'How's that?' Janine asked, tying her red hair into a short ponytail while leaving two long bangs to frame her face. The mouse was dressed in a blue short dress that offset her tan coloured fur and matched her vibrant eyes. 'I guess it'll work.' Her companion shrugged. The second mouse, dark grey furred with black hair and green eyes, carried a worried expression as she spoke. 'But are you sure you wanna go through with this? You could be dead by the end of the night!' 'We're mice, Sara.' Janine shrugged, her smile fading briefly before she perked back up. 'That's as true today as much as any day. So live life and enjoy, right?' Sara didn't respond, turning aside and stepping past Janine instead before sitting on the bed just behind them. Janine stepped over to her dresser and began using the mirror to neaten up stray strands of hair and pat down the fur on her cheeks and exposed arms. The silence continued until Janine was finished. 'Oh, come on, why so glum?' Janine asked as she turned back around. 'A double date is a fun thing. You should be more excited!' She took another look down at her dress, comparing the blue of her own garment to the yellow half dress that Sara wore. She wasn't sure of their outfits would be too much or just enough for this occasion. 'A pair of mice dating a squirrel and a weasel.' Sara shook her head. 'You should be more nervous if anything.' She stood back up as Janine approached. 'They're-' 'Omnivores.' Janine interrupted her friend. 'You've been telling me all afternoon that they're big enough to eat us, and maybe they are. But that doesn't mean they will! And anyway, you're dating the squirrel remember? Andy seemed so nice in that video chat. I'm sure you'll be perfectly safe.' 'And you?' Sara asked again. 'Why aren't you at least worried about yourself?' 'Ben was just being playful.' Janine shrugged. 'I'm sure he'll be a perfect gentleman when it counts. And besides, you know I like a little bit of danger.' 'Do I ever...' Sara sighed, remembering more than a few nights spent running for their lives and forced to hide until the next day. 'If we weren't small enough to hide in exhaust pipes and mailboxes, we'd both have been dead long ago. And it's always your fault.' Janine's smile faded and she stepped closer to Sara. 'I'm sorry. I know I don't make things easy sometimes, and I know neither of us really has anyone else. But that's why we need to keep trying. Eventually we will meet the right people.' 'If we don't get eaten first.' Sara retorted. She double checked the charge on her phone and slid it into her purse. 'You're such a pessimist.' Janine put a hand on Sara's face and pushed her backwards onto the bed. 'Alright. Should we wear some nice shoes?' 'What if we need to run?' Sara shook her head. 'We won't-' Janine stopped herself mid-sentence. She hated to admit it but Sara did have a point, however unlikely. Some risks just weren't worth taking. Putting themselves at the mercy of larger citizens was one thing, but wearing fancy shoes that would hamper running may be a step too far, even for her. 'Alright, bare feet it is. Let's get going.' Sara was unable to keep her nerves from showing as the car carried them to the inner districts of Leona City. Ben's car only carried two seats, so while he drove and Andy the squirrel sat in the passenger seat, the pair of mice were seated in a small box mounted to the glove compartment. It left them facing Andy during the trip, and Janine spent most of the time prodding Sara to make conversation. 'So, uh.... What made you want to date a mouse?' Sara asked, following on from a prodding elbow from Janine. 'Well, it's a weird new world.' Andy replied. He was wearing a red collared shirt that complemented his reddish-brown fur, and black pants that had a yellow lace threaded down either side. His dark brown hair had been left medium length and combed to hang over the left side of his face, partially obscuring one of his amber coloured eyes. 'We never lived alongside felids before, and that's interesting in itself. But we thought spending some time with the smaller folk might be an experience worth having too. It's a new world for you too, right?' 'Well, it's been almost two years.' Sara nodded. 'But yea, living among all these people bigger than us has been... different. I'm still not entirely sure I'm used to it.' 'It is a lot to get used to.' Andy nodded. 'Well, I hope the night goes well for all of us. We'll try to make things a bit less weird.' The sun was low as they pulled into a long off ramp off the motorway near the central district. From here, Janine and Sara could see other roads alongside this one designed for the vehicles of larger citizens. Janine glimpsed a leopard couple in one of the cars that they passed, but realized that despite the difference in size, they seemed to be headed to the same location. Moments later, the ceiling of an indoor parking lot blocked the sky and Ben slowed down, turning after a few more seconds into an empty space before turning his car off. 