It felt good to be back in the place he was now calling home, even if he had spent less than twelve hours there. The couch, crumbs or not, was welcoming. It's leather surface as plush as those in Ixis' car. Marcus let himself sink in until it felt as if me may never be able to get up again.

"At least I have the day off tomorrow," he said out loud just in case the fox was there listening to his thoughts.

She wasn't, or at least he had a strong feeling. He had dropped her off clear on the other side of the city after taking Naugus home. Although such distances in locality had hardly stopped her before.

Marcus stared blankly at the book shelf trying to forget the site of his new boss holding up another man's kneecap.

How am I supposed to forget that?

Everyone in the crime lord's orbit was an enigma, including the man himself. He had been almost cheerful as he butchered a helpless man. That was a different kind of tormented. Marcus had been questioning his new career choice every waking moment, but now he was afraid he might not even be able to sleep to escape his conscience.

And yet once you get to know him a little, he doesn't seem that bad.

Marcus was conflicted as much about his new line of work as he was about what to think about his new boss. The man had given him so much in such a short time it felt odd to think about him in anything other than a positive light.

I should take a walk, clear my head, he decided as he loosened the tie on his neck. He didn't care how disheveled he looked, that was to be expected in this part of the city anyway. Reaching for his keys, the kid let himself out of his apartment and out into the toxic night air.

Every breath, every step he took in this city was a persistent reminder that this place was nothing like where he came from. But as tiresome as it was on his nerves, he felt alive in Capital City in a way that he didn't out in the country side. It was easy to blame on the danger, the allure of everything wrong and exotic, but those were just thing things on the surface.

And yet the surface as so much to offer, Marcus reminded himself as he eyed the neon signs for the Barn Yard across the street.

It was another of Ixis' establishments, and while he had heard about it, he hadn't worked up the courage to visit it. The place was well-known to be frequented by the city's Mobian population, but understandably catered to the drunks of any species.

Just as he reached for the door, a bear easily three times his size, burst through, stumbling onto the side walk.

"Sorry kid," the creature growled.

"Don't sweat it," he replied in a tone that he hoped didn't sound as terrified as he was.

It wasn't hard to remember why some people were so readily scared of Mobians. Creatures like him could rip a human in half without much effort.

Working up the courage to see what other monsters lay in wait, Marcus again reached for the door, letting the ruckus of well served patrons fill his ears. True to its name, the place seemed to be constructed of well-worn boards with hay strewn across the floor. There was no telling what sorts of nights of debauchery were being covered up by such a farm staple.

Against his better judgement, Marcus made his way to the only free bar-stool. If this was anything like the Blue Pearl, then no one could tell him no. Or at least that is what he was secretly hoping.

It's easier to be miserable here, he decided amongst the noise. There's less of a chance of the bad memories creeping in.

On his right was a beaver who had seen better days, his soul looking as every bit as crushed as Marcus'. The creature seemed harmless outside of his teeth. However, on his left was a mangy grey wolf with fangs that put the beaver's to shame. From the corner of his eye, the kid watched as the canine gave him a sniff.

Suddenly Marcus felt alone again. There were perhaps five other humans in this establishment, and if he had to guess they would be as eager to help him as he would be them.

"What's your deal?" the creature asked through a hiccup.

The kid looked around, hoping, praying, that the wolf was talking to anyone but him.

Marcus shrugged in response, unable to surface any words that would accurately explain why he was there.

"Whatcha been up to?" the wolf continued coyly, "I smell blood."

What? He panicked. He can smell that? I didn't even know I got any on me.

The creature chuckled seeing the panic on his face, "Don't worry, kid, your secret's safe with me."

"It's mine," he assured the wolf, "cut myself shaving."

"No it isn't," came the creature's considerably more acute reply. "Blaze!"

A cat with a pinkish hue materialized, her look every bit as annoyed as her reply sounded, "What do you want now, Karl?"

"Get this kid a beer."

"He barely looks old enough to drive."

"Not sure you can tell him no," the wolf replied, "he works for your boss."

The cat's eyes went wide, "You're Harry's replacement? Sorry, I just didn't expect someone so... soon."

Marcus smiled. She was being polite given the circumstance.

They'll see him instead of you, he reminded himself of the fox's words, which were still proving to be true.

"I don't need anything," he assured the feline.

"Nonsense the wolf replied, I know that look. In fact, bring him two, on me."

"He drinks for free," Blaze reminded them both.

"In that case bring him four," the wolf said, lowering a canine while giving Marcus a stern elbow in the shoulder.

