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Chapter 2: A Dance Under the Stars

Neros Rigaldo had moved to Gran Blue Isles close to a week ago. He hadn't taken the time to really meet anyone or get to know the village very well. With his dream of owning his own bar stand so close, he was really only focused on his obsession and nothing more. He had met with the realtor and signed all then necessary paperwork for the purchase of the building and arranged for all the financial dealings to be done and over with by the time he reached the main island. Shacking up on a futon in the back room was a perfect place to sleep and felt like a home of his own. He'd spent most of his career sharing small apartments. Now he had quite literally nothing but a bed to sleep on and a spacious bungalow he could run a business out of. It was perfect. In the days prior to opening, he had a large ice cooler and refrigerator delivered and installed. A speaker sound system wired into the corners of the bar would provide some background tunes to set the mood. The rest of the details in the preparation had involved trivial cleaning and décor arrangements. Tiki torches fixed in the sand outside and idol miniatures placed around the inner bar seating. Tables had been polished and arranged with chairs and stools. All that had remained was the front sign. That was when he had the pleasure of meeting Zoey, the local delivery woman.

After being properly "welcomed" by the ferret, the two had gone back to their respective work roles. Neros had just finished cleaning himself up with a wet cloth while Zoey was finishing with the buttons on her shirt.

"Well...that was...um...quite the welcome." Neros spoke slowly, slipping his dark shorts back up his legs, "You should form a committee." He teased, smiling lightly.

Zoey grinned from ear to ear, "Oh! We already have one! We're really friendly and people just love us!"

Neros blinked quietly, "I can only imagine as to why."

Zoey giggled and put her hair back up, slipping the cap back over her ears, "Relax. We don't sleep with everyone. We just like them to think we might. They call their friends, who call their friends, brings more people to the Isles. More people, more money, more business. Besides, this is Gran Blue. Good times all around!" She joined Neros at his side as the two walked back outside and over to the delivery truck. "Y'know if you really want people to come to your bar, you should at least make a few attempts to be social with the locals." Zoey spoke with good intentions, climbing up into the truck.

"You might have a point there." Neros agreed, running his hand down the back of his neck and into the groove of his shoulder, "They'll probably be more likely to recommend people here if they have a familiar face to put to it. But how do I even start? I'm not the kind of person who likes to go from door to door."

"Well, what are you doing tonight?" Zoey asked from inside the back of the vehicle, shuffling boxes around.

"Not sure really. Maybe just sitting on the front porch and watching the ocean for a while with a drink. What did you have in mind?"

"Well, we usually have a bonfire every few nights just down the beach. Everyone from the village usually turns up for the music and food exchange. We play games and stuff. It's a great time. You should come!" The ferret popped back out and came down two steps, "Please? We'd love to have you there. I could show you around and introduce you to everyone."

The wolf shrugged with a slim smile, "Well...sure then. I guess I'll see you there then."

"Great!" Zoey beamed, hopping on her toes and placing a quick smirch to his cheek before throwing herself into the driver seat and firing up the truck, "See you later!" The vehicle lurched away and turned off into the highway, the wolf watching it go while feeling a sense of pride in his heated skin.

Around 8 pm Neros found himself wandering up the beach, wearing a cheap set of flip flops, navy colored jean shorts and a loose fitting tropical shirt unbuttoned and hanging open just enough to display his center torso. A crowd had gathered under the sunset around a small fire pit. Torches were being lit along the beach front. Someone was at a table playing a music system with a single medium sized speaker amp connected to a laptop. Another table was present with an assortment of food dishes laid out for the hungry. Nero felt his insides heating as he approached. He didn't recognize anyone at all. The anxiety was starting to build and threatened to overwhelm his mind the closer he came. Soon his footsteps were growing shorter and a bit more hesitant. Maybe this was a bad idea...

"Neros! Neros!" shouted a familiar voice to his left. His ears perked up and he turned his head in the direction it had come from, a wave of relief washing over him as Zoey's familiar face came rushing over with a few friends in tow. The ferret was looking great in a string top yellow bikini two piece. She wore a crown of tiny flowers on her head with multiple colored assortments. As soon as she reached the wolf she threw a lei around his neck, giggling and kissing his cheek, "This means you're with me tonight. I'm so glad you came!"

