strange and unusual than the members. He approached the front desk and rang the bell as no one was there.

"Just a moment," came a voice from a side door. A few moments later an elderly looking quokka in glasses approached the front desk, "How may I help you sir?"

"Walther I presume?" Elliot asked.

"At your service," he bowed.

"Elric told me I could get a hiking pack," said Elliot, and he paused for a moment as he thought quickly, "And perhaps a tent as well."

"Most certainly," said Walther, "Not often we have someone wanting to go camping in the first few days."

"I just need some distance and fresh air," said Elliot.

"But of course, just a moment," the quokka went back into the side room and returned with a pack and a tent attached to the bottom and a sleeping bag on the top. He hoisted the bag over the top of his desk and pulled out a clipboard, "The pack has a days worth of food, a flashlight, compass, and a handheld cb radio. Just sign here to check out the equipment. Do enjoy your time out there."

Elliot signed off on the clipboard and hoisted the pack over his shoulders, "Thank you. I hope it's just what I need."

Walther bid him farewell as he pulled out a map of the campgrounds. The place was massive. He trailed a finger along the paths shown on the map and found a nice camping spot near a waterfall. He fumbled around with the packs straps and he adjusted them to click around his round gut. Satisfied, he started his hike.

The hours ticked by as he hiked his way through the forest. He could feel his shoulders getting heavy as he wasn't used to carrying around so much weight for this long. Only the sounds of creatures and birds washed around him. The occasional babbling of a nearby creek or river could be heard nearby.

Elliot sighed as his shoes were starting to be more of a hindrance than anything. He decided to strip them and his socks off, stuffing them into his pack. He placed his bare feet against the cool ground. Memories of his childhood came flooding back as he spent most of his days barefoot then. Playing around the countryside as he explored imaginary places.

He smiled to himself as he started walking again. Enjoying the crisp crunch of nature beneath his large feet. He took the occasional break to stop and catch his breath, or as much as he could as he made these stops smoke breaks. The lion stuffed his butts into a pouch on the side of his pack when he snuffed them out.

After a few more hours of wandering, unsure if he was on the right path, he stopped to rummage through his pack to see if there were any snacks. It was quite the spread. There were bags of jerky, cheese, some bread, and a box of protein bars. He pulled open the box of protein bars and started to munch it down. And another. Once he stuffed his garbage into his bag he heard a very loud cracking of branches nearby. He jumped to his feet and looked around. He'd completely forgotten about wildlife.

"Hello?" he called out nervously, hoping it was just someone else or an herbivorous type animal. No response came. Elliot hurriedly put his pack back on and continued his walk on his path. He was now feeling a bit paranoid as he kept looking over his shoulder. This was relaxing? He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He soon heard the sound of rushing water as he kept to the path. He must be getting close to the waterfall.

"Elllllliooooooooot" came a voice from out of the woods.

Elliot's hair stood on end as he spun around, "Who's there?" he shouted. He could feel his heart racing as he backed away up the path. He looked around, examining every inch of the trees. "Show yourself!" He turned tail and started back up the path when no answer came. He made it to the top of hillside when the waterfall came into view. Elliot approached the campground and dropped his bag down, and started to fumble through it, looking for the cb radio. He nearly jumped out of his skin as he heard the pounding of large feet coming up behind him.

"ELLIOT!"

Elliot dropped back in fright as he stared up at a hulk of a wolf, "PASCAL! Geez...you nearly caused me to have a heart attack!"

"Sorry," the wolf winked down at him as he offered a paw to pull him back up, "I saw you earlier and decided to follow. I tried shouting after you, but you took off!"

"I got spooked," said Elliot as he accepted the wolfs help to get hoisted to his feet.

Pascal lifted him with ease, "Sorry El, my apologies. You shouldn't wander out into the woods alone though. It can be dangerous out here."

Elliot calmed down a bit, "Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"What're you doing out here anyway?"

"I came to refocus and figure things out," said Elliot.

"Oh?" said the wolf curiously, "Do tell what you need to figure out?"

Elliot sighed, there seemed no escaping him as they were alone out there, "Just why I'm here, and how to make myself more comfortable around everyone."

Pascal nodded, "I was like that once. My first day five years ago, I thought this place was insane. It took me a whole week to be cool with everything. Now I work in paradise. Everyone is really cool and no one cares what you do. We have complete freedom out here, El. You should take advantage of that."

"I've never had such freedoms," the lion protested.

"You do now," said Pascal, "I can help you if you like?"

Elliot hesitated, "How about showing me how to put up this kind of tent?"

Pascal laughed, "That's a start."

The wolf walked Elliot through the process. Soon after, the tent was erect and ready for use. The wolf dug into Elliots pack and pulled out some rope. He slung it up over a branch and tied it off on a tree.

"What's that for?" asked Elliot.

"When you go to sleep, make sure you tie your pack up the tree on this rope," said Pascal, "The smell of food attracts the wild animals out here, and keeps you and your pack safe."

"Oh," said Elliot, "I hadn't thought of that."

Pascal chuckled, "You don't get out much, do you?"

Elliot huffed, "I really don't."

"Don't worry big guy," the wolf smirked, "I'm here to help you out. It's what I'm for."

Elliot could feel the wheels turning in his head, and he had to say it, "The whole staff here act like servants."

Pascal's ears pinned back, "I'm sorry... I suppose to an outsider it would look that way."

"It's just a bit weird for me," said Elliot, "Especially earlier today. I met a wolf named Chew Toy and his interactions with Elric were very unusual."

