Friday 9:05 PM - Janco and Blisk's Hardware - Shooting Gallery
The cold summer night's breeze rushed in throughout the chamber as the door on the far end opened. Whistling and howling loudly until the door sealed shut with a loud clunking noise. Both San and Pris halted their lesson to investigate, peering from behind the firing booth wall. Much to Priscilla's visible dismay they saw a cadre of three female Red Foxes marching they're way a few booths down, the Inarigumi sisters that Janco had told them about earlier. Two of the foxes, trailing behind the apparent leader, had looks of utter indignation plastered upon them as the leader, a snobbish looking vixen with a dark streak across her eyes, chewed them out.
"Shizue-chan, you're going to get left behind for real next time." The lead fox lectured. "A girl your age has no business being that slow. What? Do we need to put you on a diet or something? A sloth would have had faster 'get up' than you."
"Understood, Onēsan. It won't happen again, I swear." The quiet young girl promised.
"We'll see, because the fiasco back there rests solely on your shoulders."
"Yes, Onēsan."
As they closer and closer, Priscilla made the decision to act, whispering to 'stay put and don't say a word' while pushing San unceremonious onto the side of the booth, while trying to make herself look like she was busy working on the nearby work bench. San almost opened his big mouth in response, but caught on quickly just why he should remain quiet. He knew nothing of these newcomers and it'd be best not to draw the attention of more sharp toothed strangers like earlier.
He exercised stealth as he kept to the edge of the barrier and avoided staring for too long lest he get noticed. Still, he couldn't help but try to glance a few looks out of innate curiosity for these new vixens, just sliding the left half of his face past the wall.
He was intrigued by what he saw, much like the foxes that usually accompanied Priscilla to the Show Arena, these sisters as they were called didn't look like blood relations at all, rather each fox had different fur patterns. However he could tell there was a sense of uniformity between them. Indeed, San could tell they were Inarigumi, anyone could, just from the style of outfits they wore. High-heels and typical classy attire, something like Cheongsam style clothing.
Something though felt off about them, down to their attire. There was a stark contrast to what he was familiar with. Their style looked more seductive in fashion with fancy trimmings and flashier colors, as well as looser outfits showing off much of their cleavage. Priscilla's group, to him at least, seemed more restrained with a bit of modesty as if they were attending some form of ballroom gala while these women looked more like they frequented one of the fancy high class night clubs rumoured around town.
He also took notice that they were also carrying weapons and body armor similar to the felines from earlier, and then another feature that nearly caused him to chuckle: blue paint. They all were covered in splotches of blue paint, splattered everywhere from their armor, to their fur, and especially on their fancy outfits. If not for the color they'd have looked like they had just gone through a bloody massacre.
From their sour attitude and colorful condition , he gauged they'd lost to someone, yes the look of a loser. Likely those felines from earlier. He chalked it up to their clothing being a contributing factor. It made one wonder why they would wear such limiting clothes if they were going to fight in them. It had always baffled him as he saw no strategic value in wearing high heels. Even Priscilla had the common sense to wear something more practical for their date with her black shorts, vest, and flat soled shoes.
Despite the messy clothes and stained pelts, San couldn't help but feel bewitched by their beauty, much like Priscilla, at least he thought so. The youngest looking one, was a typical cherry red complexion fox with some white underfur from her jowls to her neck, she was dressed in an emerald green outfit. Another was a much taller fox in an all black body hugging dress with a breast window, she was covered in dark gray fur and a white line ran down her face before spreading across her muzzle.
The snobbish one who seemed to be the leader, was a voluptuous vixen right around the same size as Pris, but looked more developed, adorned in a form fitting cheongsam dress that left little to the imagination with her cleavage much like the gray fur fox. She too had the typical fox rustic tone for fur, but also had a black band going across her eyes, likely mascara. She reminded San of one of the hybrid foxes in Priscilla's group who also had a black mark across her eyes. It wasn't her, this fox looked way older, late twenties, but he still was getting a case of Deja vu as he stared. He quickly sunk back behind the wall, trying not to make a sound as she looked their way and her sour expression quickly shifted to joy oddly enough when she laid eyes on Priscilla.
"Oh! I don't believe it!" The fox newcomer perked up and shouted with gleeful fanfare. "Prissy! How are you? Fancy seeing you here!"
"Oh yes, fancy seeing me in my own territory...what are the odds?" She said sarcastically. "Hello, Rin-senpai."
Rin rushed over and embraced her with a warm hug, though San, taking another glance, could notice the utter dissatisfaction from Pris' body language as she made uncomfortable attempts to squirm free as well her left ear began to flick like crazy while the dark-eyed vixen squeezed, almost crushing the life out of her.
"Mmmm, sister." He could hear the masked fox murmur in her ear, in a way that seemed rather intimate . Priscilla angrily pushed her away and checked her outfit for any paint blemishes that might have rubbed off during the embrace.
To say they were sisters , San found it very odd that Priscilla acted more cordially with the older dog from before than with her own kind. Perhaps family wasn't all it was cracked up to be , he thought.
"It's been ages since we've had a chat, Snowfur . Far too long." Rin said, "You're always so busy down at that sweaty circus show that me and the girls were getting anxious and worried that our little Prissy would lose all her femininity. It would be a waste of such a beautiful girl, despite your affliction."
"Affliction?" Priscilla tilted her head at her contemporary. "We've been over this before, Rin-senpai...It's not an affliction. It's just a natural change. We all shed around this time of year."
"But with you it's almost like a curse, don't you agree? You get blessed with such a beautiful white coat like your mother, then it's just ripped away by the changing seasons, all of it falling out like leaving you with such a drab coat. It seems so cruel, I just couldn't bear it."
San detected something from the girl's mannerisms, it was worded sincere, her ears drooped to the side, but the tone felt... patronizing and conceited. Like a veil of deception, he was sure of it, this Rin character was trying to egg the arctic fox on. Priscilla however seemed just as aware and wasn't falling for it. Priscilla just stared blankly at the other fox, unimpressed.
"Such a shame, such a shame. Tsk tsk tsk." Rin said, clicking her tongue, pacing around Priscilla inspecting her newly shed summer coat and obviously attempting to hold back laughter. "The burden of inferior genes as it were. I guess the bright side is at least now you resemble that little band of misfits you call a clan. Hehehehe."
There it was, any pretense eroded away as San saw their true nature come into the light. The other foxes laughed at the leader's little comments, while Pris just stood there with annoyed scowl.
Her short dark brown fur bristled with rage, her fists clenched like a vice as her temper flared, but to San's surprise, she kept control. She did not lash out, at least not physically. She composed herself and smiled the fakest smile imaginable.
"I'll manage Rin-senpai, I appreciate your concern, really." Priscilla, said, lying through her teeth. Though she didn't physically react, she still wasn't going to let those comments slide.
"All though I'm impressed with your new look. I feel like a fool for never realizing paintball blue was just your color. Cobalt really must be in this season. Really brings out your eyes." She cheekily complimented much to the dark faced fox's ire.
"Oh." Rin chuckled. "Catty, I think that's what we've missed about you the most, Sis ." Rin said, the vixen nearly baring her fangs in a brief flash of anger. "That quick tongue of yours, it always was such a delight. " The masked vixen replied, licking her lips with a sinister snicker. "Y'know I bet the clients miss it too."
"Well whoever did that didn't miss." Priscilla shot back trying not to be caught off guard, starting to discard pretense, gesturing towards Rin's paint splattered dress. "Such a shame that 40,000 yen dress had to make the sacrifice for your own incompetence." Priscilla said harshly. "But, I guess you are used to stains like that anyway though."
Rin peeled back her lips as she fired back her own barb. "Like you can talk Prissy, showing out in public such drek like that! Where do you even get off, representing our grace with such a cheap looking outfit. Where did you get that? The old thrift store?"
"Well some of us actually like to wear practical attire when not on the job , Rin. Who ever heard of playing paintball in a cocktail dress anyway?"
"Practical doesn't matter as long as we look better than our opponents."
"And I wonder how that went for ya, you dumb bimbo!" Priscilla retorted.
"Cross-breed freak!" Rin snapped at the former snow fox, losing any hint of restraint.