"It does? Well, alright then. I don't see any downside in that. This place looks great. You look great for that matter. Definitely look better out of uniform." He winked, giving her a small hug. Zoey looped an arm through his elbow, pulling him to her friends. "Neros, meet Flora and Natty. Girls, meet the owner of Neros's Oasis, Neros Rigaldo."

Flora was a striking feline, a cougar with slender legs and arms, tan hued fur and blue eyes, a long flowing tail behind her drifting about aimlessly with a green top and matching towel wrapped around her waist. Her hair was naturally blonde and free flowing down her shoulders. She carried herself in the sense of a beauty queen, delicately shaking Neros hand and giving him a warm greeting with a silken purr, "Welcome Neros. I heard you got to know Zoey pretty well today." The wolf blushed lightly, "Yeah...she's quite...something. Friendly? I think that's the word I'm looking for?" Natty was a short petit but busty skunk, irresistably cute with her smile and short ears, wearing a summer dress decorated in flowers. Her hair was short in dark strands flowing to the underside of her lower jaw. "Great to meet you Neros! How are you liking the island so far?" she asked with a sweet smile.

"Well so far it's been very stimulating. I'm curious to see how things turn out when the ships arrive tomorrow. I'm really eager to start my business." Nero returned the smile with one of his own, glancing down as Zoey offered him a drink in a chilled bottle. Gratefully he accepted, twisting the cap off the neck and taking a sample taste. "Hey!" greeted another voice, a pair of young males approaching. One a dark brown furred dog in sporty shorts and gray tank top, the other a badger with unkempt fur, jeans and red tee shirt with his cap turned at a slight angle, a pierced eyebrow with a purple spike. The dog seemed laid back and laxed, the badger a bit on edge and glancing around as if in boredom. "This the new guy?" the dog asked the women, extending his hand to the wolf, "Hey I'm Logan, this is my partner in crime Kaz." Neros shook each one in turn, the badger giving an upturned nod with his sour mug, "Sup."

"Nice to meet you guys. I'm Neros."

"Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?" Kaz asked, fixating an odd stare on the wolf, looking him over and trying to put him to memory. Neros shook his head and laughed quietly, "I don't think so, we just met."

"I feel like I've seen you somewhere before." Kaz narrowed his eyes, frowning slightly.

"I have one of those faces. People think I'm someone else or something. Happens once in a while." Neros explained, casually sipping from his drink and glancing at the bonfire.

"Face don't matter much when you got a mane like that. Lookit you man, you all wild with that shit." Kaz chuckled, taking a drink from his own party cup.

"So Neros," Logan interjected, steering the conversation away from the debate, "Opening up a beach bar I hear. Are we invited?" he asked with a smirk.

The wolf grinned, "If you have the cash, I have the drinks."

Zoey smiled and tugged on the wolf's arm, "Hey, you hungry? We got grub all set out. Let's eat!" Neros nodded, his nose sniffing twice at the air, "I could eat. Haven't made time to munch today yet." Zoey smirked, "Even after I helped you with that delivery today? I'm insulted." The wolf snickered as the group moved up to the tables. Logan opened up a dish of chicken wings, "Hey, is Tsunia still coming?" Flora grumbled, "Who knows. You've seen how she gets. Always wandering about on a whim. Miss independent-too-cool to be part of the crowd. I still think she's secretly a little touched in the head." Zoey jabbed the cougar with an elbow, "Flora!" The cougar rolled her eyes, "Whatever."

Neros glanced at the ferret, "Who's Tsunia? Another friend?"

Zoey nodded, "She's a free spirit. Super cool. You'd like her.", fixing herself a small slice of pizza on a plate.

"She's a gypsy!" piped up Natty with a wide grin, "She can read palms and does all kinds of tarot readings for the tourists. Than and dancing." Neros lifted a brow, "Dancing? What kind of dancing?" Logan lowered his cup and laughed, "Not that kind of dancing. She's kinda into mystical mumbo jumbo stuff. Does rain dances and pretends to commune with the island. Tread carefully man."

