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 Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:19 pm
This stunk. Truffles had finally gotten a job, but it was nothing like she'd thought it would be. The shop owner, the only one she'd found willing to hire a child, was nasty. All he did was yell and cuss at her. She couldn't do anything right, to hear him talk. Yet, he didn't fire her, and she couldn't quit. She wouldn't. She needed the money so that she and her brother could survive the winter.
With her ears pinned back angrily, she dragged a large barrel out into the alley behind the store. It had been a fish barrel that the man had said he would clean days ago. Of course, now he said that he'd told her to do it days ago. It looked filthy, and smelled worse... She grumbled under her breath as she glared at the barrel, purposely taking her time to inspect it. Grime, mold, fish scales, fish poo, dust... "Yuck." He was probably just going to get drunk and forget he even had a barrel anyway.
Tugging on her hat, she looked around before rolling the barrel down the alley a few buildings, and tucked it next to the dumpster. She brushed her hands, and climbed up onto the roof of her store, lying back to look up at the evening sky. She was due a break anyway~
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:36 pm
The city at night was a wondrous place. Tryce always enjoyed skirting the darker alleys for something fun to do and tonight was no different. As soon as the sun sank low in the sky the umbreon had left his place to scour the rooftops. His arms still throbbed from the quick climbing he had to do in order to escape the gang members who had been yelling so many profanities at him. If that hadn’t been enough they had enjoyed throwing things at him as well. Rubbing a hand up his arm he raised a finger to his mouth to lick the faint trail of blood from his skin. Not a bad cut at all then since it had already stopped. Who would have thought that saving a couple of pretty ladies from them would have gotten them so stirred up?
Maybe it was the additional insults he had thrown their way as well then…Tryce tilted his head up towards the rising moon before nodding. That had probably been a good incentive for their attack. With his gaze locked on the sky the male nearly stumbled into the girl who was laying down before him. Golden eyes widening the shiny umbreon hunkered down to keep himself from sliding into the eevee before silently moving so that he could lean over her. His hair escaping as the ponytail holder broke Tryce created a shadow in front of the sky with his ears glowing a soft blue against the darkness. However he didn’t move nor did he ask any questions as his face suddenly hovered inches above the girl’s. Instead only one soft comment left his lips.
“You smell faintly fishy.”
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 3:02 pm
With the breeze on her face, and no one yelling in her ears, it was impossible for Truffles to not doze off a little. The soft voice took a moment to register through the cloud of her nap. Her eyes popped open, she gasped sharply, and she pushed off from the roof, rolling away from the strange figure and nearly off the edge! She had to windmill her arms before she dropped back to her knees, gripping the roof with an irritated growl. "Back off!"
Of course, she then noticed how dark the sky was... "Oh... bugger," she growled again, scurrying to the front of the store to look over the edge of the roof. The store windows were all dark. ..He hadn't even noticed she'd gone missing. "Jerk." Blinking, she slowly turned back toward the glowing umbreon, her ears twitching as her sleepy mind clicked back into place. "What are you doin' smelling me for?!"
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Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 7:31 pm
Quickly allowing his legs to fall beneath him Tryce slid forward on the roof after the girl, only stopping himself after he saw that she wasn’t going to fall. That would have been messy. The thought made him frown slightly before holding out his hands in protest, “Okay then. I’m not going to pounce you or anything.” His ears twitched upwards in amusement, “I don’t think you’re exactly my type kid.” He was just curious as to who else would be on a roof around this area. The dirty area of the city that it was with its darker stores and more crowded streets, but still a good place for any to lose pursuers. He hadn’t spotted any injuries on the eevee though so figured she wasn’t in any danger.
And now he was a jerk? Tryce whistled low, “Judging a guy before you even get to know him…” He had quietly walked behind her as she scurried forward curious as to what it was that had her riled up now. Did she rile up so easily that being startled made her so aggressive? Usually Shou was the one to get him for appearing like that not young girls. Very snappy young girls¸ he silently added as she turned back towards him, “Couldn’t help but to notice. Sorry, but it’s rather prominent.”
