The years passed by. The explosion in Talon Enterprises was never fully cleared up, since there were no witnesses other than Leon and Casey, who both agreed that the explosion was caused by a malfunction in the jetpack testing. Jim was told everything that happened, and while it did not fit well in his mind, it clicked when he remembered his dreams. Thanks to a bit of sleight of hand regarding hands, paws and feathers, a bill was passed allowing inter-species marriage. Following this, Leon proposed to Casey, who accepted full-heartedly. The ceremony was participated with some of the biggest names, and personal friends of the Skyil family, including which was Jim Arthurs, Casey's housemate, Arty Fomin and Jonathan D. Andy. Sokrates Methodae was there; hired as the drink man, he was more than happy to supply the hydration at the party. A year had passed from that moment. The Stoares, with heavy persuasion from Leon, agreed to cooperate with Claw Co. The Felidus family and the Stoares met in May, as they both shook hands, resting a competition finally to rest. October 10th was not known as the day Talon exploded. It was not a sad occasion, where a disaster struck one of the most powerful companies in the whole of the Megaplex, but rather, it was joyous, as Leon and Casey were married on the same day, two years after. It was now one year past that.
October 10th. 2023.
The ornate table was covered with a gold leaf tablecloth, dozens of platters of various shapes and sized, filled with food, littered the table. The table itself was on a lovely tribal carpet, made with nylon, which lead up to the corners of the dining room, which had several cabinets, most with glass doors, showcasing expensive dinnerware and cups. There were two credenzas facing opposite from each other on the center walls of the dining room, which were stocked with wines, some dating further than forty years ago. The right side of the room had a sliding door, made of reinforced but clear glass, that lead to a small garden, walled off from the outside with light colored granite. Several square stones were lain on the floor of the backyard to offer solid walking ground in-between all of the small pebbles and grass. There were two small trees, with a hammock in-between them, facing from the hammock was a charcoal colored water fountain, of three pots that slowly flowed water lower from the highest pot, to the lowest pot, which pumped it back up to the top pot to begin the process again. The water splashing created a relaxing and pleasant noise for whenever anyone would lie in the hammock. Flanking the fountain was tall grass, not invasive, but perfectly understanding the personal space of the fountain, and kept itself to its own area.
Back in the dining room, chatter was growing throughout the twelve seats of the table, when suddenly a tinging of a champagne glass was heard, and all pulled their attention to Leon "Red" Skyil, the man who rang. He looked at everyone, all attention placed at him, ears and tails completely straight. He had total control over the conversation now, and he knew it. He opened his beak, about to say a few words.
"I'm so glad everyone here was able to join my wife and I, here on our second wedding anniversary." He turned to both sides of the table, seeing the faces of his dear friends, before looking straight ahead to the other end of the table, where Casey was seated. She too, was looking at him. He coughed to clear up his throat.
"As you all know, if you there last year, I'm terrible at making speeches." Chuckles were heard through the table. "However, what I didn't tell, was what happened three years ago, does anyone still remember?" He looked around the table. A few people certainly remembered, but not clearly. A voice came from the middle of the left side, it was Arty. "Ya, I remember. You came in that day, to buy my used X1 Shield."
Oh, of course he remembered! Leon himself could barely remember that he bought the shield, but it made sense, how else did he save Casey? Red had only a moment to brew these thoughts in his brain, then he heard Fomin speak again. "There was a explosion at the place you worked at, no?"
"Yup! And in fact, I saw that explosion."
Several members of the table were surprised. Red continued. "Here's the thing. I didn't see it once. I saw it seven times." The audience which was seated beside him, just a few milliseconds ago, were now thoroughly confused.
"Allow me to explain. It all started when my lovely wife Casey..."
