‘Well, this is quaint.’ Nera grinned as she stepped off the monorail and into another world. ‘I can see why your mother keeps referring to your choice of habitation as a concreate prison. Still, I suppose it is better than the sex dungeon for the apartment we share.’

‘Nera! Not here.’ Amenii, the tiny bunny by Nera’s side piped up, hoisting her considerably larger rough sack over her shoulders as she cast a nervous look around.

A couple that had been seated on the bench next to the platform had abruptly broken off their conversation, and the women was trying to subtly turn and stare at the newcomers.

‘Oh dear, yes – lets call it our Red Room then.’

‘Nera.’

‘Or –‘

‘Out! That way – Jack help me before we get thrown off the platform!’ Grabbing the larger mammal by the paws Amenii began to all but drag her larger lover off the platform and away from the gathering eyes just as the waspish buzzing began to grow.

Off the platform, and with the aid of several deep breathing exercises Amenii’s ears finally unfolded themselves from behind her back, though her eyes remained narrow slits as she leered up at her larger lover.

‘Point those evil eyes somewhere else.’ Nera jokingly smiled, reaching out to rub Amenii’s head. Her massive paw all but enveloping the smaller bunny’s features as she mussed Amenii’s hair. ‘I was surprised your mother wasn’t here to see us. Or at least call for a police escort. Something.’

‘Ack!’ Using both hands to push the hyena’s mitt off her face, Amenii cast her lover’s hand aside. ‘That’s only because we aren’t half way there yet – and at the rate you are going I am sure the whole of the sheriff’s department is going to be waiting for us at the second stop. Nera’ are you even listening?’

Nera, having already begun to wander off, her legs carrying her in a loose arcing circle to take in the surroundings. Gone was the concreate and glass that made up much of the city she had known, and in its place, wood structures and cobbled streets now resided.

‘This is quite the change.’ The hyena mused her feet carrying her down the open street away from the platform. ‘Come on, we should have time to look around.’

‘You don’t even know – oh for-‘ Hefting her bag, Amenii gave chase. ‘Honestly, I feel like I’m watching over a large child sometimes.’

‘A large, predatory, child who out weighs you by several times.’ Nera grinned looking back as Amenii ran to catch up. ‘Something I hope your mother keeps in mind too.’

‘Let’s not get started on that again.’ Amenii’s features crinkled. ‘There will be time for that, soon enough.’

‘Honestly, your mother is-‘

‘Protective and old fashioned.’ Amenii, her brows knitting as voice took on a defensive tone. ‘And still my mother too.’

Seeming to take the hint, Nera carefully skirted away from the issue letting the moment pass as the small town unfolded around them. At nearly every turn at least one person would stop and stare at them as they went past. A child, a little girl, even dropped her ball and ran screaming at their approach only to stop, race back to retrieve her ball before retreating again. Further on, an elderly man who had been busily washing the loose dirt off the sidewalk before his plant shop stopped what he was doing to stare long enough to almost hose two of his customers who happened to stray to close to the arc from the hose.

After the third such encounter, Nera’s ears had begun to fold back over her head, and an upwards curl in the corner of her lip was beginning to show off the hint of ivory under her lips.

‘Amenii, dearest,’ Nera purred in a non to warm tone Amenii knew she kept in reserve for unruly patients at the clinic. ‘Is this the sort of welcome I am to expect at all turns on this visit.’

Not blind to the attention, Amenii looked up at the hyena at her side. ‘You don’t see it do you?’

‘See what?’ Looking around again. ‘I see people, if that is what you are referring too.’

‘No, no no.’ Amenii held up her hand. ‘Just look will you.’

Flicking her gaze across the plaza they now skirted Nera took a moment to examine the various couples and individuals wandering about.

‘I see people, some old, young – those two are clearly in infatuated with each other.’

‘Yes,’ Amenii, taking another breath reached up and tugged on the end of Nera’s shirt as though to emphasize her point. ‘And how many of those couples are running around in belly shirts?’

Nera, going silent for a moment surveyed the landscape again, before smiling.

‘So, the fact that there are no other hyenas around here has nothing to do with it?’ She grinned, taking another longer look. Come to think of it, the more she looked the more predominant the bunny population became. Some variety was there as well, a pair of shaggy yacks sat across from each other looking over a chess board, while behind them two does were engaged in an exchange of gossip over the flower vendor. Even a stray fox was present settling herself at a tea shop.

‘That’s not helping your case much.’ Amenii insisted, again tugging at Nera’ shirt. ‘That and you come in dressed like a tourist.’

‘And your attire is better?’

Looking down at her own choice of wardrobe. Clad in a white t-shirt and black leggings she didn’t exactly fit in either.

‘Yes,’ Amenii admitted slowly. ‘But I don’t stand six seven and have a set of knockers bigger than most of the populous’ heads.’

‘You always say the sweetest things.’ Nera grinned, her green eyes twinkling as she arched her back, stretching the already hugging fabric over her chest to emphasize the curves there.

Off to the side, the clatter of a clay pot shattering drew their attention as the shop owner quickly stooped to busy himself in cleaning up the mess.

‘See?’ Nera grinned.

‘Mother is going to kill you.’ Amenii groaned, burying her face in her hands. ‘And then she is going to kill me too.’

‘Awe, that’s the spirit.’ Nera beamed rubbing Amenii’s back.

‘Can you at least put on something that doesn’t show off your belly so much.’ Amenii insisted between her fingers. ‘A little modesty would go a long way at keeping the peace.’

‘But I have such a lovely belly, or so you keep telling me each night we –Oof! Hey, there’s no need for that.’

‘This is going to be a long trip.’