Chapter 110 - The Meteor Festival Done Right - Part 4| Unforeseen Foreseen Fortunes

Earlier…

After watching Louis and Pina depart, Bill turned to the group of canines next to him. "So how do you want to get beat first?"

"Careful, you might turn Legosi on," Durham jabbed.

Legosi jolted up. "Seriously, guys! Not everything's gotta be about that just because Bill and I are together."

"We are your oldest and best friends," Collot reminded. "It's kind of our job."

"Plus how else are we supposed to react when we find out our most quiet and reserved roomie turned out to be such a kinky dude," Miguno added.

"It's...it's not kinky," Legosi mumbled into his shoulder.

"He's so kinky," Bill shoved Legosi with his shoulder. "Like you wouldn't believe."

Jack shook his head. "Wow. Little Legosi really did grow up to be a...to be a deviant!"

Legosi covered his face. "Let's just...find a game to play and be normal."

Bill put an arm around him and kissed his cheek. "Don't think I'm gonna hold out on you just because we're with your old friends!"

The dogs went 'ooooo' and Legosi blushed. "Th-that's fine. Just the constant talking and joking is weird. I just want it to feel normal."

"But joking and talking is normal!" Bill argued.

Legosi huffed and leaned his head on Bill's shoulder. "Fine. Let's go find a game, then."

"Alright, let's go!" Collot walked forward, the group following.

And Bill being Bill, the moment he saw a test of strength, he bugged everyone about seeing who's the strongest.

Durham laughed when he saw the big hammer. "Holy shit! That thing is bigger than Voss! How's he gonna do it?"

"There's one over there for punching." Miguno pointed to another game nearby.

"No, I'll still do it," Voss announced. "I'll do both!"

"Woooah, sweet!" Bill clapped. "I like that."

"Alright, who goes first?" Legosi asked.

"I think Bill should see what he's up against, first," Collot said, cracking his knuckles and approaching the game.

Bill purred. "You mean what you're up against, dog."

"Jeez, you need to be put in your place," Collot laughed. He picked up the mallet and made a few practice swings.

Miguno leaned in to whisper to Bill. "He talks big, but Legosi's always been stronger than him. He just has a big head now that he's the biggest dude in the room."

"Makes sense," the tiger said, crossing his arms. "Can't wait to see how much he loses."

"What's the metric if he hits the bell, though?" Durham asked. "I mean, there's kind of a cap to it, so it's possible there can be a tie here."

"Then we move to the punching one," Collot concluded. He wound up and swung the mallet over his head and onto the target, causing the ball to shoot up toward the bell. The carnivores watched it rise up, up, up, but it lost momentum just before it hit the bell, causing the '80' to light up.

"Ha! Chump!" Bill laughed.

"Hey! That was only the first try!"

Durham put a hand on his shoulder."That's all you get. Who's next, then?"

"How about you go?" Miguno suggested, and the coyote took hold of the mallet.

"Alright. Just step back and watch." Durham gripped the mallet and got a feel for it, making sure he practiced more than Collot did.

"You're gonna tire yourself out for the actual hit," Voss called out.

"Fine, here I go!" SLAM! And the ball rose up to just about where Collot had hit it, lighting up the '80'.

"Well," Durham set the hammer aside. "So far we're at a tie. Who's gonna break it?"

"I'm going last," Bill said. "Best for last."

"Alright, give it here." Miguno took a grip of the mallet, and to nobody's surprise he didn't manage to break the tie, getting only up to the '70'.

Bill smirked more. "Oh boy! They're not even gonna hit the bell!"

Miguno scowled. "Alright, we have Legosi, Voss, and Jack left before Bill. Who's next?"

Before anything could he said, Voss scaled up Legosi's body and leaped off his shoulder, landing his feet right on the target and shooting the ball right up to the '90'.

"Woo! Suck it!" The tiny fox started dancing.

"Is that fair?" Legosi asked with a laugh.

"This whole game is unfair to me, so I came up with my own strategy!"

Bill scratched his chin. "Interesting for sure, but you're still gonna lose."

"Jack next," Collot announced. "The heavy hitters go last."

"Hey!" Jack whined, stepping up. "I'm gonna try my best. I'll at least get to 70!"

Legosi patted his back. "I believe in you, buddy."

Grabbing the hammer, Jack inhaled a breath and held it as he lifted the tool over his head. "Yah!" He swung it down, the weight going only to a measly '60'.

All the canines immediately came to his side to pat his head and reassure him that it was a very good swing.

"Darn it...Still the weakest," he pouted. "I'm only made for being cute, huh?"

"And smart!" Miguno added.

"And thoughtful and neat," Collot added.

"You know what day it is without looking at your phone!" was Durham's compliment.

"You looked after me after my mom died," Legosi said, and the mood immediately died.

