Happiest Place on Fur (Chapter 11-20)
[Greentext] Anon has a job with the biggest exporter of dreams-come-true on the planet, but never in his wildest fantasies would he imagine finding anthros underneath the costumes.
[[CHAPTER 11: For Those About to Rox]]
>You never thought you'd be so happy to be back at work
>Rox can probably say the same thing
>The wolfess is more animated in the costume than you have ever seen before
>It's an infectious kind of mood
>You can't help but smile knowing the Rox in the Whirly Barf suit is smiling right back
>It's one thing to be pardoned from any trouble you've gotten into, but Rox seemed incredibly happy with the whole “mascot initiative" thing Sherry-K mentioned
>Whatever it is, you can't wait to hear about it
>Rox dances with everyone, you included
>She hugs and pats everyone, and you too
>She shows more attention to the guests than she ever has, but she somehow manages to match the same level of attention for you as well
>It's hard to keep up with her energy
>When break time comes you are eager to hit the chill room
>Rox is panting heavily when she takes off the mask
>But she's panting with a wide, stupid grin on her face
>"Hah...hah...whew. Gonna sleep good tonight, I can tell you that."
>She leans into you, bearing her weight down
>"You're gonna to have to carry me to bed later."
>Not if this keeps up
>The break is interrupted by the chirping of your radio
>You completely forgot you even had this thing on you
>Rarely do you ever need to use it to report an issue with a guest
>And coordinators aren't typically allowed to page you when they think you're out with your mascot partner
>Likely done to remove as much of the reality of park operations from the guests' eyes as possible
>People want to see their favorite characters dance and play as though they actually live here, not shackled to instructions or paraded around on leashes
>You answer your radio
>It's Sherry-K
>"Anon, I'm going to need you to change into your casual clothes and take Roksa over to Starlight Summit as soon as you can. The two of you will be doing a ride-along."
>You and Rox exchange shocked looks
>Mascot ride-alongs are rarely done, despite what promotional material for the park would have you believe
>It's just not feasible to have characters constantly hopping into the attractions along with the guests, especially during the busy months
>Only on rare occasions does this happen anymore, and it's usually when the company shoots new advertising videos
>Or some big-name celebrity pays extra to have the character follow them around all day
>Neither you nor Rox has ever gotten the opportunity before
>But needing you to be in your regular clothes?
>You suppose it's once again part of the illusion
>If you're really going to be in a video, they wouldn't want everyone to know you're a handler
>And if they want you to act like you're a guest, hopefully you can really sell it
>"What kind of game is she playing now?" Rox groans
>It can't be bad, whatever it is
>She wouldn't jeopardize the park to play some kind of trick on you
>Though after last night, you're not really sure what she's capable of anymore
>You change out of your uniform as Rox waits outside of the locker rooms, still in the Whirly Barf
>She nudges you as you head toward the Starlight Summit backstage area
>"Seen any weird looking dicks yet?" she laughs
>As tempting as it is to satisfy your curiosity, you make it a habit not to stare at anthros' junk when you're changing
>Especially since their eyes are usually on YOU the whole time
>You and Rox exit the anthro side of the employee tunnels and end up in the “human" areas
>Soon you're within the inner workings of Starlight Summit
>It's here you run into one of the park cameramen affixing a video recorder to the front of a ride cart stored off to the side of the tracks
>"I guess we're, uh, going to be shooting you on a few rides today?" he says
>Looks like you were right
>The guy probably doesn't even know who told him to come do this
>He's so close to an anthro, yet he's completely oblivious to her
>A week ago you might have envied his naivety
>Not anymore
>The three of you cut to the front of the queue as the recorder-mounted cart joins the others back at the station
>There's a line of guests looking at Rox with amusement
>Rox gives several high fives and ruffles a few heads of hair
>The ones who get to squeeze into the spaceship cart with her look elated
>Even though the two of you have to sit in the back, the whole cart is thrilled to have a character ride with them
>It's pretty heartwarming to see the Whimsey magic when it can actually put some smiles on faces
>Rather than frowns from long lines or exorbitant food prices
>The cameraman takes a few regular snapshots of the riders just before the brakes are disengaged
>Rox puts her arm around you as the cart slowly rolls out of the station
>"Buckle up," she whispers just loud enough for only you to hear
>You've been on Starlight Summit dozens of times before, but this is the one you know you'll enjoy the most
>Rox pantomimes exaggerated emotions as the cart shoots through a dark, starlit room
>She shows comical fear when the ride starts and waves her paws around wildly as the speed picks up
>She smothers you with her body for “protection"
>Every time one of the guests sneaks a peek at the two of you, they laugh at the performance
>Halfway through you join the shenanigans as well
>The two of you know the ride photo captures by heart
>You make a humorous face right as the light flashes
>Rox runs the character's sloppy tongue over your head at the same time
>The ride is over before you know it
>You're trying to figure out a way to make them send you two through again
>Maybe you can suggest the footage wasn't as good as it could have been?
>But Rox hoists you out of the cart and back onto the station before you get the chance
>She's committed to her role, and she doesn't want to take any risks today
>The other riders look pleased with the photos
>Each one picks up a few souvenirs thanks to you and Rox making the trip hilarious
>At least you don't have to worry about these photos getting into the wrong hands
>Rox has you grappled under her arm as you head backstage
>Then the radio chirps again
>"Anon, take Roksa to Tilt-A-Whirly next."
>Another ride-along?
>Well, anything to spend more time with Rox
>The guests are even more excited to see her than the last crowd, seeing as this ride is themed after Whirly Barf himself
>Having a character ride his own ride is the perfect setup
>Like before, a cameraman is getting everything ready for you
>As the names suggests, it's a spinning, tipping thrill ride for a whole disk full of people
>Not one of Rox's favorites, but she plays up the motion sickness for laughs
>Even her staggering after getting off is overdone
>Though not by much
>You have to corral her into a straight line to keep her from wiping out into a flower garden
>She stops to greet some guests before you move on to the next attraction
>Rumble Rolloff
>Ratty ol' Mansion
>Wizz Parsec's Blaster Journey
>You end up doing a half-dozen different attractions, taking you well into the evening
>You're exhausted when you come off of each one, but you get a second wind whenever the radio goes off again
>"Alright, last one," Sherry-K says. “End of the Ley Line"
>It'll be a nice one to finish on
>You and Rox head over, and that's when you realize something
>Ley Line is a two-rider attraction
>Why would the tigress send you both to a ride where no guests can join you?
>The carts are even spaced so far apart it's not like anyone will be able to see the two of you ahead or behind
>The ride attendant seems to think the same thing
>But she's not paid to question what the coordinators tell her
>As your cart rolls along, Rox gets clingy again
>It's a serene ride through fairy forests and spellbinding streets
>Complete eye candy with no harsh twists or turns
>There's not even a photo op
>You notice the cart doesn't have a video recorder on it either
>You and Rox are essentially all alone
>Back when you had no clue what she was underneath it all, you sort of imagined her as a living costume
>Just a dead-eyed Whirly Barf with a muffled female voice coming out of it
>But now, everything's different
>The padded bulk of the costume doesn't exist anymore
>Her sheer force of presence breaks through any disguise
>You can FEEL the wolfess inside
>You can feel the grip of her strong arm around you
>You can look past the mask to see her golden eyes and playful smirk
>You can imagine her sitting beside you as though she were entirely...nude
>In your mind's eye, it's the same wolfess you fall asleep at night with
>It may be the closest you will ever get to riding along with Rox in the daytime
>That's not going to stop her from savoring this moment with you
>It never has
>"This is easily the best day of work I've ever had," she sighs
>Agreed
>Still, you can't help but lament how it could have been even better
>Riding next to Rox with the same joy and satisfaction as she showed today, but not having her stuck inside a costume
>When you tell her this, her paw pats you on the chest
>"I...well...I don't want to get your hopes up or anything, but...."
>She goes silent for a while
>"We'll talk about it with Chee later, alright?"
>Is it the “mascot initiative" thing?
>Now you want nothing more than to get off of work
>The end of your shift waits for you at the end of the ride
>Sherry-K didn't technically call the two of you to meet her again, but it feels necessary
>When you reach her office you see several videos playing on a computer monitor
>All the videos from your rides today
>Except for the final one, of course
>Sherry-K regards you with the same stalwart professionalism you've always gotten from her
>"I hope today's change of plans didn't inconvenience either of you too much."
>"Hell no," Rox says. “Riding around on the job? That was a perfect shift!"
>"Yes, well," the tigress says, clearing her throat, “I wouldn't expect it too often. Today was a very spur-of-the-moment circumstance."
>Rox has a sly look on her face
>"Aww, don't bullshit us, Sher. You did this as a treat for us, didn't you?"
>Sherry-K is back to her no-nonsense demeanor
>"I suppose you'd be right to an extent. I did this for the sake of you both, but for different reasons than you think. If we are going to nominate you for the mascot initiative, Roksa, then we are going to need 'audition tapes' of sorts."
>The tigress turns to you
>"And for Anon, not only will this help Roksa by showing you are her most qualified handler, but this will also be a good opportunity to make a case for why you should be allowed into our society outside of the park. You've shown remarkable acclimation to our ways."
>"C'mon Sher, you didn't at all do this because we're friends now?" Rox says
>"Our talk today only reinforced a decision I've come to for a while now. It's as I said: you are one of our most promising performers. I was fully intending on gathering the proof eventually."
>"Yeah? And what proof did you get from that last ride? The one with no cameras?"
>Looks like Rox picked up on that, too
>"O-oh? Odd, I clearly instructed the cameraman to meet you there. No matter. Looks like we got enough footage, and you got a free ride out of it."
>Rox rolls her eyes as the tigress straightens her collar
>"Whatever, Sher. You decide if you're coming with us to the bar tomorrow?"
>The tigress' brow furrows
>"I said I will consider it."
>"Well if you're waiting for a formal invitation, this is it," Rox scoffs. “We'd like you to come, but I'm not going to twist your arm."
>"Fine," Sherry-K replies, perhaps a little too eagerly. “If that will make you happy."
>"Hey, I'm not the one working six days a week. You need to relax a bit, girl. I want to see that pinstripe shirt come off you sometime."
>Sherry-K coughs uncomfortably
>"We'll get you a few drinks. It'll be on us," the wolfess says
>By that she probably means it'll be on Chee again...
>Sherry-K inhales deeply
>"Your shift is over for the day. You both did a good job. I hope to see this level of performance again."
>"Yeah, alright. We'll see you tomorrow, Sher."
>Sherry-K very obviously scribbles gibberish onto her clipboard as you and Rox head out
>Evident from the fact that she doesn't even have paper clipped to it
>"Remind me to bring some pliers tomorrow," Rox mutters to you as you walk to her car. “We'll get that stick out of her ass one way or another."
>She stifles a chuckle
>"Unless she's into that sort of thing, am I right?"
>Rox punches you on the shoulder
>"Nah, we'll get her some tail eventually. Someone's a little higher on the list, though...."
>Rox's rubs the spot where she hit you with her paw
>Her warm, golden eyes quicken your heartbeat
>She draws in a breath, and leans forward
>"But maybe another night. I'm bushed. Carry me?"
>She yawns and drapes herself over your back
>Dragging her heels the whole way to the parking lot
>Now she's just being a damn tease
>And teases don't get their ears scratched
>"Fine. If you're so broken up about it, I guess we can settle for cuddles. That a good compromise?"
>Those ARE pretty nice...
>"And a few scratches on the chin."
>Now she's pushing her luck
>"I'll talk you into it. Race you there!"
>Rox leans back and picks you off the ground
>She carries you like this the rest of the way to the car
[[CHAPTER 12: Rox the Boat]]
>It's amazing that Rox manages to drive home practically half asleep
>The motivation of a warm bed is all that's keeping her awake at this point
>Today took a lot out of her
>Once she parks the car, it's back to leaning on your back
>This time, it really feels like she needs you for balance
>"Nggaahh..." Rox moans. “You're going to have to cram dinner down my throat."
>She snickers in your ear
>You're alone in the effort to get the two of you into the apartment
>At least until Rox leans against you to push the door open
>Chee immediately leaps from the couch
>"There you are!" she squeals. “I've been waiting ages!"
>"You couldn't have gotten here any faster than a few minutes ahead of us, Chee," Rox says
>"It felt like ages..." the bird pouts
>"Why the rush, anyway?" Rox says. “You're never this eager to leave work."
>"Well, you said you were going to tell us about that 'mascot initiative' thing. You sounded so happy! I couldn't wait to hear about it!"
>"You're going to have to anyway," Rox mumbles. “I'm wiped out. I'll tell you guys about it tomorrow."
>"No! Roxie, you said you would! I won't be able to sleep if you make me wait!"
>"Yeah, and I won't be able to do anything BUT sleep right now."
>Chee hops up and down, looking to you for reinforcement
>After all, you're carrying Rox
>The wolfess is not going anywhere unless you take her there
>No bed for her until she keeps her word
>"Traitor," Rox mutters to you. “Fine, I'll give you a teaser. I probably shouldn't even be talking much about this yet. It's not a guaranteed thing."
>You deposit the wolfess onto the couch heavily
>Chee takes her position right next to her roommate
>Rox yawns to stall for time, but there's only so long she can hold off the bird's excitement
>"So...like I said to Sher last week, I 'overheard' a bit of inside baseball about the company's plans to get humans integrated with us."
>"How did you—?"
>Rox cuts the bird off
>"You want the important parts or not?"
>"Sorry...."
>Knowing Rox, she was probably getting chewed out by Sherry-K and happened to be in the right spot
>"Anyway," Rox continues, “it sounded like they were still tossing around ideas, but one of the major ones was the 'mascot initiative". Now that we already have Anon with us as a test subject, it looks like they're going to go ahead with the next step."
>Chee opens her beak to interrupt again, but is glared down by Rox
>"SO, what it is...is that some of us will get to go and perform for the humans... WITHOUT costumes."
>Chee practically sucks all the air out of the room with her gasp
>Luckily there's enough left for you, because the news catches you off guard as well
>The oriole sputters for words while the wolfess waits for her to calm down
>"It's not going to be that easy, obviously. We're still going to have to be 'dressed up' and act like we're just humans wearing some skin-tight, high quality costumes. We're also probably getting shoved out of reach of humans at first; like, we'd get put into an attraction and pretend that we're animatronics or something."
>Rox shrugs
>"I don't know how they're going to handle it, but the plan is to get humans used to the idea of having our kind around and gradually implant the idea that, 'Hey, wouldn't it be cool if these creatures actually exist?'"
>Well, there are probably more than a few out there who would love the idea right off the bat
>Though you'd understand why the Whimsey Corporation wouldn't want to rush things and create panic among those who aren't ready for anthros yet
>Chee finally manages to slip a question in
>"But...what character would you be then?"
>Rox laughs uneasily
>"That's another hard part. There isn't exactly a 'Rox the Wolf' character. Not yet, anyway. Whimsey's going to have to roll out a new line of characters just for this occasion. That's why they need the best of the best for performers: it's a massive investment for them. They're not going to have an easy time finding a replacement for me if I fuck things up or don't show up for work."
>Chee isn't looking at the potential negatives
>"EEEE! My Roxie's going to be famous!"
>She hugs the wolfess tightly
>"I'm going to buy ALL your merchandise! I'll be your biggest fan!"
>"Easy, Chee. It's going to be weeks or even MONTHS before they start making changes like this. And like I said, nothing's guaranteed yet. I still have to be accepted first, and...."
>Rox sighs
>"Sher's right. I have a pretty crappy record working against me. Why would they pick me when there are others who are just as hard of workers and DON'T have a huge stack of reprimands?"
>"That's not true!" Chee cries
>"C'mon, Chee. Yeah it is. Sher's got a shelf in her office just for me, and—“
>"No, I mean the other part! You're the hardest working person I know when you want to be, and even Sherry-K knows it! Anon knows it, too!"
>Well, if Rox can keep up the same level of intensity she showed today, then there's really no doubt she's fit for the position
>Rox puts an arm around Chee
>Then you as well
>"Thanks, Chee. Thank you both. I'm going to need all the support I can get if I'm going to make it. Probably going to have to start kissing a lot of ass, too...."
>She shakes her head with a smirk
>"I bet Sher's going to enjoy that, especially since she's the one who's going to help get us that talk with Whimsey Jr."
>Chee should probably be more concerned about that than she's showing
>But of course she's looking forward to meeting one of her biggest idols
>Rox stares off in contemplation
>"I'll have a much better chance of getting the job if I meet with him. Show him who I am and what I can really do, ya know? But..."
>Rox turns to you with a look of joy
>She gives you a squeeze
>"Really that's just an afterthought compared to getting him to meet YOU. Anon, you're way more important than I am right now. We need you to help bridge the gap between our worlds."
