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Rock and a Hard Place (Chapter 1?)

copyright comidacomida 2024

Kel was never much for night clubs; she wasn't into partying, she didn't really like drinking, and loud music made her head hurt. She was a nursing student, whose single mother had worked hard to help her pay for college. Of all the places she never expected to be, a night club was one-- and the very last thing she ever expected to be doing was working on an undercover sting... against her will.

It was a convoluted situation, and she still didn't understand the full story, but she knew that, if she didn't do as Detective Ruger said then the German Shepherd would retaliate and, as he promised, that would not be a good look for a nursing student. He'd made the job sound easy: she needed to go into a night club, chat up a crime lord, and get him to spill everything. She had confessed that she had no idea how to go about doing it but the Dog said that she fit the profile of the kind of gals the guy liked; she was told to 'use her assets' and was summarily thrown into the frying pan.

She sat at the edge of the bar attempting to keep the bartender from noticing her, wondering how in the world she was going to survive being an undercover police informant, let alone being successful. Was she just bait? Were they going to record the crime lord killing her and use THAT for a conviction? She was at the point that she was about to hyperventilate when a soft, smooth, deep voice spoke up from directly beside her. "You look like you could use a drink, onee chee."

Turning to regard the speaker, Kel almost jumped out of her seat when she saw a Red Panda. Not a particularly common breed to see in town, and the fact that he also fit the detective's description made her wonder as to whether or not she was being set up. Sitting up a little straighter, she regarded him. "Oh...a... a drink? Just... maybe... a Shirley Temple?"

The Red Panda's laughter was casual in a way that seemed surreal. He was an older man, likely in his mid-to-late 40s, but his fur was immaculate and it was obvious he took good of himself... except perhaps for his 'healthy' build, but that could just as easily have been consistent with his species. He wore a simple black suit over a clean white shirt and black slacks, and a pair of snout-gripping spectacles clung in place on the bridge of his muzzle. His amethyst eyes shone with humor as he stared at her, but she saw within them the possibility of danger.

The Red Panda's smile revealed sharp teeth; his front right canine was gold. "A Shirley Temple? I like that... very funny. The bartender here is the finest mixologist in the city, and you want a virgin drink?" His smile disappeared. "Pick something else."

She snappily complied. "Kahlua and cream."

The vulpine bartender looked to the Red Panda; when the boss nodded the Fox began to prepare it. Despite the fact that Kel was shorter due to sitting on a stool, the Red Panda was barely the same height-- scarcely five foot. Despite his small stature, the man carried with him an air of authority... and threat. Leaning on the bar, the crime boss' smile returned and he chatted with her as if they were old friends. "So, tell me, bijin, what is the name of the kawaii girl I am treating to a drink?"

"Kelly..." she managed to say, "Kelly Roe."

His smile remained welcoming, but it didn't make her feel very comfortable, that sensation only getting worse when his thick, furry paw came to rest on the back of her hand. "You may call me Taka-san." He leaned closer, his round face only a few inches from hers. "You do not have the look of the usual guests here, Kelly-kun... tell me more about yourself."

The bartender quickly deposited her drink, and what looked like a straight up spirit for the Red Panda, making himself scarce afterward. With nobody there to distract her, Kel took her drink in her spare hand, trying to put together some thought that'd allow her to speak. Eventually she pushed something out. "I... uh... I'm working on my degree in college... to... become a nurse."

Taka-san's face lit up with interest. "A nurse? That is a very respectable career, Kelly-kun. I have much respect for your parents to raise such a dutiful daughter... I wish that my son would have such a drive." he leaned even closer. "It takes a special kind of woman to be a nurse and-- are you shivering?"

Barely able to keep herself from crying, it was all Kelly could do to stay on her stool, and she was indeed shaking like a leaf. "It's... it's just... c-cold."

She was surprised when the Red Panda took off his black business coat and folded it over her shoulders, mumbling to himself. "Chikusho air conditioning..." but he addressed her a moment instead. "You will have to forgive the air... this club IS made for those with fur and we expect them to dance... a human seated by herself may find it chilly. Perhaps we should go to my office. You may find it more to your liking... it is much warmer, Kelly-kun."

Although she had no doubt in her mind that he was attempting to proposition her, she realized that one place was as good as any to die and, in the off chance she managed to get information out of Taka-san the whole ordeal could be resolved immediately by police breaking in and getting the arrest; hopefully she wouldn't be collateral damage. Fighting back her panic, she accepted his offered paw. "Y-yeah... that... might be better."

He was surprisingly gentle and courteous, walking her past the many tables and, as he passed, anyone who would have been in their way immediately cleared the path. He continued chatting with her as they went, her heartbeat so loud she couldn't really focus on what he said but, inexplicably, his coat around her shoulders and the soft paw holding her hand somehow helped her feel better. His coat, she noticed, smelled of matcha and vanilla.

As they arrived at the top of the stairs she saw that there was a short hallway leading to a fine wooden door. He escorted her, asking "So... why a nurse?"

Despite being intimidated-- not only due to the Red Panda's presence, but also what she'd heard about him from Detective Ruger, she couldn't help but feel a little more at ease due to his calming nature and obvious attempt at being friendly. "I... like helping people. I don't like seeing them in pain... and I want to make the world a better place."

