|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:18 pm
Okay, something was clearly wrong with this situation. Middle-aged, balding businessmen -easy prey- weren't supposed to still be chasing him three blocks later. Teddy had tried everything to shake this stupid old man, everything from weaving through large crowds to slipping out stores' back entrances. He'd even run through traffic! His lungs weren't prepared for such a long distance endevour, all the years of smoking coming back to him in a rush. One hand clutched tightly to his prize, a fat leather wallet. Seriously, that guy looked like he could spare a couple bucks, especially to poor little Teddy, who was all skin and bones and hair dye and cigarettes. Even he had to eat once in a while, right?
The lithe cat cut into an alley, ducking into a doorway. He pressed himself against the cool metal door, breathing as quietly as he could. Gold eyes closed for a moment, trying to catch his breath. There was no way that fatty could've seen him duck in here, right?
Wrong. A hand grabbed for the coat of Teddy's jacket, yanking him out of the shadows. Shoved roughly against the wall, the cat flinched. Oh dear.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:45 pm
It was weird being back here. The crime, the traffic, the busy people who couldn't care less about you... Ah. Home. At least, that's what it was to Johnny. He'd been gone for so long; off trying to get his head straight and get financially stable. He wasn't sure if it was worth it, but he felt more confident in himself since taking time away.
He walked fast, knowing the consequences of getting in the way of people around here. Get movin' or get beat. Home, sweet home. He turned into an alley where an old lady had been keeping the possessions he'd left behind, but stopped dead in his tracks.
"The hell do you think you're doing?" He shouted, his eyebrows furrowed angrily. He stalked towards the business man. Bullies. The lot of them! Always picking on the little guys.
Little was right. From the glance he'd taken at the poor cat he was a tiny thing. Johnny continued to move towards the man, his hand clenched into a white-knuckled fist. "Get outta here!" He lifted his fist tensed to let a blow go to the man's face.
The business man stared at Johnny, scowl on his face as he let out a slew of insults. Obviously he thought Johnny was bluffing.
"I swear to the lack of hair on your head that I will break your face. back off." Johnny snorted as the man let out a squawk of disbelief and dropped the cat, eye wide in horror. He scuttled past Johnny, back pressed against the wall, and dashed away.
Johnny still hadn't taken another look at the cat as he moved to the back of the alley where a brick wall was. As he removed one of the bricks he called over his shoulder in a less angry tone, " You okay?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 3:08 pm
Oh God, it was really gonna happen this time. Teddy was really gonna get beat up by an old man. How embarassing. What would he tell his roommates when he went home with a black eye and empty handed?
Teddy tensed, eyes screwed shut, watching for a punch in the face. Fingers clutched the leather prize, fingernails digging into the leather. Large ears perked up as the sound of yelling came from the alley entrance, one eye cracking open to try and figure out where it was coming from.
Oh snap. Angry fox was a scary sight. Teddy shrunk back, both eyes wide now as he watched the businessman go pale, loosening the grip on the cat's jacket.
Teddy took this distraction as an opportunity to slip the wallet into his back pocket, out of sight. Didn't want the fox to realize it was Teddy who was in the wrong, eh?
Teddy relaxed as the old fat guy ran off, obviously scared out of his mind. Good riddance. After brushing himself off and fixing his jacket, he looked over at the fox, followed him to the wall. The least he could do was say thank you after the fox assisted him in robbery.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for that."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 3:19 pm
Johnny rummaged through the hole in the wall as the cat spoke, seeming to only be listening halfheartedly as he slowly pulled out a chain and the hunk of metal attached to it. He dusted it off; his old brass knuckles. The memories. A smirk slid across his face as he reached up and fastened the chain around his neck.
"No problem. I know how it is. I grew up around here. A friend of mine, he and I used to get into all sorts of trouble." He pulled out a few more items; a license, keys, a few hundred dollar bills. All things he'd saved for his return. He shoved them all in his jacket pockets, placing the brick back in place.