>There's a drop of dew in her eye
>"And if I had to give up this opportunity—if I had to give up my whole JOB—just to make sure you get the freedom you deserve back...you can be damn sure I'd do it in a heartbeat. I...."
>It's just now that Rox remembers Chee's siting right there
>"I think it's time for bed," the wolfess says
>"Whaaat? Aww...."
>"I told you I'm tired. Besides, we'll get more info straight from the tiger's mouth tomorrow. That is, IF she actually shows up."
>Chee looks hopeful
>"I bet she will! She's changed!"
>Rox grins devilishly
>"A bet? You want to make that an official wager? Say, for drinks?"
>"N-no way! You got us in a lot of trouble the last time I made a bet with you!"
>"But didn't we make a great new friend because of it?"
>Rox shakes you playfully in front of Chee
>"Well...yeah...Anon IS a great friend...."
>You get sandwiched in between bird and wolfess
>The affection you get from both of them is genuine and abundant
>Truthfully, you can't imagine a better duo to get roped into a situation like this with
>"Hey," Chee pipes, “if Sherry-K DOES show up, maybe we can invite her back for a movie night?"
>"Let's...take things one step at a time, Chee."
>With Chee's curiosity satisfied for now, everyone gets ready for bed
>Rox reaches up to you from her seat on the couch
>"Little help?"
>You probably wouldn't be able to life her up if she didn't actually try to stand herself
>You get her off the couch and onto your back once again
>She keeps yawning as you trudge to the bedroom
>"Thanks, buddy."
>With no small feat, you manage to deposit Rox onto the bed
>She flops onto it with the grace of a pile of...
>...Well, rocks
>The wolfess makes all sorts of sleepy noises as you join her
>She stretches for the lights, but freezes
>"Ah, damn. Left my nightshirt on the other side of the room."
>Oh, brother...
>When you try to stand to get it for her, you're yanked right back down
>"Don't worry about it. We're both too tired to go after it."
>That girl is something else
>After a moment of silence, Rox speaks up again
>"Actually, do you mind if I take yours for the night?"
>The request surprises you a bit
>You've already had a few intimate moments with Rox, but wearing each other's clothes seems to solidify the relationship in a way
>It might not fight her too well, but whatever
>"Thanks."
>She yanks it off your body, leaving your torso bare
>"Goodnight," Rox yawns one final time
>She kicks the lights off and you hear the ruffling of her own shirt coming off
>Oddly, you never hear the subsequent ruffling of your shirt going onto her
>The wolfess pulls you into her chest as the little spoon
>Her silky fury coat feels amazing on your back
>But you also feel something else
>Two points of flesh
>Her...nipples?
>Rox never intended on wearing your shirt
>The skin of her chest presses even more into your back as she swells with a deep inhale
>"Anon," she says dreamily
>Her breathing is slow, and she's on the verge of drifting off to sleep at any moment
>"Anon...."
>You answer her, but it's a while before she responds
>"There's something I need to get off my chest."
>She hums weakly at the joke as she pulls you in even tighter
>"You HAVE been a great friend, but it doesn't stop there. It's not enough to stop there."
>More deep, slow breathing
>You wonder if she's a little delirious from fatigue
>Yet at the same time, there's sincerity in her voice
>"Anon...."
>More breathing
>Followed by a sharp sniff
>"I...I love you, Anon."
>As her heartbeat begins to slow, yours only gets faster
>Love
>That does more than solidify your relationship
>It sets the foundation for another whole level
>"Love you..." she repeats a little softer
>Her paw strokes your head as she clings to you
>She draws her knees up, forcing your legs to curl closer to your body
>No longer is this for warmth, or even fondness
>She wants to be inside you
>She wants you to be a part of her
>"I hope...you can...say the same."
>And those are her final words before sleep overcomes her
>She can't hold it off any longer and join you in the realm of the conscious as you're overwhelmed by countless thoughts
>Will she feel the same way when she wakes up?
>Will the other anthros be tolerant of this, or will it be one more secret you'll have to keep?
>What does this mean for the future?
>Rox must sense your worries, even in her slumber
>She nuzzles you protectively
>Passionately
>Caringly
>Endlessly
>Her paws knead your skin and her breaths blow gentle air over you
>No, this isn't just some admission mistakenly made in a stupor
>If anything she's more uninhibited now than she's ever been
>Maybe it was the closeness you shared today
>Maybe it was everything you did for her to save her job
>She could have been holding this in for days, or weeks
>Or was it even love at first sight?
>You've only seen the true Rox for mere days now, but it feels like you've known her forever, inside and out
>You can't deny you have requited feelings for the wolfess on multiple levels
>Yes, even lustful ones at times
>But this was the best possible timing for her to confess her love to you, without base or carnal desires getting in the way
>Well, besides her “working out" her sentiments for you
>Her beautiful fur brushes against you
>Her golden eyes continue to radiate even while closed
>You can feel her athletic, toned form as she caresses you snugly
>You can count every heartbeat from her chest
>Even the warm flesh of her nipples against your back becomes less erotic, and more of a physical connection to her very being
>Thinking of a more peaceful end to the day is near impossible
>Though you give a muted chuckle at the thought of poor Chee walking into the room to wake up Rox tomorrow morning
>And seeing more of Rox than she probably ever has before
>Hopefully you can get your shirt on her before that can happen
>Although you're mostly locked in place by the wolfess' tender hold, you can still turn your head enough to give her a kiss on the muzzle
>Without looking, you can feel her lips curl into a subtle look of contentment
>Goodnight, Rox
[[CHAPTER 13: Rox, Paper, Scissors]]
>You can hear Chee moving around in her usual chipper, morning way
>Oh shit
>Rox
>You turn to look at the stirring wolfess
>And then reflexively turn away
>She's still half naked
>Before you can say anything she pulls you back into her chest
>"I don't know about you, but I had the best sleep in ages!"
>She's deliberately rubbing herself against you
>Your ear is engulfed by her muzzle as she gives it a few frisky bites
>It's a moral conflict whether to let her do her thing, or remind her about turning over a new leaf for work
>You sort of split the difference
>You let her continue her antics while pointing out the time
>"Did you forget our Chee-ry little alarm clock?" Rox says as she nips at your neck
>That's actually the problem here
>The poor girl's going to have quite the sight if she walks in with the two of you like this
>Rox sighs and wipes the wetness from your face and neck
>"Yeah, I hear ya. Don't want to scare her with the puppies hanging out."
>You hear her throw your shirt on
>Then it's right back to hugging you
>You're not making a lot of progress here...
>You can see her snout in the corner of your eye as the wolfess rests her head on your shoulder
>"Hey," Rox says, suddenly more reserved, “about last night...."
>There's a moment of worry within you
>Is she going to regret what happened?
>Play it off as a joke?
>"I know I was pretty far gone by the end of it, but I hope I got through to you."
>Her paws brush over your bare skin as her arms interlock over your chest
>"I really meant it. All of it. I gotta hide from you way too much during the day. I don't want to have to do that when we're together like this."
>She squeezes you so firmly her claws are almost uncomfortably digging into you
>"I guess I never actually asked if you're into wolf girls in the first place. I mean you didn't seem to mind the kisses and everything...."
>She chuckles apologetically
>"But I just wanted to check. You know, before things get messy. And let's be honest: you're kind of a weird human to be into someone like me."
>Rox seems to love putting you in tight positions you can't wiggle out of easily
>Though she always leaves you just enough room to give her some reassurance
>Like raising a hand to touch her muzzle fondly
>The wolfess nuzzles your cheek with hers
>"I promise you, Anon, you're safe with me. No matter what we have to go through from here on out...if you want me in your life, you'll have me for life."
>Her soft, pointed ears flick over your face as she continues rubbing her head all over you
>"Don't tell Chee, but I already HAVE my biggest fan. Right?"
>Right
>"Roxie? Are you up yet?"
>"Yes, mom..." Rox groans
>At least she's dressed
>You weren't expecting Rox to perform with the same amount of drive as she did yesterday
>However, she still puts in a surprising amount of vigor
>You can see the ambition in her eyes, even when fully masked
>There's a lot she wants to prove to a lot of different people
>You can tell you're included as one of them
>What exactly she wants to prove to you, though, is unclear
>She already has your love and companionship
>She already has your forgiveness (at least until her next screw-up)
>Maybe this is the new Rox?
>Her improved work ethic can only be a plus for the both of you
>And yet, you hope she won't lose any of that spunky personality along the way
>It might be selfish, but a part of you would rather see Rox happy as she is rather than beat herself up over a possible new opportunity
>Fortunately, it looks like she hasn't lost that spirit yet
>At least until the shift comes to a close
>It's been a long day of signing autographs and dancing around the park
>When the last of the meet-and-greet line vanishes, so does her energy
>"I really, really, REALLY need a drink tonight," she says
>Déjà vu
>Now all that's left is to be dragged into the women's locker room
>"Nah, I won't make you do that again," Rox reassures you. “I only did it because we were working so late I just KNEW the place was going to be empty. But tonight, we're not staying a minute past the hour."
>Well, there goes that improved work ethic
>"Besides...."
>She gives you one of her affectionate headlocks
>"Not gonna let any other girls try and make a move on you," she growls playfully. “You're MY Anon. Mine!"
>If she hugged you any harder you'd be in the suit with her
>You're actually getting worried she might carry you into the locker room with her after all with how long she hangs on to you
>Back at the Booze Cruise
>The usual crowd is here, giving you the usual wary glances
>Though they seem to go back to their business faster than usual
>Guess the novelty of having a human among them is wearing off
>Down below on the lower level are the rest of the humans, completely unaware of the anthros who sit behind the one-way window above them
>Their lives seem so dull now compared to yours
>You'd never be able to live among them again after everything you've experienced
>Chee arrives around the same time as you and Rox, and the three of you grab a table with an extra chair
>Just in case
>"Last chance, Chee," Rox says. “How confident are you that Sher is going to show up?"
>The oriole squirms in her seat
>"I believe in Sherry-K, but...."
>"But....?"
>"I don't want to have to pay for the drinks again!"
>Rox laughs and pats Chee on the back
>"Alright, don't worry. I'll pick up the tab tonight, and I'll treat everyone to a round if she shows up like you think she will."
>Chee smiles in relief
>Rox smacks her paw on the table a few times
>"But we're not waiting up for her. My night starts right now."
>She goes up to the bar to bug Cookie
>You can tell from the panda's face he must be surprised Rox is opening a tab in her own name
>The wolfess brings each of you back a drink
>She already has two ready to go
>Chee reluctantly sips hers through a straw, waiting for the tigress to show up
>"Well, Chee, looks like it's a good thing we didn't make it a bet after all," Rox says with a smirk. “That would have been a helluva bill with how much I plan to dr—oh, dammit."
>Sherry-K enters the bar
>You've never seen Chee look so smug
>The bird waves the tigress over, but Rox stops her from getting too far
>"No no no...you're not walking in her wearing that shirt," she says
>If you didn't glance a look at Sherry-K's undershirt when you were at her place, you'd think the pinstripe coordinator outfit is the only thing in her wardrobe
>Sherry-K creases her brow
>"You should be happy I took you up on the offer in the first place. I didn't have much time after work t—
>"You wearing anything under that?" Rox cuts her off
>"Well, yes, but...."
>"Lose the stripes, Stripes."
>Sherry-K looks more than a little flustered
>She slowly takes off the coordinator shirt
>Of course, it's all Whimsey underneath
>"Unbelievable," Rox sighs
>"It looks so cute on you!" Chee says
>Sherry-K's ears flatten as she sits down
>But they perk back up when Rox slides her backup drink over
>"Well, it's good to see you, Sher," Rox says. “Really. Guess I'm getting a round for everyone after all."
>"I have no qualms about paying for myself," the tigress says.
>"Yeah, well, if we're going to make this friendship thing work, you're going to have to take the charity now and then," Rox says
>Sherry-K takes an graceful sip from her drink
>“I'm aware of the costly employee housing situation, so I hope you're a little more frugal in other aspects of your life."
>Rox is seconds away from calling off the truce altogether, but Chee interjects
>"But that's all the more reason to accept her generosity!" the bird says. “She wants to spend what little she has left to hang out with you!"
>Sherry-K gives Rox an inquisitive look
>Well, the wolfess doesn't flat out DENY it, at least
>Though she looks like she's uncomfortably biting her tongue
>While Rox stews for a bit, Chee jumps in to save the day again
>"So! Did everyone have a good day?"
>Or, maybe she's about to make things worse
>"It's always a good day when everything runs up to par," Sherry-K says
>"So you didn't have to write anyone up, then?" Rox scoffs
>Sherry-K doesn't respond
>Everyone drinks in silence for a few minutes
>Rox is finished first and goes to get some more alcohol
>Rounds for the whole table
>Multiple rounds
>Sherry-K's eyes go wide
>"I don't suppose you're expecting more to join us?" she says
>"Just start drinking," Rox snaps
>Chee is still taking her time with her first beverage
>Both Rox and Sherry-K outpace you
>You don't know a whole lot about anthros yet, but you can pick up some of the signs of them getting inebriated
>Tails sway slower
>Whiskers and ears droop
>Heads hand a little lower
>Sherry-K leans over to one side so far you think you might have to catch her
>But she just reaches into a handbag and takes a small leather folder out
>"Before I forget," she says, stifling a hiccup. “Chee, I want you to have this, as a show of thanks for being patient with everything."
>Rox doesn't seem to quite understand what the tigress means, but she's a little too intoxicated to really care
>You, on the other hand, have a pretty good idea why Chee's being rewarded
>Chee opens the folder and immediately knocks over her glass with shock
>You're fumbling with the napkins as Chee looks to Sherry-K all misty eyed
>"B-but...these are the silver-lined 50th anniversary Whimsey pins! Only...only the coordinators got them!"
>Sherry-K makes some kind of weird waving motion with her paw
>Either she's telling the bird to keep it down, or she's batting an invisible ball of yarn
>Now she has Rox's full attention
>"I know how much into collecting them you are," the tigress says. “I decided I...perhaps need to remove some of the 'clutter' from my home."
>"Yeah, well, if it's clutter you gave it to the wrong girl," Rox laughs, a little more forcefully than she normally would
>Chee holds the folder to her chest proudly
>"Are you sure I can have these?" she says
>"Yes, I am," Sherry-K says with a nod. “They should go to someone who...would appreciate them more."
>"What's that supposed to mean, Sher?" Rox says
>The tigress swirls the ice in her glass absentmindedly
>"I suppose I've gotten a little disenfranchised with the company lately. I'm...burned out."
>Chee looks like someone told her Santa Claus isn't real
>Like she doesn't comprehend how anyone could dare be tired of Whimsey
>"My whole life is here," the tigress continues, “and there's nothing for me outside of it. When I return home for the night, it's just to wait for my next shift."
>You're worried she's going to have a meltdown again, though she's fighting it back
>"I figured if I remove some of the clutter...some of what's needlessly filling my life, maybe I'll have room for something I can take pride in again...."
>Rox slams her glass down loudly
>"That's it!"
>Several nearby bar patrons give your table a confused look
>The wolfess lowers her voice, now a little more conscious of her surroundings
>"Sher, we need to get you a girlfriend," Rox whispers
>Another glass topples over
>The tigress looks beyond flustered at this point
>"I don't know WHY you think—“
>"Oh, knock it off already," Rox interrupts. “We all knew you're unhappy, and you flat out admitted it! It can't just be about YOUR burdens all the time. You need someone in your life who's your better half when you need the support."
>She gives you a brief glance before turning to Chee
>"What's the name of that fox girl again? The one who's always hanging around Petch?"
>Chee blinks
>"Mionra? Why do you...?"
>"Yeah, her. She's not dating Petch right now or anything, is she?"
>"W-what? Why would they be dating?"
>Rox gives Chee the most unamused look you can imagine
>"Chee, really? Have I been wrong about this sort of stuff yet?"
>Sherry-K coughs while Chee tries to comprehend the sudden revelation
>Meanwhile, Rox turns to the tigress and scoots her chair closer
>Meaning she scoots you closer as well
>"What do you think, Sher? Vixens do anything for you? She seems like the kind of livewire girl who isn't going to buckle and be all submissive just because you ask her to. You want to work for your girl's heart, right?"
>Sherry-K struggles to keep her professional façade held together
>Eventually, she gives in
>"She certainly seems like a nice girl..." the tigress mumbles
>"Well, I won't push you two together if you're not sure, but I can at least see what she thinks of you, deal?"
>Sherry-K looks crestfallen
>"She isn't going to like me. Nobody does."
>"Not with that attitude, missy."
