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Café Plaisir: October's Jaunt part 3; Prowlers of the Rooftop

by October Flixard

He woke, jolting with a gasping start as rippling kicks blasted through from Dark Pulse, the dance club on the other side of his bedroom wall. The pounding bass seeming practically to wobble the very concrete of the walls. October took a sharp breath and wondered if his spine was going to explode from stiffness and sudden movement.

Awareness gelled together in clumps until it coalesced into something like consciousness. His head already ached. He was not well rested.

Curled into a ball on the floor, against a wall, October realised that he'd gone to sleep in the corridor outside of his room. He had no idea what time it was.

When he raised his head to look at the noisy, buzzing, cracked ceiling, something fell off of his head. It was a small, pointed, cardboard party hat. Somewhere within, his dignity wept.

Groaning, he began to uncurl himself from his self-made cocoon, his side aching even worse then yesterday, his limbs and joints sore.

It was dark and grim in the corridor, yet there were sounds of people and Pokemon just beginning an enthusiastic evening all around, above and below him. It was not a pleasant context for waking up in pain on the floor.

He sniffed idly at himself and realised that he'd picked up a fresh layer of grime from the floor. It was but a thin, nearly invisible layer of dust and particulate viscera, but it stuck out immediately to his vulpine senses.

The grime stung his vanity and he briefly began cleaning himself, but stopped, gagging, after a few licks. His powerful sense of smell might be an aid in meticulously finding imperfections, but it was certainly no aid in making the task pleasant or easy. There was literally no way he could stomach that much of Café Plaisir's floor-viscera crossing his tongue right now.

As if on cue, his stomach grumbled, highlighting yet another problem.

Taking a deep breath with which to sigh, October fumbled for and eventually found one of the few cigarettes remaining in his mane.

Not particularly caring, he blew a puff of flame to light it and started smoking right there in the corridor. He needed it. At the very least he needed it to dull his senses of taste and smell.

He idly reflected how you never quite knew all the issues with a form until you'd spent some extended time with it. Normally, he'd go looking for a relaxing bath or refreshing shower, but when a glass of water on the neck had felt like a bite wound, cooling him such that he was sore and stiff for half an hour afterwards, he suspected a bath or shower actually represented something like a mortal threat. He wondered if there was some trick to it.

He took a long and very satisfying draw on the cigarette and then bit off the the filter on an impulse. The heat was soothing and the filter dulled it, robbed it for the dubious pleasure of the taste of scorched filter.

Another draw, much better. He felt a little of the tension leaving his body. He wondered what-

An electric beeping sounded from above him. He looked up and saw the smoke alarm all too late. His maw briefly hung open. He ate the cigarette.

There were some squeaky noises of high pressure water, then the sprinklers opened up a few seconds later.

Wide-eyed, October scrambled to his feet and bound along the corridor, claws scratching on smooth linoleum, wincing as the first of the many sprays of water he would have to cross struck his back. Each one was like a rain of stinging, numbing needles.

"Oh, Fortuna," he hissed between gritted teeth as he ran.

He wondered why the alarm hadn't gone off for the toxic paint smoke, but had for his cigarette. That was just typical. He gritted his teeth a little harder.

* * *

Fortunately, the sprinklers had only gone off in that corridor and they had also shut off quickly. None the less, wanting to evade notice and no longer be found in that area, October had slunk out of the least-watched service exit in the building and out into the night.

Now, he was alone in the night, in the car park, next to some bins, quietly steaming. Literally, steaming, as the water that had found its way into his fur slowly finished its mission of thermodynamic theft, leaving him feeling very cold and very unhappy.

Well, at least he was cleaner, October reflected. Steam-cleaned, even. He almost managed a smile as he reached for a cigarette.

His paw found a waterlogged, mushy mass in his mane, that was all that remained of his few remaining cigarettes. His face fell.

Wellll... he thought with slightly more strain, that was a problem for later, at least, he thought, clawing the mushy muck from his mane and throwing it to slap unpleasantly on the ground.

His aching stomach was the immediate problem. He had no idea what the Café had to offer him, but he was sick of the sight of the place for the moment, regardless. So, he struck out into the night, leaving a light and quickly dispersing cloud of water vapour behind himself.

The woods around Café Plaisir were thick and developed, rich in life and foliage. Nature tended to be better developed in Pokemon worlds in general and the woods around Plaisir certainly showed it, with a grand diversity of flora and fauna all about.

At the first touch of leaves, he remembered his displeasure on the first day, but compared that to the sprinklers and found it a finer alternative. So he pressed on into the gloom.

The din of Café Plaisir faded behind him, swallowed up by the forest to even his searching vulpine ears. The earth beneath his paws was pleasant and the moonlight began to seem serene.

As his vulpine eyes adjusted, with their good night sight, the night scene of the forest was fine indeed, a moonlit, colour-drained, more peaceful version of the daytime woods.

His ears served him just as well. He could pick up the slightest noise in the forest and he made sure to keep away from anything that even might be a Pokemon. Any that could detect him were likely doing the same thing - a Ninetales was no insignificant Pokemon in the wilds, after all. It was easy to keep a distance.

Oddly, as he found himself increasingly alone, a Fox in a forest at night, he began to feel oddly safe.

His evening stroll began to feel almost like a fey dance through the darkened woods.

When his nose picked up the scent of berries, he began to reconsider the possibility of just leaving the Café behind. Perhaps life as a wild Pokemon wouldn't be so hard, after all. He did seem well-equipped.

He nearly skipped into the quiet forest glade where he'd scented the berries. Mercifully peaceful, with not another soul in sight.

"Oh, Fortuna," he whispered to the forest breeze, then began to gorge himself on nature's bounty.

The berries were sweet and satisfying to tear into and October tore into them with pleasure. The Pecha and Oran were the first things he'd eaten in a day.

He was enjoying himself so much that he almost didn't notice the scent on a chance change in the breeze.

He stopped eating instantly, his fangs still stuck in a Pecha, nose twitching, trying to find more of the new scent above the sweet tang of the berry.

That scent had set off alarm bells in his vulpine senses. A threat. He lifted his head slowly, ears, nose and eyes all searching as tension spread through his body. He sensed nothing.

Yet he knew for certain there had been something, somewhere, briefly upwind.

So he slowly and silently slipped off, leaving the berry where it lay. Internally, he mourned for its wasted sweet goodness.

He slipped out of the glade, into the nighttime woods and away to safety, so he thought.

Yet a short while later, as he lightly slipped between trees he caught the scent again. Thinking it a chance of air currents, he kept on going through the suddenly increasingly confined-feeling woods.

He caught the scent once more and became certain that the source was following him. Possibly even following his own scent-trail.

He considered his options. He could turn and confront - but he was still sore, tired and now he had a full belly. He wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone, let alone someone tracking him by scent.

He suspected he had a little slack, so he sped up and began to curve his course. He picked out random three trees in the woods within thirty seconds quick trot of each other and double-eighted his trail. Let them have fun with that, he thought to himself with a smirk.

Then he made a beeline for the Café and the lights and safeties of civilisation, smirking to himself, thinking how crafty he'd been and not cowardly at all, oh no.

All the same, he darted back inside the service entrance to the pleasant embrace of light and warmth within, then dashed to a service stairwell that lead straight up to the roof. He had a suspicion.

It was a dizzying effort to run up that stairwell and burst back out into the nighttime air, but he didn't slow as he lowered himself and stalked to a stack of ventilators near to the edge of the roof.

Stopping smoothly, he kept a low profile, dipping all of his tails and remaining with his eyes just high enough to watch the woods where he had just been.

Staying there, still and quiet, he felt his heart pounding from exertion and tension.

Steadily his heart slowed and his blood cooled, as he remained there, alert and poised.

Cramp began to set into his legs, but he did his best to ignore it as time continued to pass in painful tension.

Eventually, a sharp shape emerged from the treeline and began making for one of the main entrances. A large, dark shape, Eclipse, the Mightyena, looking somewhat displeased.

October frowned and watched him all the way inside, doing his best to remain still and silent.

What was that about? He had to wonder. He at least knew better than to presume intentions... The Mightyena could have simply been investigating the scent. He might have been coming to say, 'hi,' or he might even have simply been on his own nighttime wander.

It had felt to October suspiciously as though he had been hunted, however... and he did not like that at all.

No, he didn't like that at all. It set off some fairly unpleasant instincts. His claws, already extended, bit into the roofing felt below him.

'I'm not intimidated!' October told himself as he remained there, still on the rooftop, denying any sense of fear whatsoever, 'I'm a powerful and independent vulpine, I'm not afraid of that two-bit pack animal!'

He began to rise slowly and stiffly.

"October?"

"AAAH!" cried October, leaping up and spinning around, catching sight of a dark form with red eyes, he landed in a scramble and tried desperately to regain his footing as the weight of his tails nearly lead him over the edge of the roof.

Panic-fuelled flames welled up from within him and he found himself involuntarily barfing flame at the bottom of the nearest ventilator.

Metal flexed loudly as Chai, wide-eyed, pressed himself against the base of another, nearby ventilator, with two paws off the ground and against the metal wall the Umbreon looking as though he was being pushed into the ventilator stack by an invisible force.

October blinked, feeling very, very stupid. "Uh, sorry..." he managed to mutter, awkwardly.

Chai stared at him, eyes wide.

October put a paw in his mane, grooming anxiously, "Ah, you ehh, caught me by surprise a bit there..."

Chai blinked.

