G’Day, Las Vegas!
@weaselnerd, @lastofautumn, @marinerainbow, @trashogram A.K.A. @mantisandthemoondragon, @spookiifi, @amberfox232, @just-kit-ink and everyone else who loves Slash and her amazing content, please give a round of applause for her and the Kangaroo King of Las Vegas, Kingston Roo 🤴🦘🤴!
This new gift drawing is for the Queen of Slashers herself, @slashingdisneypasta A.K.A. @wicked1will0sparkles 👸! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME DRAW YOUR BOY KINGSTON ❤💞💚💛💜💖💙💓💗💘💟💝💌💙💞💛❣💚💕❣💜💓💛💖!!! I know he looks a little off in the first panel, and I’m sorry 😭 Like I said, I’ve never drawn a kangaroo before 😅 I hope you and Kingston enjoy your gift drawing and this drabble I’ve conjured up with 😁🎁!
Kingston Roo belongs to @slashingdisneypasta
Shiny Weasel and Poppy O’Hare belong to @marinerainbow
The Twisted Toonz Twins belong to me
Warning: drunk dude trying to hit on Twyla (don’t worry, he gets his ass handed to him 😄👍)
~
It had been a while since Twisted Twyla Toonz visited Las Vegas.
Living a double life as a vigilante and a member of the Twisted Toon Gang doesn’t mean you stay in one place forever. Sometimes, you have to travel if you have a job out of town, so when you do, it’s always a good idea to enjoy the sights while you’re there. But since summer began, there have been fewer cases so far. And it had been almost four years since she and her family moved to Toontown, since the case that changed their lives for the better.
Twyla was really happy that it’s summer. Despite her grim upbringing and strong aversion to the blinding sunlight and scornful humidity, she learned to appreciate the good things about summer. Summer, with its abundance of golden sunshine and warm weather, serves as a beacon of joy, growth, and freedom. Passion blooms in the hearts of many like a flower that had just blossomed, youth rising from their family dwellings to play and explore the outdoors of the natural world, and many opportunities for renewal and rebirth last throughout the season now that spring has reached its course. Summer, the zenith of life and light before the last leaf falls.
She might as well enjoy, since Shiny and Poppy intend on becoming a part of hers. And vice versa.
Twyla glanced between her adoptive aunts as she sat in the middle of the back seat, completely bewildered at how this all happened. One minute she was minding her own business, next thing she knew, a shimmering 1930s' red-hot convertible drove up to her with the driver revealed to be Shiny. And before she could greet either of them, the brunette jill simply said, “Get in, sweet face. We’re going on a road trip.”
Within the blink of an eye, she yoinked the demon princess and drove away.
Throughout the trip, Twyla glanced around at their surroundings. Judging by the rugged canyons, vast mountains, and stunning landscapes, they must be currently driving in the Mojave National Preserve. While Twyla was not quite acquainted with the desert due to its extreme heatwaves, she had to admit there was something ethereal about it. It was quite a drive, and by the time they were halfway there, she noticed the sun was slowly beginning to set. The sky, once a bright clear blue, now descended into a canvas of cerulean blues with cloudy streaks of violet and golden flames rising from the remnants of sunlight. She could see the famous Joshua tree, a keystone species of the Mojave known for its saw-toothed appearance. Its spiky branches reach for the sky, as if rejoicing their success for the ecosystem and resilience against the hellish, sweltering climate. Flora and fauna of other kinds ornament the desert, like a mosaic of emeralds and other leafy gemstones luring curious tourists and other newcomers to discover the many secrets of life in the otherwise driest desert in the world.
After five minutes of awkward silence, she asked, “So, umm…where are we going?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know, weather girl?” Shiny teased, lightly chuckling at her own joke.
“Come now, Shiny,” Poppy lightly scolded, unable to resist a giggle herself. “Tell her what this is all about.”
“OK, OK, honey,” her wife snickered before answering, “So Twyla, have you ever been to Las Vegas before?”
The horror halfie’s brows rose in surprise. “Las Vegas?” she pondered for a moment, then replied, “One time. Why?”
Poppy explained, “Since you moved in, we thought it would be a wonderful idea for you to meet some of our friends!”
