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Café Plaisir: October's Jaunt part 6; Heroes of Dawn by October Flixard

It was a horrific new pre-dawn at Plaisir and October found himself unhappily conscious, again, as a knocking sound hammered on the walls of his metaphorical cocoon.

Unhappily conscious, for in the cocoon of warmth that he and his nine tails had made of his bed, he had been comfortable. All had briefly been well. Yet the more he became aware, the more he realised that his head ached, his body was sore and his ass hurt.

As per usual, he groaned, knowing with grim certainty that would have to leave his wonderfully warm spot in bed. Made a rattling, chirring growl of despair, knowing that it had already been ruined.

He shifted, knowing he should get up and have done with it, but he really just couldn't bring himself to leave his duvet and what precious little of comfort remained to him and his nine, sleepy tails.

Almost on cue, however, the door burst open and in with it exploded the unseen, but audibly, horribly, bright, pink and cheery apparition of Colin with an annoyingly happy squeak as he, declared, "Good morning October!" with his usual bright morning cheer.

You could practically hear his ribbons waving in the air. October groaned from under the duvet.

Colin paused, "Oh... October, are you okay?" he asked, with concern in his voice.

October grumbled.

"You're not sick, are you?" asked the Sylveon, unseen, sounding worried, his paws pattering on the floor as he skittered up to the bed to check on the immobile duvet-lump of Ninetales, "Oh, not you too... Maybe I should take you to the Sick Room..."

"I'm not sick," said October quickly. He remembered the Sick Room. There was a monster in there. Then, he sighed, "I'm just... tired."

"Ohhhh..." said Colin from above him, sounding relieved, "Tired? Really? You've been sleeping for like, ten hours."

That had October sitting up, though not getting out of the duvet. The sudden slope made Colin squeak and almost fall. The sudden October-shaped tent-hill turned its head to look at him, "What, seriously?"

"Well, yeah," said Colin, "I heard what happened last night. I went to see how you were, but you were already snoring."

"Eugh, no wonder I feel awful," said October, "I've overslept. That's not like me."

"You probably needed it," said the Sylveon, "Anyway, c'mon October, I think we're going to really need you today..."

October sighed. He didn't like the sound of that.

* * *

He had donned his tray and apron. Colin had waited patiently and then they set off together.

As they'd walked, Colin had seemed to slide closer to him almost right away. October had waited patiently, sensing incoming questions.

"Sooo..." began the Sylveon.

Just as he looked over, however, October's ears flicked back towards the direction they were walking, catching the sound of claws on linoleum, someone approaching quite rapidly. Catching sight of the source, he blinked.

"Chai!" he said in surprise, smiling at the rapidly approaching diminutive Umbreon.

"Hey," said Chai, slowing as he approached them, an unreadable look on his features.

"You're up early," said October, "and it's strange to see you down this end."

"I..." Chai paused, trailing off, his sharp red eyes looking away, "I just thought I'd check on you."

"Chai was worried about you too," said Colin, cheerily.

"Really now?" said October, remembering with a cringe the events of last night...

"Mmm-hmmm," said Colin, "He was looking for you too."

"Looks like Colin found you first, though," said Chai quietly, still looking away.

October sighed, "It seems like everyone except me realised that I was getting myself deeper into trouble..." he looked around at the Umbreon with a smile, "Thanks, Chai."

Chai looked at him with an odd expression, looked away again and said nothing.

'He's far too easily embarrassed,' thought October to himself, then mentally shrugged. He would think of some way to try and help the Umbreon with his confidence later. For now, he was distracted by other thoughts...

"Yeah..." said Colin, thoughtfully, "You know, October, I'm still not really clear on what happened there. I know from Firenze that you had more trouble with Eclipse, but I thought you said beforehand that you'd worked something out?"

October chuckled humourlessly, then grumbled, "Oh, so I thought. So I foolishly thought." He paused and grumbled, the words tasting bitter as he spoke them, "No, what happened is that I let myself get worked over all afternoon for the sake of provoking Eclipse further..."

"...Huh..?" said Chai.

"What!?" said Colin, quickly shocked, "Why would you do that?"

October sighed, "Well, the prevailing theory is that Sinister and Dextus wanted Eclipse angrier at me for the sake of getting him out of their hair a bit." He frowned, "Seems like it worked, as well... and I played right into it..." for the briefest moment, he allowed himself to snarl. The twins had made him look like a fool and he certainly felt it, too.

"Wait..." said Chai, "So you were with Sinister and Dextus yesterday?" He sniffed the air around October, no doubt easily catching scent of male and female Mightyena all over him, "Huh..." said Chai, "I guess so... seriously..."

"Very seriously," said October, "There's not a single part of me that doesn't hurt."

"Those two... I'm not surprised," muttered Chai, quietly, then he sniffed at the Ninetales again, specifically in the direction of his hindquarters, "...Wait... Did you... actually?"

October glared at him, knowing full well what question the Umbreon was leading up to, but asking, "Did I what?" anyway with an irritable look in his eyes, hoping Chai would get the subtle message to drop it.

Yet the Umbreon suddenly had an impish look in his eyes and a soft smile on his face. Not once did October doubt he'd caught the subtle message. No, it seemed more like that exact message had only spurred him on as in a quiet voice, he asked anyway, "Did you let Dextus..?"

Frowning with irritation at first and then flushing with embarrassment as he decided not to let another Dark type get on top of him (coming, as he was, to the rapid conclusion that Dark was a euphemism for 'the sadomasochism elemental type,') October sighed and admitted, "We did bloody everything, including that..."

"Really?" said Chai, tilting his head.

"Huh, October, bottoming?" said Colin, tapping his ribbons thoughtfully to his chin as he clearly considered the thought with a growing smirk, causing October to flush hotter as he pondered, "That's hard to imagine... but..." he trailed off. Which was somehow worse. Until;

"Sounds like fun," said finished Chai, quietly, with a grin.

At first, October growled, his ears going back...

"Aww... look at his face," said Chai, his grin growing.

Colin smiled, too and put a paw to the end of his muzzle like he was suppressing a giggle.

October's muzzle twitched, like he was going to snarl.

"What, ya gonna deny it..?" asked the Umbreon, the bright white teeth of his wicked grin looking very pronounced on his slim black-furred face...

Don't feed the troll-type Pokemon, October reminded and resolved himself. A resolution he would ultimately consistently fail to follow through on. Though for now, he continued trying honesty. "I admit nothing except that I'm not cut out for bottoming," grumbled October, in a low voice, giving the Umbreon a warning, threatening snarl before looking away, trying to claim back control of the situation, "but I don't even begrudge them all of the pain they put me through. I actually got to like them. They're quite a force... I think I even learned a few things..." he growled, softly, "but they played me for a mug and I don't appreciate that at all..."

"Oh, October..." said Colin, sounding upset, "Don't be too angry, there must be another explanation!" He reached for October's shoulder with a ribbon. Both October and Chai looked at it suspiciously, wary of Colin's soothing touch now.

"I don't know, Colin," said Chai, "It sounds likely to me."

Colin looked flustered, "...but that's such a mean trick! I don't think anyone who works here would do something like that..."

"Well it worked," muttered October, "Eclipse came after me with a vengeance. With the state I was in, I was just lucky that Elegance intervened." As much as it ached him to admit that the intolerable Mienshao had saved him, October believed in giving due.

"What!?" said Chai, his rings briefly flashing with his alarm, "He came after you last night?"

"Right in the bar," said Colin, sadly, with a nod, "Mister Firenze said they made a real mess."

"...and Elegance ...helped?" said Chai, doubtfully, frowning.

"You're not as surprised as I was," said October.

"Huh..." said the Umbreon, thoughtfully, "So then Colin looked after you..?"

"Nope," said October, "then I went to sleep."

"Hmmm..." said Colin, "Chai, where did you go? I didn't see you last night. I thought you might come and check on October."

Chai looked away, then, distantly, "I got distracted by something," he said simply.

"Oh?" said Colin, smiling, "Get up to something good?"

"No..." said Chai, "Just distracted is all."

October raised an eyebrow, "What, you're not telling us..?"

"It was nothing worth mentioning," said Chai, quietly. Suddenly the Umbreon flashed a toothy grin at October, revealing those thin, long fangs of his again. "Not like your news. So you actually took it for once, huh? Bet that hurt."

"Hey!" said October, drawing up and folding his ears back to hide an instant blush, "Come on, Chai! Don't tease. I am literally sore about that!"

"I'll bet you are, you're lookin' pretty coy about it," said Chai, teasingly, slinking closer to cock his head and grin up at the Ninetales as he asked, "Did he put you in touch with your feminine side~?"

October's mouth hung open in horror at Chai's gall. Then, his eyes narrowed on the Umbreon.

"Oh, Chai, that's awful!" said Colin, but he wasn't quite managing to suppress his giggles.

"Chai," said October, in a low, grumbling voice, "I think I might have to bite you."

The Umbreon's face practically (and his rings literally) lit up, then, "Pfff," said Chai, suddenly running off, ahead, "After all that? You'll never catch me!"

October growled involuntarily. "Oh..." he said, "You're going to get punished, Chai."

Chai, with a mischievous glint in his sharp red eyes, raised his tail and wiggled those slender hips of his before dashing off ahead, rapidly disappearing from sight.

October's growl increased in volume, staring after the retreating Umbreon.

Next to him, Colin barely managed to muffle his sweet little giggles.

* * *

When October and Colin walked into Morning Briefing, October instantly caught sight of Chai. For once the Umbreon was alert and smiling for the occasion, for he was making a big show of sitting comfortably, pressing his butt right down on the floor and leaning back, pointedly putting weight on it.

October grumbled under his breath as he found a place to stand uncomfortably. As he did, he unconsciously tallied another point of reckoning to be extracted from Chai at a later date. He promised himself there and then that at the very least, Chai wouldn't be sitting so comfortably, come tomorrow morning.

The next thing October noticed was the distinct lack of Morning Shift Pokemon at the Morning Shift Morning Briefing. October saw Elegance, sitting disinterestedly in the opposite corner, he saw the Cook, the two Laundry Unfezant and he saw a very stressed-looking Mister Pouncer standing in the middle of it all, yet of the usual Horde of Cleaning Mice, there was but a small portion. Even the litter-cleaning Skitty was missing.

Pouncer coughed to get everyone's attention, "Alright, I think that's everyone who is going to arrive, it's six AM, I shall begin."

Pouncer stood evenly, the Grovyle's clawed hands placed firmly on his hips, as if to help bear the weight of the Morning Shift Supervisor's responsibilities. From the look in his eyes, that weight bore down a little heavier than usual today.

"I'll get straight to the point," said Pouncer, "As you can no doubt all see, a good portion of our usual number are missing. They are currently sick and unable to work."

The assembled Pokemon staff shared looks around the room. Many wore looks of concern.

Pouncer went on, "As such, we are severely undermonned and we will have to adapt to manage for this fact. As you all know, the primary responsibility of the Morning Shift is ensuring that Cafe Plaisir is made ready each day, for the busier shifts in the Afternoon and Evening-"

Suddenly one of the Unfezant spoke up, loudly, "The mammals are falling like flies! Isn't this an emergency? Shouldn't this be taken more seriously!?"

Pouncer sighed, looking irritably at the Unfezant, "The matter is being looked into, Delilah. I've been personally investigating. There's no cause for alarm."

"Isn't there?" said Delilah, "What is it, then?"

"A simple stomach bug," said Pouncer, "The food stocks are being checked by myself this very day."

"Hmmph," said the Unfezant, earning another glare from the Grovyle.

"Anyways, as I was saying," continued Pouncer, "The fact of the matter is that we currently do not have enough of our regular cleaning staff present to ensure that Café Plaisir is sufficiently presentable in preparation for peak hours... and as such, the rest of you will have to cover for them."

A groan went around the room, from most present, including October. He didn't like the sound of this at all. It sounded too much like hard work.

Pouncer gestured downwards with his palms to quiet them, "I know it's irregular, but the Morning Shift must attend to its responsibilities and as such, the burden must be fairly shared. So, if I call your name, you're on cleaning today."

October cringed. He definitely didn't like the sound of this, oh no. Cleaning was hard. Cleaning was not restful and offered little chance for quick morning naps. Cleaning also implied the presence of water, which October had promised himself to always avoid...

As Pouncer read out names and his name was not first amongst them, October allowed himself a little bit of optimism. Surely his name wouldn't be called. Pouncer knew, after all, how useless he was at cleaning. He had made such a mess of his previous messes, after all...

"..., Delilah, Colin, Chai and October," said Pouncer, "All of you are cleaning today."

"What!? No!" said October, at practically the same time as the Unfezant. They stared, irritably at each other, for stealing one another's thunder.

Pouncer split his angry glares between them quickly, "No arguments!" he declared loudly.

"Who's covering the floor, then?" said Chai, looking annoyed, "If me and October are cleaning?"

"Elegance will do it," said Pouncer.

Chai rose an eyebrow and looked at Elegance. Elegance still appeared to be studiously offering proceedings no attention whatsoever. On closer observation, the Mienshao's aloof expression might have just millimetrically shifted towards a smirk, however.

Pouncer was just about to open his mouth.

"This is beneath me!" declared Delilah, angrily. Next to her, Demure, the other Unfezant, was shaking with cluckish chuckling.

"It is not a request!" said Pouncer, sharply, "Nor is this a debate!"

"What do you expect me to do!?" protested Delilah, spreading her wings, "I am not built for labour!"

"Today, you will be collecting the linens for Demure to wash," said Pouncer, "Which the cleaning staff usually do for you. I assume you're capable of that."

"Hmph!" sneered Delilah, "when they even get around to it..."

"Hey!" snapped one of the few cleaning mice still present, a Rattata, "You try movin' an acre of soiled bedsheets when you're pint-sized! That stuff's heavy!"

"Then perhaps I shall, mammal!" snapped Delilah, right back.

"NOW," said Pouncer loudly, "We'll be getting on-"

October had been quietly huffing and whinging and worrying to himself throughout the whole of that conversation. It was at that exact moment that the sounds managed to find resolution as he whined, "...but! ...Water!"

"Quiet, you!" said Pouncer, sharply, pointing a claw at him, his patience clearly running thin, "October, you could use some closer proximity to water. A Waiter of Café Plaisir should be presentable, but increasingly I find you coming to the attention of my nose!"

October drew himself up, indignantly. "I, say..!" he gasped in horror. To say such a thing, in front of everyone!

"Yeah, seriously," said the Rattata, loudly, "The newbie Ninetales is getting ripe."

"Hey..!" declared October, in horror at his gall, "The cheek!"

"Tiny, quiet!" said Pouncer, harshly, glaring at the Rattata now, too, "That's enough of that."

"I'm not going to stand here and be insulted!" said October, unhappily, "I..." he paused. He didn't really have anywhere to go from there. He didn't really want to admit that he had no idea how to clean himself as a Ninetales... and had neither put much thought or effort into the matter. Still, his pride was burning!

"I said quiet!" said Pouncer, louder, "Neither your pride, nor Delilah's, matters in the slightest to the running of this establishment!" He pointed a claw up at the ceiling and spoke declaratively, "You have duties and responsibilities to attend to and that is what should be foremost in your concerns if you have any pride as employees!"

October took his own time to offer angry glares at everyone in the room. Many were busy with their own indignance, but a few, October noted, were chuckling with quiet mirth. Except for Chai, he noticed. The Umbreon looked as unhappy he he felt. Colin, on the other hand looked sorry for him. Distractingly so. Painfully so. Enough to hurt his pride more than the chuckles.

He growled, quietly and indignantly and looked away from them all.

"Putting all of that aside," said Pouncer, loudly at first, but he calming his voice as he spoke, "Today may turn out to be a trying time, but... as employees of this establishment, I have faith that you can all manage and adapt."

* * *

They filed into the Café's largest cleaning supply room and October had an immediately embarrassing moment of recall at familiar sights and smells. His ears went back to hide his blush at once, though he told himself to play it cool.

The Rattata from earlier stood up on his hindlegs in the middle of the wrecked supplies, with his forelegs crossed. "Well," said the purple rodent, "This is what we've got to work with."

It was quite a sight, in retrospect. Moments of vivid recall flashed to October as he saw the broken wall of boxes, the bent and buckled steel shelving, the piles of supplies on the floor...

"Oh my!" declared Colin dramatically, with his ribbon-tips on his cheeks and genuine horror in his voice, "What happened in here?"

"Probably some drunk asshole wrecked the place ....or someone got into the paint thinners," said the Rattata, irritably, "It's not the first time this has happened. They ought to put a lock on that door."

"Hahah, yes!" said October, nervously, "What a fool, I mean, what kind of asshole would do this!? Eh!?"

Everyone stared at him. October kept laughing.

"Well I'm glad you can find this funny, newbie," said the Rattata, "because we've got our work cut out for us. We're now short on most things. The vacuum cleaners are all busted and good luck finding an unbroken brush or mop. This is some pretty shitty timing."

Suddenly an ear-splitting squawk of alarm had them all ducking. It was the Unfezant. She raised her foot and hopped away from a patch on the floor.

"Aaaah!" cried Delilah, "I've stepped in some mammal's business!"

Everyone in the room, recovering from the shock of the tremendous indignant squawk, stared at the barely-visible but impressive-in-area patch of white and damp hiding on the lino.

"Heh," said Chai, alone in the room in looking amused, "Looks like the culprit left some DNA evidence."

"How terrible..." said October, with a nervous laugh.

* * *

October was sure he had this. He'd agreed to take on the sweeping. He'd decided to work smart. Use the nine limbs he had to make up for the hands that he hadn't, (just as Pouncer had, in fact, just yesterday suggested.)

So, October strolled casually through the corridors of Plaisir, a broken-handled broom lightly wound by each tail, held just firmly enough to form an array, a dragnet of cleaning, behind him.

So the theory went, anyways. He wasn't exactly looking back to check on his progress. There was just far too much Café Plaisir to be too fussy about this, so he reckoned. Besides, his tails were awesome. They had this. He was sure.

So, he was lost in a daydream, stalking the halls and casually observing the architecture of the place, the layout, the feel of each zone. He'd been here a while now and this was, at least, a golden opportunity to get that layout as well learned and memorised as he already ought to have it gotten.

Suddenly Pouncer stepped in front of him. The Grovyle was about to speak, but he suddenly looked over and behind the Ninetales and then his beak fell open in horror...

October looked over his shoulder at the eastern first floor corridor and stopped. This was the sixteenth corridor he'd swept so far since leaving the supply cupboard.

Behind him lay a wake of destruction, potted plants pitched over, their soil spread across the carpet, mixed into the general dirt and grime of the previous day, all furrowed into lines by October's cleaning array, which had itself been carrying several dusty, dirty and chalky outlines across the carpet with it as it had gone. He had verily ploughed the halls with filth.

When October dared to look back around, Mister Pouncer was rubbing the bridge of his snout with his claws, shaking his head and groaning, "No..."

October winced and chuckled awkwardly, "Ahahahah... ahhh... I'll... clean it up," he began, unenthusiastically.

"No..." said Pouncer, still shaking his head, "No, I'll get someone else... outside, go outside and clean up the litter, October."

* * *

He strode back along his path of destruction with his broken brooms slung limply over his back. The brooms were making a mess of his crimson fur with all the horror that they had collected on their journey, but right now, he didn't much care.

'Well, that hadn't been a very good showing,' thought October. He was sure that idea should have worked. Still, Pouncer's reaction had somehow rankled. There had been none of the usual shouting, in fact, Pouncer had looked as though he'd felt like the mistake was his own in letting October at the task. As if October's unreliability was becoming accepted as a given fact.

He was sure he had been trying though. So it stung at his pride.

Still burning with embarrassment, on his way out, October happened by the main bar.

His eyes were instantly drawn to Elegance, the Mienshao had her arms folded, her long arm-fur hanging evenly by her sides. She was looking up to address an artificially red-haired human woman, yet somehow Elegance comfortably stood with such a posture so that she could somehow conspire to be looking down her nose at the taller creature.

The red-haired woman looked flustered and annoyed. Around her feet, a group of Pokemon clustered. They looked annoyed, too.

It appeared as though Elegance was handling her responsibility as sole Waiter-on-duty with the usual mixture of self-indulgent pride and lack of tact as always.

October took some small comfort from this, at least. He might be a fuckup, but perhaps he was just one of a host of such on the Morning Shift. Plaisir's Shift of the Damned.

He was just managing to smirk when one of the Pokemon clustered around the human woman caught his eyes. A Flareon. A female and a healthy one at that, from the looks of things. Her big, dark eyes caught his and held them. A smirk grew on her face at the sight of his own.

As October was walking, she and the rest of the scene were quickly out of sight again, but October was left to idly wonder what that had been about, but not over long.

He was distracted thinking about Mister Pouncer. It was clear why most of them were on the Morning Shift. Either they were actually well suited to the role, like the Cleaning Mice and the Laundry Unfezant or they were some kind of embarrassment who had been tidied away to the role. Chai had his theft and attitude to blame, Colin had emotionally manipulated customers with his Fairy-type powers, Elegance had quite likely offended someone or ones, October himself was here mainly to pay back the damages his one night of fun had incurred.

So then, which group did Pouncer fall into? Why was Mister Pouncer the Supervisor of the Morning Shift? Was he well suited for the role? ...or had he messed up, putting himself at the bottom of the Supervisory pile? October just had to wonder.

He made it outside, the sun driving a warm wind that blew pleasantly through his fur. Feeling briefly optimistic, he took a short walk and tour to assess his mission, quickly sinking back towards frustration as the inspection revealed the magnitude of his treacherous task.

Dead leaves, dead wood, litter from the customers and to top that off, it looked as though some of the bins had possibly exploded. All of it was wind-mobile, swirling around the carpark and the exterior of Cafe Plaisir, rolling in tides, lifted in eddies and vortexes, a gently swirling, constantly shifting chaoscape of crap.

"Oh, Fortuna..." muttered October.

* * *

Colin squeaked loudly and indignantly, rearing up and hopping back, holding out a paw.

Chai looked up with an eyebrow raised, trying to see what was wrong with the Sylveon.

Colin held out his paw as if it were on fire, but it only had some blue cleaning glop on it.

"Ew!" said Colin, "This is awful!"

Chai shrugged and went back to what he was doing. Grabbing a box of something in his mouth, he leapt up four feet to a black metal shelf to put it down.

Colin was feebly wiping his paw against or rather at one of the shelves, as if it might dislodge the goop all at once.

"You know," said Chai, "If you're going to be that fussy, this is going to take a long time."

It really was. The pair of them had been tasked with first cleaning up the cleaning supplies. Chai wasn't sure why; This was an awfully slow and finicky task for a pair of quadrupeds.

Colin looked at him unhappily, looking almost pitiful. "This is awful!" he repeated, "I'm getting covered in... stuff!"

Chai just stared. He wasn't sure why he'd been paired with Colin, either.

Colin rubbed his paw against the floor and whined pitifully.

Chai frowned. "You're just smearing it. You should wipe it off properly."

Colin just made another sad noise and looked at him pathetically.

Chai sighed, "Look, there're paper towels right there," he said, nodding to another shelf.

Colin continued to stare, with those big, blue, sad eyes of his. Chai tilted his head in confusion. What was wrong with him? What did he want? Did he need Chai to get it for him?

Was the Sylveon really so incapable? Really so sheltered as this? Chai found himself disgusted by Colin's inability to do for himself. He couldn't help it. Colin wouldn't have lasted one day in his world.

"Dammit Colin," Chai found himself muttering, jumping down from one shelf and up to another, despite himself, "You're too damn soft."

Colin was soft... Soft and spoiled. Chai saw a lot in him that he'd had to drive out of himself. Softness that life had proven he didn't have the luxury of.

He ripped a paper towel out of the box angrily and leapt down to take it over to Colin.

The Sylveon looked at him glassily. "Thank you," said the older, larger Eeveelution, pathetically.