October grinned sheepishly, "I'm not... totally in control of my fire."

"No shit," said Chai, nervously.

"Sorry," said October again.

They both fell quiet.

"So, ah," said October awkwardly, to fill the silence, "What are you doing up here?"

Chai shrugged, stepping away from the ventilator with the metal popping back into shape behind him. "I like it up here," said the Umbreon simply.

October did his best to try and relax. He sat down, looked around, dark and cluttered, the rooftop looked much the same as it did that first night. "It feels secure," he commented, "Quiet, lots of cover and darkness."

Chai smiled, "Yeah," he said, "I just like to sit up here and just relax. Watch and listen to what's going on."

October frowned, remembering what had become of him in this very sanctuary last night. "Be wary though," he said, his eyes darting towards the other side of the roof, where the grand shadow of the solar mirror loomed, "For even for a creature of the night such as you or I, a dark corner can become a trap."

The Umbreon jolted once, with what might have been a suppressed laugh as he looked away. October raised an eyebrow at the Dark-type.

"What is it?" asked October, wondering what was going through the terse Umbreon's head.

"Just thinking you're right," said Chai, "It just depends on how sneaky you are."

"I'm pretty sneaky," said October, "In fact, I'd rate myself as; One tricky Fox," he said proudly, feeling no need for modesty on the matter.

The Umbreon looked away further, trying to hide a big smirk, "Firenze's Foxier, then?"

October frowned at him.

The Umbreon might have blushed a little, but it was hard to tell in the moonlight. "Sorry," said Chai, "but you never saw him stalking you. When he saw you heading into the stacks, he just took a shortcut and waited."

October's pang of injured pride was cut short by his curiosity. "You were there?" he had to ask.

Chai nodded, still looking away, "I'm up here all the time. I was wondering what was going on."

"Just a misunderstanding," explained October quickly, looking at the Umbreon curiously, "You must be very sneaky indeed..."

Even by the glint of moonlight on the deeper darkness of Umbreon fur at night, October recognised a blush on Chai's cheek... and on the tips of those curious, omnidirectional, tubular ears... which ever so slightly, softly glimmered where they were struck through with yellow rings.

"No really," said October, smiling at the curiously beautiful effect, "I'm impressed." He meant it too... and in more than one way.

"Thanks," said Chai, quietly, lowering his head, the blush and the glimmer both deepening.

October smirked, "Anyway; I was somewhat pressed at the time. I'm normally much warier. Firenze was just lucky I went that way."

"Sure," said Chai, "If you don't know that Fox Pokemon tend to make for high ground."

"Did I mention I was drunk?" said October protestingly.

"Sorry," said Chai, showing half a smirk at him, clearly getting some enjoyment from the discomfort he had inspired in the Ninetales, "...Alright, not sorry," he showed just the hints of a wicked, toothy grin, "I owed you for the scare."

October narrowed his eyes at the Umbreon, "Be careful who you tease..." he said quietly.

Chai faced him properly, smirking, though somewhat more nervously, "I am. I'm too careful," he said quickly, then, "So what was the misunderstanding, huh?"

October raised an eyebrow. "What if I said I hunted one of the Café's staff and subjected them to a brutal assault?"

Chai's smirk brightened, "I wouldn't believe you, though maybe I'd want to. Don't think that's it, though."

He'd want to? What did that mean? October had to wonder. "Well, what do you think?" he asked.

Chai shrugged, "Don't know. Did you pick a fight with Eclipse?"

"No," said October shaking his head, "It was just a misunderstanding, I was caught by that mind-reading Ninetales with some rather... insalubrious thoughts..."

Chai frowned at him, "Firenze isn't a mind-reader. Don't think so, anyway. It's not what I've heard."

October frowned and tilted his head, "Well, I was very drunk. Perhaps I just wasn't being as..." he briefly had a flash of memory, of himself, leant right over and nearly tipping the chair to grin leeringly at the departing little Vaporeon, "...subtle," he paused, "As I might have thought I was."

"That can't be it," said Chai, almost under his breath. Sarcasm dripped from his voice, and another smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Ah, well," said October, "There might have been some issues with my method of payment."

"You didn't pay?" said Chai, suddenly smirking again.

"I did," said October, "With leaves made to look like money. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Classic Fox-stuff, you know?"

Chai smirked and almost seemed to giggle.

"Well, that was probably why they started chasing me, anyway," said October with a sigh, "The thing with the Lucario, well, I could have handled that better, I suppose."

"Nature?" said Chai, with a strangely sharper, more suspicious expression in his eyes...

"My nature isn't really all that bad," said October with a dismissive paw wave, "Anyway, it was a total misunderstanding. Ahh..." yes, it was a misunderstanding. One that didn't look good for him at all, "Anyway, I only pounced him for tactical reasons and the sliding-door windows were just collateral. It was completely blown out of proportion."

"...and out the frame!" said Chai, looking surprised and impressed, "You did that?"

October waved his paw dismissively again, "A misunderstanding," he repeated.

"So," said Chai, seeming to tally, "You got drunk and disorderly, defrauded the Café, blew up an expensive window and automatic door, then you assaulted one of the Café's star attractions?"

October repeated the gesture, saying, "Misunderstanding?" with less certainty.

"Awesome," said Chai, smiling and shuddering - literally shuddering - with apparent pleasure at all of it.

October looked at the silently laughing Umbreon with some confusion, but he quickly smiled and chuckled along, more audibly. Well, if the Umbreon was impressed with just that, he as a vain Ninetales was happy to take the compliment.

They chuckled for a while. October even thought he might have heard a higher-pitched laugh that might have been Chai's, but he might have been mistaken.

Eventually, as they settled, October looked out to the darkened forest and the starry sky above, "It's rather nice here," he commented.

"Yeah," said Chai.

"So, this is the cool place," declared October, "I have decided."

"Oh?" said Chai, tilting his head.

"This is where the sneaky and awesome shall dwell," said October, "If you don't mind me hanging around."

Chai smiled at him, "That'd be cool with me, but you should maybe explore more of the Café. There's a lot to see here."

"...and I will," said October, "but in the meantime, a Fox could make use of a high place in which to hide."

Chai nodded at him and smiled.

They spent most of the rest of the night up there. Chai was good company and gradually, October warmed to the Umbreon. He was quiet and reserved, most certainly, but he had a naughty streak that October suspected was all but untapped.

They spent a lot of time in silence, occasionally chatting, but mostly watching. Chai started to bring October to speed on the who's and whyfors of the place, briefing the Ninetales on whomever happened to be wandering outside.

The two made for a stalking, staring duo. Chai also had a hidden bitchy streak about a mile wide that October began to appreciate.

"You see him there?" said Chai, pointing to a Glameow, taking a stroll no more than fifty meters into the forest below.

"Oh yes?" said October.

The grey feline Pokemon in question was distinctive in how well matched his well groomed fur was to his sneering expression. His curly, springy tail, distinctive to the species, was up as high as his chin. His every step seemed to radiate disdain. Even for a cat it was impressive.

"Vermont. Most stuck up asshole on the nightshift," said Chai, who only seemed verbose when he was dispensing judgement, "thinks he's better than everyone. Makes the customers groom him before and after he performs. Actually gets less custom than anyone else on those hours."

"Really now?" said October with a smirk, looking over the nighttime stroller, "Careful now, with the way he's sticking to the paths so he doesn't have to stop looking down his nose at the world, you'd think he was a real predator of the night."

Chai shook with silent laughter.

Of course, there was far more to be seen and heard at Café Plaisir...

Even above the constant pounding of the music, that made it even up here, the sounds of coupling could be heard below. Chai knew a few spots for listening to some weird ones. Café Plaisir's staff was apparently quite diverse.

To add to that, it seemed that some customers and employees alike were fond of using the forest as a bedroom. Never many, but always a few. They had a grand view of watching them come and go (heh) but the action was usually just beyond view.

Some of the pairings were quite curious. Humans and Pokemon, Pokemon and Pokemon, Pokemon large and small. There was more than one type he couldn't name. He saw a man going off with a Flaaffy and wondered if that had ever been a joke in this world. He saw the diminutive Vaporeon he'd seen yesterday going off with a Tauros. He wondered how in all the worlds that was going to work and shook his head. Chai had just silently snickered at his incredulity.

Of course, that was all nothing compared to the live show they got; A drunken pair of male Pokemon, a Linoone and a Sneasel barely made it out onto the roof, trailing glitter and confetti, before rutting right there in the light of the stairwell bulb.

There had been some attempt at foreplay, but it had mostly resulted in mutual grinding, falling over and laughter. They were very drunk, but that didn't matter, because they were clearly having a lot of fun...

October and Chai had stalked around the unwittingly watched pair as they settled down to business. The Ninetales and Umbreon kept low, slinking around for the best view, utterly unnoticed by the obvious duo as they chattered and fell over each other, practically wrestling to find a serviceable sex position in their stupor. The Linoone mentioned something about a 'Quickie,' perhaps, in a broad Californian accent.

Ultimately, the Linoone had ended up on top, taking the Sneasel from the front. From the surprised look on the squirming Sneasel's face, October wondered whether the Sneasel had planned it that way, but as the Linoone began to drunkenly grind his way in, seemingly relying entirely on precum and enthusiasm, the Ice type dug its claws into the roofing felt and soon got into the spirit of things with characteristic intensity and determination.

October watched, sucking a breath between his teeth as he saw the moment the Sneasel's internal resistance give and the Linoone really went to work with its fast, seemingly tireless hips.