"So, get anything good?" Of course he knew that the cat had stolen something. That was the only way these things worked. As he spoke he lifted his head, and his jaw slacked a little, Johnny's gold eyes staring into the other's. "Wow.. You look a lot like..." He trailed off. He didn't really know what to say.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 3:46 pm
Oh whoa. Eyes widened in typical curious cat fashion as he saw the brass knuckle necklace, something he hadn't seen in what, a few years now? He held his tongue, though. Hey, tons of people could have that necklace, right? They were probably sellin' 'em mass produced somewhere. How would he know?
"Oh yeah?" Teddy's attention was turned elsewere, the money pulled out from the hole catching his greedy eye. No, not greedy. His 'opportunist' eye.
"What? How'd you--? Nevermind." He sighed, waving off the surprise. "Yeah, I guess you could say that." He grinned. He still hadn't quite learned the art of subtlety, seeming to have forgotten the way the fox had threatened the businessman. Who was to say that he wouldn't turn on the cat if he knew of Teddy's plush prize?
"Huh?" He looked up at the other, tilting his head. "Look like who?" He asked, curiously taking a step forward. Hopefully he looked like someone famous, maybe then he could play that card and get a free meal from the fox.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:30 pm
Johnny's ears fell, his lips curling downward. Maybe he'd been wrong... what were the chances of him still being here. He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck and his eyes fell to the ground. Suddenly he felt very sick. He needed something to drink.
"Oh. You just look like.. an old friend of mine." He shrugged. "Well, uh, look... I'm done here. Wanna go get something to eat with me? I'll pay, so long as you don't pick-pocket me. I don't play that game well. Last kid went unconscious for a while." He chuckled, slowly starting to walk towards the street.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:45 pm
Oh crap. The fox looked like he was gonna get sick. Teddy took a step back, not exactly keen on the idea of puke on his shoes. He wanted to ask if the other was okay, but it was kinda obvious he didn't feel too great. Prolly just need a drink.
"Oh." Teddy replied, disappointed look crossing his face for a moment. No free meal.. Wait. Free meal! He perked back up at the other's invitation, cute smile curling his pierced lips. "Okay~!" The other's words didn't freak him out or anything, but he put his hands in his pockets... Just in case. He had to hustle to keep up with the other, short legs having to work doubletime. "Where we gonna eat~?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:52 pm
Johnny had to chuckle at the little cat... they were very similar... not Johnny and him... but him and him. How odd. That happened sometimes, though... Didn't it?
He turned the corner sticking close to the building to avoid the thicker portions of the crowd of people. "I know a place just down here. I'm sure it's still there. Been there since I was just a baby." He tilted his head slightly, curious to see if his gut feeling was right.
It was~! He stopped in front of gold framed glass doors. This place was fancy, sticking out in these rough parts of town. But the workers were polite and the food was delicious. When his parents were alive they used to bring him here every few months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:04 pm
Teddy grabbed hold of the back of the fox's sweatshirt out of instinct, a habit developed when trying to keep up with someone in a crowded area. Rather childish, he knew, and he usually was able to refrain, but... A free meal! He could not lose this fox.
"Hey, I used to go to a place around here all the time with a friend of mine... Hey! This is the place!" Teddy exclaimed, surprised. Whoa, that was weird. Maybe a lot of foxes ate here, or something. Teddy hadn't been to this place since his friend had left, never having enough money to actually pay for a meal here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:18 pm
Johnny just wanted to wrap a protective arm around this cat. He was so innocent seeming. No wonder he'd been so fierce when protecting him. Reminded him of old times...
"Hm? Really? That's odd. I brought my friend here a lot." He pushed the doors open, allowing the cat through before following. The room was lit in warm earthy golds and reds, a podium sitting in the front where they took names for seating. Cream table cloths protected what would be assumed to be very expensize round tables, each decorated with red napkins and white candles. A few couples were seated here and there, most of them dressed rather nicely compared to the cat and Johnny.