Colin dropped the paper towel on the Sylveon's gunked paw and immediately turned away, shaking his head.

"C'mon, toughen up," said Chai, "We've got work to do, you're wasting time."

Colin didn't get back to work, however. Colin stood there and sniffled, until eventually erupting with, "I don't like this, Chai! It's dirty!"

"Dirty's nothin'," said Chai sharply, "Job needs doing and I don't want to spend all day doing it."

He went back to picking up the boxes, putting them back up on the shelves, one at a time.

After a while, Colin spoke again, his voice sad and upset. "Is a little sympathy too much to ask, Chai?"

Chai stopped and looked at him with a frown, but he didn't have an answer for the glassy-eyed Sylveon. He looked away quickly, then went back to what he was doing.

It bit at him though. Sympathy. He'd gotten sympathy before. He'd gotten what he could out of it, on the streets. It or the appearance of it had also gotten him into what he'd ultimately gotten into. He didn't think much of it, now.

"You got your damn sympathy," said Chai, coolly, "You got the paper towel. Kind words and a hot meal's worth the hot meal, Colin. It came with no strings and that's about all you can ask, so cut your damn whining."

Colin whined unhappily. Loudly enough that for a second Chai felt a little bad. Colin looked at him unhappily, "I just wanted a little care, Chai!" he said petulantly, "A kind word costs nothing."

"Costs nothing, worth nothing," said Chai flatly, without looking around.

"That's awful, Chai!" protested Colin, sounding as indignant as horrified, "As a matter of fact, just a kind word would have made me feel a lot better than just the towel!"

"Yeah right," said Chai, rolling his eyes, "The towel's what you needed."

"Well what I wanted was some reassurance!" said Colin, "Just a little nicety to make me feel better."

"Yeah well," said Chai, frowning, "it means nothin' more than the towel."

"How I feel matters more than the towel, Chai!" squeaked Colin, unhappily, "I could have gotten that! I just wanted you to be nice to me so I'd feel better..."

"This is getting stupid," muttered Chai, increasingly feeling more bitter than he could actually account for. He just wanted this conversation over, "Look, we've got a lot to do, still."

"Hmmm..." said Colin, unhappily. Still, he moved on, asking, "Did you get rid of those leaky bottles of paint thinner? I really don't want to get near those..."

"Yeah," said Chai, "I just slung that crap in the trash, it should be fine."

* * *

So... the battle was on.

...and it was a ferocious endeavour.

October's heart pounded, his lungs heaved. He dashed at the very limit of his endurance, binbags hanging from his tails, flapping in the breeze.

He lunged, twisting in mid-air, catching at the very extension of his leap, the empty packet of cheesy snacks, with his teeth.

Victoriously, he slung it over his shoulder, into one of the filled rubbish sacks.

He licked the cheesy-flavoured powdering on his teeth with relish. It tasted like victory. It definitely tasted a lot better than most of the things he'd had to catch in his mouth today.

Triumphantly, he strode back towards the bins, five filled black bags hefted like trophies between his tails.

It had been a lot of hard work and exhaustion, it had taken nearly an hour, but he had conquered the trash spill. The exterior was looking fantastic, seemingly better than ever, to his eyes, if he did say so himself.

He had a spring in his step all the way towards the bins, where he walked into the enclosure, hefted the bags up and heard the rubbish shift, the plastic pull and tear, then he felt the rain of loose rubbish come raining down across his back...

The wind seemed to pick that very instant to pick up again and October found himself in an instant maelstrom of trash.

He took stock of his situation, felt his fury rising and chose what seemed to be the best course; Swearing.

"Oh, FUCKING FORTUNA-AUGH!" of course, quite caught up in the moment, October had failed to remember what had happened the last time he allowed himself such an otherwise appropriate outburst.

His gut cramped and flames jetted vomitously from his maw, intermingling with the trash vortex beautifully. For an instant or two, it was a sight in slow motion to excite and delight as very hot temperatures mixed with ready, airborne fuel, whipping air currents dancing incandescently between the increasingly luminous particles of viscera.

The trash verily detonated into flames. Somehow, the bins caught too, because of course they did, naturally. It was an instant, explosive blaze.

In the midst of the sudden vortex of inferno, October sighed.

He actually didn't feel too bad about this one.

The flames felt quite lovely... and it turns out, such a phenomenon as this was quite pretty, from the inside, when you were completely fireproof.

The smoke was toxic and eye-stingingly unpleasant, certainly, but it made for an inky centre to a personal universe of burning, emberous light caught between the bright rays filtering through gaps in the smoke inwards.

It felt somehow symbolic, like this ought to be some kind of moment of clarity, but he didn't get it. That didn't matter though, he was happy enough just for the spectacle.

Still, even he shouldn't be breathing all this, he realised, so he sauntered casually out of the small trash-firestorm and back out into the car park, just starting to wonder how he might explain this one.

A hearty female laugh met him just outside the flames. He looked up to see the red, fluffy and relatively broad form of one of the sturdier Eeveelutions. The Flareon was full-grown, fit and brightly coloured. Her firetruck-red fur and cream coloured collar and frill looking fluffy and clean.

"Nice work, 'tales!" said the heavily-accented Flareon, a smile spread across her full-of-attitude features, "Let me help ya there!"

Suddenly she was jumping forwards into a low crouch, legs wide apart, her big dark eyes full of eager delight. October had a feeling as to what she had in mind, but didn't have anywhere-near long enough to react.

The Flareon opened her maw surprisingly wide and suddenly a torrent of flames were ushering out of it.

October was wide-eyed as the hot, yellow flames rushed out towards him, expanding to fill his vision.

It hit like a rushing torrent of pleasure. Almost knocked over by the surprising force, he had to brace himself and force his head up to meet that torrent and hold his place within it. The flames washed over his body, through his fur, bathing him in blinding light and licking him with an unbelievably pleasant yellow warmth.

The pleasant rush of pouring flames was over quickly, all too quickly, but it actually left October feeling pretty good!

He was left standing there feeling suddenly perky and temporarily overwhelmed, flames pouring off of him as the dust and grime in his fur combusted.

A moment later his wits and pride caught up with him. She had blasted him! That Flareon had blasted him!

"Ya missed a bit," said the Flareon, flashing a toothy grin.

October struggled for a reply, but as his wits were consumed by the burning rivalry of a fire-type confronted with another fire-type, the most he could muster was, "Hey! ...You cheeky..!"

"Ha!" said the Flareon, shouting enthusiastically, "Oh, is it on, is it!?"

October found himself standing straight upright, tails splaying into a fan behind him. His heart, his blood, his very nature answered for him. "Oh, it's on!" he shouted back.

"It's on!" declared the Flareon, then she turned quickly, already dashing away.

It was in fact, on. October gave pursuit, dashing after the Flareon.

The relatively broad and squat Eeveelution had an impressive amount of power behind her. Her acceleration was terrific and she was up to speed in no time. October had a good view of her strong hindquarters and shoulders at work. The Flareon was fit, indeed. He liked to see that in a female. He definitely liked seeing it now.

Still though, as she powered across the carpark, October was already gaining. His longer stride gave him the edge in top speed.

He chased her right across the carpark and into the woods beyond, gaining all the while.

As he approached, October rapidly came to realise that he had no plan for the point where he caught her. He'd been quite caught up in the moment.

So, as he drew within a few meters, he hesitated, wondering what his intentions actually were.

Suddenly she pivoted and he went flying past her. With perfect timing, the Flareon managed to kick some dirt across his muzzle from her hindpaws.

Suddenly all doubts were off. October turned hard, pursuing the fast moving Flareon and her hearty laughter.

October made a note though; Her low centre of gravity let her turn quickly. He pridefully told himself he wasn't going to get caught out by that again.

The chase was on in earnest. October powered through the woods in chase of the Flareon, always gaining on a clear run, ever denied by some bit of cover or other that the Flareon could twist and turn and put between them.

Running hard, blood hot, October was fully caught up it all, in the primal act of chase. He felt hot, alive and awake, aflame inside with the energy of aroused instincts. He felt alert! More than ever, though that alertness was focussed upon his quarry.

She was making quite a sport of herself, with every moment of the chase. She was clearly feeling as gleefully, fiercely, burningly alive as he, the blazing enthusiasm of the fire type showing in her muscular movements.

She smelt pretty nice as well, thought October, oddly aware of the notion, but it was true. Something about all this made that stand out. He was running headlong into the Flareon's scent-trail, getting every olfactory emission and those emissions were pleasant indeed, pleasant and full of fire...

Still though, there was admiration and then there was pride.

They came over a small rise. There was some brush down below, offering only a narrow, winding passage between thick and thorny branches. It looked like trouble. That was obviously where she was going to go. It was also where he, with nine long, fluffy tails, did not want to go.

So October planted both forelegs at the top of the rise and then put everything in his hindquarters into one powerful, pouncing leap. He sailed into the air.

The Flareon turned towards the gap between the bushes as she ran and all but put herself under him.

There was a hefty impact and they both rolled over, once. October spread himself out though, so that they were arrested at once, lay out flat, with the Flareon trapped under his forepaws.

They both panted, both taxed, both extremely hot. She was certainly a pleasant presence to have trapped under him. He felt glorious, exultant.

"Got you..." he managed to say, teasingly.

"You sure did!" said the Flareon, "Nice pounce!"

"Thanks," said October, smiling pridefully.

"Ye're fast. Ya got nice fur," said the Flareon, "and you're nice and hot, too..."

"Thanks," said October, slightly embarrassed, "You're pretty nice yourself. Fast, strong, healthy..." he didn't add 'and delightfully fluffy,' but it was also true, "Very fit, Flareon," he said pleasantly.

"Thanks," said the Flareon, "This here's a battle-build, made up'a kickin' ass. Now..." she said, her voice changing back from complimentary to challenging, "Is that enough foreplay and pretty words for ya? Don't tell me I got ya figured wrong..."

"Hrm?" said October, caught off-guard, once again. Though now he was beginning to wonder why.

The Flareon pushed herself up under him with surprising ease. She was definitely strong. She wriggled around until she was facing away, beneath him.

"You mean..." said October, stupidly.

"Well, duh!" said the Flareon, "You won your chase, now claim your prize!"

October grinned awkwardly, though this turn of events was unexpected, it was hardly unappealing. "Well, uhh," he said, "this is a surprise..."

"What's surprisin' about it?" said the Flareon, "I'm a customer here an' I want some comfort, comfort-'Tales! Now I choose you, so get to it!"

She made some very good points. October found himself in a moment of revelation that almost had him rearing up in surprise though. Was he... had he found himself... in the midst of all that... actually doing his job?

He was salvaging a key moment of competence from the midst of all this mess! This was a big thing! A big thing that had delivered itself right to him!

Surprisingly, he was already mostly hard, too! It was like his body was well ahead of him in realising his good fortune!

Still though. He oughtn't let his recent lessons go to waste.

"Well alright then," said October, "Would madam like herself warmed up, first? A little tongue?"

"Eh," said the Flareon, "I'm plenny warm, red. You just get yourself in there. Make it a good 'un."

She was admirably, almost terrifyingly direct. It was apparently also almost exactly what his libido wanted to hear. He had to buck his hips to free himself from his sheath as his cock grew, rapidly.

"Yes ma'am," said October, rising.

As soon as he'd cleared the vertical room, she put her hips up in the air. October drew back a little just to enjoy the view. The Flareon's tail was beautifully huge and fluffy, a puffy smoke cloud of fireproof floof. Under it though, that puffily red-furred rump was fine indeed, showing the outline of her build despite the fluff. That fluff also parted nicely to show a pretty pink pucker and below it, a glistening pink sex. A ferociously feral spade that looked almost swollen with want as it dripped with desire, bulging outwards at him, almost hungrily.

Well, her sex and his were apparently of like mind. October breathed a sigh of relief as his vulpine member finished escaping his sheath. It hung high, long, black and throbbing with desire.

Well, sightseeing aside, there was no point in putting it off any longer, October supposed. Give the customer what they wanted and all that.

He advanced, stood over her and dipped his hips. He missed at first, running his cock down the inside of her thigh, but he adjusted himself gamely and as soon as he came to rest in roughly the right place, the Flareon wriggled her hips, all but forcing the thing into her sex.

October couldn't help but gasp in pleasure from the start. This was different. This temperature was right. Everyone else was so cold, by comparison. This warmth was beyond welcoming. It felt right. She was tight, too.

"Oh fuck yes," gasped the Flareon, "Damn that's fuckin' big!"

Was it, October wondered? Perhaps it was just where he was working, but he'd been having doubts about that of late, not only by recent comparisons, but especially following certain disturbing revelations as to what Pokemon could apparently take. The memory of a very small Vaporeon going off into the bushes with a Tauros apparently for such fun sprang instantly to mind.

Still, she was tight. Very tight.

"Hardly the biggest in Plaisir," said October honestly, "but I'm glad you like."

"Big enough for fuckin' me," said the the Flareon gruffly, "I'm all about the war," she grunted, "Got no time for the love, so I'm a fuckin' noob, here, alright?"

"Alright," said October, smirking. Funnily enough, he was really starting to like this Flareon, "Fair enough... just let me know what you can take..."

"What I can take?" said the Flareon, raising her head, apparently having heard a challenge, "I can push through any pain you can dish out, comfort-boy!"

"Can you now..?" said October, his smirk growing.

"Damn right!" said the Flareon, "So you'd better give it to me good, you hear me!?"

"Yes ma'am," said October warmly. Then he went to work.

She was very slick already, so he pushed in steadily. The Flareon gave out a ragged gasp. October growled predatorily in pleasure. She stretched out around him. He could feel it. So he pushed ever deeper into that warmth... and it was wonderful.

"Ah, fuck!" gasped the Flareon.

"Too much..?" asked October, with slight teasing in his tone...

"Fuck, no!" declared the Flareon, gamely, "Do me! Do me now!"

Ah, but she didn't waste words or manners, October reflected. Well, her crudity didn't bother him, he was well into the spirit of the occasion.

So, slowly at first, October began to move his hips, the Flareon squeezing and pulling around him with internal muscles... She gasped, huskily and gripped at him with every little movement, as if trying to pull him in deeper to her delightfully hot depths, hungrily. He drank in the warmth and the pleasure happily, his own appetite only growing in turn.

She was tight, but she was getting used to him, so he made sure to go as deep as he dared with each thrust and with each thrust, that depth and daring grew. He doubted very much he would get the knot in, but soon enough, she would fit his whole shaft, he was sure.

At the deepest point of each thrust, she would gasp. October's member widened towards the base. So each thrust, he was stretching her a little more. By the time he was getting almost his whole shaft in, those gasps were raising in pitch, almost to whimpers...

They were delightful noises, but they were also informative. He didn't think he was pushing it too far, but it was generally best to check. "Too much?" asked October.

"Fuck! No!" shouted the Flareon, brashly, as if he'd questioned her courage! Then she shoved her hips back into his, roughly impaling herself on his member, forcing him deeper into her warmth...

October growled happily. Oh, that was nice... A warm, wet wrapping, squeezing so tightly down upon him. For a second, she seemed to writhe around him.

Almost instantly though, she was taking the initiative again. She pulled herself back and then began to pound herself onto his shaft, showing him without a doubt she could take any of his shit.

He took that unspoken point appreciatively and then raised her one 'I'm a bigger Fire Type.' He began to thrust back, just a little harder still...

"Oh, yeah..." said the Flareon, gruffly, "That's the fuckin' ticket, oh, yeah..."

October couldn't disagree. His inner fires were blazing. He felt on top of the world. Still though, he wasn't done.

For as they bumped and ground and pounded, October came to realise something. Her movements were very hard and rhythmic. Almost like a drill-exercise. This was obviously very helpful for her discipline and let her live up to her claims of endurance.

It was making it all too easy for her. He really considered it only fair as a fire type in friendly rivalry to make her work to live up to her claims of taking anything he could give.

So he began to increase the tempo, gradually at first, so that she wasn't taken off guard. At first her breathing raised in pitch, but as October went faster and faster, that breathing lowered down and down until it was almost feral grunting, to a backing track of very lewd wet, rhythmic noises.

Faster and faster he went. Fires stoked, passions rose, the furious blaze between them gradually went out of control.

Soon, October's hips were crashing into the Flareon's rump with violent, wild abandon and the pair of them were fucking like frenzied beasts. Harder and harder, hotter and hotter, fiercer and fiercer.

The Flareon gasped and groaned. Her legs gave out first and she cried out, suddenly blasting fire out of her maw, mid-cry.

The flames gave October the fright of his life, but the sudden vicing-down she did, with an associated spray of pleasantly hot juices against his legs, somehow and surprisingly pushed him over the edge.

His hips moving on their own, he rammed in as hard as he could. He drove her open wide... and for a moment, as she stretched and they strained, together, it seemed as though he could get the knot in... but that shuddering tension reached a natural limit and at that peak, he came.

October's peak was powerful indeed, a blooming explosion of burning pleasure that overcame his strength in wave of soft warmth, taking him from rushing molten fury to feeling like he was riding on hot currents in soaring peace... and in that sudden, strange relaxation, he practically fell down on the Flareon as his breath, legs and mind seemed to fail at once. His cock, one-third knotted and held in place by a vicious, crushing, greedy tightness erupted violently into the Flareon's hot, wanting sex. They gasped and groaned together.

October couldn't even pant at first for the intensity of it. He felt for a second like his heart might stop and his inner flame might go out for the ferocity of it. He came and came, pumping seed he didn't know he had into her.

She wasn't quiet for any of it. When she wasn't groaning or yowling in pleasure, she was swearing, "Fuck, fuck yes, good shit, yeah, fuck..."

She was still swearing when October caught his breath and with some relief, flopped his head down to the ground next to hers, still jammed into her sex.

Eventually, as they lay there panting, it was the Flareon who spoke again first. "Damn! That was some good service!" she declared loudly and huskily.

It was around this point that it occurred to October that he didn't even know her name, nor likely ever would. It would probably be very inappropriate to ask at this point. It would certainly be awkward.

It didn't matter overmuch though. October felt fantastic. Not just for the obvious reasons, but for the fact that he had done it! He had been an effective employee of Café Plaisir at the Café's primary trade! At last!

* * *

October was walking back across the car park feeling on top of the world and having just finished two very enjoyable cigarettes. He had a skip in his step. The warm sun and wind felt very fine indeed.

He barely even noticed the still-burning bin fires. Unfortunately he did notice Mister Pouncer, standing, staring aghast at said fire.

Unfortunately, Mister Pouncer then also noticed him.

He pointed at October, pointed at the fire, opened his beak multiple times as if to speak, but as October drew closer, he still hadn't managed to utter a single word.

October gave the fire a closer look. It hadn't really spread from the bins, thank goodness, but... it had spewed burning debris more or less all over the carpark... and up the side of Café Plaisir. There were black marks everywhere, a growing number.

October grimaced, "I can explain," he said quietly, "you see, there was-"

"No!" said Mister Pouncer, throwing his arms wide and shaking his head, "No. No... October, don't explain, this is my fault. Just go inside and help Colin and Chai clean the lobby. They can keep an eye on you. I'm going to find some water types."

October cringed, deciding not to offer any argument. It was a pretty impressive fire and not his first impressive mess today. "Alright, sorry..." he said quietly and then headed back indoors.

He heard a car starting, as he headed inside. He glanced over his shoulder to see the Flareon leaping into the passenger-seat window of a small red car. She immediately pushed her face happily into that of her trainers. Even from here, October could hear them talking happily.

So at least there was that.

On balance, not a bad day's work, so far, he thought.

The car drove off as he headed inside. It was going at quite a rate, he realised. Apparently the driver was as hasty as her Pokemon. He had to smile at that. People and their pets and all of that... he wondered which was which. Especially in this world of liberated Pokemon.

Upon hearing that there were still such things as Pokemon Trainers in this world, he had previously wondered what kind of Pokemon would choose that life, but he supposed he'd had that question answered for him today. She had been more like him than any of Café Plaisir's Pokemon were. She was an adventurer. Her format was just a little different.

He spied Colin and Chai, just heading into the lobby, but to his surprise, Elegance practically jumped out in front of him, apparently waiting for him.

"What did you do?" asked the Mienshao, accusingly.

October halted, "The bin fire? That was an accident!" he said quickly.

"Bin fire?" said Elegance, staring at him angrily, "You have set a fire?"

"Yes," said October, then he cringed, "I mean no, I mean, that was just an accident with some flames and the Flareon. Wait..." he said, pausing and raising an eyebrow, "What did you mean?"

Elegance's glare became furious, she leant towards him, "The Flareon! What did you do?"

Especially confused now, he took a step back from the angry mustelid. "I... served the customer?" he said awkwardly, "I mean, I actually did it," he said, gathering courage as he spoke, "I served a customer. First time. One of the ones you weren't getting along with, too," he said proudly.

"You imbecile!" hissed Elegance, sending October back another step, "Her Trainer was refusing to pay!"

"What?" said October, flatly.

"She would not agree to our rates," said Elegance, "she argued for some time and I ultimately asked her to leave!"

"Really now?" said October, "So, ahh..."

"The main point of contention was the Flareon," said Elegance, approaching him another step, "Because the Flareon was in heat!"

"Was she now..?" said October. Well, that explained the smell. Interesting that it had the effect it had on him. In hindsight.

"Yes!" said Elegance sharply, sending October back again, his butt colliding with the front door, so not only did you serve the customer for free, you let her skip out on a hefty insemination fee!"

October paused then, eyebrow raised, asked "A hefty insemina-what?" wearing a look of stunned, momentary confusion.

"From a uniquely coloured Ninetales," said Elegance, "The fee would have been high."

"Oooh, oh no!" muttered a voice from the lobby, it was Colin, looking horrified, all four ribbontips pulling at his cheeks. Nearby, Chai's head poked around low from a nearby pillar, looking irritably at Colin for revealing their eavesdropping.

October frowned, deeply.

Elegance huffed angrily, "You just allowed the Café to be defrauded to the tune of-"

"Hang on a minute," said October, alarmed, "Are you telling me that my ejaculate is a saleable commodity under the control of Café Plaisir!?"

"Of course it is!" said the Mienshao, angrily.

"That's appalling!" said October with a gasp, "That... well..!" he stumbled over his words, "Well that's... mine! ...and furthermore, that is... icky, horrid and bloody well grody as fuck dash blast it!"

Elegance glared at him, initially with some confusion, but then she was just glaring.

"Hmmmph," muttered October, "I was going to tell Mister Pouncer as well. I probably shouldn't, eh?"

Elegance glared even harder. For a moment, he was sure she was going to hit him.

Oh yes, the whole integrity thing. "Ummm..." he said, "Perhaps I should tell him when he's had a chance to calm down, after the whole bin fire thing... you know... if it seems appropriate."

Elegance hissed at him and stormed off, apparently beyond manners for the time being.

October was left standing there, feeling foolish and somewhat annoyed.

"Ooof..." said Chai, as soon as Elegance had stormed off to the bar, "Ripped the fuck off..."

October sighed, loud and slow.

"Oh, I'm sorry, October!" said Colin sympathetically, advancing towards him with ribbon-like feelers outstretched.

October almost winced and pulled back, not quite in the mood for affection or forcible soothing, but Colin drew short anyway, his nose twitching.

Chai apparently wasn't far behind, having advanced in the shadow of the Sylveon. He popped out to one side, screwing up his snout.

"Oh, October..." said Colin, looking unhappy, "The smell..."

October sighed again.

"Yeah, seriously," said Chai, "A bin fire. A Café Plaisir bin fire. You smell like burned sex-stank."

October had to glare at him twice, doing an unintentional double take. First in horror. Then with a growing smirk, "Amazing," he was forced to say, "Oh, I'm so glad I can depend on the pair of you to make me feel better."

Colin covered his nose with his ribbons and squeaked a muffled and unhappy Sylveon squeak.