He shrugged it off before looking down towards the street, his golden gaze quietly scanning the dark corners of the streets. Looked like they actually were lost around some corner then, “You’re like a flying fish that landed on the rooftop…” He commented as he walked towards the other side of the roof to look around once again. Perhaps he was lucky then. There still was no sign. Tryce’s mouth curled up into a faint smirk. Good deal.
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Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 7:55 pm
Seeing the stranger so close, she took a couple steps to the side, away from him. "Who's judging? I know him enough to know he's a jerk," Truffles said with a snort, not realizing the male had misunderstood the target of her insult.
Truffles had to shake her head roughly to clear it more. Flying fish? What? "I don't fly, which sucks. Then I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning anyone's stupid fish barrels," she grumped, shaking her arms in a useless attempt to shake the smell off. She even took off her hat to air it out, running her fingers through her hair a few times. "What're you doin' up here, anyway? You don't work here now, do you?" Had the store owner hired someone else?
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Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 8:23 pm
“Okay then.” Tryce just raised an eyebrow at her. Hopefully then she wasn’t talking about him then. To be called a jerk before he even got to prove he could be one…well that was disappointing. Faintly amused at how riled up she was though he couldn’t help but to laugh quietly before pacing towards another side of the roof to look over the streets once more. His nose did crinkle at the remaining hint of fish smell in the air as he spotted the trash bins. So that was why.
He laughed at her denial and wish of having flight, “Oh? I guess that would be one way to look at it.” He frowned at her question, “Me work in a place like this? It’s a trap for the truly desperate…” His gaze slid over towards her and the realization slowly sank in, “A kid like you has been working in this part of town?” Tryce paced over towards her and looked her up and down. A kid, an eevee, working in a place like this? He didn’t know whether to be amused or annoyed at the thought. The fact that his comment about being desperate hang in the air gave some mercy to the thought. Anything else and he would have already laughed at the stupidity of it all.
“You really should reconsider what you’re doing.” He reached out and tugged at her chin to have her look towards him, “Even with a fishy smell you might catch the eyes of some who wouldn’t mind cleaning you up a bit. This area has some pretty twisted humans after all…and the fact that you’re an attractive evee with this form would not help your case at all, kid. Some like them young…and others realize that you’ll eventually grow.” His golden gaze was intense as he looked into her violet eyes for a lingering moment before just pulling back, “Just be careful, that’s all I can say.”
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Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:00 pm
Pulling the hat back onto her head, she stiffened as the male's comment hung in the air. A trap for the desperate... She clenched her teeth in irritation. "I ain't desperate," she growled under her breath, eyes instantly on the umbreon again as he walked closer. "Just needed a job is all. Lotsa folk got a job."
She snorted as he told her to reconsider, but the touch of his hand stole away her snarky comment about to rise. She blinked in confusion, a hint of pink rising to her cheeks as their eyes met. Catching someone's eyes? Attractive? What was he saying? No one had ever said... Jumping back a few steps, she turned her side to him and crossed her arms. "You're the one that needs to be careful, Mr. Glow-in-the-dark. Anyone tries messing with me is gonna regret it. I'm not worried."
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Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:20 pm
“So you have a great need for a job then?” Tryce repeated with a slow smirk. So her options were limited to this area? To commit to working here…he just shook his head. No need to argue with the kid. She knew what she was doing then. Anything else would just be needless arguments. He smirked though as he looked back over at her. It was amusing seeing that despite things she had lots of spunk left in her. That was a good sign.
And even more attitude! Tryce actually laughed at her warning, “Me careful?” His tail swayed lazily behind him in amusement, “I’m glad that you’re so confident of yourself though. It’s rather refreshing.” Suddenly his ears twitched as a faint murmur of noise escaped from the alleyway near them, “As it is spunky one shouldn’t you be at home since I’m sure it’s time for normal workers to be done for the night?” He appeared next to her again before reaching out a hand, “Since I obviously have disturbed your evening let me get you back home quickly. We’ll take a higher path that I’m sure you haven’t gone through before.” He smiled mischievously, but there was some warmth in it. Along with a firm feeling that he was determined to see her away from this area before leaving her side.
