{"sf1_id":1736420,"sf2_id":"q1xVEo2m","title":"King of the Ring","author":"King_Degen","words":56986,"posted_at":"2021-07-04T16:07:06.000Z","tags":["Anon","Boy","Bunny","Couple","Fight","Fighting","Girl","Greentext","HMOFA","Heterosexual","Highschool","Human","Kissing","Rabbit","Young Romance"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1736420-king-of-the-ring","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/q1xVEo2m","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/c0/e0/c0e0a6ab-7622-4c79-80b3-10f3ac7854fa","description":"You're the Champ, the King, of your town's (not quite a) fight club. You have been for a few years, and you don't intend for that to change. But sometimes things happen that aren't quite in our control. Will you manage to keep your title and continue to reign as King, as you have so far? Or will a usurper manage to claim it, denying you your rule, but granting you a different manner of prize in the process?   \nThe King is dead. Long live the King.","content":"\\\u003eYou duck under the swing of a huge furry fist.\n\n\\\u003eYour opponent is pretty big, but kinda slow.\n\n\\\u003eIt also helps that you've fought him quite a few times before, so you know what he's about.\n\n\\\u003eYou dodge to the side of a jab next and follow with a hook that connects with his jaw.\n\n\\\u003eHe always seems to wind up for like half a second, like he's trying to line up the perfect strike every time.\n\n\\\u003eWhich gives you enough time to see them coming and dodge appropriately.\n\n\\\u003eHe's a good head and some change taller than you, so you're lucky he doesn't do much kicking, since it would be tough to watch his arms and his leg movements.\n\n\\\u003eHe tries for another hook and once again you duck under it.\n\n\\\u003eThis time however, you close the small distance you have between each other, and throw your fist straight up in a dynamic uppercut, colliding with his chin with devastating force.\n\n\\\u003eHis body goes slack, he's staring straight up at the sky, counting the stars that only he can see at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eA chorus of cheers and \"oohs\" of mock pain echo around you from the circle of humans and anthros watching your fight.\n\n\\\u003eYour opponent, the lion Caesar, looks like he's about to hit the ground and take a nap from that vicious uppercut you gave him.\n\n\\\u003eBut fuck that, you aren't done with him yet.\n\n\\\u003eHow many times have you had to teach him this lesson?\n\n\\\u003eLet's hope this time it sinks in.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your hands up and as best you can link your hands around the back of his neck.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd whoops and hollers as they recognize what you're going for.\n\n\\\u003eYou do this so often it's practically your signature move.\n\n\\\u003eEven though it's just a simple clinch.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw kicks into his poor, defenseless legs, alternating between the left and the right.\n\n\\\u003eThen come the knees to the gut.\n\n\\\u003eHe's trying to defend, but that uppercut must've rattled his brain pretty well, he's not doing too good.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull his head down and throw a knee up and into his face and at this point you can see the telltale signs of unconsciousness creeping into his face.\n\n\\\u003eYou could let him go and watch him drop now.\n\n\\\u003eBut it ain't over yet.\n\n\\\u003eYou release the clinch and throw a haymaker with the intent to punch his lights out.\n\n\\\u003eEven though they are already out.\n\n\\\u003eNot one of those big side haymakers that come from way out right, but one of those straight lunging haymakers that you put all your body weight behind.\n\n\\\u003eYour right foot even comes up off the ground as you deck Caesar dead in the snout.\n\n\\\u003eHe falls back and hits the ground. Hard.\n\n\\\u003eYou actually feel a bit worried at that, you're on concrete, you hope he didn't crack his skull wide open.\n\n\\\u003eApparently the crowd also has a bit of that same worry as they look at the fallen lion.\n\n\\\u003eA lanky elk, who happens to be one of your few friends, walks up and inspects Caesar.\n\n\\\u003eHe inspects his eyes(out like a light), before checking his breathing. Having confirmed that there is still breath filling and escaping his lungs, he gives a little nod to himself, before turning Caesar's head and checking the back of it.\n\n\\\u003eHe sifts through the thick mane and after feeling around for a while, deduces that Caesar's skull is still in one piece.\n\n\\\u003e\"He's good, but he's done.\" Lewis the elk says, before standing up and pointing to you. \"Anon wins. Again.\"\n\n\\\u003eOnce again, the crowd erupts, most of the sound are cheers, but of course there are jeers as well. All in good nature of course.\n\n\\\u003eWhat did they expect to happen?\n\n\\\u003eYou've been doing this for years, and ever since you became the Champion, you haven't lost a fight.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your hands up to the sky and turn in slow circles, basking in the cheers of the crowd, a wide grin of victory on your face.\n\n  \n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liZXofwkePE\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou are Anon.\n\n\\\u003eYoung and fresh 18 years old.\n\n\\\u003eSenior year of high school.\n\n\\\u003ePretty good grades.\n\n\\\u003ePretty mundane hobbies.\n\n\\\u003eJust a normal teen amongst normal teens.\n\n\\\u003eOh. You're also the Champion of this little thing in your town called The Circle.\n\n\\\u003eThat's kinda important.\n\n\\\u003eYour town has this kind of city based fight club thing.\n\n\\\u003eIt's not a secret or anything.\n\n\\\u003eIn fact everybody knows about it.\n\n\\\u003e And you mean EVERYBODY.\n\n\\\u003eFrom the teachers, to the doctors, to the store owners, everyone.\n\n\\\u003eIf you were born in this town, or even lived in it for longer than a year chances are you knew about The Circle.\n\n\\\u003eChances are even higher that you participated in it, or at least came to watch the fights.\n\n\\\u003e Of course the fights are pretty much all for fun.\n\n\\\u003eIt's like a sport, like soccer, or football. But with punching.\n\n\\\u003eWhat happens is, the referee at the time(the current referee is Lewis) will step up and call out \"Who's stepping in the Circle?\"\n\n\\\u003eIf 2 people step up, they fight. If more than 2 step up, the referee will randomly choose 2 to fight.\n\n\\\u003eIf only 1 steps up, the ref will choose a random fighter who he knows has previously fought.\n\n\\\u003eOf course, fighters can also call out other fighters if they wanna throw down with them.\n\n\\\u003eAfter fighters are chosen, they step up and the Circle is formed.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eEverybody not fighting stands in a circle, almost shoulder to shoulder, to enclose the fighters.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a duel but the Circle itself is a hazard.\n\n\\\u003eGet too close and someone might punch you in the back of the head, or kick you right back into your opponent.\n\n\\\u003eSome people may grab you and hold you down for your opponent to wail on you.\n\n\\\u003eIf a fighter wins 3 fights in a row, they can challenge the Champion whenever they feel they are ready.\n\n\\\u003eYou are currently the Champion, and even though they think they're ready, they never really are.\n\n\\\u003eWell, they kinda are. Some people are pretty damn good. You just happen to be better.\n\n\\\u003eBut no matter how good you are, there's always someone better.\n\n\\\u003eYou just haven't met them yet. And you don't really plan to.\n\n\\\u003eYou stretch as you watch a horse and a pudgy human carry Caesar out of the Circle and toward this little makeshift nursing area.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a plastic sign with a little red cross on it, where this half-pint fox and well endowed cow wear little nurse hats and heal people's cuts and bruises as best they can.\n\n\\\u003eYou step out of the center and walk toward your normal place in the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eOn your way back you hear some guys talking, one apparently cursing his rotten luck.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why would you think Caesar would do better this time, man?\" you hear one say. \"You should know better than to bet against the King by this point my guy.\"\n\n\\\u003eThat's what everyone calls you here.\n\n\\\u003eAnother facet of the Circle is shit-talking.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eBefore the fists fly, you sling words like arrows in the hopes of demoralizing your opponent before you knock their block off.\n\n\\\u003eAn angry man is a man who makes mistakes, or whatever the saying is.\n\n\\\u003eRacial and speciest slurs flow like water here, but by the end of it they glide in the same way like from a duck's back.\n\n\\\u003eJust don't use the words \"rabid\" or \"savage\" here. For certain reasons, those are words you can't use, even in jest, and are banned from the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eThey're also in bad taste everywhere else too.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, when you fight anthros, they like to throw the monkey jokes around a lot.\n\n\\\u003eMonkey, hairless ape, chimp in a monkey suit.\n\n\\\u003eSo before you became Champion, in an effort to downplay his teasing, you told your opponent at the time, \"I'm not just any monkey. In this place, right here, I'm king of the monkeys.\", which you followed with some gorilla style chest beating.\n\n\\\u003eAfter you beat him, you followed with, \"Long live the king.\", with a few more chest beats for good measure.\n\n\\\u003eSo after you became Champ, most everybody would call you the King, instead of the Champ.\n\n\\\u003eAnd after a while of pure wins, you began to feel more and more like a king, than just a simple Champion.\n\n\\\u003eSo you embraced the King thing wholeheartedly.\n\n\\\u003eYou head to your 'King's Throne' aka a little seat that only the Champ can sit in.\n\n\\\u003eIt's really just one of those plastic rectangle milk crates with an old pillow tied down to it.\n\n\\\u003eBut symbolically, it's your throne.\n\n\\\u003eLewis referees a few more fights: 2 humans, 2 anthros, a human against an anthro, and that about wraps up the fights for the day.\n\n\\\u003eThe Circle only stays up until the sun starts setting and those streaks of orange are beginning to appear on the horizon.\n\n\\\u003eEveryone begins grabbing their bags, since most people come straight here right after school, and begin taking off.\n\n\\\u003eSome people walk, a few get into their cars that they parked a few meters away.\n\n\\\u003eYou jump on your motor scooter, and start it up.\n\n\\\u003eAs you pull off, you shout to Lewis \"See ya at school tomorrow, bro!\"\n\n\\\u003eHe nods at you and does that two finger salute thing.\n\n\\\u003eYou reach the road and see a patrol car starting up and getting ready to pull off too.\n\n\\\u003eEven the local police know about the Circle, and they send patrols around to make sure nothing fucky is going on around here.\n\n\\\u003eIt may be a sport for fun, but you never know when someone's going to get hit just the wrong way and flip their lid.\n\n\\\u003eEveryone fights with their fists in the Circle, but anthros still have their sharp claws and fangs.\n\n\\\u003eNever know when one might snap and draw claws on you.\n\n\\\u003eOf course that hasn't happened since you've been there, and you hadn't heard any stories from any of the older kids about it happening either.\n\n\\\u003eSo as far as you're concerned, the cops are just there to dick around.\n\n\\\u003eBut they get a pass, because it's not like you hear about a bunch of crime for them to stop in your town anyway.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a look back at the patrol car once more, and catch the female officer giving you a disapproving look.\n\n\\\u003eWhat?\n\n\\\u003eOh right. No helmet. You've don't wear a helmet with your scooter, even though it might be a law.\n\n\\\u003eBecause teenage rebellion!\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug and twist the accelerator just a little harder.\n\n\\\u003eYou're riding down the road, not looking at much of anything, because it's all dirt and emptiness down this way.\n\n\\\u003eA few minutes later, you come to the edge of the lower income suburbs of your town that everyone calls The Valley.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a bunch of houses that look like they cost about as much as a cardboard box.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't know anybody who lives down here, so the only times you're through here is when you're leaving the Circle to go home.\n\n\\\u003eThere are basically 3 tiers to your town in terms of living status.\n\n\\\u003eThe Valley, The Plains, and The Hills.\n\n\\\u003eThe Valley sucks. The Plains are good, The Hills are baller.\n\n\\\u003eYou live in the Plains, but like, on the nicer end of the Plains.\n\n\\\u003eNot quite Hills status, because nothing will be Hills status but the Hills.\n\n\\\u003eBut at the same time, you're pretty sure that the kitchen your mom had remodeled in your house costs about as much as an entire house in the Valley.\n\n\\\u003eOut of the Valley and another 10ish minutes and you're pulling up to your house.\n\n\\\u003eYou dig in your backpack for your garage opener, hit the button and pull your scooter into the garage.\n\n\\\u003eYou cut it off, dismount, hang your goggles off the handle, walk out of the garage and then hit the garage button again before walking up to your front door, grabbing your door key and opening the front door.\n\n\\\u003eWhy didn't you just go through the door that leads into your house from the garage?\n\n\\\u003eSilence, you dare question the will of a king?!\n\n\\\u003e\"I have returned to my castle!\" you cry out into your home.\n\n\\\u003eSilence is all that answers you.\n\n\\\u003eYour parents aren't home.\n\n\\\u003eIn fact they won't be for a while.\n\n\\\u003eYour dad runs his own business and is constantly opening new storefronts in places all over the country. He's been out and about for the past like 4 years. So like all of your high school years.\n\n\\\u003eYour mom was here up until you turned 16, then your dad flew her out West to come help him out and make him food.\n\n\\\u003eYour mom is like a professional cook or something, so her food is good as hell.\n\n\\\u003eSo for 2 years you've been home alone.\n\n\\\u003eMostly.\n\n\\\u003eYour neighbors come check on you at your parents' behest to make sure you're eating right and haven't dropped dead or almost burned the house down and all that good stuff.\n\n\\\u003eIt was tough, but it gave you the freedom you needed.\n\n\\\u003e Freedom to go to the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYour dad doesn't really like the Circle for whatever reason.\n\n\\\u003eHe won't explain why, just tells you to keep away from it.\n\n\\\u003e\"Focus on your grades\", he would say, \"Proper education is more important than Neanderthals punching each other for no reason\".\n\n\\\u003eMom won't tell you why he doesn't like the Circle either.\n\n\\\u003eBut when he left to go West for his business, she basically said 'Go for it'.\n\n\\\u003e\"When he isn't here you are technically the man of the house, so you should be able to decide for yourself what you can and cannot do. As long as it isn't illegal. Besides, being forced to avoid partaking in something that everyone else is allowed to is kind of fucked up, right?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe even covered for you at times, saying that you joined a school club when Dad would call and ask where you were, while you weren't home.\n\n\\\u003eShe told him Anime Club when he asked which one.\n\n\\\u003eYou like anime sure, but probably not enough to join a club about it.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, Dad seemed to accept it and left it alone after that.\n\n\\\u003eGood ol' Mom.\n\n\\\u003eYou kick your shoes off at the door, and walk down the hall and up the steps, turn at the top and walk into your room.\n\n\\\u003eYou set your backpack down on your desk and collapse into bed.\n\n\\\u003eAnother day, another title match successfully defended.\n\n\\\u003eFeels good to be king.\n\n\\\u003eLong live the king.\n\n\\\u003eA rumbling in your gut breaks you from your momentary revelry.\n\n\\\u003epizzatime.gif\n\n\\\u003eYou stand up and make your way down to the kitchen.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't actually have pizza.\n\n\\\u003eYou do have chicken alfredo leftover from yesterday.\n\n\\\u003eYour mother you are not.\n\n\\\u003eBut your mother's child you are.\n\n\\\u003eShe taught you how to cook decently, so while you will never reach her level you can adequately keep yourself from starving and occasionally craft something more complicated than peanut butter and jelly or microwave burritos.\n\n\\\u003eYou yeet your leftovers into the microwave and check your phone while you wait.\n\n\\\u003eNo missed calls, no new texts.\n\n\\\u003eGood.\n\n\\\u003eTime for memes.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull up Reedit for your daily dose of memes.\n\n\\\u003eYour daily dose that you've injected into your bloodstream 4 times today.\n\n\\\u003e. . . Memes are important, okay.\n\n\\\u003eThe microwave dings and you retrieve your food.\n\n\\\u003eYou consume the chicken alfredo and memes both.\n\n\\\u003eWhen you finish you yeet the dishes into the dishwasher and turn it on.\n\n\\\u003eYou're running your dishwasher for like 3 things.\n\n\\\u003eOh well, privilege!\n\n\\\u003eYou walk back up to your room.\n\n\\\u003eTime for homework.\n\n\\\u003eYou get it all done in a timely manner.\n\n\\\u003eBecause you're a fucking genius.\n\n\\\u003eNot really, you just pay attention in class and take really good notes.\n\n\\\u003e Anon the A and B student, that's you.\n\n\\\u003eWho also knocks people's teeth out for fun.\n\n\\\u003eBack to your phone, this time on Yewtube, for your second helping of tasty delicious meme content.\n\n\\\u003eAnd before you know it, it's somehow time for bed.\n\n\\\u003eGoddammit.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand and stretch, but get an oddly unsatisfying stiffness in your right shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eHmmm\n\n\\\u003eYou stretch a little more, still tight.\n\n\\\u003eHmmmmmmm\n\n\\\u003eYou roll your arms in windmills, and now that stiffness turns into a sharp pain.\n\n\\\u003eOh hoh.\n\n\\\u003eWhatever it is, that's not good.\n\n\\\u003eLet's hope it goes away after bed.\n\n\\\u003eYou go to the bathroom, shower, wash your hair, and brush your teeth.\n\n\\\u003e A few minutes with a hair dryer and a change into your pajamas(which are really just a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants) and you're ready for bed.\n\n\\\u003eYou roll your shoulder one more time.\n\n\\\u003eYep, still tight, still hurts.\n\n\\\u003eYou head to bed, avoiding sleeping on that shoulder.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou wake up to the sound of your alarm.\n\n\\\u003ewakethefuckupsamurai.mp3\n\n\\\u003eFirst thing you do is roll that shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eStill hurts, a little worse now.\n\n\\\u003eWell this is bad, you've never pulled a muscle during your fights before, so why now?\n\n\\\u003eMust've been that sweet shoryuken you hit Caesar with.\n\n\\\u003eYou did it for the style points.\n\n\\\u003eBallin', but at what cost?\n\n\\\u003eWhatever, let's just hope no one is trying to fight you today.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you should actually keep track of which people are ready for a title fight.\n\n\\\u003eNah, that's Lewis' job.\n\n\\\u003eYou get up, and do your dailies.\n\n\\\u003eBathroom shenanigans, cereal, equip clothes.\n\n\\\u003eYou have a very singular clothing style.\n\n\\\u003eFlannel shirts, with an accompanying t-shirt of various designs or graphics, jeans, and a pair of Bans.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't skate, but Bans are comfy.\n\n\\\u003eThe flannels stay unbuttoned because leaving a button up shirt unbuttoned is a form of fashion rebellion. Or at least you tell yourself.\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't a rebel, you just pretend you are.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, it's time for school, so after you grab your backpack and make sure you've got everything(why you don't choose to dress first and grab your things before you head down to get food and then leave is an enigma even to you), you walk out, locking the door and opening your garage.\n\n\\\u003eYour chariot awaits.\n\n\\\u003eBy which you mean your motor scooter, which has always seemed more like a mini motorcycle to you but you don't come up with the names for things.\n\n\\\u003eYour mom's car sits in the garage, your dad drove his out west so that he could have his own car to drive during personal trips.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't have a driver's license yet, so no taking the car for you.\n\n\\\u003eYou start up your scooter and pull out of the garage. Down goes the door and into the pack your garage key goes.\n\n\\\u003eYou take off towards school.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eGood ol' Towngrove High.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a pretty good school, since this is a pretty good town.\n\n\\\u003eNot much to say about the neighborhood, it's the same as always.\n\n\\\u003eYou pass the EZ mart, the little convenience store you always go to when you need snacks.\n\n\\\u003eYou pass the streets to the shopping center, and drive past the Towngrove Imperial Mall, or TIM, as everyone calls it.\n\n\\\u003eTIM has everything.\n\n\\\u003eYou round a few bends, stop at the red lights you encounter, and a good 10 minutes later, you are at your school.\n\n\\\u003eA good 10 minutes early, because dad always said, \"It's better to be 30 minutes early than one minute late\".\n\n\\\u003eBeing 30 minutes early would require waking up 30 minutes earlier, and fuck that noise.\n\n\\\u003eYou park your scooter in the designated spot for vehicles that aren't quite vehicles, and on goes the anti-thief chain.\n\n\\\u003eAgain, no crime to speak of, but hey, never hurts to keep your shit safe.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk up to the front of your school and veer off toward the right in the direction of this weird mutant tree, that split off from the trunk and like, grew into two separate trees near the top.\n\n\\\u003eLike a Siamese tree twin.\n\n\\\u003eUnder it stands Lewis Woodman, the elk and one of your best friends.\n\n\\\u003eHe's standing there, that unchangingly bored expression on his face that he always has, scratching the fur underneath his chin that grows like a beard.\n\n\\\u003eYou wish you had even a semblance of facial hair, but your face is criminally smooth.\n\n\\\u003eHairless monkey would be right, but it's all on the top of your head, and it grows quick so you just started leaving it be and tying it back.\n\n\\\u003eMANLY ponytail!\n\n\\\u003eLike you, Lewis also has a singular style, looking like he just walked out of a prep school.\n\n\\\u003eComplete with sweater vest and white collar shirt, it's wild.\n\n\\\u003eHe doesn't live in the Hills you think, so what does his parents make him dress like that, or does he do it himself?\n\n\\\u003eSomething about dressing for success or some dumb idea like that?\n\n\\\u003e\"Yo.\" you say as you approach and fist bump him(with your left because lifting your right is uncomfortable).\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey, how are ya?\" he replies, with that ever present look of boredom, as if life itself does not interest him.\n\n\\\u003eHe's a good half foot taller than you so you have to look up at him a bit.\n\n\\\u003e\"Think I hurt myself fighting Caesar last night,\" you say, rolling your shoulder grimacing at the slight pain, as if displaying your injury will maybe get him to share in it or something. \"Might've been from that crazy uppercut, I'm thinking.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"It looked cool, yeah,\" he says. \"But you oofed your arm so congrats, you played yourself.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah yeah, let's just hope I don't have a fight today. Do I?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"I don't think so, but even if you did I'd just postpone it. Not like anyone would enjoy taking the Champion spot from someone who can't fight right. That's a bitch move.\" Lewis says, nodding to himself at the last sentence as if it were some sort of sage wisdom.\n\n\\\u003eThat gets a laugh out of you, Lewis' manner of speaking sometimes completely conflicts with the way he looks, so whenever he throws a curveball with his words like he did, it always catches you off guard.\n\n\\\u003e\"Waddup bruhs.\" calls your attention as you look to your right and see another of your friends approaching.\n\n\\\u003eVerne Thresher, a lizard. Specifically a komodo dragon, if you remember right.\n\n\\\u003eHe always looks high, with his half lidded eyes and his always slightly pleased smile.\n\n\\\u003eHe always tells you he doesn't smoke.\n\n\\\u003ePress X to doubt, but whatever.\n\n\\\u003eHis clothes don't help his case, he dresses like a skater boy from the west coast even though you're also sure he doesn't skate.\n\n\\\u003eBaggy long sleeved shirts, baggy jeans, he wears sandals because his toes are clawed and would shred his poor shoes.\n\n\\\u003eToe claw safe shoes when?\n\n\\\u003eVerne is a few inches shorter than you, but instead of looking straight up at you guys he kinda just turns to the side and tilts his to the side, so it's kinda like he's giving you this shifty side eye.\n\n\\\u003e\"What's up Verne, how are ya?\" you say as he bumps fists with you and Lewis.\n\n\\\u003e\"Man I'm Jesus.\" he says back to you.\n\n\\\u003e That's what he says when he means he's good.\n\n\\\u003e\"How'd it go at the Circle yesterday?\" he asks you two.\n\n\\\u003eVerne is in a club, so he doesn't come to the Circle everyday, and when he does he just spectates.\n\n\\\u003eHe's too chill to brawl.\n\n\\\u003eHe's in like, the Literature Club or something.\n\n\\\u003eReading books and writing poems.\n\n\\\u003eYou gave him flak for that at one point, before this gaggle of cute girls ran up to scoop him up for club that day.\n\n\\\u003eEver since you would give a nod of approval whenever he said he was heading to his club.\n\n\\\u003e\"How do you think it went, Verne, c'mon man.\" you say, almost hurt that he doesn't know exactly how it always goes, or concerned as to why he would expect something different.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well I'm gonna assume you whipped somebody's ass, like always.\" he says with a shrug.\n\n\\\u003e\"He also chin checked Caesar and fucked up his shoulder, apparently.\" adds Lewis.\n\n\\\u003e\"Damn bruh. You dun goofed.\" Verne shakes his head slowly, like this news is a horrible travesty.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah yeah whatever, I'll be alright. Just gotta give it a day or two.\" you say to them both, waving them off like annoying flies.\n\n\\\u003eYou look up over Verne's head and see your third and final friend approaching.\n\n\\\u003eMikael.\n\n\\\u003eFucking Mikael.\n\n\\\u003e\"Brothers! It's a good day.\"\n\n\\\u003eMikael Bjornson. He's like, Scandinavian or Icelandic or something.\n\n\\\u003eSo he's super into the whole viking heritage thing.\n\n\\\u003eShit, he looks kinda like a viking too. The left side of his head is shaved and his long ass hair is side swept over his right side, almost reaching his shoulder.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eHis hair is blonde, like golden.\n\nIs it dye or genetics, no one knows.\n\n\\\u003eAnd his beard, dear god his beard!\n\n\\\u003eHe's only 18 but he's already got the makings of a whole damn viking beard!\n\n\\\u003eAnd he's built. He wears these weird silk or something shirts that might as well not even be there because you can see his pecs and abs and everything through them anyway.\n\n\\\u003eBesides jeans and sneakers he wears this. Thing. Kinda like a kilt, but not really a kilt.\n\n\\\u003eLike half a kilt, it's weird.\n\n\\\u003eAnd the ladies, fucking love him.\n\n\\\u003eThe human girls and anthro girls practically fall over themselves whenever he's around.\n\n\\\u003e It doesn't help that he's also a huge flirt, so it just makes their falling outs worse.\n\n\\\u003e But he's your buddy so you deal with it.\n\n\\\u003eEven when he has to stop every few minutes to wink, or finger guns at some passerby ladies, or when some girls will literally hipcheck you out of the way to talk to him or give him their number.\n\n\\\u003eThis motherfucker must've been blessed by Odin.\n\n\\\u003e\"There he is, the legendary raider himself.\" Verne says as he holds his hand up for Mikael.\n\n\\\u003eMikael grips his forearm, in the viking handshake.\n\n\\\u003eHe moves onto Lewis and repeats the gesture before holding his arm up for you.\n\n\\\u003eYou won't deny tradition, so you lift your arm with a bit of apprehension and grip his forearm back.\n\n\\\u003e\"What's wrong, you get hurt?\" he asks, noting the difficulty you had at the simple lifting of your arm.\n\n\\\u003eVerne answers before you do.\n\n\\\u003e\"He fucked his shoulder up at the Circle yesterday.\"\n\n\\\u003eMikael looks at you like Verne just told him you'll never throw a punch ever again.\n\n\\\u003e\"That's rough, buddy.\" is all he says as he lays his free hand on your shoulder, the one that is currently hurt.\n\n\\\u003eHis hand doesn't hurt it, it's only when you move it that it hurts.\n\n\\\u003eYou wiggle yourself free of his grip.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright I get it! I goobered it. That'll teach me to try and be cool for the crowd.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Who were you fighting?\" Mikael asks you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Caesar.\" you reply.\n\n\\\u003e\"Man, he really doesn't give up, does he? Got to admire the tenacity.\"\n\n\\\u003e Mikael fights in the Circle, but very rarely. Only when \"his ancestors sound the horn of conflict within his soul\" or something crazy and poetic like that.\n\n\\\u003eBut he hasn't fought you, even though he's gotten the 3 wins in a row required to.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe someday, but not any time soon it seems.\n\n\\\u003eYou hear the bell, signaling that class is about to start and you all walk in, ready to start the day.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around the halls, taking in the students around you.\n\n\\\u003eYour school, or more like your town instead, has a higher concentration of anthros than humans.\n\n\\\u003eSo surprisingly, you are the minority, to a degree.\n\n\\\u003eMost anthros stick together, most humans stick together, but there are a decent amount of groups of anthros and humans that hang out together.\n\n\\\u003eYour group is one of them, even though you aren't really associated with any school cliques, like jocks, or nerds, or so on.\n\n\\\u003eLong long ago, there were a bunch of anthro/human social problems.\n\n\\\u003eLike negativity, and hate.\n\n\\\u003eBut when have any living creatures ever found a reason to not hate each other?\n\n\\\u003eRace or species is irrelevant, only conflict matters.\n\n\\\u003eOf course things are better now. Or at least they seem to be getting better.\n\n\\\u003ePeople gravitate towards their own, more often than not, which is what you choose to believe when you look around.\n\n\\\u003eOf course seeing groups like yours gives you hope that the near future will be much different.\n\n\\\u003eThough you see humans and anthros hanging out however, you don't see any couples.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eAt least you think you don't.\n\n\\\u003eBut looking at Mikael, and his disposition to flirt with anything resembling female, you have to believe that couples exist.\n\n\\\u003eOr at the very least, they're fucking.\n\n\\\u003eYou remember being at a house party last year and in an effort to escape the sweltering haze of body heat you went upstairs and hung your head from a window.\n\n\\\u003eFrom a bedroom next to you exited this pretty fine pig girl who looked like she just had a workout. And a few minutes later this lanky human guy fiddling with his pants button.\n\n\\\u003eThat smelly smell that smells. . . Smelly.\n\n\\\u003eYou remember watching him with a small mix of pride, and a hint of jealousy.\n\n\\\u003eAlright back to reality.\n\n\\\u003eYou all reach your lockers, grabbing what you'll need or stowing what you don't.\n\n\\\u003eAll your lockers are right next to each other. It's actually how you all became friends.\n\n\\\u003eA turtle once said \"There are no accidents.\", and you're inclined to agree.\n\n\\\u003eHowever the time for parting arrives, as none of you have classes together until the second half of the day.\n\n\\\u003eYou say your farewells and make for your first class, rolling your shoulder as you walk in an effort to alleviate some of the pain.\n\n\\\u003eIt doesn't help.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003e\"You have to do what's in the parentheses first before you double it.\" Lewis explains.\n\n\\\u003e\"Riiight.\" is Verne's only answer.\n\n\\\u003e\"And since there's a negative sign in there, you gotta make sure it's all negative by the end of it.\" he continues.\n\n\\\u003eVerne has effectively been left behind at this simple instruction.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a bite of your bland lunchroom burger as you watch Verne's 2 brain cells struggle to make sense of Lewis' explanations.\n\n\\\u003eYou're currently at lunch with your friends.\n\n\\\u003eRNGeezus managed to bless you all with the same lunch period.\n\n\\\u003eSurprise, surprise, Verne didn't do most of his homework last night, so Lewis is helping him out. Like he always does.\n\n\\\u003eBut he's not giving him the answers, just explaining how to do the equations.\n\n\\\u003eGive a man a fish, and all that jazz.\n\n\\\u003eYou take another bite of the soulless sandwich.\n\n\\\u003eSeriously, notebook paper has more flavor than this.\n\n\\\u003eYour mom would fall to her knees and cry if she ever tasted this.\n\n\\\u003eActually you're pretty sure she has, which might be why she went into food.\n\n\\\u003e\"So Anon.\" Mikael says to you, pulling you from your thoughts.\n\n\\\u003e\"What's up?\"\n\n\\\u003eWhat're you going to do about yor arm?\" He questions, a look of genuine concern on his face. \"If you can't fight, it stands to reason you can't defend your championship.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Apparently Lewis can just postpone my fights, because fighting an injured man is a bitch move.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, of course it is. But are you sure there isn't some sort of 'miss X amount of days and you lose your title' kinda deal?\n\n\\\u003e\"I don't. Think so.\" you confess. \"I've never heard of anything like that.\"\n\n\\\u003eGranted a lot of the 'rules\" of the Circle are like, unspoken, so it's really just from what you hear and can confirm.\n\n\\\u003eThere have been days where you couldn't make it to the Circle. Some things came up, or you didn't feel well. But you were never really gone long enough to worry about something like having to abandon the Champ title because of absence.\n\n\\\u003eA king is not dethroned so easily!\n\n\\\u003e\"Well fear not, brother.\" he says, looking past you at this point, to something behind you. \"I think I may know someone who can help you get back to form sooner, that way we don't have to find out if avoiding fights will give you the boot..\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh yeah, what do you have in mind?\"\n\n\\\u003eHe takes a deep breath and lets out with the booming voice of a Norse warrior, \"LIIIIIN!\"\n\n\\\u003eSome of the more sensitive eared anthros cringe and cover their ears at the powerful sound waves your friend just blasted them with.\n\n\\\u003e\"Geez man, wanna try a little louder?! I don't think they heard you back in viking land.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe doesn't respond to you, instead he's beckoning someone over to your table.\n\n\\\u003eLin walks over and sits down next to you, rubbing her ear.\n\n\\\u003e\"What can I do for you Mikael?\" she asks, that twinge of far east accent in her voice.\n\n\\\u003eLin is a panda. Lin is also what the scholars who study human and anthro body shapes refer to as, 'thicc'.\n\n\\\u003e\"You've already done for me what I needed: you graced me with your beauty. However, it's what you can do for Anon that is truly important.\"\n\n\\\u003eThis fucking guy.\n\n\\\u003eShe turns to you. \"What's wrong, Anon?\n\n\\\u003eMikael answers for you, because you didn't really have a response to clearly give Lin.\n\n\\\u003e\"Dear Anon here managed to hurt his poor shoulder in the Circle yesterday. I was hoping you could lay those wonderful healing hands on him and fix him up.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you with a knowing grin. \"It was when you uppercut Caesar near the end, wasn't it?\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh you saw that?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yessir. It sure did look cool, but I couldn't help but think it was in poor form. Of course, I'm not a fighter or anything so I can't tell what good or bad form really is.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh please Lin.\" you say as you roll your eyes. \"It's not like I took classes, all my form would technically be bad form.\n\n\\\u003e\"Maybe so. But have you ever hurt yourself before?\n\n\\\u003e\"Nnnnoo, can't say that I have.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Then it's good enough form to do its job. Anyway, I can probably do something about it. But it's gonna cost ya.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"How much?\" you ask, concern dripping from your voice.\n\n\\\u003e\"About 60 bucks and an hour of your time.\" she smiles before she stops and thinks to herself. \"Actually, as the King I can probably get you a discount.\"\n\n\\\u003eThere's another facet to being Champion of the Circle besides just a title to defend.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a thing called the Champion's Right, which you can basically invoke whenever you like. A lot of Mom and Pop stores all around who know of the Circle and the Champion in it will sometimes give you discounts or free things if they aren't terribly expensive.\n\n\\\u003eYou can even invoke it to have other people who participate in the Circle do things for you, as long as they aren't too outlandish.\n\n\\\u003eUsually you only use it to have people bring you snacks.\n\n\\\u003eBut when you're feeling particularly rebellious, you use it to have some of the older guys buy you beer.\n\n\\\u003eYou can't fight in the Circle once you hit 21, but you can still stand in and be a part of it. And since that counts as participation, they are subject to your will.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait so. What is it I'm gonna be doing?\" you ask, focusing yourself back to the issue at hand.\n\n\\\u003e\"Lin's gonna give you a rubdown, work the kinks outta your shoulder.\" he says to you with a grin and several suggestive bounces of his eyebrows.\n\n\\\u003eAs much as Mikael flirts with all the girls, he seems just as eager sometimes to get you to also flirt with girls.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't really give ladies your attention very often.\n\n\\\u003eMikael admitted to you in your junior year that he was worried for you. He also questioned your sexuality for a bit.\n\n\\\u003eBut you are a man of singular purpose.\n\n\\\u003eGood grades, win fights. That's all you need right now.\n\n\\\u003eWhat would you even do with a girlfriend? Where would you fit her in? Would she be cool with you fighting all the time at the Circle?\n\n\\\u003eWould she fight too? Girls fight in the Circle at times.\n\n\\\u003eYou've even fought a few girls at times. A cheetah and a wolf. None of the human girls who sometimes fight challenge you.\n\n\\\u003eThey challenged you for the title and of course you can't say no or you are disqualified.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eBut man, those were some tough fights.\n\n\\\u003eCan't hit them in the gut too hard because reasons. Can't hit them in the chest too hard because reasons. Avoid hitting the face too hard because reasons.\n\n\\\u003eBut when you avoid all that, they call you a pussy.\n\n\\\u003eDamned if you do, damned if you don't.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily you haven't had to deal with fighting a girl since like, sophomore year when those 2 challenged you. They haven't done so since then.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, focus.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait. Like a massage?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yep.\" Lin responds, side eyeing Mikael and noticing the eyebrow dance he's performing, she adds in, \"Just know. We don't do happy endings, so don't come in with overhyped expectations.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou laugh, \"Happy endings. Everyone knows those are fake anyway.\" You look at her and she's staring straight at you. \"They are fake right?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"No.\" she says with a completely straight face. \"But they're really only in the super seedy, super shady places, that aren't entirely legit. Like, in the places where you wouldn't want one even if they did offer it.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou shudder at the thought.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway, I'll give you the address. You might as well come by after school, get it taken care of soon as possible.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe tells you the address and you save it in your phone. Just in time, as the end of lunch bell rings.\n\n\\\u003eVerne slumps onto the table and Lewis gives him an exaggerated shrug.\n\n\\\u003eLin waves goodbye and goes back to the table she was at, likely to walk to her next class with her friends.\n\n\\\u003eLikewise you and your goon squad have the next class together so you all make your way there.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eThe day is almost over.\n\n\\\u003eYou're sitting in your science class, your last class of the day.\n\n\\\u003eScience is your favorite subject.\n\n\\\u003eAnd Mr. Warburton has been your favorite teacher.\n\n\\\u003eHe's pretty cool, and was apparently excited to have you in his class.\n\n\\\u003eSo he calls on you a lot to test your knowledge and stuff.\n\n\\\u003eWhich would annoy a normal student, but again you like the class so it doesn't bother you.\n\n\\\u003eToday is just a review of yesterday's lesson, so you're not really all there.\n\n\\\u003eBut you do happen to get the feeling that someone's looking at you.\n\n\\\u003eYou peek around and catch this huge black bull named Benji, peeking back at you.\n\n\\\u003eLikewise he has this self satisfied grin on his face.\n\n\\\u003eWell that's disturbing, but you ignore it.\n\n\\\u003eHe probably just wants to fight you anyway. Most people tend to do that or say something to you, to kind of foreshadow that they're going to challenge you at the Circle before they do.\n\n\\\u003eYou haven't fought Benji before, but you've seen him fight. He's pretty good.\n\n\\\u003eLet's hope Lin can help your shoulder before you do have to fight anyone though.\n\n\\\u003eThe bell rings, and class is dismissed.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou grab your things and head to your locker.\n\n\\\u003eYou and your friends usually meet up at your locker one last time before you go your separate ways or make plans to hang out or whatever.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't choose the Circle over your friends. Glory is temporary but friendship is eternal.\n\n\\\u003eOr so you'd like to think, but senior year will eventually come to an end, and you and your friends do have different ideas of what you'll be doing once the end arrives.\n\n\\\u003eBut that's neither here nor there at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eYou all meet up like always.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eVerne is going to his club today, and Mikael's parents are going to be home late today so he has to pick his little sister up from elementary.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou split off, walking with Lewis and Mikael until Mikael breaks off to head to his car.\n\n\\\u003e\"So you gonna head to the Circle today, even if you can't fight?\" Lewis asks you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mm, nah. I'm gonna see if Lin can help deal with it and her place is kinda close to my house, so i'll just go home once I'm done there.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh that's what she was doing at our table, huh? Thought Mikael was just doing Mikael things.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You walk for a bit longer, before you get ready to head to your scooter. However a voice from behind stops you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Heeey, Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou recognize that voice, it's one that has spoken to you about a million times.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn around and see Bree Willshire looking up at you, with her big purple doe eyes.\n\n\\\u003eLiterally, cuz she's a doe.\n\n\\\u003e\"Waddup Bree.\" you say casually.\n\n\\\u003eYou look back to Lewis, who gives you that 2 finger salute before walking off ahead, and you nod to him before returning your attention to Bree.\n\n\\\u003eBree has this kinda punk rock aesthetic that you really dig. Some kinda grungy band t-shirt and black shorts. The big kicker is that she wears flannel shirts like you do.\n\n\\\u003eShe ties them around her waist by the arms though, which you always silently think is a shame.\n\n\\\u003eIt bugs you, like preppies who tie their sweaters around their necks.\n\n\\\u003eHer brown hair, the same shade as her fur is parted right over her left ear area and sideswept to the right with these dark pink(or are they light purple?) highlights.\n\n\\\u003eBree also has a lot of piercings.\n\n\\\u003eLike a lot.\n\n\\\u003eWell not a lot a lot, but a decent few.\n\n\\\u003eBarbell piercings, 2 in her left ear, 1 in her right eyebrow, you think she has one in her tongue based on the tiny click you've heard whenever she talks.\n\n\\\u003eYou've wondered to yourself if she has piercings in any other places, but you bonked the horny out of your head a few times.\n\n\\\u003eShe's like 4 feet tall so you really have to crane down to look at her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Your fight with Caesar was pretty dope, like always.\" she says to you. \"And that uppercut was pretty mean, was that something you've been working on?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe's standing with a friend, this almost equally short kangaroo, whose name you can't really remember right now. She doesn't talk much so you never really bothered to engage her.\n\n\\\u003eBree's friend is giving her this kinda smug smile, that you notice but Bree does not, her attention purely up at you.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't really know what that look means, but whatever it's not meant for you so you ignore it.\n\n\\\u003e\"Nah, that was just a heat of the moment kinda thing, hadn't been planning on it.\" you tell her as you rub your shoulder, reminding yourself of what it cost you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ahh, that's a shame, I thought it was gonna be a new addition.\" she sighs with a look of minor disappointment. \"Oh well, at least there's still the Clinch, that's honestly the best part, I can't get enough of it. Especially yesterday, how you built up to that punch that laid Caesar out, it was like-\"\n\n\\\u003eShe grabs her friend in a mock clinch, and almost perfectly recreates the exact movements you used when you were fighting Caesar, albeit with some very dramatic vocal releases of 'hah! and 'yah!