"You know it," said Chai, flatly, synergised with his sarcasm.

October couldn't help but laugh.

* * *

Mister Pouncer strode into the bar wearily. Ignoring Elegance, he leant against the countertop for support and sighed. He reached for a glass to fill with water. Despite himself, he was tempted to fill it with something stronger.

He had managed to find a water type to put out the fire and hose down the Café exterior, but the Vaporeon had only helped after an argument. It had done little to improve his mood.

He had just filled up the glass and put it to his beak when he sensed Elegance standing behind him. "Yes?" he said before taking a sip.

"Has October spoken to you?" asked the Mienshao, evenly.

Pouncer frowned at the mere mention of the Ninetales name. "For the moment, I do not wish to speak to him," he said honestly.

"Understandable," said Elegance, "but nethertheless you should be informed as to his most recent failure."

"I am well aware of his most recent failures," said Mister Pouncer, bitterly, "I do not care to discuss him at present."

"You should know," said Elegance, sharpness entering her tone, "That he allowed the Café to be defrauded, serving a customer who had refused to pay."

Mister Pouncer started to chuckle, though it was almost certainly sheer hysteria. Though this news simply seemed the natural conclusion of what had transpired so far.

"You find this amusing?" said Elegance, angrily.

"Not at all," said Mister Pouncer, still though, he realised now that October might have been trying to tell him about it. He wondered... "Did he know?" asked Pouncer.

"He was ignorant, of course," said Elegance, "and he also mentioned some accident with 'flames and the Flareon' outside. I assume you are aware of that?"

Pouncer nodded slowly, but said nothing. His mind was working.

"I do not see how much more we should be prepared to put up with," said Elegance.

"He attended a customer," said Pouncer, with a slow sigh, "He actually did it. No wonder he looked pleased with himself. I thought..."

"He did not!" said Elegance sharply, "He allowed this establishment to be, 'ripped off,' as Chai so colourfully put it."

"Hmph," said Pouncer, "He's done more than that today."

"So is something to be done about him?" said Elegance.

"Not yet," said Pouncer, "he's trying."

"Yes, he's trying," said Elegance, "but everything he tries ends in disaster. Last night he tried to put to rest the feud between himself and Eclipse, only to create a more serious conflict."

"I had heard," said Pouncer, taking another sip of his water, "I also heard that you were involved, Elegance."

The Mienshao looked at him indignantly, "I intervened only to resolve the situation decently."

"Indeed," said Mister Pouncer, "So I had guessed, so the benefit of the doubt was given." He left it there, "So, where is he now?"

"Cleaning the lobby with Colin and Chai," said Elegance, then suddenly she began to walk away, saying, "Hmmm, excuse me..."

Pouncer looked over his shoulder to see what Elegance was walking towards. It was about then that he noticed the panicked squeaking of Colin and saw the Sylveon run at full speed across the floor of the lobby.

Behind him, pursued an unusual sight indeed. October charged like a steed, with Chai as his peculiar rider. An empty mop bucket upon the Umbreon's head, a dirty mop clasped under his foreleg as an unlikely lance.

Pouncer stared in utter incredulity as the trio went rushing past and out of view. His free hand found his head. He shook with nervous laughter.

Elegance casually strolled out into the lobby, arriving just in time to let Colin run past her as he returned back into view, then suddenly and violently, the Mienshao leapt vertically into the air, rising just over October's surprised head and delivering a spring-kick to Chai's chest.

Chai was knocked from October's back so hard that his helm and lance fell separately. The Umbreon lay on the floor groaning as Elegance was carried out of sight upon October's back.

When they reappeared, October was skipping like a horse trying to throw a wolverine from its back. Elegance hauled him around by the mane at the peak of a leap and brought the crimson Ninetales down in a crashing tumble.

Elegance rolled to her feet, leaving October and Chai lying groaning like debris in the middle of the lobby floor.

"Do not harass Colin-san in that manner," said the Mienshao, sharply, at the pair of them.

She walked back towards Pouncer with an even, calm gait, but Pouncer noticed the pride hiding behind her even smile. Pouncer also couldn't help but wonder if she'd noticed slipping in the honorific. She hadn't done that in some time.

Behind her, October rose slowly, getting two feet under him.

The front door burst open, admitting a very angry looking Rain Flower. The diminutive Vaporeon looked as animate and unshy of creasing her pretty blue features as ever. Right now, she looked expressively cross to say the least. She bound inside and skidded to a stop, the small and slightly pudgy blue quadruped hunched down in an angry posture, sighting the slowly rising October.

"Hey, red-tailed asshole!" shouted the Vaporeon, her lil' New Yorker's voice filled with an angry trill, "Watch what you do with yer damned fire! Rain Flower's meant to be gettin' her beauty sleep!"

She didn't wait for an answer. The Vaporeon's frown grew deeper, she opened her mouth wide and with a force that sent her skidding backwards upon the smooth lobby floor, erupted with a sudden and violent jet of water from her maw.

October had just managed to say, "Sorry-" before the high-speed torrent burst over his shoulder in a forceful spray and knocked him back over onto the ground.

Elegance wheeled around into an angry posture and hissed fiercely at the Vaporeon, "Get out of here, Rain Flower!"

Rain Flower hissed right back at her, "Get lost, Elegance!" spat the Vaporeon back, arching her back like an angry cat.

"Your savage impulsives are not needed here!" shouted Elegance, angrily.

"Well, your tight ass isn't keepin' these boys in line!" shouted Rain Flower, back at her.

"Do not make things worse! You're the last thing this situation would require!" shouted Elegance, bitterly.

"Worse?" said the Vaporeon, tilting her head with a cheeky smirk, "Worse than you in charge? I'd like ta see it!"

The pair of them seemed to be trying to make themselves look bigger with each line.

"Indiscrete fish!" spat Elegance, in all seriousness.

"Miserable shrew!" spat Rain Flower, back.

"Beast!"

"Prude!"

"Filthy harlot!"

"Miserable spinster!"

The pair of them hissed and postured at each other with about equal hatred until it seemed certain mortal combat would ensure. At about that moment, Rain Flower apparently grew bored with the whole thing, turned her head away and up high, then began trotting off, her webbed paws slipping and clacking on the floor. There was no love lost between the pair of them as far as Pouncer could see.

October lay steaming and groaning in a puddle in the middle of the floor. "Ohhh..." he moaned, "Fortuna... That was... that was just the fucking worst..."

"Please excuse the interruption," said Elegance, returning to Pouncer smartly and acting as though nothing of interest had occurred.

Pouncer tried to take a sip of water, but he ended up snickering it back out into the glass.

Elegance stared at him in impatient confusion.

"AAAaaaaahhh..." groaned October, slowly and sluggishly dragging himself out of the puddle with wide eyes filled with horror, his body trailing vapour, "Oh, this really, really hurts... I mean, no kidding... Aaahahahow, it's not just the cold and the heat-loss! It's like that demon's very aura is clinging to me and trying to kill me..!"

"Augh," groaned Chai, clutching his bruised body, "Shut up, October..."

"What are you laughing at?" said Elegance, eventually, peering at Pouncer.

Pouncer smiled at her and shook silently for a second, then shook his head and "To think," said Pouncer, with a chuckle, "That it takes this much to get you engaged with the other staff members, Elegance."

Elegance's own eyes widened, then she looked away indignantly.

Pouncer enjoyed a quiet chuckle, the first he'd had all day.

"We cannot go on like this," said Elegance, apparently hastening to change the topic, "Are we any closer to resolving our staff issues?"

That, sadly, had Pouncer frowning again, "No," he said bitterly, "All the food stocks have checked out, whether the Cleaning staff use them or not. So now, we have no idea where it's coming from."

Lay a short distance away, suffering mightily though he was, October happened to hear that. The thought brought some welcome distraction... and just so happened to spark a whimsy...

* * *

So, October's curiosity had been aroused.

This wasn't so unusual a thing, nor generally much of an issue. In every form, October had a vulpine's curiosity about him.

Yet today, after that catalogue of disasters, prideful October was feeling increasingly motivated to prove himself. It was subtle at first, but throughout the day, his interest in the matter grew.

As he went about his duties for the remainder of his shift, cleaning this, tidying that, being allowed eventually to try and clean up some of his original messes throughout the corridors of Plaisir, his body ached.

The Vaporeon's blast had definitely knocked him flat. It had been well beyond the mere physics of force and thermodynamics however. Rain Flower's water-type elemental energy hadn't so much overwhelmed his defensive aura as directly attacked it. Even now his shoulder was numb and aching, feeling cool and unresponsive, stiff. As well as a reasonable reminder not to go anywhere near that dangerous water stuff again (and making him all the warier of the little Vaporeon from now on,) it had served as a useful mental note; Water can hurt.

So, he had been paying attention to the pipes that ran throughout Plaisir like arteries in the corners and ductways. He was getting a good grasp of the place now and some things were beginning to interest him. A lot of it was obvious; Pipes for the sprinklers, for the toilets and taps. Waste pipes. Drains. You could follow the lot in corners and cavities.

There couldn't be anything wrong with most of it, otherwise the entire place would be sick.

Yet there was another set of pipes. Silvery ones. Definitely water pipes from the poisonously cool feel of them. Like most of the utilities in Plaisir, they fed in from the front of the building, into the basement, before going upwards and outwards. These only headed in one direction though; Towards a section on the middle floor lobby, the one just off of the main stairwell which more or less lead to everywhere.

The section in question was connected by a doorway and an inner-garden balcony, one which October had skirted around but hadn't directly explored during his initial chase and subsequent movements. So; its contents were still a mystery.

Well, after hours of back-breaking work, he'd just about undone his previous mess and it just so happened that he was just now heading back towards that middle floor lobby along one of the guest room corridors.

October, wielding the head of a broken broom in his mouth, had finished erasing his furrows of filth from earlier with a final and vigorous effort, destroying the last of the chalky outline he'd previously left.

Looking back over his shoulder, he proudly noted that the place was almost as good as when he'd began. In the rooms along the corridor, some of the overnight customers were beginning to stir. May they appreciate his valiant efforts at degrossification.

So! Here he was in back at the middle floor lobby. He had motive. He had time. Perhaps now was the perfect opportunity...

Slinging the broom head into a canvas bag he'd looted from the Cleaning Supplies room, (and looped around one foreleg and hung over his back,) October turned and headed towards the mysterious section.

The first question was whether to go straight in through the curtained doorway or use the balcony to gain access through the side. His adventurer's instincts screamed at him to go in through the balcony, possibly swinging from a rope and laughing (his usual extremes of stealth or style,) but honestly, at this time of day, there was likely neither anyone around to notice or appreciate such an entrance.

So, cautiously at first, he pushed his nose through the curtained entrance and into... another smaller lobby. He frowned. This one had blue carpets instead of the rich green of the main middle-floor lobby and had several blue couches facing an unmanned desk. Curious. There were another three double-width exits. One clearly lead to the balcony, leaving two others...

He thought of checking the desk for documentation, but he knew from experience to check exits and entrances first. One was covered by another curtain, the other was a doorway with two little windows in them. His sensitive Fox-ears didn't detect anything from the other side of the curtains so that left the double doors... Good ones, with little windows in them...

As he approached, the doors seemed to loom over him. He felt an odd sense of foreboding. An odd sense of... IMPENDING DESTINY.

He told himself he was being foolish and moved closer still, though he was creeping now. Slinking silently towards the mysterious doors. Stalking the mystery...

Just as he was approaching, the doors opened. He jumped back, instinctively, at the monster that appeared. His bag full of cleaning junk clattered.

The dripping apparition of blue and black jumped back itself, uttering a cry of surprise and bumping into the door.

"Gah! What the bloody hell-" erupted an annoyed, distinctly British-sounding voice.

October, who was crouched down in a ready combat posture, with his tails splayed, making an offensive downward chevron of himself towards the merely wet and reeling Luxray, suddenly began to feel foolish once again.

Not just foolish. The big electric Lion with his sleek, powerful muscles and large, frowning face positively loomed over October... and with the light behind him and with his fur dripping wet; He looked monstrous, indeed!

Though in truth, the situation was much worse than that, especially for any kind of Brit. For the situation, really, was just kind of awkward.

"Oh, excuse me," said October, with put-on levity, though he didn't quite find the courage to rise, "Ceylon, isn't it?"

The Luxray, staring at him with a mixture of confusion and irritation, blinked several times. "Hmph," he said, "You gave me a bit of a fright, there!"

'You're still giving me a fright,' thought October, looking anxiously at the dreaded water dripping from the large Luxray. "Ah yes..." he said with a nervous chuckle, "Sorry about that."

Ceylon's eyes narrowed on him, "Say, aren't you from the other night?"

"Ummm, yes," said October, "I'm ahh... working here now. Sort of a temp job, you might say."

"Oh yes," said the Luxray, tilting his head slightly, "I had... heard... a few things. October, right?"

"Have you now?" said October, his ears pricking, "Nothing bad, I hope!" He said it hopefully, then after thinking, he cringed.

Surprisingly, Ceylon chuckled. "Oh, mixed reports, nothing too terrible, I assure you... So, you're hard at work here, eh?"

October winced, but gave a half-hearted attempt at a cheerful laugh. "Ahahahhah... Why yes, of course."

"Well," said the Luxray, thoughtfully, "You're doing a decent job, considering. This hallway's looking a lot better. Goodness only knows what happened here last night."

"Hahah," said October, grinning awkwardly, Ceylon must have first seen the hallway just after his first efforts at cleaning it, "Goodness indeed."

"I'm sure it's doing you the world of good," said Ceylon, pleasantly, "A bit of hard work can do wonders, you know."

"Not really my style," said October, in a moment of honesty, "but I suppose I'm here to learn a lesson."

"A lesson?" said Ceylon, "Well you could do worse than Café Plaisir for learning a thing or two, I'll tell you that!" The Luxray chuckled.

"Hmph," said October, his thoughts dwelling on the remaining aches in his shoulder and behind. "I suppose you're not wrong, there."

"Well," said the Luxray with a smile, "I should let you get back on. Try not to creep around so much, eh? Customers might not appreciate it."

"Fair enough," said October, briefly relieved to be freed from conversation, until the questions occurred to him, "Hey!" he said, suddenly, halting the Luxray.

"What?" said Ceylon.

"What is through there?" said October, inquisitively firing off one question after another, "Why are you all wet? Why are there special water pipes?"

The Luxray was left blinking for a second, then spoke, "Well, as it happens, these are the baths and grooming areas, I was just enjoying a morning clean whilst it's quiet."

"Ahhh..." said October, thoughtfully, then he cringed again. The BATHS? ...and he was going to go in there? "Phew," he said aloud, "I'm glad you warned me. I'll bet that place is just chock full of that awful water stuff!"

Ceylon looked at him curiously, "Well, yes..." he said.

"Oh, phew... What a save, thanks," said October, with quick and genuine gratitude, though his attention was already moving on, "Hmmm... on the matter of water though, what's with the extra piping leading into there?"

"Extra piping?" repeated Ceylon with some confusion, "Ah, perhaps you mean the spring water?"

"Spring water?" asked October, raising an eyebrow.

The Luxray nodded, "There's an extensive cave system through the bedrock around here. The utilities from the town run through it and even allows easy access to groundwater. We've got a small, automated pumping and filtering station down there, you know."

"Groundwater... Utilities... Cave system..?" repeated October, with genuine and rapidly growing interest, "Really now?"

"Really," said Ceylon, with a proud nod, "The Café could see to its own water supply, but Regulations prevent us from using it as drinking water. Nothing stopping us from using it in the baths, however."

"Hmmm, very interesting, very creative, I like the inventive use of local resources," said October, thoughtfully, "So, it's only used for bathwater? Is it safe?"

"Oh, it's quite safe," said Ceylon, smirking, with a damp face, "If you want to know about water, ask a water Pokemon and ours say the spring water is grand. Prefer it to the tap stuff even, they say it has a lower hardness."

"Water Pokemon..." repeated October, "Like the Cleaning Mice... like Marill?"

"Cleaning mice?" repeated Ceylon, an eyebrow raised, "You mean the cleaners? Oh... well yes, I suppose I see them in there every morning! Not just the Marill though, they all reap the benefits!"

"Hmmmph..." said October, his suspicions growing, "I knew this water stuff was no good. Ceylon, I'd recommend you stay away from that awful stuff."

"Say what?" said the Luxray, his eyes widening in surprise and confusion.

October nodded to himself, suspicions confirmed. "For goodness sake, don't lick yourself," he said, already turning away.

"Hang on a minute, what in the world are you on about?" asked Ceylon.

"You'll get sick, like the Cleaning Mice," said October, striding towards the stairs, "Say, how does one get into these caves?"

"There's an access a little way down the road," said Ceylon, "Wait just a moment, what-"

"No time to chat!" declared October, already halfway to the stairs, "There's a crisis in progress and I don't intend to do any more cleaning then I absolutely have to. Forces must be gathered! The day must be saved!"

"Right... obviously..." said Ceylon, staring at him in apparent bewilderment.

October paused at the top of the stairs, "Oh! One more thing!"

The Luxray looked even more confused, "What might that be?"

October smirked, "Do you happen to like dark, smooth, seductive things with a sweet, rich taste and a few sharp edges?"

The Luxray looked no less confused than before, but he smiled back at October oddly. "I might do..."

"Excellent!" said October with a grin, "I might just have something for you, then. Ta-taa!"

With that, he dashed down the stairs with a renewed determination in his step. Smirking all the way.

* * *

The afternoon sun shone brightly upon the car park, where October waited patiently. He had considered doing this alone; he was certainly an able operator, but this seemed like a grand opportunity.

In his considered opinion; His newfound friends could do with a little adventuring experience. This promised to be about as mild as such got. He was sure it would do them some good.

Still, they had been confused when he had told them of his plan and there was always the chance that they wouldn't turn up.

So, it was a pleasant enough surprise when he saw Chai walking up to him. The glossy black Umbreon looking out of place and somewhat put out in the bright daytime sun.

"Hey," said Chai.

"Hello!" said October, smiling.

"Can I get a cigarette?" asked Chai.

October smiled, nodded and handed him one, then gave Chai a flame to light from. He grabbed one for himself whilst he was at it.

"So..." said Chai, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he did, the new smoker impressively managing not to cough, "What are we out here for?"

"I'll save the explanation for when we're all present," said October, "How are you doing?"

"I'm fuckin' tired," said Chai, frowning and looking every bit as he said, "this cleaning shit sucks."

"...and that's cunting swearing, eh?" said October, with a smirk, "Oh, I quite agree... I have not had the best day of it, after all..."

"Hey, could have been worse," said Chai, "You could have been stuck with Colin all day."

October smiled sadly, "Still not getting along with him? I thought the pair of you were doing better."

Chai finished inhaling a draw of his cigarette and sighed it out in exhalation, "He still gets on my nerves," said the Umbreon, "He's just not my kind of Pokemon. To tell the truth, I've had just about as much of Colin as I can take for one day."

"Oh..." said October, with an awkward smile, "I hope not."

Chai paused and looked at him, "Why..?"

"Because he should be here any minute," said October.

Chai gave him a look of death. The Umbreon's tired, red eyes narrowing.

October grinned, awkwardly.

"Hi October!" said a bright, happy voice, seemingly more full of sunshine then the actual sun itself was, "Hi Chai..!"

Chai sagged unhappily, seeming to droop and wilt in Colins radiance.

October's attention was stolen by the approaching Sylveon. Colin made for quite a sight. Somehow, he had strapped to his back a picnic basket that was about as big as he was... It wobbled as he practically skipped over to them.

"Hello, Colin," said October, in amazement, "What's erm... what's in the basket?"

"Why, all the things we'll need, of course!" said Colin, happily, "I had a feeling you'd underprepare, October," he said with a knowing smirk.

"Really now..." said October, wearing something between a smirk and a frown himself, "and do you think you might have enough there?" he said, nodding at the large, creaking basket.

"Oh," said Colin, "Don't worry; Elegance has the rest."

"Elegance!?" said Chai sharply, staring angrily at October.

October raised an eyebrow. "Elegance..?" he asked Colin, questioningly.

"Elegance," said Elegance... or rather, as it appeared, another large picnic basket with the legs of Elegance.

"Oh, I know she wasn't invited October," said Colin, approaching the Ninetales and laying a ribbon on his chest, "but I was really hoping it would be okay. She really wanted to come!"

"Did she now?" said Chai.

"I insisted," said Elegance, curtly.

"Did you now?" said October.

"As if I'd let the pair of you get Colin into trouble," said Elegance. She turned side on so that she could glare at the Ninetales.

"We're going on an adventure," said October, with a frown.

"Yeah!" said Colin, "It sounds like ever so much fun."

Chai's face was a picture of disgust at the Sylveon's enthusiasm. Excessively tired and grumpy next to excessively bright and chirpy, the pair of them were as ever, a picture of contrast.

"You know, we probably won't need a picnic, Colin," said October.

"We won't?" said Colin, looking suddenly saddened, "Oh, but I haven't eaten! ...and I made sure there was something for everyone!" His eyes became very sad, very quickly.

"Yes..." said October, "Umm... how in the world did you manage to pack all of that in an hour, Colin?"

"I was excited!" declared Colin brightly, throwing his feelers up in the air, as if that explained it all.

October tilted his head as he stared at the Sylveon briefly. Then blinked and shook his head, "Oh well, whatever. Hardly the strangest thing I've ever taken on an adventure. Well; I suppose we're all here."

"Right, we're all here," said Chai, bitterly, staring directly at Elegance, "Why are we all here?"

October grinned at all of them, "We're going to save the day."

They looked at him in confusion. Well, Chai and Elegance looked at him with confused frowns, but Colin looked almost enchanted with mystification.

October took it all with a smirk, "You heard me right. You've all been very helpful to me this week, teaching me how to do this job. Well; Let me return you the favour and show you all how I do things!"

The looks he was getting deepened. Everyone looked far more confused and mystified.

October chuckled and began pacing to and fro in front of them, "First of all, there's identifying the problem; We all know what it is, the Cleaning Mice Sickness. The unknown plague that's forcing us all to do awful things that we don't want to do. We need to fix it." He paused to inhale from his cigarette, which was hanging from one of his forefangs, impaled through the butt.

"The sickness!?" said Colin, worriedly.

"Fix it?" said Chai with a frown.

"Yes," said October, "Next, we need to find the source and deal with it!" He paused after his dramatic delivery and felt that he just had to stand with his legs astride with his hands on his hips. It was tradition.

So, October reared up and put his forepaws on his hips, balancing on his hindlegs by the weight of his tails. He hoped he made an impressive sight, because it felt weird to be upright again and the balance was difficult to say the least.

Looking down on everyone was interesting though. The surprised looking Sylveon and Umbreon looked positively tiny compared to normal. Even, to a lesser extent, the four and a half foot tall Mienshao.

Of course, then he noticed both Eeveelutions smirking whilst they took the opportunity to stare at his junk and October was just embarrassed enough to decide to drop back down and try to continue in stride.

Elegance spoke up first, though, "You mean to say, that you've gathered us here in order to... chase down and destroy... a source of food poisoning?"

"Destroy?" said October, exhaling as he said it, "Oh, only if we have to. I doubt it'll come to that. I expect this will be a very safe and tame adventure."

"Which means, since you think that, it won't be," said Chai, suddenly, with a sharp frown.

That made October pause, "...Well.. that often tends to be the way... but how do you know that?" he said, looked confusedly at the Umbreon.

"Just a guess," said Chai, deadpan.

"Well," said October, looking away and smirking, "I doubt there's much room for trouble here."

"This is ridiculous," said Elegance, "Mister Pouncer is already tracking the source of the infection."

"Yes, but he's not finding it, is he?" said October, with a smirk, "Because he's not looking in the right places. All the food checked out, yes?"

"Yes..." said Elegance, her eyes narrowing on him.

