. . .

Moxie

. . .

Leaving Unity should have been one of the hardest things I'd ever had to do. But my shouting match with Maria after the show cemented my decision. The more she talked down to me, the more I realized how deluded she'd become about our message and what we were trying to do. I told her she needed to take a good long look at who she was and what she was really trying to do here. The others didn't try to stop me, not after the performance we put on screaming at one another back stage.

But since leaving Unity, I'd burned all forms of social media I could be tracked through. Forsaking my fan following and forcing myself into obscurity. I had plenty of money to get by for quite some time, I just needed to figure out what I was going to do with my life now.

As the days went by, I found myself renting an apartment not far from where... Well, where Sven had saved my life. I had no idea if she was in the area still, since she disappeared from the hospital. But if she was still alive, maybe I'd run into her around here? It would be nice to see her again, catch up... Ask her why she ran off.

If she even wanted to speak with me again, or if she were even still alive...

"This is the last one," I returned to reality as the mover, a large stallion, placed down the final box. "Need any help unpacking?" As he brushed aside his sweat drenched mane.

I waved him off, "No I'm fine thanks, you've been a big help." I flashed a big smile, reaching for my purse. "How much do I owe you?"

"It'll be about Two hundred," He said, dusting off his hands. "Unless you... Wanna work something out?"

Oh, wonderful. "Uh... No thanks," I answered simply, as I fished out the bills. "You're very handsome and all that, but I've got too much to worry about right now without adding a fling to my life."

He took the bills and started counting them, shrugging casually. "Fair enough, just thought I'd offer." Finding the amount to be adequate, he stuffed them in his pocket. "Figured a heavier rabbit like yourself probably doesn't get much anyways..." But he seemed to realize he'd said that out loud as I narrowed my eyes at him, and quickly hustled out the door. "A-Anyways, welcome to the building!" Closing it and racing off, no doubt out of fear of my wrath.

But I simply sighed, shaking my head. "Asshole..."

. . .

Sven

. . .

The nightmares only got worse after seeing Sloan again.

Now, every time I was being dragged into the pooling blood by my victims, he was always standing above it. Watching from outside the cage, laughing at me, his shrill voice ringing in my head even as the blood drowned out all other sounds.

Memories of the abuse haunted me daily as well, and I found myself retreating back into the silent passive girl I'd been for so many years. All the progress I'd made in expressing myself was fading away fast. Things that made me feel happy or relaxed were barely having the effect. I was desperately biding my time for the next chance I could visit the Hybrid Kindergarten, hoping those kids would be able to lift my spirits.

I can't believe I'd become so pathetic, so quickly...

In other news, we'd made great strides to renovating and refurbishing the library. Milos had some crazy ideas about how to fill it, though deciding upon one seemed almost impossible for the optimistic little gecko. Until one night, while we were cleaning up...

"So Sven, do you have any hobbies?" He asked, sweeping up a pile of sawdust.

"Well... Not really," I answered, gathering up all the tools. "I mean... Aside from trying to learn more... I just work during the week and do nothing on the weekends."

He pouted slightly, "That's a shame, you should find something you like to do." Milos added, wiping off his hands with a small rag. "Have you thought about trying art?"

"I doubt I'd do too well with a paintbrush." Maybe if I trimmed my talons-

"It doesn't have to be painting," Milos chuckled in response, "Remember what I said before? Art can be anything that expresses who you are."

That would require me to figure out who I am then, wouldn't it? "I suppose... But I don't know where I'd start." And require me to be able to express myself.

He finished dumping a pile a sawdust into one of the trashcans, wiping his brow. "Ah, well that's a shame... The best art tends to come from those with unique experiences in life," He explained, "And yours is certainly one of a kind."

Well, he wasn't wrong. "Yeah..." A distraction would be nice, but I hardly had any interest in introspecting my past. I wanted it to go away, I wanted to never have to think about where I came from ever again. Even so, "I guess... The only art I've ever enjoyed was... Music." To some extent, at least.

Remembering that feeling I had, the first time I listened to Unity perform. The foot tapping sensation, the way my heart raced, the way I couldn't take my eyes off of Maria.

Could I create something like that?

"Well, why don't you try writing something?" Milos questioned, "Couldn't hurt right? Maybe you'll discover some hidden talent for it!" He was grinning now, "We can even display it here-" His train of thought hitched, as if he suddenly had some great revelation. "That's it! I know how we can make this place a smash hit!"

I blinked, unsure what he was talking about. "And... How do we do that?"

"We let people submit their own art!" He exclaimed, throwing his arms up. "Freelance writers, musicians, painters, if they want they can display their work here for everyone to see! No strings attached! Just everyone getting to share their art! It'll be beautiful Sen!"

He was firing on all cylinders, passions burning in a way I'd rarely seen. "That sounds... Nice." I wonder, if I'd ever be able to show that much passion.