\"\n\n\\\u003eHer friend, being a good sport, dramatically moves her body in response to being falsely kicked in the legs and gut, before Bree finishes with the big haymaker you used, thrown right over the friend's shoulder to avoid the face.\n\n\\\u003eIt comes out just like yours, the same forward motion, the same arm extension, the same lift up of the right leg.\n\n\\\u003eMan, she knows you to a T, wild.\n\n\\\u003eBree is apparently a big fan of yours. Which is understandable.\n\n\\\u003eWhat civilian does not admire their king?\n\n\\\u003eWell the jealous ones, probably, but whatever.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why don't you jump in the Circle, Bree? You seem really into it.\" you ask her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm? Nah, I'm into it, but only to watch. I'm not really in to getting hurt myself, y'know.\n\n\\\u003e\"Makes sense to me.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Speaking of the Circle, you going today?\" she asks. She always asks you this question.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mmm not today, got some things to take care of that are kinda important.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou don't tell her about your shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eTo your fans you should be an indomitable, invincible champion.\n\n\\\u003eInjury should not afflict the body of a king.\n\n\\\u003eOr at least that's what you want everyone to think.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks let down when you say that.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, okay. I guess I'll see you there next time then.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You know it, you know\u0026nbsp; I don't stay gone for long. But I gotta get going now, see ya Bree.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Mhm, see ya Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou walk off toward your scooter.\n\n\\\u003eChain released, you climb on and start 'er up.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a look at the address Lin gave you one more time.\n\n\\\u003eYup, that's near the shopping center close by your place.\n\n\\\u003eYou take off on your way.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou reach the shopping center and travel down until you find the location Lin sent you to.\n\n\\\u003eXinyan Massage Parlor.\n\n\\\u003eYou park your scooter and on goes the chain.\n\n\\\u003eShe said 60 bucks right? Even with a discount, better make sure you've got enough.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab your phone and check your account.\n\n\\\u003eYou've got a decent amount.\n\n\\\u003eYour parents send you a couple bucks every month for you to spend on bullshit.\n\n\\\u003eBut with the discount you get from most places, you've been saving a lot, so you're sitting on a decent fund to waste on said bullshit.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk in.\n\n\\\u003eIt's dim as hell, and there's this kinda calming maybe Chinese, music softly playing.\n\n\\\u003ebeifongxiaoxiao.mp3\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eNo one is at the front desk but there's a little bell.\n\n\\\u003eYou hit it and wait.\n\n\\\u003eBehind the desk is a list of different available massage types and time lengths.\n\n\\\u003eAnd in big bold red letters next to the list are the words \"We don't do happy endings.\"\n\n\\\u003eHuh.\n\n\\\u003eAfter a while, another panda, a couple years older looking than Lin comes out.\n\n\\\u003eThis one is, uh.\n\n\\\u003eIf Lin is thicc, this one is.\n\n\\\u003eEXTRATHICC.jpeg\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003e\"Hi welcome, how can we help you?\" she says, a pleasant, accommodating smile on her face.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hi, uh. Lin told me to come by, said she could help me save my shoulder.\" you tell her, with a little difficulty forming sentences.\n\n\\\u003eShe's wearing one of those China dresses and goodness gracious.\n\n\\\u003eC'mon man, keep the spaghetti in your pocket.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh right on. Lin, you have a customer! Must be someone from your school!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh she's already here?\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Yup, she'll be right with you.\"\n\n\\\u003eAfter a minute, Lin pops from around the corner, you're guessing she just got there shortly before you because she looks like she just finished changing into her own dress and is still, adjusting in places.\n\n\\\u003eYou're staring a bit.\n\n\\\u003eReroute pasta to pocket protocol.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey there you are.\" she looks to her family member. \"Put him down for an hour, sis. Also, he gets a discount.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe sister lifts her eyebrow and gives a smirk.\n\n\\\u003e\"He's Champ of the Circle.\" Lin quickly explains, shutting down her sister.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oookay, that's fine then.\" the sister says with an amused shrug.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright follow me\" Lin says, and you do.\n\n\\\u003eShe leads you to a room, it's dim and smells really nice.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright bud, shirt, pants, socks, shoes, all off.\" she pauses, before adding \" Underwear is optional, but know that if you do, and I happen to see anything. I will be brutally honest.\" she stares at you, looking like she's ready to kill you, with words.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait. If we're just working on my shoulder, why am I losing my pants?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Because I've got you for an hour, you might as well get the whole package.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou half shrug, accepting what she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"When you're done with your clothes, face in the hole.\" she points to the little opening on the table.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod, and she leaves you to disrobe, a little awkwardly. Underwear stays on.\n\n\\\u003eBut you do as instructed and wait for her to come back.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright you ready?\" she says as she cracks the door.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yup.\" is all you say as you respond.\n\n\\\u003e She steps in, closes the door behind her and gets to work.\n\n\\\u003eAs she works, you can't help but notice her kind of, speaking to herself.\n\n\\\u003eNot so much coherent words, as a simple \"hmm\" or \"oh\" or \"huh\".\n\n\\\u003eYou're guessing she's finding bits of you intriguing enough to comment on.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe there's a lot of knots or something that she's concerned with.\n\n\\\u003eOr maybe she doesn't get too many human clients, so the slight difference in muscle structure is curious to her.\n\n\\\u003eEither way it's beginning to feel pretty nice.\n\n\\\u003eThere are points where it's a little painful, she attributes that to being muscles that you work a lot but don't stretch.\n\n\\\u003eAfter some time she tells you to flip over, so you do.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, I'm gonna take the rest of this time to work on your shoulder okay? It is definitely going to be a bit painful, but if it gets to be too much, just let me know.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod, ready for the suffering.\n\n\\\u003eAn almost eternity of her digging into the squishy bits of your shoulder, extending your arm straight out, pressing in more, rolling it, doing all kinds of torturous motions in an effort to rip the cries of agony from your throat, you feel like you've been torn asunder for a week.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, hopefully that will do it.\" your torturer tells you. \"It may still hurt for the rest of the day, but by tomorrow, should be good as new. One last thing though.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eShe leaves for just a second before she comes back with a cup of warm liquid.\n\n\\\u003e\"Have some tea. It will also help.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou've come this far, might as well.\n\n\\\u003eYou check the temp, and it's cool enough to drink but still pleasantly warm, so you take hearty sips, and have effectively drained your cup.\n\n\\\u003eShe takes it from you. \"Alright, you can put your clothes back on and pay my sister. Also, tips are very much appreciated.\n\n\\\u003e\"What kind of Neanderthal doesn't tip?\" you say, standing and reaching for your pants.\n\n\\\u003e\"You'd be surprised.\" is all she says before she steps out.\n\n\\\u003eClothes firmly returned to cover your hairless body and you walk to the front desk where the sister is already waiting.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey hey. How was it?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"It was great until we actually got to my shoulder and then it was agony.\" you say with a wry chuckle.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, sorry to hear that, but it will definitely help, trust in Lin. People say she's got healing hands. Anyway. For your session, that will be 40 bucks.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou pull out your wallet, hand her your card, which she charges and pull out a 10 to give as a tip.\n\n\\\u003eHopefully that's good enough.\n\n\\\u003e\"Thank you very much.\" she says. \"Come back and see us again.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look back and see Lin standing and waving you off, you return the wave.\n\n\\\u003eYou glance over at her sister.\n\n\\\u003eShe smiles and winks at you as you walk out.\n\n\\\u003eYou gotta say, 40 beans well spent.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou're back at home now.\n\n\\\u003eCooking dinner, spaghetti.\n\n\\\u003eYou are also inhaling memes like oxygen as you wait for it to cook.\n\n\\\u003eAhh, the sweet memes.\n\n\\\u003eYour food is just about finished, so you serve it up, and sit to eat.\n\n\\\u003eYou get a text from Lewis.\n\n\\\u003e'Today was a good day for some challengers. Let's hope your shoulder is good, you're in for it soon.'\n\n\\\u003e'What. Who?' you send back.\n\n\\\u003e'Not telling. Gonna have to see for yourself.'\n\n\\\u003e\"Then what the fuck was the point of telling me that people are gonna challenge me? People always challenge me.'\n\n\\\u003e'So you could be worried.'\n\n\\\u003e\"You're kinda a dick.'\n\n\\\u003eHe sends the sunglasses emoji.\n\n\\\u003eWhatever, that was random but okay.\n\n\\\u003eYou eat your food, take the dishes from last night out of the washer and put the new ones in, placing your leftovers in tupperware.\n\n\\\u003eHomework done, food consumed and meme reserves refueled.\n\n\\\u003eGuess you'll turn in a bit early tonight.\n\n\\\u003eYou shower, brush teeth and equip pajamas.\n\n\\\u003ePhone is plugged in to charge.\n\n\\\u003eTime for bed.\n\n\\\u003eLewis' text still kinda bugs you.\n\n\\\u003eWhy wouldn't he just tell you?\n\n\\\u003eIt's not like it would be a secret, everyone who fights has challenged you at one point.\n\n\\\u003eUnless it's someone you've never seen fight before?\n\n\\\u003eOr someone new to the Circle?\n\n\\\u003eWhat did they do, fight 3 people in a row in one day while you were absent today, just so they could fight you tomorrow?\n\n\\\u003eOr maybe they just fight while you aren't there.\n\n\\\u003eIt is true that you aren't there every single day.\n\n\\\u003eWhatever, don't lose sleep over it.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a bit worrying, but also kind of exciting.\n\n\\\u003eYou ponder the possible challengers it could be before you drift off to sleep.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou wake up.\n\n\\\u003eTime to rise and grind.\n\n\\\u003eYou get out of bed and holy fuck you feel amazing.\n\n\\\u003eYou stretch every part of your body and you've never felt this good.\n\n\\\u003eEven your shoulder pain no longer exists.\n\n\\\u003eWow. Lin must've been blessed by Buddha.\n\n\\\u003eYou go through your dailies.\n\n\\\u003eIf you can feel this good more often you'll definitely have to visit her shop a lot more.\n\n\\\u003eAfter taking care of everything you head to school like always, meet up with your friends like always, and shoot the shit till it's time to go to class, like always.\n\n\\\u003eYou keep an eye out for Lin, so you can thank her and tell her how goddamn great you feel, but you don't see her.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you'll catch her during lunch.\n\n\\\u003eThe rest of your day goes by pretty quickly and at lunch you caught up with Lin and thanked her as you planned.\n\n\\\u003eShe told you it was no big deal, it's her job after all, and you should thank her Ma for teaching her the trade.\n\n\\\u003eShe also says you're welcome to come back whenever you need which you take her up on.\n\n\\\u003eThe school day comes and goes, and now it's time to head to the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eSee what poor vicitims you must put to the metaphorical sword.\n\n\\\u003eBenji wasn't glancing at you in class today, but you're still sure he wants to fight you.\n\n\\\u003eYou doubt Benji is the one Lewis was hinting towards but he still won't give up any details.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eVerne isn't going to club today and Mikael has nothing to do either, so you're all heading to the Circle together.\n\n\\\u003eYou didn't run into Bree today like normally, but oh well.\n\n\\\u003eWalking your scooter is a chore but you put up with it.\n\nMikael is walking with you guys. Apparently he didn't bring his car because he felt like walking.\n\n\\\u003eWhy a man would willingly choose to walk when he has access to transportation is beyond you.\n\n\\\u003eBut you may never understand the stormy sea of mental processes that is the Viking mind.\n\n\\\u003eLewis also has a car, but chooses to walk.\n\n\\\u003eHis reasoning is something about cardio, and not putting a lot of pointless miles on his car.\n\n\\\u003eStill more nonsense to you, but people will do as they please.\n\n\\\u003eEventually you guys come up on the site where the Circle is hosted.\n\n\\\u003eIt's really just this huge dirt field, with this big square of concrete formed right in the center.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe a construction site that never finished, you don't know.\n\n\\\u003eYou can see people pulling up, mingling until it's time to start.\n\n\\\u003eSomeone's gotten to the stereo they keep nearby and is playing some oldschool hip hop.\n\n  \n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqk5BLxd0ZY\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eThe good stuff, the stuff that you can actually understand.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a raccoon at a table, sorting through a bunch of papers. It's like her betting table or something.\n\n\\\u003eThere's also a squirrel sitting in a lawn chair with an ice cooler who sells snacks and drinks.\n\n\\\u003e You walk over and buy yourself a can of Dr. Bepper.\n\n\\\u003eShe sells them for 1.50 but you get yours for a dollar.\n\n\\\u003eYou crack open your cold one and plant your butt in your throne.\n\n\\\u003eIt's good to be king.\n\n\\\u003eYou sit and chat with your friends until it's about time to start.\n\n\\\u003eThe Circle forms up and Lewis steps inside.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, welcome back.\" He says with that infinitely bored look. \"It's gonna be another good day. So let's get to it. Who's stepping in the Circle?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I am!\" booms a voice that you know.\n\n\\\u003eWho else but Benji Blackrock moves his way into the Circle.\n\n\\\u003e\"And I want the King's crown!\" he says looking straight at you, fire in his eyes.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare at him blankly, and idly finish the last of your Dr. Bepper, before you stand up and move into the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel fucking amazing today, you are going to demolish this goddamn cowman.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright.\" Lewis says, nodding to both of you. \"Let's get into it. What you gotta say?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Didn't catch you round here yesterday.\" Benji starts. \"Thought you heard early I was comin' to fuck you up, so you ran away.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Look, I'm gonna need you guys at the tent to be ready!\" you shout towards the nurse station.\n\n\\\u003e\"Man you're the one gonna need a nurse when I fucking gore you!\n\n\\\u003e\"Pfft on what? The little nubs you call horns? I don't think you're gonna be getting any use out of those, but it's okay. I hear some girls, like 'em small.\" You let out a taunting chuckle at those last words, and a few in the crowd join in.\n\n\\\u003e\"At least when I take your spot from you, you'll have plenty of time to scratch your ass and swing from trees.\" he throws back. He looks a bit flustered.\n\n\\\u003eSize taunts mess with everybody, no matter who they are.\n\n\\\u003e\"You know Benji, when I knock you out, I think I'll use my Right to make you get a tattoo. It'll say 'Property of Lonkhorn Steakhouse.'\"\n\n\\\u003eHe huffs, and you think you can actually see a cloud of steam exit his nose.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright alright.\" Lewis says, cutting the smack talk segment. \"It's time, you ready?\" He looks at Benji.\n\n\\\u003eBenji brings his hands up and nods.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks at you. \"You ready?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You get into a fighting stance as well and nod.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. Let's.\" He brings his hand up and throws it straight down, signalling the fight to begin. \"Fight!\"\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou are fucking dominating this bull.\n\n\\\u003eHe hits kinda hard, and he doesn't telegraph his attacks like a certain lion.\n\n\\\u003eBut even when he hits you it's like getting tagged by a damn water balloon.\n\n\\\u003eGoddamn this Lin buff is actually amazing!\n\n\\\u003eIt fuels you, propelling you to a higher plane of excellence!\n\n\\\u003eHe goes for a right hook but you block it and counter with a well placed uppercut(not a crazy one like you did last time, you've learned your lesson).\n\n\\\u003eYou then tag him twice in his big, protruding pot belly.\n\n\\\u003eHe swings with his left now but it goes wide and you duck under it.\n\n\\\u003eYou drive your elbow into his gut and he doubles over trying to catch his breath.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw a few punches to his exposed face, but through the assault he grabs on to your shirt.\n\n\\\u003eHe pulls you toward him and throws you back in an impressive display of strength.\n\n\\\u003eYou almost reach the other end of the Circle, but you steady yourself in time.\n\n\\\u003eThe spectators are standing there, ready for you to come into their reach.\n\n\\\u003eLike a school of ravenous piranhas, ready to shred you to bits if you so much as step an inch into their space.\n\n\\\u003eBenji is charging toward you, shoulder out like a bull shaped battering ram made of meat and rage.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand and face him, ready to intercept his charge.\n\n\\\u003e. . . Psych.\n\n\\\u003eYou dive forward, low to the ground and go right through his legs as he attempts to shoulder check you.\n\n\\\u003eAnd right into the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eA few humans and anthros latch on to him like a writhing mass of undead.\n\n\\\u003eThey punch and kick him in various places until he manages to free himself.\n\n\\\u003eHe turns around a bit slowly, and there you are waiting for him, poised to deliver a heavy kick to the chest.\n\n\\\u003eThis. Is. Towngrove!\n\n\\\u003eYou kick him right back into the Circle and once again they set upon him.\n\n\\\u003eThey lay into him like a giant punching bag with horns and hooves.\n\n\\\u003eHe's getting gassed, you can see it in his face.\n\n\\\u003eBut he's still got some fight in it.\n\n\\\u003eTime to beat the fight from his paltry flesh!\n\n\\\u003eYou wait for the crowd to finish mangling him, and once he finally sets himself free, you're on him again.\n\n\\\u003eYou jam your fist into his gut again and he doubles over, but still stands upright.\n\n\\\u003eHe's still hunched over but he manages to tag you with a fist to the cheek.\n\n\\\u003eYou spit a bit of blood from your mouth, that punch kinda hurt.\n\n\\\u003eYour hands go up to grab, and he notices this, blocking his neck with his arms.\n\n\\\u003eBut you're not aiming for the neck. He's got too much muscle in that area anyway, you likely wouldn't be able to maneuver him around anyway.\n\n\\\u003eNo, your hands go up and clasp on to his horns.\n\n\\\u003eThey barely even fit in your hands, that's just sad.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull down on his poor excuse for horns and simultaneously throw your knees into his nose.\n\n\\\u003eHe tries to push you off of him, but you step slightly out of range of his hands until his arms fall limply to his side, then you reclose the gap and continue firing knees into his nose.\n\n\\\u003e\"Stahb, stahb, I'b dun!\" comes his nasally, lispy voice.\n\n\\\u003eYou release his nubs and he drops to his knees, hands coming up to hold his nose, which is leaking blood.\n\n\\\u003eLewis steps forward. \"Welp there we have it. Your winner and still King of the Circle, Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd explodes with cheers, but one is louder and more clear than the rest.\n\n\\\u003eIt actually startles you, so you look over and Bree is standing in the front lines of the Circle, cheering with her phone aimed toward you.\n\n\\\u003eYou guess she was recording it.\n\n\\\u003eWhich would make sense, it was a new challenger, she probably wanted to save the moment of a completely new victory.\n\n\\\u003eYou grin and look out to the crowd.\n\n\\\u003eYou pound your chest with your right hand a few times, then as you turn in slow circles you throw your hands to the sky in imitation of the pose from that one wrestling heel.\n\n\\\u003eWhat was his name? Randall Orthon?\n\n\\\u003eWhatever, his pose is cool so you do it.\n\n\\\u003eBree is cheering even louder as you show off.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk over to Benji and extend your hand to him.\n\n\\\u003e\"Good fight, Benji.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe looks up at you. Then he wipes the blood on his hands into his shirt before taking your hand.\n\n\\\u003eYou help him stand and when he's up, hands still locked, you shake.\n\nGood sportsmanship is important.\n\n\\\u003e\"Gud fied, Anom.\" He says, trying to staunch the blood. \"Negs tibe doe, Ima gedchu.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I won't doubt it man. Go get some tissues or something from Hannah and\u0026nbsp; Grace, make sure your nose ain't broken.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe nods and hobbles off toward the nursing tent.\n\n\\\u003eHannah and Grace are both college students, studying to become nurses, so they're applying what they're learning.\n\n\\\u003eThey also give general first aid tips to people who want to know, just in case they can't show up.\n\n\\\u003eThey taught Lewis, they're also teaching this freshman human girl and sophomore cat dude, because they're interested.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe the presence of the Circle is what drives these people to seek careers in the healing field?\n\n\\\u003eWatching people get hurt is a good reason to try and make them not hurt.\n\n\\\u003eAnd your dad calls these fine ragamuffins, neanderthals.\n\n\\\u003eBack to your seat, you fist bump some people who come to congratulate you.\n\n\\\u003eVerne and Mikael pat you on the shoulders with looks of pride.\n\n\\\u003eBree strides up to you looking like she wants an autograph or something.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh man Anon that was great! You looked real good out there. Like even better than normal. You were flowing like water, like Brace Lee or something.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I know I felt pretty good too.\" you say as you stretch your arms straight up, noting to yourself that those visits to Lin's shop definitely need to become a regular occurrence now. \"Hey, were you recording that fight?\" you asks you remember her with her phone out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh uh, yeah. I kinda record all your fights. Just for myself you know! I don't post them anywhere, I remember you saying that your dad doesn't really like you here, so I wouldn't want you to get in trouble.\"\n\n\\\u003eHuh. You know you told your buddies that, but did you tell Bree? Eh, she probably just overheard it at some point.\n\n\\\u003e\"Is that. Okay?\" she asks, head turned down and violet lights peering up at you.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks like she'd pour the sadness from her eyes if you said no.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's fine, the Circle is a place of sport and entertainment, who am I to deny you your form of entertainment? So I'm fine with it.\" you give her a smile, and she smiles back.\n\n\\\u003e\"As long as it's only my wins!\" you add. \"You have to delete any of my fights if I actually lose, okay?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe laughs. \"Yeah right, at this point it's impossible to imagine you losing. You're gonna be the King until you have to hand over the title. No one's going to take it from you.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe's right. You've held onto it for this many years, what's a few more at this point?\n\n\\\u003eLet them try to take your crown from you. They will try, and they will fail.\n\n\\\u003eLewis calls for more fighters and to your surprise Mikael jumps up.\n\n\\\u003eYou guess watching you fight a new challenger has awoken the boiling blood of his ancient ancestors or whatever.\n\n\\\u003eHe gets put up against this other human. A junior and a part of the football team, judging by his letterman.\n\n\\\u003eBut he's not swole or anything so he must be one of the runner guys.\n\n\\\u003eMikael poses low with his hands out and up, kinda like some sort of angry mythological beast.\n\n\\\u003eThe football guy has his hands right in front of his face and is swaying left to right, like a boxer.\n\n\\\u003edempseyroll.exe\n\n\\\u003eNot quite, it's kind of just a bob and weave. But he fights like a boxer.\n\n\\\u003eMikael dodges, or takes hits he can't seem to dodge.\n\n\\\u003eWhat people forget, is that even though most people throw punches and kicks in here, there is nothing that says you can't use tactics other than punches and kicks.\n\n\\\u003eThe champion before you, a bear named Jayce, fought like a straight up tv wrestler. His favorite move to game end his opponents was a pedigree.\n\n\\\u003eHe went to college right after his senior year and moved away, so there was a tournament for the champ spot, which you won.\n\n\\\u003eMikael here, fights with submission holds.\n\n\\\u003eAnd he is really fucking good at them.\n\n\\\u003eOnce he catches you in one, it's easier to just accept your fate and tap out than fight that losing battle.\n\n\\\u003eYou've\u0026nbsp; likened him to a boa constrictor once he latches on to someone.\n\n\\\u003eHe referred to himself as Jormungandr.\n\n\\\u003eWhich is apparently just a big viking snake, so you were still right the first time.\n\n\\\u003eBut the poor guy currently fighting him, or more correctly, losing to him, is clearly learning how monstrous Mikael is.\n\n\\\u003eHe's got him in an armbar that looks like he's about to dislocate his whole shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eArms should not bend to such an angle.\n\n\\\u003eAfter about two minutes of futile struggling, the football kid taps out.\n\n\\\u003eMikael stands, laughs and says something in viking speak that you don't understand.\n\n\\\u003eThe girls are whooping and cheering and chanting his name as he fucking soaks it all up.\n\n\\\u003eBree however is on her phone, completely removed from the cheering.\n\n\\\u003eAs you're glancing at Bree, you notice something that catches your eye.\n\n\\\u003eA blur of pure white walks from the front to the back of the Circle and is lost in the crowd.\n\n\\\u003eIt was short too, about Bree's height.\n\n\\\u003eWho was that? You don't remember seeing anybody with pure white hair and fur like that.\n\n\\\u003eWell, in the back of your mind you can kind of remember somebody looking like that. But who was it?\n\n\\\u003eSomebody you know, or at least have met.\n\n\\\u003eBut you're drawing a blank. Whatever, not important, and if it is, it'll come to you later.\n\n\\\u003eYou kick back and enjoy the rest of your time at the Circle before it draws to a close.\n\n\\\u003eYou make your way home, and do the normal nightly things you do for the rest of the day, before it's time to clean up and hunker down.\n\n\\\u003eTomorrow is Friday, and therefore it's almost time to enjoy dicking around for the weekend.\n\n\\\u003eYou think back to that white form you saw one last time before you drift off to sleep.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou wake to the sound of your alarm.\n\n\\\u003eIt's another beautiful day.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't feel as stellar as you did yesterday.\n\n\\\u003eGuess the Ultra Instinct you got from Lin only lasts for a day.\n\n\\\u003eYou briefly consider going again today, just for the possibility of feeling amazing for Saturday.\n\n\\\u003eYou decide against it though.\n\n\\\u003eThat's how addiction starts!\n\n\\\u003eYou do your dailies and get ready to head to school.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull your scooter out. Good ol' Bonda PCX.\n\n\\\u003eYou affectionately named it Yulia.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a nice name, and it stuck with you ever since you played this game where this crazy merchant tried to kill you while screaming that name.\n\n\\\u003eYou check your tank, gonna need to fuel up eventually.\n\n\\\u003eBut it'll last you the rest of the day.\n\n\\\u003eOff you go to school, to power through the day.\n\n\\\u003eDay goes by pretty smooth, and before you know it, the final few minutes of your last class of the day are inching by.\n\n\\\u003eThe weekend tension in the room is palpable.\n\n\\\u003eNo one's really paying attention to the lesson as Mr. Warburton drones on a bit.\n\n\\\u003eEven he's not fully present at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eBenji throws his head into his arms to act as a pillow as he lays down on the desk.\n\n\\\u003eBut as he does, you look past him and notice.\n\n\\\u003eA small white shape.\n\n\\\u003eHmmmmm.\n\n\\\u003eIs that. Who you saw yesterday?\n\n\\\u003eOh yeah, now you remember!\n\n\\\u003eYou had a classmate like that.\n\n\\\u003eIt's this kinda short rabbit.\n\n\\\u003eSnow white fur, so it could definitely be who you saw.\n\n\\\u003eShe sits all the way in the front right of the class, and you're closer to the back left.\n\n\\\u003eBenji is smack dab between you, and as big as he is, you can't see passed him.\n\nSo all this time, she's been out of your line of sight.\n\n\\\u003eWhat's her name again? Martha? Mary Anne?\n\n\\\u003eSomething like that, but you've never exchanged words with her so you aren't too sure.\n\n\\\u003eIn fact, this is really the first time you've actually laid eyes on her, besides the occasional side glances as she wanders into class after you.\n\n\\\u003eDoes she go to the Circle? Apart from yesterday you can't really remember her ever being there.\n\n\\\u003eYou close your eyes and dig deep for a memory of spotting her before yesterday, but come up empty.\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug to yourself and open your eyes.\n\n\\\u003eYou cast your gaze back in her direction, and a flash of blue and a slight head turn back to the front of the class are the reward for your perception.\n\n\\\u003eWas she looking at you?\n\n\\\u003eShe's resting her cheek in her hand and bouncing her leg like she's nervous.\n\n\\\u003eOr anxious?\n\n\\\u003eThe bell shakes you back to attention, you grab your things and put them away.\n\n\\\u003eWhen you glance back up she's already packed up and out of there.\n\n\\\u003eMan, she's fast. But she's a bunny, so y'know, understandable.\n\n\\\u003eYou didn't get a good look at her even.\n\n\\\u003eNow that you think about it, this is probably the most attention you've ever given that rabbit, and it was only for like 5 minutes.\n\n\\\u003eShit you don't think you've ever actually caught a glimpse of her face.\n\n\\\u003eYou wouldn't even know her eyes were blue if she hadn't been looking over her shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eBut you don't attribute it to being a poor social classmate, just to the fact that you don't deeply concern yourself with people who aren't close to you.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou know your friends, and even though Bree isn't exactly a friend(more like a good acquaintance), you talk to her quite a bit, so you can remember details about her.\n\n\\\u003eMary Beth though(is that her name?) you have no idea because you don't associate with her.\n\n\\\u003eWhatever, you're getting a little too deep in your mind there, pal.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk to your locker to meet up with your buddies to make plans for the weekend.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003e\"It's finally Friday.\" Lewis states calmly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yes... Finally here.\" Verne adds with the same lax tone.\n\n\\\u003e\"Friday night.\" you and Mikael both conclude, looking to the school ceiling, knowing and understanding etched into your faces.\n\n\\\u003eYou can practically hear the 80's disco music blaring in your ears as you all walk down the hall side by side to the school entrance.\n\n\\\u003e\"So what are we planning?\" Verne asks as you all stand under the Siamese tree.\n\n\\\u003e\"We should go to that chicken place with the amazing bread.\" Mikael states.\n\n\\\u003e\"You mean Ragin' Kanes?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah that's it. That place is amazing.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay, that sounds like a lunch plan. What about after?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh no, that's all I had, I just really want the chicken.\" he shrugs.\n\n\\\u003e\"You know they finished renovating the arcade in TIM.\" Lewis chimes in. \"We could go there, check it out, see what's up.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm down for that!\" Verne agrees.\n\n\\\u003e\"Verne, you're down for everything all the time.\" you chide.\n\n\\\u003eHe shrugs. \"I'm easily pleased.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah I bet you are.\" you say in a mocking tone. \"Alright, Kane's and then the TIM. About lunchtime, so noon? That the plan?\"\n\n\\\u003eEverybody nods, your plans for tomorrow effectively established.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright good. What about today? You know where I'll be, but what about you guys?\n\n\\\u003eI'm going, same as always.\" Lewis remarks.\n\n\\\u003eVerne nods along. \"I'll go too, maybe I'll get to see you whip some more ass.\"\n\n\\\u003eMikael also agrees with an eager nod. \"I've got my car today, so I'll give you bums a ride. We'll see you there Anon, since I'm sure you have your scooter.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod and part ways, heading to your scooter.\n\n\\\u003e\"Heeey Anon.\" comes the familiar voice of your number one fan.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn on a dime and about face and find Bree walking up behind you.\n\n\\\u003eYou continue walking backwards while facing her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey Bree, what's up.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You going to the Circle today?\" she asks. Like always.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yes maa'm I am. What about you?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm going if you are.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look around and don't see her friend with her.\n\n\\\u003e\"You by yourself today?\" you probe.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh yeah, Rocky had something to do today, so I'll just be watching by myself.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"How do you usually get there? You drive?\" you continue your questioning.\n\n\\\u003e\"Nah, I walk. Just barely got my permit, so I'm still hoofing it around.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou snicker.\n\n\\\u003eHoofing it AH-HYUCK\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, I've got my scooter, since we're going the same way, you wanna hitch a ride?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe stares at you, taking a moment to register what you said.\n\n\\\u003e\"You sure?\" she asks, doe eyes wide and a drop of too much excitement in her voice.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah,\" you shrug. \"Granted it's not technically a '2 person seater'.\" you say wiith exaggerated air quotes. \"But the back part is made of seat material, so you can still sit on it. Just be careful with your feet, y'know.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay sure, I'll ride with you! I mean uh, yeah sure, that's cool, thanks.\" She puts her hands behind her back and kicks a rock on the ground, trying to look a little more aloof.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe she's excited to ride the scooter? It's not a motorcycle or anything, it's not that cool.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe new experiences just excite people regardless of what they are.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk to your scooter with Bree.\n\n\\\u003eYou remove the chain, climb on and start it up.\n\n\\\u003eYou offer her your hand to help her up, she is kinda vertically challenged after all.\n\n\\\u003eIt wouldn't be impossible for her to get on herself, but your dad also taught you to be a gentleman.\n\n\\\u003eHold doors, give 'em your jacket if they're cold.\n\n\\\u003eYou have no girls to be a gentleman towards so you take the chances as you get them.\n\n\\\u003eShe climbs on, close to height level with you at the moment, since the part she's sitting on is a bit elevated.\n\n\\\u003e\"You ready?\" you call out behind you.\n\n\\\u003eShe bends and loops her arms around you, with a quiet but firm \"Yes.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou chuckle a bit. \"It's not a motorcycle Bree, you won't have to hold on for dear life. It doesn't go very fast, you can just put your hands on my shoulders to keep steady.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"O-oh, right, my bad.\" she says with a bit of hesitation in letting you go, before putting her hands on your shoulders.\n\n\\\u003eHm, maybe you should've let her be. She did seem excited to take this ride, you might've dampened her enjoyment a bit now.\n\n\\\u003ePlus the skinship(can you still call it skinship if one party has fur?) was pretty nice, you will admit.\n\n\\\u003eOh well the deed is done.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull off and ride toward the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eThe ride down is quick and before you know it you've arrived.\n\n\\\u003eYou help Bree down.\n\n\\\u003e\"Than- uh, thanks for the ride, Anon.\" she says, looking pretty giddy.\n\n\\\u003e\"No problem.\" you respond. \"I don't mind giving you rides while you're on your own. If we're both headed to the Circle, might as well.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Really? I'll hold you to that.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"And I'll hold you to giving me rides once you get your license.\" you grin at her.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll give you, all the rides you want.\" she says, squinting her eyes a bit at you..\n\n\\\u003eThere was uh, something in the way she said that, that makes you double take.\n\n\\\u003eYou go to say something before she interrupts with \"You know, cuz you're the King! Like you can use your Right to make people give you rides to places and stuff, haha!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"... Oh yeah, that's right.\" You laugh, of course that's what she meant.\n\n\\\u003eBree is kind of a dork sometimes.\n\n\\\u003eWhen you first met her, you expected her to be like a little edgy, or brooding when you saw the way she dressed.\n\n\\\u003eTurns out she's actually pretty bubbly and upbeat, and kind of a doof sometimes.\n\n\\\u003eIt makes you glad, you probably wouldn't get along with her if she were as much of a punk as her outfits suggest.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway Bree, I'ma go settle in, I'll be seeing ya.\" you say as you start towards your tradition of grabbing one of those ice cold Dr. Beppers and planting your butt on your seat.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright Anon, I'll be seeing you. I'll make sure to record your next victory! \"she shouts as you walk off.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw a fist up and out to your side in quiet resolve.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou're sitting in your seat and have downed your third Dr.Bepper.\n\n\\\u003eSoda addiction is real.\n\n\\\u003eA few fights have gone on, but nothing especially exciting.\n\n\\\u003eNot every day is a cavalcade of excitement, but it's all still entertaining.\n\n\\\u003eThere's an intermission, people are chatting.\n\n\\\u003eSomeone's playing old school hip hop on the speakers again, but like even more old school than the last time.\n\n  \n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgLEj0LBRZo\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eGeez, who the fuck gave this man the aux?\n\n\\\u003eAt least it's currently a song that fits with the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYou wonder what's taking Lewis so long to call the next fight, when you look over and see him.\n\n\\\u003eAnd he's talking to a white rabbit.\n\n\\\u003eWait wut.\n\n\\\u003eHe's got his attention on them, and nodding.\n\n\\\u003eThen he looks up, and sees you looking in his direction.\n\n\\\u003eFor the first time in ages, the bored look of his shifts to one of amusement.\n\n\\\u003eIt can't be.\n\n\\\u003eAfter the music dies down he steps up and commands the Circle's attention.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright alright everybody listen up! Day's winding down so let's get into it quick. We got us one more fight for the night, and what else would it be for but our very own King's crown.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe can't be serious.\n\n\\\u003e\"Some of you may not have seen this fighter around, which is fine, they don't step in to the Circle very often. But when they do, they put in serious work. And now they've decided it's time to dethrone the King.\"\n\n\\\u003eIs he really doing some kinda hype entrance?\n\n\\\u003e\"So let's get into it. Step up Anon, and come defend your crown.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou're a bit confused, but you stand and walk forward anyway.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd cheers as you stand and you do that fancy pose again as you soak up the hype.\n\n\\\u003e\"You're going against someone you've never fought, and not only that. You've never seen them fight either. The odds may be against you, but no king should be easily routed. And don't pull your punches just because it's a girl, or you'll be in for it.\"\n\n\\\u003eOh hell, it can't be. It must be. It really is gonna be.\n\n\\\u003e\" Give it up, for our next would be usurper, Mirabelle Dunwick.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe steps out of the way, and lo and behold, that white rabbit from your science class, strides up, emanating confidence.\n\n\\\u003eSo her name's Mirabelle. Eh, you were kinda close.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd is cheering and whistling, eager to see this challenger fight.\n\n\\\u003eYou haven't seen her fight once, she literally must've only stepped in when you weren't here.\n\n\\\u003eJudging by his look, and that hype speech, this must be the one Lewis was talking about when he texted you a few days ago.\n\n\\\u003eYou wanna laugh, it's a bunny. And she's short, she's like barely a few inches taller than Bree.\n\n\\\u003eHe can't seriously think this is what ends your streak, you've fought Caesar and Benji!\n\n\\\u003eYou look at him, trying to confirm what it is you're seeing.\n\n\\\u003eThe bored look is back on his face, but he looks to you and nods.\n\n\\\u003eYou shake your head, and use this time to finally get a better look at this rabbit.\n\n\\\u003eThis is quite honestly the first time you've ever laid eyes on her face to face.\n\n\\\u003eYou look straight at her, trying your best to scowl and look unimpressed, but.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her, and.\n\n\\\u003eYou look, and.\n\n\\\u003e...Uhh. Huh.\n\n\\\u003eShe's kinda. Cute?\n\n\\\u003eNo scratch that, she is really cute.\n\n\\\u003eHer hair is just as white as the rest of her body, cut kind of short, the back of it barely reaches the nape of her neck, from what you can see. Her bangs kind of, dive into the center of her head and land between her eyes in this sort of fluffy triangle, the rest of it wraps around the sides and back of her head.\n\n\\\u003eHer ears are currently laying down behind her head.\n\n\\\u003eIs she lop eared? You aren't sure, you think some bunnies can just flatten their ears like that when they want.\n\n\\\u003eThey're currently behind her and pinned together with like a scrunchie or something.\n\n\\\u003eIt's like a ponytail, but with her ears, it's kinda sporty and cute.\n\n\\\u003eThey weren't like that when you saw her earlier.\n\n\\\u003eProbably to keep them from flopping around as she fights.\n\n\\\u003eOr to avoid as a weak point to attack.\n\n\\\u003eAlright focus, move on. You look into her eyes, trying to gauge her reaction at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eThat look of confidence has been replaced with a grim scowl full of determination.\n\n\\\u003eIt's not intimidating in the slightest, you think. Actually it's kind of cute.\n\n\\\u003eHer eyes are.\n\n\\\u003eBig and blue.\n\n\\\u003eDeep as the ocean.\n\n\\\u003eThey're pulling you in, glorious azure gemstones that-\n\n\\\u003eFocus my guy, what's wrong with you?!\n\n\\\u003eMoving on, you cast your eyes further downward.\n\n\\\u003eLittle button nose, standard bunny thing.\n\n\\\u003eHer lips are.\n\n\\\u003eUnblemished, and a light dab of pink.\n\n\\\u003eSoft, enticing.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare. A little longer than you mean to.\n\n\\\u003eYou blink your focus back to the forefront of your mind, and glance up, hoping she didn't catch you staring so hard.\n\n\\\u003eShe's still looking dead at you, that scowl on her face.\n\n\\\u003eShe must think you're sizing her up, not checking her out.\n\n\\\u003eWait, you are sizing her up, you aren't checking her out!\n\n\\\u003e...Right?\n\n\\\u003eYou scratch your head vigorously with your left hand, trying to rend the strange thoughts from your scalp.\n\n\\\u003eStretch, limber up, get some blood circulating.\n\n\\\u003eAt almost the same time as you, she also begins stretching.\n\n\\\u003eOne knee is bent and the other leg is extended far right.\n\n\\\u003eThen the other leg.\n\n\\\u003eShe's got, pretty nice legs.\n\n\\\u003eShe's a rabbit man, all they are is legs.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eAnd she's wearing these shorts that really fucking show them off.\n\n\\\u003eShe stands back up and reaches straight toward the sky.\n\n\\\u003eMinimal chest extended.\n\n\\\u003eShe's got this pink fitted crop top that shows off a generous amount of her midriff.