"You're not the only one with good ears," said October, with a sly smile, "Well you can get food poisoning from a glass of water, if you leave it out long enough. I suspect the problem is in the water. Furthermore, it's in the groundwater that the Café draws upon."

"...and how do you figure that?" asked Chai, doubtfully.

"Because if it was in the main supply, just about everyone would have it," said October, "All of you and your love for that evil stuff..."

"...Yeah, look," said Chai, "about that, October; You need a bath."

It was October's turn to glare at the Umbreon, "Not now, Chai!" he said sharply, "Anyways; The Café only uses the groundwater for the baths and I've confirmed that the Cleaning Mice use the baths regularly. Because the Marill apparently speak highly of the water there..."

"Interesting," said Elegance, "and almost impressive. We should inform Mister Pouncer... and that is all," said the Mienshao, her eyes, affixed upon October's, becoming sharp as she finished speaking.

October smiled at the Mienshao, "We could tell him that and it might take a few days to get someone out, find the problem and fix it, that might just be necessary..." he paused, took a draw from his cigarette and then exhaled as he spoke, through a grin, "On the other hand, we might just be able to tell him we sorted it out ourselves before anyone else fell ill."

Chai and Elegance stared at him.

"Are you fuckin' serious?" said Chai.

"This is ridiculous," said Elegance, looking at Colin, "Colin, we should-"

Colin, who had been unusually silent throughout, wearing an oddly glazed look, suddenly spoke up, his voice unusually loud, "I'm with October!" he declared.

Elegance looked at Colin in surprise. Chai actually backed off a pace.

October smiled, "To adventure!" he declared.

* * *

So, with Chai and Elegance apparently unwilling to be shown up by Colin, the unlikely party had set off. They had begun, as many of the quainter and quieter adventures did, with a pleasant walk in well-lit woods.

Colin was secretly grumbling and fussing with each step. This stage was apparently already all too much for him. Yet every time October looked back around at him, Colin was the only one making an effort to look happy and determined. Still, when he looked away, he could hear the Sylveon muttering about dust and dirt.

He probably wouldn't be getting so much on him without the weight of that massive hamper, thought October. Still, it was better than the outright hostile stares that Chai and Elegance were giving him and each other.

This was not a well-synergised team, he reflected sadly. They probably wouldn't last five minutes into a real labyrinth. Still, caves through which utilities ran shouldn't be too much of a bother.

Despite the grumpiness and their generally slow progress however, October had to admit he was having fun. Just tramping over the scenery with a gang of mostly-friends was as happy and familiar a place for him as he'd had in a week.

He'd blundered through these woods in search of food nearly every day, but despite a solitary vulpine nature, he found it all the more fun in company.

Their first real trial came at the small and pleasant, gently bubbling stream.

"I can't!" said Colin, tears in his big blue eyes.

The Sylveon was paused before the babbling brook, both forepaws just short of the small muddy bank.

October, who had simply leapt over the stream, looked down on the Sylveon sadly. "It's just mud," he said.

"Wet, horrible mud!" whined Colin, "I can't step in that!"

"If you're that prissy and that bothered," said Chai, already next to October, "just ditch the hamper and jump it like the rest of us."

"I'm not leaving the picnic!" wailed Colin, back at him.

"He should not have to dirty himself," said Elegance, standing behind Colin, "I think this is sign that Colin at least should abandon this adventure. I can escort him back."

October glared at her, then made his way towards the tiny, pleasant stream. He made a few quick judgements, faced Colin, then keeping his hindlegs planted on his side of the bank, hopped out so that his forelegs were resting on the opposing 'shore.'

"Colin can climb over me!" declared October, the improvised bridge.

Chai shook his head.

"That will not work," stated Elegance, bitterly.

"It will work!" said October, determinedly, "Come on, Colin," he said encouragingly to the Sylveon, "For the sake of adventure! We can do this!"

"October..." said Colin, "What if you end up in the water..!? You're afraid of water!"

Colin's sad eyes met October's. October did his best to communicate his determination to his faltering friend and comrade. "An adventurer faces their fears," said October.

Colin slightly nodded, then took his first hesitant steps over October's wild, bushy mane and onto his back.

The weight of the Sylveon, plus hamper, was more, however than October had anticipated. He winced in pain at the pressure of every step the Sylveon took. Colin was having a bit of trouble negotiating his back with the weight, too, almost pitching over one side or the other with every heavy movement.

Then the soft, muddy bank began to slip.

Slowly, inexorably, pressed down by the weight atop him, October's forepaws slid down into the stream.

He grimaced and did his best to bear it as the water under him began to hiss.

"Oh, October!" cried Colin, currently negotiating his way up to the Ninetales' hips, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine!" declared October, over-loud, "Just... hurry up!"

It took, an agonisingly long time for Colin to clamber up to his butt and jump off. October's chest ruff was driven into the mucky water. He had to get his hindpaws wet, too, in order to scramble out of the painful stuff and back up the bank.

His paws were wet, muddy and sore, but the first obstacle had finally been forded. He gave Elegance an exultant grin and leapt back across the stream, stumbling only a little.

Colin looked proud of himself and that lively look of his made all the suffering worth it.

Chai was smirking at him though, nodding at his freshly muddy paws and chest, "Now you're definitely going to have to take a bath," said the Umbreon.

October frowned at him, "Not now, Chai."

"He is right," said Elegance, easily hopping the stream.

"That's about as wet as I plan on getting!" declared the now-muddy October with a righteous smirk, "Now let's get on, adventure awaits!"

So, they set forth into the forest again, braving all that nature could put before them in this pleasant, picturesque forest.

A short while later, October's nose screwed up and he found himself grumbling under his breath.

"What's wrong?" said Chai.

"Our first encounter," said October, darkly, "Be ready. Just in case."

"What is happening?" enquired Elegance.

"Him," said October, nodding ahead.

Standing there, right in their path, in the shade of an arch between two trees, was the large, dangerous, grey and black form of Eclipse. Apparently sitting and waiting patiently for them.

Elegance hissed quietly, almost undetectably.

The large Mightyena was grinning broadly as they approached, seeming to feed on the hesitation and foreboding on their expressions.

"Well, hullo, October," said Eclipse, with a dangerously thin veneer of friendliness, "I've been waiting for you out here. You're late..."

"Have you now?" said October, stopping meters short of the Mightyena, "Terribly sorry. Other plans."

"So I see..." said Eclipse, looking over the little group and smirking sneerishly, "I'd hate to think you and your little friends were travelling in convoy for protection from the likes of me. They ought to know that our little game's just between the two of us."

"They know that..." said October, narrowing his eyes, "They're not involved. They don't get involved, either."

"They'd better remember that," said Eclipse, glaring dangerously at Elegance.

She glared back at him. October nervously hoped she didn't say anything. They didn't need this right now.

"So why are you all out here?" said the Mightyena, his brow folding into a frown, his eyes seeming to find extra shade. There was a barely perceptible growl in his voice as he spoke, "What's this about?"

"We're going on an adventure!" squeaked Colin, nervously.

"Are you..?" said Eclipse, sneering.

"We're going to save the day..." said the Sylveon, less certainly.

"Awww... well that's just adorable," said the Mightyena, with very fake pleasantry. "Do you need some help with that, then?"

"No, thankyou," said October, firmly, frowning at the Mightyena, "I dare say we'll manage on our own."

Eclipse didn't answer. He just met October's eyes with a gaze full of hate and threat. October stared irritably back at him, finding his hackles quickly rising.

"Well, good luck on your little adventure," said Eclipse casually, looking away and smiling darkly, "Don't worry, October, I can wait... I'll be seeing you around."

"Good luck with that," said October, quietly, "I take a different route every day."

"I know," said Eclipse, slowly starting to grin and show his teeth, "but sooner or later... I'll catch you. The Fox is spared the Wolf only as long as his luck holds out. You know it, I know it... Enjoy your luck."

"We'll see who's unlucky, that day..." said October, showing his teeth.

Eclipse showed his own, bigger teeth and chuckled.

"Hey," said Chai, suddenly, "Are you gonna get out of the way?"

Eclipse's dark and dangerous glare fell upon the Umbreon. Chai looked for a second like he might shrink back, but he held his ground. Behind October.

"Oh..." said Eclipse, "Please excuse me..." he said quietly.

He made a show of lightly stepping back and out of the way and then nodded for them to go past.

Cautiously, hesitantly, they made their way past the Mightyena. October did his best to remain confident, despite showing a vulnerable flank. Elegance gave the Mightyena a contemptuous hiss as she passed. October rolled his eyes.

"Oh!" said Eclipse suddenly, causing them all to jump, "Have fun on your adventure. Watch out though. Hearsay has it that there's monsters in that there darkness..."

Unsettled, but otherwise unharmed, they had come to the cave entrance, a short while later.

It was a little underwhelming, as dungeon entrances went. In a slight dip, against a rocky face, someone had installed a smooth, brown-painted door... with an outdoor light above it. A small gravel path lead to a single car parking space nearby, just adjacent to the main road into Café Plaisir.

"We could have just walked along the damn road!" said Chai, sharply.

"Did you not hear me say, 'adventure?'" said October.

"I had to walk through brambles!" said Colin, wide-eyed.

"...and you're stronger for it," said October, confidently.

The pair of Eeveelutions glowered at the Ninetales, who assumed the proudtales posture, sitting down, puffing out his chest and flaring his tails.

"Now what?" said Elegance, studiously ignoring them, "The door is locked."

It was true. Someone had put a padlock on the entrance. "Those cunning devils," said October, frowning, then quickly smirking, "Well, it's nothing that a restrained use of violence can't solve."

"Violence!?" said Colin, shock in his voice.

"Well, I could melt the lock," said October, "Shouldn't cause too much damage, well.. unless it's really good steel..."

"Like the kind you make padlocks out of?" said Chai, staring at him.

"Well... yes," said October, "So, it might be easier to burn or break the door down."

"The door," said Elegance, "Which is also made of steel."

"Bah," said October, "It's probably just thin aluminium. Are you saying it's a match for you, eh, fighting type?"

The Mienshao stared at him irritably.

"Too strong for you..?" said October, challengingly.

"Leeet's not get carried away," said Chai, suddenly, "Look uh, Colin, Elegance, either of you got a couple of pins?"

"Pins?" said Colin, "Umm, I have a sewing set, in my hamper..."

"You have a sewing set in your hamper?" questioned October, one eyebrow raised.

"What if the picnic blanket got torn?" said Colin, worriedly, "Bugs and germs might get through the hole..."

"The blanket wouldn't stop-" begun October, then he stopped himself, "Never mind. Will that do, Chai?"

"Mmm, it might," said Chai, staring at the padlock.

"I have these," said Elegance, holding two, four inch steel needles.

"Why do you have those?" asked Chai, looking suspiciously at the sharp and gleaming steel.

"I sometimes need to restrain my arm fur," said Elegance, frowning at the Umbreon, "So I pin it back against my arms."

"Will they do?" asked October.

"Yeah," said Chai, hopping up and taking the needles from Elegance's paw with his teeth.

The Umbreon turned and went under the lock, then, holding one needle straight forwards out of his mouth, and the other between the toes of his forepaws, began to pick the lock.

"Hahah," said October, "We're a better adventuring party then I'd hoped!"

"Are we?" asked Colin, curiously.

"Yes we are," said October, knowingly, "We have you as our good hearted cleric, Elegance there as our noble fighter or monk... Chai here is clearly our cunning rogue," he said, gesturing at the busily-focussed Umbreon with a paw.

"Presumably three important roles for an 'Adventuring Party,'" said Elegance, looking almost amused, "So what does that make you?"

October tilted his head, "Hmm, I don't know. I suppose I'm the dashing scoundrel type with mixed abilities. Perhaps some kind of multiclass sorcerer-slash-fighter or ah... well... maybe a bard..."

"So... I'm here to do forms and fill out the party's paperwork?" asked Colin, confusedly.

"No Colin," said October with a smirk, "I said Cleric, not Clerk."

"Oh..." said Colin, "What's a cleric?"

"A sanctimonious asshole," said Chai, just as the padlock clicked open, "Just like those Arceus, Stewardist and Helix assholes."

"Nice job, Chai!" said October with a grin.

"I might be curious to know," said Elegance, staring sharply at Chai, "How a waiter of Café Plaisir might possess such skills?"

Chai stared back at her, firmly, "It's just the sort of thing a stray picks up," he said simply.

"Ah, even our intra-party banter is coming along," said October, grinning at the abrasive exchange with genuine happiness, "I must say, I'm really enjoying myself..."

"Me too!" said Colin, brightly, "I like that we're all useful! Adventures are fun!"

"Yes they are, Colin," said October, with a cheery grin and an air-punching gesture with his paw, "Yes they are."

Chai opened the door and they stepped through, into a well-lit natural tunnel.

Though this was but an entry corridor, there was space for them all to move around easily, which both impressed and disappointed October. He had been looking forwards to the interminable argument about marching order.

Still, he surged on with interest, passing under one artificial light after another, gradually heading downwards.

"Oooh," Colin whined, in a nervously-curled posture, "are we underground? I've never been underground."

"You live underground," said Chai, "We all live in the basement. Except for Elegance..."

"That's not the same!" protested Colin, "This is scarier!"

Then they came to the cave proper and it was a respectable enough sight. They were open and expansive, white natural stone all around. There were artificial lights spread along one cable track in the ceiling, but otherwise these caves were natural and untamed. It felt oddly welcoming to October. Now all it needed, he mused, was deadly, deadly spiders!

The bedrock had to be like cheese around here. The Café was probably built on the only solid bit. October suspected at once that the forests around Plaisir would be safe from development for centuries to come.

"Ooooh, this is scary!" said Colin, suddenly rushing up behind October and grabbing him with his feelers.

October chuckled, "Hahah, nothing in here is as scary as we are, Colin!" he declared with confidence, "We're an adventuring party! Or if you prefer; We're like a Rescue Team and THIS is our Mystery Dungeon!"

"What's a Rescue Team?" said Chai, looking at him curiously.

"What's a Mystery Dungeon?" asked Colin, looking especially curious.

October cringed. Of course they weren't familiar with those terms. This world's Cataclysm and Human Extinction, if it ever came, was probably still a long way off. Let alone the birth of Pokemon civilisation from the ruins.

When he thought about it, perhaps this world might have even avoided it entirely when the language curse had been broken. Still, it was probably better not to say anything.

"Nothing important!" said October, with a nervous chuckle, "Certainly nothing you all need worry about. Anyway! Enough of this!"

Elegance sighed, "I have certainly reached my limit for nonsense."

"Well quite," said October, "Anyway; Let's get on."

"I say we go down that tunnel," said Chai, smirking.

The Umbreon was pointed towards a dark tunnel, leading downwards, to the right.

"I think not," said Elegance.

"Ummm, I think I'd prefer the tunnel with the lights," said Colin, "That tunnel looks dark and scary..."

"Hey," said Chai, "You all made me walk through the bright daytime sun. Maybe it's my turn to be comfortable!"

"Well it's true, Chai, that would be fair," said October, "On the other hand, that tunnel is probably lit because that's where the utilities are. So, that's actually where we need to go."

"I know," said Chai, "Just wanted to put it out there." He had a wicked look on his face, "Maybe push this adventure to a whole new level."

"Well, it might at that," said October with a grin. Now that he put it like that, there was a certain temptation...

"Let us not go into the darkness for no reason," said Elegance, "We have foolishness enough."

"I don't think I'd like the darkness..." said Colin worriedly.

"Yeah, you might get lost down there," said Chai, teasingly, "Wouldn't that just be awful..."

Elegance glared at him.

Chai glared back.

October detected a hint of resentment between them.

"Leeet's just go the lit path," said October, quickly, before the situation could develop, "Come on!"

He advanced quickly, leaving them to hurry up or be left behind.

On they went. It didn't take long to find the utilities. Just a short walk and they came to pipes and runners, running along a cave's walls.

"Well, here we are," said October, "Water pipes... including the silvery ones from the groundwater."

"Yep, there they are," said Chai, "So now what?"

"Now," said October, "We look for anything obvious. Any breaks in the pipe, anywhere we can hear irregular flow or see water leaking. Anything foreign that shouldn't be there."

"Like what?" asked Chai.

"If it's there to be seen," said October, "I suspect it will be obvious."

"Well, there is nothing obvious here," said Elegance, "So what next?"

"Is that not itself obvious?" said October, "We pick a direction and follow the silvery pipes. Shouldn't be too hard."

"Hmph," said Elegance, "So which direction, then? Towards the Café?"

October pointed his ears at the pipes, using his keen directional hearing to listen to the uncomfortable sound of water rushing. "There's nothing off about the sound of the flow in these pipes, they sound much the same as those in the Café" he said, "So my suspicion is further."

Elegance held his gaze, giving him a sharp quizzical expression, her eyebrow angled like the point of a punching dagger, "You are basing this upon the sound of water running through pipes sounding like water running through pipes?"

October frowned at her, "Well, yes. Do you have a better idea?"

"Yes," said Elegance, "We should leave these caves and return to the Café."

"Well why don't you?" said Chai, irritably.

Elegance stared at the Umbreon, "Because if you insist upon this foolish course, at least one rational head should remain to oversee you."

"Oh, so you're burdened with the responsibility of us," said Chai.

"Yes," said Elegance, simply.

"How's about you don't fucking bother?" said Chai, sharply, "Last I checked, no-one actually put you in charge of us, Elegance."

Now that struck the Mienshao squarely in her presumed authority. Her face twisted angrily. "Perhaps I assume responsibility because I possess a sense of responsibility. Perhaps it is simply necessary that someone watches over the likes of you."

"The likes of me, huh?" said Chai, his eyes narrowing, "...and what's that then?"

"Stop fighting!" squeaked Colin, unhappily.

"Ah, yes," said October, hesitantly, "Come along you two, this really isn't the time for this!"

"Isn't it?" said Chai, frowning at October.

"Well, it's traditional for something to go wrong at least before we fall apart, bickering," said October.

"Well I don't know October," said Chai snidely, "I'm not really feeling any comradeship vibe with the likes of her, gotta say."

"Nor I you," hissed Elegance, "You miscreant."

"Miscreant, huh?" said Chai with a smirk.

"Yes," said Elegance, staring sharply, "Whilst October might shock me by approving of what I can only describe as criminal skills, I am only left to question further how you continue to find employment at Café Plaisir."

"Oh, Elegance," said Chai tilting his head with his wry smirk, "Maybe it's got something to do with my actually doing a damned thing around here, much as you," he said it accusingly, "don't."

Elegance's eyes widened, "How dare you!"

Chai clicked his tongue and began walking in the direction that October had indicated, contemptuously showing his back to the angry musteline fighter.

"Come back here you criminal scum!" hissed the Mienshao.

"How's about no?" said Chai, without looking back around, "How's about, we get something done instead of sitting around on your pride? You don't get that, do you, huh?"

Elegance began marching after him.

October, with an apologetic shrug to a horrified-looking Colin, had to follow.

So it was that Chai lead the way through the gloomy caves, with an angry Elegance ten paces behind him. Chai was steadfastly, obnoxiously refusing to meet the Mienshao's angry stares. October couldn't help but grimace. He was winding her up on purpose. As much as he sympathised, October didn't think that was wise.

Colin kept close to October. He had sneakily wrapped a ribbon around one of October's tails for comfort. The fourth from the left. October gave him a rub on the head with another, the fifth.

The caves following the pipes were not even. They wound, up and down, out and around. Sometimes the pipes were at the levels of their knees. Sometimes they were five feet overhead as the cave floor sloped upwards and downwards, whilst the pipes were true and level.

October kept his ears pointed at the pipes throughout, listening for any drips or any inconsistencies in the flow.

It wasn't comfortable to listen to all of that water. The noise of it made him twinge. Association made him think of Rain Flower and pain. Just the memory of that blast made his shoulder ache.

Funny, he had always liked Vaporeon. He hadn't realised how painful they could be. To think of the foolish and drunken notions he'd entertained the first night... embarrassing as they were to recall. From now on, he promised himself to keep as great a distance as possible from the likes of Rain Flower. He would have to figure out where she lived and stay away from there...

Still, unpleasant reminder or no, he had a job to do. He desperately hoped they would find the problem. It wasn't just his desire for adventure. Everything he'd tried this week had sodding gone wrong. Everything.

When the chance for adventure had reared its head, with a goal in mind, a dramatic way to make a positive difference, he had leapt at it. Because here at last, was something he knew he could do!

He needed it... and looking over this small group of lost souls, these damned of Plaisir who had been tidied away to its least busy shift, kept as far as possible from responsibility, who were none the less expected to get Café Plaisir ready and warm for the day ahead, breakfasting its stay-in guests, cleaning its halls, readying everything, carrying the burden of the establishment on their too-few shoulders, day in, day out? They needed it too.

He would give them all a victory. He swore it.

So on they went. Deeper into the caves.

The way became harder. At more than one point, the caves took a sharp turn, but the pipes kept on as they were, running through holes punched straight through the rock. It was necessary each time to go around into darkness, following the trail of suspended lights, until they had rejoined the pipes again.

That wasn't so disconcerting. Not until they came to another such bend and found that the lights were off.

Colin immediately clung closer to October, nearly stopping him in his tracks. "I don't like this!" whined the Sylveon.

"It's just the darkness," said October, "What, you're not worried about what Eclipse said, are you?" He smirked.

"I just don't like it!" said Colin, unhappily.

"Relax, Colin," said October, soothingly, "Like I said; There's nothing scarier than us down here."

"That should not be relevant," said Elegance, "Considering we have several Pokemon capable of making light."

"Oh," said October, "That too, hang on..."

He reached within himself, focussed his powers. He was determined to get it right this time. The trick felt almost intuitive, after all... He opened his maw... felt energies drain and swirl as they coalesced together from his very Fire-type being... and then he weakly vomited a wobbling blob of green flame, which flew against the cave wall... and exploded. Pitifully, with a, "Ploof."

"Hmph..." said October, working his jaw and frowning, "Still haven't quite got the hang of Will O' Wisp..."

Elegance stared at him, suddenly utterly aghast, "You are incapable of Will O' Wisp!?"

"Not 'incapable,'" said October defensively, his pride wounded, "I just... don't quite have the trick down, yet!" He stressed, 'yet!'

"The trick..?" quoted Elegance, looking horrified, "It is merely a stable and concentrated ball of your fire-type aura! Just about any Vulpix could do it!"

"Well, I'm having trouble with the stable part!" protested October, looking away and hiding the embarrassment on his face, "Excuse me!"

"Excuse you? I must!" said Elegance, "By Arceus; Who trained you so poorly?"

"No-one trained me!" said October, bristling.

"Oh, of course they didn't," said Elegance, "I forgot; You are incapable of either servitude or competence. Were you not even taught by your parents?"

October stopped and turned his head, his eyes narrowing on her, the Mienshao having unintentionally tracked over a dark, angry pit within him, his voice lowered in tone as he spoke, "You know, your lack of tact is becoming tiresome, Elegance..."

"Do excuse me," said Elegance, the disciplined Mienshao sounding like her metaphorical feathers were ruffled, "For I am surprised, but I should not be. Just as I am surprised that your high-intensity flames are green and not blue-white, as they should be... but somehow, despite the peculiar aberration this represents, I know I shouldn't be surprised about that, either..!"

"Stop being mean to each other!" shouted Colin, whinily, "Why do you both have to be so mean!?"

October, bristling though he was, huffed and turned away and started charging off, ahead, into the darkness. Elegance hissed and tried to do likewise. They ended up storming at almost the same rate and steadfastly refusing to look at one another. As if they could even have seen one another in the pitch blackness.

Colin whined at them both, unhappily, as he stumbled after them.

"Funny as that was," said Chai, up ahead of them, invisible, even to their eyes, in the pitch darkness, "I got this."