"Arrogant heifer!" Priscilla insulted back, following suit.
"Onēsan-" The youngest fox tried to inject.
"No no…" The lead fox said, waving her off. "No need for you two girls to get involved, this is just two sisters having a disagreement over beauty tips. Right?"
"Exactly, I think you need some purple in there, maybe a hint of rouge. I might be able to work a little magic on you!" Priscilla threatened, fists and claws at the ready.
"I was thinking the same thing about you Prissy. A bit of red highlight would do wonders for your dirty brown complexion." The masked fox snarled, her sharp fangs hanging out past her lips.
"Onēsan!" The young fox insisted.
"I told you to stay out of this Shizue-chan!" Rin snapped at her.
"Excuse me, no, that's not what I mean Onēsan. I'm trying to say there is someone here."
The black masked fox began to sniff the air, investigating. "Wait, I do smell something."
San quickly, panicked, they were on to him, he jerked back against the wall trying not to make any noise. Maybe they could just chalk it up to a lingering smell, someone who'd recently left. He thought.
"We know you are there!" The fox called out. "We can hear your breathing!"
Crap.
"Who's back there?" The masked fox asked the former snow fox.
"Just a nobody." Priscilla said, dismissively.
"Nobody? Right. You got a man around here, don't you?" Rin said, her snout probing the air for more clues. "Smells like a male and cheap dog shampoo. You got a man, I know it."
Priscilla hesitated for the briefest second. "No, I'm just here to blow off some steam. Besides like I'd tell you anyway if I did, you thieving bitch."
"Now why don't I believe that?" Rin asked, a toothy grin on her face, she knew she was onto something. "Whoever you are, come out here!" She ordered.
"Rin, if I was on a date, why would I come here?" The brown furred fox insisted. "Wouldn't I be at the Meteor Festival or someplace romantic?"
"Hmm. That...tracks," Rin pondered, but quickly returned to her sly smile as she returned to her investigation. "But, all the same. Roana, check the booths! Bring him before us, now."
The bigger gray furred fox rushed past Priscilla like a bloodhound and quickly found her prey, dragging the hapless herbivore out from behind the booth by his collar.
"What's this?" Rin asked her sister as he was placed in front of them. "Where did this poor lost scrap of meat come from?"
"Leave him alone, Rin." The arctic fox demand.
"Why? What's he to you Prissy-chan?" Rin deviously inquired, utterly intrigued as she circled him, trying to inspect him closer. "Quite the looker. Tall, handsome. You know what Pris? I'm actually betting he belongs to you."
"Wha? No way." Pris lied as she tried to stave off the accusations, trying not to look San in the eye. "He's just a civilian. He came in here trying to buy a piece is all."
"A herbivore? This late? When it's dark? Priscilla, just how dumb do you think I am?" Rin glared at Pris a bit insulted. "Roana. Check him out."
The big fox began aggressively sniffing around San, the process very visibly creeping him out. The fox soon detected something. "Onēsan, he's got her scent on him." She reported.
"Oh?" The black masked fox cocked an eyebrow as she began to grin towards the arctic fox mix. "Care to explain or do you have another lie cooked up for me?"
"Of course he has my scent on him, Rin! I was teaching him earlier how to use a firearm." She explained, trying to at least tell some truth to mix in with the lie. "I was merely helping him get acquainted with the gun he just purchased."
Rin tilted her head. "Pris, you're a better liar than this. What's going on? This is all too weird even for you."
"What's weird about it? He likely lives in the area and needs to defend himself."
"Yes, but at night and why is your scent so mixed with his?" Rin took in some deep sniffs. "His wool seems drenched with your scent. Come clean already. You know him and you've been with him all day, from that I can definitely tell. So just spill it already."
"Rgrrrh! Just mind your own damn business!" Priscilla barked, having enough of Rin's detective spiel. "I don't answer to you and I don't have to tell you anything!"
"Oh? Okay. Playing that card huh? What are we children again? That may have flown when we were younger Priscilla-chan, but we are Inari sisters now. Surely secrets shouldn't come between us , right?" The fox asked, trying to press the situation.
The arctic fox scoffed at her. "Oh, so now I'm your respected sister when you want to pry into my clan's business. Any other day me and my girls are the black sheep of the gang."
"Your clan's business?" Rin said with raised brows. Finally she had gotten something, much to Priscilla's annoyance. "Oooh now this is juicy. What is he supposed to be, huh?"
He's an associate, alright?!" Priscilla blurted out. "It's Futekigō business, that's all I'm going to share with you, ya nosey bitch, unless of course you want to divulge why you are in my territory to begin with. What is Sutiretto up to I wonder? What about your secret? You got a heist or something?"
"If you must know, yes, we have business elsewhere and we came in for a practice run. Since you're the only one with a gun store in the gang's turf that won't rat us out, of course we came here. Besides back to your little secret, what do you mean by associate? How is this lanky piece of gristle supposed to be an associate?" Rin asked intrigued, looking a bit skeptical that San would have any criminal background. "What does he offer? In fact, let's ask him shall we? Let's see if he has a lie cooked up too."
She slinked over and stared San right in the face. "Who are you and what kind of business does my sister employ you for?"
The herbivore hesitated and looked to Priscilla who fervently shook her head for him not to say anything. The masked fox however didn't look like she would take no for an answer, so he followed Priscilla's example and told the truth...some of it with a bit of exaggeration.
"My name is San, I operate out of the Show Arena with the fighters, I spot weaknesses and I find out things."
Priscilla slammed her head and groaned, as soon as he opened his mouth. "Please stop…" She grumbled under her breath.
"So you're a spy? You?" The black masked fox sardonically mused aloud. "Now, why are you here I wonder?"
"Priscilla-sama is training me for a job. Said I'll get paid more if I start spying on the other gangs. Said I needed proper training."
Rin erupted into a hysterical shrill laugh at San's story. The other foxes followed suit.
San quickly felt claws pinch into his shoulder before finding himself yanked backwards by Priscilla herself. Instead of praise or encouragement, he was met with Pris's own wrinkled tablecloth snout and bared fangs. The arctic fox hybrid quickly shoved him into the wall and stared daggers into him, reminding him a lot of when she disciplined her own subordinates.
"Alright, that's enough!" She snarled, sternly reprimanding him. "Say any more and you will be of no use to anyone! What's the use of a spy that lets everyone know that he's one when asked, you moron?!"
"You're really training him to be a spy Priscilla? Some clearly out-of-his-depth herbivore?!" Rin couldn't help but continue to snigger at the prospects of the llama being anything other than some lost street urchin.
"Priscilla-chan, I usually give you crap for investing in that smelly testosterone arena pit, but honestly this is too rich. Him? Him?!" She asked incredulously, pointing at San. "Where'd you even dig him up?! Hehehehe!"
"Stay out of this." Priscilla hissed at him under her breath as she slammed him hard against the wall again. "Next time, hold your damn tongue, or you're gonna leave here without it scum! Understand?" She said, louder, playing up the scolding.
The llama fearfully nodded, playing along as the scared underling.
The smug looking black masked vixen simply shook her head at them. "You really have lost it, Priscilla. I think Ten needs to finally see reason and end that little farce you call a clan."
"It's not your place to judge who I employ, Rin-senpai!" Priscilla snapped. "This one has his uses. Whether you see it or not!"
"Oh really? I guess it must be one those in plain sight deals. Besides... It isn't my place?" Rin rebuffed her excuse. "Aren't we supposed to be equals in position? Isn't that what we're supposed to tell you freaks, oh excuse me, Misfits?" She scoffed with child-like giggling.
Priscilla's bad temper flared as her fur became like needles as her orange eyes locked with the masked fox's emerald one, each orb a burning sun, boiling as hot as her blood as she appeared ready to tear into her so-called sister, however the arctic fox mix stayed her hand. She wouldn't give in. Not over this. She took a deep breath and composed herself.
"This conversation is over now, Rin-Senpai. You and your girls can get the fuck out of my establishment now. Sayonara." Priscilla growled.
"Just going to dismiss me like that huh?"
"Oh let me say it more clearly. Sayonara." Priscilla growled much louder.