'We're here!' The weasel announced, leaning across to look down at the mouse girls with a smile. His eyes were vibrant and blue, briefly reminding Janine of a cat's stare she'd been on the end of at an earlier point in her life, but she shrugged the thought aside. She hadn't lied when she told Sara she liked a bit of a thrill, but Ben's face was showing nothing but kindness as he reached a grey furred hand over for her to step onto. She undid her harness and stepped onto his soft palm, looking back at Sara with a grin as Andy held his hand out for her friend. She turned back as she was lifted to the weasel's left shoulder, and hopped herself onto the dark blue of his shirt with the help of the shirt's collar. 'That dress looks great on you.' Ben said softly, mindful of the volume of his voice when she was so close. 'And I love what you've done with your hair.' As he leaned slightly closer, his grey fur took up most of her vision and a few strands of his black hair drifted just above her head. 'Thank you.' She replied, resting a hand on the side of his muzzle as he leaned a little bit closer. 'You look pretty dolled up yourself.' 'Appreciated, thank you.' Ben nodded, turning his head away slightly but keeping his hand close to where she rested. 'I've been looking forward to this.' The nightclub, Smalltown Nightlife, was built for the smaller denizens of Leona City. Janine clung to Ben's collar and saw the dancefloor as he and Andy approached the bar. The floor consisted of raised platforms at different heights, allowing people of various sizes to dance close to eye level. The bar was similarly arranged by differing sized sections allowing anyone from the larger mustelids right down to mice and other small rodents. 'Drinks first?' Andy asked, stepping ahead and turning back to face Ben. Sara was sitting in his front pocket, looking comfortably amused despite her earlier nerves. 'Sounds good.' Janine replied. The weasel and squirrel approached the bar, each allowing their mouse companions to climb onto their hands and step onto the marble like surface. Shaped ridges towards the centre provided an area that mice could sit and use the second edge as their own small bar area, and the girls sat in front of their dates as a server took notice of their group. Janine looked across to the left. There was another section of the bar where smaller citizens could more comfortably sit, and past that another even smaller section that was sized appropriately for people of rat and mouse size. This place really was built for everyone smaller than a cat. 'What'll it be?' The server asked as she stepped up, a tan furred squirrel wearing the black and white of the staff here and her hair tied back and tied up behind her head. Her eyes panned across the four of them, blue irises resting on Janine for a moment before glancing across Sara and Ben and finally locking with Andy. 'Two rum and colas.' Andy replied. 'And, ladies?' 'Strong whiskey.' Janine replied confidently. Sara sighed at her friend's reply. 'A uh, cider please.' 'Sure thing.' The server replied. 'Just a few moments.' As she turned away to prepare the drinks, Ben reached his hand across the bar to where Janine had sat herself on one of the tiny barstools. He lifted a finger to her and held his hand steady as she watched. After a moment of hesitation, she shuffled herself closer and took his claw into her grip. It was sharp, sharp enough to impale through her with little effort had the weasel been hunting her rather than dating her. 'Ooh...' Janine held the claw to the top of her chest, feeling the pointed tip through her fur. 'This is so dangerous.' 'You like dangerous?' Ben asked. 'I almost expected a mouse to be the opposite. Cautious and shy. But I think I like this more.' He moved his finger and gently pivoted her to be facing the opposite direction, then ran the same claw gently down her back. She took a quick glance backwards before the sensation of her back being scratched washed through her. It was perfect, his claw scratching the itch she had never known she had. 'Oh my god, that's the best feeling. Your claws are amazing!' 'Oh yes, they are.' Ben grinned, displaying his equally sharp teeth. 