"True that. Last year, tourist boy got frisky on her at a party. Turns out girl keeps a knife on her person. Scared that shark white as a ghost." The badger frowned, thinking a moment, "Ghost...ghost...something about that..." Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought away as Logan gave him a shoulder shove, "Shut up and drink your beer man. Don't pick on Tsunia. She's cool. Come on guys, let's go grab a spot before more people show up."

Together the gang and their newly made acquaintance Neros visited in their own circle. The wolf was asked dozens of questions by Natty, where he had come from, what it was like, what he hoped to do while on the island and if he would be staying more than one season. Neros answered the best he could, his own questions more to how busy the island would be for the next few months and when he could expect the next supply ship. Here the conversation soured a tad, everyone exchanging glances with each other. Logan bristled slightly and growled, "Probably when Hargren decides on how much he wants to extort from us this year."

"Hargren? Who's Hargren?" asked Neros, looing around. Zoey sighed and pointed toward the hills toward the center of the island, "He's called Big Boss Hargren. He practically owns all of Gran Blue. He's a merchant crook if there ever was one. He owns all the supply ships and runs off anyone who poses any sort of competition to his monopoly here. His name is almost on everything the tourists do. He makes a killing of renting out atv's, beach equipment, all the bungalows in the best spots on the beaches. Hargren has his hand in everything one way or another. He has a few goons handling his affairs while he robs everyone blind. Don't get us wrong, we still make a small profit every season to keep ourselves afloat and content, but Hargren gets nearly 70 percent of the income from the cruise ships and vacationers."

"So why doesn't everyone make a point to confront him? If it's just him and a bunch of goons you could form a mob and chase him out." Neros asked slowly, with careful caution.

"Easier said than done. As much as it pains me to say this, without Hargren's money and savvy business smarts, Gran Blue would growing more industrialized by the day. Not many islands get business anymore if they don't have fancy things to do." Logan explained, motioning around them, "They've gotta have wifi, air conditioning, extreme sports and ride fast buggies. Hargren was smart enough to see that and take advantage to invest. He's just careful enough to keep out the big companies from coming in and setting up shop. Few tried over the years. Hargren's boys politely saw them back to their ships, broken bones and all. I think Jack was the only one who ever stood up to Hargren."

Natty leaned over to Neros, "Jack owned the bungalow you're in. Ran a bar in there too. We called him One-Eye. He looked like a pirate. Him and Hargren go way back. Absolutely hate each other."

"So why did Jack leave the bar?" Neros asked, looking around, "Did Hargren's guys get to him?"

"No, they tried though. Jack doesn't take shit from no one yo. He one badass mother fu-" Kaz began, Logan interrupting quickly, "Jack usually takes off in the slow season and would open the hut during the spring and summer. During the peak season Hargren is too busy to pick trouble with him. But Jack was looking to get out of the business and retire. Likes to sail around the isles and do some salvaging and spelunking. He said a few of the islands have some old tribal sites and old temples. Sometimes he brings back all kinds of junk to get appraised. He'll probably be back in a few days now that the season is getting busy again. Even if Jack isn't working, he still likes to party for an old coot. I'd hang with Jack over Hargren any day."

"Shit..." hissed Flora, a pair of headlights arriving in the parking lot above the beach, a large SUV Cadillac shutting off. "Speak of the devil and he shall appear..."

"What the hell does he want?" Grumbled Logan, everyone standing up slowly, Neros following suit, "I take it that's Hargren?" he asked Zoey. The ferret nodded silently. The vehicle doors opened, two figures getting out the front, average size for grown men. But the third who stepped out from the back was a bit larger. While not obese, he certainly had bulk and size, fixing his hat atop his head before walking down the pathway to the party. His suit was entirely tan, white stripes lining the sleeves and pant legs. Neros blinked once, then twice, eyes widening, "He's...a Jackal?!" Zoey nodded, her voice monotone "Yeah. Literally."

"But he's huge!" Neros argued, quirking a brow high above the other, "Jackals aren't that big!"

