Got the next chapter up! I guess the lesson is if you find a girl you are infatuated with, your brainpower goes up.
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Fox continued to converse with Marten, becoming more relaxed by the minute. Though something about this stranger still bothered him, Fox began to really like him such that his apprehension steadily waned. As far as he could tell, he was a down-to-earth well-balanced fellow.
“This town is certainly amusing.” Marten remarked, looking at a picture of a boy and his golden retriever. “Of all the places I’ve been, the pets and pet-owners here seem the most at ease.” Marten smiled at Fox.
“Yes, the late Henry Milton built Babylon Gardens to be a paradise for humans and animals,” Fox stated.
“So he did,” Marten said. His jaw clenched ever slightly beneath his smooth smile, only barely enough for Fox to notice. “While it’s safe to assume that this paradise doesn’t quite extend to feral creatures like me, it’s innovative and amusing nonetheless.” Marten stated.
“Well, to be fair, that’s an entirely different matter altogether.” Fox said. “In regard to pets and ferals, it’s obvious that no place is perfect. But hey, you’ve certainly been getting by in your few weeks here; given you can afford to go to nightclubs.” Fox said.
“I suppose that’s true, though even amassing the few dollars for this place wasn’t easy.” Marten replied. “No respectable business will hire a wild animal out of fear of ticks and rabies, so I’ve had to forage through muck for any tradable goods I could find.” He looked back at Claudette and smirked. “Speaking of foraging through muck, I surmise that infatuating specimen wasn’t meant to be the one.” He snickered.
“Oh no, I wasn’t asking her out,” Fox said defensively. “I just needed some information from her, though it somehow escalated into something else. To be clear, I’m not a cat-lover, but I respect those who are.” Fox said.
“I understand.” Marten nodded. “I too respect interspecies relationships. I even had one of my own a while back, though ultimately it proved to be nothing more than a transient thrill...” Marten trailed off.
“Really?” Fox asked. “Please, elaborate.” Fox was curious about who he had dated that was of a different species. All that he knew was that around there, dogs and cats were taboo.
Marten took a quick sip from his glass before speaking. “There isn’t that much to elaborate; I had a brief love affair with a ferret- a non-feral of all things. We shared some fun times together, but complex circumstances forced us to part ways.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Fox frowned feeling bad that his relationship was forced to come to an end so soon as he seemed to enjoy being with that girl.
“There’s no need to apologize.” Marten said. “I certainly have no regrets over how things transpired, as those were some of the finest moments in my life. In fact, I honestly don’t have any regrets over anything in my life to speak of.” He paused for a moment, studying Fox before smiling. “Excluding that feisty feline, I can see that you’ve been searching far and wide for a soulmate.”
Fox closed his eyes and sighed. “I have, but with no success. That’s not to say that I haven’t come across any candidates, but they never worked out due to... complex circumstances.” Fox said.
“Let me guess: it was a simple matter of overthinking and waiting too long?” Marten asked as he took another sip from his glass.
“I’m afraid you more or less nailed it on the head.” Fox answered, scratching the back of his ear in both surprise and embarrassment.
“Well, here’s my opinion.” Marten said, clearing his throat. “With life being so uncertain, it’s always best to just go for it and run,” Marten said. “When an opportunity falls within your sights, seize it without hesitation or asking questions, as you may never get a second chance.” He said.
“I suppose that’s true in some cases.” Fox said. “But I don’t want to hurt anyone, nor do I want to be hurt.” Fox said.
“Well, that’s just part of life.” Marten replied. “There’s always the risk that events will not play out in the most desirable fashion. It boils down to just trying it, all the while living with no regrets so long as you see it through. It’s the philosophy I go by and it’s never failed to surprise me.” He looked over at Kevin and Elena. “I see Kevin over there is practicing this idea well; pushing himself out of the sorrow of a past relationship and starting anew.” Marten observed, not realizing he made a very serious mistake.
“You really think so?” Fox asked, not aware that Kevin and Sasha were no longer a couple. However, carefully studying Kevin interacting with Elena, the validity of Marten’s assessment became apparent. It was the first time in a while that he had seen his fellow K-9 so ebullient and happy. He was actually laughing.
A brief moment passed before Fox’s heart skipped a beat. “Wait, how did you know his name?” He asked, growing serious.
“Well, you told me about him earlier.” Marten replied, shrugging his shoulders hoping that Fox wouldn’t remember otherwise.
Was that true? Fox did not recall mentioning Kevin, though he had two glasses of orange soda circulating through him. “Maybe he’s just that insightful, that he read that piece of information from me.” Fox hoped to himself.