"Hm?" said Chai, barely glancing over to him.

"He's going to feel that tomorrow," cackled October, quietly.

"Hm," said Chai, returning his full attention to the show with a naughty smile.

"All the better for the show tonight," chuckled October in a low voice, watching as the Linoone shifted gears, to the shrieking joy and pain of the Sneasel.

It was quite a show. Linoone were renowned for their running speed and this one seemed quite healthy. As the thickly brown-furred hips pounded back and forth so quickly as to nearly be a blur, one couldn't help but wonder at the risk of friction burns.

"Hahah," chuckled October quietly, however, unable to help himself, "Quite the 'quickie,' indeed."

"Quippie," said Chai, quietly.

"Well, I do like to quip," said October with a smirk.

The Umbreon shook his head and smirked as well.

Ultimately, the show had worked out spectacularly; or at least the pair had seemed to make a happy mess of each other. Several long gouges formed in the roofing felt from the Sneasel's claws as he writhed, gasped and ultimately exploded with seed, spraying all over themselves, the icy cum catching the glistening moonlight as it flew, soon being joined in a rain across the pair of them, into and out of the Sneasel's dark velvet and the Linoone's heavy shag coats as the Linoone pulled free and let loose, as well!

Yes, they made a very happy mess of each other, indeed! Then fell on one another with a distinct and wince-worthy squelching sound as their two messes became one. Yet so drunk and happy were the pair that nothing but laughter came from either of them.

October felt his own sheath grow uncomfortably warm and tight from the show. He looked over to Chai... and the Umbreon was showing fully. A long and smooth canine member, solid like a truncheon, black in colour, looking practically like obsidian. His malehood seemed very large for his small form, prominent as it was over those lithe hips, but October supposed he had a little growing into it left to do.

He politely looked away, hoping the Umbreon hadn't noticed, watching the drunken pair on stage exit to the right.

* * *

"rap-rap-rap-rap- rap-rap-rap-rap-," said the door, softly, insistently and rapidly.

October awoke with a mournful groan. Having only been to bed for a handful of hours.

He rose unsteadily from his sagging pit of a bed like a snake before a charmer.

"rap-rap-rap-rap- rap-rap-rap-rap-," said the door.

October groaned again, with more feeling as the dimmed light, left on from last night, assaulted his eyes with painful, unwanted photonic pressure. He hadn't had enough sleep to deal with the world today. Especially THIS world.

The door flung open.

Colin was standing there with a bright smile. The scene around the Sylveon looked almost picturesque with the grim yellowish light of the hallway shining upon the orange-brown wall-paint behind the white and pink, Peach-aproned Sylveon like a cruel chromatographic facsimile of the sunrise which had not actually as yet occurred today.

October began laughing to himself without opening his maw, fearing what might happen. Slowly, he chuckled with incredulity at the cruelty of the universe come the painful return of consciousness.

"Hi October!" said Colin in his high-pitched, gleefully full-of-life timbre, "Time to get your sleepy head up! You're lucky I remembered to wake you!"

October renewed his slow and horrified, muffled, closed-mouthed laughter.

"Come on, October!" said the Sylveon, brightly, advancing on him.

October realised his intentions with little time to spare. He shrank down into the blankets, in truth flattening his back end against the bed. Despite it all, the morning stirrings were occurring...

"Rise and shine!" declared the Sylveon, grabbing his duvet with all four ribbons and yanking the heavy quilt aside with surprising ease.

Colin turned and gestured for him to follow towards the door. "Come on!" he said again.

October groaned once more, unwilling to lift his back end.

Colin stared at him confusedly for a few seconds, then suddenly winked at him with a massive beaming smile, "There's no time to deal with that October!" he declared, "We're going to be late for morning briefing."

October paused, trying desperately to think of unsexy thoughts and not to look at the Sylveon's finely shaped hindquarters, which seemed to gleam with the (barely) brighter light from the hallway, showing their trim shape.

A few long seconds later, as he managed to throttle his heat back and only when he was absolutely sure he wasn't going to encounter another unexpected flames error, did he open his mouth to sarcastically mutter, "Oh goodie, wouldn't want to miss morning briefing..."

Colin giggled and started walking, swaying his rump as he went and swishing his fluffy pink tail. "Come on, October! Don't forget your apron and tray!"

"Oh, you bastard," growled October, under his breath. He nearly had, too, but now he just had to wear them.

* * *

It was his first morning briefing and October was barely conscious for it.

They were all standing in the main Café, where there was room for them all. October was sat between Chai and Colin at the back.

Apparently it was a good turnout. Only a fifth of the staff members were missing, still asleep.

"Mister Pouncer spends the first hour of each day waking up sleep-ins," Colin had explained sadly, "I told him to just let me do it but he insists!"

"Hrmph," said October, wondering then whether the prospect of a later wake up by an angry Mister Pouncer might have been preferable to the current Colin system.

Mister Pouncer stood in the middle of it all, looking proudly over his sleepy and dispirited-looking staff, "Good morning, morning shift," said the Grovyle, with apparently genuine pleasure, "It's good to see you all. Last night was a busy night, so there's a good deal for us all to do!"

You couldn't hear, but you could definitely feel the groan in the air. Pouncer sounded as though a treasure trove had been delivered to them.

He looked first to a Skitty, the most energetic presence in the room, sitting at the front of the bunch. Mister Pouncer smiled, "There's quite a bit of litter outside, but we have wind today, so I expect a good result, Skitter!"

"Moving litter, yesyesyes!" squeaked the Skitty.

October shook his head. First at the bizarre enthusiasm of the small normal-type Pokemon, then at the thought that there had to be a joke in the feline's task designation... Litter, Skitter, Skitty, Skitter, Litter...

"The Customers were very busy last night," said Mister Pouncer, seriously, "So there's a great deal of bed laundry needing doing today.

Nearby, a pair of Unfezant, large, regal-looking, dappled brown feathered, colourfully-masked bird Pokemon looked as if they'd just been slapped.

"Filthy mammals," one of them said. The other nodded at them.

"Be that as it may," said Mister Pouncer, undeterred, "There's been some complaints as to our conditioners, so there's a new batch to try-"

October found himself tuning out rapidly. Pouncer went on for a while about laundry, then he addressed a Granbull, named Udd, who was apparently the morning cook, standing near a small Piplup, who was apparently expected to perform miracles with a veritable mountain of dirty dishes. There was a team of cleaners, mostly Ratatta and Marill, whom October dubbed, 'The Cleaning Mice.'

More to the point, he was slightly distracted by the sagging Chai, next to him. The Umbreon's head was beginning to nod and he was beginning to sway.

Slowly, with subtle movements, October shuffled closer to the Umbreon and propped him up with a shoulder. He saw no need to wake the Umbreon for this and knew that he hadn't gotten any more sleep then he had.

He found his mind drifting. How had it all come to this? This was definitely not his coolest adventure at all. The Planar Gate Room back in the Tower of Tragedy was a doorway to all kinds of fun. Spaceships and Magic and lands of creatures weird and wonderful.

He remembered one particular adventure where he had found a sleeping iron golem in a verdant meadow and become fast friends with the surprisingly complex lump of ancient nanotech and post-apocalyptic woe. He briefly tried to recall where he had left the great big depressed robot last...

Oh well. He remembered his last big adventure with Silver, in a fantasy kingdom, he'd been able to fit in with his usual form and Silver had been a human and then a great, majestic Silver Dragon.

It was suddenly as though he was back there now. October had delivered a devastating insult to the ruler of a grand and evil empire that he was sure would shake it to its very core and they had leapt over the battlements to race down the tall castle walls and into the valley cliffs below, to make good their escape. He was once again gripping tightly to Silver's back, between his grand fourty-foot wingspan, tucked in to dive at speed. The wind was rushing by him and he was flinging flasks of volatile, flammable fluid at the cliff walls to deter the pursuing Wyverns, laughing heartily the whole while.

Suddenly he awoke, crying, "The Wyverns are burn-aaAUGH!" snapping back to reality with a small fireball fwoomphing out of his open maw.

Chai seemed to spaz as he awoke and stumbled away in fright.

He blinked and lowered his gaze to see everyone staring at him. Some wide eyed, but just as many with disdain. Especially the Unfezants. Those eyes held such concentrate of disdain that you could probably condense and bottle it. He saw a Mienshao sitting in the corner pointedly look away at the ceiling with a subtle hiss.

"...As was saying," Mister Pouncer apparently continued, apparently determined to appear undeterred, "this is October, the newest member of our team. He'll be working the Café floor along with Chai. Say hello, everyone."

No one did. Except for Colin, who also waved cheerily, despite being less than a foot away.

"Well!" said Mister Pouncer, clasping his claws together genially, "Let's all do an excellent job today! May you do yourselves and Café Plaisir proud!"

* * *

"...and I want a tart, a sugar tart, no preserves! ...and a one of the new Macciacino-based Mochas... ...and some french toast, dairy-free butter please..."

The Woman's droning voice was as offensive as her gigantic hot-pink ribbon and expensive, stupid fashion choices. All dressed up in frilly peach and orange, with every inch of hair covered in gaudy jewelled brooches in the shapes of fruit, she looked like a summer frosting cake. None of that was as offensive as the sneering looks she gave or her arrogant demeanour.

"...also, I WANT a GOOD selection of health foods and Pokepuffs for my darling Poochy here!" declared the woman.

