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Café Plaisir: October's Jaunt part 7; Some Title

by October Flixard

Adult: M/F Bondage Humiliation M/M Anal Oral NC

That morning...

Walking to Morning Briefing with Colin that day, it seemed like it might be as any other so far at Plaisir.

Yet as October approached the main door to the Café, October already knew something was up. Some vulpine sixth sense at play, perhaps...

His ears were already pricked when he was walking through the door. At the first sound of movement, his vulpine reflexes kicked in and he was already leaping ahead and away from trouble.

He circled around quickly, regarding his ambushers as they leapt down to the empty space he'd occupied. He faced them with a ready combat stance, his tails splayed behind him...

It was Chai and Elegance. Crouched down, the Umbreon and Mienshao looked irritably up at him. October frowned, saying, "...and what was that about!?"

"You need to take a bath, October," said Mister Pouncer, behind him, "and I told them to drag you there if needs be."

"Hah!" said October, grinning toothily, "Let's see them try now that their ambush has failed!" He postured like a quadrupedal supervillain, puffing up his chest and shoulders and tilting his head to one side. "Such treachery in this room!" said the crimson, green-eyed Ninetales, rearing, "You turn on me now, after the deed I done... did... that I... did do...? The thing! I did it, in fact. I did it for you all... and now this! Against me!" His eyes narrowed and he gasped the question, "...why.!?"

"Because despite your hard work and good deed, October," said, Mister Pouncer patiently, referring to October's recent adventuring victory versus a leaky pipe, "the smell of you will be upsetting customers. Be reasonable."

"NO..!" declared October, dramatically, "Let them try if they will! It will take more than that, though... but let them try!"

"So noted," said Mister Pouncer, coolly, "Chai, Elegance, stand down. We'll continue this another day, for now, there is much to say on today's duties..."

Chai and Elegance rose and returned to their regular positions, with October casting a baleful eye on them both for their treachery.

All the same, Chai came and sat next to him, with a shrug and an unbothered look. Elegance gave him a tiny hiss as he passed, though oddly, it seemed less disgusted than usual.

He caught her eye. She DID look less contemptuous than usual. Very odd. It couldn't help but arise October's curiosity, somewhat.

Mister Pouncer started talking then, however, "Alright everyone, it's good to see things are getting back to normal."

October glanced around the room. Most of the cast were present, though some of the Cleaning Mice were still missing, still presumably recovering from whatever sewage-based blight had befallen them. October wished them luck. Especially since their luck determined whether or not he'd be called upon to do cleaning in their stead again today...

He really hoped he didn't have to. It was too much like hard work. Hard work wasn't really his style and he'd been doing a bit overmuch of it of late.

He started to wonder again how on earth that he of all entities had been roped into menial labour.

Meanwhile, Morning Briefing moved on. October barely paid attention. Delilah was complaining about something, as usual the Unfezant was making sure to make a drawn-out drama by dawnlight.

"Well, we apparently have October to thank," said Mister Pouncer, quite catching October by surprise and making his ears prick, "He and a few others found the problem and apparently, fixed it."

"Did he now?" said Delilah, doubtfully, looking at him.

"He did," said Elegance, quite taking the room by surprise, "I was there. Along with Colin and Chai."

Delilah looked as though she'd been hit in the face with a pillow. It was quite a sight. "Unbelievable!" said the Unfezant. The reaction around the room wasn't much less surprised at any of it.

"Also, dangerous," said Mister Pouncer, frowning at October, "I would have appreciate it if you had brought your suspicions to me, first, October."

October, just beginning to puff himself up with pride, couldn't help but smirk, "Dangerous..." he said with a chuckle. The caves had been about the second softest dungeon he'd ever lead a team of whores into.

"Elegance tells me there are wild Galvantula living in the caves," said Mister Pouncer, "and that the four of you were in danger."

"The Galvantula are alright and they're not the only residents," said October, defensively, "Give them some Pokepuffs and they'll even escort you as they did us. You should probably tell future workmen that."

Pouncer frowned, "So noted. Still, it was a rash action, October."

October couldn't help but smirk and shrug, "I'm an adventurer, Mister Pouncer. Rash action is my speciality."

"This is not the time and place for this discussion," said Mister Pouncer with a slight frown, "but I would remind you that Café Plaisir isn't meant as a hub for your kinds of adventures, October."

"I'll try not to make a habit of it," said October, with a grin. He wasn't willing to promise, though.

"See that you don't," said Mister Pouncer, "but well done regardless. As far as the Galvantula are concerned, management will be discussing the issue."

"Leave it to me," said October, suddenly.

Pouncer frowned at him. "It is normal practise to hire trainers to move them on. Leave it to the professionals, October."

October shook his head. "I promised to teach them the common language. They won't be a problem. Besides; As I said, I am a professional."

Pouncer's frown didn't lessen. "October..." he began.

"Please," said October, "Let me live up to my word."

Pouncer went quiet, the whole room went quiet. The Grovyle sighed, "I'll give you some time to talk to them, but we're not happy with a colony of dangerous wild Pokemon in such close proximity, October. It's bad for business."

"It hasn't been a problem so far," said October, "and it isn't going to be."

"...and yet you yourself found our problems with food poisoning originated from those caves, October," said Pouncer, "They likely caused the damage. We can't leave them down there."

'It wasn't their fault,' thought October, but he kept his quiet, knowing the real culprit and wanting to keep it quiet through self-interest - his other reason for wanting to revisit the caves.

"Give me two weeks at least," said October, quickly.

Pouncer paused, frowned, then said, "Very well. Two weeks. Now..." he said, quickly changing the topic, "Before we go on, I have to ask you why you're here, October."

October raised an eyebrow and pricked his ears in surprise, "...I work here..?" he answered uncertainly.

"Not today, you don't," said Pouncer, suddenly smirking, "I take it you haven't checked the rota?"

"There's a rota?" asked October.

"It's by the Break Room," said Pouncer, frowning.

"There's a Break Room?" asked October tilting his head.

Pouncer looked at him with disbelief, to which October could only shrug.

Eventually, Pouncer spoke again, "Today's your day off, October," he said resignedly.

October's ears pricked and he brightened, "I get a day off..?" he asked, keenly.

"Yes, you do," said Pouncer, with a sigh, echoed by a few others in the room, "As do all employees, according to the rota."

"I'm free to do as I please..?" asked October, teeth showing in an enthusiastic grin.

"Within reason, of course..." said Pouncer, cautiously.

"I can go back to bed!?" asked October, maw hanging open happily.

"Yes-" began Pouncer.

"Tatty-bye! See you later!" said October, practically exploding off of his heels and heading out of the door, making sure to flash a grin at the envious-looking Chai on the way. He uttered an enthusiastic, "Wahey!" on the way... to freedom!

* * *

October verily skipped his way back down to the basement and the employee quarters. He wasn't much for oversleeping, but recent experiences staying up late and then getting up ultra-early had left him with an appetite for it.

However often they made him get up for it, six in the morning was time to be asleep.

He trotted back along the basement corridors with a smile on his face and a skip in his trot, thinking of the warm, lovely... well, it might be a bit broken, but it was a warm bed that awaited him...

The anticipation grew with each twist and turn of the basement. His room was second-to-last on the very last single row at the very back of the employee quarters. He rounded the last corner, thinking all the while of just how warm his bed was going to be...

Right up until the very last door, at the end of the corridor, just after his and before the fire escape, opened.

He pricked his ears curiously. Whilst one of his neighbours was unmissably Colin, he had in all this time yet to determine who lived on the other side of him, right up against the back.

Still, he headed towards his own door, intent upon his own bed more than finding out who he might happen to room next to.

Right until the moment when he was still long meters from his own door, further from the corner and right out in the open, just when a small, shiny blue form appeared. Asymmetrical, with one ear larger than the other and a long, half-ragged finned tail hanging over their considerable rump, they were even smaller than Chai and that irregular little profile wouldn't have been so much of an imposing presence...

...but the associated memory of pain had October stopping dead in his tracks. Big, dark eyes locked onto him as soon as he skidded to a halt and made him feel for a second as though his heart might stop for the fear of her.

Despite the absurdity of it, the lop-sided, undersized and faintly pudgy dwarf-Vaporeon gave him as big a fright as if it had been Eclipse with a massive erection.

October's eyes widened. He was living next to the monster!? How could he sleep, with this knowledge!?

...and what would he do right now? He was standing there like a tin of milk, up on his paws whilst his tails drooped behind him along with his former enthusiasm.

Meanwhile a smile was growing on Rain Flower's face. Much to October's displeasure, it looked like gears were working behind the Vaporeon's big eyes.

"Well hey there, Elegance's new asshole." said Rain Flower, her voice full of New York attitude and accent, "Funny seeing you, here."

October suddenly got over his fear-based paralysis, did his best to affect a suddenly cheery smile and started towards his door, managing to say, "Hello there..! Nice seeing you... Rain Flower..."

"Wait up there," said the Vaporeon, suddenly moving herself. Moving inbetween October and his door with an evil smirk growing on her cute little face.

October halted, worriedly, as the diminutive Water-type blocked his way.

He practically towered over her. From the outside, this had to look hilarious, he realised, but his shoulder was twitching at the thought of the deadening pain that had spread throughout it at the merest touch of the Vaporeon's offensive water.

October did not like that look on her face, either. It naturally made him think of water and pain. He fought quickly to bring up some distracting small talk. "Well hello there!" he said again, at first, with false cheer, in a panic, "Funny seeing you here, too! What are the odds?"

"Pretty good," said the Vaporeon, "Considering you're my next-door neighbour."

"Am I now?" said October, trying not to wince at the confirmation, "Oh, I didn't know..."

"Oh, it's no surprise you didn't know," said Rain Flower, mocking his speech and frowning at him, "Considering how in a week of being here, you're always visiting Colin, but you've never even once visited me..."

October raised up a little in retreat, "I just discovered you live here!" he said protestingly, without adding, 'it's why I'm never coming back!' He knew of at least one good linen closet upstairs...

"Yeah," said Rain Flower flatly, "...and did you ever once knock on my door, come and say, 'Hi! I'm your new neighbour?'"

October frowned. Was that even a thing? Who did that? "Well no..." he said.

"No you didn't," said Rain Flower, "I've got a shitty memory but I'm pretty sure you didn't... and that's kinda rude."

"Well, sorry..." said October, "I uh, didn't know."

"Sure you didn't," said Rain Flower, "Big, smart British Ninetales doesn't know his manners. Yeah, right..."

"Please," said October, his voice momentarily weakening, but picking up as he prepared his best apology, "Do excuse me for not being familiar with the protocols and customs of this establishment. It's a product of my inexperience and uncustomary awkwardness. Let me extend my sincerest and most profound apologies..."

Rain Flower looked at him, listening whilst tilting her head. To October's concern he saw confusion growing there, quickly replaced with annoyance. "I'm not sure what'cha just said," she said irritably, "but it sounded like bullshit. You talk a lot of bullshit, don't'cha?"

The blunt delivery left October chewing air.

"Yeah," said Rain Flower, nodding sagely, "You sure talk a lot of shit, Red."

"October!" corrected October, "-and hey..!"

"Red October then," said Rain Flower, rolling her eyes, "Whatever; You're the asshole who keeps setting the fires I have to put out, setting off the fire alarms, pissing off the customers, pissing off Eclipse and talking a load of confusing shit whenever someone confronts you."

October found himself fighting for words before this sudden, accusatory barrage. In fact all he could manage was, "...Hey!"

"Hey, what?" said Rain Flower looking confused.

Her confusion confused him. He had to shake his head and answer, "Hey, that's not fair! I've been trying really hard, and-"

"Yeah it's fair," said the Vaporeon, speaking over him with a sly smile spreading across her face, "I've been keeping an eye on you, Red..."

October tilted his head doubtfully, "...You have..?"

"Sure have," said Rain Flower, looking triumphant, "I check out all the new arrivals."

"That seems unlikely," said October, with a frown, "I'd have noticed you."

"Nuh-uh," said Rain Flower, smirking at him, "I know you were walkin' around with Tiny strapped to your dick, yesterday..."

October blinked. He had not noticed the Vaporeon during all that time. Then he frowned, "Someone might have told you. Tiny might have-"

"Blah, blah blah," said Rain Flower, shaking her head from side to side, "Talkin' a bunch of shit to get out of shit. I saw you. You didn't see me."

October opened his mouth to speak, but found he had nothing. So he just showed his teeth in frustration.

The Vaporeon seemed to take it as a sign of victory and rolled her head and shoulders smugly. "Oh yeah, I got your ticket, alright, Red. You're hopping from butt to butt, making a pain in the ass of yourself, all out of control."

October frowned, "You know; You are NOT as cute as you look..." he said incautiously.

Rain Flower frowned at him. The expression sent dread through him. "...Wanna say that again, Red?" she asked, dangerously, her heavy, asymmetrically-ended swimming tail swishing with apparent displeasure.

October searched his heart and then shook his head.

"That's better," said Rain Flower, with a 'hmph!'

October wondered what he could have possibly done to bring this horror down upon himself.

"Well, okay, maybe it's not all your fault," said Rain Flower, with annoyance, "not since Elegance isn't doing her job, anyway."

October tilted his head, "Elegance..? I don't see the relevance..." he began.

Rain Flower hooded her eyes at him, "You're just another out-of-control male all full of himself, in need of a good cunt to keep him in line."

"A good what..!?" October had to repeat. No shrinking violet himself, October was slightly horrified by the Vaporeon's phrasing.

"A good cunt," repeated Rain Flower, as if he was stupid, "You know, female parts. The things males are meant to fuck. I can tell you're confused, from the way you're going..."

Okay, now this was getting offensive in another direction. Anyways, that was totally not true. "I've been with females too!" he protested, "...and why should it matter?"

"Because us girls of Plaisir keep you boys in line!" said Rain Flower, firmly, "That's how it works! Like it or not, we pull your strings!"

"No-one pulls MY strings!" said October, puffing himself up.

"Well Elegance sure isn't!" said Rain Flower, sharply, "Knew she couldn't handle a real, hot-blooded male!"

"No one can handle October!" said October, flaring his tails, feeling his pride soar in his chest. Briefly.

"That's what you think!" said Rain Flower, with a slow smile, "Just so happens that I'm here now... I'm taking you off Elegance's paws and there's no-one better here at dousing a hot flame then me!"

October's tails drooped. He didn't like this talk of dousing flame. Not one bit... yet something else was bugging him. "Now hang on a minute here," he found himself saying, "As a matter of fact, Elegance tells me off all the time!" Odd, he thought, to be put in a position of defending Elegance's mostly horrible treatment of him.

"Hah!" said Rain Flower, "She's using her cold shrew shit on you and you're running wild, Red," her eyes narrowed on him and she started to circle around him, "when what you need is a hot bitch..."

October started to wheel and back up, but the Vaporeon turned out to be surprisingly quick, with surprise on her side, she quickly ended up behind him, blocking the only way out.

"What are you doing?" asked October, suspiciously.

"Taking you in hand, Red," said Rain Flower, with a grin.

October took a deep breath, "I feel like you're taking out some of your enmity with Elegance out on me..." he began.

"Shut up," said Rain Flower, smirking, as she began to advance on him.

October began to back up. He didn't like this. He fought for a way out, "I find your policy of management through vaginal intercourse unacceptably spurious to say the least!" he protested.

"There you go again, talkin' shit to get out of shit," said Rain Flower, laughing slightly, "It's not working on me. I have no idea what you're saying. Get in your room. You're going to bed."

October's butt collided with his door and knocked it open. "Just hang on a minute, here!" he said, almost at a whine.

"Nope-!" said Rain Flower, advancing closer. Then she suddenly stopped, she was peering over his shoulder, "What the fuck happened to your room..?" she said, frowning.

