After Ralph hears the story from Wile (getting a good laugh out of it), he shares with him a little surprise.
"I reserved two seats at the classiest Sapient-owned restaurant this side of the country, Fête Céleste des Bêtes!" He hands Wile a brochure to read.
The coyote's brows furrow with worry. "I appreciate the gesture, but can we really afford this? This place looks kind of expensive."
"Don't you fret, dear. I pulled a few strings with a friend to get us in. But this isn't just any affair." Next to him is a duffel bag, which when unzipped reveals a sliver of colorful garments. "This is a stakeout."
The night of their "date", Ralph arrives at the Fête Céleste arm-in-arm with his beau. He is dressed in fanciful white, with a matching trilby and rose-tinted glasses. Wile, on the other hand, struts proudly in a sparkling blue dress and blonde wig. They approach the host, a stoic-faced Afghan hound in a tuxedo, and Ralph says with a French accent, "Reservation for two, under the name Lou Garaud."
The host glances at Wile with a curious arched brow, then checks his reservation book. "Ah, yes, table for two. Right this way, Mr. Garaud." He escorts them to their seats and hands them each a menu. "The waiter will be with you in a moment. Thank you for dining at Fête Céleste des Bêtes."
Wile reads through the menu, overwhelmed by the fancy French names and extravagant prices. Pepé would be right at home in this place, but he himself feels like a fish out of water. He stops to look at Ralph, whose attention is directed elsewhere. Then his ears pick up a familiar voice.
"Table for two, name's Pussycat." Standing at the entrance is Sylvester, accompanied by a pink-eyed skunk doe dressed in red. The host leads them to a table within the canine couple's sight.
"Thank you for taking me out, Sylvester," says the doe as she takes her seat.
"Hey, only the best for a pretty lady like you, Anne," he replies suavely.
Wile leans in and whispers, "What's Sylvester doing with her, of all people?"
"That…" Ralph gestures at the odd couple. "…is the reason why we're here. Anne's got the hots for Sylvie, so I convinced him to take her out on a date. This is the best opportunity we got to stake her out."
The coyote turns to glance at the skunk and cat when the waiter, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel barely much taller than the chairs, approaches his table. "Welcome to Fête Céleste des Bêtes," the waiter greets the wild dogs. "My name is Stuart, and I will be serving you tonight. Would you like something to drink, Madame?"
Wile picks up the menu and frantically flips to the drinks section. Putting on the most feminine falsetto he can muster, he answers, "I'll have the, um, wine? Please?"
Ralph interjects, "Give us a bottle of your best red wine, por favor."
Stuart nods. "Of course. I recommend our house brand of rosé pour chiens. Will that do?"
"Absolutely! Thank you, good sir." The waiter walks off, allowing them to refocus on the subject at hand. Anne and Sylvester are chatting about parenting and schools and other mundane things. Sylvie's a pretty dull guy. I'm surprised she hasn't fallen asleep yet.
Thankfully, something much more interesting has arrived to break the tedium.
Nearby, a group of familiar faces circle around a larger table. Bugs and Lola Bunny sit on one end, and on the other, Wyatt Wolfgang and Duane Mutterland. Duane, with seeming awareness, side-eyes them in their tacky disguises, stifling a snicker.
"I take it your 'friend' is over at that table?" Wile dryly questions his boyfriend.
"Let's just say I was able to convince Duane to dole out some dosh for our date. He even offered to tailor our outfits." He receives a skeptical look. "We do owe him a favor, but we'll cross over that bridge when it comes up."
In the large table, Wyatt subtly glances at his assistant and the costumed canids before turning his attention to the rabbits. "I must say, this place is beautiful. Reminds me of when we toured across France." He rustles Duane's hair. "You wouldn't know it looking at him, but this little guy's really popular with the ladies."
"He is pretty cute," Lola remarks. She turns to Bugs. "Not as cute as you, of course."
"And you're even cuter," he says, punctuating with a nose nuzzle. "I haven't gone outside the U.S. often, but my grandpa fought in World War II, and he'd tell me stories about his time in Europe. I've even considered taking Lola to Paris for our honeymoon."
Lola gasps. "Really? I've always wanted to go to Paris!"
Wyatt suggests, "If you want the best view of the Eiffel Tower, I'm acquainted with a coney rabbit who owns a hotel chain. I can cut you a deal with her."
As the conversation commences, Ralph starts pondering. "Hey, if we ever get married, where would you like to go for our honeymoon?"
Caught off-guard by the question, Wile scratches his chin in thought. "I never thought about marriage, to be honest. I mean, we haven't even been dating for a year, and I want to get that business deal with Lycopolis before we start making any serious commitments."
Dispirited, he chuckles softly. "Yeah, I've been rushing this relationship a bit, huh? Guess I still haven't learned how to slow down." He murmurs under his breath, "I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up."
