nadillaandlaprasthefiredandice;
"It's good to be back! :) :) :)
Tommy423;
"Thank you very much, kinda need to do some editing later."
FireKitsune1;
"I do hope so aswell, it seems the majority of content is going towards Archive of Our Own, which it's okay. I don't really fancy the website, but, if it ever comes to migrating, that will be the one I'm going to."
Guest;
"1-uuuuuuuhhhhhhhh, I don't know. Ask Legosi :) 2- I think it depends. I mostly will keep writing until where the show decides to end, but I will be doing a side world-building along the main story, so... a lot of chapters yet."
Elias8807;
"Oh, yeah. I did. I was fuming with that new character, but I can't wait to get to the point of writing him. Go at it? o.0 Uhhhh, double meaning? :P"
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"Durham, mind if I ask you something?"
"Sure thing, what is it?"
"..."
"Hey, spill it out. I won't get upset or anything. Don't worry about it."
"It's... well, I'm wondering about you and Ellen."
"What about it?"
"...do you... are you two... you know... struggling?"
"Struggling? What do you mean?"
"It's... did you ever had this feeling... that something inside of you... it wants to come out, make you do things you normally wouldn't?..."
Durham stopped on his tracks. His head turning around to face the wolf at his side, or rather look upwards. It was unusual for him to hear Legosi ever initiate a conversation of some kind, not to mention that the coyote does have a slight idea of what the wolf is trying to get at.
The both of them had been walking for few minutes now, already on they way back to school. They had left Fujiwara's not very late during night, even so Legosi wasn't very fond of the idea of departing from the rest of the group until they were in visual range from the school, which Durham didn't really object to. He wanted to make sure everyone would be safe just as much as the wolf. Once they were out of view him and Legosi made their way to the plaza. Legosi would go after seeds for his beetle, Durham went to visit a bakery for the sake of buying the item on the list that Els sent him earlier.
Durham was feeling quite elated. Fujiwara and him came to an agreement for Durham to go through a trial during his summer vacations. The coyote was in need of getting a driver license though, Fujiwara explained how his business was mostly a delivery service. His reason being that, due the increased amount of predation incidents, a huge amount of costumers were way more keen on staying home and ordering from the phone instead. It made sense and explained why Fujiwara wasn't really worried about filling up his shop with more clients.
Everyone had fun for the time they spent there. Jack and Shiira were getting along way better than Durham initially thought, which prompted Legosi to ask some awkward questions regarding the two. Juno slapped the taller wolf on the back of the head as to make him leave the other two alone, the wolf girl herself was enjoying the moment and talking about couples wasn't anywhere near hear mind, surprisingly. Juno was more than content to hear the others talk about themselves more, she rarely spoke when anyone started a conversation unless she ended up being addressed. Yet, Juno was far from being the most quiet of the group, Ellen had been dead silent for the majority of the evening. Durham was worried about her, he wasn't sure what prompted her to snap earlier at Bill. Shiira was clearly familiar with Ellen's behavior, but the coyote was left in the dark on whatever was happening with her. The zebra did promise to talk things through tomorrow, which was perfect in Durham's opinion.
Little did Ellen know that the coyote had planned for the both of them to have a particular afternoon launch at the Gardening club. The view was great, the environment was very chill which would make her feel at ease, and there would be no one there to bother them. Els was the major responsible for helping him to achieve such thing, she spent a majority of her time trying to convince Haru, the rabbit gardener, to let them use the area for a day. Els also provided him with a list of things to buy, every item on the list was like a precious gemstone of information, it contained several of Ellen's favorite sweets, foods and drinks. Durham was happy to find out that they have some things in common when it came about sweets.
Now, with several plastic bags on one of his hands, the coyote was in dire need of swooping by the school's kitchen. He desperately would require a refrigerator to keep the stuff he bought from being ruined by improper temperatures. Surely no one would be up this late at night, getting the supplies in would be easy, but he would need to find a way to make sure the stuff he bought wouldn't be taken away on the next day.