Chai's yellow rings, adorning his tail, ears, forehead, shoulders and thighs, suddenly lit up, aglow, bathing the scene around him in bright, yellow light that was briefly blinding in its intensity, causing both October and Elegance to come to a stop to shield their eyes until they had adjusted. Then, October couldn't help but note, with the still-gloss-black Umbreon fur forming pools of sheer, deeper darkness around those circles, Chai made for an oddly breathtaking sight.

"Ohhh," said October, actually impressed, "You know, I forgot Umbreon can do that..."

"I generally don't have to," said Chai, "Feels kinda weird doing it, actually."

Elegance let out a small hiss, "The Umbreon is capable of stable aura-emission, yet the Ninetales is not. Why, still, am I surprised?"

"Wow, Chai!" said Colin with genuine adoration in his voice, "You're really pretty!"

Chai scowled and looked away.

"He's right you know," said October, smiling, "Take the bloody compliment."

Chai smirked and turned away, "Well maybe I will. We ready to get going?"

"Oh my, yes," said October, starting to follow, "Lead on, nightlight!"

"You don't get to call the miscreant names," said Elegance, frowning, "A Ninetales unable to make a Will O' Wisp ought to be ashamed."

"I WILL figure it out!" said October, unhappily.

"I could have made a Fairy Light..." said Colin quietly, almost unheard.

Left to dwell on that failure, October proceeded with the rest of them, following the bright yellow light into the darkness.

Elegance's words stung at him, but not perhaps the ones she thought. Parents... trainer... no-one had claimed responsibility for October except for Silver and they were equals.

He hadn't needed anything of the like, anyway. He had been born, fully formed and comprehending, his essence created in destruction. A random coalescence of entropy.

Well, that wasn't quite true. He had been a cloud until Silver had found him and the actuality of corporeal reality had occurred to him, but he'd known what it was right away and since then, he hadn't looked back.

Anything responsible for his creation had likely died in the explosion that had created him. There was nothing intelligible in the magical and technological fragments left over. Some varied scraps of destroyed biological tissue. Some exotic chemicals and elements. Nothing intelligible except for a single scorched piece of label on a lid.

It didn't matter, anyway. He was October. He was an accident in interplanar space, belonged no-where and was beholden to no-one. He was uniquely placed in his magical tower to enjoy the multiverse around him. Able to adapt to play in any game that suited him. That was all he'd needed to know.

It was enough for him. He didn't need anything more.

They didn't understand that.

"Hmmm," said Colin, thoughtfully. It woke October from his musings.

"What's on your mind?" said October.

"The lights look fine..." said Colin, the Sylveon was looking up at the ceiling, "I wonder why they're off."

"Probably just a lack of maintenance," said October, "After all, how long have they been down here? They mustn't get visited often."

"The Café is only a few years old," said Elegance, "This lighting would have been installed no earlier."

"Hmmm..." said October, "That is strange, then..."

It was then that he looked around. So distracted was he by his thoughts and recollections, he had forgotten one of the most important rules of adventuring; Keep your sodding eyes open.

His eyes did open wide, then. At all of the barely distinguishable legs.

"Oh, Fortuna..." he said, very, very quietly.

They all looked at him.

"I think I've figured out why the lights are off," said October, with fake calm, "Don't stop, keep on as you are, stay calm," he said quickly, before anyone could begin to look around.

"Colin, Elegance," he addressed quietly, "Can you run with those hampers?"

"Yes, but not very fast," said Colin, looking worried despite October's advice, "...why?"

"Because you're going to need to. Get ready. The two of you are going to follow Chai and I'm going to cover you. Ready?"

"No..?" said Colin, worriedly, but Elegance and a suddenly very wide-eyed Chai nodded.

"Go!" said October and then he was left with a pickle.

He didn't actually know how to do a Flamethrower properly. He hadn't even managed to pull off a Will O' Wisp. His best efforts with flame had generally come from him being pissed off and swearing.

So that was probably his best bet.

October opened his made wide and took in a deep breath, "FUCKING RUN! THESE ARE BASTARD CUNTING DEADLY FUCKING SPIDAAAAaauugh!"

Orange-yellow flames burst from his maw, blasting fitfully up at the ceiling in uneven bursts that didn't reach far nor went quite where he was aiming them.

They lit the scene quite well though. Unlike Chai's pure, yellow light, they at least showed a clear difference between grey-white stone and yellow fur.

With a screech like static, the nearest of the Galvantula fled from the flames and the way ahead was briefly cleared. Unfortunately, their numbers were also revealed for the party to see.

This was a large cave, so it seemed and every recessed nook seemed to be heaving. There were four foot wide spiders all over the place.

Oh, they ran.

Paws scratching on the hard stone floor, hampers lurching, hearts pounding. They ran desperately. Over rocky floors and between stalactites, until they came to the tunnel that had to surely lead them back towards the pipes. Hopefully back towards light.

About twenty meters in, Chai paused. It was an optical illusion. What looked like a hundred meters of length, was in fact a funnel. They skipped to a stop just as October and Elegance were running out of ceiling.

"What the fuck!?" cried Chai, in disbelief.

"Caves are dicks," said October, miserably, "Would you believe that this has happened to me before?"

"Yes," said Elegance. The Mienshao looking worried for the first time that October had seen.

Colin was gasping, out of breath. The Sylveon looked dazed, "I think..." he gasped, "I think they think... we have food for them..."

"They're right!" snapped Chai.

"I suspect they aren't interest in the hampers..." said Elegance.

"That's what I meant!" said Chai.

"What do... they mean?" gasped Colin, looking to October for answers.

October was staring at the tunnel entrance. Galvantula were starting to gather. Including at the sides and top. Though they obviously hadn't reached a critical mass, yet. They seemed to feel they had the initiative. No point in taking unnecessary risks for trapped prey, of course...

October smirked, "I'll tell you when we get out of this."

"When we get out of this?" said Elegance, with muted sharpness, "How are we going to get out of this?"

"Well," said October, "Plan A; Send the Meatshield in first, is off. Silver isn't here. I almost wish we'd invited Eclipse along. He'd probably have made a great barbarian."

To his shock and surprise, Elegance actually gave a single, quiet laugh.

"Seriously though," said Chai, "You got a plan?"

"Well, if it comes to it, this;" said October with a sigh, "If they catch us with Electrowebs, we're done. So Colin, I'm going to have to get you to create a constant updraught with your Fairy Wind, can you do that?"

Colin looked confused and upset, as well as out of breath, but he nodded, uncertainly.

"Good," said October, "Elegance and Chai will watch the flanks. Don't get stuck in melee; Intercept, hit, run, keep moving, just keep them off. I'll be clearing the way."

"Oh fuck, oh fuck..." said Chai, panic rising in his voice, "You're fuckin' serious, you're plannin' on takin' 'em head on? We're meat, October!"

"Stay with me Chai!" said October, catching and holding the Umbreon's gaze as hard as he could, "I'm counting on you."

The Umbreon was shaking his head. October advanced on him. He stopped Chai's head with a paw and met him in the eyes. If any one of them freaked out, they were probably all dead.

"We're gonna die down here..." said Chai, his eyes slightly glassed.

October grinned, toothily, "No we're fucking not," he said firmly, a growl in his voice, "or I'd be long dead, already. This is nothing. This is just a Friday afternoon to me. Don't you let me down, Chai!"

Chai stared at him, wide-eyed and gulped. October had expected to have to say more than that, but Chai held his tongue. October was impressed.

October looked away and addressed all of them, "That's the backup plan, anyway. It's a bit genocidal for my liking."

"Backup plan?" said Elegance, frowning, pausing as she limbered up, "then what is your primary plan?"

"I'm going to go and talk to them," said October, then he turned and started casually strolling towards the Galvantula.

"Talk to them!?" said Elegance, disbelievingly, "October, they will kill you!"

"Well," said October, continuing to walk and smiling over his shoulder, "If that's what it looks like, by all means come running up after me. I'd rather not go straight in killing, however. It's just not very nice. You wouldn't believe how many adventuring-related deaths are unnecessary. I won't add to that statistic."

"October, you're crazy!" said Chai, "They won't understand you, they're just Bug types!"

October tutted, "...and to think you were accusing me of bias against humans! Their braincases are as big as yours, Chai! Predators tend to have to be smart."

With that, he turned around to see a truly terrific number of eyes staring at him. In the dim reflection of Chai's yellow light, those indigo eyes were simply pools of black and devoid of expression. Not that they might ever be otherwise, thought October.

October didn't know what language the Galvantula might use. In truth, he didn't know what language the Café Plaisir Pokemon used... or the humans. As ever, all he had to do was speak to be understood. Something about his nature did the rest.

He imagined this one might be tickly though, so first he cleared his throat, "Galvantula;" he addressed, his throat rattling, "You're all freaking me the fuck out, on account of how you're all huge and deadly, deadly spiders. This makes me want to start burning things. Please reassure me that this won't be necessary."

The Galvantula stared at him, in silence, for several seconds. Some of them edged back, a little.

Suddenly one of them spoke to him, the largest. The scratches clicks and high-pitched whistles it made from its mandibles was like listening to a dial-up modem. "You speak our language?" it asked, sounding mystified.

"It isn't difficult," October assured him, "Now, as to my previous enquiry?"

The large spider seemed to observe him curiously for a few seconds and then tapped its legs against the ground, apparently a gesture akin to a shrug. "You have intruded upon our territory," said the Galvantula, "So you will become prey."

"Aha, no," said October, frowning, "First of all, we're just here to find out what's going wrong with our groundwater. Second of all, we're no-one's prey. We're from Café Plaisir and this territory belongs to the Café."

"This territory is ours!" declared the spider, "We defend this source of precious Current. I do not know what you are talking about, but it does not change the fact that you are prey."

"Oh, but it does," said October, teasingly, smirking, "Because that Current you suck on also belongs to the Café. Without the Café, there would be no Current. If you dare offend the Café, there shall also be no Current. You are at the Café's mercy."

That seemed to give the Galvantula pause... or least intrigue it enough to give it pause. "What is... this Café?"

"It's a... hive of many different Pokemon and Humans," said October, "It's staffed by Pokemon and connected to the Human Civilisation. It has the strength of Pokemon and Humans."

The gathered Galvantula appeared to understand that well enough from the way they began to shuffle around uncomfortably and look to each other. Group concern was easy to recognise in any species.

"To what end is this power gathered?" said the Galvantula, in alarm.

"For pleasure," said October, "and recreation. As prized commodities as Current is to yourselves. As such, it will be defended just as vigorously."

That the Galvantula also seemed to understand and draw concern over.

"We could simply kill you," said the largest of them, "and they will know nothing."

"That's where you're wrong," said October, sharply, "because if we don't return, others will come... and in greater numbers. Assuming you can simply kill us. Surely you recognise a Ninetales? You must have heard tales of my flames. How many of you will fall before I fall? How many of you might remain to oppose the Pokemon and Humans?"

The Galvantula screeched, suddenly and reared. October scowled, expecting that the attack might soon be coming.

He was right. He had all but challenged it, verbally and it seemed to feel it had to answer that challenge. Static electricity literally crackling at its four pedipalp heels, it began to surge forwards!

Yet it moved alone, without the support of its swarm, who stood back, nervously. It realised this quickly and came to halt just a meter from October. He looked down at it, balefully.

He showed his teeth and let a little green flame show in his eyes, staring down at the Bug type. "Don't make me destroy you," he warned, dramatically. Bluffing.

"What do you want?" said the Galvantula, having apparently weighed its options, quickly.

"To conduct our business without let or hindrance," said October, "We are here to find a problem with our water supply and that is all." He glared a little harder, "Tolerate us and the Café will tolerate you. Become a problem and you will be solved. Things are this simple."

The Galvantula seemed about ready to relent, October guessed, but he had to feel a little sorry for it. He'd made it look like a bit of cunt.

He turned his head towards Chai, Colin and Elegance, who were staring at him in open-mouthed shock. "Hey!" he addressed them, "Colin; Do you have some sugary things in there?"

Colin looked confused, "Umm... yes..?" the Sylveon replied.

"Take them out of the hamper and get ready to lay them down as you leave the tunnel. We're leaving, but we're also leaving a gift. Be generous. Lots of sugar. Fit for a swarm of giant spiders..."

"Oh, but October, we need those for the picnic!" said Colin.

October had to frown at Colin's order of priorities, still, he had to work with that he had to work with, "Think of the Galvantula, Colin, they don't have any picnic at all. Be kind!"

"Oh!" said Colin, throwing his ribbons up and then slapping himself in the cheeks with them, looking shocked at himself, "alright! I'm sorry!" said Colin.

"What the hell were those noises you were making?" asked Chai, looking shocked, apparently unable to contain the question any longer.

"I was talking to them, of course," said October with a smirk.

October returned his attention to the Galvantula. Which were now also looking somewhat mystified.

"Do excuse me," said October to the Galvantula, "Now please back up and give us room to return to the pipes. We have decided to leave you a gift in the interest of peace and cooperation."

With hesitation, with slow, trepidatious movements on the parts of all parties, the Galvantula backed up and the Café Plaisir Pokemon advanced.

"Ah," said October to himself, "Isn't it nice when people behave like adults?"

There was a stir from the Galvantula, however, when Elegance and Colin laid down the arm-and-ribbon-fulls of cream buns and chocolate delights.

October couldn't help but marvel at once how delicious it all looked and how Colin thought they could have all possibly have eaten even a fraction of it themselves. It beggared belief, but it was there in physical fact.

"What is this bounty!?" screeched the Galvantula in surprise, causing the Plaisir Pokemon to duck in fright.

October smiled at the Galvantula, "It is but a small token of Plaisir's earned bounty, Galvantula. Accept it graciously as a token of the Café's favour, for your wisdom in letting us pass."

"Such energy rich food is valuable here," said the Galvantula, "How did you acquire it?"

"By trade," said October, "By offering to others what they want in return for what we in turn desire. This is made easy by the universal interchange of currency. It is just one of the basis of civilisation. You should try it, sometime."

The Galvantula paused. October could practically see its mind working as its legs and pedipalps twitched. It was thinking about what he said. He suspected no-one had bothered to tell it any of this before.

"How could we acquire more?" asked the Galvantula.

October smiled, "You must find something you can offer that is useful to others. This is a mystery for a clever leader to solve and I leave it to you. Oh, but it couldn't hurt to learn the language of Humans whilst you're at it."

"We do not know how to learn," said the Galvantula, "Would you teach us?"

"Hmmm, well," said October, "I could visit, on occasion. Perhaps get you started."

"This would be acceptable," said the Galvantula. "For this kindness, we would offer continued safe passage through these caves."

"Was this not already offered?" asked October, suspiciously.

"You do not understand," said the Galvantula, "These caves are dangerous. We are not the only denizens. However, if four of our warriors were to join you, few would stand to oppose you."

October smiled, "Sounds like a fair trade to me. Truly, you are wise."

So it was, to the massive discomfort of Colin, Chai and Elegance and to the enormous smirking satisfaction of October, that they were joined on their journey by an additional sixteen legs on four quadrupedal arachnids.

Now this was a practical solution that had the faint air of the ridiculous which October just had to love.

Once they were back under white artificial lights, the yellow-and-indigo furred Galvantula were no less terrifying. Naturally, huge social predatory arthropods that were the proud yellow of those blessed with electrical superpowers were terrifying... but they had turned out to be alright, after all.

It took another twenty minutes of wandering through the darkened tunnels, but it was with some triumph that October finally laid ears on the sounds of dripping water, the tell-tale sounds of leaky, broken pipes.

Oh, but he felt vindicated. At least to himself.

He verily rushed ahead to the source of the problem.

"Hah-haa!" laughed October, proudly.

He stood by the very obvious source of the problem. Highlighted by a large, dark, lumpy spot on the cave floor that looked and smelled absolutely foul.

"Well damn," said Chai, looking surprised, "You were right."

"Hmmph," said Elegance, somehow managing to look unconvinced, despite the fact.

Here, the water pipes were clustered together as usual until the silvery pipes turned downwards and disappeared down a narrow ductway. They had been joined by what looked like an extension to the waste pipe, an extra pipe leading down from a joint which had been very badly installed to say the least.

The installed joint hadn't been fitted properly and it was leaking from both ends. Worse, the pipes it had been fitted into had been buckled in the process. That was where the dark, filthy stain had come from.

That wouldn't have caused the problem on its own. Except whatever idiot had struggled this joint into place had also ruptured the silvery pipes that carried the presumably clean groundwater up out of the duct.

"Well, that's it then," said October, "That's broken, whoever installed it was an idiot and it's getting into the 'Spring Water' there."

"Wow, you really were right!" said Colin, his eyes seeming to practically sparkle with enthusiasm.

"You don't need to sound so surprised," said October, quietly.

"Yeah he does," said Chai, "shit, I can barely believe it myself."

"Thanks," said October with a smirk.

"Shoddy workmanship," said Elegance with a hiss, "Truly shameful."

"Yes," said October, "Shameful and problematic. Hmmm. Probably should have thought to bring some plumbing supplies..."

"You didn't bring anything," stated Elegance, flatly, "I did not question it because I did not think that you were right. Only Colin thought to bring anything at all on your 'adventure.'"

"Well," said October, "Normally I'd have loads of cool toys and stuff... but frankly, we're Pokemon. We ARE cool stuff. There's got to be something we can do..."

"Such as?" said Elegance, questioningly.

October thought briefly, "Hmmm... Colin?" he asked.

"Hmmm?" said the Sylveon.

"Do you happen to have stainless steel plates in there? At least one?" asked October.

"Ummm, yeah..." said Colin.

"Get it out," said October, "Do you have any cutlery... in a softer metal?"

"Ummm..."

They had a root through Colin's hamper. It was astonishing what he'd managed to three-dimensionally tesselate into position.

October exultantly discovered some thin camping knives. He had no idea why Colin had even brought them. Surely only he and Elegance could even use cutlery?

"Perfect!" declared October, inspecting a blunt knife, "They're even zinc-plated!"

"That's good?" said Colin, looking curious and confused.

"It has a lowish melting point, it'll work like mortar," said October with a grin. He turned to the bemused looking Mienshao, "Elegance, I have a task for you; It will require fair degrees of strength, discipline and precision..."

It had really turned out to be a good idea to bring the Mienshao along, after all. He had to marvel at the display she put on.

Considering she was beating a thin steel plate into shape over a square of camping knives, steadily shaping it all into a patch over the broken section of the groundwater pipe, she made quite a show of it. He had to admire her graceful movements, swift like a diving falcon on the strike, smooth like flowing water on the return, keeping her paws firmly planted yet rolling her entire body so smoothly with each stroke that she barely seemed to move at all.

"Damn," said Chai, at Elegance's force, revealed.

"Just be glad she's on our side," said October with a smirk, "Just imagine that metal is Eclipse's face and worry a little less."

That got Chai to smirk with him.

Elegance took her time, but October let her. She made for a fantastic display and he appreciated it equally on the grounds of distinct and admirable martial prowess and because he certainly did appreciate the sight of a strong, healthy female. Her understated muscles worked beautifully. Her form was power and grace, under perfect control, with no wasteful mass or movement. Elegance, indeed.

"I am finished," said Elegance, sharply, "You may now proceed. Kindly do not follow my hard work with incompetence."

Of course, then there was that personality of hers.

"Right," said October, turning to the Galvantula, "If you don't mind, I would appreciate your help, for this part..."

He took some time to explain. Everyone was doubtful. Including the Galvantula. He coaxed them into it anyway.

Now, this part of the plan was not his best, reflected October, as he assumed his position, with his paws atop the patch, keeping it held down. He had his hindpaws resting on the higher set of pipes, around which he had also wrapped his tails. He was in a somewhat awkward position, just about braced against the wall with his rump.

"October..." said Chai, "This seems dumb."

"It will work! It has to!" he assured the Umbreon, "I'm the only one who can take the temperature!"

"Right..." said Chai, doubtfully.

"Oh, October..." said Colin, unhappily.

Elegance said nothing. As did the Galvantula to either side of October.

"Let's do this!" he said to the Galvantula.

They didn't wait around.

There was a blinding flash as they opened up with their electricity, bright arcs linking the directed electrical flows into the plate.

October had hoped that his position would have prevented the electricity from taking a course through him, but he was getting shocked anyway.

It was not a pleasant experience. His body ached and jolted. As his muscles cramped, it was only his position that kept him in place. He had factored in involuntary muscular contractions to his position, after all.

Yet, he knew it wouldn't be enough on its own. He had to join the effort. Twitchingly, he pointed his head towards the blinking light and banging sparks and opened his maw wide, getting a mouthful of ozone and burning dust particles for his efforts.

He took as deep a breath as his twitching body could take and tried to focus his energy.

It wasn't easy, considering the conditions and the fact that he didn't know what he was doing to begin with. He'd taken a chance every time he'd lit a cigarette, in truth. How he'd managed to blow out the window on that first night properly he'd never know. It was probably only because he was drunk. He wished he was drunk right now.

His energy surged and with a rush from his inner being outwards, he exhaled a blast of yellow-hot flames that washed over the plate, bathing it in an outpouring of ferocious raw heat.

Quickly... and to his horror, in a frozen instant, October realised that his head was twisting from the force of his flames. He couldn't hold his neck position... the next twitch would send his head to one side.

Suddenly there was a thump on his back and strong, fine paws holding both sides of his head, keeping him pointed in the right direction.

He glanced up and saw Elegance's face. Pain was etched across her face. She was clearly not well placed in front of the lightning and inferno.

There was no stopping until it was done however... and October had nothing but feel to go by.

There was another pain growing in his gut. He hadn't noticed it at first under the effects of the electrical discharges. It was getting worse by the instant though, starting to eclipse even the pain and cramp in his muscles... Just like when he'd made the wisp, earlier, it was like he was bleeding on the inside... Was this aura drain?

Still, he wouldn't relent, he couldn't, not until he felt give beneath his paws... So he simply had to ensure... and wait... and wait... until finally, he felt the knives soften and the plate press down, forming a seal at long last.

He stopped breathing fire with a dry and sore wheeze, "Alright, stop," he told the Galvantula.

The bright, flickering display ended, leaving the artificially-lit underground scene feeling very dull and dim indeed.

October, shaking, his fur out on end, with a similarly-disorganised Elegance sat atop him, sighed.

Before he could say a word, Elegance whapped him across the ear hard enough to make him yelp. Then she jumped off.

October just about managed to take his paws off of the plate carefully, so he wouldn't move it out of position. Then he let himself fall on the ground with a groan.

"Is that it?" asked Chai.

"That's it," groaned October.

Still, as he lay there, stinking of ozone in addition to everything else he'd encountered through the dark, October couldn't help but feel good. He reached for a cigarette and then paused.

There was a smell coming from the pipe duct. It seemed strangely familiar... it smelled kind of like... Pecha... and something else.

"Complete success!" declared October. Wide-eyed, he lit his cigarette and sat up quickly, forgetting his aches and pains as the rush of artificial satisfaction joined with the natural and became a wonderful feeling.

"Yay!" said Colin, throwing his ribbons up in the air in celebration.

Chai gave him a look. October rolled his eyes and gave him a cigarette.

"At last," said Elegance.

October rolled his eyes the other way. He took an extra long draw on his cigarette.

"Ahhh..." said October, exhaling, "The taste of victory."

"Damn right," agreed Chai, exhaling his own first draw at last.

"So we won?" said Colin, subtly moving his ribbons to cover his nose.

"Of course we won," said October, with a grin, "Just look at us. We four, we few, we unfavoured..." he smiled and looked across them all, "We who are hidden in the morning, who bear the burden of Plaisir each day, who breakfast the whiney customers and clean up after the barbaric waiters of the Afternoon and Night shifts. We who, though few in number, get that damn place running each day, bearing the burden of thrice our number of better-favoured Afternoon and Evening Shift Thralls."

He grinned, triumphantly at all of them. At amused Chai, at awestruck Colin, at aloof Elegance.

"We're the fucking Heroes of Dawn," said October, flaring his tails and posing, "Of course we got it done."

