Two weeks later (After Kyuu's fight with Hashi) - The Show Arena office
The office atmosphere unexpectedly shifted at the utterance of his answer. All parties turned their attention to the tall and slender herbivore standing in front of the desk. One could hear a pin drop to the floor as the blonde-wooled llama, stood there with an unassuming smile on his face. The trio of foxes just stared at him, faces legitimately surprised that he would so readily say yes to the Arctic fox mix's proposal.
The asker herself was the most taken aback. The white-furred fox's vivid orange eyes were widened with shock that the herbivore had finally taken the bait on one of her many flirtations over the past months. No coercion involved, no tricks, he had just said yes. More accurately he had said, 'Sure I do.' but still, it was a 'Yes'. He agreed with a smile. Just another reason why she was so fond of him.
It was true, Priscilla had taken a certain curious interest in the young male. Initially just surprised that such a handsome face could be found in her territory, the Arctic fox mix found it fascinating that a herbivore like himself would be this brave enough to linger and hang around this butchery of a business. If she were to snatch a boy like him off the street right now, they'd be pissing their pants in fear or at the very least would be very uncomfortable, yet with him not so much. He always approached them with a jovial and friendly nature. Something that just perplexed her. A part of her didn't fully buy it. He had to be hiding something. Why would he be so happy, especially in a place of violence and death like this? A part of her wanted to make him squirm and drop the perceived act.
The other part of her legitimately enjoyed his company of course. Some light flirting here and some jokes there, he had a nice sense of humor and was much more of a conversationalist than his rabbit cohort. Priscilla enjoyed coming to the arena every other weekend and seeing him just to chat with him. She even made it a habit to personally commandeer the arena manager's office whenever they came up to collect their winnings just so she could interact with him. Of course, he always avoided answering her advances, deferring to his rabbit who seemed to call the shots, but he never outright told her no, merely shifting the subject. Today was vastly different.
"Sure I do."
"What?" The vixen asked, shocked. "You do? You mean it?" Her voice, slightly trembling with the excitement of actually succeeding.
"Yeah, I don't have anything planned for next week. I mean, me and Kyuu don't have much planned at all. Ahaha."
She had casually dropped a line complaining about wishing she had a partner to share drinks with this weekend and had said it was such a shame for a guy like him wouldn't have the time to spend with the likes of her. Pretty basic stuff, but he went for it this time.
Across the table, however, San was trying his best to keep a steady grin on his face, because deep in his gut, he felt he had just jumped headfirst over a cliff. The only fates that awaited him at the bottom were a face full of refreshing water or a brush with the jagged rocks if this blew up in his face. This had felt like the chance he had been waiting for so he took it. He wanted someone other than Kyuu to talk to. He wanted to experience… love.
"Well, I'm not dense." He explained, still leading with the facetious confident smile "You've been throwing hints at me for the longest, and 'going out for drinks with you' doesn't sound so bad ." He closed his eyes and laughed, but Priscilla remained quiet. "I mean I don't drink much… but I uh…
"So...you really would go out with me?" Priscilla cocked her head curiously at him. The canid orange eyes lit up. "Just like that?"
The woolly llama nodded eagerly. "Y-yes…why not?" Why not, indeed, his subconscious asked. I can think of a few. She's a carnivore. She's a carnivore. And she's a carnivore. Did I mention, she's a carnivore?
"You aren't afraid of me?" She asked, vetting his confidence by intentionally letting her pointy fangs poke from her mouth. "You know what I am and what I do right?"
The llama hardly allowed himself to flinch as he answered, "I have a general idea, but you've treated us pretty fairly so far. I feel much safer in here with you than I do out there with those other animals. Ahaha..." He reasoned with a chuckle. He had a slight stutter in his voice that he tried to stifle, but it seemed to him like she hadn't picked up on it...yet.
Priscilla smiled at him, interlocking her fingers and kicking her heels up on the desk. She was pleased. At best she could tell he was a little nervous, though it seemed more like that of a young male talking to a girl than being spooked by her carnivorous features. She gave him full eye contact, her fiery orange hunter's eyes staring right into his large brown prey ones, continuing to study the peculiar herbivore, admiring his distinctive looks and features. She just wanted to get a grip of that thick wool of his and lay on him like a carpet.