>Rox pulls Sherry-K's head against her own
>You're caught in the middle of their large bodies
>"Look, what you said really hit a little too close to home for me. About being burned out from this place and all. I was a miserable wreck before I met Anon, and there's someone out there for you as well. You've done enough for us, so let us to this thing for you."
>It's clear Sherry-K still laments Rox being unavailable, but at least the wolfess and tigress look like they're going to be good bosom buddies
>And you can tell firsthand, being trapped between their chests
>Though Rox inadvertently told a little bit more about herself than you expected
>Was she really that miserable before meeting you?
>Where did she lose that sense of wonder Chee manages to still hang on to?
>Guess it's another mystery for another time...
>The two women release each other and everyone finishes their drinks
>Rox is probably going to need another ride back home from Chee
>Which means you will as well
>Luckily Sherry-K sobers up well enough
>"Before you all leave, let's talk briefly about tomorrow."
>Rox moans in exasperation
>"Sher, really!? Can you stop thinking of work for five freaking minutes?"
>"Tomorrow's Cast Night again," Sherry-K continues. “Since you and Anon were off work last week, you'll be running the attractions this time. Chee has graciously decided to skip her off week so she will be able to train Anon."
>Rox recoils
>"Wha...train him? What about me?"
>"You may be one of our better performers, Roksa, but you don't have the qualifications to be a trainer for the attractions yet."
>Chee can't get any smugger than this
>"However, this means the three of you will be able to enjoy Cast Night together starting next week. You're welcome."
>Rox grumbles to herself
>It's not like the two of you are splitting shifts
>She's still pretty pissed about it, though
>Guess Rox has gotten pretty possessive of you ever since her suspension
>Sherry-K excuses herself for the night, looking remarkably pleased with herself
>It's not from her own smugness, either
>Having people she can call friends suddenly fall into her life has already done wonders for her
>She doesn't even put her coordinator shirt back on as she heads out of the bar
>Rox finishes off what drinks Sherry-K left behind
>"That was really sweet what you said to her, Roxie," Chee says
>Rox turns to the bird with a scowl
>"Listen here, Chee. Anon is MINE. Don't even think of pulling anything funny when you're training him tomorrow."
>"W-what? Roxie, I'd never!"
>That's one way of wiping someone's smugness away...
>Rox mutters drunkenly as Chee closes out the tab for her
>The wolfess goes limp as you drop her into the back seat of the car
>She's is out cold during the drive back
>Chee only shakes her head
>"Maybe I should have bought the drinks after all," she says. “Roxie doesn't go quite so overboard like that when she knows it's someone else's money...."
>The bird clicks her tongue with pity
>"She really cares about you."
>Yeah
>So much so that you'll have to end up carrying her back to the apartment for the second night in a row
[[CHAPTER 14: Roxie Road]]
>It's one thing to carry Rox when she's teasingly hanging onto you
>It's another thing altogether when she's practically a blacked out dead weight
>Even Chee has to pitch in to get the wolfess into the apartment
>"She couldn't have just waited until the weekend," the bird sighs
>Hopefully Rox can rebound in time for work tomorrow
>Though apparently on days when anthro employees run the attractions for Cast Night, they get to start their normal shift a little later
>Which is good, because there's a chance Rox could ralph in the Whirly Barf
>You're tempted to throw her into a cold shower
>But having to dry her off would just make even more work for yourself
>Chee helps you until the three of you make it to Rox's room
>The wolfess stirs with a moan
>"Oh, what a relief," Chee says. “Roxie, don't scare me like that!"
>Rox just mumbles
>Chee leaves you and Rox alone with one of her happy little “goodnights"
>"Sooo..." Rox slurs, “whatsh on the menu tonigh'?"
>Bed
>You draw back the covers and slide her to her spot
>She tries to take off her shirt but gets tangled up in it instead
>"Hang on...almosh got it..."
>No, not tonight
>Not like this
>You pull the covers over her and tuck in the sides
>"Fine," she huffs
>All wrapped up in the sheets like a giant burrito, Rox watches you get into bed with half-closed eyes
>You scoot in next to her, and the wolfess sticks her tongue out
>Rox tries vainly to lean in and lick your face
>Guess you can let her have a little fun...
>You move your head closer so she can slather you with her kisses
>The smell of alcohol is noticeable, but it doesn't detract from the affection
>When you've had enough of her saliva, you stave her off with scratches on the chin
>She hums blissfully
>"No fair...I can't move...."
>That's probably a good thing
>Both of you are a lot safer that way
>You scratch Rox to sleep
>When you know she's deep in slumber, you hit the lights
>It might still be dangerous to be too close to her when she's like this, but it doesn't feel right to sleep without the warmth of her body
>You snuggle in against her, making sure to keep her nice and wrapped up
>Much better
>There's a pitcher of water waiting for you in the morning
>Chee is a saint
>She's also incredibly lucky she didn't walk into anything scandalous
>Rox is still encased in the sheets when you wake her up
>"Woah..." she groans. “What did we do last night that you had to tie me up for?"
>She manages to wiggle free and grab the pitcher of water
>The whole thing is drained in a few seconds
>She must see a little concern in your face, laughing it off
>"It's going to take a little more than a minor hangover to keep me down," she grunts
>Still, she looks at you a little shamefully
>"I, uh, didn't do anything really stupid last night, did I?"
>Well, she snapped at Chee a little bit, but the bird didn't seem to take it personally
>And to you, it was at least motivated by love and concern, right?
>Rox was just making sure nobody tried to steal you from her
>"Damn, I'll apologize to her anyway...but, was I really that jealous?"
>It might have been the alcohol talking mostly
>"No, I definitely was being stupid."
>Rox raps her claws on the pitcher
>"I was just so happy I could finally tell you I love you...that I guess I got a little too overbearing about it."
>She tries to get the last drop of water out of the pitcher, fruitlessly
>"When I told you I would keep you safe, I might have been looking at it a little backwards."
>Rox looks at you with her beautiful golden eyes and a timid smile to match
>"You make me feel safe, Anon. I can express myself better when I'm with you. I can sleep better when I'm with you. I just feel like a completely different person."
>She tosses the pitcher aside and pulls you into a full embrace before it even hits the ground
>Your face is buried in the fluff of her neck
>"So it's your fault my life is like this. Thanks...for being a part of it."
>The two of you share the moment for a while
>The quiet, gentle intimacy is a wonderful start to the day
>You realize Chee has already left for work, letting you and Rox sleep in
>Though you don't have a ton of time to waste before the two of you need to get ready for your own shifts
>"Guess we better head out," Rox says. “We're going to have to grab the bus as long as my car's hanging out back at the bar. At least we have the weekend ahead of us."
>She gives you a knowing smile, as though she already has something special in mind
>The day's shift goes by enjoyably fast
>You don't have to spend the entirety of it among the humans, and a part of you is looking forward to Cast Night
>Even though it's basically the second half of your workday
>You keep your uniform on while waiting for Rox to slip out of her costume
>While performers don't have to dance around in costume for Cast Night, the rest are “encouraged" to wear their Whimsey outfits to give an authentic experience
>To make the anthros feel like guests themselves
>Even the ones working behind-the-scenes have to get into their proper attire
>Coming out of the men's locker room is Baggy and a pheasant named Ace
>Short for “Amadeus", tragically
>The black panther has since warmed up to you slightly, though he still isn't quite personable yet
>Ace, on the other hand, doesn't have the same problem with being approachable
>"Hey, Anon?" he says, keeping his voice low. “You're roommates with Rox and, uh...uh...right?"
>Rox and Chee?
>"Yeah, yeah. So, I was wondering, since you know them, if you could ask—“
>Rox joins up with you before Ace can finish his thought
>"O-oh, never mind. I'll talk to you later."
>The pheasant hurries off to catch Baggy
>Rox gives you a confused look
>"Well, I'll fight off the girls for you, but you're on your own with the dudes."
>She laughs and grabs hold of you in her typical fashion
>Welp, time for round two of the night
>Sherry-K intercepts the two of you with her clipboard cradled in its usual spot
>"Roksa, you will be at Rumble Rolloff as usual tonight."
>The wolfess grumbles
>"Anon, since Chee will be training you, you will join her at Little Happy Planet."
>Suddenly Rox has a much more amused attitude
>"Ouch. Good luck with that one, champ. Hope you don't end up with that song on the brain."
>Sherry-K gives Rox a dismissive look, and the wolfess shuffles off to her ride
>"This will only be for a short period," the tigress explains, “and possibly only for tonight. Employees don't typically double up on Cast Night except for the most complicated attractions, so you will be assigned elsewhere once you have the basics down."
>You're sent off to meet up with Chee, who looks overjoyed to take you under her wing
>"Are you ready?" the bird sings
>Not anymore, knowing what kind of attraction you're in for
>"Great! I'll show you the ropes! I won't make you ride it first, since you're already familiar with it."
>If you didn't know better, you'd say Chee has a faint mischievous look on her face
>You're led into the backstage area and up to the control room
>It's behind a series of hallways and a heavily locked door
>Inside are the kind of buttons and monitors you'd expect from an attraction control room
>But there are posters and pictures similar to the ones you've seen in the anthro parts of the underground tunnels
>"We run many of the rides ourselves," Chee whispers, as though concerned there's anyone else up here
>She points to one of the monitors where you can barely make out where a second control room would be
>"The humans operate some of the easy stuff because they think these rides practically run themselves. And they do, but WE control the important stuff!"
>She twists her wings like she were turning a steering wheel
>"It's like when you were just a chick and your dad would pretend like YOU were the one driving the car!"
>Yeah, just like when you were a chick...
>Chee gives you a full rundown of the controls
>Like she said, it's a pretty sophisticated setup that almost runs itself
>You mostly have to worry about how to fix when things go wrong as opposed to how to keep things going right
>How to turn on emergency lights
>How to reroute the boats
>What to do if the ride stops
>Or rather, how to make the ride stop in case you need to trap a pair of lovers in the middle of it...
>Every time you pick up on something new, Chee looks thrilled
>"Very good! You're catching on really quick!"
>Now you wish your mascot handler trainer was this enthusiastic
>When you have just about everything covered, Chee is ready to let you run things on your own
>"We're allowed to be down by the queue where the greeters stand if there's nobody on the ride," she says, “so I'll let you stay here to watch over the controls alone while I go get some riders. Think of it like a final test!"
>She hops off to the entryway of the attraction
>You can see her on one of the monitors
>She obviously knows them all by heart as well, waving up at you
>The oriole stands patiently as the anthros below mill about
>Very clearly singing the Little Happy Planet tune to herself
>She glances up at you now and then with a smile
>Not a lot of traffic tonight
>Eventually, Sherry-K approaches the ride
>You can see her tapping her clipboard, and Chee ushers the tigress inside
>Does she even know you're up here?
>She didn't seem to wonder why you aren't down there with Chee
>You watch Sherry-K on the monitors
>She gets into one of the boats and sets aside her clipboard
>As she takes off from the station, you can see her usual professional demeanor melt away
>A goofy grin forms on her face as she floats along the stream
>By the halfway mark she's swaying and moving her mouth to the melody
>With the photo station shut off the ride pictures won't save, but she obviously knows that
>She gives a wide, toothy smile anyway as the light flashes
>The tigress is just a bigger version of the beaming little girl in the photo you saw at her place
>But as the boat returns to the station she composes herself and approaches Chee once more
>She taps her clipboard with a nod, and the bird waves a goodbye as the tigress heads off to make her rounds through the rest of the park
>Looks like everything's going smoothly
>In more ways than one
>Off in the distance you can see Chee's friend Mionra standing at the front of Ratty ol' Mansion
>Sherry-K goes through the same process of talking with the anthro running the ride before “inspecting" it herself
>Though that's not all she inspects
>As Sherry-K heads through the line to enter the attraction, she gives a quick glance behind her
>As if sizing up the vixen
>It's an even easier shift than the earlier one, though perhaps a little more boring
>Doesn't seem like many anthros want to ride Little Happy Planet
>Doesn't stop Chee from taking enormous pride in her attraction
>So she's a little heartbroken when the night's finally over
>The park lights flash dimly, signaling to everyone to pack it in
>Not even a minute later Rox is running up to you
>"About time," she says. “If you start humming that damn song you're sleeping on the couch again. How was it?"
>You tell her things went pretty well
>Sherry-K's inspection seemed to go well, too
>Rox smirks at the comment, knowing exactly what you mean
>"Yeah, I always figured that's what she's up to. Never comes near Rumble Rolloff though. Can't imagine why...."
>Chee flitters up to the two of you
>"Hey, Chee," Rox says. “Sorry you had to get stuck with this two weeks in a row."
>"Oh, it was no problem!" the bird says. “Anon was good company, and I'll be off the next few days anyway!"
>"Oh, right. Your parents are visiting, aren't they?"
>You can sense Rox knew this all along, as she gives you a sly look
>"Mm hmm! You two will have to take care of the place yourselves. I'll be staying with them in the suites!"
>The anthros get their own versions of resort rooms on the park grounds
>Likely some of the “special suites" Chee means
>It's still a little sad that they have to hide out even when they're supposed to be enjoying themselves
>But from the sounds of it, you're going to be playing a big part in someday letting them commingle with humans
>Hopefully you'll get a chance to see that in your lifetime
>You snap out of your thoughts as you realize Rox has been elbowing you in the ribs all the way back to the employee tunnels
>When you acknowledge her, you see the wolfess' eyebrows dancing up and down
>She definitely has something in mind for the two of you while your roommate is gone
[[CHAPTER 15: Rox the Cradle]]
>It's up to Chee to be your ride again
>Or at least so she can drop you and Rox off at the bar
>"Hey, wanna grab another quick drink?" Rox says
>Chee stares daggers at her, not having any more shenanigans
>"Yeesh, I was kidding," the wolfess says. “Well, kind of."
>The poor bird sighs
>Sometimes it's hard to be Rox's roommate
>"You can do what you want, Roxie," Chee says, “but I'll be in bed when you get back. I'm going to leave early in the morning to meet up with my parents."
>"Alright, hope you have a good time. Bring them around the apartment to say hi."
>Rox gives you a wink
>"Just maybe give us a warning so we have the place cleaned up."
>Chee looks uneasy
>"Well...they already know about Anon like everyone else, but I haven't really told them he's living with us...."
>Everyone else?
>You suppose it's only natural that word would have spread among the anthros like wildfire
>Both the girls look at you pitifully
>"Well," Rox says, “give it some thought, I guess. I'm not going to stow Anon away all alone. We can hang out at the park until it all blows over, I guess. If they ask about me, just tell them I'm busy or something."
>The wolfess' arm snakes around your waist
>"Or Anon and I can just hide under the bed together."
>"That sounds like fun." Chee says. “We should all hide under the bed sometime!"
>Rox rolls her eyes
>"Yeah, sure. I'll keep that one in mind."
>Chee is about to leave when Rox stops her
>"Hey, uh, before you turn in for the night, could you give me Mionra's number?"
>The bird cocks her head to the side
>"I guess so. Why?"
>"I'm gonna try to get Sher some friends, remember?"
>Chee still seems to have trouble grasping Rox's matchmaking intentions
>Or she's willfully blocking it from her mind
>"Okay, I'll get you her number. I think she's off tomorrow, too!"
>"Even better," Rox says.
>When Chee finally departs, Rox turns to you with a guilty look
>"Sorry, Anon. I don't want to spend our weekend hanging out with Chee's friend, but it's for a good cause. Besides...."
>She gives you a kiss on the cheek
>"I got something special planned later on. I promise it'll be worth it."
>She doesn't say anything else on the matter as you take her car back to the apartment
>Chee already made it home and raced into her room by the time you and Rox get back
>After a busy day at work, getting an early rest doesn't sound so bad
>Before you hop into bed, Rox holds you off
>The wolfess just stands there, looking at you
>Silently
>It gets tense in short time
>But Rox smiles before things get too uncomfortable
>"I know I said we're trying to take things slow, but...if we make some progress, no sense in backpedaling, right?"
>She pulls her shirt off and her breasts bounce free
>You've already technically seen them before, but now you get an unabashed look
>They're pert and modest in size, though not unnatural for her athletic frame
>Her two fleshy nipples are surrounded by short, dark gray fur
>She has no hesitance about letting you stare, but she clearly wants something from you in return
>Like joining her, topless
>You remove your own shirt as she draws the sheets back
>Rox lies down on the bed, but in the middle of where you and her would sleep
>She pats her stomach invitingly
>"I want to try something new tonight. If it doesn't feel right, we'll do things the usual way."