\n\n\\\u003eThighs save lives.\n\n\\\u003eMidriffs can stop wars.\n\n\\\u003eThis bunny's body is delivered unto us by the Messiah.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you, are actually losing your mind!\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eWhy is she commanding so much of your attention at this very moment?!\n\n\\\u003eThis may be the first time you've really seen her for good, but she's just a living being like everyone else.\n\n\\\u003eThis doesn't make sense.\n\n\\\u003eYou've heard snakes and other reptiles can get into your head with their eyes, but can rabbits somehow do that with their entire being?\n\n\\\u003eShe peels off her denim jacket and tosses it casually behind her.\n\n\\\u003eHer arms aren't crazy toned or defined. But then again, neither are yours and you knocked out a lion with an uppercut.\n\n\\\u003eYou're running your eyes over her again.\n\n\\\u003eOnce, twice, three times.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eLooking for a weakness you can exploit, a bruise from a previous match you can focus.\n\n\\\u003eYou are looking for weaknesses right?\n\n\\\u003eYou don't even register that someone has been talking to you, until he walks up and taps you on the shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eLewis is looking at you, with a deep look of concern.\n\n\\\u003e\"You uh. You good man?\" he asks, eyebrow raised as high as physically possible.\n\n\\\u003e\"Of course.\" you lie as naturally as you breathe.\n\n\\\u003eLewis does not look convinced, so apparently it wasn't natural enough.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, if you say so.\" is the only thing he says though, before walking back to his place.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks to the both of you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. Let's get into it. What you gotta say?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe gets a word in before you do.\n\n\\\u003eGoddamn bunnies being all fast and shit.\n\n\\\u003e\"Man you were looking kinda worried for a bit there. Lemme guess. You could clearly understand the fact that I'll be sitting in your seat very soon, and the idea scared you.\"\n\n\\\u003eOh man, her voice is melodious, gentle and sweet, but with a vibrancy that-\n\n\\\u003eFOCUS you monkey brained bastard!\n\n\\\u003eYou scan said monkey brain for a good taunt. You have never had to fight a rabbit, so you aren't pulling up anything too stellar, but you've gotta say something.\n\n\\\u003eLook Thumper, who even let you in here? I'm pretty sure there should be a height requirement.\" you say, motioning with your hand like you're measuring her height to yours. \"Like, I won't have a shoe box big enough for you if something goes wrong.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh well, should be fun for you at least. I hear a lot of guys are into getting completely dominated by smaller girls.\" She bounces her eyebrows at you with a smirk.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd 'ooh's at you, that was kinda good, you admit.\n\n\\\u003e\"Look, I really don't have time for your games here. I'm trying to get some real fights in. So why don't you jump to the moon, little bunny? Save me the time of having to lay you down like an arrow in the neck.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Why don't you fall out of your tree, little monkey? Save me the time of having to kick you out of it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"How did you even manage to make it all the way to fight me? ... Must be the feet, no other explanation. I might have to lob one off and keep it as a charm once I put you in the dirt.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd feigns sounds of mock pain. Sometimes getting gruesome produces results.\n\n\\\u003eA remnant of the bygone ages of conflict and hate.\n\n\\\u003eShe lifts one of her feet and twists it left to right, examining it.\n\n\\\u003eShe's got a nice clean pair of lowtop Duck Baylor's.\n\n\\\u003eBans are for comfort. Chonvers are for style.\n\n\\\u003eShe plants her foot back on the ground before she says, \"Dude, you could take both of them if you want.\" She pauses and gives a sassy smirk, before adding, \"They still wouldn't help you get lucky.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd goes ballistic at that one.\n\n\\\u003ebuti'mnotarapper.gif\n\n\\\u003eYou actually physically grip at your chest, like the words just punctured your heart.\n\n\\\u003eMortality clarified in a single strike!\n\n\\\u003eYou look around frantically, as if your next sick burn is out there waiting for you to notice it.\n\n\\\u003eBut nothing comes.\n\n\\\u003eDamn, she got you good with that one.\n\n\\\u003eGranted you set yourself up for it, but still!\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, alright.\" Lewis calls, attempting to settle the crowd down and have them reform. \"It's time. You ready?\" he asks, looking at Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe nods and brings her hands up a bit, bouncing forward and back in these little itty bitty short hops.\n\n\\\u003eSome kinda mobile stance, you don't know. It sure would've been good to learn moves and styles so that you could deal with them if you saw them.\n\n\\\u003eOh well, it hasn't hindered you so far.\n\n\\\u003eLewis turns to you. \"You ready?\" he asks.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a deep breath, bring your hands up, look over at him and nod.\n\n\\\u003eHe brings his hand up. \"Then let's,\" he says as he brings it sharply back down. \"Fight!\"\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou take a few steps in.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't know what she's about so you're just gonna go on the offensive and hope it pans out.\n\n\\\u003eYou get right up to her and throw the quickest jab you can muster in an attempt to tag her right in the nose.\n\n\\\u003eYour jab comes out and she is no longer in the vicinity of your fist.\n\n\\\u003ewat\n\n\\\u003eShe's actually beneath you, you didn't even see her dodge.\n\n\\\u003eBefore you can register any other movements she pulls her uno reverse card and tags you right in the nose.\n\n\\\u003eYou freeze dead in your tracks, and slowly stand to your full height.\n\n\\\u003eYou slowly turn your head to look at Lewis.\n\n\\\u003eHe's glancing wide eyed, like he blinked and almost missed what just happened.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks at you and asks, \"You okay?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah.\" you say with a bit of disbelief. \"Just needed someone else to confirm that that was actually something that just happened.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe gives a few vigorous nods.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mkay, great just checking.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe's fast as fuck boi!\n\n\\\u003eThis is definitely how she wins her fights.\n\n\\\u003eYou can't lose if you dodge literally everything.\n\n\\\u003eYou look back at her, she's surprisingly given you the time to process that she just dodged and punched you in the span of less than a second.\n\n\\\u003eShe's smiling at you, this cheeky grin.\n\n\\\u003eThat smile makes you pause too.\n\n\\\u003eIt strangely makes the inside of your chest like, itch or something.\n\n\\\u003eThis is no time to be distracted by the rabbit's attractive qualities, you must fight.\n\n\\\u003eYou are a King, you won't be defeated by an adorable little rabbit!\n\n\\\u003eYou throw another punch and surprise surprise, she dodges it and throws 2 punches into the side of your chest.\n\n\\\u003eThis repeats for a while, you swing, she bobs and fires, you swing again, she weaves and fires.\n\n\\\u003eHer punches aren't hitting too severely, but she's managing to clip you in the exact same spot twice in a row every time she dodges a swing and lets loose with her own.\n\n\\\u003eSooner or later, that's gonna build up and become critical target spots.\n\n\\\u003eA few more iterations of this losing battle, and you decide you're going to have to change up your tactics.\n\n\\\u003eIt's time for the legendary combat technique.\n\n\\\u003eFeinting.\n\n\\\u003eYou step back to reposition yourself, then step forward and bring your hand up and fire off a punch.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, you pause mid swing.\n\n\\\u003eShe caught the beginning of the swing and preemptively dodged in an effort to get into position for her counter punches.\n\n\\\u003eBut since you didn't commit to your swing, she's effectively left herself open for a split second, which is enough for you to correct your trajectory and launch the punch which cracks across, her cheek.\n\n\\\u003eThe force of your punch knocks her off balance and she falls to the side.\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't have much constitution, which is why she's dodging everything.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eLike a video game rogue or something.\n\n\\\u003eA few solid hits could take her out.\n\n\\\u003eLikewise you know from your science classes the points on most anthros that would be considered weak points.\n\n\\\u003eThe nose like Benji, the legs, the neck.\n\n\\\u003eFor rabbits it's the chest.\n\n\\\u003eIf you can clinch, a few solid blows to the chest could give you the win, easy.\n\n\\\u003eIf you can manage to grab her that is, she is still pretty fast.\n\n\\\u003eAnd shorter than you, a clinch might be tough, she might just duck out of your grasp.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw a few more punches, some real, some feinted, in an effort to keep her guessing.\n\n\\\u003eSome do their job, but all in all, she's starting to get a read on what you're committing to and what you're about to feint.\n\n\\\u003eSo you mix it up again.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw a feint into a real punch, but as she dodges you use the momentum to follow up with a kick that catches her in the hip.\n\n\\\u003eThose well-rounded hips.\n\n\\\u003eShe's modest up top, but her lower half has got it going on.\n\n\\\u003eUnfortunately, you distracted yourself long enough for her to punch you in the gut, causing you to take a few steps back.\n\n\\\u003eSo you couldn't capitalize on the momentum from your kick.\n\n\\\u003eIt's alright, you have a plan.\n\n\\\u003eYou just need to stick to the plan.\n\n\\\u003eThe fight continues, you get a few decent hits in, but so does she.\n\n\\\u003eAll those minor punches she's been landing to your chest area are starting to weigh in.\n\n\\\u003eYou haven't found a good chance to reel her in for the Clinch yet.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a swing, but your footing was bad and you end up hobbling a few steps forward.\n\n\\\u003eBut she doesn't take a swing, no.\n\n\\\u003eYou look up and notice, her feet are not touching the ground.\n\n\\\u003eIn fact she's currently nowhere near the ground.\n\n\\\u003eShe jumped up, and lashes her leg out, kicking you right in the side of the head, before she falls on to her back and does that martial arts kick back on to her feet.\n\n\\\u003eThat kick dazed you a bit, you find yourself getting a few feet away from her.\n\n\\\u003eShe's not moving right? It must be you.\n\n\\\u003eYeah, you're backpedaling.\n\n\\\u003eYou stop, just in time as you look back and see the edge of the Circle, ready and waiting to rip and tear into you.\n\n\\\u003eOkay, so just like a rabbit, her legs are strong and her kicks are vicious. As long as you avoid those, you'll be fi-\n\n\\\u003eYou turn towards her just in time to see her launching toward you.\n\n\\\u003eShe jumps and extends her foot.\n\n\\\u003eIt's less like she delivered a kick into your chest and more like she brought her foot into your chest and used her momentum to push you with it.\n\n\\\u003ePush you right into the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eThey waste no time, a human on your left and a big cat type(a panther you think, but you can't tell from this angle) link their arms under yours and hold you down.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle walks up, cracking her little knuckles, and proceeds to literally body you, throwing all kinds of punches into your very exposed torso, before she turns on her heel and throws a reverse wheelkick into your side.\n\n\\\u003eThe traitorous peasants finally release you after that, and you fall to your knees, the air escaping you and refusing to return.\n\n\\\u003eAt some point your hair tie must've snapped or come loose, because now your hair is falling into your face, getting stuck on the sweat.\n\n\\\u003eYou're losing momentum.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd is cheering and screaming at you to get up. You look out and see Bree throwing her fist in the air with her phone out.\n\n\\\u003eThis is a really good fucking fight.\n\n\\\u003eThe pain is secondary, the weird mental state Mirabelle has afflicted you with, in this one transcendent moment, none of that comes to you.\n\n\\\u003eThe only thing your brain calls to attention, is that you are enjoying yourself.\n\n\\\u003eYou haven't had this much fun in a fight in a while.\n\n\\\u003eAll your fights are fun of course, but this one. This is different, it feels unique.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand up and turn to face Mirabelle, sliding your hair back and out of your face as best you can.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks shocked for a moment.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you know why.\n\n\\\u003eYou're grinning.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eNot because you know you're going to win, but because you're enjoying yourself.\n\n\\\u003eShe grins back at you, and there's that itchy chest feeling again.\n\n\\\u003eYou ignore it though, this isn't time for that, whatever it is.\n\n\\\u003eYou barrel forward and throw a combination of punches and kicks, watching, waiting, biding your time. She counters with a few punches of her own, but you eat those up and continue swinging.\n\n\\\u003eEventually you see it.\n\n\\\u003eShe misstepped during a dodge and slips backward over herself.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you set upon her, like a blood starved vampire stalking a lone maiden in the dead of night.\n\n\\\u003eYou reach your hands down and around her and grab her in the Clinch.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd erupts in cheers.\n\n\\\u003eThey know the rules, and so do you.\n\n\\\u003eYou rear your leg back, poised to deliver swift and royal judgement upon this poor excuse for a usurper.\n\n\\\u003eBut she's doing something weird.\n\n\\\u003eHer arms are straight up and close to her body, stiff as boards, her elbows are almost touching.\n\n\\\u003eShe's gonna block your knees?\n\n\\\u003eYou throw a knee in an effort to soften her up, and as it comes to connect, her leg also shoots up and comes to guard her.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou throw a few more knees and the arms and leg stay put, softening the blow.\n\n\\\u003eShe's become some weird wall of bunny flesh.\n\n\\\u003e\\\u003eYou shift to the other leg in an effort to shake her up, and the left leg goes down, the right one comes up.\n\n\\\u003eShe's literally blocking all your knees this way, it's kinda weird but also impressive.\n\n\\\u003eShe's got peak balance too, you try to throw her around to get the legs down, but she either stays upright, or takes short hops in the direction that you move her to stay upright.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe if you clock her in the side of the head, she'll loosen up from the daze.\n\n\\\u003eThat turned out to be a mistake, as attempting to punch, basically means releasing half your grasp in the Clinch, and as you pull back to swing, the bunny in your clutches is no longer there.\n\n\\\u003eWell, she is. But she's low to the ground, in a pose like she's about to leapfrog or something.\n\n\\\u003eThat wasn't too far off the mark.\n\n\\\u003eIt was more like a bunny hop, kek\n\n\\\u003eAs she springs up and throws an uppercut so fierce it puts your previous one to shame.\n\n\\\u003eShe's shooting into the air, like a literal rising dragon.\n\n\\\u003eYou get thrown back, and you slump to your knees, turned away from where you think she's landing.\n\n\\\u003eYour jaw hurts, the world is pulsing.\n\n\\\u003eOr is that just your heartbeat in your ears?\n\n\\\u003eYou will yourself to your feet, and turn slowly towards her, trying not to turn too fast or else you might collapse from the twisting of the space in your eyes.\n\n\\\u003eBut as you do, you look out in a strange fusion of terror and awe.\n\n\\\u003eLike a man witnessing the end of the world before his very eyes.\n\n\\\u003eIt''s happening in slow motion.\n\n\\\u003eAt least it seems like slow motion.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle is coming towards you.\n\n\\\u003eBut she's not on the ground.\n\n\\\u003eShe's tucked into herself like a cannonball.\n\n\\\u003e... Since when can rabbits fly?\n\n\\\u003eAnd then the detonation of agony invades your being.\n\n\\\u003eAll those mediocre punches were just the buildup for this game ending devastation.\n\n\\\u003eHer legs come out and blast into your chest like rocket propelled sledgehammers.\n\n\\\u003eShe just dropkicked the life out of you.\n\n\\\u003eHard enough that you go almost flying across to the other side of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003ePeople have to step out of the way as you come skidding to a stop.\n\n\\\u003eSweet merciful baby Jesus, your chest hurts.\n\n\\\u003eBreathing is a luxury you are not granted.\n\n\\\u003eYou actually hope nothing is broken.\n\n\\\u003eThe world is fading.\n\n\\\u003eYour ears are ringing, but you somehow managed to catch a scream that sounded like someone just witnessed a murder.\n\n\\\u003eThe air around you is still, as if the world itself is holding its breath.\n\n\\\u003eYou're on your back, trying to roll over, but you feel like every one of your limbs just spawned a malignant growth that weighs 200 pounds .\n\n\\\u003eYou can't even lift your head to see where Mirabelle is.\n\n\\\u003eBut something's approaching into your field of vision.\n\n\\\u003eIt's hard to see through the blurring of the world around you and the dark wisps of hair that are impeding your vision.\n\n\\\u003eBut it's tall, and has antlers.\n\n\\\u003eLewis bends down, smooths the hair from your face and looks you in the eyes.\n\n\\\u003eYou look back at him, signaling that you are miraculously still conscious.\n\n\\\u003eHe's staring at you, like he just watched you shoot his parents or something.\n\n\\\u003eThis mix of confusion, fear, and panic.\n\n\\\u003eHis mouth moves, like he has something to say, but doesn't know how to, or doesn't want to say it.\n\n\\\u003eBut say it he does.\n\n\\\u003e\"You done?\"\n\n\\\u003eNo.\n\n\\\u003eHell no you aren't done.\n\n\\\u003eYou wanna stand back up right this instant and kick that fucking woodland rat's ass.\n\n\\\u003eBut your body is screaming in protest and refusing.\n\n\\\u003eYour lungs refuse to fill with precious oxygen.\n\n\\\u003eThe limbs will not obey.\n\n\\\u003eThis can't be how it ends.\n\n\\\u003eYou are the Champion, the King!\n\n\\\u003eYou're gonna lose it to this goddamn bunny after all this time maintaining your spot?\n\n\\\u003eIs this truly how kingdoms fall?\n\n\\\u003e\"You done?\" Lewis asks again.\n\n\\\u003eWords don't come to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou won't say it\n\n\\\u003eYou refuse to say it.\n\n\\\u003eSo you don't.\n\n\\\u003eYou force as much air into your lungs as they will take, and let it out as painfully slowly as you can manage.\n\n\\\u003eYou look right into Lewis' eyes.\n\n\\\u003eAnd slowly close your own.\n\n\\\u003e...You're done.\n\n\\\u003eWhen you open them, Lewis is looking like he just watched a nightmare made manifest.\n\n\\\u003eHe slowly stands up, in a way that only a man who has received life altering bad news can.\n\n\\\u003eHe slowly turns his gaze over the crowd, like he's trying to prepare to break bad news to everyone all at once.\n\n\\\u003eBut instead he just comes out and says it.\n\n\\\u003e\"He's done.\"\n\n\\\u003eNot a single sound is uttered.\n\n\\\u003eUntil a clatter of plastic hits the concrete.\n\n\\\u003eSomeone dropped their phone from the shock.\n\n\"Ladies and gentlemen of the Circle.\" Lewis says slowly, like he's using words he never thought he'd have to say in his lifetime. \"The winner, and new Champion of the Circle.\" He brings his hand up toward her. \"Mirabelle Dunwick.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd still not a single word is spoken.\n\n\\\u003eThe spectators are stunned into silence.\n\n\\\u003eThey just watched their king of three long years, usurped by this 4 and some change foot tall rabbit.\n\n\\\u003eOut of the corner of your eye, you see her approaching you.\n\n\"Ladies and gentlemen.\" she says. \"The King. Is dead.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe walks right up next to you, and squats down, before patting you on the cheek twice.\n\n\\\u003e\"Long live the King.\"\n\n\\\u003eNow, a chorus of madness and hysteria breaks forth as everyone screams and shouts and lets loose their building emotion.\n\n\\\u003eLewis picks you up by your arms and drags you to the nurse station before the Circle tramples you as they run in to bombard Mirabelle in congratulations.\n\n\\\u003eHannah the cow helps pick you up and set you on the bed thing they have there, and goes about checking to make sure none of your bones are broken or anything serious.\n\n\\\u003eSeemingly confirming that there are no broken bones, and everything is just your poor flesh bruising, Grace grabs you some ice and some aspirin to take.\n\n\\\u003eLewis, and the nurses give you some space to lie back and stay calm.\n\n\\\u003eMan it hurts.\n\n\\\u003eNot the wounds, the loss.\n\n\\\u003eYou took victory for granted for so long that a defeat feels like the end of the world.\n\n\\\u003eGod you feel like shit.\n\n\\\u003eThe fight was absolutely fantastic, but you fucking lost, so now all that good feeling means nothing at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eOn top of that weird goddamn itchy feeling in your chest, there's a\u0026nbsp; throbbing pain there, as well as a rolling fire in your belly.\n\n\\\u003eWhat the fuck was wrong with you?\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle kept distracting you in the weirdest of ways, you can't understand it.\n\n\\\u003e...Speaking of distracting.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a 4 foot presence peaking in to the tent, violet lights trained squarely on you.\n\n\\\u003eYou're kind of not in the mood for anyone to be around, so you get ready to tell her you want to be alone right now.\n\n\\\u003e\"What. Do you want, Bambi?\"\n\n\\\u003eWhoa man, all wrong what the hell, you save that for inside of the Circle, not out here!\n\n\\\u003eEven Hannah and Grace look over at you like you went too far.\n\n\\\u003eYou realize what you said and immediately take it back.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, my god Bree, I'm really sorry, I don't know why I said that, I didn't mean it, I'm just a bit-\"\n\n\\\u003e\"No no, it's okay. I get it. You're pretty upset, you just lost, I understand. I was going to ask if you were going to be okay, but in hindsight that kinda seems like a stupid question to ask, aha. So just forget it, I was never here, hope you get healed up soon Anon. We'll talk later, or something okay?\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eShe holds up her hands in surrender and backs away from the tent.\n\n\\\u003eFuck man, don't take your losses out on the poor innocent doe.\n\n\\\u003eYou lie in your cot, until the ice from your packs melt.\n\n\\\u003eThese bastards basically threw some kind of congratulations party for Mirabelle, they cranked the music, and got crunk.\n\n\\\u003eAlright, it's time to go home and soak in a bath or something, you decide.\n\n\\\u003eSun's practically gone, Circle should've disbanded a while ago.\n\n\\\u003eYou're about to walk straight to your scooter, but you remember.\n\n\\\u003eGood sportsmanship is important.\n\n\\\u003eYou hobble into the mass of bodies, and look for Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe's sitting inn the King's Throne, or you guess it would be the Queen's Throne now, if she decides to retain the whole royal moniker thing.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk over and she looks up at you.\n\n\\\u003e\"It sucks that I lost.\" you say. \"But all in all that was a fantastic fucking time, Mirabelle. Good fight.\" You extend your hand.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at your hand before looking up to you.\n\n\\\u003eShe stands up, takes your hand and shakes it.\n\n\\\u003e\"I enjoyed it too, good fight Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe smiles at you, and it's not like the sassy smirks, or the taunting grins she had been giving you during the fight.\n\n\\\u003eThis one is genuine and filled with honest joy.\n\n\\\u003eOkay, well, now that weird itch feels like tiny embers, ready to set your entire torso ablaze.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright well, just keep my\u0026nbsp; seat warm for me, I'll be back to take it soon enough.\" you taunt her.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's more like, you've been keeping it warm for me, but hey. You're always welcome to come try and take it back, if you aren't worried about getting your chest kicked in again.\n\n\\\u003eShe laughs and it's like listening to your favorite song.\n\n\\\u003eWhat the honest hell is wrong with you right now?\n\n\\\u003eIt occurs to you that you're still shaking her hand.\n\n\\\u003eWell you're kind of just holding it now.\n\n\\\u003eYou kind of don't want to let go?\n\n\\\u003eBut you do.\n\n\\\u003eIt's time to go home, so you jump on your scooter, and head home.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't bother with food, it's late and you don't have much of an appetite.\n\n\\\u003eYou soak in a warm bath for a while, put your PJ's on, and head to bed.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou wake up after a terrible night's sleep.\n\n\\\u003eIt hurts.\n\n\\\u003eNot physically, you're used to that, you mean mentally and emotionally.\n\n\\\u003eYou hoped sleeping on it would kind of help your shitty mood.\n\n\\\u003eTurns out if you go to bed in a shitty mood, you're likely to wake up in a shitty mood.\n\n\\\u003eWho would've guessed?\n\n\\\u003eYou check the time: 10:40 a.m.\n\n\\\u003eGeez you don't normally sleep this long, even on weekends. You're usually up at least by 9.\n\n\\\u003eYou're supposed to be meeting your buddies in a few hours.\n\n\\\u003eBut you kind of don't really want to go.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you'll just flake today.\n\n\\\u003eNah, they're your friends, they did nothing wrong.\n\n\\\u003eBesides, who knows for how much longer you'll have to hang out with them.\n\n\\\u003eYou only have so many more months before senior year ends, and the split paths of the future arrive.\n\n\\\u003eBetter enjoy the time you have with your closest friends, in case your paths no longer converge.\n\n\\\u003eYou clean yourself up and throw on your classic Anon outfit.\n\n\\\u003eIt's almost lunchtime anyway so you might as well hold out until you all meet up.\n\n\\\u003eYour phone goes off.\n\n\\\u003eLewis texted your group chat with a 'Picking up Verne, then we're on our way to Kane's'\n\n\\\u003e Verne sends a thumbs up emoji.\n\n\\\u003eMikael responds with a picture of that screaming ball with the caption \"Let's fucking go'.\n\n\\\u003eYou send the letter K, and that's all.\n\n\\\u003eYou decide to head out as well.\n\n\\\u003eYou still need to fuel up your scooter.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab your keys and wallet, hop on your scooter and head out.\n\n\\\u003eToday is an ugly day.\n\n\\\u003eNot really, it's very nice out, but to you it's fucking dismal.\n\n\\\u003eThe sky is no longer as blue, the grass is no longer as green.\n\n\\\u003eThe sun is too hot, the breeze is too weak.\n\n\\\u003eIs this what it's like to have the Big Sad?\n\n\\\u003eYou reach the nearby gas station and fill up.\n\n\\\u003eIt feels like it takes an hour.\n\n\\\u003eTime moves too slow.\n\n\\\u003eAfter you're done, you check the time: 11:49.\n\n\\\u003eYou're gonna be a few minutes late but whatever.\n\n\\\u003eYou'll probably get there before Mikael anyway, he's never on time.\n\n\\\u003eYou ride off towards Kane's.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull up a few minutes after 12.\n\n\\\u003eEveryone's already here, even Mikael.\n\n\\\u003eHe was actually on time, wild.\n\n\\\u003eYou get off your scooter and walk up.\n\n\\\u003eHe's got this fake little pout on his face.\n\n\\\u003e\"I told you I wanted this chicken, how could you make me wait?\" he says.\n\n\\\u003eYou give him a deadpan stare, channeling the energy of Lewis.\n\n\\\u003e\"Whatever man if you wanted it so bad you could've got in line and ordered.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe can sense the annoyance in your voice and puts a hand on your shoulder.\n\n\\\u003e\"Will you be okay? We can postpone if you aren't feeling up to hanging out, it's no big deal.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"No dude, it's fine. I'm just a bit put off. It's like, the same as losing a football game, or breaking your favorite headphones. Nobody died, I just lost a fight, I gotta get over it.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look up at him. \"Besides I thought you wanted this chicken, you just gonna turn around and go home?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Fuck no. I'd still get my chicken, I'd just go home afterwards.\" He laughs and shakes you by the shoulder a bit.\n\n\\\u003eYou all walk in and order your food.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily, Kane's and a lot of meat based food places also have those vegan versions of their food, so Lewis can partake with you without getting something lame, like a fucking salad.\n\n\\\u003eThe boys are talking about something, but once you dive into your food, their voices are a distant murmur.\n\n\\\u003eYou're thinking about Mirabelle, and what you could've done differently in your fight.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe a ground takedown. You don't use those often but it could have stopped her from dodging and getting free.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you should've focused her legs, all her power came from them after all. If you had made it difficult for her to keep her weight up or use her full power with them she may not have devastated you at the end there.\n\n\\\u003eAs you're thinking about her legs, your mind wanders.\n\n\\\u003eHer legs, up toward her full thighs, climbing to her attractive hips and thin waist. Cascading up to her respectable chest, landing on her face.\n\n\\\u003eOn her face is that smile, the one she gave you when you shook hands.\n\n\\\u003eThinking about it seems to mash your bad mood into paste.\n\n\\\u003eThis. Is okay.\n\n\\\u003eYou need to get rid of your bad mood, and in a way, she was the cause of it.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe it's okay to also use her to get rid of it.\n\n\\\u003eYou still don't really get why you're feeling how you are, but you accept it.\n\n\\\u003eYou allow the thought of her face to travel your mind's eye.\n\n\\\u003eShe's smiling at you, those azure gems of hers gleaming.\n\n\\\u003eShe fades out of focus for a split second before she's back, closer now.\n\n\\\u003eShe's right under you, staring straight at you, smile never leaving her face.\n\n\\\u003eShe's standing on the tips of her toes, but she's still about a foot and a half too short to be level with you.\n\n\\\u003eBut strangely, she's getting closer.\n\n\\\u003eThose glowing blue lights of her shrink as she closes her eyes.\n\n\\\u003eAnd then.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel something smack your nose, and open your eyes.\n\n\\\u003eYou look down and see a single fry on your plate.\n\n\\\u003eYou look up and see all three of your friends staring at you, bewilderment on their faces.\n\n\\\u003e\"My guy we've been trying to get your attention for like 3 minutes.\" Verne explains.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. My bad, I was, uhh,\" You sigh. \"Lost in my thoughts.\"\n\n\\\u003eLewis returns to his bored expression, but has an eyebrow raised, visually questioning you.\n\n\\\u003eOh-kay, well we were asking if you were ready to go? It's time to hit that arcade.\" Mikael tells you, already standing and dusting his shirt off.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, right, yeah, okay. To the TIM, I'll meet you there.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou walk to your scooter, and start it up.\n\n\\\u003eBefore you pull off you catch Lewis looking at you.\n\n\\\u003eWhat. Why?\n\n\\\u003eHe moves on to his car, and gets in with Verne in his passenger.\n\n\\\u003eEh whatever, on to TIM.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eTIM has everything.\n\n\\\u003eKind of.\n\n\\\u003eIt doesn't actually have everything, but it's huge and has a lot, so it's just easier to say it has everything instead of \"TIM is huge and has a lot of things, but not all the things.\"\n\n\\\u003eIt does however, have an arcade, which you and your friends are currently in.\n\n\\\u003eIt's got a kind of retro feel, but it's got some slightly modern cabinets too, they even put in Poc-Man carpet.\n\n\\\u003eYou would be enjoying yourself.\n\n\\\u003eHowever your gamer energy is at a big fat zero today.\n\n\\\u003eYou get slapped in Streed Fighter 4, even your kick queen Jury doesn't save you.\n\n\\\u003eTo avoid getting tilted in competitive games you go play some others that don't require you to body or get bodied.\n\n\\\u003eThe transition doesn't help.\n\n\\\u003eYou get killed in the first mission of Medal Slug.\n\n\\\u003eYou couldn't hit jack shit and you kept goobering your cover timing in Thyme Crisis.\n\n\\\u003eEvery time you let your ship get captured in Galiga, you would miss all your shots and fail to save it, wasting a life.\n\n\\\u003eIf there was a Low Score posting in Double Dance Revolution, your name would be on it.\n\n\\\u003eSo all in all, a pretty shit Saturday to bring up the rear on your pretty shit Friday.\n\n\\\u003eThe only thing that manages to salvage your mood, is the 4 man street racing cabinet that you four can play at once.\n\n\\\u003eVerne and Mikael leave their version in automatic, but you and Lewis use the stick shift input.\n\n\\\u003eYou and Lewis leave Verne and Mikael in the virtual dust.\n\n\\\u003eYou two are neck and neck, but in the end you shift into final gear just a smidge too late and Lewis pulls ahead, winning by a fraction of a second.\n\n\\\u003eYou guys race like 5 times, you manage to beat Lewis once, but only because this little girl was flailing these streamers around and one got caught in his antlers.\n\n\\\u003eTurns out you had been here longer than you thought, it's almost 6 p.m.\n\n\\\u003eIt was a kind of shit day.\n\n\\\u003eBut enjoying a bad day with your friends, makes it less of a bad day.\n\n\\\u003eYou guys are about to split off when Lewis calls to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yo Anon, come here a sec, lemme talk to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou do as asked, and Verne, who was initially waiting for Lewis to unlock the door, now wanders off toward Mikael to give you guys some space.\n\n\\\u003e\"So what do you think of Mirabelle?\" he wastes no time in asking.\n\n\\\u003e\"What kind of question is that man?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"One that I want an honest answer to.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Pfft, okay. I mean, what is there to think? I don't know anything about her, she's just the person who beat me in a fight and took my Champ title from me. Our fight was fun, yeah,, but I lost, so while I respect her, I'm still a little pissed at her. Does that answer it?\"\n\n\\\u003eHe takes your words in, letting them linger in the air before saying \"I don't think that's all.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You want to know what I think?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug. You probably don't but he's going to tell you.\n\n\\\u003e\"I think you fell for her.\"\n\n\\\u003e. . .\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003ebrain.exe has stopped responding\n\n\\\u003eYou angle your head down and blow the biggest raspberry your addled mind and heated face can conceive.\n\n\\\u003e\"WHAT?! My dude are you crazy? How could that even be possible?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I saw it in your face. I have good eyes you know.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Like hell you saw anything, what're you talking about?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"When you first saw her dude, you had this look on your face like you just watched an angel descend from heaven on high. And I know that look, because I see it all the time.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou stand there, silent, allowing him to continue.\n\n\\\u003eMy parents have been married for like 20 years or so, and they're still head over heels for each other. Whenever they get ready to go out together, dad'll sit on the couch and wait for my mom, and when she comes down the stairs, he'll give her this look. This kind of 'Oh my god, she's beautiful' look. And it was the same kind of look you were giving Mirabelle when you saw her.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"So what, I took one decent look at her and I'm smitten? That bullshit doesn't happen in real life.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"It wasn't just love at first sight.\" He wags his finger at you. \"You've already had enough of an experience with her for your heart to decide that she is what it wants.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"The hell does that mean?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You thought she was cute, yes. That's the beginning of it. Physical attraction is a key to romance, and no one can pretend it's not. But beyond that, in those few moments during that fight, she put herself on full display in a way, and it enraptured you.\n\n\\\u003eAlright he's starting to lose you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Let me explain.\" he says, quickly salvaging his points as he notices the building confusion in your face.\n\n\\\u003e\"You liked her confidence, you liked her sassiness, that tiny hint of flirtiness. You like how she looks, you like how she sounds. Every time she smiled at you, whether they were taunting or what have you, you would give this 'oh my goodness' wide eyed glance.\"\n\n\\\u003eWait is that. Is that true?\n\n\\\u003e\"And on top of all this, she managed to reach you, she managed to beat you. You found your equal, no better than that, you met your match. Someone who would possibly drive you to reach heights you thought you were capped at. Because apparently a good partner is someone who helps you grow, or something.\"\n\n\\\u003eDoes this. Does this all sound like you?\n\n\\\u003eIs this bastard speaking the truth?\n\n\\\u003eHow can he know you better than you know yourself right now?\n\n\\\u003e\"So in simple terms,\" he says, sounding like he's about to wrap up, \"She's the queen to your king.\"\n\n\\\u003eThat line hits you hard.\n\n\\\u003eIs he right, are you in love?\n\n\\\u003eYou don't know, you've never felt like this before.\n\n\\\u003eYou try and think back to a moment, any moment where you may have had this kind of experience, but you come back empty.\n\n\\\u003eIf it's true, the hell are you supposed to do about it?\n\n\\\u003eLewis is looking at you, maybe waiting for you to say something.\n\n\\\u003eBut you don't know what to say, you can barely believe what he's saying.\n\n\\\u003eHe comes forth with more to say, hoping to maybe silence your doubts.\n\n\\\u003e\"I mean, even today, during lunch, you were thinking about her weren't you?\"\n\n\\\u003eNow that spooks you.\n\n\\\u003eHow the actual fuck could he even know that?\n\n\\\u003e\"You had this faraway look in your eye for a bit, but then you started tilting your head down. And leaning forward. And I'll be honest, you looked like you were about to kiss your plate before Mikael bopped you with that fry.\"\n\n\\\u003eOh god, you will never live down this shame.\n\n\\\u003e\"So what am I supposed to do? I've never... Been in love before.\"\n\n\\\u003eEven saying those words is a difficult process.\n\n\\\u003eHe shrugs. \"I can't tell you. You have to decide for yourself what you want to do. Some hold on to these feelings forever, never making them known, some hold them until it's too late and their moment is lost. Some act on them after a while, and some act in the heat of the moment. You have to figure out what you want to do.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"... I want to fight her again.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe has this split second look of, like, disappointment, before he's back to boredom.\n\n\\\u003eThat probably wasn't the answer he was expecting you to give.\n\n\\\u003eBut it's an honest one. And that's what he wanted.\n\n\\\u003e\"What I do afterward, will depend on how I feel after that fight.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe seems to accept that, as he nods and pats you on the shoulder.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright well. Do what you will.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Dude how do you-\" you throw out, grabbing his attention once more.\n\n\\\u003e\"How did you figure all this out? Like, you've got good eyes, but eyes can't see all that, this is deeper than just surface stuff.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe grins.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's what I'm planning to go to school for. Matters of the mind, matters of the heart. Psychology, counselling, something of that nature. If you don't know what's wrong, or can't tell me, I'm going to have to be able to look deep enough to figure out what's wrong.\"\n\n\\\u003eOh... Wow.\n\n\\\u003eHe whistles to get Verne's attention and nods to his car.\n\n\\\u003eHe unlocks it, climbs into the driver's side and Verne comes up to the passenger.\n\n\\\u003eEverything good, dude?\" he asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"...Yeah man. It's all Jesus.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe gives you this big silly grin.\n\n\"Right on man, right on.\" he says as he brings his fist up to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou bump it and he gets in Lewis' car.\n\n\\\u003eLikewise, you head to your scooter.\n\n\\\u003eYou all part ways, but Lewis' words never once leave your mind.\n\n\\\u003eNot as you get home, not as you lounge around in your bed for a while.\n\n\\\u003eNot as you search the almighty internet for things like \"how to know if you're in love\" and \"what to do if you fall in love\".\n\n\\\u003eOf course a lot of it is laden with memes and entirely unhelpful.\n\n\\\u003eYou blame your strict diet of memes and shitpost forums clogging your internet browsing so that everything you pull up is meme related or from some place like reedit or 44chan.\n\n\\\u003eLewis' words do eventually leave you for a moment as you step into the shower.\n\n\\\u003eUnfortunately they are replaced by thoughts of Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eWhile you're in the shower? Oh no.\n\n\\\u003eYou game end the hot water and a chilling cascade of cold assails you, saving you from acquiring any down bad syndrome.\n\n\\\u003eYou actually just met her yesterday, and you just found out you were in love with her like 3 hours ago, you aren't about to have sexy thoughts about her so soon.\n\n\\\u003eRight?\n\n\\\u003eThat's like a thing you shouldn't do, for the sake of wholesome interactions or something, right?\n\n\\\u003eOut of the shower, pajamas acquired.\n\n\\\u003eInto bed, it's time you finish out this day, like you finish many Saturday nights.\n\n\\\u003eWith memes of the dankest variety.\n\n\\\u003eYou also usually end your Saturday nights with porn, buuut after the mental and semi physical berating you just gave yourself, you decide to avoid that, for the obvious reasons.\n\n\\\u003eA few hours and several dozen Yewtube videos later, it's time for bed.\n\n\\\u003eYou plug your phone in, turn your lamp off, and roll over.\n\n\\\u003e\"She's the queen to your king.\"\n\n\\\u003eThose words bounce around your head a few times before you drift off to bed.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou wake up Sunday morning.\n\n\\\u003eRise and shine, give God the glory.\n\n\\\u003eOr whatever, you aren't super religious.\n\n\\\u003eYou believe in a higher power, but not heavily enough to go to a place dedicated to Him every final day of the week to pray for forgiveness for the sins you did not commit.\n\n\\\u003eYou get up and stretch.\n\n\\\u003eYou're in a better mood than you were yesterday, but you still kind of doubt you're in love.\n\n\\\u003eAren't you supposed to wake up and feel amazing, hearing the song of life play its alluring melody?\n\n\\\u003eOr at least that's what happens in movies. But then again people only fall in love at first sight in movies too.\n\n\\\u003eSo is this real life?\n\n\\\u003eWhatever, don't get existential.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eYou don't have a real plan for the day, so you do what any other teenager would do on a lazy Sunday.\n\n\\\u003eBesides, y'know, sin.\n\n\\\u003eVideo games and memes.\n\n\\\u003eChores are irrelevant in a home with no parental figures to monitor if they're getting done or not.\n\n\\\u003eYou also have to wash your clothes this week so you set them aside for that.\n\n\\\u003eAfter getting slapped in a bunch of games just yesterday you don't have any confidence in going into anything online so you play some single player games.\n\n\\\u003eSince you still haven't finished it, you boot up that game about nuclear fallout in Russia.\n\n\\\u003eMatro: Exodius.\n\n\\\u003eThings are going good. You shotgun a monster thing, and then another.\n\n\\\u003eWhen you hear the ding of your clothes finishing in the wash, you set them in the dryer and put the next load in.\n\n\\\u003eBy the time all your clothes are done, folded and put away, half the day is gone.\n\n\\\u003eTime for food, but you don't feel like cooking anything.\n\n\\\u003ePizza time, for real this time.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull up\u0026nbsp; the website of your local pizza house and get a supreme with some bread sticks, and have it delivered.\n\n\\\u003eThe gaming continues until your pizza arrives.\n\n\\\u003eYou go to acquire it and pay.\n\n\\\u003eDelivery boy is a human, but it's usually this mountain lion girl.\n\n\\\u003e\"What happened to Chase?\" you ask him.\n\n\\\u003e\"She got promoted.\" he says back.\n\n\\\u003eNice.\n\n\\\u003ePizza and bread sticks are like 24 and some change so you give him 25 bucks and slide a 10 in for a tip.\n\n\\\u003eYou and your 10 dollar tips.\n\n\\\u003eInto the kitchen to plate up and consume.\n\n\\\u003eYou pour yourself a glass of Dr. Bepper and dig in.\n\n\\\u003eWhile you eat, you let your mind go.\n\n\\\u003eWhen you empty your mind, it fills itself with the visage of a white rabbit.\n\n\\\u003eYou enter this vicious cycle of trying to shake the thoughts out, but contemplating allowing them back in, just for them to invade anyway, so you shake them out.\n\n\\\u003eIt repeats for a while, until you're done eating.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe Lewis is right, maybe you do love her.\n\n\\\u003eOr at the very least you like her.\n\n\\\u003eYou're interested in her.\n\n\\\u003eFuck it, you'll allow that at least.\n\n\\\u003eYou're attracted to, and very likely interested in her.\n\n\\\u003eBut whether you're interested in her romantically, you will debate vehemently until you have concrete proof.\n\n\\\u003eYou put the leftover pizza and bread away, and head back to your room.