Chapter 77 - Connections

The trio returned to the Branded's home once again, Nori staying close to Louis the whole way back. Once they were in the lobby, he announced his upcoming departure.

Nori's ears flattened. "Already? We barely hung out..."

"Pina will be here," the buck responded. "You won't be alone."

"Yeah, plus that was like, two hours," Pina added.

"That's not enough time!" Nori complained. "You can't stay?"

Louis shook his head. "I really need to get back to Legosi."

"But you'll text me?"

"I'll try."

"Please?"

"Okay."

Pina watched it all, sad but also amused. It was weird how differently the previously brash and loud panda was now acting.

The small animal turned to the sheep. "What should we do then?"

Pina put his arms behind his head. "Well, we should probably get these leftovers put away."

"Okay, and then?"

"I'll...chill in my room? Go on the internet?"

"By yourself?"

"You can hang with me if you want, no issue! You can even sleep next to me, I don't care."

Nori grinned. "Yes! I can't wait! I'll go put on my PJs and get my soft blanket!"

Louis crossed his arms. "Looks like you two have quite the sleepover planned."

"Yup! Bet you're jealous. At least you still have someone to snuggle up with at home, though," Pina teased.

"Maybe a little," Louis joked.

Pina looked down at their new friend. "I doubt that the blanket is as soft as my wool."

"It's really soft," the panda smiled confidently with his eyes closed.

"It's really soft," Louis repeated to Pina.

"Alright, well..." Pina turned to Louis and brought him in for a hug. "See ya around."

The buck wrapped his arms around him and sighed. "Take care of Nori."

"I will. He needs it."

Nori looked down, then turned. "...I'll see you, Louis."

Louis grabbed him and hugged him as well. "I'll be back soon. Stay safe."

"Okay."

"I'll message you."

"Okay."

The deer stepped back. "Alright. Time to move along."

"Bye-bye," Pina waved.

Juu was in the kitchen when Pina put the leftovers away, Nori tailing behind him.

The sparrow looked up. "Oh, hey, Shichi! Whatcha up to?"

"Stowing away some food. It's Go's, so ask him if you want any."

The young bird tilted her head. "Where did you guys go?"

"Restaurant," Pina shrugged.

Her beak opened. "Whaaat? With who?!"

"Go and Shi. Ichi said he doesn't mind us going out, after all."

She just blinked. "I would know! I go out more than any of you! But like...Shi really went out with you? I haven't had a lot of interactions with him but I thought Go hated him!"

Pina looked over at Nori, who had been quietly trailing the sheep.

Juu shook her head. "I feel bad because I'm always out scouting, I never get to hang out with anyone."

"Is it dangerous?" the sheep asked.

"Dangerous? You mean going out?"

"Yeah. Anyone ever know what you're up to and, like, try and shoot you down?"

"Uh...Yeah, sometimes..." she blinked.

"Really? How do they know who you are?"

"We've had run-ins with gangs before."

Pina tilted his head a bit. "He should recruit more birds, then."

"I heard he doesn't recruit animals that often," Juu explained. "You and Shi were just weird."

"Because we grew up with him. Seems we get a free pass, plus there's that Chimera thing. Why did you join?"

"Ah...All you need to know is that Ichi saved me from a group of carnivores, then brought me here."

"He's not forcing you to stay like Shi, right?" Pina laughed, only half-joking.

"What? No! He's not!" Juu responded.

The ram held his hands up. "Woah, woah, sorry! I'm sure you think very highly of him..."

"Of course I do!" Juu exclaimed. "He saved me and gave me a home. And he's always super nice!"

He just nodded, glancing back to Nori, who just stood there silently. "What do you think of him and Ni?" Pina asked her.

Juu blinked. "What about them?"

"They spend a lot of time together. I don't think I've seen them apart since I joined."

"What do you think about them?"

Pina blinked and leaned back. "Well, it's just odd that he formed such a close relationship with someone other than the animals he grew up with in chains. Of course, I don't know anything about Ichi and Ni and how they met."

"I think they're super cute together! Ichi deserves to do whatever he wants! And like I said, he's super nice to me. He listens to me and even talks about himself, too. The way he talks about Ni is so...shiny."

"Shiny..." Pina repeated to himself. "I'd love to sit down and pick his brain a bit. Maybe one day he'd let me."

