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

Chapter 94 - The Good of the Market

They all left the tower with their weapons, nervous, but eager to see what they would learn about meat-eating and one another. Pina and Louis stayed close, their hands brushing occasionally as they walked.

As they all knew, the market was much less active during the day and would have seemed like any other city street aside from the assorted meat vendors that sold during the day.

Pina looked over to some lambchops hanging in one of the stalls, unsure of what to think.

Louis rubbed his arm. "I realize now that we forgot our disguises."

Nori had his hood up. "Eh, it's fine. Ichi is too busy clapping serow cheeks."

Hachi blinked. "What do you mean? Why is he slapping Ni?"

The red panda blinked. "They're fucking. Is that better?"

"Oh. Oooooh."

Pina stopped walking, suddenly. "O-oh. Hi. Sorry, I've just not heard you talk yet..."

The elk turned and looked at him. "Hello. It is nice to meet you, Shichi. Can I just say, your wool is so lovely! I have been wanting to tell you!"

The sheep blushed immediately. "Oh, well thank you!" He reached up to caress said wool as if confirming what the elk said.

Louis grinned at him, then looked at Hachi. "It's nice to hear you speak again. Can you believe I summoned my Chimera?"

Nori spoke next. "Be careful, Louis. You're really in Ichi's hands now."

"I thought that was Ni," Pina joked.

"I'm serious," the small herbivore said. "He has what he wants from you now. Once Pina summons it, you guys won't be able to get away."

Hachi blinked. "Your name is Pina?"

"Oh, yeah. Hi, nice to meet you," Pina smiled, but it disappeared when he turned back to Nori. "Also, since we're all out in the open, the story of how I was raised in the tower with everyone is fake. I just used it to get in easily after Louis told me about the predicament he's in. And if Ichi's right about Chimeras only being summoned by animals raised there, I think we don't have to worry about mine, at least."

Nori's eyes were wide. "Wait. You've known Louis this whole time?!"

Pina nodded. "Yup!"

Hachi scratched the tuft of fur on their chin. "I do not understand. You are not Shichi?"

Pina shook his head. "Nope! The leg being gone and the actual Shichi being a Dall sheep were just great coincidences. I had to jump at the chance to try and save Louis from this situation." Without much thought, he leaned in and kissed Louis on the cheek.

The buck blushed. "Thank you..."

Nori was flabbergasted, his mouth hanging open. "Wuhjuhbuhuh?!?!"

"Oh, sorry! I guess we should explain." Pina pulled away and cleared his throat. "We're dating, but he and Legosi are still married. My 'friend' Bill is actually my boyfriend. He's also dating Legosi right now. This actually just sort of happened this weekend but we've all known each other for a good while."

Nori put his hand on his forehead. "I think I'm gonna explode."

Hachi tilted their head. "I do not understand, still. You are married but dating?"

Louis blushed. "Well, yeah...It's definitely strange but true. I love Pina."

The red panda made a sound. "So...what about Legosi? You're with two guys???"