\n\n\\\u003eYou sick back at your desk, staring at your computer screen.\n\n\\\u003eYour game is still paused, but you aren't continuing right now.\n\n\\\u003eWhat should you do about the Circle and fighting Mirabelle?\n\n\\\u003eYou're certain that you want to fight her one more time, there's no question about that.\n\n\\\u003eYou kind of want to give the Circle a small break, but you also want to get an outside view of how Mirabelle fights, so you can finally gauge her, without taking all the hits.\n\n\\\u003eBut if you don't go, you won't be able to watch, so therein lies the problem.\n\n\\\u003eWait. No, there's a solution.\n\n\\\u003eBree!\n\n\\\u003eShe records your fights, she said it herself.\n\n\\\u003eThe only problem is that in jest you told her to delete any fights you lost, so she might have took that to heart.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't have her phone number, and you've never been really big on social media, so you don't have a way to contact her right now.\n\n\\\u003eGuess you'll just have to wait until after school tomorrow.\n\n\\\u003eThat is, considering she even shows up to talk to you like she usually does.\n\n\\\u003eYou did snap a bit at her, so she might want to give you space, and in that time she could delete the video if she hasn't already.\n\n\\\u003eIt's okay, it's all fine, you'll figure it out as it comes along.\n\n\\\u003eYou play your game some more to take your mind off\u0026nbsp; it, and continue until it's about time for bed.\n\n\\\u003eShower, teeth, pajamas.\n\n\\\u003eYou let out a sigh as you crawl in to bed.\n\n\\\u003eWhy do human emotions have to be so complicated?\n\n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eThe school day practically flies by.\n\n\\\u003eYou couldn't catch any sights of Mirabelle, even though you were actively looking for her.\n\n\\\u003eAnd in your science class, there's a giant bull in your way that completely blocks you no matter which way you lean.\n\n\\\u003eSeriously, what was Mr. Warburton thinking, putting this giant slab of meat right where he is, what about the people behind him?\n\n\\\u003eIt's a human girl with\u0026nbsp; a bored expression that would put Lewis' to shame, using the giant blockade as a cover to play on her phone. Behind her is a spotted hyena who is dead asleep, and finally a horse, who's about as tall as Benji, so he probably doesn't have a problem seeing over him.\n\n\\\u003eThe bell rings and like always, she's up and out in seconds.\n\n\\\u003eYou consider chasing her, but that won't help anything, so you forget it.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you should just hit the entrance and hunt for Bree.\u0026nbsp; Well it's more likely that she'll find you first, but same difference.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, unable to break tradition, you head to your locker first to meet with your friends.\n\n\\\u003eEverything proceeds as normal, but as you walk out of the school and tell them that you aren't going to the Circle today, they look at you like you just told them you have cancer.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, they seem to understand the reason and don't press the issue.\n\n\\\u003eYou split off\u0026nbsp; and as you're walking to your scooter, slowly in a deliberate attempt to summon a certain doe.\n\n\\\u003e\"Heeey Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eLike clockwork.\n\n\\\u003e\"Bree Willshire, just who I needed to see!\" you turn on a dime and look straight at her.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks surprised that you just said that, but quickly regains her composure.\n\n\\\u003e\"O-oh yeah? What makes you say that?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I know I told you to delete them if I ever lost, but did you happen to keep the video of that fight?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks around a bit, like she's not certain if she should lie to retain the half promise she made with you, or tell the truth in an attempt to help you out.\n\n\\\u003e\"I wanted to study it, see where I went wrong and stuff. I was hoping you still had it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Ohh. Well, um. Yeah I do. I was just so shocked at the moment that I completely forgot about deleting it like you told me. I haven't even watched it either.\" she confesses.\n\n\\\u003e\"Good, do you think you could send it to me?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe perks up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Y-yeah of course, no problem. If you just, w-wanna like, give me your number?\"\n\n\\\u003e\" Yeah I- oh. Actually, can you email it to me? I'd rather put it on my computer. With my situation, a video of me fighting in the Circle might be a little safer on my computer than on my phone. Just in case, y'know.\n\n\\\u003eAnd now she deflates, like a child who's parents just told them they can't have ice cream.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. Yeah. Sure, I understand, I can do that.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe even sounds sad. Why? Sometimes you really don't understand this girl.\n\n\\\u003eShe have mood swings or something?\n\n\\\u003eYou give her your email address, and after confirming the video came through you thank her.\n\n\\\u003e\"So are you, heading to the Circle today?\" the everyday question has arrived. \"I'm so looking forward to you mashing that cadbury bastard into paste, but I know you have to win your way back up to challenge her. So you're gonna jump on it right now, right?\"\n\n\\\u003eBree's use of a bunny based insult kinda takes you aback.\n\n\\\u003eShe didn't seem the type for one, but also you aren't at the Circle, so namecalling shouldn't be getting done.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe she gets more leeway being an anthro herself.\n\n\\\u003e\"Actually, no. I'm gonna take some time away to work on some stuff. She beat me, which means she's better than me, which means I have to get better myself or I'll just lose again.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe scoffs. \"No one's better than you Anon, she just got lucky this time. I know you'll beat her for sure next time you fight.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou chuckle. \"Thanks for the confidence, Bree. Now I definitely have to win and return to my throne, for you as much as me. Wouldn't be the Anon I am if it weren't for my number one.\" You shoot fingers guns and a wink at her.\n\n\\\u003eYou left out the word 'fan', but you're sure she knows what you meant.\n\n\\\u003eHer doe eyes shoot open, and she looks like you just gave her a gift she's been wanting her whole life.\n\n\\\u003eHow powerful words can be sometimes.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks like she wants to say something but the words are caught in her throat.\n\n\\\u003eHowever you're not going to wait for them to get unstuck because you're eager to get home and dissect this video.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright Bree, I'm gonna get going, I'll see you later, thanks again.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd you make it to your scooter.\n\n\\\u003eYou punch it home.\n\n\\\u003e As quickly as Yulia will allow, which unfortunately isn't as quick as you would like.\n\n\\\u003eBut eventually you do make it home.\n\n\\\u003eHomework and everything else can wait, this video requires immediate attention.\n\n\\\u003eYou head to your computer, boot it up, open your email and download the video.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn it on, and it starts at the smack talk segment.\n\n\\\u003eYou skip that, you don't want to hear her clown you a second time.\n\n\\\u003eBut everything else you watch and watch to the end.\n\n\\\u003eTurned out to be a twenty minute fight, but it felt like several hours.\n\n\\\u003eApparently Bree was that banshee scream you faintly heard when Mirabelle almost shattered your entire torso.\n\n\\\u003eThe video goes black after Lewis rises and says \"He's done.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe must've dropped her phone.\n\n\\\u003eIt continues for a few more minutes but it's all blank screen and the noise of celebration until she picks it up and cuts the recording.\n\n\\\u003eYou start it over from the beginning of the fight and watch it, really inspecting every second.\n\n\\\u003eYou play parts over again, frame by frame, to really get an understanding of her movements and yours in those moments.\n\n\\\u003eYou review the video for a few hours.\n\n\\\u003eYou have homework today, you should probably do it.\n\n\\\u003eDon't want your grades to suffer for your hobby.\n\n\\\u003eIs it a hobby, or a way of life?\n\n\\\u003eEither way, you take your backpack and books downstairs with you, so you can have dinner while you work.\n\n\\\u003eAnd if you worked at your desk, you'd be too tempted to stop and rewatch the video.\n\n\\\u003eLeftover pizza consumed and homework completed, your deep analysis resumes.\n\n\\\u003eAnd it continues until bedtime.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eFor the next week, you spend your time going to class, and heading straight home to review and practice.\n\n\\\u003eThere's not much to practice, a streetfighter doesn't really have proper technique in which to refine.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't even really practice kickboxing, you just pilfered the clinch from the style because you think it's cool.\n\n\\\u003eSo most of your practice is just you attempting to swing faster.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle was fast so you don't honestly expect to be able to match her in terms of speed, but you don't have much else you can bank on.\n\n\\\u003eBree still asks every day if you'll be going to the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eGuess tradition ingrained into you for years is hard to break.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel kinda bad whenever you tell her no and see that little hint of sadness in her face.\n\n\\\u003eBut it'll only be for a bit longer, when you take back your title, there will be no more sadness.\n\n\\\u003eYou also do your best to keep Mirabelle from your sight and mind.\n\n\\\u003eLet the feelings grow, let them build.\n\n\\\u003eIt's hard to see her anyway, and even when you do it's for a mere second.\n\n\\\u003eEverything was going well.\n\n\\\u003eThat is until Caesar decided he needed to pester you for your loss, so he found you in the halls between passing period.\n\n\\\u003e\"What the fuck, Anon?\" he said. \"What do you think you're doing losing to that runt? I was the one who was supposed to beat you, but I come back after a kickass training montage and find out you lost to some fucking half-pint bunny?\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd for some reason, hearing him talk so much shit outside of the Circle kinda irked you.\n\n\\\u003eIt was the talk, and not the fact that it was about Mirabelle, right?\n\n\\\u003eYou kinda zoned out when you stared up at him with all the wrath of an old man of the mountain.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hand over thy head\" your eyes bellowed at him.\n\n\\\u003eYou also zoned out when you fucking laid into him.\n\n\\\u003e\"Look here Caesar. That 'fucking half-pint' ended up being more of a challenge to me than you ever were in our, what, 7 fights? She hit me like a hundred times, and you only hit me once, because I fucking let you. But hey, if you think she's such a goddamn pushover, you can go and fight her your own damn self. And now, whenever you want, you can fight me, because we're at the same level. You won't ever have to waste time getting to me ever again. But next time we throw down, I guarantee I'll crack your thick skull on the pavement like I almost did last time.\"\n\n\\\u003e. . . Geez you got pretty damn heated at that moment.\n\n\\\u003eWere you, defending yourself, or her? Who knows.\n\n\\\u003eWhat you do know, is that he shut the fuck up after that.\n\n\\\u003eAnd the rest of your week went swimmingly.\n\n\\\u003eAfter a week that felt like a month, you consider going back to the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eIt's not like you'll be fighting Mirabelle immediately since you still\u0026nbsp; have to win your 3 fights, and that will take time in itself.\n\n\\\u003eBut you do want to get them done as soon as you can, because the need to meet Mirabelle in the Circle once more is becoming too much to contain.\n\n\\\u003eFuck it, you're going back.\n\n\\\u003eTime's up let's do this.\n\n\\\u003eIt's Monday, the start of a new week.\n\n\\\u003eThe rise of a new Anon.\n\n\\\u003eThe king must return to reclaim his throne.\n\n\\\u003eAnd come to understand the inner workings of his heart.\n\n\\\u003eSchool comes to a close on a boring, uneventful Monday.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eIt's what comes after that will bring the excitement.\n\n\\\u003eYou tell your friends you're going back, and they're stoked to hear it.\n\n\\\u003eYou tell Bree you're going back before she even has the chance to ask, and she's almost more excited than you are.\n\n\\\u003eYou make your way to the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eRight here, right now, your comeback begins.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou're standing around, waiting for The Circle to form and for Lewis to call for fighters.\n\n\\\u003eDrinking a Dr. Bepper that you now have to pay full price for, oh the agony.\n\n\\\u003eYou steal quick glances at the bunny perched upon your throne.\n\n\\\u003eShe's chatting with a few people, maybe her friends,\u0026nbsp; maybe new admirers.\n\n\\\u003eShe smiles up at them as they talk, and of course that blessed sight causes your gaze to linger a bit longer.\n\n\\\u003ePerhaps the natural instinct of a prey species alerts her to the fact that she's being stared at from outside her field of vision, because in a moment her face twitches and her eyes jump to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou lock eyes.\n\n\\\u003eShe's already caught you staring, should you avert your gaze?\n\n\\\u003eIs this some unspoken staring contest, testing the willpower of your newly formed rivalry?\n\n\\\u003eYou sip your drink, still locked onto her gaze.\n\n\\\u003e... She smiles.\n\n\\\u003eIt's one of her taunting smiles, but it's still a smile.\n\n\\\u003eThe embers to ignite the kindling in your chest return.\n\n\\\u003eBut is it a fire of passion, or battle?\n\n\\\u003eShe adjusts herself in your- ... Her seat. And sits like some sort of regal figure.\n\n\\\u003eScratch that, this is a fire of battle, you won't allow yourself to think any differently.\n\n\\\u003eFinally, Lewis comes up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Let's make it another good day.\" he says. \"So let's get to it. Who's stepping in the Circle?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your hand up and step forward as soon as he finishes.\n\n\\\u003eSome people from the crowd whoop and holler as you step up. You guess they're excited to see you back.\n\n\\\u003eBree is cheering especially loud.\n\n\\\u003eHer hype will empower you.\n\n\\\u003eLewis looks at you and gives a nod. You also think you see the flash of a smile on his face.\n\n\\\u003eVerne and Mikael are here too, so all your friends and supporters are front and center to bear witness to the return of the king.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well well, welcome back.\" he says.\" Hope that week you took to nurse your wounds has done you some good. So, who wants to throw down against the now crownless king?\"\n\n\\\u003eNobody jumps at the chance. Nobody's even moving.\n\n\\\u003eOf course not. It isn't like losing your title suddenly makes you this combatant on par with everyone else.\n\n\\\u003eYou were undefeated for a really long time, but one loss doesn't mean that anyone can just take you.\n\n\\\u003eAnd they know that so they don't seem too eager to get thrashed.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright,\" Lewis says. \"If no one's stepping up, I guess I'll have to choose.\"\n\n\\\u003eBefore he can though, someone does throw their hand up and move to the center.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll do it.\" someone says with a sigh.\n\n\\\u003eIt's Lee. Lee is a timber wolf.\n\n\\\u003e\"If someone has to be the stepping stone for the old king, let it be me.\"\n\n\\\u003eLee is a good guy. Wolf. Whatever.\n\n\\\u003eThis presents an opportunity.\n\n\\\u003eYou've been wanting to fight Lee to test a devious tactic you saw on the internet a long time ago.\n\n\\\u003eOr really any canines, it apparently works on a bunch of them.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright cool.\" Lewis says. \"Let's get into it. What you gotta say?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I got just one thing!\" you exclaim.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your hands up and cup them together, gently cackling like a movie villain.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks confused, as do several other spectators.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your hands to your mouth, and keeping eye contact with Lee, begin to let out this low and slow \"awoooooooooo\".\n\n\\\u003eHis ears twitch and his eyes dilate to near pinpricks.\n\n\\\u003eIn that moment, he looks like he's having a violent contest within himself.\n\n\\\u003eHe tries to yell out in anger, \"Man what the fuck do you think you're do-\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd in that moment something snaps in him, he throws his head back and howls to the sky.\n\n\\\u003eHilariously, some of the other canine types are affected by this sudden onset of howling and join in.\n\n\\\u003eYou stop your offending sound, and bask in the chorus you have created.\n\n\\\u003eYou monster.\n\n\\\u003eThis continues for about 30 seconds before Lewis regains control of the situation.\n\n\\\u003eHe has an airhorn that he blows that's loud enough to cut through the howling and get them to stop.\n\n\\\u003eWhen Lee and everyone else regain their composure, first they're embarrassed that you managed to get them to do that.\n\n\\\u003eLee is a mix of flustered and angry.\n\n\\\u003eJust as planned.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at him and shrug.\n\n\\\u003e\"Just had to let you know who the alpha here is.\"\n\n\\\u003eLewis shakes his head at you then looks to Lee. \"You got anything to say back?\"\n\n\\\u003eLee is shaking his head and breathing heavily through his nose. He gets in his fighting pose straight away.\n\n\\\u003e\"Guess he's ready. You ready?\" Lewis looks to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod and enter your stance.\n\n\\\u003e\"Then let's. Fight!\" he signals to begin.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eLee has an interesting fighting pose.\n\n\\\u003eIt reminds you of the wolfman from that old Capcon game Darkstockers.\n\n\\\u003eYou can't say he fights like him though, because that would involve his teeth and claws. Also nunchucks.\n\n\\\u003eBut he does use the stance to good effect, throwing backhands and quick strikes, as well as decent low kicks.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eHe's not too bad, but you are a man with a singular purpose.\n\n\\\u003eIt also helps that you pissed him off so bad that he's rushing you and making simple mistakes.\n\n\\\u003eHe opens himself up a little too much because he isn't focused on defending, just striking you.\n\n\\\u003eYou quickly stepped back out of the range of one of his kicks that he delivered with a little too much force.\n\n\\\u003eIt sent him a bit off balance and he lowered his hands in an effort to steady himself.\n\n\\\u003eYou jumped up and off the ground a bit, and delivered a jumping punch to the side of his skull.\n\n\\\u003eThat dazed him a bit, so you decide to press your advantage.\n\n\\\u003eYou get in close and drive an elbow into his flank, and throw an uppercut when he doubles over.\n\n\\\u003eAnother punch to the gut and a swift hook to the face is the punishment for his lack of guard.\n\n\\\u003eYou could finish him off with a clinch, but you decide against it.\n\n\\\u003eYou are no king now, you deny a king's tactics.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel like mixing it up a bit on your ascent back to the top.\n\n\\\u003eWith his back facing you, you get an idea.\n\n\\\u003eYou invoke the crowd pleasing energy of the previous Champion, Jayce.\n\n\\\u003eYou push Lee with all your might into the Circle, but before they latch on to you, you peer towards them and motion in a beckoning way, hoping they see you.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily they do, and instead of latching on to him like starving zombies, they reel him in and push him back toward you, where you have closed some distance, and stand in wait.\n\n\\\u003eWhen he reaches you, you place your left leg in front of his right, throw your arm around him and fall back, delivering a swift and effective DDT.\n\n\\\u003eYou didn't chance doing it while he was facing you because you didn't want to screw up and smash his snout into the concrete.\n\n\\\u003eThe buffer of your body and his hitting the ground made sure you didn't just slam this poor bastard straight into concrete, but the action may leave you a bit sore.\n\n\\\u003eIt was effective though, the people are cheering, like it just won you the match.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eOn the ground, you point your gaze up, and though she's upside down you can see Mirabelle laughing good naturedly at your display.\n\n\\\u003eDefinitely worth it.\n\n\\\u003eYou thought you learned your lesson about hurting yourself to look cool for the crowd, but apparently that was a lie.\n\n\\\u003eYou sit up, and look over at Lee. He's still conscious, but he's wriggling and writhing on the ground.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou get up to your feet and squat like a slav, as you wait to see what he's going to do.\n\n\\\u003eEventually, he waves his hand like\u0026nbsp; he's shooing bugs from his face.\n\n\\\u003eThere it is, he's done.\n\n\\\u003eWhich Lewis confirms. \"He's done. Anon wins.\"\n\n\\\u003eCheers echo around you, and even Mirabelle is clapping.\n\n\\\u003eBree is whooping like a woman possessed.\n\n\\\u003e\"Save that energy for when I win the Champion spot back\" you want to tell her, but to be honest, you feel just about as good as she seems to.\n\n\\\u003eA good fight to ring in your return.\n\n\\\u003eA few more fights go on, but no one challenges Mirabelle today.\n\n\\\u003eYou were hoping to get a view of her fighting in person, but oh well.\n\n\\\u003eYou have time before you challenge her, maybe you'll be able to see it before you do.\n\n\\\u003eThe day comes to a close, and you bid farewell to your friends who congratulate you on your victory and your return.\n\n\\\u003eYou head home, and as you walk in, your eye is caught by a picture of your parents.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't know when it was from but they're noticeably younger in it.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you can ask your dad what it was like when he figured out he was in love with your mom.\n\n\\\u003eThough he may still be handling work and not have time to talk, the west coast is 3 hours behind you.\n\n\\\u003eOh well, doing it anyway.\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't avoiding talking to him, you just keep your conversations brief to avoid any topics that may give you away.\n\n\\\u003eBut this one has a clear subject, so you should be fine.\n\n\\\u003eYou head up to your room, and give him a call.\n\n\\\u003eIt rings a few times, before he answers.\n\n\\\u003e\"My son.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey Dad. You busy?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm always busy, son, I stay busy. But I'm not so busy that I can't talk to my boy. What's up?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"So uh.\" This topic seems a little more difficult to bring up than you initially though. \"When you, kinda, figured out you were in love with Mom. How did it feel?\"\n\n\\\u003eThere's a long pause.\n\n\\\u003e\"Are you in love?\" he says after an eternity.\n\n\\\u003e\"No? Maybe? I'm uh, kinda trying to figure it out.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, tell me about it. First off, what made you think you were in love in the first place?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well,\" you think a moment to give him information without explaining exactly where you met Mirabelle and why you think you like her. \"I met this girl at school. And honestly, she's in one of my classes, but I actually paid no attention to her for a while. And then by a strange twist of fate, I happened to run into her, and got a good look at her for the first time. Lewis said, I stared at her like I just saw an angel descend from heaven.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yup,\u0026nbsp; that sounds like it. That's what I thought of your mom when I first met her too.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"So it's likely that this is love?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Mmm, could just be a crush. Just cuz you thought she's cute doesn't mean you love her just yet. However, love is a shrewd and fickle thing. It could come as easily as the sun rises every day, or it could be as impossible as snowfall in July.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay. Lewis seemed dead set on me believing it was love at first sight, and i was like 'that doesn't actually happen, man'.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh wait, Lewis. Your elk friend? No yeah, he seems pretty intelligent, I'd listen to him.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"What. C'mon pop\" you facepalm as if he could see it. \"You just told me it probably wasn't love.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. There's an easy solution. You ready? You sitting down? It's a biggun.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Sure, let's hear it.\" you say, voice monotone and empty.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ask her out on a date.\"\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003e\"Kinda, doesn't sound that easy, Dad.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"It's easier than you think, trust me. And if she says no, you move on and let it be. Plenty of fish in the sea, and all that good stuff.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe pauses, and says something to someone that the phone can't pick up.\n\n\\\u003eAlright, son, I'm still working, got a few things to do. I'll tell mom you called.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay, talk to you later, Dad.\"\n\n\\\u003eOkay- hey. You're still doing what I've asked of you, right?\"\n\n\\\u003eHe's talking about keeping your grades up and avoiding the Circle.\n\n\\\u003e\"... Of course.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Good. Like I've been saying. No one's there to keep eyes on you so everything is trust based. I'm trusting that you're still listening to me.\" He pauses again. \"Alright I really have to go now. Bye son.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Bye Dad.\" You hang up.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't enjoy lying to your dad.\n\n\\\u003eBut you enjoy the excitement of the Circle a little more than you dislike the guilt of your lies.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ask her out on a date.\"\n\n\\\u003eThose words replay in your head.\n\n\\\u003eIf you did, should you do it now, or after your fight?\n\n\\\u003eWhat if you lose the fight, and she thinks you aren't good enough to hang out with her?\n\n\\\u003eWhat if you win the fight, and she's too pissed about losing to you to want to hang out with you?\n\n\\\u003eWould you, be able to use the Champion's Right to make her go out with you? Everyone who goes to the Circle sees the Right as a thing to be honored.\n\n\\\u003eBut would that even be a good idea? Forcing someone to do something that they don't want is a surefire way to be resented.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw that line of thinking into a deep, dark hole to waste away.\n\n\\\u003eIt doesn't matter now.\n\n\\\u003eDid this conversation help you at all? You aren't sure.\n\n\\\u003eThoughts swim in your mind as you finish out the rest of your day.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eAnother day, another chance at victory.\n\n\\\u003eLewis calls for fighters.\n\n\\\u003eThis time, however, you wait until some people raise their hands before you throw your lot in with them.\n\n\\\u003e4 people put their hands up, so you're gonna go against one of them.\n\n\\\u003eAfter some mental deliberation, Lewis forms opponents.\n\n\\\u003eSo you're fighting Wayne, the hyena in your science class.\n\n\\\u003eThe other 2, the panther you don't know and Benji are throwing down after.\n\n\\\u003eSo you step up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, let's get to it. What you gotta say?\" is Lewis' starting line.\n\n\\\u003e\"I thought monkeys were supposed to be one of the most intelligent species.\" Wayne starts off. \"But it's real dumb for you to try and step in here against me.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe's trying, but everyone knows you aren't gonna lose. It's just bluster for the sake of playing the game right.\n\n\\\u003eBut not everything in the Circle has to be insulting. Sometimes you can play the game differently and get similar results.\n\n\\\u003e\"Knock knock.\" you say to him in retort.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks at you in confusion, so you repeat yourself.\n\n\\\u003e\"Who's there?\" he says with some apprehension. He knows what's coming, he's just trying to prepare himself mentally to resist it.\n\n\\\u003e\"An old lady.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"... An old lady who?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. Nice man, I didn't know you were a yodeler.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe freezes, like he's taking all the mental capacity he can muster to avoid the futility that is his fate.\n\n\\\u003eHe loses.\n\n\\\u003eThis massive grin appears on his face, and though he tries to hold it back, it's no use as he cackles like a maniac.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel bad, Wayne has always had this weakness for jokes, good or bad.\n\n\\\u003eAnd of course when he starts laughing, he can't stop.\n\n\\\u003eHe howls with laughter for a good 2 minutes, and it's so contagious you even start chuckling too.\n\n\\\u003eHe finally catches his breath and manages to break his detrimental laughing fit.\n\n\\\u003eLewis, smiling a bit from the sight, asks him, \"Got anything else to say?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Fuck, I had something, heh. But I straight up can't remember anymore. Goddammit Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug innocently.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright.\" Lewis says. \"You ready?\" he looks to you and you nod, then to Wayne who does the same. Then let's. Fight!\" And it begins.\n\n\\\u003eYou both stand still, staring each other down. You haven't fought Wayne before, but you've seen him fight. Nevertheless, you don't want to get too confident and make silly mistakes. The less damage you take, the quicker you can get into a fight the next day without having to wait to recover.\n\n\\\u003eYou wonder why Wayne isn't approaching at least, and as you look at him, you can see the edges of his mouth quivering and fighting to stayed turned downward.\n\n\\\u003eYou lower your hands from in front of your face and stare dead at him.\n\n\\\u003eHe's looking at you too, still fighting his own face.\n\n\\\u003eYou curl your lips into a smile, and then a grin.\n\n\\\u003eUnfortunately, watching you do this involuntarily causes him to do the same.\n\n\\\u003eYou open your mouth ever so slightly. And say in a singsong voice, \"An old lady who.\".\n\n\\\u003eAnd he fucking loses it again, returning to his breathless wheezing laughter.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a shame the fight has started and there are no defining rules against attacking a slightly incapacitated opponent. So you approach, slowly. Like an executioner ready to bring the axe down upon this witless obstacle to your throne.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your fist back, and as he looks up at you, you slug him right in the jaw.\n\n\\\u003eHe hits the ground, but he's still laughing even though you just clocked him as hard as you could.\n\n\\\u003e\"Fuck! Ahahahah! Nope, I'm done, can't do it! Ahahahaaah!\" And he crawls, toward the edge of the Circle, laughing all the while.\n\n\\\u003e... Oh. You actually didn't expect that.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn back to Lewis.\n\n\\\u003e\"Should I, uhhh. Fight someone else?\"\n\n\\\u003eHe shrugs. \"A win's a win, I guess. I mean, I'm supposed to be completely impartial, but I'm sure you would've won anyway.\"\n\n\\\u003eA few of the spectators nod in solemn agreement.\n\n\\\u003eBack to the Circle you go.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch Benji and that panther go at it.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a really good fight.\n\n\\\u003eIt also ends in a way you never expected.\n\n\\\u003eIt ends in a tie.\n\n\\\u003eThey both punched each other with these big haymakers and knocked each other out.\n\n\\\u003eYou've never seen a tie in the Circle before, but it was kind of cool.\n\n\\\u003eAfter that, someone comes up to challenge Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eThis is what you've been waiting for.\n\n\\\u003eSome sophomore guy or something, wearing this dark purple sweatsuit.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks like he practices some sort of martial art.\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't sure which one, but there's a lot of fancy kicking.\n\n\\\u003eLike the axe kick, you know that one.\n\n\\\u003eHe's not landing any hits on her, but she's been tagging him in the legs.\n\n\\\u003eSpecifically, the same leg every time.\n\n\\\u003eHe goes for a kick at one point, but as he brings his leg down to put weight on it, it buckles underneath it.\n\n\\\u003eShe takes this opportunity to kick him behind the knee and bring him down.\n\n\\\u003eOne leg still up at a 90 degree angle and the other one below him.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eHe's about to stand up, but she does something that will stay with you as the coolest thing you've ever seen anyone do in the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eShe hops back, runs forward, and short hops forward, onto the poor dude's outstretched leg.\n\n\\\u003eUsing the upward momentum as she jumps forward and off of his leg, she brings her knee shooting forward and into his face, launching him a good few feet away.\n\n\\\u003eThose legs are dangerous weapons.\n\n\\\u003eHe shrivels up like a blade of burning grass.\n\n\\\u003eHe's done for sure.\n\n\\\u003eWhich Lewis confirms after he checks.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Mirabelle in awe.\n\n\\\u003eShe catches your gaze and winks at you, before she walks back to her seat to the cheers of the spectators.\n\n\\\u003eAlright you'll admit. That lunging knee was really cool, and that wink was. Pretty attractive.\n\n\\\u003eEmbers igniting.\n\n\\\u003eThey will become a flame to fuel the furnace of your soul, soon enough.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eDawn of the Final Day\n\n\\\u003eOne fight remains before you can fight to reclaim what was lost.\n\n\\\u003eYour fight is already prepared and waiting for you.\n\n\\\u003eYou're fighting Jerome, another human.\n\n\\\u003eIt's been a while since you've fought any other humans, so you're excited.\n\n\\\u003eJerome is in a club, dance club or something, one of those physically strenuous clubs, so he doesn't come around too often.\n\n\\\u003eHe's also mute, like completely mute, so for the sake of honor and fairness you skip the smack talk segment.\n\n\\\u003eDoesn't feel right to speak ill of someone who can't retort.\n\n\\\u003eSo you guys get into the fight, and Jerome is actually really fucking good.\n\n\\\u003eHe does that dance fighting thing from Brazil, capoeira.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you don't want to get hit by any of those wild fucking kicks, so for a good while, you just bide your time with dodging, hoping he opens up.\n\n\\\u003eBut all of these moves are so fluid, and flow together so perfectly that you can't really find a chance to counterattack.\n\n\\\u003eYou can't count on him slowing down or getting tired, he's got endurance for days.\n\n\\\u003eSo you have to improvise.\n\n\\\u003eYou prepare yourself physically for pain.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eYou step back a bit, as far out of his range as you can reach without also wandering into Circle range.\n\n\\\u003eHe stops his spins of doom, and slowly does that capoeira shuffle towards you.\n\n\\\u003eOh, so he's approaching you?\n\n\\\u003eYou charge forward, catching him a bit off guard.\n\n\\\u003eHe does this kind of handstand backflip kick, and while he manages to clip you with it in the head, you had your arms out wide to intercept.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab onto his legs, and are holding him up, like a human wheelbarrow.\n\n\\\u003eYou waste no time in delivering kicks to his midsection in wherever your foot can find purchase. The chest, the ribs, right now it's all free real estate.\n\n\\\u003eHis arms go limp from the severe onslaught you gave him and you toss him to the side.\n\n\\\u003eHe manages to scramble to his feet, and give you a swift roundhouse kick to the chest.\n\n\\\u003eYou take it and latch on to his leg, delivering a swift kick to his chest of your own.\n\n\\\u003eThen you throw his leg to the side to spin and disorient him, then close the gap you created.\n\n\\\u003eShoulder to shoulder, you throw your arm around his shoulder like he's your best friend.\n\n\\\u003eYou then deliver swift and merciless punches to his exposed face.\n\n\\\u003eAnother, and another, and another.\n\n\\\u003eYou stick your leg in front of his and trip him forward.\n\n\\\u003eWith him facedown, you look up to the crowd, towards Bree who is recording.\n\n\\\u003eYou make a show of dragging your thumb across your neck, and as you reach the end, with your elbow still extended outward, you bring your left hand into the fist of your right hand, and jump backward into Jerome, delivering a devastating People's Elbow.\n\n\\\u003eMore like a Tyrant's Elbow in this case though, with the amount of brutality you massacred this kid with.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd is losing their mind as you trot around the Circle like a true heel, soaking in the revelry of these raucous youths.\n\n\\\u003eLewis walks up to Jerome and asks if he's done. Jerome nods and Lewis pronounces you the winner.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd screams even louder. They know what's coming next, and they're eager to see it now that your stepping stones have been laid.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle is their Champion now, but one does not so easily forget the one who has ruled above them for so long.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Mirabelle, those big blue eyes wide and gazing at you.\n\n\\\u003eYou manage to rise to the surface of the ocean in her gaze long enough to deliver your own sassy wink to her, like she did just the other day.\n\n\\\u003eShe chuckles a bit, then closes her eyes and shrugs, with this cute little smile on her face.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd sees this, and they're so hyped they practically want you guys to fight right now.\n\n\\\u003eThey're ready for the rematch and you're ready to deliver it.\n\n\\\u003eBut not yet. There's one thing you want to do tomorrow to prepare.\n\n\\\u003eCome Friday, you will sit upon your throne once more.\n\n\\\u003eAnd with the reclamation of your throne will hopefully come the answer your heart has been seeking\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou plan to go to the Circle tomorrow and fight Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eBut today you want to do something to prepare.\n\n\\\u003eBree asked you on your way out if today was the day.\n\n\\\u003e\"Tomorrow,\" you told her. \"Look forward to it.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd she grinned, this wicked little thing that almost does not belong on a doe.\n\n\\\u003eYou depart from the school, but you aren't headed home. You're headed to the shopping district.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull up to the Xinyan Massage Parlor.\n\n\\\u003eYou're here to acquire Lin buffs.\n\n\\\u003eYou briefly considered that gaining strength from an outside source could be qualified as cheating.\n\n\\\u003eBut whatever, victory at any cost.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk in and see the older sister behind the counter, who greets you as you walk in.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hi, welcome. Oh, hey it's you, welcome back.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hello, uh, Lin's sister.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Rei.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. Hello Rei. Is Lin working today?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yep. Lin! You have a customer!\" she yells toward the back of the shop.\n\n\\\u003eYou hear a faint \"Kay\" in response.\n\n\\\u003e\"She'll be right with you.\" Rei says, looking back to you with a smile.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay cool.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you wait.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003e\"Do you, do the things too, or do you just man the desk?\" you ask, mainly to start conversation while you wait.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm? No, I do massages too, Mom and Grandma just make me stand at the counter because they don't like to.\" Rei explains. \"... Why? You wanna compare me against my little sister or something?\" She throws this sassy grin at you.\n\n\\\u003e\"... Perhaps.\" you simply reply.\n\n\\\u003eYou won't lie, the idea does intrigue you.\n\n\\\u003eBut not today. A Lin buff is guaranteed, but A Rei buff is not.\n\n\\\u003eFinally, Lin walks to the front of the store.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh hey, look who's back.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You did say I could come back.\" you tell her.\n\n\\\u003e\"That I did. So what can I do for you today?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"The uh, same thing like last time, but like, without all the shoulder murder, please.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Haha, will do.\"\n\n\\\u003eRei is writing something down, before she looks over to her sister.\n\n\\\u003e\"Same discount as last time?\"\n\n\\\u003eMmm, she must be pretty disconnected.\n\n\\\u003eLin looks to you and back to Rei, ready to explain, but you cut in.\n\n\\\u003e\"No. No discount for me this time, I'm uh... No longer the Champion.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe truth still burns like a horrid bile.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ouch.\" Rei says, wincing like the words hurt her too. \"That's rough, buddy.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"But with any luck, I'll be back where I once was by tomorrow.\" you tell her, throwing your fist into your open palm for emphasis.\n\n\\\u003eShe grins. \"Well good luck. I'll root for you, in spirit.\"\n\n\\\u003eLin puts you in a room, and you go through the necessities to get started.\n\n\\\u003eOne hour and one heavenly massage later, you step out of the room feeling like the energy of the world is fueling you.\n\n\\\u003eYou pay full price for your massage, and throw a 15 dollar tip, because you feel like Lin deserves more than just 10 this time.\n\n\\\u003eYou head home and take it easy, hoping to store as much energy as possible for tomorrow.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw some frozen pizza pockets in the microwave, and tear through your homework.\n\n\\\u003eYou finish food, take a shower, brush your teeth and put on your pajamas.\n\n\\\u003eYou imbibe a healthy amount of meme content, because no day is complete without a meme.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you turn in early, to rest yourself well, before the day of reckoning.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003e\"It's finally Friday.\" Lewis says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yes... Finally here.\" Verne follows.\n\n\\\u003e\"Friday night.\" you and Mikael finish.\n\n\\\u003e\"And Anon is going to get his revenge!\" Mikael exclaims, slamming you on the back.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hell yeah I am.\" you tell him. \"You guys gonna be there for it?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I would! But my old man needs my help at home, so I'm gonna miss it.\" says Verne.\n\n\\\u003e\"Don't worry, brother, I'll be there, I'll give you a play by play of exactly what happens.\" Mikael tells Verne.\n\n\\\u003e\"And once you have reclaimed what is yours. I say we celebrate. A couple Siegbraus at the hideaway? We haven't been there in a while.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Fuck. Yes.\" you reply.\n\n\\\u003e\"That is, assuming he actually wins.\" Lewis chimes in, ruining everything with that sentence.\n\n\\\u003e\"He will win.\" Mikael says. \"He is ready, his warrior heart beats with the mighty sound of Thor's thunder.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou all walk out and head your respective ways.\n\n\\\u003e3...2...1...\n\n\\\u003e\"Heeey Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eThere she is.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn. \"Hey Bree.\"\n\n\\\u003eToday?\" is all she asks this time.\n\n\\\u003e\"Today.\" is what you reply with.\n\n\\\u003eYou look down.\n\n\\\u003eShe's wearing a red flannel around her waist.\n\n\\\u003eYou're wearing a red flannel.\n\n\\\u003eWhat a coincidence.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou take it as a positive sign.\n\n\\\u003e\"Great.\" she says. \"I'll see you there.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod and take off toward your scooter.\n\n\\\u003eIn moments you're at the Circle.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eOnce Lewis gets there though, he tells you to hold off on your challenge until the end.\n\n\\\u003eIf it ends one way over the other, the crowd might go ballistic and he won't be able to get them under control, then no one else will be able to fight.\n\n\\\u003eYou're eager to get it over with, but you relent to his request.\n\n\\\u003eAll things in due time.\n\n\\\u003eThe Circle forms up, some fights go on, but you pay no attention to any of them.\n\n\\\u003eYou're focused on drawing upon the inner well of strength you have accumulated for this one decisive moment.\n\n\\\u003eYou glance over to Mirabelle, blue eyes open wide, taking in every facet of the combat unfolding in front of her.\n\n\\\u003eThe embers are building.\n\n\\\u003eEmbers of passion and battle both.\n\n\\\u003eYou will them to unite, creating an internal flame that you will use to propel you right back into your throne.\n\n\\\u003eAfter the last fight, Lewis looks around, before his eyes land on you, and he gives a small nod.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. Who's up next?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your hand up, and wordlessly step into the center of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eHand still up, you slowly bring it down and point dead center at Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't look too surprised, she looks like she's been waiting for this, just like you have.\n\n\\\u003eShe steps up into the Circle as well.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hope you've enjoyed it for the weeks you had it. Time to pass it back now.\" you say to her.\n\n\\\u003e\"If you want it, then you'll have to take it.