"Are you alright?"
"No, but I will get through eventually. You?"
"Extremely worried if I have to be honest. About you, my friends and Ellen."
"Ellen is not in that group of friends?"
"Yeah, well. She means a lot more than I would like to admit. Not that it should be surprising."
"Considering all the times she hit you, yeah, that makes sense."
"So, can I ask you a favor?"
"Now that's new. What kind of favor are we talking about?"
"I need you to teach Jack how to dance."
Shiira stared at Durham with the most priceless expression he ever saw on anyone. Sure, his intent wasn't meant as a joke of any kind, but it was still funny to see her reaction nevertheless.
When he decided to wait around this particular day, after the crew dance was done practicing, he did consider asking Ellen instead, but he had a feeling that such request wasn't going to roll out with Ellen at all. She was just too exclusive in her circle of friends, Jack knew nearly nothing about her at all. He did notice that Shiira looked far more tired than usual, even her usual tidiness had softened. The cheetah was handling the dance crew, acting crew, set crew and lighting crew. Louis usually handled the acting and lighting crews but, since the deer was only halfway from recovering from his injuries, the second year was starting to struggle with the amount of tasks.
Durham felt bad to see her wearing out without much of help from the others, the coyote did persuade Juno to lend a hand on set more often. Shiira, despite the overbearing work still getting to her, was immensely thankful for the gray wolf being there to carry some of the minor tasks. Els also tried to make more of an effort on helping the cheetah with Dom and Aoba making their best to manage the set and design crew. Bill, with the monumental task of acting as Adler, spent most of his time performing rehearsals and choreography. The tiger was noticeably under a fair amount of anxiety despite the confident grin on his face at each time he finished his practicing.
Ellen was doing fine on her dancing exercises, though she looked far more hesitant whenever Durham was there watching her. Something that Els and Juno noticed and start giggling about much to the zebra's embarrassment. Shiira, on the other hand, would kindly ask the coyote to leave whenever that happened.
Legosi was still looking puzzled whenever he saw Durham chatting around with any of the girls. The wolf just couldn't understand how the coyote had gotten along so well with everyone but Louis. He also noticed that Juno stopped being so upfront towards him for whatever reason, she definitely looked far less enthusiastic whenever they had a conversation, even making random questions like his favorite types of food or even hobbies. He found himself way less hesitant to respond to such questions when she wasn't dreamily staring into his face. Not to mention he could tell some of his friends were getting a bit upset with the way he treated the wolf girl so far. Sure, she could be a bit overbearing sometimes, but they expected him to at least understand she has feelings and not to just ignore her so blatantly.
Legosi did consider her new behavior being due him hurting her feelings somehow. He didn't mean to upset her, he just didn't want her to be on his tail all the time. He wasn't sure how to talk with Juno without making things awkward for both of them. He knew he had to tell her off somehow, it was obvious that she wanted to get things on the next level with him, something that it simply did not make sense to Legosi. They barely knew each other. Perhaps talking with Juno about those feelings would help clarify the situation. He just wasn't sure he could do it by himself.
'Maybe I should talk with Durham. He could help me get around this, at least it's a better option than the others. Jack, despite his best intentions, would most likely just tease me alongside Collot and Miguno. I don't even think Voss would care that much.'
The wolf was on his way to talk with Durham, he just didn't expect to find the coyote talking with a dumbstruck Shiira.
"You must be joking. Are you for real?" She asked, perplexed and suspicious while narrowing her eyes at him. Durham shrugged innocently.
"It's all honest from my part. Can you? I'm just trying to help him out. Guy's really nervous around girls and I need him to get out of his safety shell. Some learning would do him good. I just cannot think of anyone more qualified than you to get him out of his bubble."
Shiira gave the coyote a long hard stare, she seemed very uncomfortable all of sudden.
"Yeah, I'm... not sure. Let me think about it. I don't usually hear this kind of request anym- anyways. Any particular reason for this favor?" She asked with her arms crossed. Durham could tell she was tense for whatever reason.
"Jack is kinda hitting the dumps and I really could use someone to join me in the first weekend of the Summer Festival. He needs to get out more and starting by talking with someone else other than his roommates or classmates would help him greatly. Nothing personal aside helping a friend or two. Besides, I think you could use something to distract yourself with, just don't use him as a lawn mower." He added with a knowing smirk.
"Pfff, fine." She replied with a sly smile of her own. "I will see if I have any time I can schedule for that. Just make sure to let him know I'm not putting up with any BS."
"Fair enough. Say, you sure you don't need any help? I feel bad just sitting around while you're eroding due the amount of people and things to deal with." He asked, sounding genuinely concerned for her mental health. The cheetah sighed, doing some stretching exercises to alleviate her sore muscles.
"Yeah, I can handle for now. Thanks though. You're quite some guy Durham, I just wish some people were more like you." She remarked, a low growl emanating from her throat. The coyote raised an eyebrow at that. "Sorry, I'm just very pissed with some of them, especially Tao."
This perked the coyote's interest. He was about to dwell further into that until the voice of Legosi called him from somewhere at the back.
