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Tobias growled low in his chest as he turned to Cicero, angry at being denied a taste of Yosshi's lips. The waitress stayed a good distance away, and for good reason. The scene had all the trappings of some daytime soap opera.

Cicero waited a moment to speak. "Oh, so there you are. Paul was wondering when you were coming back from lunch."

Though her words where casual, her voice was cool and clipped, the sound of someone suppressing great annoyance. Tobias felt Yosshi's paws flex in his and he gave a squeeze that he hoped was reassuring. The poor girl's flush was visible through her pale fur, and she directed her embarrassed gaze to her lap.

"Paul knows that I'll cover him when I return, Cicero," Tobias replied, just as coolly. "He didn't need to send a search and rescue for me."

That was unlike Paul. As long as the usually patient, easygoing lab had a readily available comic book and a free view of pretty females going by the booth, he'd forget to eat, sleep and possibly breathe. Even more so if one of those females had an interest in a dagger or two.

"Oh?" Cicero cocked her head in wonder. "I told him that he could leave if I didn't find you nearly a half hour ago."

"What? The demo wasn't even over a half a hour ago. Why would he even leave that soon?"

"I asked Shaine at the booth next to ours if he would keep an eye on things if I didn't get back in but," she paused, then looked at the time on her cell. "He was leaving for the musical review 15 minutes ago. I've no idea who is watching the booth now."

Her confusion, odd in the normally competent vixen, only served to make Tobias angrier. He stood up, releasing Yosshi's paws. "Then why did you tell Paul something like that and then leave without calling me? That's completely irresponsible!"

Cicero snapped, her confused expression quickly melting away. "Oh, and having an extended lunch while your friend sits and waits isn't? Are we going to just argue, or are we going to see if we have any stock left?"

She had him there, right by the balls. He could see right though why she let Paul go earlier, to punish him for this lunch. As much as he wanted to call her on her blatant attempt, his stock was more important. Finding his wallet, he dug out three 20s and placed them in Yosshi's still open paws. "I'm sorry, hon, but I gotta cut lunch short. Use this to pay for it and I'll make it up to you."

Yosshi glanced up at him, a small smile on her face, thrilled at the pet name. "Sure. There's always the ball tonight."

He chuckled, seeing Cicero bristle as he leaned forward to peck her cheek chastely. "No problem, just leave a little room on your dance card for me."

The vixen was stomping her foot impatiently as Tobias left the table, curtly nodding at her and stalking past, making a beeline to the vendor room. He didn't turn back to see if Cicero followed, and he frankly didn't care. It took all of his will power not to strangle her.

Much to his surprise, Paul was still at the his post, ringing up a claymore for a customer. Tobias told Cicero's tale as soon as the transaction was complete.

Paul shook his head. "And you believed her? Man, you could have called me yourself and figured out that was bullshit. She hasn't even been to the booth all day. Why do you let her yank your tail like that?"

The emotion sitting in Tobias' stomach was more annoyance than anger. He was so close to having Yosshi, and that moment was ruined by the same vindictive vixen now sidling up to him, smirking as if she'd pulled off the funniest joke.

"I knew it, that little cub is more trouble than she's worth. Look at how worked up you're getting."

Tobias counted to five in his head before reminding himself that he wasn't supposed to hit ladies. Or throttle them. Or try to snatch their tails off. "Why did you lie to me, Cierco?"

"Call me Cici, baby...like old times"

"Cicero," he growled. "Answer the question."

She pouted playfully at him. "You were off too long today. How do you expect me to hook you up with more business and faires if you're lazing about with little tarts?"

"...Cicero," he says slowly. She was crossing a line, insulting his Yosshi.

"Wow," Paul interjected, his ears flattening. "You're growling again, man, just like when I was trying to talk to Yosshi the other night. You really are getting attached to that kitty."

"Shut up Paul," Cicero snapped, "Don't encourage this stupid fascination of his."

"E..excuse me.."

Everyone turned from their argument to the newest voice. The tigress in question was holding two bags with the bistro logo on them and a handful of loose bills. "Sorry to interrupt..."

Cicero wheeled around, snarling at the girl. "As you should be. Grown ups are talking here, so go play somewhere else, brat."

Before she could pour more bile, Tobias was already in the vixen's face, one finger pointing at her, getting her full attention, seething with his voice a tight rumble. "Shut the fuck up, Cicero, and cut the crap. You're not my girlfriend anymore and I'm not really sure if I want you as a friend if you're going to act like some jilted lover. Now get lost if you can't act like someone halfway decent."

A crowd had stopped and gathered around the booth, most looking rather surprised at the scene. Cicero reared back as if she'd been slapped, even holding a paw to her cheek. "I am going to make you so sorry for this, Swain."

She stalked off, deliberately bumping into Yosshi and through the crowd. The tigress looked a touch frightened at Tobias, but he smiled, a true honest grin. Who knew standing up for himself would feel so good?

"I had our meals wrapped up," Yosshi murmured as the crowd dispersed. "And you have change, I even left a tip."

Tobias took the offered hand and brought it to his muzzle, brushing his lips across her wrist, delighting as she visibly calmed. "Thank you, Yosshi. I'm so sorry you had to see that."

Paul chuckled behind them. "Yeah, don't worry about ol' Tobias here. He only bares his fangs when necessary. Though I gotta hand to you, man. Way to grow some balls. Now should I leave you two lovebirds alone to finish lunch, or can I go now?"

The wolf rolled his eyes as Yosshi giggled. He would never hear the end of this, and Paul would be sure of it. The change was strange. This morning he was dead set with ending things with Yosshi before things got started, and quite literally knelt in defeat to Cierco's demands. Now he was looking forward to sweeping the tigress off her feet, and he just told the bitch off finally. Mmm, he thought for a moment, I wonder if Yosshi would mind if he kneeled to her demands...

Yosshi's cell went off, snapping him from his more carnal thoughts. He was nearly drooling.

"That was a text from Mae. I guess she wants a little company, so I should go. Remember, you owe me a dance, buster."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Tobias drawled, elbowing a laughing Paul in the ribs as she took her leave. He really didn't mind that they both locked eyes on her retreating tail, a white and cream banner that swished side to side.