"Supposedly he's pure bred, but we all think he's got some bull genes in there somewhere. Guess his mother got around pretty well. Probably the town bicycle for all we know." Flora growled, the disdain for the man in her eyes very apparent. Indeed, Hargren was a large man, burly in stature, his fur faded slightly from his age, a mix of dirty tan and gray lines almost exactly like the suit he wore. As he approached he gathered crowd at the fire, Hargren pulled a short but thick cigar from his coat pocket, separating it from the silver carrying case it had been concealed within. From his other hand he produced a large silver lighter, "Good evenin', good evenin' everyone!" he greeted them all with a sharp grin, his voice accented by a southern drawl found more commonly in a baiyu country, piquing Neros's interest in where the Hargren family may have originated from before coming to the isles. His two goons in tow were more clearly distinguishable now that they had come within the range of the fire light. One was seemingly a wolverine with a jagged scar running along his lower jaw and half a right ear lopped off at the top. The second appeared to be another badger just like Kaz, only larger and meaner with his intense stare and hard ugly mug. Each of the punks were dressed in similar attire; black slacks and loose black blazers with nothing underneath, displaying slightly round guts unlike Neros's toned form.

"What brings you down to our side of the island Hargren? Getting lonely in that big ol' house without any friends?" Logan asked, leaning his beer against his hip and sliding his free hand into a pocket of his shorts. The large jackal chuckled and bit the end off his cigar, spitting it out into the bonfire with precision aiming and proceeding to light his smoke. The end flare for a moment and glowed slowly as the Big Boss dragged on the stick, lowering it and letting a trail of blue flow from his jowls, "Now now, no need for passive aggression my fellow neighbor. It's only me, your good Samaritan, you can speak as honestly to my face as you want! I encourage it! We're all good friends here! Me, you, Shank and Fang here." The jackal indicated his two accomplices, Fang the wolverine breaking into a sneering grin and Shank the badger looking a bit more interested than he should be by growing a smirk and tipping his head forward.

"What do you want Hargren?" Zoey asked quietly, crossing her arms over each other.

The rich man smiled pleasantly and tipped his hat to the cute ferret, "Evenin' Miss Zoey, you are looking rather pretty than usual tonight. I almost didn't recognize you out of uniform. Now I'm only dropping in to speak to everyone in attendance and merely wish us all well on the eve of our new season. We made this island very popular and financially beneficial with our previous years of cooperation, I just hope and pray we all continue to share this teamwork ethic without any fuss. I encourage everyone to really go above and beyond your hospitality and make our home as welcoming as possible this year. No other island has what we have here, the Gran Blue. She is a treasure like no other, and its up to all of us to continue her legacy every year. Best of luck to all of you hard workin' diligent folks."

"Alright, you've jerked yourself off enough, now please leave and let us have one lousy night without your ugly mug ruining it." Logan huffed, rolling his eyes. Hargren paused and eyed Logan for a few moments, speaking slowly with a new low tone, "You should be careful son. You've spilled your drink all over yourself." On cue Fang stepped up and slapped the cup out of Logan's hand, spilling it across his shorts. "What the fuck man?!" the dog snapped, shoving the goon at the shoulders. The second he touched the wolverine, Shank came bowling into Logan and plowing him to the sand, the two goons laying fists to his head as he tried to cover up. Kaz of course tried to help, but found himself punched in the jaw by the meaner badger and knocked to the ground in a daze. People were shouting, the girls were pulling away and screaming at the punks to stop. Fang raised a fist again but an unforeseen blow to the side of the head put him in a daze across the sand. Shank spun in time to feel Neros jumping onto him, mounting his hips and hooking his heels into the back of the badger's thighs. Neros sat up slightly, placing well timed elbows to the badger's face, each impact more devastating than the next. Shank tried to mask his face and fight back but his efforts only made the situation worse as the hailstorm of shots were getting through his guard. Neros was working him over expertly and drawing blood from the goon's nose.

The sound of thunder rang out above the four, breaking their attentions from one another. Hargren cocked his revolver and leveled it slowly at the wolf, his face devoid of any real emotional interest, "Kindly remove yourself from my employee, if you would good ser." Neros obliged, carefully withdrawing off the goon and helping Logan to his feet. "You alright?" he asked the dog calmly, looking him over. Logan nodded, his eyes glued to Hargren's weapon, "Y-yeah...just a little roughed up is all. I'm good."

