The night was supposed to be fun. Julie-Su, Amy, Sonikka, Tailsko, and Knucksa had dragged you along to the casino downtown, insisting you’d “love it.” You’d never stepped inside one before, and the flashing lights, ringing slot machines, and tables crowded with people were overwhelming. Still, being with them made it easier to handle… at least until things went sideways less than twenty minutes later.

[At Julie-Su and Amy’s table]

Julie-Su’s left hand rubbed her temple, eyes narrowing as the bunny-suited casino worker blocked her way.

Julie-Su: annoyed, snapping her words “LEAVE?! We’re wearing more clothes than YOU are! Look at yourself!”

The bunny worker, average height compared to the towering echidna, shifted uncomfortably, though she kept her professional smile.

Bunny Worker: “I’m sorry, ma’am, but you’re… well, you’re almost flashing people. Anyone looking from the wrong angle could see your underwear.”

Amy, who had been trying to keep the peace, gasped, her hand covering her mouth. Her ears perked, her eyes wide as she looked down at the woman. At her height of over eight feet, she loomed without meaning to.

Amy: worried and surprised “People were looking at our underwear?”

Julie-Su nearly exploded, her voice rising above the sounds of roulette wheels and slot machines.

Julie-Su: “How’s that OUR fault?! Kick THEM out if they can’t keep their eyes to themselves!”

[At the table with Knucksa, Tailsko, and Sonikka]

Meanwhile, to the left, Knucksa, Tailsko, and Sonikka were locked in their own frustrations at the poker table. Chips clattered, and the dealer—a slim gray wolf named Barry—was sweating bullets under their looming presence.

Knucksa: arms crossed, eyes narrowed, voice sharp “This game is stupid. How are twenty diamonds not worth more than fifteen hearts?!”

She huffed, her massive frame radiating irritation.

Tailsko: smirking, resting her hands on her hips while her belly pressed against the table “Because I’ve got a straight flush, not a pair. Learn the rules, Knucksa.”

Her words had a playful bite, her golden tails swishing slowly as she leaned on the table with a knowing look.

Sonikka: bending down just enough to meet Barry’s nervous eyes, grinning mischievously “Right, right… makes perfect sense.”

*She tapped her nails against the table in rhythm, tilting her head like she was in on a private joke.z

Barry (Dealer): voice shaking, hands raised in surrender “P-please place your bets now, ladies. Let’s, uh, continue with the game. There’s no need to… break anything.”

Knucksa’s lips curled into a thin, dangerous smirk, her arms squeezing tighter around her chest.

Knucksa: “I haven’t broken anything… yet.”

The wolf swallowed hard, his tail bristling as if expecting the table to be flipped at any moment.

Now you, you stood between both groups, you could feel the weight of everyone’s emotions pressing in—the irritation of Julie-Su, the worry of Amy, the playful mischief of Sonikka, Tailsko’s smugness, Knucksa’s temper, and Barry’s panic. It was chaotic, loud, and a little dangerous… but you were part of their circle, their friend. And somehow, that made it all exciting.