Friends? The younger horror Toon tilted her head curiously. She glanced at Shiny, and the older hybrid finally gave in. “OK, here’s the reason for all of this. We know someone who lives in Vegas, and he wants to meet you.” She added, “We know that this is unexpected, but let’s just say a little birdie told him about you and now he’s curious,” she cast the doe a knowing, amused smirk.
Twyla followed her glance. Poppy’s face blushed bright pink, and she chuckled nervously while rubbing the nape of her neck. Twyla couldn’t help but smile in surprise. “Poppy?”
The rabbit’s blush deepened until she exasperatedly sighed, then admitted, “D’accord, you got me. But!” she pointed at Shiny, attempting to be assertive to no avail seeing the dancer’s smile increasing. “In my defense, he asked me how things were going in Toontown. And it’s been a while since we’ve last seen him.”
“Yeah, being the most powerful Toon boss in Vegas could certainly keep you occupied,” Shiny replied. Her smile remained warm and playful, and yet Twyla noticed there was something else hiding beneath her fellow hybrid’s eyes. Her eyes, usually two glimmering orbs of lime-painted emeralds, were sharply fixed on the road before them. While her body language was calm and nonchalant, her firm grasp on the steering wheel and unwavering focus was enough to tell the vigilante that there was something more about this road trip than she expected. And seeing the slight wary look in Poppy’s eyes confirmed there was something more about this friend of theirs.
Deciding to carry on the conversation, Twyla leaned forward and rested her forearm behind Shiny’s seat. “A Toon boss, huh? What kind are we talking here?”
The ladies exchanged a glance before Poppy answered happily, “A kangaroo.”
Hold on. What?
Twyla’s eyes went as wide as saucers, her mind going completely blank as if the world stopped its rotational axis. If she checked herself in the rearview mirror, she could’ve guessed she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Her brain struggled to form words, or anything in particular, but eventually she stuttered, “A—A kangaroo?”
“Yep. And no, we’re not joking. A mob of Toon kangaroos live in Vegas.”
Vegas.
Has.
A.
Mob.
Of.
WHAT?!?!
Although she had never once visited Australia or encountered a kangaroo in twenty-two years of her life, she’s heard quite a lot of interesting stories about the iconic marsupial. An animal that has been quite a popular emblem of the country as well as its various forms of artwork created by the Aboriginals which have passed their traditions down from generation to generation, the kangaroo is cherished as a symbol of Australian identity, currency, and indigenous, cultural significance. Dreaming of a kangaroo can be often interpreted as a need to nurture or protect someone, as kangaroos often live and operate in mobs working together in order to live, survive, and prosper.
However, what she has learned is that despite not being packed with potent venom that can cancel your life subscription or convert you into a KFC meal like other creatures in the Outback such as Tarantula Hawk wasps, Sydney Funnel Web spiders, snakes, stonefish, and even the adorable platypus, kangaroos can and will whoop your ass.
Known for their very powerful legs, the marsupials are far more than capable of delivering a fatal kick delivering 759 lbs of pure force and lethal 850 pounds per square that will literally crack bones. Not only that, but they have an incredible bite force that gives a grizzly bear a run for its money and are armed with MASSIVE combat knives for claws that can inflict deep wounds if their legs aren’t terrifying enough. And yet, despite the danger they are clearly capable of, some people and even other animals still think it would be a Fun Friday to try and mess with them.
Another thing to know is that not only are they fearsome in strength, but also in height. When she was little, Twyla always thought that kangaroos were life-sized walking plushies and Tom often joked about her jumping into a doe’s pouch since she was smaller than a joey. Until Adam brought up the fact that kangaroos are in fact, HUGE. No seriously, they’re not just taller than humans, some species of kangaroos can grow as tall as NINE FUCKING FEET! She herself is nearly 6’0, and yet she feels like she’s four years old again.
If getting kicked in the batteries doesn’t scare them, they’ll keep harassing them up until they try to challenge Australia’s NBA champions to a game of water wrestling…and they end up drowning to death.
Lesson learned; don’t fuck with Kangaroo Jack.
Still completely flabbergasted by this unexpected news, Twyla stammered, “I—I thought Jack was the only kangaroo in Vegas. I mean, it was all over the news!”
“Yeah, we don’t blame you for being surprised,” Shiny shrugged, trying not to laugh at the look on her adoptive niece’s face. “But what do you expect? It’s Vegas, after all.”
