{"sf1_id":1154585,"sf2_id":"znJzLG7n","title":"Forgetting","author":"The Brain of Lazarus","words":4207,"posted_at":"2017-03-06T01:34:00.000Z","tags":["Alligator","Character Development","Mouse","No-Yiff","Rabbit","Story Progression","slice of life"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1154585-forgetting","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/znJzLG7n","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/ac/96/ac96aec6-3286-4266-af86-dab8026d3dde","description":"#3 of The Melancholy of Shady Vale\n\nCheree and Joanne help Leonard move into Shady Vale.\nWell, it's good to finally create something without the burden of \"there MUST be sex in it.\" Slice of life works best when relationships - sex included - are natural and sensible. A part of me wanted sex for viewership, but another part knew it wasn't right. It wasn't right to sacrifice characters for that.\nIt's also worth pointing out this is soft retcon of \"Specialties.\" Whether or not things happened between Leo and Cheree doesn't matter now, as he felt too drunk to recall. Specialties was just trying to have my cake and eat it too, and sometimes you just can't do it. Hopefully things make sense without it.","content":"Salted hash and over-peppered eggs did not make for a good post-hangover breakfast. That is, of course, if your bloodstream wasn't at least fifteen percent alcohol most of the time.\n\nLeonard drearily slammed through his cheap meal with a half functioning head, eyes burning, senses dulled, thoughts muted. Outside of _Quick Skippy,_ his cheap eatery of choice, pale clouds blanketed the sky, festering with a haze of drizzle. Still had something left over from last night's storm, as it were.\n\n\"Oh egg,\" the albino rabbit would say, \"why couldn't they mix you with whiskey, or beer, or anything.\"\n\n_Because it's Sunday,_the egg responded. _No alcohol on Sunday._\n\nThe rabbit stopped. \"Am I talking to my breakfast?\" he mumbled. _You are,_ the silent plate \"said\" back.\n\nLeonard groaned. What in the hell did he drink last night? It was certainly something he wanted more of. He couldn't remember most of the previous evening. Likely had to do with the long trip down from _Hatchburg,_ shitty motel beds, and his foul post-laid off mood, but still, blackouts weren't _that_ common for him.\n\n\"So, what am I doing again, breakfast?\" he mumbled again, looking down at his plate, trying to focus through the noise of the diner.\n\n_Travelling, remember? Catching a bus? Moving in to apartment. . . uh shit. I don't know either._\n\nLeonard rubbed his yes. What was that old human saint expression? Oh geist? Sliced?\n\n\"Christ,\" he remembered. \"This is amazing.\"\n\n_Mental note, locate the sauce which threw me into a state of never-remembering. Take that the rest of my life, we'll be good to go,_ he silently mused.\n\nHe spent the next several dozen of minutes figuring out his day. Most of it was still murky. The rain didn't help, neither did the post-booze, as much as he enjoyed it. Still, he really had to figure this out. There wasn't a white-collar job to save him anymore.\n\n\"Cheap breakfast is a pretty bad idea after drinking.\"\n\nA familiar voice broke the atmosphere of his concentration. Turning around from his bench seat, he saw a figure of pale green-blue scales approach.\n\nLeonard squinted. She walked closer while his brain fumbled around, trying to recall. Sugar? Chore?\n\n\"Oh, hey again, you,\" he uttered clumsily. \"Long time no see?\" he added, uncertain.\n\nThe gator gal looked him over, amused. The albino rabbit looked like he had all the swagger of someone run over by a bus or two.\n\n\"Cheree. Last night.\"\n\nLeonard rubbed his eyes. Oh god. \"Oh god, yeah. Yeah! Right.\"\n\nShe tilted her head. \"Did you really not recognize me?\"\n\nLeonard tapped his plate with fork. \"Haha, almost not. Great, isn't it? Oh er uh, not great-great. Just great as in 'wow that shit packed a wallop' great.\"\n\nScaled hands went to hips. She was wearing a more casual attire, one wrist banded with beads and colorful jewelry.\n\n\"It's for 'gates and 'diles, is why. I had to walk you to your hotel.\"\n\nLeonard gazed at her, surprised. Not about needing an escort, more so that someone even bothered.\n\n\"Oh,\" he said. \"Well that wasn't necessary. I mean I think I would've been okay. It wasn't _too_ rainy, was it?