Rin had a rather conceited smirk as she gazed at the still simmering rage within Priscilla. "Fine, I've had my fun anyway. Just, whatever this is...enjoy it now . Don't be surprised when the Boss comes crashing down on you for it." She said, laughing as she signaled her entourage it was time to go.
"And you can look at it this way! You won't have to worry about being out of a job, you and Grayfur will always have a warm spot waiting for you back at my bordello! Hehehehehe!" She said, laughing at the enraged arctic fox, her underlings also laughing along.
She motioned for her clique to follow as she exited. The muted cackle after the door slammed shut caused an eruption from Priscilla's pent up anger. The arctic fox mix smashed her fist into the hard wall.
"Fucking harlots!" She cried out, breathing heavy.
"Why do you let her talk to you like that?" San asked all hush and concerned.
Priscilla said nothing, but turned and practically murdered him with an intense snarl. The heavy breathing and bared fangs, the llama knew to step back and watched silently as the fox huffed furiously as she barreled past him. There were no need for words, that obviously meant: I don't want to fucking talk about it .
San knew what it meant, he knew that look all too well. It looked even more effective on a female carnivore he wagered. Nothing he could say would fix what she was going through at the moment. She'd just have to simmer down on her own before she'd listen to reason. Just maybe give her some distance, he thought, at least for his safety at the very least.
He shouldn't have asked, that was a clear example of why she was so hesitant to tell him about her heritage earlier back at the park. The ridicule she had referred to, the putting of her girls. She was an outcast to her own race. Looked down upon for the life she was born into, rather than who she was as a person. No matter how much money she could attain, no matter how successful she was, she was still on the lower rung of society similar to him and Kyuu, just because she wasn't pure .
Priscilla fumed as she picked up the semi-auto pistol and began angrily blasting rounds at the target. San frowned as he observed, he could see that her accuracy suffered as she discarded her own advice about control. Instead she just emptied the magazine down the range and robotically loaded another and then another in quick succession, keeping up her rapid barrage as if each round fired was some form cathartic release.
The door swung open again not long after, though this time it was the cat couple again, back from the lobby. They seemed particularly giddy about something as they entered.
"This is the top shot around here?!" Takoma the Mountain Lion shouted as he crept up behind Priscilla and began inspecting her grouping on the target in front of her. "You were right under our noses huh?"
Soon his smile turned to a skeptic frown. "Huh, that's not very accurate."
A very clearly annoyed growl was the vixen's answer to the smelly feline invading her space.
*Pow*
She missed again.
"No way. You know what you're doing Foxy ?" He said. "You can't be who the other fox girl was talking about." He looked around for others, but found no one else there except her and San. "Anyone else in here?"
"Leave. Me. Alone." Priscilla ordered, but the obviously assertive tone had no effect on persuading the cat. Instead the rude feline continued to gawk at her deteriorating accuracy.
*Pow*
"You know, maybe if you stand better-" He commented, before she furiously cut him.
"I fucking know that, I just want to be left alone."
*Pow Pow Pow Pow Pow*
Priscilla furiously fired her CZ-75 again full auto, obviously pissed thinking about Rin and how this was most likely her doing.
"No wonder you didn't want to bet." The caracal said, looking over Priscilla's shoulder as well.
"Uuuugggghh." Priscilla loudly groaned.
"Can't hit a damn thing with shooting like that! Maybe we can give you some lessons. Heh Heh."
"Hey, let me see that. I'll show you how to properly hold it." The cougar said reaching in. "You need to stop teacuping it like that."
"Fuck. Off…"
"Come on Fox-Chan, I'll even throw in a discount."
Priscilla fur shot up once more as she contemplated venting her rage until...
"Leave her alone." Said a voice behind them.
The cougar turned to see the medium breed llama standing behind him, glowering up at him, his brown eyes cold and focused.
"Hey it's the Watāme snack!" (Cotton Candy) The mountain cat said, ignoring the angry disposition on the young herbivore. "So did you think about it, huh? I'll still pay you for a few fingers and I'll bite through nice and fast. Hell I'll even leave your index finger. C'mon! How 'bout it Watāme-kun ?"
"My name is San, and I said leave her alone." San said, very stern and to the point. He didn't tremble or cower as he stared up at the predator.
"W-what?" The lion gazed down confused.
"Did I stutter?" The llama said, as he gave the carnivore the same sullen look he had facing the fox at the park.
"Is this guy for real?" Takoma asked, looking at the caracal.
"Takoma-san, he's got to be a few cards short of a full deck if he's this deep in the Back Alley." The tufted eared cat said with a shrug.
"You think he's high on something?" Takoma asked. "I don't want to be tripping on some psychedelic fingers, y'know."
"I don't smell anything on him except some sorta strong perfume." The caracal told him after taking a good sniff.
"Carnivores like you are almost all the same, arrogant!" San said. "You don't ever seem to care about anything unless it involves food or harassing those weaker than you."
"What?" Takoma asked, surprised that the herbivore had worked up the gall to approach him like that.
"The apex style of thinking I guess. Funny though how none of that means anything when the smaller guy's holding something like a gun." San said, quick drawing the .38 special from his pocket, swinging it at both felines.
"Now, back off and leave her alone."
"Hey! Hey!" The mountain lion protested, trying to move out the line of fire. "Watch where you point that!"
Both cats naturally cowered at the sight of the gun pointed at them, but soon the mountain lion's demeanor changed when he took a closer look towards San. He stood up straight and smiled.
"Heh Heh. So you gonna shoot me Watāme-kun, huh?" The cougar sarcastically teased as he leaned in with his fangs bared. "How are you going to do that if your cylinder is empty?"
Empty?
The llama's eyes quaked as he realized he was right. He had forgotten, Pris hadn't brought him the cartridges, instead they just moved on to the other pistol. He was out. He practically had zero leverage here. Still, he steeled his nerves and kept it trained on him, undeterred. He couldn't back down now. There was still hope, he still had another option to exploit.
"Takoma-san!" The caracal protested. "What are you doing?"
"No, no I got this, Shoko." The mountain lion reassured her. "He's bluffing. See I remember watching the fox leave to go get some more ammo for you and that old mutt out there is fresh out of .38 caliber and I know a .38 when I see one. So you ain't got nothin' in there, and now you're gonna get your face broken. Didn't they ever teach you never to point a gun at someone without being ready to shoot?"
San took a cautious step back, but kept the weapon trained on the predator.
"So...you just going to run away? Huh? I thought I was supposed to fall over frightened. Cower to some weakling like you! Wasn't that the idea?" Takoma taunted as he tried to dominate the camelid with his larger frame. "Give me that gun."
"No."
The cougar snorted at the llama's courage, as he got closer, reaching in to yank the weapon out of his hand. "No? Oh okay then... I guess I'll just take it and shove it right up your fucki-"
Now. San's body reacted with swift motion.
Takoma quickly found the hard grip of the revolver slam right into his windpipe a loud shunk. "Gaack!" The cat dropped to his knees gasping for precious air, wheezing, when a follow up strike bludgeoned the weapon right into his nostrils causing a dark crimson stream to squirt forth.
Once again the preconceived notion of herbivores as non-threats worked in San's favor. He had analyzed the attack vector and took advantage, waiting for the opportune time. What the cat saw as prey attempting to cower, was really San moving into position, knowing the cat wouldn't be ready to defend his weak points if he was overconfident.
"Augh! Fuc-ugh!" The cat shouted as he dropped to the floor, covering his nostrils.
Another strike to the back of the skull disoriented him, but the cat was still a threat as he took a desperate swipe at the llama. San expertly whirled out of the way and hooked his foot down into the back of the mountain lion's head, stomping him flat on his belly with fluid motion while he grabbed hold of his tail. San didn't have time to feel any pride in his accomplishment as he quickly found himself being rammed against the wall by the medium cat.
"You really screwed up now, boy." The caracal shouted as she punched him hard in the stomach nearly causing him to fold over, only remaining on his feet by her holding him up. She then smashed her fist right under his eye, nearly putting his lights out. He started tasting iron when he caught a right to the side of the chops.
"That's it! You hold him still Shoko!"" Takoma roared as he picked himself off the ground infuriated. "NOW I'M TAKING YOUR WHOLE HAND PUNK!" He yelled, making his way over.