"Yay!" said Colin, throwing his ribbons up again.

Chai chuckled. It was just about audible.

Elegance actually smirked.

October felt glorious.

He turned to the Galvantula, "Is there a closer access to the surface from here than where we came?"

"Yes," said the closest one, "There is a human-made exit nearby, over there. It pointed with a pedipalp.

There was a concrete-lined stairwell recessed into the wall of the cave, looking made of pure dungeon-exit convenience. October smiled. He loved it when that happened. He also loved that it lead further down as well as up.

"Well Heroes," said October, addressing the Plaisir Pokemon, "There's our exit," he nodded to the stairwell.

Elegance frowned at him, looked like she was about to speak on impulse, then seemingly remembered at the last moment that they couldn't have known where the exact problem was. She ultimately didn't say anything, but it was amusing to watch the process.

It was a sudden, impulse condition, but October liked to satisfy all of his objectives, even sudden tertiary ones. They tended to lead to nice bonuses. He spoke up suddenly, "Elegance, Colin, you should head up the stairs and set the picnic outside. Chai and I are going down."

"What..?" said Chai, raising an eyebrow.

"Why?" said questioned Elegance, with a similar expression.

"I want to check the integrity of the pipes going down," said October, "Plus, I'd like to take a look at that groundwater station. It sounds cool."

"We should all go!" declared Colin, wearing an adorable expression of adventurer's resolve.

Proud as he was, "No, Colin," said October with a smile, "I don't think there'll be any more trouble. It'll be quicker if just Chai and I go. Besides, this way you can have the picnic ready when we get up there."

"Oh..." said Colin, before smiling, "I suppose that's true!"

"Plus," added October, "I'll bet Elegance can't wait to get you out of here."

"Nor myself," said Mienshao with her usual blunt honesty. With her usually well-groomed fur poofed up by static, she looked even more annoyed than usual.

"I'm sure Colin's got a grooming brush in there," said October, with a smirk.

She scowled at him, but it might have had half a smile under it.

"Thankyou, Galvantula," said October, "Know that you have made a good impression today and relay that we would be happy to provide food for further escort on any future business needed down here in future."

"Thankyou, Ninetales," said the closest spider, "You have made strong friends today."

"I'm sure I have," said October, with a smile and a respectful nod.

So, the Galvantula headed back and Colin and Elegance began ascending hesitantly up the stairwell, leaving October and Chai alone once again.

The Umbreon was looking at him suspiciously, "What's this about?"

October grinned, "Did you get a smell of that pipe duct?"

"No..." said Chai, looking thoughtful, "Why?"

October chuckled and headed down the stairwell.

It was more or less a straight run down to the filtration and pumping station. They had descended about thirty meters when they began to hear the sound of heavy equipment.

About five meters later, they slowed, hearing something else.

Singing.

It was deep, bassy and was apparently singing something of the Blues. You could hear the skip of the minor pentatonic scale even from here.

October and Chai looked at each other and headed on down.

The soundtrack the voice was singing along to eventually became audible, tinny and barely distinguishable from the background noise.

They they were reaching the bottom of the stairwell and emerging into blindingly bright light.

The chamber was large, with several tiers, with a partially concreted floor and a host of big, heavy looking machines. An underground river flowed past the bottom corner, into which several large collection pipes were ran.

A lot of those machines looked like they should be here; Well built, modern, fitted and connected nicely, anchored into concrete foundations, looking well made and still bearing that factory shine. Then there were a bunch that didn't, beaten up, rusty bits of old car crudely forged into filters and vats, connected in series to what looked like lengths of old drainpipe coming down from the ceiling next to the professional fitted pipes. A whole second and reversed flow of water, leading right the way around to the back corner of the chamber, where excess drain water was pouring downstream.

The thrumming rhythms and melodies of the Blues echoed over it all, backed by a deep, strong voice.

October raised an eyebrow. What they hell were they doing?

He looked at Chai. Chai looked just as confused as he was.

Shrugging, October strolled casually into the chamber, towards the voice, down through the first ranks of machines into an unexpected berry garden, through healthily growing Pecha bushes under sunlamps.

"...I aint got no money, I aint got no shoes, my wife and Poochy left me, all I got's the Blues, Ohohoh-oh-oh..."

"Hello there!" said October, cheerily and then paused. Chai, who had been in the process of glaring at him, paused too.

The scale of the Pokemon in front of them was something to regard indeed. It could be best described as exactly what it was; A giant dinosaur of a Tortoise, green and brown, with what appeared to be a small rocky garden growing on its back, along with a small tree. It rose over seven foot into the air and it was as least as broad.

"Huh?" said the Torterra, turning to look at them slowly, big, red-pupiled eyes regarding them, "Well hello..."

"Hi..." said October, smiling awkwardly.

"Don't get many visitors down here," said the immense Pokemon, turning around slowly to face them properly, its gentle steps making tangible impacts through the concrete under their feet.

"I'm a little surprised to see you too," said October, trying not to look awe-struck at the creature's scale, "I'm October. With whom do I have the pleasure?"

"Aint never been called nothin' but Torterra," said the Torterra, slowly, regarding him curiously.

"Really now?" said October, "Seems a shame... everyone should have a name."

"Never needed one," said the Torterra, giving a geologically slow shrug before mildly frowning and muttering, "Hey, the two of you probably shouldn't be down here..."

Chai spoke up, "You going to throw us out?"

There were several slow moments of consideration, then, "Nah..." said the Torterra, "Just as long as you don't break anythin'."

"Pleased for the company, eh?" said October with a smirk.

"Eh," said the Torterra, "Can't be bothered, neither. Not unless you mess shit up."

"I find your diligence admirable," chuckled October, looking away and around the room, where industry and the scrapheap seemed to meet under the ground. "Also; this seems like a pretty nifty setup."

"Ain't bad," said the Torterra, nodding slowly, "I gots my work, gots my peace and I gots my Blues."

"Clearly," said October, smiling, "You lack for nothing, except booze."

"Got that too," said the Torterra, nodding to a dirty sack above a drum, stained pink, "Makin' my own Pecha hooch."

"Not bad!" said October, genuinely impressed, "How's about more Blues?"

"Y'can't never get enough Blues," said the Torterra, "Blues is life, know what I'm sayin'?"

"Absolutely," said October, "One of the few genres with integrity, I say. Pan-dimensional, practically universal, is the Blues, you know..."

The Torterra chucked, "You're a funny one."

"He sure is," said Chai, quietly.

"Not just a funny one, not just a cool one," said October, "but a helpful one too," he grinned.

"Are you now?" said the Torterra, looking suspicious. "And why is that?"

October's grin grew, "Because I'm interested in what you're making here."

Pausing briefly, Torterra frowned, slowly, "Are you, huh?"

"Certainly bloody am," said October with a smile, "You see, whilst collecting lost things, I just so happened upon a smoke that gave me pause... It was made of Pecha leaves..." he said, pointedly looking at the garden, "and it was treated with what smelled like the contents of that vat over there," he said, pointing with his muzzle again, at a largish vat, nearish the back corner of the cave.

"Huh," said the Torterra, "Where'd you find that?"

"Do you really care?" said October.

"Nah," said the Torterra, with a slow smirk spreading across the angle of his huge beak, "So what did you think?"

Chai spoke up, "It was fucking amazing."

October grinned, "As he said. Visible auras. Like magic."

"Heheh, you're lucky," said the Torterra with a big, slow, proud smirk, "This shit ain't even hit the streets yet. Ain't even illegal. Ain't even known ta regular science."

"Yeah..." said Chai, frowning slightly, "So, what the fuck is it?"

"It's like, frickin' condensed aura," said the Torterra, chuckling, "That's what it is."

"No shit?" said Chai, tilting his head.

"No shit," said the Torterra, slowly nodding his own.

October raised an eyebrow, "...and you filter it out of Plaisir's sewage pipe?"

"Damn right I do," said the Torterra, "You know how much spunk and gunk goes down that pipe each day? S'all full a Pokemon power, Ninetales. I skim it, distill it, condense it, an' then I soak 'em smokes in it. This shit is the future."

"Augh..." said Chai, looking slightly horrified, "You mean we've been smoking toilet juice?"

"Heh," said the Torterra, a smirk growing on his beak that showed his amusement with Chai's ignorance, "We've got a whole damn treatment plant down here, in parts, better'n a treatment plant if I do say so maself," he said, nodding to the line of improvised machines, "Besides, the actual extraction of aura is done through a solid plate into a Pecha juice medium over there, in that there giant, modified partial Pokeball." He was nodding to a big cubic machine, the outer plating clearly made of old bits of cars, with cables and pipes sticking out of it everywhere, "It's the energy we want, not the matter. You ain't smokin' disease."

October's eyes were wide, but not in horror. This was far too awesome for horror. It was more like his dormant but very real interest in (mad) science was tickled. "Who figured this out?" he had to ask.

The Torterra shook his head from side to side, "No rightful idea, m'afraid. I just do the job and I get mine."

October grinned, "Willing to trade a little on the side, for a little more for yourself?"

"Damn right," said the Torterra with an agreeable smile.

"Oh, Fortuna," said October happily, "This day is just the bestest."

"Hey," said Chai, suddenly, "Who bankrolled this?"

The Torterra frowned, "Ain't a smart question ta ask, boy. You know you don't want me to answer."

"Blackbone," said Chai, almost silently.

"Like I said..." said the Torterra.

"Blackbone?" repeated October, curiously, "Who's that?"

"It's just something a stray knows," said Chai, quietly, "Forget it, October."

"Yeah," said the Torterra, "Huh. So, you're definitely cool."

"Of course we are," said October.

"Right," said Chai.

"Then I'm glad I met ya," said the Torterra.

"Oh, the feeling's mutual," said October, with a happy chuckle, "Want to trade a few of your special smokes for some cigarettes? Tobacco is VERY Blues."

"Bring me 'round some whiskey later and you got yourself a deal, Ninetales," said the Torterra.

* * *

It was a straight run up the stairwell until they were heading back out through a tight doorway into the diminishing daylight.

For all the thrill of adventure, the first breath of fresh air back on the surface was always a welcome relief.

It was even all the more pleasant for the sight of a picnic blanket, with treats, nicely arranged.

For all the pleasantness of the scene, however, it was marred by an unhappy looking Colin.

"Colin?" said October as they approached, "Whatever's the matter?"

"The hampers were destroyed," said Elegance, simply, pointing to the wicker wreckage nearby, "They would not fit through the doorway."

"You pushed too hard!" said Colin, sadly.

"We had spent too long underground," said Elegance, with ruthlessly narrowed eyes.

"Psh," said October, "Cheer up Colin, it's just wicker and this is no time for tears!" October sat himself down and smiled broadly, "Today, we are triumphant. We stopped a crisis in its tracks."

"I take it the lower pipes checked out?" asked Elegance, curiously.

"What?" October blinked, then smiled, "Oh yes, of course," he said, "No further problems."

"Hmmm, good," said Elegance, with a nod, "Then someone should report to Mister Pouncer. I will do it, now." She turned and began to leave.

"...but Elegance!" said Colin almost scrambling up onto his paws, "There are things set out for you!"

"I am sorry, Colin," said Elegance, "but soon Mister Pouncer will head home for the day. I would like to inform him of these events before then. He has been very worried about the matter of staff sickness."

"Oh, okay..." said Colin, sadly, "Can you join us, afterwards?"

"Afterwards, I will be preparing myself a very long bath in my quarters," said Elegance, looking unhappily at her unkempt appearance, "This day has been... trying."

"Aw..." whined Colin.

"It is a shame," said October, honestly, "I feel as though Elegance has earned a part of this Heroes' feast... She did good work with us."

"If good work is what we have done," said Elegance, looking up and away, "I would need no such immodest gratification as payment."

"Funny," said October, "Working here has stretched even this hedonist's appetite for immodest gratification. One feels one should learn to take it as it comes. Around here such an appetite well-serves, especially when it's well-deserved. Even for the party's monk..."

"Indeed?" said Elegance, still looking away, "Well not today. For now, I depart." Depart she did, as well, in her usual, unhurried way.

October sighed and gave Colin a sad smile, "Oh well, I tried. Still, that leaves the three of us."

Nearby, Chai opened his mouth and then closed it. Then he looked away, unhappily.

He had been about to say that he was leaving too. This 'Picnic' didn't suit him and besides... in truth, he wanted to follow Elegance.

He didn't trust her. He wanted to know what she was going to say to Pouncer. He had a feeling that it wouldn't be the story that October would give. Whether she'd try to take credit for the good they'd apparently done or simply do her best to make October look as bad as possible over the whole thing - which wouldn't be hard, given the danger they'd been in - he felt like he ought to at least be there and hear it.

He'd hesitated, though... and he wasn't exactly sure why, but some other things were nagging him just as much as his suspicious impulses.

He didn't want to go. He wanted to stay here. Despite himself, despite it all, he felt kind of good... and maybe he just had a bit of that hero's appetite October was on about. He knew what the Ninetales had done. He'd brought them together. He'd tested them together. Put them through shared shit that made 'em stronger. He liked October's way of doing that a lot better than what he'd been through.

That wasn't entirely it either, though. He didn't want to go because he didn't want to leave October with Colin. He could admit that much to himself.

If he left, Colin and October would have a lovely Picnic, alone. October wouldn't leave for the sense of camaraderie that Colin would then get to himself. Then that would be them for the rest of the evening. They'd probably not be seen until sunrise.

That wasn't fair, that wasn't right, thought Chai. No way, he deserved his part of it. He deserved a lot more then that simpering Sylveon did. There was no way he could let Colin take all the warmth.

He wouldn't. He couldn't. So he stayed, though he stared in the direction of the departed Elegance long after she left, wondering why he hadn't followed.

It was a pleasant picnic indeed. Colin had put on a rather good spread and October had worked up quite the appetite. Having also subsisted primarily upon wild berries and stolen table-scraps for a week, he was also consuming his allocation ravenously and speaking highly of it, which seemed to please Colin immensely.

Chai had remained mostly quiet throughout, but he'd chimed in with his typical, snarky fashion more often then he would have before. He honestly seemed to be warming up. It made October smile.

He knew he had done some good today, after all. That feeling swept away all the aches and pains he'd been building, fed him better then any food.

The sun was going down by the end of it, making a glorious crimson burn of the day's sky, a furiously incandescent display to crown that day's trials and tribulations.

With a full belly and a happy heart, October enjoyed it immensely, feeling practically at one with the burning display.

At some point around then, though, Colin had needed to go to the toilet.

"Come with me!" he'd pleaded, "Please, October!"

"No Colin," said October with a smirking frown, "You don't need an escort to go pee in the woods. Just don't go far."

"Seriously, go, you wuss," said Chai.

Eventually they had persuaded him that it was both unnecessary and actually kind of grody to do that and Colin had crept off fretfully towards some nearby bushes.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Chai leant over. "Hey, October," he said.

"Yes..?" said October, raising an eyebrow and ear.

"When we get back to the Café, we've gotta ditch Colin," said Chai, with a smirk.

"Oh really?" said October, his eyebrow raising further.

"We've gotta go to the roof and you know it," said Chai, "We've gotta try those smokes."

October couldn't help but grin, "You know, you might have a point, there... " It wasn't quite in the spirit of the occasion, but it was just the right thing to cap off this day.

That ultimately didn't turn out to be as hard or as difficult as October had expected.

When Colin had returned and they had wrapped up the picnic's remnants in the blanket, October had to make it very clear right away that he couldn't help with the washing up when they got back. He'd had quite enough of water for one day.

"Oh, but please!" plead Colin, as they strolled back to the Café along the roadside.

"Can't, elemental nemesis," said October, again.

"Oh... well... Chai, you can help, can't you?" said Colin, hopefully.

"No way, I'm off work," said Chai, snippily.

"Oh, but that's not fair!" said Colin, unhappily, "I put hard work into this picnic!"

Neither October nor Chai had answered.

Colin squeaked huffily, "Oh! You two can be really awful, sometimes!"

They didn't deny it.

So, October had carried the blanket into the kitchens for him and then left Colin with a pile of dishes.

October felt a little bit like a monster, but it had to be done.

They had slunk up to the roof almost immediately. Night had fallen by then and they headed out into cooler air and a darkening sky. The embrace of darkness and and familiar surroundings felt welcoming indeed after good day's work.

Chai was grinning happily. It was good to see and infectious to boot, October found himself grinning too.

They strolled pleasantly towards their usual spot, where they had a good view of the comings and goings of the building.

He'd gotten about a dozen of those smokes and they were packed into his mane in place of cigarettes. He drew two out and immediately offered one to Chai, which the Umbreon accepted quickly.

October blew a quick lick of flame to light his own and Chai didn't wait for him to produce one better aimed for himself. He dove in nimbly and lit off the same flame. October had to smirk and again admire the agility of the Umbreon.

The first taste was delicious, once again that warmth, that serenity seemed to inflow with the first taste. Funnily enough, now that he knew what it was, it felt somewhat as though he was inhaling the essence of Pokemon life itself.

Perhaps it was the sweet flavouring of Pecha, but it tasted warm, pleasant, welcoming.

He and Chai exhaled happily at the same time and then wasted none in going for the second draw. After that, they looked at each other.

"Hey, smooth shadow," said October, as Chai's velvet-soft and glassily deep inner darkness gradually came into view, his dark-type aura becoming visible to his senses.

"Hey, tye-dye inferno," said Chai, with a smirk of pleasure that was reflected in neon-bright intensity within his aura.

October glanced down at himself. His body was a writhing mass of flames, crimson, purple and green, flickering, dancing and brightening with his own growing joy.

They both giggled.

* * *

It was a very pleasant night after all. They had spent nearly an hour saying next to nothing, just enjoying the sight of each other and of the beautiful network of glowing Pokelife moving all about them.

Seen from above like this, Café Plaisir was beautiful. So many colourful lights, so varied, so intricate in their interrelationships. Moving around, living, coming together, exploding in passion. It was such a magical display that it was easy to forget that you were looking at a brothel. Well, apparently that could be a truly beautiful thing, after all. He was looking right at it and it was beautiful.

It wasn't just all sex, either. Like this, from here, you could look over one edge of the roof and down towards the other end of the complex and under the ground, where the dance club, Dark Pulse was located. Whilst the place was a nightmare for keeping October awake on an evening, from here, it was an explosive display of vibrant life, cavorting, exulting in shared rhythm and enthusiasm. From here it had the impression of a turbulent fishtank full of glowing dyes. It was so bright and colourful it was hard to make it out the particulars, but you could actually see the beat of the music as it affected the moods of those within.

All was one and one was all. Everything was connected, everything was beautiful. Life was beautiful.

"Man, I needed this," sighed Chai, slowly and with feeling.

"Me too," agreed October, wholeheartedly.

"Glad I let you talk me into trying this stuff," said Chai with a giggly smirk.

October smirked back, "It wasn't too hard. You're game, Chai, I like that about you."

Chai gave a sly smile back at him, "Maybe I just like the shit you get up to, October.. and how you go about it," he said.

"Do you now?" said October, "...and why's that?" he asked, curious.

Chai shook with quiet laughter a few times, "I can't figure you out, October," he said, "but you're not boring. You ain't a dumbass wench or a dirty asshole. You're fun."

October couldn't help but laugh, "There's far more than just those extremes, Chai..."

"Well," said the Umbreon, hesitantly, "In my experience..."

"Well that's just it, Chai," said October, "In your experience. From your perspective."

"Well, yeah," said Chai, staring at him, "What else am I gonna draw on?"

"Someone else's," said October, "I've found that the eye plays tricks from a single perspective, so it is with all things. Get someone to look at something from another angle and they can point out something you've missed."

"...and what's wrong with my perspective?" said Chai, curiously.

"You're too severe," said October, honestly, "Whenever you have two extremes, the truth is usually in the middle somewhere, you know."

Chai paused for a while, then shrugged, "Well... maybe so. I guess." He sounded slightly confused, thought October, with interest. "Maybe that's why I like following you," said Chai, "Because that's so like you. Right in the middle."

October chuckled a little longer. "Well, I'm from the middle of no-where, so I suppose that's apt."

The Umbreon paused, staring at him as in in disbelief for a moment, then shook his head and snickered. "October, you come out with some weird stuff," said Chai, "You know, I think I like that too."

October smirked, "Well weird is definitely one of my specialities."

"Here's to weird then," said Chai, "You got another smoke?"

"Certainly do," said October, reaching into his mane and producing the next pair.

They had just gotten them lit when a sudden, high pitched voice had them jumping up.

"So THIS is where you've been hiding!"

They clumsily scrambled to their feet, eyes wide, turning around.

October had to shield his eyes, but shielding them didn't work.

"Holy crystal magic!" declared October, "It's so pink!"

"Dammit, that's bright! Fuck!" swore Chai.

"...and what are the pair of you up to?" questioned the apparition, unhappily.

October found himself staring at the pink light, "It looks so smooth and soft," he found himself saying.

Because it was true. The thing in front of him was bright and pink with a depth like crystal yet a visible texture that appeared soft and fluffy. It was strange and it was very pretty... even with those swirling storms of unhappiness twirling force-connected crystal structures of pretty feelings within it... He wondered what it was...

It took him a few more seconds to see past the aura and at Colin's unhappy face, "The two of you haven't been into the paint thinners like Tiny said, have you?"

"Colin..?" asked October, in confusion at recognising the apparition. Then he processed what Colin had said. "Wait a minute..." said October, "Tiny?"

"Yes, Tiny!" said Colin indignantly, "The Rattata who was talking to us in the Cleaning Supplies Room this morning?"

"He's called Tiny..!" said October, his mouth hanging open, "Really..!?"

"Yes!" spat Colin.

October could not help but laugh hysterically.

"Dammit, Colin," said Chai, not quite so amused, "How did you find us up here?"

"It was easy," said Colin, "I just followed October's smell!"

That dampened October's laughter. Slightly. "Oh dear," he groaned, but he was still giggling.

"Dammit October," said Chai, grumpily, "You need a bath."

"I do not!" protested October, cackling, "I will not!"

"You probably should," said Colin with a frown and a pet lip, "There are ways that a Fire-type-"

"Noooo..." said October, waving his paws in the air aimlessly in protest, "I have had enough of water. Not talking about this."

"Wait a minute," said Colin, apparently just noticing the smoke from their smokes, "What's that you've got?" He gasped, "Is that illegal?"

"Is it illegal?" repeated Chai, mockingly, "Fuck, Colin!"

"No it is not," said October with a smile, "It's perfectly legal and very nice. It's mostly Pecha leaf, actually."

"Pecha leaf?" said Colin, doubtfully.

"Pecha leaf and aura condensate," said October, knowledgeably, "and it gives aurasight. Want a try?"

Colin looked at him doubtfully. He was about to say no, but he hesitated.

Sensing weakness, October smiled and moved in.

It took about three minutes of convincing to get Colin to try it and it lead to about a minute-long squeaky coughing fit that October couldn't help but find adorable.

Then Colin was off. "OoooOoooh..." delivered in a high pitched tone of delight quickly became the soundtrack to the Sylveon's wide-eyed prancing about. So light of step and gleeful that he was practically floating, whilst his aura shone pink and left a trail of pretty sparkles of joy.

Chai frowned at the Sylveon. October gave Chai a smile.

"Well, he's happy," said October.

"Seriously," said Chai, almost disgustedly.

"So many pretty things!" squeaked Colin, bursting with happy light with an intensity that made Chai wince.

"There certainly are," agreed October, with a grin.

"Everything is pretty, all together!" squeaked Colin.

"It all definitely is!" concurred October. He smiled at Chai again, "We were happy too, on our first times. It is nice to share a bit of joy. Reminds you of your own."

Chai's frowned softened, "Yeah..." he said quietly, "I guess it does."

