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It was a rainy night in drab city, and a certain teal schnauzer-terrier was walking through the rain, holding up her shell themed umbrella and making her way to a bar, a few blocks away from the hotel she was staying in.
She was visiting the city for a few days to help one of her friends with moving, and this was her last night in the city before going back to smiling valley.
Under the neon lights, she felt somber.
Her former boyfriend, Dogday, had recently broken up with her, and she was still trying to get over it.
She really wanted to have a rebound romance, but so far no critter she’d met had made her feel the way that Dogday did…
Ever since she was a child, he was the first and only person that really cared for her.
When she was born, her parents couldn’t afford to take care of her, and decided to give her up for adoption.
She’d spent most of her childhood in the delightful home for orphaned boys and girls, where all the other children either ignored her or were mean to her…
The only place she felt happy was on the beach.
The sound of the waves and the warm sun on her fur were the only things that comforted her.
But then, when she was an adult, she met him.
Dogday.
He was sweet, friendly, strong, and basically what the sunshine would be like if it had a physical form.
And he was the only person that actually seemed to care about her, asking her if she was okay, checking in on her, making sure she felt included(even if the other critters didn’t), and just making her life brighter.
How could she not fall in love with him?
So, on her first valentines day in the valley, she’d taken the chance and asked him to be her boyfriend, and of course he said yes.
For the next few months or so, it was pure bliss.
They went on dates, hung out together, played on the beach, kissed in front of the sunset, they were practically inseparable.
No matter what the other critters said.
But then, a few weeks ago, he’d suddenly broken up with her.
He’d just told her that he didn’t feel that way about her anymore, but assured her that there was someone out there even better for her.
But she didn’t care.
Screaming, throwing pillows, crying, begging him not to leave her, she tried everything she could think of to try and get him to stay.
But he kept telling her that he’d made up his mind that they were through, and left her with her heart, broken and bleeding on the floor.
Honestly, that was another reason she wanted to go away for a few days…
She didn’t wanna see his stupid cute face anymore…
When Viva finally arrived at the bar, she closed her umbrella, letting it drip off onto the rubber doormat, before walking inside.
Maybe a few mojitos would help her get her mind off of Dogday.
She sits down, ordering her favorite drink, and watches as the bartender starts to make it.
While they were doing that, Viva noticed someone else was at the bar too.
An indigo-colored tiger critter, a foot or so taller than her, with a pendant shaped like the head of an axe.
They were drinking a cosmopolitan, and looking down at the bar.
When Viva received her first mojito, she thanked the bartender, which got the attention of the other critter.
Viva noticed them staring at her.
“Hi.”
She says, smiling softly.
The tiger nods to her.
“Hey…”
Their voice was low, and sounded slightly gruff. “How ya doin?”
Viva sighs, looking down.
“Not so good…”
She says.
The tiger looks a bit confused. “What’s wrong?”
Viva takes a sip of her drink.
“I don’t wanna talk about it…”
The tiger shrugs.
“Okay, whatever.”
The next few moments were a bit silent and awkward, until the tiger breaks the silence.
“Name's Bluebell.”
They say.
Viva nods, looking back at them.
“AquaViva. Or just, Viva.”
She says quietly.
Bluebell nods. “Sweet name.”
Viva smiles. “Thanks.”
When she scooted a bit closer, she noticed the tiger smelled vaguely like chipotle salsa, which was probably their signature scent.
‘Yummy.’ She thinks to herself.
“So, what brings you here?”
They ask.
Viva sighs softly.
“Well, if you must know, I'm trying to get my mind off my stupid ex boyfriend.”
She says.
Bluebell nods. “Rough breakup?”
Viva nods. “Yeah…” she says. “I still have no idea why he left me… I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?”
Bluebell shrugs. “Well, maybe he’s just dumb.”
Viva smiles a bit.
“Yeah probably.”
The two continue sipping their drinks in silence for a bit.
“So, how long has it been since you broke up?”
Bluebell asks.
Viva sighs sadly. “A couple of weeks.”
She says. “I figured that by now, I'd have found someone new, but, alas no.”
Bluebell smirks a bit.
“Someone new, you say?”
Viva nods.
“Yeah, I'm looking for a rebound.”
She says. “Figured it’ll be a good way to try and move on...”
Bluebell thinks for a minute.
“Rebound, huh?”
They say.
“Sure, I can do that.”
Viva blushes.
“W-what…?”
Bluebell scoots closer.
“Yeah, why not?” They say. “You’re pretty cute.”
Viva smiles a bit. “You think so?”
Bluebell nods. “Yeah.”
Viva smiles warmly.
“Then… I don’t suppose…”
She gently puts her hand on top of theirs.
“You’d want to head back to my hotel room…?”
Bluebell nods, downing the last of their drink.
“Sure.”
Viva smiles and blushes, her tail wagging as she stands up.
After finishing and paying for their drinks, the two critters walked out of the bar, huddled together under Viva’s umbrella, walking off towards the hotel.
“So, you’re not gonna be mad if we don’t work out, right…?”
Bluebell asks.
Viva giggles. “We’ll see, Blue, we’ll see.”
As she and her new partner walked away into the darkness, Viva felt better than she had in a while.
Maybe now, she could finally move on.