Bill scratched his cheek. "...Well...Uh...guess Legosi's next."

Legosi nodded and took the hammer from Jack. He gripped it tightly, thinking of all the sparring matches he had with Melon. Of the fight with Riz. He turned to Bill, remembering their fight, and then back to his hands.

Bill leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Good luck losing."

Legosi scowled and looked at him. "Blueberry pancakes!" he yelled, bringing the hammer down with all his might, ringing the bell in what seemed like no effort.

Everyone gasped, then cheered, aside from Bill, who was awestruck. "Woah..."

"What was that about pancakes?" Voss asked, but everyone else was too busy cheering and making dog noises.

"We knew you'd pull through, Legosi!" Collot wrapped an arm around his shoulder. Legosi simply smiled and shrugged, handing the mallet to Bill.

The tiger gripped it tightly. "Hm." That was all he said before he raised the hammer and brought it down as hard as he could, creating a loud ring from the bell.

"I knew you and I would tie," Legosi sighed.

Durham took his fist and punched it into his other palm. "That just means it'll be decided at the next one!"

"I could just fight him," Bill sneered.

Legosi's ears folded, slightly. "I'd rather not."

"But it's so fun!"

"No thanks. You won the fight on stage. I have nothing to prove."

"My ring was also louder," Bill shrugged.

"You guys don't want to at least try the next one?" Durham asked, but Legosi shook his head.

"I'd rather do something else."

Jack frowned. "You good, Legosi?"

Legosi nodded. "Yeah. You know stuff like this doesn't really interest me."

"Then why didn't we just do something else?"

"Bill wanted to. I don't think we need to prove anything to him, though."

"Legosi's in a romantic mood," Voss pointed out. "Makes sense. He doesn't wanna beat the shit out of stuff."

"Romance, huh?" Bill's tail flicked. "Good~"

"And a hungry mood," Legosi added. "Let's get some food."

"Now there's an idea!" Voss stood up on Collot's shoulder and pointed off into the distance. "Use our noses, men! Seek out the fattiest foods you can find!"

The tiger grabbed his boyfriend's hand, lacing their fingers. "Fatty foods huh?"

"That's what you eat at events like this," Durham agreed. "Why, you too buff to eat it?"

"Pfft. Nah, of course not," Bill grinned. "The word fatty is funny, though."

"Fatty," Legosi repeated close to his ear.

The tiger chuckled. "Mmm~ Me?"

"No, just because you like the word," the wolf smiled, sweetly.

"I said it's funny. Does that mean I like it?"

"Usually it does..."

"Oi, Bill!" Voss suddenly called. "Aren't feline's supposed to hate canines or something?"

"Pffft, that's just a superstition," Bill waved him off.

Voss shrugged. "Just wondering."

"Well we used to kind of...not get along," Legosi relayed.

"How'd you get to this, then?" Miguno asked, indicating their intertwined fingers.

"It just happened!" Bill laughed.

"We were a bit curious with Louis and Pina's relationship, and Bill wanted to try and kiss me so, we did," Legosi explained. "And we kept kissing, and..." he trailed off.

"Then he got railed by yours truly and fell in love. Easy," Bill teased.

They all went silent, Legosi blushing furiously, until Collot said, "So we were right: he is a bottom."

"Oh absolutely! In public, on the kitchen table, against the wall..." Bill was going through the list, counting on his fingers as he went.

All Legosi's friends laughed along, obviously thinking he was joking but Legosi just leaned into Bill and hid his face in his neck.

The tiger put an arm around him. "I know right! He's more of a bottom than anyone I know!"

"Not like you've had sex with that many people," Legosi countered. "Not that it's a bad thing...to be a bottom."

"You fucking loooove it!"

Legosi blushed more. "I do..." He looked up, saw his friends walk ahead a bit, and turned back to Bill. "Also, I'm sorry that I didn't want to do any more strength games. Melon-san's training is making me tired."

"No, it's okay. You know I'm here for you, right?" He tightened his grip on Legosi's hand, leaning in a bit. "And you know something else?"

The wolf's ear twitched. "What's that?"

"I can be really serious and loving, too~ Not just a tease~"

Legosi smiled and pushed him, lightly. "I knooow."

"If you want romance, I can supply," Bill purred, nuzzling his neck as they walked along.

"Ah, that's just what Voss said. But...this is nice." Legosi reached up to pet Bill's head. "I like it when you get like this."

The cat rubbed his stomach, moving his hand under his shirt to the fur there. "Yeah~ Well, it's kinda like a date, huh?"

"Y-yeah." Legosi's tail started wagging behind them at the stomach rub. "A date with my old roommates here, too, which is kinda weird. Like two worlds colliding."

"Isn't it funny how life works and changes? I think it's pretty cool. And we look super good together."