Next to her, the most well groomed, prissily adored and haughty looking Poochyena that October had ever seen, could not have believed existed, had he not seen, looked briefly down its conditioned and combed muzzle at him, exuding an offensive aroma of hairspray and perfume, glossily expecting servitude.

He couldn't help but think on the fact that the pair of them would burn really, really well.

"Certainly, madam," he said through gritted teeth, "I'll get right on that."

"...and one more THING!" said the woman, ever seeming to come from mid-flow, she held up a finger and then pointed it at him, "Service with a smile!"

"I don't think you'd like that, madam," said October.

"...you're questioning the customer?" said the woman, practically snarling at him through her thin mask of pleasantry.

October gave her a big, toothy grin that made a big show of all his fangs. He met her gaze directly and felt one of his tails waggle as he impulsively directed a sense of primal fear into the woman, not quite realising what he was doing.

She fell back and nearly fell off her chair, elbowing the prissy Poochyena, which gave out a quiet cry of indignation. Very satisfying.

"I'm sure you'd prefer service with a care, madam, I'll get right on your order," said October, turning and leaving to get the woman what she wanted. Feeling just a little bit better.

Though now he was just a tad concerned for on the other paw, he had just used some sort of mind affecting power on someone without really thinking about it. He would have rathered if he didn't have any mind-affecting powers; He found them a bit distasteful to say the least and not just because of horrible former experiences with psionics across the multiverse, oh no, not just that. It was as if even having such blatant social hacking powers brought his ability to deal with people into question. Like he was cheating 'the game' (of adventure) just by having them... Yet instilling fear was probably the least that tail could do. Doing so had been so disturbingly easy that he was honestly worried what else he might be capable of.

'Thanks tail,' October thought, looking back to his proud, tall sixth, 'but let's not make a habit of that.' It seemed to sag, sadly, at his rebuke.

Yet it was for the best, he knew, as he resolved to avoid using it, if at all possible, in future. Some powers were just too dangerous...

* * *

He was tired, he was unhappy, but at least he hadn't spilled anything on the main Café floor today. He'd swept the shelves clear in the beverages kitchen with his tails again, but... well... small steps.

He was determined to do a better job than yesterday, purely for the sake of his own pride, but it wasn't going so well. He just wasn't hitting it off with the customers.

At least Mister Coffee Machine still liked him. It purred away, thermally encouraged, producing plentiful Coffee for both October and customers alike. The hot, energising caffeine made him feel a lot better. If he only had some cigarettes he might even be able to cope.

Still, he was determined to press on, by sheer force of will if needs be! He would manage the customers, he would be polite, he would make a good impression!

* * *

"Hey, Foxy Fox," said the photogenic creep of a man, a nasty looking human who had been leering unpleasantly with his ungifted features and still hadn't ordered anything. He'd mainly just stared pin-eyed at October for almost a full minute, as the Ninetales tilted his head and stared back. After another pause, he finally said, "Let me ask a hypothetical question of ya," he said quietly, seemingly trying to give a more intense stare, "Okay?"

"Alright," said October pleasantly.

"Say if I wanted to get you tied down, muzzled up and screaming, how would you feel about that?" said the man, practically grunting.

October felt himself flush with heat, his claws practically shot out and dug into the carpet. He managed to restrain himself as much as he could, he wouldn't let himself explode.

"Well, we're only speaking hypothetically, yes?" said October, his breath hot.

He paused, then, "Uhuh," said the man, nodding slowly.

"Well, please let me answer your question with another question;" said October, as steadily as he could manage. "How much fire, do you think you can take? One to ten? One being, 'burns flesh,' and ten being, 'melts steel?'"

"Uh..." said the man, seeming not to know what to say all of a sudden.

"Well, based on your answer," said October pleasantly, even throwing in a little imitation of the man's accent, "I don't think you could wrassle me into it, pal, I think that would end very badly for you and whomever had to sweep up that day!" he said with good humour, "Now, if we're done talking theory, would you like to order something to eat or drink?" He grinned, toothily.

He was sure he was improving.

* * *

"...Complaints from multiple customers," said Mister Pouncer, out in the service corridor, finishing a protracted list of October's apparent offenses, "and the Beverage Kitchen is wrecked again!

October drew in a deep breath, "I really HAVE tried..." he said.

"Have you..?" said Mister Pouncer, exasperated, "Have you truly? Because I hope these are not your best efforts, October!"

Frowning, he looked away, trying to control his temper. This would be about the worst time to burst with flame, unexpectedly.

"I hope you're capable of more," said Pouncer, "I expect that you're capable of more. October, you are practically running wild!"

"Well, that's part of who and what I am," said October, trying to keep his cool and explain himself, with some difficulty, "I'm a creature of impulse, I know that, but I'm capable, very capable! You wouldn't believe some of the things I've done!"

"...or the messes you've created?" said Pouncer, staring angrily, his arms folded, "Yes, I expect a Ninetales is very capable, but I doubt we're seeing the best of you. Running wild? Acting on impulse, you're going to be living too long to act so childishly!"

"I say, that's a bit..." growled October, but having to trail off as he felt heat boiling up within him. His breath shimmered the air.

"I'll bet you had an early use of a Firestone," said Mister Pouncer, looking at him unhappily, "Look at you now! You have a child's control of their powers. By Arceus, October, you need discipline!"

"Ugh, don't go invoking religion at me," said October bitterly, "I... ahh..." he sighed, long and hard. With visible heat. He wanted to decry his difficulties and the yoke of servitude, but there wasn't anything he could say without losing his temper.

"October," said Pouncer, reaching over and putting a clawed hand on his shoulder, nearly making him jump, "You have it within you to be better than this. Do not waste this chance to prove yourself."

"I won't," said October, his head low, his voice quiet and still shimmering, "I won't." He literally couldn't say anymore.

"Take the rest of the shift off," said Mister Pouncer, with a sigh, "Get some rest, do whatever you need to do, get whatever you need. Think on what I've said, alright?"

"Alright," he said, honestly surprised, he looked up at Mister Pouncer's surprisingly empathetic eyes, "I'll do that... thanks," he said.

Mister Pouncer smiled and nodded.

October turned and and left feeling somewhat better, wondering if he'd misjudged the annoying Grovyle. He certainly hadn't seemed like the sort to cut one of his staff a break...

A smidgen of conviction formed and grew; he certainly wasn't in the mood to lose this game in the end and he could certainly play the good employee, with practise.

He just needed some cigarettes to make it all tolerable... and he had a cunning plan.

* * *

The flung ladle just missed him, clanking off the wall above his head.

October grinned and leapt out of the doorway, crying, "Hahah! Thanks!" as he fled the Granbull's wrath, his Coffee Jar full of stolen cooking and cleaning chemicals, utensils and ingredients sloshing, wrapped in his seventh tail.

It had taken most of his extra free time, but he had just about everything he required now, to attend to this big missing need. There was no way he could do better without cigarettes, after all.

He was out of the service corridor when he realised the Granbull was after him. Damn.

He made good speed, but the Café was still unfamiliar and had too many damn doors designed for humans to operate. It took time as a quadruped to pull open a door and he was quickly becoming sick of bashing his head to open push doors.

He was gaining ground, but not much.

Seemingly by chance, Chai suddenly appeared, running next to him down a corridor, in step.

October blinked, but Chai was still there, "Hello, Chai," he said cheerily.

"Hey," said Chai nonchalantly, "What's up?"

"Just gathering a few things I need to get what I want," said October, "Udd's being a pain about it."

Unfairly so, he'd tried to explain to the Granbull that Mister Pouncer had told him to get whatever he needed. Yet the impatient and untalkative Granbull had managed to keep him from the silverware! Most annoying!

"Oh?" said Chai, "How's that?"

"Magic," said October, with a grin.

He shouldered through a door, Chai close behind.

"Magic, seriously?" said Chai.

"Oh yes," said October, "Unfortunately I'm still missing a few things or I'd show you."

"What like?" said Chai, his face and voice betraying nothing.

"Silver and an amethyst," said October, curious of Chai's blank curiosity.

"Alright, head to your room," Chai said, seemingly without a second thought. "I'll tell Udd you went outside. I'll let you know when the coast is clear."

"Really now?" said October, "Well aren't you a little dark diamond, Chai? I'll be free to complete this with that damned dog off of my back. Thanks kindly." He grinned.

Chai smiled and peeled off.

* * *

October had spread most of the gunk and pewter on the floor approximately. There wasn't as much of an art to it as people thought, but then, that was the publicity of wizards for you.

Still, it had been useful to think where he might find silver and an amethyst. He wondered if there was a town, nearby...

There was a single, soft, clawed rap at the door.

"Come in!" said October.

The door opened seemingly without noise. Chai stepped inside, looking around quickly and curiously. His gaze briefly lingering on the large burnt patch, ashen paint remnants and the broken, sagging bed.

October saw a couple of things dangling from Chai's mouth. He sat up in surprise.

Chai looked at him, walked over and spat the two things in front of him. He smiled at October, looking mischievous.

A silver spoon and what looked like a hair brooch, shaped like a berry and covered in six tiny amethysts.

October's brows high, he had to grin and nod, "Very good," he said, "Now where perchance might you have found these?"

"The kitchen and that lady in the frilly dress," said Chai, quickly and smoothly, smiling only slightly, "don't think either of them'll miss 'em."

October chuckled with open delight, "Oh, oh that's brilliant. Couldn't be more ideal. I can't thank you enough, Chai."