'Maybe later I can show you what they can really do.' He raised an eyebrow as Janine's eyes lit up with anticipation. At that moment the server returned with two rum and coke glasses for Ben and Andy, as well as the two much smaller glasses for the mouse girls. Janine wasted no time in taking her first sip, relishing the warm burn of the amber whiskey as it slid across her tongue and down her throat. Her eyes returned to Ben as he took his own first swig, downing enough of his own drink for her to have drowned in. Just as she had become accustomed to the size difference between them, the sight of his neck rippling reminded her of just how easily she could slip down his throat as easily as that rum and cola just had. The thought was terrifying, yet strangely thrilling. As the night went on, Janine spared the occasional glance to Andy and Sara, satisfied that her friend was finally loosening up and allowing herself to have some fun. The squirrel had not been as forward with physical contact as his weasel friend, which contributed greatly to the girl's feeling of ease. With that thought slipping from her mind, Janine allowed herself to focus on having fun with Ben. He took her to the dance floor, impressing her with his lithe and agile weasel form while keeping her perfectly balanced in the palm of her hand. She danced with all the alcohol fuelled enthusiasm she could muster, thankful for Ben's much more intact sense of balance. Alcohol had always hit her hard, part and parcel of being a mere mouse in a world of much larger citizens. She'd lost sight of Sara and Andy, but she was having too much fun with Ben to care where those two had sneaked off to. Once even Ben had worn himself out and the pair had returned to the bar to sit down, Janine had finally noticed a few pairs of eyes on them. Though the smaller folk were welcome here, there was still an overlap in size among the patrons and several of the rabbit and squirrel folk had kept a cautious eye on Ben the entire time. After a cursory glance around, it did seem apparent that he was the only weasel here. 'H-hey...' Janine began, slightly slurring as she propped herself into the cup of his fingers on the bar counter. 'Weasels are... weasels are omnivores, right?' 'Technically yes.' Ben answered, affectionately stroking one of her ears with his thumb claw. 'But most of us do still actively hunt like carnivores. Did you notice how nervous the bunnies in here are?' 'I did...' Janine nodded, her head seeming comically heavier than she expected. 'But I'm not worried about them, you've been a perfect gentleman. How about another drink?' 'I don't know.' Ben replied. 'That first drink seems to have hit you kinda hard. What if I get one and we just share?' 'Alright, but something good.' Janine answered through rhythmic swaying as Ben's claw continued caressing her head. 'None of that fruity crap, alright?' 'Maybe I'll try a whiskey.' Ben grinned. 'You certainly seemed to enjoy it.' He lifted his free hand and beckoned the bartender over. The squirrel gave a nod as she was halfway through pouring several drinks for other patrons, then made her way over, noting with some trepidation that the weasel's claws were kneading into Janine's skin, and that the mouse was already quite inebriated. 'So... What will it be?' She asked. 'And uh, please be careful with those claws.' 'Just one whiskey please.' Ben replied. 'And don't worry, I'm being careful.' 'This feels amazing.' Janine grinned, looking up at the squirrel with an awkward grin to try and put the woman at ease. The bartender shrugged and stepped away, fixing the drink quickly and returning to stand before them. The ice in the glass clinked as she set the drink before him and gave him one more glance, almost a warning, before returning to see to the other patrons. 'Take a sip.' Janine said, grinning. 'You ever had whiskey before?' 'Can't say I have.' Ben replied, picking up the glass and bringing it to his face. Janine watched and giggled as he took his first sip, seeing his face purse slightly as he gained his first experience with his drink's strong flavour. 'Oh, wow. Now I feel slightly girlier than I did before.' 'Pff, don't pretend your gender is the issue.' Janine teased. 'You've just never had a real drink that wasn't watered down with something else. Like cola.' 'You're right.' Ben nodded with a grin. His claw shifted from its position on her back and looped through one of her dress straps, lifting her to her feet. 'I think I'm a little too accustomed to having a sweetener in my drinks. Maybe you could help me out?' Janine staggered as he slipped his claw free of her clothing and left her standing by herself. She made her way over and leaned heavily on Ben's glass, sliding it slightly by accident and stepping into the puddle of condensation it trailed. 'Oops...' 'Last call for you.' Ben remarked with a grin. 'Is your friend as much of a lightweight as you?' Janine leaned on the edge of the glass, the rim just beneath her shoulder height as she laughed in response to the weasel's question. 'No, she's worse. She'd be catatonic if she tried to keep up with me.' Her eyes drifted from his to the amber liquid in front of her and she giggled before dipping a hand into it. 'That'll probably sweeten it.' Ben laughed. 'Maybe you should-' He was about to suggest she hop into the glass, but catching a stern glance from the bartender, decided against finishing that sentence. 'Uhhh, just take it a bit easy. You don't wanna fall over or fall off the bar.' 'You'd catch me.' Janine giggled. 'Why don't I just hop in your drink? You can kiss me each time you have a sip?' Ben looked into her semi-focusing eyes and leaned in close. 