-That's it! 

Rik stood up and
turned to walk away, while Bron grabbed her arm pulling her back, the laughter
of the group filling the stillness of the night.

-Come on, Rik! We're
just playing around! No need to get so uppity!

He pushed her down on
the log. Although unwilling to sit still, she knew that if she fought back, her
weakness would become more of a laughing stoke. She told herself to keep it
cool and it will all pass by tomorrow. But when she saw Bron's grinning face,
she realized that maybe, just maybe, she couldn't really keep it cool.

-You know, Rik... –
Chety climbed back on the log, bursting in spurts of laughter. - …you know. I
just realized, that…all these stories…all these stories…have something in
common…

-Rik being hit in the
belly? – Tarek suggested, still chuckling

-Nonono…well…yeah…but
no! You always get beaten by small, furry men…

-Hehehe…you know,
Chety! You're right! – Bron laughed and turned back towards Rik, who was
starring daggers at him. – Is that it, Riki ol girl? You've got something for
short furry men?

-Fuck off, Bron!

-You you…you get all
flustered and let your guard down?

-I'm warning you…

-Hey, Chety! Turns
out Sky wasn't the problem at all! She's just mad cuz you ain't got no fur on
ya!

-That's it!

Rik stood up,
grabbing Bron by the collar of his shirt. Still chuckling, he grabbed her hand
and with a small twist on the wrist he made her let him go and sat her down.
Before she could react in any way, he pushed a pint in her hands.

-Have a drink!  Relax a bit! You've been so tense the entire
night! Hey…I can make Chety give you a ab massage if ya like!

-You mother…!

-Don't worry! I'll
make him wear a fur cloak! I'm sure I have something!

-Bron, you sack of
shit! I am going to end you!

-Now, now Rik. –
Tarek spoke up, helping Chety not to fall off his seat – No need to get so
hostile. You know we make these jokes all the time.

-Yes, but…

-You are part of the
group. Which means you share in our happiness and our sorrow. This is part of
our happiness. You can choose if you want it to be part of your sorrow.

-I…ugh…

Unable to say or do
anything, she felt defeated. She grit her teeth, scrapping them side by side,
trying to contain her anger. And yet, it had been building up ever so slowly
throughout the night. Ever since, Bron mentioned her gut. If it wasn't for him,
no one would have laughed at her. No one would have thought of her as being
weak. No one would have known her secret.

-Tomorrow we can get
you some armor for that – Bron patted her gently on the belly – You know, to
avoid any further mishaps.

That was it. She
snapped.

Like all female
gnolls, Rik had a certain sense of pride. And like all female gnolls, when that
pride was hurt, she would react viciously. And like all female gnolls, that
viciousness manifested itself through a berserker rage. Although she controlled
herself as much as she could, she had given in, signaled by a dim yellow glow
in her eyes. Still having some sense of sanity, Rik stood up and turned towards
Bron.

-Am I a joke to you?

-What? No…

-Do you think I'm
funny?

-No, come on, Rik,
we're just…

-I'm not talking to
them. I'm talking to you. You think I am a joke, don't you?

-Y-you're doing that
thing, aren't you? You're eyes are getting kind of yell…

-You think of me as a
weakling, don't you?

-Is Rik doing the eye
thing? – Chety spoke up, sobering in a second. – Ah, shit…

-Rik, come on…-Bron
continued and was immediately interrupted

Rik undid her belt,
her cod piece falling to the ground with a soft thud.

-Come on tough guy.
I'll wipe the floor with you and then I'll fuck you so hard, you'll love me.

In front of Bron's
face was Rik's fully erect, seven inch pseudo-penis. The orc looked at Rik and
simply raised his eyebrow.

-I'm not gonna fight
you, Rik.

-If you don't want to
fight me, I can just plow you right here if you'd like.

Bron knew he was in
it bad. She wasn't completely out of it, but she was getting there. They had
been in a few fights when Rik went berserk. He knew what she was capable in
this state and he knew that normally he couldn't take her on. But now…he did
know her weak spot. Maybe he had a fighting chance.

-Listen, Rik. Why
don't you just calm down. Take your seat. And finish your drink. We can talk
about this tomorrow…

His sentence was cut
short as Rik punched him straight in the nose. He stumbled back, quickly regaining
his composure.

-What's the matter,
bitch-boy? – she snarled, cracking her knuckles and stepping forwards.

-Well…I guess we're
doing this.