FSE

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He heard the students zipping up their bags.

"Please," the Raccoon started testily, "there is still a full five minutes of class left. Not only do I find it rude to pack up while I am still talking, but there is plenty to still talk about." Professor Sebastian Jones looked sternly at the students. Most of them looked bored out of their minds, and only one student really looked guilty. A few students were staring out the window into the dark night. He reminded himself that most of them didn't even want to be there.

He put a paw up to his muzzle and rubbed the top, sighing. "How many of you really care about Sociology?" He looked up and saw no one raise their paws. "Okay then, how many of you need this as a requirement?" He knew the answer and saw everyone's paws rise. He sighed again. "I get it: this is boring crap. But the school tells most, if not all, students need a basic understanding of this crap." He eyed all the students. "Now they pay attention," he muttered.

"If you choose to go on and do more work in the field of Sociology, it gets really interesting." He waived a paw at the board and continued, "I'll admit, even I loathe this early stuff, but you need to get the basics here. Whether you need this later on or not is irrelevant. The worst thing you can do for yourself is mess up your GPA. Don't take this class lightly - don't take any class lightly."

The Raccoon looked up at the clock. "Dammit. So much for the rest of the lecture." He heave a sigh in exasperation. "Fine, go." He waved his paw, pointing to the door. As the students started quickly packing things up, he spoke again, "Next time you start packing up early, I will hand out a pop quiz." The room fell silent as they all stared at him. "Don't believe me? Try it next time and find out."

With that Professor Jones started to pack his briefcase, sending the students into a hushed whisper as they quickly finished and left the room.

As the students were filed out, a young man walked in. "Sounds like you have a tough crowd here, Professor."

The mocking tone caught the Raccoon's attention. He looked up and was about to berate the insolent whelp until he realized who it was. Standing in the frame of the door was a Rat, about his height dressed in slacks and a smart vest and long sleeves under it. With a sigh, all appearances of professionalism melted away. "TJ, you bastard!" A smile quickly spread across his face. "What are you doing here?"

With a grin across his muzzle, the tan Rat walked toward him with his arms open and embraced the Raccoon. "Happy Birthday, Sebby," TJ said as he hugged him.

"You remembered?" He asked with a smile.

"Of course." The Rat ginned wide as he stood back. "You have no idea how long I've been planning this meet up. So, Seb, how has teaching been?"

"Shit," he started with a sigh, "you heard my rant, didn't you?" He finished packing his things up and closed his briefcase.

"Yeah. Guess it could be just because you're only twenty bothers them so much. You are, what, only two years older than most of these kids?"

"Twenty-one today, Rat," he prodded TJ in the ribs, sending him into a jump with a squeak as he walked past him and down the hall.

"_Don't _do that!" he playfully shouted as he chased him.

"Then remember my age, twit. You've known me for how long and you still can't remember my age?" The Raccoon smiled, sending the two youths into chuckles. "But yeah, they probably recognize the fact that I am three years older, at most, and that bugs them. Why should they be taught by someone so young? They signed up to be taught by Professor Davis, not a GA."

"But you know this stuff inside and out, they couldn't learn this from anyone better!"

"Tell that to them. All they know is that I am a student, too." A glum look crossed Seb's muzzle as he reached the parking lot.

"Hey, none of that sad-face crap today! I refuse to see it." TJ said. A sly looked spread across his face. "What are your plans tonight?"

Sebastian unlocked his car and the two furs got in. "I don't know. I was thinking of using my new-found alcohol buying skills to get a case of beer."

"Oh, like hell you are. We're doing this right." He quickly unbuckled and stepped out of the car and got to the driver's side. "Out," he said as he opened the door. "I'm taking you out to have fun tonight, and you will like it."

"I can't go out tonight! I have class tomorrow. And you do to! And do you know how much I need to plan for after that threat of pop quizzes? I have this class twice more this week that I have to makes tests for and four other classes I actually take."

Still standing at the door, TJ asked, "When is your first class tomorrow?"

"Uhh... Soc 678's at 1pm." He didn't make eye contact as he could tell where this is going to lead.