'I don't think the staff here are happy with that sort of thing.' Janine glanced towards the bartender briefly, receiving a cautionary glance from the squirrel between a slew of poured drinks for other patrons. 'I think she's just trying to be careful. For her job. Should we retreat to a room for some... privacy?' Ben glanced around, eyeing the rest of the bar and the dance floor. 'Sounds good. I think Andy and Sara already had the same idea.' 'Then let's finish this drink.' Janine said to him, dipping her hand into the chilled beverage and batting around the ice cubes. After a few moments, she withdrew and slowly licked the alcoholic substance from the fur of her arms. Even through the grey fur on his face, Janine could see Ben blushing. She blushed in return as he lifted the glass from beside her and took another long sip. She could see that whiskey clearly wasn't to his tastes, bit at least he had the class to try it, and the good sense not to waste a paid for drink. After another five minutes, the pair had finished the whiskey and Ben left the glass on the counter before offering his hand to Janine. She climbed atop his palm with a tilt and a stagger, and he headed out of the bar area towards the lobby and the stairs to the upper rooms. The rooms here were fancy, not to the extent you'd find in a royal or a diplomat's chambers, but certainly upscale from what most citizens would have in their own residences. Ben had booked a room scaled for a savannah cat or a polecat sized occupant, so everything in here seemed slightly too big, only one size bracket above his own but still noticeable. 'Maybe I should have booked a smaller room...' He remarked, stepping into the kitchen where the counter top was almost at height with his shoulder. 'Wouldn't make much difference to me.' Janine giggled. 'Why are we in the kitchen? Surely there's somewhere more fun we could be?' She caught his eye as he looked down at her, and she winked suggestively as she deliberately moved her shoulder to make one of her dress straps fall loose. He smirked and placed her carefully onto the counter, then leaned down just enough to bring them both to eye level 'I think you might benefit from a bit of water first. Don't want to wake up dehydrated and hungover, do you?' 'It's alright.' Janine shrugged. 'Doesn't take much to dehydrate me, but doesn't take much to rehydrate me either. Benefits of being teeny.' She took a step towards him and leaned herself onto his nose. Her arms straddled his long and pointed muzzle as she stared from one of his eyes to the other. 'Right.' Ben replied, almost cross eyed as he watched her fumbling to pull one side of his lips up. She eventually leaned herself to her left and gripped his lip in both hands. 'What are you...?' She lifted his lip and leaned further down, using her legs as a counterweight to stay on top of his muzzle. 'Whoa... Those teeth are sharper than your claws!' She leaned further, and Ben could feel her gripping one of his pointed teeth on her hand. 'O-okay.' Ben grinned. He lifted her by the dress between his finger and thumb and set her back down on the counter. 'You must be very drunk. It's not sober or healthy for a mouse to be playing with a predator's mouth.' Janine was shivering as he set her back down, then dropped to her knees. 'Y-yea... I don't know what came over me there.' 'I was thinking of ordering some food for the room.' Ben said. 'A steak or chicken dinner and maybe one more drink?' 'Absolutely.' Janine nodded. 'Can you pour me that glass of water while you do that? I think I need to cool down a bit. And like you said, maybe rehydrate myself.' He nodded and retrieved a glass from the cabinets overhead with some strained stretching that made her giggle, then poured it two thirds full before setting it on the counter beside her. 'I'll be back in a few minutes.' He stepped away, rounding the counter and heading towards the bed on the other side of the room. While he was on the phone organizing the food to be delivered, Janine leaned over the rim of the glass and splashed her face a few times then took a few handfuls of water to drink. The water was perfectly chilled, and as she swallowed and felt the wonderful chill through her, an amusing and irresistible thought sprung to her mind. It took her scant seconds to shed her dress, before she carefully climbed over the glass edge and lowered herself into the cold water like a tub. As her body adjusted to the temperature, she found herself increasingly relaxed and her eyes drifted closed. A few minutes went by, and she suddenly noticed the sound of Ben's voice had stopped. She opened her eyes and saw him, looming over her with an amused look on his face. Somehow he'd managed to shed his shirt, climb onto the countertop and sit beside her without making a sound. 'Oh wow... I mean, hello.' She called up to him, her voice almost a squeak. 'Needed to cool off huh?' Ben teased. 