>You crawl onto the bed and Rox hefts you on top of her
>Your toes don't quite reach her own, while your head rests on her chest
>She holds you in place with one arm while she strokes your neck with the other paw
>The wolfess is your bed now
>And she shows no discomfort about having you as her covering
>When she pulls the sheets over you, you're surrounded by heavenly softness
>Her slow breaths lift you up and down, lulling you to relaxation
>You can hear her heartbeat as your head settles between her breasts
>You can feel the tenseness in her muscles fade away underneath you
>You can't ignore that being half naked together like this is at least a little erotic
>Her chuckle resounds through her body and into yours
>"Easy, champ," Rox says, sensing your arousal.
>Maybe even feeling it a bit, too
>"We'll get there soon enough, alright? Right now, I'm fine with things just as they are. "
>You can't disagree
>Your own arms cling to the wolfess as best as you can as you relish the moment
>Her breathing, her stroking, her warmth
>"Every night I want to be like this, if we can."
>She brings her muzzle closer, rubbing it along your face
>"And every night, I want it to end with me saying again how much I love you."
>She kisses you on the cheek once more
>"So try to stay awake until I say it, deal?"
>You fend off sleep as long as you can
>It's as though Rox is testing your commitment
>But your body surrenders as you feel yourself meld with every curve of hers
>At last, Rox rewards you for the effort
>"Anon...."
>One last kiss
>"Mmm...I love you."
>How you managed not to roll off the wolfess overnight is a miracle
>And yet, she kept you tightly in her arms through it all
>Not even sleep could stop her from holding you to her breast
>Though your legs DID shift a bit during your slumber
>Rox's did as well
>Your legs fell between hers, and her ankle hooked around your own to keep you in place
>It's still a comfortable way to wake up
>Though maybe a little too much
>Your body is tricked into thinking you're still lying on an incredibly soft mattress
>So your groggy stirring causes you to grind your waist against Rox's
>She inhales sharply and gives a brief moan so quiet, you wouldn't have heard it if your head wasn't pressed to her chest
>Her eyes open, looking at you with an anxious smirk
>"It might take us a little while to get used to this," she grunts.
>The two of you rise from the bed, and Rox massages your back
>"Maybe we should have waited until we got a little more, uh, 'used' to each other," she snickers. “We may be connected at the hip during the day, but we almost woke up like that too!"
>She gives you a pat as you get ready for the day
>Rox grabs her phone and soon you hear her talking in a cool manner
>To Mionra, presumably
>"Yeah, just a little chat. I'll treat you to lunch and everything."
>...
>"Just the three of us. Anon'll be there too."
>...
>"Yeah, I'd prefer if she doesn't. It's kind of why I want to talk to you. No offense to her or anything."
>...
>"Sounds good. See you soon."
>Then the apartment goes quiet
>Eerily quiet
>Rox is gone when you check up on her
>Wait...
>You see a large lump under the covers of the bed
>Guess she wasn't quite ready to face the day
>But she's going to have to soon
>You throw back the sheets to find just pillows
>Then you look down in time to see your ankle grabbed by a dark paw
>You're pulled to the floor and dragged underneath the bed
>There's a glint in Rox's golden eyes as she envelops you with her body
>"Just checking the space down here," she whispers into your ear before nipping at it. “You know, in case we have to lay low for a little while."
>Hopefully you can get rid of the dust bunnies before that happens
>Now you have to get yourself cleaned up again before going out
>And get Rox to brush her dust-covered fur
>Rox had arranged the meeting with Mionra at the Cast Complex
>You can't imagine it would be any anthro's first choice for spending their whole day off at
>Well, except for Chee
>You're prepared to see the bird show up with her parents at any more
>Regardless, it's still one of very few places you're allowed to go to in Rox's company
>The two of you grab a table in the cafeteria and wait for your guest
>Rox keeps stroking your legs with her foot
>"Ah, there she is!"
>Mionra is definitely a fox who catches eyes
>Her fur is a fiery shade of orange, like heated metal
>Her eyes are amber like skillfully cut gemstones
>The black on her lips, nose, and around her eyes looks like it was painted on with an ink brush
>No anthro can take your heart away from Rox, but Mionra looks like the kind of vixen you hope ends up in the right hands
>Or paws
>And hopefully Sherry-K's, if all goes well
>"Thanks for coming, Mio," Rox says with a nod
>Always with the nicknames, Rox...
>"I have to say, I wasn't expecting a call from you," the vixen replies
>If Rox is the fun and Sherry-K is the business, then Mionra fits somewhere in the middle
>She speaks with directness, but you get the sense even if she snaps at someone she'll do it with a jovial mood
>"Want to grab some food first?" Rox says
>"As long as you're still buying," the vixen smiles
>It's a bit of a wonder why these two haven't hung out more
>The three of you return to the table with your trays, but you're the only one to start eating
>"Gonna be blunt about this, Mio," Rox says. "I was a little worried when you asked to bring Petch along."
>Mionra raises her brow a bit in curiosity, then even more when the wolfess leans in close
>"You two aren't a couple, or....?"
>"Hmm, no, just closely acquainted," the vixen says. “Petch is a great friend, but we're not into each other THAT way. She's a little too...soft for me."
>Rox has a look about her that says she's hearing everything she wants to
>"So, you on the market then?" the wolfess says
>Her forwardness is astounding
>Mionra starts to look a little crestfallen
>"You're not going to tell me you're available now, are you?" she says
>That catches Rox off guard
>"W-why? Doesn't everyone know I'm with Anon?"
>"Of course, Rox. But some of us were holding out a little bit of hope you were still single. It's why I was a bit speechless when you called me out of the blue like that."
>You and Rox exchange surprised looks
>"Wait, it wasn't obvious I was straight? Who thought I wasn't?"
>"Well, everyone, I suppose. A few just assumed you swung that way at first, then the rumors kind of got around. You know how gossip is. You're not really the most feminine girl, Rox."
>You can tell the wolfess is a little hurt by the comment
>One of her ears swivels back with her disappointment
>You weren't expecting Rox to take that so personally, especially given how proud she seems to be with her way of life
>Most of the time, anyway
>"Please, don't mind me," the vixen waves. “It's why you're so endearing. A lot of girls like that about you. There aren't too many out there who carry themselves like you do. You have more fans than you probably realize; they're just too afraid to approach you."
>"Well, damn," the wolfess laughs. “Maybe I should have tried experimenting a long time ago."
>"Maybe there's still time?" Mionra offers with a shrug
>"Nah, sorry. I'm really flattered, but Anon's already in my life and he has me all to himself."
>Rox puts a paw on your lap
>"But there's someone else out there who needs a woman's touch more than I do."
>Mionra's eyes narrow
>"And that's why I'm here?"
>"You got it! There's someone with a similar taste in canines, and if it's confidence you're looking for, she has it in spades."
>Guess the food's just going to go uneaten
>"Go on," Mionra says
>"How do you feel about Sherry-K?" Rox murmurs, trying to keep the conversation confined to the table
>Mionra blinks
>"Well...."
>"And don't think of her as a boss. We're talking about outside of work. First think that comes to mind."
>Mionra bites her lip
>Her body language gave it all away
>She knows this, too, which is why the vixen's only hope to save face is to come clean
>"She's beautiful, she's poised, and I love her graceful confidence. She's near perfect, and no girl would pass up the courage to ask her out. That's what you want to hear from me, right?"
>"Well I want to, yeah, but only if you're being honest about it."
>"What are you driving at, Rox? Did Petch put you up to this or something?"
>Rox huffs in frustration, then moves in closer
>Her and Rox are almost nose-to-nose at this point
>Hopefully the vixen doesn't try to steal a kiss
>"Look, Sher needs someone in her life pretty badly. Obviously I'm spoken for, but we have an idea what kind of girl she's looking for. Namely, you."
>Mionra's amber eyes grow bigger
>"Me? You're kidding, right?"
>"No, I'm not. She wants someone with confidence just the same as you do; someone with enough pluck to stand up to her. I can tell she's got some lofty standards for her ideal mate, and you meet them just fine. I mean...."
>Rox has a devilish look on her muzzle
>"We even asked her about you specifically. The big kitty's got her eye on you, Mio."
>The vixen titters coyly
>"Are you sure it's not just because of my record? After all, I DO hold the third spot for most write-ups...."
>"Yeah, and I have the first two!" Rox says, finally digging into her food. “Really, I wouldn't think someone like you would be so close to me!"
>Mionra twirls her fur with a sly smile
>"Well, if we're being frank with each other, I MAY have done some of those things on purpose...to be closer to her in private."
>Rox is practically choking on her lunch from the laughter
>"Oh, Mio. You would have saved Sher a lot of lonely nights if you just 'fessed up sooner."
>"Not everyone's as bold as you, Rox," Mionra says. “I'd even say NO ONE is. And that's what they love about you."
>The vixen looks to you with a mix of one-part plea and one-part threat
>The latter is significantly more prevalent
>"Treat her well, won't you?"
>Mionra might have the potential to be even more intimidating than the tigress
>The girls finish up their meals with just a little bit of work-talk
>Then some closing business
>"Unless you go and make the first move yourself, I'll have another chat with Sher," Rox says. “I'll sort something out, don't worry. We'll try to keep this from getting too awkward for either of you."
>"I'd appreciate that, thanks," Mionra says
>You say goodbye to the vixen, who leaves with a little bounce to her step
>"Cute girl. She'll make a tiger pretty happy."
>You expect Rox to want to ditch the park as soon as the meeting with Mionra is finished, but she isn't so eager about leaving
>"Might have to hang around here for a while. There's something I want to set up for tonight...."
>She definitely wants you to be curious, but she won't show her hand (or her paw) just yet
>As the two of you mill about the Cast Complex, Rox looks at you with smugness
>"Betcha' didn't think I could be such a good matchmaker, huh? Now we just gotta work on Chee next."
>Well...
>You tell Rox about your run-in with Ace before Cast Night yesterday
>"Ace? Oh, you mean Amadeus. Poor guy. What about him?"
>The pheasant had fumbled his words a bit, but the intention was fairly clear
>Rox stops cold
>"Him and...?"
>The gears are turning behind those golden eyes
>They lengthen the wolfess' lips into a predatory smile
>It's honestly a little terrifying
>"Oh, that's perfect. And he even works at Whimsey Castle...."
>Rox's claws curl around your shoulder
>"Come on, let's go have a chat with 'Ace'. I think I know a way we can hit two birds with one stone."
>Or one Rox?
>...
>Yikes, now THAT's a threatening look
>"Hey, let ME be the jokester, alright?"
>She slurps the side of your face with her tongue
>"You just worry about being the handsome one."
[[CHAPTER 16: Rox in the Head]]
>With Rox's business with Mionra completed, your visit to the Cast Complex is over
>But not your visit to the park itself
>Rox is on the hunt for someone else now
>The second shift anthros are just about to arrive for work, and Rox makes sure you're over by the lockers waiting
>Given her excitement just a little while ago, you have a pretty good hunch who she's looking for
>Amadeus
>Sure enough, you see the pheasant approach shortly before the hour
>His pace slows as soon as he sees you and Rox
>"O-oh, hey Anon...Rox..." he says, looking a little uncomfortable
>"Hey, Ace," the wolfess says mischievously
>You have to admit, you'd be a little nervous too if someone like Rox was looming over you with a smirk on her face
>Though she seems to realize getting what she wants is going to be a delicate task
>"You still work over at Whimsey Castle, don't you?" Rox continues
>"Y-yeah," Ace says. “Up at the towers, handling the cameras and lights."
>"Heh, what a cozy little roost that must be. You ever take anyone up there?"
>Ace rubs his shoulder with his wing
>His guilty body language isn't too far off from someone else you know
>"Not yet. I-I mean, we're technically not supposed to, but some of the guys have done it anyway."
>"I see...."
>Rox has a pretty scary aura at times when things fall into place for her
>"So how do you like it here? At Whimsey World?"
>The pheasant mellows out
>"It's great! Honestly the best job I've ever had."
>"And what about Whimsey in general? You into all the movies and characters?"
>She might have pressed a little too hard there
>Ace's neck pulls back into his body a bit in shame
>"Hey, don't worry," Rox says. “My roommate is fanatical about that stuff. I don't judge."
>"O-oh, you mean Chee?"
>That is one smug looking wolfess
>From an outsider's view, she has the look of a wild hunter about to deliver the killing blow to her mark
>If you were in Ace's position, however, those hypnotic golden eyes would probably blind you to any trickery going on
>"Yeah, Chee! She's obsessed with Whimsey stuff. Probably the biggest fan of anyone in the park...."
>Well, except Sherry-K
>"...And not a lot of employees here really have the heart for all that magic anymore. She could use someone who will put up with her love of Whimsey...."
>Ace is shaking with anxiety
>Any harder and he'd start molting
>"Y-you know, I've been meaning to ask Chee if she wanted to h-hang out sometime. Like at Cast Night...."
>"Oh, I'm sure she'd love that," Rox chuckles. “Why don't I put in a good word for you? Let her know the offer's on the table?"
>Ace opens his beak to object, but closes it with a gulp
>It's an opportunity he knows he can't pass up
>"Y-you'd really do that for me?"
>"Sure, why not? The girl could use someone to talk to so she's not in my fur all the time. She's with her parents right now, but I'll talk to her first thing when she gets back."
>"Awesome! I...uh, thanks a lot!"
>Rox waves it off
>"Don't mention it. But, hey, while you're here...."
>Oh boy, here it comes
>Rox leans on your shoulder, patting you on the chest with her paw
>"Been meaning to show Anon a great view of the park at night. Something I think they should have done for every new employee, ya know? Give them a taste of that Whimsey magic and make them proud of what they're working for."
>Rox's smile grows wider as Ace's shrinks
>"So since you work in the towers, I was wondering if you'd let us up in one of the spare rooms for a little while."
>Ace rubs the back of his neck
>"Well, like I said, we're really not supposed to...."
>"It'll just be for a little while. We'll be out before your shift's over. And if we get caught, I'll just tell them we snuck in ourselves."
>Oh, great
>You were due for another close call...
>The pheasant groans with uncertainty
>"Alright, I'll let you in," he says, “Three of them haven't been touched for months anyway. Just as long as you're out by the end-of-the-day park sweep."
>"You got it, Ace."
>Rox clicks her tongue and gives Ace the thumbs-up
>The pheasant nods weakly as he heads into the locker rooms to get ready for his shift
>The wolfess pats you on the chest a few more times
>"Hey, don't give me that look. You're gonna love this, I swear."
>She sticks her snout into your ear impishly, then licks you on the cheek
>"Just a little hint at what's to come."
>Once Rox is done playing matchmaker for the second time, she finally has urgency to leave the Cast Complex
>Her spirits are exceptionally high
>She's biting her lip and fidgeting in her seat the whole car ride back to the apartment
>"Gonna need to grab a few things before we head back. We won't leave until the evening, so we might want to take a little nap first."
>She turns to you with a tempting look in her eyes
>"How does that sound? A little cozy time on the sofa?"
>Just thinking about that warm coat of fur makes you feel colder, with eagerness to be wrapped up in her arms
>You're moving even faster than she is to reach the apartment as soon as the car is parked
>But she takes her time, teasing you the whole way
>Once inside, she grabs a few extra pillows and tosses them onto the couch
>"It's been a little while since our last time sleeping on here together, huh?"
>The last time you did, it was the belly-rubbing incident
>"Ha. You got me good that night, but when I find your weakness I'm going to get my revenge."
>From Rox, that's definitely a promise
>She steers you over to the couch and guides you down with her
>"Don't want you falling off, so I'm taking the outside."
>You're sandwiched between the cushions and Rox's large body
>Rather than being the big spoon this time, the two of you are facing each other
>She gazes at you dreamily, then pulls your head into her neck
>From top to bottom you're enveloped by the wolfess and the couch
>Her paws lazily rub your back as her jaw nuzzles your head
>"Sure beats sitting around doing nothing like last week, huh? Ha...ha...."
>You can feel the air flow through her body as Rox lets out a drawn-out yawn
>Guess hooking people up takes a lot out of her
>Though if what she's said before has any truth to it, all she needs to be at ease is the thought that she's safe with you
>Rox falls into her nap well before you do
>You're too busy enjoying the companionship to fully nod off
>But eventually your half-lucid state is visited by a few quick dreams
>Most of them involving Whimsey World
>You and Rox wander the park grounds during a cloudless afternoon
>Among the humans, and entirely out of costume
>All the anthros are out of their disguises
>None of the other guests react to the animal people enjoying the attractions alongside them
>It's a surreal feeling, but you keep repeating to yourself this is how it should be
>When Rox feels you stir from one of your dreams, she instinctively holds you tighter
>Hopefully her own visions are just as wonderful
>You wanted the cuddles more than the nap itself, but you still wake up feeling refreshed
>Rox does as well
>Not only that, but she's even more excited for what's to come
>"You wanna get cleaned up first? I'd put on something nice if I were you."