"I'm glad he lets me. He's really passionate about things. And he's super good with his guns, too."

"He's a show-off," Nori crossed his arms, looking to the side.

"Oh yeah, could I get a look at your claws then? They looked really cool," Pina said coolly.

The red panda blinked and looked up, eyes wide. "Mine?"

"Yeah! Like, did you make them yourself?"

"It's...it doesn't matter," Nori shook his head. "What matters is that I have them."

"Alright. We'll talk again some other time, Juu." Shichi waved as the two of them walked out of the kitchen.

Nori sighed. "You...really want to see my claws?"

Pina nodded. "Why, don't feel like showing them?"

"They always say I chose a bad weapon...That I chose it just for style. That the range is too short and it puts me in danger. They just don't understand..."

"You're still around, and you've got some kills under your belt, right?" Pina raised an eyebrow. "They look pretty cool. Kinda like that weapon in that movie where the guy kills people in their dreams."

"Huh? Never watched many movies..."

"We should get you up to speed sometime. Anyway, I'm heading back to my room if you're coming with. I'm gonna be trying to text a friend and see if he's around, though. I promise I won't be ignoring you."

"I thought you wanted to see my claws?" Nori tilted his head.

"Yeah! We can still do that. I'm not even sure he'll answer me..."

"You don't have to pay attention to me..."

"But I want to," Pina smiled. "I wanna make sure you're okay."

"But why do you care so much? Why does Louis care so much? Why now? No one does these days."

"Well, isn't that just it? The world is a scary place now and we all need to be looking out for each other. We want to make sure you're okay, Nori. You're important."

"To who? To Ichi? To the Branded? Nothing would change if I was gone."

Pina looked down at his prosthetic leg. "No...you have connections. Even if you're not aware. Me and Louis want to make a connection, too. I think you should let us."

"Let you what, exactly?"

"Make a connection with you," Pina beamed. "I'm gonna be in my cell, if you wanna bring your claws or something, or I could come to yours. Whatever you want."

"We can go to yours," Nori said. "I'll...go get them."

Pina made a beeline to his cell and picked up his phone. No response back. He sent another.

Pina: hey Bill do you want to talk?

A minute later, there was still...nothing.

Pina: i'm really sorry about bailing so suddenly and leaving you. things just became too much. i'll be up tonight if you wanna talk

He set his phone back down and started getting undressed.

About seven minutes after that, Nori returned in pajamas, soft pants, and a tee-shirt that was a little too long for him. He was holding two black gloves with silver on the end of the fingers.

Pina was in his underwear and a tank top, the scars on his legs just barely concealed. He looked up at the panda and looked down. "Woah, bring 'em here!"

Nori came over and sat on the bed. "Check them out."

Pina held his hands out. "May I?"

The herbivore looked skeptical. "I...don't know."

Pina put his hands back down and simply admired them. "Woah, they're so shiny, too! You must take really good care of them."

"I..." Nori looked down, then handed them to him. "Careful."

Pina gently turned them over in his hands. "These really are cool, seriously. Are you sure you can't tell me where they came from?"

"...I bought them."

"Wow, you must have had to shell out a lotta dough!"

"I don't want to talk about it, Pina." He brought his legs up. "It's...hard."

"Alright, I understand, Nori." Pina brought his finger and ran them across the cool metal. "Almost like a carnivore's claws..."

The red panda snatched them back. "No, they're not! Carnivore's claws aren't fucking metal! Okay?! Just...ugh..."

Pina chuckled, nervously. "Y-yeah, obviously they aren't. But my...friend...he's a tiger and they reminded me..."

"A tiger?!" Nori whispered, intensely. "Does Ichi know?!"

Pina blinked. "I mean, no, but that's not really his business, is it?"

"No. But...he knows about the wolf."

"Yeah, so it shouldn't matter for me. It's not like I'm married to him. I had a life before this, after all." Pina sighed and maneuvered to lay next to Nori.

The panda stared at the ceiling and he let out a deep exhale. "And then you came back here. Your life must have sucked."

"Well, yeah, my adopted family ate my leg. Sucked big time. But Bill...he's a good connection."

"Bill? The tiger?" Nori blinked.

"Yeah." Pina smiled up at the ceiling, playing with the covers with his feet.

"...After Jun died..." Nori began. "Everything fell apart."