'Just a little.' She nodded, her eyes taking in all of his upper body. He was slender as all weasels were, but his muscle tone was visible through his short fur. He was powerfully built, the way one had to be when hunting formed an essential part of their life. 'Oh, but I think I'm ready for things to heat back up a little...' 'In a moment.' He replied, picking up the glass and bringing it closer to his face. 'I'm a bit thirsty, think I may need a sip of water first.' Janine reflexively braced her hands against the side of the glass as it began to tilt. Her vision was filled with the view of his open mouth as he brought the glass to his lips and took a small but slow sip. She slid around as the glass levelled back out, but she was still close enough to hear him audibly swallow the sip he'd taken. 'Funny, back at the bar you wanted to try and kiss me while I was doing this.' He chuckled. 'Did you forget?' She pulled her hands over the edge and lifted herself to the rim of the glass. 'Y-yea, sorry. I just needed a second to process... your physique. You just feel so much bigger now... So powerful. I mean you could... You could do anything you want to me.' 'More of that danger you like?' He asked with a grin. 'Uhh... Y-yes?' She answered, but her heart was racing and her mind was full of conflicting thoughts. While it was all well and good for two consenting adults to play games of an adult nature behind closed doors, she also needed to avoid pushing his desires too far. He could still very easily consume her, even if he didn't intend to. Passion was a hell of a thing, and she knew from experience that rationality was the first thing to go with passion took over. 'Well, you know. Danger to a reasonable amount...' 'I'll start by taking that kiss.' He grinned, a little more animalistic than his previous grin as he brought the glass with her inside close to his lips again. A wave of his whiskey scented breath washed over her a split moment before his lips pursed over her face. The wet and warm feeling of this bizarre embrace gave her a thrill unlike anything she'd ever felt before. Her arms raised and pressed into his lips either side of her, after a few moments slipping between and enabling her to feel his teeth in her palms. As his lips parted and he began to pull away, her grip tightened and she felt herself almost lifted out of the glass. 'Whaa?' His confused voice resounded in her ears before he lowered her back into the glass. 'What are you doin...?' 'I don't know...' She replied. 'I didn't want that to stop.' 'Well...' Ben smiled, failing to resist the urge to lick his lips. 'I kinda wanted to keep going as well. But it's hard to stop my... uhh...' 'Is your mast raised?' Janine asked with a grin. Ben blushed hard, even more so than he had before. 'Well, it's definitely awake, but I was gonna say I can't stop my mouth from watering. Your scent is incredible and I can almost imagine what you'd taste like.' 'Why imagine?' Janine said, now blushing herself. The sheer risk involved in being inside a predator's mouth was both terrifying and utterly appealing in a way she'd never considered before. He could end her life in a moment of shifting whims and she would be utterly powerless to stop it. She briefly glanced to her discarded dress and purse, wondering if she should check on Sara for what might be the last time. The thought passed as Ben lifted the glass back to his mouth, this time opening wide and emptying the water and the mouse onto his tongue. Janine flailed in surprise and landed on his tongue with a wet splat. The water that had followed her continued flowing. She gasped as the sight of it vanishing down the weasel's throat with a loud wet gulp barely an inch from her face almost overcame her every sense. His tongue had raised slightly with the motion and his uvula rippled up and down as the water rushed past. 'Ohh my gods...' Janine's eyes widened at the sight, her hands spreading as her survival instincts suddenly fired and her hands grasped at the slick teeth on either side of her. His tongue raised, pressing her into the roof of his moth and shifting underneath her. Her head pressed into the soft and warm flesh of his soft palate just before the uvula, and her back and rear became held against the ridged hard surface closer to the front. His tongue shifted underneath her, poking further out of his mouth and coating her fur with saliva that was slightly cooled from the water he had just swallowed. He let out a soft moan as he exhaled and she could tell his drool was pooling deeper around her as the tongue sampled her flavour. His breath was so much hotter and wetter from in here and carried the scent of stale air with the barest hints of rum, cola and whiskey. Part of her wanted to scream, to squirm free and flee from this sight. She'd been close to a predator's mouth once before in her life, but that had been a cat during an earnest hunt back in the days of mice