October glanced over his shoulder. It was much as he left it. No lightbulb. Broken, sagging bed. Burn marks on the walls. The indigo glow of his interdimensional Jar of Lost Things. Piles of lost things everywhere. Especially socks. He grinned awkwardly at her, "Bit of a mess..? Not many visitors..?"

"You're gonna clean it up," asserted Rain Flower, "Later. Now get in."

It was about this time that October decided to hold his ground. Once he was in there and that door closed behind them, he felt like that would be it. That Vaporeon would have her way with him. She'd have bullied him into it... and from there?

He was just a little too proud to have it and he stopped. Even as she advanced closer on him.

His heart pounding, his body shrinking in anticipation of horrible, cooling water-based pain, he tried to prepare himself to make a stand.

Suddenly, Rain Flower stopped her inexorable advance. Her petite blue snout twitching. "What's that smell..?" she said, suddenly.

October grinned, awkwardly. Salvation had come from an unlikely source.

"That's you..?" said Rain Flower, looking appalled.

"The odour of my work at Plaisir," said October, "Please do excuse me-"

"That's disgusting!" said Rain Flower, sharply, backing up and turning her head aside making him cringe for his wounded pride, "You're the grossest Ninetales ever! Oh, by Arceus!"

"Like I said," said October, "That's the smell of hard work, right there..."

"You smell like old buttsex and cigarettes!" said Rain Flower, sharply, "Have you even washed once, in a week!?"

"I'm not sure how!" said October, honestly, "Water hurts me! As you well know!"

"You can get a steam bath you dumbass!" said Rain Flower, sharply, backing away, "Firenze just takes hot baths! Sometimes with me in them! Because he's a strong, proud Ninetales who isn't afraid of water like some limey sissy!"

"Bitch!" protested October, now feeling very hurt in the pride. The comparison was particularly, embitteringly injurious.

"You're damn right!" said Rain Flower, "You're gonna get a bath! You're gonna go take a bath, RIGHT. NOW." Her shouty voice was sharp as knives and ended with a growling Vaporeon's trill.

It sent thrills of fear right through October, making his tails shiver.

"What if I don't?" said October, in a quiet voice, mustering the last of his bravery.

Rain Flower scowled at him, "If you don't, this bitch is gonna hose you down, Redtales."

October's eyes went wide. "You wouldn't..."

"Sure would!" said Rain Flower, still scowling.

"You'd kill me!" said October, frowning back, "Your aura is deadly to me!"

Rain Flower frowned at him, "Oh, I won't kill you, Redtales. I know how to handle Fire types... but it won't be over quickly and you KNOW you won't like it."

Something about her tone made him believe her.

"Now get out of here and get a bath!" commanded the Vaporeon.

October set off running, towards the stairs.

Behind him, he was sure he heard trillish cackling.

He was just a little too scared to be angry about it.

* * *

Now outside, with Café Plaisir at least a kilometer behind him, October at least breathed a sigh of relief... and several cigarettes.

Well, his room was ruined. Not as long as SHE knew where it was. He was glad he knew about that linen cupboard, there was a nice corner at the back she would never find him in.

He hadn't liked that, one bit, he thought. He normally liked an aggressive female. It was usually his favourite kind... but that was all off.

Rain Flower had been pushy in a nice way, but her motivations didn't appeal. He didn't like the idea of being brought to heel or being the ball in whatever game of hate she and Elegance might be playing. That wasn't his style at all.

...and he could perhaps admit to himself, after a fashion, he might just be a little gunshy of Eeveelution girls after the other day.

He knew his seed couldn't take in the Flareon. He knew he was a one-of-a-kind life-form that could never reproduce. There was just enough nagging doubt, though... Just enough to put him off the otherwise appealing Vaporeon.

So here he was, hiding out in the woods when he really ought to be sleeping.

Still, he reflected, he was far too upset to sleep, right now. Despite the warmth of the morning.

So, he started off by finding himself some Wild Berries. He didn't normally eat this early - not until there were table scraps to pilfer - and he usually didn't eat wild berries until he was off work, but this was his day off and he could do things in whatever order he pleased.

Unfortunately, it didn't take very long... and he could only stomach a few of them, with it being so early. Nor had it distracted him enough to consider sleeping. As if he fancied sleeping outdoors.

So, he was left, sitting out in the middle of the woods, in a pleasant but boring clearing, with no-one and nothing around him, nothing to do, no-where to be and an entire day ahead of him.

He silently cursed the Vaporeon.

He entertained the idea of visiting the nearest town, but it was so early that nothing would be open yet by the time he had arrived. Assuming there was even anything there worth visiting. Especially when he didn't have any money.

It was also far too early to go into the caves. He certainly wouldn't appreciate a visit at this hour.

So what to do? What to do..?

The caves... they came back to him. There was something about that whole adventure which had bothered him. Not just then, but the night before that as well, in the main bar, when Eclipse had confronted him...

In all the time he had spent as a Ninetales, he hadn't once done a real Flamethrower... in the few occasions he had been called upon to do it, he'd had the most awful impression that he didn't know what he was doing. He had been on adventures in this form before, of course, but he'd barely gotten by on his usual combination of wits and luck. With feral paws for hands and therefore without his usual skills in weaponry and gizmos to fall back on, he'd felt woefully under-armed without the use of this body's natural powers.

Oh, he had blasted flames plenty of times by accident and he knew how to make a small flame from which to light a cigarette. He had blown out a window with some kind of firebolt on his very first night at Plaisir (he was still paying it back) but of course, he had been so drunk he had no idea how he'd done it. He had also belched flames uncontrollably whenever he'd had a swearing fit. He'd had to depend on that in the cave. Not ideal at all. He'd also belched flames uncontrollably whenever he'd tried to use flames in almost any context whatsoever.

He was a Fire type who didn't know how to control his fire. He was a Ninetales who didn't know how to Flamethrower. It was embarrassing...

...and with a growing list of enemies, dangerous.

It was about time, he decided.

He knew it wasn't the same as making a small flame for lighting a cigarette from. Blasting out a flame a few feet long was easy - and not terribly useful in a fight. He know he'd need a lot more breath and a lot more aura involved for the real thing.

He took in a deep breath... tried to make it hot... but it wasn't as easy at that. He exhaled a hot breath and nothing more. The air in front of him briefly shimmered. That was no good at all...

So he tried again... then again. He knew it was something to do with concentrating his energy in his lungs, but it wasn't that simple, either. He had hoped his body would have known what to do, but... perhaps he was just more ignorant then his body.

A horrible thought struck him... what if he just couldn't do it? What if, as a creature transformed into Ninetales, he just lacked the capability?

No... no... as with all his forms, he was physically indistinguishable from any other example of the species, apart from in his colouration. He HAD to be able to do it.

This was ridiculous... He could blast flames when he was drunk, when he swore, but not when he wanted to?

He paused in his training, deciding to smoke another cigarette. He lit it from a foot-long flame from his maw that was annoyingly easy to accomplish.

He smoked slowly, thinking.

He was sure he had been about to do it in the bar, when he'd feared for himself and Elegance. He'd felt the energy surging through his body... building to a dangerous peak. It wasn't doing that right now...

What was different? Well, he wasn't in any actual danger, for one thing. His blood wasn't up.

His inner flames had not been properly roused, perhaps.

Alright then, he thought, finishing off his cigarette and tossing it aside.

He closed his eyes. He put himself then, back at the bar. He saw it clearly. He'd seen the bar too many times... he imagined the patrons, the noise, the smell of booze... forcing it all to be real in his head... he imagined Elegance... and Eclipse bearing down on the pair of them... he even unconsciously matched the exact posture he'd had at that moment...

It was working! His blood surged! His body heated up. His aura followed his will readily, accumulating in his lungs with his slowly taken breath, waiting to explode out of his maw as true fire on exhalation...

He opened his eyes at the critical moment, just as he opened his maw and exhaled-

Bright flames exploded from his maw with an unbelievable ferocity and an incredible intense, heady rush. The light was blinding, even to him. The flames had such a volume to them that even with that exhilarating surge he couldn't believe they were coming from him, that this inferno was actually flowing out of HIS body!

He got to wonder about that for less then a second before he realised that the force of it had already lifted his forepaws from the ground. Eyes wide, he tried to backpedal as he accelerated, out of control. He couldn't stop!

Flames blasting from his maw, spilling everywhere as he struggled, October was propelled backwards by the jet of his own Flamethrower, getting faster... he tried pointing the blazing torrent at the ground and he was literally flung up off his feet into the air... very briefly... until he span over and was slammed down onto his back.

The flames stopped abruptly. October was left winded, wheezing and panting in the dirt.

Then the pain in his gut kicked in all at once and suddenly, he was groaning, wincing, doubling up... It was awful! Like he'd been stabbed! He groaned louder, whining unashamedly even as he gasped for breath.

...Until he heard the crackling of flames. He opened his eyes wide and looked around.

The forest clearing was ablaze. There was fire everywhere... The grasses, the tree branches... flames that had shot out over twenty meters had set them all aflame.

He wasn't seeing that though. The image of the bar was fresh in his mind. He scrambled up into a sitting position, staring in horror. He'd remembered where the populated tables were... the bar... the exits...

"No... No! NO! Oh, FUCK!" swore October, incautiously, though his aching gut didn't feel like producing any more fire, "Oh FUCK, OH FUCK! The whole bar! Everyone! I killed everyone! I fucking killed everyone!"

He could see it all in his mind's eye, his maw hanging open in horror. The main bar of Café Plaisir was ablaze. The people caught directly were transformed into torches. The rest were catching and cooking...

The sprinklers went off, far too late for most of them.

The water felt very real, very painful. For once he felt like he deserved it. He sat there as drops landed upon him, each one stinging and steaming from his fur.

Then the sounds of rain grew louder and he was woken from his daze. He realised that it was actually raining... though a second later he realised it was only raining around the clearing.

A clean and fine-edged voice, barely hinting at a Japanese accent, cut right through to him, "Get out of there, you imbecile!" shouted Elegance, with her paws held aloft, a short distance away.

October, blinking, ran past her out of the rain and stopped.

Elegance lowered her arms and the rain stopped almost immediately.

October, panting, sat himself down just in time for her to turn around at him, glaring. The Mienshao's sharp form and posture was matched by the sharpness and severity of her expression.

Oddly, "You know Rain Dance?" was the first thing he said.

"My Clan and Master insisted on a wide range of skills," said Elegance, the Mienshao speaking politely, though glaring at him angrily, "I know moves from over a dozen schools of Pokemon combat technique."

"Impressive," said October, looking back to the now extinguished clearing. It was scorched and steaming.

"You would have killed everyone in the main bar," said Elegance, simply, "That is what you were reimagining, yes?"

"Yes. Everyone except for myself and the Typhlosion bartender," said October, gravely, his head hanging low, "who would have rightly killed me."

Elegance stared at him angrily, in silence.

October kept his head low, in shame and pain, waiting for the berating he no doubt deserved.

Elegance sighed. "A Ninetales who cannot use Flamethrower properly. You never cease to surprise, October."

October tilted his head slightly and sighed for himself. "Normally, I'd take that as a compliment..." he said heavily, "Except after my very first Flamethrower..." he trailed off.

"Except now," said Elegance, "That you have witnessed how dangerous your powers truly are?"

"Yes," said October, simply.

Elegance paused for a while, then asked, "That was truly your first attempt?"

"Yes," said October, "Yes it was."

"Impressive power," said Elegance, "Though wrong in every other respect."

He glared back at her. "You don't say..." muttered October, sarcastically.

Elegance ignored his sarcasm. She looked as though she was staring right into him. "You never used Flamethrower as a Vulpix?"

"No," said October, deciding not to relate the whole story. He had never even been a Vulpix.

"You were evolved early?" asked Elegance, curiously.

"No..." said October, with a sigh, not quite willing to lie, "I just never used it until now. Never had the need until recently."

"This seems doubtful for a self-described adventurer," said Elegance, with a frown.

"I normally get by on my wits," said October, honestly, though he couldn't be bothered with the whole truth.

Elegance seemed to notice he was holding back, from the look in her eyes. She didn't press him though.

'Smart and perceptive as ever,' thought October, 'and as ever, perhaps, more polite than I deserve.' He began to feel slightly bad for his lack of honesty... but he was in no mood to explain who and what he really was right now.

"Do you know what you did wrong?" asked Elegance, simply.

October shrugged, "I had no control, none whatsoever from the moment the first flames left my maw."

"This much is correct," said Elegance, with a curt nod, "Do you know why?"

October raised an eyebrow, "Because I'm an imbecile with no control?" he asked unhappily.

Elegance raised an eyebrow right back at him, "We are now seeking cause, not effect."

October dragged in a deep breath and let out a miserable, groaning sigh.

"Your posture was completely wrong," said Elegance, simply, looking away, back to where he had been stood.

October looked up, raising an ear, "My posture?"

"Yes," said Elegance, "You are a Ninetales. It is no surprise that you have far more special power than physical strength. It is only natural that one would overcome the other."

That had October thinking, "...Huh..." he said aloud.

"Have you never seen another fire type deliver a Flamethrower?" said Elegance, "Most must brace themselves to absorb the force."

October thought back, immediately remembering, unhappily, the Flareon that had bathed him in flames. She had been hunched down low. He thought also of all the times he'd spied on Verrin. That true Ninetales was always posturing or leaping into the air to deliver his attacks... October had assumed it was just a sense of style.

"It's not just that though," muttered October, "I worry my body isn't up to this. Doing that Flamethrower, right then... it hurt." He rubbed his still aching body, "It hurt inside."

"That is drain," said Elegance, simply, "or aura depletion as it is technically referred."

"Hmm..." said October, frowning, "Well, it hurt."

Elegance peered at him with a tilted head and narrow eyes.

October found himself frowning back at her, "...What?"

"You have never seriously used your powers before, have you?" said the Mienshao, peering at him suspiciously.

October looked away, frowning. Elegance was annoyingly perceptive.

"Your story does not add up, October," said Elegance, simply, "An Adventurer who seems to know his business, can remain rational when in danger and yet seems to lack experience with his own powers."

October sighed, again and lowered his head.

"Such mysteries make it difficult to trust you, October," said Elegance, plainly.

He looked up with resignation on his face. You wouldn't know it on meeting her, but her form and her manners weren't Elegances sharpest features, after all.

She was a curious creature, herself.

"Alright," said October, "I'll tell you," then he frowned, "in return for some reciprocation."

"Reciprocation?" said Elegance, sharply, an eyebrow raising. An almost imperceptible turn of the mouth suggesting she thought he might be speaking in euphemism.

"Not of that kind," said October, firmly, "but if I'm to tell you the truth of myself, I expect a little in return. I know almost nothing of your past, either."

Elegance was silent. She was frowning slightly, thoughtfully. Long seconds passed before she eventually spoke again, "Very well," was all she said.

October took a deep breath and launched into it. "I am not an ordinary Pokemon, nor usually a Pokemon at all. No-one knows what I really am, except perhaps an entirely accidental creation. A by-product of an explosion in a magical laboratory. Anyone who knows any further details died in that explosion, before I ever became conscious."

Elegance looked doubtful. He went on anyway.

"Aside from my mate, Silver, I have no ties anywhere. I have a mostly-intact magical tower that includes a Planar Gate room that can take me anywhere. When I'm there, my body adapts my form to blend in. Whether I like it or not. It just so happens that I'm a crimson Ninetales on Pokemon worlds."

Elegance looked no less doubtful. He continued.

"I normally don't stay anywhere for very long," said October, "In fact, soon, this will be the longest I've ever stayed in one plane. In fact, apart from the form I take on Silver's world... I've been a Ninetales far longer than anything else." He smirked, "It's surprisingly comfortable, too," he raised a forepaw and waggled his toes, "Though I still occasionally miss having hands."

She listened to it all without comment, then frowned. "So you are... some kind of wandering spirit?"

October shrugged, "You could say that, but I'm as solid and corporeal as you are." He smirked, rubbing his gut, "Painfully so."