Legosi, although somewhat reluctantly, agreed to follow him all the way to the kitchen. The wolf had been mostly quiet so far, he never once mentioned anything in regards to his relationship with Ellen, at least until they were nearing the school's property. This sudden topic being brought into light made the coyote a bit unnerved. The idea that Legosi has experienced a breakthrough of his wild side was very unsettling.
'How can Legosi even feel the instinct flare on him? That wouldn't ever happens unless...'
"Legosi, did you..." Durham hesitated. For the briefest moment of delirium he wondered if Legosi was the murderer all along, but he quickly dismissed that ridiculous notion. Legosi had been at the dorm with him and the others during that fateful night. No, something else happened that went unnoticed. "Did you had, err, an incident with an Herbivore?"
Legosi didn't reply, Durham could feel the waves of apprehension emanating from the wolf. The coyote knew that such topic is a huge deal to talk with anyone, besides, Legosi probably had that on his mind for a very long time, it was like a nightmare that would never go away. He could only ponder the fear residing inside the wolf, the taller canine dreading if he would ever wake up with blood on his hands and muzzle.
"I won't tell this to anyone, I swear. If you cannot tell me, that's fine too. Just... this kind of stuff is not ideal to keep it to yourself. It might get worse, I saw it happen before with... someone I knew." Durham said hesitantly, hoping he could persuade the wolf to not walk alone in this surreal and frightening experience.
"H-How... how do you do it?" He asked after a moment of complete silence. Durham blinked, unsure of what he meant. Legosi realized that the coyote was awaiting for him to be more specific. He huffed in frustration. "How do you not feel that... urge. You and Ellen go along several times, did you never...?"
Realization dawned on the coyote once he figured out what Legosi was curious about. He pondered his question for a few seconds, trying to recall if he ever felt such dark desires before. Yet, he failed to remember a single event that he would have that sudden feeling coming out of nowhere.
"No, actually I never felt anything like what you mentioned. I'm aware of what you're trying to tell me, but... I never felt anything towards Ellen other than, well, you know." The coyote replied, feeling a bit sheepish at the end. He wasn't yet to go around saying his true feelings about the zebra.
Legosi nodded, his thoughtful expression made Durham slightly worried. What could the wolf be dealing with that he hasn't told not even Jack?
"I hurt someone, but..." Legosi paused. Durham's eyes widened for a moment. Legosi admitting that he hurt someone, an Herbivore very likely, was not only shocking to hear, but also nothing far from admitting that he committed something akin to a crime. Attacking Herbivores usually causes dire consequences, for both the victim and the perpetrator. "...she didn't remember it was me, or didn't notice. I... I almost killed her, and I... I couldn't understand why. This... thing inside of me, it just... I don't..."
"Legosi, just a question before you continue." Durham asked slowly, his mind racing as he tried to understand the incident. "What's the first thing that gave away the presence of that Herbivore?"
"Huh?" Legosi's attention shifted towards him, a puzzled look on his face as he stared down at the coyote's completely narrowed expression. "Ehh, I think... it was... her scent? Yeah, that was it... I smelled her. Then-
'Well, fuck. It seems dad was right after all.' Durham thought, a whine of frustration escaping through his nose. Legosi paused, raising an eyebrow at his reaction.
"That's it then." Durham said more to himself than the wolf. "The smell triggered your instinct somehow. Kinda strange though, usually it's the scent of blood that does th-
Durham halted, his face reddening as he came to a sudden and rather awkward suspicion.
"Errr, Legosi, did you... huh, noticed if she was... ehhh, how do I say this?" Durham sighed in exasperation at the implications of what he was about to ask. "I know it's a stupid thing to ask, but... even while you were going feral, you didn't happen to, you know... see her bleeding?"
"I... don't think so?" Legosi replied, nonplussed by whatever Durham was curious about.
