"Uggggh." Evil groaned impatiently glaring at the large crowd blocking their way home. He couldn't even see over the crowd. However, a few of the animals past by with different items respectively opening up the dense mob. He quickly rushed through the crowd blindly.
Fighter rolled his eyes at the crowd. He tapped the raccoon on his head peering over him. "You see a way out?" He asked. Jimmy shook his head dismissively. He decided to follow Evil and tread through the mob, skirting under a few animal legs while passing some smaller animals in the crowd. As he ventured further he started to notice the mob had became more thick and unruly as a few animals were shoving through the crowd while holding their possessions. He watched a lemur carry a helmet with two cups attached to it, an otter with a towel, and-
"Over there!" Jimmy exclaimed.
Fighter peered over the last animal getting a glimpse of Evil beside an otter leering at it menacingly. "Your on the list." He said while pointing his finger in the Otter's face as he tilted his head dubiously confused. Fighter walked up to him and tapped his shoulder causing Evil to peer over his shoulder sourly. "What?" He said.
"I assume by your mood you couldn't find a way out." Fighter placed his paw on his hip, he felt an animal bump into his head..
Evil snarled back in response. "Waiting till the crowd clears up, that arrogant idiot couldn't have thought of a better solution?" An audible scoff came from the animals around them as well as a few leers were thrown their way. Evil remained adamant wearing a scowl.
"Right. He's here..." Fighter stated tepidly. He glanced at the Otter looking up absently with a please smile. He quickly caught it's attention by snapping his finger. "Hey, what's going on here?" He asked.
He kept his friendly smile and spoke. "Our king has caught the dreaded menace that has tormented us!" He stated proudly. Fighter stared at Evil with a deadpan expression. "He's still here." He pointed out with his thumb. Evil rose his brow annoyed at the news. "Clearly I need to step my game up." Their ears perked as a loud, agitated growl erupted from the crowd. They walked toward the sound as two badgers were pulling a brown bag back and forth.
"It's just a bag of potatoes, ugh, what savages." One of the animals said in the crowd.
The bag ripped open scattering it's contents on the ground haphazardly. Each of them found their way into the crowd, an audible crunch was heard one after another as some of the animals crushed it unknowingly. Oddly enough as this happened the crowd began to lighten as some of the smaller animals started to leave with potatoes in hand. However, one had rolled out on the ground below the quarreling Badgers.
One of them quickly sucker punched the other one in jaw, grabbed the potato and stuffed it in its own maw greedily.
Fighter's brow narrowed intrigued as the other badger grimaced from the blow and suddenly lunged forward to place the other in a headlock, twisting around it and repeatedly punching it's head. Evil glanced at Fighter curiously. "Hey..." He didn't bother to reply as he tilted head his inquisitively with a smirk from this angle he could only see behind them.
Evil scoffed mockingly. "So, this is what fancies you?"
Jimmy tilted his head dubiously as he held unto the bear's ears. "Wha-"
Fighter interjected before could reply, tilting his head and placed his paw under his chin. "This isn't pleasurable for me. I'm just... observing their form." He explained not bothering to look at him.
Evil leaned toward and stared at him coyly. "Uh huh. Your fetish is safe with me." He said smirking smugly. Fighter glared back at him sourly before looking back at the action.
The badger with the potato in its maw slipped out of the hold and smirked proudly while the attacker narrowed it's brow angrily as it dashed to it. Fighter's eyes widened as the badger slipped around the other's back and grabbed their waist.
"Oh!" He exclaimed giddily.
It locked it's arms around it's waist, lifted it up and suplexed the badger, slamming it's head on the ground making a loud thud. They could feel the sudden lumbering impact from their position as it made the animal's jaw clench and bite the potato in his maw.
Fighter rose his fist celebratory into the air at the display. "Yeaaah haha!" He yelled out happily as the move landed. Half of the potato rolled onto the ground as the victor grabbed it with an annoyed growl and dragged the other one away from the crowd.
"You sure not getting off on this?" Evil asked.
Fighter turned and playfully jabbed his arm. "Shut up, that was awesome!" He exclaimed excited.
Good form, too...He noted.
"Can we not talk about this right now?" Jimmy asked. Evil looked up at him chuckled as the crowd started to murmur around them as an authoritative voice rang through.