"Ah," said Pascal knowingly, "He acts that way for reasons. The rest of us are just very well trained in providing the customer service experience of a lifetime."

Elliot laughed, "I don't even treat my customers this well."

Pascal grinned, "When Elric's father started this place, he wanted men from everywhere to have a lifetime experience they'd never forget. Throughout the year, all of us train tirelessly to perfect the art of customer satisfaction."

"But you're only open for a month..." said Elliot.

"This is true," Pascal grinned, "And the Memorial Day weekend getaway, the Thanksgiving Feast of Kings, and the two week Christmas Vacation. All the counselors also work as assistants for Elric's company."

"O...oh," said Elliot, "I guess I missed that on the website."

Pascal grinned, "Those are occasions that are invite only."

"They all sound fun," said Elliot, "And what company?"

"Loring Airlines! World wide. As for the camp, we're all family here," said Pascal, "And as family, we want to care and nurture one another. Guys from all walks of life come here to experience the true fantasy release from the hardships of life."

"I think I understand," Elliot nodded, "But, what about Chew Toy?"

Pascal sighed, "It happened my first year here. Danny, a.k.a. Chew Toy, came to us in a time of need. He accidentally found us and immediately bought a ticket to come here to escape from an abusive relationship he was in. Of course, his ex tracked him here. No one here had seen such a scene. His ex attacked him with a baseball bat. No one's ever seen Elric so angry. That old ram charged Danny's ex and slammed him to the ground. It was the first time since the place had opened that police had to come out. Danny felt completely awful and was found sobbing out here in the forest. Elric had a few of the counselors retrieve him and brought him back to the lodge to file a police report. After things calmed down a bit, Elric spent the entire month with Danny. You could tell he was nervous and scared of everyone, but he seemed content being by Elrics side. Elric offered him a full time job as a maintenance worker when the month ended. He offered him a place to be where he didn't have to be around people much, and he'd be taken care of."

"Woah," said Elliot, "That's awful. I'm glad he's out of that situation."

Pascal nodded, "We all take care of him now. He's still a bit jumpy and feels guilty about everything, but we treat him very well. He's been putting himself out there more to hang and interact with everyone."

Elliot nodded, "He let me help him in the garage this morning."

Pascal smiled, "That's great news! He's usually very scared of new members."

Elliot chuckled, "I guess it's this handsome face of mine."

"Just might be," the wolf winked at the lion, causing him to blush.

"Shouldn't you head back to camp soon?" Elliot asked, changing the subject, "It's starting to get late."

Pascal looked up, seeing dusk wash over the sky, "I could. Or I could stay here and make sure you stay safe."

Elliot leaned back, marking his sarcasm very clearly, "Oh man, if you have to, I guess."

Pascal gave a playful growl, "Hey now!"

The lion laughed, "Of course you can stay. I suppose the tent is big enough, but don't expect me to share the sleeping bag."

"I'll be fine," the wolf grinned, "Just be careful, I'm a nighttime snuggler."

They both laughed and continued to chat away. Night slowly crept it's way over them. The night sky dazzling them with it's starry show. Pascal had started a fire to provide them with a little bit of light as they exchanged their stories over the roar of the nearby waterfall. Elliot was really enjoying his company.

"Thank you," said Elliot after a short silence.

"Hmm..."the wolf responded as he poked at the fires embers with a stick, "Think nothing of it El. Like I said, I'm here to make sure you have a good time."

Elliot chuckled, "I'm still not used to that. I mean, am I just business?"

The wolf grinned toothily, "El, if you were just business, I woulda let you walk out here by yourself. I'm genuinely interested in getting to know you as a friend."

Elliot nodded, "Well, friend. I think this one on one has helped me focus a bit. I guess being by myself, I probably would have just told me to go home."

"You'd miss out on all the fun," said Pascal, "We have fireworks and a huge barbeque in a few days! Bretts burgers are on point!"

"Oh yeah," said Elliot, "I forgot it was July."

Pascal laughed, "I'm gonna make sure you have a good time if you can't even get your days straight."

"I'm a busy guy," Elliot defended himself, "All I know is what days my favorite shows come on."

"Well, I'll be your calendar," the wolf winked, "You can call me your date tracker."

Elliot shook his head with a laugh, "I better enjoy myself."

Pascal stood up and stretched, "Woo, man, you will! For now, let's sleep on it, huh?"

"Sure thing," said Elliot.

Pascal grabbed a canteen out of Elliots bag, "Be right back." He ran off down the mountainside and returned a short while later. He tipped the canteen over their smoldering fire, putting out the embers with water from the river. He then took his large booted foot and started stamping on it. He then dumped more water as he rotated his foot against the ground, making a muddy mixture of ash and dirt.

"If you ever come back out here without me, now you know what to do," he grinned.

"I suppose I'm a bit rusty at camping," Elliot chuckled.

The lion stood up and stretched his back out. He grabbed his pack and tied it off on the rope. He then went to the tree it was tied around and hoisted the pack up to a safe height. Pascal gave him a thumbs up and they both went into the tent. Elliot had decided to share the sleeping bag, but only so the both of them had some cushion between them and the ground.

Pascal pulled his boots and socks off, letting out a satisfied sigh, "Thanks for letting me hang out with you El."

Elliot laughed as he laid down, "I would have felt very guilty telling you to go away."

Pascal pulled his shirt off and laid down next to him, "I'm glad you didn't."

"Me too," said Elliot.