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Being a journalist is strange career for an introvert. Most of it involves public appearances and interviews with strangers. But the variety of stories to tell, kept the job alive and interesting. He was an investigator for a while, but after he almost got hurt trying to uncover the ex-mayor’s years long affair. Everyone in the newsroom decided it was best if he stepped away for a while. “I don’t know, I’m not exactly a fan of sports. I like uncovering the truth…there are so many things going on that need to be exposed. Things that the public should know about.” Legosi looked down at his new press pass as he clung to his old one in annoyance. The cheetah in front of him was named Sheila, she had been the manager for over a year now and they had become quite close. “Please, just try it okay? What have you got to lose? It’s a break, not a permanent arrangement. Who knows, you might enjoy it!” She said with an encouraging smile. “Fine.” He deflated, reaching for the new pass before reluctantly handing over the other one. “I’ll take the break, but I won’t like it.” The wolf complained.
She rolled her eyes playfully as she walked away. His first assignment was simple, interview the newest members of the Thunder Bay Stormchasers. They were the team’s latest recruits after several longtime players decided to move on to other teams instead of renewing their contracts. Legosi hated driving, instead he offered to take the public bus. Many of his coworkers would often make fun of him for that, but he didn’t care. It probably saved a lot more money than maintaining car. He made his way into the media entrance of Phoenix Nest Stadium, where they would be having their first game as a team. On his way inside, the wolf of here many of the fans, expressing their concern about the new players. They weren’t sure they could get behind the team again in the absence of the old crowd favorites. Legosi wasn’t someone to discredit anything before giving it a chance. At least until he was reassigned. This building was huge and it was hard to find anything. Not many people were around back here, the wolf always had a tendency of arriving way earlier than he needed to.
He looked around and saw a deer coming in through the restricted entrance. “Excuse me, I’m trying to find the locker room.” The deer’s security were suddenly on high alert, stopping him before he could get any closer. “Well, I didn’t expect to find a lost a lost puppy today!” The deer chuckled, Legosi blushed. He was possibly the most handsome herbivore he had ever seen. He was small for his species, but he has an athletic build and beautiful brown eyes the scene to light up when he smiled. It took his breath away. ”Hello? You spaced out there for a second. Sorry, I’m just teasing. I’m on my way there” The deer turned to his security. “He could follow behind.” He said, and they continued walking. Legosi hung back but stayed close. “I take you’ve never been here before.” The deer glanced back at him. “First day on the job, technically. I’m looking to get a word with the Stormchaser’s newest recruits. Who are you? A celebrity guest, I assume.” Legosi asked with interest as he gripped his camera. The deer laughed. “Don’t assume.” He said as he opened the door to the locker room. There were players inside already getting dressed. Legosi tried to avoid looking.
“Well well, if it isn’t the Prince of Social Media himself. Louis went viral this week.” Said a fox as he nudged a wild dog beside him. “Yeah, chatting up movie stars during warm ups and then winning a game 8-0. Not bad for an amateur!” The dog nodded to Legosi. “Who’s that? Your personal paparazzi?” He mused. “No, I met him on the way in, actually. He’s here to interview some people.” Louis put his expensive looking duffle bag down in front of one of the mud room cubbies. “You’d better get to it. It gets crazy closer to game time.” He said to the wolf with a smirk. He was a player? “I uh…forgot to ask who was who. Think you could fill me in?” Legosi asked sheepishly. “Sure, see that tiger over there? His name is Bill, he’s the new shortstop. And that bear next to him, that’s Riz, the new second baseman. Over there, that’s Aoba, he’s left field. Finally, there’s me, as you know by now my name is Louis, I’m the new pitcher.” Louis said, before he turned around, opening up his bag. “I’m Legosi…” the wolf carefully offered his hand for him to shake.
“Pleasure.” Louis smiled as he accepted, his soft hand was so much smaller than Legosi’s as it shook his firmly. “Figures he only wants to talk to the newbies. What about the guys who’ve been here for years?” Said a thin-horned sheep with mock hurt in his voice. “It’s the antlers, they look shiny and new!” Said a lion with a dark mane. Louis laughed. “Jealous, Pina? I’m sure more reporters will be here later, you’ll be talking their ears off during warm ups. As usual.” Legosi blushed slightly as he noticed him starting to unbutton his shirt. “Of you? Never. Give it a few weeks and you’ll be old news anyway.” Pina dismissed. Louis scoffed. “What do you think of it so far? Is this your first run at the premier league?” Legosi asked. “No, I was a pitcher for the Emerald Forest Rangers. They didn’t want to negotiate on my terms when my contract was nearing its end, once the Stormchasers got word, they got in contact with me with a generous offer. I got a few others, but I’d been following this team for a while and they’ve rarely had a disappointing season.” Louis unbuckled his belt, sliding them down his lean, muscular legs.
Legosi could feel a slight hard on forming. He cleared his throat. “Looks like you made the right choice.” He said. “We’ll see, it’s too early to tell at this point. But so far, I’m optimistic.” Louis said. Legosi left him alone to finish getting ready (and to cool himself down) and decided to approach the tiger. “What about you, Bill, was it? What do you think you can bring to the team on and off field?” He asked. Bill turned around, eyeing Legosi with a raised brow. “Heart. They signed me ‘cause I work hard. Never accept failure. I could work with anyone and get the job done. The other day I spent over an hour talking to some fans outside Titan Field, they were telling me that they were expecting a lot of good things from me, so…I take a lot of pride in being ‘Mr. Reliable’.” He chuckled. “Glad to hear it.” Legosi said. When the interviews were over, the team started shuffling out to begin warm ups. Louis stopped Legosi as he made his way to the exit, looking over the photos he had taken of them in uniform for the new team.
“Will you be staying for the game?” He asked. Legosi stopped, his hand in the air mid reach for the handle. “No…sports really isn’t my thing.” He mumbled. “I insist. You could be my guest on the dugout. I promise it’ll be fun…and great chance for a photo op.” Louis tempted. Slowly, Legosi lowered his hand, enthralled by this stranger. It was an enticing offer in more ways than one. “Alright…” he said, turning to follow. The deer’s security never letting him out of their sight. Legosi tensed as he felt the warmth of his hand on his back.