Suddenly her grey-furred subordinate behind her to the right cleared her throat. Priscilla tilted her head to the side to see the pearl fox silently smirking at her, no doubt amused at how silly the Arctic vixen was being right now.
Priscilla could already imagine what the other vixen was thinking. Slow down will ya? You're supposed to be in charge, yet you are acting like a young vixen in heat just because some cute male agreed to go out with you...you're revealing too much. Calm down. Raira knew all too well how she got around attractive males.
"Hmm...Well like I said we'd just be going out for a few drinks." Priscilla said with an air of disinterest like the activity would be something trivial and mundane. Beneath her. The silver fox gave her white vixen a fleeting grin before turning back to a stoic guard.
San still wondering if he was going to hit those rocks as the vixen continued to stare. The llama sightly gulped and stood firm as he returned her gaze. Eventually, the fox blushed and clapped her hands together, and threw the metaphorical ball into his court waiting for his response. Try to be more mature. Try to be more mature. His mind frantically recited over and over as he tried to steady his trajectory. Think of something smooth.
"I mean that still sounds fun." He said. "Maybe we could get something to eat as well?"
Priscilla's brow raised at the mention of food, something that sent an electric bolt up the herbivore's spine, causing him to visibly twitch. Smooth, you idiot...you got her thinking about food. She'll probably think of eating you now. Cover...think of something...think of something.
"Well you know...most of -the females I've been wit...they like to eat out-uh…" he stammered out. Damn it! Most females? You've never even eaten at a proper restaurant before! The only female you've eaten out with is Kyuu. San cursed himself for stuttering with that dumb lie, no way she was going to buy that, you moron!
The fox said nothing as she then resting her head on her knuckles. "Do they now?" She asked, trying hard to suppress an amused snort.
Oh, that's so cute, She thought. Now now, honey there is no point trying to hide your virginity. I picked that up ages ago. The ivory fox stood up and began laughing at him outright. "Hehehe." She leaned over the desk, getting closer to him and subsequently allowing the herbivore to see her cleavage shift in her revealing dress. The boy almost froze up as his eyes were quickly drawn to her chest. She had got him. The predator had trapped her prey.
"Where exactly do you go?" She asked, "Maybe we can make reservations." She grinned like a regular devil as she watched his facade fall to pieces in seconds.
"Uh...I...I…" He stammered, too distracted to even make up a fictitious eatery. The rocks were coming into view...he was going to hit!
The fox sighed and shook her head. "Tsk tsk tsk. There's no need to lie, San-san." She teased, the look of failure starting to sink in on his face. However, the fox only reassured and comforted him. "It's alright, honey. There's no shame in being inexperienced. I'd probably be your first date, wouldn't I?"
"Well, I...yes." He admitted, cutting all pretenses. "I've always really wanted to go out on a date. And well I didn't want you to turn me away because I'm new at this."
"Well, I'd be honored to be the first. In fact...you're inexperience is perfect. It'll be a little adventure for us." She said enticingly, her face lighting up as a mischievous grin spread on the canid's face. "What do you say? She asked, offering an outstretched hand.
He gazed down at her large sharp hand and hesitated. It was now or never, he had hit the bottom of the lagoon he had jumped in, would he sink or swim?
He grabbed hold of it and gripped hard, locking himself in. "I'd love to, Miss Priscilla-san."
"I thought I told you to call me Pris?" She said, shaking his hand vigorously.
"R-right. Pris. Pris...Pris." He said, confidently getting a feel for it. He quickly apologized for lying earlier, rubbing the back of his neck, "Sorry I came off as so desperate."
"Don't be sorry. Just be truthful from now on." She said, letting go of his hand and getting comfortable as she sat back down in her chair, interlocking her fingers again. Her eyes softened again and became less intense. "We have too many scoundrels in this city as is and there is no place for sorry in the Back-Alley Market. So just be yourself with me. Tell the truth." She winked and gave him a toothy grin that gave him a boost of confidence.
"You got it." He said, with a dopey grin on his face, scratching his wool.
"A fox wanting someone to tell the truth? I think I'm going to retch." A female's voice grumbled.
Priscilla's brow raised as she peered over the desk looking to find the origin of the remark. The fox pointed to the bruised pissed-off lop-eared rabbit that had been standing next to him this whole time. "Um, she's not going to... tag along… is she?"