"All right. That's enough rough housing." Leonard ordered.
The crowd ahead started to part and made a path for him and his party. He had Athena and Spice beside him while the female koala had a group of monkeys bound together by a sole chain, each linking to their wrist as she held the chain. Upon seeing them the crowd became more rowdy, most of them vented their gripes audibly with one another:
"Of course it was them..."
"Do these kids have nothing better to do?"
"Petty thieves..."
Jimmy glanced at the group and recognized the group from the afternoon. "Oh...it's them. They look...better." He said.
Evil eye's caught the first monkey's bandaged paw. "Uh huh. Nothing better than a possibly broken wrist." He noted the limp one of them had as they stopped presumably to address the inhabitants.
A member of the crowd replied to Evil. "Please, twerps got off lucky, I would've-" He began to ignore the animal's rambling.
Fighter narrowed his brow observing the chained up culprits behind Leonard. It felt, ironic. The crowd's attention shifted to the Lion with a few giving hate-filled glares directed at the thieves. They ignored the glares and conversed.
"We had a plan, if you had just stuck to it. This wouldn't have escalated." Mark stated he felt his sore wrist.
The freeloader grinned carelessly. "I followed your every move. They're just...complications." He looked away sheepishly.
Mark narrowed his brow while scoffing. "You mean you got cocky? Mister big shot thought he could run his own operation..." He spat over his shoulder.
"We all did. Don't get it twisted." The brute whispered.
Mark scowled at the group knowingly. "No. The heist hinged on laying low and grabbing enough to give to everybody.' The monkey sneered at the freeloader again. "Except Lan had to be a dumbass and steal from nearly everybody around here especially her…"
The freeloader, Lan brought his tail to his chin cheekily. "Can't take all the blame," He glared back at the onion-haired monkey with a chuckle earning a sneer from him in turn as he kicked Lan's side causing him to wheeze.
"You were the one to suggest we steal from that old crone. She wouldn't stop blabbing it to the rest of the community about being robbed."
Lan growled in pain and shouted. "Hey! I wasn't..."
Leonard glared down darkly at the group. "Do I need to do something to ensure you lot quiet down?" He asked threateningly.
They quickly grew silent as he looked back to the crowd about to speak. They each shared a sigh as Mark spoke."Whatever excuses you guys got don't cut it. You stole way too much for us to even return in one night. And…" He paused looking away with a dour expression.
The brutish monkey patted him on his shoulder.
"It's alright boss. We effed up. We dragged you down with us."
He sighed desperately as he glanced back at the crowd glaring at them and looked up to the sky to avoid their gaze, he noticed a flock of birds flying across the sky. "It's gonna be ok…I hope."
As the murmurs of the crowd began to simmer down Leonard addressed the crowd. "..As I was saying, I regret to inform you all that was the last of the stolen items that we could carry." He stated. The crowd groaned impatiently. "Calm down, we will continue to give your possessions throughout the week. But I wanted you all to know the thieves we'll be punished fairly for their crimes."
The crowd cheered at the Lion profusely and Leonard bowed his head with a smirk. He could hear a few other gripes within the crowd:
"Pfft, who cares about fair punishment?"
"I'd ring their necks if I caught them in my home."
"Those monkeys are always causing problems."
He sighed. He couldn't please everyone.
He scanned the crowd briefly and noticed the two bear's together. A feeling of relieve swept over him knowing that he was safe, but then it immediately turned to disdain as he was startled by the other one. He recovered quickly and narrowed his brow at the Grey one. Evil, unaware of his observation, rolled his eyes. "Ugh, gag me." He said silently as Fighter chuckled softly at his discomfort. He rolled his eyes as while and placed his paw at his temple, mimicking a gun. He brought his thumb down and mouthed out a gun noise and stuck his tongue out. Evil looked away but smiled mockingly. The crowd began to disperse slowly out of the area.
The raccoon noticed the entrance to their home was opening up. "Guys, we can leave...We might even make-" Leonard and his group stopped in front of the them.
The Lion's expression remaining neutral. "Hello." He stated.
They both looked at him uninterested while Jimmy smiled warmly. "Hello again." He said. Leonard stated at him dubiously as he hung unto the bear's head. He decided not to question it, he shifted his gaze to Evil suspiciously.