"Okay then," TJ started as he checked his watch, "it's six now. I can take you out for a while and get you home by one-thirty so you can get eight hours of sleep before tomorrow's class. That is plenty of time to celebrate." He held out his paw expectantly. "Keys."

Seb sighed. He knew that once TJ had a plan, there was no way out of it. Relinquishing the keys, he slid over to the other side. "Okay then, what are we doing?"

"The night is young, my friend," the Rat said with a grin. "The question is: what won't we do." With a breathy chuckle, he put the keys in the car, and started driving away.

As TJ drove them to a destination unknown to Sebastian, questions started to float up. He checked his watch. "Wait a second; don't you have a classes right now?"

"I do. But today is a special day, and I wanted to help you celebrate." TJ rested his arm against the window, keeping his other paw on the wheel. "Besides, I had a feeling you'd stay cooped up in your room anyway. And I refused to let that happen tonight." He smacked the steering wheel to emphasize his point. "And, in any case, my teachers know I'm ditching for a few days." A grin spread across his muzzle.

"What?!" Seb's jaw fell in surprise. He rarely ditched a class -and when he did, he never let the teacher know.

"Yup. They're cool with it. I had a paper due today and that was the only real important thing we were doing this week. My teacher let me turn it in to her mailbox early. Yeah, I take an absence or two, but for this, it's totally worth it." With the grin plastered to his face, he never took his eyes off the road.

"Lucky," the Raccoon playfully muttered and crossed his arms. "So, where are you taking me? You have my keys and - and my car for that matter - and I still have no idea where we're going."

They pulled up to a red light and TJ turned to the Raccoon. "But if I told you, it would ruin the surprise!" He smiled warmly with his eyes closed then turned back to the light. "So how as the school year been treading you?"

Seb sighed deeply as he ran a paw through his hair. "Oh my God is it a lot of work. These kids... they don't care! Holy crap, do they not care!" He gently pushed back into the seat.

"Well I heard that much," TJ replied with a gentle smile. "But what can you expect? They all don't have the drive you do.You're a Sociology major, for crying out loud."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Seb gave TJ a pointed look.

"You are holding these kids to a standard they don't care to reach. You loved the subject as an undergrad. Isn't that one of the many reasons you choose to do this major?" He saw Seb nod as his brown hair flopped in front of his eyes. "Just remember, most students are there for a requirement."

It grew quite.

"But," TJ started up again, "I was more curious about the rest of school. I already heard the rant." A friendly smile returned to his muzzle.

"Oh." Seeing the Rat smile brought one to his face too. He chuckled. "Damn that infectious smile of yours." Seb sighed again. "It's just a lot of work. It's really interesting, don't get me wrong. But there is paper after paper on top of having to grade my students work. It is almost like there isn't enough time in the day."

"Shit, ain't that the truth. But I am happy to hear that you're enjoying your work."

As TJ drove, idle chatter overtook the conversation. The two furs talked of everything yet nothing: from books to politics and everything in between. As the conversation started to end, TJ finally pulled the car into a spot.

As Sebastian stepped out of the car, he took in the restaurant before him. It was a British style pub; a British flag rested on the businesses roof and an iron gate surrounding the outer portion of the seating area. There were a few furs braving the December cold under heating lamps bundled up in scarves and warms hats.

"A pub, huh?" Sebastian asked.

"Less questions and more walking," TJ replied with a playful push toward the door.

The Raccoon chuckled. "I can walk on my own." Walking through the open door and toward a second one, he could hear lots of loud talking and a live band playing. As he opened the door for TJ, the noise intensified.

Before TJ could make it to the podium, the Ferret started speaking: "Good evening, blokes. What brings you across our pond?" She had on a tight button down, white collar shirt that didn't quite make it to the podium.

"Pond?" The Raccoon asked with a chuckle.

"Look down, Prof," TJ whispered with a smirk.

Doing so, Seb saw what the Ferret was talking about: sprouting from the door was the western coast of the United States and a big Atlantic Ocean, leading right to the podium where, on a raised section, was England.

"Oh! That is a neat concept." He broke out in a smile.

"But to answer your question," TJ said to the woman, "today is my friend's twenty-first birthday." He tossed his arm around Sebastian. "So, a table for two, if you please, ma'am."