"The prettiest things are over here, though!" said a bright and happy voice. Suddenly Colin was barging into the pair of them, knocking them both over! They rolled into a pile, with the Sylveon atop of them, wriggling happily as his feelers wrapped around the pair.

"Ah!" cried Chai, "Colin... what..?"

Colin smiled at Chai sweetly, "Because I like the two of you, best!"

Chai sighed. October chuckled.

"We like you, too, Colin," said October.

"Yeah..." said Chai, unconvincingly.

October gave Chai a look, then swept his tails about the three of them, drawing them all into a single fluffy bundle. "We've worked hard together today," he said, "and we should all feel good."

"Yay!" squeaked Colin, squeezing everyone tightly with his feelers.

"Dammit," muttered Chai, "I've got Colin all over me. Someone get me a paper towel..."

Colin squeaked in protest, "Oh, you meanie! Don't you like me, Chai?"

Chai looked away, as much as October's tails would let him. October himself simply listened in interest.

The shifting tones of their auras made it interesting, to watch. Colin's friendly aura was seemingly reaching out to Chai's, particularly pronounced. Chai's was retreating, regrouping, fortifying.

Colin was building bridges, thought October with a smirk, whilst Chai was building gun emplacements.

Colin made a sad noise, "I like you, Chai... you're weird and moody, but like October told me, I guess you've just got your own style. Today and the other night, you proved that to me yourself."

"Weird and moody, huh?" huffed Chai softly, "Well you're weird, Colin. You're too damn soft and cheerful. I don't get how you've even survived this long. It's like you don't see things. You don't get things. I don't get you. It's like you're... broken."

Ouch, thought October. Chai's metaphorical gun emplacements were holding off the bridge builders. They had become pier builders. In literal terms the sharp, spiny edges of his aura, like claws or teeth in energy field form, were holding the pink tendrils back.

"Well, I get what you're saying, I think," said Colin, softly, "But maybe I just like to see the best in people. Maybe that's just how I get by?" He tilted his head and looked at Chai, eyes as open and honest as the Fairy, himself, "Maybe I've just got my own style, just like you. Do you hate me for it?"

"No..." said Chai, looking away, pouting slightly, "It's just... weird."

"Maybe it won't be if you get to know me better?" said Colin, making big glassy blue eyes at the Umbreon.

Chai avoided those eyes, but his own sharp, red eyes kept flicking back to them. His aura was still defensive, but it was letting Colin's get closer.

October was enjoying this. With them trapped in his tails, it was like his own personal drama theatre. It was getting interesting. Those piers had become the launching points of a mercantile navy bringing philanthropy to foreign shores. Even the most defensive of creatures and civilisations could only resist genuine goodwill and cooperation for so long.

Still, October he ought to get involved, sooner or later. Be that mediating third party. At least to see what happened to the Light and Dark show.

"He's right, you know, Chai," said October, "It couldn't hurt to get to know Colin a little better. There's a different perspective for you... the very opposite of harsh."

Chai raised an eyebrow at him, "Seriously?" he said.

October nodded, "Seriously, Chai. The pair of you could learn a thing or two from each other."

Colin was still making sweet eyes at Chai, "Won't you give me a chance, Chai?"

Chai frowned, then sighed, "Ummm, alright, I guess."

"Yay!" squeaked Colin, then he was wrapping all four ribbons around the Umbreon, stroking him all over.

Chai looked like a cat in a toddler's grasp, but not half as much as the last time Colin had given him a hug.

Chai was understandably tense at first. He had stated in the past that Colin's soothing Fairy-type effects felt harmful to him, like they were trying to soothe his Dark type aura out of existence altogether. Colin apparently managed to restrain himself, though. Finally, Chai seemed to start relaxing.

Tendrils of pink, glowing fluff finally intermingled with shadowy, slick shades of darkness.

Then he tensed right up again, "Colin!" said Chai, "Are you fondling my junk?"

"Ummm..." said Colin, apparently confused. October could distinctly see a ribbon over Chai's sheath, he had watched it creep there. He hadn't said anything. They were too preoccupied with each other to notice the devilish grin October just couldn't hold back. "Uh, yeah," said Colin.

Chai struggled about until he could put a forepaw on the Sylveon's own undercarriage. The movement revealed to October Colin's erect shaft. It had been hidden behind one of October's tails. Chai's paw found it. The Umbreon blushed.

"Are you horny?" asked the Umbreon, surprisedly.

"Um, well, yeah..." said Colin, his big pink ears showing his blush as his eyes fluttered and he shrank down a little in embarrassment, "I mean, aren't you? Look at all of those auras... everyone's having fun..."

Chai gave October a look and caught the big smile October found himself wearing.

Chai half frowned at him and struggled until the nimble Umbreon had outstretched his hindpaw and with it, found October's own swollen sheath. October had been hiding it well, but it was in truth begging for freedom and no doubt, blazing hot.

"Huh," said Chai, "You're enjoying this, ain't'cha, you perv?"

October grinned, looking at the sight of the squirming Umbreon, looking awkward, wrapped in Sylveon and Ninetales, "Well, of course!"

Chai grinned back at him, "Oh, you dick."

October tilted his head slightly, smirking, "What?"

"You're just enjoying how awkward this is making me feel," said Chai with a snarky smirk.

"Oh, really!" laughed October, smirking. "I like you both. Why wouldn't I like the sight of you both, together?" he said it honestly, but in truth... Well, Chai's discomfort didn't exactly hurt the entertainment factor.

"Why should it be awkward, Chai?" said Colin curiously, poking his face between Chai and October's, catching the Umbreon's eyes.

"Well, Colin," said Chai, with some obvious and entertaining difficulty, "I uh, I kinda like my males manlier then you..."

"Hmmm?" Colin made a curious noise, tiling his head at the Umbreon, "but I'm bigger then you, Chai."

"Yeahhh..." Chai frowned, "but you got no sharp edges, Colin. You're soft... and girly. You can't take nothin'."

"Oh really..?" said Colin. October leaned around to catch Colin's own smirk. It was interesting.

"Seriously," Chai nodded, confirming, "I like things rough and feral..."

"What... so you and October go a bit wild, huh?" asked Colin, curiously.

"You're damn right we do," said Chai, smirking.

"...and you don't think I could play?" prompted Colin.

Chai frowned, "Well... yeah. I think the kind of games me and October play would have you running crying, Colin. See, he gets Dark types."

Chai's aura was flaring, like a growing, looming shadow, pushing back up and into Colin's.

Colin wasn't backing down one bit, though, in fact, something interesting was happening with both his aura and his accent, thought October. He was growing brighter and moving to encircle...

Colin answered with a bit of lilt, "So, ya think I can' handle Dark types, huh?"

"No," said Chai, bluntly, "I don't,"

"So, what are we talking here," said Colin, as he looked at October, smiling, "What's the game?"

"Well," said October, thoughtfully, "We're really talking just a general rough and tumble, battle for dominance here."

"Hmmm," said Colin, tapping his chin thoughtfully with a feeler, "Shouldn't we be sober for that?"

"Pfff, backin' down already," said Chai with a grin.

"We weren't sober the first time," said October with a smirk. This was getting more interesting by the moment...

"Well alright then!" said Colin, suddenly slapping a feeler down on October's thigh, "Let us up!"

"What, really?" said Chai, looking surprised.

"Yeah!" said Colin with a no, "Maybe it's just the Pecha condensey talkin', but if that's what it takes to get in with ya, then that's what we're doin', Chai!"

Colin's aura glowed a brilliant pink. This was fascinating, thought October. He had never seen Colin so assertive. The lilt in his voice was growing, too. He was sounding more and more southern...

"Ohoh... this is going to be good," said October with an eager grin, not only letting them go, but practically using his tails to guide them back up onto their paws, setting the two in place as he stood up and skunk back a ways to give the pair of them some space.

The two of them were left to stand off against each other. Each made a beacon of light and dark in the effects of aurasight. Brilliant pink swirling with what looked like hidden, hard edges whilst deepest darkest glowed with great intensity under its onyx surface.

This had developed rather interestingly, thought October as he settled back to enjoy the show's latest and greatest stage.

Chai looked uncertain, but he soon wore a smirk on his face. His aura shrank, hardened, became sharp, much like his posture. For all his intoxication, his poise sank quickly into the smooth grooves of well-practiced reflexes. He might not have been the mightiest Pokemon in Plaisir, but his past had clearly taught him how to fight.

Colin on the other hand was glimmering brightly, whilst he hopped and skipped to loosen himself up. He looked more like he was readying himself for a jog or a dance. Yet it was clear from his aura that his power was pure and bright.

Well, this ought to be interesting, one way or another, thought October. The two Eeveelutions might have technically been the same species, but they couldn't have been more different.

"Well," said Chai, speaking in a soft manner that matched the soft glow of his rings, "When you're crying; Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Okie doke!" said Colin cheerily as he continued to bounce from paw to paw, smiling brightly as he finally settled down and smiled at the Umbreon, cockily, "That's alright, Chai! I'm sorry, but this is gonna be over in one hit!"

Chai gave the Sylveon an incredulous look of disbelief and then smirked, "That's what you think, huh?" He lowered his gaze, "Oh, you have no idea who you're messing with. You're gonna regret tangling with me and I'm gonna love it..." He grinned then, showing those fangs of his. Pure, needle-sharp white in a field of pitch black.

"Yadda, yadda, yadda, streets, blah, blah, blah," said Colin, teasingly, whilst tilting his head from one side to the other, "When we startin', then?"

"When you're both finished posturing," said October.

Apparently that was all that Colin needed to hear. His aura visibly surged.

"Well alright!" declared Colin, raising his ribbons up into the air over his head, posturing them symmetrically around an empty region of air, "Brace yourself for the wrath of the cleric, ya miscreant, because I'm-a-smitin' meeee some evil~!"

Chai's eyebrow rose and he tilted his head slightly, then his eyes went wide as suddenly a very real bright pink-white glow began to appear between Colin's ribbons. The air audibly began to swirl in the air and the pulsing region of light seemed to begin to pulse with an aggressive intake of air current as the glow began to break up into its constituent colours with a growing screech like rainbow chimes...

"Hey, hey, hey!" shouted Chai, protestingly, "No powers!"

From the surging in his aura, Colin stopped, apparently just in time, the winds and glow dissipating, "Huh?" said the Sylveon, blinking in confusion.

"No freaking powers!" snapped Chai, scowling, "We're not trying to kill each other!"

"Oohhhh..." said Colin, tilting his head and smirking at Chai, then giving October a look, "You really let him get away with that?"

"With what?" said October, pricking his ears.

Colin smiled back at Chai, "So only you get to use yer sneaky Dark type close-combat powers, huh? Whilst we ranged types gotta tangle unpowered?" He gave the Umbreon a surprisingly pleasant sneer, "I think October's going way too easy on you... but that's alright, I can deal!"

This was simply fascinating, thought October. Sober Colin, apart from never having agreed to this in the first place, would probably be complaining about unfairness and playing on October's sympathy to let him use his powers around now. This Colin was smiling at Chai. Even his accent had changed; now it was getting downright cowboyish. October suspected Colin ought to avoid strong drink.

"What?" said Chai, "Fuck no! I don't use my powers, either!"

"Don't you?" said Colin, "You're not fast and strong, huh? You ain't a Dark type?"

"Hey," snapped Chai scowling, "That's not the same!"

"Whatever~," sang Colin, tilting his head one way then the other, mockingly, "Your rules...~"

Angrily, Chai rushed the Sylveon. He looked like he was coming in for a headbutt.

Colin's movement wasn't so much a jump or a dodge as a dainty skip that seemed to lightly float him out of the way. October found himself blinking.

Apparently knowing enough to keep his inertia going, Chai kept on moving, looking over his shoulder in apparent disbelief that he had missed. He kept on into cover, the Umbreon disappearing into the shadows.

"That was what Trainers call, 'Quick Attack,' Chai!" shouted Colin, smugly, "Now, what you're doing? Hiding in the darkness, trying to get me to run after you so you can ambush me? That there they call Pursuit and yer meant ta do it after freakin' me out, first."

Chai didn't answer.

Colin called out again, more teasingly, "Unless, that is, you're just hiding from me...~"

Chai reappeared and started slowly walking back towards the Sylveon. He was smiling.

Colin was smirking.

"I don't know attack names and tactics," said Chai, continuing to approach slowly, "I never had a trainer. I just know how to hurt people."

Chai continued to advance casually until the very last second, when a vicious snarl suddenly appeared on his face and he went for a blindingly quick sucker-swipe at Colin's ears, his wicked black claws extended.

Colin had started moving at almost the same instant he had. He skipped lightly backwards. With the speed of Chai's strike though, it wasn't quite enough and strands of pink fur were ripped from the Sylveon's big, soft, fluffy ear.

"Ah!" squeaked Colin, "That's Feint Attack, you hair-puller!"

Chai suddenly gave a cry of rage, declaring, "Attack names are stupid! Trainers are stupid! It's just stuff you would have done anyway!" and then he launched himself at the Sylveon, claws wide.

He wasn't just a hair puller, noticed October. Colin's pink ear was staining red. Colin hadn't realised. Of course, Chai's claws were extremely sharp...

Colin skipped backwards again, out of Chai's reach. Chai leapt again. Colin skipped backwards again.

It was very interesting to watch. October knew fighters well enough so that he didn't doubt for a second that Chai could tear the de-clawed Sylveon apart in close combat, but Colin wasn't letting him have it. Chai was attacking trickily, but each time, Colin would playfully skip aside.

October had to wonder how much of it was down to the bizarre substance they'd smoked. In addition to aurasight, it gave a heady, dizzying feeling and set you distinctly off-balance. He began to suspect that was slowing the skillful and finely-tuned Chai down whilst the giddying rush was only helping bouncy, carefree Colin. It was hard to take a combat stance when your head was spinning, but if you weren't even trying for that...

Chai was taking proper stances, making measured strikes, then speedily coming around to readdress with more than impressive agility, despite the handicap, but Colin wasn't even putting in a fraction of the effort to dodge each attack run, skipping aside and floating away like a feather on the breeze.

Chai was getting more and more frustrated. A mistake was inevitable.

October saw it coming.

Shrieking in anger, Chai paused for a second and then threw himself, bodily at the Sylveon, with his head down and his eyes shut.

He delivered himself into a noose made of ribbons. Colin timed his skip so that he was yanked up and around by the Umbreon's own rapidly halting inertia and landed over Chai's back.

"Dammit!" cried Chai, "Get off!" He tried to run and jump.

Colin stayed loosely on his back, being carried up by the Umbreon's frenzied bucks, crying, "Yee-haw!" cutely.

October had to snicker and sit back to enjoy the Chai rodeo. He had some impressive stamina, October had to admit, hauling around the larger Sylveon as he was, jinking and shaking and trying hip and shoulder throws which would have thrown most assailants off of him. Not Colin with those binding ribbons, though.

Inevitably, however, Chai stalled and then, Colin had him. He paused and gave the Sylveon time to curl his longer lower ribbons quickly around Chai's legs at the knees, binding them together.

Chai stumbled and fell, looking outraged.

"Gotcha!" declared Colin, happily, putting a foreleg on the Umbreon's flank triumphantly.

"The fuck you have!" shouted Chai, suddenly lunging for Colin's toes with his teeth.

Colin squeaked and leapt out of the way. Then he lifted Chai up by the legs, wrapping both his lower ribbons around each other and binding all four of Chai's legs together. October winced. Hogtied. How undignified.

"Do ya give?" asked Colin, politely.

"Fuck no!" said Chai, disbelief all over his face.

Colin skipped in closer and went in with his upper pair of ribbons... darting them towards Chai's exposed and vulnerable underside.

With enviable dexterity, he began to tickle the Umbreon.

Chai's eyes bulged, then the Umbreon was crying out, a high and raspy cry. He squirmed. In vain. Colin's ribbons were quickly everywhere; His belly, his inner thighs, his hindquarters.

"Do you give?" asked Colin, teasingly.

Chai struggled and cried out for a further minute or so, making all manners of adorable faces and noises that October enjoyed immensely as he squirmed and gasped and struggled and flashed his rings under the assault of Colin's nimble ribbons before eventually exhaling a wobbly, "Gaahhh!" and tapped out, eyes bulging as he slapped his tail on the roofing felt, crying, "Okay, okay! I give! Fuck!"

Colin giggled sweetly and pleasantly, seeming not at all to be the tickle demon he had revealed himself to be.

October was himself surprised and not a little bit aroused. He had expected that whole thing to go very differently, indeed. He hadn't expected that result and certainly hadn't expected such an exciting finish!

"Yay!" declared Colin, happily, "I'm in charge!"

"Fuck, what," muttered Chai, in continued disbelief.

"Sorry Chai," said Colin, "but don'tcha underestimate the daycare king-of-the-hill!"

"What the shit just happened?" asked Chai, staring at October, aghast.

October chuckled pleasantly, "You lost, Chai."

"To him?" said Chai, eyes wide, "No fucking way..."

"I was bred from the best!" said Colin, "and I am the play-fight bestest!"

Chai groaned, wincing, "To him? ...Really?"

"Believe it or not," said Colin, "For tonight, you are mine." He looked at October for confirmation, "Right?"

"Right," nodded October with a smile.

"Uh," said Chai, swallowing, "I think you gotta fight October now."

"Nah," said Colin, smiling sweetly, "I'm happy with beta-position, for now."

"Wise," said October, smirking broadly.

"Don't worry, Chai," said Colin, advancing on the still-restrained Umbreon, "You'll find me a pleasant beta overlord."

Chai groaned, but he shut up quickly when Colin appeared over him, pushing down his legs with his ribbons. Steadily lowering his little, white, fluffy undercarriage towards Chai's face. The girly Sylveon's undersized equipment which no doubt didn't look so small when they were practically pressed into your eyes.

"Now," said Colin sweetly, "Do a good job and I won't have to Draining Kiss you in the balls...~"

"You wouldn't..." gasped Chai, indignantly from beneath the Sylveon's stuff.

"Feint Attack," Colin began to mockingly list, "Quick Attack, Pursuit, seems like physical moves are okay, to me..."

"We're not fighting, now!" said Chai, alarmed.

"You bet we're not," declared Colin, "Now get to it. I need warming up again after all that rough stuff... unlike yourself!"

Chai flushed. October decided to slink in closer for a better view. Colin noticed his approach and nodded to Chai's shaft. The Umbreon's shiny black canine length wasn't all the way out of his sheath, showing only the blunt circular crown and the front half of his surprisingly big, billy-club-like dick, but he was certainly harder than only-swollen-sheathed Colin was.

"Looks like the two of you are off to a good start," commented October with a smirk. His tails twitched behind him in delight at the show's exciting new turn. He had thought Chai was protesting too much...

"So are you," said Colin, nodding to October's own member. That big black stake of vulpine meat was sliding free of its sheath by the pressure of its own over-swollen excitement, now.

October smiled and made no attempt to hide his arousal, sitting back so they both could see as he pleasantly growled, "I enjoyed the show...~"

Colin giggled and gave October an unashamed stare then he shook his hips, wiggling his own pointed, pink canine cock tip free of his sheath so that it began to dangle towards Chai's muzzle. "Now!" he said, "Are you going to get to work, mister?"

Chai huffed, staring at that tip as if it were accusing him of being a wimp, then he shrugged, "Whatever, blowjobs are easy," he said petulantly, then immediately stuck his cold nose on the Sylveon's balls.

"Oooh~!" Colin cooed happily and then continued to make similar sweet noises as Chai began to apply some tongue to the underside of that pink shaft, teasing it free of the Sylveon's fluffy white sheath with skillful, pushing licks that seeme to make the Sylveon's slight dick throb and elongate with the careful attention. Chai certainly seemed to know what he was doing with it and soon curling licks were slinking up and down every side of that growing, tapered dick...

Colin certainly seemed to approve, from the sweetly pleased expression stretched right up his girly face. He shuddered and let out a happy sigh as Chai finally got his knobs free of his sheath and made a point of looking October in the eyes over them as he swept his tongue about them, around to the Sylveon's exposed and sensitive root...

Seductive little bastard, thought October, looking the Umbreon in his sharp and narrow eyes.

Colin sighed another happy sigh and seemed to come to life, with a smile on his face that said he was happy with the Umbreon's treatment. He leant in to give a close inspection to Chai's own, grown shaft, rubbing that hefty club of canine meat and treble-knobbed knot tenderly with the soft pads of his pedicured pink paws, appraising him with obvious pleasure...

"Hmmm... you're big for your age and body size," commented Colin, his eyes wide at the Umbreon's ebony masculinity, "I hope this first time isn't the last time, because I can't wait to see you full grown, Chai!"

It was an interesting side-by-side comparison. In truth, Chai's blunt dick was already a little bigger than Colin's pink spear, despite the fact that the Umbreon was nearly a quarter shorter in terms of height. October wasn't sure, but he thought from memory that Chai actually got bigger than that, too, when he was fully aroused. It was no exaggeration to say that Chai was set to keep growing in more than one way. When he was as tall or taller than Colin, (as he probably would be after his last growth spurt, whenever that came,) he would probably be terrifying.

Whilst October was pondering that, however, Colin was going to work with his own tongue, drawing it slowly up Chai's length, seeming to appraise it gently as he slid it up the shiny black flesh, drawing an impression along with him and making a soft moan of appreciation...

By contrast, Chai was being rough and forceful with Colin's member, pushing it about with his tongue, aggressively working the sides and trapping it against the front of his muzzle to move his head and rub the Sylveon's flesh that way, stimulating roughly. They were both getting each other slick and hard in good order, but going about it completely differently.

It was a pretty fine show, October had to admit. The fact that this position also gave one a great view of the full, feminine hindquarters of one or the slim, athletic rear of the other depending upon which way you leaned certainly didn't hurt either. There was a lot to appreciate in this view and October appreciated it a lot.

Soon enough, lickings tender and forceful had their desired effect and both Colin and Chai were fully unsheathed and erect gasping and growling softly together in arousal.

Chai stared at October, "So are you just gonna watch?" He asked aloud, whilst his eyes were asking, 'Help me out, here!'

October smirked, "I'm enjoying the view... but as it happens..." He adjusted his position, giving Chai a better view of his own swollen shaft. His fourth and ninth tail-tips had been softly and subtly stroking him as he had sat there and now, with their help, October's throbbing vulpine stake had fully escaped the bounds of his sheath and it was practically throbbing with desire. Those tail-tips completed the picture by lifting the heavy cock upwards, presenting it prettily between the black-brush-tips just in time for a bead of pre to run down the underside...

Chai stared and smirked, "Pervert," he snarked.

The display didn't escape Colin's notice, either, "Oooh," squeaked the Sylveon gleefully, "Beta gets the alpha's cock~!"

"Oh, does he?" asked Chai, with a frown.

"Yes he does~," sang Colin, triumphantly. He waggled his hips and lifted his fluffy pink tail, drawing October's full attention to his very full rump cheeks. "Don't complain, Chai, you're gonna get a great view, down there!"

"Well, I suppose he has a point there," said October, standing up slowly and stretching slowly, making another grand show of himself and his dangling member before he started to stalk his way over...

Chai didn't look entirely happy with this though. October could see it in his eyes. October raised an eyebrow, quizzically. He had been thinking that this would have suited the Umbreon's purposes just fine. October's cock would certainly wear the Sylveon out faster...

Chai seemed to be taking his defeat manfully, if a bit personally. Internally, October sighed. It seemed like this was going to have to be handled with some diplomatic tact, after all.

Of course, he was committed to his current course, now. He wasn't going to miss out on some sweet Sylveon buttsex. Those beautiful buns were going to get filled.

He stalked around them, spiralling in, giving them a few complete circles and enjoying the view from all angles as much as he was making a display of himself. Colin of course put on a show for every instant of it, slowly taking Chai's length into his muzzle, working the Umbreon's shaft right back without so much as a gag and waggling his hips for October's viewing pleasure, making a grand display of his hindquarter qualities. Chai tried not to be left behind with his own aggressive fellatio, but October noticed the hesitation in his movements...