"You seem to have forgotten where you are! So we're going to remind you." The caracal threatened, popping her claws centimeters away from San's face. The llama struggled to free himself, but the medium cat had the raw strength advantage to keep him firmly pinned against the wall.
"Good grief. Now you've done it." Said a voice behind them. "Alright. Put him down!"
*Click Click*
The sound of a slide racking a round in from a fresh magazine got the message across even more fluently. It was Priscilla, just like the action movies, and she had a draw on the cougar. "Back off kitties, if you want to keep breathing. Trust, this one is actually loaded and I definitely will hit you from here."
Both carnivores froze in place as the vixen strolled over their way, calm and serious like how she presented herself at the Arena. Shoko the caracal released him on cue when she found the barrel of the CZ pressed against her head. San almost crumpled to the ground, only supporting himself by propping against the wall.
"You really had to go and do that huh, Watāme-kun ?" Priscilla asked the herbivore as she lifted him up.
"Took you long enough." He said rubbing the blood from his lip. "And don't you start calling me that." San said, glaring down at the snarling cougar as he stood behind the vixen.
"Oh, sure thing, Watāme-kuuun! " Priscilla sardonically teased much to his dismay.
"Ugh…" He groaned in annoyance.
"What? It has a nice ring to it." She said. "Better than calling you San-san"
"Oh that's so much worse…"
"So what? You sticking up for that suicidal lamb, huh fox?!" The big male cat roared as he nursed his busted nose. "So be it..I'll take you out with him all the same."
"Well he is my lamb ." Priscilla replied in jest. "And you clearly aren't aware of whom you are speaking to, little kitty."
"Little Kitty?" The mountain cat took the insult poorly as he almost hulked up ready to hurl himself on the smaller canid. "Who do you think you are, fox?!"
"My name is Priscilla the Snow Fox! I'm 25, nearing the prime of my life! Hehehehe!" She said as she made an elegant and graceful pose as she strutted in front of San who was a bit wobbly as he tried to stand on his own.
"Snow...fox?"
The grand introduction was lost on the two carnivores, who looked at the fox, then back to each other confused as they scratched behind their ears. San had a similar look of confusement on his face as he peered over her shoulder.
Priscilla's gusto faded, as she quickly straightened back up as if nothing had happened, trying not to seem embarrassed. That usually works when Ten does it, she thought.
"I hold the position of Onēsan within the Inarigumi Futekigō clan, one of the queens that run this area of the Back Alley Market. This portion all the way on down to Maza Ave is my territory." She said with icy cold fashion as she unfastened the buttons around the neck of her vest.
An intricate red nine tail fox tattoo was revealed located above her right shoulder. It was a clear symbol of her clan's notoriety and standing. As soon as the tattoo came into view both felines immediately recoiled with fear and began to grovel on the floor seeking forgiveness.
"Inarigumi?!" They both cried. "This really is their turf."
"You are civilians and I demand respect towards me and my property."
Property? San thought.
"Why didn't you say anything sooner?" The caracal said, stepping forward trying to placate the Inarigumi sakuban. "We meant no disrespect. Honest."
"Oh? I recall 'you' referring to my Inarigumi sisters as a bunch of Hotshit foxes . Is that how you show respect where you come from?"
"T-They were Inari- please forgive we.. we apologize profusely, Inari-sama." The cat kowtowed and got to her knees. "How can we make it up to you?!"
"Hmm, what do you think?" She asked, looking to the llama.
"Me?" San asked bewildered.
"You seem so eager to get involved in my business, associate , might as well chime in."
"Um...well I did sock him pretty hard and I guess a bloody nose and some bruises might be a good reminder. Plus looks they learned their lesson."
"T-t-thank you for your mercy. Watame-kun!" They said hurriedly.
"My name is San!" He corrected them. "Not that hard to remember, like the number. You got that!"
Priscilla looked at him and then the two felines and began to ponder.
"No. No. No. That simply won't do. You're way too soft San-kun." The fox added. "They hit you and I have a reputation to uphold. They insulted my clan, my sisters, and my date." She hissed as she poked the pistol in their direction. "There has to be retribution for that."
Both cats looked up in terror as the fox kept the pistol trained on them. "But...but but…"
San squinted in disbelief, why would she care that they insult Rin. She didn't seem to particularly like her. Especially after all the mean things she said.
"Now, how to fix this?" She asked herself. "You two like to wager right?"
"Y-yeah." The caracal stammered.
"How about this? A round of paintball, you two vs me and him in the Gauntlet. First team to shoot the other wins."
"Wait? M-me?" San asked, surprised and confused. "What?"
"Yes, you !" She said glaring into his face. "Don't tell me you're afraid of shooting someone with a paintball gun. You're not going to be killing anyone.
"I guess so." He said, still unsure.
"So how about it. If you win, all is forgiven you can walk. We win, you give me the money you won off my sisters earlier."
The cats seemed to ponder the proposition, before excusing themselves as they huddled in the corner, discussing their next move.
"C'mon Shoko, she might be rusty. You saw how crappy her aim was."
"Takoma not so loud you idiot! Something about this doesn't seem right."
"Come on...we beat three of those other foxes pretty easy, plus she'll just have this wimp slowing her down." He reasoned.
"He is pretty green." She said, eyeing the llama over her shoulder. "Alright." The caracal agreed and broke the huddle to address Priscilla.
"Well?" Priscilla asked as they returned from their deliberations.
"Fine! We agree to your challenge." They said, simultaneously agreeing to her proposal.
"But can we ask for something substantial in return if we win." The caracal shrewdly asked.
"I don't know. I'm being very generous not blasting you right now." Priscilla shrugged. "What do you want?
"20,000 Yen." The floppy eared cat replied.
"And two of his fingers!" The cougar haggled right after.
"Hmph, deal!" Priscilla said, immediately without any consideration.
"WHAT?!" San shouted, horrified. "Shouldn't I get a say in that?!"
"You sure didn't seem to mind jumping in for me when I didn't ask. Only fair I jump in for you without your permission." Priscilla said.
"But my fingers!" He loudly insisted.
Thirty minutes later - Gauntlet Ready Room
San finally stopped the bleeding from his busted lip. His jaw still felt sore.
"So what the hell was that all about?" He finally asked.
"What was what?" She asked, seemingly mystified as she started strapping on the protective combat gear..
"Don't play coy with me, Pris!" He angrily pointed. "You took up for those girls back there even though you obviously hate them. What's with that?"
"They are my sisters." She countered. "You take up for your rabbit. Same thing."
San leaned in with a squinting scowl. "I don't hate her! Not like I have much choice in the matter."
"And there it is. I don't have a choice. We don't have a choice. Only difference is I'm obligated to follow certain rules. You aren't."
"Okay now you are just desperately trying to justify your actions…" San said, very annoyed. His brow raised as it came to him. "I know why you're doing this." He said, pointing "You're doing this because you want an outlet, someone to put your sister's face on. That's all this is."
"So what if I am?" Priscilla said, poking her lip out like a pouting child.
"Don't involve me then! I like having all my flipping fingers!" The llama erupted at her. "I was perfectly fine with you just letting them go and me living with a full set of digits in the next few minutes."
"But you'd miss out on the fun we're going to have taking them out." the vixen playfully said poking him on the snout, playing off his concerns. "Just pay attention, Watāme-kun if you want to keep your fingers."
San heaved a deep breath her continued use of the nickname, "I'm listening." He said, folding his arms.
"Paintball guns are a bit different from actual firearms. All you need to know is where to aim, there is hardly any kickback and the projectile is a lot slower, but they move fast enough to hurt. So try not to get hit in the face or it's going to sting and feel like someone threw a rock at you."
"Got it, try not to get hit." He said confidently, strapping on the goggles likely meant for a dog on his face.
"You'll also have a bit more ammunition than a standard firearm so don't worry about missing most of your shots" She said picking up a rifle similar to the ones the cats were armed with.
"Where's mine?" San asked.
Priscilla held up what looked like a small pistol similar to the semi-auto she trained him on."
"We'll work you up to something bigger, if we win."
He looked at her funny, before taking the paintball pistol and examining the sights. "You're enjoying this aren't you?" He asked, annoyed. "If we win…," he muttered.
