Apologize for the door...

You let out another groan as the throbbing in your head sends another wave of needles through your shaky limbs. Attempting to blink away the pain in your skull, you slowly manage to get your legs beneath you, coming to a kneeling position. Through strained eyes you look up towards the imposing water-type, now standing just a few feet from you, wicked grin still splitting their lips.

“Oh~?” The Vaporeon quips, condescension thick in their prissy voice. “The beast yet stirs? Eager for another thrashing, are we?” You see the tapered tail of the pompous water-type reel back menacingly to punctuate their mocking inquiry.

Another flash and thunderous report from outside illuminates the hut, giving you your first decent look at its haughty resident. The first thing that registers are those vivid yellow eyes. Even enveloped within the darkness of the hut, they glow with intensity. The Vaporeon looms tall, easily a foot above your normal standing height. Their body is thin with a little definition, but based on that jaw rocking slap that tail delivered, you assume there’s something beneath that smooth exterior. One webbed hand rests easily on a rather generous set of hips from which protrudes the aforementioned jaw-rocker.

Subconsciously, you quickly steal a glance between the creature's rounded thighs, convincing yourself you’re only doing so to quiet the ongoing confusion of their gender buzzing in your mind. With their high-pitched voice and odd choice of words granting you no insight, you are ashamed to admit, they have you at a disadvantage. One that they shall keep, it would appear, as your peeping offers no further clues as all you spot is a smooth groin where their genitals would be.

“Ahem..!” Comes the voice once again, drawing your attention upwards. It seems your peek wasn’t so brief as to avoid detection. Blushing hard through your matted fur, you slowly raise a hand and lower your eyes. “Please…” is all you can muster, your voice meek and uneven. This takes a bit of wind out of the Vaporeon’s blustering.

“The Infected speaks!” They raise a hand to their mouth in faux surprise, “That’s a new trick~.”

“I’m- I’m not-” you **** out between ragged inhales though your words end in a yelp as you see the tail swinging in for another strike. Bracing for the strike, teeth grit and eyes shut as you instinctively recoil. Expecting the knockout blow to be swift, you are quite confused when all that connects is a gust of air and a few flecks of water. Peeking out through a thin eyelid, the tail fin rests just inches from your muzzle. Puzzled, you focus on those yellow orbs, a bewildered look splayed across your features.

“Not infected?” Comes the coy response, sing-song tone returning full ****. “Obviously, my dear interloper. A feral wouldn’t have made such a blunder in the heat of combat.” The tail fin suddenly lowers and cups your chin firmly, albeit gently, before its owner continues. “That look of astonishment was adorable, by the by~”

“Although…”, You feel the tail fin tighten slightly as they go on, “that still leaves the questions as to who you are and why you’ve declared battle on my portcullis.” After seeing your dumbfounded expression, they merely point to the broken entrance behind you.

“I… apologize for my behavior…”, Your eyes shift back over your shoulder toward the splintered door swinging limply on its hinges, “…And for that.” The Vaporeon seems to take pleasure in your prostration, their ever present smirk now accompanied by a few giggles. Ignoring the ceaseless mockery, you conclude, “If you’ll allow me to explain myself…?”

The water type loosens their grip on your muzzle, adding with amusement, “That, little fool, is the correct answer.”