Just then, an oversized buff squirrel sauntered up to their table, holding a gold watch in his hands. He held it up to Marten’s face and grumbled. “Hey, buddy, we can’t take this as it’s got custom engravings on it.” he said in a gruff tone.
Fox’s eyes lit up. It was the Milton’s watch! All of his fears had been proven truth. There was indeed a reason that he initially felt that there was something off about him.
Marten nonchalantly sipped his glass again and sighed. “Really? Such impeccable timing that you’d almost think this was staged... Oh well.” He simply said.
The room seemed to freeze in silence as Fox’s adrenaline spiked. His feet burned beneath the table. “Why? Why did you do it?” He demanded, glaring through his visor.
“It’s as I said; I see an opportunity, I seize it with no regrets.” Marten replied with a calm smile. Meanwhile, the buff squirrel scratched his disproportionately small head in confusion, oblivious to the tension.
“You know I have to arrest you?” Fox said; his haunches ready to charge at the weasel that he was once talking to and building a rapport with.
Marten remained seated without the slightest show of anxiety. He finished his drink and smiled. “Then by all means, officer, try your best.”
With a mighty bolt, Fox leapt forward, shouting, “This is for Kevin’s nose!” Marten jumped up and threw a pellet down on the table. With a loud burst, it instantly shrouded the entire room in smoke. Amongst the coughing of the others nearby, the fierce struggle could be heard from inside the noxious veil; the sounds of tables falling over and glasses shattering. Just as Kevin was about to join the fray, there was a loud thud followed by dead silence.
Seconds later, the smoke cleared and everyone regained their bearing. To everyone’s dismay, Fox had not captured the perp. Instead, he had crashed face-first into the massive chest of the squirrel. “Hey kid,” the squirrel growled. “I’m flattered and all, but you probably want to take me out for dinner first.”
Fox rose and shook himself, more embarrassed than hurt from the impact. The thief was long gone and he backed up and held his nose, feeling it starting to bleed and hearing people laughing at him. He blushed a bright red.
Kevin walked over and knelt down next to Fox. "You alright?" he asked his partner as Fox held his nose hoping to stop the bleeding.
Elena saw the commotion and heard what happened as she looked over to where Kevin went. She got up and wandered over. “Uh, are you OK man? I think everybody saw what happened." She said.
Fox merely nodded, avoiding eye contact. He felt way too embarrassed to say anything to the young Boxer Samoyed mix who was standing next to Kevin and eying him with interest.
"Gee, that guy got us both now.“ Kevin commented, scratching his nose as another patron handed Fox some napkins to stop the bleeding.
“Yeah but at least we know that he is the one that was behind the thefts so we can nail him.” Fox said wincing as he put some pressure on it.
"I take it you got a good look at him- maybe got his name or something?" Kevin asked, blushing a little as Elena stepped next to him.
“Yeah. He told me his name was Marten Maloney. It was strange how friendly he was before I figured out who he was.” Fox said still not making eye contact with Elena or the two sisters.
Elena blinked at that. “What is strange is that he lasted here this long sober. I was only here for an hour and I wanted to throw myself out a window.” She said making gagging noises remembering Nick’s routine.
Kevin thought for a moment. "That is strange. He's probably the only one to come to that bat's standup knowing what to expect but not wanting a few drinks." Kevin thought aloud.
"Yeah or being dragged along by someone who thinks everything is funny," Holly mumbled, listening in on the conversation.
"Look Holly, it was a ninja!” Heidi said, sniffing the residue left by the smoke bomb. "I told you they were real. Told you!"
Holly's eyes squinted. "I never said they weren't," she growled. "It's just who practices ninjutsu anymore like that?" Holly said crossing her arms.
“Naruto fans," Heidi replied, smiling, not knowing that her casual remarks were making Holly scream inwardly at how uninformed her sister was.
"I- I sometimes wonder if you really are dumb or if this is some ruse to get a rise out of me.” Holly growled.
Elena looked back at the sisters and laughed nervously. “Well I do hope that you find him and arrest him for whatever crime he committed.” Elena said, not knowing what he did.
"Don't worry about that, we will," Kevin said. He turned over to the squirrel as he was slowly walking away. "Hmm, that's Milton's watch. Sir, please hand that over as it is stolen." Kevin said in an authoritative voice/
"Whatja got for it?” The squirrel asked, holding the watch close to his chest and eying Kevin warily despite the fact that he was a police officer though he didn’t care.
