Chapter 66

It has been some weeks but both Dr Kirk and Arthur managed to find a weekend that they could both agree on. Arthur was excited yet nervous to meet his father at his apartment for afternoon tea. He mentioned in the voice message that he is inviting some of his work colleagues, which made Arthur a bit nervous.

He hoped he doesn't make a fool of himself embarrassing his dad in front of his workmates.

"To be honest, this is the first time the five of us got out together," Haru commented. She was right, since Arthur has invited her, Legosi, Aoba and Mizuchi to accompany him to his father's apartment. In his mind, he hoped that everyone will get along or not get into trouble.

He knew all-too-well since his encounters with the gangs at the Black Market.

Arthur wondered if Louis is adjusting himself well to the Black Market? Life as a herbivore among carnivores. Then again, he got lucky that he survived the night with some newfound respect to the four groups.

"You are going to like it," he heard Aoba explaining in a calm tone. But he knew that this visit was making the bald eagle excited, trying new food and the idea of afternoon tea that is not from an expensive cafe.

"So Arthur," Legosi's voice wavered, making everyone stopped chattering. It was always something important if the grey wolf begins to speak. Arthur turned his head directly to where Legosi's voice was. He was hanging upside down on one of the upper bars in the train.

"Yes, Legosi?"

"What was Camden like growing up? You mentioned during our history class that the town you lived in used to have a lot of crimes. Is it like what's here?"

Arthur rocked himself slightly, ears already twitching. Mizuchi still finds that gesture adorable when the Honduran white bat was in deep thought.

"Well, it's lively with the musics performed on the street or at the market. I remember the sounds of vendors calling out what's on sale at the market from food to furniture. The crimes were usually stealing or the worst blood cults from what I heard in the news."

This made all of the animals shuddered. Even other passengers on the trains were listening with interest. Mizuchi held Arthur's wing while Haru stood between Aoba and Legosi, who both were holding on the bars.

"Used to help my Nana sell her honey and if I saved enough money, I'd go to Muffin Lane."

"Muffin Lane?" Mizuchi questioned in disbelief. All the streets and town Arthur lived in sounded like a child's storybook.

"Oh yes!" Arthur nodded, smiling as he was having a small nostalgia trip. "Muffin Lane was famous for their theatres, musicals and their delicious curry restaurants. I can name you a few songs since they are catchy."

"Really?" he heard a chuckle from Haru. "I didn't know you'd be into that. I always assumed you prefer uppity mansion stories"

Arthur folded his wings in embarrassment. "I don't mind all sorts of plays even if I can't see them. But their dialogues and music ensembles are the key to making the play successful, wouldn't you agree?"

Aoba and Legosi exchanged glances, since they are both drama club members. With Louis' disappearance, they need new ideas for plays or else their club was going to suffer. Not to mention the recent news of segregation between herbivores and carnivores in the school.

Luckily, majority of the clubs at the school rebel against the idea because no one wants to live in fear. Sometimes in life, risks are important because it helps with their growth. And just by meeting Arthur, both of them could tell that he has taken risks due to his lack of sight.

With that, the train stopped to their destination and the five Cherryton students decided to get off.

...

"I'm glad you can all make it. You're just in time!"

Dr Kirk embraced his son before shaking the hands of his friends. Mizuchi noticed that the other guests were adults, mainly a nile crocodile who was wearing baggy clothing and a vixen in a beautiful cheongsam with an eyepatch.

"I heard two more animals here," Arthur commented. "Are they friends from your workplace?"

"Well, you are familiar with-"

"A member of the Inarigumi!" Arthur heard Aoba's exclamation, making his ears drooped a bit. He heard some shuffling, probably the two rabbit girls hiding behind either Legosi or Aoba. All the Honduran white bat could do now was spread his wings to make himself bigger.

"Hey, hey, it's alright!" Dr Kirk assured the young Cherryton students. "Miss Ten is here for a visit. My other guest is Dr Connor from Manticore university. No fights now!"

Arthur said nothing but used his clicks to make out the figure of the leader of the Inarigumi. He grasped her paw gently and shook it. Her giggles made Arthur smile since he wasn't sure if this gesture was the right one.