living as scavengers. She remembered the mortal terror of that experience, surviving only because the cat had been highly inebriated and fumbled at the crucial moment. Janine had fled for her life that night, but right now her legs felt like jelly. His jaw closed. Not all the way, but enough that she had far less room between the roof of his mouth and his tongue. The new position meant his uvula and the back of his throat were now mostly concealed by the base of his tongue, occasionally flickering into her view in the now lesser light that made it that deep inside. Janine realised now that her heart was racing and her breaths had accelerated into rapid panting as adrenalin coursed through her system. The silent voice in the back of her mind screamed at her to move, fight back, escape... but the feeling of his tongue beginning to press between her legs offered a very different opinion. 'H-h-help...' She murmured as her loins were set alight with sensation. Her legs reflexively spread, then clenched with as much of his tongue squeezed between them as she could manage. Only her tail was still outside his lips in the relatively cool hotel air, flicking around as her emotions dipped and shifted. He'd give a small amused moan every few moments as it flicked him lightly on the nose or chin. Janine had calmed down a little but still felt her heart racing. Her legs were between his teeth, and most of his tongue was in prime position to shove her into his gullet if he chose to. She was covered by now in his hot sticky saliva, surrounded by the humid scent of his breath, and utterly powerless to manage any resistance if he decided to end it. And yet... this was the greatest thrill she had ever experienced. It was carnal delight, sheer ecstatic sensation throughout the very core of her being. A feeling of being alive when her death could come at any given moment. She felt movement, the slightest of breezes on her tail outside his mouth and realized he was walking. As she played and pleasured herself on his tongue with his humid breath washing over her every few moments, he was making his way somewhere else. Somewhere that perhaps he could be more comfortable than standing in the kitchenette. His sigh of relief reverberated around her as he lowered himself into a sitting position. And then things got another level scarier once again. Everything began to tilt and she realized he was lying himself down on the bed or sofa, she couldn't tell which. The quivering and glistening mass of his throat was now beneath her with her own body lined up facing down. This was not only going to make it difficult enough to hold her position here, any notion she may have entertained for quickly vaulting herself clear of his teeth was now an absurd fantasy. She was his now until he was kind enough to decide otherwise. Still, she couldn't exactly deny she was still in the throes of exhilaration and sensual thrill. His tongue seemed more interested in pushing deeper into her rather than pushing her deeper, so for the moment at least he was still seeing her as a sexual partner rather than food. His own breathing began to increase in pace and the rhythmic flexes of his tongue and throat surrounding her increased to match. The hot air blasted her face and washed over her body, forcing her to close her eyes and take shallower breaths or risk being overwhelmed by the heat and smell. It only took her a few moments to realize he was... enjoying himself. The next minute seemed to last an hour as his tongue pushed more fervently into her ladyhood with a carnal fervour that Janine could never experience with a lover of her own size. Her loins, her heartbeats, her every gasping breath made each passing moment feel like it would push her to her limit. With a cry of sheer ecstatic fulfilment, she reached her sexual crescendo. Her body began to fall limp and her vision filled with stars. 'H-heyy?' She called weakly, feeling her own voice trembling as her spent muscles now found themselves unable to meet the demands they'd been pushed to only moments earlier. 'I'm slipping! You need to get me... out of here...' The weasel opened his mouth slightly, giving her a spark of hope that he'd heard her. It vanished as she slipped deeper, a mix of his drool and her own sweat and female juices sliding around her and pooling rapidly in his throat. The outcome was inevitable and the moment of realisation made her want to scream in terror. 'AAAGFFGGGHHH!' Her scream was instantly muffled as his tongue shifted beneath her. Her vision was overtaken by darkness and her arms went from vainly trying to push back against the back of his throat to being crushed together as the surface quivered and caused her to slip. She was upside down in an instant, surrounded by warm pulsating flesh that her tiny drool soaked from was unable to offer any resistance against. The sensation held for the briefest of moments Before it increased immensely. A deafening wet gulp surrounded her and her position lurched suddenly. She was completely disoriented now, being squeezed from every inch of the surrounding flesh, her drool slicked form being forced to slide the path of least resistance. Every breath was near impossible, her arms were all but immobile ahead of her and her legs couldn't even twitch to try and resist the powerful musculature that was forcing her deeper into his body with every audible pulse. 