Kevin was at a momentary loss for words. "I-I don't got or need anything for it; it's stolen and doesn't belong to you." Kevin said.
"Fine, whatever, here.” mumbled the squirrel. He tossed the watch down at Kevin's feet and waddled off to the back of the room.
“That was kind of easy. I bit too easy though.” Fox mumbled as he looked to Kevin, and then back at Elena as she tried to diffuse the situation with the sisters.
"I'm starting to question the morality of this place.” Kevin said aloud. "I don't know about you, but there's something suspicious about this whole club that may warrant it's own investigation." Kevin crossed his arms and looked around.
“Come to think of it, this club kind of gives me the creeps.” Elena said, satisfied that she stopped Holly from strangling Heidi.
"Alright, let's call in a patrol over this area, though I can't imagine that our nimble friend will be within ten miles from here by now." Kevin said. He was in rare form now, taking control with the same command and clarity as Ralph. "Let's get a team to collect some samples and do a more thorough investigation of this club. Maybe he's tried to trade other items." Kevin finished off by saying.
Fox just stood there in shock, not knowing what to say. “Kevin. I’ve never seen this side to you before." He said with eyes widened.
"Huh, you're right," Kevin said, scratching his head. "I don't know, I guess I've hit my stride tonight." Kevin said a bit bashfully.
"I know what it is, you're trying to impress Elena101!“ Heidi said, still calling the female mix by her onscreen username she found on the computer.
Holly rolled her eyes and clenched her forehead. "Why do I even bother?" she asked as she noticed Heidi snickering a bit.
Elena blushed a bit at that then turns back to Heidi. “Just call me Elena.” she said looking back at Holly who looked like she was gonna burst an aneurysm.
Fox gave the orders via his walky talky and, within mere minutes, a small team arrived. They also provided bandages and soap for Fox's nose.
"Well, Fox and I best be on our way.” Kevin said, stretching his arms. "We should probably take this back to Keene first before he hires another bounty hunter." He looked back at Elena and smiled. "It was nice meeting you. Hope to see you around... in a nicer place than this." Kevin said trying not to blush.
“Same here. Oh actually there is a place where we can meet up again.” Elena said now remembering it.
"Oh really? Where?" Kevin asked. He was already looking forward to seeing this new girl again though he didn’t want to show it because he feared it might drive her away.
“Well someone in town is throwing a “welcome to the neighborhood” party for me. Someone who I don’t know well enough, but hey, free party." Elena said happily.
Kevin's ears perked up. "Oh, I see. I don't know if I got an invitation as I've been working non-stop the past few weeks, but I'll check." Kevin said.
"It's probably Peanut then, since he and that Grape guy were the original protagonists of this story.” Heidi stated. Everyone stopped and gawked at Heidi, having no idea what she was talking about.
"I don't know what to say other than that you have lost all connection with reality.” Holly grumbled as she took a few steps away from her sister.
“Yeah that sounds about right. When I got the letter and saw the name, I wanted some peanut butter.” Elena said still looking at Heidi.
“That does sound like something Peanut would do.” Fox admitted as he also was trying to figure out what Heidi was going on about.
"Alright, so I'll see you then," Kevin smiled. He really couldn’t explain how he was feeling and he was confused by it since he never felt this way before. He felt pure ecstasy and he couldn’t place his paw on why. All he knew is that when he was around this lithe and nimble female dog, he felt his stomach doing somersaults.
As everyone parted ways, the raccoon awoke, still tipsy from before. He stopped Heidi just as she and Holly were passing by to leave. "Take me home with you," he slurred.
"Okay!" Heidi said. She was all too eager to have some more company though she didn’t know that he meant he wanted to live with them.
"No!!" Holly screamed as she grabbed Heidi’s hand and dragged her away from the drug raccoon who was making grabbing motions in the air and hiccuping.
Elena’s eyes widened. “Why would you wanna take a random STRANGER home with you?” the raccoon fell over and started snoring.
“Why does this one do anything at all? I swear I think that she needs to be tested!” Holly said as Heidi went over to said raccoon to try to poke him.
“Oh that wouldn’t be any good because I don’t really do good with tests.” Heidi said as Holly lead her away grumbling under her breath.
Elena smiled and waved goodnight to Kevin and Fox. She then followed after the sisters as they were gonna be her ride home as she came there with them. Elena couldn’t really explain it either as when she saw Kevin, she thought she was feeling a bond form with him. Elena was worried that because he was muscular, it was just lust but in the back of her mind, she found herself attracted to his personality and some of his slow-witted statements. Only time would tell.
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