"Yeah... sure, what he said."

Leaving more annoyed than she arrived, the cat left the two of them.

"Thanks, kid, I appreciate it."

"Yeah, no problem," the kid gulped.

"No need to be scared," the fearsome creature assured him. "I mean I do bite, but I sure as hell ain't gonna bite you. Name's Karl."

"Marcus."

"You look like you dove headfirst into a puddle and then then flopped into the deep end, Marcus."

"That's about how it feels."

"Well you came to the right place."

Well that's good.

"Harry come here often?"

"He may as well have lived here."

"You know him well?"

"Knew him, but didn't know him."

Marcus nodded.

"Kept to himself mostly, especially after what happened to his family."

What happened to his family? The kid wanted to ask but thought better of it.

Blaze returned caring two pints in each paw, "Just this once, Karl, and only because the kid looks like he needs a friend... even if that friend is you."

The wolf grinned, "you have such a way with words."

Marcus eyed the warm lager in front of him, reaching for a glass.

"Cheers," his new friend offered a clink of his own.

The kid nearly gagged as he coughed on the liquid, "this taste awful."

"Give it a few minutes," Karl assured him, "then you won't care."

Fighting the urge to gag, he took another big swig.

"So what's your deal?" Marcus asked of his newest furred friend.

"I work a dead-end job in a city that hates me."

Marcus wanted to ask him why he didn't move or do something about that, but he already knew the answer from his conversations with Fiona. Morians could not simply uproot their lives. The fact that he had a job here at all must have meant he was quite good at something.

"What do you do?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"I could say the same of anyone who can't smell as well as you can."

"Mmm," the wolf agreed, "true. Mechanical engineer. I keep the subways running most days."

Wow, okay, he's right, I'm not sure I believe him.

"Yeah, yeah, I know that look. How's such a drunk good for nothing Mobian got that kind of job? I didn't grow up in this city, I grew up in a place that bothered to let me learn... and then I moved here."

"Why not go back?"

"Would you go back?"

Probably not, the kid shook his head.

Marcus worked up the courage to take another healthy swig. His anxiety was finally beginning to wane.

"So what's got your tail between your legs?" the wolf asked as he polished off the first of his beers.

"Feels like I blinked."

The wolf chuckled, "I know exactly what you mean. One moment the world's normal, the next everything is upside down and you're not sure if it was something you did or just fate taking its course."

"I mean I knew of Naugus," the kid began to slur his words, "but well... I didn't know him," he decided to repeats the wolf's rather simplistic yet eloquent way of putting things.

"Already up to the tips of your ears in shit aren't you?"

Marcus reached for his beer again.

"You know," the wolf cautioned him, "that's as much this city as it is Ixis. If it wasn't him you fell into bed with, it would have just been someone else tomorrow. You just found the path of least resistance. Ripped the Band-Aid off so to speak."

"That's not helping me feel any better."

The now slightly less fearsome creature chuckled deeply, "I have to admit you're a much better conversationalist than Barry."

"Barry... the bear?" Marcus giggled at the thought.

"You know him?" the wolf's tail wagged.

"No, bumped into on the way in," he continued to chuckle, "just kind of figured... Bear-Eee."

"Yeah... quiet guy, but he's a librarian so you know... shhhhh"

"Wait, what?" Marcus found himself nearly howling with laughter.

The wolf grinned from ear to ear, "and that's why he stopped telling people what he does."

How did I not know Mobians are so much... fun? Or am I drunk?

"You're not half bad, Karl."

"You saying that cause the big bad scary wolf ain't so scary?"

Marcus shrugged, as he tried to catch up to the wolf who was already closing in on finishing his second. "Maybe a little, but I got a fox problem at work, and I doubt you're half has bad as her. Meant it more like I didn't expect to meet anyone like you in this city, Mobian or not."

"Ahh, little red, you know her?"

"Don't let her catch you calling her that. Her temper is nearly as bad as Ixis'."

"That's what I hear, which is shame. Such a sweet looking little thing and that bushy, bushy tail."

Alright, that's a bit weird, Marcus decided, but then again, he's a Mobian, so he's allowed to say that, right? The implication still sent a shiver through his body, forcing him to upend the remainder of his first beer.

"I'd say you're not half bad yourself, kid," Karl continued at the sight of his discomfort, "Most people can't look a Mobian in the eye, let alone buy them a drink... speaking of which, you gonna uhh finish that?"

Marcus slid his untouched lager over to his new friend. The first was hard enough to swallow and still catching up with him.