He lined up the sights and practiced. "I'll make due with this I guess," he said.
"You better or you're going to San the 8 fingered llama." Priscilla mused, with more giggling.
"Ahahaha... funny. " San sarcastically laughed.
"Are you ready to go?" She asked, holding her rifle at high ready."
San took a look at the paintball gun and his hands, contemplating everything. He took a deep sigh and nodded to the vixen, though he understandably seemed bothered by all this.
"What's the matter? Don't you trust me?" She asked.
"...No." He said ratherly bluntly. "No. I do not. I don't know if I can anymore."
Priscilla actually smiled at his reply. "Hmm, that's a good answer. Just trust your own instincts. Don't hesitate and show no mercy in here." She said as she smashed the ready button by the door, causing a loud buzzer to sound as the door opened up and the pitch black night sky opened up around them. "You'll survive longer."
Instincts? That's the problem, he thought to himself as he strolled out with her. His pistol held at high ready, waiting for a firefight to pop off. Deep inside, his instincts were screaming for him to leave, run away. They were working overtime now, and had been ever since they crossed the bridge back into the Back alley. A lot of good thinking like that would do for him in here.
San quickly saw the conditions they would be playing in, the whole area was dark, only lit by soft yellow light posts placed sporadically throughout the yard, but as a herbivore San could see just well enough to move forward. He saw his partner in front of him at the very least, which was good enough for him.
The Gauntlet, as they called it, was a maze definitely designed for nocturnal activity, relying on low light conditions to challenge the players on top of the close quarters situation of an urban environment. Essentially it was an old junkyard converted into a 'paintball field', a fitting theme throughout the Back Alley taking what was decaying and abandoned then refurbishing it, but great care had gone into designing the place to function like a close quarters kill house.
Cars were stacked on top of each other for makeshift walls and half finished two story buildings constructed from cinder block, lumber, and stucco were erected to give players proper cover from incoming gunfire. San also seemed to notice what he thought were bullet holes, perforating the structures alongside the splotches of various paint marks. It definitely told a story of conflicts taking place here that didn't involve paintball.
"So, you come here often?" He asked.
"Quiet." She said. "Keep your head on a swivel… and suspect every noise." She ordered, snapping him free from his inspection. "Felines are stealthy."
"You got it." He said softly as he followed her lead. His ears were on high alert like radar. He just hoped he wouldn't choke or drag her down.
7 mins later - The Gauntlet
Priscilla began sniffing the air. San followed suit, though his sense of smell was nowhere near as attuned as her canid senses. Those cats were close. They had previously had a total of two brief engagements with them earlier, but both times they had come out relatively unscathed with no casualties or hits. San actually was pretty good at following orders when she gave them, despite his inexperience.
The arctic fox was hesitant to move forward, she felt the cats were even closer than she thought, San could sense it too. Both their ears were trying to home in on the disturbance. She silently held San and pushed him into the shadows and pointed up.
"I think they're above us, this open area is an ambush waiting to happen," she whispered.
She picked up what looked to be a broken car mirror and slowly held it out of the opening just enough to see what was above them. Nothing, the coast looked clear then something strange reflected back. It was the desert lynx's tall wiggling ears sticking up like antennae, giving their position away.
"Yeah, they're there alright." She said as she brought the mirror back in. "We're going to toss out a distraction, then we're going to run. You keep going, I'll provide cover fire." She pointed to a rusted sedan car parked by a brick wall. "See the junker over there with the busted tires. Head over there and stay low."
San nodded and got ready to run. Priscilla hefted her rifle aside and used her good hand to throw the mirror out into the moonlight. Just as the mirror shattered on the ground as a torrent of blue paint rounds showered the ground like rain. That was their cue.
"Run. Fast you can...try not to remain in one spot for more than a second"
"What?"
"You are the bait." She said shoving him out into the open.
"I'm the wha-"
"BOOK!" She loudly ordered.
He broke out like lightning out of the opening evading in a serpentine pattern as he tried to avoid getting hit, tucking into a roll behind the designated car. Projectiles whizzed by his head causing him to pick up the pace as if his life depended on it. Well his fingers did.
San would have been hurt by the fact he'd be reduced to distraction, but his adrenaline was pulsing clearing his mind. All that mattered was getting across this gap. Better yet, Priscilla was right behind him just as she said, firing her rifle full auto at the awning, keeping the feline pair's heads down.
"Head left! I'll be right behind you." The fox yelled at him as he dove over the car hood, and sunk low as the felines pelted the vehicle with paint marks.
The llama crawled away on all fours staying low just as Priscilla vaulted herself over, exchanging fire.
"We'll flank them to the left!" She shouted, ducking down. "I'm going to give you cover fire."
"Got it!" He said as he got to his feet. He rushed off down the corridor as fast as he could run. He was getting close, he could hear the gunfire . He was close to the elevated position they were sniping from.
Wait for backup, he thought. Priscilla will be here shortly and we'll take them together.
Problem was, she wasn't there. Priscilla was gone. She hadn't followed him at all or she had left him out to dry. Damn it, he thought. He was on his own.
He heard footsteps. He turned around and saw a figure walk out of the next corridor. It was the smaller cat. He ducked back into the pathway that he had just come as she turned, and got ready to fire. After psyching himself up he eased around the corner and aimed his weapon.
Just pull the trigger, he thought. His mind screamed. Pull the trigger!
He couldn't. He couldn't, instead of the cat, before him he saw the corpse of the same cougar he had killed in the alley that night. The bullet wound, right where he had been shot, the blood long dried up. The cadaver just stared at him, disappointed. San felt cold sweat dripping down his forehead as he hesitated. He couldn't do it.
"Can't do it, huh?" It said as it pulled a pistol up ready to shoot him. "Too bad."
Suddenly shots smacked into the side of the cat's head. The apparition vanished, as the caracal dropped to her knees as two more red pellets hit her in the face.
"Ow!" The caracal cried out as Priscilla rolled out from the same side passage as the cat, having flanked her. She made sure the cat was out, and glared up at San, who was still standing there looking aimless.
"What did I tell you about hesitation?" The fox barked at San. "You're willing to beat people up on my account, but you won't even shoot someone with a harmless paintball gun?!"
"I-I…" San said, at a loss for words.
"Geez, what a wimp." The cat coldy chimed.
*Pfft* Pris's rifle went off as she ruthlessly shot the cat again point blank.
"Shut up." Pris said. "No one asked you."
"Ow! Damn it! I'm out already!" The caracal groaned as she sat up, rubbing her throbbing earlobe.
"I just froze up is all." San said, trying to explain, scratching behind his head.
"Well don't do it again, if this were real, you'd be dead. You were lucky these idiots fell for my ploy. You'd think they'd realize I was giving away our plans out loud on purpose. Anyway that's one kitty. Where's the other one?"
San smelt a familiar smell, chicken. He scanned around, only to see a large dark shadow drop down behind the vixen. Two bright yellow eyes reflected light from the lamps above, it was the cougar. He was about to ambush her like he had done him earlier. He was savoring his kill , she'd never turn in time. San had to act.
"Priscilla-san, get down!" San said as he aimed the pistol at the big cat, firing three shots in rapid succession. Priscilla instantly dropped down.
*Pfft Pfft Pfft*
"AH FUCK!" The big cat screamed in agony after getting popped in the face just above the eye jerking his head back. Another shot blasted him in the cheek followed by the chest.
Priscilla was a bit shaken as she turned around to see the cougar behind her.
The cougar looked down at his armor incredulously. 'You gotta be kidding me! I got taken out by a Herbivore?!"
San stood there, mulling over what he did. He didn't hesitate, he had no choice.
"San, I… I don't know what to say." Priscilla said, still stunned.
"I got him," San said. " I got him." A feeling of pride came upon him. He hadn't hesitated. He didn't cower.
"God Damn it Takoma! You should have just sniped her!" The caracal was furious.
"Sorry Shoko, I- I…"
"Damn damn damn! I practically gift wrapped her for you, you scatterbrain!"
Priscilla started to snicker as the two felines argued. "S'matter? You gonna cry ova spilt milk po wittle kitty?" She teased the caracal in a cutesy voice. She earned a bitter scowl from the floppy eared cat.