"Huh, hey Durham. Are you busy?"
The coyote turned around, surprised at hearing the wolf addressing him after days of silence. His last fallout with Louis made the relationship between both canines certainly awkward.
"Need anything Legosi? I'm not really busy, but I was having a nice talk here with lovely Shiira." He replied while winking at the female. She scoffed at him in return. The gray wolf seemed even more confused than usual, he glanced in between them unsure.
"I guess I better get back to work, I will leave you boys alone. All good with the light set up, Legosi?" She asked towards the distracted wolf. He blinked for a moment before replying hesitantly.
"Uh, sure. I just finished setting the cables on the columns. I can work the color patterns once the acting team decides their chronograph."
"At least something is working perfectly." She replied, relieved that there is one team actually getting the job done properly. " Well done, I will work on those chronographs as soon the setting and design are done with their tasks. Thanks, Legosi."
"Ahn, it was nothing, really." He replied, scratching the back of his neck nervously. Durham smiled at his reaction. He waited until Shiira walked away before talking with the wolf.
"Not used to compliments from nice girls, are you?" He teased with a cheeky grin. Legosi mumbled something under his breath. "Explains why Juno makes you so jumpy."
"Right, about that. I need your help with Juno." Legosi said tiredly. Durham's curiosity peaked at this request from the introverted wolf.
"Now that sounds like fun. What do you need me for?"
"Huh, it's... well, I need to tell her how I do not feel the way she may think I do."
"Oh, I see. Yeah, that might suck, but at least you're willing to not let her find out in a bad way I guess. Say, why don't we do that now?"
"N-Now?! B-But I...
"HEY! JUNO!"
Legosi paled as the wolf girl standing few meters away turned around, surprised at having her name shouted all of sudden by the coyote. She was in the company of two other females who also looked their way.
"Yes?" She asked uncertainly, worried of what caused her name to be spoken so loudly by the usually calm canine.
"Come over here, we need to talk for a second, or a minute, whatever long it takes anyway."
Juno nodded slowly before excusing herself from the presence of her female companions. She quickly took notice of Legosi standing awkwardly next to Durham as she approached them. She was starting to get suspicious about this odd little reunion.
"Glad you could join us." Durham said rather enthusiastically once she was standing by their side. Legosi reacted with a deadpanned look aimed at the coyote. "Legosi here wants to discuss about feelings and stuff."
Both boys winced at the sudden look of elation the female wolf displayed, her tail swishing sideways. She gave her undivided attention towards the taller gray wolf. Legosi played with his hand sheepishly, struggling to come up with words that could get him started.
"It's... just... I... Juno, you see... I may have, huh... given you the wrong idea." He said nervously. Juno's smile faltered for a second, she stared expectantly at him for an explanation. "Don't get me wrong, I know you probably might think of me as someone to be looked after or, well... more closely than I would feel comfortable with."
"What doofus here is trying to say." Durham interjected, pointedly ignoring the glare from the male wolf. "Is that he doesn't really have that sort of feelings for you, that you clearly tried so hard to express back at him."
Juno blinked a few times, looking at each of them with doubt and concern. Durham could tell she believed their words, just wasn't exactly having at good time hearing about it. The joyful expression on her face was gone, replaced with absolute sorrow. The coyote felt like a total ass for taking her hopes down, but it was better now than making it worse by ignoring the problem.
"I should've guessed." She replied morosely. Even Legosi looked regretful at this point, he didn't mean to make her sad. "I just... thought that both of us being gray wolves, we..."
"Sounds fine, but a relationship goes far beyond than just being of the same species. I understand you might think gray wolves to be secluded from society somewhat, but that ain't really the case for most adults. That's just my take on it, I'm not a gray wolf and can't really speak for one. Although that's what I'm doing right now." Durham added, narrowing his eyes at Legosi. The taller canine frowned.
"I don't mind you feel that way for me Juno. Don't think that I decline your attention because of who you are or how you look. I... barely know anything about you." Legosi couldn't help the frustration overcoming him a bit. "I helped you once, doesn't mean I'm interested! I probably would've helped whoever or whatever they were. It's not right what they were doing, but that doesn't mean I would be the only one to ever do something nice for someone else. There are other good people in this campus, even if you're a gray wolf, they would still do something to get you out of trouble."
Juno nodded quietly once Legosi calmed down a bit. Durham was slightly impressed the wolf managed to talk this much without stuttering.
"I should go." She whispered more to herself before turning around and walking away at a rapid pace. Legosi and Durham exchanged looks of concern.
"I hope she's going to be alright." Legosi commented, looking at her departure with sadness.
"I just don't understand why you don't give her a chance. What's about her that doesn't suit with you?" Durham asked, regarding the wolf with a scrutinizing look.
"It's complicated."
"Oh, cut the shit, will you?!" Exclaimed the coyote, Legosi's eyes widened in shock. "I had it with your edgy behavior Legosi! You never talk about anything with any of us! You're always hunched around looking sorry about yourself! It's like you've been living you days like you've been ordered to, instead of having joy about it! I never saw you talk with a single girl unless they asked for something, you barely talk with anyone but your roommates! I get you're probably an introvert and a bit shy, but this is ridiculous! Man up already!"