Pina stayed silent, mourning the fact he couldn't talk about Luca with him.

"My entire family, all my relationships, friends..." A pause. "Me."

Pina reached out to stroke his tail softly.

Nori swallowed. "Lots of laying around...I don't really remember any happy times with my family after she died. Always fighting. Always...something."

The sheep ventured. "So...how did you find yourself here?"

"I hated carnivores after that. I heard about this anti-carnivore group and, well, I left. Everything. Everyone. Without a word. I bet they think I'm dead." Another pause. "I bet they're glad." He turned on his side, away from Pina.

"You don't know that," the ram whispered. He thought of his own parents. They hadn't tried messaging him...

"They're glad," he repeated.

"You don't know," Pina repeated, wiping his eyes with one hand and placing the other on Nori's shoulder.

The red panda quickly reached up and grabbed his wrist. "I'm glad."

Pina relaxed his fingers into the material of Nori's shirt. "Well...good, then." There was a beat of silence before he spoke again. "Anything you wanna do? I know I'm not Louis but I do wanna be here for you if I can."

"I...I don't know," Nori sighed. "It looks like no matter where I go...I'm alone. Even when I'm alone I don't want to be with me."

"Is it invasive if I ask what you don't like about yourself?"

"Everything." He turned away, even more, letting go of Pina's wrist.

Pina sighed. "You're here with me, though. You want comfort. You care enough about yourself that you don't want to feel like shit anymore."

"Only because I'm too afraid to end things."

"Because you want to keep living. And that's good. Really." Pina scooted closer. "I know things seem bleak but there are always chances for things to get better in the future. Louis and I can help you."

"But I'm...here. And...I can kill here. In a controlled environment where people will protect me if something happens...I think."

"What does killing do for you?"

"It makes me feel good. Powerful. In control."

Pina moved closer once more. "Maybe you'll get another outlet one day."

"I'm...lucky. I at least don't want to kill just anyone," Nori said.

"But you think if you didn't have that opportunity anymore..."

"Uh-huh...?"

Pina reiterated. "If you weren't in the Branded, you think you would murder indiscriminately?"

"Oh...Well, yeah. Yes."

"Have you ever murdered someone who didn't try to kill you?"

"Well, of course. Only black market carnivores, though. Feels the least guilty after the rush..."

Pina felt a chill, imagining if Bill had been one of those carnivores when he used to frequent the market. "If you don't want to do it, there's a way out. There always is with addictions. Even something as...drastic as this. I think."

"Addiction...? That's what you'd call it?"

"It's something you can't stop doing even though you want to." Pina held Nori's shoulder a bit tighter, rubbing it a bit. "Sounds like it to me."

"Ugh..."

"Of course, you can't really get help with that without also going to jail..."

The red panda rolled away a bit, to the edge of the bed. "Mm...What a help that would be."

"Just shooting ideas out there. This group isn't going to last forever. We don't have to talk about it all night, though." Pina looked down at his phone. Nothing still.

Nori sighed. "I don't think this kind of thing can be helped, as much as I want it. I mean, it's just...me."

"Did you wanna kill people when you were younger?"

"No."

"Then I think there's still a chance." He reached up and carefully rubbed the panda's head, hoping he wouldn't mind. "I won't give up on you, okay? And I know Louis would feel the same."

"But why? I just don't understand." After Nori said this, Pina's phone buzzed.

Pina bit his lip. "Do you need to understand? It's the simple fact that animals need to care about each other."

"If they need to so badly then why don't they?"

"Because our society has taught us to blame and fear each other. We've lost touch with what we really need." Pina continued to stroke his head.

"Check that message."

"I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you," Pina explained. He reached over for the phone while still rubbing Nori.

Bill: ok

Pina felt a rush of emotions, all too quick to dwell on.

Pina: hey!

Bill: thought i was 2 much for u

Pina: thats why i love u sweetheart. im honest when i say this has nothing to do with you. im gonna come back when i can and we can pick up where we were. if ur ok with that

Bill: u love me becuz im 2 much for u?

Pina: i tried to make it sound romantic. you give me more than anyone ever has is a better way to put it 3

Bill: so thats why u left me

Pina sighed.

Pina: no really i mean it! we're fine!

Bill: then where r u

Suddenly, the sheep found himself at a crossroads in his mind. He took a slow, ragged breath.