"I'm sorry Shoko-chan." The cougar said, rubbing his sore face.
"Let's just get out of here Takoma. Here's your damn money!" The cat said slamming the wad of cash in the fox's hand.
"Pleasure doing business with you. Come again." The content vixen said counting their earned cash.
"As if…" The grumpy caracal hissed towards Priscilla, dragging her boyfriend along. "We're going to go get some Alpaca fingers." She said, glaring at San, before leaving..
"Byeeeeeee!" Priscilla said, waving the disappeared with a smug smile. "Sayonaaraaa!"
"We showed them." San said, putting his weapon at high ready like she had shown him.
"We sure did..." She said, watching them leave. "You did good. Not bad, for a first timer." She said patting him on the shoulder.
The cold night breeze blew past them. Then the herbivore found himself being shoved to the ground. He looked up to see Priscilla pointing her rifle at him.
"What'd you do that fo-" He started to ask.
"Now run." She ordered, her tone lacking any whimsy, her smile dispersed, and her pupils dilating to the trademark predatory gaze.
"W-what?" The herbivore feebishly asked.
"I said, run." She repeated herself. "I want you to run away. Get as far away from me as you can." The fox ordered.
"Wait- What?" He asked, utterly lost. "Why?"
"I need to cut you loose." She stated.
"Cut me loose?" He asked, "What do you mean? What about next time ?"
"There is no next time. It's over between us, San," She said, her tone rigidly solemn, "I'm sorry to say, but I can't have you jeopardizing my standing in the gang. So, this is where it ends. I'm going to eliminate you before you become a problem."
"You're sorry?! You? After everything we went through today….that's it?" He shouted.
"Afraid so, you saw how Rin investigated you. It's only a matter of time before this gets worse, so I'm going to fix this myself."
"What are you going to do if you catch me?!" He asked as a seething anger came upon him.
" If? More like when , besides what do you think? I guess I'll get to see just how well quality livestock meat tastes right?" She actually grinned, her sharp teeth visible. "You'll be my sacred meal. I'll remember you and cherish the time we had." She actually began to sneer at him. As if the look of betrayal on his face pleased her. "Hehehehe."
"So-so this is what you and that old dog were talking about?! I'm just another one huh?" San said, taking a step back.
" You heard that huh? You should count yourself lucky, the last person didn't get a head start."
"She-She was right about y-" He started to say.
*Pfft*
She had fired at his feet, his first warning. Her bared fangs and feral growl were the second ultimatum.
" Run you fool or I'll tear you apart now!"
"Damn it!" He cried out, fleeing into the darkness. As he vanished, the arctic fox waited a few moments before allowing herself to crack up.
"That was perfect."
15 mins later - 10:00 PM Somewhere Dark The Gauntlet
Priscilla silently cursed as the roof of the rustbucket warped under her weight. Her frustration only built when she saw the herbivore pause for a second and investigate the area. She stilled her breathing and tried not to move a muscle while we waited patiently for her prey to drop his guard. That's right, dismiss it as just nerves, she thought.
Then like that the chase was back on, he took off down the corridor of junk cars, escape, the only thought in his mind. The fox quickly began bounding from car to car with grace and agility trying to keep up. There was no more point stalking, she needed to go in for the kill now. Priscilla was impressed by his speed, he had gotten up to high gear in three seconds flat. However she still was able to keep up, infact surpass him as she hopped from each platform, getting closer and closer until she finally saw her opening. He finally slowed down after hearing her land on top of an old pickup truck flatbed.
Now was the time to strike, the vixen thought. She silently hurled herself down landing feet first next to him and grabbed hold of him by the shoulders. The llama barely had time to react, head turning too late as the arctic fox introduced him intimately with the ground. He barely had time to scream as the wind was knocked out of him when she pounced on him.
"Gotcha!" She cried out as she pushed him into the dirt.
"Shit!" the young llama cursed as he hit the ground, though Priscilla quickly found he wasn't going to go down without a fight as he forced his weight back up, trying to wrestle himself free from her clutches. She tried to keep his arms secure to prevent him from hitting her with a heavy blow in his violent struggle. Try as he might, his arms were firmly within her grasp, soon most of the fight left him as she slammed him back into the ground and pressed her weight down. She had got him.
"That's right, squirm you little weakling!" She taunted as her brush tail beat against the ground.
"Not so brave now?!" She yelled, rubbing it in. "I bet the fear makes you taste amazing. Delicious I'd even wager." Priscilla added as she licked her lips getting ready to finish him off.
San was in utter terror as he struggled in a futile gesture to wrench himself free. The medium sized fox firmly pinned him to the ground; the only thing he could do was wait for that final plunge from her gaping maw of sharp death. San closed his eyes and tried to think of something more pleasant, but all he could think of was how foolish he had been.
This was it, his comeuppance for his hubris. He patiently awaited the piercing jaws snapping shut into his flesh, the punctuation of his neck, the savage jerking motion to snap his neck. The bone crunching end that was promised. Just get this over with , he begged.
It never came.
The demise San was expecting never came, instead he felt a soft wet nose, nuzzling against his neck. The fur on his neck was getting wet as something licking him. It was her beastial snarling, instead became giggles. The llama unsure of what was going on, opened his eyes to see a confusing sight. The fox buried her muzzle deep into his shoulder playfully licking and nipping at his neck.
"Mmmm, so soft and warm. Your wool feels so soft and light, like watā ame ( cotton candy) and you even have that silly flavor of oatmeal in there ."
"What are you doing ?!" San asked frantically as her arms slid under his and pulled him in close to her. "You...um..?" She was hugging him.
"Hehehehehe," she began to cackle.
" Isn't it obvious? I got yoooou ." The summer furred arctic vixen cooed softly into his ear as she unearthed her narrow muzzle from his wool and stared lovingly into his eyes.
"Got m- wait- Yo- you- Are you fuckin- Are you fucking kidding?!" San was flustered as he weakly shoved her back.
The vixen wheezed as she held her sides laughing at the poor boy. "Uh-uh." She said, shaking her head. "You lost our gaaaame." The sing songy way she said it, wasn't really helping him process this.
"Are you saying all that was that game we're supposed to be playing?!" He yelled as he sat up in front of her. "The whole cutting me loose. The threat I pose to your position?"
"Of course it was!" She proclaimed, her tail swishing behind her.
"What about your sisters?! I thought I was a threat to your position!"
"San, I don't care what any of those bitches think. They've been talking about me since I was sixteen years old, ever since my father's genes kicked in. They're always going to talk about me. I'm not scared of getting chewed out for dating outside the norm. I did however use all that drama earlier to aid in my little scheme. And you fell for it!" She said gleefully poking her finger in his face as she grinned like a mischievous child.
"Maybe I should retire from this life and aspire to become a thespian judging from the fear that was on your face a few minutes ago. Clearly, I'm a convincing turn coat, fated to tragically devour her dashing young herbivore paramour!" She said with the most posh dramatic inflection. "Right? Hehehehe!"
"I thought... I was going to die!" He shouted, furiously slapping her hand away. "Di-did you have to be so damn real about it?!" His voice almost broke as he screamed at her.
"Would you really have been scared if I let you in on it?" She reasoned, giggling at his little tantrum as she lightly squeezed his chin.
His only answer was an incredulous stare and his flaring nostrils.
"Well?" She asked again trying to get him to admit it, a sly grin upon her face as she already knew the answer.
"I don't know, maybe?!" He shouted, clenching his flat teeth tightly together.
"Let's not kid ourselves here, it wouldn't have been the same. Our little game only works when the fear is real, I told you that ." She said, intimately toying around with the bangs over his eyes. "And look at us, both of our hearts are beating like crazy. That was exhilarating wasn't it? Shame I won't be able to do it that way again, but you'll see what I cook up next, or better yet, you won't. "
A sigh escaped from the llama's lips as he looked away from her, unwilling to look her in the eyes as he rested on his elbows.
"You're having way too much fun with this." He said stone faced, still not amused in the slightest. He felt a reasonable level of embarrassment, though it was some comfort, if at all, that no one else had seen him this scared. Let along his cellmate. "That was so fun for you, but frightening for me. Is this what being with a carnivore is going really to be like?" He asked.