Chai's smile grew he and said nothing for a while, - until he looked down at the nested hexagonal spread October had made of gunk and miscellany on the floor, with the Coffee Jar standing open in the middle.

"So what's this?" asked a now-puzzled Chai.

"An enchantment array," said October with a grin, "I have a small amount of talent. I'm missing all of my books and databases, but this is one I know off by heart. It's that useful."

"Really?" said Chai, looking curious and skeptical.

"Really," said October, grabbing the brooch and spoon and chucking them into the Jar.

He set himself down flat and breathed deeply.

"What are you doing now?" said Chai.

"Focusing, then getting ready to project an arcane tangle," said October, already feeling the threads of the universe loosen, ready for him to yank into shape by his will and being.

"Seriously?" said Chai.

"Yup," said October, then he began making rhythmic noises, reaching within himself for that unconscious depth he had, that inherent connection with the chaotic arcane forces that had played a role in his creation. It gave him an intuitive capability, that he could as now, cautiously flex.

"What are you doing now?" said Chai, "That sounds weird."

"Lalalala, it'sjustnoises, blahblahlah, carriervibrations but mainly for mood," said October, between utterances.

A wind seemed to pick up in the confined, brown-orange space of the room, flinging loose specs of burned paint from the ceiling. A purple-black glimmer appeared in the glass coffee jar.

"Woah," said Chai.

"Prettycooleh?" said October, continuing his chants.

The wind rose along with the glimmer and the duvet was blown off the bed. The light flared, the lightbulb shattered and died as the ingredients on the floor were sucked into the jar by reaching purple flames, leaving nothing but scorch marks behind.

Then the jar was glowing, giving off a permanent, indigo light seemingly from the glass itself, giving the room a dull illumination, but seemingly doing nothing more. Mainly just looking like an empty, glowing jar.

"Woah, that was a good one," said October, looking around at his hindquarters, "I think my seventh tail gave me a bit of extra kick, there!" he said with some glee, before looking back at the jar. He picked it up, examined it. "Hmmm... strong, consistent tone... feels solid... I think this enchantment might even be permanent!"

Chai on the other paw, was looking somewhat spooked, staring now, at the eerie jar, "That was really magic?" he asked carefully.

"Yep," said October, casually, "Don't expect much more out of me, like I say, I know this one by heart, almost a speciality, one I've used to good effect, to find something a Dragon lost..."

"What does it do?" asked Chai, almost impatiently.

October grinned, "This!" he declared, plunging a paw into the jar. It disappeared at the bottom, seeming to sink into the floor.

Chai's eyes widened.

October rummaged until he found what he was looking for. He pulled his paw free gleefully. A single cigarette and a mismatched pair of socks.

Chai's face fell. "This was all... to get more of those?" he asked, disbelievingly.

October nodded with a big smile, dropping the socks and changing his grip on the cigarette, "Plus, any other small, easily lost item."

Chai tilted his head, looking confused until October started talking again.

He lit his cigarette and explained, "It's a pretty minimal portal to a plane of lost things," he took a hearty draw and sighed with pleasure, "Ahhh, yes," he said, smoke billowing from his mouth and nose.

"It's a portal to another world?" said Chai, his eyes wide.

"In a jar yes," said October, taking another draw, "Yess...." he said, hissing more smoke, "Though it's really most like the insulation gap between worlds."

Chai slowly, but steadily advanced on the suspicious, glowing jar, curiousity growing in his sharp eyes. "What else is in there?"

"Like I say," said October, "Anything small and easily lost, things that tend to fall between the dimensional cracks and enter a negative spatial pressure zone."

Chai seemed fascinated by the thing. "Can I..." he spoke quietly, "Try it..?"

October nodded, "Go right ahead!"

Moving over cautiously to peer inside, Chai reached a forepaw into the jar slowly, staring between it and his paw. As if he might be looking at it for the last time. Slowly though and with determination, he plunged his black-furred, black-clawed paw into the jar until it disappeared at the bottom.

There was a look of wonder on his face as he flexed and moved his paw in another world entirely. It was a pleasure to witness. There was another look on his face as his paw apparently encountered something. He grabbed at it and pulled it out, tentatively, his face a mix of awe and wonder.

It was a sock.

"Mostly socks," said October, "Lots of socks in null pressure spaces, but loads of smokes as well."

Chai frowned, then shook, quietly.

* * *

They had stopped for a while, rummaging through the small planar portal. October's floor had gained a pile of socks, but October's mane had gained a load of smokes. There was a pile of other miscellaneous items; Debit cards, coins from different worlds, paperclips and pins, pens and pencils, little notes, buttons, single batteries, keys, the odd snack...

Chai had found a small diamond, a little hard speck inside a sock. Chai seemed surprised when October said he could keep it, as if he had any claim to the thing.

After a while though, they had hatched a plan.

October's door creaked open. From outside, it would have appeared as if the Ninetales' and Umbreon's heads had popped out at once as if by some clockwork mechanism. They looked in different directions and then crossed over to check the other. With the coast clear, they scrambled out into the corridor and down it a ways, eyes cautious, ears twitching.

They stood, October poised in the middle of the corridor, with a determined look on his face.

"You're sure this is going to work?" said Chai, quietly.

"I'm positive I know how the device functions," said October, "With my speed and your agility, we can do this! I'll owe you another favour, Chai."

"Right..." said Chai, doubtfully.

"This is no time to turn back!" declared October at a hiss, "We have crossed the Rubicon! Let's go!"

Chai shook once or twice, then leapt up nimbly onto October's back, landing softly, then sinking into October's layered crimson floof.

"You're hot!" declared Chai, briefly lifting a couple of his paws.

"Ummm, thanks," said October, snickering quietly to himself, "but not just now!"

October took off down the corridor, into a loping run.

"I meant," said Chai, shuffling on his back, "Under your fur, it's really hot!"

"That's what it's for!" declared October, accelerating into a near-sprint, barely keeping his footing on the smooth linoleum.

Tensing, putting his power into his hindquarters, October leapt, as high as he could. He seemed to sail up into the air, just as the dance music upstairs began to pound.

There was some sharp pain in his back as Chai leapt. He scrambled to a stop, skidding around to look up and around at the Umbreon.

Chai was upside-down, hanging off the smoke alarm by his claws with wide eyes. October grinned gleefully. "Yes!" he declared.

"We did it," said Chai, looking shocked.

"Not yet," said October, scrambling to get back under Chai, "You remember which wires?"

Chai nodded. There were several pairs of cables leading to and from the smoke alarm. Hanging by three paws, Chai began cutting at one of each pair. October watched with interest. The plastic and copper gave way with ease. Chai's claws had to be terrifyingly hard and sharp. He made a note of that and to check if his back was bleeding by more than a scratch.

Twisting around nimbly, Chai saw to his second target with equal ease. The alarm didn't go off, so October had been right about the signal wire... and its trigger mechanism. Which had been two guesses, but he'd felt confident and it had paid off.

"All done," said Chai.

October made a circular nest over his back with his tails, "Great job, come on!"

Chai smiled oddly, then let himself drop. October caught him between his tails, Chai's back falling into a fluffy funnel, softly decelerating the Umbreon until he slowed to a comfortable rest upon October's fluffy back. He smiled oddly at that.

October was just about to sprint off in glee at their successful op when the door next to him opened suddenly.

October and the upside-down Chai on his back stared wide-eyed at the door, somehow expecting Mister Pouncer or worse to suddenly appear with a pointed, accusing claw.

It was Colin, looking curiously at the pair of them. "Hi, guys!" he said cheerfully, yet with a hint of suspicion in those big blue eyes, "Thought I heard something. What'cha doin' out here?"

"Ummm, playing?" said October, impulsively.

"Playing?" said Colin, tilting his head confusedly.

"Uh, jumping competition," said Chai, quickly.

"I caught him," said October.

"Oh," said Colin, smiling, "You're so silly October, but it's nice of you to play with Chai," he looked at the Umbreon, "It's good to see you both enjoying yourselves! I think you both need it!"

"Why, yes," said October, thinking fast, "It's good to unwind. I'm still having a lot of trouble adapting. Really I must thank Chai for indulging me."

"It's fine," said Chai, tersely.

Colin giggled sweetly, "Chai needs to loosen up, himself!"

"Hey," said Chai, suddenly frowning.

Colin giggled some more, "He's always so serious! I think this is the first time I've seen him playing! If I wasn't booked this evening, I'd wanna play too!"

"Well," said October, chuckling humourously, "You should, sometime. You should totally come on an adventure with us, Colin."

"An adventure?" Colin pronounced it as though the word was a mystical thing, "Oh, that sounds like so much fun! We should really totally do that!"

"Yes..." said Chai, doubtfully.

Colin didn't seem to notice. His eyes were distant and practically sparkling.

"Well," said October cheerfully, "That'll be something to look forwards to."

Colin nodded, eagerly, "Totally! In the meantime, you two should find somewhere else to play, I hope you're not being naughty and breaking things!"

"Oh, no," said October, chuckling a little too cheerily, "We're being very careful, but you're right! We'll take our capers elsewhere for now."

"Okay," said Colin, "Well, I've got my first customer soon, so I can't join you, but I hope the two of you have fun!"

"Yes," said Chai, quietly.

"Oh yes indeed," said October, with a grin, "Lots of fun, that's us."

"Great!" said Colin, smiling sweetly, "I've got to get ready. See the pair of you soon!" He waved cheerily with all four ribbons.