"You think?"

"Plus our two babes."

"Mmm." Legosi leaned in and licked Bill's cheek several times as his tummy was rubbed, which caused his one leg to kick against the ground slightly as they walked.

"I want to just pull you aside..." Bill whispered. "Butter you up."

"Then I'll be a fatty food," Legosi giggled.

"And I'll gladly eat all I can~"

Legosi blushed and retreated into Bill more. "I should have seen that coming."

"I know. I'm so smooth you can see it coming a mile away."

"C'mon you, lovers, hurry up!" Voss called back to them. "You're falling behind!"

"Ah, guess there's no time for pulling you aside right now," Bill laughed. "We're comin', we're comin'!"

The group soon came upon a stand selling fried food and promptly got in line and scanned the menu.

"So what are you guys feeling?" Collot asked, long fur flopping around his head as he turned around. "Should we see if we can save money and share some dishes? What does everyone want?"

"I'm good," Bill held up his hands. "That's way too much for me."

"You're just going to pick at what we get, aren't you?" Durham accused.

"No, dude. I'm not gonna have any," the tiger fired back.

Legosi turned to him. "You're not hungry?"

"I'll eat something else."

"Do you want to go find another stall?"

"I'm sticking with you guys." Bill pulled him closer by the side. "Don't worry so much, pup! I'll be fine!"

"How about you find us a seat if you're not gonna get anything here, then?" Collot suggested. "If you want to, of course. Not kicking you out or anything, man."

"Yeah, alright. I can do that." He walked off.

Legosi watched his boyfriend walk off and handed some money to his friends. "Get me some fried vegetables. I'll go wait with Bill."

Durham winced. "Oof! What happened to bros before hoes, Legosi?"

"It's not that! I just don't want him to be lonely."

The coyote waved him off. "It's fine! I was joking. Go find a seat with him."

Legosi gave a slight wave and walked off after the tiger.

Bill was really looking around for a place to sit that would impress the canine, unaware that Legosi was coming.

"There's a lot of tables around here," Legosi noted, walking up next to him. "Maybe one under a tree?"

Bill jumped and turned around quickly, whacking the wolf with his hand. "Yagh!"

"Ack!" Legosi stumbled back and held his face where Bill had struck him. "Bill!"

"Oh, shit! Gosi! I'm so sorry, babe!" Bill looked bewildered that he had done such a thing.

Legosi brought his hand away from his face, thankfully not bleeding, but he continued to wince. "Did I surprise you or something?"

"Yeah! You did! Fuck!" He wrapped his arms around him and pulled him to a bench nearby, sitting the wolf on his lap. "I'm sorry, baby."

Legosi smiled slightly and hugged him back. "It's alright. It was an accident. Any reason you're feeling jumpy?"

"Nah, nah. I don't think so. Well...maybe. I dunno. Kinda feel like I'm being watched but maybe I'm just crazy..." He shrugged.

Legosi looked around. "Hmm, maybe. I mean considering the...situation we're all in, I don't blame you. I mean there's a member of the Branded that's watching Louis a lot but he's also paying her off, so..." The wolf sighed and pulled Bill closer to him. "I wish we could all just be out here without any worries, and not just forgetting it's there."

"Oh, shit. We're being watched?" Bill blinked.

"Uh, I don't know." The fur on the back of Legosi's neck raised up slightly. "I'm sure everything is fine."

"...Hm." Bill just looked to the side.

"Sorry," Legosi whispered. "And, uh, sorry if you might feel like a third wheel with me and my friends. Or, I guess, a seventh wheel."

"I don't! At all!"

"That's good." Legosi pulled back and looked into Bill's eyes. "And...you're sure you didn't want to eat anything?"

"I'm good...really."

Legosi's eyes reverted to puppy dog mode and his lower lip started to pout.

"What the heck are you doing?" the cat asked.

"Are you really good?" Legosi asked again. "Big carnivores like us have to eat a lot, after all..."

"I eat enough, Gosi. Why are you so worried about it?" His ear twitched. "Because of Louis?"

Legosi shook his head. "No, no. I just...feel like I have a responsibility to accommodate all your needs since we're hanging out with my friends and you don't know them." He fiddled with his big hands. "And I'm not quite used to dates with you yet on top of that."

"Haha. It's just me!" Bill clamored. "Don't worry!"

"I suppose." The wolf looked at the table they found themselves at. "I guess this table is alright. What do you wanna do after we eat?"

"I wanna play some more games!" Bill responded. "Beat some ass!"

"I guess we'll just explore more, then." Legosi intertwined his fingers with Bill's, observing the contrast between his orange fur and his own dark bluish gray. "I wonder what Pina and Louis are doing."

"Fucking."

Legosi rolled his eyes. "They're not like you."