>Well you don't exactly have a lot of formal attire with you
>You weren't planning on suddenly having your seasonal employment get extended indefinitely
>You throw on one of your better shirts while Rox runs around the apartment with a small bag in her paw
>She hums loudly along with the clinking of glass
>Rox launches into the bathroom as you're finishing up getting ready
>She doesn't make a sound for the next few minutes
>Only when the door swings open again does she announce herself with a clearing of her throat
>Leaning against the frame is the wolfess, wearing a high-skirted, strapless dress perfectly matched to her golden eyes
>It's not lavishly ornate, but it's the classiest you've seen Rox yet
>And for someone like her, you're glad she isn't going overboard or too far out of character
>Rox takes your reaction well
>"Screw that fox," she scoffs. “I can be fuckin' feminine when I want to."
>Well, she doesn't carry herself any differently, dress or not
>If anything, Rox seems to be actively fighting against sophisticated behavior
>You let her know she doesn't have to prove anything to do, especially if she's uncomfortable because of it
>"I can tough it out for one evening," she says confidently
>She gives a flexing pose, showing that the dress may not have been appropriately tailored for her athletic frame
>The bottom hem lifts up noticeably with the movement of her thighs, and the top visibly strains when she puffs her chest out
>"And if it gets too obnoxious, well I guess you'll have to help me take it off then, won't you?"
>"Obnoxious" is a pretty broad condition
>That's without a doubt her intention, though
>Rox slaps you on the back to get you out the apartment
>"Alright, back to the park!"
>It's the most nostalgic ride you've taken with Rox since that first night
>She's excited about something, but won't fill you in on what it is
>But unlike the confusion and disbelief of the previous time, you're looking forward to whatever she has in store for you
>Sunset is almost over by the time you reach the Whimsey grounds
>Park the car, down through the tunnels...
>Along the way, Rox gets a few raised eyebrows and second glances
>Nobody expected to see her show up on her day off, let alone in such formal clothing
>Even carrying a bag is something she doesn't really do
>Although you're sure there aren't many grooming supplies or cosmetics in it
>In the dead center of the underground is the anthro entrance to the innards of the castle
>Up the two of you go, until you're just above the giant archways the guests can walk under
>You find Ace sitting alone beside a few monitors of the park level
>His coworkers must be on break
>"Great timing," Rox says, vocalizing your thoughts
>"O-oh, hey. Ready to go up?" Ace says, giving Rox's dress a once-over
>Poor guy seems perpetually nervous
>Though it may just be whenever he's around you or Rox...
>Up some more stairs you go, until you hit the top landing of one of the towers
>Ace unlocks the door and steps out of the way
>"You, uh, might want to wait until I come get you," he adds. “Just so you don't run into the others on your way down."
>"No rush," Rox says with a wink
>The two of you are left alone in the tower room
>It's half decorated like livable quarters, though still pretty sparse
>Simple bed, simple wardrobe, simple table and chairs, not much else
>But the view of the park is spectacular
>"They used to let guests rent these rooms out," Rox says, setting her bag down. “But then we sort of took them over. Now they don't get used much for anything except photos of the park and extra storage."
>From out of the bag Rox pulls a bottle of wine and two glasses
>"Pull up a chair. The show's about to start."
>The cork sails across the room with a pop, drawing your attention to the scene outside
>It's a picturesque shot of the whole park grounds, with lights glowing everywhere and happy guests milling about
>Many of them are congregating along the sides of the streets and up against buildings
>You've seen it happen dozens of times by now
>They're all finding a comfortable spot for the impending fireworks
>Rox pours you a glass, while her own looks like it's already partially empty
>"What'd I tell you? Pretty special night!"
>You barely have time to pick your glass up before she clanks hers against yours in a toast
>Then she wraps her arm around your neck to drink from
>The two of you sip at the wine for a while, exchanging fond looks
>You set aside the glasses just as music begins resonating through the whole park
>"Here we go!" Rox claps
>The amount Whimsey Corporation spends to have firework shows every single night is astronomical
>On nights when the air is still, you can even hear the booming all the way from your employee housing
>The poor anthros with sensitive hearing must have it even worse
>But whenever you get to observe the colorful displays off the clock, the enjoyment comes flooding back
>Blues and greens and reds and golds...
>Every streak of light that shoots into the room highlights Rox's gorgeous face
>You can see a brief flash of every hue that explodes in the sky reflecting in the wolfess' eyes
>The sense of wonder you've seen from Chee (and even a young Sherry-K) manages to find its way to Rox
>"It's crazy, huh? Can't really stay angry at the company when they can pull off stuff like this for so many people... all the time...."
>It's true
>Even after your worst days of working in the park, there's usually something you can find joy in eventually
>"It's hard to keep up the bitterness forever, even when I want to hate them so much...."
>Hate?
>Rox is the polar opposite of Chee's love for everything Whimsey, but you never thought her sentiments reached levels of hatred
>The wolfess sighs deeply
>"Maybe that's being too rough on them. It's not their fault I'm the way I am."
>She picks up her glass, but after swirling it for a few moments she puts it down again
>"When the magic dies for you, you lose that innocence forever. Heh, kind of like Santa Claus, right? You can carry on the spirit and make others happy, but you're never getting that full piece of magic back for yourself."
>Rox's ears droop as she stares blankly out at the fireworks
>"It happened to me right around when my parents separated...."
>It's the first time you've heard about any part of Rox's family
>Now it's not surprising why
>"It wasn't anything terrible, it's just...that's what happens, you know? Not everyone stays together forever. But it still kind of messed me up. You grow up with fairy tales and happy endings, and then you're told none of that is real when you grow up."
>Her eyes close
>You don't get to watch at the colorful reflections in them anymore
>"The last time I remember all of us truly happy, it's when I was really little. We went to go see a movie together: a Whimsey cartoon. It was my favorite...."
>Heir of Dog?
>Rox nods
>"It's the only one I'm able to watch without feeling beyond jaded, but after it's over I sometimes end up feeling sick anyway. Like a night of heavy drinking. It got especially worse as I got older."
>She inhales, but it's a strained, choppy breath
>"You've seen it with me; you know how it goes. Wolf girl meets human boy. A sappy story with a sappy ending. When I was a pup I thought that could happen to me. I wanted it so bad. But if your own parents can't hold together a relationship, what hope do I have?"
>Rox opens her eyes and looks into your own
>You can see redness and mist clouding her vision
>"You're my first, Anon. I never had someone in my life like you before. I didn't even try to look for anyone. I just couldn't take that first step. I was a miserable child who turned into a miserable adult...if I can even still call myself one after how I've acted all this time."
>Her face scrunches up
>She's holding back raw emotion
>"And then...and then I met you. My life changed overnight. F-finally I met an unbelievably cool human. I did all I could to make you like me, but I knew you were going to leave soon. I let myself f-fall for someone I had no chance of ever having a lasting relationship with, whether it was because of our species differences or because of the ticking clock."
>Rox's expression is one of physical pain now
>Her throat must be burning
>"It was my parents all over a-again. I was losing someone I loved, and it was out of my control. I had to do something to keep you f-from leaving me. I...."
>She breaks into a distorted smile, with her nose glistening from the wetness
>"Y-you know the rest...h-h-ha...."
>You put your hands on Rox for support, and she curls her body into you
>Now it's Rox who has her head in your chest
>"D-dammit," she sniffs quietly. “I ruined the s-special night...."
>You pat the wolfess and rub your fingers into her neck fur
>She manages to force back her tears, even though it might have been better for her to let it all out
>But on the other hand, nobody's supposed to cry at Whimsey World
>"I don't want the magic to be fake anymore, Anon," Rox croaks. “Please, don't let me wake up and see you're not there with me."
>You lift her head up off your chest
>Her jaw rests in your hands as she looks at you pitifully
>When she brings her shaky paws to your neck, you move in for the kiss
>Her lips connect softly with yours, and you push into her with a stronger touch
>You need to bring out the Rox you know
>Your hands slip from around her jaw to behind her head, right to the base of her ears
>Instantly she pays you back with fervor
>Her tongue slips into your mouth while your fingers dance up her ears
>She whines and moans as you caress the back of her head
>The wolfess moves herself closer and closer
>Soon she's up on your lap, weighing heavily on your legs
>It's discomforting, but you'll bear anything to make her feel the safety she needs so badly from you right now
>Her paws explore your chest and back, trying to discover your sweet spot like her ears
>Her efforts slow when she can't find your weakness, instead resigning to enjoy the rest of the kiss
>When you finally part lips, Rox does so with a small hiccup
>It's the last of her insecurity leaving her body
>Swept off with the wag of her tail
>With a deep breath, she stares at you with tenderness
>"Thank you, Anon."
>You embrace one another as the fireworks escalate to their finale
>Not even the din of the explosions can dampen her words to you
>"I love you...so, so much...You're my whole world...."
>The last of the fireworks dies out, and the crowds below start to file toward the park exit
>Rox leans her head on your shoulder as you watch the guests head home for the night
>"Just five more minutes..." she whispers
>You're going to have to wait for Ace anyway, apparently
>"Even better," Rox chuckles. “We're used to little birds waking us up."
>She tugs at your ear with her mouth
>"Won't have that problem tomorrow, at least."
>Guess it's going to be another lazy day then
>Rox scratches her chin thoughtfully
>"No...it doesn't have to be. There's still a great place I haven't shown you yet, and it's right here on the park grounds."
>There's that grinning Rox you know all too well
[[CHAPTER 17: Rox and Roll]]
>After the last few guests make their way out of the park, Ace knocks on the door
>"Damn," Rox says, hitting herself in the head with her paw. “We should have pretended like we were doing it...."
>She seems to be back to normal now
>The pheasant leads you back down to the castle's tunnel entrance
>Rox gives him a pat on the back
>"Thanks again for doing that for us, Ace. Don't worry, I'll talk to Chee as soon as I can. Gonna see you at Cast Night sometime, right?"
>"Y-yeah, for sure!" Ace says
>Whether it's relief at not getting caught or excitement for getting to talk to Chee (or both), Ace is visibly vibrating
>"Nice guy," Rox says as you leave the park. “Hopefully we got a little corruption going in him. If he's going to be hanging around Chee, he's going to have to learn to put up with our shit."
>Our?
>There's no escaping it: you're going to forever be an accessory to Rox's mischief
>The wolfess keeps adjusting her dress as you get into the car and drive home
>Her chest bounces as she angrily pulls her top into place
>"I hate this stupid thing," she growls. “Should have just gone in jeans and a t-shirt."
>It still looks gorgeous on her
>But it means nothing if she isn't happy about it
>"Thanks, Anon," she says at your compliment. “I feel like an ass for trying to be something I'm not, though. Especially with that little meltdown of mine...."
>All in all, it needed to be done
>Rox seems happier now for getting that baggage off her chest
>And now you know what's been eating at her all this time
>She puts a paw around your neck with a warm smile
>"There's just one more thing to do that's out of character for me. We're going to be getting up early tomorrow. Hey, don't you roll your eyes at me! Maybe not SUPER early, but still...."
>Rox drums her other paw on the wheel
>"Feels like every time we've hung out around the park, I ended up being a downer in some way. Not tomorrow. No crying, no buzzkills."
>Even after parking the car, Rox keeps hold of you
>She pulls you in and mashes your cheek against hers
>"There's no doubt you're my boyfriend now, so I think you're ready to see a place that's...pretty special to me."
>Rox's fur tickles your face as she nuzzles you
>"This time I'm not getting dressed up or trying to prove anything to anyone else. It's just gonna be you and me acting like our dumb selves for the whole day."
>Back at the apartment, you head directly to Rox's room
>It's a little too quiet without your bird roommate ready to greet you
>But you know soon she'll be back pestering Rox with stories of how much fun she had with her family
>It makes you feel a little uneasy, though
>How much about Rox does Chee actually know?
>Would it bum the wolfess out to hear about what a great family bonding experience her friend had?
>Guess you'll have to cross that bridge when you come to it
>"Alright, enough of this shitty thing," Rox says
>She draws in a huge breath and thrusts her chest forward
>Her breasts pop free, and she gives you a raunchy look
>Rox peels the rest of the dress off and tosses it sloppily into the corner of the room
>Standing in just her panties, Rox gives a few more flexes while you undress yourself
>She doesn't give you much of a time to stare though, before she lifts you up and carries you into bed
>"Time for sleep," she orders. “We have a lot of ground to make up for tomorrow after the crappy night we had."
>She positions you on top of her again, and the cuddles begin
>You reassure her that it was still a nice night, all things considered
>"Well if you liked THAT shitshow, you're going to love what I have in store for us!"
>Rox makes a raspy snicker as she rocks you on her furry body
>"Juuust wait," she keeps repeating
>She eventually settles down, leaving nothing but intimacy
>Her breathing, her heartbeat...
>"Remember: we're going for an endless streak here," she whispers
>It takes you a moment to understand what she means
>Rox kisses you deeply and strokes your head
>"I love you, Anon."
>You both fall asleep at the same time
>It's the rare occasion Rox manages to wake up before you do
>Your world is flipped around as she sits up, bringing you upright along with her
>"Morrrnin'!" she says with a groan and a stretch
>Rox hops off the bed still grappling you
>You're carried around like she's holding her favorite toy
>Into the kitchen you go, taking a stack of waffles out of the freezer
>Chee made an overabundance of them, almost enough to last the rest of the year
>Rox gets breakfast going while still topless
>Either she's too excited to get dressed yet, or it's a testament to how comfortable she is with you
>Whatever the case, it's quite the show
>One that could have gone horribly wrong if you didn't jump in to warn her about rushing out the door without a shirt
>No matter how eager she is, Rox barely says a word to you the whole morning
>Talking to herself more than anything during the car ride
>You're almost afraid she might have snapped after last night
>It isn't until you make it back to the park tunnels that Rox finally reveals her plan
>She has the look of someone trying to get a bad taste out of her mouth
>"After I moped about losing innocence and all that, I realized I was looking at it too selfishly. Well, technically YOU helped me realize it. Yeah, maybe the best thing you can do from that point is to give the magic to someone else, but I didn't stop and think that could BE the best part."
>There's a profound look of determination on the wolfess' face
>"Then I thought back to last week when we were watching that film with Chee, about the big man Mr. Whimsey himself. He didn't give a shit about making a beast of a company just for the money; he genuinely wanted to make people happy. I can respect a dream like that."
>It feels like half the time you've known Rox as an anthro she's had you pressed against her body affectionately
>She keeps you that way as you walk onward toward the backstage of “her" Cast Night ride: Rumble Rolloff
>"I forgot the whole reason I got the job here in the first place was because I thought being in the heart of all the Whimsey would make me enjoy this stuff again, like I did when I was a pup. Guess I just didn't have a plan until now about how I was going to do that."
>Rox puts her paw over your heart
>"And you're the key. I need to show someone ELSE the magic to get that spark back, but I'm going to have to do it MY way."
>Rumble Rolloff is one-part roller coaster, one-part log flume
>You start up on tree-covered cliffs and careen down a river to a sawmill
>It's easily one of the most popular attractions in the park
>It also has one of the largest backstage areas for employees to operate in, with multiple control stations at various checkpoints of the ride
>It's too complex for one anthro alone to supervise the whole thing during Cast Night, and Rox is one of several to take responsibility
>This means she knows the ride almost as well as anyone who runs it during daily operations
>That includes all the entrances and backdoors
>A handful of anthros are hard at work keeping things running as you and Rox slip in near the base of the cliffs
>A kangaroo girl looks at the two of you quizzically
>"Rox? What are you doing here?"
>"Think I left something here last Cast Night," the wolfess says. “I'll be out of your hair in a second."
>The roo looks to you with even more confusion, but Rox pulls you along before she can say any more
>Most backstage areas in the park are very simple and industrial, but you wind up in a part where the ride's theming bleeds through
>Boulders and support beams make it look like the ride caved into the tunnel
>Rox stops you next to some wooden planks jutting out from the cliff scenery
>With a quick glance around, she flips a discreet latch and folds the planks up like they were a paper fan
>It's a narrow fit, but nothing either of you can't handle
>It feels like you're crawling around someplace even anthros shouldn't be
>When the passage opens up a little wider, Rox confirms your suspicions
>"You thought it was crazy that there's a whole secret operation humans don't know about hidden in a theme park? Well, what if I told you there's ANOTHER whole secret layer that most of US don't even know about?"