"It's just a game Watāme-kun, lighten up." She teased, punching him lightly in the shoulder.
"Ugh, lighten up." He mocked. "That's what you want right?" he groaned softly. San was an absolute stone as he frowned at the brown fox who continued laughing at his expense. However, a devious smile began to twist on his face.
"So, about our game… is it still ongoing then?" He asked.
"What?" She cocked her head at him puzzled. "I mean I guess if you want to go again. We can-" The vixen stopped, something amiss.
The vulpine's pupils darted down as she finally noticed something off in her peripheral. The black barrel of his paintball pistol. It was trained on her right now! The llama had a wild sinister smile on his face as his scheme came into fruition. While she had been gloating, he had been slowly and covertly shifting it in her direction. Everything moved in slow motion right as he pulled the trigger, hitting her in the ribs with a splotch of red paint.
"No! Wa-"
*Pfft!*
The fox was cut off as the paintball popped her hard in the abdomen.
"Gotcha!" He proclaimed followed by his own laugh. "How'd you like that?! Ahaha!"
"Aah!" She screeched and winced in pain. "You fucker! FUUUCK!" The fox snarled, punching him harder in the shoulder.
"Ow!" He grunted.
"Why the fuck you do that?!" She shouted.
"Didn't you tell me a while ago not to show mercy? Besides that's for scaring me and using me as bait earlier!" He shouted back at her vindictively. "Only fair I-"
The fox growled as her sharp teeth poked through her lips. San's bravado turned to terror as her apricot eyes shrank and locked on his large shaking brown ones. It sunk in quickly, what seemed like a good idea in the moment was definitely a terrible mistake.
"Only fair...I I, what are you doing?" He nervously stuttered, asking why she was slowly creeping in on him, a fierce grimace, an animal ready to kill. "I-I was just playing the game my way. Pris-chan...Pris-chan wait!"
"Game? Well this is what you won!" She snarled as she continued to encroach upon him.
The fox's wrinkled snout, her eyes twitching every time she winced from the pain. The low growl vibrating in her throat. There was no reasoning with her now, he thought. He was a dead beast now.
"Well, NO! STOP! I-I didn't mean…" He screamed, trying to crawl backwards. Before he could finish, his eyes darted to the left, noticing the barrel of her gun near his neck. He had been outplayed. She spammed the trigger, firing a salvo of red paint point blank right in his shoulder and long neck.
"Ow! Ah!" He cursed almost as loud as she had. "Rex's scales that really hurt! Aaah! " He painfully grunted as he touched the affected spots on his neck. His wool was matted with the crimson red paint and his flesh underneath was stinging just from the hair follicles resting on top. It definitely felt like it might bruise.
"HEHEHEHEHE!" She cackled hysterically, laughing at the llama. "Serves you right anyway!"
"Are you kidding me?! Again?!" He shouted, holding his neck.
"Hehehehe!" The vixen was in stitches as she chuckled at the llama's whimpering. "I played you like a fiddle again! Besides didn't I warn you what would happen if you ever turned your weapon on me? I said I'd shoot you, right?"
San laid his head on the ground letting out a sigh of relief, smiling up at her. "No, you really said... you'd kill me. Ugh...though I'd have to say this is a close second though. You weren't lying about how hard these hit. Ahahahaha" He joked.
"Hmmm. I was supposed to kill you wasn't I?" She said as her smile disappeared and she gave a steely eyed glance. His eyes widened with fear as her claws wrapped around his neck.
"UH-gaacck." He croaked out, the vixen was strangling him.
" Maybe I should, Watāme-kun !"
Her pupils dilated to the circumference of needles as her death grip became secure. His legs started kicking out frantically trying to gain purchase so he could force her off of him.
"I guess I should follow through on my word…" She threatened with predatory menace.
"Hey! Ack! Come on!" San managed to squeak out in protest, before her hand released him and began to softly massage his neck.
"But, I'm not going to." She said very abruptly, shutting off her killer instinct like a switch, her narrowed piercing eyes returning to normal. "That's the last time, 'd be such a waste of a handsome, clever, young boy like you." She giggled as she shook her head.
San breathed a sigh of relief as her deadly fingers began to run through his wool like a comb. He almost felt his lunch from earlier come up, as he started to cough..
"Okay, *Ugh*I get you like 'fear' Priscilla-chan, I do, but can we not do that again? Please? Like ground rules. I think I've had my fill of near death experiences for tonight."
"Well how does you not shooting me point blank with paintball guns again sound as a deal?" She offered as she returned to caressing his neck. Hands that could easily strangle him violently, now trying to comfort the painful welts under his fur effortlessly with an elegance contrasting their savage appearance. Her touch was very soothing and almost made him forget about the pain.
"Fine. Fine. No more stupid ideas." He said in agreement. "You got it."
"Well...I think stupid is too harsh a term, ill advised stunt more like it," she said as she rubbed the enflamed area. "One way to look at it; if that were a real gun, and someone else were really trying to kill you, I'd have commended you for that."
The llama's smile sagged slightly and the fox sighed as she realized she'd probably opened up a rough spot for him again.
"Still opposed to killing huh?"
"If I don't have to, I don't want to." He replied with a frown.
"That's fair, no one's hiring you to be an assassin. As long as you will have the common sense to defend yourself that's all I care about."
"Ow," he grunted as one of her sharp nails brushed aside the welts. Her fingers were smearing the red paint all over his fur, which was a bit concerning. "So, you still aren't mad at me are you?" He croaked.
Her brow raised a bit, still peeved as she looked back to him, before returning her laissez faire smile as she sat up on top of him, her tail swaying from side to side, before looking down at her outfit, the red splotches of paint were seeping into the white cheongsam top like blood.
"No, not anymore. I was mad, but... I definitely got even. Hehehehe. You're good for now. You're actually very lucky that this isn't my favorite top, clever bastard. Hmph, well that's a combination. Bold, clever, lucky...Hehehehe." She pressed her finger right onto his snout as she pushed his head back down. "You had to have been a fox in a previous life to have traits like that." She cooed softly in his ear.
"Ahaha a fox? Maybe if you believe such things." He chuckled mischievously at her assessment. He didn't know how accurate that was, how he would have fared as a fox. He just knew he was doing relatively well for a herbivore pinned under a carnivore. It was really funny, mere moments ago he was skirting death, now he was conversing candidly with his would-be killer. Any sane animal would have tried to escape, but not him. He could help but laugh.
"Ahahahaha!"
"So I see you're laughing more. You enjoying things now, my clever prey ?" She asked with a raised brow, brushing aside the loose bangs of wool hanging over his eyes. Her apricot eyes locked on to his tan ones with a desiring look. She was drawing him in with her bewitching gaze as she rested on top of him in this dominant position. Once again he was prey, her prey, but he didn't mind. Right now? None of that mattered to him, he was having fun.
"I love how things turned out, believe it or not." He said, staring deeply into her eyes. "Aside from the deception and some of the bumps, I've loved what we did today. This was fun."
"Me too, Watāme-kun. Me too." She said as she leaned in, her fang filled muzzle crept ever closer to his own. It reminded him of earlier in the car when she was pranking him.
"Now where shall we go from here? You don't want the fun to end just yet do you?" She asked, tip-toeing her fingers over his chest.
San smirked as he gave a look of confidence, gazing up at the beautiful grinning fox girl. "Well you're the hunter , you got your prey wounded all covered in blood , right where you want him. So what's next is up to yo-"
He didn't get a chance to finish as Priscilla dipped her head down and locked lips with his own. The llama laid there, eyes widened with surprise as she pressed her snout into his.
I guess that's what she really meant by tasting me earlier? He thought.
He could feel her rough and coarse cat-like tongue trying to slip through into his mouth. At first he was unsure what to do, but soon the general idea came to him, she was kissing him intimately like he had heard how couples do when in...love. This was affection. He didn't need to fight this, he just needed to allow what was natural . He loosened his lips and allowed her tongue to enter.
"About-time." She muttered, or at least that's what he believed she said, her voice muffled as she began to explore the inside of his mouth with her long tongue.