Evil immediately scowled. "What're you-"
"Sir, should I start sending them back for-" Athena stopped and looked at the two dubiously behind Leonard. She narrowed her brow at them giving a pleased smile, as if she remembered something as she pulled the chain abruptly causing the group to almost trip over each other. Spice glared at her knowingly as he felt one oft them bump into him as he held his camera prudently.
"Agh, bitch!" Spice exclaimed.
"Quiet," She reached into her fanny pack and pulled out her notepad. "Can you tell me where you hid their stuff?" Athena asked as Evil gave a curious glance. She showed them the list and they all squinted curiously at it then to the bears.
"Sorry to disappoint you but we never stole anything from them." One of them said chuckling.
Mark glanced back at Lan with a scowl silencing him immediately before returning his gaze to Athena. "What he meant to say was we never broke into their home. We did mug them though."
Evil glared at them threateningly reaching into his fanny pack instinctively."Oh, is that the case. You clods broke something important."
Fighter rose his brow at the new information while Jimmy wiped his brow with a worried expression. "Well, that's just... Great." Fighter noticed one of them barely keeping themselves up, he propped himself on his other leg with a pained grunt. Spice walked up to him with a camera wrapped around his neck. He offered to help him as Fighter glared enmity at the golden simian intently.
"Have no fear, they'll be punished for their misconduct accordingly." Leonard interrupted.
"I'm sure you've already have." Evil commented, earning a stern glare.
"Yeah, public humiliation, and broken bones…How tactless." Fighter cracked his neck calmly.
Leonard furrowed his brow. "I assure you that they're wayward actions were the cause of their own injuries." He stated as Fighter leered at the group.
"Be that as it may, they're lucky no one was hurt…" He said as Evil gave a malicious grin aimed at the gang, while holding a knife threateningly.
The group hid behind the Lion for protection. Evil smiled proudly at their fear and unbrandished his weapon.
Leonard briefly looked concerned, something the raccoon caught onto immediately from his eyes, but he quickly recovered with a firm stare as he placed his paw on his shoulder. "Again, I assure you under my watchful eye, and surveillance. Nothing like this will happen again."
The animals still meandering about cheered at his words, he grinned haughtily at the response. Fighter sighed inwardly. Luckily, Jimmy responded before he could speak.
"And I'm glad to have you and your-" He caught a glimpse of Spice and gulped anxiously. "Team watching over us." He gave strained grin as Leonard looked at him oddly.
Fighter glared up at the animal resting on his head. "You can't be serious..."
Jimmy hopped off his head and looked up desperately at him. "Dude, let's get out of here. Please..." He said.
"If this is they're best, I doubt I can trust them to do better..." He surmised as the small amount of murmuring started around them. Athena narrowed her brow intently while Spice looked away anxiously.
The raccoon's tail started to wag erratically as he clasped his paws. "It's fine." Jimmy exclaimed.
Fighter looked down at disappointed at him. "We're literally kidnapped and almost murdered by the polar bears."
"What?!" Leonard exclaimed concerned his claws scraped at the paved ground.
Evil folded his arms with a smug smirk. "Yeah, some watchful eye you've got." The lion gave cold stare as the Grey bear continued to smirk unfettered by the Lion's growing displeasure.
"Not. Helping." Jimmy stated with clenched teeth.
Fighter rose his paws up apprehensively. "Okay. He can't be everywhere at once, fine, but if he's apart of their group." He pointed to Spice. "Then I don't trust his judgment at all." Fighter furrowed his brow.
Leonard was about to rebuttal. But, Fighter was quicker to speak out again much to the dismay of the raccoon. "I trust Evil,' He pointed to Him as Evil rose his brow inquisitively. "More than you." Leonard went bug-eyed with fury as he said that. He watched Fighter clenched his fist tightly, quelling his rage he leaned in and placed his paw on the bear's shoulder calmly.
"Pitch, I'm-" He felt his shoulder stiffen as the bear glanced back briefly. There was little emotion he could discern from his expression, just a familiar cold glare. "Keep your hands off me." He mouthed out. Leonard reluctantly withdrew as he dusted his shoulder off hastily as the animals continued to watch.
"You're track record is dodgy at best." Fighter added as Athena replied. He glanced at her tepidly.