\"\n\nCheree shook her head. \"Thank you, are the words you're looking for.\"\n\n\"Shit, right. Sorry, sorry. Thanks. Thanks a bunch, I mean. Sorry again. I drink a lot. Didn't have to.\"\n\nThick gator tail whirled about. \"Eh. No big deal. End of my shift and it looks pretty bad on business to a let a drunk wander around and get hurt. Especially a stranger.\"\n\nMaybe for small, local dives, Leonard thought. \"Er uh. Are you. . . checking on me?\"\n\nCheree started to laugh. \"You wish. Actually, meeting a friend here. Just so happens you also like bad, cheap breakfast.\"\n\nThe rabbit nodded, understanding. \"It's the universal glue to all hangover mornings.\"\n\n\"Funny thing though,\" started Cheree. \"Didn't you say you were headed to Shady Vale?\"\n\nDid he say that? _You said that,_ Leonard's egg-mind told him. \"So I am. Moving there, actually.\"\n\nCheree's violet eyes brightened. \"Huh! That's funny. I used to live there. In fact, my friend lives there right now. When are you headed down?\"\n\nLeonard scratched his chin, interested.\n\n\"Really? Well we're all a bunch of neighbors then,\" he joked dryly. \"And catching a bus. When I uh, figure out when the next bus is.\"\n\nA few folks scuffled past Cheree. She sat, decidedly. \"Bus? No. You'll be stuck here _all day._They only run the one commute and it's either crack of dawn or late evening.\"\n\nLeonard didn't mind her sit, though long ears twitched at the prospect of another long wait. He was only wearing the one suit; thank gods for shitty motel washers.\n\n\"Uh, don't suppose you could slip me a few drinks then? Time's nothing when you got a glass full of a booze.\"\n\nCheree didn't respond, peering at him with a mix of concern and amusement.\n\n\"Not working. Day off. Friend. And also.\"\n\n\"Sunday?\"\n\n\"Sunday,\" she finished.\n\nLeonard nodded. \"Day off huh? Well don't let me keep you. Nothing worse than losing free time to an alcoholic. Believe me.\"\n\n\"Believed,\" Cheree said. \"Hmm.\"\n\n\"Tell you what,\" the gator gal continued. \"Chill here for a bit. I'm gonna meet my friend outside. Might have a fix.\"\n\nBefore Leonard could inquire what this \"fix\" was, or even decided whether not he wanted to chill, the gatoress bounced from her seat and out the _Quick Skippy_ door. He watched her through the diner window, pale clouded light catch off her green-blue scales. Nice girl, he thought.\n\nFinishing off the rest of his grody breakfast, he saw the teller again and snagged some coffee. Then, added enough sugar and cream to make it not-coffee, sipping on the hot liquid as he counted the minutes.\n\nHe reflected. The rabbit still couldn't believe it. Some small-time diner out in the southeast, that's where he was. Usually by this time he was shaving in his studio apartment up in Hatchburg, checking to see how the Bluetails were doing, ignoring calls from work about how to reconfigure endpoint security for a new software update.\n\n\"But now this,\" he said to no one. \"Sugary coffee and a bare plate of salty eggs.\"\n\nA long pause.\n\n_You ever wonder how Jackson is doing?_\n\n\"Fuck,\" he swore, if not a little too loudly. \"Fuck. I need a drink.\"\n\nDrinks helped him forget. Gods, he needed to forget.\n\nWhat felt like an agonizing eternity passed, and soon Cheree emerged through the diner entrance again, or so Leonard could hear.\n\nShe was not alone. This time, a shorter, young mouse accompanied her. She had bright, creamy blonde fur, wide brown eyes and ears pierced with several rings on each. Her attire screamed \"alternate fashion\" and she held the jittery demeanor of a curious, energetic rodent.\n\nLeonard had seen dozens like her when he interned for Tech Jet. _I don't have enough alcohol for this,_ he thought.\n\n\"Sorry,\" Cheree said, approaching with her companion. \"Took a bit longer because _someone_ took too long to get her earrings on.\"\n\n\"Hey!\" the mouse said, raising her arms, \"I have a very, very particular look. Besides I didn't know we were picking up some bozo you met at the bar.\"\n\nLeonard raised his brows. Well, at least she was honest.\n\n\"Joanne!\" the gator rebuked. \"She's kidding, she's just. . .\"\n\n\"Joanne!\" the mouse said staunchly. Her hand shot out. \"Just kidding, don't think you're a bozo. But it's been a weird morning.