{"sf1_id":217955,"sf2_id":"XnrDwGre","title":"Venom: Beautiful Killers, Part 3","author":"Homo Habilis","words":2615,"posted_at":"2011-01-30T17:42:00.000Z","tags":["Dog","Feline","Porcupine","Story Progression","Wolf","dialogue"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/217955-venom-beautiful-killers-part-3","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/XnrDwGre","image_url":"https://www.sofurryfiles.com/std/thumb?page=217955\u0026ext=.jpg","description":"#3 of Venom: Beautiful Killers","content":"_Author's note:\u0026nbsp; This submission was originally designed to be a combination of parts three and four.\u0026nbsp; However, it's tough introducing new main characters, and I had a\u0026nbsp;lot of pacing problems.\u0026nbsp; It started to get boring.\u0026nbsp; Long story short, the combination sucked.\u0026nbsp; So, I divided part three in half.\u0026nbsp; The other half of part three is now in part four, which I will turn in a week from now.\u0026nbsp; In the meantime, enjoy._\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nVenom:\u0026nbsp; Beautiful Killers.\u0026nbsp; Part 3\n\n\"...you _were in the wrong place, not me.\"_\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe Shark Pit.\u0026nbsp; A Los Angeles institution that, for the last several years, has become\u0026nbsp;the quintessential hot spot to those in the know.\u0026nbsp; This once fledgling bar has now become a densely inhabited playground for customers looking to hook up and get noticed.\u0026nbsp; More than fifty domestic and foreign beers are sold here.\u0026nbsp; The hard liquor and raucous music keeps the regulars coming back nearly every night.\u0026nbsp; Smoking is even allowed, helping to increase the customer base.\u0026nbsp; It has five big-screen televisions that are almost always tuned in to some sporting event.\u0026nbsp; It has video poker, pool tables, and a couple of pinball machines.\u0026nbsp;\n\nThere is one thing that sets it apart from every other bar in the city.\u0026nbsp; No humans.\u0026nbsp; There are no humans in it tonight.\u0026nbsp; There were no humans in it yesterday, two days ago, three days ago, or for the last week.\u0026nbsp; The Shark Pit has not seen a human consumer\u0026nbsp;in quite a long time.\u0026nbsp; As a matter of fact, for as long as this establishment has been in existence, there have hardly been any humans inside, except for\u0026nbsp;those who handed this bar its liquor license.\u0026nbsp; The place is occupied, wall to wall, with beings of fur, scales, and a variety of tails.\u0026nbsp; The atmosphere is almost unbearably loud with music and conversation, but is relatively friendly.\u0026nbsp; Keeping the peace inside the bar seems like a tall order, especially since most of the clientele gets really emotional after having one drink too many.\n\nApparently, the proprietors of the Pit are doing something right.\u0026nbsp; Bruno is a bulldog with big ego and a short fuse.\u0026nbsp; He thinks himself to be God's gift to bartending and prides himself on a smart, sophisticated appearance.\u0026nbsp; Every night, he either wears a tuxedo or a valet uniform, complete with sequined vest.\u0026nbsp; His partner is Casey, a bloodhound.\u0026nbsp; He does not dress as formally, but he is no less important.\u0026nbsp; While Bruno keeps the business in good working condition, Casey chooses which drinks to order for the bar.\u0026nbsp; He keeps the place well stocked by taking inventory every day.\u0026nbsp; He also orders pretzels, beer nuts, and other tidbits demanded by his customer base.\n\nIt is nine o'clock.\u0026nbsp; The night is not so busy right now; they had opened just four hours ago.