"Hello, Miss Ten," Arthur greeted her with courtesy. "I don't think we need to introduce ourselves. But the two rabbits are Haru, the head of the gardening club and Mizuchi, one of my closest friend."

"Really, Arthur?" Dr Kirk laughed, pouring cups of brewed pomegranate tea. "You don't want to tell them that Mizuchi's your girlfriend?"

"Dad!!" Arthur covered his whole face and body with his wings. He may not see it but he could feel his face heating up towards the tip of his ears. He heard everyone in the room laughing but not in a mocking way.

"It's alright, Arthur!" Mizuchi assured him by rubbing his back. "I don't mind if they know that we're together. After all, our friends know about it. We're both seniors while the boys are our juniors, by the way."

From there, he heard a cough-like laugh that was similar to a small thunder. It was probably his father's colleague. The young bat approached the hulking figure that was lounging its way on a sofa. He can't tell the animal but from the size and features his ears picked up, it must be a giant reptile.

"You're a crocodile," Arthur deduced, reaching out to shake his claw when he realised that the right hand felt more rubber than scales. He heard a snort of amusement coming from the reptile. "I'm sorry if I sound rude but your right hand feels rubbery..."

"So you felt it? Yes, my right arm is a silicone prosthetic. It's connected with a prototype to help it move. Lost it in an accident some years ago."

"Oh! So I take it they plant a microchip into your head so that your brain activity synchronises with the nerve in your prosthetic arm?" Aoba concluded, unsure if his answer was right. It was like something he learnt in both physics and biology.

"Precisely! You're fascinated with the world of science, young eagle? And little bat, you really are what your father told me."

Arthur's ears lowered as he was rummaging in his backpack to feel for something. It was too much if anyone puts him on a pedestal.

"You need help looking for something?" Legosi's voice almost made Arthur's ears crinkled. Arthur just patted on the wolf's leg from where he assumed the voice was.

"I'll be alright. I know what I am feeling for."

"Um Kirk?" he heard the voice of Ten calling his father. "Can I talk with you about something?"

"Of course! Please everyone, feel free to have the tea and food that has been laid on-"

Arthur's ears perked up when he heard his father squeaked before a door was closed and then looked. Arthur tilted his head in confusion. "What happened? Is my dad okay?"

"He's being dragged into his bedroom I think," Haru answered, seeing everyone except Arthur's shocked expression. "Must be a private conversation."

"It might not be private for long," Dr Connor snorted before pouring another cup of tea with his left hand. Legosi was a bit preoccupied with his surroundings but his mind was running wild with the idea of a gang member at this apartment.

"Um...what do you mean by that?" Arthur asked in confusion. Both Mizuchi and Aoba exchanged glances. They are aware that Arthur was not ignorant to the world of intimacy.

"Your dad might be meeting something," Mizuchi chose her words carefully. "Meaning that Ten lady could potentially be someone he's dating at the moment."

Everyone was waiting for Arthur's reaction to the bombshell. Instead of disgust or shocked, Arthur's mouth formed a smile.

"So, my dad has finally found someone?"

...

Meanwhile at one of the rooms of the boy's dorm in Cherryton, a young buck harlequin rabbit was checking around the rooms so that he could be alone.

Satisfied, he began to take out a small pill bottle that contained a yellowish liquid. He was very grateful that his mother went through all the trouble to help him. She didn't need to but that doe went all out just to obtain a special drug for her beloved son.

"I love you, mom," he whispered before opening the cap. With a swift motion, he gulped down the entire liquid, waiting for the results.

Nothing so far.

"Why isn't it working?" he asked out loud. "This carnivore drug is supposed to give me strength I need to finish that blind rat."

"Genji," he heard one of his rabbit roommates yawned. "Tone down, will ya? Some of us are trying to sleep."

Apologising while feeling disappointed, Genji thought that he might as well as some sleep. Maybe the effects will take place tomorrow.

'Mizuchi must be out of her mind if she prefers that Vampyrum over her own kind,' he thought to himself. 'If she doesn't want me, then I'll make sure no one can have her!'