\"\n\n_Oh gods she's got jokes too,_ the rabbit thought, shaking her hand. He winced internally. He probably was barely seven years their senior and yet, he never felt such a wide divide of \"adult\" and \"kid.\"\n\n\"It's fine,\" he agreed. \"Frankly bozo is isn't too far off, so you're partly accurate. Leonard.\"\n\nJoanne beamed, and her nose wiggled excitedly. \"Leeeeeonaaaard! The new guy! Right? You're the new guy, right right?\"\n\nThe albino rabbit's ears twitched. \"I'm the new the guy.\"\n\nJoanne glanced to her gator friend. \"So _this_ is the dude. I told you someone was moving in! I kept wondering whose stuff they were throwing in D3!\"\n\nCheree nodded, grinning apologetically, an expression of 'sorry-this-is-my-friend-she's-high-energy.'\n\nLeonard raised his hands. \"Sorry what? _Thrown?_\"\n\nThe mouse nodded a bit feverishly. \"Yup. Well not thrown, thrown. Just kinda thrown. I mean you get it. The one-two-skadoo. Burly guys doing their thing. I'm sure it's fine! It's all fine. Murdoch Ridge is the finest of fine.\"\n\nLeonard perhaps processed half the sentence, and the other worried about his \"thrown stuff.\" Hmm, he mentally grumbled.\n\n\"Hmm,\" he grumbled aloud. \"Well, I suppose it could be worse. As long as they don't damage the hardware I can deal with sleeping on boxes.\"\n\nJoanne squeak laughed. \"Boxes are comfy, don't knock it til' you've tried it!\"\n\nThe gatoress finally cut in. \"I'm sure your boxes are fine, Leonard. Only one way to find out, though.\"\n\nLeonard stretched. And he was just getting comfortable with his half-cup of sugar coffee and bare plate.\n\n\"We're taking my car,\" Cheree added. \"Meet out outside?\"\n\nThe rabbit smiled. Or he smirked. Or he tried to smile. It was one of those, he could feel it.\n\n\"Thanks. I hate to impose. This is probably not how you expected your Sunday to go.\"\n\nJoanne gave a 'psh' and Cheree shrugged. \"Headed back that way anyway,\" said the gator gal. \"Dropping _this one_ off.\"\n\nThe mouse feigned a big, troublesome grin, and then pair left the diner once more. Leonard paid up for the meal, left a tip, and followed them. Outside, the day had a mild chill to it, caused likely by the overcast. Street roads of _Reddetown_ were still glazed from previous storms while cars buzzed on by. Just busy enough to remind the rabbit of _Hatchburg_. And that was a problem.\n\nHe met up with the pair next to a green jeep. He glanced it over, awkwardly. _Alright, getting into a car with two strangers and they're driving an alcoholic stranger to a town of strangers. Nothing weird about this,_ he thought.\n\n\"Nice jeep,\" he complimented stiffly. \"Don't think I saw many of those up in the city?\"\n\nJoanne quickly ran around the site to get in the front passenger seat as Cheree unlocked the doors.\n\n\"Oh yeah?\" she said without looking. \"Wasn't my first choice. They sold a few of them down in the Vale. And trucks. Lots of trucks.\"\n\nThe doors clicked and Cheree stepped in, starting the engine. For a moment, the albino-rabbit didn't enter. Perhaps the strangeness of the moment settled over him, or rather disbelief he was getting close to his 'new life.'\n\n\"Come on Lenny boy!\" he heard Joanne call.\n\nCheree noticed the pause. \"No danger here,\" she said over the engine. \"Hop in!\"\n\n_Well,_ the rabbit thought, _there are worse fates than getting kidnapped by two pretty girls, I guess._\n\nInternally shrugging, the rabbit jumped inside the jeep, the beige leather pleasantly clean and smelling of creek water. Probably a favored gator scent. Cheree backed out of the _Quick Skippy_ parking lot and began heading out.\n\nOutward and homeward, to Shady Vale.\n\nIt wasn't until about thirty minutes until Leonard saw the transformations. Roads got thinner, space got closer, and buildings succumbed to trees and hills. Most were still blooming with the early rise of Spring, so a mix of browns and jades flooded the rabbit's gaze as they went farther south.\n\nLeonard had taken to silence for most of the ride, long ears sorting through the conversation of Joanne and Cheree.\n\n\"How's Rory?\" Cheree would ask.\n\nJoanne squeaked a few things in response. \"... and I mean pretty crabby lately, truck's giving him trouble. I swear that thing is possessed by like, a demon.\"\n\nThen he lost focus. Then focused again.\n\n\"... worried honestly. Already fired Jacobs. Business gets slower and I'm getting called in on weekends. Want to make it work ...