"You did it in public," Bill argued.

"It was a sex club," Legosi argued. "And we were a bit drunk..."

"You're so fucking cute..." Bill's hand slid to his thigh.

Legosi smiled and placed his hand on top of his. "You're cute, too."

"Are we like...a temporary thing?"

Legosi cocked his head slightly. "No...I don't think so. Why do to ask?"

"Then..." Bill looked at the sky. "Shouldn't we light a candle, too?"

Legosi looked up with him. "You think? I always sort of saw it as a marriage commitment. Do they even allow animals to get more than one?"

"Do you honestly think I care?" Bill laughed.

"I guess not," Legosi laughed along. "We can find a way."

"If you want, that is."

The wolf leaned back into him. "Sure, we can! I guess we're all going to be lighting candles together."

Bill sighed, smiling. "Good..."

"Do you think we'll all be able to live together someday?" Legosi asked. "I feel like that's what we're working toward now."

"Do you want to?"

"It'd be nice," Legosi stated quietly, placing his snout close to Bill's neck. "You're so warm and cuddly, I can't wait to have you during winter."

"Man, we really all dormed together last winter..."

"Yeah..." Legosi sunk into him more. "While Riz was still a threat..." He raised a hand up to trace the scars he had received the night he was ambushed.

Bill grabbed his cheeks and kissed there. "Imagine what it would have been like if we were dating at the time."

"You mean if you had found me after I was attacked?" Legosi asked, swallowing. "You'd probably have gone off to kill whoever did it."

"I almost did. I really wanted to. But...I can't give into anger. It would make me a monster."

Legosi nodded. "Do you think you'll ever visit him like Pina did?"

"No, or I'll finish the job," Bill whispered back.

Legosi held still for a second but then pat his back. "It's okay..."

"Sup, dudes!" Miguno dropped a plate of funnel cake and french fries on the table. "Collot's got your veggies, Legosi."

The wolf jumped slightly at the intrusion before turning to him. "Oh, thanks!"

The two continued to hold each other as each of the canines came to the table.

"Wow, you guys aren't sweating your balls off all up on each other like that?" Durham questioned.

"Yep," Bill said. "Worth it!"

"Couldn't be me," Collot sighed, bringing attention to his long fur. "I'd never shave if my girlfriend wanted to cuddle in public, though. Cool weather only."

"Plus if you shaved everyone would see your beautiful eyes," Voss added.

"That too. Gotta give the other guys a chance."

"What's up with your eyes?" Bill asked. "Can I see?"

"Sure, if you want to fall in love with him," Durham challenged with a raised eyebrow.

The tiger crossed his arms. "Pffft. As if. Hit me with 'em."

The sheep dog leaned forward, faced Bill, and brought his hand up to lift the long fur over his face up, revealing [REDACTED].

The feline looked for a good few moments.

Jack was standing to where he couldn't see the fabled eyes of his friend. "Uh oh, is Bill gonna leave Legosi for Collot?"

Bill looked at him, laughing. "I mean, they're nice, but...They're still just eyes."

"Huh? You're not blown away by them?"

"Like I said, they're pretty, but I barely know the guy."

Collot lowered the fur once more. "Ah, that's a relief. Wouldn't want to add you to the list of people I'd have to turn down." He laughed and started to dig into his meal.

"That just means Bill isn't easy," Voss stated. "He's gotta take his time with ya."

Legosi swallowed some of his veggies and creased his brows in thought. "We didn't really take our time. It was kind of like a switch flicked from friends to dating."

Voss stuffed a mozzarella stick longer than his fingers into his mouth. "Well, yeah! The friendship part was the 'taking time' part."

"I mean, we were pretty separated for a while..." Bill mumbled. "Happens with me and Pina a bunch, too."

"Are you sure you're not hungry, Bill?" Legosi asked again.

"I'm seriously good," he smiled. "Promise for the millionth time."

"Well, hopefully you're hungry for the amazing desserts they bring out at night!" Miguno exclaimed. "Right after the candle lighting you can get soooo much good stuff!"

"Dessert, huh? Maybe..."

"So, what are you guys gonna do for the candles? Like, with your whole dating situation," Durham asked.

"Legosi asked me to light a candle with him," Bill explained, coolly. "Naturally, I thought I might oblige the guy."

Legosi's fur bristled. "That's...not exactly what happened, but we're going to try and see if they'll give us four candles."

"Wow, so you two are like really serious about this? What about Louis?" Collot sipped at his drink.

Legosi relaxed his shoulders and placed his hands on the table. "Well, this is how I see it: Louis is my husband, and Bill is my boyfriend. There's unique things about each that I appreciate."

They all soaked in that information for a moment before Duham said, "Wow. It's like you're gaming the system or something."

