"Hey there Ted," Art said as Ted, Venti, and Otis entered the pizza parlor. The lion gave Venti a hard look. "Why didn't you tell me Ted was better? And coming to visit you?"

"Surprise! Ted's better and he's visiting!" Venti replied as he slid into the booth, sitting next to Art. Ted and Otis sat across from them, the latter immediately looking at the menu.

"Why do you bother looking at the menu?" Venti asked. "You always order the same thing."

Otis looked up from the menu, the beginnings of a frown on his muzzle. "I do not. Sometimes I like to be different and order a pepperoni pizza."

"I bet you'll order a BBQ Chicken pizza," Venti said.

"Just for that--" Otis began.

"Just for that?"

"Just for that I'll order a pepperoni pizza just to spite you."

Venti leaned back against the booth. "And I'll just bet Ted's going to want a BBQ Chicken pizza."

"No way," Ted said, studying the menu. "I hate onions."

Venti stared at Ted as if he'd grown a second head, or maybe even a third one. Ted finally looked up, and saw this. "Why are you looking at me so funny, Reggie?"

"I can't believe you'd disagree with Otis about this." Venti shook his head, clucking his tongue. "I guess it's finally over, huh Otis?"

Otis raised a hand up. "Don't involve me with your fantasies, Venti." The otter drew Ted close to his side. "Ted and I are gonna defeat you once and for all."

Venti's eyebrows shot up. Art rolled his eyes. Venti ignored him, directing his full attention on Otis. "Oh really?"

"Yeah. You're goin' down," Otis said with a firm nod for emphasis.

Venti folded his arms across the table. "So. The usual rules?"

"Yup. We'll go to my place and the first one to lose at Mario Kart pays for Friday's sushi dinner."

"I hope you can live with the agony of your utter defeat."

"I hope your wallet won't miss the lack of money after you pay for the sushi."

"Are they always like this?" Ted asked Art.

Art shrugged. "You should see them when they play Street Fighter."

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