Animals

Chapter-one

It was just after eight o´clock as the lights on the heavenly city died down and dusting the whole spaceship in a low blue shine. Barely anyone was on the streets, most of them already asleep or just in their homes relaxing with their families.

However, not the Deponian who wandered the streets of the city, looking for anything interesting. He imagined Elysium much livelier and with lots of adventures but it was more boring and sitcom like. Somehow, he regrets actually making it onto it. The Deponian quickly shook that thought away, actually appreciating the luxury of having a shower and not just bathing in dirty dish water but he still couldn’t help himself to feel…. lonely.

A suppressed music beat was heard from behind the corner, ripping our lonely protagonist out of his depressing thoughts.
He thought clubs weren´t present on Elysium.

Immediately his interest was piqued. Turning the corner, he noticed the big building with neon signs and loud music coming from within.

“Rainbow Lounge”

Hmm seems elegant. The Deponian just hopes its not a fancy pants bar but depending on the music it must be a rocker place or something. Trying wouldn´t hurt.
The door´s bright pink neon light dusted the surrounding area in a soft baby pink, it soothed him in a weird way. So, without a second thought he entered the bar and was instantly hit with a strong smell of alcohol and…. perfume?

He didn’t put another thought into it and looked around the place. The bar was right behind the door and very long. A few small tables spread around the whole building and. THEY HAD EVEN A DANCE FLOOR?!

The Deponian already loved the place.

Before hitting the dance floor thought, he decided to get himself a drink or two. He searched for a free spot on the bar but saw quickly that the lounge was pretty full today. Perhaps he should go another day. No.
Our protagonist finally found a free spot between two men and sat down on one of the bar stools, ordering a plain beer from the very creepy smiling bartender. While waiting on his drink he very sneakily took a look around the people when he noticed something, or better someone.
No way, no fucking way.

“Cletus?!”

Catching the Elysian off guard, made him choke on his very vibrant cocktail. After coughing a few times and regaining his normal posture he finally addressed the elephant in the room.
“Rufus? What are you doing here?!” Somehow, he managed to make the “you” sound very VERY distasteful. Rufus rolled his eyes at that.

“Having fun? Ever heard of that snob?” he retorted in the same disgust as his opponent which gained him an instant scoff from the Elysian. Cletus took a long swig of his rainbow looking drink before glaring back at the Deponian.

“Rufus. This is a gay bar” remarked the pale man, giving an arrogant smile right afterwards.

Rufus blinked a few times before finally realizing it. He studied the place again full panicked now. Just men, no women. The name. The decoration. Oh god.
He accidently walked into a gay bar.

The Deponian hit his head against the bar table out of frustration. That made the Elysian chuckle a bit, gleeful at his enemies suffering. Rufus´ beer now arrived, the bartender placing it in front of the regretful man.

Fuck, was all he could mutter under the table. He feels so stupid right now but also its an opportunity to get wasted and forget about that embarrassing incident. Slowly he lifted his head again and took a hold of his ice-cold beer. Taking a huge sip before aggressively placing it down on the bar again.
“So why are you here then?” asked Rufus, searching for any human interaction even if it meant talking to his number one foe.
Cletus chuckled at the question, leaning against the bar to face the Deponian. “Take a wild guess idiot” he smiled.
The answer instantly hit Rufus, turning to look at the Elysian with pure shock.

“Wait. You´re gay?!” the Deponian almost screamed accidently choking a little on his cold beverage not sure if the pale man was messing with him or not. But then Rufus remembered something, something very important too.

Before the Elysian could even say or do anything he got interrupted. “B-but why were you together with Goal then? You wanted to marry her for garbage sake?!”
“Lower your damn voice you rat!” Cletus whispered/screamed back, already noticing the few around them beginning to stare at their semi loud conversation.
“I needed Goal to stay on Elysium and she needed a cover up for her father. And before you begin to ask, yes, she knew that I´m gay.” He explained finishing his cocktail and placing the big martini glass back on the counter.

Rufus had to think for a moment, which was new for him but he just needed some time to wrap his head around this. The woman he always wanted was free to take all along. He didn´t know if he was angry or relieved in that exact moment, all he knew was that he needed more booze.
A few minutes later and a bunch of beers later Rufus was fully drunk and respectfully more talkative than before.
“So, what, you really burned down her whole garden and set her fountain on fire?” giggled the Elysian still not fully understanding how his nemesis managed to do that.
“Yeah, pretty much so” responded Rufus laughing a bit too.

The Deponian took a look at his already empty beer bottle as he was lost in thought again. He can´t believe he is having a halfway funny conversation with Cletus. It was actually fun talking to him.

And same with Cletus, he was surprised that animal is even capable of leading a decent conversation. He really enjoyed listening to his crazy adventures and stupid incidents. He must be mad to even think that.

Rufus placed down the bottle he was previously toying around with before standing up slowly, feeling a little dizzy.
“I desperately need some fresh air now, you wanna tag along?” The Deponian put out his hand for the Elysian to take and come with him.
Normally Cletus would never take Rufus´ hand, because who knows if he ever washed it or where it was before. However, in that exact moment he took it right away without any thought behind it.

“Yeah, sure I need some too” he answered leaving his drink behind on the bar.
Holding tight onto his enemies hand he was led out of the rainbow lounge and into the cold night outside. Taking a deep breath Cletus leaned against the fence that was built around the whole city. Looking around he noticed how beautiful it was tonight.

The entire sky was littered with shining stars, painting the night sky with pretty blue´s and black´s. Somehow this night seemed special to him.
Feeling a presence beside him, he looked over to his right seeing Rufus staring at him.
“What you looking at street rat?” playfully questioned the Elysian.
Rufus had to think for a moment before answering.

“You. I´m looking at you.”

That sentence somehow came across so romantic to Cletus he just couldn´t help himself and blush at that statement.
And before he knew it, Rufus leaned in and kissed him.