\" she grins at you.\n\n\\\u003eOh, now you're motivated.\n\n\\\u003eYou hope with those giant ears of hers, she can hear the storm that is approaching.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright.\" Lewis starts off. \"Our fallen king is back to reclaim what was taken from him. It's gonna be a good fight. So let's get to it. What you gotta say?\"\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle goes first. \"Man, I could've sworn I just thrashed you, and yet you're already back for more. I really was just joking when I said it, but maybe I was right about the whole 'getting dominated' thing.\n\n\\\u003eShe gets a few laughs from the crowd as you roll your eyes.\n\n\\\u003eLewis nods, acknowledging the severity of that sick burn. He looks to you, noticing you haven't retorted. \"Got anything to say back?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou shake your head.\n\n\\\u003eYou really don't and you're eager to fight.\n\n\\\u003eHe shrugs. \"Alright then. You ready?\" You nod.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks to Mirabelle. \"You ready?\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eShe looks confused that you didn't have anything to say, but focuses and nods.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. Then Let's.\" He brings his hand up, and holds it for a moment, letting the tension build. Before bringing it straight down. \"Fight!\"\n\n  \n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkOJ9uNj9EY\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou don't have a plan. Or a strategy. Or anything that will help you win this fight.\n\n\\\u003eAll you did was train to punch faster and study her movements.\n\n\\\u003eNevertheless, you feel like that will be enough.\n\n\\\u003eYou widen your stance, angling yourself a bit lower than you did last time.\n\n\\\u003eIt might make it a bit easier for her to hit you in the face, but maybe it'll also make it easier for you to hit her.\n\n\\\u003eYou slowly close the gap until you're in striking range.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare into those shining azure lights that threaten to bore a hole through your soul.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you let loose with what might be the fastest jab you think you've ever thrown.\n\n\\\u003eIt actually pays off, as you boop her right in her button nose.\n\n\\\u003eShe blinks a bit, shocked that you managed to tag her before she had a chance to react.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't have time to feel too proud about it though, as her blue lights shift into blue flames.\n\n\\\u003eShe throws a punch up at you, which you lean back to avoid, but she follows up with 2 swift hooks to the gut.\n\n\\\u003eYou tough through them, and swing back.\n\n\\\u003eShe anticipates this and dodges, but just barely.\n\n\\\u003eYou did manage to get faster, this is good.\n\n\\\u003eLast time she would dodge your swings by miles, now you're closing in.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw punches and follow up punches immediately after in the hopes of catching her with the follow ups.\n\n\\\u003eSome of them do find their mark, but she's still fast.\n\n\\\u003eActually, you think she might be slowly moving even faster.\n\n\\\u003eLike she's steadily kicking into maximum overdrive.\n\n\\\u003eTime to use new tactics.\n\n\\\u003eYou start throwing feints in with your normal strikes, which begin to catch her unaware in the beginning, but she's seen this trick before, so she starts anticipating your feints.\n\n\\\u003eWhen she can tell you're about to feint, she throws her own punches to intercept you.\n\n\\\u003eIf she can tell it isn't a feint, she'll dodge before counterattacking.\n\n\\\u003eSo it's time to throw another mixup into the confrontation.\n\n\\\u003eA different form of the feint.\n\n\\\u003eInstead of going forward with the strike and stopping midway, you bring your hand up, as if to punch, and while she focuses on it, you lash out with the opposite hand to get a quick hit in.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't let up, you return to your regularly scheduled program of normal strikes and feints, then bring your leg back to sweep at her shin.\n\n\\\u003eShe preemptively lifts her leg to avoid it before catching that your leg hasn't left it's pulled back position.\n\n\\\u003eYou fire down on her with a punch that hits her close to the forehead, and she shrinks down a litte from the blow.\n\n\\\u003eYou seize this advantage and grab her in the clinch.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd roars in anticipation.\n\n\\\u003eWill it work this time? You don't expect it to.\n\n\\\u003eIn fact, you aren't actually going to throw any clinch attacks at all.\n\n\\\u003eYou wait for her to bundle up into that bunny ball like last time, which she does.\n\n\\\u003eAll according to plan.\n\n\\\u003eYou bend low and adjust the angle of your hold, and with a lifting motion you pick her up and yeet her like a sack of potatoes that you wanted to toss over a particularly high fence.\n\n\\\u003eYou had hoped to toss her far enough to get the Circle involved but when her back hit the ground she managed to roll and catch herself before she went too far.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eShe looks up at you and stretches her back a bit, before taking, 1, 2, 3 steps and jumping into you.\n\n\\\u003eIt doesn't look like it has as much momentum as the one that game ended you, but it's one of her signature dropkicks all the same.\n\n\\\u003eYou cross your arms in front of you in a big X, and angle yourself low as she collides with you.\n\n\\\u003eYou slide backward, and now you're the one within harm's reach of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eEyes up and on her, she's about to try and push you into the Circle with her foot again like she did last time.\n\n\\\u003eYou reach out and catch her by the foot and leg, and throw her back.\n\n\\\u003eShe lands on her feet, but was a little shaky in the landing.\n\n\\\u003eYou run up, and deliver a forward moving haymaker.\n\n\\\u003eYou definitely don't expect this to connect.\n\n\\\u003eSo you're surprised when it actually does, right in her cheek.\n\n\\\u003eShe balls her fist and throws it back at you, hitting you in the mouth.\n\n\\\u003eYou think she split your lip.\n\n\\\u003eNo scratch that, she definitely did, that telltale sting is your evidence.\n\n\\\u003eShe slides her left leg forward and right leg back, a telltale sign: she's hunkered down and won't be moving from this spot.\n\n\\\u003eYou mimic her stance and bring your fist up.\n\n\\\u003eSo it's a battle of attrition, then.\n\n\\\u003eShe throws punch after solid punch at you, and you take each and every one.\n\n\\\u003eLikewise you throw punch after vicious punch at her and she stands strong and eats them for lunch.\n\n\\\u003eYou two are literally just straight up punching each other. Like some kinda fighting anime.\n\n\\\u003eYou can practically hear the shouts of \"muda\" and \"ora\" as you wail on each other.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a true battle of attrition, the first to drop will lose.\n\n\\\u003eYou've got this in the bag, if she keeps taking your punches, she'll run out of gas long before you will.\n\n\\\u003eYou see the end approaching as she wavers and her head dips down.\n\n\\\u003eYou swing one more time, ready to bring this fight to its thrilling conclusion.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, she had a similar idea, as she perfectly weaves her head between your strike and brings her own fist to collide with your nose.\n\n\\\u003eThat hit you with a little, no a lot more force than you expected, and you realize she used the upward momentum from her legs to throw it into you.\n\n\\\u003eYou backpedal a bit, breaking your stance and trying to keep yourself upright.\n\n\\\u003eBut once again, like some sort of creature that flies. Even though she should not be there, she is in the air above you, bringing her leg out and around for a jumping roundhouse.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your arms up to block it, and even though you do, the power in them haunches is legendary.\n\n\\\u003eYou spin around a bit, and hit the ground face up.\n\n\\\u003eBut you're still good!\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't done yet, you won't be beaten a second time.\n\n\\\u003eYou quickly rush to sit up, before she leaps at you, forcing you down with her hands on your shoulders, and manages to pin your arms to the ground by planting her knees into the grooves of your elbows.\n\n\\\u003eDoes this bunny really think she can pin you?\n\n\\\u003eYou lift.\n\n\\\u003eAnd heave.\n\n\\\u003e...And you don't go anywhere.\n\n\\\u003eHuh?\n\n\\\u003eIs she. Actually managing to pin you?\n\n\\\u003eThis 50 or so pound woodland rat is actually managing to pin you?!\n\n\\\u003eYou look up at her, ready to tear into her throat with your teeth if you can't use your arms.\n\n\\\u003eBut as you look up, you notice.\n\n\\\u003eHey, she's kinda close.\n\n\\\u003eHer body is planted right above your upper torso.\n\n\\\u003eHer knees jammed into the crooks of your elbows, her legs are practically on full display on either side of you.\n\n\\\u003eAnd because her knees are planted in your elbows, her legs are uh, spread pretty far apart.\n\n\\\u003eOh mama.\n\n\\\u003eYou look into her face.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks down at you.\n\n\\\u003eAnd a chilling smile creeps onto her face, all her teeth on full display.\n\n\\\u003eFor some reason, the big rabbit teeth in the center make it more frightening than if she were a predator species with fangs, you think.\n\n\\\u003eYou struggle a bit more, unable to wiggle her off you.\n\n\\\u003eAnd she's too far forward for you to hook your legs around her and pull her off.\n\n\\\u003eShe brings her hands up.\n\n\\\u003eShe's about to beat on your exposed face.\n\n\\\u003eOh boy, here comes the pain.\n\n\\\u003eAnd come it does, as she punches and punches and punches.\n\n\\\u003eThe\u0026nbsp; more you struggle, the harder she hits.\n\n\\\u003eYou start going limp, and though she's not hitting you as hard as you aren't struggling, she's still swinging.\n\n\\\u003eThrough your ringing ears, you faintly hear someone scream out \"Stop, he's already dead!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't dead, but you sure are feeling dead.\n\n\\\u003eThere's nothing you can do in this situation.\n\n\\\u003eOnce again, she has laid you low.\n\n\\\u003eBut this time, to get it to end, you have no choice but to end it with your own words.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm done.\" you manage to get out between the moments of her vicious onslaught.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm?\" she stops mashing your face in. \"I didn't catch that, what was that?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe could probably hear a goddamn mouse sitting in the back of the Circle whispering from here if she wanted to. But of course she has to tease you.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm done.\" you repeat, a little louder.\n\n\\\u003e\"That's what I thought you said. \"He's done!\" she shouts over her shoulder to Lewis.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd \"awws\" and lets out their groans of disappointment.\n\n\\\u003e\"It was a good fight though.\" she says. \"You might've almost had me that time.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks down at you, and smiles that genuine smile of joy again.\n\n\\\u003eStrangely, in this one fleeting moment, she is the most beautiful being you have ever seen.\n\n\\\u003eThe fires of battle are snuffed out, overtaken by the fire of passion.\n\n\\\u003eThe smoke of romance clouding your lungs make it hard to breathe.\n\n\\\u003eSo you don't.\n\n\\\u003eThe lack of oxygen flowing to your brain makes it hard to think.\n\n\\\u003eSo you don't.\n\n\\\u003eAs soon as her knees free your arms, they reach up.\n\n\\\u003eShe didn't expect you to retaliate after accepting your defeat, so she never expects you to grab her by her collar and pull her down towards you.\n\n\\\u003eYou lift your head slightly as you pull her in, brain function effectively ceased.\n\n\\\u003eYou practically have no control of your body, you're on autopilot.\n\n\\\u003eAs you bring yourself and her together.\n\n\\\u003eAnd kiss her.\n\n\\\u003eThe world shuts down.\n\n\\\u003eEveryone is mute, silent as the grave.\n\n\\\u003eYour consciousness slowly returns to you as you break from the kiss of your creation.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle's eyes are open as wide as they may possibly go.\n\n\\\u003eRealization dawns on you as your brain processes resume.\n\n\\\u003eYour hands shoot open and you let her go.\n\n\\\u003eShe scrambles a few feet away from you.\n\n\\\u003eYou sit straight up, fear claiming your face.\n\n\\\u003eYou think there's a tinge of red directly underneath the white of the fur on her face.\n\n\\\u003eOr maybe it's just blood.\n\n\\\u003eHer eyes are unfocused, darting around erratically.\n\n\\\u003eBut her emotional state isn't what's important right now!\n\n\\\u003eWell it very much is, but what's more important.\n\n\\\u003eWhat the fuck have you done?!\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her.\n\n\\\u003eShe stares at you.\n\n\\\u003eThen she shoots up to her feet.\n\n\\\u003eAnd fucking hightails it out of the Circle, pushing past everyone she can, before grabbing her school bag and taking off down the road at mach speeds.\n\n\\\u003eYou blink a few times, trying in vain to process what the actual hell you just did.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eNow everyone has that look on their face, like they just watched you shoot their parents.\n\n\\\u003eBree looks absolutely mortified.\n\n\\\u003eAnd then suddenly, there's a loud \"WHOO!\" and Mikael runs up to you, laughing and smiling like a madman.\n\n\\\u003eHe shakes you by the shoulders and says \"That's my boy! Anon! That's how you show a woman you have feelings!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't registering anything he's saying.\n\n\\\u003eYou have no idea what you've done.\n\n\\\u003eYou have no idea why you did what you did.\n\n\\\u003eWhat do you do now?\n\n\\\u003eWhat can you do?\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eThat was your first kiss.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003e\"He did what?!\" Verne explodes in your group text.\n\n\\\u003e3 out of the 4 of you were there to witness it, one of you actually experienced it!\n\n\\\u003eBut Mikael had the nerve to text the group chat with your psychotic outburst, instead of Verne directly.\n\n\\\u003eYou send a picture of a Pepe hanging from a noose.\n\n\"Damn Anon. When'd your balls get so big my guy?\" is Verne's next response.\n\n\"I agree.\" Mikael says. \"Whatever you're feeding yourself over there, I need you to start making extra for me.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou send a gif of an emoji with a cowboy hat loading a revolver, before he spins it and aims it at himself before pulling the trigger.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll be honest Anon. When I told you that you had to decide for yourself what to do, I didn't expect such a forward action.\" Lewis follows up.\n\n\\\u003eYou send the gif of JomTrom downing a bottle of advil\u0026nbsp; before chasing it with vodka and laying pretzelled in his couch.\n\n\"Alright bruv, we get it you want to commit aliven't, but it's not that bad.\" Verne says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Indeed. It could be worse.\" Miakel says. \"How it could be worse, I'm not sure, but it could always be worse. Remember this.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You'll just have to try and talk to her and, I dunno, explain what possessed you to do what you did. Apologize, maybe she'll forgive your audacity.\" Lewis sends.\n\n\\\u003e\"The biggest sadness to all of this.\" Mikael says. \"Anon lost, so no siegbraus for us. :(\"\n\n\\\u003eYou put your phone on silent and toss it onto your desk.\n\n\\\u003eYou're going to have to suffer with your terrible actions for an entire weekend, before you can even have a chance to make things right.\n\n\\\u003eSo you might as well take the time you would spend feeling bad, allowing the evil seed of what you've done to germinate within you, and turn it into time you'll spend figuring out what it is you'll say to Mirabelle once you have a chance to talk to her.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eIt is currently Wednesday.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle is extremely difficult to get a hold of.\n\n\\\u003eAfter class she's up and out and gone before you can even react.\n\n\\\u003eAnd she hasn't been to the Circle in those days either.\n\n\\\u003eSo today you have a new plan.\n\n\\\u003eAs soon as the bell rings you're just going to jump up, ignoring your things and try to get her attention.\n\n\\\u003eWith any luck she'll stop to talk to you.\n\n\\\u003eBut if she doesn't want to talk and just keeps going, you're out of luck.\n\n\\\u003eYou're staring at the clock, biding your time before the bell rings.\n\n\\\u003e...Any second now.\n\n\\\u003eIt goes off.\n\n\\\u003eYou leap out of your seat like a family of spiders just crawled out of it.\n\n\\\u003eAnd as you expected, Mirabelle is already halfway out the door already.\n\n\\\u003eOkay, she's not just any kind of fast, she's like, advanced fast.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw yourself out the door in chase. You look down the hall and she's a good few yards ahead already.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mirabelle wait!\" you shout, pleading that it'll get her attention and cause her to stop.\n\n\\\u003eA miracle has been granted to you today, because she actually does stop.\n\n\\\u003eShe mechanically turns around in your direction.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks in your direction, but not really at you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wh-what is it?\" she says, her voice barely registering in your ears.\n\n\\\u003e\"Can I. Can I talk to you for a moment?\" you say, taking a few steps forward.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't wait for a response as you continue, fearful that she'll say \"no\" or \"I'm busy\". \"I wanted to apologize for what I did. The other day. I dunno what got into me, and I didn't mean to. I'm really sorry, I hope I didn't make you angry or make you think I'm a creep or something.\"\n\n\\\u003e...Huh?\" is all she says.\n\n\\\u003eYou take that as a sign to keep going. \"Yeah, I'm sorry. Like, I've never really liked a girl before, and I'd been trying to come to terms with the fact that I liked you, and it was a bit more difficult than I initially thought, and I guess all the building emotion just boiled to the surface before I could reel it in.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait. What?\" She's got this unreadable expression on her face. Like, confusion, but relief, but also concern.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, so like I was feeling some kinda way after our first fight, but not just the upset from losing, and Lewis was like 'oh man, you're in love' and I was like 'bullshit, people don't just fall in love' and he was like 'well you gotta do something about it' and I was like 'I'll go fight her again', and I did, but I lost again, and it turns out the feelings I was having aren't just from the fun of our fights, I kinda really like you, so after I came to accept that, my stupid monkey brain just turned off on me and my body got free reign to run wild and I did what I did, I'm sorry, please don't already hate me.\"\n\n\\\u003eWhoa good going man. The spaghetti is firmly out of your pocket now, there's no picking it back up.\n\n\\\u003eNobody would've guessed you spent hours rehearsing what you were going to say, only to vomit words at her like this.\n\n\\\u003e\"...Oh.\" is all she says though.\n\n\\\u003eThere's an awkward silence for a bit as she seems to be digesting everything you just said.\n\n\\\u003eYou're just hoping at this point that she'll at least accept your apology.\n\n\\\u003eBut she says something completely different.\n\n\\\u003e\"Y-you...You like me?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Huh. Oh, uh, yeah. I couldn't really understand it, because I have never felt this way before, but that seems to be the consensus, yes.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou take a few steps closer to her now.\n\n\\\u003eShe's actually looking at you now too.\n\n\\\u003eYou really do think you can see her blushing.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh.\" she says again.\n\n\\\u003eIs this, a good thing?\n\n\\\u003eShe hasn't really said that she accepts your apology or anything, but at the very least she seems to be listening to you.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you can work things out after all.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ask her out on a date.\"\n\n\\\u003eYour dad's words shoot through your mind like stars in the night sky.\n\n\\\u003eBut the situation is shaky right now, should you risk that?\n\n\\\u003e...Fuck it.\n\n\\\u003eAt the very least, you already goofed, you can't goof any harder at this point right?\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, I may have done things a bit out of order, I really am sorry for that. I think I was supposed to ask you out on a date first, so do you mind if I remedy that problem?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe pauses and looks straight up at you. \"Hah, w-what?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Do you, uhhh. Wanna go on a date with me, sometime?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her, trying really hard to keep her gaze.\n\n\\\u003eAs you're both having this staring contest, it does occur to you that you're standing in the middle of the hall. People are passing by.\n\n\\\u003eYou shift your gaze from her to your surroundings.\n\n\\\u003eThe few humans passing by and the many anthros are looking in your direction, having witnessed you baring your heart to this little white rabbit.\n\n\\\u003eOh boy, so if she rejects you right now, you're effectively going to be a laughingstock, or eternally pitied. Maybe both.\n\n\\\u003eYou brace yourself for that inevitability, before Mirabelle gives her answer.\n\n\\\u003e\"S-sure.\"\n\n\\\u003eNow it's your turn to act confused.\n\n\\\u003e\"Huh?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Sure, we can, uh. Go out, sometime, that's fine... Like when?\" Her eyes are darting between you and the ground, and she's running her hands over her right ear.\n\n\\\u003e\" Umm.\" You think for a moment. \"Why not just this coming Saturday? If that's not too soon. Maybe like, 12 p.m.?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe thinks for a moment as well. \"Uhh, okay, that should be fine. Are we gonna, like, meet somewhere or?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, uh, how about, the entrance to the shopping center, kinda close to the TIM?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay, that'll work.\" she says, giving you a slight nod. \"So, uh. Saturday, 12, shopping center near TIM.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yep, that's it.\"\n\n\\\u003eOh dear god, did you really manage to salvage this situation?\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay, uh, great. I... I guess I'll see you then.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah... See you then.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe about faces and bounds down the hall in her typically speedy fashion.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eHoly shit.\n\n\\\u003eWas your dad right this whole time?\n\n\\\u003eWas it actually that easy?!\n\n\\\u003eYou're about to bound down the hall yourself to let your goon squad know, before you remember that you left your things in class.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn around to see Mr. Warburton peering out the door, staring at you.\n\n\\\u003eHe probably got concerned when he saw you launch yourself out of his class without your stuff.\n\n\\\u003eHe adjusts his glasses, and smooths the hair on his head back.\n\n\\\u003e\"...Congratulations, Mr. Anonymous.\" he says, before slinking back into his classroom.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around.\n\n\\\u003eThe ones still lingering are still kind of staring at you with these incredulous looks.\n\n\\\u003eBut you could not care less at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eYou have a date.\n\n\\\u003eWith the girl you like.\n\n\\\u003eThis is a huge fucking pogchamp moment.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk back into Mr. Warburton's class and collect your things.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk out and through the halls like you own this fucking place.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eMikael is cheering.\n\n\\\u003eVerne is staring dumbstruck.\n\n\\\u003eLewis is. Well, being Lewis.\n\n\\\u003eBut there's a hint of admiration in his face.\n\n\\\u003e\"I can't believe you actually managed to salvage that fuckup.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Dude you're telling me! I was the one going through it and even I didn't expect it to work out.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"And now you're going on a date.\" Verne says slowly, like he can't believe the words that just exited his mouth are truth.\n\n\\\u003e\"I always believed in you, Anon. I knew you had potential.\" Mikael tells you with a hearty slap to the back. \"Now you just have to manage to not completely screw it all up on the date. That'll be the hard part for you.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait what does that mean?!\" you look at him, slightly offended.\n\n\\\u003e\"You are not, what one would call, smooth with the ladies. But that's okay! You are not trying to be a ladies' man, like me. You are just Anon. And that might be best.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well excuse me for not being born a viking chad.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou guys walk out and head your separate ways.\n\n\\\u003eYou consider going to the Circle, but decide against it.\n\n\\\u003eGotta figure out where you're going to go on your date, it's a lot closer than you think.\n\n\\\u003eYou wait\u0026nbsp; a minute though, as you're currently used to doing, in anticipation of a familiar phrase.\n\n\\\u003eBut it never comes.\n\n\\\u003eCome to think of it, you haven't seen Bree in a while.\n\n\\\u003eDid she get sick or something? That's a shame.\n\n\\\u003eBut oh well, she'll turn up eventually.\n\n\\\u003eYou head home, excitement and nervousness permeating your bones.\n\n\\\u003eAnd it's only Wednesday.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eThe rest of the week flew by.\n\n\\\u003eOr did it actually crawl by?\n\n\\\u003eYou can't be sure, the inconsistency of time holds no meaning before you.\n\n\\\u003eIt's Saturday, the fated day, and you are ready.\n\n\\\u003eYou were awake and alert at like 6 a.m., which is probably the earliest you've ever been up on a Saturday.\n\n\\\u003eYou were a little too excited, so you didn't sleep perfectly, but it should be good enough to last without getting tired midway through your date.\n\n\\\u003eYou showered for twice as long as you normally do.\n\n\\\u003eYou brushed your teeth like twice, and used mouthwash for twice as long as is recommended.\n\n\\\u003eBesides combing it, should you do something with your hair?\n\n\\\u003eNah, there isn't much to do, just tie it and keep it moving.\n\n\\\u003eYou iron the clothes you're wearing on your date.\n\n\\\u003eYou didn't want to dress like you're going to a wedding or anything, so you got a long sleeved button up and paired with the least worn pair of black jeans you could find.\n\n\\\u003eLike a casual, but not like your everyday casual.\n\n\\\u003eYou get dressed, and admire how well you clean up.\n\n\\\u003eYou apply deodorant and add a hit of cologne.\n\n\\\u003eJust a bit, you wouldn't want to assault her sensitive nose or anything.\n\n\\\u003eYou check the time, and you should get going now.\n\n\\\u003eYou have to leave a bit earlier because you aren't going to take your scooter.\n\n\\\u003eYou thought about it, but decided it may not be the best idea.\n\n\\\u003eBut then you thought, what if she thinks it's lame that you don't have a car?\n\n\\\u003eIt'll be okay, not everyone has a car at this age, it isn't weird.\n\n\\\u003eBesides, your plans are within short walking distance of each other anyway.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab your keys, wallet, and phone, and head out toward the shopping center.\n\n\\\u003eAfter a brisk 20 minutes of walking, you catch sight of the entrance to the shopping center.\n\n\\\u003eIt's 11:45, so you're early, good stuff.\n\n\\\u003eAs you approach however, you see a small white form, the object of your affection, has already arrived.\n\n\\\u003eYou call out to her and she turns.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk right up to her and.\n\n\\\u003eFreeze.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her.\n\n\\\u003eOh my.\n\n\\\u003eShe's wearing this kind of thick sleeveless turtleneck, and a black, wavy skirt that reaches her knees. A pair of shoes, not quite heels, but they have that little bump on the bottom so they aren't flat.\n\n\\\u003eHer ears are freed from their scrunchie today, though they still hang behind her head.\n\n\\\u003e... You're staring.\n\n\\\u003eAnd she notices you're staring.\n\n\\\u003e\"It all looks weird on me, doesn't it? It's not my normal style but I-\"\n\n\\\u003eYou cut her off. \"You look amazing.\"\n\n\\\u003eHer ears launch straight up, then slowly descend back to their resting place.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ya think so? Haha, I wasn't really into it, but I ended up telling my mom I had a date. And she said you have to wear a dress on your first date. But I absolutely refused at that, so in the end, this was the compromise.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou try to envision in your mind's eye a Mirabelle in a dress. \"You would've looked good in a dress, I think. But this is amazing too, it's really cute.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Pfft\" she scoffs. \"I dunno... But I guess it's done it's job if you say you like it. So it seems my mom was right.\"\n\n\\\u003eIt seems parents have more knowledge than we give them credit for. Perhaps it would be in one's best interest to listen to their wisdom more often.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, we're uh, both a little early.\" she says looking at the street clock. \"But since we're here should we just. Get started?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, yeah sure.\" you say, kind of remembering the whole reason you're here today. \"I was thinking we can start by going to Carroll's, get some food since we're here. Then spend some time in TIM, hit the arcade, maybe a movie.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, sounds like a good plan.\" she smiles at you.\n\n\\\u003eMm, that's good warm chest feeling.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk side by side through the shopping center.\n\n\\\u003eIn relative silence.\n\n\\\u003eStores to the left of you, stores to the right of you..\n\n\\\u003eYou pass by Xinyan, and Rei is outside talking to some human guy.\n\n\\\u003eThey're both smiling and laughing, so maybe a friend of hers.\n\n\\\u003e... Maybe something more, you wonder.\n\n\\\u003eAnother minute and you come to the end of the center, where an oldschool diner is set with a big sign that says \"Carroll's\".\n\n\\\u003eYou walk up, and open the door, holding it open so Mirabelle can walk in.\n\n\"After you, milady.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe chuckles at you, but accepts the gesture anyway.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk in after her and look around.\n\n\\\u003eThe place isn't too packed, but there's a few people filling the booths and tables up.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a few empty spots though, so you should be able to get a seat.\n\n\\\u003eOne of the waitresses, Brandy, comes up to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey welcome.\" she says on autopilot before she really gets a look and notices who you are.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well well. Look who finally remembered where we are. Hey Elvira! Look who came to visit finally!\" she shouts behind her.\n\n\\\u003eA large tigress peaks out of the wall window between the kitchen and the counter.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eShe squints like she has bad eyes before realization dawns on her. \"Is that Anon? Oh hey where you been buddy? Lemme guess.\" She gazes in your direction, fangs almost but not quite bared. \"You been goin' to that burger joint on G Street.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"...No.\" you say.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eThey don't believe you, judging by the side eye and tilt of the head they both give you.\n\n\\\u003e\"No for real I started making my own food.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Is that so?\" Brandy asks, still not wholly convinced.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah you know, my Ma taught me to cook before she went out west with Dad, so after a while I just started cooking for myself because eating out all the time, was getting kinda expensive.\"\n\n\\\u003eThey seem to accept that finally.\n\n\\\u003eBrandy, finally noticing that you're standing with someone, says \"Table for two?\" which you nod to.\n\n\\\u003eShe puts you two in a booth, and sets down two menus.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eShe stands there, for a little longer than you would expect before she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey Anon. Are you uh. Is this uhh... Are you two on a...?\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Brandy, then at Mirabelle, and back to Brandy.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yes.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003eNo need to lie or hide it, you think.\n\n\\\u003eBrandy covers her mouth with both her hands.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh my God, little Anon is growing up. Hey Elvira!\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey hey hey!\" you shout after her, but it's too late as she scurries into the back.\n\n\\\u003eYou facepalm, but Mirabelle laughs.\n\n\\\u003e\"I guess you used to come here a lot?'\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah.\" you say. \"Parents and me came here all the time. You've never been here?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Mm, it's not really on my side of town, so I don't really have too much reason to come over here. I hit the TIM, but that's about it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well you won't regret it. Food here is amazing. Even my Ma has to give Elvira her props.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, about that. You said something about your mom going out west with your dad?\" Mirabelle asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, my dad runs his own businesses, so at some point he had my mom go out there to help him with some things as he sets up out there on the west coast. Also she's a professional chef or whatever so he got sick of food that didn't measure up to hers. They've been out there for about two years now, so I've practically been on my own since a little after I turned Sixteen.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You live alone? No siblings?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nope, not a one. It's kinda lonely but I've gotten used to it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Haha, I can't even imagine what it's like to be lonely. Besides my parents, I have 9 other siblings so. Everyday is a bit hectic.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh man, that's a-\" you pause.\n\n\\\u003eYou mentally rewind and replay the sentence she just stated to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Did you say, NINE siblings?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yep.\"\u0026nbsp; she says like it's the most natural information she'll give you. \"I have 4 older brothers, 4 younger brothers, and one little sister.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou take a moment to deeply ponder this information. Is this actually a rabbit thing, the necessity to create multiple offspring? Or do her parents just lack the almighty restraint?\n\n\\\u003eYou want to ask her, but don't, not knowing if asking that question would be rude, for multiple reasons.\n\n\\\u003e\"8 brothers. That might explain why you're so damn tough.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"She laughs \"Yup, that's likely it. I was practically fighting my brothers as soon as I could walk. And my dad advocated it, so I owe my skill to him.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh yeah? Your dad, what, taught you to fight?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Sure did.\" she says with a look of pride. \"He used to fight in the Circle back in his day too, but he never claimed the Champ spot. When I told him I was the Champ now. He looked like some sort of old promise had finally been kept. He actually looked up and said 'My saga is complete'.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"That's cool.\" you tell her, with a small laugh.\n\n\\\u003eMust be nice to have a dad who supports your desire to punch people's lights out.\n\n\\\u003eBrandy comes back, with an ear to ear grin, ready to get you some drinks.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eOnce you both decide on drinks, you take a break from your conversation to decide what you want to eat. Once you let Brandy know what you're having, Mirabelle has something to say.\n\n\\\u003eYou mind if I ask you something?\"\n\n\\\u003eOf course not.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Are you... Are you sure you like me?\"\n\n\\\u003eThat wasn't a question you expected at the moment, but you're happy to answer it.\n\n\\\u003e\"I can say with certainty that I am sure. I didn't know what to think when I was first trying to come to terms with how I felt. And even now I still somehow doubt that it just, happened so easily. But apparently I have been convinced that falling for someone can be as easy or as hard as you make it.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe seems to accept that answer, but here eyes are darting around, avoiding your direction.\n\n\\\u003e\" Is that okay?\" you ask her.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah. It's just.\" she starts. \"I'm uh... I've never really, gotten any attention from boys. Well, not in the way where I thought they'd ask me out.\"\n\n\\\u003eThis surprises you. She's adorable. Who wouldn't want to ask her out?\n\n\\\u003eShe continues. \"So that's why when you ki-... You did what you did, I thought you were messing with me or something. And then when you asked me out, I really thought you were messing with me. So I'll be honest, I half expected you to not show up.\"\n\n\\\u003eHearing that kind of hurts. It hurts you to hear, and it hurts that she thought you were faking. But you stay silent.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm glad I was wrong though!\" she throws out, noticing the concern on your face. \"And, I'm sorry for not having faith in you in the beginning.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Eh, I can understand how you feel. I don't think too many guys would ask out a girl that whooped their ass twice. Lucky for me, I've never been like most guys.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I can see that.\" she gives you that taunting look of hers. \"You're kinda weird you know.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm? Well I mean, I won't deny that. But why?\"\n\n\\\u003eWell.\" she starts, but pauses like she brought up a topic that she probably shouldn't continue.\n\n\\\u003eEventually she manages to find her words.\n\n\\\u003e\"You asked me out.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"... Uh huh?\" you say, not seeing her point yet.\n\n\\\u003e\"And you're.\" She gestures to you. \"And I'm.\" She pinches a bit of the fur on her face with one hand and flicks her ear with the other.\n\n\\\u003eOh. You understand.\n\n\\\u003e\"You haven't seen my friends have you?\" She shakes her head.\n\n\\\u003e\"Besides Mikael, I'm friends with an elk, and a lizard. Species doesn't present a problem for me in the least. Plus, things are getting better, and I know I can't be the only human currently interested in an anthro. I'm sure there are anthros interested in humans, and I know there have to be Human/Anthro couples out there.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you haven't seen any in your school, but maybe they're around in the city, in places you haven't seen.\n\n\\\u003eOr at the very least they exist somewhere out there in the world. They have to.\n\n\\\u003eShe nods, mostly to herself. \"Yeah, you might be right. Huh, you might not be that weird then.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou laugh a bit. \"Well I appreciate the reconsideration.\"\n\n\\\u003eYour food comes, so you take the time to eat, internally shouting to the heavens in celebration of the blessed nourishment you have consumed.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle also has this look like it's the best thing she's ever had.\n\n\\\u003eIt's still not on par with your mom's stuff, but it's pretty fucking good.\n\n\\\u003eOnce you're done, you ask Brandy for the check.\n\n\\\u003eShe brings it and sets it down.\n\n\\\u003eAs you take a look at it, you can see Mirabelle moving.\n\n\\\u003eShe has a small handbag, which she's reaching into.\n\n\\\u003eYou know what she's thinking, but you won't allow it.\n\n\\\u003e\"Whatcha doin'?\" you say over the edge of the check.\n\n\\\u003e\"Huh? I was gonna pay for my half of the-\n\n\\\u003eYou scrunch your face, like she just started speaking fluent moon rune.\n\n\\\u003e\"No you're not.\" you quickly interject. \"I asked you out, why on earth would I let you pay? You're paying me, with your time. Which is all I'm asking for.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh.\" she says. She genuinely looks like she didn't expect that.\n\n\\\u003eBut why not?\n\n\\\u003eWhat has the world become, where girls have to pay on dates they were asked on?\n\n\\\u003eYeah yeah, gender equality but still, this is completely different.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your card down. Brandy retrieves it quickly.\n\n\\\u003eYou look up at her, and she's got a cheeky grin on her face.\n\n\\\u003eOh no, she's planning something.\n\n\\\u003eYou go into your wallet to grab cash for the tip you're leaving.\n\n\\\u003eOnce she comes back, she hands you your card, and sets a large milkshake on the counter between you and Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eIt has 2 straws.\n\n\\\u003eYou glance up at Brandy.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wus dis?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"It's on the house.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003eAnd swiftly walks away.\n\n\\\u003eShe walks to the back.\n\n\\\u003eYou can see Elvira sneaking peeks through the window.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe was looking at you, but quickly avoids your gaze as soon as you turn to her.\n\n\\\u003e\"... Uhhhh. You want some of this?\" you ask her, pointing to the shake.\n\n\\\u003e\"Uhhh, do you?\" she asks back.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. It was free, might as well have some, right?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah I guess so.\"\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003e\"Are we. Supposed to drink it at the same time?\" she questions.\n\n\\\u003e\"There's no rule that says we have to. Just because it has 2 straws.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah but. Isn't that like, something you would do on a date?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"From like the 80's I guess... Do you. Want to?\"\n\n\\\u003eFor some reason, asking your date if she wants to share this shake with you is more difficult than asking her out.\n\n\\\u003e\"We. Can try it.\" she says, after a moment of deliberating if she was ready to embarrass herself this way.\n\n\\\u003eYou lean forward.\n\n\\\u003eShe does as well.\n\n\\\u003eYou clamp down on your straws at roughly the same time.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a sip, so does she.\n\n\\\u003eThe dessert is flowing through the straws at a decent pace.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you.\n\n\\\u003eWith those big blue eyes.\n\n\\\u003eThose glorious sapphires invade your vision.\n\n\\\u003eThey dominate your senses.\n\n\\\u003eTime stops, the world falls away.\n\n\\\u003eOnly you two exist in this moment.\n\n\\\u003eAnd this moment lasts for eons.\n\n\\\u003eAt least until the sound of air passing through straws brings you back to reality.\n\n\\\u003eYou both slowly pull away.\n\n\\\u003eEven though you just had an ice based dessert\n\n\\\u003eYour face is on fire.\n\n\\\u003eHers must be too, judging by the expression on her face.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around.\n\n\\\u003eThe other patrons are looking at you, with those \"aww\" faces that people have when they witness young love.\n\n\\\u003eWell, except for this old couple who look. Concerned? Disturbed?\n\n\\\u003eWho cares. The future is now old people!\n\n\\\u003eBrandy and Elvira are staring from behind the window too, giant smiles on their faces.\n\n\\\u003eYou slide yourself out of the booth, and hold your hand out to help Mirabelle out.\n\n\\\u003eShe takes it surprisingly quickly, and out the door you go, still holding her hand.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eYou're holding her hand already.\n\n\\\u003eBold one, aren't you?\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou walk with Mirabelle to the TIM.\n\n\\\u003ePutting a giant mall a few minutes walk from a local shopping center seemed like shitty placement to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou're practically at the front entrance when you reach up to scratch a sudden itch, and realize.\n\n\\\u003eOh.\n\n\\\u003eYou're still holding her hand.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks up at you.\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't seem to mind.\n\n\\\u003eIn fact she isn't looking like anything's wrong.\n\n\\\u003eYou still let go though.\n\n\\\u003e\"Sorry 'bout that.\" you mutter, going for that itch behind your neck.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh uh, no worries.\" she replies.\n\n\\\u003e\"Soooo, what're you in the mood for? Wanna see what they've got playing in the theater? Or would you rather hit the arcade?\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Hmm, the arcade sounds good. I'm in the mood to move around a bit after lunch.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou both head off to the arcade.\n\n\\\u003eYou have the play card they give out, which also keeps track of the points you gain from playing certain games.\n\n\\\u003eYou load it up with about 30 bucks worth of game credits, and off you both go.\n\n\\\u003eYou play a few rounds in some fighters.\n\n\\\u003eYou're pretty neck and neck, you win a few, she wins a few.\n\n\\\u003eYou move over to a basketball game.\n\n\\\u003eShe's got a decent jump shot.\n\n\\\u003eYou guys tie at this, even though you play like 3 times, insisting that ties don't count.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a giant version of Battleships that you play.\n\n\\\u003eShe slaughters you in that.\n\n\\\u003eThat level of prediction was unreal, you had to scan your surroundings to make sure she wasn't cheating.\n\n\\\u003eYou play Ski-Ball and this time you win by a huge margin.\n\n\\\u003eYou've got the ancient forbidden tech of 100 percent accuracy when going for the 100 point slots.