Shrunken Carnivore Series
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Els rounded the south-eastern corner of the Drama Club's storage warehouse to find Pina, staring down at Bill, as the Bengal tiger hopped about at Pina's shoes. With a swift flick of his ankle, Bill crashed the ground and skittered back a few inches as he noticed Els.

"Well, isn't this some perfect timing!" Pina began, throwing his arms wide. "Just the goat I was looking for; I've got a joke that I think you're going to love!"

"If it's the one about the goat and the bar I've heard it Too many times just this morning, I'd rather not hear it again," Els scoffed as she stepped closer and diverted to sidestep the flamboyant sheep.

"While I do enjoy a good bar joke, I won't be telling this one. No, Bill here has something he'd like to say to you."

Els stopped in her tracks as she looked down to the dust-covered tiger sprawled out on his back, gasping for breath. "Oh? Hm, alright, I'll hear it."

Bill sat up and started to speak. His voice boomed for someone so small, but all that reached Els' ears was the pathetic mewling of a miniscule kitten. It pitched up and down as he yelled and screamed, pausing only to inhale before continuing. Els tutted and crouched down, her pretty socks and uniform dress gaining a small layer of dust as she did so.

"Els! Thank you! Thank you! I know we haven't spoken much since things uh...changed. But I've been dying to tell you this. It's been eating me up for the longest time, ever since that day back at the Drama Club when you talked me out of that depressive spiral. I just-"

"I have classes coming up, Bill," Els interjected. "And if it's all the same to you, I'd like to make it there on time."

Bill choked on his words as he stood in awe of the nonplussed goat. Her wool looked as soft as a cloud, her frail and delicate body called to him like a safe haven. A far cry from the deceptively rough, feminine physique that Pina offered. That stink of egotism and self-aggrandising that hung off him, unlike the perfect pheremonal perfume that lilted off Els.

"Right, yeah. So I uh, I was grappling with some complex feelings and I took the time to process them, told Pina in the hopes I could tell you myself but uh...I think I love you?" Bill's cheeks flushed red. "And it would be an honour if you would be my caretaker..."

Bill's body seemed to shrink into itself as the tiger tensed. His eyes met the ground, his hands balled into fists as his pride shattered. What had he said? If he'd been his old size the only beast he'd have spoken those words to would have been another tiger and now here he was saying it to a herbivore! He'd never live it down, especially now that he couldn't stop her or Pina from telling others what he'd said.

Els sat silently for a moment. She stared at Bill and occasionally glanced to Pina who nodded in response to her silent questions.

"Heh," she said after a few minutes. "Pina was right, that's a hilarious joke."

Bill's eyes shot up to meet Els' overbearing glare. "Wh-wha?"

"It's no secret how Pina treats his property. Beastbook abounds with photos and videos of his antics and methods of caring for you. Even I saw him kick you into the dirt when I arrived. I should be furious, shouldn't I? That someone in such a position of trust could act so callously to something so frail and weak?"

Bill felt a pit forming in his stomach. It swelled and grew with each syllable she spoke until it felt like he was carrying a boulder around his midriff.

"But that's what you carnivores did every day to beasts like us. You pushed us around, hurt and humiliated us with your strength and you didn't even realise you were doing it most times! And then when the repercussions of your actions came around, you acted all mopey and sad like we should be sorry for you. Us!"

"Els, I-"

"No, you don't get to speak and you certainly don't get to play victim, Bill. You drank the blood of an innocent rabbit in the hope it'd make you a better actor, maybe if you'd had some now I'd have considered you genuine." Els sank lower as her snout huffed fiercely against the tiger. "You were pathetic then, and during your woe is me pity party, and you're even worse now. You deserve everything Pina gives you."

Bill collapsed back onto his rear, mouth agape. His heart pounded in his chest as sudden upward gust whipped dust and dirt around his person. Els rose to her full height and turned to look at Pina. The dall sheep had suffered a little blush to the cheeks himself as he clapped his hands together sincerely.

"And that's why you're in the actor's pool, Els. Bravo!" He bowed in reverence of her acting prowess. "I appreciate my name being used in such a fiery speech. What say we make the walk to class together? I can tell you all about my plans for Bill, if you'd like?"

Pina hooked his arm to his waist, offering Els a link to intertwine with. She giggled and stepped over Bill as the two started walking. Bill got to his feet and jogged after them.

"W-wait!" he cried. "Wait for me!"

"Come, Bill! It's exercise time!" Pina droned and he pulled Els closer.

🎨 iyzeekiil
Els, Pina, Bill, Beastars is ITAGAKI Paru

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