“…Fair point.”
“Anyway,” Poppy interjected, looking over to the younger lady with a warm smile. “That’s what this whole road trip is about. His name is Kingston, and I believe you two are going to get along just fine!”
Sure, like you didn’t say anything about Vegas selling real estate to a fucking mob of KANGAROOS!!! Twyla nodded, internally panicking. She really hoped that she makes a good first impression. Last thing she wants is to piss off a kangaroo.
After another while of sightseeing and driving, the girls finally arrived in the infamous Gambling Capital of the World, Las Vegas. The first time she arrived, it was sometime in the afternoon, and she was absolutely exhausted after spending several hours traveling in the Red Car. Now, she can truly see Nevada’s crown jewel for its proud, glamorous beauty.
Like a sparkle of fireflies, the city was illuminated in a bioluminescence of bright lights and colors. The sound of bustling cars, music, and laughter filled the evening air, singing a symphony of vitality provided by the spirit of Vegas. Its beloved landmarks were embellished in dazzling rainbow gemstones, each one shining brighter than the other. Even the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, half the size of the original, was shining in crystalline, cognac stones of citrine, topaz, and golden sapphires. From a distance, she could see the Bellagio Fountains embodying the hotel she and her family spent the night in, their intricate watery gates rising up and down like elegant white sentinels dipped in a river of pearls.
The city is known and loved for its promises of escaping the world’s suffocating trenches of suppression, and yet there is a reason why it is also known as the Sin City. Since the day of its birth, Las Vegas has been and will always be an oasis of indulgence. Entertainment is their status quo, as far as Twyla knows. Gambling is their main product, sold on the market in the many casinos popping around the clock. The game of chance is played every single night, tempting many to risk everything they have for an opportunity to put money in their pockets. Some win, some lose.
Weary travelers and curious tourists are lured in like moths to Vegas’s flame, too blinded by its light to see the shadows lurking in the dark corners. And gambling doesn’t stop there; other forms of entertainment make the city shine. Pleasure and desire seduce many into their private chambers for a night of carnal passion, but what many are not aware of is that Vegas, very much like New York and Chicago, has its own underworld of crime. Theft and larceny are two of the common occurrences, but when you live in a city ruled by crime lords and share turf with gamblers and hustlers, look before you leap. As Hunter S. Thompson once said, “In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity”.
Las Vegas, a city of luck, glitz, and danger.
Once they passed through the traffic, Shiny secured a spot in the parking deck. “All right, we’re here.”
Hopping out of the car, Twyla stretched her limbs and followed, “So, where are we meeting him?”
“This is the Venetian,” Poppy answered, linking hands with her wife’s, “A 5-star resort and home to some of the finest restaurants in Las Vegas! They have everything from breakfast to dinner, and they have all sorts of wonderful treats! Their cuisines are absolutely magnifique, so it’s really hard to choose which one is your favorite! Not to mention, they’ve recently opened a breakfast bakery called Donutique, and their strawberry cheesecakes are delicious!”
“Yeah, but nothing beats your rhubarb poppyseed muffins,” Shiny added, leaning forward and giving her a light kiss on the cheek.
“Shiny!” The French seamstress bashfully giggled, pink hearts dancing around her head. Seeing these two show love and affection towards each other always makes Twyla’s dark, twisted heart soar without fail. And she couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the singer attempting to fluster her sweet-natured wife even more with all her teasing. She had always felt a sense of warmth and protection whenever she was with her aunties, a feeling she had never felt in such a long time. The feeling of being safe around other people besides—
No.
The demoness’s eyes quickly sealed shut, shaking her head firmly while clutching her temple. With a great amount of force, she vanquished the memories back to the darkest corners of her mind before they could rise and overthrow her control of her sight. She remembered to focus on her other senses as much as she can to prevent the oncoming panic attack; she can hear cars roaring by and music playing, she can smell gasoline vapors permeating from the emissions, she can taste the warm air in and out of the parking deck, and she can only feel her own hands gingerly rubbing her arms. She took a slow, deep breath before finally opening her eyes.
She can only see her aunties Shiny and Poppy being the power couple they are. She’s with them, and they’re with her. She’s not alone, and she’s not in danger. She is safe.