"Of course." She politely smiled. Reaching down for two sets of menus, she exposed her cleavage to them and propped right back up as if nothing happened. "Right this way." As she walked away from the podium, her very short skirt flowed behind her as her fluffy tail poked out from under it, helping air gather and float the skirt around.

Sebastian caught sight of the short skirt. With a minor blush, he brought his head up sharply, though his eyes kept drifting down.

The Ferret took them to a booth along the wall. "How is this seat?" She looked back at TJ, then at Sebastian. She saw him blush.

"This would be perfect," TJ quickly replied.

"My name is Jenna, and I will be your server for this evening." As the two furs slid into the booth, the Ferret placed menus on the table. "Here are our menus for the season. This one," she leaned forward and pointed to the larger of the two, pointing her chest at Sebastian again, "is mainly our food. Appetizers, entrees and a few beer suggestions. This one," she motioned to the remaining one, "is the list of beers, ales, wines and other adult beverages we carry." She stood up and pulled out a note pad from her skirt. "Can I get you guys anything to start?" She pulled a pencil that was hidden from behind her ear. The Raccoon quickly opened the drink menu and started to nose through it partially to hide his blush.

"Do you have any kind of beer sampler?" TJ asked without looking at the menu. Sebastian looked at him quizzically.

"We do: one for ales, lagers, IPAs and a tour of Europe," the waitress replied.

"Could we get two of the ale samplers, please?" he asked with a polite smile.

"Of course." She took down the order. "Anything else? Or would you like some time with the menus?"

"Some time, please," TJ replied as he held his smile.

With a nod and another smile, and a wink towards Sebastian, she closed her pad. "I'll be right back with the samplers then." She turned away and shook her hips as she walked.

"I think she is flirting with you, Sebby," TJ said with a grin.

"Stuff it, Rat," he said in return as he threw his napkin at him. TJ raised his menu and blocked it, smiling all the while.

"So what looks good to you?" Sebastian asked.

"Anything and everything." He set his menu down. "This was actually the first thing I had here and it was amazing!" He placed his finger on his menu.

Seb looked over. "A slider?"

"An ahi tuna slider. Cooked perfectly - still raw in the middle, a red pepper..." he waved his paw around as he tried to think of a word, "...sauce and wasabi ginger mayonnaise on flatbread. Absolutely amazing." TJ's eyes were dancing as he spoke.

"Ahi is really good... I guess I might try that. What about you?"

"Heh, I'm gonna get that too. It is just too good to pass up." He licked his whiskers. "I actually shared some with my friend the first time, and I almost bit his hand off."

"It's that good?" The Raccoon's eyes went wide.

"It's that good." He nodded in affirmation.

"Then I guess we have our orders." Both furs grinned.

Idle chatter resumed until the Ferret came over with their drinks. "Here we are, Gents: two ale samplers." She placed two identical trays in front of them. On each try were six double shots, each with a varying color of brown.

As the two furs eyed the shot glasses, the Ferret politely asked, "are we ready to order?"

"I believe we are," replied Sebastian. He was finally able to gather the courage and smile at her, even with the blush across his muzzle. She grinned back and nodded. After fishing out her order pad and pencil, she looked at Sebastian expectantly. After a few seconds of eye contact, the Raccoon blushed again and opened his menu. "W-w-we would both like the ahi tuna sliders, please," he quickly stuttered out.

She looked toward TJ who nodded in affirmation. After taking the order and putting the pad back in her skirt pocket, she took the menus. "I will get this order to our chefs and get it to you as soon as we can. Our live band will be here all night, so I hope you enjoy the music and the food." She smiled at the two furs one last time, more intently on Sebastian.

As she walked away, TJ saw the Raccoon keep staring at her rump. "I think she wants you."

The statement flustered him. "W-w-what?! No way! She's probably this nice to all her customers"

The Rat grinned and sat back in the booth, crossing his arms. "Let's see: she has expressly shown you her cleavage at least twice, from what I saw; she keeps smiling at you in a way that says 'do me;' and she has been letting you stare at her ass."

"Bullshit," he replied with a blush.