Pina: please promise not to tell anyone

Bill: r u with another guy?

Pina looked over at Nori, unable to hold back a snort, despite the tears in his eyes.

Pina: Louis landed in a crock of shit and im trying to help

Bill: ur with louis?! what happened? is he ok? what have u 2 been doing?

Pina: black market shit. hes being blackmailed essentially to be in a cult that wants to destroy the market. not making this up. so we're both trying to get him out of it

Pina: sorry for not telling u before but like i didnt think youd believe me and i didnt wanna worry u but i ended up doing that anyway

Bill: what about legosi?

Pina: he knows but hes not supposed to. basically theyre threatening to kill him unless Louis helps them

Bill: and school?

Pina: i left

Bill: u left for louis but you wouldnt drop out to b with me

Bill: i know ur into him but jeez

Pina: billy please honey listen to me louis is in a very dire situation and legosi is being threatened with death and since its related to the black market the cops wont do shit it. i didnt choose him over you and weve never done anything past kissing

Bill: u can i guess if u want. i know how u are

Pina: can what?

Bill: go further

Pina: oh my god now ur fixated on that. i dont see anything like that happening especially with this fucked up situation

Pina: maybe one day big guy. ill get ya front row seats ;)

Pina: also louis said legosi got a lil jelly abt us and wants a slice of the pie or something idk metaphor got out of my hands there

Bill: that would be nice but herbivore on herbivore action is better

Pina: oh yea? maybe i want u to kiss legosi? ever think abt that

The sheep felt a smile on his face, but then realized it had been there for around a minute now.

Bill: do u?

Pina: eh mostly joking

Pina: im so happy u messaged me. i was thinking abt stopping back during the meteor festival

Bill: is louis there right now?

Pina: no hes at home with lego

Suddenly, there was a soft snoring from beside Pina.

Bill: then y aren't u with me?

Pina: made up a story to get into this place. they have a bird that spies on louis and she would do the same for me if i left

Bill: school sux

Pina: yea that too

He looked over to the side, looking at the sleeping panda. So serene and unworried looking…

Bill: i want to be with u. r u in danger?

Pina: i could be if they find out abt u. the leader really has a hateboner for carnivores. not so much the boner part unfortunately

Bill: can we meet somewhere 4 a night?

Pina: i can try for sure

Bill: id like to go somewhere private like a hotel

Pina: oh i know ;)

Pina: funny enough what i want most is for u to hold me and to hear ur voice rumbling in ur chest as u talk abt something

Bill: did u think I meant 4 sex? i just meant 2 b alone

Pina: sorry just used to u being horny

Bill: and now i realize what we really had. u kno add up all the moments where we just enjoyed each other

Pina: yeah like outside of the outstanding sex were kinda cute together

Bill: u and louis 2, but like...as animals, not lovers

Pina: god ur so desperate for that. what are u gonna do the next time u see us both in the same room

Bill: wiggle my eyebrows and tell Legosi to come talk to me outside for about 20 minutes, duh

Pina: would u put ur fake glasses on again

Bill: and my nose would bleed right after

Pina: god do you even like women anymore

Pina: this is honestly so funny

Bill: 2 be clear we r joking right even though it would be hot as fuck

Pina: yea were just a couple of joksters. gonna dress up in suits and bowties and go out on stage and do a standup routine and then make out

Bill: funny how I wanna see u kiss and sleep with others but i dont want to myself

Bill: ok maybe legosi if u wanted me 2

Pina: honestly maybe just once?

Bill: like an actual kiss right?

Pina: yeah like really get in there. not a dainty herbivore mouth like he always kisses. dont think hed wanna tho

Bill: well first I gotta talk 2 louis about it becuz I don't want 2 b moving in on his man

Bill: havent seen them in a while so i wonder how much has changed

Pina: louis is a bit of a nervous wreck but thats to be expecte

Pina: havent seen legosi in a bit but he and kai are like making a website or something

Bill: were so far from them

Pina: whatcha mean\

Bill: it feels like they r so far away from us than they use 2 b

Bill: remember when we used to see them almost every day after riz

Pina: yea. well get there again bud. i dont want them to leave our lives

Bill: i think i know where i want to see u

Pina: lets hear it

Bill: lets go back to grandpa goshas

Pina: oh my god

Pina: just to be clear we can't fuck there

Bill: i know

Pina: :)

Bill: even tho legosi and louis did

Pina: yea but its his childhood room even tho that makes it kinda weird but like itd be weirder if we did it

Pina: when u wanna go

Bill: couch? floor?