\u0026nbsp; Customers are slow in coming, but a crowd is quietly taking shape. There are, maybe, fifty anthros here now; an hour ago, there were only twenty.\u0026nbsp; The place is swarming with testosterone.\u0026nbsp; There do not seem to be any females in it right now.\u0026nbsp; Of course, it bears repeating that there are no humans in it.\u0026nbsp; As much as human males love to drink, shoot pool, watch sports, and act all macho, it is rather surprising that there are none such people in the bar.\u0026nbsp;\n\nFor as long as anyone can remember, only anthropomorphic beings have seen the inside of this place.\u0026nbsp; Maybe the atmosphere is intimidating.\u0026nbsp; Maybe the owners are not exactly friendly.\u0026nbsp; Whatever the reason, that is the reality.\u0026nbsp; Only the owners know the last time a human had stepped foot in the Pit.\u0026nbsp; They don't care, of course.\u0026nbsp; They never lack for customers.\n\nWinter enters to little fanfare.\u0026nbsp; She is one of the bar's most frequent visitors.\u0026nbsp; She has a usual seat, a usual drink, and a usual time of arrival--nine o'clock.\u0026nbsp; She has come in without Shiloh, who can be heard talking and laughing with an acquaintance, until the door closes.\u0026nbsp; Winter strolls slowly to the bar, feeling the effects of the argument she had just an hour ago.\u0026nbsp; She looks tired and reserved.\u0026nbsp; Once Bruno greets her, she waves half-heartedly and sits herself down on her usual stool.\n\nBruno looks healthy and extremely happy by comparison.\u0026nbsp; \"The usual, ma'am?\"\n\nShe tries to smile.\u0026nbsp; \"You know what I like.\"\n\n\"Your boyfriend with you?\u0026nbsp; I thought I heard his voice.\"\n\n\"He's outside catching up with friends.\u0026nbsp; He hasn't seen them in a while since he's been so busy.\u0026nbsp; Don't bother waiting to serve him.\u0026nbsp; He might be out there for a while.\"\n\n\"I'll get you your gin.\u0026nbsp; Just let me replace the peanuts first.\"\n\nAs he leaves, Casey shows up in front of her.\u0026nbsp; He is wearing a nice, new denim shirt, making him look cleaner than the scenery.\u0026nbsp; He places a shot glass in front of her.\u0026nbsp; \"Here you go.\"\n\n\"You got something bigger?\"\u0026nbsp; She takes a small pigeon egg out from her shirt pocket.\n\nThe bloodhound smiles and nods.\u0026nbsp; \"Right.\"\u0026nbsp; He replaces the shot glass with a martini glass.\u0026nbsp; \"I still think that's nasty.\u0026nbsp; You're going to ruin the drink with that.\"\n\n\"Please, no negativity.\u0026nbsp; I got enough of that from work today.\"\n\n\"Yeah, I didn't want to say anything, but you look...and smell like you've been accosted.\u0026nbsp; What the hell happened?\"\n\nWinter closes her eyes.\u0026nbsp; \"Could you do me a favor and smell me my gin?\"\n\nCasey shrugs.\u0026nbsp; \"Whatever you say.\"\u0026nbsp; As she watches him leave, she feels a jolt behind her.\u0026nbsp; She yelps and turns her head.\u0026nbsp; Someone has bumped into her.\u0026nbsp; She looks at the stranger angrily.\n\n\"Oh, I'm sorry,\" the porcupine says.\u0026nbsp; \"You okay?\"\u0026nbsp; She inspects Winter's back.\u0026nbsp; \"Oh good.\u0026nbsp; I didn't lose any quills.\"\u0026nbsp; She chuckles, then looks at Winter's tail.\u0026nbsp; \"Oops.\u0026nbsp; Spoke too soon.\"\u0026nbsp; The quill has skewered the base of the wolf's tail and is stuck into the bar stool.\u0026nbsp; The porcupine quickly removes it and puts it in the empty glass she is holding.\u0026nbsp; \"There.\u0026nbsp; No harm done.\"\n\nBefore Winter can say anything, the porcupine hears her name being called.