"No joke." A grin crossed TJ's muzzle again. "Look at the other waitresses." He motioned to the other girls around the room. "Just about each and every girl has her tail down to keep her skirt low. And when they walk away, they try to take the more direct trips to the bar. Jenna, here, walks directly away from the table, giving you a good look at her backside, and her tail is almost obscenely high. You probably could see up her skirt if you bent down, oh, three inches?"

"No way!" Seb looked in the direction Jenna walked and, just as she turned, saw the lower edge of lace and blushed deeply. "Okay... so you might be a bit right." TJ laughed loudly.

After calming down, TJ eyed the set of drinks in front of him again. "Well, I know next to nothing about beer, let alone ale. After a quiet breath, TJ took his first glass. "Salud?"

With an understanding grin, Sebastian grabbed a glass. "To health and happiness." The furs raised their glasses and sipped the beer. "Oh, wow," Sebastian said with a grin. "This is really good."

After a second big sip, TJ lowered the glass and smiled. "I have yet to have a bad drink here."

As the conversation delved into that of beers they have had, the band took to the stage. TJ had his back to them and had no idea they were even going on stage. There was a tall Fox with a black Flying V guitar and a Tiger at the drums. The Fox immediately plugged his guitar into a nearby amp and ripped right into the first song.

The Rat was so surprised, not only did he jump, but he almost spat his mouth full of beer out of his nose. This sight caused Seb to laugh and almost fall out of his seat. "Ha ha. Laugh it up," TJ said. And Sebastian did just that.

After calming down, Seb tried to ask TJ about the place, but he saw that his voice was barely heard over the band. After raising his voice over the music, he finally got his answer.

"It was after school back when I was completing my undergrad," he shouted over the music. "My friend was taking me home after the school's GSA was done and I didn't wanna take the bus. He offered and I accepted." The Rat finished off his first beer. "The only stipulation was that he needed food. After finding two other places closed, he took me here." He placed his first empty glass down on the tray and crossed his paws on the table. "I had something like, two beers and the sliders. And desert. The wait-staff was helpful and the food was amazing."

The music paused for a moment and TJ lowered his volume. "My friend said he has yet to have a bad thing here and I agree. I have been trying to eat my way through this menu and I am almost done. Tonight is a treat, though." He smiled and clapped a paw on Seb's shoulder. "You will have a great birthday today. I will not let an experiment on my part sour anyone's mood."

As TJ sat back in his seat, he grabbed his next drink and sipped. "I like this one way more," he said as he held the smile.

When Sebastian saw that smile, he blushed and slammed the rest of his first drink. As the glass finally came down, TJ had a surprised look on his muzzle. "Well, I couldn't let you get too far ahead of me, now could I?"

TJ placed a paw over his eyes and shook his head. "This isn't a race, man." He placed his glass back on the table. "Take your time and enjoy the drink. Just because you are twenty-one and everyone expects you to get smashed, doesn't mean you have to." There was a look on TJ's muzzle that wasn't really reprimanding, and not quite disappointed, but close to both.

"I know, TJ. I know. I don't plan to get drunk. I... I guess it is just the way people our age act now." A different kind of blush ran across Seb's muzzle as he sipped his second beer.

TJ sighed. "Hey, I'm sorry." TJ sipped his beer as well. "Okay, no more down talk! Today should be a happy day. Tell me more about the class you're teaching."

He chuckled darkly. "You think that is a cheerier subject? Ugg..." He took another drink. "This is better..." he muttered. With a sigh he continued, "It is an introductory Soc class. It is a general look at Sociology: all the different fields at first, then we look at each one individually and see how they can be used in real life. But this class will lead me to drink." This caused TJ to look depresses and worried. Seb sipped his beer again, this time with a grin. "Kidding, TJ." The band started up again. "Shit..." he muttered to himself. "Don't get me wrong," he started in a shout again, "they are good, but I like talking when I am eating."

"Tell me about it." The Rat grinned again. "This is the only minor down side to this place." After another moment of parched throats, TJ nodded to Seb. "You were saying about the class...?"