'He... swallowed me...?!' Janine struggled to form words to herself, her mind flickering between the mortal terror of her reality and the vain, deluded sense of denial that was surely being crushed with every moment just as her body was. It felt like long minutes to her in this limbo on its way to hell, but it couldn't really have been more than ten or so seconds. When she reached the end of his gullet she felt the pressure leave her hands first before her arms were suddenly free to move either side of her head. She flailed and her hands met the slimy and wrinkled surface of his stomach walls for a brief moment before her head was submerged beneath a warm and strong smelling liquid. She recognised the odour and taste of whiskey almost immediately, but this had an off tinge to it and she flailed desperately to get herself above the surface. Only when his oesophagus had squeezed her legs into his stomach was she finally free to roll herself the best approximation of upright that she could ascertain in the pitch darkness. She was forced into a crouching position in the confined space with the disgusting mix of alcohol and bodily juices lapping at her waist. The stomach walls around and overhead kept her arms close to her body and her ears pressed almost flat against her head. Her initial attempts to push against the throbbing flesh were feeble, and even her claws found no purchase on the slimy surroundings. Worse still was the heat. Whereas his mouth had been humid, in here was absolutely stifling. 'HEY!' She screamed, now finally able to draw enough of the stale wet air. 'GET ME OUT OF HERE! BEN?!!' His stomach walls clenched tightly in response, making the liquids around her waist momentarily rise to her chest. Some of it splashed higher, and she sputtered as a few drops of the disgusting mix slapped against her face with some of it going into her own gasping mouth. 'You bastard...' She muttered, more to herself than him. She wasn't sure he would have been able to hear her screams, but if he did, he certainly didn't respond to them. After a few moments, everything shifted and she slipped. Once again being submerged and flailing desperately to right herself, she realized he must be moving. He'd been lying down when he swallowed her. Maybe he sat up? Or just rolled over? Janine's eyes and nose were stinging as the caustic acids were dripping down her face. Added to the thick, hot mix of stale air and acidic fumes, simply breathing had become a labour of ever increasing effort. It was clear that she was not going to be able to survive this for much longer. 'She was right.. ' Janine murmured sadly to herself. 'Sara? Please be alright... Please be alive and safe...' More motion dislodged her from the tenuous position she'd managed to hold herself in for the last few moments. She heard the faint sound of another voice, then Ben saying something. His voice was like a hazy static behind the sound of his stomach around her and the heartbeat just above, so she couldn't quite make out what he had said. He moved again. Then a soft thud shook the entire chamber and splashed more of its slimy contents around her. Janine tried to slow her breathing but her panicked state was destroying her ability to focus. After a few moments, something landed on her head. It was soft, slimy and oozed down her face and back, dropping into the fluids at her waist. With a moment of sheer horror, she realized it must have been the room service she just heard. Ben was... Ben was eating something! 'Noo...' Janine felt tears return to her eyes at the thought of being buried alive under a mound of chewed food in the weasel's stomach. She knew this was the fate of many of her kind. But like so many, she had let herself become too caught up in living life to really stay cautious enough to prevent it from happening to her. Another lump of masticated food dropped in and covered her. If the stench of the stomach interior hadn't been so powerful already, she might have been able to tell what it was. But as this too sank off her form and into the gastric juices, she noticed that the caustic liquid was slowly rising. Her heart sank and she let out a quivering sigh of resignation. It was as good as over now. Her time was getting exponentially shorter with every mouthful of whatever it was he was eating. She closed her eyes and let her knees sink into the creased surface beneath her. The acids were around her chest. She closed her eyes and held her breath. This was the best thing she could do now...