The Jackal approached the wolf with two steps, eyeing him silently for a moment while his thugs dragged themselves up, "Excuse my associates. They are a bit overzealous sometimes. They take their work too seriously despite my best efforts. Now, you ser, are the new proprietor of the Oasis, I do believe? What was it now...Nero?"

"Neros...there's an S on the end..." the wolf answered, catching his breath slowly.

"Oh yes, I heard about the sign, that's right." Nodded the Jackal, much to Neros's confusion. "Well, I hope this unfortunate scuffle does not give you the wrong impression now. I would very much like to stop in and see your work when you're set up and running. Y'know...you have the most familiar face that I can't quite put my finger on just yet. But judging from that little display just now...I think I might have a small inkling of where to start lookin'."

Neros smiled quietly, "Well if you have the cash...I have the drinks. But your dogs will have to wait outside. No pets allowed." The thugs bristled behind the boss, but the Jackal held them back with a sharp glance over his shoulder that spoke silent volumes. Hargren grinned and tipped his hat again, "You folks have a great night. Tell Miss Tsunia I am most sorry for missing her dance." The boss took his leave, departing with his thugs on his heels. Neros let out a slow breath, Zoey picking up his arms and looking them over for bruises or cuts, "So what was all that about? He just wanted to say hi, good luck?" Kaz spit in the sand, running a hand along his jawline as Natty brought him some ice, "Hmph...that prick just like to remind us he's around and we should be grateful for it. Be glad the day he kicks the bucket." Neros looked down to the young badger, "That other one...you two related?"

"Mm. Big brother. Wanted me to follow him into employment with Big Boss. No way man. Don't talk to me now because of that shit." He shook his head, applying the ice to the swelling, "Didn't even hesitate to knock my lights out." Kaz turned to Nero, "Man, where'd you learn to fight like that? I ain't seen nobody put Shank on his back before."

"Just got lucky I guess." Neros laughed quietly, picking his beer bottle back up and taking a drink, "You musta tired him out with that hard face of yours."

The group spent a couple more hours at the beach gathering after things had settled down. The enigmatic Tsunia didn't seem to turn up that night but that did little to prevent the group from making the best of a good time after Hargren's little dalliance. Most of the village members had said their farewells and gone home. Kaz and Natty cut out early and were soon followed by Logan and Flora. That left Neros and Zoey to take a walk back to her car. "Sorry about that stuff with Hargren...I hope that doesn't sour things for you now. We really like you y'know. Especially after what you did to the goon squad." Zoey apologized as she unlocked her door. "Well, it wasn't all bad. I had a cute date for a change." Neros spoke warmly, sliding his hands into his pockets. He was still wearing the lei she had put on him earlier. "Can I ask you something?" he tipped his head to the side a bit.

"Sure." She answered, starting the engine while standing on one leg, resting her knee on the car seat.

"Um...just so we're both understanding the situation...y'know with what happened this afternoon in the bungalow and this flirty date stuff..." Neros tried to elaborate and ask at the same time.

Zoey laughed, her pretty smile calming, looking up to the wolf, "Relax. I don't really do relationships. Not many of us do around here. We meet so many people that things change on a whim. We just like to be playful sometimes. You should try it y'know. Loosen up a bit."

"So we're not...?"

"Nope. Just very fond of each other I think. That doesn't mean I'm going to let you off the hook for threatening to fire me y'know. Want a ride back home?" she asked.

"No I'm good, I kinda want to enjoy the night air and walk in the water a bit." Neros smiled, bending down and placing a little quaint kiss on the ferret's cheek, "Catch ya later alright?"

"Sure thing. G'night!"

Despite the odd introduction to some of the village locals, Neros found himself still rather pleased with this new home. He walked along the moonlit beach, looking out into the ocean, the water cascading in soft waves around his ankles. The stars were scattered in mass abundance in the atmosphere like someone had spilled a pitcher of celestial ink across a black canvass. For the first time in a long time, Neros felt at peace with his soul. He looked ahead and stopped short, his ears raising up suddenly and his nose sniffing at the air. Something was off. He turned around quickly and found himself a few feet away from the figure who had been tailing him silently this entire time.