"Oh, right!" He set his second empty glass down and waited for food before starting the third. "Yeah, but most of the students are good kids. They almost all do their work. It is just minor things add up. I can see that not many people are really trying in the class. They are happily coasting along with a 'B.' And I'm happy that works for them. But I think it is something more of what you said: I expect more out of them than I get. Oh well."

Right then, Jenna walked to our table with two plates in her paws. "Okay boys, here you are. Two tuna sliders." She placed an extra napkin by each plate. "And how are the drinks so far?"

Seb surprised TJ by speaking up first. "Wonderful. Each and every one we have tried." He then made eye contact with Jenna. "But I think the view is better." TJ saw this sly look cross Seb's muzzle. And if Jenna hadn't started the flirting, he probably would have been slapped half way across the room.

"You don't say?" She smiled back. "Well thank you for the complement, Birthday Boy." She looked up at TJ. There was a surprised look across his muzzle, which quickly broke into a smile, then a giggle. "Well now, can I get you boys anything else?"

"Thank you, Jenna, but I think we are doing fine right now." TJ held his smile.

"Okay." She nodded, holding her own grin. "Let me know if there is anything I can get you, alright?" She looked to the Raccoon and bent down right next to his ear and whispered, "especially you, Birthday Boy." Popped back up and started away, raising her tail a little higher. That time, neither fur had to bend to see lace.

Sebastian's entire head turned red.

"Did she say what I think she said?" TJ asked with a grin.

His only reply was a nod followed by a quick drink of his third beer.

"You know that glass it too small to hide behind, right?" Seb just shot the Rat a look that would paralyze any other fur. "Hey, don't look at me like that. You're the one who flirted with her, not me."

TJ's point flustered the Raccoon further. He had no idea what caused him to say that. "It musta been the beer," he muttered.

"Sorry to say, Sebby, but two small drinks of beer won't put you that far over. At least bit of that was you."

"You weren't supposed to hear that," he said into his third beer. He tilted the glass and emptied it into his muzzle.

The embarrassed look on Sebastian's face made TJ giggle more. "Don't worry: she has been flirting with you all night." TJ grabbed his third glass as well and drank. "Okay, enough embarrassing you." The Rat smiled at Seb. "This food is amazing and it shouldn't just be sitting here."

On the plate were three small flatbread sliders. Seb could see the wasabi sauce overflow from the slider above the fish and below it was the red pepper sauce-stuff. Beside the place was a bed of what looked to be potato skins.

"What are these?" Seb asked with a point.

"It is their version of onion rings, though they call them straws. Kinda. Just try them." TJ crossed his arms impatiently but still with a grin. "And make a wish!"

Sebastian picked up one of the sandwiches. "A wish?"

TJ smiled. "Old Irish thing my Mom said. When you try a new dish, you make a wish. And it's your birthday, so there. Now wish and chew; I'm waiting on you to try it before I dive in." TJ licked his muzzle as he looked down at his plate. He snagged an onion straw to hold him over.

As Seb took his first bite, he saw how red the fish was just as the flavor hit. "Oh my God, TJ..." He finished chewing and took another small bite. He closed his eyes and just concentrated on the flavor.

"I told you it was amazing, didn't I?" TJ picked his first slider up and bit into it. "Mmm! Just as amazing as I remembered."

Seb took another bite and chewed it slowly as all the flavors mixed wonderfully.

"Now do you see why I almost bit off my friends hand?"

Wordlessly, Seb nodded and finished off his first slider. After washing to down with the rest of his fourth beer, he finally spoke. "Oh my God. Not only is that the best slider I have probably ever had, this ale paired wonderfully." He nibbled a few of the straws. "How in the world were you able to part with one of these?"

TJ grinned. "Willpower. I basically told him that if he didn't snag one after my first bite, he wasn't going to get one without a fight." He took another bite, followed by a sip of beer. "It's even better knowing I have all three to myself this time." The Rat happily chewed on his second slider.

For a while the table was quite as the two furs ate. The band played on and the place got a little noisier as the other patrons drank more.