Damn, that was a close one, Twyla thought and let out another sigh of relief before quickly catching up to them. They had already walked a few blocks and passed through the entrance, a myriad of unfamiliar faces, human and Toon, passing by while the ladies led the way. After a few more minutes of walking, Twyla found herself arriving in one of the restaurants, a lovely lounge located in the Palazzo Lobby known as LAVO. The whole cavern of the establishment was designed in fine Italian architecture consisting of warm wood, brick, and stone, softly lit up by seascape lights shining warmth and light in the charming lounge. Waiters and waitresses went on and about, serving one happy table to another. Stone mosaic floors ran through the entirety of the bistro, its custom-designed tiles smoothened like marble. The furniture was sewn in vibrant, classic Italian floral motifs accenting the Aztec dining chairs and bespoke furnishings while surrounding the tables, all decorated with little floral-designed lamps. And on the far side of the lounge, an ultra-chic bar proudly displayed its glamour while occupied by a Toon pronghorn bartender who looked not much older than her. Small antique red lamps ran across the curved countertop, giving a sense of contemporary style and playfulness.
Twyla looked around, completely astonished. This Kingston friend of Shiny’s and Poppy’s really knows how to pick a restaurant. A hostess welcomed the trio and politely informed them that their tables will be ready in a few minutes. “Don’t worry, take your time,” Poppy kindly assured her, and seeing the relived, grateful smile on the other woman’s face clearly sent the message. Either she’s overworked, or she doesn’t get much luck greeting considerate folks. Twyla hoped it wasn’t the latter; she’d hate to spill blood on her first trip to Vegas in years.
Shiny led the two towards the bar stools, deciding it would be a temporary spot to rest their legs while patiently waiting. Then she asked, “Twyla, the missus and I need to go do something really quick. Are you comfortable waiting here?”
The taller halfie nodded, “Yeah, I’m good. I’ll even ask for three glasses of water if you’re thirsty.”
Her aunt’s brows lightly furrowed, then glanced over at the bartender who was cleaning a glass. He met her gaze and gave her a brief nod, and the vigilante saw some tension leave Shiny’s shoulders. “OK. We won’t be gone long. Try not wander off, you hear?” she pointed a claw at her half-jokingly.
Twyla chuckled, “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
After watching her aunts head towards to wherever they needed to go, she rested her forearms on the smooth countertop and faced the pronghorn. “Can I have three waters, please?” she asked. He nodded, giving her a wink before leaning down to retrieve the glasses and the soda gun.
While waiting, Twyla looked around the bistro a second time. The energy here was surprisingly very pleasant, despite the busy staff tending to customers while preparing and delivering food. Everyone here was a human or a Toon, and they all looked so happy and lively tonight. Finding a joint with pleasant company was scarce, even before she and her family left Chicago. Although she herself isn’t exactly the social butterfly type, she appreciated going somewhere with her friends and pack when they’re not busy with a case. Things have been so hectic lately, she’s really glad it’s summer now.
Her train of thoughts hit the brakes when someone rudely interrupted her.
“Well, damn, what do we have here~?” a male Toon bobcat took a seat next to hers, sitting a little too close for her comfort. And God, he was absolutely wasted; his breath reeked of vodka and gin, and Twyla could see a few spill drops staining his disheveled short-sleeved summer beach shirt. His eyes trailed up and down in a once-over, his face plastered in a sleazy grin as he wrapped a burly arm around her shoulders. “What’s a ssshexy little thing like you doin’ here, huh?” his speech was slurred, fumbling with his words as he struggled to maintain balance on his stool.
Twyla’s ears lowered, her fur bristling due to the unwanted contact. She struggled to come up with an answer as he just continued to gaze at her with those eyes leering at her face, then her cleavage. Yep, he’s drunk off his ass.
“Barry,” the feline’s grin dropped at the sharp mention of his name before glaring at the bartender who was now standing to his full height. His dark eyes pierced into the bobcat’s while clutching onto the soda gun. “You’re not welcome here, and she doesn’t like you touching her like that. Back. Off.”
The bobcat, Barry, only brushed off the pronghorn. “Aw, come on, Petro! Live a little, will ya? I’m just bein’ friendly with this sweet little lady,” he glanced at her again. “Ain’t that right, babe?”