"No-no-no. Just us." San hastily assured her. He knew Kyuu wanted nothing to do with this. This little distraction of his no doubt had been irking her. She had fought a decent fight against a very savage mongoose earlier and just wanted to leave with her winnings.
"Good, because I'm not the kind of female that likes to share anyway. No matter how small they are." Priscilla replied with a sense of relief.
"Oh, don't fret lady, I want nothing to do with this." Kyuu quickly said, hoping to clear up any misunderstanding. "What he does is just him. You want to eat him alive, go ahead. I just want the money I got beat up for." She said with brutal apathy. The llama just scowled down at her, before folding his arms.
"Hmph, Well, don't let me keep you waiting, toots. Here." Priscilla said as she rummaged through the money piled on the raccoon's desk and tossed the rabbit her usual amount of cash. The tall arctic fox barely gave the act any thought as if throwing scraps to a beggar before turning her full attention back to San. "And for you, here you go." She said, leaning over and personally handing the boy a few wads of wrapped bills.
The boy looked down and counted at least 20,000 Yen in his hand. "Really? This is a lot!" He exclaimed with disbelief. "Are you sure?"
"Don't worry about it. You brightened up my night so think of it as a little something extra so you don't have to worry about sharing with Flopsy."
"Wow." He said, still in disbelief that he was moving forward with something as big as a girlfriend and having this amount of cash...all for himself. No sharing with Kyuu, no pooling their resources.
The cream and brown marked lop however rolled her eyes with contempt, sulking as she stuffed her pockets with her own earnings.
"Hopefully no hard feelings," Priscilla said, baring her sharp fangs at the bunny.
Kyuu barely paid her any mind. "Whatever." She said dismissively.
"Back to our arrangement." The fox said, focusing back on the llama. "Um I take it you don't have a car so...do you want me to pick you up?" She asked.
San quickly glanced at Kyuu whose eyes suddenly darted up towards him with a fierce glare, very interested in his answer. He couldn't just reveal where they really lived, especially not to some carnivores. They hadn't even revealed it to the little fox when she escorted them that night, only going so far to a certain point before parting ways with her. As much as he liked Priscilla, she was still a gangster of the market's criminal element. He trusted her well enough, but Kyuu definitely didn't. So instead he came up with a compromise.
"No, if it's okay with you...can we meet up in Kado Park outside the market?" He scratched behind his ear as he tried to remember a landmark where they could meet. "Um...the bench by the water fountain of the horse guy?"
Priscilla had to think for a few seconds. The horse guy? she thought, immediately thinking of the current Beastar. He didn't have any statues just yet that came to mind. Then it made more sense, he probably was talking about another beast. "You mean the one of Gaia the Zebra? The former mayor?"
"It's supposed to be a zebra?" He asked, genuinely surprised. "I never saw any stripes."
I guess he really isn't that educated. Shame, but I can work with that. She thought. "Yes, it's supposed to be a zebra, though I imagine the stripes eroded away with time."
"Um, yea that one..." He reaffirmed. "We can meet up there, I guess?" He sounded a bit more confident.
She could tell he was being cautious, but she liked that he took the initiative quickly. Priscilla leaned forward, resting her head in her hands, and sighed. "Awfully bold of you to pick such an open area for a herbivore and carnivore to meet. Lots of judging eyes. However, I like it. I find boldness rather attractive in an herbivore." She said baring her sharp teeth.
The way she did that actually aroused him, unlike before. San actually let his trademark cheerful personality shine through as he chuckled. "You have a date and time in mind Pris?" He asked, trying to instill more of that same confidence in his voice.
The fox pondered and thought, stroking her jaw. "Your rabbit friend doesn't have another fight next week, so... the coming Friday at 6:00 PM sound good?"
"That can work!" He said, ecstatically. "I can make it up to Kado by then."
She looked to her young subordinate posted in the corner. "Fa. Friday, you will oversee my normal operations. Understand?" She ordered very directly.
"Yes, Onēsan," Fa dutifully replied.
"Then it's decided," Priscilla said methodically before returning to her warm pleasant tone. "It's a date, darling. Why don't you wear something nice and comfortable? It's going to be hot." The way she shifted from serious to playful felt a bit unsettling for San. It reminded him of when she pulled her gun on him the first night they met. Maybe this is a carnivore female thing. Or it could be she's very spontaneous with her mood.