"Look, your agitated at the sub-par investigation. We're sorry for that. But-" Leonard interjected as he placed his paw out to her.
"No." She nodded obediently as he spoke. "This is my Domain. Despite your grievances, I'm responsible to for those who inhabit this place."
"Your domain? So, do the humans rent this place to you on weekends?" He replied coolly with a dull look.
Athena furrowed her brow, tapping her feet impatiently at his comment. The gaggle of monkeys chuckled in response to the bear's rebuke. She 'accidentally' pulled the chain forward causing them to fall onto each other in a pile. The animal's laughed at the group.
Fighter brow furrowed. "Stop acting like you give a damn." He stated.
Leonard glanced down at Fighter sternly. "It is no act. Things have changed. I can assure you that despite your...Misadventures I can keep the peace. So, enough child."
The last word felt more taxing to the bear's ears as Leonard patted his head he looked away with a proud smile to the crowd as Fighter glared up with a blank stare.
There was a surreal silence, it was akin to a bomb dropping: A pause followed by a deafening reaction.
"Nothing's changed, and neither have you, you pompous prick." He stated coldly. The crowd clamored upset at the bear's words accompanied with a few guffaws.
Athena walked toward the bear suddenly, but Leonard slammed his paw down abruptly causing Athena to jump back surprised.
"Hold your tongue in front of the king." Leonard stated coldly.
Jimmy shuddered in fear at his tone. "Uhh, Fig-" Evil placed his paw on the raccoon's maw. "Nope. This is getting good." He said intrigued.
Leonard peered at Evil venomously. Evil responded with a haughty grin. However, it quickly turned to a pained expression as Jimmy bit the bear's paw instinctively. He yelped out in pain as the raccoon's eyes widened. "Sorry! It's been a rough day..." He stated. Evil sternly glared down at the raccoon.
"King? You're King of Nothing. Go back to your cage." Fighter walked away from the Lion without even acknowledging him or Athena. He glanced at Spice then silently flipped him off without breaking his stride back to their exhibit.
"Cosa un cazzo." He muttered under his breath.
Evil watched mildly intrigued. "Wow. I've never seen him so agitated. I'm impressed." He chuckled mockingly at him. "Sucks to be you." He stated as he walked away from the angry crowd behind him. Leonard watched the bear intently as his brow narrowed darkly. He didn't even bother responding to the crowd quarreling as Athena started to calm them down.
The last member of the trio, Jimmy, stood there shocked. He was lost for words as Athena began to corral the crowd and quell their collective disdain or amusement. "I...I-" The raccoon looked around sheepishly with a desperate look in his eye. His ring tail swinging around erratically. "Ummm...I'm...just gonna go." He quickly ran after Evil.
Leonard continued to glared glassy-eyed at the bear exhibit as his mind wandered. He growled in a low tone. It seems I need to be more direct for everyone else's safety. He thought as he sighed solemnly. The boy has his mother's eyes and her fury as well...
"Sir?" Athena asked. He glanced blankly at them both. His expression was seldom as he glanced at Spice pensively. He could hear birds chirping around him. He shook his head.
"Right. Please drop the photos off by as soon as possible. And for now your both dismissed for the week. I'll handle them." The Koala nodded and gave him the chain as she left the group heading back to her home. Leonard turned to the group with a firm glare.
They had a debt that needed to be payed in full...
"Here you go." Prozac smiled warmly as he bent down and gave Vanity a bowl of soup on a tray. The panda thanked him as he walked out of the kitchen past the line up as he headed to the living room. Lech leered at Vanity jealousy, he smirked.
Smug little ass, lucky he got here first. He rolled his eyes.
Prozac gave a dull, tired expression at his comment. "It was his turn." He stated.
"He was in the bathroom. First come first served." Lech folded his arms.
Gay dipped a paddle into a lot and poured soup into another bowl. "There's enough for everyone, relax." He handed Prozac the food as he gave it to Lech. He noticed Fighter, Evil, and Jimmy enter the cave. He nodded silently.
"Just in time. Come get your dinner." Prozac said.
Jimmy held his stomach and looked area sickly. "No thanks.." He walked past the line-up and went deeper into the caverns.