She saw the pronghorn’s jaw clench and a muscle tick. The guy looked like he was trying not to lose his cool for the sake of professionalism, but Twyla could tell he really just wanted to sock this creep’s face. Unfortunately, it didn’t help ease her increasing anxiety. The last time she tried to talk to a drunk man did not end well, and she wasn’t sure how this guy was going to react if she even does so much as politely ask him to remove his hand from her shoulder.
Suddenly, a hand grasped onto the back of his collar and yanked him off his seat.
Twyla felt her necklace warning her of a strong, dominant aura making their presence known. She flinched, not from fear though, and she felt relieved for some reason. A groan brought her attention back to the Toon bobcat, who apparently fell flat on his face from the way he was gingerly rubbing his forehead. Barry bared his fangs, ready to cuss at whoever ruined his idea of a fun night.
“Hey, who the fuck do you think you—” his face instantly paled several shades of white, catlike eyes shrinking into petrified pinprick pupils. Twyla slowly turned in his direction and was stumped at the sight of who came to her rescue.
A kangaroo, a male Toon kangaroo. He stood over three feet tall in height, a few inches taller than Wheezy while being slightly shorter than Greasy, and his presence was one of power and respect. His fur was a shade or two of dark brown warming the tips of his ears to the length of his long tail, save for his throat, chest, and underbelly painted in light peanut butter. Dark brown fur warmed his arms and legs adorned with black claws. And they packed heavy muscle. He wore nearly all black; an old, thin black blazer over a teal button-up dress shirt with the collar being undone and revealing a bit of his muscular visage, and he wore matching pants. The only article of his clothing that wasn’t black besides his shirt was the light blue fedora perched on his head, banded with a navy-blue ribbon. He glared down at the drunken wildcat with a sharp, frightening brown eye dark burning with rage flashing like lightning while a black eyepatch veiled the right side of his face, giving Twyla the impression that he must have lost his eye in a brutal, bloody fight.
“I thought,” the roo growled, his voice raspy and thick with Aussie authority, “I told ya to get your ass out of my city.”
Your city? Twyla asked, giving him a brief once-over. After glancing between him, Barry, and the pronghorn, the realization dawned upon her as soon as she connected the dots. His attire of choice and fierce presence should’ve been her first clue. Las Vegas is his territory, and he must be a mob boss.
“P-Please, Mr. Roo!” Barry pleaded, his whiskers quivering fearfully as the marsupial continued to glower at him. “I—I wasn’t doin’ anything, I swear!” he pointed at Twyla, “She’s the one who started this! She got me drinkin’, and—”
“Oh, cut the shit!” the shorter Toon barked, baring his teeth in a menacing snarl as the fire in his eye intensified. He took an angry step forward, prompting the wildcat to get up and back the fuck off. The kangaroo pointed, “I could smell you all the way from the terrace, and I saw you puttin’ your filthy hands on her! What, you thought I wouldn’t catch your ass? You think you’re slick? Get in line, motherfucker!”
By now, Barry was hurriedly walking backwards towards the entrance, bumping into tables and some of the employees. They all glared at him disgruntledly, shoving him out of the way as they went about their rounds. Still, the mobster continued to stare deep into his core and followed the feline’s movements. Noticing him coming, everyone cleared the path not out of fear, but out of respect for his space. And then, out of the blue, he leaned back on his tail and kicked Barry in the BATTERIES.
Holy shit! Twyla’s jaw dropped in gobsmacked astonishment as the bobcat was literally sent flying across the lounge until his ass landed on the entrance, screaming and yowling in agonizing pain as he curled up in a ball. Mr. Roo hopped up to the intoxicated, unwelcome guest and grabbed him by the shirt, forcing him to look him right in the eye.
“Listen very closely, you booze-brained, drunk-ass son of a bitch,” he seethed, and Barry’s fur stood up in horror-stricken bristles hearing the very threatening, ominous undertone in his deep, roughened voice. “This is your last and final warning. If I ever see you in Vegas again, I will drag your flea-bitten soul straight down to hell!”
Without giving him a chance to speak, he tossed Barry’s ass out of LAVO. The bobcat regained his balance and hightailed it out of the Venetian faster than a cheetah’s sprint. As soon as he was gone, a round of applause cheered for the Aussie gangster, and Twyla couldn’t help but clap for him as well. He turned to face his audience and politely bowed. “Thank you, thank you! You’re too kind!” he thanked them, laughing.