Elegance looked away, thoughtfully. She spent some time in silent contemplation before looking back, "As unlikely as your tale seems, it has the benefit of fitting my observations of you."

October's smirk grew and he tilted his head to one side, "Sometimes the truth is stranger than our imaginings. Believe me. I've seen a lot of strange truths."

"A wandering spirit..." said Elegance again, looking away, "...and what is it that binds you here? Your debt?"

October shrugged again, "Perhaps... but more likely my promise."

"Promise..?" prompted Elegance.

"A promise to my mate to make good on my mischief," said October, "and a promise to Firenze of the same... and that I would..." he spoke quietly, "demonstrate the pride and dignity befitting of a Ninetales."

"Which matters to you, why?" asked Elegance, quickly.

October blinked in momentary confusion, "Well... promises are important..."

"Not that part," said Elegance, "That you care for your mate is implicit in your mateship. Why does Firenze's opinion matter to you, if you are not truly a Ninetales?"

That caught October off-guard. He had to think about that one. Thinking about it made him feel anxious and awkward, too. "I don't know..." he answered, honestly, "I really don't... but it does. Perhaps the pride of a Ninetales is a bi-product of BEING a Ninetales, but... I don't think that's it."

"What is it then?" asked Elegance.

"If I knew, I'd tell you," said October, with a sad smirk, "but... I didn't expect to be a Ninetales."

Elegance frowned, "Why would you expect to be anything?" she asked.

"There's normally a pattern," said October, "and based on that pattern, I expected Zoroark. Zoroark made sense. Zoroark seemed me. Then after a particularly painful first transformation, I found myself on four legs feeling back-heavy and realising I couldn't visit my favourite Pokemon world without raising a fuss."

Elegance looked him up and down, "I cannot imagine you as a Zoroark," she said simply.

October shrugged, "You know me as a Ninetales... but..." he smiled slightly, "Thankyou."

"Why thank me?" she asked, with a confused frown.

"Because..." said October awkwardly trying to explain feelings he didn't really comprehend, "It just... feels... right, somehow... and... I was pleasantly surprised to be... this... bright, proud thing... and not a thing of darkness and deception... but... well... mainly... it just feels, right... somehow... I can't explain it."

"Yet, it matters to you?" she asked.

"Yes, somehow," said October, simply, with an apologetic look.

"Curious..." said Elegance.

October could only shrug, still looking apologetic.

"Your turn," said October.

"Not yet," said Elegance, "I would like some time to think on this. I am also not prepared."

"Not prepared?" said October, raising an eyebrow.

"Not here and now," said the Mienshao, "Not in this place." She met his eyes, "I will abide by our agreement, but I would rather explain my past in my own place and time."

October remained silent. He was tempted to call into question Elegance's actual willingness to reciprocate, but knew that would be a mistake. Ninetales pride was one thing. Elegance was something else altogether.

They remained quiet, for some time, until something else occured to October. "What are you even doing out here?" he asked suddenly and bluntly.

Elegance looked at him curiously, then looked away. This time however, there was no sharpness in that look. She answered very quietly, "I was still in Morning Briefing when I saw you go running out of the front door. You were moving with some urgency. I admit, I was curious as to what might have happened."

October grimaced, not quite wanting to admit that he was sent running by a creature less than half his size. "Some... trouble..." he said simply, "Some trouble I am avoiding. I decided that now was a time to train, instead."

"I see," said Elegance, peering at him curiously, but leaving her question unasked. Instead she said, "Would you appreciate some aid in your training?"

October smiled. "You know, I very well might at that..."

"Because you are going to need a great deal," said Elegance, harshly, "If you are truly to learn the pride and power of a Ninetales."

'Painfully sharp, as ever,' thought October. Though he had an oddly warm feeling in his chest about it. "Very well..." he said.

They trained for some hours. As a bipedal Fighting type, Elegance could only teach him so much of relevance, but she had a great deal to tell him on technique and the moulding of aura.

Elegance was a harsh teacher, but a fair one. She didn't say anything that wasn't worth listening to. Little by little he improved by practise and the thorough understanding that Elegance was instilling in him. The difference in control he was gaining was tangible.

By mid-day, he had worn down his energy reserves, the pain of Drain growing ever greater in his gut, but he had learned to create a stable Will-o-Wisp and practised posture with many reduced-power Flamethrowers. They had both agreed not to risk October's full power again.

He had questions. Elegance answered them. Her knowledge was deep to an extent that October found very interesting. He began to wonder all the more why an educated, high-class warrior of some description was working, barely, as a Bedroom Waiter of Café Plaisir.

Still, he kept his curiosity to himself, suspecting that he'd learn more by patience than persistence.

That wasn't really his style, but the mystery seemed worth the effort.

"I must thank you," said October, at the end of it, after admitting his weariness, "I feel... in control, at last."

"There is still much to learn," said Elegance, firmly, "There will be more sessions required."

That took him by surprise. "Might there? Well... if you're willing..."

"I have taken responsibility for your training, have I not?" said Elegance, brusquely.

"It does seem that way," said October, with a smirk.

Elegance's eyes narrowed, "I hope you will not take this new control over your powers and use it to try and solve all of your problems..."

October chuckled, "Oh, no... well..." he grinned, "I can see why you'd be worried, but no. I must go and attend to my responsibilities."

"Responsibilities?" asked Elegance, again looking doubtful.

"Responsibilities," confirmed October, "I made a promise to some Galvantula and I intend to keep it."

Elegance remained briefly silent, then, smiled, "Very well. Attend to your duties, October."

"I shall," said October, with a smile and a nod, "See you later." He set off at once in a loping run, hoping to shake the blood and warmth back into his extremities.

"You are a strange and yet beautiful creature, wandering spirit," said Elegance, suddenly, in an oddly quiet and honest-sounding voice. October's ears just caught it.

"Thankyou!" he remarked, with a smile.

The surprised look on Elegance's face was both confusing and interesting. He'd never seen her with her eyes opened wide before. They were pretty.

He made a note to surprise her again, sometime, somehow. However he'd done it this time. Then, off he went.

* * *

Chai woke up suddenly, jarred back to consciousness. He blinked. The main bar was still empty, but there were footsteps coming.

The sleepy, but quick-to-rise Umbreon sat up from the table he had lay upon and dazily went back to work pushing chairs, though he still a little too disoriented to flip them over, just yet.

Still, he had the appearance of being hard at work when Mister Pouncer and an unfamiliar Pokemon came in.

Mister Pouncer saw him and headed his direction, but it wasn't the Grovyle that caught Chai's eyes.

It was the Liepard. Following just behind Pouncer and moving with a casual sway and low posture, the purple and yellow-speckled feline was big. Bigger than he was trying to suggest with his posture, but Chai wasn't fooled. He saw the sharp, cold look in the feline's eyes that disappeared almost the instant Chai's gaze fastened upon it.

The feline smiled at him from behind Pouncer, a warm and pleasant smile under big, soft eyes. With his instincts and experience of Dark types, Chai disliked him instantly.

"Chai," addressed Pouncer, walking up to the table on which the Umbreon was still stood. He looked around, "Looks like you could use some help."

Chai frowned. Only about a third of the chairs had been flipped over so far. "I'm doing okay," he said quietly.

Pouncer frowned, but didn't answer him. Instead, he looked over his shoulder to the cat and its big, false smile. "This is Nightshade, he's a new starter from the evening shift."

"Pleased to meet you, Chai," said the Liepard, in a smooth, pleasant neutral American tone.

"Hey," said Chai, quietly, frowning slightly.

Pouncer waited a few seconds for Chai to continue, but when he didn't, the Grovyle went on, "He'll be covering for October today. I have briefed him on the necessary duties. I assume you can aid him from here."

"Sure," said Chai, quietly.

Silence dropped again. It was the Liepard who spoke first.

"I'm... looking forwards to working with you," said Nightshade, pleasantly, with a friendly and good-humoured smile.

Chai frowned a little deeper. "Alright then," he said simply, "So let's get on with it."

"So, show me the ropes, then!" said the Liepard, still smiling.

"Well," said Chai, quietly, "So let's start flipping chairs then."

"Alrighty then!" said the Liepard, still smirking as he moved to the nearest table and seemed to consider how he would go about the task.

Chai gave Pouncer an irritable look, the moment that the Liepard's back was turned. Pouncer looked back at him unhappily.

"I'll assume there'll be no trouble..?" asked Pouncer, cautiously.

Chai shook his head.

Pouncer took a long breath, then met Chai's eyes, with a serious look in his own. He nodded to one side and lead Chai to the doorway. The Umbreon followed.

Leaning close, Pouncer spoke quietly, "Chai, I'm afraid HR wishes to talk to you again," he said it gravely, "You're to go up for a chat today at your earliest convenience."

The words, though long-expected, struck Chai in the chest anyway. He frowned, angrily at Pouncer, though the Grovyle looked almost sorrowful. Chai looked away, with a scowl.

Pounced paused, then spoke, "You have been improving, Chai. Remember our previous conversations."

"Sure," said Chai, bitterly.

"Just respond to her respectably and you'll be fine," suggested the Grovyle.

Chai turned around and stuck his snout under a chair. It was a minor release to flip it up in the air so that it landed noisily on the ground, but it made him feel better anyway. He hopped down to push it back upright and under the table.

"Try and keep your cool, Chai," said Pouncer, with some concern in his voice.

"Sure," said the Umbreon, "I'll go do it soon. Got some chairs to flip first."

Pouncer frowned and him and made a, 'hrmph...' sound, but the Grovyle said no more. Slowly, hesitantly, he turned and began to leave.

Fucking great. Well, this was probably it then. Chai attended to his duties angrily. He wouldn't have been bothering at all if not for the opportunity to throw some shit around and make loud noises. It made him feel slightly better.

Pouncer had left quietly. Chai continued his productive rampage unabated.

"You've got some anger issues, huh?" said a smooth, soft voice.

Chai looked at the Liepard, who had stopped working the moment Pouncer had left. The feline was smiling at him, sympathetically. "Maybe," said Chai.

"Got some problems with the management?" asked Nightshade.

"Maybe," Chai answered again, aggressively flicking another chair from its table to land with a banging clatter.

"Seems like most of you Morning-Shift types do," said Nightshade, "Not that I blame you, of course."

"Oh?" said Chai, not looking at him, "...and why's that?"

"Hey, 'better a Forest Rogue then a Park Ranger,' right?" said the Liepard.

"Never saw that movie," said Chai, quietly. He wasn't a big screen watcher.

"Huh," said Nightshade, drawing a look from Chai, "Funny, I'd figured you for the shut-in type."

"Nope," said Chai, frowning.

"Not very talkative, are you?" said the Liepard, smiling.

"Nope," said Chai.

"...or is it that you don't like me..?" asked Nightshade, softly.

Chai didn't answer.

Nightshade chuckled with a 'hmph,' then spoke again, "So October's the conversationalist around here, then?" asked Nightshade, a smirk forming on his face, "It's a pity, I was kind of hoping to meet him today."

That caused Chai some pause. He stopped what he was doing, irritability growing the in the Dark type. "Were you, now..?" he asked on impulse.

"Yup," said Nightshade, "Heard of him. Seen him a few times. He looks like fun. The Morning Shift's wild new Ninetales."

Chai said nothing and went back to work.

"Purple on crimson's an appealing combination," said Nightshade.

"Purple wont be ON crimson," said Chai, "because crimson don't submit to anyone."

"You think so..?" said Nightshade, smoothly, "Gonna make a point of getting to know that one," said Nightshade, "Rub him up the right way, find out how he ticks, see what it takes to tame a wild Fox..."

Chai looked around to see the Liepard sneering.

"A real Dark type," said Nightshade, his eyes sharp and narrow, "ought to be able to seduce and tame the flame. Maybe it's about time he met one."

Chai scowled, "Yeah, good luck with that," he said quietly, looking back at the Liepard just as sharply, "He doesn't like assholes, either."

Nightshade chuckled, softly, closing eyes eyes contemptuously, "Well unlike you, little-mister sulky bane-of-chairs, I know how to play it subtle."

"You don't know me," said Chai, sharply, snarling slightly, "nor October."

"I'm getting your measure right now," said Nightshade, with a gentle, slight grin, "and I wish you luck with that HR meeting of yours... you're gonna need it."

Chai bristled, but ignored the Liepard, as much as he wanted to throw a chair at the cat's head - or maybe just take out one of those fucking eyes of his!

Seething more than he realised and throwing another chair to the ground hard enough for it to bounce across the main bar floor, Chai jumped down from the table and headed for the lobby.

"Finish up in here," said Chai, leaving quickly.

Behind him, Nightshade chuckled.

* * *

The business with the Galvantula had gone more smoothly than expected. October had taken a whole branch of Oran bush in with him, which had gone down surprisingly well. He had then spent a few tiresome hours trying to teach the Galvantula English.

It was surprisingly tricky. October's ability to speak and understand any language was innate and only semi-controllable. He would speak whatever language he was intending, though it would always sound the same to him. This had naturally caused confusion whenever he'd had a lapse in concentration. He could only guess at some of the languages he might have accidentally taught them words in when he had absent-mindedly been thinking about one place or another.

It was also impossible to tell how well he was doing at teaching them. Still, after a few hours, they had seemed satisfied and October had been thoroughly sick anyway. He had bid them well and departed, promising to soon return.

Now, he was wandering through the woods again, back towards the Café. He recalled promising to visit Elegance and only once stopped for Berries on the way.

He didn't realise that this was a mistake until he caught the scent of Mightyena and remembered that this was a spot that he had used with some regularity.

He went stock still, sniffing the air... the scent was solid, directly downwind. It was the twins, Sinister and Dextus.

He didn't bolt right away; they had used this trick before. Sighing, he took some slow, deep breaths and began to gently flex his limbs, loosening them up. He drew an imaginary line between the twins, himself and the most probable location of Eclipse, then picked a course perpendicular to that line.

He turned and launched off quickly, with all his vulpine speed behind him. He was a powerful sprinter, accelerating quickly and to a high speed. He loped through the woods, leaping over obstacles and bursting through foliage. He practically flew through through the forest.

It was a speed he couldn't sustain, though. His body was already weary from a morning of training. He kept it going for as long as he could, but he soon had to slow down to a manageable pace.

He just had to hope that the burst had been enough. It wasn't. With his ears turned right back, October could faintly hear fast, heavy pawfalls. The soft, stealthy thunder of a big Mightyena, out of sight, but metaphorically, right on his tails, because his phase of advantage was done. It was all downhill from here.

Now that his sprint was done, it was his drained stamina versus that of a fresh Mightyena. Which wasn't favourable at the best of times. He frowned. He hadn't gained enough ground.

This was bad.

Normally, he'd have waited until he was sure he had cleared Sinister and Dextus before turning in to the Café. He didn't know if they'd actually chase him, but this time he knew he couldn't avoid risking it.

So October turned in slowly, as quickly as he dared with the risk of Eclipse cutting his corner and closing. He ended up in unfamiliar forest, running along untested routes, without much choice in the matter... If he was going to make it at all, it was going to be close... but he ran with the desperation of a Fox who was in no state or mood to face a Wolf.

Though apparently he was due a lucky break. Plaisir's woods were set within gentle hills and valleys. Here and there, especially here, the terrain was rocky and steep. October smiled and headed right for the steepest part of the slope. Eclipse was a better runner, October was a better sprinter and pouncer. He was much better equipped to leap from rock to rock and scramble up slopes. So, despite the growing weight of his overtaxed and heavy-feeling body, that's exactly what he did.

Eclipse didn't even try to follow. October reached the top of the slope and breathed a sigh of relief; momentarily. He knew he wasn't clear yet. Much as his body was hot and heavy with strained labour and desperate for rest, he knew his fortunes today depended on reaching the Café.

So, with only a vague idea of where the Café was from here, he bounded into dense, unfamiliar forest. This was a generally inaccessible portion and he didn't frequent it. There was still so much of Plaisir's woods he hadn't seen...