Evil scoffed. "More for us." He brushed past Fighter and went into the line joining Nerd at the back. Fighter glanced at Gay pensively before looking away hesitantly. He sighed aloud, this would only get worse if he didn't tell him. He went over to Gay as members of the line groaned impatiently.
"Hey, no cutting you dick!" Evil exclaimed standing in front of Nerd, he gave an annoyed, flat expression.
"Got a minute?" Fighter asked Gay as he handed another bowl to Prozac. He shook his head. "No. Can it wait?"
Fighter "No. It'll be quick."
Gay was about to decline as Prozac grabbed ladle. "Don't worry, I've got this." He stated.
Gay looked at him reluctantly and followed Fighter out of the living room. The two stopped in the middle of the cavern, Gay glanced at bear silently and waited tapping his feet impatiently. "Ok, let me start of with..." Fighter's eyes shifted around pensively. "Knock knock..." He smirked playfully while Gay gave an annoyed, flat expression.
"You can't be serious…" He replied.
Fighter nodded, Gay exhaled looking back into the living room, the temptation to leave and continue, whatever this later was strong due to his behaviour. He turned and started to walk back, but felt a hand on his shoulder. Gay glanced over his shoulder. "This can w-" His saw a stern look on the bear's face, he seemed sad or something else. He couldn't place it. However, he noticed the bear's left ear twitching restlessly.
"All right. Who's there?" He went along with it, it wouldn't take too long.
"Les." He stated.
"Les. Who?"
"I hope you don't think less of me for losing your gift today..." He scowled while looking away dejected. Gay paused and remained silent, while folding his arms with a skeptical expression. "Right. I-We were kidnapped and sort of mugged today by the polar's." He narrowed his brow while leaning on the wall.
Gay shook his head disapprovingly. "Ugh, those beasts. Can't they find something better to do?" He rolled his eyes.
"They threatened Jimmy if I didn't give them the scarf...And some how, I still messed it up." He chuckled at himself darkly. Gay doubted it would've stopped there. Whypull me away to tell me this now?
"Don't worry about it, shattered pride aside, it's just a piece of clothing…Unless it's in season, then we have problem."Gay patted his shoulder. But Fighter smirked briefly realizing his mistake, "No. That's not it. I...don't care about my pride. I-" His brow furrowed and he gave a dour expression. "I lost something you put your time and effort into, and I.."
Gay gently tapped his nose and smiled warmly. "Like I said: "It's just a scarf." As long as your ok it's fine."
"But-" Gay tapped his nose again earning an annoyed look. "No. Forget about it." He glanced up at his ear still twitching, he seemed agitated but he had a stubborn look in his eye. Gay narrowed his brow prudently. "Don't even think about it."
Fighter rose his brow coyly. "I wouldn't-" Gay interrupted intently with a stern expression.
"Don't try to joke about this. We don't need to anymore fuel for fire, let it go."
Fighter furrowed his brow dubiously. "Like I was trying to say: it'd be suicide if I even tried it."
Gay wasn't convinced he jabbed his finger in his chest. "Promise me..." He glared up at him as he tried to avoid eye contact, he remained silent. But he couldn't ignore the conscience-stricken glare Gay assaulted him with.
"...Fine. It's not like I-" Gay flicked his nose again causing him to squint at him defiantly. "Stop that!" He exclaimed. Gay gave an evil smirk satisfied at the response. "Just making sure you don't do something stupid. Otherwise, you wouldn't get your replacement."
Fighter shook his head disapprovingly. "You don't need to-" Gay wagged his finger in front of his face.
"Ah ah, this isn't for you entirely. I'd love to make something else. Although..." He cupped his paw under his chin pensively. Fighter looked at him shrewdly. "I have a feeling you want something in return?" He asked. Gay nodded.
"I'm not wearing a dress." He replied in a deadpan tone.
Gay chuckled and continued. "I've wanted to try a new type of dye."
Fighter folded his arms on the wall. "I'm not dying my fur." He said as Gay smirked amused at his displeasure. "Not all of it, maybe the tips of your hair." He pointed to the comb of hair on his head.
"Not happening." He said.
"We'll work something out. Oh and by the way."