He dusted off his hands, “All right, everyone back to enjoying yourselves! Show’s over.”
The crowd nodded, going back to chatting to their friends and loved ones while harvesting their meals and beverages. Twyla noticed her rescuer walking towards the bar, and the bartender called out for his attention. “I’m so sorry, Kingston. This is my fault,” he apologized, his ears drooping in shame and guilt. “I should’ve known he was coming here, and I should’ve gotten rid of him myself.”
Wait, Twyla’s eyes widened. She glanced at the kangaroo again, even more stumped. This is Kingston? Her eyes blinked, totally bumfuzzled as her brain struggled to comprehend the revelation. After giving him a brief once-over, she covered her mouth to prevent a giggle rising up the back of her throat.
Oh, my God. She smiled behind her hand, trying really, really hard not to crack up. He is so tiny!
Her hero, Kingston, hoisted himself on the chair he yanked the bobcat off before gently patting the pronghorn’s forearm. “Nah, it ain’t your fault, Petro,” he kindly assured the bartender, not a single trace of anger or disappointment found in his response. “He’s always been a sneaky fucker. I don’t blame you.”
The jack then turned to give her an apology. “You all right, sheila? Sorry about that, gotta keep the vermin out—” he stopped mid-sentence, his eye wide and jaw dropped at the sight of her.
For a moment there, Twyla thought she had something on her face. She was about to ask him if something was wrong, until the roo’s surprise vanished and his lips broadened into a wide grin. “Oh, somebody get me a glass!” he leaned his forearm on the countertop, his smile becoming somewhat flirtatious. He winked, “Because I just found me a tall, dark Full Moontini~”
Twyla’s face blushed, not expecting that compliment. “Oh, stop it,” she lightly giggled, unable to hold back a laugh. This guy just saves her and now he’s flirting with her. First a weasel gangster, then a talking taxi cab, now a kangaroo mob boss? And she calls Tom a babe magnet.
Petro delivered their drinks; three ice-cold waters for the ladies and a craft beer for Kingston. “On the house,” he nodded, “Enjoy your drinks.”
“Thanks, mate,” Kingston raised his glass in thanks before taking a swig. Gulping, he exhaled before glancing at the three beverages. He arched a brow, smirking, “Three waters, eh? Were you runnin’ on your way here?” he joked.
Twyla chuckled, shaking her head before she sipped her water. “I’m not that fast. Who do you think I am, Roadrunner?” she snickered, then imitated the avian’s classic “Beep-beep!”. Seeing her joke made the male marsupial laugh, she added. “Nah, I came here with my aunts Poppy and Shiny. They should be on their way back now, and—”
“Wait.” Her response was cut short, trailing a bit as she noticed the surprise on his face. He gazed at her, the dazed curiosity was apparent. “Poppy and Shiny? As in, Poppy O’Hare and Shiny Weasel?” he asked. “What did you say your name was?”
"Twyla,” the ravenette answered, nodding. She smiled warmly and offered her hand for a handshake, “Twyla Toonz. Poppy mentioned me, remember?”
Kingston continued to gape at her, as if he was completely stunned. Twyla remembered Shiny saying that her wife was, in fact, the one who mentioned her to him the last time they talked, and he wanted to meet her. Still, she wasn’t sure what he was thinking right now. She was about to ask him if he was all right when the kangaroo kindly took her hand in his.
“Welcome to Las Vegas, love,” he greeted her, kissing her hand.
Twyla’s eyes nearly went as wide as saucers, genuinely taken back from his greeting. Her cheeks were kissed in vibrant shades of blushing pink, burning as hot as the scorching heat in the desert. Did…did he literally just kiss her hand like they’re meeting at a grand ball like Cinderella and Prince Charming? Unable to help herself, she quickly covered her face with both hands in attempt to hide her beet-red face and the embarrassing squeal whenever she gets flustered.
OhmyGodI’mbeingflirtedwithbyakangaroomobbossinLasVegas! She screamed in her mind, her brain too scrambled to form proper words. Or anything at all. Seriously, what is it with handsome, badass Toon criminals giving her all the attention here?! Perhaps this is what Tom meant back at Eddie’s apartment the first morning of the case.