He opened the door and ushered her into an incredibly fine looking but still cozy office. The Red Panda gestured to a leather sofa and, as she sat down, he chose a swivel chair on rollers that he slid closer to her, smiling with humor, and only a touch of condescension. "Ah... a dreamer."

She sat down, blushing slightly, gripping her handfuls of dress a little tighter bashfully.

"I... know it sounds silly..."

Taka-san chuckled, taking a metal tray and setting it on a nearby small table so he could place his drink down atop it. She was surprised by the warmth in his voice. "Ah, Kelly-kun. Your desires to help others and make this world a better place is far from silly. It's one of the most noble aspirations anyone can have... it is a shame that so many people lose that drive when the real world gets in the way."

Seated with her drink in her hand, otherwise untouched, she looked at the older man, trying to find some solid footing to try and figure him out. "What... do you mean?"

He chuckled enigmatically, simply raising up his glass. "In my line of work, I see a lot of pain and despair. It makes me appreciate people like you even more. A toast to you Kelly, and your optimism. May you never lose it."

With no other option, she clinked her glass to his. "Cheers."

Laughing, the Red Panda proudly announced "Kanpai!"

Taking a small sip of her drink, she watched as Taka-san pounded his drink in one go, letting out a contented sigh and licking the whiskers on his muzzle. She licked at her own lips, the taste of coffee and booze just strong enough to burn, but not enough to overpower. Kel paused when she noticed the Red Panda's eyes on her, his amethyst gaze piercing, and she immediately began to grow uncomfortable again. She fidgeted. "Um... Taka-san?

His disarming smile returned. "Ah... Kelly-kun... I was thinking about getting out of here and continuing this lovely evening somewhere a bit more... private. What are your thoughts?"

Swallowing against the tightness in her throat-- Kelly tried to control her fear. Detective Ruger had said nothing about being alone with the Red Panda he had described as being a monster, and the prospect obviously made her frightful... she also had a hard time of hiding it as her shaking returned. She threw out the first flimsy excuse she could think of, but she had no other option. "I... um... haven't finished my drink?"

The Red Panda leaned closer, the scent of his strong drink on his breath. "I can get you another one, bijin. Aren't you the least bit curious to see what I have planned?"

Kel was far more terrified than curious, but she wasn't about to say it aloud. "I... uh... should probably text my mom and let her know I'll be home a little late?"

The tried and true 'someone knows where I am' hint would hopefully help keep her safe... but, in truth, her mother had no idea where she was, and Kel was certain it wouldn't have helped if the man was as dangerous as the detective had suggested. Clutching her hand bag, she began to flip through the contents in an attempt to locate her cell.

The Red Panda let out a soft chuckle. "Kawaii... but let me tell you something..." he leaned closer once again, his eyes boring into hers. "I would not worry about being home late... even the most worried mother will know that her daughter is in good paws when she is with me."

Kel froze, her eyes wide. She wanted her body to move, but it refused. She saw it in his eyes the moment he realized something was wrong... perhaps it was the dilation of her pupils, or the glassy stare of a girl who knows her life is at an end but, in that moment, what she saw in return was... disappointment?

Sighing, his large, furred paw slid around her neck. He didn't squeeze, but his firm grip allowed him to pick her up off the sofa; although he was small of stature, he was incredibly strong. "Ruger's newest spy, is it?"

She knew from the beginning it was a stupid idea to say yes to the detective... he put a wire on her and threw her to the wolves. He probably didn't expect her to live through her encounter with the mob boss... he probably set her up... record her getting killed so he'd have something to use against the gang. With that thought on her mind, tears begin falling from her eyes. "Please... don't kill me..."

There was strangely no malice in Taka-san's eyes as his gaze bore into her, but it did nothing to give her any relief. "Ah, don't cry for help, Kelly. Even if they come looking for you, they will never find you."

Somewhere in the back of her mind, Kel couldn't help but feel the adrenaline kick in-- flight or fight mode, but she couldn't get away and there was no way she'd be able to fight off the bulky Red Panda; even if he was a half foot shorter than she was he easily outweighed her by double. Her voice timidly wheezed "Don't hurt me... please..."

His paw loosened slightly. "And? What if I... obey?" She saw that there was life back in his eyes, the purple irises shining with... mirth? He was enjoying it? His words came out like a purr. "What then?"

Her hands gripped his wrist, tears still coming. "What do you want?"

His smile was almost patronly... kind? No... far from kind. "I want you to kiss me." He pulled her down to his height, turning her head aside so that the red-gray-and-white whiskers of his muzzle tickled her neck. "And not just a peck on the cheek. A real kiss..." she was almost certain she saw sadism in his eyes. "With tongue. With... passion. If you can convince me to believe it then maybe... just MAYBE, I will forgive your allegiance"

He traded his grip on her throat for a grip on her arm, his eyes burning with intensity. She could barely summon the word. "W-why?"

The Red Panda's smile was surprisingly light. "Why? Because I know that Detective Ruger will hate admitting that I broke the toy he sent me."

Her shaking got worse after that. Taka-san's smile gained a hard edge to it. "You are not his normal sort... I would commend him on finding someone innocent enough not to catch my notice at first. I am sorry if he forced you to this, as I suspect he did, but you are an inconveniently placed pawn on a chess board so I must take you. Oh, poor onee chee... my organization lives by one rule: Taka-san always gets what he wants."