When the show was over, the stage crew stayed behind to clean up, while the rest of the performers went back to the practice stage building. I hadn't had any incidents that weren't solved with a firm glare. The gloves and coat hid my hybrid features, aside from my reptilian eyes, but even though they couldn't see most of my more intimidating features, just being a massive wolf was enough to dissuade the overzealous masses. My mixed species gave me increased stature over what a normal female wolf would be in size, something I was thankful for many times in the pit...

I wonder how the Pit was doing these days. With the reigning champion gone, somebody else was probably trying to fill the spot. They were probably getting more business, honestly. I was undefeated, not many animals wanted to fight me. Hopefully-

...

Why am I thinking about that terrible place now? As I watch Maria, Bruce and Moxie talk and celebrate their debut. Laughing and joking together, basking in the afterglow of a phenomenal performance, that last thing I should be thinking about is... Home.

Am I... Lonely?

I'd never really had a desire to do anything beyond survive before, I was doing what Lady Maria told me because it seemed like what I was supposed to do. But, watching them all so happy together, I think... I want something like that, friends. Of course, I'd only ever had something close to a friendly bond with those in the pit, it was shallow and abusive, never something I'd want to return to.

"Hey Sven!" Maria called out to me suddenly, "Quit spacing out and get over here!"

I blinked, nodding and making my way to them. "Is it time for me to escort you to the hotel?" Was that really needed though? It was just across the street...

"Bruce and I are gonna go celebrate together," She giggled lightly, leaning against her boyfriend. "Grab something to eat, and uh... Stuff." Her face was flushing a bit, while Bruce looked especially smug right now. "Moxie could use an escort for the evening, keep her safe until she's ready to head back to the hotel okay?"

But the rabbit huffed, "I don't need an escort, I'm twenty years old and can handle myself dammit."

Before Bruce patted her head, ruffling her ears and fur a bit. "And you'd also make a large meal for any hungry carnivore." Dark humor as always from him.

"I'll keep her safe." I nodded slowly, "Enjoy your night."

Maria nodded, "Thank you Sven, try to have some fun too alright?"

As they made their way out the door, off to do who knows what, I turned to Moxie. "So... Where did you want to go?" Realizing only now, that I was stuck alone with this rabbit until she was ready to be done for the night.

"Well I am gonna head downtown, hit up a ramen shop," And she didn't seem to want me here either. "You can go back to the hotel."

She started to walk away from me, grabbing her coat and heading for the door. I followed behind her, just trying to do my job. "Down town is... Not the safest part of this city." Mainly because it housed the Black Market. "I'll accompany you."

"No thanks." She scoffed, pushing open the door and stepping out into the chilly night air.

Despite her refusal, I continued keeping pace as she started walking. Down the sidewalk, across the intersection, and onward towards downtown. Along the way, Moxie would often try to increase her pace to try and create some distance between us. But my long legs made it easy to keep up, in fact I was often forced to slow my stride so I didn't overtake her.

It was already dark by the time we reached our destination, but there were still plenty of open stalls and people making their way in and out of the various shops and small open restaurants. I passed by various carnivores and herbivores, many species I couldn't name off the top of my head. But it was nice to see my disguise working, nobody questioned my presence or looked at me any different than the other carnivores around here.

Moxie made her way into one of the stalls, moving to the counter and climbing up onto a stool. I stood by passively, keeping an eye on the few others present in- "Will you take a seat already?" The rabbit barked at me suddenly, "You're starting to freak out the owner."

"Oh... Right." I was just standing here, staring at everyone. I stepped up, seating myself beside her.

Behind the counter, a tall red furred fox greeted us with a toothy grin. "What can I get for you lovely ladies?"

"One small veggie udon and one large with extra egg." Moxie answered before I could even say I wasn't here to eat.

"Coming right up!" He nodded, clapping his hands together and getting to work.

When I looked down at Moxie, confusion clear on my face she just sighed heavily. "You've really gotta learn how to act normal," She said, shaking her head before gratefully accepting a glass of water offered from over the counter. "They didn't teach you manners in the... In that place?"

She had sense enough not to blurt that in public. "I guess not." But she didn't have the full picture, Maria hadn't given them the full picture. "I wasn't really... Allowed to talk to many people, when I lived there." Nor did I ever have the desire too. "Oh, thank you." I said, nodding my head as a tall glass of water was placed in front of me. I did feel thirsty, but I found myself staring at the reflection on the surface for a moment, looking into my own sharp reptilian eyes. Maybe I should get glasses to hide those too... "What... What exactly did Maria tell you about where I came from?"

She left things out, things that were important. The kind of stuff that would change the way they looked at me, I know that. She did it to protect me, I'd like to think. Or maybe to secure my position here without much resistance. I know bringing this up, and telling anyone the truth could make things worse for me.