No kidding... he could barely see through this part. There were no trails and the vegetation was so dense it was no good for a quadruped.

Still, he couldn't waste time, couldn't waste this lead he'd gained, so he blundered on, far more quickly than he should, bursting through branches and bushes, unable to see more then a few feet in front of his face.

If he'd been going a bit slower it wouldn't have been such a shock when he leapt through a tree, suddenly burst into practically open air and blinked in confusion at the sight of two tall, pointed blue ears.

The slender Lucario was sat cross-legged at the edge of a tiny gorge, a little cleft in the woods, filled with grasses and colourful flowers. October was on a ballistic course that neatly lined up all three. The Lucario had just about time to gasp and half turn his head before October's forepaws collided with his back.

The Lucario was shoved over and right into the gorge with him with a winded grunt. As October pitched forward, Nature was caught up in his long legs. As the outer-rim of a wheel, October rolled down the soft, grassy gorge wrapped around the Lucario.

They didn't stop until the bottom, where October spilled onto the sprawled Lucario with a skidding stop amidst a deep field of flowers.

It all caught up with October at once and he found himself unable to do any more then flop down and pant hotly. He didn't have the breath in his body to speak, at this point.

Beneath him, the Lucario's eyes were wide, very wide. October really supposed he ought to say something, explain. He just couldn't. He was too busy doing an impression of an overstrained steam train.

The Lucario looked up at him nervously. He tried to smirk back. He was too busy chugging shimmering hot air to make a good job of it though and mainly showed his teeth.

"...Uhhh..." said the Lucario softly, in a very quiet voice, "...What are you doing..?"

October couldn't answer. He tilted his head slightly and tried to show embarrassment. It probably didn't come off right.

The Lucario blinked, "You're from last week..!" he said, before his voice went quiet again, "...Did you come back here to..." he trailed off.

October shook his head. He could do that at least.

The Lucario looked unconvinced. A blush was spreading on his face. "Are you sure? ...Because it kind of feels like that's what you're planning..."

October had a moment of realisation and winced. His body, quite inappropriately was reacting to the presence of a slender Lucario with a big, girly booty trapped under him. It was clearly just as much an adrenaline boner as a reaction to obviously pleasing stimuli, but the fact is it was growing very hot and very quickly. October could only really shrug.

The Lucario's blush was deepening. "Look, uh, this isn't... appropriate and... someone will come along and... you'll get in trouble..."

October tried to speak, but his words came out as incoherent growling between pants. Though enough was enough here. He tried to struggle free. Unfortunately for him, his forelegs and hindpaws were trapped under the sprawled Lucario's arms and legs. They were on a soft bed of sweetly smelling, but ultimately partially destroyed and slippery flowers so all he ultimately managed was rocking back and forth, unintentionally grinding his member against the Lucario's rump, freeing it from its sheath and bashing the underside of his tail. The Lucario's rump had just the right amount of firm form and soft pliance...

"...Really, deep trouble..." gasped the Lucario.

Okay, if this kept up, he almost certainly would intend as he seemed to be intending. He took as deep a breath he could whilst he still had his rationality.

"We both need to stand up," grunted October, "At the same time..."

"Huh..?" said Nature.

"GET THE FUCK OFF OF HIM..!" roared a very angry, growly, deep voice.

In a bit of a fright, October pitched over to the right, rolling onto his side. The Lucario fell from between his legs. Huh. That should have occurred to him earlier.

Still, it was a struggle to get to his feet as Eclipse appeared from the bushes at one end of the gorge, pausing at the stop and scowling down at him.

"You just couldn't help yourself, could you, asshole!?" shouted the Mightyena, snarling and starting down the gorge.

October turned and ran the other way, leaving a very confused looking Lucario.

"Very sorry, another misunderstanding!" was about all October had time to shout as he tore up the opposite side of the gorge.

"You thought you got away from me, huh!?" yelled Eclipse, "Get back here, you asshole!"

"NO..!" shouted October, powering up the slope. Glad at least to have caught his breath.

Eclipse on the other hand, for all his bluster, looked like he had just ran the long way up a steep slope.

Though it was a bit embarrassing to run off with his member dangling between his legs, the burst of adrenaline didn't hurt either. His chances were looking a LOT better.

Plus, that had been kind of fun.

* * *

"SON OF A CUNT!" bellowed Eclipse, up at the rapidly retreating form of October. The Ninetales had flown up the slope and nine crimson, black-tipped tails were quickly disappearing back into dense foliage.

Nature got up to his knees, still flushed and put his hands over his lap. He was breathing deeply himself. The Ninetales had been kind of heavy. Hot, too.

Eclipse slowed and stopped next to him. The big Mightyena looked down at the kneeling Lucario with a scowl on his face, looking him over, briefly.

Nature looked up at him. Even in a meadow of flowers, Eclipse was a big, dark presence. Powerful, almost bestial. He had a presence that panting like a hunting beast only enhanced. Like a shadow, he loomed over the Lucario.

"Did he do anything to you?" asked Eclipse, grumbling darkly.

Nature shook his head. "Uh, no... he didn't-" Meanwhile he was shuffling. Things were poking out at his crotch and soon his covering paws would let out his growing secret.

Eclipse turned towards him, slightly, threat growing in his voice as he spoke slowly, "Did he do anything to you?" The Mightyena's red eyes bore into Nature's, carrying a focussed weight of Eclipse's Dark presence, a fierce pressure...

Nature paused and stumbled over his words even as he struggled to keep his still growing canine Lucaricock from bursting free. He flushed deeply at the confusing rushes of sensation. He knew he ought to take this situation as serious as it appeared, but his body was feeling differently...

"Don't cover for him," growled Eclipse savagely, changing pace suddenly, leaning in on the young Lucario quickly enough to make him flinch back a little, "That one's trouble and you're too damn accepting, boy."

Nature gulped, the flinch backwards had almost lost him the of his thighs on his growing member... but he paused and then frowned a little.

The way Eclipse had put that... It stirred up some unpleasant memories. Almost enough to spoil his growing lust. Mostly. He frowned, slightly, looking away, still flushed, but even more confused.

Eclipse bore in again, drawing Nature's attention and a gasp.

"What did he do to you..?" growled Eclipse, turning his head to one side and looking down at Nature with one baleful eye as he snarled, "You're not gonna tell me it was another 'misunderstanding,' are you..?"

Nature looked up at him, emotions whirling. Who did Eclipse think he was, he wasn't his-

"Tell me, BOY!" snarled Eclipse.

"-A-accident..!" blurted Nature, stammering and trying not to recoil - he nearly fell onto his back.

"Don't tell me that was an accident," snarled Eclipse, firmly, "In all of this forest... He happened to land on you... and then as if by magic, his cock, your ass, blah-blah," Eclipse leant in his voice lowering to a growl, "Blah... blah..."

Nature drew in a stuttered gasp, trying to get his wits together... and trying to keep his lust under control, for once. It was hard. Like nine inches of Lucario dick that his thighs were barely containing.

This was embarrassing... extra-embarrassing in that he still felt genuinely resentful of the bullying Mightyena... and that was making it even harder. Metaphorically and literally.

Torn between fear and lust, hunger and disgust, frustration and thrilling, tingling sensations, Nature's big eyes stared off into space, confused, stunned and blushing.

"I wanna know what he did," growled the big, bad Mightyena, threateningly, "...and you're gonna tell me! So he doesn't get away with it. Bad Pokemon do bad things, boy... That one just happens to lie about it."

"Bad Pokemon?" said Nature, distantly, "uh..." he stammered again, "My uh- The ahh.. hmm.." he huffed slightly as Eclipse stared at him impatiently, "The Ninetales? Uh... b-but you, why would you care..? When you're... ah, you..."

Eclipse tilted his head obnoxiously, "...and..?"

Nature looked up at him, feeling small and vulnerable, like his next words might provoke the potential assault his body was trembling for, "...They say you're a b-bad Pokemon, Eclipse... that you d-do things to people and P-pokemon..."

A snarling grin grew on Eclipse's face as Nature spoke.

"They're right," said the Mightyena, plainly, "except... I'm honest about it. With me, you know exactly what you're getting and you can pick your bones as you please." He thrust his muzzle in close to the Lucario again, sending Nature over onto his back.

Nature landed with a light 'oof!' and barely kept his thighs together.

Eclipse continued, angrily, "I know bad Pokemon like you don't, boy. Oh, you think you know what you're playing with, but you don't." He looked away, out into the woods, "One of these days, you're gonna get hurt real bad. Maybe never come back."

With that, Eclipse began walking away, leaving Nature shocked into silence and wondering what Eclipse had been implying... what the Mightyena might know... Had it been a coincidence? He couldn't know...

"If that happens," said Eclipse, loudly, "Don't say I didn't warn you." He started running, in the direction October had left.

Bewildered, Nature was left kneeling in the flowers, feeling very confused, but suddenly... very curious.

* * *

Chai walked up the stairs to admin feeling the weight of every step, as much as he pretended he didn't. He was pissed off, sick and whether he liked it not, full of dread. The kind of dread that builds up over time and pours out at exactly this kind of time.

He also hated Nightshade with every step. He had taken an instant dislike to the Liepard and with good reason. He knew the type. Nightshade was just another smooth talking, smooth-lying, ass-climbing Dark type dick. The kind Chai had definitely gotten sick of in his life. Exactly the kind he'd thought he'd gotten away from.

Well, maybe that wasn't going to be a problem anymore. Reaching the door labelled 'Human Resources' by plaque, Chai didn't waste any time in knocking softly.

"Come in," came a terse, loud voice.

Opening the door to admin was always a painful and chilling experience. Literally.

With a bright daylight bulb and a blast of roaring cold air, from Plaisir's usual southern warmth, it was like suddenly stepping into the Arctic circle. Chai had to squint against the cold draught and awful brightness. Chai's sensitive ears were instantly assailed with the reverberating hums of HR's piled collection of air conditioners, humidifiers and fans. A forceful spring-arm slammed the door shut behind him, turning the draught back into its usual, chilling mini-cyclone.

Glass paperweights adorned piles of transparent poly-pockets full of documents in every corner of the brightly-lit room, glittering and gleaming, damp and glistening from condensation, enhancing the atmosphere of an office winterscape.

The winter cave's queen sat upon her throne, a simple chair of plain plastic in pure, clean white. The bulky, cyan-framed glasses-wearing Glaceon looked around from her specially protected computer screen slowly, with not the hint of a change in her frozen, cold expression. She looked down her nose at Chai.

"Pouncer said you wanted to see me," said Chai, squinting in the harsh light.

"Yes," said the Glaceon, slowly, the word full of foreboding implication, "Sit down, Chai."

"I'd prefer to stand, Clarice," said Chai, "Your floor is too cold."

Clarice said nothing, her face betraying no emotion as she turned her head slowly back towards her monitor.

Chai sighed, his breath coming out as mist. He hated this place. He wanted this over with. "So, you going to tell me what this is about?" he asked.

"Poor performance figures," said Clarice, loudly, "For yet another month. Days missed, complaints received, lack of custom taken."

Chai frowned, sharply and remained silent. If he spoke, there was every chance he might regret it.

On his hesitation, Clarice went on, in the same loud, cold, condescending way, "Those are just the worst figures. Suffice to say your performance as a net average is in the negative."

"Pouncer says I'm improving," said Chai, sharply.

"Not quickly enough," said Clarice, "Your Supervisor may have spoken for you, may hold hopes for you, but those are vagaries. Here I deal with numbers, absolutes." She began typing on her keyboard. She used a normal human type, her paws quickly dancing between the keys.

Chai frowned. He knew where this was going. It wasn't the first time he'd had this conversation. "So, what's the absolute truth, then?" he asked harshly.

Clarice's expression moved slightly, a sharp frown forming from that little movement. "From your Key Performance Indicators, it is becoming clear that you're a bad investment and a waste of a room, Chai."

Chai snarled, his anger and frustration upwelling. The Glaceon's face was unmoved.

Chai wanted to shout at the Glaceon, scream his frustrations. For months he had been trying to make this work, so hard. Months of disillusionment and frustration working on a dead shift with no customers, no friends and no opportunities. Still, he'd tried, fighting for a better life than the one he had. To be bluntly told that you weren't good enough wasn't good enough for him.

"How am I a waste of a room..?" he asked, his voice sharp and angry, husky, with the cold, perhaps, "That's ridiculous, this place makes tons of money."

"This establishment profits from useful employees," said Clarice, "Which it can house a limited number of. Those employees must cover their own costs to be worth maintaining. You are currently the most unprofitable member of the non-utility staff."

"That can't be right," said Chai, not wanting to believe the painful words.

"You would be joint worst with your co-worker, October," said Clarice, returning her attention to her computer, bringing up several graphs, "but unlike October, you receive basic pay. Even consider his continuing costs in damages, week-by-week he is still a preferable financial option to yourself. You are literally the worst member of staff, Chai."

"Fuck you..!" snarled the Umbreon, throatily. He couldn't help himself. He didn't have a point to follow it with, either. He couldn't concentrate. It was too COLD in here, it was making it hard to breathe and hurting his eyes, making them water.

"Your attitude is still appalling," said Clarice, without the slightest hint of emotion in her voice, "and we've shown you a lot of patience. It's time to consider serious action."

Chai found himself choking, hiding his face. It was too cold in here. It was too cold and he was too angry. Anything he wanted to say would only make it worse, anyway. He was still pragmatic. Even now.

Clarice paused. She waited until he had looked up at her until she spoke again, "From your vehemence last time, I assume you are still unwilling to take voluntary redundancy and the accompanying benefits?"

Chai shook his head and said nothing, trying to keep his breathing even.

"Then you leave us no choice but to take other measures to improve the situation," said Clarice, "you are now on your final warning. If there is no dramatic improvement by the end of next month, you will be fired, regardless of Pouncer's opinions of you."

Chai turned his head away, angrily. Another threat. The clearest yet, but it was what he had come to expect.

"In addition," said Clarice, raising her voice to catch his attention again, "I have determined in the sake of fairness to both employee and establishment that cutting the cost of board - in addition to a serious attitude adjustment - ought to be sufficient. So, effective immediately," her face was utterly unmoved as she said it, "Your quarters will be reassigned to the next new member of staff. You have the remainder of today to vacate your belongings."

Chai's eyes widened in horror. His home. The only stable home he'd known since he'd evolved. He knew she could do it though. He knew that it was already done.

"So what am I meant to do..?" said Chai, hoarsely, "Spend all my pay on some shithole in a podunk town TEN MILES from here?"

"That is not my concern," said Clarice, "That is yours. I have done all I can for you. From here the responsibility is all your own."

Chai sniffed, clearing his throat from the gunk that the cold had somehow accumulated.

"We're done now," said Clarice, coldly, "Try not to leave the door open for too long when you leave this time."

* * *

He had made it back. He was so pleased with himself. October trotted into the lobby with muddy paws, trailing bits of leaf and twig, with a puffed out chest and tails that were animate with every step.

'Take THAT, Eclipse,' thought October, 'Ever shall I elude you, Dark one.' He was on his way to see Elegance and he felt like all his problems were over. From now, it would be civil discussion and curiosity after a surprisingly BUSY day off.

He powered up the stairs onto the first floor (he still insisted on referring to it as the first floor, since it was after all, the first floor after the ground floor. He wondered why he couldn't just translate THAT with his abilities.) He practically skipped along to the far corner, where he knew that Elegance's permanent room was (here amongst the customer rooms, no less,)

He reached the door in short order, bounding up just short and then cheerfully rapping on the door with a paw. He waited. No answer.

He rapped again. No answer. He winced. Perhaps his timing was poor. Perhaps she wasn't in. Ah well.

Well, he supposed he could wait around here, standing in the middle of the customer rooms, looking like a fool or he could go downstairs and go back to bed.