"See you soon, Colin," said October with a smile.

"Bye," said Chai.

Colin went back into his room humming happily.

October and Chai sighed at once, both in relief and exasperation.

* * *

They were back on the roof, spying on the external denizens of Café Plaisir once more. October was thoroughly enjoying his new smokes. Chai was sitting with him. They had been reviewing those they'd seen once again. It was a thoroughly pleasant evening as the day slid into darkness.

"There, that's Nature," said Chai, nodding to the forest.

October caught sight of the effeminate, graceful young Lucario, walking out into the woods, "Oh," he said, with a pause, "He's actually called Nature?"

Chai nodded, "Yep. Resident innocent country boy-girl punchdog. Hasn't been here all that long, but he's popular. He's really nice and he's really good with guys. Gets a lot of attention. Though he sometimes disappears into the forest and no-one knows why."

There was something about Chai's tone, thought October, like the Umbreon's unusually positive review masked a less pleasant feeling.

"Curious," said October, though not talking about the forest visits, "One would think a popular staff member would stay at the Café during the evening shift..."

"Maybe it's all so easy for him, he's taking a break," said Chai.

October cocked his head, curiously. "Hmmm, seemed nice, despite the circumstances of our meeting..." he said, testingly.

Chai frowned. He tried to hide it, but October saw.

"Well, whatever," said October, "He's obviously too, 'popular,'" he pronounced the word sarcastically, "For the likes of us cool kids on the roof."

Chai looked around at him with a confused look.

"Seriously," said October, "He lacks our alternate stylings and individual coolness. We're the alternate crowd. The grungies... or... rockers or... well, I'm saying we've nothing to envy the popular crowd."

"How do you figure?" said Chai, uncertainty.

"Well, look at today," said October with a warm smile, "Whilst everyone else was busily obeying the management, we were slacking off, doing magic and assassinating that accursed fire-alarm! I ask you; Which is more awesome?"

Chai smiled, "Guess so."

"You very much guess so!" declared October, "You're way cooler than that Lucario, Chai. Don't you doubt that!"

Chai, half smiled, half frowned, "You know, I still can't tell when you're full of shit, October, but... thanks."

"My pleasure," said October, with a genuine smile.

Chai looked back towards the forest, looking at least amused.

October hoped he had raised the Umbreon's spirits, because it was easy to see why he would envy Nature. They were both shy types, both on the same career, yet whilst Nature was apparently a popular and desirable bedroom waiter, Chai was stuck drudging on the Café Floor with October on the Café's real graveyard shift.

It wasn't so hard of a puzzle. Apart from the obvious advantages October suspected a naturally aura-sensing Pokemon had in working a customer, Nature's every movement seemed to exude his desirability, showing off that slender and shapely form so casually that it appeared it must be unconscious.

Chai by contrast was just reserved. His movements were quick, efficient and nervous. He almost never made eye contact. He rarely seemed interested. Still, the slight young Umbreon was prettily toned and he was well-proportioned. October thought he really should be doing better... he wondered if the Umbreon had managed to piss someone off at some point.

He fished about in his mane for another smoke. One to ponder on.

He found one, but drawing it out of his mane, his nose alerted him that something was up at once. There wasn't any tobacco in this one. The contents were some kind of purple-mottled pink leaf.

"Oh..." he said, curiously, sniffing at it.

"What?" said Chai, looking at him and the clearly hand-made smoke.

"This isn't a normal cigarette," he said, sniffing again, "Actually, I've got no idea what this is. Could have come from another world entirely. It's not one of the usual suspects..."

"Huh," said Chai, sniffing at the strangely tangy stick.

"Awesome, let's find out," said October, lighting the end with a quick spurt of flame and setting about smoking it at once. It had an unusual flavour. Like berries and wine.

"Ummm," said Chai, "Are you sure you should be smoking that?"

A pleasant feeling settled over October, a sense of warmth and peace, "Oh yes..." he said slowly, "Yes I should." He took another drew, held it and exhaled slowly, making a smoothly roiling cloud of the stuff that washed over Chai.

Chai sniffed at it, looking equal parts suspicious and curious. "It smells funny. A lot nicer than those other cigarettes."

"It is a lot nicer," said October, "Here, try some," he held it out.

"Ummm," said the Umbreon, drawing a tiny snicker from October, "I'm not sure..."

"Chai," said October, taking another quick draw so that it didn't go out, "A magical smoke has fallen through interdimensional space to give you what might be your only chance to try it."

"You say that," said Chai, hesitantly, "but..."

October took another big draw, then offered it again and waggled it, smirking, "Fleeting moment, Chai, take it or lose it."

Chai hesitated, but only for a second longer. October hadn't been sure he would do it, but he did. The Umbreon came and took a draw.

Chai stepped back, holding it for as long as he could, but then stumbled, wheezing. Smoke exploded out of his nose and mouth.

"There we go," said October, taking another draw himself, "Want another?" He held it out again.

Chai seemed to coil back upright rather than straighten out and blinked funnily. He stared at the end of the smoke and went back to it, taking another draw.

October smiled, "Here, take it," he said, offering to the Umbreon at an angle. Chai looked at him curiously, then grasped at it, trying to imitate October's middle-clawed pincer-grip. He managed it on the second attempt.

"Life is like this, Chai," said October, "A series of limited opportunities. You've got to be open to the good ones and just keep away from the bad."

October looked up, seeing the stars. They took his breath away. It wasn't like out in space, but out here at the Café, framed by a few clouds and the fading remnants of the sunset, there was a particular beauty. They seemed to shimmer more than usual, almost as though each was reaching out its own echo of distant energy. The view felt tingly.

He let himself flop back, like a great crimson throw rug, to better observe the spectacle. He looked over to Chai and noticed that the Umbreon seemed to be darker than usual, even his yellow rings. It was as if there was a shadow over, no... within him.

"Woah," he said, looking at the Umbreon, who was cautiously taking the last few tokes, risking burning his claws.

Chai looked over to him and said, "Woah!" recoiling a little.

October chuckled slightly at his reaction, "What is it?"

"October," said Chai, either swaying or looking from either end of the Ninetales quickly, "You're on fire!"

"Oh..." said October, briefly seeing a few splashes of colour within Chai, distantly, as if behind a veil, yet hinting at a great intensity, deep within... "Huh..." he said thoughtfully.

"October, there's different colours!" side Chai, in wide-eyed wonder, "There's green and purple and lots of red!" He paused, "...and some dark, writhing thing in the middle..." he said more quietly, "You look really wierd, October..."

"Cool," said October, with deep and profound feeling dripping from his voice as he examined the flowing shapes and colours within his friend's form, "...and I'm seeing... neon lights, flowering in the deepest night..." he gasped at the beauty and the revelation, "You know, I think we're seeing auras!"

"Auras?" said Chai, curiously, tilting his head far more than usual, as he, caught in a similar daze, no doubt stared at similarly strange sights in October's aura.

October nodded, "Like Pokemon life fields. Like... your own energy. Some Pokemon have the natural skill for it. Others can train and meditate to see them." He nodded to the extinguished stump on the roof, "Apparently we just found an ingestible shortcut!"

"Woah," said Chai.

"Seriously," agreed October, then he tilted his head upwards, "Wow... you can see the life in everything..."

Chai followed his gaze, up to the heavens themselves. They were dimly aglow with new colour, new life, distant though it was. Watercolours constantly repainting themselves across the heavens...

They stopped and stared at the stars and their beauty, but not over long. It wasn't long before eyes closed and the grand sense of dreamlike peacefulness the smokes had also induced had one looking inwards, at one's own colours, one's own mental starscape.

Where all the world disappeared. Well, apart from the spicy smell of that Umbreon, thought October. As animalistic scents went, that healthy young dark type and his nested emotional complexes was almost as impressive and incomprehensible a presence to October. Of course, he wasn't any more accustomed to analysing scents with a Foxes' sense of smell than he was at reading auras, but... he had to admit, Chai's scent was... intriguingly tasty.

Suddenly Chai sat up, "You know what we need to do?" he said, with some sudden urgency.

October sprang up next to him, "What?"

Chai grinned, showing his fangs for the first time. October couldn't help but note that they were impressively long for the size of him and dangerously curved and pointed. They were admirable.

Chai snickered, it was almost audible, "We need to go to the edge of the roof and bitch about people!"

October's jaw fell open, but this time in a smile, "You genius..!" he declared.

Laughing, they dragged themselves unsteadily to the edge of the roof and settled in for the show. Oh and what a show it was, for beneath and even spreading out into the dim, green, diffuse glow of the forests surrounding Plaisir like a gentle framing, there it was, the mother of all fruity light shows, overlaid across it all.

"Oh my goodness!" cried October, staring out into the woods and the Café below, at the constellation of hidden Pokemon, those many, gloriously varied and intermingled lights, all coiled together in such a grand range of riotously colourful interchange that you just couldn't help but watch it all flowing and cry; "It's full of fucking!"

He fell back laughing. Chai did too, though October was sure he didn't get the reference. It wasn't necessary. That light show was very clearly the spectacular emotional exchange of every type of fucking all going on all at the same time. It was freaking incredible.

So, giggling at this glorious show, at the lights of life, revealed before their very eyes, they relaxed together, in each other's presence. Something both very clearly and dearly needed to do with someone. So of course, it was a pleasant evening. There was plenty to marvel at, with the shiny, interconnected glow of life all around them in all of its glory.

They saw Vermont, the Glameow again. His aura wasn't so much dark as it was mild grey. That had Chai laughing.