\u0026nbsp; She waves at someone, then walks away, completely ignoring Winter's angry gaze.\n\nThe wolf swings her tail around and puts it on her lap, inspecting it for any further damage.\n\n\"Hey, I do that too.\"\n\nThe voice came from her right side.\u0026nbsp; She quickly turns to see a feline occupying the stool next to her.\u0026nbsp; The feline is short, with dusty-brown fur pockmarked with black spots.\u0026nbsp; She smiles at Winter as if she has just found her best friend.\u0026nbsp; \"I do that with my tail too,\" she repeats. \"Don't worry.\u0026nbsp; It's fine.\"\n\nShe looks at the feline for a few seconds before turning back to her empty glass.\u0026nbsp; \"That seat is reserved.\"\n\n\"Oh?\u0026nbsp; For whom?\"\n\n\"My boyfriend.\"\n\n\"Okay.\"\u0026nbsp; She sniffs.\u0026nbsp; \"If I may ask, what's his name?\"\n\n\"Shiloh.\"\u0026nbsp; Winter simply answered without hesitation.\u0026nbsp; (_Not\u0026nbsp;very smart._)\n\nThe feline stands up, dusts the seat with the sleeve of her white shirt, and looks at the stool carefully.\u0026nbsp; \"Nope.\u0026nbsp; Don't see 'Shiloh' on this stool.\"\u0026nbsp; She laughs.\u0026nbsp; \"I don't see the word 'boyfriend' on it either.\"\u0026nbsp; She sits back down.\u0026nbsp; \"I guess that means this is mine, huh?\"\n\nSuddenly, Casey's face appears out of nowhere.\u0026nbsp; It rises from the counter like the sun rises from the horizon. \u0026nbsp;It is now staring at the feline, startling her.\u0026nbsp; He clears his throat.\u0026nbsp; \"As long as Winter is sitting here, then her boyfriend sits there.\"\u0026nbsp; He points at the cat with a threatening tone.\n\n\"Hey, I can sit here if I want to.\u0026nbsp; You can't do anything about it, so you can get your finger out of my face now.\"\n\n\"I don't need fingers.\u0026nbsp; I could bitch-slap you with my ears.\"\u0026nbsp; The bloodhound bends down, then retrieves a shot glass and puts it in front of the feline.\u0026nbsp; \"Now order something, then get out of that seat.\"\n\nWhile Winter looks on, the spotted cat rolls her eyes.\u0026nbsp; Her smile disappears as she looks at the menu board above the collection of liquor bottles.\u0026nbsp; \"Fine, I'll have a scotch and soda.\"\n\n\"That's better.\"\u0026nbsp; While he goes to carry out the order, Bruno appears with a bottle of gin.\u0026nbsp; He pours some into Winter's glass, then smiles at the wolf.\u0026nbsp; \"You know what I like about you?\u0026nbsp; You always pay on time.\u0026nbsp; Now, Shiloh, on the other hand--\"\n\n\"Don't worry.\u0026nbsp; We just got paid.\u0026nbsp; He can afford the tab now.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\nLaughing, Bruno leaves to serve other customers.\u0026nbsp; Winter picks up the glass of gin and holds it to her nose.\u0026nbsp; Satisfied by what she smells, she puts it down and cracks the pigeon egg.\u0026nbsp; The feline looks on confusedly as the wolf empties the egg into the gin. \u0026nbsp;The yolk drops inside and floats in the drink.\u0026nbsp; Winter picks up the concoction and puts it to her face.\n\nThe feline chuckles as she sees Winter stick her tongue into the drink, breaking the yolk.\u0026nbsp; She gathers the taste in her mouth and smiles.\u0026nbsp; \"It's been a while,\" she says to herself.\n\nThe feline laughs.\u0026nbsp; \"Listen, if you wanted an egg in your drink, why don't you just order a royal fizz?\"\n\nHer enjoyment ruined, Winter sighs and puts down her glass.\u0026nbsp; \"I don't know what that is, but it sounds like it has too many ingredients.\u0026nbsp; I just want to taste the egg and the gin together.