That sounded like the sensible plan, but he had a nasty, nagging feeling like there was something he had forgotten. Some reason why he wouldn't want to go back to his room to take a late afternoon nap.

"Oh, you're a BAD FOX alright," said a distinctive voice, behind him, under his tails.

October's eyes went wide and he span, coming face to face with the morning's forgotten new nemesis once more.

Rain Flower was wearing a sharp frown and a slow smile. The Vaporeon was practically nose-to-nose with him.

"So, I tell you to get a bath," said the Vaporeon, "and you not only run away, you go and get yourself even filthier. Up to Arceus knows what..!" she seemed to be momentarily channelling a concerned mother, which was faintly disturbing, "Making trouble makes tears, Redtales... this is gonna hurt me as much as it hurts you..!"

"Uhhh..." said October, trying to back away from the crazy. His behind collided with the door to Elegance's room right away, leaving him no-where to retreat. He glanced over himself and only then noticed how mucky he'd gotten himself. "That's not, erm..." he began haltingly, "there was Eclipse and..."

"Fighting with Eclipse AGAIN?" said Rain Flower, sharply, then she smirked, the water-type's current suddenly shifting, "Well, I guess I've gotta reward you for that."

October blinked. "Rewarded..?" he asked, in confusion.

"Standin' up to that bully is about the best thing you do around here," said Rain Flower, cocking her head slightly, her smile growing, "it doesn't give you off the hook for the rest though. You're still a dirty, naughty Ninetales. Get in that room."

October glanced behind himself, "THAT room? That's Elegance's room!"

Rain Flower's big, dark eyes narrowed, "I know."

She advanced suddenly and October's butt bashed open the door to Elegance's room. He entered for the first time backwards and nose-to-nose with Rain Flower.

The Vaporeon paused briefly, backed up to the doorway and reached for something mounted on a little box on the wall. A vibrantly red, 'Do Not Disturb' sign.

There was a system, regarding those signs and colour-codes that October was supposed to know. He had a nasty feeling that 'red' meant, 'do not disturb no matter WHAT you hear from in here.' He gulped.

Rain Flower skipped through the door and slammed it shut with her tail, grinning at him.

Despite the situation, October couldn't help but glance around at Elegance's room, intensely curious. It was very interesting. It was mostly wide open and empty, a featureless beige floor mat covering most of the varnished floor, the walls lined with decorative shelving and furniture with a distinctly oriental flavour, all well-lit from large windows with a gorgeous view of the forest. Everything was all very neat, perfectly arranged and very fragile looking.

"Oh dear," said October, "I really shouldn't be in here..."

"Yeah you should," said Rain Flower, "because THAT'S what I just told you. Duh. Keep up!"

October frowned, "That's not what I mean! Look, erm, I think we should exercise extreme caution in here, I mean, that screen wall over there is made out of paper and URK-"

The jet of water was small and struck him right in the chest, punching right through his chest ruff and splashing under his chin. Still, it came with an immediate, deadening pain as physics and aura-interaction alike combined to leave him stumbling backwards, with his front hunched down, wheezing, away from the damp spot on the floor.

"What was that, Red?" asked the Vaporeon, "Were you trying to talk your way outta shit again?"

October stumbled around until he was facing away from the Vaporeon, gasping and vaguely trying to retreat. He seriously entertained jumping at the window. It wasn't THAT far down...

"You're NOT talking your way out, this time," said Rain Flower, "Because here's where a naughty, naughty Ninetales gets his dirty ass spanked."

"Spanked!?" October had just about time to cry out in protest. He found out what she meant a moment later though when a jet of water exploded against his right butt-cheek. The pain was devastating. The strength fled from his normally-powerful rump and "AAAAAAH!" cried October, as his chin was driven against the floor. "HEY, HEY!" he shouted in protest.

"Pipe down!" yelled the Vaporeon, "More talkin' gets ya more spankin'!"

"Don't you dare-!" began October, then when the next jet of water struck his behind, he let out a loud and very unmanly yelp. The burst wasn't entirely accurate, either. Some things were blasted off a table near the window to smash against the floor.

Rain Flower let out a trilling chuckle. October was left gasping, a dull, broad pain settling over his rear. Right up until the next jet hit and it got sharp again, making him screech to the sound of more delicate stuff breaking.

"Stop that!" shouted October. His reward was another blast to the ass. He winced and tried to struggle away. His hindlegs, though at their full extension, couldn't move for the deadness of his rump. A rump that was now noisily dripping water onto the mat.

"Would you look at the colour of that?" said Rain Flower, "That water is freaking BLACK."

October glanced around. The hell-fluid dripping from his steaming behind was heavily discoloured, it was true. It was making a big dirty stain on the perfectly clean flooring, the colour of dilute ash, from all the dust and grime his body heat had gradually baked.

October wanted to complain, but all he could really say was, "AAAaaahahahhaaaaaa..! Stop it!"

Rain Flower chuckled again and walked right up beside him, clearly having no fear of the now stricken Ninetales. "If you'd gone and had a bath like I told you," she said, "We wouldn't have to be doing this."

Suddenly, there was a heavy whap that made for something like a minor explosion against his rump. October's eyes widened as droplets of water pattered about everywhere from his waterlogged ass. A heavy, finned tail was resting against his rump. It had hit surprisingly hard. Half the girl's mass had to be in that long dolphin-tail of hers...

"I'm gonna wring you out to be kind," said Rain Flower, wickedly.

"No, don't-" protested October until the heavy tail whapped him again. There was another thumping impact that exploded water right up to the ceiling. He yelped again. "STOP THAT!"

"START CLEANING YOURSELF," shouted Rain Flower back at him, the Vaporeon's voice trill on being raised to shout over him, "and stop back-answering!"

"I-" began October, until his ass was whacked again by a small, but heavy-ended and muscular tail.

Nor did the Vaporeon stop there. "YOU," whack, "WORK," smack, "AT," slap, "Café," smeck, "PLAISIR," WHAM, (he yelped.) "CUSTOMERS," whap, "WANT," splat, "CLEAN," bash, "WAITERS!" BANG.

October whined, "Oh... you evil monster..!"

"Shut up and learn your lesson!" said Rain Flower, "...or I'm gonna finish hosing you down and skip your treat!"

"...Treat!?" repeated October, flabbergasted, "You're evil! What are you going to treat me with, a fatal enema?"

"Don't tempt me!" said Rain Flower, whacking his ass again, "Because from what I hear, you need loosening and toughening up back there!"

"I am an alpha vulpine..!" cried October, in a delirium of pain, not quite sure what he was saying.

"You're an alpha pain in the butt!" said Rain Flower, smirking, "Now get up!"

"I can't..." groaned October, "You've killed my ass..."

"Get up," said Rain Flower, suddenly grinning, "or I'm gonna blast you in the balls."

October gulped, "You wouldn't."

The Vaporeon grinned at him, wickedly.

He struggled to rise, his chest aching, but not nearly as much as his nearly useless hindquarters. He stood up shakily, like a newborn foal. Dripping.

"Knew you were just being a wimp," said Rain Flower, cocking her head and smirking at him, right up on her paws, clearly feeling very big at the moment, "Now get on the bed."

"...What!?" gasped October, he glanced at himself, "I'm wet..! and this this-"

The next jet of water skimmed along his back, making him go rigid with pain and cold-shock. Especially when it started running down his flanks. Things behind him exploded against the wall. The paper screen was torn in half. Droplets ran down his sensitive flanks... shuddering and gasping, he felt it keenly, he could have SWORE that some them had legs!

"You're gonna get wetter, sooner, if you don't start learning to behave, Redtales," said Rain Flower, strolling behind him and putting both webbed forepaws on his ass, shoving him, "Now move!"

October whined and laughed at once in hysteria, "Ahahahahahaaa..." This was unbelievable and horrible. He was also totally screwed. He stumbled along as compelled, stumbling and ploughing face-first into the foot end of Elegance's large, ornate wooden bed.

"Up!" commanded Rain Flower.

October paused. He didn't want to do this. But the Vaporeon girl seemed to lack all reason and she frankly had him, cold... and if he was honest with himself, he couldn't bring himself to fight back against a diminutive female.

So, it was with a grand sense of pain and regret that he pushed himself back up onto his paws and slowly, stumbling, began to he comply.

He also winced as hot, filthy water, brown and grey in colour, dripped down onto the perfectly white, neatly-made sheets and covers.

"Keep going, right to the top," instructed Rain Flower.

That was trickier then expected. With a numb back, butt and chest, the soft bed was not easy footing. It took enough concentration that he only noticed the peculiarities with the headboard when he got to it.

"I do NOT see why Elegance gets to keep this bed," said Rain Flower, "Considering I bet she never uses it. Lie on your back, Redtales."

The headboard WAS peculiar. It had a lot of sliding wooden sections and holes for peg dowels, he wondered what it was- "Oh, no..." he said aloud.

"Oh, yeah," said Rain Flower, with a trilling giggle.

"No, no, no," said October, padding around, slowly turning in place, "I've got to draw the line somewhere, NO-ONE restrains me!" Several unpleasant and repressed memories threatened to rise to the fore...

"The line?" said Rain, "You already crossed the line, buddy!" With that, she blasted him in the face and not gently.

He vaguely recalled being lifted by the force of it, but by the time he came around, he was on his back. His head had some new aches to it and his vision was filled with Vaporeon crotch as something clacked solidly into place behind him. He blinked, but all he could see was the nicely formed area between Rain Flower's hindlegs.

His next instinct was to try and pull his paws down. For some reason, they were right back. There was a rattle and the headboard shook against the back of his neck. Instinctively knowing that he was trapped, October's next flinch was much harder, shaking the whole bed and hurting his wrists and paws against the wooden lats they were trapped between. He tried to flail, but he just didn't have the room or the leverage. His body was too cold and sore to offer any of its usual strength, either. He was trapped!

In fact, with a rising sense of panic, all he could do was close his eyes and reinforce some firmly-placed mental blocks. He went quickly from his heart trying to explode to nearly passing out as his magically-reinforced conditioning shut down the flow of trauma and endorphins. For a second, he was nearly unconscious.

The next thing he felt was webbed forepaws on the back of his head, accompanied by wicked giggle. "Yep, you're all mine, Ninetales!"

Forgetting what he had just been thinking about and despite it all, October growled. For his natural Ninetales pride was now rising up in anger. The fire in his chest burning hotter...

Rain Flower shoved her crotch down on his muzzle and let out a little groan. "Yeah, rumble away, 'tales," she said huskily.

October growled a little longer, despite himself, though that had instantly robbed him of a little gusto. "This is unacceptable..!" he growled.

"Yeah it is," said Rain Flower, "because you're not licking my cunt yet!"

"I'm not servicing you from bondage!" grumbled October, "I will defy you to the enda-blugh!"

He was cut off in mid-sentence by the Vaporeon's crotch. With surprising nimbleness and speed, she had thrust her hips into his open maw, pressing her sex right down on his tongue. If he hadn't had a good enough look at it previously, he now had a pretty solid impression... and a slightly salty taste.

His enqueued protests died in his throat, for the very distracting presence in his mouth and the very curious taste... of which it was hard to tell how much was the Vaporeon's own and how much might belong to the other males of Plaisir. He struggled to get his maw free so he could protest some more. Rain Flower rode his maw with agile bucks of the hips and seemed to expertly wrestle his struggling tongue for her own benefit.

"Oh, yeah..!" said the Vaporeon, "You can keep that up, Redtales!"

October paused. He did have very big teeth. He could do the Vaporeon some serious harm from this position... on the other hand, he totally couldn't. Not only would he feel awful, but then he would have to explain to many Pokemon and potentially Police that he had been bullied into submission by a female that just about came up to the middle of his chest.

"I said keep it up!" said Rain Flower, shoving his head and sawing her hips against his tongue. Her paws then rubbed his mane, "Otherwise I'm giving your mane a wash right now."

"'Ooooohhh..!" cried October, his tongue occupied, "ai 'iga'ettez..!"

"Ayy, igagettes?" said Rain Flower confusedly.

"'on' 'et ai 'igarettes'" pleaded October.

Rain Flower seemed to catch on and kneaded through his mane until she had pulled out a few of his smokes between her webbed toes. "You keep CIGARETTES in your MANE!?"

October didn't like the tone of her voice. He sensed a mane-wetting coming up. So, in desperation, he took the only course open to him.

He plunged his tongue right into the Vaporeon. Long and hot, it seems to have some desired effect. The Water-type seemed to melt down onto his tongue, spearing herself. To the extent that October's maw was soon completely filled with Vaporicrotch and unable to close.

Rain Flower dropped his cigarettes and hopefully, forgot about them. Instead, she grabbed his muzzle and started rocking on his tongue like a randy dog. He did his best to move it to the places he had been previously shown, but he just couldn't keep up with the horny Vaporeon.

"Now that's better!" said Rain Flower, huskily, "Keep that up and I'll keep treating you!"

As she said it, she slipped her tail down onto his crotch. With her long swimming tail, it just barely reached his junk. The heavy fin was very smooth, with a firm pressure to it. She began to rub his sheath, teasing it between the main 'v' of her fin.

'Good luck with that,' thought October. 'I'm cold, damp, sore and tired. There's no life to be had, there...'

Rain Flower, showing impressive dexterity, kept it up all the same whilst she held his muzzle and made use of his tongue. Her breath got huskier and her juices flowed more freely. He got a detailed map of the inside of her. From what he knew of the Vaporeon, he was shocked at how firm and neat she was inside, which seemed an impossibility...

Restrained, weakened, overwhelmed, he could do little more then go on as he was, trying to speed proceedings with his tongue, but ultimately having sport made of his face. It was utterly humiliating.

His tongue was feeling practically abraded when she finally stuck her claws into his muzzle - painfully - and clamped down on his tongue. October's eyes widened, first at the sharp claw-points, then at the flood of salty juices that burst into his maw. He had literally no choice but to take it as the Water-type gave him his most embarrassing soaking yet. He was forced to swallow some of it as it pooled in his throat. Apparently there really was no underestimating Water-types.

She yanked herself - painfully - off his tongue whilst she was still clamping down, stretching it out before it snapped free. October whimpered and gasped, licking the ichor from around his maw. Suddenly his muzzle was very claggy.

It wasn't free for long, either. Before October could even gather his wits to say a word, Rain Flower had clambered around and stuck her rear end in his still open maw.

"Oh, 'ome on!" October about managed to say, with his tongue not yet retrapped.

"Not done with you, Redtales!" said Rain Flower, in a cheerfully sing-song voice, "Especially since you're being so rude!"

"'ude!?" protested October.

Webbed paws stroked his crotch. His sheath was fuller then he'd have thought it was, but October was far from up and ready.

"THIS is unacceptable," said Rain Flower, "With my cunt in your face."

"I'm 'et and cold!" said October.

"Let's warm you up then," said Rain Flower, laying her paws atop his sheath and sticking a pointed, deft tongue right into his swollen sheath.

October gasped. She was good at that. She found the spots around the tip of his member in no time and to his surprise and shock, instantly got a response. He found fresh heat and blood from somewhere...

'No, no,' thought October, 'She's not getting it all her own way.'

So he did the only thing he could think of and shoved his tongue straight at her butthole. The Vaporeon had a healthy hindquarters and a thick tailbase, with the anus set in a neat little nook. It wasn't a hard target. He teased it trickily.

"AH!" cried Rainflower, "You naughty, naughty Ninetales! I didn't say you could do that!"

October's response was a rumbling, reverberating growl that he made sure was pressed right up against her hole. The teasing was enough to destroy her resistance and his tongue plunged into Vaporeon passage. She moaned.

"I'm... not into that, you asshole!" gasped Rain Flower.

October's growl said that he didn't care. He was extremely not into bondage, so they were very much beyond that line at this point. So he shoved his tongue in and had a curious poke around. Actually, the texture was fascinating. The firmest, smoothest butthole - bar one - that he had yet experienced. She had a salty taste in there though and an even more aggressively female musk.