October wasn't laughing when he saw Eclipse and the other two Mightyena go running out into the woods. He couldn't take his eyes off of Eclipse. The Mightyena was dark indeed, far darker than Chai... it felt overbearing just to look at that travelling storm-cloud of an aura that indeed eclipsed even the similarly fearsome auras of his younger siblings... There was a hungriness about him... About that shadow disappearing into the woods. Like he was some terrible, ravenous, monstrous thing, far beyond even what he appeared to be.

"Hey," said Chai, drawing October's rapt attention, "Forget about him. We're up here, he's down there."

"That one has a certain amount of embarrassment due him, I think," said October, grumbling softly as his aura rippled with the undercurrents of burning anger clamouring to come to the fore, "I was just thinking..."

"Hey!" said the Umbreon quickly, drawing his full attention, "Didn't you just tell me to keep away from the bad? Seize at the good moments?"

"Heh, sorry," said October, rubbing the back of his mane, whilst fishing for another smoke, "I just don't like that one and I think the feeling is quite mutual." He had a paw on the roof ledge. His claws slipped out unconsciously.

Chai put his own paw on top of October's, "Just forget it. We're cooler as we were."

There was something about Chai's insistence that made October curious. Curious until something else caught his eyes.

A creature of blue lightning, striding with a regal pace. The powerful Luxray was off somewhere, looking purposeful. It was definitely Ceylon. October grinned. 'Oh, Fortuna,' he thought to himself.

"Speaking of hangups," said October, casually, "Look, there's yours!" he grinned, "Since we're on the topic and all, perhaps we should help you deal with that one?"

Chai looked down. He briefly looked awestruck, then slowly his view slid around back to October with a horrified expression.

October had a big grin, "Tell you what," he said, with some pleasure, "How's about I shout down to him, tell him to come up here, eh?"

Chai shook his head, "No, look, October, don't-"

"Oh, it'll be great," said October, "The two of you can discuss tea and theme," he leant towards the edge, opening his maw wide and loudly taking in a deep breath.

The breath was knocked out of him as Chai tackled him from the side, knocking him right over.

"HhhhaA!" October managed to exhale. That was quite a result!

"Dammit, October, I'm not-!" Chai began.

October rolled quickly, throwing the Umbreon off. Unsteady with the effects whatever was in that smoke, he stumbled long enough for October to get back onto his feet.

October grinned, "I'm going to do it..." he said teasingly.

Chai frowned at him, "Don't you dare!" he said, as loudly as October had ever heard him speak.

"Oho! So, you do have resolve!" said October, feinting going towards the ledge, sending Chai skittering sideways towards it, "You'd better show me more!"

Chai frowned, an urgent look in his eyes becoming firm.

October charged for the edge of the roof, as quickly as he dared, not actually wanting to fall off the edge.

Chai ran to meet him head first. October lowered his head, racing in.

Chai tumbled under him, bashing his muzzle and wrapping himself around two of October's legs, one fore, one hind. October was brought crashing down, landing on his chin.

There was a moment of silence.

"Just please don't-" began Chai.

October grabbed Chai with his two free paws and flung himself over to roll onto his back, hefting the Umbreon into the air, with a, "Ha-HA!"

Chai looked briefly dizzied and bemused.

"What will you do now?" said October, jiggling the lithe Umbreon a little, who was more than pleasant enough to handle so wickedly, "How will you convince me not to, eh?"

Chai suddenly lunged at one of his legs, rapidly, like a sprung thing released. With vulpine reflexes October flinched rapidly, but he got a nasty scratch from the Umbreon's long fangs anyways.

Chai became like a wild thing, thrashing, scratching and biting. His fangs bit and nearly sunk in to one of October's forelegs. "Ahhh!" cried October, flinging the Umbreon aside.

He was still trying to rise when Chai was already back around on him with unbelievable speed, jumping on his back, all four paws on October's shoulder blades, very sharp claws digging in. October cried out again and leapt with all of the might in his mighty vulpine hindquarters!

Flung off, Chai landed in front of him, gracefully running backwards to a stop. His agility was breathtaking...

October faced him with a grin, "Not bad," he said pleasantly, "I suppose I'll have to-"

Chai charged in at him again. October feinted running to meet him once again seeing now the Umbreon leaning in, preparing to go low again.

At the last moment, October leapt, with Chai skidding under him. October's low-hanging tails were ready though - curled like a catching mitt - and Chai all but delivered himself into their sudden and soft embrace!

October stopped as he landed and let inertia haul the fluffily-bound Umbreon up and around, to fly over his back and land right in front of the Ninetales' nose in a surprised and undignified heap. October planted a paw on the dazed Umbreon's belly and grinned down at him, toothily.

"You know, you had me at biting," said October, "Any more and I'll assume you need asserting over."

Chai paused for a second, looking at him oddly, then lunged for his paw.

October rolled him over before he could connect, then casually nipped him on the behind with his teeth. As the Umbreon squeaked, it was definitely pleasant.

"There's more where that came from..." began October.

Chai stopped moving, "Do it, then," he said.

Raising an eyebrow, October obliged, initial awkwardness giving way to glee as his fangs tested the other firm, slim glute, the sharp tips piercing through that soft fur to the tight black skin to test the firm, supple muscle beneath, to the somewhat more guttural and protracted squawk of the Umbreon...

October growled appreciatively and paused, staring at the Umbreon's dark, toned hindquarters perhaps over long before he rose back up saying, "Told you..." quietly in a voice that was growling with rising feral desire...

Chai was breathing funnily under him. He'd stopped fighting, which was good, but now he wasn't doing anything. October suddenly wasn't sure of his next step. Perhaps it was the redirected blood flow he was trying not to think about.

Suddenly, there it was, a moment of awareness. You didn't have to be an aura reader or practised at analysing scents to perceive the intensity now apparent in both of those things... especially when it was clear from the way you were both shuffling that sheaths were starting to feel a little tight. Chai's exciting scent, that hidden intensity of his aura... The tension in his beautiful rump...

"Well?" said Chai, after a pause, "Do I have to bite you again for more?"

October blinked, "Uh, not as a rule?"

"Well dammit," said Chai, with a sigh, "At least I've got you interested. If I knew it was rough stuff that got you going I'd've pounced on you last night."

"Really now?" said October, still thinking with difficulty. Yet certain things had slid into place. Chai had been very, perhaps overly helpful. He'd indulged October a great deal, come to think of it.

"Ah," said October, jumping quickly and fearfully to conclusions, then conjectures, then immediately to wild extrapolations, which made him speak quickly and in a panic, "You know, I have a mate, fiancé, even and-"

"What?" said Chai, the incredulity in his tone immediately silencing the fretful Ninetales, "Don't get weird October, I'm not trying to claim you, I just want us to fuck. It's already weird that we've hung around so much and haven't."

"Weird?" echoed October, suddenly feeling bewildered.

"Yeah, seriously," said Chai, "I was starting to think you just weren't into me."

THAT made October blink. How could this beautiful, lithe little thing think such a thing? "Um, well, actually you're quite... very attractive Chai," said October sheepishly. It was an easy admission, given the Umbreon's position.

Chai looked up at him with a smirk, "Well why didn't you say anything? It's polite to comment here, you know... Fiancé jealous? When you're working here?"

"Ahah," said October, beginning to blush at the ears and grow quite hot under the collar indeed, "Uh no, that's certainly not the problem, we have an arrangement that applies here... I'm uh, just still adapting and..."

"Well adapt," said Chai, "This is Café Plaisir. Casual sex is like, handshakes around here."

"Look," said October, "I'm into you Chai, I just didn't want to risk the offense of an unwanted advance when you're the first friend I've made-"

"October," Chai said firmly, with a mischievous smirk, "Uh, you British types and your manners! Look, I'm offended that you haven't made an advance."

October couldn't help but smirk at that. Chai's humour did tickle him. He would have to encourage it. "Really now?" he said.

Chai squirmed until he could raise up his back end, all but pushing that gorgeously sexy butt into October's heating face, such that October's increasingly burning-hot breath was moving his fine, black fur. Though more to Chai's point, his erect member was revealed, long, glistening inches of shiny black Umbreon flesh that made the Dark Type's arousal prominently and overtly clear!

"Yep," said Chai, "and as you can see, I'm expecting some due."

It was true, sometimes, that when you looked right at something quite so... immediate and prominent and eye-catching as THAT... Well.. with the heat in his blood now surging, October didn't need much prompting. He raised his own back end so that Chai could see his own erection, already more than seven inches of swelling, tapered vulpine meat, dangling in the cool air below him.

Chai stared at it, "I'm very expectant," he mumbled quietly, more under his breath this time.

October smirked and took his paw off the Umbreon's back. He went down on his elbows and just couldn't resist rubbing Chai's rump a little with both paws, the fine firm shape was a delight and his fur surprisingly soft as it parted for October's inquisitive paws and gently scraping claws. He just couldn't resist a skinny, shapely, beautiful behind like that...

For politeness sake, he moved down to put a hot nose on the Umbreon's balls and lap an even hotter tongue against the underside of his shaft, teasingly.

"Enough foreplay," gasped Chai, a feralistic growl creeping into his voice, "I'm into the rough stuff, too..."

"Sorry," said October, springing up with glee, "Do excuse my hesitation." He paused in front of that fine behind, however, then leant in to open his maw over Chai's tailhole.

"Yikes, one step at a time, October," said Chai, "Maybe later, huh..?"