>Your response is going to depend on whether or not this knowledge is going to put your life at risk again
>Rox steps out of the way so you can see where you ended up
>There's another tunnel up ahead, but at the mouth of it is a crudely erected ticket booth
>Nailed to the top is a crooked sign
>[____ World]
>[The Happiest Place in the Happiest Place]
>The empty space before “World" is a powdery white smear
>As though it's been erased and written over in chalk countless times
>The wolfess reaches behind the ticket booth and grabs a stick of the stuff
>She writes ROX in on the sign in large, thick letters
>Then she vaults over the counter and gives a flourish to the sign
>"Welcome to Rox World," she says with a smug look. “Admission for one?"
>Yup, Rox snapped
>You might as well indulge the poor, broken girl
>At least there's no line to this park
>As you approach the booth Rox holds out her paw
>"Ah, hang on. Sorry, but we don't take cash or credit here. You're going to have to pay up some other way...."
>Rox leans over the counter, presenting her cheek to you
>You give her a kiss on the side of the muzzle
>"That'll do for now. Alright, off we go!"
>She grabs you by the hand and you both take off down the tunnel
>As Rox guides you along you notice just how much like the rest of the underground this tunnel is
>Just on a smaller, more compact scale
>But what the main underground doesn't have is a true sense of closeness to the attractions
>Here, you can feel the rumble of the ride, smell the pines and the river waters, and hear the whistling of the wind through the rocky cliffs
>For one brief moment, you're outside on the ride itself
>Out in the park with your closest friend, who isn't just disguised under a costume
>You're so close to the outside world you can even see riders sail by through little cracks and peepholes
>You can clearly make out each of their lively, joyful faces
>Such a vantage point isn't possible even through the ride's cameras
>It's captivating just to watch the happy people
>Rox hangs around for a little while, but she's soon ushering you along
>After a little walking, you end up deep within a very familiar attraction
>A very pastel, saccharine boat tour
>Little Happy Planet
>You're looking out of little tiny windows in the ride's background, getting another great view of the guests floating along
>It's still Little Happy Planet though, so a bunch of guests look like they're being tortured
>But all the reactions are candid, giving you a sense at just how much genuine emotion the ride evokes
>Fortunately, none of the droning music invades where you and Rox are
>It's probably thanks to all the mattresses braced against the walls, dampening the sound
>This whole situation feels surreal
>It's basically a backstage of Whimsey Park that doesn't seem to be used by anyone
>Well, except for a wolfess and her human companion
>"Back when the park first opened," Rox explains, “the whole place was run by mice. Whimsey himself had a pretty close mouse business partner. It worked fine for a while, but they needed more employees every time the park expanded. Most of us can't exactly fit into the same spots mice do very well, so they had to rework the behind-the-scenes stuff to fit bigger bodies."
>Rox leans against the mattresses as she continues to gaze out the windows
>"A lot of the tunnels that were too small, too inefficient, or too close to the humans just got sealed over. All the new ones were just built around them. Well, some of the old guard still remembered about these old secret routes...."
>You follow her to the next segment of the tunnels: a tiny break room
>There's really only a couch, a table, and a mini fridge in here
>But also another little viewport of the outside streets
>"I don't know who did it, but someone opened up these tunnels in a very careful way to link them all together, while still keeping them hidden from everyone else. These tunnels run through almost the whole part. Only a few employees know about this place."
>Rox kicks open the mini fridge and tosses you a drink
>"No charge," she laughs. “You won't find a deal like THAT out there!"
>She gets in close, presenting her other cheek to you
>"Maybe there's a LITTLE fee...."
>Good thing kisses are inexhaustible
>"Every time I come here all the snacks get refilled. I bring my own to add to the stash sometimes. A respectful thing, ya know? We all sort of collectively keep things running, but I always felt like someone in particular is looking out for us."
>So an exclusive club for employees?
>Rox looks around the break room a little guiltily
>"Yeah, I suppose so. I think a lot of us who learned about this place were just pretty tired of guests or sick of management. Hell, there was a bunny coordinator who used to work here, and she's the one who 'initiated' me right before she quit."
>No doubt Sherry-K's old friend
>The tigress probably doesn't even know about this whole thing herself
>What about Chee?
>"I've...thought about bringing her here a few times. It just frankly never felt like the right time. Plus, she's not exactly the best at keeping secrets. I'll tell her someday."
>Rox lifts your chin up to meet her friendly eyes
>"The way I figure it, priority goes to those who NEED to see this sort of place. People who need a bit of an escape, or to be reminded up close of what the 'magic' can do for others."
>She gives you a kiss in return on the forehead
>"And maybe the boyfriends of those people as well...."
>The two of you relax and enjoy the snacks for a few minutes
>Looking around the break room, you can see signs of other employees who've utilized “Rox World"
>Little clumps of fur
>Bracelets and uniform ties dangling from the walls like trophies
>[cookie wuz here] written above the couch
>"I'd come here to clear my head every so often," Rox says, “but it was always a little lonely. Never ran into any others directly. You're the first person I've gotten to share this with, Anon."
>You've practically become addicted to those golden eyes of hers
>They're meant for you and you alone
>At least until they dart to the wall where a small clock hangs
>"Oh, shit!" Rox says. “It's gonna start soon! Finish what you have and let's roll!"
>Through more attractions you and Rox scurry
>You get only a moment to take each in before the wolfess yanks you along
>"We can come back later. Don't want to miss this!"
>The innards of Whimsey Park can throw even those with the best sense of direction off
>However, you have a hunch where you might be based on your travels so far
>"Hurry up! The show's already started!"
>You and Rox drop down a short ledge, where a few smashed-in beanbags and pillows are clustered
>There's a wire-screen barrier in front of you, giving the perfect angle to a spotlighted stage below
>This place is immediately recognizable as the ceiling to Gallery Guffaw
>A bi-hourly comedy performance for a whole theater of guests
>Down below, two clown mascot characters are in the middle of their routine
>A parrot-like one named Chortle, and a hyena-looking one named Chide
>You can only imagine what kind of anthros are hidden inside
>"...So I said, if you fit any more in there you'd be a gumball machine!"
>Even without the setup, Rox snorts out a laugh at the delivery
>"That's pretty good, Chortle! The last time I took a plane, someone gave me some gum to keep my ears from popping."
>"Did it work?"
>"Yeah, but later on I couldn't get the gum out of my ears."
>Rox is in hysterics after every groaner and every eye-roller
>Literally howling
>She's completely in her element here
>"Speaking of ears, I was looking to get a bunch of piercings the other day. I found a set I liked, but the seller said it was only for devout, religious types."
>"What? Why would he say that, Chide?"
>"Because if you put them all in, you get really holey."
>Rox hangs on to you for stability
>Your face gets wet from all the tears streaming from her eyes
>"Well, I know a pirate who does some great piercings for cheap; it's a steal!"
>"Really? How much does he charge?"
>"A buccaneer."
>Dead
>The jokes killed your wolfess, and she's sprawled out on your lap
>"Anon...can't breathe...help...."
>She shakes and wheezes
>Any time you've ever come to Gallery Guffaw on a day off, you'd hear raucous laughter from somewhere in the audience
>There's always one person like that in any public gathering, but now it dawns on you
>It had to be Rox you heard in the past
>Did she ever see you down among the other humans, pretending you were right there with her?
>You stroke the prone wolfess as she fights for air
>She turns to you with watery eyes and heavy panting
>Looks like she's going to need some CPR
>You lift her head closer to you and lock lips
>She springs to life, her tongue darting around your mouth
>The finale of the show goes ignored as Rox gives you a kiss unlike any other
>It's an endless exchange of passion with your furry lover
>At least until she starts giggling again right into your mouth
>The theater grows quiet as the guests file out, but Rox continues to lie in your lap
>Just five more minutes, huh?
>She nods weakly
>Rox would be absolutely perfect down there on the stage
>Maybe someday when the “mascot initiative" kicks off, she will be
>Telling her favorite jokes, unfiltered because she won't be smothered by a costume mask
>And you'll be there for her every show
>Her biggest fan
[[CHAPTER 18: Roxie IV]]
>You've had more fun in Rox World than you've ever had in Whimsey World
>The only way things could be the other way around is if you were allowed to enjoy the rest of Whimsey with her
>You'd say “maybe someday", but who knows when such a future will be possible?
>But if working for the company has taught you anything, it's not to focus on the ugliness of reality all the time
>The best you can do right now is just enjoy what you have in front of you
>After Rox recovers from Gallery Guffaw she continues taking you on a tour of the secret tunnels
>Though she's going to need to take a breather after laughing so hard
>You were fine just relaxing with her up in the Gallery's hidden perch, but she has a different spot in mind
>A few ideas crop up as you travel farther through the park
>Now you're very close to “E-on-Time", where all the futuristic rides and shows in the park are
>It starts to get darker the further you go underground
>When you hear the din of the ride you instantly know where you are
>Starlight Summit
>It wasn't that long ago you were here with Rox enjoying the attraction with her
>Now you're seeing it from a different perspective
>Seeing HER from a different perspective
>No longer under the disguises of mascot character and handler
“This'll do," Rox says as she guides you to a spot where a few blankets are already spread out
>As the two of you two lie together in the underbelly of Starlight Summit, it really feels like the two of you are on a genuine vacation together
>You and Rox are far under the tracks of the coaster ride, side by side
>The occasional rumble of the carts above sounds almost like the roar of ocean waves
>You can see up through the tracks well enough to take in the dim lights of the high ceiling
>Like looking at a starlit night
>Rox's plan worked perfectly
>She managed to show you the magic you didn't even realize you needed in your life
>Whenever you walked around Whimsey Park, you always honed in on what was “fake"
>Staring at zippers on costumes, or finding all the joints and hydraulics of animatronics
>The kind of thing guests blissfully ignore so they can make the most of the experience
>Here in Rox World, it's the opposite
>You can look past all the gates and screens to see the inner charm of the amusement park
>Yeah, you're technically lying on the floor of a ride's basement, looking at ceiling lights and pretending they're stars
>And somehow you're perfectly fine believing in the illusion
>Rox's paw sneaks over to your hand and squeezes it
>It's pretty dark down here, but you can easily make out her shining golden eyes
>"Hey...ya' have a good time today?"
>How can you say no?
>Rox grins proudly
>"Yeah, I knew you would."
>Another cart races by, like a shooting star against the night sky
>Rox fidgets, rubbing her legs together
>There's a lengthy silence before the wolfess speaks again
>"Just the two of us gazing up at the stars. I guess this is the kind of clichéd thing that makes people start talking about dreams like in all the movies, right?"
>She snickers to herself
>Though it's clear she was setting herself up for this moment
>"To tell you the truth, I don't know if I have any anymore," she says bluntly.
>Her paw moves from your hand to rub up and down your arm
>"Yeah, I had goals and stuff, but the only real dream I had was...to meet a human."
>She moves from your arm up and around your shoulder, pulling you closer
>Her fur is infinitely warmer and softer than the worn out blankets you're lying on
>When she speaks, you can feel her words reverberate through her neck
>"No, not just that. My DREAM was to fall in love with one, and maaaybe have one feel the same about me. But I'm sure you already knew that."
>Rox hums to herself happily as you're pulled even tighter against her
>"So now I have everything I wanted. Where do I go from here? I mean there's a lot for us to look forward to with the mascot initiative and meeting Mr. Whimsey...."
>She scratches you absentmindedly
>"Do we go even bigger? Like, try to bring this kind of happiness to everyone else? How many others out there do you think want to have the kind of relationship we have?"
>It's pretty much just Rox thinking aloud
>You can tell she's feeling a little lost
>Surely if you suddenly find yourself having what you wanted most, you're going to need some time to find the next big thing
>Rox backs off a bit
>Even with the lack of light you can see the obvious guilt in her face
>Her pointed ears fold back
>"I didn't...keep you from your own dreams, did I?"
>Her paw disconnects from your body, as though she's afraid to touch you anymore
>"I know I screwed you over and got you stuck in all this mess. It's a miracle you don't hate my guts because of all that. But even worse, I didn't stop and think about whatever future you would have had."
>Rox shrinks away
>"Did you have dreams? Did you have...a girlfriend back home?"
>It'll soon be two weeks since you first discovered the anthros
>Despite all that time, things have been such a whirlwind of surprise and activity you still feel like you haven't had time to sit back and think about your life
>What plans did you have before coming to Whimsey World?
>Not many apparently, or else you wouldn't have taken this seasonal job to begin with
>It would have looked great on your resume to work for such a reputable, behemoth of a company
>Yet you didn't exactly have anyone lined up career wise to even look at it
>Maybe it was something you did simply BECAUSE you were at a loss for what direction to take your life
>A lot of others in your life have always said they didn't know what job they'd end up doing
>An unusual opportunity opened up, and they went for it
>You weren't planning on discovering a secret population of animal people who would flip your world upside down, but that's what the universe decided to unload onto you
>Yeah, you're essentially stuck with them until they trust you well enough to give you more freedom
>But you aren't a slave and you aren't being tortured
>If you can still consider yourself a prisoner, it's the best prison you could be in
>So what are your dreams right now?
>Who knows
>There's no rush, and there's no pressure to decide right now
>There's just a worried wolf girl lying next to you, terrified of the answer you might give her
>Rox flinches when you suddenly move, but when you close the distance between the two of you again her she melts in your arms
>Her dreams are as good as yours at this point
>Not to mention, what girlfriend could ever be as good as a wolf girl?
>"H-ha hah...you are such an awesome guy, Anon," Rox says happily
>Back in her embrace you're assaulted with head rubs and cheek nuzzles
>"I didn't even follow my own rules," she laughs. “No buzzkills. There isn't even anything left to sweat about anymore, at least between us."
>She continues her aggressive, affectionate contact
>The smell of her fur sweeps into your nose
>Her hairs brush against your skin with an electrifying tingle
>When she lets up, her legs are still rubbing together
>A clatter echoes not too far from where you are
>You and Rox freeze up, trying to locate the source
>"Pfft, it's nothing," Rox laughs
>She crawls over to where the sound came from and holds up a pair of sunglasses
>"We TELL them to secure their shit before the ride starts. They just never listen."
>Rox slips the sunglasses into her pocket as she rejoins you
>"They're pretty beat up after that, but someone will be looking for them anyway. We'll drop them off at the Lost and Found before we leave. Do our good deed for the day."
>Still on her paws and knees, Rox wiggles her backside and tries to keep her legs from touching
>Rox grunts as she fidgets some more
>"Well, I think we've...guh...done just about everything here. W-what do you say we head back home soon?"
>You're a little surprised by her abrupt change in plans
>Wasn't this supposed to be an all-day thing?
>"Hey, you know what they say, right? 'Can't see all of Whimsey in just one day', r-right? Hah...."
>Rox helps you to your feet, but it's her who looks like she's having a difficult time standing
>"I'm thinkin' ramen and just kicking back on the couch. Huh? Maybe we can raid Chee's movie collection for something to watch together."
>To say Rox is acting odd would be an understatement
>Especially if she's suggesting watching one of her roommate's many Whimsey movies
>Past Starlight Summit are a few more tunnel crossroads leading to other attractions, but Rox steers you away from them
>"Next time," she says. “Gotta leave something for us to come back to."
>You managed to loop back around to where you started the day
>Rox hastily wipes away her chalk name from the [____ World] sign
>Then she pulls a notebook from behind the ticket booth and scribbles something down
>It's a guest book
>You can see her name and yours added to dozens—if not hundreds—of others
>Many are repeats, but there's a noticeable variety
>"Alright, we'll drop off the sunglasses and head back home."
>The wolfess slams the notebook shut and slaps you on the back before tossing it aside with an unusual smirk on her face
>"Well? Let's move!"
>You're soon out of Rox World, and then out of the rest of the park
>It's getting late in the afternoon, though still a little too early yet for dinner like Rox suggested
>Her face looks numb with a forced smile as you're led to the car and driven to the apartment
>It's frozen in an even more creepy expression than half of the mascot masks
>The ride back is a rocky one
>The rapid bouncing of her leg on the accelerator makes the car lurch forward sporadically
>She plays the radio along the way, but her humming is completely out of sync with every song
>When the car parks back at the employee housing she's already outside your door
>Ready to throw it open before you can even grab the handle
>Then it's back to being shoved ahead the rest of the way
>But once you pass through the doorway of the apartment, Rox mellows out
>Too much so
>You and Rox stare at each other for an uncomfortably long time
>She gives a short, awkward laugh every so often
>"I, uh...did you have a good time today?"
>Guess we're doing this conversation again
>"A-ah, sorry, sorry. Just got a little scatterbrained for a second there."
>The wolfess takes a few unnaturally large breaths, exhaling sharply each time
>Her composure normalizes
>"Look," she grumbles
>There's strain in her voice
>"I gotta come clean, Anon. I wanted this day to be the absolute best for both of us, and I was hoping we could end it with...you know...YOU KNOW...."