\"\n\n\"... can totally do it! You're like, the smartest of us! And besides, we always got your back! Maybe like do ...\"\n\nLeonard closed his eyes, the hum of the jeep lulling him into deep thought. Deep thought where deep words held deep pain. He remembered what he didn't want to remember. Words mixing with words.\n\n_Hey man, see you after work! Bluetails tonight. Also, you're getting lunch today!_\n\nAlbino red-eyes snapped open wide. _FUCK._\n\n\"Fuck,\" he muttered, biting back a scream. He looked around. Trees, lots. Then, an opening.\n\n\"Shaaaaady Vale!\" Joanne squeaked, mostly to Leonard. The rabbit blinked. Lots of trees still. Then a building.\n\nThen, a sprawling lake appeared at the feet of a big hill, the covered sunlight washing over it to grant it a ghostly, white look. The jeep rolled past a sign, the words worn down, though Leonard could make out most of it:\n\n_SHADY VALE_\n\n_BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO DRINK FROM PEARL LAKE_\n\nCryptic, the rabbit thought.\n\nCheree continued to drive through forest and wilds, until a small building appeared: rest stop, it said. After that, yet more structures were visible, roads leading to different pockets of the town.\n\n\"Welcome home,\" Cheree said cheerily. \"It gets better, promise.\"\n\n\"I don't doubt it,\" the rabbit replied, eyeing the different buildings and sights rolling past. It certainly looked its age, a strange mix of houses lined on streets with new and old brick towers hanging around every corner or so.\n\n\"It's kinda small,\" Joanne added. \"Mostly they ship out like, wood and stuff near the tracks. But we got the best eats here. Aaaand the best town square. And their burgers? Yis! They make a special veggie one just for me!\"\n\nIn a way, Leonard couldn't help but feel the mouse was selling herself on Shady Vale rather than him.\n\n\"They have a _Bigmart_ too,\" Cheree said reassuringly. \"Just in case your diet exceeds burgers and fries.\"\n\nJoanne scoffed. \"Aw that place is lame. Totally messed up the _Food Stop_ we had before. Aaaand _Jenkins._ I can never find that candy again!\"\n\nThe rabbit soaked it all in, noting each turn and drive. Long streets. Impractically long, in fact. So much so he was concerned he didn't have his own car. Never a need in Hatchburg with taxis and walking. But there was enough distance between rogue homes and places of business that a vehicle was likely necessary. He left it as a mental note.\n\nEventually, the jeep pulled into a collection of apartment buildings. A homely sign MURDOCH RIDGE silently announced the plaza of structures as Cheree began fishing around for Leonard's new place.\n\n\"You know which one is yours?\" she asked.\n\n\"D3, D3!\" Joanne answered excitedly.\n\n\"That one,\" the rabbit said. \"I'll have to check in though, get my keys and sign and all that.\"\n\nUnderstanding, Cheree took the jeep back and parked it in front of the leasing office.\n\n\"Need us to help you get settled in?\" the mouse offered, with a kindness Leonard found strangely unnerving. He shook his head, unbuckling.\n\n\"You guys have done plenty. Well, specifically you Cheree. You,\" Leonard pointed at Joanne, \"Talk a lot.\"\n\nThe mouse only grinned. \"I'll talk circles around you!\" she challenged.\n\nLeonard chuckled dryly. \"In seriousness, I appreciate it. There was no need, really. I can take care of myself.\"\n\n\"Really?\" the gator gal said back flatly. \"Your drunken stupor might disagree with you.\"\n\nHe shrugged. \"Give me a few days, I'll get used to it. But thanks again. Won't forget it.\"\n\nHe hopped out of the jeep, offering a wave. Cheree looked at him, hesitantly, violet eyes scanning over the rabbit.\n\n\"Hey so,\" she started, jeep still rumbling. \"If you like need help figuring stuff out here uh, you should join our chat group. Joanne and me, I mean.\"\n\nLeonard raised a brow. \"Oh?\"\n\nHe could see her blush, faintly. \"I mean not if you don't want but sometimes it helps to have a person you can contact you know,\" she added hurriedly.\n\n\"HAHA SHE LIKES YOU HAHA!\" Joanne blurted out. Leonard could see the gator shove her mouse friend.\n\n\"Yeah,\" Leonard started, \"I use ChatterBug.\" He fumbled in his pocket for an old wrapper and scribbled down his handle. \"leokarkov2\" the name read.