"Okay everyone," the Fox at the mike started, "this will be our last song before our break, but first I have a little message." The idea of a message caught the two furs ears and they turned and looked on. The Fox waved to a waitress to come up on stage. With a giggle, Jenna appeared next to him. "Our friend Jenna here wants to wish a certain Raccoon a happy twenty first birthday." A loud cheer went into the air. Seb's face turned red again as the band and Jenna looked right toward their table. "Jenna here tells us you have only had ale tonight. Well, we need to change that: your first shot of the night is courtesy of the band!" Jenna hopped down as another cheer shot up and the band started playing their last song.

"Well so much for sticking with beer tonight," TJ said. A surprised looked crossed his muzzle and he took the last bite of his slider. Seb had just finished cleaning his plate as well when Jenna walked up with a tray and three shots.

"Hey boys, as you heard, these are on Mark and Stephen." She nodded toward the band. "And they won't take no for an answer." She placed a drink in front of both TJ and Seb.

"Oh, it's his birthday, I'm good." TJ tried to push the shot of almost clear liquor away. By the smell he could tell it was tequila, and good tequila at that.

"They won't take no for an answer," she repeated. She pushed the shot back to TJ and produced a lime. After cutting three slices, she turned to Seb. "You ever do a shot of tequila?" The Raccoon shook his head. "Well, what you do," TJ slid her the salt, "is put some salt on the back of your paw, lick it off, take the shot, and bite the lime." She then proceeded to demonstrate.

After Jenna took a step back, Seb put some salt on his paw and TJ did the same. The Rat kneeled on the booth seat and looked toward the band. After he caught their eyes, he raised the glass to them, then turned to Sebastian. "Salud?" he asked as he sat back down.

"Salude!" The two furs took the shot. As the tequila hit his tongue, Seb quickly bit into the lime. The sour fruit puckered his face, sending Jenna into a fit of giggles.

"That is a lime alright," Seb said through puckered lips. After smacking his lips a few times, he drank half of his fifth ale. He smacked his lips again and savored the flavor of the ale. "I think beer is better."

TJ laughed out loud. "I'll take good tequila any night, Seb. Send my thanks to the band, please Jenna. It was a real treat."

There was a knowing sparkle in her eye, but it quickly vanished. "Of course." She nodded toward the plates. "I can see you boys have cleaned you plates. Have you thought about dessert tonight?"

"Actually, I'm not sure we know what there is," TJ said. "You wouldn't happen to have a menu tucked somewhere in that skirt, too, would you?"

Jenna brushed the comment off with a giggle. "I actually don't, but I know most of what we have. Do you know what you are looking for? Maybe a cake for the birthday boy?" She smiled happily at the Raccoon.

"Actually, Jenna," he started, "I personally really like ice cream. Vanilla, especially." TJ could see some color rising to Sebastian's ears as the alcohol started to get to him.

"Oh, we have a Cookie Sundae that I think is right up you ally. How does that sound, Seb?" TJ finally understood what her earlier look was about as a smile crossed her muzzle.

A quizzical look crossed the Raccoon's face at the sound of his name. "That sounds really good. And how did you know my name is Sebastian?"

Jenna giggled again. "Well, you just told me it was Sebastian, but I heard you friend here call you 'Seb.'" She looked innocently at him. "Can I call you Seb?" She squished her breasts together, making them look bigger.

"You can call me whatever you want." Seb finished off the drink in his paw and gently placed is back on the table and smiled widely at the Ferret.

"Good." Jenna smiled as she popped back up. The way she snapped up almost caused her shirt to rip with pressure on her chest. "Well then, I'll go and get your dessert. Will it be just one?" She looked to TJ.

"Yes please, but two spoons." The Rat nodded. He sipped on his fifth drink as well. "Oh, and can one buy, say, a gallon of beer? Or something like that?"

Jenna nodded. "Why, yes you can. Just let me know which one you want."

"Ask the birthday boy," TJ smiled to the Raccoon.

"Oh, you don't have to do that." Seb waved a paw at him.

"Have to? No. But it is your birthday. Think of it as a gift."

"Fine, fine." He smiled and looked to Jenna. "Can I get back to you on that part?"

"Of course, cutie. Take as long as you need." She swished her tail, again, causing her skirt to float around. "Well, I'm gonna go and get you that Sundae. I'll be right back, boys." She quickly turned and sauntered away.