He advanced from Colin's behind. He tried to say, 'Sorry Chai, bear with me,' to the Umbreon with his eyes. He wasn't sure if Chai caught it or not.

"Of course," growled October in a deep and pleasant tone, "Beta's asking a lot of himself, you know." With that, he mounted Colin practically at a pounce, making the Sylveon squeak as he was suddenly pinned beneath the big Ninetales' weight and became the Fairy filling in a quadrupedal sandwich, "Positioned as he is to take it from both alpha and omega..."

In truth, October wasn't overly happy with the pack labels. They weren't Mightyena or Lycanroc. Still, it was a fun enough game to play, for now.

Colin chirred happily, however, "Oh," he said with a sexy gasp, his maw wet with saliva as he took a breather from Chai's cock, whilst continuing to rub the shaft with his upper pair of feelers, assuring throatily, "Beta can take anything that you two can give..."

"Can he now..?" asked October, teasingly, then he smirked, leaning around to address the Umbreon, "Alright, Chai, prepare me, would you?"

In truth, he was making plenty of pre in his excitement at being atop two beautiful Eeveelutions and Chai could very well see that. The Fox had a ploy in planning, however and he wanted the Umbreon on board with him and feeling like he was on his side. So; hoping it was working out in such a way, but even if it wasn't, he was pleased enough to feel Chai's tongue on his shaft. Hesitantly at first, it seemed, but soon the Umbreon's deft tongue was aggressively coating him in saliva like an angry painter.

"Oh, very good~" growled October, approvingly, appreciating those aggressive efforts. They were fun, indeed.. A lot of fun in and of itself in fact, but Chai didn't waste time, as ever. Quickly enough, October's shaft was nicely slick and Chai himself nosed it into position, nudging the throbbing vulpine member until it was pressed right up against Colin's tight pink hole...

Ah, but the feelings were fine indeed. Perfectly pleasurable and with the additional satisfaction of it being a team effort from which he was directly benefiting. A moment to appreciate, most certainly. Still, no point in tarrying!

Grinning wickedly, October pushed the first few inches into Colin without warning whilst a rising squeak emitted from deep within the shocked and surprised Sylveon! It was an exciting noise to a predatory vulpine and as ever, Colin was virginally tight and yet deliciously soft of flesh... Showing his teeth in an expression of near-glee and gasping in pleasure, October went in hard, already nicely lubricated and easily violating the Fairy. Colin's tight resistance gave all too easily on this occasion and allowing the pleasurably-wrapped Ninetales to verily abuse that soft tightness from the very first instant!

With the Ninetales only halfway in, Colin squeaked, loudly and protractedly. "Ah! Ah~! Ah! Octobeeerrrr~!"

Pausing for the moment and taking a deep breath in satisfaction, October chuckled as he throatily growled, "You said you could take our pace... you said you could handle the way we play~"

Briefly taking his muzzle from Colin's cock, "Yeah, he did..." teased Chai, from beneath before he went back to work. His rings were glowing with excitement now, October noticed.

So; October didn't wait for Colin's reply. Instead, he started pushing in deeper, slowly, but with a steady pressure, huffing a happy, "haff!" as he went. His tapered stake of a vulpine shaft widened Colin cruelly. Colin's ass was practically squeaking with how tightly he was being stretched around the intrusion.

The continual groaning squeak that Colin made was just delicious. Apparently it disrupted Colin's concentration a bit, too, because his lower ribbons finally released Chai's legs, which had been trapped against his chest. They immediately wrapped around the Sylveon's body, holding him firmly in place for October to push into.

"Ahhh," growled October, happily, as he gleefully buried himself up to his already growing knot, wiggled his hips, making the Sylveon make an adorable little squeakle, then growled, "but the sounds he makes are great, aren't they?"

Chai's muzzle was too busy to answer him, but the Umbreon patted him on the butt with a forepaw. With only a bit of claw. Whilst his rings shone. October grinned. Chai definitely seemed to be seeing the therapeutic qualities of playing with the Fairy, now, whether or not he realised that Colin was eating all of this up was another, irrelevant, matter entirely. Fairies seemed to thrive on taking your very worst and turning it into the very best, after all.

October was at any rate pleased that things seemed to be going so pleasurably to plan. Almost as pleased as he was of the feel of the Sylveon whimpering and quivering on his pounding cock whilst the sadomasochistic Umbreon delighted in the display.

Just to really drive things home, October put a forepaw on the back of the Sylveon's head and reminded him that he was neglecting his omega with a bit of a shove. Colin made a sad and guilty whine as he realised this and quickly took Chai's cock into his maw. Another rough shove made for a delightful, muffled squeak and a blazingly bright display from Chai's rings. Especially when October began to rock the Sylveon back and forth on the little Umbreon's big dick with powerful hip movements!

Colin's muffled squeaks and wriggly gags were like music and theatre to the more predatory Pokemon and in their excitement they were pushing him to his limit, even if the vampiric little parasite was eating it all up! Of course, all this delightful borderline-suffering would be all-too temporary if Colin were allowed to simply drain some aura and heal himself back to heartiness and wear them both out as was his natural talent, but October had a plan for that, too.

October leant in suddenly, until he could whisper into Colin's ear, knowing full well that Chai would hear him anyway, but making a show of it as he whispered, "...and don't you dare drain any aura from your subordinate. You can have some of mine, later, but not before..."

Colin, whose muzzle happened to be full of Chai's cock at that moment, had no chance to answer.

October began to pound him, suddenly launching into a showy, rhythmic pace that slapped his knot wetly into Colin's tailhole. He was sure it was making quite a brutal and pornographic show for Chai as his swollen cock stretched the Sylveon harder and harder, over and over, splattering trails of prodigious pre out of the tight tailhole as he went, pounding his hips into those full, fluffy rump cheeks.

Oh, but it was good. The day's tensions just came pouring out of October. As usual, Colin was like a magical stress ball. He really didn't need his powers to soothe people. Well, not October, anyway.

The squeaky noises grew louder and louder, rising in pitch. They excited October all the more and his already savage pace quickly became frenetic, his blood surging hotter and hotter in his burning, Fire-type lust. His predatory instincts flaring up, he bit down on the back of Colin's neck, barely restraining himself from drawing blood.

October was rising to his peak quickly. He was letting it happen hastily, but that was alright. He'd already given out once, today, so he didn't want to cum too hard, just yet...

Still, the Ninetales was snarling and growling with bestial pleasure as he drove in harder and harder. His inner fires surged, his body flushed with a heatwave of pleasure and suddenly he shoved in, savagely hard! He didn't get the knot in. He wasn't trying to. Still, half-in, it spread out Colin's pucker further. At the very last instant, he drew back until his pointed tip was pointing right at Colin's prostate.

He exploded into Colin, his cock pulsing with the violent peak of the ravaging act, throbbing as it pumped hot, hot blazingly hot cum directly onto the Sylveon's most sensitive spot!

Colin's squeaking suddenly stopped and the Sylveon shook so hard he practically vibrated around October's dick. A muffled noise came from Chai and the sudden limpness of the Sylveon told the story; as if the sound of Chai gulping, moments later, wasn't clue enough. Sounded like a big one. The Sylveon's little balls could be surprisingly productive. Funny, it had turned out that Chai was the one giving him a draining kiss...

October, breathing breaths so hot they shimmered the night sky, still grumbling with overwhelming waves of burning pleasure even as his sizzling seed oozed out of the shaking Sylveon, managed a smirk of satisfaction. Ah, but he had hated pulling back at that moment, but the results had been to plan.

Colin was gasping pretty hard, temporarily neglecting Chai's cock.

"Hey," growled October, huskily, his breathing deep, "Beta's not seeing to omega, here."

October heard Chai free himself from the Sylveon's member.

"Yeah," said the Umbreon, smacking his cummy lips and then noisily licking his muzzle clean, "No fair..."

Colin tried to mumble something, several times, but as predicted, the Sylveon was more or less insensible with orgasmic bliss.

Well, October wasn't going to let that stop anytime soon. He pulled out of the Sylveon's tight space with a wet and obscene noise, grunting with pleasure as his now free and uninsulated member made the air around it shimmer and the last drips of cum dribbled free.

"Y-you're getting it on Chai!" gasped Colin.

Okay, that was adorable, thought October. The first words he manages to make in minutes and its concern for Chai's cleanliness. It was also true. October's seed was dripping from Colin onto Chai's face.

"Eh," said Chai with a smirk, even as hot, white droplets pattered onto his glossy black fur, "Dirty's nothing, Colin, I told you." He looked up and managed to catch October eyes with a truly filthy grin on his face, "That only bothers you, Colin..."

October felt he had gotten the message. All the better for the next part of his plan. He grinned at Chai.

"Well," said October, still somewhat out of breath, "I think for all that Chai's had done to him, he deserves a reward. Colin will at least, get a view for himself."

The Sylveon was still mostly insensible. "Huh..?" squeaked Colin, confusedly.

October slunk back, circled around the Eeveelutions at a stalk, briefly admiring his handiwork as Sylveon sagged and panted then returned to the pair of them from the opposite direction. Taking into mind position, angle and what Chai had said, he then planted his forepaws on Colin's shoulders and began rolling the pair of them over, Colin looking up at him in surprise as he was rolled like the limp bundle that he had become. Chai got the idea quickly however and helped. Quickly enough, their positions were reversed, with Chai now on top, his ass raised and with his eager-looking club-like cock pointing down at Colin's face.

In contrast to Colin's feminine, but full and fluffy rear, Chai's slim, toned rump was certainly no less inviting. October's cock was certainly no less the hard for the sight of it. Sleek, sharp and shiny, even in a submissive position, Chai looked sexily dangerous.

Chai looked over his shoulder with an enthusiastic grin, "So now Omega gets the cock, huh?"

October grinned and mounted him firmly, "Alpha's cock goes where it pleases," he said, with a deep growl as he clambered onto the Umbreon roughly. Just the way he appreciated.

"Point him in, Colin," demanded Chai, his rings glimmering with excitement.

Colin, squeaking dazedly, complied, hesitantly. He used his pleasantly soft ribbons to maneuver October's hot, dripping, glistening shaft against the Umbreon's waiting black pucker. Chai's rings glowed brighter and brighter with anticipation.

Chai, gleaming smirked up at October, "Now let's show him."

October smirked back at Chai. Well, if he was going to put it like that...

He pushed into Chai at once, so hard that the Umbreon was physically jolted and opened his maw in a silent scream. Now lubricated thoroughly by his own seed, October went in easily, too easily.

Compared to Colin, Chai had a much smoother, firmer internal texture, October felt that resistance strain and give more smoothly, but with more of a fight. He heard the Umbreon grunt in pain. Despite knowing better, October paused in concern, but Chai gave him a look over his shoulder that told the Ninetales not to.

Still, October tried to wait and let him relax. Chai wouldn't have it though. Suddenly the Umbreon was shoving those deft, fit hindquarters back into October's hips. It was a brutal penetration and he was doing it to himself.

October couldn't very well do much about it. Chai's painful stretch was almost anything but for him. It was actually rough on his dick - but with Chai groaning out and with that delicious texture of his slowly stretching out as he went deeper and deeper and deeper, October was himself so disabled with burning pleasure that all he could do was growl with delight and raise and raise in temperature until...

To everyone's surprise, Chai groaned out, "Ummmm-breee-onnnnnnn...!"

For a moment, they all stopped as Chai gasped and they all stared at him.

"Look," said Chai, wincing, "I didn't just say that. Let's just move on."

"Fine," said October, going to work. The issue disappeared in a storm of grunts and grinding. October's powerful Ninetales hindquarters were twitching to go and go they most certainly did, starting at once to buck and bounce the tight Bre forwards with each hefty thrust. Only to have the nimble little Dark type push gently back into position again, each time!

October realised he could scent blood, faintly... Part of him grimaced. Part of him grinned. The same could be said for Colin and Chai. Colin made a cock-muffled squeak of dismay as the smell grew strong, but Chai grunted heavily and began to butt his ass back into each thrust all the harder, loudly thwapping his slim rump into October's fluffy, humping hips!

Not gently at all. He was doing it challengingly. He was doing it harder than October was thrusting into him. It was like a call to competition, a threat to October's dominance. Once October couldn't resist answering, so he drove in harder and harder again. Each time, Chai would raise the game further and further...

That he'd been injured was obvious to all of them, but he didn't seem to care. Not for the first time, October wondered if Chai actually liked it when he hurt him. Sadomasochism elemental type, indeed... Thinking about it later, October would find the notion faintly disturbing, but for now, his own inner beast was awakened... and that beast wouldn't be bettered by the Umbreon's butt.

So October went to work viciously, matching and overcoming the ferocity of the Umbreon's reception. He had a hell of a lot of power in his hindquarters, after all and he put it all to work, now. Each thrust made for lewdly wet sounds, though not all of that moisture was just cum, pre and saliva... from the growing scent of blood in the air.

It stroked the beast within October, the wild Fox within. He was carried away by it. He bit down on the scruff of Chai's neck, but this time he didn't stop himself from drawing the delicious taste of the Umbreon's blood. He was a beast, awakened and he was claiming the smaller creature, delighting in his body, taking him for all he was worth and knowing it was being given every bit as fiercely. They were base beasts, together and they rutted like base beasts, together.

Still, enough of him remained awake to distantly remember the plan. He could have easily erupted right away but did his best to hold back, though he couldn't quite remember why.

Oddly enough, Chai seemed to remember it better than he did.

"Gonna cum..." gasped the Umbreon, breathlessly, turning his head to catch October's eyes, a sly look in his own...

It awakened the memory. October blinked and growled in acknowledgement.

He pricked his ears and listened to the Umbreon's breathing. He waited until it began to distinctly quicken...

His superheated blood surging and roaring up into full intensity like volcano starting to erupt, October finally let himself explode into the Umbreon a second after Chai began to erupt into Colin's surprisedly squeaking muzzle.

Then, October yanked his back end upwards, bringing Chai up with him, slipping two tails under the Umbreon's hips at the instant gravity finished pulling him out of the Umbreon's ass and caught him, holding him aloft. At the very same time, Chai's cock slipped out of Colin's muzzle.

October and Chai's cocks exploded all over the surprised Sylveon's face. The messy noises of splatter from the thick pulses of cum landed loudly as Colin squeaked and sputtered and squirmed in vain, unable to get away!

Cumming into open air wasn't nearly as pleasant as cumming into someone, thought October, but the immense satisfaction of a plan well executed and the extremely protesting squeaks coming from under him more than made up for it.

Flopping down, quickly becoming spent, his cock rubbed against Chai's, the two shiny black members throbbing, together. Chai's member was still pulsing vigorously, of course, inspiring a few extra spurts of out his own. Apparently the Umbreon was enjoying himself indeed. Chai's face was as near to blissful as October had even seen it. He was being very productive, too, causing Colin to have to roll his head around in a puddle

It was all balancing out nicely, thought October with a very smug and satisfied Ninetales' smile. Both Colin and Chai had gained a little and lost a little. Chai would benefit from losing the fight. Colin would benefit from learning what came down on the uppity. A little humility for both Eeveelutions and to their overall betterment, he thought.

'Two team building exercises in one day,' thought October with a smirk. He was practically doing Pouncer's job for him!

* * *

In the end, it had all smoothed out and the three of them now lay, pleasantly spent, near the edge of the roof.

As the only one without a sore ass, October had to go and get paper towels, but the trade had been more than worthwhile.

Frankly, the whole thing, the earlier suffering, the adventure, his diplomatic negotiations both under the ground and atop the roof... All of it... It had all been worthwhile, just for the sight of Colin and Chai sitting in the same place without any longer being forced to by circumstances.

The three of them were staring out over the Café, watching the late night comings and goings, bitching about people.

Colin had turned out to be surprisingly good about it.

"Vermont..?" said Colin, with disgust, "Well yeah of course his aura's washed out. He lives only for grooming. That asshole invited me into his room, asked me if I'd cleaned my paws and then instructed me to trim his claws for him, 'If I cared to earn the pleasure of his company...' which was, by the way, not exactly lively."

"Yeah..." concurred Chai, "He sucks. He looks down on everyone. You wouldn't believe what he said to me."

"I would," said Colin with a nod, "He once told Nature that, 'this new boy should stick to gardening, he lacks experience and quality...'"

"He said I should be the bathroom attendant," grumbled Chai, with a frown.

"Well, fuck that guy," said October with a smirk.

"Not literally..." said Colin with a pause and then pretending to look at something and then take his paw off of it, "...Spines..."

"To think Elegance questions why we're still working here," said Chai, "when she does even less than Vermont."

"Ohhh..." said Colin, "she does try, but she has a hard time of it, you know..."

"Does she actually serve customers?" asked October, curiously.

Colin nodded, "Occasionally, but... more often than not I get asked to do it instead... or when I won't do, to find a female for her. Since she doesn't get on with any of the other girls..."

"So, she doesn't actually do anything," said Chai, "Except look down on us."

"She tries," said Colin, sadly.

"What the hell is she even doing here, then?" asked Chai.

Colin looked away. A look of sadness spread across his face. One that October found very interesting.

"Looks like there's a story behind that," said October.

Colin looked at him sadly, "Let's not go into it, please." There was a look in his eyes and a pleading tone in his voice that took October's curiosity aback.

He made a note of it for later, though, but thought for a new topic.

"To think she talks down to us about professionalism..." muttered Chai.

"Professionalism..." repeated October, then he lay back with a sigh. "You know, for a while there this morning, I thought I had it," he said, "that I had finally proven myself employable. That I had managed the world's oldest profession."

"Ummm," said Chai, frowning, then smirking at October, "I'm pretty sure, 'make sure they pay,' applies to just about any business, first or last."

"Oh, hello, I'm October," said October, mockingly, "Have you thrown your gold piece in the banging pot? Byproducts extra, by the way."

Chai smiled at him, "Well, not like that, but, 'I take it you've cleared things at the bar?'" he said, imitating October's voice, "would probably work for you."

October sighed and rolled his eyes, "Well, I'm learning."

They all had a brief chuckle at that.

"So..." said Chai, curiously, "first profession, huh?"

"It's true," said October with a smirk and a nod, "They've done experiments. Introduce the value of currency to any sufficiently intelligent creature that takes pleasure from fucking and they'll invent fucking for money within the first week, guaranteed."

"Aw, that's kinda cool," said Colin, thoughtfully, "I like that what we do here is so important and... primary!" He brought his ribbons to his chest, "The service of affection..." he said dreamily. "So what was the second profession?" he asked.

It was Chai who answered first, "Hurting people for money, right?"

October nodded slowly, with a sad smile. "Indeed it was."

"Aw..." said Colin, looking somewhat disappointed.

Chai and October shared a chuckle.

"Ah, still, you fucked up big, October," said Chai.

"Oh...?" said October, raising an eyebrow and ear.

"Oh yeah," said Chai, "You'd have gotten a sweet bonus out of that."

"Really?" said October, doubtfully.

"Well duh," said Chai, "You make a lot more money from the service bonuses then the crappy basic pay, October."

"Yeah," Colin nodded, "Even more from the insemination fee. I hear Firenze does pretty well for himself..."

"Hmph," said October, bringing to mind the huge Ninetales, "I'm sure he bloody does. He's breeding a race of giants, no doubt..."

Colin giggled, "Well if they come and work here, I won't complain..."

October rolled his eyes and grumbled under his breath.

"Horrible financial losses aside," sighed Chai slowly, syllable by syllable, "There's one thing I'm surprised you're so casual about, October."

"Oh?" asked October, wondering what else Chai could possibly conjure up to make him feel even worse about that.

"That Flareon was totally in heat, I got a whiff of that," said Chai, what sounded like a warning tone in his voice, eyeing him with something unreadable but akin to suspicion in his expression. "October, you're gonna be a father."

October paused for a second, smiled, then shook his head, "Nah," he said gruffly.

"What," said Chai blankly, "Just, 'nah?'"

October smirked, "I'd have felt bad about charging her, to be honest. Defective merchandise. It'll never take."

Chai looked at him doubtfully, "...and why is that?"

October paused and took a breath. He supposed he ought to start explaining it sooner or later. He'd left it long enough. "Well, Chai... I'm not entirely as I appear. I'm not just a Pokemon."

"Looks like it to me," said Chai, still looking doubtful.

October chuckled, "That's because my physical appearance changes to fit whatever world I visit. I don't have any control over it. Here, it seems I'm physically a Ninetales. Elsewhere, I'm a Flixard... or a Krendark or a Foxkin or a Trellack or something else completely unpredictable. Usually something a bit Foxy and Lizardy. I'm honestly surprised I'm not a Zoroark, truth be told."

"Right..." said Chai, looking more doubtful than ever.

Colin looked extremely confused.

October smiled, "Well, it doesn't matter if you get it. We're here, this is what I take the form of."

"So you're not a Pokemon?" asked Chai.

"Well, I have the abilities and appearance, just like a normal Ninetales," said October, "My matter does a damn fine impression of being normal matter, even for me, except under certain conditions. The transformation is complete, but no, I'm not really a Pokemon. I don't think I'd even pass DNA testing."

Chai tilted his head, now smirking, "Well, what are you then?"

October snorted humourously, "No idea. Some kind of accidental collection of energies and exotic matter. A cataclysm stopped in its tracks when it accidentally became something. Living entropy. Like all life, really, just different. Less stable. More energy than matter, inherently arcane in nature."

"Man, October," said Chai, chuckling, "You come out with some crazy stuff, but that's just the best yet."

October smiled. "Well, there you have it, believe it or not. Suffice to say, the composition of my type of life is not compatible with anything, because I'm the only example of my kind of life."

Blinking, "Are you sure you're not a Pokemon?" said Colin, confusedly.

October chuckled with a good humoured smile, "Yes, Colin. I didn't come out of an egg. I came out of an explosion."

"Hmmm," said Colin, sounding spaced out, "Because that sounds like a Pokemon."

"Does it now?" said October with a smirk.

Colin looked like he'd had too much to smoke. This ought to be interesting.

"Well yeah," said Colin, looking at him, with an odd look, he was apparently concentrating very hard, trying to recall something, "Pokemon are elemental creatures, October. We're also kinda magical, with uhh... gene-eddy supra... state... composer-situation majiggy?"

"Composer majiggy?" repeated October with a smirk.

"Yeah!" said Colin, nodding confidently, "I'm a Masterson's Pokemon! I grew up in breeding and daycare centres, October! I kinda remember somea-the science from the sales pitch... Pokemon are part energy and part transformy... stuff! That's why so many different Pokemon types are compatible. Especially Eevees and the Field Group."

October smirked, but not broadly, he chuckled, but not loudly. Of course he had a moment of doubt. Of course for a moment he wondered and for an instant had the most unpleasant feeling as he considered that car speeding away, bearing a Flareon he never knew the name of nor would likely ever see again, that Colin might have had a point, that he didn't really understand Pokemon biology and that there was just a chance, just an outside possibility that... Then, rationality prevailed.

"No..." he said, "It's... no, it's not possible. Not even all Pokemon types are compatible, Colin, that's why you have Egg Groups. Conception is an incredibly sensitive process and I'm just too different from anything."

"October," said Chai, frowning at him, "There's denial and there's... well, you, but this is something else."

That made October chuckle. "Look, look, let's just drop the matter. I can never breed. That Flareon got a free ride and that's all. I'm never going to have a line. I'm just a point. I'm just going to make it a good point and that's that."

Colin and Chai looked at each other doubtfully.

"I think you've smoked too much, October," said Chai.

"Mmmm, me too," said Colin.

"Well, you know what that means, don't you?" said October with a grin.

"Let's have some more?" said Chai with a smirk, after only a moment of thought.

"Let's have some more," confirmed October with a grin, reaching into his mane, "For tonight, we are the Heroes of Dawn and we bloody well deserve it."