"Was she... bleeding down there?"
"Uuhhhhh."
"Yeah, just... forget I asked."
A heavy silence fell upon them, neither wolf or coyote with the slightest desire to continue that conversation, but Legosi's curiosity still broke through that layer of awkwardness.
"Still, I wanted to know, after seeing you two together more often. What is it like? To be with an Herbivore?"
Durham didn't say anything at first, he went back on track as his footsteps echoed all across the street, Legosi's soon followed after him.
"I don't think it's ever in mind my that I wonder what it's like to date an Herbivore, at least not yet. I was more concerned about what it's like to have feelings in regards to someone like Ellen." Durham chuckled as he recalled memories of their first time together. "She was like an acid volcano, ready to explode and unleash doom at anyone that dared to stand in her way."
"That sounds... exaggerated." Legosi confessed with an apologetic smile.
"Meh, I like it to describe it that way, it makes her tail itch with extreme annoyance, but also seems to boost her pride somewhat. I preferred to focus on trying to understand what kind of person Ellen is, not what kind of Herbivore. Not that it mattered anyway, she's far different from any Herbivore I have ever met, the only exceptions being Els and Louis."
"Els?" Legosi inquired, looking surprised by the mention of her name. "Why her?" Durham shrugged.
"Els was distrustful at first about Carnivores, but she said that it was you that helped her see through her own biased fear. What happened with Tem shook her up pretty bad, but you gave her the benefit of doubt. Ever since I met her she's being nothing but a very kind and gentle soul. No, I'm not quoting her on anything she told you previously, don't look at me like that." Legosi opened his mouth slowly, wondering how did the coyote knew that he just threw a brief glare at him, but he decided to let that mystery pass. "I actually think she's cute too, what about you?" Durham asked as he glanced sideways towards the wolf. Legosi blinked.
"Ehh, what about me?"
"Gez, Legosi, you can be slow at times. What you think of Els?"
"Hmm, well, she's really like the way you described. I worry for her as much as I worried for Tem. But..."
"Buuut, you don't want to get involved with an Herbivore?" Durham wildly guessed, an undertone of sarcasm in his words. Legosi hummed, a sound that often came from him whenever he had a struggle going inside his head.
"It's... complicated. I did wonder at times, about what can be so bad about being with Herbivores, but... I don't think I should, not after what happened, yet, I... keep getting draw back."
"Ah, I see." Durham sighed, feeling both exhausted by the weight he has been carrying and the dilemma that Legosi faces. "Listen, I can't really offer much to you on how to deal with that, I don't have any sort of personal experience on that matter. Which is a good and bad thing at the same time."
"You... don't think you would ever... like what happened with me, happen with you?" Legosi questioned, looking very unconvinced by Durham's optimism. "I thought it couldn't ever happen with me either, but... I was wrong."
Durham didn't reply right away, a shadow of doubt crossed his face. They both kept at a steady pace, making their way inside the main building, walking in a dark hallway at the ground level of the school. Their footsteps traveled through the empty hallways, echoing ominously. The coyote was not sure on how to rebut Legosi's worry for him, Durham couldn't really just be sure that such would ever happen, the very idea of it happening with someone like Ellen around him made his insides twist in agony.
'I would never let something like a fucking feeling take over me like that. I can't let it ever happen.' Durham tried to assure himself, but that nagging feeling that it could happen still persisted in the back of his mind. 'I rather kill myself first than letting this shit hurt anyone.'
Yet, he was pretty sure that there would be a lot of people upset if he ever came down to committing suicide for the sake of protecting whoever he cared about. First, and foremost, his mother would dig him out of his own grave to kill him a second time, the amounts of upset she would be if he ever did that were unimaginable. Second, his roommates would be absolutely devastated, but he felt that Legosi would be able to understand if Durham did such to himself. Third, but not least important, Ellen...