"More like GAYming the system. HAH!" Voss held his tiny hand up for high fives, which the dogs obliged in.

"Looks like someone should have kept the gaymer sticker~" Bill nudged him.

Legosi snickered into his hand. "I guess so! We'll need to go back and get it."

"Haha! Sweet!"

The group continued to eat and chat, Legosi quietly observing how Bill interacted with his friends and making sure he wasn't left out, but it turned out he talked more than Legosi did.

Once everyone was done, they threw their trash away and were on their way again.

"What should we look for next?" Miguno asked.

Jack pointed, suddenly. "I was trying not to say anything but I can't help it. Can we pleeease get our fortunes from that fortune teller?"

Legosi's ears flicked. "A fortune teller? I never thought you were superstitious, Jack."

"He's only saying that cuz we saw her earlier and she's hoooot," Collot teased.

Jack's ears went back. "What! No way! That's not—That's not even why! Don't you guys want to know?"

"Know if I'll ever find out what to do with my life? Maybe," Durham shrugged.

Bill smiled, fangs showing. "Yeah! Sure! Sounds great."

"It's a start," Collot agreed. "Off we go, then."

The dogs attempted to retrace their steps to where the fortune teller was, while Legosi reached for Bill's hand once more. "Do you know what you're going to ask?"

"You have to ask something?" Bill asked. "I thought she just tells you."

Legosi blushed. "Uh, I don't know. I thought you had to ask about a specific thing."

"Then clearly we both don't know how this works."

"I guess we'll find out," Legosi tightened his grip around his hand. "Uh, is there anything you want to do once we say goodbye to my friends?"

"I assume you have some ideas?"

"Well, I'd just like to walk around and talk. I'd like to play with you sometime like the other day when you were chasing me, but I don't know if we can really do that here." Legosi's tail wagged just at the thought of it. "So, uh, festival specific things? I'm not sure."

"Play with me?" Bill raised a brow. "Tell me again?"

"Like play ball or frisbee or just run around with each other!" The wolf bounced up and down as he walked. "It's a really close bonding activity for canines."

"That does sound like a good workout," Bill pondered.

"And it sounds fun, right? You always wanted me to embrace my more carnivore traits, after all."

"You're right. But now I just want you to be you."

Legosi smiled, showing his fangs. "Well, it's what I want to do, so it's me."

"Then that's fine with me."

The group soon came upon a tent with a picture of a big crystal ball above the entrance.

Sitting there was an Afghan hound, wearing a pretty smile. "Welcome, welcome, group of canines and cat. I've been waiting for you."

"You say that about everyone, don't you?" Durham asked boldly.

"Isn't this too many people to fit in here?" Legosi squeezed his question in right after the coyote's.

"Of course I do. I foresee everyone's arrival," she responded, then looked at Legosi. "No."

"So...should one of us go up first?" the sheepdog asked the group.

"It was my idea..." Jack said. "I guess I should?"

"Hehe, yeah, go oooon~" Miguno pushed his back, slightly. "Go talk to the pretty ladyyy~"

"Sit down, young labarador," the fortune teller gestured and he did so. "Are you certain you want to know your future?"

"Uh...yeah. I think so. It's nothing bad, right?"

"We shall see," she said, tapping her crystal ball.

The glass sphere lit up, naturally catching all of the carnivore's eyes. Legosi hummed in appreciation of its pleasant color.

"Jack the Labrador...The stars tell me your future...I see it! No, I see her! A beautiful woman of which species will not be named. You are a family man."

Jack blushed. "Oh? Really? I never even thought..."

"Bro, how'd she know your name!" Durham shouted.

Miguno clapped his shoulder. "She's psychic, duh!"

"Durham is next," the woman said.

The coyote jumped up. "Ack! O-okay..." He approached.

"Sit down, please."

Just like a canine, Durham promptly sits.

"The future is written and the stars tell it to me." She waved her hand over the crystal ball, which glowed a different color than on Jack's turn. "I foresee great success in your future. A business, perhaps?"

Durham snorted, but his eyes showed interest. "Pff, me, a businessman? That's a stretch."

"Anything can change, dear boy."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Alright, well who's next then?"

"Collot," she said. "And Voss."

The little fox poked his head out. "Both at once?"

"Yes."

"Oooo, you guys are gonna get married!" Durham chided as he stood up to let the two sit down, the fennec fox on his usual spot on the sheepdog's shoulder.

"The constellations write out your futures, and I read them," she smiled, the crystal ball turning red. "I see you two staying close, the longest and most stable relationship either will ever have."

Voss gawked while Collot seemed to hold a thoughtful pose. The vulpine was the first to speak, or rather, exclaim, "Th-that's it!? Our fates are that intertwined or something?"

"Star-crossed lovers," Durham interjected.