>Oh
>She lowers her head sheepishly
>"Anon, I know you know how I feel about you. And I KNOW you caught me doing some...embarrassing things in private, while thinking of YOU."
>It was definitely a surprise to hear her calling out your name when she was “working out" in her room
>Pretty flattering, too
>Her foot lifts off the floor briefly as her knees rub together
>"I've had fantasies of us together probably a lot sooner than it was safe to. I guess that naïve little pup Rox still hung on to that 'love at first sight' crap after all these years."
>Poor Rox
>It's more than a little heartbreaking to think she had to get by for so long with just fantasies of the two of you, rather than being able to fully confide her feelings
>"After you helped me blow off a little steam last week when you accidentally...heh...I thought I could stay resilient for a while after that. Got it out of my system, you know? But like an idiot I pushed things ahead too quickly."
>Her paws clench and unclench as though imitating her heartbeat
>"Throwing myself on you, getting all handsy, sleeping half naked together...man, I really wasn't making this whole 'taking things slow' easy, was I?"
>Rox gulps audibly
>"When I said it was my dream to fall in love with a human, I meant taking things 'all the way' eventually. But...I knew if I blew it with you I'd never get another chance, so I kind of...suppressed some urges."
>The wolfess claws at her sides
>"I know I've asked you this already, but...do you have those feelings for me, Anon? Like, THOSE feelings? Would you really be alright having an actual relationship with a wolf? Or...should we just stick to ear scratches and belly rubs? B-because I can totally make that work! Really! Whatever it takes for us!"
>Rox hit you with a lot to take in very quickly
>There's no sense in lying to yourself about your feelings for her
>You can confidently say you love her, and any hesitation in moving things forward came mostly from her
>It was probably a mature, well-intended gesture on her part
>Even it drove her a little stir-crazy as a result
>But the two of you have been through so much these last few months it feels like it's about time for you to look ahead to the next step
>So you tell her exactly what she's been hoping to hear
>You truly love her, and you'd like nothing more than to see your relationship get even stronger
>The wolfess hyperventilates before clapping her paws with an excited yip and a short hop in place
>Composure's out the window, but at least it's Rox being her expressive self again
>"H-ha! Well...now I don't know what to do with myself!"
>She's back to fidgeting
>This time it seems to be more because of a lack of direction where to go from here
>"Sooo...are you, ya' know, in the mood right now?"
>It's not how you expected this to play out as your first time with her
>Being the goof she is, you shouldn't have expected anything else
>"Hey, don't give me that look," she huffs. “I told you I've never had a boyfriend before. Cut me some slack. I know I talk a big game, but that was to save face around you all this time."
>Rox scratches her neck fluff shamefully
>"I dunno. Maybe we should just stick to belly rubs. I don't know what the hell I'm doing."
>One step at a time, you tell her
>Every bold move she's made before was done exactly when she felt it was ready
>Though maybe you can help her feel a little more comfortable by taking the initiative
>You start with what you know: scratches
>The two of you make your way to the bedroom, with you guiding the wolfess there by her ears
>You lower yourselves down as the scratches continue
>*scritch scritch scritch*
>"Getting there..." Rox says with a groan
>Her head rolls and twists so you can cover all the spots
>A shiver courses through her as you hit all the key spots
>When she's had enough she backs up from your reach
>She grabs her top and pulls it over her head with a smooth motion
>Her breasts are released with a jiggle, on full display for you once more
>You join her by removing your own shirt
>"Well, we made it this far again," she says with a grin
>You place your hands on her stomach, and the wolfess immediately tenses her abdomen
>"A-alright, maybe don't go as crazy this time. Just...easy."
>You rub her belly up and down gently
>This loosens her up considerably
>Her eyes begin to close in a dreamy, hypnotic way
>Her mouth hangs open as she pants slowly
>You can bring her so much pleasure through belly rubs it's difficult not to go overboard
>You work your fingers into her fur, down to the skin underneath
>Your thumbs tease her navel for a while before your hands spread out to her waist
>Rox's tongue oozes out with bliss
>"I...Anon...uhhhooo...."
>Her noises are like a young pup trying to howl for the first time
>The stimulation culminates with a powerful inhale and more tensing
>Rox grabs you hands to hold them still
>It's like she's holding her breath
>Then she sighs longer than you've ever heard her before
>You're left to watch as Rox stands up from the bed and unbuttons her jeans
>She hooks her claws into the waistband of her jeans and closes her eyes with another shorter sigh
>Rox slides her pants off, showing you her fully naked body at long last
>Nothing's out of the ordinary—at least by wolf standards—and it's everything you would have imagined from Rox's athletic body
>But she's gorgeous nonetheless
>You can barely make out the swell of her netherlips through the fur of her groin, with a visible slickness to it
>Her eyes flutter open, and her smile returns
>Whether by shyness or tantalization, she turns to the side with her arms folded and her tail swaying
>"Are we cool?" is all she can say, in her typical Rox fashion
>Definitely
>Rox swivels on her toes, letting you see every angle of her
>"Okay, now I'm completely at a loss what to do next."
>Guess it's your turn
>You disrobe the rest of your clothes with a steady pace
>The more you remove, the wider Rox's eyes get
>Now the both of you are in the buff, looking over the other with exploring gazes
>When you make your way up to her golden eyes, she gives you a goofy thumbs-up
>"I'm liking what I see so far," she chuckles
>Ditto
>Neither of you makes the next move
>Someone needs to go first, and the ball's up in the air
>It's going to have to be you
>But the moment you move, Rox jumps back a bit
>"I'm not gonna lie, Anon," Rox says with a grimace, “maybe we're a little TOO cool. I'm actually getting cold feet here, h-ha."
>Her confession throws you off
>She admitted herself she's been pretty brazen about throwing herself on you
>Now there's hesitation out of nowhere
>Is it because of you?
>Your body?
>Rox can sense your disappointment
>"H-hey, it's nothing, really! It's just...I'm...."
>She tugs on her ears and bites her gums
>"You want something to eat first? I can get that ramen going!"
>She doesn't wait for an answer
>Rox bolts from the room, with her furry rump and tail bouncing with every step
>You hear the rattle of pots and pans from the kitchen
>Followed by clacks of stove dials and the rushing of the sink
>Her behavior makes you speechless
>And at the same time, it's entirely normal
>If there's one thing Rox has always been consistently, it's unpredictable
[[CHAPTER 19: House of Rox]]
>Rox continues to make noise in the kitchen as you sit on the bed stunned
>You and her were staring at each other's nude bodies with anticipation for what was about to come next
>That was mere seconds ago
>Then she backed out before you even had time to process her change of heart
>She said it wasn't you, but what else could it be?
>Where's the Rox who whipped off her shirt without warning to snuggle you with her bare chest?
>The Rox who dragged you into the women's locker room the first time you found out she was a wolf and changed clothes right in front of you?
>Cooking ramen, apparently
>The two of you are all alone in the apartment, but if she was so spooked by you you're not going to walk around with your junk hanging freely
>You throw some underwear on and head to the kitchen
>The wolfess must have had similar fears about being in the buff, because she has an apron on to cover her body
>Or at least her front
>In a way, seeing her with the thin layer of cloth draped over her is enticing on its own
>She has an assembly line of ramen to keep her busy
>"H-hey Anon," she says with an uneasy smile. “How many packs of noodles do you want? Two? Four? Ten?"
>She tears another one open and adds it to the pile
>You tell Rox to chill out with all the ramen
>Not only are you not going to be able to eat it all, but that's practically Rox's entire food budget
>She sighs in defeat
>"Yeah, I freaked out a bit. I'm...sorry, Anon."
>She stacks the ramen bricks distractingly
>The boiling water in the pot hisses into steam, completely ignored
>"I guess I wasn't as ready to dive in and bear it all for you as I thought I was...."
>She flattens out her apron to highlight her point
>"I felt even more naked than I expected. I still kinda feel that way. When all your emotions for someone build up inside of a costume, you sort of feel protected by the stupid outfit. Like it's your second skin. Like if you fell for me, I'd still be in the costume."
>Rox picks at her nails, doing anything she can to not look you directly in the eyes
>"You know, in my fantasies—before I showed you my real self—I imagined that if we DID ever go at it I'd basically be humping you in that very costume. I still couldn't tell you what I was, but I could get away it somehow."
>She laughs in a forced, anxious way
>"Imagine that. I'd be in some kind of fur suit the whole time. Pretty weird, huh? Ha...."
>Rox keeps avoiding your eyes while she talks, but instead stares down at your underwear
>Her breathing is heavy, and you can see her fleshy nubs poke through the apron as her chest heaves
>"We both want this, right? I was a puss back there, and it wasn't fair to lead you on just to bail out at the last second."
>You feel like she might be getting a little too hard on herself
>It IS your first time with her, after all
>And your first time with an anthro, obviously
>It's a heavy moment for both of you
>"I guess it's just me being kind of afraid. We can't get much closer than...sex, right?“
>Just the word itself makes Rox jittery
>Rox has never been so blunt about it before
>"I just don't want to ruin what we have going for us if I fuck things up...ha...for real. At least if we had to do in in the suit there would have been that, well, 'mystery' I suppose. I'd still have something left to show you and maybe redeem myself with, if that makes sense."
>Would she like it better that way?
>"What, in the costume? No...that's dumb. I guess it boils down to taking the plunge and figuring things out later."
>Rox's ears perk up
>"Speaking of boiling, I guess we might as well chow down while we have all this ramen going already."
>All of it?
>"Nah, I'll bag the rest back up. That stuff's like gold around here. Well, at least for me. But, hey, don't get changed just yet."
>Rox pulls the strings of her apron and throws it off of her
>Once again entirely nude
>"I got too comfortable in my costume. Little by little I tried to peel it away and find the guts to get to this point. Now I want to be comfortable like this."
>The wolfess poses for you with some subtle flexing
>You can make out the definition of her toned muscles through all the fur
>"So until we hit the bedroom again, I'm going to stay like this."
>Rox finishes cooking the hearty ramen meal
>Rather than eat at the table she takes the food over to the couch
>When she sits down she shifts her legs just the right way to give you a brief look at her puffy lower lips
>Her previous hesitation is probably why you think that her flashing you is just an accident
>But when she gives you a wickedly smug look you see the error of your ways
>Every time she leans down to slurp up some more of her ramen she gives your tenting underwear a prolonged look
>"Hey, we should do that noodle thing like in the movies!"
>That's a pretty direct segue
>Does she mean taking opposite ends of a noodle and working your way to the center?
>Seems like a lot of work for a kiss you could just share normally, but...
>Before you can finish your thought Rox grabs a wad of ramen with her mouth
>She then mashes it against your own and tries to shove the noodles inside with her tongue
>You work through the mouthful while Rox laughs
>"Sorry. Always wanted to try that!"
>She has a strand of ramen draped over her snout, which you pick off and feed to her
>When the bowls are empty, Rox assesses the damage
>"Man, we got pretty dirty today. Rolling around in those tunnels, and now I'm covered in flavor-packet powder."
>Rox gathers the bowls and tosses them into the sink
>The sway of her tail draws your attention to her furry bottom
>"How about we clean up with a shower?"
>She's getting that confidence back for sure
>You're pushed into the waiting bathroom
>Rox turns on the water and snaps your waistband
>"Alright, in we go!"
>Now you're joining her in the buff
>The water feels much hotter than the dial shows, but that could be the blood coursing through you
>And it's not difficult to see why
>Naked with the wolfess in all her natural beauty
>The shower dousing her fur somehow draws out the wild wolf in her even more
>You both soak for minutes, taking in each other's body
>Rox stares at one spot in particular
>She reaches down with a nervous paw and cups your scrotum
>She plays with its weight and rolls it along her fingers
>The leather pads of her paws is a sensation unlike any other
>If there was any room left in your erection for more blood, it's full now
>Rox handles it next, gliding ever so gently up and down
>"I know I'm one of the weird ones," she says with a whistle, “but you humans gotta have the best packages out there. Nothing sharp, nothing funny looking..."
>Even compared to wolves?
>"Like I said, I'm not normal. Some of us just have this...fixation with humans, I suppose. Wolves just don't do it for me, and nothing else does either."
>Rox squeezes you the entire time she talks
>Continuing to do so even as she grabs some soap, presses your back to her front, and begins washing your body
>She rests her head on your shoulder as she scrubs everywhere
>It's a heavenly feeling to be embraced by your wolfess and washed all the while
>With warm water cascading all over you
>You have to warn Rox to ease up a bit on fondling, though
>As much as you want to give yourself over to the pleasure, you want to save yourself for the bedroom even more
>"Sure thing," she purrs
>She slows her stroking down, but still gives your length a squeeze every so often to tease you
>You're afraid she's going to get you off too soon right as she lets go of your entirely
>"My turn."
>The wolfess has a lot of fur to work through
>It takes a while to lather her up and rinse her down, but it's an enjoyable process
>"Ooo~ooo~ooohhh," she sighs. “I think I found something even better than belly rubs...."
>When you get to the small of her back, Rox's tail whips you excitedly
>You grab the base and hoist it out of the way so you can work on her rump
>Rox lets out a sharp gasp
>You might have found something that disarms her faster than belly rubs, too
>She braces herself against the wall as you knead her cheeks and thighs
>Not to clean them anymore, but instead as payback for the teasing
>"What are you d-doing back there?" she groans. “Hurry up and finish already!"
>She swats you again with her tail as soon as you release it
>With the two of you clean, you move on to drying yourselves
>Rox's blower makes this part no trouble at all
>She's floofed up a bit once you're done, but her fur settles with some quick brushing
>The wolfess runs her body all over you even after you're fully dry
>"Just warming you up some more," she snickers
>The double entendre is not lost on you
>After eating and bathing, it's getting late in the evening
>You and Rox are sitting together on the bed quietly
>"Sooo...you think we should get some drinks in or something? Loosen up a bit?"
>Alcohol seems to be in as limited of supply as ramen in the apartment
>"Ah, scratch that. If we're gonna do this, I don't want to be inebriated and screw things up even worse."
>Rox sighs with the tension of someone about to jump out of an airplane
>"Well, you ready?"
>She sounds so morose about it
>You let her know that, yes, you're ready
>Rox grabs your head and locks her lips with yours
>It's such a powerful, aggressive kiss you're afraid she's literally trying to eat your face
>You have the wind knocked out of you from how fast it happens
>Any air you can take in is immediately stolen by Rox's sucking
>You hang on to whatever fur you can, but Rox reroutes your hands to her torso
>One hand is placed on a breast while the other is led to her stomach
>Your hands instinctively rub and grope, trying to make the wolfess happy
>She makes little noises into your mouth as you continue to massage her, ending the kiss with a wet pop
>Her fingers dance along your skin, just as unsure where to cling to
>Her body tenses after taking all the rubs she can handle, and she pushes you onto your back
>"A-alright, just a bit more p-prep work...."
>Rox buries her snout into your groin and sniffs deeply
>That alone is practically enough to keep you rigid, but she proceeds to lick up your length in thorough strokes
>She coats it in as much of her saliva as she can, though not without savoring the taste
>Or at least the sounds she makes lead you to believe she likes the taste
>As one paw grips your shaft, the other digs into her own loins
>Evidently trying to escalate things for both of you at once
>You're afraid she's going to edge you too close just like in the shower, but she's much quicker to ease off this time
>Though she rubs herself a little while longer while she speaks
>"How are we going to do this?" she grunts.
>Talking out loud more than to you
>“I don't want to...h-hah...crush you."
>Sounds like you're going to have to be on top, if that's possible with her
>You're yanked to your feet as Rox flops onto the bed in your place
>Her waist barely hangs over the end of the bed as she lies on her back
>With a gulp, Rox spreads herself
>Her netherlips are swollen even more than before, and warmth can be felt pouring out of her
>You place your hands on her hips and she hooks her legs over your shoulders
>The wolfess can do no more now except nod weakly
>You guide yourself into her, easing through her heated folds
>For how much bigger she is than you, it's still a remarkably tight fit
>Rox pants frantically, causing you to slow down out of concern
>But her legs pull you closer
>Slowly you fill her up, little by little
>When you're all the way in, Rox puts her paw close to her groin
>As if hoping to feel where you are inside of her
>Her laughing is broken, but it's unmistakably out of satisfaction
>"Hah...hah...did it..." she gasps
>Well, not quite
>She knows that too
>The two of you begin rocking in unison
>Easy and calm at first, but building up in speed and intensity in seconds
>You're given a moment to pull yourself out a slight amount before her legs draw you back in
>It almost becomes a fight just to move away, and with her powerful physique it's a fight that's in her favor
>When you falter and can't pull yourself back for a moment, Rox grinds against your hilt for as long as it takes for you to recover
>It's eagerness that becomes her downfall, however
>After a short time, her eyes go wide
>Her body spasms and the wolfess makes noises that are very familiar to you
>"A-A-AHH...HAAOOOooohhh," she howls
>You give her some time to come back down
>Only for her to shake her head violently when you wait too long
>"N-NO! Keep going! I can...I can hold out longer this t-time!"