\n\n\\\u003eThen she drags you to the racing game, insisting this'll be the tie breaker.\n\n\\\u003eOh you poor misguided bunny.\n\n\\\u003eYou agree and start up.\n\n\\\u003eShe uses the manual option.\n\n\\\u003eAh, a woman of culture as well.\n\n\\\u003eUnfortunately her culture is no match for your skill as you leave her in the dust.\n\n\\\u003e\"Best 2 out of 3!\" she shouts.\n\n\\\u003eWhich then becomes best of 5.\n\n\\\u003eThen 7.\n\n\\\u003eShe won twice. But only because she actually cheated.\n\n\\\u003eThe first time, when she had to hit a hard left, she leaned into it and slugged you in the arm, throwing you off course.\n\n\\\u003eThe second time, you were a leg ahead and when you leaned to the right to turn right, she had to lean left, so she purposefully(she said it wasn't on purpose but you know better) threw her ears in your face to distract you.\n\n\\\u003e...But they were soft so you didn't mind too much that time.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eAfter your unspoken competition came to an end you play some games cooperatively.\n\n\\\u003eMedal Slug and Joustit.\n\n\\\u003eThe Guitar Zero game.\n\n\\\u003eYou even play this weird shooter about this college couple killing monsters in the jungle.\n\n\\\u003eYou two score pretty high on that one.\n\n\\\u003eYou two are laughing and having a lot of fun.\n\n\\\u003eThis is what one would qualify as a successful date, right?\n\n\\\u003eYou regain your senses long enough to remember to check the time.\n\n\\\u003eDamn, its almost 7 p.m.\n\n\\\u003eWhere'd the time go?\n\n\\\u003eYou relay this information to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eYou should probably start going before it gets dark. You have to walk home after all, and you aren't sure how she got here but it might be best for her to start heading back too.\n\n\\\u003eShe agrees with this idea.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, before you leave, you head over to the prize counter.\n\n\\\u003eYou played a lot of games even before they renovated, and you never use the points so you could likely afford anything at the counter..\n\n\\\u003e\"You want any of these? \"you gesture to the prizes crowding the shelves and hanging off of strings from the ceiling. \"It's not as special as winning it for you from like, a claw machine or something cliché, but those are rigged anyway. So this is second best.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou don't really expect her to want any of this stuff, it's just a bunch of cheesy toys and plush characters. But hey, offering never hurt anyone.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks around with a bit of disinterest, before her eyes settle on one in particular.\n\n\\\u003e\"That one.\" she says, as she points up at. Something.\n\n\\\u003eThe lanky bastard manning the counter reaches up and pulls it down.\n\n\\\u003eIt's something alright.\n\n\\\u003eIt's like a human king, with black clothes and a red cape. The crown looks slightly tilted on his head, probably intentional. The hair is long and unruly, or at least it's shaped to look that way. He has this huge cartoony smile, one eye is big and round, and the other is slanted, like they cut the circle in half and slightly angled it.\n\n\\\u003eMakes him look kinda evil.\n\n\\\u003e\"...Yeah?\" is all you say.\n\n\\\u003eShe nods, looking very pleased with it.\n\n\\\u003eYou hand your card to the attendant and he charges for it.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle starts walking off as you get your card back.\n\n\\\u003eThe lanky attendant looks over at her, before turning back to you.\n\n\\\u003eHe gives you that \"okay\" hand signal and clicks his tongue twice.\n\n\\\u003eHmmm.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk away and catch up to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk out of the TIM.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, we spent a lot of time at the arcade, I guess the movie wasn't in the plans today.\" you say as you shrug.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah. Guess we'll just have to do that part another time.\" she shrugs back.\n\n\\\u003e\"...Oh? So you'd. Be interested in doing this again sometime?\n\n\\\u003eShe pauses. \"Well...Yeah. I enjoyed myself so. I'd like that.\"\n\n\\\u003eEXCELLENT!\n\n\\\u003eContinue. Press this advantage!\n\n\\\u003e\"So uh. Maybe I can get your number. That way we can make it a little easier, to schedule future plans.\"\n\n\\\u003eGood. Gooood!\n\n\\\u003e\"... Yeah, of course.\"\n\n\\\u003eLadies and gentlemen, we got it!\n\n\\\u003eShe gives you her number, and you shoot her a quick \"Hey\" so that she can have yours as well. For the sake of consistency.\n\n\\\u003eYou look up to the sky.\n\n\\\u003e\"So how'd you get here? Did you come on your own, or should I wait with you while you get a ride sorted?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Eh, I got a ride, but it's still light out, I should be fine. I'll start heading home myself so that they won't have to come the entire way.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, if you say so.\" You take a few steps in the general direction of your home. \"I guess I'll see you at school Monday.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Mhm. See you.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe waves, you wave back, and make your way home.\n\n\\\u003eOne fulfilling walk later, you've made it home.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou kick off your shoes, rip off your shirt and throw yourself into your bed.\n\n\\\u003eGod this was the best day of your life.\n\n\\\u003eMay they only get better, you silently pray.\n\n\\\u003eYou lay back and sleep calls you already.\n\n\\\u003eThe euphoria and adrenaline of the day's activities slowly ebbing from you like the retreat of the shoreline.\n\n\\\u003eHowever you get a text and it all returns in a split second.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at your phone, and whoever could it be-\n\n\\\u003eIt's Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eYou've never opened a text so fast in your life.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a picture, of the little plush she just got, sitting on what looks like the edge of a dresser drawer.\n\n\\\u003eThen she says \"You know, it kinda reminds me of you.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"What, you think I look like such a villain?\" you send her back.\n\n\\\u003e\"It kind of has that face you make when you do that pose sometimes. You know, before and after your fights.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Do I really look like that?\" you say as you send an emoji that's gone blue in the face from fear.\n\n\\\u003e\"I wouldn't say it if I didn't think so.\" she sends an emoji sticking its tongue out.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway.\" she follows up. \"I really enjoyed today. I'm glad you asked me out. Have a good night.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I enjoyed it too. I'm glad you accepted. Good night.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou put your phone down.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a deep breath.\n\n\\\u003eYou actually scream like you're trying to project your voice to the heavens.\n\n\\\u003eYou whoop and holler like a man who has perceived an unobtainable eldritch knowledge\n\n\\\u003eYou collapse once more into your bed.\n\n\\\u003eMan, you just split off half an hour ago, but you already want to see her again.\n\n\\\u003eThis is wild.\n\n\\\u003eYou roll out of bed to go shower and don your pajamas.\n\n\\\u003eThere's still a few hours before you normally go to bed, but you just spend them idly, recounting the events of your date today.\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't sure what time it is, checking would require energy that you no longer have.\n\n\\\u003eInstead you allow a blissful sleep to encompass you, followed by the prospect of sweet dreams.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eA good few weeks have gone by since your first date with Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eAnd everything has just been fantastic since then.\n\n\\\u003eYou cursed the school system for the audacity they had to actually keep you two separated until your very last class of the day, but the slowly building anticipation seems to be worth it once you finally lay eyes on her.\n\n\\\u003eYou two chat pretty often and text each other when you're not in class, or when you're at home.\n\n\\\u003eA few times you've texted while you were in class.\n\n\\\u003eShe's been slowing down her mad dashes out of class, to give you the chance to catch up.\n\n\\\u003eYou would break off for a bit to let your friends know that you were going on ahead, before going to meet up with her again.\n\n\\\u003eYou may have a girlfriend now, but you won't forsake age old tradition.\n\n\\\u003eEven if you're not walking with them.\n\n\\\u003eYou've been walking to the Circle together every day since.\n\n\\\u003eUnfortunately that meant you'd have to walk your cumbersome scooter, but you deal with it, because you enjoy all the time you get with Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eHowever you did give her a ride one time because she seemed interested.\n\n\\\u003eShe put her arms around and held on tight as you went down the road.\n\n\\\u003eThis time however, you allowed the action, fully enjoying the closeness that came with it.\n\n\\\u003eIt did remind you though, that you still have not seen Bree for quite a while.\n\n\\\u003eWell you thought you had caught a glimpse of her at one time, but you weren't sure.\n\n\\\u003eBut she probably isn't in any trouble so you push the thoughts from your mind.\n\n\\\u003eWhen you and Mirabelle would get to the Circle, normal Circle engagements would ensue.\n\n\\\u003eShe still has the seat, but you stand near her.\n\n\\\u003eShe'll fight like always, and win like always.\n\n\\\u003eLikewise, you fight too, and win, nothing has changed in that regard.\n\n\\\u003eBut trying to get a normal fight for yourself started becoming increasingly difficult.\n\n\\\u003ePeople would keep back when you stepped up. If you waited until someone else went in first, or if Lewis had to pick a fight for you, they would end pretty quick.\n\n\\\u003eThey would try for a bit in the beginning, but after a few good hits, or during the start of your infamous Clinch, they would concede quickly.\n\n\\\u003eNo use fighting a battle you know you would lose.\n\n\\\u003eNot like when you were King, and those who you would fight, fought to win, because they wanted to usurp you.\n\n\\\u003eSo you had to get your kicks another way.\n\n\\\u003eWhen someone would win two fights in a row, you would step in and call them out the next day to blacken their eyes and their spirits.\n\n\\\u003ePutting an end to their streak and forcing them to start over.\n\n\\\u003eBut of course, you can only fight once, so some people whose win counts match up to two and three would still make it to challenge Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eOnly to get destroyed in short order.\n\n\\\u003eSo once people kind of noticed you two were dating.\n\n\\\u003eThey were shocked initially. But not too put off.\n\n\\\u003eAfter what they had all seen you do not that long ago, they kinda figured that was the path you two were headed, especially after watching you show up together.\n\n\\\u003eThey started referring to Mirabelle as a Queen.\n\n\\\u003eWhich she didn't seem to mind.\n\n\\\u003eWhich then led to them referring to you both as the King and Queen of Ruin.\n\n\\\u003eWhich you thought was really fucking cool.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle seemed to enjoy it as well, drawing even more comparisons to you and the evil king plushie you got her.\n\n\\\u003eBut you accepted that.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle is just so great.\n\n\\\u003eThis is the best month you've ever had in your life. Better than all the birthdays and holidays and amusement park trips you've ever had.\n\n\\\u003eYou want to scream to the world and tell everybody within earshot about the perfect being that is Mirabelle Dunwick.\n\n\\\u003eBut you keep it to yourself, partly out of greed, but also because you don't want to become one of those creepers.\n\n\\\u003eYou're pretty sure that's how people lose their friends in the first place.\n\n\\\u003eSpeaking of your friends, you're currently at lunch with them, but your mind isn't with them until you manage to catch your name.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well we can probably count Anon out.\" Lewis says, bored expression carved into his face.\n\n\\\u003e'Huh. What? Out for what?\"\n\n\"C'mon dude.\" Verne says. \"Like, we know you've got yourself a dope ass girlfriend or whatever, but as least engage with us a bit. Your boys. Y'know, the boys you've known for like 4 years.\" he holds his hands over his chest, feigning heartbreak.\n\n\\\u003e\"I for one welcome your developments, Anon.\" Mikael adds. \"I could not be more proud. Truly, you have even achieved more than me.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"What's that mean?\" you ask him.\n\n\\\u003e\"I have never had a girlfriend.\" he says plainly.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare at him like he just renounced every last one of his Nordic gods.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's true!\" he continues, noting the face of doubt you have. Even Verne and Lewis are looking at him funny. \"I mean. I am a man of the ladies, all the ladies. I could not bear to tie myself down with just one. And attempting to pursue multiple behind the back of one you have a union with is unthinkable to me. It breeds heartbreak, and I could never.\"\n\n\\\u003eSo all his flirting is just flirting, and not like some kinda playboy womanizing?\n\n\\\u003eHard to believe.\n\n\\\u003e\"... Moving on from that tangent. We've been talking about going to the party Jeremy Wheeler's having on Saturday.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah you know. Saturday. The day that was for the boys. But not anymore apparently.\" Verne cries.\n\n\\\u003eYou honestly aren't sure if his heartbreak is real or not. His face is scrunched up like he wants to cry, but he's overexaggerating the sadness in his voice.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright I get it!\" you shout. \"Geez, alright. Since Verne will probably cry if I don't, I'll go with you guys. I mean, how could I not? If there's a party that we wanted to hit, we've always gone together. Having someone else besides you idiots to spend my time with isn't gonna change that.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nah man, don't feel like I'm forcing you or anything.\" Verne feels the need to keep this farce going.\n\n\\\u003e\"Verne I will kill you. And then kill you again. If you don't cut the shit.\" you look at him with a blank face.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright alright.\" He throws his hands up in surrender and that trademark dopey grin makes its return to his face.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay so. We were planning on showing up a little after 8. So I guess be ready by then. I'll come scoop you up some time around then.\" Lewis lets you know.\n\n\\\u003e\"Cool, sounds like a plan.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Finally hanging out with our old pal Anon! Mikael says and pats you on the back with that heavy viking pat. \"Feels like it's been a thousand years since we've had time, man.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"It's been like several weeks my guy.\" you say to him.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yes physically. But it's what you perceive that matters. Like trying to wait the minute for your mother's dessert to cool feels like hours. Or when you watch videos thinking it's only been a few minutes and suddenly hours have gone by.\"\n\n\\\u003eOkay, you understand what he's saying, but you're gonna move on from this.\n\n\\\u003eA party, huh? When's the last time you've been to one?\n\n\\\u003eThere was that New Year's party Lewis' family had.\n\n\\\u003eThat big thing in the park for Independence Day.\n\n\\\u003eYou wonder if Mirabelle would want to go.\n\n\\\u003eDoes she seem like the type that's into house parties?\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eGuess the only real way to know is to ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait is it a costume party?\" you ask. \"It is like, the day before Halloween.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Eh. You can if you want, but he didn't say it was. I guess it's your choice.\" Lewis explains.\n\n\\\u003eThen nah, not gonna bother.\n\n\\\u003eYou are kinda pumped though, Jeremy's parties are always dope.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eSchool's over, and you're walking with your favorite bun.\n\n\\\u003eHolding hands.\n\n\\\u003e...The degeneracy.\n\n\\\u003eYou can't do it on the way to the Circle though, because you need both hands to maneuver your scooter when you walk there together.\n\n\\\u003eYou remember wanting to ask her about the party. so you do.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey are you-\" you both start at the same time.\n\n\\\u003e\"Going to Jeremy Wheeler's party?\" she finishes.\n\n\\\u003eHuh, what a coincidence.\n\n\\\u003e\"I was just about to ask you that.\" you tell her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey whadda you know? So I guess you're going.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Absolutely. Me and my friends never miss a chance to party. Especially not one of Jeremy's.\" you say, remembering Jeremy's last party.\n\n\\\u003eIt was actually the one where you noticed those two leaving after their bedroom shenanigans.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm guessing his parties are pretty cool then?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"They're pretty dope. What you've never been?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe shrugs. \"I don't really go to parties. I get enough of loud noises and crowded spaces at home. But a few of my friends said I should come to this one. So I said 'sure'.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Right on. I guess since your friends invited you, you'll be showing up with them?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, that's the thing to do right? Go with the people who asked you?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I'd say so. Well, I mean, as long as you see each other there, I don't think there'd be a problem but. My friends asked me and I'm going with them, so it's probably the right thing to do.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Makes sense... So I guess I'll be seeing you there.\" she looks up at you and grins.\n\n\\\u003eThat's an interesting looks she's giving you.\n\n\\\u003eBut you grin back anyway. \"I guess you will.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou get your scooter. You give her a ride today.\n\n\\\u003eThe rest of the day proceeds as it normally does.\n\n\\\u003eYou fight.\n\n\\\u003eNo one challenges Mirabelle today.\n\n\\\u003eMost challengers have effectively been denied by your hand anyway.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou're looking forward to Jeremy Wheeler's party.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou're in Lewis' car, pulling up to Jeremy Wheeler's house.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily, Lewis manages to get a park very close, just across the street from the man's house.\n\n\\\u003eYou can already hear the music from here.\n\n\\\u003eYou all get out and walk up.\n\n\\\u003eHe's even got a doorman of sorts, a college looking guy, sitting outside in a lawn chair.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks up from his phone at you, then stands up.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eHe has you guys stop and gives you each a halfassed pat down. Then opens the door, after confirming that nobody's packing anything dangerous.\n\n\\\u003eYou guys step through the door and make it in a few steps right before the song changes.\n\n\\\u003eThe first few notes come through the speakers and all 4 of you instantly know.\n\n\\\u003eThis is your jam.\n\n\\\u003eYou look between each other, a shared sense of understanding and readiness crosses each face.\n\n\\\u003eYou've practiced for this moment, but you never thought you would actually use it randomly in the world.\n\n\\\u003ePeople put a specific dance to this song all the time on Yewtube videos, so on several particularly boring Saturdays, you guys decided to learn the dance they usually pair with it.\n\n\\\u003eSaying one day you could bust it out and impress people.\n\n\\\u003eBut you never actually expected anyone to actually play this song in your day to day.\n\n\\\u003eUntil now.\n\n\\\u003eExecute Groove Protocol.\n\n  \n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XFudmaObLI\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou all stand in a line and mimic the dance moves from the videos you've watched in almost perfect synchronization and coordination.\n\n\\\u003eJeremy's house has carpet so it's a little more difficult to do certain movements than others, but all in all, it goes down pretty well.\n\n\\\u003eAs evidenced by the crowd who has stopped their own grooving and given you all space to comfortably watch you idiots groove.\n\n\\\u003eWhen the song comes to its end you all pose like some kind of boy band or fucking K-pop group.\n\n\\\u003eThe partygoers whoop and cheer, thoroughly impressed by your display\n\n\\\u003eWhether in the Circle or at a random house party, the peoples' cheering feeds you.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to your boys, to find that they are already departing.\n\n\\\u003eMikael is strolling up to a group of girls standing by the wall.\n\n\\\u003eVerne is headed to the kitchen for the food.\n\n\\\u003eSomething caught Lewis' eye and he's headed to the back of the house.\n\n\\\u003eWhy the fuck were they hazing you so hard about hanging out with them if they were just gonna split up as soon as you all got here?\n\n\\\u003eWhatever, you don't care. You showed up together, maybe that'll at least keep you in their good graces.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around, hoping to spot Mirabelle, but catch something equally tantalizing.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a table with 2 punch bowls. Strategically placed next to an open window.\n\n\\\u003eLikely to tactically yeet in case some unforeseen problems arise.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk over and Jeremy Wheeler is there, leaning against the table right in front of one of the bowls.\n\n\\\u003eHe sees you approach. \"Nice fuckin' shmooves, man. I dig it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"We literally stole those from the internet.\" you confess.\n\n\\\u003e\"They were still nice, don't give a fuck. Anyway. You here for some punch?\" He points to the bowl next to him. \"Or some pawnch?\" He throws a thumb behind him at the bowl.\n\n\\\u003e\"Dude gimme the pawnch, you already know.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Right on, right on.\" He grabs a red cup, and fills it with some of that good stuff, before handing it to you. \"Enjoy, bud. There's soda and water in the kitchen if you gotta mitigate.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Cool cool. Thanks, Jeremy.\" You bump his fist with your free hand.\n\n\\\u003eYou're about to turn and continue your scan for Mirabelle before you hear something directed at you.\n\n\\\u003eIt startles you, but it's a good kind of startling, like thunderclouds in the desert.\n\n\\\u003e\"Heeey Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou turn on a dime and almost spill your freshly acquired drink.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh my god Bree! You been okay? I haven't seen you in like, weeks!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Huh? Oh uh. Yeah. Some uh. Some things happened, so I've been going straight home.\" she explains.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a strangeness to her voice. Like it lacks the same energetic form it usually has.\n\n\\\u003eShe also sounds a bit, anxious? Or something?\n\n\\\u003e\"So uh. Y-your dancing was something else. I didn't know you were that good. You can just do it all can't you?\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, pfft. We took that from videos, anyone can do it if you practice it enough.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look around a bit, and you catch a glimpse of white fur near the wall.\n\n\\\u003eHas to be her, no one else is that shor- uh, vertically challenged.\n\n\\\u003eWell, there's Bree, but.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway Bree. I'm glad I saw you, I was a bit worried for a bit, but I'm glad you're okay. I'll see you around.\" you tell her as you get ready to head off.\n\n\\\u003e\"Huh? You're taking off already?\" she says with a bit of urgency.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh yeah, I was actually looking for someone, and I think I spotted 'em so I'm gonna head that way.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"...What. Who?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm? Oh, uh, Mirabelle. Told her I'd catch up with her here.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"...Why. Her?\" she asks. Though it doesn't really sound like she's asking.\n\n\\\u003eThe way she said it made it sound like her voice was just flooded with misery.\n\n\\\u003eYou look back and down at her, and barely catch the edge of her face as she begins walking away.\n\n\\\u003eHer violet lights are no such thing at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eThey are dim and drowning.\n\n\\\u003eAs if a downpour of sadness is about to flow from her eyes.\n\n\\\u003eYou double take and stand for a moment in absolute confusion as you watch her slink off.\n\n\\\u003eYou regain enough sense to try and follow her to get some clarification, but she disappears in the see of bodies that encompass the room and you lose her.\n\n\\\u003eThat was.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eThat was strange.\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't sure what to make of it.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you can find her again tonight and get to the bottom of it.\n\n\\\u003eMikael would probably actually murder you if you did or said something that made her cry, and he found out.\n\n\\\u003eBest friends or not, he's like zero tolerance for that.\n\n\\\u003eA voice pulls you out of your thoughts.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anooon!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look over and Mirabelle is looking your way, bouncing up and down, high enough for you to clearly see her.\n\n\\\u003eShe'll hit the ceiling if she goes any higher.\n\n\\\u003eNoticing her completely shifts your mood for the better and you stride up to her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Where're your friends?\" you ask as you reach her.\n\n\\\u003e\"They're over there dancing.\" She pointes to a fox and a, what's it called, a red panda, dancing close to the center of the room.\n\n\\\u003eDamn, that red panda is even shorter than Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"What about yours?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Eh, we came in together, but they went their separate ways right after.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Was that you and them dancing just a moment ago, towards the front?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah something like that. It's just like, a meme dance we took from videos online, I'm not actually any good or anything.\" you confess.\n\n\\\u003e\"No way, if you can even move like that, it has to mean you at least have rhythm. I definitely am not that good of a dancer.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Haha, trust me, neither am I. Look you'll see. Just lemme shove some more liquid courage down my throat so that I actually have the gall to make a fool of myself.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Liquid courage? she tilts her head. \"Is that the punch?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well yes, but actually no. It's punch...With some punch.\" you tell her.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you like you just started speaking German.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alcohol. There's alcohol in it.\" you clarify.\n\n\\\u003eHer eyes shoot open and her eyes dart up for a moment.\n\n\\\u003e\"I see.\" is all she says.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eYou take a sip.\n\n\\\u003eThat's good pawnch.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eYou offer her your cup.\n\n\\\u003eShe glances at it, then up to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Have a sip. It'll loosen you up.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks a bit skeptical that you're attempting to offer her alcohol.\n\n\\\u003eLike she's some sort of church girl that would think underage drinking is a sin.\n\n\\\u003eWell it's kind of a crime, but. You're pretty sure the Circle is breaking at least a law or two, maybe.\n\n\\\u003e\"Trust me,\" you tell her. \"You have a sip. Then another. And then you literally will not care how badly you dance. Like I said, a bit of liquid courage.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe still looks a bit unconvinced.\n\n\\\u003e\"Besides.\" you continue. \"Jeremy knows what he's doing. You'd probably have to have like, 3 full cups to even get to a point that could be considered drunk... Maybe a full 1 on an empty stomach.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at the cup, then takes it from your hand.\n\n\\\u003eShe sniffs at it, and likely intaking more of the punchy smell than the alcoholic smell, takes a sip.\n\n\\\u003eHer face scrunches like she just popped a whole lemon slice in her mouth.\n\n\\\u003eThen she takes a bigger sip.\n\n\\\u003eYeees. Imbibe.\n\n\\\u003eShe hands the cup back to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's. Not that bad.\" she says, eyebrows up, eyes cast down, like she's processing new information she's acquired.\n\n\\\u003eYou take another sip yourself, and when you pull back, she's reaching for your cup again.\n\n\\\u003eUh oh. Hopefully you haven't corrupted your snow white rabbit.\n\n\\\u003eMentally wondering if her fur color would actually darken from that snow white to a slightly darker tone.\n\n\\\u003eYou go though the cup together, and while it was a very low amount for you, you can still feel the telltale warmth that comes with a bit of alcohol.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle looks like she's holding up okay, too.\n\n\\\u003eAfter a bit of standing around, you begin to let the music in.\n\n\\\u003eThe groove calls to you once more.\n\n\\\u003eYou bounce and dip your shoulders to the rhythm.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle is kind of swaying and bouncing to the music herself.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her.\n\n\\\u003eWordlessly she grabs you and pulls you toward the middle of the room.\n\n\\\u003eOh my, how assertive.\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't arguing though.\n\n\\\u003eThe music makes you lose control, and you two start dancing.\n\n\\\u003eContrary to whatever lies she was spouting earlier, this little bun can move.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe it was the pawnch.\n\n\\\u003eShe's got this saucy little forward step into hip movement that's catching all your attention.\n\n\\\u003eIn fact most of her movements are comprised of leg and hip.\n\n\\\u003eBut you are not fucking complaining.\n\n\\\u003eYou guys move and groove for a good while,\n\n\\\u003eYou danced through a good number of songs without stopping.\n\n\\\u003eThe spirit of the jam has effectively claimed you.\n\n\\\u003eUntil this trashy song comes on where some female artist is talking about twerking and popping and throwing it back.\n\n\\\u003eIt throws off your groove is what it does.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle is slowing down too.\n\n\\\u003eYou still want to dance, so maybe you'll just wait this song out.\n\n\\\u003eAnother bop will come back on soon.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to your left.\n\n\\\u003eYou notice Lee, dancing with some wolf girl.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eExcept they are pressed very close to each other, looking in the same direction.\n\n\\\u003eAnd everything waist down it's all that's moving.\n\n\\\u003eHmm.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to your right.\n\n\\\u003e2 humans are dancing, but the girl is damn near bent at a 90 degree angle.\n\n\\\u003eOh.\n\n\\\u003eThat must be what it means to \"throw it back\".\n\n\\\u003eYou realize.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a bump and grind song.\n\n\\\u003eYou look up and tug at your shirt, forcing some of the heat to escape its cotton confinement.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Mirabelle, also looking a bit wiped.\n\n\\\u003eOr maybe its also the embarrassment of seeing the strange teenage dancing ritual that you seek escape from.\n\n\\\u003eYou reach for her hand and walk away from the dance floor, up some stairs, and down to the end of the hall.\n\n\\\u003eYou open a window, the same window you sat at last time you were here.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eYou both take in the gentle night air that cools your heated forms.\n\n\\\u003eYou look down.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a stretch of tile that comes out a bit right beneath this window.\n\n\\\u003eYou could probably climb out and on to it if you wanted.\n\n\\\u003eYou glance up and the roof isn't that far away.\n\n\\\u003eYou could definitely climb on to the roof.\n\n\\\u003eYou come forward and gently climb onto the stretch of tile, checking to make sure they aren't going to give under your weight.\n\n\\\u003eSatisfied that they seem to hold, you turn to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"What're you doing?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Follow me, and you'll see.\" you tell her, and hold your hand out for her to follow you. \"It's not like it's any more dangerous than getting in a fight at the Circle.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eShe shrugs and takes your hand and you gently help her out the window.\n\n\\\u003eAfter she's got her balance, you hop up slightly and latch onto the edge of the roof, pulling yourself up.\n\n\\\u003eYou reach down and Mirabelle grabs your hand.\n\n\\\u003ePulling her up here is unbelievably easy, she can't possibly weigh anymore than 50 pounds, 60 tops.\n\n\\\u003eYou're both sitting on the roof now, night sky spread out before you, in all it's cosmic splendor.\n\n\\\u003eYou gaze up at the moon, almost full in its appearance.\n\n\\\u003eAhh Kos. Or some say Kosm.\n\n\\\u003eIt's actually less of a space egg tonight, and more of a space melon.\n\n\\\u003eLike if you could pluck it from the sky with the size it has now, you could play kickball or something with it.\n\n\\\u003eYou look over to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe's looking at the moon too, you think.\n\n\\\u003eHer blue eyes are full of bountiful moonlight, and her pure white fur almost seems to absorb the lunar rays and glow.\n\n\\\u003eSuch beauty was not meant for mortal men to witness.\n\n\\\u003eYou lean back and gaze up at the sky.\n\n\\\u003eIt's beautiful, but not as beauti-\n\n\\\u003eAlright that's a cheesy line that you won't have the audacity to finish.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel a warmth on your outstretched hand.\n\n\\\u003eIt's her hand on top of yours.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's been fun right?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"And to think.\" she smiles, before it shifts into that taunting grin of hers. \"We probably wouldn't be sitting here like this if you hadn't randomly kissed me.\"\n\n\\\u003eOh the shame.\n\n\\\u003e\"I don't regret it... But I do wish it could've been a little different.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Honestly.\" she sighs. \"That was my first kiss and everything. And it tasted like blood, and everyone saw it so it was super embarrassing.\"\n\n\\\u003eYeah you really dropped the spaghetti with that one.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah.\" you say. \"I'm still really sorry.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou sit in silence for a moment before she says\n\n\\\u003e\"That's it. I want a do-over.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"...Huh?\" you squeak out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yep. If we just repeat everything that happened during our first kiss, but in a better location and setting, we can rewrite it and consider the new kiss our first. Or so I've been told.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I don't think it works like that.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Won't know until we try.\" she says.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eHer hand goes up and pushes you back.\n\n\\\u003eBecause of the roof, you're at a slight incline upward, but it's not too noticeable.\n\n\\\u003e\"And then it was something like this.\" she mutters before moving over and basically straddling you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Close enough right?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mhm.\" escapes you, a little higher pitched than you meant.\n\n\\\u003e\"And lastly.\" she whispers, eyes half closed. She begins leaning into you.\n\n\\\u003eThis is it.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a slow deep breath, and crane your head a bit to reach her.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you kiss.\n\n\\\u003eFor the second time technically, but it's magical and euphoric, as if it really is your first.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel like you're floating.\n\n\\\u003eThe stars twinkle, shedding cosmic tears at the sight of your passion.\n\n\\\u003eThe night breeze sings a gentle hymn of passion.\n\n\\\u003eHer lips are soft.\n\n\\\u003eHer breath is warm.\n\n\\\u003eYou want this blessed moment to literally last forever.\n\n\\\u003eBut you'd probably suffocate if it did.\n\n\\\u003e...Wouldn't be a bad way to go.\n\n\\\u003eEventually, she slowly pulls away.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou already want more, a primal greed rising in you.\n\n\\\u003eSo much better than the first time.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"What do you mean?\" she asks. \"This was the first time.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Uhh, I don't think it went exactly like it did the first time. If I remember correctly, I kissed you. This time, it felt more like you kissed me.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Ehh,, semantics.\" she says.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eShe looks down at you, and slowly moves in for another round.\n\n\\\u003eYou gladly accept and move to meet her as best you can.\n\n\\\u003eAnother wave of euphoria hits.\n\n\\\u003eThis one seems to last longer than the last.\n\n\\\u003eShe breaks away once more.\n\n\\\u003eAnd once more she dives down to unite your lips.\n\n\\\u003eHowever right before contact is made\n\n\\\u003eYour fucking phone goes off.\n\n\\\u003eWHO DARES!?\n\n\\\u003eYou look up at her, and she leans back.\n\n\\\u003eYou jimmy your phone from your pocket and look at it.\n\n\\\u003eIt's Lewis.\n\n\\\u003eYou answer.\n\n\\\u003e\"Where you at?\" you hear, somewhere below you before you actually hear it in your ear.\n\n\\\u003e\"Uh, outside.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"...Are you on the roof?\" you hear, and then hear again.\n\n\\\u003e\"...No.\" you say quickly.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a pause.\n\n\\\u003e\"I can see you.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnother pause.\n\n\\\u003e\"Is the bunny on top of you?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"No.\" you say even more quickly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mmmhmm, sure. 'No Lewis, that's ridiculous, people don't just fall in love.'\" he says, making a terribly exaggerated mockery of your voice.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah?\" you say into your phone.\n\n\\\u003e\"Who was right? Who's the man?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou can feel the smugness emanating from the phone as well as somewhere on the ground beneath you.\n\n\\\u003e\"You were. You are.\" you say in a defeated tone.\n\n\\\u003e\"Damn right, bitch. Don't ever fucking doubt me again.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou can't hold back a chuckle as you hear him say that.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway it was getting late, so we were gonna take off. You gonna stick around or?\"\n\n\\\u003eAww man, things were getting great.\n\n\\\u003eEven though It's more of the Plains, walking back home from here would take a decent amount of time, especially in the relative darkness.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe Mirabelle's friends could give you a ride.\n\n\\\u003eEh you'd better not chance it, best to leave the way you came.\n\n\\\u003eEven though you really don't wanna fucking leave right now.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, you're my ride. So\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. Bring that ass on.\" he says before he hangs up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Aww. Leaving so soon?\" Mirabelle asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah. Gotta catch my ride.\" you say full of disappointment.\n\n\\\u003e\"Lame....But it's okay.\" She leans in close. \"We'll pick this up again some other time.\" she says before giving you one last quick peck.\n\n\\\u003eYou two climb off the roof and back in through the window you left open.\n\n\\\u003eYou make your way to the front door and outside, where Lewis, Mikael, and Verne are waiting.\n\n\\\u003eYou bid farewell to Mirabelle and make your way to Lewis' car.\n\n\\\u003eYou look over at Lewis driving as he lets out this big, contagious yawn, and wipes a tear from his eye.\n\n\\\u003eSpeaking of tears, you never managed to find Bree again.\n\n\\\u003eYou still have no idea what happened with her.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you'll be able to talk to her and figure it out one day.\n\n\\\u003eLewis drops you off, and you hit the shower immediately.\n\n\\\u003eCompletely out of character for once, you don't brush your teeth before bed tonight.\n\n\\\u003eYou're secretly hoping that the taste of Mirabelle's lips on yours will carry over into your dreams.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull on your pajamas and jump into bed immediately, letting the excitement of the day filter from your muscles and bones.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eIt's been about two weeks since Jeremy Wheeler's party.\n\n\\\u003eNobody had any plans to hang together during Halloween or anything.\n\n\\\u003eMikael took his little sister trick or treating and Mirabelle\u0026nbsp; took her younger siblings around her neighborhood as well.\n\n\\\u003eYour mom sent you money to buy candy to pass out, so you did.\n\n\\\u003eYou just ended up watching classic horror movies and passing out candy.\n\n\\\u003eThe rest of the week had come and gone.\n\n\\\u003eAnd time moved ever onward, as it always will.\n\n\\\u003eThanksgiving is around the corner.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't have any other family out here.\n\n\\\u003eSo it's likely you'll just end up receiving a plate or two from whatever neighbors remember you, or hear from your parents to make sure you felt included.\n\n\\\u003eIt's been getting even colder as the months slowly edge closer to Winter.\n\n\\\u003eThe cold doesn't bother you too much, so you really only wear a jacket when it's absolutely freezing.\n\n\\\u003eYour flannels and a few undershirts keep you warm enough.\n\n\\\u003eBut it looks like it affects Mirabelle, since she's been wearing heavier clothes.\n\n\\\u003eShe's also been huddling a lot closer to you during your walks or when you give her a ride on your scooter.\n\n\\\u003eYou thought the whole reason for having fur was to keep them warm.\n\n\\\u003eBut then again, maybe that's only for the ones with thicker fur.\n\n\\\u003eThe closeness hasn't been bothering you.\n\n\\\u003eBut then you remembered.\n\n\\\u003eAnthros seem almost as close to humans as possible, ignoring their animalistic traits.\n\n\\\u003eBut there is one severe thing they haven't escaped.\n\n\\\u003eHeat cycles.\n\n\\\u003eThere's always this part of the year, usually near the end of it, where most female anthros get a little frisky.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily there's a medicine that basically stops that shit dead in its tracks.\n\n\\\u003eSomething-or-other estrus blockers, you believe.\n\n\\\u003eAnd then there's a pad that they stick to themselves that cancels out the scent.\n\n\\\u003eBecause apparently smelling like you want to fuck is a real thing for anthros.\n\n\\\u003eHell it could possibly be a thing for humans too, their noses just aren't strong enough to smell it.\n\n\\\u003eWait, do you think anthros can smell when humans are horny?\n\n\\\u003eYou may have to remind yourself to keep your monkey brain nuerons from activating.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, you were a bit concerned that it could be due to heat or something.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eBut aside from the added closeness she didn't seem to be acting different at all.\n\n\\\u003eSo you decided to nix that line of thinking.\n\n\\\u003eYou wouldn't want her to do anything she'd regret in the heat of the moment.\n\n\\\u003eHa. Heat of the moment.\n\n\\\u003eYour final class of the day comes to an end as you put the class textbook away and pack your things.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle idles by the door until you get to her and like always, you head out together.\n\n\\\u003eYou start thinking up plans for the weekend before you notice.\n\n\\\u003eYou check your pockets.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oops. Left my phone in class.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou were messing around on it right before class ended and sat it in your desk to retrieve as you put your book away.\n\n\\\u003eGuess you just forgot the retrieval part.\n\n\\\u003eYou tell Mirabelle to go on ahead and you'll catch up as you double time back to Mr. Warburton's class.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk through the doors, and Mr. Warburton lazily looks up at you from his desk.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey, just forgot something, sorry.\" you apologize.\n\n\\\u003eHe nods as you head to your desk.\n\n\\\u003eThere's your phone. You grab it and\n\n\\\u003e\"Mr. Anonymous.\" you hear.\n\n\\\u003eYou look over at Mr. Warburton.\n\n\\\u003e\"Do you mind if I ask you a slightly personal question?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Uh, no. Go ahead.\" you say, with just a hint of concern.\n\n\\\u003e\"Thank you...Well the answer seems a bit obvious, with present information presented, but I still feel the need to clarify...Are you and Ms. Dunwick, together?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh.\" You didn't expect that, honestly. \"Uh, yeah. We are.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe looks at you and lets out this slow, measured breath.\n\n\\\u003eThere's this look of gentle joy on his face.\n\n\\\u003e\"I can't explain to you what a joy it is to hear that.\"\n\n\\\u003eNow that really catches you off guard.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why is that, Mr. Warburton?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"It gives me so much hope.