"Not to your liking?" the cat asked as she passed by.

"Not really," he admitted. "Pretty sure I've drank spoiled milk that tasted better."

"Blaze, it's the kids first day, let's celebrate. What do you say you reach up there to that top shelf? Get the kid some of the good stuff."

"It's my third day," Marcus felt the need to clarify.

"All the more reason to celebrate," the wolf gave him a hardy pat on the back as if to suggest the kid should let him do the talking. "He deserves it."

The cat's eyes shifted back to him.

He felt compelled to nod.

"Pushing your luck with the new guy, Karl," the feline proclaimed as she produced two small snifters and put a healthy pour of a maple liquid in each.

"To friendship," the wolf grinned as he again offered a toast.

Marcus nodded with the clink of his glass, "Friendship."

The sour taste was gone, replaced with a fire that burned the whole way down. His face felt three shades redder.

"Take it easy there, pal. You're going to want to sip that. Savor it. Not often I can talk that little kitty cat into getting me some of the good stuff."

Marcus faked a smile as he tried his hand at a smaller sip, "Where'd you grow up?" he asked his new friend.

The wolf's attention was elsewhere, however. Following the canine's gaze, the kid arrived at a scantily clad mongoose who was contorting herself in every which way. Dozens of Mobians crowded around the stage, salivating at the change to get a better view.

Not sure what I expected from a place called the Barn Yard, Marcus sighed.

"Just look at that little mink," Karl drooled. "What I wouldn't give to sink my teeth into those haunches, if you know what I mean."

Unfortunately, Marcus did know what he meant, and it wasn't helping his already upset stomach.

She looks half your age...

Turning back towards his drink, and against his better judgement he upended the glass.

Maybe Karl isn't all that different from everyone else after all...or maybe he's as drunk as I feel.

"I love you Mina," the wolf howled.

"Does that usually work?" Marcus inquired sarcastically.

"A lot of sass coming from the guy who gets to work with that little vixen all day."

Despite his body telling him otherwise, he wished there was still something left in his glass.

"Or is she not your type?" the wolf pressed him.

"Not sure she's anyone's type," Marcus replied elusively.

"Where's your sense of adventure? No doubt that hellion could show you a good time. Just close your eyes, it's all the same."

It was no longer just Karl's words that were making him ill.

Definitely the booze, he decided as he tried to stand.

"You alright kid?" the wolf asked, now somewhat concerned.

The world was spinning even though he was quite certain he was standing still.

"Just need to take a leak," he lied.

With his first step he stumbled, and with his second he met the straw covered ground as his world went black.

Between the urges to vomit and actually vomiting, he felt a set of tiny paws helping him back to his feet. Everything was a blur, including crossing the street. A tiny creature's shoulder under his, willed him up every step his apartment building had to offer.

"Thanks Fiona," he gurgled as he felt the warmth his sheets pulled up to his chin.

"It's Blaze," the pink cat reminded him.

Blinking returned some clarity to the world.

"What are you doing here?"

"Honey, this isn't my first rodeo. I'm just happy you're about hundred pounds lighter than Harry. Keep a key behind the bar for just such occasions."

Is this what I've become? After only three days?

"I... I... what happened?"

"You're kidding me, right?"

"I got him, Blaze," a familiar voice called out.

"You?" the cat laughed. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Scram," the new voice growled.

And like that the pink feline was gone, replaced by a smug looking fox.

"Fiona," Marcus tried to smile.

"I suppose this my fault," she allowed.

"What?"

"I should have seen this coming. You told me as much."

He stared at her blankly, hardly able to comprehend his own thoughts, let alone her words, "what?"

"You tried to tell me... Can I share a secret with you?" the vixen asked.

Marcus found it hard to do much more than blink in response.

"I hate it as much as you do... what he does to them. It's not who I am, but it's who I have to be."

"I was trying to forget," he assured her.

The fox smiled at him, "I know you were."

A long bout of silence passed between them.

"Do you think you can make me a promise, Marcus?"

Did she just use my name?

He did his best to nod his head.

"Don't do that again."

It was less of a request and more of a command.

"Don't do what Harry did. Don't spend every night trying to erase the day."

"I made a friend," he assured her in as much of a non-sequitur response as he could produce.

"Of course you did," she sighed. "That's what you do..."

"I think he likes you," Marcus felt the need to giggle.

She glared at him.

"Fiona?" he asked as he shut his eyes.

"What?" came her annoyed response.

"How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Be the person you have to be?"

Her grin disappeared, "by being someone else."