\n\nHe handed it to the gator who looked somewhat excited to receive it. \"We'll message you first. Some other friends on there too.\"\n\n\"Ah? Will they be alright knowing an alcoholic stranger from a city is now talking to them?\"\n\n\"They won't,\" Cheree admitted. Oh. She was serious. \"Have to let them know. It'll be fine though.\"\n\nThere was a brief pause, perhaps a hope for the other to say something. \"Thanks so much,\" Leonard blurted out redundantly.\n\n\"Yeah,\" said Cheree softly. \"Tell us how you settle in later tonight. You'll get a message from me or Jo'!\"\n\n\"You got it,\" agreed Leonard. \"Take care.\"\n\nJoanne was still squeaking with laughter as the jeep finally pulled away, back onto the street and wherever it was they were headed. Leonard realized one of them was going to be his neighbor.\n\n_Oh god,_ he thought.\n\nSetting up wasn't too difficult. Half an hour to sign papers, get the key, and a rundown of the facility \"benefits.\" A local gym and covered pool were _Murdoch Ridge's_ big selling points, the rest was just standard living affairs.\n\nAfter talking with the Ridge staff, Leonard made his way to building D, up the stairs to the third floor. There were only five buildings or so, each with a coat of bland, yellow paint and trimmed bushes. As basic as it got.\n\nEager to change his attire - since the rabbit hadn't bothered to pack any clothes on his bus ride down - he ran up the building stairs to border of green that was his apartment door.\n\n_New life central, population: me,_ he mused.\n\nUnlocking the door - and noticing how difficult it was to do - Leonard made his way inside. Meeting his curious gaze was an assortment of hastily stacked boxes in random towers clumped together in what he assumed was the living room. Conjoined was a small kitchen, then a hallway to the left.\n\nLeonard grumbled, carefully looking at each box, hand-paw tracing for damage. He also scanned for the one lined in big red words marked HARDWARE, which was his computer and other relevant tech. Nothing.\n\nGrumbling, he went down the hall, spotting a bathroom and washing area, then, his single room. Inside, yet more boxes were lined, and the flat of his bed he had arranged to have set up previous. It was slightly spacious, but nothing luxurious. Smaller than what he had in _Hatchburg_, certainly.\n\nLooking through yet another series of boxes, he finally found the properly marked one. Fortunately, it also looked like everything was fine. He mentally noted \"Joanne\" probably exaggerated. A lot.\n\nLeonard took the next few hours to sort and set up all the essentials for the night. Sheets, blanket, computer, and new clothes. He realized too he hadn't thought of groceries, or internet service, or a slew of last minute things which weren't prepped for.\n\nMentally shrugging, he took to showering off and then changing into something a bit less strict on the form. Button shirt and looser pants worked just fine.\n\nAfter such, he sat on his bed, pulled out the laptop from the cavalry of boxes, and powered it on. To his relief, there was at least internet available through Murdoch Ridge's public wifi.\n\nWhat followed was a quick sorting through emails. Mostly junk, irrelevant, and a few coworkers wishing him well since his \"departure\" from Tech Jet LLC. This he knew was a lie. They didn't like him nor he they.\n\nThen, he paused. This was really it, wasn't it? _I'm here now. This is my actual home. I'm gone. From big city to nothing. All the things I failed at, everything I couldn't fix._\n\nHis jaw hardened. Tapping at the laptop, his eyes wandered to the _ChatterBug_ program. He felt himself grow anxious.\n\n_I'm sorry,_ he apologized to no one.\n\nHe opened the software. After a moment, the messenger program opened with a series of avatars and messages. Most were from a few days ago, work related. Then there was the one. The very bottom. It was an avatar of a cartoon dog.\n\n_I need a drink, I need a drink, I need a drink,_ the rabbit said, over and over. _I can't remember this._\n\nHis albino red eyes panged. He clicked on the avatar, and a log of messages appeared. His breath got shorter, and is heart grew heavy.\n\nIt read: _1 year ago, 8:12 AM_\n\n_\"Hey man, see you after work! Bluetails tonight. Also, you're getting lunch today!\"_\n\n_\"Ha, got it. What are you thinking? Oh and get ready for a new service deployment today, something about a new communication client.