\u0026nbsp; I don't know much about alcohol, but I love eggs.\"\n\nCasey returns, putting the feline's order in front of her.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Well, there's your scotch and soda.\"\u0026nbsp; Winter picks up her glass and smiles again.\u0026nbsp; \"Just hurry before Shiloh gets here.\"\n\nThe spotted cat runs her right hand through her blond hair as she picks up her drink.\u0026nbsp; \"Well, I see that I can't win today.\u0026nbsp; Your boyfriend must really be something.\u0026nbsp; I have never been told to leave by so many people.\"\n\n\"Well, he _is_ kind of a star around here.\"\n\n\"That's too bad, 'cuz I really wanted to talk to you.\"\n\nWinter wriggles her nose as she takes a sip.\u0026nbsp; \"I don't know you, and I don't feel like talking to you.\"\n\n\"I don't know you either, but...I've seen what you did.\"\n\nUnimpressed, Winter stirs the drink with the index finger of her free hand.\u0026nbsp; \"Really?\u0026nbsp; What did I do?\"\u0026nbsp; She starts to drink.\n\n\"I know you killed someone.\"\u0026nbsp; The feline smiles as she watches the wolf choke down her drink.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm sure that's worth me staying here for a couple more minutes.\u0026nbsp; Don't you think so?\"\n\nWinter swallows a couple of times, trying to get her drink down.\u0026nbsp; She gathers herself before turning to her unwanted guest, who looks like she has the upper hand.\u0026nbsp; \"What are you talking about?!\"\n\n\"I saw you kill someone.\u0026nbsp; Before you try to deny it, let me explain.\u0026nbsp; I don't really have a house; I can't afford one.\u0026nbsp; I do odd jobs so that I can afford to live in a motel.\u0026nbsp; I now work in a food pantry.\u0026nbsp; It's menial, but it keeps me out of trouble.\u0026nbsp; Anyway, three days ago, I was taking out the trash like I do every other day.\u0026nbsp; I had reached the dumpster a few feet away when I noticed you.\u0026nbsp; There aren't many wolves around that area, and virtually no white ones like you.\u0026nbsp; I mean, the area I work isn't very pure or healthy.\u0026nbsp; So when you see a specimen as fine as you are...um....\"\u0026nbsp; She turns away, probably blushing.\u0026nbsp; \"Please don't read too much into that, okay?\u0026nbsp; I mean, you were hanging around the curb like you were lost.\u0026nbsp; After I tossed the garbage in the dumpster, I was going to approach you and see if you needed directions.\u0026nbsp; It's something I do since a lot of people get lost around there.\u0026nbsp; You know what I mean?\"\n\nWinter had been staring at the feline as if in a trance.\u0026nbsp; After knowing that she had been discovered while doing her job, she just sat there looking at the meddlesome guest.\u0026nbsp; She probably was not listening to anything else after the feline confessed.\n\n\"Are you okay?\"\u0026nbsp; The feline snaps her fingers, causing Winter to vigorously shake her head.\u0026nbsp; \"Look, I'm sorry.\u0026nbsp; I....\"\u0026nbsp; She sighs as she sees the wolf's angry face.\u0026nbsp; \"Let's be friends, okay?\u0026nbsp; I should introduce myself before I go on.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; My name is--\"\n\nBruno shows up, causing Winter to shake off the shock.\u0026nbsp; \"May I freshen anyone's drink?\"\u0026nbsp; The wolf holds up her glass and gets a refill of gin before leaving.\n\n\"That was close. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;I don't want him to hear me.\"\n\nWinter quickly knocks back her drink.\u0026nbsp; \"What...sort of creature are you?\"\n\n\"I'm an ocelot.\u0026nbsp; Couldn't you tell?\"\u0026nbsp; She takes a sip of her scotch.