"I found a pack of cigarettes." Kira walked into the living room, tossing them onto the coffee table. "I found Mum's jewelry box," Kraim said, placing it gently on the table. "I found a lighter piece in my foot," Sel declared, lifting his bandaged paw for all to see. "I found a creepy old badger named Bethesda," Shino yipped and sat on the floor. 

The rest of the group plopped onto two couches and looked at each other. "Does this add up?" "No." "Didn't think so." "Let's start with that Bethesda," Kira said with a rumble in his voice. "What's he look like?"

"Bethesda? You must mean my twin brother," said the badger in a blue vest and monocle. "He's quite a heathen. Working for the vegan meat company I do believe. You know, feeding us the nutrients we need in a more civilized manner. That's what he claims. All I know is that he grows rice and herbs to make fake meat." Kira, Sel and Harbnet nodded in unison on the badger's doorstep. Something was surely afoot. 

"What's your name sir?" 

"I'm Servian," he said with a humble inclination of his head. "Please, do come inside." They walked into Servian's home and looked around for a minute or two, then sat on his grandiose white sofa with golden trim. "Would you like some tea?" "Yes, ginger if you have it." Kira said politely, Servian's proper mannerisms making them all feel so uncouth. The badger nodded and waddled away into the kitchen. 

"You remember the plan, right?" Kira looked intensely at Sel. 

"Yeah, but what if--" 

"He won't. Just make sure you move quickly," Kira hissed quietly. 

Servian came back in with four cups of ginger tea, the smell filling the room with a crisp ale scent. They all took a cup and began to sip it-- well, all but Harbnet who slurped the liquid loudly and smacked his lips. "Pardon me, Mr. Servian, may I use your restroom?" 

Servian eyed Sel for a moment, then gestured to the door behind him. "You may." Sel stood up and walked to the door which was very close to Servian's back side. Sel pulled out his blue sharpie marker and, in one swift movement, opened the door while bumping into Servian's back, streaking the back of his neck with ink. 

"Pardon me," Sel said, going into the bathroom. "It's quite alright. I shouldn't be sitting so close to the door. Now where were we? Oh yes, the fake meat. It's not as... savory if you ask me." Kira nodded sipping his tea. 

"My great grandpa used to tell me about how animals used to eat each other all the time and it was fine," said Harbnet, picking his nose and rubbing it on the couch. Servian sneered and averted his eyes, then regained his composure. "I feel as though I can never have a properly done medium-rare squirrel steak," he said in a hushed voice as though to not alert Sel. Kira nodded as if he understood exactly what the older badger meant. 

"They aren't as juicy are they? I mean, rice is nice and all but the rice doesn't have the liquid a steak has," Kira said despite his love for Caesar salad. "Hey Sel," Harbnet said loudly. "You hear that? Servian and Kira want to eat your loins." A squeak was heard from inside bathroom and Servian rolled his eyes. Kira placed his tea cup down and smiled apologetically. 

"We may have overstayed our welcome." 

"It appears so," Servian said, his lip curling with mild annoyance. Sel came out of the bathroom and hurried to the door and was quite eager to leave. Harbnet was smiling to himself but Kira smacked him with a deft hand to the back of his head.