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Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:44 pm
"Got myself and my brother to feed. What's it to you?" Her arms tightened over herself. Right. She was doing this for her brother. Working in this scummy hole... "Can't help it that other places don't know a good worker when they see one." She thought about the nicer places she'd tried before finally giving in here, and a wistful sigh slipped out. Crumbs...
Brow rising, she looked over at the offered hand and snorted, lifting her chin and glaring right into the other's smile. "As if! I'm not letting some stranger walk me home! I done it a bunch of times on my own. The time of day don't make a difference in how I walk." As if to make her point, she marched to the edge of the roof and looked down. A bit of a jump... Snorting again, she turned and headed for the back of the building so that she could climb down the way she'd climbed up. As intrigued as she was about the 'higher path' the guy had mentioned... no. She didn't need help getting back!
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Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 8:11 pm
An actual flicker of surprise appeared on Tryce’s features. She had a brother to care for as well as herself? Wasn’t there anyone to help this kid out? His gaze did soften then and a hint of respect formed. Seemed like she was a determined one so not exactly just desperate, “I’m certain they’re missing out then.” He commented actually showing a hint of kindness before shrugging, “Then again they could just be smart since you know strange kids could just mean trouble for them.”
Out of all things…his patience with her was about on end especially when the feeling of dread was increasing as he head several snaps of broken bottles in the alleyway. They were determined bastards…and here he was watching as this kid thought she was being all big and independent when he just wanted to help her out. Nope, not a dedicated sister more of a stubborn idiot he amended silently before realization of what she planned hit him, “Hey! I wouldn’t do that if I were you…” He nearly was half tempted to turn around and just let her climb down into the midst of the gang roaming about below but the sudden shouts of someone noticing the figures on the roof caught his attention.
Turning on his heels Tryce darted to pull the eevee away from the side right before a flying bottle crashed into the rooftop, “I told you not to do that. Come on this way-“ Letting go of her he motioned back towards the other side of the roof, “They’re wanting a fight that you are not involved in. So just get out of here.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 8:30 pm
Her resolve faltered the tiniest bit. He was willing to say the shops that had turned her down were missing out? ... Nah. He was just humoring her, surely. ..Yup. There it was. She would cause trouble if they would hire her!
She didn't notice the murmurings until she was right at the edge of the roof. She heard the umbreon call out to her, saw the group lurking in the alley's shadows right below her, heard them yell as she planted her feet to stop, and threw her arms back to keep from going over.
She gasped sharply when she felt herself get yanked back, watching the bottle fly just a couple feet from where her head had been a second ago. "You cowards!" she hollered, baring her teeth as she ran over and kicked most of the broken bottle back over the edge at the group below. Ears twitching, she turned and hurried over to the umbreon's side. She pursed her lips slightly, and she grabbed his arm. "You're not gonna fight them, are ya?" Sure, the guy was older... but look how skinny he was! A stiff wind would bend the teen! "There's a lot of 'em down there. Don'tchya need a hand?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 8:44 pm
Please do not tell me that she’s actually yelling down towards them. But yet there he was watching as the eevee kicked glass back down towards the alley. She definitely had enough spunk to last a lifetime. He didn’t know whether he should be impressed by that much or actually really worried. She could get herself in trouble one day like that…well like they currently were in actually. He blinked as she grabbed his arm, “Really? You….you want to fight them?” He raised an eyebrow at the thought, “I’m pretty certain that is not a good idea for a kid like you.” They gave him enough trouble as it was.
“I have a better plan.” Cursing softly beneath his breath the umbreon bolted into action as he noticed the first of the group starting to climb up on the rooftop next to them, “I’m taking you home and that’s that.” Before she could even think of moving away his arms reached around her and lifted her upwards. It was good timing as a blade sailed through the air towards them. Those bastards didn’t even care to hit a child! Unlike the eevee who he twirled away with in time his arm was slightly less fortunate as it received a nice stinging cut. “Just don’t fight me.” Scooping her up princess style Tryce turned around and headed the opposite direction. Momentum gaining as he began to run the shiny umbreon gracefully jumped from the roof to the next one like an expert before running across yet another roof and then jumping towards another one as yells followed them.