She tilted her head sideways to get a better angle. He was a bit surprised by the length her tongue could reach as it nearly slipped past his tonsils, he was amazed as his tongue barely went past his teeth, yet she was all in there. His knees raised up as he tried to shift into a more comfortable position as she wrapped her arms around his shaggy neck to embrace him.
His first kiss, he thought, with a carnivore no less. His heart was beating faster than usual. It wasn't fear though.
What a year ago he'd thought would be terrifying, felt nice as he got a good feel for the inside of her mouth and felt for her fangs. Feeling them like this oddly made them seem less scary, enough for him to push his fear aside. He wasn't afraid, not it was the understanding, wiping away the ignorance. Instead of the cold embrace of death, his body felt warm and light. What felt like hours of bliss ended when she pulled back blushing, taking a deep breath.
"Wow." He said, amazed utterly taken aback. Pris just looked down at him, a satisfied smirk adorning her visage. Her brush of a tail beating playfully against his leg, and his own little stubby one attempt to wag underneath him. He was breathless, as his brain tried to process the wave of emotions coursing through him right now. His pants were becoming tighter for some reason.
"Wow," he repeated, eyes still widened with surprise.
"That's all you can say? Wow? " She asked, looking down at him bemused at his reaction. "You really are a virgin." She rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she teased. "Hmph, called it."
"I just…" He was completely lost for words. "Well you-" He let a nervous chuckle slip as he stared up at her.
She clearly saw the effect she had put on him, grinning smugly like a witch whose spell had been performed flawlessly. "You can barely speak after your first kiss while I'm already savouring your flavour." She said, licking her lips.
"What?"The llama grinned and snickered as he cocked his head at her. "S-so how do I taste, huh?" He asked.
"Like oatmeal cookies." The vixen whispered with a sultry hush in his ear.
San raised a brow. "I'm never going to live that down am I? Wonderf-"
*Bzzt Bzzt Bzzt*
He stopped as he heard a loud vibrating noise. It was coming from her purse wrapped around her waist.
"Say, is that... your phone?" He asked.
"Aw..It can wait. I can't." She said as she planted another kiss on the llama's snout, pushing him back down as she embraced and caressed his soft fluffy head.
He followed suit, wrapping his arms around her waist, much to her pleasure as her soft poofy tail started swaying across his fingers, tickling them.
Yep, you could get used to this, he thought. Definitely better than just lighting some damn candles .
Meanwhile across town
A scarred and battered silver fox leaning against a car in the dark alleyway, cursed as the phone went into voice mail. "Figures... she would be busy getting nookie right about now." She complained.
The sounds of sirens were getting closer. A black-and-white sped by as she and her accomplice, an Akita Inu named Gin, scrambled behind a dumpster. The siren faded, they hadn't been spotted. Raira the Silver Fox breathed a sigh of relief. She felt a sudden pang of agony, as her body began to ache.
They had been driving non-stop for about half an hour now, trying to beat the police tail they had gained after the Beastar had crashed into the hood of their car. Just their luck, they get caught leaving the damn crime scene, especially after they weren't the ones that made the night go south. Was supposed to be a quick in and out heist, but the stupid Dokugumi had to show up killing people and just had to draw in the Beastar's attention. After some skillful driving and some shortcuts she knew, they dropped off their radar by sliding neatly into a pitch black alley way.
Raira heard two more sirens, and told the dog to hide once more. The same thing happened, no investigation. They were certain they had given the police the slip, they could probably move now. As far as they knew only the car had been identified, still she wasn't about to leave all that to chance. They had to dampen the search just in case. They had to get rid of the evidence.
"We're going to have to torch your car and make a run for it." She ordered.
"Why?! I thought we got away. Besides how am I going to get out of town then?" Gin protested. Can't we just drive off?"
"We can't risk getting seen again in it, it's already been made you dumb dog!" She barked. "That damn demon horse probably gave the cops the make and model which means every cop from here to Zebuth is probably going to be looking for it."
"Aw, shit…" The Inu said, dejected as his tail stopped wagging.
"Just means we got a lucky break with the cops that were following us." She explained. "But luck runs out. We'll have to get rid of it before they get a canine unit down on this. It's up to us not to be found with it when they do. Understand?"
"Ugggh, shame I actually liked this car." The gray furred dog groaned as he rubbed the fur atop his head, contemplating the mess he'd gotten himself into. Raira just shook her head at him.
"Look, worry about getting another car once the heat dies down. Should be able to buy two cars with this score. Once we get to the market, we ought to be safe, the cops rarely come in there because of the taboo."
"How are we going to pick up your little friend then?" He asked, thinking about her accomplice, Lùn.
"I'm going to make another call." She explained. "We got a cleaner who can fix this and she'll get us a new ride. Then we get Lùn I mean Ves- oh fuck it. You're in deep enough anyway. We'll pick her up after. I'm just praying the lizard in the sky that she got away." She fumed as she dialed another number on her phone.
"Pick up….pick up. There we go.. Ferro! Yeah. It's Ashhead. We ran into some complications. We need you to come pick us up. Right. We're uh….fuck. Just tell her we got a situation. No no. We're around Algema District….No. Yeah, have Loba pick us up. Yeah. Yeah. Right. See you there."
"So they are coming?" The dog asked.
"Uh-huh." She replied. "I'll call them again once we get some distance away from this car, you got anything flammable in the trunk? Gasoline? Alcohol? Kerosine? Start soaking this interior, we gotta burn and mask our scent so we don't leave a trace." She said, out of breath. "Downside, it'll probably look suspicious so we need to book away from here fast as possible."
"Uh, I got some whiskey from an office party back there and I know how to make some Molotovs." The Inu replied.
"That works. I'mma...i'mma go… I'mma go have a sea-," She said, collapsing from her injuries. "Oh fuck…augh." Her head was swimming, she was almost ready to pass out. Her injuries were taking a toll on her.
A bit of her fur was scorched from the bomb explosion, she had a limp from the ensuing shrapnel, not to mention the beating she had taken from Deshi the Cyclops and the gash been given over her eye. It was killing her as the cold night breeze unmercilessly licked the exposed flesh. Raira made a painful grunt as she stubbornly felt the scarred tissue above her eye where the Komodo had ripped in with her claw. "Fuck. Damn lizard bitch!" She groaned.
"Yeah, you don't look so good, not from where I'm standing," Gin stated, concerned as he looked on from the back of the car. "We might need to find some antiseptic stat so it doesn't get infected. I've seen wounds like that get bad overseas."
"Aw shit I forgot to tell her to bring a first aid kit." Raira groaned. "Worry about me after we get out of here and the car is trashed, we're going to have to huff it up a few blocks, seven I think before we'll be close for a safe pick up.
"No kidding?" The dog looked at her condition and shook his head. "I'mma going to have to carry you most likely. That limp is going to slow us down and really you aren't in any condition to walk a block much less seven. Thankfully you probably don't weigh as much and I've carried heavier stuff." Gin said as he made a molotov cocktail.
"Tyrannosaur's tail, you're such a boy scout." She teased.
"Expeditionary Force, actually." He said. "Sergeant First Class, honorably discharged."
"So, you really are a boy scout? Figures." The silver fox said, shaking her head. "What do you want me to salute you or something?"
"No need for that, I'm a criminal now." He said, throwing the Molotov in the car and strapping the loot bag to his back. "How the mighty have fallen as they say." He said as the car started to catch ablaze.
"Maybe, but you ain't as low as us. Not even close." She started to ramble on. "You're an FNG to me. Hehehe. That's the term you grunts use right? She joked.
"That sounds about right, heh." He said, smiling. "Here, take a swig. It's warm, been in the trunk for a while, but it'll help a bit I guess." He said as he handed her some of the left over whiskey.
Raira managed to crack a smile at the dog before taking some sips. "Best thing I heard all night, I can get loaded on some good ol' Old Buck." The pain still ached as she tried to get back up. "Ohh fuck...God I hated that bitch."
"Don't move Raira-chan. I'll get you." He said trying to stop her from overexerting herself. "Alright, up we go." Gin grunted as he lifted her up over his shoulder. "Let's just hope I'm still able to trek a few miles with all this weight." He groaned. "Try not to drop the bottle."