We're Only Animals: Book 2 - Part 1: Building the Tower

Chapter 76 - 在带有Nori的中餐厅

The two descended, soon making their way back to the red panda.

At the door, Nori was scratching the door frame with one of his metal claws in his boredom, whistling.

Their approaching footsteps alerted him, and the two offered him a casual wave.

Nori's ears perked and he blinked. "Back so soon? What'd ya find?"

"Diddly squat," Pina said, plainly. "You have fun scratching?"

"No," Nori frowned. "Door duty sucks."

Louis laughed. "Then why did you do it?"

"Because, dummy! Ichi made me!"

"You've been here forever. Get your pal Roku to cover," Shichi suggested.

"What? Why would I?"

"You look like you could loosen up a bit."

"Loosen up? How?" The red panda blinked.

Pina crossed his arms and swayed his hips back and forth. "Relax? Take a chill pill?"

"I can't even get Roku to replace me. He's out with Ichi and Ni," Nori huffed.

"There's Kyuu and San and Hachi. Hell, even Juu. Does she ever do door duty?"

"No." Nori shook his head. "She's still pretty new and if something does happen at the door, she'd be too inexperienced to handle it."

Louis scratched his chin. "I think Hachi would be fine doing door duty."

"Why do you guys suddenly care?" Nori squinted.

"Because you're so standoffish and we wanna mend that?" Pina smiled sheepishly.

"Mend? When did you two become friends?" He titled his head.

Pina shrugged. "Oh, us? We knew each other when we were raised here, kinda, even if we didn't see much of each other. Add in the fact that we're both newcomers and we just sort of hit it off."

Louis nodded. "Yeah. We have a good dynamic. You should text Hachi."

Nori tapped a claw on the door frame. "Mm...I dunno..."

"Man, when Shi told me they can still write and type I was floored. Have you talked to them before, Go?"

Nori nodded. "Of course I have. Anyone with a brain could realize you could text them. Duh."

"Do you get along with them?"

"They get along with everyone," the herbivore shrugged.

Louis nodded. "I agree. They are very approachable."

"Well, if you get bored out here, get someone to cover you and hang out with us," Pina continued. "We're gonna go get something to eat."

Nori's ears perked. "Oh! Oh! I wanna come!"

"Pff, what? We were gonna just go up to the kitchen..."

"No, let's go out! It would be awesome!"

Pina laughed. "Wow, you changed your mind quickly! We'll go get someone to cover you and get dressed."

"Ooh! Yes!" He fist-pumped. "I'll be back!" He ran off.

Louis laughed as he disappeared up the stairs. "Lonely."

"He's kinda cute," Pina admitted.

"I know...Circumstances are really unfortunate for him. He loves murder."

"God, when you say it like that and then look at his face it...Wow...You've seen him in action, too..."

Louis nodded. "I'll never forget seeing those claws dug into that carnivore's eyes..."