"Sir? May I have your name please?"
Johnny blinked and turned to look at the young man who had approached, dressed in a black suit and looking very professional.
"Ah, yeah. Cupcakes." Johnny said quietly, apparently not quiet enough because the man dropped his notepad and skittered away to the back rooms somewhere. "Err..." Johnny had forgotten about that reaction.
Moments later the man returned with an older gentleman, who happened to be wearing a grey suit. His hair was grayed and his wrinkles outlined his kind features. "Johnneh Cupcakes!" He chuckled in an Italian accent.
"Waddup Ciavattone?" Johnny stuffed his hands in his pockets, smiling at the large kind man.
"It'sa been a while, eh!" The man laughed heartily and patted Johnny on the shoulder. "You looka good. Justa like your father!" He patted Johnny a few more times, then turned to the small cat. "Oh~ I'a remember you!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:30 pm
Ah, it was just as Teddy remembered it. Still stuffy, too fancy, and he still felt out of place. At least before he had been with..
Wait.
What did that fox just say?
No way. He probably had just ordered cupcakes or something. Wait, that was stupid. He had said he'd been here a ton, so he obviously wouldn't have done something like order cupcakes from the waiter guy. Gold eyes turned suspiciously over to the fox, one eyebrow arched in a curious expression. He opened his mouth, about to ask the other for his name, but it was answered before he got the words out.
No. Freaking. Way.
Teddy's jaw dropped, eyes widening as he saw the owner guy come out, all smiles. Johnny Cupcakes. Hot damn.
When the older man turned his attention to Teddy, his jaw snapped shut. Didn't want to gape, despite how surprised he was. "Uh, hey." He replied, unable to really formulate a decent response as he tried to rationalize. There could be another Johnny Cupakes, right? With the same necklace? That was a regular at the same restaurant?
Yeah. Even Teddy had a hard time believing all that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:41 pm
Johnny was pleased to see that the owner of the restaurant was still around. He'd always liked him. Always asked his parents if he could go play in the kitchen with him. Those were fun days. And then as he got older and began coming with friends, he always got the special treatment from this friendly man.
"Been so long since I've seena you two here together!" Ciavattone showed a wide, happily-rotten grin. "Well! Let's get you guys a table, eh!" He began waddling towards the back where no one was, the more expensive and generally more romantic tables.
But Johnny was stuck where he was standing, eyes wide. "Together?" He repeated quietly. That didn't seem right. Maybe he just got confused like Johnny had at first. Certainly that was it, and he nodded his head and followed Ciavattone back.
As they passed a few tables there were a few whisperings of "Johnny Cupcakes" and "Tragic accident". Johnny was used to it all. It had been this way every since his parents passed. What confused him was why the cat hadn't said anything yet. He turned back and eyed him. "You okay?" He seemed a little...shocked. That wasn't surprising. Most people where then they met Johnny.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 6:08 pm
What? No. This old fart was obviously losing his memory. Teddy had never been to this restaurant with his guy before. A sideways glance was cast at the fox, seeing the other was just as stunned as was.
After an awkward pause, he followed Johnny. He didn't grab onto the other's sweatshirt this time. Didn't wanna get to close to someone who was so similiar to him 'cause the cat certainly didn't want to get past and present confused.
Teddy, in his usual, discreet manner, swiveled his head back and forth, staring directly at people as they commented about the other's 'tragic accident', trying to get the most information he could from the gossip-happy wealthy. God, all these people had it WRONG! This fox was NOT the Johnny that Teddy used to cause trouble with.
"Huh?" He was snapped out of his thoughts as the other looked back at him. Okay? Well, considering the fact that he was in the company of someone who looked and acted JUST like his old best friend and confidant who he thought he wasn't ever going to see again...
"I'm just peachy, thanks for asking."
He replied, wrinkling his nose as he flashed the other a wide grin. Didn't wanna get all snippy and rub the fox the wrong way, at least not until he was done eating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