Durham never thought he would wish he wasn't a Carnivore. It was starting to upset him how much of a problem it was to have claws, fangs and be a risk to anyone around him due a sudden burst of whatever could be inside his very being. He was not even that much of a threatening Carnivore like Bill, Legosi or even Collot. They were massive in comparison, yet the mere fact he could still become a monster out of nowhere was not giving him any comforting thoughts.
"Fucking dammit Legosi, now I'm the one becoming paranoid because of it. I hoped I could go pass this. I guess now I will be going in mind deep just as you are."
"...sorry."
"Don't be, I know you meant well, and... yeah, you got a point. This just really sucks."
"I... I know. Yet, you have been with Ellen for so long, and you are... well, still the same as always. I wonder why it doesn't affect you." The wolf inquired, looking somewhat desperate for answers.
"I have no idea." Durham replied sincerely. "I would imagine it has something to do with how our bodies work. We can try to guess this out of our own asses or make some sort of logical sense about it. Whatever you decide."
Legosi stared at him briefly, wondering if Durham ever really cared to know more on why Carnivores ever go wild.
"I mean, perhaps we could... try the logical explanation, but if that actually worked then we wouldn't need to deal with these problems at all. We would be able to contain these urges more easily at this point."
"Wow, Legosi, you would've made Jack proud." Durham said, looking every bit impressed. "Yeah, there's really no real way to explain it, but there are ways to make it less likely to happen. One can't really just kill instinct, at least I don't think there are any Carnivores out there that know how."
"Well, not entirely Carnivores..." Legosi muttered to himself, his thoughts traveling to a certain panda he met on the day he stumbled upon the Black Market. Durham shifted one of his ears his way, unsure of what the wolf said.
"Did you say something?" He asked, looking back at the wolf.
"No, I just-
Legosi stopped, his ears perking, his eyes widening slightly as he glanced around the hallway, a look of apprehension of his face. Durham noticed the change and stopped alongside him.
"What is it?" The coyote asked, a sudden feeling of wariness filling him up.
"Did... did you hear that?"
"... hear what?"
Legosi didn't reply. His eyes scanned across the empty hallway, travelling at all corners in search of something that Durham couldn't see. The coyote felt all alarm bells ringing inside his head. Legosi, besides his nose, has a better sense of hearing than he does. If he heard something that Durham couldn't...
"I thought I heard something, but... it was like a whisper, and I couldn't tell exactly from where." The wolf replied hesitantly, wondering to himself if he was just hearing things on his own.
"I say we better make haste, get to the kitchen, and then back to the dorms right away. I rather not stay in the hallways late at night, not when there's still a murder on the loose." Durham suggested, his eyes traveling back and forth to both ends of the hallway. "This place can be quite unsettling at night."
Legosi nodded as he followed the coyote that started walking away. His mind still trying to understand if he imagined the sound at all.
"I also still wonder why they didn't figure it out yet. How hard is for the Police to catch one predator? One would think they would have this figured out by now." Durham commented, feeling slightly disappointed that his stepfather had been unable to get any results after nearly two months since the incident. "Guess they are not really getting any clues of how things happened."
Legosi pondered the coyote's words with unexpected intrigue. Durham did have a point on his criticism of the investigation that led to no results so far.
"Maybe they would have found something by now, they just don't really have enough evidence to point the right suspect." The wolf suggested uncertainly.
"That or someone's just not wanting to do their fucking jobs." The coyote replied heatedly.
It has become a rather worrying and recurring trend that most predation incidents that happened in the last months saw no one being charged. No suspects, no conclusive investigations, nothing. Male and Females, old and young, mostly Herbivores, and no one had any idea of who or what was the cause. For whatever reason, it seems that the Police was perfectly capable of solving gunshot murders, robbery and kidnapping than a predation event. The Herbivores in Cherryton became restless and were more than eager to see a Beastar Herbivore finally rise after so many years.
"Come on, the sooner we get back, the more at ease I will be."