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe brings his hands close together, and for the first time you notice there's a ring on his left hand. He's rubbing it affectionately.\n\n\\\u003e\"You and Mr. Bjornson have close friends who are anthros. Mr. Bjornson gives as much of his attention to the anthro females as he does to any human females. And you are in a relationship with an anthro yourself.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eHe closes his eyes and hangs his head down, looking very pleased.\n\n\\\u003e\"As you know, there were severe problems with Human/Anthro relations several centuries ago. Centuries might seem a long time for any individual, but for a civilization, or a people, it's no time at all. Which is why it brings me so much joy to see today's youth continuing to break down the barriers that seperated us. The ones that still do, to an extent.\"\n\n\\\u003eWow. You never would've guessed Mr. Warburton felt so strongly about the subject.\n\n\\\u003e\"I knew I had a good feeling about you, Mr. Anonymous. I truly have been overjoyed to have a student like you in my class. I hope you and Ms. Dunwick live happy, healthy lives together for a very long time. If you so choose to take it that far.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Mr. Warburton, are you... Do you also...?\" you start, but aren't sure how to finish that question.\n\n\\\u003eHe seems to understand though as he gives you this pleased grin and holds up his hand, showing his ring.\n\n\\\u003e\"Indeed I am. A snow leopard. And I have to say. Waking up to a face full of that divinely soft fur every morning is like my own personal slice of heaven. I'm sure you understand the allure.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod sagely.\n\n\\\u003eSoft fur is soft.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway. I'll let you go now.\" he says, turning back to the papers on his desk. \"Have a good weekend Mr. Anonymous.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah. You too, Mr. Warburton.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Actually, before you go, one last thing.\"\n\n\\\u003eHis face is stern and serious.\n\n\\\u003e\"Please do try not to rush your relationship. Especially in these coming months. If you've been paying attention in your classes which I know you have, this is a time where anthros are a bit more susceptible to certain things than they normally are. I would hate for things to take a bad turn.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I understand completely Mr. Warburton. I actually had the same kind of thoughts myself.\" you assure him.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't want to mess this up either.\n\n\\\u003eBesides. It's like trying to smash a girl when she's drunk and you aren't.\n\n\\\u003eIt may be easy, but it ain't right.\n\n\\\u003eThat's some real beta male energy is what that is.\n\n\\\u003eAnd to hell if your inner gentleman would allow you to even attempt such shit.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm glad you understand.\" he says, and leaves you be after that.\n\n\\\u003eYou leave, feeling, pretty good after that conversation.\n\n\\\u003eYou zone out and almost walk straight by your friends, who were leaving since you weren't showing up.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily Mikael grabs you and you snap to attention.\n\n\\\u003e\"There you are, brother. Thought you forgot about us.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, nah.\" you explain. Got held up in class.\n\n\\\u003e\"I see. Anyway what are your plans for tonight? The Circle, yeah? Anything after? No? Good, keep it that way, we're kidnapping you.\"\n\n\\\u003e...What, what do you mean?\" you question.\n\n\\\u003e\"Siegbrau.\" is all he says.\n\n\\\u003eIt's all he needs to say.\n\n\\\u003e\"You son of a bitch, I'm in.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou think for a moment.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle seemed to enjoy the pawnch from the party, maybe she'd be into having a beer or two?\n\n\\\u003e\"Can I uh, invite Mirabelle? She might enjoy a siegbrau, and I can finally introduce you all.\n\n\\\u003eVerne expresses his annoyance. \"Man, you wanna bring a girl, to siegbrau time?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well yes. It's only Friday, so you can't use that 'Saturday is for the boys' line.\n\n\\\u003e\"You are correct, but I can use the 'crack open a cold one with the boys' line.\"\n\n\\\u003eDamn he got you there.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well yes, it says 'with the boys', but it doesn't expressly say only the boys.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe looks at you, like he just got Uno reverse carded.\n\n\\\u003e\"Damn you got me there!\" he says, returning that chilled out grin to his face.\n\n\\\u003e\"You guys okay with that?\" you look to Mikael and Lewis.\n\n\\\u003eLewis nods.\n\n\\\u003eMikael has a huge grin on his face.\n\n\\\u003eSo you guess he's okay with it too.\n\n\\\u003e\"Cool, I'll let her know what's up.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou all continue to the entrance and they part as you make your way over to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"Geez, what took so long?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Talked to Mr. Warburton for a bit. And then those jokers snatched me up for a bit.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe nods in understanding and takes your hand as you walk to grab your scooter.\n\n\\\u003e\"So Mirabelle. Would you be interested in hanging out with me and my friends later on today?\" you ask her as you unlock the chain to your scooter.\n\n\\\u003e\"What did you guys plan?\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"We were gonna head down the road a bit, to this place we like to hang out at and have a couple drinks. Nothing too exciting, but I thought I'd invite you.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"...By drinks, you mean?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou scan your surroundings quickly. \"A few beers. It's a liitle different than the pawnch from the other day. Okay, it's a lot different. But. You may like it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"...Sure, I'm in.\" she says after a moment's deliberation.\n\n\\\u003e\"Great. I can finally introduce you to my goon squad, too.\"\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eThe trip to the Circle is quick and the day proceeds like any other day.\n\n\\\u003eSomeone challenges Mirabelle and gets dropkicked straight to the nurse's station.\n\n\\\u003eYou challenge someone close to finishing their streak and throw knees into their chest until they crumple like an old shirt tossed to the ground.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle runs over and buys 2 Dr. Beppers, and hands you one.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou toast to your victories and have a drink.\n\n\\\u003eAnd before you know it, the day's winding to an end.\n\n\\\u003eLewis nods to you as you two depart and heads on his way.\n\n\\\u003eHe's gonna have to walk home, then grab his car.\n\n\\\u003eEither he or Mikael will have to pick up Verne.\n\n\\\u003eSince you're gonna head straight to your rendezvous point, you might end up waiting for them a bit.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk with Mirabelle for a way.\n\n\\\u003eAt least far enough to get out of sight of the patrol car that usually posts up near the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYou already ride without a helmet, you wouldn't want them to actually ticket you for having a passenger or something.\n\n\\\u003eOnce you're far enough away, you hop on and help Mirabelle onto the back.\n\n\\\u003eThen you take off down the road.\n\n\\\u003eFrom here, at the speed you're going, its going to take about 20 minutes to get where you're going.\n\n\\\u003eThe place you're headed is a very close to the edge of Towngrove.\n\n\\\u003eAn old abandoned motel that no one bothered to tear down or anything.\n\n\\\u003eSo it just exists there.\n\n\\\u003eCovered in graffiti and worn by age.\n\n\\\u003eYou and your friends happened to see it one time, during a trip out of town.\n\n\\\u003eOn your way back you stopped at it, and after exploring around it for a bit, found a service ladder that led to the top.\n\n\\\u003eThe gate that blocked it off was ancient so after a good strong viking kick from Mikael, access was yours.\n\n\\\u003eEver since, you decided to come by every once in a while, when you all wanted an escape or just had nothing better to do.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull up to the motel and park your scooter however which way you want.\n\n\\\u003eBecause no one cares about proper parking in an abandoned structure.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk to the back and jimmy the gate that you guys strategically placed to make it seem like it was still locked.\n\n\\\u003eYou offer the ladder to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eJust so that you can attempt to catch her if she were to slip.\n\n\\\u003eNot to look at her butt. Definitely not.\n\n\\\u003eShe makes it up without incident however.\n\n\\\u003eYou place yourself right at the lip of the building's edge and sit, legs dangling over the edge.\n\n\\\u003eShe follows suit and sits with you.\n\n\\\u003eYou two sit in relative silence, watching the sun fade from the sky and cast it's dulling hues over the horizon.\n\n\\\u003eAfter a while, a yellow Mushtang comes speeding down the road and skids almost perfectly into a parking spot in front of the motel.\n\n\\\u003eOut steps Mikael, who trots to his trunk and throws a large bag of ice over his shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eHe walks around the back and comes up the ladder.\n\n\\\u003eHe climbed the ladder one handed while holding a bag of ice.\n\n\\\u003eWhat a chad.\n\n\\\u003eHe walks up, cracks the bag on the ground, then tears it open and pours the ice into this old beat up cooler you guys brought up here.\n\n\\\u003eHe walks up to the edge of the roof next to you and stands triumphantly, like a captain at the helm of his ship.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"This is Mikael. Chances are you've at least heard about him at some point.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Ooooh. Yeah I've heard rumors.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"All good things I'm sure.\" he gives her a huge beaming smile, and reaches his hand over you, before turning it into a fist.\n\n\\\u003eShe bumps it in good nature.\n\n\\\u003eGood. Knowing Mikael, you were half convinced he was gonna do that cliche hand kiss thing, and you would have to yeet him straight off this roof.\n\n\\\u003eGlad to know he has restraint.\n\n\\\u003eA few more minutes go by, and a silver Niisan pulls up, and actually parks like its driver has some kind of decency.\n\n\\\u003eOut jump the familiar elk and lizard.\n\n\\\u003eThey grab backpacks that gently clink as they walk and come up the ladder.\n\n\\\u003eOver to the cooler they go, and deposit the coveted beverage, as well as some bottles of water.\n\n\\\u003eThey throw more of the ice over them to chill them, and plant themselves to the right of Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"This one is Verne.\" You point to the lizard sitting next her. \"And that one is Lewis.\"\n\n\\\u003eLewis leans into Verne, using him as an armrest as he goes to shake Mirabelle's hand.\n\n\\\u003e\"We've seen each other around and exchanged some words at the Circle, but it's nice to actually meet you this time.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eVerne offers a fist bump. \"So this is the lady who kicked Anon's ass and stole his heart. Gotta say, that's kind of a weird flex.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah you're telling me.\" she says, giving a slight laugh.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't write the rules of love, you just follow them. Apparently.\n\n\\\u003e\"So. What do you guys do up here?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"We seek the answers to the universe's greatest questions.\" Mikael says profoundly.\n\n\\\u003e\"We give humble thanks to the world around us for its gracious offerings and bountiful harvests.\" Lewis follows up.\n\n\\\u003e\"We explore the spiritual and emotional complexities that persist within the notions of birth, life, and death.\" Verne continues.\n\n\\\u003e\"And we imbibe the nectar of the gods as we seek their holy blessings in fervent supplication..\" you bring the saga to its completion.\n\n\\\u003e\"...So basically you drink beer and talk shit.\" she translates your ramblings.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yep. Mhm. Pretty much. Exactly.\" you four confess to her analysis.\n\n\\\u003e\"It takes a few minutes for the beer to reach a respectably chilled form, but after a while, Mikael gets up and checks.\n\n\\\u003eAfter giving a small grunt of assent, he grabs several Siegbraus and wordlessly passes them out among the group.\n\n\\\u003eYou bend forward and place the tip of the cap against the edge of the roof and bring your free hand down, popping the cap right off.\n\n\\\u003eYou all bring your bottles up and hold them to the sky.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you wait.\n\n\\\u003e...And wait.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Mirabelle, who's having a bit of trouble getting the cap off in the way you did it.\n\n\\\u003eAs you're about to move to put your bottle down and help her, she finally gets it.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you with a small bit of pride.\n\n\\\u003eBefore she notices the pose you're all doing, and quickly moves to mimic it.\n\n\\\u003eThen you all take a hearty sip of your Siegbraus.\n\n\\\u003eMm. Siegbrau.\n\n\\\u003eIf sunlight could be bottled and turned into a drink, this would be it.\n\n\\\u003eIt makes you feel unnaturally warm, like you could brave a snowy mountain\u0026nbsp; in nothing but summer clothes.\n\n\\\u003eYou look over at Mirabelle, who looks like she's enjoying the drink.\n\n\\\u003eHer face still scrunches after every sip, but she continues to sip.\n\n\\\u003eYou sit in silence as you all go through the first round of your drinks.\n\n\\\u003eIt's your turn to retrieve the next round, so up you go.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab 5 bottles and pass them out.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle still has a bit of her first left, but she still takes the second.\n\n\\\u003eThe caps pop off and you down your second Siegbrau at a decent pace.\n\n\\\u003eIt's Mirabelle's turn to grab the next round, but she's only halfway through her second beer.\n\n\\\u003eYou gently poke her in the cheek. \"Hey, Mira. You gotta grab the next round now.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks up from her drink and notices the rest of you are already done with yours and waiting.\n\n\\\u003e\"G-geez, you guys really cut through these, don't you?\" She gets up gently and makes her way to the cooler, grabbing 4 bottles and passing them out.\n\n\\\u003eBefore she sits down you ask \"Where's your next one?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you. \"I'm not done with this one.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"We're on the third round.\" Mikael says, cracking open his next beer.\n\n\\\u003e\"You have to grab your next round.\" Lewis says doing the same.\n\n\\\u003eYou simply nod, already throwing your third back.\n\n\\\u003eShe walks back and grabs a beer before sitting down.\n\n\\\u003eYou hold a hand up to steady her just in case she needs it.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eLuckily she's pretty steady.\n\n\\\u003eFalls from here would probably be painful.\n\n\\\u003eYou guys slow down a bit, probably to give consideration to Mirabelle, who's just now finished her second beer, and is slowly moving on to her third.\n\n\\\u003eSome more drinking in silence.\n\n\\\u003eUntil Verne says, \"I been thinking.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh boy, here we go.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Verne gets like this when he drinks. Feel free to tune him out.\" Mikael says over to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"Guys look. Listen. For real. I been thinking. Like, about the true nature of the Circle.\" Verne says, beginning his rant.\n\n\\\u003e\"... Whadda you mean?\" Lewis asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Don't encourage him!\" you shout.\n\n\\\u003e\"Look, like. Most of this damn town is pretty heavily anthro, right? And there's a good amount of humans, but not too many, right? So like, what if the Circle, long ago, was some kinda hate thing? Like, a way for anthros to throw some humans into a fight for their lives. Or like a way to humiliate each other before they beat each other within an inch of their lives. For cruel shits and giggles.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Violence is a natural part of human and anthro kind.\" Mikael says. \"There's always going to be conflict, between anything living. Humans against humans, anthros against anthros, humans against anthros, it's a vicious cycle.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Right. But if it actually had such a violent meaning, is it really something we should continue?\" Verne ponders. \"Like, what if it keeps going, and somewhere down the line a few new arrivals misinterpret what it was about and it devolves into a ring of violence? Like. I heard, that long ago, the Circle had differnt names. The Rage Cage, the Pain Pit, and the Circle of Slaughter. Before they shortened it to the Circle.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eHe pauses and takes a big gulp of his beer.\n\n\\\u003e\"But what if it earns its full name again?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou guys sit in silence for a moment.\n\n\\\u003eThat was kinda heavy for Verne this time.\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't sure what to say.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eBut Mirabelle is.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why does it matter?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou all look at her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why does what it may have meant in the past matter in the present? There's been tons of things that have had different meanings, good and bad, before time or someone's actions completely changed them. So why does what it used to be matter? What it is now should matter.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at him.\n\n\\\u003e\"The meaning we give it as a group should be what matters.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe looks back at her.\n\n\\\u003eAnd that dopey smile of his returns in full force.\n\n\\\u003e\"I hear you sister.\" He raises his bottle and tilts it toward her a bit.\n\n\\\u003eShe freezes, a little unsure of the gesture.\n\n\\\u003eYou gently grab her wrist and bring her bottle towards Verne's until they collide with a soft \"clink\".\n\n\\\u003eHe brings the bottle up and takes a long drink until it's empty.\n\n\\\u003eYou urge her to do the same, but as she drinks she only gets through about a fourth before she stops.\n\n\\\u003eThat's probably enough for her.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab for her bottle.\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't resist and lets it out of her grasp.\n\n\\\u003eYou drink it for her, you won't let good Siegbrau go to waste.\n\n\\\u003e\"Besides,' you say suddenly. \"In terms of hobbies, I think our game is pretty tame. Somewhere out there people dodge fucking trains for fun.\"\n\n\\\u003eLewis almost chokes on his beer. \"What? There's no way.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, why would anyone do that?\" Verne sounds deeply concerned.\n\n\\\u003e\"For the adrenaline, I'd guess.\" you answer.\n\n\\\u003e\"I can see it.\" Mikael says with a laugh. \"You dodge that train and you feel a fuckin' rush. You don't dodge it though, and uh, you won't feel much of anything anymore. Well, maybe excruciating PAIN for about 10 seconds.\"\n\n\\\u003eIt's Verne's turn to grab the next round but you have him grab Mirabelle a water instead.\n\n\\\u003eShe drinks a bit, but the alcohol is setting in a little strongly for her it seems.\n\n\\\u003eIt's just beer and they aren't particularly strong, but it may have been a bit much to have her throw back so many so quickly.\n\n\\\u003eShe's getting a little wobbly.\n\n\\\u003eOkay, away from the edge.\n\n\\\u003eBut she wraps her arms around yours and leans into your shoulder.\n\n\\\u003e...Okay, maybe moving is unnecessary.\n\n\\\u003eThe rest of the night goes by in true silence.\n\n\\\u003eThe stars are out in force now.\n\n\\\u003eThe air is still.\n\n\\\u003eSuch peace and tranquility.\n\n\\\u003eAlright time to sober up.\n\n\\\u003eGonna have to be getting home soon.\n\n\\\u003eWhich means you're gonna have to get Mirabelle sober enough to get home.\n\n\\\u003eCommence hydration.\n\n\\\u003eYou trade your beer for water, and make sure Mirabelle has some more too.\n\n\\\u003eYou continue to sit and absorb the sense of zen that the night brings you for another hour or so until you feel that the drink has faded.\n\n\\\u003eYou ask Mirabelle how she's feeling and she says she's fine.\n\n\\\u003eYou have her walk in a straight line with her arms outstretched, as if walking on a tightrope.\n\n\\\u003eShe does so without swaying so you gotta say she's sober.\n\n\\\u003eNot a perfect test, she could just have good balance.\n\n\\\u003eBut whatever, it's time to start getting her home before anyone gets worried.\n\n\\\u003eYou bid farewell to your friends, as they start packing up whatever's left of the drinks.\n\n\\\u003eYou slowly climb down the ladder, Mirabelle going after you so you can once again prep to catch her if she slips.\n\n\\\u003eThis time however, you do look at her butt.\n\n\\\u003eYou get to your scooter, help her on and tell her to hold tight.\n\n\\\u003eShe does so with gusto.\n\n\\\u003eYou take off and the calm but forceful wind that hits your face is extremely sobering.\n\n\\\u003eYou ride for 20 or so minutes, before you stop at a crossroad.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mira, you need me to take you home? Which way is it?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You uh, don't have to go all the way, I'll be fine. But if\u0026nbsp; you could get closer I'd appreciate it.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe tells you which way to go and which streets to turn on.\n\n\\\u003eThere's another crossroad you reach after about 5 or so minutes.\n\n\\\u003e\"This is good.\" she tells you, already hopping off.\n\n\\\u003e\"You sure? I really don't mind taking you all the way. In fact I insist.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"No no, it's really okay I promise. My house is literally right up the way.\" she assures you, pointing up a small incline.\n\n\\\u003e\"...Oookay, if you say so, I won't pressure you. Just make sure to text me as soon as you get in, kay?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Kaaay.\" She turns and takes a step, before pivoting perfectly and taking the step back towards you.\n\n\\\u003eShe leans into you and gives you a kiss, before pivoting once again and walking off.\n\n\\\u003eYou wait a bit and watch her go, until she's effectively out of sight in the darkness.\n\n\\\u003eThe gentleman your father instilled in you screams \"bad show, old boy\" but you have to silence him.\n\n\\\u003eNothing bad happens in Towngrove.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a little sterile at times.\n\n\\\u003eBut right now you're glad it is.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull off a bit on your scooter before you stop.\n\n\\\u003eYou look back up to where Mirabelle walked off to.\n\n\\\u003eHmm.\n\n\\\u003eYou can't really tell in this darkness but.\n\n\\\u003eAren't the Hills up there?\n\n\\\u003eWhatever. You head home.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eIt's the day right after your hangout and you're lounging around.\n\n\\\u003eIt's close to the end of the day and you basically just relaxed at home.\n\n\\\u003eYou are currently talking to Mirabelle over the phone as you lay in bed.\n\n\\\u003eShe didn't bring up anything about any trouble that came with yesterday's bad decisions.\n\n\\\u003eSo all in all, successful siegbrau time.\n\n\\\u003eHowever there has been this sense of unease in her voice, as she talks to you.\n\n\\\u003eKind of like, there's something she needs to bring up, but doesn't want to, or know how to.\n\n\\\u003eIt's worrying you a bit.\n\n\\\u003eBut you don't want to force it out of her or anything.\n\n\\\u003eShe keeps pausing though, like she's going to bring whatever it is up, and then completely veers off course and says something else.\n\n\\\u003eWell, if it's important she'll say it.\n\n\\\u003eIf it's not, then she won't.\n\n\\\u003eBut maybe you can bait it out of her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, hun.\" you say, faking a convincing yawn. \"I think I'm gonna head to bed now, I gotta get up early morning to take care of some chores.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. Alrighty then, no worries.\" she says. \"Good night.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"G'night.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou delay a moment before you reach for the end call button.\n\n\\\u003e\"Actually, Anon wait!\" you hear at the last moment.\n\n\\\u003eSuccessful bait.\n\n\\\u003e\"What is it?\" you ask casually.\n\n\\\u003e\"Besides those chores, are you uh. Up to anything important tomorrow? Like near the afternoon?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Not particularly, I should be done before then. Why, what's up?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Would you, umm. Be willing to come over to my house to meet my parents?\" Her voice jumps a few octaves higher as the question reaches its end.\n\n\\\u003e...Wat.\n\n\\\u003e\"...Wat?\" you give voice to your confusion.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, so umm. My mom started asking me about you, or more about the boy I went out with all that time ago, when I told her I had a date. I hadn't really brought it up or anything since then and she hadn't asked. But all of a sudden she brings it up, so I started talking about you. And my dad overheard, and well. They both want to meet you.\"\n\n\\\u003eOh.\n\n\\\u003eConcern rising.\n\n\\\u003eMeeting the parents is like a real big thing isn't it?\n\n\\\u003eYou have several questions and concerns.\n\n\\\u003eBut you only give voice to one.\n\n\\\u003e\"Should I. Be concerned?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I don't. Think so?\" She doesn't sound too sure.\n\n\\\u003e\"I mean. Did you tell them I'm a human? Were they cool with that?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. Yeah I mentioned it. They didn't seem to have a problem with it at the least. My mom didn't for sure. And my dad, is a dad. I'm sure he's more concerned about who you are, rather than what you are.\"\n\n\\\u003eOkay, that's one concern lessened.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. What time should I show up?\" you ask her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Uhh. Like 2 p.m-ish? My dad has something to do for a bit, but he should be back by then at least, so that should be fine.\"\n\n\\\u003eShould I like, dress up?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nah, probably not. You want to show them who you really are, I think. Getting too fancy just to meet them would be like you're faking it. What you usually wear is fine, just make sure it's y'know, clean.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Will do.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou sure will.\" you tell her.\n\n\\\u003eShe hangs up.\n\n\\\u003eYou set your phone down.\n\n\\\u003eYou lay back in your bed.\n\n\\\u003ePanic sets in.\n\n\\\u003eThere's nothing to be worried about.\n\n\\\u003eEverything will be fine.\n\n\\\u003e...But what if it's not?!\n\n\\\u003eAlright chill the fuck out.\n\n\\\u003eJust stay clam, don't do anything crazy.\n\n\\\u003eYou'll get through it just fine.\n\n\\\u003eIt'll all be just fine.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, so where am I heading?\" you ask Mirabelle over the phone as you're lacing up your shoes.\n\n\\\u003e\"The address is 1317 Mountain Peak Ave.\" she tells you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, Mountain Pe- wait. Mountain Peak?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou haven't been that way, but you know where that is.\n\n\\\u003e\"That's...Isn't that in?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"It's Hills area, yeah.\" she confirms.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ah.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003eShe lives in the Hills.\n\n\\\u003eThe Hills?\n\n\\\u003eYep, the Hills.\n\n\\\u003eWhich means her family must be doing real well.\n\n\\\u003eAnd yet, she's dating a guy like you, attending a school like Towngrove High.\n\n\\\u003eBut she doesn't have that superior Hills attitude.\n\n\\\u003eInteresting circumstances.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, I'll see you soon.\" you finish up, bringing the call to an end.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab your things and head out to your scooter.\n\n\\\u003eAs you ride, your mind races with things you should prepare to say that won't make you seem like a worthless human being.\n\n\\\u003e...What if they don't like you?\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm sorry son, you seem like a decent fellow, but you don't really seem like a good fit for our daughter.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou can practically hear that line burning in your ears.\n\n\\\u003eWould you be able to do anything if they said that?\n\n\\\u003eWhat could you do?\n\n\\\u003eThe panic once again sets in.\n\n\\\u003eYou're so unfocused you almost miss your turn.\n\n\\\u003eYou right yourself and drive up the short incline, and you begin to see the beginnings of a row of houses.\n\n\\\u003eYou drive by them.\n\n\\\u003eFuck these houses look nice.\n\n\\\u003eThey're damn near mini mansions.\n\n\\\u003eYou haven't seen a mansion in real life before, but these have got to be the next best thing to an actual mansion.\n\n\\\u003eYou close in on 1317. The street ends in a cul-de sac, and it's the final house on the street, smack dab in the middle.\n\n\\\u003eIt may just be your imagination, but it also looks a bit larger than the rest of the houses on this block.\n\n\\\u003eYou ride up to the gate.\n\n\\\u003eIt's fancy. Tall, metal, automatic.\n\n\\\u003eYou text Mirabelle, letting her know you're here.\n\n\\\u003eShe responds with \"OMW\" and a few seconds later, she's walking out of the house, taking that long walkway up to the gate.\n\n\\\u003eShe hits a button or something and the gate opens up, allowing you in.\n\n\\\u003eYou barely give it gas, keeping it gently moving but using your legs on either side to keep it upright as you blankly stare at Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe notices as she walks up with you.\n\n\\\u003e\"What?'\n\n\\\u003e\"Whadda ya mean 'what'?! Ya live in the Hills!\" you clearly express your surprise.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh.\" She thinks for a moment, and shrugs. \"Didn't think it was that big of a deal.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her like she just told you she was born on the moon with complete fucking sincerity.\n\n\\\u003eYou break your gaze from your royal girlfriend, and look at her castle.\n\n\\\u003eThis is an actual castle, you feel a tinge of shame that you would walk in to your home and refer to it as a castle.\n\n\\\u003eThis driveway could support 4 cars driving in side by side.\n\n\\\u003eThis yard could probably support 2 football fields side by side.\n\n\\\u003eAnd this is the front, you don't even want to know what the back looks like.\n\n\\\u003eYou park your scooter close but out of the way of the front door.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle opens the door and lets you in.\n\n\\\u003eGoddamn.\n\nOne of these parents are mobsters or something because this place screams luxurious.\n\n\\\u003eYou suddenly feel very insignificant.\n\n\\\u003eLike they would feel offended at the state of your impoverished visage and slap you in the face with a couple grand.\n\n\\\u003eGranted they are definitely nowhere near that wealthy.\n\n\\\u003eHills living is the good life, but definitely not that good.\n\n\\\u003eBut standing in the entrance to Mirabelle's home, you have a thought.\n\n\\\u003eHow much did their kitchen cost?\n\n\\\u003eBecause if it cost as much as your whole house you will personally ride around on your scooter with a megaphone and apologize to every Valley dweller for the privilege you thought you had.\n\n\\\u003e\"You gonna stand there all day, or you gonna come in?\" Mirabelle asks you, already walking further into her home.\n\n\\\u003eYou silently follow.\n\n\\\u003e\"So, Dad is still running a bit behind. But my mom is here. She's been... Eager to meet you.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe walks you to the kitchen, and you can already hear some faint humming and the dicing of some sort of produce.\n\n\\\u003eYou can clearly feel the mom energy this lady produces.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mom! Anon is here!\" Mirabelle shouts.\n\n\\\u003eThe dicing and humming stop immediately.\n\n\\\u003eSome water runs, and the rustling of a towel follows.\n\n\\\u003eShe rounds the corner and.\n\n\\\u003eOh my god.\n\n\\\u003eThe mom energy this lady exudes reaches critical levels.\n\n\\\u003eShe's barely like half a head taller than Mirabelle, but. She's got shape.\n\n\\\u003eYou didn't think shortstacks actually existed.\n\n\\\u003eYou thought they were a made up existence, like dragons, and goth gf's.\n\n\\\u003eIs this what Mirabelle will look like when she's older?\n\n\\\u003eOr is this the kind of figure that comes from the growth of motherhood?\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, my goodness, it's so nice to finally meet you!\" she exclaims. \"After what, a few months?\" she eyes Mirabelle, who simply shrugs.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks you up and down. \"You've got some nice height on you, mhm. Like 'em tall too, do ya sweetie? I getcha.\" She nods like a wise sage, and Mirabelle rolls her eyes.\n\n\\\u003e\"And quite the looker too.\" She's inspecting your face a bit, looking all over it, like it's a painting with hidden meanings. \"My girl's made a good choice so far I have to say.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou can feel the warmth creeping on to your cheeks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Uh, nice to meet you ma'am. I'm Anon. Sorry it uh, took so long.\" you say with a bit of awkwardness.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh goodness, where are my manners?! Sorry I've just been so excited! I'm Belle, it's so nice to meet you too.\"\n\n\\\u003eBelle? Like her daug- okay, sure.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your hand out to shake it, and before it's even fully extended she's slid her whole body passed it and embraced you in this warm, motherly hug.\n\n\\\u003eIt catches you off guard. But it's so nice you almost forget the situation and melt into it.\n\n\\\u003eMotherly love is a commodity that you have been sorely lacking for the last few years.\n\n\\\u003eWell parental love in general.\n\n\\\u003eIt's there of course, just not physically present at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eYou put your hands on her shoulders and gently pat, not knowing whether to completely accept or deny the affection.\n\n\\\u003eEventually she lets go.\n\n\\\u003e\"Sorry about that, I can get a little too affectionate.\" she apologizes.\n\n\\\u003e\"No worries, I didn't really mind.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"I was just starting up dinner prep. You'll be staying for it, won't you?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Mirabelle, who gives a shrug.\n\n\\\u003e\"Sure?\" you say. \"If things go well, I guess I don't see a problem with it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh come now, things will be fine. We aren't going to interrogate you, or run you off. My husband and I really just wanted to meet our daughter's first boyfriend.\"\n\n\\\u003eHmm. Okay, let's hope that's true.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay then... So uh. Dinner prep already huh?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look at the time. Lunch would've just been several hours ago.\n\n\\\u003e\"I have a lot to make.\" she explains. \"Oh. Speaking of.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe takes a deep breath, and Mirabelle places her hands over her ears instinctually, shielding herself for what's coming.\n\n\\\u003e\"Family! Come greet our guest!\" she bellows in a voice and volume that should not possibly come from such a small creature.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand there, stunned from the explosion that just devastated the space mere feet away from you.\n\n\\\u003eYou think your ears are ringing.\n\n\\\u003eYou recover just in time to hear the thudding of steps behind you.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn, expecting to find a group of 9 rabbits, almost as small as Mirabelle and her mom.\n\n\\\u003eBut\n\n\\\u003eOh fuck, half these dudes are skyscrapers!\n\n\\\u003eSeriously, 4 of them are literally almost a foot taller than you.\n\n\\\u003eThe other 4 are about your height or just slightly shorter than you.\n\n\\\u003eWhat is this witchcraft?!\n\n\\\u003eTheir fur is a kind of chocolate brown.\n\n\\\u003eExcept for one who looks like he won the genetic lottery and is a fusion of mostly brown with white sections.\n\n\\\u003eLike a kid started coloring him in with crayon but skipped a whole section and left it white, then continued on.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a mix of interest and not from the younger guys.\n\n\\\u003eBut the older ones.\n\n\\\u003eThey look like they're ready to beat you up just for existing.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, Anon. These are my siblings.\" Mirabelle says, breaking you out of the staring match you didn't notice you were having with her older brothers.\n\n\\\u003e\"From the top we have Richard, Peter, Joseph, and Samuel. My older brothers.\"\n\n\\\u003eThey all nod, or twitch their eyebrows, with a simple \"hey\" or \"sup\".\n\n\\\u003e\"Then we have Kyle, Andy, Joey, and Blake, my younger brothers.\"\n\n\\\u003eThese ones actually greet you politely, except for Blake, the split colored one, who performs an exquisite gentleman's dab.\n\n\\\u003e\"And then, there's my little sister Annabelle.\n\n\\\u003eAnnabelle huh? Okay, Ms. Mom, we see your game.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around, expecting to see a smaller Mirabelle about the younger brothers' ages, but a tiny ball of white catches your eye from under you.\n\n\\\u003eYou look down, and see this absolutely tiny thing staring up to you, with huge emeralds smack dab and shining in her face.\n\n\\\u003eShe's gotta be just a few years old.\n\n\\\u003eYou look down at her.\n\n\\\u003eThe emeralds that are her eyes peer up at you.\n\n\\\u003eThe younger brothers have lost interest, after saying their greetings and are departing.\n\n\\\u003eThe tiny fluffball raises her arms at you.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't understand the gesture, you look to Mirabelle for confirmation.\n\n\\\u003e\"She wants you to pick her up.\" she explains. \"You don't have to. She'll pout for a bit, but she'll be fine.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look back down, and her green eyes beseech you.\n\n\\\u003eYou reach down and pick her up.\n\n\\\u003eYou hold her, bringing one hand underneath her, so that's she's basically sitting on your forearm.\n\n\\\u003eThis. This feels right. Whatever this feeling is, you need this.\n\n\\\u003e\"I have one question.\" you say aloud, but not to anyone in particular.\n\n\\\u003eYou point to little Annabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"What is this?\" You do look at Mirabelle for this question though. \"And where can I get one?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"That was two questions.\" Mirabelle points out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well you see my human friend.\" her mom jumps in. \"That there is what we commonly refer to as a kit. I believe the proper term for a human is a baby.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe peeks her head around the corner of the kitchen.\n\n\\\u003eAnd the only way to get one, is to make your own.\" She gives you a taunting grin.\n\n\\\u003eYou recognize that grin, it's the same one Mirabelle gives you all the time.\n\n\\\u003e\"And you can't have mine, soorrry!\" she disappears behind the corner again.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mom, don't be weird!\" Mirabelle shouts.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Annabelle, who seems to have grown comfortable in her position.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Mirabelle, who looks at you. Then turns away with a bit of embarrassment.\n\n\\\u003eYou hold Annabelle for a few more moments before you decide to set her down.\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't seem to want to go, but doesn't protest greatly.\n\n\\\u003eShe walks over to one of her brothers still standing around, before he picks her up.\n\n\\\u003eYou think that's the end of it and you'll just be waiting for Mirabelle's dad to show up now.\n\n\\\u003eBut then one of her brothers comes up to you.\n\n\\\u003eRichard, the oldest one, you think.\n\n\\\u003e\"So. Your name was Anon right?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yep, that's me. Nice to meet you man.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah sure. Look, I'm not gonna haze you too much, or get too deep about who you are as a person or any of that. That's Dad's job.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Cool, cool.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003eHe seems like a chill dude, you're glad.\n\n\\\u003e\"I just have one question for you.\" he bends himself in an arc backward, and you could swear he just grew a few more inches. \"What's your favorite food?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, uh. My mom's spaghetti is really good.\" you answer honestly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Right on.\" he says looking pleased at the answer. \"So, if you enjoy eating her food, and not drinking it through a straw,\" He stares down at you from his lofty position, and you swear he's got a death gaze that would put most predator species to fucking shame.\n\n\\\u003e\"You won't do anything to make my little sister sad. You feel me?\"\n\n\\\u003eHe cracks his knuckles, and even though your gaze is on him, you can feel the other brothers staring daggers into you as well.\n\n\\\u003eRabbits are not supposed to be this scary, don't they understand things like the food chain and the pecking order?\n\n\\\u003e\"Yup, mhm, you don't gotta worry about that from me, no sir.\" you tell him quickly, hoping that'll be the end of it.\n\n\\\u003eHis ears, which stand straight up, unlike Mirabelle's, twitch a bit, before you gives you this small but sinister grin.\n\n\\\u003e\"What's that sound? Is that. Your gut churning in fear I hear?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"...No. Maybe it's growling, I dunno. I didn't eat. Looking forward to dinner.\" you point a shaky finger toward the kitchen.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hmm.\" he says.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright alright, stop intimidating the poor boy. That's my job.\" a voice rings out as it slowly approaches.\n\n\\\u003eA tall brown rabbit, in a business suit that he looks like he's ready to jump out of, walks up to you.\n\n\\\u003eThe brothers step back, and take their leave, since the final boss has made his entrance.\n\n\\\u003eHe adjusts his glasses and looks at you.\n\n\\\u003eFuck he's tall too, just as tall as his sons.\n\n\\\u003e\"So you must be Anon. I've heard a few things about you. Name's William. Glad to finally meet you face to face.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe brings out his hand and you shake it firmly but not too aggressively, like your dad's taught you to do.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Nice to meet you too. Before we get into anything, can I just say really quick, that you made things very unfair for me?\" you throw out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm?\" he looks confused. \"What do you mean?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"This!\" you point to Mirabelle. \"She took my title from me, and she told me you're the one who trained her, and all the brothers she has to fight, led to her being good enough to beat me. So I have you to thank for that! So, thank you. If she hadn't beat me, we never would've engaged in the way we did, so it's kind of a good thing that things happened how they did.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. You were the previous Champion then? And she took it from you?\" he says, looking kind of impressed at the both of you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yessir that's right.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe smiles. \"So if you were the Champ, you must've been pretty good.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, if 3 years undefeated means pretty good, then I guess I was.\"\n\n\\\u003eHey bud, your ego is showing.\n\n\\\u003eHis smile grows in intensity.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh no.\" you hear Mirabelle say.\n\n\\\u003e\"I think I'd like to see how good you are.\" he says, with a whole lot of sadistic malice in his voice.\n\n\\\u003eWait what.\n\n\\\u003e\"Belle sweetie, do the thing.\" he calls as he folds his ears down.\n\n\\\u003e\"Boys! Come down here!\" erupts from the kitchen, still managing to slightly deafen you even from there.\n\n\\\u003eWhat is she made of that allows her to project her voice in such a powerful manner?\n\n\\\u003eThe boys return and he looks over at them.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hmmm, Richard. Did you hear? Anon here's a fighter. Not just that, he was Champ of the Circle for three whole years.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. Nah, I didn't know that.\" Richard looks to you, violence etched into his face.\n\n\\\u003e\"I think the best way to get to know someone is to test them, right? See if they aren't just blowing smoke.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh I agree.\" Richard says, never looking away from you.\n\n\\\u003e\"So there we have it. Follow us Anon.\" William says, and his sons follow him ou to the front door.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eA few of them stand behind you and usher you out toward the front.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle walks beside you.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm really sorry about this, I should've warned you but I didn't think my dad was going to do anything like this. I'm sure you didn't actually expect to get into a fight today.\"\n\n\\\u003e'No it's okay!\" you tell her. \"In fact, this is what I know, so if I can get through today this way, I'm all for it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. You should be okay. It's just like fighting me.\" she says, giving you a thumbs up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well don't tell me that. All I've done is lose to you.\"\n\n\\\u003eThey walk out to the center of the yard and you stand in between the siblings.\n\n\\\u003eThey give a decent amount of space to move around but there aren't a lot of them so their makeshift Circle isn't as tight knit as the real one is.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, I don't actually want you guys clobbering each other. Anon's a guest today, we don't want to beat him black and blue.