"See you soon," Seb replied.

"Wow, you are really diggin' her, aren't you?" TJ smirked.

"Stuff it, you." Sebastian smiled back. "What can I say? She's cute and nice and I think I'd like to get to know her." While his words weren't slurred, TJ could see the alcohol hitting him more and more. And he knew that some of it was starting to get to him as well. He was slowly starting to warm up.

"So, which ale did you like the most?" TJ pointed to the five empty glasses and remaining full one.

The Raccoon picked up the sixth glass and sipped. As he smacked his lips, tasting the brew, he decided. "I think the fourth one. The one I had with the slider." He nodded, confirming his choice. "They were all good, but that one was the best."

"We have a winner," TJ replied happily. "Now which one was that exactly?"

"Uhh..." Seb looked at his tray and tried to think. "It was darker than this... but I don't remember much else."

TJ sipped at his fifth and looked down at his tray. TJ sat back, letting his food digest as he drank. He smiled a relaxed smile and sighed. "Maybe Jenna will know."

"Probably." He sat back in his seat smiling wide.

Seeing the Raccoon in such a happy mood, especially after the class he walked in on made the Rat smile again. A comfortable silence grew between the two of them as they both sat back and drank their beers.

The band had taken the stage again and started up a new set. Seb noticed that TJ was gently bobbing to his head to the music.

"Okay!" The two furs jumped, sending Jenna into giggles. "Sorry about that, boys. I didn't know you were zoning that much." She placed a very large plate on the center of the table. On it were three large chocolate chip cookies and a scoop of ice cream on each. Once could clearly see the vanilla bean in the dessert, running through it entirely.

"It's fine, Jenna. Just enjoying the music, I guess." He placed his fifth empty glass down. "And our friend here has decided: could we get a gallon of... well, the fourth ale?"

"A good choice. Probably my favorite ale we carry," she replied cheerily. Just then, her eyes lit up. "Oh! Once second!" She quickly scurried over to the band and got the Foxes attention. As she returned to the table, their song had just ended.

"And what was that about?" Sebastian asked. He had a suspicious feeling that he was about to be embarrassed.

Jenna just giggled and nodded to the band.

"Okay, everyone," the Fox started, "Jenna wants to see if she can get the entire house to sing something: a little happy birthday to Sebastian!" A small cheer went up in agreement. The Tiger gave four clicks of his drum sticks together and both furs started on a rock version of the classic birthday song, and the entire bar joined in.

Seb saw both TJ and Jenna smiling wide as they sung and he grew redder and redder as the song went on. Just as they finished, the one of the bartenders came over with two more shots.

"On the house for the Raccoon. Can't have you walking out of here sober, now can we?"

Sebastian felt the embarrassment slowly fade as the band started up a new song, pulling everyone attention away from him. With a shrug of his shoulder, he accepted the drinks. After raising one to the bartender he took the shot and grimaced. He could tell it was still tequila, but not as smooth. With another raise of the second shot, this time to Jenna and TJ, he threw back the drink. He quickly was sent into a small fit of coughs.

"Smooth," he said in a raspy voice. This send TJ and Jenna into a happy laughter.

After the drinks were consumed, she pulled out two spoons. "Can I get you guys anything else?"

"Actually, if you can spare some time, how about a spot of company for my friend?" TJ stood and offered his seat to Jenna.

"You know, I think I can spare about three minutes." She smiled at TJ and took his seat.

Before he walked away, he turned to Seb, "dig in. Don't let it lose temperature." He winked at the Coon. He quietly turned and walked to the back side of the room.

"He'll be back, don't worry." Jenna grabbed his paw, then a spoon. She scooped some of the ice cream, then a piece of cookie. "Open."

Sebastian's blush returned as he did. He was stunned by the action, the flavor didn't even register with him. After the first bite he quickly took up his own spoon. "I can feed myself."

"I know, but you are cute when you blush." The comment made him blush more. "Like that," She giggled.

He quickly took another bite and tasted the warm cookie mixing with the cold ice cream. The flavors were so complementary. "This is amazing!"

Jenna nodded in agreement. "Isn't it though. I knew you would like it."

