The following day, Evan found himself in the bustling studio for "Zaftig's Oddest Pairs," surrounded by the whirlwind of production staff and the constant hum of cameras. He had barely slept the night before, his mind racing with thoughts of what living with a fur like Luke would entail. He was handed a thick stack of paperwork, and a small, hyperactive weasel with a clipboard scurried over to him.
"Evan, right?" the weasel said, his eyes darting over the documents. "You're going to want to read through these and sign on the dotted lines. It's all the usual legal mumbo jumbo, but it's important you know what you're getting into. If you have any questions, I'm here to help!"
Evan nodded and took the papers, his eyes scanning over the lines of fine print. As he read, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was making a huge mistake. But the prize money awarded at the end of the season was substantial, and the opportunity to experience something new was too tempting. He signed where the weasel indicated and was immediately led to a small side room where a nurse was waiting.
"Alright, let's get your measurements," she said with a smile that was both comforting and professional. Evan stepped onto the scale, his heart racing. He had always been lean, a trait that had earned him a few compliments and more than a few jibes back in Bastion. But here, he felt like he was about to be weighed on a petting zoo scale. The nurse jotted down his weight, and he couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious when she whistled in amazement. "You're lighter than I thought! 156 pounds" she exclaimed, not noticing his discomfort. "You'll be a perfect fit for this season!"
With the medical check-up out of the way, the production assistant led Evan through the maze of the studio to meet his new roommate. The door to the room was open, and Evan could hear the muffled sounds of laughter and the occasional clatter of something heavy hitting the floor. His heart thumped in his chest as he stepped inside.
There, lounging on a couch that looked like it was made for a giant, was Luke. The young lion looked up, his eyes wide with excitement. At 714 pounds, Luke was indeed a behemoth, his fur a delightful shade of peach that contrasted with Evan's gold and cream. The couch groaned under his weight, the springs visibly straining. Luke's paws were the size of dinner plates, and his stomach was so large that it was hard to tell where it ended and his chest began. Yet, despite his size, he had a youthful charm about him that was impossible to miss.
The lion's mane was a wild mess of chocolate brown fur that looked like it hadn't seen a brush in weeks, and his tail swished back and forth with an enthusiasm that was infectious. His eyes were a sparkling shade of blue, and a broad smile spread across his face as he caught sight of Evan. "You must be my new roomie!" Luke's voice was a warm baritone that filled the room, his words punctuated by the occasional giggle that seemed to bubble up from his massive frame.
Evan couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed as he took in the sheer size of Luke. His fur was as smooth and soft as a marshmallow, and his paws looked like they could crush a watermelon with ease. Despite his bulk, Luke had an agility about him that was surprising. He gracefully maneuvered his way off the couch, his movements surprisingly fluid for a fur of his size.
"Hey there, I'm Luke," he said, extending a paw that was more like a catcher's mitt. "You've gotta be Evan. I've seen pictures, but they don't do you justice!" He chuckled, his whole body shaking with the force of his mirth. "You're so... skinny!"
Evan took the paw with a firm grip, feeling the heat radiating from Luke's massive frame. "Yeah, I get that a lot," he said with a self-deprecating smile. "But I've got a good metabolism, I guess."
The producer, a sleek chunky grey fox named Marcus, sailed into the room, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Ah, the dynamic duo has arrived!" He clapped his paws together. "Welcome, Evan, to 'Zaftig's Oddest Pairs.' You and Luke are going to be the talk of the town, I can already tell." He gestured for them to sit down at a small table in the corner of the room, where two director's chairs had been set up. The wider of the two looks like it has been equipped to hold Luke's incredible girth.
Marcus leaned in, his fur sleek and well-groomed, and began to lay out the rules for their season together. "So, the gist is this," he began, his tail thumping the floor with excitement. "You two will be living in a beautiful beach house, courtesy of our sponsor. But it's not all fun in the sun and games, we have challenges, baby! Challenges that'll test your limits and drive you bonkers, but if you can stick it out, the prize money gets bigger and better."
Evan and Luke exchanged glances, the gravity of the situation sinking in. They were about to be thrust into a world of reality television, where every moment was captured on camera. "You're going to be filmed 24/7, folks. Every laugh, every snack, every little squabble," Marcus said with a wink. "But don't worry, we've got the best editing team in the business. They'll make sure you're looking your finest for our millions of viewers."
The producer leaned back in his chair, his tail swishing in excitement as he outlined the living situation. "The beach house is a beauty, let me tell ya. It's got a pool, a hot tub, and a fridge that's always stocked with food to keep our audience happy. And the best part?" Marcus paused for dramatic effect. "It's got walls so thick, not even a hippo's snore can penetrate 'em. So, you'll have all the privacy you need. Now...just a few more things to sign..."
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