But when I think about some of these animals, the way they change face, hide their true intentions...

I didn't want to be like them.

I wasn't so sure Moxie wanted to know the truth. As she remained silent following my question, not saying a word just idly sipping her drink until our food was placed in front of us. It smelled good, that was one thing I could always count on. Even if I wasn't a fan of the people, the food in the outside world was much better than raw or grilled meat on the market.

I inhaled the smell, it was a new food I'd never tried but I wanted to remember it. I'd store the delicious smell deep within the scent vault of my mind, before I lifted my eating utensils and began to eat. Moxie's food was almost the same, though instead of eggs hers had a few sliced and cooked vegetables on top and mixed in with her noodles.

I felt oddly calm, silently eating here in a quiet, safe place. The occasional cool breeze from outside reminding me just how warm it really was in this stall.

"You were abandoned at birth because of your appearance," I nearly choked as Moxie spoke, coughing roughly while she kept her eyes on her food. "Grew up in that place, somehow avoided being eaten... But, she was pretty vague about the details." It took a few long large gulps of water to properly clear my throat. "The way you worded that question... Kinda makes me think, you're implying she didn't tell us everything."

I kept my eyes on my own slowly emptying food bowl, "That is... Correct." Not that anything Maria told them wasn't true, but the devil was in the details. "And it would seem, she didn't."

Moxie took one last gulp of her noodles, leaving nothing behind in the bowl aside from some vegetable scraps and broth. "Mmm, is this the part where I learn that you're really some kind of murderer that's actually going to eat the entire band one by one?" Her words followed by grim laughter, as she put down money for the bill. "Well I guess we should find ourselves a secluded alley, and get this over with." Hopping down off her stool, and stuffing her hands into her pocket.

I opened my mouth to speak, but she was already out the door. I sighed and followed behind her, out into the cold night air. "To be honest, you grow up eating nothing but meat... You kind of lose your taste for it." I answered, following beside her she continued walking. "I don't want to eat anyone." Why was she acting this way? So aloof, did she not view me as a threat? Was she just careless? Did she not care about her own life that much? Beyond our differences in species, I realized that I didn't understand anything about Moxie, as a person. "What about you?" I asked without thinking, "Where did you come from?"

Maybe that was it. I didn't need to know more about other species, I needed to learn about people.

"Trying to change the subject huh?" Moxie quirked an eyebrow, shrugging casually as we went. "I've known Maria since we were kids, she was like a big sister to me." So they'd been friends for a long time. "But I'm not much different from any other rabbit... Aside from being part of the largest species of rabbit I guess."

"I don't think I've ever seen a rabbit handle a keyboard like you do." To be fair, I hadn't seen many rabbits at all.

"Heh, yeah well... Nobody cares about the people behind Maria," She argued, shaking her head. "It's all about the center stage, the star, the Beastar." Before pausing, coming to a stop. "She'll be the face of a generation... For whatever that's worth."

She didn't sound too happy about that, or- "You don't sound so convinced..." I pointed out, "You don't like being in the band?" Did she want spotlight too? Or did she also worry about her friends well being?

But Moxie waved me off, "Nah, I'm happy for her and everything she's done, and I'm happy with where I am now... But there's gotta be more right?" She questioned, looking up at me. It wasn't just her words, her eyes boring into mine searching for an answer. "I'm only twenty years old, there has to be more to my life than this band... Right?" Just as I opened my mouth to respond however, she looked away, "Aah, what am I even saying? The band needs me... And I doubt a full grown wolf like you wants to hear my whining."

I blinked, "Uh..." Full grown? "I'm... Actually only nineteen years old."

Moxie's eyes widened, "You're only-" Processing it quickly before releasing a snort of laughter. "Pfft, of course, why am I even surprised? Your size really threw me off," She chuckled, shaking her head. "You really are a freak of nature huh?" But the moment the words left her mouth, her smile started to fade. "Eh... Sorry, that was..." Her ears folding back against her head.

I waved her off, my expression remaining blank. "It's fine... Just like you said before, I can't feel anything." My eyes drifting up the street, the number of people out and about was dwindling, it was getting moon rising higher with each passing second. "It's getting late, we should return to the hotel."

Moxie didn't argue, and if I didn't know any better... I'd say she really did regret insulting me just now.

I'd honestly enjoyed our evening, just talking with someone about things other than me. I liked learning more about those around me, even if tonight did end on a sour note. I'd learned a lot about how similar I was to these people, the ones that considered themselves "normal". It was a good feeling, I wanted to know more, to build connections.

Even if I had to stay in a different hotel. Even if I had to keep my distance around Bruce. Even if I was starting to question the people I worked for...

I didn't have anywhere, or anyone else, right?