>She's so sensitive to any kind of stimulation that you're not surprised how quickly you got her to climax
>But she's egging you on and a kindled spirit within you accepts the challenge
>You redouble your efforts to overcome Rox's hardening defenses
>The large, powerful wolfess against a mere human
>A mere human who knows all her weaknesses
>Again and again you thrust against her, aided by her legs
>She growls with feral determination
>But her rough grunts turn into whines as you gain the upper hand
>Her paws fly to her chest, squeezing her breasts and flicking her nipples with her thumbs
>With just a few pumps more, Rox hits orgasm a second time
>And again you pause, standing over her like a wrestler over his defeated opponent
>"Nggahh...Ah...a-again...keep going...."
>She isn't trying to prove her fortitude anymore
>You realize she's holding out simply because she's waiting for you to get your own pleasurable finish
>It's frankly a miracle you lasted as long as you have with how good her body feels
>No, it's something more than that keeping you stalwart
>You're empowered by the desire to give Rox all she wants
>You're better than a male wolf in her eyes, and you're going to prove her right
>Her legs fall from your shoulders as you lean into her more
>Your hands rest on her abdomen and you curl your fingers into her fur
>Thrusting into her while simultaneously working over her belly
>It's the coup de grace
>The ultimate sensory overload for the wolfess
>If only you had an extra pair of hands to scratch her ears too
>Rox tries vainly to lift her legs back up, but she can only squeeze her knees together around you feebly
>She grabs your forearms as firmly as she can, both to keep you supported over her and to help you find her sweet spots
>Pinned to the bed, Rox can only beg for you to oblige her needs
>You hold off your own mounting climax as long as possible, but you've already reached the summit
>In your final, fervent thrusts, Rox spasms for a third time
>Her body shudders as you release
>The wolfess locks up as you pour into her, constricting you with her quivering folds
>Thoroughly spent, prone and eyes glazed over
>You stand over her as your own adrenaline depletes
>When you're ready, you slowly pull out
>Days of tension and flirting made you more pent up than you've ever been before
>Culminating in something that you can be pretty damn proud of
>Rox might be regretting how much she teased you, if her mind is working at all right now
>You're actually starting to get a little worried for the motionless wolfess
>Until she snaps to life
>She gasps as though taking her first breath after a threat of drowning
>Suddenly reanimated, Rox spends the last reserves of her energy to kick off the floor and move farther onto the bed
>Pulling you up and on top of her
>You're rested on your wolfess just as you have been in past nights
>Her breathing is so deep you're lifted high up with every inhale she takes
>Her paws rub all over your body as if checking to make sure you're all there
>Her breasts cusion your head, limbs tangled into one another
>Fur matted down by your sweat
>On the verge of unconsciousness, Rox fights to stay awake just a moment longer
>"Nn...nnahh..." she pants
>No...?
>"Nnnoo...have t...luh...love...."
>She's trying keep her record going
>An “I love you" every night, just as she promised
>You place a hand on her muzzle and a kiss on her lips
>Reassuring her that you accept her efforts
>A smile grows on her face at your touch
>With her duty complete, Rox lets herself be taken by sleep
>Her breathing returns to normal, and her wandering paws rest peacefully
>You grab as much of the bedsheets as you can to pull over your bodies
>The clock shows that it's still early in the night, but the set alarm warns you about your shift tomorrow
>Hopefully you can get Rox out of bed on time
>Especially since you'll be needing to clean yourselves up again
>With how much better a lot of anthros' senses are you don't want to go to work with the lingering musk of your deeds
>Knowing Rox, she'd probably risk it
>Parading you around like some sort of conquest
>With the happy smile still on her face, you imagine she's already planning the very same thing
[[CHAPTER 20: Alternative Rox]]
>The alarm goes off before you know it
>You must have really been out cold
>You try to reach the buzzer, but your arms are a little tied up
>Still tangled with the wolfess beside you
>The sheets are in complete disarray and Rox's tongue is hanging out
>Kind of an unflattering scene
>And yet, it's a gorgeous sight to have first thing in the morning
>Rox's disheveled fur shows the aftermath of the wild lovemaking you had
>Her natural, unclothed body is a reminder of the intimacy you shared and how comfortable you are with each other
>You can't help but see something different in the wolfess
>It's as though the last of her worries and insecurities were visibly shed away with her clothes
>You're both adults, but it feels like Rox somehow matured even more overnight
>She stirs awake when you shut off the alarm
>She takes a moment to comprehend what happened, then breaks into a raunchy grin
>The sheets whip around as her tail wags
>"Hoo, what a rush! Gotta say, that was everything I hoped for."
>She scoots a little closer and strokes your face with her paw
>You can see deeply into her golden eyes, as though they can lead you to her heart
>"You were amazing, Anon. You took charge, you kicked me into gear, and...well, I wish I could remember more of it near the end there...."
>Rox's nostrils flare as she sniffs the air
>"Wow. That's, heh, pretty potent stuff. Might need to get cleaned up a bit before heading out. Unless...you want me to take you around the park with my scent all over you!"
>You sure called that one
>Rox gives you a few licks on the face that soon turn into longer kisses
>"I won't do that to you. I'm sure it's widely known by now that the two of us are a thing, but I don't want to go announcing to everyone that we fucked."
>Rox puts a paw to her muzzle, like a child who just realized she said something naughty
>But that quickly turns back to a prideful grin once more
>"Honestly never thought I'd be saying that without it being a joke or something. Man, now I really HAVE gotten everything I dreamed of!"
>She rubs all over you, continuing to lick and sniff your body to examine her handiwork
>"Though I guess it's not perfect QUITE yet. I, uh, might not be telling my folks about us for a while. Not that I have the closest relationship with either of them anyway...."
>It didn't dawn on you much until now just how rare it must be for an anthro to have sex with a human
>Surely nobody else in the whole park can brag about that
>Life might get more difficult for the two of you if your relationship caused uproar
>"I'm more worried about the jealousy," Rox chuckles. “There might not be many of us human-ophiles around here, but if they know you're fine with banging one you're going to get preyed on. Trust me."
>Rox clamps her mouth on your neck with a playful growl
>"Just remember what I said: you're MY Anon. All mine!"
>She pulls you to your feet, giving your nude body a smirk
>Then she looks back to the damage you've caused on the bed
>"It's a good thing Chee's not coming back until tomorrow. We're gonna have to get rid of the evidence. Hopefully we can hit the laundry room without anyone else noticing either."
>Rox ushers you into the bathroom where she kicks on the shower
>Not even half a day ago you were bathing together like this
>"It'll be faster this way," she tells you, lathering you up
>It's still pretty arousing to have the wolfess' paws explore your body—and to see hers on full display—but after the bonding you did it's easier to keep things under control
>You've become so attuned to each other now
>What a crime it is to have to disguise her beauty with those ratted, ugly costumes
>But it only makes her true self even more attractive when the outfit is finally stripped away
>A minute goes by before you realize Rox stopped cleaning you
>She's holding you in her arms, swaying your bodies together
>"We'll have time every morning to do this kind of thing if we share a shower," she hums into your ear
>Chee might get suspicious that the two of you are constantly in the bathroom together
>"I'll figure something out. Who knows, maybe if we can find her a little friend of her own, she'll fly the nest."
>It makes you a little sad to think of Chee not being your roommate anymore
>Rox sighs
>"Yeah, I guess that would be a bummer. I've known her for so long it wouldn't feel right not to have her around."
>She rubs your chin like it were her own as she thinks out loud
>"I still want to pair her up with a nice guy, though. She's too sweet to be a third wheel. I think I might have an idea how to do it, AND get a certain kitty involved at the same time."
>There's a twinkle in Rox's eyes
>After such an eventful weekend it almost feels good to return to work
>In some ways, it feels like you're working at Whimsey for the first time
>Rox has a smile on her face the whole way to the park
>That's already a nice change of pace for her
>But what's even more unusual is the way she carries herself
>The wolfess has her head held high and her chest puffed out
>Confidence exudes from her
>Her motions are stronger and her presence feels bigger
>What has gotten into her?
>Well if you asked her that, she'd probably let you know exactly what it was that “got into her"
>Along with a nudge to your ribs and a raised brow
>She's so pleased with herself you worry that might actually get her into trouble
>Especially when a certain tigress comes around the corner of the employee tunnels
>"Morning, Sher!" Rox calls out loudly
>"Roksa," Sherry-K nods in acknowledgment. “You seem...complacent today."
>"Suppose I'm just in a damn fine mood!" Rox laughs
>"Yes, well, I'm happy to hear that."
>"Aww, thanks Sher!"
>The tigress continues on her way before Rox slides in front of her
>"Don't you want to hear about my weekend?" Rox says
>Oh boy
>You know she wouldn't spill the beans, but you've gotten more than your share of surprises the last couple of days
>"Not particularly, no," Sherry-K says flatly
>"Hey now, is that really how our friendship is going to be? I did something the other day that involves you, after all."
>The tigress cocks an eyebrow
>"And that would be...?"
>"Well, Anon and I had a chat with a certain vixen...."
>Sherry-K freezes up
>"...And after a nice lunch we got to talking about our favorite coordinator," Rox says. “She seems pretty interested in you, Sher."
>"W-what did she say!?"
>The tigress is right in Rox's face
>"Woah, easy," the wolfess says, leaning back. “We didn't go too deeply into things. Just wanted to make sure she had some mutual feelings for you, and she does. So now we can move on to the next part."
>Sherry-K nods furiously
>Rox leans back in and taps a claw on the tigress' clipboard
>"I'd like to set something nice up for the two of you. Do you have a personal number I can reach you by?"
>Sherry-K whips out a pen and scribbles her digits down
>She might have needed that inspection form, or whatever it was she just wrote all over....
>Sherry-K rips the corner off and shoves the scrap paper at Rox
>"That'a girl," Rox chuckles, pocketing the phone number carefully while the tigress' wide eyes watch
>Rox pulls Sherry-K into her arm, patting her on the back
>It's hard to tell whether Sherry-K's budding smile is because of the possible date in the near future, or because of the wolfess touching her
>Either way, it's bizarre to see the tigress' face shaped like that
>Yet endearing at the same time
>"I'll touch base with you as soon as I can," Rox says. “We're waiting on Chee to get back tomorrow; got someone I'd like her to meet as well. Can you hold it together for a few more days?"
>Sherry-K tries to compose herself at Rox's banter
>She can really throw that professionalism back on effortlessly
>Though for how many times you've been up close to her, you can pick up on some subtle cues that give away the tigress' excitement
>"I have no trouble waiting to hear back from you. Take all the time you...I-I mean, *ahem*, please keep me updated whenever possible."
>"Will do, Sher!"
>The tigress struts off, only to spin around when she realizes she doesn't know which way she's going
>Rox gets some entertainment out of it at least
>"Poor girl," she says with a click of her tongue as Sherry-K darts off
>You find yourself in your usual spot under Rox's arm
>"Y'know, it's really a relief that we've done our 'thing' together already. I was starting to get afraid both Chee AND Sher were going to get some before I did!"
>Rox gives you a quick kiss on the cheek
>"How embarrassing would THAT be? I match up all our friends and I end up being the least experienced one of the group."
>Rox has some pretty unusual worries
>"Imagine if I had to start begging Chee for pointers. Sitting all timidly on the couch while she puffs on a cigarette with a leather jacket and...huh...did ya' forget something, Sher?"
>It startles you when the tigress creeps back up on the two of you
>Any amount of reservedness she left with is out the window now
>"I almost forgot to mention," Sherry-K says, “that I have an update of my own regarding Mr. D. Whimsey Jr."
>Now it's Rox's turn to freeze up
>"Yeah? And what's that?"
>"He would indeed like to meet the two of you at his office on the park grounds to discuss the mascot initiative, as well as allowing Anon to see the rest of our society outside of Whimsey World."
>"No way! When!?"
>Rox and Sherry-K look like two gossiping high school girls
>"Early next week," Sherry-k says earnestly. “He'll be back from a trip in a few days, and then he'll contact me with the details."
>"That's...haha, that's great!"
>Rox lunges forward to hug Sherry-K
>The tigress looked ready for it, opening her arms ever so slightly to welcome Rox's gratitude
>Is it nostalgia, or déjà vu?
>As the workday progresses in its usual way you're hit with a familiar feeling
>Rox energetically performs in the costume—not unusual ever since trying to turn a new leaf—but it's not for the sake of the guests or even management
>It seems like she's doing it for you
>In a way reminiscent of when you were first assigned to her as a handler
>At the time you assumed she was trying to get you to loosen up and help you get used to the Whimsey employee lifestyle
>Later on, you realized she was trying to become friends with you
>Now, this newly transformed wolfess is showing the whole world who her closest partner is
>Her mate for life
>Every time she hovers close to you, you think she's going to burst out of the costume and maul you with love
>"Well, you know me," she whispers to you when you get a moment alone, “I feel like I got a little more 'spunk' in me today."
>That's a little lewd
>Still, you laugh at her joke all the same
>Though if there's any major concern you have, it's that you've created a monster
>Opening up Pandora's Box to all kinds of bedroom ravaging and pelvis crushing
>During lunch break, Rox and you have your own table as usual
>This time, it feels like she's proud of having you all to herself
>Protecting you in her personal territory
>Ready to bark and snarl at anyone who dares to approach you
>But she holds you close and gives you the same arm punches you know all too well from her
>It's the same Rox overall
>Just a Rox with a bit more self-assurance
>Everything certainly looks to be falling into place for the wolfess, and she's wearing her satisfaction on her sleeves
>The moment of truth comes later in the evening after the two of you get off the clock
>You get some food and unwind at the apartment as typical after a shift
>She runs down to the laundry room with the wad of sheets, beaming when she returns
>It's probably not safe to ask if she ran into another tenant
>You're dragged to the living room while you wait between wash and dry cycles
>You expect clothes to fly off the second you settle down on the couch, but Rox never makes the move
>Just the two of you watch some television with her arm keeping you pulled up against her body
>That smile never leaves her face
>Her expression only changes when she opens her muzzle wide for a long yawn
>"Not a bad day, huh? Looking forward to getting our roomie back tomorrow. Having a little time to ourselves was nice, but I kinda miss her bubbly spirit."
>Doesn't Rox want to capitalize on what time you have left?
>You don't necessarily want to provoke her, but you're waiting for the hunter to come out and pounce at any instant
>When enough time passes for the sheets to be dry, Rox makes one final trip to the laundry room
>She returns with the bundle and disappears into the bedroom with a mischievous wink
>Now you're just getting paranoid
>"Alright, time for bed!" she calls out
>Brace yourself, you think as you slink into the bedroom
>The wolfess strips down—starting with her shirt and letting her chest jiggle free
>Her pants come off next—her rump popping out and her tail swinging in a circle
>When you remove your own clothes, Rox is standing there with arms crossed under her breasts
>She shakes her head in amusement
>"You've had that funny look on your face all day, champ. Still got that fire in your loins, huh? I might have created a monster...."
>Hey, that's your line
>The wolfess towers over you and pats you on the head
>Then she throws the sheets back and takes her usual spot
>"Hope I don't break your heart, but I think you drained me pretty good last night. I know we have one more night to ourselves, but I think we should go back to pacing ourselves."
>You lie down next to Rox, nestled in her large body right where you belong
>Part of you is proud of Rox's restraint
>Part of you is admittedly a little disappointed
>"I always thought sex was the big 'point of no return', ya know? Once you get there, you can't really go back to all the cuddles. Boy, in retrospect I was just as naïve as Chee."
>Rox nuzzles you, shaping your body into her curves
>It's even softer and more soothing than ever before
>A little erotic to have her heated womanhood so close to your skin, but you have to focus past her toasty coat of fur to really feel it
>"This is still nice too, right?"
>Her paw travels down your chest to your waist, but doesn't stray farther
>She has to be teasing you
>Or...maybe not
>Rox had ripped her shirt off just to show she was comfortable with you
>She could just be someone who likes to sleep in the nude, and now she feels she can do that with you
>The wolfess breathes deeply into your back
>"I'm fine saving the heavy stuff for special nights if you are. Might be a little harder to sneak it in with Chee so close, but...heh...that could be half the fun."
>Unpredictable as always
>You can feel her chuckle against you
>"Thanks for understanding. Alright, here it comes...."
>She slathers you with kisses and a few more nips to your neck
>"I looove you, Anon. G'night...."
>You might not have your underwear on, but at least you can go to sleep with your pelvis intact