Sweat gleamed from his brow as he braced himself for the furthest jump yet. Bracing himself by wrapping an arm even tighter around the girl he reached out to grab at the roof’s edge and swinging his legs the umbreon tossed both of them onto the rooftop. Wincing he got back on his knees and looked towards the eevee, “There’s… a ladder on the other side….we can take it and get lost from there.” Taking another deep breath he looked over his shoulder with a sigh of relief. Seemed like they had given them the slip so that was good. Though admittedly his heart had raced at the thought of nearly not making that jump, “You’re heavier than I thought.” Letting out a short laugh Tryce stood up and rubbed his hand on his arm where there was a trail of blood. Not too bad, but having to pull both of them up like that had strained the cut opening it slightly wider. Once they got out of this part of the city then he would worry about it.
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Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 9:11 pm
Truffles growled. What was that supposed to mean? A kid like her? She could handle herself! "Just don't think you should fight them alone, is all," she grumbled. She yelped as she was suddenly scooped up, and flailed a little before getting settled into his arms. Well... he was stronger than he looked. Face red with embarrassment, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held firmly as she felt their speed pick up. She peeked over his shoulder at the men climbing onto the roof after them, smirking a little at one with a long cut on his bald head. Probably from the bottle~
She watched them vanish into the distance, more and more rooftops filling between them. Feeling the hold around her tense up, she instinctively held tighter as well over the final leap. Blowing out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, she pushed up onto her hands and knees to regain her bearings. Wow... That had been intense.
She raised her head to look over at the tip of the ladder that could be seen, and then over to the umbreon. As the adrenaline caught up to her, she burst out laughing. The looks on the thugs' faces had been priceless! And leaping from roof to roof! Awesome! They'd gotten away, and she hadn't even had to use her stupid ability. She finally pushed herself up to stand, still laughing, and leaned over to grab the umbreon's arm and give it a tug, eyeing the cut curiously. "You're just weaker than you think. Come on. What'd you do ta get those guys so mad at you anyway?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 9:21 pm
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” That had been his last comment before they went sailing over the rooftops. After catching his breath the umbreon took a step away before pausing at the sudden noise of laughter. She was laughing? This kid really did have some spirit then. Amused once more with how easily she took to such a situation Tryce couldn’t help but to be intrigued. Most girls her age would be in tears by this point, “Guess there’s no point in asking to see if you’re alright.”
He chuckled at her reply, “Oh really? If that makes you feel better then alright.” At her tug he did wince slightly before pulling back with his hand over the cut, “Nothing that a bit of moonlight can’t fix.” He motioned towards the ladder, “What did I do? A good question that I always end up asking myself. But we can talk while we move, I don’t want to give them a chance to catch back up again.” Moving gracefully past the eevee Tryce started to climb down from the roof and with a small jump landed neatly on a patch of grass. Streetlights were scarce here and it looked like they were in a more suburban area than before. That meant the forest was nearby, something that the umbreon was definitely grateful for. He would have to avoid the club tonight else Shou would kill him for bringing in yet another racket. The trees sounded nice then for tonight.
Looking up his ears tilted backwards, “Well hurry up. You coming or what, kid?”
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Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 9:41 pm
Truffles snorted, and stepped back as the male stood. He was so tall... "Of course I'm alright! Told you I can handle myself!" she announced confidently. She hesitated at the thought of the thugs catching up though. They wouldn't catch up over the rooftops... As she followed over to the ladder, she peeked over the edge of the roof first. They would come through the now dark alleys... Crawling in the shadows like the scum they were! Like she would ever let them get the better of her!
Ears perked again as she was called to. "Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." she snipped back, swinging over the ledge and quickly slipping down the ladder. With her feet back on the ground, she fixed her hat, thoroughly pleased that it had managed to survive the trip, and then stuffed her hands into her pockets. "You run around on the roofs often then?" she asked curiously, thinking about the strong jumps over the spaces between buildings. He'd been going quite fast, too. Impressive. Her tail flicked with intrigue as she took a moment to get a better look at the umbreon. Bandages, skinny, tall, dark, glowy, not terrible looking. Well, it was better to be woken up by this guy than the skeleton boss of hers.
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