Noticing his partner's dejection, he adds, "But one thing I have thought about is moving out. Our flat's been feeling a bit small lately, and I need a sizable workspace for my inventions." A light flush warms his cheeks. "Plus, I kind of like the idea of having a house of my own. They're cozy and larger than any cave I've lived in."
Ralph perks up, astonished. When was the last time Wile had divulged something so intimate about himself? Not that the question matters; rather, it is the thought itself that warms his heart. "Wiles, that's one of the best ideas you ever had. We catch the killer, you nab that business deal, and we buy that house together!"
The last part he says a bit too loudly, for he attracts the attention of some neighboring diners, including Bugs. The awkwardness is thankfully short-lived as Stuart returns with the rosé bottle. "Have you decided on your orders?"
Realizing that he hadn't been looking closely at the menu, he hurriedly scours through it. "Uh, yeah, I'd like a filet mignon, medium rare, and a house salad."
Wile doesn't bother skimming the overly long menu. "I'll have what he's having."
The waiter nods and walks off. Ralph pours the rosé into their glasses and they spend the next few minutes silently observing their target. From what little they can hear over the sounds of chatter and music, Sylvester is sharing an exciting anecdote about an event from several months ago. Upon closer inspection, they can faintly hear their names being mentioned. Anne, meanwhile, is listening intently to every word.
"And they exposed this 'Tweety Bird' on live TV?" Anne gasps.
"Yeah, by the time the cops arrived, it was all over for him," Sylvester explains. "A bunch of kids were saved thanks to Wolf & Coyote. We've been business partners since."
"They sound like amazing creatures. But are you sure they can catch this killer? The Repo Man has evaded the police, including the K-9 division, and Wolf & Coyote are only two wild dogs. Even if they have the deputy wrapped around their fingers, what good will it do if they fail to catch him?"
"I wouldn't count them out just yet. They're young and rough around the edges, but they're also smart and resourceful. The criminal underworld is growing wary of them, even if it doesn't want to admit it. And you know what they say about wolves: they hunt in packs."
"Here are your salads while the meat is being prepared," Stuart announces as he sets two salad bowls on the table. "Thank you for your patience."
The small spaniel is about to leave when Wile calls for his attention. "Excuse me, can you point me to the bathroom? Please?"
Stuart smiles. "Of course, Madame. It's over there, just past the portrait." He guides the coyote's attention to a passage labeled "Les Toilettes", the path there in the same direction as Anne and Sylvester's table.
Wile thanks him and, purse in hand, heads towards the restrooms, keeping his presence inconspicuous as he closes in on the table. He glimpses at the skunk doe, wearing a forlorn expression.
"I don't want to get into details, but Charles got into an incident at his last school which led to him being expelled. He's been receiving medicine to help him with his temperament, but I knew he needed more. So we moved to Acme City to have a fresh start."
"And you made the right decision," Sylvester replies. "I can't think of a better city than here. New York City might be great for humans, but there weren't as many opportunities for Sapients, let alone an alley cat. When my old partner told me about Acme City, we jumped at the chance. I got a job, started a family, and made lots of new friends here. I went through some pitfalls along the way, but I'm in a much better spot now than I ever had in my hometown." He holds up his wine glass. "A toast to your new life in the Sapient capital of the world."
Wile, realizing he has been loitering for one second too long, starts heading for the restrooms. Taking a turn down the passage, he stops upon realizing a new dilemma. To his left is the Madames' bathroom, to his right the Monsieurs'. If anything goes wrong in either bathroom, there's no telling of the havoc that would ensue. Checking for security cameras and unwanted passersby, he sighs in relief when finding none. He enters the mens' room.
A quick bathroom break later, he steps out and is met with a shocking sight.
Standing in front of him is Wyatt, a knowing smirk on his face. "You thought I wouldn't notice, Coyote? Duane had his eyes on you often enough that I got curious myself. Didn't think I'd run into you here, of all places. Or in that getup."
"How did you know…?"
"You think I wouldn't know what you looked like by now?" He sniffs. "Interesting perfume. What's that fragrance called?"
"I don't really know. Ralph got Pepé to make it for me."
"Ah, Le Pew, was it? His talent for perfume making exceeds expectations. It goes well with your natural scent."
Wile can hardly hide his bashfulness. "Thanks." Side-eyeing the large wolf, he notices a particular detail that he can't help but point out. "Mr. Wolfgang, are you wearing eyeshadow?"
Taken aback, Wyatt bursts out laughing. "Of course I am! Back in my day, everyone wore makeup, regardless of gender. These colors…" He points at his eyelid, painted a vivid turquoise with flecks of gold on his lashes. "…marked my status as a royal guardian and represented what I stood for. But enough about me." He pulls Wile close, their faces within inches of each other as he inspects him. "Your makeup application isn't half bad. Did someone help you with it?"
"I did it myself, actually. I remembered Mom putting it on when I was younger and I, um, thought it looked fun."
He lets go of the coyote, looking amused. "Well, aren't you full of surprises? Anyway, I'll leave you to your business. We can talk more another time, when there's fewer distractions around." He passes Wile and opens the restroom door, turning back to remark, "By the way, blue looks good on you. You should wear it more."