"I wouldn't mind having your little ass on my shoulder my whole life," Collot grinned. "But once you get a job I'm charging a fee."

"Oh, like hell you are!"

"It is whatever you choose for it to be," the fortune teller said.

"Whatever, dude." Voss hand waved the fortune teller as his large companion rose. The last three animals stood near the chair, waiting.

"Miguno, step forward," she said, looking at the chosen hyena.

He plopped into the chair without much ceremony. "Alright, lay it on me."

"The stars twinkle in the sky and they tell me your future..." She waved a hand over the crystal ball and it glowed orange. "Oh, I see...a maze in your future. You will be lost for a long time...Only after you look inside yourself will you find the key."

Miguno's ears folded back. "Wow, that's vague and sounds kinda stressful. Do you see anything about my band?"

She waved her hand again. "That's why you will enter the maze."

"Mmm." Miguno stood and joined the group of his roommates, leaving Legosi and Bill standing together.

"Legosi is next," she said.

Legosi cleared his throat, wringing his hands nervously as he sat in the chair.

"I see the stars in your eyes, wolf, and they tell me your future. Let's see what they say." She waved her hand over the crystal ball and it glowed white. Her face dropped.

Legosi cleared his throat, waiting. "Well...?"

"Um...well..." She waved her hand again.

"Dude you broke it," Durham chuckled.

"It's not that," the hound shook her head. "I...can't see anything."

"Does that mean he's gonna die?" Miguno all but shouted.

Legosi turned back to him with his ears folded back. "Hey!"

"It means his future is completely unknown. It's rare, but it does happen," she explained. "Bill, please come sit next."

"Damn, that's kinda cool, though!" Collot encouraged as he pat Legosi's shoulder after he stood up. "Carve your own path, bud!"

Bill sat next. "Alright, what awesome future awaits me, lady?"

"Let's see what the stars say..." She waved her hand once more and the crystal ball's glow faded out, then came back, a dark, deep purple. "Oh. Oh, no."

The tiger's smile faded. "What? What is it?"

Everyone else in the room leaned forward, eyes wide.

"Danger's coming. Not just for you, but to those closest to you." She leaned closer. "No, not just to you. To the whole city. Make sure you watch your steps and tell your families and friends how much you care about them."

The group gawked, but only Miguno spoke. "H-hey, if the whole city is in danger why is it just Bill's future it appeared in?"

"Because, Bill's fortune is that he will be very important into saving the ones he loves. As for the rest of you..."

Everyone looked among themselves, the carefree atmosphere evaporating in an instant. Legosi came up and placed his hands on Bill's shoulders. "Bill..."

The tiger swallowed. "Y-yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

"Um, yeah. How much do I owe you?" He asked the Afghan hound.

"Nothing. First fortunes are free. Plus, your fortune will help us prepare for what's ahead."

Legosi looked down at her. "Well, uh, thank you." He bowed slightly and pulled Bill up. "We'll, uh, go now."

All the canines and the cat left, feeling dread in their hearts. "Well, that was...something," Jack said. "Do we believe it?"

"Nah," came Collot's confident reply. "Fortunes are always vague like that. She saw that Voss was on my shoulder and decided to give us a fortune together. Legosi's was a 'fluke' to make the whole thing more believable, and of course she had to throw in one to scare us at the end. Especially since felines tend to be more superstitious."

The other members of the 701 room chuckled nervously, but nodded. "Y-yeah. It's all fake."

Legosi wasn't as convinced. "How'd she know our names, then?"

"We're all students here, or at least were," Collot explained. "She probably memorized the student body, knowing a lot of them would be here."

"I believe it," Bill said, point-blank. "It's kinda stressful knowing I gotta be a hero, though. But if even Louis could be in danger and I can save him..."

The rest of the animals looked back at him, worry on their faces. "Well, who knows." It was obvious they didn't want to talk about it. Legosi wrapped an arm around him.

"Well, I think if it does come to it, you'll do what feels natural to you. I know you're capable. I trust you."

"But the whole city? Aw, jeez that stresses me out..."

Jack nodded. "Yeah, I'm really scared of what that could mean...She said to let our families know how much we appreciate them."

"Yeah, that part was like, fucked up. That implies death man!" Durham gesticulated broadly as he spoke. "So even if we'd be safe in our dorms here, who knows about our families?"

"Guys, relax. Even if it's true there's no use in worrying about it." Once again, Collot tried to calm the group.

"Yeah," Voss agreed, quickly. "Plus, the fortune was to get us to prepare. Not that it's real."

Legosi huffed and pulled Bill closer. "I'm so fucking tired of this," he muttered.

Bill leaned in. "What is it?"

"I'm tired of our lives being like this. It's like we can never relax." The wolf still kept his voice low as to not worry his friends. "Of course us going into that tent got us some sort of doomsday prophecy."