Before taking another bite, he looked to her. "Would you like some?"

The Ferret nodded again. "Don't mind if I do." She took some from the same tower of sweetness he was digging at. "Let's treat this as a speed date, what do you say? What can you tell me about yourself, Sebby?"

The blush returned and he sipped at his beer. Oddly enough, the flavors went well together. "Well, I am currently a Grad student, and I teach an introductory Sociology class."

"Really? You're a teacher? That's so cool."

He blushed at the thought of being cool. "I-it's nothing. I take more classes than I teach."

"Guess it's hard work," Jenna replied.

Sebastian nodded. "What about you? You just work here? Or is there more to you?"

"Well, I got my BA last year, and I am looking around, seeing what there is." She took another bite.

"Really? What in?"

"English. Kinda stuck, but hey, it could get me somewhere." She smiled. "Looking into either grad school myself, or finding a real job. Whichever happens first." Another bite between the two. "So how did you meet your friend?"

"TJ? Heh, actually through another friend. Speaking of him, though, where is he?" Seb looked to his right and standing in front of him was the Rat. "Ack!" He dropped his spoon on the table. "Don't scare me like that!"

Jenna the TJ chuckled. "I see you two are getting along swimmingly," TJ said as Jenna switched spots. "Thank you for keeping my seat warm, dear."

"Thank you for letting me spend some time with this cutie here." She smiled flirtatiously at the Raccoon and he almost melted into the seat. "Well, I'll go and get your beer." She turned and walked away.

"I think she might even be your type," TJ said slyly.

"My type!" Seb turned beat red and lowered his volume. "Well... maybe..." He rubbed the back of his head the dove into the final remaining tower of sweet.

"You should ask her out. You two did look good together." He grabbed the spoon Jenna was using and snagged some of the ice cream.

"I might..." Seb blushed again. He reached over and finished the rest of his beer. As TJ cradled the rest of his, the two nibbled on the dessert.

"Did you enjoy your birthday?" TJ asked.

"Actually, yeah. Thanks for taking me out." He blushed again and how that sounded. "N-n-not like that!"

TJ giggled again. "I know what you mean, don't worry. But I take it tonight was better than you planned?"

Seb nodded. "Yeah: good music, good food, great beer, and possibly a date outta this." He grinned wide.

Just as he finished his sentence, Jenna walked up and gently placed a big glass jug on the table. "A date huh?" She smiled at Seb. "You trying to set us up here, TJ?" Seb blushed again.

"Just nudging him your way." He smiled back innocently.

"Good." She placed a receipt next to TJ. "And thank you very much for the tip."

"Hey, I didn't say I wasn't gonna pay!" the Raccoon objected.

"Shush birthday boy. My treat." The Rat grinned back. "Let me be nice tonight."

With a sigh, he gave in. "Fine, fine."

"And my gift to you," Jenna said as she pulled out a marker. "Make sure he gets home safe, alright?" She bent down toward the plate. "I wanna see this cutie again." She scrawled seven numbers on his napkin with a name. "Call me, cutie."

As she stood up and walked away, a grin crossed TJ's muzzle.

"Okay, I guess I got a date too." Seb blushed again.

With a chuckle, TJ stood. "Let's get you home, Seb." He looked at his watch. "Hey, you are even getting home before one." He grinned. He grabbed the last of his beer and swallowed it down.

As Seb rose, he quickly fell back in his seat. "Woah..." He grabbed his head.

"You okay?" TJ asked worriedly.

"Yeah, just think the alcohol has finally hit." He grinned back. "Mind lending a paw? I think I just need help standing up."

TJ smiled. "Okay." As he pulled him up, the Raccoon wobbled, and then stood. As he made his way to the door, TJ raised the big jug to Jenna in a way of thanks. She waved back just as the two made it out the door.

As they got to the car, Seb opened the passenger seat and flopped down. "Tonight was a good night," he said quietly.

TJ was happy he made his friend's evening. He turned the car on and pulled out of the lot. As he drove back to the Raccoon's abode, he got his attention: "Hey Seb?"

"Yeah?" he replied sleepily.

"Happy Birthday."