"Erf..." said Rain Flower, "You're naughty, real naughty..." then she lapped at his cock, which was now peeking proudly. "You keep doin' naughty right and I just might let you put this in there... you're about the right size for that..."

October's ears pricked, but then he was making surprised noises as the Vaporeon seemed to expand like a spring. Small, clawed, webbed paws jabbed through his fur with surprising force as she rammed her butt into his maw and her maw onto his member. October's sheath was dragged off his cock by what could only be described as expert mouthwork. He didn't once feel the Vaporeon's pointy fangs. She was WAY too good at that.

Rain Flower suddenly paused, then raised her head to stare at him, a comically puzzled expression on her face, "Hey," she said, "Why is your cock the cleanest part of your entire body?"

October couldn't really respond properly, with his tongue up her, "'Ell, 'ss a 'ovel-eee 'eeing ay-ell 'ooo 'each..."

"Huh?" said Rain Flower, tilting her head.

October had to pull his tongue out, slowly, "I don't get laid every night," he said quickly, "So sometimes I have to use this..." and with that, he dived right back in.

Rain Flower moaned and for all her protest, bucked right back into his tongue again. "Oohhh," she said, "You loser!" she said, then went back at his member with a vengeance.

Despite himself, despite the insult, October was now thoroughly swept along. He'd never been much of a fan of oral stuff, but this was all somehow quite different. He wasn't quite sure why he was suddenly enjoying himself as much as he was, but he was. In fact being called a loser somehow only added to it. Hate was burning up into lust at an alarming rate...

It was also hard to be too angry with an adorable, compact Vapoributt in the tender embrace of your maw, however. He explored it ravenously. Found the spots, worked them teasingly. Meanwhile, Rain Flower flung herself bodily back and forth, taking October's member deep into her throat without flinching. Considering the trouble October had with a proportionally smaller dick in his maw, it was somewhat awe-striking.

On a whim, without really thinking about it, perhaps on some sense of competition, October slid the tip of a tail under the Vaporeon's crotch, so she had something soft, tickly, warm and fluffy to grind her clit against. It didn't take her long to catch on and she was soon grinding it aggressively, whilst sawing her butt onto October's tongue.

It was a savage outpouring of wrong-feeling lust and it was frighteningly good.

That the door opening would set him off would later puzzle October, but as it did, he had to close his eyes against an explosive wave of pleasure as he erupted into the Vaporeon and erupted forcefully. Rain Flower just about avoided getting orally knotted and pulled back just enough to get a thoroughly messy finish, as jetting strands of thick, hot, fire-type cum filled her maw and painted her face and body. Apparently that set her off, too and October was greeted to another musky flood of Vaporigirl-juices.

It was a heavy wave of pleasure and it made it impossible to open his eyes for some seconds. When he did, when he began to gather some wits, he couldn't quite turn his head properly to look at Elegance. He could just about see her horrified, stunned expression.

Rain Flower was chuckling, softly and smacking her messy lips.

His mouth full of butt, October couldn't pull his head free. He just about managed to turn to look at Elegance properly. There was a teacup and saucer lying smashed upon the mat.

Rain Flower swallowed, loudly, moving her body in an exaggerated manner to emphasise the action. "Yep," said Rain Flower, "That just about ought to do it for a first lesson,"

"Rain Flower..." said Elegance softly, looking wide-eyed, but not in the kind of surprise she was wearing earlier. She looked horrified, somehow smaller, almost scared...

For the briefest of moments, October thought he saw her trembling.

"Yep!" said the Vaporeon, "Here's me, doing your job for you Elegance. Someone has to fuck this Ninetales into line and it fell to me!" She chuckled, dirtily, "and so did he!" She turned and looked at October, "Hey, that rhymes! I guess you're rubbing off on me! Heheh, maybe you can do that on my butt next time..." she lowered her head, suddenly coquettish, "if you're good..."

"GET OUT!!!" shrieked Elegance, suddenly furious.

"Ha..!" began Rain Flower.

Elegance advanced suddenly, rushing furiously at the bed.

Something about the way she moved, with the real fury on her face was enough to make even Rain Flower jump out of the way, off of the bed.

"HEY!" shrieked Rain Flower, "You crazy-!"

"GET OUT!" screamed Elegance as she picked up a very expensive looking glass vase from a bedside table and flung it viciously at the Vaporeon. Rain Flower barely dodged out of the way and started running.

"GET OUT!" screamed Elegance again and again, throwing whatever trinket happened to be to hand as Elegance raced for the door. "GET OUUUT...!" she shrieked, one last time as she flung the glass-topped, finely carved bedside table at the retreating Vaporeon. It barely missed and smashed into pieces by the doorway as Rain Flower made good her escape.

October would have really liked to have followed suit. He really would. He kept very still and quiet.

Elegance span on him, a look of strange panic on her face, the Mienshao breathing heavily. "October..." she said distantly.

"I'm sorry, Elegance," said October quietly, "She forced me, she hurt me... I'm sorry..."

The words drew a sudden lifting snarl from the Mienshao's face. "Get out..." she hissed.

"I can't, I-" October began, trying to pull his way out of the headboard restraints.

If he'd blinked, he'd have missed it. Elegance seemed to appear from no-where to above him, so fast had she moved. The headboard disintegrated as if a gravimetric warhead had struck it. Elegance's furious Fighting type aura, her chi, was thunderously visible as it tore the wood apart in distinct shockwaves, blasting it into splinters.

The bed collapsed, but before it had even finished falling, clawed paws dug savagely into his back and chest.

He was flung across the room, landing heavily and rolling past the door as Elegance was herself flung along with the falling bed the other way, into the back wall by the impulse of her violent, sudden throw. She stumbled, most inelegantly, to her knees as October skidded to a stop.

"Get out of here..." said Elegance in a most unhappy and small sounding voice.

He was sore, he was drained, he was bleeding from where she had grabbed him, but October picked himself up without complaint and slunk out of the open doorway, suddenly feeling very small.

Behind him, softly, he barely heard the sound of weeping.

* * *

Limping slightly, nearly stumbling, October slunk back to his room feeling very small. The descent down the stairs into the basement had been accompanied by a much deeper sinking feeling and the final walk to his room had been at a weighty drag.

He felt legitimately terrible and ashamed right now and it wasn't just because his ass was cold, deadened and numbed and dripping with hot water.

No, the damp spanking administered by Rain Flower had been painful, humiliating and had left him numb and sore, but not nearly as much as the haunting memories of the sight of Elegance's face when she had walked in, to find them as she had.

Just this afternoon he had finally been connecting with the Mienshao, finally about to find out what had brought her to this place, what had inspired her to remain somewhere she just didn't fit in the least.

Instead, that look of horror, that shock, that anger, that sadness...

Elegance's rage had been something to behold. She had smashed that bed in a single stroke and almost himself along with it. As terrifying as it had been at the time it was as much the rest of it all that had sent him running.

Rain Flower had done it to him, but with his luck, it would have happened to him, he couldn't help but feel, right then. Of course Rain Flower had found him when she had, of course Elegance she had walked in at that moment, because of course it had. Of course it had. He was October, after all and that was just how things happened around him.

Occasionally, just occasionally, at times like this, October couldn't help but feel a little bit awful about who he was and the way things tended to happen around him. When the chaos that seemed to follow him hurt someone he liked.

Unpleasant memories were dredged up, all the times that October had actually felt regretful through his hedonistic rampage of an existence. It didn't help that a lot of those focussed around Silver and the sheer hell October had occasionally put him through, just through being who he was. Chases, battles, bar-fights, arrests and banishments were all direct consequences and unpleasant side-effects, but the real shame had always been the hurt look on a face he cared about.

October growled suddenly and put it to the back of his mind. Enough of this, enough of it all! He was a victim here, after all! He had been spanked and humiliated, he was in pain..! He didn't have time for these regrets, all he wanted to do was lie down.

Pushing through his door into his room at last, October paused and sighed at the sight of his bed.

Now that he was finally here, it occurred to him that despite the trail of steam he'd no doubt left through Plaisir, his ass was still soggy. Rain Flower's water seemed to cling persistently to his battered and doused behind.

He thought of the toilets, just on the last corner before his room, but then grumpily frowned. He wasn't doubling back now that he was here. Besides, with his luck, someone like Eclipse or Firenze would wander in just as he had his butt raised under the dryer. No thanks. Not today.

So, he dragged himself over to where he had piled up some of the socks he had pulled out of the Jar of Lost things and sat down heavily upon it, counting upon the soaking power of lost socks.

He wasn't expecting it the pile to make a barkish grunt, which made his eyes widen. His brain was just about registering some firm patch in the pile when his mind registered the seriously sharp pains in his behind!

October shot up with a strangled yelp and staggered around, fresh fire for his muscles found in the sudden, stinging pain...

Chai sat up out of the pile of socks, looking bemused and angry. Socks fell from his head. Irritated, surprise, but mainly confused, October stared at the Umbreon who had just bitten him on the ass.

Wiping his muzzle, Chai stared back, looking at October with an expression between uncomfortable and challenging.

October cocked his head, "Why were you in a pile of socks?" he asked, tiredly.

Chai frowned, "Why did you sit on a pile of socks?"

October frowned, "My ass is wet," he said curtly, "So why were you in a pile of socks?"

Chai looked away, sharply, "No reason," he said, "Why is your ass wet?"

October looked away as well, "No reason!" he said protestingly.

They both sighed, then glanced at each other.

Chai looked away again, October did not. It struck him that Chai seemed to be in as bad a mood as he was. Which was worrying, because October had good reason to be in a bad mood. What reason did Chai have?

October sighed again, louder, then sat down in front of the Umbreon. "Well, there are obviously reasons, aren't there..?"

Chai grunted softly and didn't look at him.

October brought a tail-tip under the Umbreon's chin and turned his head to look at him, his curiosity growing. "What's the matter, Chai..?"

"Nothin'," said Chai, turning his eyes away.

"To think you say that I'm full of shit, Chai," said October, "Well, even I can tell there's something wrong."

Chai said nothing and kept looking away, frowning slightly.

Expect something, expect to give something in return, October reminded himself. Much as he didn't like the idea of Chai knowing about what had just happened, there was every probability that Chai was feeling about the same about whatever had him down.

October lay down in front of the Umbreon, bringing his eye level down to Chai's. He looked earnestly at his friend when he caught his eyes and did his best to hold them.

"Look," said October, "You tell me yours and I'll tell you mine, deal..?"

Chai huffed and looked away again.

"Come on, Chai," said October, "Something obviously has you feeling like... lying in a pile of socks in my room." He cocked his head with a slight smile as Chai looked at him sideways. He went on, "You've got to offer me some explanation for that, I'll just go crazy, guessing, otherwise."

Chai moved slightly, like he was going to get up and walk away, but then he stopped, rocking back to his starting position. He looked at October, looked over October.

"You look like hell, October," said Chai, "What happened to you?"

"You first," said October, with a smirk.

Chai looked away again and spoke huffily, "How's about you first, huh?"

"I caught you in my room," said October, teasingly, "The advantage is mine."

"Well what if I don't say anything?" said Chai.

"Then we won't get anywhere," said October, with a sad smile.

Chai looked away one way, then the other, then off into space as he looked angrily at himself, then he looked at October.

"HR's taking my room away," said Chai, simply.

October's head went back a little, "They what?" he asked confusedly.

"Clarice," said Chai, "The fucking ice-bitch is taking my room. That's all."

"That's all..?" said October, with a frown, "So where will you stay?"

"That's my problem," said Chai, with a frown.

"Your problem?" said October with a frown, "I thought room and board was part of the package, here."

"Not for me," said Chai, simply, "Not anymore."

"That's fucking disgraceful!" said October, with feeling, "So, what are you going to do?"

Chai shrugged, slightly, "Dunno yet. I don't get enough on the basic rate to rent a place. Thinking I might have to sleep rough."

"Fuck, that," said October with a frown, "There are things outside, things like Eclipse, no, you can stay right here," said October.

Chai looked at him, awkwardly, "Right here..?"

"In your room," said October, with a frown, "in this room if necessary, but I doubt that it will."

"Huh?" said Chai, looking confused for a moment, "Uhh... thanks but uh, Clarice already took my room. I already cleared it out." He looked over to a single item lying nearby. A table lamp. A pink table lamp.

October stared at the lamp in confusion for a second, then shook his head. As fascinating as it was that the lamp was Chai's sole possession, he would just have to ask about it later. October stood up.

Chai stared at him, "Where are you going?"

October frowned, "I'm going to get you your room back."

"Oh, no," groaned Chai, "Oh, no, no, I shouldn't have told you. Wait, October-!" he called, for October was already turning to leave, a burning fire in his heart, Chai called after him, "You didn't even tell me what happened to you!"

October pulled open the door and then paused by it, holding it open with his shoulder whilst leaning his head over the other to talk back at Chai, "Oh, uhhh... Rain Flower... but that's not important right now! You just wait there! I'll be back!"

"Wait, October-!" said Chai, but October literally leapt out of the doorway and Chai heard him running down the corridor.

October's gears had shifted wilfully and happily. Suddenly he had something he could be doing, again at least this was one problem that he could solve... or so he thought.

Chai remained in stunned silence. One of these days he was going to get used to October, but not today.

Part of him was angry at the Ninetales, another grateful, but generally, Chai was discomforted by a set of sappy feelings that he just wasn't used to.

He left the pile of socks and went to raid October's cigarette supply like he originally planned.

Suddenly he noticed something moving and snapped around sharply, with the reflexes of a stray, his eyes fixed upon the thing.

It had clearly fallen from October. It was tiny, fluffy, yellow and it had four legs and eyes. Sensing his gaze, it looked up at the Umbreon and made weird, tiny clicking noises.

Chai frowned.

* * *

Eclipse was in a foul mood, a foul mood indeed. He walked through the forest, alone.

The Ninetales had slipped away again. Again! It left a bad taste in his mouth.

Day after day he'd tried his luck at catching the Fox, knowing that sooner or later, the Ninetales would slip and Eclipse would have him. Today had almost been that day and the frustration of it was a dark and brooding thing inside of Eclipse. A hunger denied as his prey had skipped gleefully to safety.

Like any angry Wolf, Eclipse was undeterred. He'd bide his time and put this anger to work. He'd just make it all the worse on the Ninetales when he eventually caught him.

For now though, he was a in a very, VERY bad mood.

He had thought about visiting his displeasure on the first Pokemon to cross his path, but there hadn't been any unlucky volunteers this evening. Clouds had come out of no-where and swallowed the pleasant day whole, so Eclipse found himself alone with the forest and a few worthless wild Pokemon, like Caterpie and Pidgey.

Well, he wasn't so desperate to unload that he was gonna do things to dumb wild Pokemon that could scarcely guess what was happening to them. He'd tried that before. It just wasn't the same as an aware and protesting prey.

That wasn't what he needed. It wouldn't satisfy him. No, his personal need was to visit his appetites upon a victim deserving of being broken, to satisfy himself in tidying up the trash. An appetite he in fact hadn't sated in some weeks, now. For now, it was just him and a grim, lustful and growing hunger that was just waiting to be sated, whilst he went on brooding and plotting a revenge most foul upon October.

Oh, but he knew that one would protest. Oh, but that one would be oh-so sharply aware of all the terrible things that Eclipse planned to do to him... Eclipse got excited just thinking and wondering about all the quick, horrified things that he would see running through that sneaky, conniving mind of his through those weird, shifty eyes...

As he finally got all that was coming to him. Which was more than he could have ever believed.

Oh, but that thought was enough to keep him going. Eclipse's big member swelled in its sheath at the very thought of how that Ninetales might cry when it went in him... When that lesson was finally taught.

It would keep though. It would all keep with interest and a big ol' fuck-you to go on. Yes, indeed...

Chuckling to himself, Eclipse wandered on through the woods, his good humour returning and his search for replacement prey unabated.