"But wouldn't you rather that than being caught off guard?" Bill asked. "Plus, you didn't even get a fortune."

"Yeah, and that worries me even more! I just want a normal life."

"I know...I know. Sorry that it's like this right now. I'm super anxious about my role now..."

"Well, we're all here to help you to." Legosi placed a kiss on his cheek. "If my future is to be decided by me, then I want to fight alongside you like we did with Riz."

Bill sighed. "I guess we need to be extra careful now. But don't you think we should...tell someone about the city being in trouble?"

"Like who? And if we tell them we got it from a fortune teller they'd just laugh."

"Yeah...Huh. Guess we're fucked."

Legosi whined. "Please don't say that!"

Jack's ears drooped. "Mm..."

"Alright, well clearly we need to do something to lighten the mood!" boomed Collot.

"Like what?" Jack perked.

"Hey guys!" A voice called, and everyone moved their heads this way and that. "Yoo hoo! Boooys~"

All heads turned to spot a certain peafowl waving at them.

"Dom!" Legosi exclaimed without much thought.

"Come see what Kai is doing! It's hilarious!"

Legosi and Bill looked at each other and immediately followed Dom, the rest of the group following in confusion.

"So, one of your friends?" Miguno asked.

"Yeah. Dom, and Kai is his boyfriend," Legosi informed. "Knowing Kai, whatever this is is going to be entertaining.

Bill turned around, walking backward as he spoke. "He's a little hothead, it's probably gonna be super funny."

They turned a corner and found the mongoose. He sat on top of a plank suspended above a pool of water, kicking his legs about. He looked up when he saw Dom and then saw everyone else. "Oh, hey guys!" He waved.

"Kai? What the heck is this?" Legosi asked.

"What's it look like? It's a dunk tank!"

Sure enough, a group of animals had already gathered around, waiting for the event to start.

Bill crossed his arms. "You seriously volunteered for this shit? Who are you, man?"

"I'm Kai the mongoose! Also the best damn organizer for this event at the school!" He puffed up proudly.

"Oh hey, I know you! We have some classes together!" Durham exclaimed.

"Yeaaaaah I don't know who you are but that's awesome!" Kai gave a thumbs up. "Anyway, as you can see to my left here, the target is really tiny. I doubt any of these saps are gonna be able to hit it."

"What's the prize?" Legosi asked.

Kai seemed confused. "Prize? Uh, nothing. You get to say you dunked me."

"I wanna say I dunked you," Bill said. "Where do I sign up?"

Kai pointed to a table with a multitude of balls on it. "Grab one and you're in. You only get one shot, though."

"Not three? Really?"

Kai gestured to the crowd. "There's a lot of people here! Not that they could dunk me if they all had three tries. We're just trying to save time, you see."

"Oh, he is going down," someone in the crowd said.

"Dommy, I think we're ready to roll," Kai announced.

"Step up, one and all!" Dom shouted. "Dunk the goose of mon! One shot, one winner!"

"But he just said you don't win anything!" someone in the crowd shouted.

"You win the satisfaction of proving me wrong! Which won't happen! My fur is staying dry!" Kai beat his chest and yelled out afterwards.

"Wow. I don't think I'll ever be able to predict that guy," Legosi mused.

"He's so different," Bill blinked, bewildered. "But in a good way."

The group all grabbed balls and got into line, the total animals there numbering around thirty.

Voss stared at the ball in his hand, much bigger for him than the other animals. "I hope we even get a chance to throw before someone else gets him."

"How are you gonna throw when you're..." Bill held his hands up, just a bit away from each other.

The little carnivore scowled. "Same way I'm gonna kick your ass if you say something like that again!"

"By hitting my shins?"

"Woah woah, calm down guys." Collot pat Voss on the head. "No need for that here."

Voss just snorted and moved Collot's hand off him. "Calm your tits, we're just messing around. I know you just found out you're my soulmate or whatever but you don't have to protect me."

Bill laughed at that. "She said you make it whatever you want it to be."

"Yeah. You're just a weird gremlin stuck on my shoulder forever and I'm fine with it."

Voss smacked Collot lightly for that comment.

"But then there's the other fortune..." Bill mumbled. "Gonna make it hard to focus on having fun..."

Legosi pressed into Bill's back and snaked his arms around him. "I know...but I'll help distract you, if I can."

"That might be just what I need," Bill rubbed his eyes. "After we dunk the shit out of Kai."

Legosi rested his head on his shoulder. "Are you going to be the one to do it?"

"Fuck yeah. Duh." Bill rolled the ball in his hand.

While they were talking, a loud THUNK sounded as the first ball missed.

