Tonight In Flames (Pt. 1)
#1 of Tonight In Flames
"THERE IS NO FUCKING WAY!!!!"
The guitars and drums all stopped in unison as the song ended. The 6'4" wolf looked out at the crowd of fans, the humans and furs all screaming and throwing the devil horns and middle fingers up at the stage. The circle pit that had raged in the center had now stopped to join the rest of the fans. The sweat felt cold against Paul's flesh as he once again raised the microphone to his muzzle, inhaled, and spoke.
"Goddamn that was awesome...I can't remember the last time I saw a circle pit that fucking brutal. We got one more song for ya before we head out. It's a crowd favorite....if ya know the words....fucking scream 'em as loud as ya can......this song is called 'DISCORD OF A CONSCIENCE.' YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHOOWWWWWLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"
The music flared up in a maelstrom of sounds. As Paul looked at Sebastian and Dave play on his left then at Jenn on his right, a scowl crept over his muzzle. He looked back at the fans, laid his ears flat on his head, grabbed the microphone tight with both paws, and let out a roar. As the drums hastened, he began.
"DISCHORD IN SILENCE, I DREW THE BLADE ACROSS HER SKIN"
Paul watched the crowd move and sway, jumping in time to the music. He screamed his heart out at the crowd as his eyes searched the fans. He came to the front row and the same female fennec caught his eye for a third time just as he began the chorus. He kneeled down and grabbed her paw, his shoulder-length black hair falling to the side. She held tightly to him as they exchanged gazes. He shook his paw free and as he stood, she watched him intently for a few seconds before getting right back into the music. The crowd yelled the chorus at him for the second and third rounds and went wild when Jenn hit her guitar solo perfectly. Paul finished off the lyrics and waited for the music to die out. Happy with how the show had gone, he smiled in his own wicked way before talking to the crowd.
"Once again folks, that was awesome. We appreciate the support you all show us....I see alot of the same faces at every show we play. I want to thank you all! You all come out to 008 Tavern on the bypass and chill with us for a while. We are Trapaw and you have a great fuckin' night!"
And with that, he nodded at the crowd and put the mic back on the stand. He did notice the fennec fox head towards the back of the floor to exit.
At 008 Tavern, the entire band had shown up along with about thirty something fans. They were all laughing and carrying on. Paul looked around, brushing a few strands of hair from his face. Sebastian had found himself a lovely female cheetah to flirt with. Paul laughed a bit and got a soda before turning and walking to the pool tables. He put his four quarters in, racked the balls and broke. As he measured his next shot, he felt a small finger press into his back. He looked back over his shoulder to see who had poked him and saw the female fennec that he had held paws with at the show, her gaze fixated. She was short, about 5'1" and slim with a nice pair of 24Bs on her torso. She had stunning yellow eyes that were complimented by her tan fur and black nose. A short muzzle accentuated her face just as much as her large, fluffy ears did. Her reddish-brown hair flowed gently around her ears and landed at just below her shoulders.
"I really enjoyed the show. I don't get out that much, but I'm glad I did come."
Paul smiled at her, his right ear flickering softly as she spoke. Her voice was very melodic to his sensitive ears.
"I'm glad you liked it. Always nice to meet fans of what we do. I'm Paul by the way."
The fennec nodded firmly. "I'm Denise. Pleased to meet you, Paul. I really enjoyed your vocals."
"Thank you. I don't hear that alot."
Denise looked a tad surprised at this. "You really should. So have you sunk any balls yet?" she asked as she grabbed a pool stick and chalked it.
"Nope," Paul muttered as he cocked a brow. "Feel free to join me."
Denise nodded firmly again before smiling, setting up, and sinking the third and fourth balls in the side pockets. Paul looked at her with a slightly stunned expression and she promptly smiled up at him. As she examined her next shot, she noticed the Mountain Dew on the pool table.
"So any reason you aren't gettin wasted with everyone else?" she asked with pure interest.
Paul nodded a bit. "I never really drank, but I used to get drunk occasionally. But I had to quit." Denise failed to sink a shot and Paul lined up his own.
"Any particular reason why?"
Paul sank a shot and looked up at the fennec. "I'm too violent as it is. A self-control inhibitor isn't the greatest thing to give me."
Denise simply laughed and shook her head as Paul missed the next shot. She looked at the table and effortlessly launched a ball into the corner pocket.
Two hours later and Denise had him beat at three games to one. With six balls left on the felt, Denise fired the 14 into a corner and then landed the eight in a side pocket for her fourth win. Paul chuckled and looked at his watch.
"I do believe it'd be wise for me to head home...Got work today. Need a lift home?"
Denise frowned and shifted her eyes away. Her ears lowered a bit as she sighed. Paul cocked his head, ears lay down slightly and frowned to match. "Is something wrong?"
"I just....well...I pretty much have been kicked out of my house...for good." Denise said with a bit of a somber tone.
"Oh...Damn. Mind my asking why?"
"Eh...Long story short is that my ex got very pissed off and booted me. So now I have to find a place to crash until I can search for an apartment. I suppose I could call Kira."
Paul thought for a second. His physical attraction to her was there, no doubt about that. But at the same time, here was a female who was in need of some help. And it did get lonely in that house of his. If nothing else, he'd at least have someone to talk to for a week or so. "Denise....If you have no qualms about it....I have a spare bedroom at my place. Nobody there but me. If you wanted, you could crash there tonight or even until you got on your own place."
Paul smiled a bit as her ears raised to peak immediately. "ARE YOU SURE?!?!?" Denise almost yelped.
"I am sure. Come on."
They bid goodnight to their friends and the rest of the band and walked out to Paul's car. He opened the door for the lovely fennec and promptly closed it behind her. They headed out towards the highway and ten minutes later, they pulled into the driveway of Paul's home. He once again opened the door for her to step out and shut it behind her. She smiled and quickly kissed him on the side of his muzzle. Paul blushed a bit, luckily not hard enough for it to be noticed at the tips of his nose.
"Despite the anger...you are a very sweet guy." Denise said softly as she placed a paw on his chest.
Paul knew he was blushing hard enough this time. Sure enough, Denise giggled slightly and folded her paws in her lap. "I blame my mother." Paul said as a grin slowly played across his face. Denise laughed and shook her head. As Paul gazed at the small-statured fox, she leaned up and kissed him. She wrapped her arms behind his neck and pulled him down. Paul put his paws gently on the small of her back and returned the kiss. Putting quite a bit of passion behind it, Denise held onto him for as long as she could before letting him stand again.
"I think we should go inside then." Paul said lowly. Denise nodded, still so blushed her ears were bright red through her tan fur. As Paul unlocked the door, she kissed his arm and let him guide her into the house. When they reached the den, Paul turned and said "I, uh....I'll show you where the extra room is, then....foll..." Denise cut him off with a finger over his lips.
"I want to sleep with you tonight, Paul. If you have no qualms about it." Denise looked up at him with eyes tinted by lust and pleading. These were a set of eyes Paul found he could not say "no" to. He simply nodded and turned to walk. Denise smiled and followed close behind.