"You got it, Pris. Ahaha!" He chuckled, a bit of nervousness peeking through his confidence.
"Ugh..." Kyuu groaned.
"I'll see you there." She said cheerfully with a wink.
After they left, the gray and black vixen broke character from her role as a guard and talked to her boss in a more casual tone. "Thought they would never leave. The score is still on that night, right Pris?"
"Oh definitely. The date will work as my alibi if anyone asks." She said, dropping back into business mode. "You'll take Lùn too if she's up to it, make sure she's not getting rusty from all this fighting, put those skills to better use. Fa, you'll run things and deal with Baraki in my stead as we discussed."
"Of course, Onēsan." The big-eared rustic furred fox replied.
The silver fox let out a high-pitched cackle before slamming her hand down on Pris's shoulder. "Alibi, right! Pris, you had me going there for a minute thinking you were actually serious with that poor morsel. Toni would have had a fit!" The arctic fox mix's smile faded as she looked at her subordinate. "No, I am actually serious Rai," Priscilla confessed much to the slight surprise of the silver fox. "I like him." Raira's silver fur shifted sharply before she craned herself over Pris's shoulder and looked her friend in the eye.
"Really, Snowfur?" She asked, half amused.
"Really, Ash-Head," Priscilla said, gritting her teeth, staring right back into the Silver fox's eyes.
The silver fox just cracked a warm smile that reminded the Arctic mix of the olden days. "God damn it, I can hear your aunt Toni right now." Raira joked, "You need to stop chasing other species and settle down with a rich, young todd like you are expected! You're too much like your mother! That's why you're a mixed breed in the first place." She was almost spot-on mimicking the older fox Madame's more haggish voice.
"I want to tell you that she's right, but…I know you. It'd be a wasted effort. You've always been a bit rebellious." She turned and shook her head. "It's why I always liked you, Pris."
"Only a bit?" Priscilla asked, smiling with her brow raised.
"Hehehe, yeah, a helluva lot more than a bit," The silver fox admitted, throwing up her hands. "That and your crazy libido of yours ain't going to make things easy for us, especially with the other clans."
"Like you don't fuck any hole that isn't nailed down." Priscilla countered.
"Yes, but I'm not in charge Pris." The grey-furred vixen reminded her. "You're in charge of this clan. One I might add was given to you by Toni-sama."
"Yeah, my tiny clan of rejects and misfits." The Ivory fox was having none of it and slammed her fist on the desk. "Let's get one thing straight here. Raira, I don't give a damn what Toni, the Boss, or what any of those other dumb whores think. It's not like they don't treat us like second-class citizens already." She snarled. "Besides, we're the one who tamed this territory, not them. We work out asses off, and we have our tribute on time, every time. So they can just judge their little sisters all they want. I don't care. It isn't screwing with our business nor our tribute and that's all that should matter."
"If you say so." Raira snickered at Pris's determined attitude and shrugged. "Still, Snow. Gonna be a rough road with someone like him to be looking out for. Imagine if the other gangs catch wind of it. He's a big white fluffy target for those lions in the Shishigumi, right?"
"If it comes to that," She said reaching in her purse. "If... well, I'll handle it myself and take the responsibility."
Raira sighed and shook her head. "Will you now?" She asked, giving her a knowing look. "See, I knew you'd say some stupid shit like that."
"You doubt me?" Priscilla looked to her friend earnestly. "I will." She reaffirmed brandishing her nickel-plated pistol. "Besides he's from the Market. He knows how dangerous it is around here and he said 'Yes' of his own volition. He has just as much risk to take as I do."
"Whatever you say, Lovergirl... just know I ain't marching into some Lion's den for some goat kid," The Silver fox said, turning her back to the Arctic-mix.
"I never asked you to," Priscilla replied, frowning at her.
"You probably will..." Raira retorted. "But... you know that I will do it for you... just you, so remember that." The silver fox joked, turning back around with a mischievous tone.
"I'll keep it in mind," the white-furred fox said with a half-amused tone and dry smile.
Suddenly Raira's black ears began to twitch, alerting her to some commotion by the office door. Someone was knocking, the promoter's silhouette could be seen outside the door's window. "I think 'Ring-tail' wants his office back now. Hehehe," Raira said, starting to lightly snigger. "I'm dying to see his expression when he sees you gave Loverboy a piece of his cut!"