-

Not too far away, upwind and just out of sight, closed eyes watched the Mightyena; though with vision that was not sight and at lights and shadows that were neither either visible.

Eclipse's aura was like a deep, forceful stormcloud, riven with the thunder and lightning that were his savage wants and desires. It was deep... and roiling with the Mightyena's irritable disquiet.

The flashes and strobes of lightning were coloured, in deep yet powerful tones... showing deep veins of lust, wrapped about raging torrents of hunger, strikes of hope, explosions of anger and a forceful undertone of the Mightyena's implacable will...

Even when you were just looking at his Aura, Eclipse was a hell of a sight, to those who knew how to look.

Nature remembered to breathe and sighed, losing his concentration, though his focus lingered on the deep combined orange-red feeling of that lusting hunger... Even at Plaisir, Eclipse was something else.

The Lucario realised he was flushed and looked down again at his swelling sheath.

How long had he been at Plaisir? A few months now. All this time he had avoided Eclipse, on the wise words of those around him. He'd had plenty enough to occupy his attention, anyhow.

Now, in spite of the nakedly visible truth of everything those older, wiser Pokemon had said about the Mightyena... or rather in fact because of it, he was wondering how in the world he'd stayed away.

He really was as intense as they'd said. He really did seem like a monster.

Yet if he really was as big a monster as he seemed to be, how was he still working there?

Watching Eclipse's aura suddenly blossom with bright humour and enthusiasm Nature reassured himself that it all just had to be a game, part of his act. Part of his customer appeal. It just seemed so real, though... so truly, terrifyingly intense...

More curious than ever, Nature stalked anxiously after danger, not wanting to be left behind. He had to see more...

* * *

The air vent creaked and groaned, the wire mesh cut into his pads, but he was committed, now.

The mesh-grill exploded free, clanging noisily from the ground and was followed thereafter by the whole, spilling Ninetales.

It was a mighty squeeze, a full October in all his fluffy volume, but he'd gotten his girth in by dexterity, cunning and determination, as always. Now, he was spilling out of the thoroughly-violated vents, floof exploding out of compression, as if he was being squeezed from a tube of toothpaste.

His tails providing a great deal of length and drag, October landed on his forepaws first and then settled on his hind, before his tails finally finished spilling from the broken vent and joined him, splayed across the whole length of the tiny, frozen room.

With a four-cornered artificial cyclone of cold air from excessive air-conditioning stacks, the cold in this brightly lit room was bracing, but October upped his temperature and withstood it boldly. He was determined that his fire would overpower this situation.

The Glaceon twisted in her plastic chair and looked around nonplussedly, bulky shaded glasses with thick cyan-coloured rims just failing to hide a slight frown upon her face as she regarded October and his impressive entrance.

"There's a door," said the Glaceon, flatly, "It's open."

"I was making a point!" declared October.

"A point?" said Clarice, with a slight sneer on her muzzle.

October's eyes narrowed, "Just so you know I can do it if you DO lock the door!"

"I'll get a better grille," said Clarice curtly, "Now do you want to apologise and I'll add the vent to your tab or do you want me to fire you, right now?"

October experienced a tiny jolt of shock, not just at the threat but at the distinct and utter coolness on the Glaceon's face. It was utterly icy.

Still, he rallied himself, "You couldn't," he said at a grumble, "You wouldn't."

Clarice answered sharply, "Could, would, may very well, if you don't apologise for the vent."

October snarled slightly, "I'm not apologising to you for anything in light of the injustice you have performed this day!"

"Employee complaints go in the I-don't-care bin," said Clarice, nodding to a waste paper basket full of sodden, balled up, partially tooth-marked paper, "over there."

October raised his head slightly, "A corrupt and callous politician? I've dealt with the likes of you before, Clareeese, the Ice Bitch..!"

Now that got a reaction out of her. Behind those thick glasses, the white pupils of slate-dark eyes widened and October thought for a second he might have seen the subtle hints of red on her cheeks, beneath her light, blue fur.

October grumbled, "I will NOT be intimidated."

"IT'S CLARICE!" said the Glaceon sharply, then seemed to catch herself, then look away.

October found himself jumping back a bit.

The Glaceon looked back at him, looking mildly flustered, "Dammit, you ARE a pain in the ass!"

"I'm October," said October, managing a smirk.

"You're FIRED..!" began Clarice loudly, "...If you don't give me some respect, WHATEVER-" she said loudly, pointing at the door with a paw, "goes on out there, I don't care," she slowly turned the paw until the pads were facing upwards, "but in here, you're in my paw, WHATEVER bullshit complex you have that rests around your balls, I don't care, those are in my paw as well... and I can crush them!" She brought her claws together for emphasis.

October watched her paw with widening eyes, but then stared at the Glaceon, "You must be popular," he said sarcastically.

Clarice hissed at him, then looked away, straightening her glasses upon her muzzle, "I'm as popular as I want to be, amongst all of you whores and sluts, out there, cavorting in that sickening HEAT all day whilst I sit in here QUIETLY making things work!"

October stared in worry, thinking that perhaps Clarice might just have a few issues.

"You and the rest of them," said Clarice, "You don't appreciate what it takes to make this venture work, don't appreciate what a business decision means..."

"Can't be that hard," said October, with a frown, "People come in, people cum in, people leave a deposit." He said it because he was pleased to have thought of it, not because he thought it was a good idea. Not atypical of him.

"YOU..!" said Clarice, wheeling on him suddenly, "and all the others like you, swinging your balls around and having fun don't get that each of you is a number after a line on a ledger that tells us whether you're contributing to this business or NOT."

"What is it with you and balls!?" asked October, protestingly.

Clarice pushed her glasses down her nose and looked at him over them, "Because your balls are financial resources here, which you all waste on pointless promiscuity that doesn't make this Café any money."

October looked at her in horror, eyebrow raised, "Financial resources..? Are you resenting each and every time we have sex for fun around here?"

Clarice practically growled it, "The wastage that goes on around here would be better served put into customers where it belongs and where it can make this Café financially thrive!"

"You know," said October, frowning, "I don't think I like this domineering attitude you seem to have towards the contents of my balls." He glared, "That's MINE."

"Nuh-uh," said Clarice, "It's mi- it's Plaisir's! Says so right on your employee agreement."

"I don't remember signing that," said October, frowning.

"That's because you weren't paying attention!" said Clarice sharply, "Just following Firenze around like a beaten dog and doing whatever he said!"

"HEY!" said October, bristling, "I'm not beaten, nor a dog! I resent that! I'm not Firenze's bitch or anyone else's! I'm October!"

"You're my bitch," said Clarice, "AND Firenze's bitch or do you forget his rank? He has serious pull around here. You don't. You're six button pushes from being fired and on the run from the police." She hovered her paw over her computer keyboard as she said it.

October, at this point, was unfortunately getting carried away, "Bring it on, then!" he declared, "I will NOT submit to a tyrant! Of ANY type or stripe! Push those buttons and you lose any power you have over me!"

"You're right," said Clarice, quietly, wrong-footing October such that his next words died in his throat.

Clarice stared at him and continued, "I'm not letting you out of my power just yet. You and your balls need to learn some lessons, that much I agree with Pouncer on. You're staying right here, Ninetales and you're staying my bitch."

"Pfah!" said October, "I knew you'd fold..!" He smirked, but awkwardly. Now, if only he felt as confident as he sounded...

"When I fold, you'll be crushed," said Clarice, "This is me proving that I'm NOT the Ice Bitch!"

"Oh yes," said October, "I'm getting the warm and fuzzies already."

"SHUT UP!" said the Glaceon, flushing again, "and GET OUT OF MY OFFICE, YOU'RE TOO HOT!"

"Well, thankyou..!" said October, cheekily, "but not until you give Chai his room back, you horrible Pokemon!"

Clarice seemed to choke on a few words and then just started uttering a strangled shriek. Her eyes glowed and the wind started picking up, severely, lifting her tassels.

October's ass, which was still quite damp, did NOT enjoy the suddenly freezing cold gale. His eyes widened, briefly.

"Stop that!" shouted October, over the sound of whistling wind and tumbling piles of poly-pocketed documents, "...or do you want me to do it back, EH!?"

Before either of them could shout at each other any further, something shocking suddenly happened.

It started with a few painful snaps that had October jolting and making a high-pitched noise, then it was sparking across his body in tiny blue lines and within a second, was flickering across the room, stinging Clarice.

"WHAT THE ACTUAL F- ...WHAT WAS THAT!?" shouted the disbelieving Glaceon.

At least it made her knock off the Icy Wind.

"I HAVE NO IDEA!" cried October, as he jerked around, jolting from one shock to a random part of his body or another, as if he were doing some strange dance.

As the winds stopped, however, the shocks began to stop, though they couldn't stop quickly enough for October. Especially the ones around his ass! What was it with injuries to his ass lately!?

He stood there panting in post-near-panic, shuddering oddly, wondering exactly what the hell was going on, in shared silence with Clarice.

Suddenly the Glaceon inhaled and blasted a focussed stream of frozen breath over October's ass! October yelped! Yelped like a bitch, he was unashamed to say, as Clarice froze the water still clinging to him. It really, REALLY hurt.

"You fucking EVIL Ice Bitch!" cried October.

"Hold still!" said Clarice, suddenly getting awkwardly down from her chair and advancing on him.

October really wanted to back away, but he bravely held his ground against the smaller creature against which he apparently held a type advantage... Though his ass did not feel terribly advantaged, currently.

With her claws, Clarice reached into the frozen fur of his butt. October's head went back in incredible discomfort, "Hey!" he protested.

Clarice apparently found what she was looking for and pulled it free. It was small, yellow, four legged and eyed and it was frozen. It was a Joltik. A tiny, static-parasitic Pokemon and an unevolved Galvantula.

She glared at him, threw it at her waste paper bin and before October could raise questions about the potential sentience of the creature, he found Clarice suddenly putting both forepaws on his back, rooting through his fur.

"Aaah!" cried October, "Hey now!"

"Filthy, filthy..." muttered Clarice, "You're filthy! You stink of cigarettes and filthy sex with everyone and your deep, deep, soft, luxurious coat," she said it whilst sticking her claws deep, deep into the thick pelt, pricking him with her apparently sharpened clawpoints... "It's so dirty..!"

"Okay, this is getting very creepy," said October, "I mean, we're starting to get a bit bad touch and considering I work HERE, that's quite an accomplishm-EEK!"

Clarice had suddenly snatched at something in his fur, uncaringly grasping hairs as she did. She dragged it out and with a cruel look on her face, froze it with her breath before presenting it to him. It was a now-frozen Joltik. "...AND YOU'RE INFESTED!"

October was horrified, shocked and uncertain how to feel.

Clarice threw the Joltik into her waste-paper-complaints-department, and practically stuck her face into his. "I," she began loudly, "am putting a HYGEINE NOTICE on your file," she said, with a reedy giggle, "You're gonna get a bath and do it soon if it has to be the entire Café's mission to make you do it."

Now that had October starting up again, "Why is everyone on about this!? I'm not going to do it just because you told me! The lot of you can just sodding try!"

Clarice snarled and spoke in a growl, "Challenge accepted, now get out!"

"Chai's room..." said October, lamely, remember why he had come in here.

"GONE," said Clarice, "GET OUT!"

Deciding he was sick of this cold, horrible room and bad-touching crazy Glaceon, October skittered for the door and opened it.

He was halfway out and Clarice was breathing a loud sigh when he darted back in and stole the HR's Complaint's Department. At least he could save someone, today.

"GEEEEET-" began Clarice as he wheeled back around, now bearing her bin.

The door slammed shut, behind him.

"...OOOUUUUUUT!" chased him down the corridor, from behind the wall.

* * *

The cat was running through the woods with the speed of desperation, but like the smaller, mostly-domesticated creature he was, it was quickly looking hopeless in the face of the monster bearing down on him.

Nature had seen the Glameow around before, he normally didn't stretch his legs more than a hundred meters from the Café; Perhaps because it had been so quiet out today, it seemed like he had decided to wander just a little further. Right into the path of the storm.

Bad timing... or great, depending on your perspective.

With his eyes closed, sat cross legged on some tree branches, from a barely-safe distance, Nature watched it all through the eyes of aurasight.

The Glameow's aura was a grey sliver of pristine self-image, currently flickering like a distress beacon with fear and indignation.

He looked like a toy before the stormcloud in Wolven form that was chasing him down. The Darkness in the Glameow's aura was a light and feeble thing, positively pale compared to the textured and terrible depths of the monster that pounded after him.

The sight of it all made Nature breathe faster, almost disrupted his concentration on his aurasight as his heart seemed to flutter at the dreadful, exhilarating spectacle... He was still sure, however, that it all had to be a game, an act...

That fear looked really real, of course, but then, it would. You knew a scary movie wasn't real but it still scared you... And Eclipse was a lot scarier than any film. Exhilaratingly so. Nature knew another Pokemon at least as scary and HE wasn't really bad. So this was like that, he was pretty sure.

The Glameow's springing legs began to throb putridly of cramp and pain, the muscles clearly never much exercised and now pushed past their limit in his desperation. Already, however, the Glameow was slowing, giving in to the pain, despite the promise of much greater pain that was now surely and certainly going to catch him.

Eclipse's aura throbbed in exultant glee, then became muted, a darkened lie of the furious emotion that was now buried in disciplined anticipation, waiting to explode as the Mightyena focussed on the moment of the catch...

The Glameow half turned around and looked like he was trying to protest verbally. He was caught mid-sentence as Eclipse took him down, a great size-difference burying and nearly crushing the feline Pokemon in a burst of pain and panic!

The fell storm of Wolf had fallen upon the porcelain Cat and began to toy with it, cruelly. Standing on him, rolling him around, mocking. Nature felt himself shudder and stir at the primal sight of it... like some show, some theatre, just for him, an affirmation of natural law as Dark; The savage supremacy of base, beast maxims. The big beast takes the little one... and as Eclipse shoved the cat's head down towards a particularly dense and radiant concentration of hungry lust, it was clear that the big one got to do just as he pleased.

Nature's breath got deeper and he stirred... oh how he stirred... and kind of envied.

You couldn't directly see physical form with sight like this, of course... but the aura would highlight the outline and Eclipse's growing rod was downright darkly radiant. It was huge, it looked savage, it WAS savage... and when the Glameow's no-doubt rough tongue was persuaded by some ungentle shoving to lick that monstrous Lupine rod, it verily pulsed with the lust of the beast that it belonged to.. swelling in size across the Glameow's face...

Nature found himself sitting back in the branches, adjusting for the growth of something more local. He was seriously trying to burst free of his sheath, all of a sudden.

Eclipse really was a bad Pokemon. He was a bully and he was cruel and he was out of control. Nature was looking right at those qualities in action as he kept a paw on the Glameow's head and began to buck his hips, deliberately grinding his member on the face of the humiliated and indignant feline he'd caught.

The Glameow's long, springy tail was thrashing about in his panic and it looked like he hadn't realised what he'd let himself in for. There was probably a safeword, just like Ceylon had told him about, but the Glameow probably felt pressured not to use it...

So there he was, at Eclipse's cruel whims. Nature suspected he'd realised all too late, however and pitied him as much as he envied him... and he did envy him, but he also found that he was enjoying the show, despite the cruelty. It was the strange thrill of watching a natural disaster in action and Nature just couldn't look away. As ever, something about this kind of Pokemon just drew him in, excited him...

Oh, how it excited him. Despite the rational thoughts in his brain telling him what a cruel and awful act he was seeing, it excited him all the same. The small Lucario's big member was getting big without him touching it at all.

Just then, Eclipse apparently grew tired of the feline's face. The Mightyena roughly shoved the Glameow such that he tumbled backwards, landing winded on his back as Eclipse advanced on him again, delighting in his pain and fright.