Meanwhile, Kingston guffawed at the crystal-eyed beauty’s adorable attempt to hide her reaction. Even her ears had turned pink and drooped bashfully, making the urge to boop her cute puppy snoot grow stronger and stronger. Shiny’s right, he smiled. She is just so damn precious.
As soon as the jill’s name popped into his mind, he suddenly remembered something. Like he had forgot something very important. Wait. He looked around, spotting every recognizable face in the establishment. If Twyla’s here, where’s her brother?
Suddenly, he felt an ice-cold shiver run down his spine. Every muscle in his body tensed as his heart unexpectedly began to pound rapidly against his ribcage with a growing sense of fear and dread. He saw every fur on his arms stood up in stiff, rigid bristles the colder he got. Glancing around, he noticed that no one else was affected by the alarming change of atmosphere; they all just ate, talked, drank, and enjoyed the night. Even Petro didn’t notice anything, he diligently focused on his duties. A looming shadow towered over him right beside Twyla, and Kingston’s heart stopped at the sight of the newcomer.
Staring him right in the eye was another horror Toon, a young but equally ferocious Rubberhose Toon wolf. He stood at an imposing 6’0 in height, making the kangaroo feel no larger than a mouse. Despite his lean sinewy figure, his arms were imbued with unbelievable strength and power. His fur was inky black, coating the tips of his sharp, pointed ears all the way to his tail in thick layers of dark fur and his head was a wild mess of short, scruffy jet-black hair adorned by unkempt bangs. Although he had no whiskers, there was no doubt he tracked his sister and the ladies all the way from Toontown to Vegas with his keen sense of smell. Like Kingston, he wore dark clothing. He dressed sharply in a double-breasted suit jacket over a crisp silver dress shirt held back by a dark tie with unwrinkled matching chain-embedded trousers, and polished black Oxfords. He also wore a black fedora strapped with a silver-grey band, casting a shadow over his frightening glare that was slowly dripping a few trails of ink. His eyes, one of them marked by a scar, were solid pitch-black, piercing deep into Kingston’s soul like bullets with two lethal pie-cut pupils glowing in hellish, blood-red fury.
There was no doubt his guy right here is Tom, Twyla’s crazy-ass overprotective twin brother. And Kingston could have sworn he saw a pair of razor-sharp spikes growing out of his arms.
“G’day…mate,” his Chicago-graveled voice made the marsupial’s blood run cold hearing the guttural, otherworldly growl in his greeting.
“Ohhhhhh….shit.”
Five minutes later…
Shiny and Poppy made their return to the busy lounge, politely excusing themselves through the crowd. Much to Shiny’s relief, Twyla was still waiting for them at the bar.
“Twyla, we’re back— Sacré bleu!” Poppy’s eyes widened in shocked alarm, her hands rising to her face. Shiny followed her wife’s gaze and found herself as bewildered as she was at the scene before her.
“OH, JESUS CHRIST!!! HELP ME!!!!” Kingston Roo, the most feared Toon crime boss in all of Las Vegas, was running for his life while literally being chased by her adoptive nephew. That’s not something you see every day.
They noticed Ryan walking his way towards them and judging by his heavy breathing and the few tears on his shirt, he must have tried to stop Tom to no avail. He didn’t even need to greet them, seeing the smug smile on Shiny’s face while Poppy continued to stare in shellshocked surprise. “Hey, Ryan,” Shiny greeted him, struggling not to laugh at the other roo’s exasperated glare. “I see you and Kingston met Tom.”
“Oh, don’t you start,” Ryan snapped, struggling to breathe properly while motioning to the gunslinger hellbent on kicking Kingston’s ass as he panted loudly, “You…you never said he was this crazy! What were you thinking?!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the dancer shrugged half-heartedly, feigning innocence in her eyes and smile. “Behind all of that tough-guy grit, Tom is just a big, fluffy puppy.”
~
Oh, Tom is a puppy, all right. A demonic puppy maxed out on speed and strength 🤣 But don’t worry, King! He’s really sweet once you get to know him 😊! Oh, and he knows to how handle a gun too 😅
Anyways, thank you so much, Slash! Hope you enjoy 🤗❤🤗!