Bill: asap i dont care

Pina: i cant tonite cuz me and louis found out one of the members is kind of messed up and needs friends. spending the night with him. in fact a lot of these herbivores just seem like nice if not broken people

Bill: r u doing things with him?

Pina: he fell asleep. hes a red panda and is really cute and i just wanna squeeze him but hed probably kill me

Bill: red panda like fudge?

Pina: imagine fudge but older and angrier

Bill: how do u deal?

Pina: me and louis exposed his soft fluffy center. he kinda acts like a child

Bill: what abt the other members

Pina: theres a really sweet elk that doesnt talk. they make all our outfits (yea we all wear outfits its essentially a cult i think) a rabbit and alpaca me and louis are training with to learn to fight. alpaca dude is nice but the bunny is standoffish. theres a horse dude i havent really talked to. bird girl who spies but she seems cool. she actually knows legosi knows about us but is making louis pay her hush money. then there's the leader whos a deer like louis and his boyfriend whos a goat but he doesnt want us to know theyr an item

Bill: the leader gay?

Pina: yea p sure

Bill: is everyone we know gay?

Pina: seems like all those statistics wer false huh

Bill: it must be a coincidence or something

Pina: the queers also just naturally come together

Bill: weird that a cult leader is gay but hates carnivores tho

Pina: he only likes herbivore dudes then. not too unlikely. he was raised to be meat so i understand his grudge. therapy would be a better outlet tho

Bill: and what did u say this cult does?

Pina: seems like theyre trying to dismantle the black market by targetting the crime groups and eliminating the selling of children. like its not even all bad at all its just u can tell this dude is crazy

Bill: and he has a bf?

Pina: most likely yeah. theyre super close

Pina felt his eyelids flutter, and his phone fell onto his face. "Fuck."

Bill: so goshas?

Pina: yeah. but not tonight. i cant leave nori

Bill: whats he doing?

Pina: sleeping but if he wakes up and im not here hell think i abandoned him

The sheep slid closer to him, wrapping an arm around him.

Bill: I love you.

Bill: had to put effort into that one

Pina: the effort is appreciated

Pina: mmm yummy i love the punctuation

Bill: so what kind of stuff are u doing?

Pina: well were training to get better at fighting. i havent done anything yet and im hoping we can dismantle this group before i have to do anything violent

Bill: ooh a man in training~

Pina: yea im gettin tuff. louis hates it hes a musclephobe

Bill: ooo well I like my little skinny sheep!

Pina: gosh its not like a little working out is gonna make me look like u

Bill: feels like i havent seen u in 4ever

Pina: how about this weekend?

Bill: yes pls

Pina: and let gosha know ahead of time

Bill: i still have his number so i will

Bill: so bored without u

Bill: thought id b doing something cool but no

Pina: r u and aoba friends anymore or

Bill: kinda, i dunno

Bill: hes still a cool dude but i changed a lot since riz

Bill: i feel like i got less social unless im with you guys

Pina: well hopefully we can all come back together during the festival. but since the

drama club is kinda done idk who puttin it all together

Bill: wish we still lived together

Pina: i mean having our own room would be ideal

Bill: at least they didnt have sex while we were there, 4 ur sake

Pina: what do u think id just leap in?

Bill: no u actually would mind seeing it

Pina: eh maybe at the time. gettin tired tho

Bill: omg same ive been struggling

Bill: guess i have a mission to kiss lego now

Pina: we wont push him tho hes such a sweetie i dont wanna make him uncomfy

Bill: no no no of course

Pina: ok sweetheart. hugs and kisses ttyl

Bill: tmrw? im done being upset.

Pina: yea we can talk tomorrow and every night then we can meet at goshas friday

Pina: ill make something up and say i have to be gone for a bit

Bill: when can we start our life together near louis and legosi?

Pina: we can def plan after this mess is over

Bill: all u have 2 do is make it out alive 4 me

Pina: i will. because i have to. for u

There was nothing after that. By this point, Nori and his tail were curled up on the blanket.

Pina plugged his phone in and leaned to his side, hugging the panda, slightly. "This has to work out. It has to..."