It was a woman, a wolf like him. Her eyes were glimmering reflections of stars and waves with deep violet pools. Her hair was flowing freely, long mystical purple locks swaying to the breeze. Her fur was slightly darker hue than her hair but matched closely. She wore a loose barely buttoned white shirt with long sleeves down to her wrists. Her skirt was displaying a naked leg up to the thigh, shoeless in the sand as Neros was. She was watching him in silence as if to gauge his next action.

Neros felt his heart beating wildly at first, but the longer he watched this woman the calmer he became. Slowly he spoke with uncertainty and curiosity, "...Tsuria?"

The woman nodded slowly but said nothing, silent as the wind.

Neros looked out to the ocean a moment, his cheeks pink as he tried to avoid staring at this breath taking woman. "Your friends really wanted to see you dance tonight. They said you're really good."

The gypsy said nothing yet still. She remained motionless as a statue. Neros turned his eyes back to the vixen, finding himself hypnotized by her stare. He searched for the words and said the easiest thing that came to his mind, "...Can I see you dance?"

Tsuria still was silent for a few moments longer. Just when Neros felt that maybe he should leave, she pointed at a spot in the sand. The male wolf frowned but slowly figured out the implied message. He seated himself down and folded his legs beneath him. The gypsy waited until he had settled himself before turning away. Ever so slowly she raised one arm to the sky, followed by another traveling like a serpent along her extended arm. Her hips swayed in slow timed circles. Legs stretching out and performing weightless steps. Indeed, she was the true Tsuria her friends had told him off. Neros couldn't explain it. They gypsy danced like a feather on sand to a music only she could seem to hear. Dancing without music seems silly in the aspect of things. But Tsuria...she was poetry in motion even without a beat. Her dancing brought her closer to the wolf with each step and swirl, her skirt flowing up to reveal a bare bottom beneath as she spun. The gypsy focused those large eyes on the fighter as she came toward him. She knelt down and touched her hands to his cheeks. Neros flushed pink as she parted her lips and brought her nose just barely close enough without making contact. Her eyes wandered his as if searching his soul. He remained frozen as her fingers traced his jawline and pushed up through his fur, around his neck and up the back of his head.

Silently she pulled away. Neros blinked and looked up as if asking for explanation. Tsuria touched a finger to her lips signaling him to keep silent. She turned away and wandered off into the night. Neros sat there watching her go. His mind was a tug of war whether to follow or not. He touched his jaw where the gypsy had caressed him.

Just what was all that about? He wondered silently.

He returned to the bungalow shortly after, slipping off his shirt after locking up the front doors and heading for the back room. Turning on the light, he paused and tilted his head slightly, "Now this is a surprise. Been here long?" He approached the futon, tossing his shirt aside. The cougar was stretched across his bed with nothing but a single sheet covering her form, a bare leg draped along. Flora watched Nero go about the room as he undressed, her calm predatory demeanor fixated on the wolf.

"Long enough. What kept you?"

"I met Tsuria tonight. On the way back from the party."

"Oh, so she did show after all?"

"Mhm. She danced for me. She's...something else. She danced and then just left without a word." Neros mused, turning to the bed now and sitting down on the edge.

Flora nodded, her leg sliding along the sheet as she turned over on her side to face the wolf, resting her chin atop her folded fingers, "Hmhm. She does talk, only when it suits her though. I suppose she shares that with me. We prefer action over words." There was gleam in the corner of her eye. Neros smirked and tipped his head up, eyeing her from above before leaning over the cougar, "Tell me. What would you have done if I hadn't come back here tonight? If I had gone to Zoey's instead?"

Flora smiled and grabbed Neros, pulling him over her form, leaning up and whispering into his neck, "I'd have waited longer. Envy is my sin." Her teeth began nibbling on his neck, little erotic pinches and nips as her hands smoothed down the front of his chest. Neros closed his eyes, focusing on the sensations tingling his skin and forcing his breath to a low shudder. "Shall I extinguish the light?"

"Mmm...leave it on...I want you to see every bit of me.~"