"Hah! If that's all the rest of you are bringing to the table then I'm staying dry allll dayyy loooong!" Kai wiggled his hips on the plank and stuck his tongue out as the first participant sulked off.

"Why is it only one shot?" Someone asked. "Isn't it usually three?"

"It's cuz he's scared!" someone else answered. "Dudes who talk a big game like him are just like that!"

"As if!" Kai shouted out. "Like I said it's to save us all some time! I don't want to sit here forever and watch you fail!"

"Hah!" The first animal that spoke threw his ball, nearly missing. "God damn it."

Kai wiggled his long neck all over. "Haha! Looooser!"

"Actually...I think Kai might have been made for this," Legosi said quietly, still trying to soothe Bill.

Bill threw the ball up and down now. "Not for long."

As each animal took a turn throwing their ball, it became increasingly clear that the target to hit was very sensitive, as animals that hit the edge of it were not given a dunk. Kai continued to taunt, giving more and more motivation to the crowd.

"It's good we're near the end," Legosi observed. "Now we know just where we need to hit it."

"The frickin' middle," Bill said, still messing with the ball in his head. "Easy."

"Maybe you can become a baseball player in the future," Legosi giggled. "And Pina too, even though he never got to use his bat."

"Nope, I'm good," Bill shook his head. "Not gonna do sports or anything like that."

"I bet a lot of carnivores would say you're wasting a good body like that by not doing sports." Legosi moved his hands to rub his biceps. "We're always expected to do sports..."

The tiger flexed for him. "Yeah, I know. Didn't you say Louis said you were wasting your body too or something?"

Legosi shook his head. "Before we were even friends. Back when he seemed to hate me. He was frustrated that I was born with a strong body that I wasn't utilizing."

"Well yeah, that's what I meant," Bill said. "Guess us carnivores are born with expectations."

"Everyone is." Legosi looked up as yet another animal failed to dunk the mongoose. "So, after you knock Kai into the water, what do you wanna do?"

"You can keep hanging with your friends, if you want. I know you haven't seen them in a while."

Legosi cleared his throat, quietly. "Well, I've lived with them for years. I still haven't been with you very long..."

"Oh?" Bill's ears perked at this.

Legosi reared his head back a bit. "That makes sense, right? I love my friends but this relationship with you is still new and I want to keep exploring it."

"Well, of course we will!"

"Yeah, so after you drop Kai into the water I think we should take some time alone together like Louis and Pina are."

"Oh. OH!" Bill smiled widely. "Now I get it~"

Legosi nodded and his ears folded back shyly as he looked down at the ground. Meanwhile, Kai was still sitting up on his plank taunting everyone.

"It's almost our turn," Bill said, smirking. "Wanna see me win?"

Legosi returned the expression. "Yes, very much."

After a few more animals went and missed, it was Bill's turn. "I hope you're ready for the chill, Kai!"

"Oh, so the great and powerful Bill has come to the scene! Try your best!" Kai's voice was starting to get raspy from the yelling, something that neither Bill or Legosi had ever heard before.

The feline took a stance, tossing the ball up and down. "I won't even need to try."

"Why, cuz you know it's hopeless?" Kai taunted. "You're the smartest animal to come up here, then."

"Why thank you," Bill clutched the ball now. "Here it comes."

And come it did. Bill whipped the ball towards the target, hitting it just right and plummeting the mongoose into the water, much to the joy of the crowd. Whoops and cheers resounded as they came over to congratulate the tiger.

Bill jumped up and pumped his fist. "Fuck yeah! Knew it!"

"Great job, Billy!" Dom clapped, cheering with the audience.

Legosi and his roommates jumped up and howled, with the wolf then leaping on Bill's back and clinging. "You did it!"

Bill grabbed his legs to keep him on. "Of course I did! And hey there!~"

"Hey!" Legosi kissed his cheek.

"Uh huh! Yeah, right," Bill squinted.

"Dom, get me the towel. Gotta find someone else from the club to volunteer now."

Bill looked at the room 701 canines. "Think I'm gonna kidnap this one for a while."

They all looked at their former roommate and friend hanging off of the big tiger and smiled.

"You and Louis take care of him, now," Collot said.

"Especially Bill since he's like, a hero of prophecy," Voss added.

"Ugh...yeah..." Bill sighed. "But I will."

The 701 crew, Dom, and Kai all bid them farewell as Bill and Legosi went off on their own, the wolf still hanging off his back.

Bill walked along, adjusting Legosi's legs around him, looking at the ground as he went.

Legosi nuzzled into his cheek. "Sorry my friends kept bringing up the fortune. We can try and forget about it, like I said."

"Nah, it's cool. I guess I'm just thinking. Sorry."

"Thinking is okay. Anything you want to talk about?"

"Nah, it's okay. I do have an idea, though."

"I'm all ears."