Eclipse was rougher even than his own master. Watching someone this mean was sickening... but it was also arousing. Nature's paws wandered guiltily to his member as he told himself that the Glameow could use the safeword if he really needed to. This wasn't as bad as it looked.

There was an obscene size difference between Eclipse and the Glameow. You could see it in the narrow width of the feline's hips and the brute size of the thing coming towards them.

Nature, despite, perhaps because of his growing horror, his arousal grew to full size quickly in his paws, stared eagerly, focussing his aurasight as quickly as his befuddled mind could focus.

With just a little more mastery, he could look in close, maybe see the outline of the Glameow's hole as that brutal member stretched it outwards. Unconsciously, he leaned closer...

He couldn't quite get the detail, but the explosion of pain and lust and predatory delight that occurred at the moment of penetration was awe-striking... Radiantly Dark.

Nature had seen dominants and predators at work before, but Eclipse was something terrible all in himself. A special, potent breed, Darkness exemplified... and Darkness seemed to have a very particular allure, a purity of natural purpose that the likes of Nature could directly see...

The profile of the Glameow's mouth was wide. A second later, Nature's ears twitched and caught the sound. A high and yowling feline cry.

It was strangled off almost a full second after Eclipse, in Nature's direct aurasight, roughly jammed his paw into the feline's open trap. He pricked his paw upon the teeth but pressed no less the hard for it, the pain inflicted in his own domination swallowed whole by the hungry mass of that very domination.

He began to move, in rough, heavy movements, that forced his way, cruelly, into the Glameow's resisting flesh. Pain exploded through the smaller Pokemon in jolting waves that made his body spasm and writhe.

Nature's breath quickened... and he stroked himself, with furtive movements and a deep, shameful blush upon his cheeks. Still pitying, still envying. Kind of hoping that safeword wouldn't be spoken.

Eclipse pounded in ever more brutally, clearly and visibly delighting in the pain he was causing, Nature watching those waves of pain echoing as waves of pleasure in the Mightyena. The Glameow's suffering feeding his own lust and drive to bury that huge member deeper into the too-small cat harder and harder and harder...

It was so rough it looked personal. Nature wondered if the Glameow had ever even said anything to the Mightyena, whether he was being repaid for supposed slights past or present or whether the feline just happened to be catching the frustration Eclipse had been burning with over October.

At this moment, as pleasure rose guiltily within him, at the tingling tips of shamefully-furtive paws upon his penis, Nature didn't know, he was too busy enjoying the sight of the terrifically intense spectacle.

Eclipse used his hold on the Glameow's maw to pull his head down, leaning in so he could look the feline in the eyes. He held that gaze with his own terrifying eyes, Nature could only imagine the look in them, though he could see well enough the terror he was inspiring in the small Normal Type and the gleaming satisfaction it generated in the big Dark Type. Satisfaction and pleasure that was building up to a scarily intense looking peak as that huge member stretched that Glameow ever more dangerously, the pain looking ever more severe as Eclipse's thick cock stretched him and stretched him...

It was a glorious display and it couldn't last long. Eclipse was a storm ready to unleash it's fury and that fury was thrilling to Nature, thrilling however wrong he knew it was, exciting however awful he knew it was; Intoxicatingly so...

Watching that aura of Eclipse's so closely he felt almost sympathetic to it, Nature started to peak at the same time as him.

You couldn't see the seed by aurasight, but you could see the glowing shame and humiliation of the Glameow and their glimmering simultaneous relief and guilty pleasure... all of it made the storm more furious. Eclipse hadn't quite gotten the knot in, but he kept trying as he bucked, roughly delivering what had to be a furious, pent-up load...

Nature, tinging as his cock pulsed, in the process of exploding, desperately wished that he could see that eruption, wanted a closer look, intuitively, he leant in closer...

He almost fell from the tree branch, just as he started to cum. He barely caught the branch and hung there, with weakening paws as his limp body exploded through an extremely hard cock, his seed splattering noisily to the ground below.

He managed to keep his grip, but remained where he was, hanging from the tree, limbs trembling... dangling and dripping cum, panting, his body tingling as he came, filled with voyeuristic thrill, excitement, shame and guilt....

And felt that guilty appetite and burning curiosity only growing. He'd never seen something so intense. These apparent games were intoxicatingly insane... and he wanted to know more.

* * *

October once again limped back along the basement corridors back to his room, this time covered in flecks of melting ice, even soggier and steamier than previously.

The females of Café Plaisir were dangerous! Deadly dungeons didn't leave him in as much hurt as the girls of this place! In fact he was becoming pressed to think of a female employed by this place that he'd directly engaged and had yet to injure him.

He paused and nodded, recalling the Lopunny door greeter. As much as he liked Lopunny, he made a mental note to stay the hell away in case he got kicked in the balls or ass. Always with the balls and ass! They were collectively worse than Eclipse!

"Hey, Redtales," said the voice.

October halted suddenly, eyes widening. Oh no... Oh, no...

He looked at Rain Flower, standing smirking in front of him.

"Elegance sure went crazy, huh?" said the little Vaporeon, "Way too high-strung, that's what I always said!"

"Hello, Rain Flower..." said October, awkwardly.

Rain Flower frowned suddenly and tilted her head, "What happened to you?"

"Meeting with HR," said October, with a sigh, "Look, Rain F-"

"Oh!" said Rain Flower, "Clarice? The Ice Bitch? Yeah, I fuckin' hate her, almost as bad as Elegance." She hissed slightly and looked aside, "She like, looks down on me, because she's smarter than me, like, as if, she could even manage one day on this job, you know?"

"Heh," said October, smiling slightly.

"Maybe she should," said Rain Flower, "just like Elegance, some proper gettin'-laid might be just what she needs. She needs to let loose and loosen up, know what I'm saying?"

October found himself chuckling, "You know what, I think you might be right." For the briefest of instants, he might have been about to like Rain Flower.

Then her face fell, "So you still haven't had a bath, Redtales," she said, grumpily, "Thought you'd'a known better by now. Well, you're a glutton for punishment but you aren't outlasting Rain Flower, oh-no. Get in your room..."

"Oh no," said October, breathlessly.

"Oh, yeah!" said Rain Flower, lowering her posture as if she was going to pounce him.

Suddenly October turned to his own back, addressing not Rain Flower, but his current gang of squatters.

"Hey, you free-loading, static-parasites!" he shouted into his fur, to a chorus of confused static clicks, "Are you seriously going to let this happen to your home and master, AGAIN!?"

"What are those weird noises you're making?" said Rain Flower, looking confused, "What are you doing? Do you have fleas or somethin-"

October looked back to see Rain Flower wide-eyed in surprise. He glanced back at himself, where the Joltik were revealing themselves. There were more than he'd feared... but at least they made for an impressive hoard, contrasted on his crimson fur.

The Ninetales grinned, having an instinct for such moments, addressing Rain Flower, he shouted, "Minions! Attack!"

The sparks and tiny arcs of weak lightning erupted one after another in volley. October laughed uproariously even as he started to cry out, "AHAHAHAHAH..! AH! AHAHAH! Ow! HAHAH!" October had a self-suppressed secret... sensitivity, to electricity... The arcs were hurting him as much as Rain Flower, well, less some aura-burning super-effective bleed-through, of course, but she was owed no less.

Rain Flower was freaked out to say the least. It turns out terrified Vaporeon eyes were terrifically huge. "What the FUCK..!?" she cried as she turned and tried to bolt for her room, but stumbled as the tiny, stinging jolts hit her limbs.

"HAHAH! Aaaah!" said October, seeming to dance oddly as random muscles contracted to stinging, embarrassingly thrilling pains across his body, "RUN, COWARD! FFffff..! FEAR! AhhH! MY MINIONS! Ouch! WATER WENCH..!"

Rain Flower did her best to skitter away, flinchingly, whilst October gimpily gave chase, laughing and crying out in pain the whole while.

"I'll -aaaAAAH!" cried Rain Flower, "get you, UhhhAAAH! -for this, you EEEEEEEH! monster..!"

She disappeared into her door and it slammed shut behind her.

October was still laughing when he got back into his room. He was still laughing when he noticed Chai, looking relieved to see him, on his bed and Colin, sat perpendicular to him with his ribbons across the Umbreon's back, clearly having been fussing over him.

October was still laughing when he leapt up on the bed beside them and lay down next to Chai's other flank.

"Well, you're in better spirits," said Chai.

October still chuckled as he spoke, "What..? Oh, yes... a little... it's just... ohohoh heheheheh..."

Colin looked at Chai confusedly, who shrugged.

October waved a paw, "Oh, never mind. Well, I failed."

"Failed!?" said Colin, gasping, "...What did you fail at?"

"I couldn't get Chai his room back," said October, "I confronted the Ice Bitch on her Frozen Throne and was turned back," he sighed dramatically, "Not on my usual form, I'm afraid. Though the battle was fierce."

"Ice Bitch!?" repeated Colin, sounding horrified.

"Fucking Clarice," said Chai, "Well, thanks for trying, October," he frowned slightly, "Please tell me you didn't get fired."

"No, no," said October, with a sigh, "She apparently still desires power over my balls. What a wonderful creature..."

"Clarice is good at her job..." said Colin, unhappily.

"Oh yes, she is," said October, thoughtfully, "No empathy whatsoever. The perfect HR accountant and executioner..."

"Whatever," said Chai, "I'm glad you didn't get fired. I was worried, there."

"Awww," said October, suddenly smirking with his good spirits, his tails flicking behind him in good humour, "Chai was worried about me..."

"Shut up," said the Umbreon, frowning, but smirking slightly at the same time. He half rolled over and swiped a paw at October, smacking him in the shoulder.

October chuckled loudly, but then heard Colin shriek and noticed Chai's stare.

"Oh yeah," said Chai, "You've got Joltik, mon. You're infested. One fell off you earlier."

"Infested!?" said Colin, suddenly jumping up and backing right away from the tiny yellow thing that had fallen by from October's shoulder and dazedly onto the bed. Colin whined, loudly and unhappily.

"Oh yes," said October, casually, "They're my new Minions, they just helped me defeat Rain Flower."

That paused the Umbreon and Sylveon both as they stared at him.

"Oh yeah, you mentioned that," said Chai, "So, uh, what happened?"

"She's trying to force me to take a bath," said October, with a frown, "She's assaulted my person several times. Turned the tables today, however!"

"Oh yeah?" said Chai, with a smirk and a curious look, "What'cha do to her..?"

"I simply routed the fiend, taught her a lesson," said October, proudly, "This time..."

"Aw," said Chai, "Shame."

October was just raising an eyebrow at his friend when Colin chimed in. "Well, I don't know about her assaulting you, but October, you really do need a bath..." he stared at the still-stunned Joltik, "This is going too far..."

"Bah," said October, "If you weren't all trying to force me, I might have done it by now. I won't be dictated to!"

"Pouncer dictates to you," said Chai, snarkily.

"I have a personal agreement with Pouncer, the only kind that matters," said October, firmly.

"Huh," said Chai, "Well, I'll support you, October," he said with a smirk.

Colin made a confused noise, "No..!" he spat out suddenly, "No, this is bad! Don't get caught up fighting everyone on not getting clean! This is silly!"

"Sometimes you have to be a bit silly," said October, narrowing his eyes a bit, "To let them all know you won't take any of their shit."

Colin squeaked unhappily, whined and covered his eyes with his ribbons.

"Fuck yeah," said Chai, for once his smile practically beaming, "but for the record, you do need a fuckin' bath October, dammit, you're a dirty, dirty Fox."

October frowned slightly, but then grinned, "It has been said." He chuckled.

Chai chuckled quietly along with him as Colin huffily pouted.

"Ahhh..." said October eventually, "I'm sorry I didn't get your room back, Chai."

"You were never gonna do it," said Chai, "but thanks for trying."

"Ohhh..." said Colin, apparently quickly forgetting the previous conversation, "That is such a shame about your room, Chai..."

"Yeah, you've been saying that every two minutes, Colin," said Chai, with a slight frown.

"Well," said Colin, "You're welcome to stay with me whenever you like, uhhh, whenever I don't have a customer, Chai..!"

"Thanks," said Chai, "but uhhh, I might be staying with October, if that's still cool?"

"What?" said October, "Oh, of course, no problem Chai." Though he was taking the suggestion seriously himself only now, he grinned, "No problem, we'll be roomies!"

"Aw, well," said Colin, "That's fine, but I'll be right next door anyway, so you two can come through any time. It's a bit... cleaner... than in here..."

"Yes," said October, "Too clean for me, perhaps... and besides, I can smoke in here." He went to go for his cigarette stash.

"Wait a sec," said Chai, "Check the box on the bed."

October then noticed a small wooden case on the bed.

"Whilst you slept, Chai crept," said Chai, mocking October's occasional tendency towards impromptu verse, "an' a new shipment of smokes, he did get."

"You fucking genius," said October, with a grin.

"You don't know the half of it," said Chai, "now we've all gotta light up. I'm gonna fix two more problems right now."

October raised an eyebrow...

...but he wasn't wrong.

For whilst spending the remainder of his day off in an intoxicated haze with friends was hardly a terrible conclusion, the problems Chai mentioned were a delight, after all, to fix...

For as the room became full with smoke, a veritable 'hot-box,' October's parasite problem fell into a deep and very docile sleep. They were easily removed into a small, yellow pile.

"Brilliant," said October, "I'll take them back to the caves as soon as I can be bothered."

"Don't bother," said Chai, talking with a smoke hanging out of the side of his grinning maw, "I got an idea."

So, whilst Colin remained behind in October's room, the creeping, yet giggling duo of October and Chai made their best attempt at a stealthy creep out of one fire escape (with the alarms having been previously disabled, a week ago) around the perimeter of the building and back down through another. The mission was a success, the payload was delivered.

After watching the results... They crept back, snickering all the while...

* * *

It was all very peaceful, in the room of the Mightyena, that night.

There was soft Wolfy snoring of dirty-dream filled delight.

Whilst Eclipse might have been still out on the prowl,

The Twins, Sin and Dextus, were laying peacefully down.

Until all a sudden one of them kicked and growled;

"Oh, Dextus, my honey, I'm too tired, not now..."

Yet Dextus did grumble and then, did stir,

"It wasn't me, Sin... hey, what's that in your fur?"

"Huh?" said Sinister, suddenly awake and alert,

She got up and looked, then grew instantly irked!

"There's a Joltik in my fur," said Sinister, with a growl,

"How did that get there, huh, Dextus, you'd better tell me, now!"

"How would I know?" said her brother with a frown,

"Didn't come from any that I've laid down."

"Well it wasn't any of mine," spat Sin at Dex,

"Because I check them every time!"

"Well never mind, I'll get it," said Dextus with a grin,

"Now hold still you little shit and I'll get you off'a Sin!"

There was a bright flash and snap.

The Mightyena jumped back.

That blast didn't come from Sin,

That shock had come from right on him!

They ran right for the showers, pounding,

With a yelping, desperate yowling, bounding.

Whilst wicked eyes in shadows lying,

Observed this giggling, almost crying.

For wicked whilst the Wolf may be,

Vengeance tastes... so fine... to me...

* * *

It was dark. There was no light but for the moonlight shining through the cracked window panes and highlighting the sleek figure that stood alone in the room.

She stood, straight backed, dignified always, as she had been taught, raised, bred and trained. Never show the weakness within.

She had maintained that through much of her life, through all the terrible things that she had seen... but for twice, now.

She had been almost as destructive this time as the first.

She held in her paws a single thing, something she had picked from the floor in the darkness, unable to sleep upon the ruin of her bed, perhaps ever again, despite the personal mission it had become, an act of iron will and personal discipline that she had exacted on herself each night... for her failure, her defeat...

It had come from the chest she had broken in her rage, one whose key had been perhaps unconsciously misplaced deliberately. A slip, a weakness, corrected now in another moment of weakness.

Yet as she stared upon that photograph, that crinkled, smiling face, a single tear did fall from those sharp, yet distant eyes.