"Man up?Man up?!" Legosi growled back at him. "What makes you think you know why I'm like this?!
"I would if you spoke your damn mind for once! You didn't even have the balls to tell Juno you don't like her without my help!"
Their shouting was starting to garden the attention of all the other presents around. They regarded the duo with flabbergasted expressions.
"What the hell is going on here?" Asked an annoyed cheetah. She took notice of both Legosi and Durham having a heated argument right away. "Are you two serious?! I left for five minutes and you two are at each other's throats!?"
Her complain fell on deaf ears as both canines continued to argue incessantly. Shiira was about to scream at them until Ellen decided to step up.
"Don't worry. I got this." She said while passing by and heading towards the upset duo. Everyone was immediately concerned to see an Herbivore butting into a Carnivore hassle.
"Ellen, what you're gonn-
"SIT!"
Ellen kicked both males right at the abdomen area. They doubled over and fell to the floor, moaning in pain while clutching their stomachs.
"WHAT THE HELL ELLEN!" Shouted few of the crew members. She regarded them with an impassive stare.
"What? I was just calming them down. They will surely learn to leave their stupid arguments elsewhere." At this the zebra glowered at the canines laying on the ground. "Isn't that right?!"
"Fuuuuuckk... youuuuuu." Moaned Durham, still struggling to breath properly. Ellen chuckled at his reply.
Legosi and Durham remained on recovery for few more minutes. The other members left once assured the duo was going to be alright. Shiira was looking far too amused to bother with anything. She shared a personal joke with the zebra, Ellen laughed lightly while standing near the downed canines.
Legosi was having a hard time processing the fact he just got owned by a zebra girl. He couldn't believe the amount of power behind that kick, not to mention he couldn't understand how Durham survived her punches for so long.
'So much to be worried for Herbivores not being able to stand up for themselves. Urgh, it has been some time since I felt this much amount of pain.'
"You kick like a girl." Durham said from his laying spot, smiling far too much to be looking any sane. Legosi glanced at him, shocked that he dared to say such a thing, but much to his utter puzzlement Ellen just replied with a roll of tongue. "Heh, just you wait. Revenge will be mine."
"Sure, I'm shaking just thinking about it." The zebra replied with a mix of humor and challenge. "How you feeling?"
"Eh, like I had to be a goalie but without being able to move at all. Just like another day in the field. Getting a ball up to the stomach is nothing new. I will live. What about you Legosi?" He asked while directing his attention to the wolf nearby.
"Huh, I... I will be fine. I suppose." His attention shifted towards the zebra. "I wasn't aware that zebras could be this strong." Ellen shrugged.
"We, equines, usually are. No biggie. Just you two need to be more on your game, Durham looks nearly new while-
She stopped as the coyote grunted his disagreement with that statement.
"Just because I'm an athlete it doesn't mean I can endure this much abuse."
"That's what you get for making a scene here." Ellen replied with a scowl on her face. "What's the big idea? Shiira has enough troubles to deal with without having two male Carnivores on the edge of a fight."
"I fucking know that." Replied a moody coyote. Ellen simply stared at him, clearly not satisfied with his explanation. "Legosi dumped Juno."
Ellen gasped for a moment, she regarded the wolf with confusion and concern.
"I didn't dump her!" Retorted the wolf with annoyance. "We never dated to start with. I just told her I'm not really interested on her, that's all."
"Yeah, cause you couldn't have balls to- OOWW, FUCK!"
The coyote hissed in pain as Ellen just finished delivering a sharp quick to his hip.
"Cut it, Durham. No more of that while we are in here. I'm not joking." The zebra warned severely. Durham was starting to regret helping the wolf at this point, especially cause that was getting him into a state of anger he wasn't really good at dealing with.
'So much for being calm and cool about things. Why I'm even this upset? Sure, I care about Juno, but Legosi is like a distant roommate and regular friend.'
"You know what? Fine, not my problem really. Go handle your own social problems Legosi, don't know why I even bothered." The coyote stood up slowly, massaging his chest as he felt aching preventing him from making natural movements. "I got my own problems to worry about. Get upset all you want, it's not like I have to understand your issues, you never talked about them anyway."
"Durham."
"Piss off." Was all he said before walking away.
Ellen watched his depart with worry. She never saw him this upset and it worried her that such behavior could've been flared by the way she treated the situation.
"I will go after him. Are you sure you will be alright Legosi?"
"..."
"Legosi?"
"Huh?Y-Yeah, I will be... fine. Don't worry."
Ellen wasn't really taking his word for it, but she left nevertheless. She quickly explained her early leave to Shiira, the cheetah was fine with her leaving early since Ellen was a trustworthy committed member of the team anyways. She rushed outside after the coyote, but much to her dismay he was nowhere to be seen.
'How?!How he managed to disappear so quickly?' She thought, frustrated at losing him from sight. 'I hope I can talk with him tomorrow. At least after the play anyways. Hopefully everything will go alright and he will have calmed down. Just don't you do anything stupid you damn coyote.'