\u0026nbsp; \"My name is Tivoli.\u0026nbsp; I moved into LA a month ago.\u0026nbsp; I don't know anyone, except those I work with, and I wouldn't exactly call them friends.\u0026nbsp; They're just a crutch to help me get used to the city before I blow them off for something better.\u0026nbsp; Speaking of friends, I really hope to become one of yours.\"\n\nStill wary, Winter puts down her drink, looking at the ocelot the whole time.\u0026nbsp; \"Not interested.\"\n\nTivoli shrugs.\u0026nbsp; \"Okay, but I saw you kill someone.\u0026nbsp; With that bit of info, I could _make_ you be my friend.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Heaven knows I need one.\"\n\nIt seems the wolf is becoming nervous.\u0026nbsp; She taps her left foot on the floor.\u0026nbsp; \"So, what do you want?\"\n\n\"Hear me out, please.\u0026nbsp; The guy you killed...he was just some homeless loser I pass whenever I take the trash out.\u0026nbsp; Three days ago, I'm doing my job, then I see you standing there.\u0026nbsp; After I dump the trash, I walk back, suddenly I see you pump three into the poor man's chest.\u0026nbsp; I hid behind the dumpster until you left, then I went to check on the poor guy.\u0026nbsp; I made the mistake of touching him to see if he was still alive.\u0026nbsp; I left footprints in the blood.\u0026nbsp; Before I knew it, I had evidence all over me.\u0026nbsp; I took my shoes off, threw them in the dumpster, and ran back to my workplace.\u0026nbsp; I got scared that I would get caught and blamed.\"\n\n\"I was careful.\"\u0026nbsp; Winter is talking more to herself than to Tivoli.\u0026nbsp; \"I used a silencer, so nobody heard.\u0026nbsp; I made doubly sure I wasn't followed.\u0026nbsp; I don't understand how I was seen.\"\n\n\"I was there.\u0026nbsp; That's all.\u0026nbsp; No further explanation is needed.\u0026nbsp; It's something you can't analyze.\u0026nbsp; I take out the garbage like I'm supposed to, so _you_ were in the wrong place, not me.\"\n\nWinter shakes her head.\u0026nbsp; \"This isn't happening.\"\n\n\"I won't tell anyone, if that's what you're worried about.\"\u0026nbsp; She finishes her scotch.\u0026nbsp; \"Well...I've finished my drink, so your rock star boyfriend shouldn't be too offended now.\u0026nbsp; I'll just--\"\n\n\"Wait a minute.\"\u0026nbsp; Winter stands.\u0026nbsp; \"Can we talk away from the bar?\"\n\nTivoli beams brightly.\u0026nbsp; \"Like in the restroom?\"\n\n\"Sure.\"\u0026nbsp; She walks and the ocelot follows.\u0026nbsp; They leave the bar quickly; Winter shows her anxiety with a fast gait and clenched fists.\u0026nbsp; Her walk is almost uncontrollably fast.\u0026nbsp; She almost bumps into two patrons as she leads Tivoli into the ladies' room.\u0026nbsp; With the shortage of females in the area, privacy should not be an issue.\n\nThey run into the female porcupine as she leaves the restroom.\u0026nbsp; Sure enough, once they enter, they are totally alone.\u0026nbsp; Winter checks under every stall, just to make sure.\u0026nbsp; Tivoli looks around her.\u0026nbsp; Everything is bright and white.\u0026nbsp; The tiles shimmer brilliantly.\u0026nbsp; There aren't even any streaks on the mirrors.\u0026nbsp; She looks down at the sink in front of her, totally unaware of the angry wolf creeping up behind her.\u0026nbsp; She chuckles.\u0026nbsp; \"Now _this_ is a water closet.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Venom:  Beautiful Killers","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/215352-venom-beautiful-killers-part-2.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/220227-venom-beautiful-killers-part-4.json"}}