\"_\n\nLeonard looked away. He couldn't. He mustn't. But he did. He kept reading.\n\n\"_Hey didn't see you at lunch, are you in today?\"_\n\n_\"I can't reach you? What's going on?\"_\n\nLeonard closed his eyes. He took a breath. Then, fingers typed feverishly.\n\n\"Hey so just wanted to let you know I made it okay and already missing everyone. Gonna try to catch the Bluetails game. Call me w-\"\n\nHe stopped. Fingers abandoned their actions.\n\n\"FUCK!\" he yelled. Leonard trembled, and then remembered. Alcohol. He had it somewhere, he knew he did. There was probably a bottle of rum or whiskey he stored up.\n\nHe tore through every box he could, frantically rummaging around, knocking them over, outright ripping some in search for relief. Each box lacking alcohol caused him to sweat and threw him further and further out of control.\n\nHis breathing was rabid. Until, underneath some of his dishware, he spied a half-filled bottle of _Old Wesker's Finest._ Typically beer, but they sold harder brands.\n\nHis heart soared, and his mind raced. He cracked it open and gulped down a sip of the hard, burning liquid. Again. And again. Until, slowly, he felt it slow him down, send his head into a deep, hefty buzz, letting the blackness swallow his thoughts until they grew fuzzy. Forgetting.\n\nHe rubbed his features. Everything he felt returned to a dull hollowness. He set aside the bottle of _Wesker_and sat on bed's edge. It was fine now. He ignored the torn, messy assortment of tossed boxes, the smaller apartment, the lack of food, car, or friendship. Because all he had to do was forget, and it didn't matter anymore.\n\nFor a long, long while, Leonard sat, staring into the floor. Outside, the sun fell from the horizon as the sky darkened, leaving him in a room of black pitch, save for the weak illumination of his laptop. He could've turned on a light, or called for takeout, or done anything productive. But he didn't.\n\nBecause he knew, this was who he really was. An empty shell.\n\nThere was a ping. Long ear flicked at the sound. Then another. Leonard looked, noting his chat app was flashing with messages.\n\nIn a sense of renewed, terrifying hope, he returnedto it. Countering all logic and reason, he clicked back over to his previous message, expecting a reply. Of course, there was none.\n\nQuickly angering, the rabbit chastised himself for such a naïve prospect. But then he looked.\n\nA new avatar appeared in his message box. It was an animated, smiling flower. Curious, he clicked over to it, to see a new name with a new message.\n\n\"Hi Leonard, it's Cheree. I hope you are settling in okay. Shady Vale is small but you'll make friends quick. Jo can help you get to know the area and of course you know me. She's got your CBug name too, hope that's okay!\"\n\n_-SongintheSwamp_\n\nLeonard had to study the words a few times through his intoxicated haze. Then he realized. It was Cheree.\n\nA part of him didn't understand. In fact, grew angry. _Why the fuck are you talking to me?_ His mind screamed. _Why do you care? Do you even know me? Did you know that I almost broke half of my shit for a drink?_\n\nHe grimaced. _I should just tell her I'm too busy to talk. I should just tell her to go somewhere else. I'm dragging her into this. This is bad. Don't do it. Don't be something you're not._\n\nFingers went to keyboard.\n\n\"Cheree, thanks for message, settled in fine, got some pizza, place looks great, unpacking stuff still. Check in tomorrow, look forward to seeing Vale with your friend. -L\"\n\n_-leokarkov2_\n\nAround him there was still blackness. His stomach grumbled. Half of his boxes were ripped open with contents thrown about the room in an avalanche of clutter.\n\nAnother ping.\n\n\"Cool! Got to head home after drop off. Possibly catch up later in week. Nice meeting you. Good luck!\"\n\n-_SongintheSwamp_\n\nHe thought of a sordid mess of words to type. Some angry, some foolish, some lustful. He felt dizzy.\n\nAfter a while, he finally left his room. Floor three of building D had a porch. He went outside, sitting on the hard wood floor, back to door, gazing at the starless sky above, still coated with clouds.\n\nAnd then, he forgot.\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"The Melancholy of Shady Vale","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1152047-specialties.json"}}