Fate's Wretched Odyssey

II

Soft light cast by the sunset danced its way through the cracks of their blinds, the windows open just enough to let the smells of the outside world in. The cool dusk air was comforting to the twin-tailed fox as he let out a sigh, snuggled deep into his pile of blankets. Sending a good night text to a classmate of his, Tails shut off his phone and set it aside to charge.

'Sonic's been gone for a hot minute. What's it been? Three hours- maybe four?' Tails wondered to himself, shifting around until he lay flat on his stomach, stretched wide in his werebeast form. It felt more natural to sleep that way, more so with the extra fluff that came with it.

'Whatever. I'm being paranoid. He'll be fine. Probably...'

Any second now, Sonic would walk into the apartment, hopefully with a smile and a proper job. Tails' ear flicked at the door, imagining the joyful jingling of keys and another handful of excited scratches added to their already damaged door.

Although, that didn't seem to be Tail's Imagination, shooting up with a yelp as Sonic practically broke down the entrance of their apartment. The door slammed shut behind him and the suit he had been wearing all day was immediately torn off of his body before he shifted into a form he was more comfortable with.

"Tails!" Sonic exclaimed and bounded over, hurriedly shaking his smaller brother out of his curled up state so he was certain his attention would be completely on him. Tails just stared at Sonic, wide-eyed by his sudden entrance and excited state. "So, I haven't got the job yet, but I was accepted for another interview tomorrow at the same time, so I'll be meeting with Mr. Doom again!"

Tails just blinked. "Wow. That's great, Sonic! You've been wanting to work there for a while now, and a second interview is always a good sign! What did you and him talk about for the past..." Tails paused to pick up his phone and look at the time, his brows furrowing together, "Four and a half hours?"

Sonic seemed to falter for a moment, but he quickly recollected himself and gave his younger brother a proper response. "Well, he asked me quite a few questions, like my origins and work experience. But you wouldn't believe how beautiful the casino is when you really have the time to take a look around! I mean, the colors, the music, the ambience, the everything! His office was super organized..." The dark blue werebeast trailed off, his jade eyes downcast as he seemed to recall something in his mind. Tails eased a brow, waiting for Sonic to continue with his excited facade.

"Tails..." He began slowly — unsurely. The golden, twin-tailed fox's namesakes brushed over the floorboards in anticipation of what Sonic had to say about his sudden change in demeanor. "That guy had this carpet... I- I dunno... It was of a werebeast, like us... I wanted to say it was fake, and just for show or something dumb. But everything in that office was so authentic... It just screamed of riches. It was like he was showing it off." Sonic looked down while Tails recoiled in disgust at what his brother had just said, teeth bared.

"Sonic, that is INSANE. There's no way you can work under the management of a man who literally owns the dead of our kin!" He yelled out in an attempt to reason with his stubborn brother. If there was anything Sonic needed to listen to for once, it would be this. "What happens when he finds out your fur is the same as the one he uses to wipe his feet with!?" Sonic opened his mouth, but Tails wouldn't let him speak, "I'll tell you what! He'll put a bullet right between your eyes, wipe his hands off, and hang you on his wall to use as a towel instead!"

Sonic frowned. His paws clenched into fists. "Okay, yes, maybe that's a possibility. Buuuuut," he averted his eyes a little, trying to avoid the fuming expression of his angered brother. "He has a Chaos Emerald!" The smaller of the two's hardened gaze shifted into one of shock, brows lifting at the news Sonic had just told him.