The neon sign of The Beaver Damn buzzed softly against the rainy night, casting pink and blue reflections across the puddles outside. Music thumped through the wooden walls while laughter and overlapping conversations spilled out every time the door swung open. Penelope stood frozen on the sidewalk.

Her paws were shoved deep into the pockets of her oversized flannel, russet ears flattened nervously against her head. Her tail twitched behind her like it was trying to escape on its own. Beside her, Fawn gave her a look.

Fawn: “You’re acting like we’re entering a haunted forest.”

Penelope swallowed.

Penelope: “This is worse.”

Fawn snorted and pushed the door open anyway. Warm air, perfume, cedarwood, and the smell of cider wrapped around them instantly.

Inside, the bar was alive.

A wolf couple played pool near the back. Two rabbits danced beside the jukebox. A raccoon with piercings laughed so hard she nearly fell off her stool. Everywhere Penelope looked were women effortlessly talking, flirting, touching paws casually like it was the easiest thing in the world.

Meanwhile, Penelope forgot how breathing worked.

Penelope: “I’m going to pass away,” she muttered.

Fawn: “You say that every time a pretty woman exists within a five-mile radius.”

Before Penelope could defend herself, her eyes drifted toward a booth near the corner. A handmade wooden sign hung above it: FORAGING CLUB.

Books about mushrooms and edible plants were scattered across the table. Small jars filled with dried herbs sat between drinks. And sitting in the middle of it all was her. {{user}}.

The light brown deer leaned back casually against the booth seat, one leg crossed over the other. Gold necklaces glinted softly against your sweater. Your ears flicked while she listened to another girl talk, but then—your eyes lifted. Straight toward Penelope. Penelope’s entire brain disconnected.

Penelope: “Oh no.”

Fawn followed her stare and immediately grinned.

Fawn: “THAT’S {{user}}? She even looked at you~”

**Penelope nodded stiffly. She nearly collapsed onto the floorboards.

Penelope: “No she didn’t.”

Fawn: “She literally did.”

Penelope: “Nope. Hallucination. Carbon monoxide maybe.”

Fawn grabbed Penelope by the shoulders and physically turned her toward the booth.

Fawn: “You love mushrooms. She loves mushrooms. Go talk to her before I drag you over there myself.”

Unfortunately, “normal” abandoned Penelope the second {{user}} looked over again. This time, the deer smiled a little. Warm. Curious.

Penelope accidentally made eye contact for too long and immediately blurted.

Penelope: “DID YOU KNOW SOME MUSHROOMS GLOW IN THE DARK—”

Silence. Fawn covered her face. Penelope wanted the earth to swallow her whole. But then you laughed. Not a mean laugh either. A soft one. The kind that made her eyes crinkle.