With a little growl of frustration, having wanted to taste the Umbreon, October sunk his two top forefangs into the meatier Umbreon's skinny butt, penetrating pleasantly into pert flesh to draw a squeak from the Umbreon and leave just a pleasant little tang of his blood on October's fangs.

"No problem," said a growling, but partially placated, October, "Just a little peck then. If you're sure you're ready for the main event..."

"Enough teasing," said Chai, raising his hips and poking his butt at October again.

Well, he didn't have to ask any more insistently than that. October smirked, rose and advanced, he put a paw, claws out, just behind Chai's tail, resting a good portion of his weight on the Umbreon's hips, holding the smaller Pokemon in place. With the other, he lifted his hot and swelling stake of a cock and aimed the pointed black tip at that gorgeously shiny little black hole... October then watched the Umbreon's anticipation-filled face with a gratified grin as he pressed forwards.... Until that pointed, tapered tip was kissing sweet, supple flesh...

Chai's eyes went wide, "That's HOT," he said, worriedly.

"Oh, I have some issues controlling my temperature," growled October cheerily, his voice dripping with desire as he spoke, "You might have noticed all the sudden fireballs." He squeezed out some more pre as he spoke, getting the Umbreon nice and slick.

Chai gasped as the pre invaded his hole. "Umm, that might be too hhh-ahahahahAAH!"

October pushed forwards, just a little, saying, "Oh, Silver's a Glaceon and he manages, I'm sure you'll be fine..." He tried to make it sound reassuring, but the truth was, he just couldn't help himself. Chai's flesh was tender, smooth and inviting. He could barely hold himself back into to just tease his way back and forth with as much gentleness as he could manage. Though that was as much to work pre in as to let the Umbreon get used to him. There was a clear scale difference between the two of them that was keenly reflected, here... but that wasn't going to stop October, oh no. Quite the opposite. Nothing would, now.

Chai gasped, maw wide, "I'm not sure-" he began.

"Oh," chuckled October, "It's far too late to back out now," he said with a hungry growl.

He pushed several inches in. Chai's eyes went comically wide. Chai was wonderfully tight, seeming toned and streamlined, even on the inside. Two pleasures that had October growling with animalistic desire! To say he liked the form and fact of this Umbreon would be understating it. This Umbreon was a thing that he just HAD to take, to have, to fuck, oh, yes...

He paused to let said Umbreon get used to to that fact, but he couldn't help working a little, enjoying the grip of him. Chai's internal muscles seemed to squeeze back and forth, as if trying to get a feel for him. It was quite pleasant.

"Ahh, October," groaned the Umbreon, "It's seriously hot... you might be too much..."

"Well, they say a little deep heat will do wonders to help you relax," said October with a growl infecting his cheer. He raised his temperature, just a little.

Chai gasped and seemed to melt into a protracted, languorous moan. His back legs seemed to lose all strength until he was being held up by October's member alone. His chin slid forward along the floor as his back relaxed.

"Of course, I'll pull out now, if you like," said October, pleasantly as he could.

"If you do that," moaned Chai softly, but with sharpness at the edge of his threat, "I will bite the shit out of you."

Tickled where he liked it, October chuckled and began to move his hips, testingly at first, but between his heat and pre, the Bre's resistance had given. October had free reign to stuff himself up to the knobs that were the beginnings of his knot and now it was time to work himself in with just that bare minimum of caution!

Which of course he did, with spirit, gusto and rising animalistic ferality.

Chai gasped and moaned with each thrust, it was a pleasure to work with. October's lust grew with each thrust into those tight, yielding quarters.

Chai didn't remain passive for long. The Umbreon remained in his odd posture, but he began to thrust his rump back with each incoming drive, bashing his rump into October's hips, driving his tailhole at October's growing knot. Inside, he began to grip and massage with each thrust.

It was wonderful, Chai was very talented. Yet as they ground and ground, October couldn't help but feel like he was being managed. Skillfully, yes, but it just wouldn't quite do.

Suddenly he thrust harder, pulling Chai's hips back into the thrust with a clawed paw. Holding the Umbreon still, he shoved two tails under the Umbreon's member, trapping it against his belly.

With the Umbreon thus handled and dominantly contained, October went to work furiously, pounding into Chai mercilessly, pulling him back into each thrust and grinding his member aggressively with his tails. The sound of Chai's firm rump landing in October's fluffy hips resounded over the roof as the Ninetales exulted in conquest!

Yet once again the agile and devious Umbreon managed to work his supple body into it, matching October's furious pounding with well-timed movements shaping the pace to the Umbreon's preference. He was as impetuous as he was able... and he was working October well, subverting his 'conquest' into his own gains.

The excitement and challenge in the Dark type's aura, scent and sly, wicked grin, even as the Umbreon huffed and whimpered all told October that he wasn't subdued. That a Ninetales was just going to have assert himself harder if he wanted respect, here.

Well, as it happened, October wasn't done asserting himself at all. Grinning with wicked glee at the challenge, he started by sweeping his tails underneath the Umbreon, then outright lifting the surprised Chai from the ground. Rearing up, October made two quick skips and roughly pinned the tail-wrapped Umbreon against the flexing metal of a ventilator stack and went to work again, pounding up into the trapped dark-type!

Oh, but it was glorious! His cute little ass was suspended, October has his legs held out wide by tails and he was rutting the cocky little bitch like a living, growling, gasping prey-thing! Overwhelmed, the Umbreon was reeling! ...For a while.

Yet Chai found his timing and the nimble Umbreon again managed to squirm his hips against the thrusts to grip at the Ninetales' member, skillfully, asserting himself again. Growling and rising more furiously to the challenge, October wrapped two tails about the Umbreon's hips and began teasing his member again as he redoubled the fury of his pounding. The grinding and panting soon reached a fever pitch.

The ventilator stack shook and rattled, the vicious intensity of their now mutual struggle of a furious fuck nearly breaking the piece of equipment from the ground as the pair danced a dance most intimate and feralistic indeed, the two wrapped in one another like the most savage form of dance yet invented. They were down on the ground, with the stack half pushed-over before knots had swollen up to size and feral Pokemon were growling at each other in that desperate yearning for that final completion...

Chai gasped, crying out, "Knot, in!" in rough, growled, simple terms.

October hadn't been going to do it, guessing the Umbreon's limits.

Yet there was no denying the simple, yet feverish insistence in the Umbreon's voice.

October mentally shrugged.

He rammed in as hard as he could.

The knot entered slowly at first, painfully forcing its way into straining black flesh with a deliciously tight squeeze... then as they writhed and slid away from the ventilator stack, Chai pushed his rear up again, putting all of his now shaky-legged strength into making October's knot the point of leverage. Physics overcame biology. The knot burst inwards.

It was too much at once, October exploded, his body flushing with heat and pleasure as he flopped down upon Chai's back with a sense of incredible relief that exploded into an internal fireball of pleasure that erupted into an inferno of ecstasy! The Umbreon gasped deeply, over and again, squeezing down on that tightly-wrapped knot and throbbing, pulsing member over and over again as his own member twitched, making a serious and growing warm spot on one of October's tails. October didn't mind, for now. For right now he was filling that Umbreon with a by-now ponderously terrifying reserve of pent up sexual tension. All of the Ninetales' frustrations, uncertainty and misery of the past few days disappearing in a wave of burning pleasure, melting away and pouring into his sexy, sexy new little friend. All of the problems of the universe were disappearing under that tail and October had the hazy sense, right then, that perhaps they always would. If he only knew, right then...

It was such a moment of incredible pleasure and relief, for both of them, that it was a while before either of them spoke again, panting on the roofing felt. Chai was still gripping him inside, as if feeling for every detail of the intrusion. It kept October good and insensible so the Umbreon could talk.

"Well, that was due," said Chai, teasingly, "and so were you, from that lagoon of lava you put in me."

"Uhuh," said October barely able to speak, "Three days."

"Fucking hell, October," said Chai, "Three days at Café Plaisir without getting laid? Were you going for a record?"

"Nuh," said October, then he growled, happily.

"No words? This is a first!" Chai teased, with uncommon pleasure in his voice, "Well, I guess I was good, then!"

"Yes," said October, forcing himself awake and pointing a claw at Chai's nose, "More of that confidence. You're a sexy, sneaky, nimble dark-type, Chai, you should show it."

"Hmmm?" said Chai, looking at the claw before him.

"You're too tense. Be more you," said October, forcing himself.

Chai chuckled, aloud, for the first time since October had met him, it was a high pitched, throaty chuckle.

October couldn't help but smile, "Well that's good to hear," he said happily.

"Maybe," said Chai, "I just need an example, huh? You crazy Nine-tailed ass."

October had to smirk, "Challenge accepted."

"Aw," said Chai, suddenly.

"Hm?" said October, his ears pricking.

"I'm sobering up," said the Umbreon, "Wonder what that stuff was?"

"I would like to know," admitted October.

Chai nodded, "You know, I think it tasted like Pecha, a bit."

October sat up, "Berry leaves. Some Pokemon worlds, they burn them in bowls for- ohhh...."

"It had been soaked in something," said Chai, thoughtfully.

October nodded, "Hm... you know, it's possible that smoke came from here. Things don't usually travel far in null spaces..."

"We have to find out who," said Chai, determination in his voice.

October liked the sound of that determination. "Then we shall, it shall be our mission and let sensibilities quake in its path!" he said, with confidence.

They both laughed.