Anyways, that was a few days ago, and that's how he decided upon how we'd open the library. Though, I'm not sure it even counts as one of those anymore. In one month, the doors would open to everyone and they could add their art to the walls, displays, murals, anywhere Milos allowed really.

I'd taken his advice, and started putting an empty notebook to use. Though I didn't really have anything I wanted to share with the world, and work continued as usual for the week.

Until I was leaving work Friday evening, when I spotted a familiar face while leaving the building.

"A library?" The black stallion noted, seated casually on the bench I passed every day on my way home. "Didn't take you for the reading type..."

Yafya, the Sublime Beastar. "Well, its actually going to be an art exhibit..." I knew he was here for a reason, I just didn't want to know what it was. So after responding to his comment, I continued walking.

"The Madaragumi are all dead."

I hesitated for a moment, before remembering what Sloan told me. "Well, that's just gang business right? Maybe a rival gang took them down..."

"This wasn't a gang fight," He said simply, staring out over the street as he spoke. "It was a slaughter, those cats were torn apart... Some of them filled with puncture wounds I've rarely seen." He tipped his sunglasses down a bit, as he looked towards me. "Our lead suspect, is a hybrid."

My heart skipped a beat, my mouth suddenly felt dry. "A... A hybrid?"

Was this who Sloan was talking about? "Naturally, if I thought you were the culprit, I wouldn't be talking to you so openly." He continued casually, "But my sources in the Black Market tell me the Fight Pits have been shut down, members of the staff are turning up dead left and right... It sounds like someone is cleaning house." He leaned back on the bench a bit, "Don't suppose you know of any outstanding enemies your former boss might have had?"

I remained quiet for a moment, my head swirling with fears. Before I made my way back to the bench, sitting beside him nervously. "Sloan- My former boss, he paid me a visit about a week ago." I explained, keeping my voice low. "He said something about a match I was supposed to have before I ran away, that the guy I was going to fight was crazy about getting in the pit with me."

Yafya nodded slowly, "So, our culprit might be searching for you specifically."

My grip tightened on my knees, "And Sloan is just enough of a coward to tell him exactly where I am!" I looked to Yafya, "What should I do?"

"Pack your things and we can move you into protective custody." Yafya stated simply, "Might even be able to draw the bastard out."

He means, use me as bait. "Right, I'll go home and start packing up, where can I contact you?"

"I'll put in a word at the nearest police station," The stallion nodded, as we both stood up. "Just tell them your name and they'll get the process started."

"Right, thank you..." I turned tail and started running, heart pounding in my chest.

I was scared, angry, knowing I was being hunted again and that I'd have to leave behind another part of my life. Why? Why couldn't I just get out and stay out? Why was there always something dragging me back in? Was this some kind of cruel joke? Couldn't I just have a moment of peace?

. . .

Moxie

. . .

I sighed, wiping my brow as I finished putting the last of my clothes away. "Alright, just a few more boxes... I think I've earned myself a break." Making my way over to the balcony door, I slid it open and stepped outside. Taking in the air, watching the sun waning towards the horizon as it fell from the sky. Looking out over the city, my initial optimism about this move was slowly turning to doubt.

Why did I choose this place?

Familiar streets, familiar businesses, and a familiar hotel not far down the street.

I was just a few blocks from where it happened, where we were attacked by that bear.

I had never really been able to forget about that night, or... Sven. Even after she left, without saying a word to us. That's basically why I chose this apartment, I couldn't deny it.

I came here looking for her.

"Ugh... I've really gotta get a new hobby." I shook my head, "She's probably not even in this city anymore." Turning, I made my way back inside heading for the kitchen. Passing by empty boxes as I went. I'd almost finished unpacking my things, and it was turning to evening fast. I only realized as I pulled open the small fridge my apartment came with, that I had completed forgotten to buy food. "Oh... Dammit."

Grumbling to myself, as I grabbed a small coat and my keys.

"I guess I'm going out to eat tonight, groceries tomorrow."

Hands stuffed in my pockets, as I exited the large apartment complex. Passing by a few of my new neighbors on the way. I got all kinds of stares, some from those who seemed to vaguely recognize me, others from hungry or horny carnivores. I never understood why other animals liked rabbits so much.

Either way, I kept a hand close to my newest purchase within my pocket just in case. You could never be too careful these days...

I had only made it a few blocks away, heading for that ramen shop I stopped by so many times when we were in town, when it happened.

"Excuse me!" My ears twitched, "I'm sorry, I just need to get through quickly!"

"Huh?" That voice, it was panicked in a way I hadn't heard before. But it was familiar, and looking towards the crowd I saw it. A familiar pair of red ears atop a canine head, they were standing up and alert as she pushed her way through. "S... Sven?" I was frozen in place for a moment, was I watched her break free of the crowd and continue sprinting down the street, away from m- "SVEN!" I called out after her, starting to follow.

But she didn't hear me, or she was ignoring me... Because she just kept going! Running at a breakneck pace I could never hope to match.

What the hell was going on!?