Fighter rose his dubiously. "Wha-" Gay wrapped his arms around his back giving a friendly hug. "Don't beat yourself up." Fighter narrowed his brow with a long-faced expression, he placed his paw on his back and patted it awkwardly as Lech walked into the hallway.
"Hey, Prozac-" He stopped as he saw both of them He looked away and rolled his eyes. "When you two are done, dinner's getting cold." Lech snickered as he went back into the living room. Gay furrowed his brow, walking back to the living room. He could hear their conversation.
"Are you jealous, you big baby?" He heard Gay chuckle.
"In your dreams, Gaylord." Lech replied.
Fighter smiled softly before reentering the living room...
Midnight in the Cave
Fighter stood at the door of his room staring blankly at it. He was avoiding this moment staying out in the cavern playing his game, but due to fatigue, or the fact Prozac tiredly threatened him, he had to go bed. He sighed aloud. It's time to see what Evil had planned.
Fighter opened the door and entered it was pitch black. All ready off to a great start. He thought as he reached for the light switch on the wall.
"Ok Evil, do your w-" He paused as the light illuminated the room; Evil was sitting on his bed looking annoyed with his arms folded, Jimmy was sound asleep in the duffle bag, his paw dipped in a cup of water while other was holding a walkie talkie. Mike was sound asleep in his makeshift bed on Evil's shelf. As well as another individual he didn't expect, Nerd.
"Took you long enough." Evil said. Nerd glared back at Evil dismissively. "I see you're enjoying the game." He said.
"It kills time,' He stated before walking to him and handing it Nerd. He squinted curiously. "You sure?" He asked grabbing the phone reluctantly.
Fighter nodded silently. "It was fun while it lasted, besides I though you were to here to pick it up." He stated as a matter of fact.
Nerd shook his head. "That's not it."
Fighter gaze shifted between the two suspiciously. "Wait, are you teaming up with Evil?" He asked cautiously narrowing his brow. Nerd was about to reply but was abruptly cut off by Evil.
"I wish, he isn't ready to join the dark side yet." Evil smirked as he reached behind his bed for something then threw a black bag toward the two, it landed with a loud thud at their feet.
"Hey! Those are mint condition!" Nerd inspected the back worried. Evil shrugged indifferently as Nerd sighed desperately at condition of his stuff.
"Whatever. Just get this over with already." Evil looked bored.
Fighter glanced inquisitively at the purple bear. "What're you doi-"
Nerd pulled out a blue book with two comic books in plastic on top and handed it to Fighter.
"This is for you. Think of it as a thank you for buying me a new laptop..." Nerd smiled sheepishly.
"And an apology…" Evil chuckled mockingly as Nerd glared at him silently from a far.
"I also got you some reading material. Return to it me at your leisure." Nerd yawned loudly as he covered his mouth and started to walk out of the room. He glanced down at the phone briefly looking surprised before shutting the door behind him. "If only trading was a feature now..." He said to himself.
Evil watched him leave then stared blankly at his roommate. Hey.' Evil said quietly staring at him across the room. "He's the only reason your not getting it tonight." Evil leered menacingly.
"Uh huh." He replied as he placed the comics to the side and inspected the book closer: "Youth Grief" It read. He curiously opened the book and read the first few words. Grievingfor another's death causes more pain. It's necessary but dwelling on that is what leads you on a path of self-destruction. In other words: Move on... He stared at the book blankly, his vision grew blurry as he rubbed his eye then placed the book on the ground beside his bed.
"What's wrong? Words to big for you?" Evil mocked. Fighter remained silent as he walked past Evil's bed and to his trampoline. He laid on his back silently without a word.
Evil rolled his eyes. "Baby." He clapped his paws together and the lights went out.
In the darkness of the room Fighter stared at his paw pensively, it shook restlessly before he sighed and closed his eyes.
….
Around the same time elsewhere.
Sugar grabbed a silver tray from the counter and walked to the trash can near the exit. She tilted it's contents into the can and glanced outside. It was dark and cloudy, but she could still see the stone-ridden path that led to back to the zoo. She walked back to the counter past her brother sweeping the floor as she placed tray back on the counter next to her camera.