Wile returns to his seat when Ralph chimes in, "So, how was your little run-in with ol' Wolfy?" Amused by his boyfriend's reaction, he clarifies, "I caught him heading towards the restroom shortly after you went. Judging by his reaction, I think he did it on purpose."
Brushing off the trivial matter of his brief encounter, he recounts the conversation he overheard from Anne and Sylvester, adding, "If we have more details on the incident that led Anne and Charles to Acme City, it could give us some insight to her motive."
"You think she's doing these murders to help pay for his meds? The healthcare system in America's different from Canada's, but Acme City functions separately from the rest of the country due to its legal status as a 'beast sanctuary'. After all, what's a better place for a down-on-their-luck Sapient to go to than the Sapient capital of the world?"
Seeing the logic in Ralph's words, Wile nods in agreement and digs into his salad. He isn't particularly fond of raw vegetables, but the dressing makes it tolerable, even delicious. Plus, food is food; so long as it fills his stomach, he can put up with just about anything, regardless of taste or condition. Still, thinking about the outrageous prices of the menu items makes him worry.
His eyes briefly shift to Duane, then Bugs and Lola. Lycopolis and ACME Corp. Two rival companies in alliance. Wile doesn't know much about business, but he can speculate as to the CEOs' intentions and what might happen next. The two sit across from each other like cunning chess players, patiently waiting for their opponent to misplay and leave them vulnerable. Whether peacefully or not, there lies the chance of a company merge, a chance for two powerful entities to become a singular titan of the corporate world. If–like he predicts–they plan on merging, would he be working for Wyatt or Bugs? Personally, he would rather it be the former. He cannot explain it, but something about the grey rabbit puts him off.
Finally, the filet mignon is delivered. As the two wild dogs chow down in peace, their attention would alternate between the monochrome lovebirds, the rabbit and wolf magnates, and each other. Whenever Wile would catch a look at Ralph while he's distracted, he cannot help but stare a bit longer than he reasonably should. His soft auburn fur, the small freckles along his snout, his youthful smile, his bright burgundy eyes… Wile knows how well-groomed he is compared to himself, but he never bothered to notice how beautiful he is. He really is lucky to be with a guy like him.
"Hey," Ralph whispers with a sense of urgency. "Anne and Sylv are leaving. Let's go!"
Snapping out of his trance, Wile grabs his purse and follows Ralph. "What about the bill?"
"Forget the bill! It's already paid for." They stop to give their farewells to the host and step outside.
That's when they hear a scream.
Quickly, they run down the road towards the source of the sound, a few buildings away from the Fête Céleste. Sylvester is standing, frozen in shock, with an unconscious Anne in his arms. Turning their attention to where the cat is staring, they are greeted to a gruesome sight.
Barely hidden in the shadows of the alleyway, lies a bloodied corpse, disfigured and disemboweled. Wile can only look at it for a second before turning away. His body starts trembling, made worse with a pounding heart and tightening pain in his chest. The graphic images kept flashing in his mind. His father's starved corpse, torn to shreds. Red on the ground, red on himself. Red, so much red.
Ralph dials 911… or possibly Sam? Wile can't tell, with his voice becoming increasingly incomprehensible. The sights and sounds blur together into a storm of sensory chaos, increasing in volume and intensity…
And then, darkness and silence.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Hey, y'all! Sullen here! And I am BACK quite soon after uploading a chapter. As I mentioned in the AN of that entry, this was originally one big chapter that got split into two to make the lengths manageable. At the time when I uploaded the first half, this one was still a WIP, so I didn't have any idea just how long the final product would be. Guess I made the right decision, huh? Wish I came up with a better title, though.
Onto the obligatory-at-this-point trivia, "rosé des chiens" (rosé for [the] dogs) is one of many wines specially made for Sapients–in this case, canines. While Sapients have an overall greater tolerance for foods and substances typically classed as unsafe or toxic to non-Sapient animals, food allergies and related vulnerabilities are still ubiquitous among the general population. As such, researchers have come up with various food products designed to emulate the taste and sensation of human foods, but without the harmful elements. Wine, chocolate, and even fruits and vegetables have been synthesized by ACME Corp to make life easier for Acme City's residents, while distribution of their authentic counterparts are restricted or outright banned within the city limits. (The more I type about this subject, the more I'm reminded of Beasters' "special lunches" served to carnivores in Cherryton's cafeteria, lol.)
(Man, the thought that I would be writing something that's literally over 200 pages long... it's mind-boggling. Of course, this is fanfiction, so unfortunately I can't make money off of this work. Maybe if through some miracle I actually manage to commit to an original idea, I might be able to make something of this caliber again. Maybe.)
I've already started work on the next chapter, but it will be a while before it comes out, depending on whether I encounter any creative obstacles or not. Thanks for reading all the way to this point, and I hope to see you again soon!