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Durham and Legosi finally made their way back to the dorms, just few meters away from where the rest of their gang of canines would be expecting them. The coyote dreaded the moment they crossed that door, Collot would be pounding on them like an angry antelope, eager and somewhat demanding to know about their night, desperate for whatever detail they could provide. It would be endearing to see him getting this worked up, Durham was still unsure why the others haven't tried to find someone else. Legosi was most likely interested in someone, but wouldn't reveal who. Jack was progressing at a slow pace in regards to Shiira but, judging how often she addressed him this night, looking at him with a smile on her face at every moment, it was hard to not guess that they were getting along really well. Durham honestly wanted to ask Jack how they were doing and what exactly he had in mind to evolve his relationship, he wouldn't mind helping the labrador, even if he still has lots to do in regards his own relationship with Ellen.
"Hey, Durham, can I... tell you something?"
The coyote stopped few inches away from the door, his arm was already upwards towards the doorknob. He slowly turned around to face a very shy wolf, ears flattened on his head, giving him a look of pure pity.
"Uhhh, sure? What's going on?" Durham asked, taken aback by Legosi's sudden downcast expression.
"This night, I actually enjoyed, despite not really knowing much about any of you. I mean, apart from Jack, you I know a bit more than the others." Legosi replied, struggling to keep his words on an even pace. "It's different to hang out with a group that it's just not males. Actually, it was really refreshing somewhat, which..."
Legosi paused, biting the side of his cheek anxiously. Durham remained quiet, wondering what's the point the wolf wanted to get at.
"I... was wondering if... we could do that again, sometime..."
"Oh, if you liked it so much, I guess we could do it again, that's for sure." Durham couldn't help but smile at how awkward it was for Legosi to say such things. The wolf wasn't one to ask for invitations for whatever occasion, social skills weren't his greatest strength after all.
Legosi chuckled, which made Durham's eyes widen in absolute shock. It had to be the first time he ever saw the wolf display something akin to a happy expression.
"I mean, we can invite you, for sure. But... wouldn't you feel awkward for, well, me and Jack going out with dates and, you know?" The coyote asked, feeling guilty for even asking. He didn't want to pressure Legosi into finding someone to bring to a date.
"I guess I could bring someone, I would like to, it's just... " The wolf shrugged. "I don't think I'm ready yet."
"Huh, say, why did you invite Juno? That was... well, kinda putting yourself in a place that might give others really some awkward ideas. Bill saw us and you know how much of a mouthful he can be at times. He certainly will spread that you two are dating." Durham wondered, annoyed they had the misfortune of bumping into the tiger this night.
"Yeah, he will, but it won't matter." Legosi replied, seemingly at ease with the event. "Juno and I are on even terms, she won't bother me unless I really want to go somewhere with her. She's alright with me doing whatever, even if it is seeing others."
"Damn, you two must had a real talk in between if it managed to get both of you in good terms with each other." The coyote said, slightly impressed. Legosi frowned.
"Juno... she went through some difficult things. I don't blame her for desperately wanting someone to l-
Legosi stopped himself from saying more, realizing that he was saying more than he promised he would not. He coughed awkwardly as a way to mask the sudden hesitation. Durham raised an eyebrow at the way the wolf looked away, while faking a bad cough.
"I think we should get inside. The sooner we deal with Collot, the faster we can go to bed."
Durham nodded slowly, eyeing the wolf with suspicion before opening the door into their dorm. The coyote barely managed to take off his shoes before a huge sheepdog slammed into him with the strength of an elephant.
"WHERE WERE YOU TWO!? WHY ARE YOU COMING BACK SO LATE?!DID YOU AND THE ZEBRA HAD SEX?!"
'This night is far from over.' Thought Durham as he watched Legosi being assaulted by the same questions.
A/N: Fanfiction had me late cause they were having website issues, but it's here as promised. Next chapter will be called 'Little Sweet Party for Two'. So you all can imagine. :P