"ONE!" comes the echo from the crowd. The raccoontaur's already up in the air behind the 3-point line, having sprung upward in a pounce-like leap. That's the only way he can legally jump in this game, being a six-limbed fella in a game traditionally dominated by the bipeds. He lets loose with the ball, a dazzling teardrop of an arc that seems to glitter after it leaves his hands. The scoreboard above reads 'Bikers 91, Mudpuppies 89," a game hanging on that 3-ball from the emerald-eyed taur.

"Providence for the win!" shouts the announcer. Crawdad Park seems to stand still, that orange ball rotating and twirling in exact form and speed. The raccoontaur's body slowly descends, his back paws hitting the ground with a comparatively thunderous "THUD," right before the final horn sounds to confirm the do-or-die shot Biloxi has to win the game.

As his forepaws clip into the ground, his eyes fixed on that airborne sphere, Merill can only watch helplessly and hope that his final effort is true to its mark. It descends, slowly, steadily, toward the open net betwixt a circle of metallic rim. The ball CLANGS off the back of the iron in a forceful display, then... BZZZZBZZZZBZZZZBZZZZ

A dream. Yep, just a simple dream. Did that shot clang too hard and rim out, giving his team the hard-luck loss? Or did it stop dead in its tracks and swish from there, making the 'Puppies winners? In 19 hours, the FBA will decide on whether folks with more than five limbs, like Merill, can even play in this league period. And if they pass the rule, no one will ever know what happens to that shot into the rim.

But, it's not just Merill being affected by this critical decision. Svenia von Thomassen, a faithful, 9-year veteran, would suddenly and unceremoniously be displaced. Rookies Antony Rufkin and Zenzuela Setheren would be tossed before really having any time to learn the pro style of basketball, and all the future taurs of North America would be left to wonder... why us?

And let's not forget Tazel Tawner, who may or may not be contemplating a comeback. If this vote passes she'll have to retire for good, told not to play because she's different than the normal bipeds. And what good will that do for a league whose ideals consist of equality for all, and fair opportunity?

Xau Xian-Xu, whose octopus-style body is definitely over the limit, is a defensive stalwart, a key roleplayer in clutch defensive situations. Will he be forced out because of the rule too? Absolutely.

And what if a fox was born with two tails? Unless they hack off one of their tails or an arm or something, they're out too. Seriously? Kicking someone out for a tail too many? That alone should be enough to draw the line.

And in the case of Svenia especially, it would basically be telling them, 'thanks for your services, now go away.' So, Merill asks but one simple thing of the league. Please. Let us play. We've worked just as hard as you, if not harder, to get to this level, and if we lose that right it would break not only us, but everyone else who's different in some way.

Don't let the dreams die. Vote 'no' on the five-limb rule.

-This message has been funded by Merill Providence, on behalf of all his fellow affected creatures.-

(COMMISSIONER'S NOTE: The rule was suspended just long enough for Merill to get into the league. However, it was put into effect midway through the 2012-13 season, thus making Merill the final taur to be accepted into the FBA. So, in a sense, he gets to be a footnote in history as that piece of trivia!

As far as the art? <3 it. I got hooked on Akkenai when I saw her version of Discord-taur [I know, right?] and scrounged up funds to snag one of her commissions. It was worth the wait to get to see this in stream too. :3)

Love this? Love the original!
Art ©
Thumbnailer © and
FBA, Santa Fe Whips, Winnipeg Voyageurs ©
All FBA players named © their respective owners
Story & Merill Providence ©