\" William says.\n\n\\\u003e\"I just want to see some of what you've got. So I'll even set a time limit. Let's say, 10 minutes for you two to go at it.\"\n\n\"It'll be over in 5, Pop.\" Richard shrugs and gives a cocky grin.\n\n\\\u003eYou stretch a bit to loosen up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, let's skip the smack talk and get into it, if that's fine.\"\n\n\\\u003eThat's fine with you, you still never learned any good rabbit lines to use.\n\n\\\u003e\"You ready?\" William asks, looking to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod.\n\n\\\u003e\"He looks to his son. \"You ready?\" and gets a nod in return.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. Let's, fight!\"\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eRichard closes the distance in a second and throws a quick jab.\n\n\\\u003eBut you've gotten used to dodging speedy opponents, so you dip past it with ease.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your own punch that barely grazes the bottom of his chin.\n\n\\\u003eSuddenly you're missing the days where you would fight big slow opponents, like Caesar and Benji.\n\n\\\u003eRichard closes back in and throws a quick left jab, but you see it coming and dodge it.\n\n\\\u003eHowever you don't see the follow up hook he's throwing that catches you in the cheek.\n\n\\\u003eHe resets, and does it again, another left jab, and then a right uppercut.\n\n\\\u003e1 2, 1 2. He throws those punches in succession with a steady rhythm.\n\n\\\u003eBut you're getting it down.\n\n\\\u003eHe's caught you with a few of them, but you're ready for them now.\n\n\\\u003eAt least until he decides to switch up, but this is a timed match, not a ko match.\n\n\\\u003eYou just have to give it everything you've got to win points.\n\n\\\u003eYou dodge the 1, and on the 2 you bring up and smash him in the face with a punch.\n\n\\\u003eHe also hit you, but you were prepared to take it.\n\n\\\u003eIt knocked him off balance though, so you press the advantage.\n\n\\\u003eYou usually wait until you're sure it can end the game, but you're here for style points, so might as well get them.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eYou throw your hands up and around his neck and lock them together.\n\n\\\u003eClinch time, baby.\n\n\\\u003eHe tries to pull you off, and he's up there, so you're pretty exposed to.\n\n\\\u003eIf he took time to notice he could just throw his own attacks into your gut, because you can't do anything to defend against them.\n\n\\\u003eBut he was more worried about your hands, thinking the danger was there.\n\n\\\u003eSo you brought your legs up, and threw a few kicks into his legs.\n\n\\\u003eThe quick assault caused him to buckle a bit, and he tries to punch you in the head, but with the position of your arms, he can't follow through too precisely.\n\n\\\u003eYou batter his legs with kicks, until you decide to bring it up.\n\n\\\u003eA poor rabbit's chest is their weakest point, so of course it is the target for your knees.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw a quick knee into his stomach, and it knocks the wind out of him a bit, but not enough to deter him.\n\n\\\u003eHe struggles a bit, trying to worm out of your grasp, but you are fire, you are death.\n\n\\\u003eYou cling to him and prevent his escape as you continue to throw knee after knee into his chest.\n\n\\\u003eFinally, he starts blocking low.\n\n\\\u003eYou show him that was a mistake as you release the clinch for a moment, long enough to belt him in his now exposed face twice.\n\n\\\u003eHe blocks up top, and you knee the chest. He blocks the chest and you rattle his brain.\n\n\\\u003eEventually, you push him back, and the sudden release staggers him.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your right foot back and behind you, with your left and right arms brought toward your left side.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your arms to the right side, and lift your body in a slight jump, so that the force and momentum pivots your body right on the point of your left foot's toes.\n\n\\\u003eAs you spin around your right leg comes out and slams into his chest like a stake piercing the flesh of an undead monstrosity.\n\n\\\u003eHe gets flung to the ground, and struggles a bit for air, gasping and coughing.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks up to you, looking a bit pissed, but kind of impressed.\n\n\\\u003eThe younger brothers look thoroughly impressed and Mirabelle is cheering for you.\n\n\\\u003eWilliam also looks like he's impressed, so you guess this was a success on your part.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, well. That's pretty good, I have to say.\" William nods as he helps his son up. \"Who taught you how to fight?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, uh. nobody I guess. It's just stuff I picked up because it interested me, and it worked well for me.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. No training and this is what you can put out at times huh? Imagine what you could've done if someone had taken the time to train you, refine what you've got going for you.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod. It would've been nice, but it wasn't in the cards for you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway. I gotta say I approve so far.\" he walks over and pats you on the shoulder before continuing back to the house. \"But being a good fighter, while impressive, is not the end all be all, you know. Anyway, let's head back in, I wanna know what's for dinner.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe congregation begins to take off.\n\n\\\u003eThings are going well, your face isn't too sore.\n\n\\\u003eNo blood was drawn.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe things will be alright.\n\n\\\u003eA heavy hand lands on your shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eYou suddenly feel surrounded. Because you are.\n\n\\\u003e\"Not bad, Anon.\" Richard tells you.\n\n\\\u003eOh no, is he upset?\n\n\\\u003e\"Just know. If I can't take you one on one, there's 3 more of us ready to get involved.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe rest of the brothers crack their knuckles or their necks as they pass by you.\n\n\\\u003eAre they really rabbits? Is there like a small strain of wolf DNA in them or something?\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Mirabelle, who says nothing but sighs and pats you gently.\n\n  \n\n\\\u003eDinner's going to take a bit more time.\n\nThe younger siblings are getting kind of loud and excited, likely after having watched your fight.\n\n\\\u003eThe adrenaline is starting to run through them.\n\n\\\u003eTheir parents have a bit of difficulty controlling them, so they just move with you and Mirabelle to the living room further back.\n\n\\\u003eYou can still hear the kids shouting and playing though.\n\n\\\u003eSo this is what it sounds like to have siblings.\n\n\\\u003eWilliam looks ready to grill you with some very in depth questions.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily you were saved by Belle, who interjects.\n\n\\\u003e\"No need to sit around and wait for dinner to be done. Mirabelle, why don't you give Anon there a\u0026nbsp; little tour of the house? Oh, better yet, you can show him your room!\"\n\n\\\u003eWilliam shoots up, ready to oppose that idea, but Belle gives him a look, and seems to cow his decision.\n\n\\\u003e\"...If you do. Just leave the door unlocked.\" is all he says.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle looks embarrassed, but still grabs your hand and takes you around.\n\n\\\u003eShe shows you everywhere that seems important.\n\n\\\u003eThe study, a game room, a mini home library, a mini home theater, an in home bar, full of bottles with names you could not pronounce for the life of you.\n\n\\\u003eEvery youth has their own room, and besides the parents' room, there's 2 whole spare rooms for guests.\n\nMirabelle's room is the last one she brings you to.\n\nEven up here you can hear the wild energy of her siblings.\n\n\\\u003eShe opens the door and lets you in.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk in and.\n\nIt's. Pink.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a decent amount of pink in here.\n\n\\\u003eLike a milky pink.\n\n\\\u003eThe sheets are pink, the dresser is white with pink accents. The carpet is pink, the curtains are pink.\n\n\\\u003eWhy is there so much damn pink?\n\n\\\u003eThere are a few stuffed plushies near the foot of the bed and on the dresser drawer.\n\n\\\u003eBut the evil king one you got for her is not there.\n\n\\\u003eIt's actually near the tip of the bed, next to the pillows.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around like you walked into a new world, more foreign than the foreign world that is Hills living.\n\n\\\u003eLike getting Iseakai'd after dying in an Isekai.\n\n\\\u003eYou did not expect this from the Queen of Ruin, the girl who dropkicked your chest into pieces and put several dozen people into a painful sleep.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle notices your erratic gaze and walks past you to sit on her bed.\n\n\\\u003e\"What?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"...It's so girly.\" escapes your lips before you have the chance to smother the words.\n\n\\\u003eA quick sucker punch to the kidney is the punishment for your unheld tongue.\n\n\\\u003eYou lean sideways, doubling over in pain, before you hit the ground and sprawl out like a ragdoll.\n\n\\\u003eShe hovers over you, looking ready to beat you up for your audacity.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your hands up in mock defense but she grabs hold of your hands, interlocking her fingers with yours before pinning them to either side of you.\n\n\\\u003e\"What're you trying to say, huh?\" she interrogates you. \"You saying my room doesn't suit me cuz it's girly, huh? Is that what you're saying?\"\n\n\\\u003eHer eyes look angry or offended, but she's smiling, so you think this assault is in good nature.\n\n\\\u003eNevertheless, she has kicked your ass twice, and that was during a point of entertainment, you don't want to know how hard she'd shatter your ribcage if she actually meant to.\n\n\\\u003e\"What, no not at all.\" you attempt to salvage the situation. \"I was just momentarily shocked, that uh, your room was as cute as you are. My room is bare and undecorated so it was interesting to see one that reflects its owner so well.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you for a minute.\n\n\\\u003e\"Nice save.\" she says flatly.\n\n\\\u003eIt wasn't, not at all, but at least she doesn't seem ready to beat your face in like she did in your last fight.\n\n\\\u003eHowever she hasn't moved from her position on top of you.\n\n\\\u003e\"You know. \"She starts. \"This is like the third time we've been in this position. It's always me leaning over you.\"\n\n\\\u003eWell, that's technically true.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll say it again. I think you have a thing for small girls being in charge.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Look, this is just coincidence.\" you say to save face. \"The first time was in a fight that you were winning. The second time, may have happened because I let it, yes, but this time you punched me, and then immediately set upon me, like you were ready to knock me out.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm. So change it this time.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"...Huh?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You push me down this time. It's not like you can't, a little strength would go a long way against me.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe's right. She's absurdly light, and you're no noodle arm, so.\n\n\\\u003eYou test it.\n\n\\\u003eYour arms lift easily from their pinned position on the ground.\n\n\\\u003eYou push forward and lift your body, and up she goes with you.\n\n\\\u003eA lean forward, a readjustment of your legs and boom.\n\n\\\u003eThe turns have tabled indeed.\n\n\\\u003eNow you're the one leaning over her, while she's on her back, hands in a pinned position on either side of her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh no, whatever will I do?\" she says in a dramatically exaggerated voice.\n\n\\\u003eShe has that taunting grin on her face.\n\n\\\u003eThe one that sets embers in your chest.\n\n\\\u003eWait, those still show up after all this time?\n\n\\\u003eYou know what you want to do.\n\n\\\u003eBut should you at this point in time?\n\n\\\u003eLike, you're in her house, with her parents moments away.\n\n\\\u003eHer brothers, who are ready to knock every tooth out of your mouth.\n\n\\\u003eThis may not be it, chief.\n\n\\\u003eSuddenly, you're knocked out of your reservations by a sudden lunge forward.\n\n\\\u003eYou eased up on the force you held on Mirabelle and she seized the advantage, pushing you backward.\n\n\\\u003eIt wouldn't have worked if you were aware, but you were distracted by your own thoughts, and balance was not at the forefront of your mind.\n\n\\\u003eSo right back to the ground you went.\n\n\\\u003eHow the tables do turn table.\n\n\\\u003e\"And so we're right back where we started.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e'Well yeah, but I was distracted, that was all.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hmm. Well then I'll give you something to focus on.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe leans forward.\n\n\\\u003eWell this is happening.\n\n\\\u003eAlright then, it's different if she's starting it right?\n\n\\\u003eYou take a deep breath.\n\n\\\u003eThe world around is deathly silent.\n\n\\\u003e...Silent?\n\n\\\u003eWait.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey Mira, hold on, I uh. I can't hear your siblings anymore. And I mean, I know that wouldn't be too serious for me, because basic human hearing, but can you hear them? Because if you can't then what if like... What if your family can hear us? Rabbit hearing is really good I'm told.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe pauses. Her ears launch up and her vision darts around like an answer is right before her face just out of focus.\n\n\\\u003eHe ears drop back down.\n\n\\\u003e\"You know. Even if they can hear. I don't think I really care too much right now.\" she smiles, and resumes her incline toward your face.\n\n\\\u003eBut what about me, your brothers might beat me up!\"\n\n\"Ssshhh.\" she hushes you. And then dives forward for a kiss.\n\n\\\u003eGoodness gracious this bunny is a bold one.\n\n\\\u003eShe's also got 2 to 1 on the kiss counter.\n\n\\\u003eYou relax and embrace the affection.\n\n\\\u003eShe pulls back for only a moment.\n\n\\\u003eShe kisses you twice, three times, four.\n\n\\\u003eAnd then she pulls back a fair distant to look at you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Besides. Even if my brothers jump you or something, I'd back you up.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Whaaat. You'd fight your own family for me? Well I feel special now.\" you say to her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Of course I would. And you should.\" she smiles at you. But her smile fades and she stares at you.\n\n\\\u003eStraight at you.\n\n\\\u003eRight into your eyes.\n\n\\\u003eThe azure light threatens to swallow you as it has so many times before.\n\n\\\u003eBefore three words leave her mouth and bring you bounding to the surface.\n\n\\\u003e\"I love you.\"\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003esurprisedpikachu.png\n\n\\\u003eOh.\n\n\\\u003eWell there goes your heart.\n\n\\\u003eThose embers have burst into flame and effectively torched everything that once functioned within your chest area.\n\n\\\u003eThe fire may even be spreading to your brain.\n\n\\\u003eSalvaging anything within this body is impossible.\n\n\\\u003eYou're pretty sure she already knows this, but you may as well spit out those 4 words and affirm it.\n\n\\\u003e\"I love you too.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe smiles, that big genuine smile that you absolutely love.\n\n\\\u003eJust to bring the burning point in your chest to a melting point.\n\n\\\u003eYou gaze at each other for what feels like a while.\n\n\\\u003eShe moves in, likely for another kiss.\n\n\\\u003eBut\n\n\\\u003e\"Dinner's ready!\" echoes through the house.\n\n\\\u003eAnd then a chorus of whoops and hollers follow, from closer than you expected.\n\n\\\u003eYou guess the youngsters just returned to their own rooms after a while.\n\n\\\u003eYou two get up to head to the dining room.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around, a bit of a pit in your stomach.\n\n\\\u003eBut everyone looks normal, so you're guessing they weren't listening in on the debauchery you engaged in with Mirabelle in her room.\n\n\\\u003eOr they just don't want to cause a scene right before dinner, and you should start delving into religion and praying for your soul.\n\n\\\u003eDinner proceeds very well.\n\n\\\u003eThe food is good, conversation is good, you learn about Mirabelle's family.\n\n\\\u003eAll her older brothers are in college, studying various things.\n\n\\\u003eThe younger ones are about middle school age.\n\n\\\u003eThe reason the Dunwick's can afford such a nice house is because her dad is an ace in real estate and her mom is a professional gambler.\n\n\\\u003eApparently she's so good at card tables and slot machines, as well as anticipating the winners of whatever popular sport is on television, that a few casinos actually accused her of cheating on separate occasions.\n\n\\\u003eOne super popular place in Vegas even tried to outright ban her.\n\n\\\u003eWow.\n\n\\\u003eWhat kind of magic does she have?\n\n\\\u003eWilliam asked you what your plans are, and you gave the simple answer.\n\n\\\u003eI'm gonna go to college.\" you told him.\n\n\\\u003eHe wanted to know what you were going to study, and you told him something in the STEM field, since you enjoy science.\n\n\\\u003eWhat specifically, you aren't sure.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle is gonna go to college for a few years, but her big plan is to get into law enforcement. She's split between something like a police officer, or a police detective.\n\n\\\u003eYou didn't know this, but then again, you haven't had much conversation with anyone, even your best friends, about plans after high school.\n\n\\\u003eThere's still like a whole half year to really dig deep in that regard. Plenty of time, you thought.\n\n\\\u003eBut it's good to have an idea so that you can begin to prepare for it.\n\n\\\u003eDinner comes to an end and a dessert of pumpkin pie is swiftly consumed.\n\n\\\u003eIt's gonna be dark real soon, so the Dunwick's prepare to see you off.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's been a pleasure, Anon. I'm glad my daughter has such an upstanding young man.\" William says as you collect your scooter.\n\n\\\u003eHe reaches out to shake your hand, and you do.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm glad you approve of me... To be honest I was a bit afraid, that you wouldn't approve of Mirabelle and me dating.\" you tell him the truth.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why wouldn't I? You seem like a great guy.\"\n\n\\\u003eWell. I don't know if you've seen the city, but uh. Most kids in our school, and like in town generally like to stick with their own. I have anthro friends so I'm kind of the odd man out. But I was a bit concerned that you would want Mirabelle to uh, y'know, stick with people, like her.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe looks at you for a long time.\n\n\\\u003e\"PFFFFFT, yeah right, son!\"\n\n\\\u003e...wat.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh man, when I was your age, my best friend was a human. We went to the Circle together, we hit on girls together, we went to parties, we were inseparable. We were closer than kin. People actually called us the Blood Brothers. Until something terrible happened to me and we drifted apart...You, actually remind me of him, now that I get a closer look at you. Eh, but that's probably me getting sentimental, point is! Some people out there may still have an old way of thinking, but me and Belle aren't like that. You're a good kid, so I believe you'll be good to my daughter. All there is to it. What you are, couldn't care less. Who you are is important.\n\n\\\u003eDamn. Just like Mirabelle said.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eSo you worried for nothing!\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh god I feel so much better after hearing that, thank you so much.\" you tell him.\n\n\\\u003eBelle comes outside. \"Here I packed you some leftovers.\" she says, handing you tupperware that's been tied in a few plastic bags.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mirabelle told me you're all by yourself at home because your parents are away on business, so I figured I could make things a bit easier on you and give you a few days of food.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Thanks so much, I appreciate that.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Feel free to come by for Thanksgiving too! Actually, I'll make sure Mirabelle invites you. It might get a little packed with all of our family here but I'll make sure you feel welcome.\" she comes up and gives you another big motherly hug.\n\n\\\u003eYou allow yourself to feel good about this one.\n\n\\\u003e\"Thanks so much.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look to the darkening sky.\n\n\"I'd better get going now.\" you tell Mirabelle's parents.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll walk with you to the gate.\" Mirabelle says.\n\n\\\u003eYou make your way to the gate and she hits the button to open it.\n\n\\\u003e\"Looks like they like you.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm really glad they do. I was going crazy wondering what I'd do if they told me I couldn't see you or something.\" you confess.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ha, even if they did. I wouldn't let that stop us.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Ooh, so rebellious.\" you laugh.\n\n\\\u003eShe laughs a bit too.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll see you at school.\" you say to her.\n\n\\\u003e\"See you then.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks over her shoulder at her parents who are still standing by the door, seeing you off.\n\n\\\u003eShe contemplates something quickly, before shrugging to herself, and giving you a quick kiss.\n\n\\\u003eYou slide out of the gate and let it close behind you.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch as Mirabelle bounds off back to her home, her mom seems to be teasing her about what she just saw.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eShe told you she loves you.\n\n\\\u003eYou told her the same.\n\n\\\u003eAnd just a few months ago you were refusing to admit you loved her, like a torture victim would refuse to give up his secrets.\n\n\\\u003eHow things have changed in such a time.\n\n\\\u003eBut you won't deny it anymore, you have no reason to.\n\n\\\u003eYou are in love.\n\n\\\u003eYou really are a king who has found his queen.\n\n\\\u003eYou take off down the road, riding in high spirits all the way.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eThings have been going well with Mirabelle's family ever since your meeting a few weeks ago.\n\n\\\u003eYou went back for Thanksgiving and man.\n\n\\\u003eThere was a lot of family.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily there was a ton of space to hold them all.\n\n\\\u003eYour house probably couldn't hold a quarter of these people.\n\n\\\u003eMeeting more of Mirabelle's extended family was an ordeal.\n\n\\\u003eSome people were pleasantly surprised when they found out you two were dating.\n\n\\\u003eOthers were, less so.\n\n\\\u003eBut it all turned out okay.\n\n\\\u003eBesides, they aren't the ones whose opinion matter.\n\n\\\u003eAfter Thanksgiving, William told you to come by whenever you wanted so he could give you some pointers on your fighting.\n\n\\\u003eYou wouldn't say no to the man who trained the Queen.\n\n\\\u003eYou come over on Sundays because Saturdays are either for dates or hanging with your friends.\n\n\\\u003eYou won't forsake your best friends, no matter what.\n\n\\\u003eBut to be honest, the person who smooches your dumb face is a bit higher on your priority list of people right now.\n\n\\\u003eWilliam's managed to help you quite a bit.\n\n\\\u003eBesides your Clinch, most of your strikes were just, whatever punches or kicks you thought would connect.\n\n\\\u003eThe name of the style is streetfighting, which means, there is no fucking style. Just swing and hope you land.\n\n\\\u003eBut he found some training material, and with it, you're actually developing some technique.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel more centered, your kicks feel better.\n\n\\\u003eYou can deflect, parry, and counter attacks with more precision.\n\n\\\u003eIf you were unbeatable before, you'll be fucking invincible soon.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle's brothers stopped trying to intimidate you after that first day, and they turned out to be pretty cool guys.\n\n\\\u003eYou spar with them as their dad teaches you how to get better.\n\n\\\u003ePeter, the second oldest actually started helping you develop a fancy attack, for huge style points.\n\n\\\u003eIt looks, and feels horribly dangerous, like it would take you out of the fight if you ever missed or messed it up.\n\n\\\u003eTake you out of the fight and probably cause some kind of damage to your bones.\n\n\\\u003eBut goddamn, you had to admit it's cool as hell.\n\n\\\u003eOnce again, you thought you were done with pulling insane moves for the sake of looking like a badass.\n\n\\\u003eBut once again you lied as naturally as you breathed.\n\n\\\u003eEvery weekend has been some of the best days you've ever had.\n\n\\\u003eChristmas is coming up, that might also be some fun.\n\n\\\u003eYour parents didn't come home for last Christmas.\n\n\\\u003eThey might not be home this time either.\n\n\\\u003e\"Entrepreneurs work 365 days a year if they need to.\" your dad told you.\n\n\\\u003eWhich you can respect, because being your own boss means you have to make yourself go into work, even when you don't want to.\n\n\\\u003eBut at the same time it's kind of tough.\n\n\\\u003eYou know his goal is to get to a point where he doesn't have to travel at all and move you all to the Hills.\n\n\\\u003eYou admire the effort he puts in to his work.\n\n\\\u003eBut it's lonely.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eIt hasn't been as lonely anymore though.\n\n\\\u003eYou're broken from your stupor by the sound of the bell ringing.\n\n\\\u003eSchool's out, time to go.\n\n\\\u003eYou pack up and grab your things.\n\n\\\u003eYour queen stands outside the door waiting for you.\n\n\\\u003eYou take her hand and head off.\n\n\\\u003eYou meet your friends on the way out.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle's been getting along with these goobers, which you are glad about.\n\n\\\u003eYou won't have to do something ridiculous, like choose between them or something.\n\n\\\u003eNow these idiots just need to get their own girlfriends.\n\n\\\u003eMikael probably wouldn't have a problem with dating an anthro.\n\n\\\u003eWould Lewis and Verne be into dating human girls?\n\n\\\u003eAre there any other humans in this city besides you and Mikael that would be into dating an anthro?\n\n\\\u003eThose are not questions for today.\n\n\\\u003eYou all walk out of school.\n\n\\\u003eToday is one of those days where no one has anything pressing to do after school, and Mikael and Lewis didn't drive to school.\n\n\\\u003eSo to the Circle you all go, together.\n\n\\\u003eYou retrieve your scooter and walk down the road.\n\n\\\u003eThere's a strange nagging in the back of your head, that's been going on for quite a while every time you leave school for the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eLike you're forgetting something, or something happens that hasn't been happening.\n\n\\\u003eBut you, just can't recall what it is at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eSo it's probably not as important as you think.\n\n\\\u003eYou reach the Circle, and get settled in.\n\n\\\u003eAfter a while, it's all set up and ready to go.\n\n\\\u003eLewis steps in. \"Alright. As always, let's make it a good day. So let's get to it. Who's stepping in the Circle?\"\n\n\\\u003eA big familiar lion steps up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Aww yeah! It's time for a true king to sit on the throne!\" Caesar points straight at Mirabelle. \"Let's go little rabbit.\"\n\n\\\u003eCaesar? When did he get his 3 wins?\n\n\\\u003eYou swear you've been pretty good at keeping people back. He must've slipped your radar.\n\n\\\u003ePfft. Whatever, you'd have loved to knock his block clean off, but Mirabelle can handle him easily.\n\n\\\u003eThat misplaced confidence of his irks you though.\n\n\\\u003eLook at him, grinning and laughing like he's already won.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle pats your side.\n\n\\\u003e\"You okay?\" she asks. \"You're glaring kinda hard.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou didn't even notice you were until you relax your face.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah.\" you assure her. \"Caesar and me just have this kind of old rivalry. Or more like, he has a rivalry with me. So watching him look so smug kinda pisses me off. He's never beat me, what makes him think he can beat you?\"\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle had stood up to accept the challenge. But she thinks for a moment, and a good idea seems to have come to her because she grins, and sits back down, crossing one leg over the other.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, you ain't coming? Is that a forfeit? No courage to fight the next king?\" Caesar boasts.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks up at you.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm going to use my Champion's Right.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003eShe takes a moment, before saying.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon, I want you to fight Caesar as my proxy.\"\n\n\\\u003eOh well this is a gamechanger!\n\n\\\u003eWait can she do that?\n\n\\\u003eEveryone else seems to be mentally asking the same thing.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Lewis, who is basically the rule man.\n\n\\\u003eHe's thinking about the possibility.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm. The Champ does have the right to do so, I'd say. If they're okay with the proxy holding the fate of their title in his or her hands, I'd say it shouldn't present too much of a problem. As long as it's like, occasionally and not all the time.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou only need this one time.\n\n\\\u003e\"Don't you dare lose.\" she tells you.\n\n\\\u003eYou give Mirabelle this wide, thankful grin.\n\n\\\u003eShe smiles back, to ignite the embers in your heart.\n\n\\\u003eYou shift your attention to Caesar, before your grin morphs into one of pure malice.\n\n\\\u003eYou step forward, and stretch your limbs.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks confused, he wasn't expecting to fight you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. What you gotta say?\" Lewis throws out before he can even get a handle on the situation.\n\n\\\u003e\"You look a little shook, Caesar.\" you start. \"Maybe you shouldn't fight. Just go find a nice long gazelle trail to lie on, save me the trouble, why dont'cha.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, well look man. If I uh. If I had known, it uh. You were gonna...\"\n\n\\\u003eHe's choking, he probably spent the night coming up with rabbit shots, and put all his human ammo to the side.\n\n\\\u003e\"All that ragged fluff on your head must be stealing the nutrients from your brain. Might as well cut it off. It's a symbol of royalty for lions right? But you're barely fit to be a jester in this court.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oooooh,\" resounds from around the crowd.\n\n\\\u003eHe doesn't say anything, but he looks a bit mad.\n\n\\\u003eLewis notes his silence. \"Alright. You ready?\" he looks to Caesar, who brings his hands up and nods.\n\n\\\u003e\"You ready?\" he looks at you.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your own hands up, raised a bit higher than usual, for more of a kickboxer's stance.\n\n\\\u003eYou grin and nod.\n\n\\\u003e\"Then let's.\" he says, and does what he's done a thousand times before. \"Fight!\"\n\n  \n\n  \n\n\\\u003eYou trot leisurely up to Caesar.\n\n\\\u003eAnd kick him with a good amount of force, right in the hip area.\n\n\\\u003eIt came out quick and precise, and he didn't expect it.\n\n\\\u003eHe actually buckles a bit from the placement, but he rights himself quick enough, and attempts his offensive.\n\n\\\u003eHis \"offensive\" is the same as it always is.\n\n\\\u003eThose carefully targeted attacks that never seem to hit you.\n\n\\\u003eGeez how does this man actually win enough fights to challenge the Champ like this?\n\n\\\u003eIn fact, you seem to be anticipating them even better and getting far enough away to hit him at least twice before he tries again.\n\n\\\u003eA dodge into a two strike counterattack.\n\n\\\u003eAre you getting fast?\n\n\\\u003eAre you gaining the same type of technique Mirabelle has?\n\n\\\u003eWhen you throw your own attacks, you focus on kicks.\n\n\\\u003eHitting people with well placed kicks is fun to you, and ever since you fought Jerome, you had this kind of interest in kicking better.\n\n\\\u003eSo you honed in on throwing better kicks with William, and they seem to be working out.\n\n\\\u003eWhen Caesar manages to close the gap from decent kicking range, you switch to dodging and throwing a counterattack before sliding back and delivering a few more kicks.\n\n\\\u003eYou missed fighting your big lug opponents, but the problem with them is that it takes more to wear them down while a few solid hits from them will wear you down easily.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily you don't have that problem with Caesar.\n\n\\\u003eHe can't hit you to save his life.\n\n\\\u003eIs what you thought, until he swings up for a big uppercut which you dodge.\n\n\\\u003eYou move in to counter, but with his hand still in the air he brings the other one into his fist and brings them both down for one of those axe handle smashes.\n\n\\\u003eIt hits you in the shoulder, and while it wasn't a big deal, it surprised you.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar actually managed to hit you.\n\n\\\u003eNo freebies or anything.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar looks impressed with himself too, he's staring a bit wide eyed, shocked that it actually connected.\n\n\\\u003eYou boop him violently in the snoot and bring him back down to earth.\n\n\\\u003eHe tries to fake you out a few times after that but.\n\n\\\u003eFool me once, shame on you. If you fool me we can't get fooled again.\n\n\\\u003eYou crack him in the jaw once, and he takes a step back.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a step forward, intent on keeping up the pressure from the opening you're making.\n\n\\\u003eBut then. Whether intentional or in desperation he does something you've never seen him do in any one of his fights.\n\n\\\u003eHe kicks you.\n\n\\\u003eLike right in the shin.\n\n\\\u003eYou stop dead in your tracks.\n\n\\\u003eYou physically look down, like he just stuck a grenade to your leg, and you can do nothing but wait for the detonation.\n\n\\\u003eIt didn't hurt, not at all.\n\n\\\u003eIt was just. Such an insult, that you can't do anything but believe that it was all an illusion.\n\n\\\u003eIt's like someone picking your main in a fighting game to try and style on you.\n\n\\\u003eYou look back up at him, and he's got kind of a shit eating grin.\n\n\\\u003eLike you're so devastated by the fact that he just kicked you that you're just going to forfeit right now.\n\n\\\u003eOkay Simba, you fucking asked for this.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab him, like you have so many times.\n\n\\\u003eClinch.exe\n\n\\\u003eBut it's different this time.\n\n\\\u003eNot in execution.\n\n\\\u003eBut you feel like there's lightning in your legs.\n\n\\\u003eYou're about to turn his legs and gut to mush.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw kick after kick into his exposed legs.\n\n\\\u003eFast, faster, even faster.\n\n\\\u003eYou alternate legs with tiny little hops to transition faster.\n\n\\\u003eLeft side, right side.\n\n\\\u003eHe's trying to block but his bulk refuses to let him get down far enough to take the brunt from his legs.\n\n\\\u003eIt's easier to get out of a clinch than expected, but no one seems to know the tech.\n\n\\\u003eWhich works for you, as you assault him with kicks.\n\n\\\u003eThen you add in the infamous knees.\n\n\\\u003eYour legs are darting around, from his legs to his gut, up and down like a furious flamenco dancer.\n\n\\\u003eHe tries throwing a few punches, but you weave your head out of the spaces he's aiming for and continue to decimate his faltering flesh.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull with everything you have and manage to bend him forward and give him a monstrous knee to the jaw.\n\n\\\u003eDazed, reeling. About to break.\n\n\\\u003eYou could leave him be now.\n\n\\\u003eBut once again, you aren't quite done with him.\n\n\\\u003eTime for the big finish you practiced with Peter.\n\n\\\u003eYou stick your leg out and twist, throwing Caesar behind you.\n\n\\\u003eHe trips over your foot and himself and goes into the dirt.\n\n\\\u003eHe tries to pick himself up, but you step over and plant your foot on him.\n\n\\\u003eYou wait for a moment.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eHe hasn't said he's done yet, so.\n\n\\\u003eIt's all fair game.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your hands to the sky in that tried and true heel pose you love so much.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd freezes in anticipation, wondering what you're about to do.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar is trying to push himself up.\n\n\\\u003eSo you bring your other foot up, and jump, using him as a kind of springboard.\n\n\\\u003eYou splay your arms to the side, like you're giving the sky a giant hug.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you're rotating backwards in the air, in a backflip.\n\n\\\u003ePeter told you that this kind of backflip is typically referred to as a Jesus Flip.\n\n\\\u003eYou thought Verne would get a kick out of that name, considering what he always says when you ask him how he is.\n\n\\\u003eAs you come back down in the flip however, you don't bring your legs up like you would to complete the flip.\n\n\\\u003eIn fact it looks like you're about to land on your knees.\n\n\\\u003eWhich would be painful normally.\n\n\\\u003eBut not for you this time.\n\n\\\u003eYou come crashing down, driving your knees into the back of this big ass fucking cat boy.\n\n\\\u003eThe effect is immediate, his back arches backward, he screeches in pain.\n\n\\\u003eThe agony is a grating melody to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou step off him and he starts rolling and reaching for his back.\n\n\\\u003ePeter taught you this move to deal the finishing blow to larger opponents.\n\n\\\u003eHe said it's perfect for a game ender.\n\n\\\u003eYou thought it looked dangerous, to you and an opponent, but he assured you that at your build you would need to be able to jump into the air with the leg strength of a rabbit to cause any real damage.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, it's strictly for larger opponents, anyone your size or under will get hurt, so don't do it.\n\n\\\u003eHe also said that if you miss and hit concrete, it'll hurt like hell, but probably won't break anything.\n\n\\\u003eEmphasis on probably, so only use it when you know it'll connect.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar looks out of commission but he's still moving fine and you didn't feel anything give under you as you dropped like a 40k warhammer onto his back.\n\nLewis comes over, and doesn't even really inspect as he says \"Oh yeah, he's done. Anon wins, and Mirabelle's title is safe.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd goes ballistic, shouting in awe of the wild death drop you just wrecked Caesar with.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your hands up in victory, turning in circles like you would do after a successful title defense.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle walks right up to you, also looking very impressed and awestruck.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your hands down right on top of her shoulders and lean in to kiss her.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd whoops at your display but your monkey brain registers nothing but soft bun lips on yours.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull back.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why is it that when I kiss you, it's during a romantic moment that deserves it, but when you kiss me it's directly after a fight and in front of a huge crowd?\" she questions you as she raises an eyebrow.\n\n\\\u003e\"Uhh. Testosterone and adrenaline?\" you say, not entirely sure of your own answer. \"Sorry, I'll try to pick better times from now on.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I wasn't, really complaining or anything.\" she looks a bit embarrassed, but happy.\n\n\\\u003eYou step out of the center and back toward the edge where Mirabelle's seat is.\n\n\\\u003eA few people carry Caesar to the nurse's station.\n\n\\\u003eYou swear, because he tries to fight you constantly, he's spent more time over there than anyone else who's ever fought in the Circle.\n\n\\\u003e\"That was the fancy move you've been working on with Peter, right?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yep. It looked pretty cool right?\" you say full of pride.\n\n\\\u003e\"It looks like you'll shatter your kneecaps if you screw it up.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey hey, do not doubt the efficiency of the King's Guillotine. It so far has a one hundred percent accuracy rating.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"... The 'King's Guillotine'\"? she says.\n\n\\\u003eShe's got this \"really dude?\" look on her face.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, your brother said special moves should be named, so I did.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"It's a little edgy. Are you an edgelord?\" she asks, physically cringing away from you.\n\n\\\u003e\"No.\" you say quickly. \"I don't think so at least...Maybe just a tiny bit. Besides, Pete and Blake helped me think of it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You took advice from Blake? Okay, that explains it.\" she nods to herself.\n\n\\\u003eThe Circle ends a bit earlier because of the quickly encroaching evening of the later seasons.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eYou bid farewell to your friends who were thoroughly impressed with your fancy new move.\n\n\\\u003e\"Let's just hope you didn't blow your knees out or something doing it.\" Mikael says, apparently still holding on to the shoulder thing from months ago.\n\n\\\u003eYou offer Mirabelle a ride home and she accepts.\n\n\\\u003eShe climbs on your scooter and presses into your back, arms wrapped around you.\n\n\\\u003eOh, that's nice.\n\n\\\u003eYou take her home, since her place is a bit farther away you'll have to double around, and head back home.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eBut it's worth it for a few extra minutes of closeness.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull right up to her home and let her off.\n\n\\\u003e\"Thanks, as always.\" she tells you.\n\n\\\u003e\"No prob, as always.\" you say back.\n\n\\\u003eShe steps closer.\n\n\\\u003eYou lean down.\n\n\\\u003eYou know the game and you're gonna play it.\n\n\\\u003eYou kiss each other.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe it's the chill of the air, but it brings a sense of warmth and fulfillment.\n\n\\\u003eIt lasts longer than normal.\n\n\\\u003eAnd honestly, you don't want it to end.\n\n\\\u003eYou'd beseech gods, devils, and cryptic eldritch Old Ones for the ability to pause this moment in time and hold on to it for eons.\n\n\\\u003eBut unfortunately, there is no such blessing to be bestowed, as all things must come to an end.\n\n\\\u003eYou both break from the kiss and it leaves a sort of emptiness and longing within you already.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle smiles at you.\n\n\\\u003eHow many more times will that smile set your chest ablaze?\n\n\\\u003eHow many more times will you drown in the oceans of her eyes?\n\n\\\u003eIs \"infinite\" an acceptable answer?\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll see you tomorrow.\" she tells you after what felt like a sudden eternity.\n\n\\\u003e\"See ya.\" you manage to regain enough composure to say.\n\n\\\u003eShe walks to the walkway part of her gate and lets herself in.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch her as she goes, not content to take your eyes off her until she forcibly exits your vision.\n\n\\\u003eShe reaches her house and unlocks the door.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey!\" you shout.\n\n\\\u003eShe turns back to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"...I love you.\" you say loud enough for her to hear.\n\n\\\u003eShe smiles.\n\n\\\u003eYou never get tired of that smile.\n\n\\\u003e\"I love you too.\" she says right back.\n\n\\\u003eShe heads into her home.\n\n\\\u003eYou take off back toward your own.\n\n\\\u003eThat's just how it goes.\n\n\\\u003eWhat's gain without a little loss?\n\n\\\u003eWhat's joy without a moment of pain?\n\n\\\u003eSunshine is brighter after the rain.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel like Verne with his fucking poetry right now.\n\n\\\u003eYou may have lost your title.\n\n\\\u003eSomething you've retained for years.\n\n\\\u003eYou were defeated, not once but twice.\n\n\\\u003eYou lost your glory.\n\n\\\u003eBut you gained love.\n\n\\\u003eYou may not have been dating for extremely long.\n\n\\\u003eBut she loves you and you know you love her.\n\n\\\u003eThat's what matters right?\n\n\\\u003eYou may no longer directly be the King of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eBut Lewis was absolutely right.\n\n\\\u003eYou found your Queen.\n\n\\\u003eLife is good right now.\n\n\\\u003eLong live the King.\n\n\\\u003eAnd the Queen.\n\n  \n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDKWgJGqPhc\n\n  \n\n~The End\n\n  \n\n  \n\n  \n\n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\n\nAuthor's Notes:\n\n  \n\nSo we have arrived at the end. If you've managed to stomach my story long enough to reach this parting word, I thank you already. If you enjoyed I'd be glad, but if you didn't that's completely understandable.\n\nIt was my first attempt at anything like this, so I'm sure there are parts that aren't as good as they could be or don't flow very well. Maybe they're rushed, maybe they're too wordy. But after arriving on this scene and bearing witness to some truly awe inspiring stories, I felt like I wanted to contribute something, anything. So here we are.\n\nThe music was probably unnecessary, this is not a story that needs, or even deserves a kind of soundtrack. But I like to have something going on in the background when I read action, so I thought some music that had to do with fighting or had an exciting kind of flow would fit well.\n\nAs a new writer I seek your brutal honesty on how you felt about the story, so hold nothing back if you have any critiques.\n\nIf people say they enjoyed however, and would like more, I may have some ideas in mind for a continuation or two.\n\nGreentext format is kind of fun though. It's quite the interesting deviation from normal writing.\n\nAnyway. Thank you for stopping by, and I will see you on the horizon, my fellow degenerates."}