"Yo. You almost done yet?" She asked. Spice shook his head while continuing to sweep around. She notice his gaze shifting toward the windows absently. She grabbed a rag from over the counter and started to wipe out the ash tray. Her own gaze drifting toward the basement door. It was quiet, she hated it. This is unbearable, the last customer leaves and now it's just...Too quiet. Ugh, forget it. I'm gonna need him soon, again so I can rake a bit more from his earnings. She let her mind wander-Maybe, call in that. Snoop around for…Wait. I need to count how much we today- Until the door opened. It startled her for a moment.
She watched her father exit the basement with a silver flask in his paw with the same languid stare. She paid him no mind, remembering her last thought as she went behind the counter to open the register. She pulled out the money and counted it, rolling her eyes while giving an annoyed scowl. Short. Great.
She knelt down inspecting the floor before spotting a scratched section of the floorboard. She pulled out the loose nails out of it and pulled it out revealing a small green box with a dial on it. She reached down for it and put in the combination. With a small click she pulled it open and placed the day's earnings inside, shutting it and replacing the floorboard back in it's place. Sugar rose up and glanced at the two still conversing and gave a flat expression.
"You two done? We have to lock up and go back." She glanced at her father. "You can go sleep downstairs if you want, just be careful-"
"Actually, I feel like going for a walk." He replied. She blinked blankly.
"Good for you, we'll keep the cage warm for your arrival." A yawn escaped her lips. She grabbed the camera from the counter and placed it around her neck, only now seeing the flask on the counter. Bart glanced outside, narrowing his brow. "Hm, hm.' He chuckled. 'Thanks, I just need to get some fresh air."
"Your welcome, make sure you don't walk into any of the camera's." She warned with anxious gaze. The grounds at night were, unpredictable. Just because there were rumors about the what on at night, didn't mean she didn't believe them. He nodded before patting his son's head and shutting the door behind him. And then there were two.
She cracked her paws together and glared at her brother picking up a dust pan and walking to the trash.
"Blondy, make sure none of that get's on the floor." She asked.
He barely acknowledged her command as he emptied out into the can, only responding as he tapped the dust pan on the rim of the trash. "Uh huh." He said dejected. She frowned annoyed at his laziness.
"And throw out the garbage. I'll meet up with you outside." She said. Spice glanced down at the trash can, then to window. Then he nodded and grabbed the can walking out of the bar. Sugar glanced over her shoulder with a bitter look at the flask, silently cursing before picking up. She noticed how heavy it was…
He didn't drink any- She heard the door open.
"I thought I told you to-" She paused. She saw her brother accompanied by another animal, he towered over her brother in comparison. She was surprised, considering she hadn't even heard him come in, but she assumed it was the rain that helped with his silent entry as the lone lion walked in."What the hell are you doing here so late?" She asked.
"Let's cut the chatter." Leonard asked
"Excuse me?" She stated sourly. She gave him an irritated look. He growled loudly, as a slight shudder came from her brother beside him. He spoke slowly. "Watch. Your. Tone." He was clearly not in the mood. She kept silent and gave him a reassuring glance.
"Good, I need your assistance with something. My time is short…." She wanted to say: "Spit it out then, you old fart." But she knew that wouldn't help. Especially considering how vague he was being. They both knew that so, she settled for a stern glare. He narrowed his brow and pulled something out of his mane that look like familiar, a doll.
"I've heard you know about things like this..." He placed the doll on the table, then looked back to her. She glanced at her brother, he avoided her gaze before looking at her nails.
"Voodoo. Yea, I've dabbled in. That shit doesn't work though. Believe me, I've tried." She placed the flask on the table. Then walked to the table with the doll on it. It looked familiar, she couldn't place her paw on it yet. "You wouldn't believe the nut-jobs that think this crap is-"
"Do you know how to prepare these things?" He asked.
Oh, great. Another loony. She thought.
"Not well, but I've got the gist of it online." She surmised.
He nodded grimly. "Good, this makes your response even easier." She gave a dubious look. "Show how to use this properly and I'll lift what your father owes. No more favours. No more blackmail. Or forced labor. A clean slate."
"That's...A big order." She reached for the doll, only to receive an icy glare as he paw was about to touch it. "All I need is a yes from you." He stated. She glanced back at the Lion with an inquisitive glance. He had a sense of bitter determination in his eyes.…
For those who are curious about the team.
Blastoise
Sandslash
Crobat
Psyduck
Cubone
Gengar