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 Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:33 pm
Romulus sighed as he walked down the sidewalk. It had been a long day at the office. Far too long and unpleasant. He surveyed the setting sun, lamenting his awkward work hours before turning his attention back to his surroundings.
He spotted a quiet looking coffee shop and made for it, deciding against paying his favored pub a visit for fear of forgetting his promise of sobriety and waking up with an even bigger headache than he had now.
Setting himself down at a table in the corner of the nearly empty shop he ordered a coffee, black with sugar, and rummaged through his bag for a bottle of aspirin he kept with him. When his coffee came he downed a few of the small white pills and sighed, leaning back in his seat.
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:03 pm
 The sun spread its narrow fingers across the sky, painting the clouds that it collided with into a distinctly attractive shade of orange that could be compared only to his hair. Ridley watched with an innocent fondness as the sky darkened, his mouth partly opened with awe and anticipation. There was something so wonderful about the day being tucked away behind purple mountains, Ridley noted childishly; something so grandly mysterious that he just wished that he could be a part of the rays, to see what Time - what the universe - did with all of those moments that were too quick in their passing. He wondered, lovingly, if they were recycled until someone else put them to good use.
"Yo. Ridley." He turned his head quickly, eyes large and bewildered at the mention of his name. A smile tugged at his lips, lifting them upward until his face was shining with friendliness. "We've got customers inside. Would you quit daydreaming out here and get to work, please? I didn't hire you because you had a pretty face. Well... actually, scratch that... the pretty face does bring in quite a few customers, and it was what differentiated you from other applicants... but unless you are in the coffeehouse and raking some green in - and by green, I don't mean leaves - then you had best get inside and do what I hired you to do." The man inhaled deeply after vocalizing the lecture, exhaling slowly and quirking a brow towards the younger male. Ridley nodded his head in quick concurrence and stumbled his way back into the building.
"Nobody was ever this mean to Pooh Bear when he went to work..." The falcon complained, eyes teary with dejection as he swept broken glass from the backroom floor. He disposed of it quickly, rummaging through boxes and grabbing extra cups, seeing as they seemed to go fast, lately.
The first time he noticed Romulus, he had been wiping at a counter absentmindedly. His eyes flicked towards the other male by accident, and then just suddenly locked. Ridley tilted his head curiously. He narrowed a suspicious gaze when the other swallowed some Aspirin, wrinkling his nose with uncertainty. He wanted to pull his gaze away, but could only keep it from the other male for so long; after all, it wasn't as though there was much to look at aside from Romulus... the place was virtually empty, otherwise.
He flinched when he saw the other lean back, turning quickly as though he was doing something wrong. He didn't want to be seen looking.
Ridley hadn't noticed there was an espresso machine behind him when he spun, and therefore his hand collided with the glass of the thing rather noisily. The falcon bit his lip and hit the deck, as though it would save him from being seen.
He glanced at the blood oozing from his hand, teeth chattering worriedly. Hopefully it wasn't too deep....
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:24 pm
Romulus furrowed his brow as he heard the man yelling at the kid outside. He glared at him, one side of his lip curling in dislike. As if I don't hear enough of that at work.... he thought, feeling almost sorry for the unfortunate employee.
After the man had finished he slumped forward, taking his head in his hands and didn't open his eyes again until he heard the sound of breaking glass. "The hell...?" he muttered sitting up quickly, tensing and looking toward the counter.
As he assessed the situation he almost wanted to snirk at the other for breaking the class but quickly stopped himself. He may be a bit pessimistic but he wasn't going to be so bitter as to laugh at someone who was hurt.
To prove it to himself he stood and made his way over to the falcon crouched on the floor, not really caring that he had stepped behind the counter. Lowering himself he tapped the others shoulder gently. "You alright...?" he asked dully, raising an eyebrow.
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:47 pm
The male was biting at his inner cheek, his eyebrows slouched sadly and his hand tingling and stinging its disapproval at him. You klutz! - he could hear it screaming, How could you be so stupid? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Ridley gave his palm an apologetic look, pursing his lips together worriedly as he attempted to straighten himself slightly. He felt the finger prodding at his shoulder blade somewhere around this time, his body stiffening entirely. Oh dear. "Umm... umm... umm...." The falcon dragged the last one out for a long time, his hand trembling and sticky. "Umm. Just... umm... er... wait one moment. I apologize for the inconvenience. Or, er... I mean that I am very sorry that I have, umm... no... that's not it." He couldn't think straight, he realized, when his brain was so distracted by the pain. And he certainly couldn't speak accordingly if he couldn't think in a line.
Ridley turned his attention to the other male quickly, his eyes - gray and dancing with fright - connected with Romulus's before he frowned. "I've hurt myself." He whispered sadly, "I was doing something stupid... and I hurt myself." The male's sight flicked downward abruptly, his eyes pooling with tears. He kept himself from blinking, made sure that they weren't shed. "Am I going to lose my hand?" The male whimpered, rubbing at his forehead sadly. "Oh god, I am going to lose my hand, aren't I? Stupid, stupid, stupid...."
He grasped at the material of the other male's shirt, staining it with his blood and muttering a quick apology for having done so. He was just so desperate. Afraid. "What am I going to do?"
The cut bled quickly, admittedly; and it was deeper than any of the other ones that he had ever gotten before. But it definitely wasn't that serious... probably didn't even require stitches.
But that was Ridley, for you. Melodramatic, per usual.
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:33 am
Romulus was taken aback at the sight of fear in the others eyes. Never had he seen someone so scared over such a injury. "Listen..." he began, until he felt Ridleys hand grab his shirt.
His first feelings should have been of annoyance, anger that his expensive outfit was now stained with the others blood. Instead he felt his stomach knot. The situation was all too familiar to him, far less grave but still reminiscent of a night long ago when he found himself stranded in a parking lot, more casual clothes stained with the blood of another. Unthinkingly he moved a hand gently to Ridleys shoulder in a comforting manner.
He swallowed, being still for a few more moments before he blinked, coming back to the present time. He snatched his hand from the falcons shoulder, clearing his throat. "Listen...you're not going to loose your hand" he muttered, cheeks reddening a bit.
He took Ridleys hand gently, looking it over before letting it go and electing to grab his undamaged hand instead. He stood, tugging the others arm softly to indicate he should follow suit.
"You have a bathroom here, yes?" he asked a bit bluntly, looking around and trying to avoid seeing the others face.
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:00 am
He was muttering to himself, but the words caught in his throat when he felt a hand lay itself to rest upon his shoulder. His entire body tensed, eyes gazing wonderingly at Romulus with a deepening suspicion. It wasn't a bad gesture, in all truth; rather the opposite, really. But Ridley didn't quite understand the other man's need for touch after such little time. Despite this, the falcon moved his hand to rest upon the larger male's, a gesture of appreciation to thank the stranger for his concern... but the idea was dismissed when Romulus snatched the comforting palm away. Ridley's wings flickered suddenly, his eyes wide and brimming over with worry at the sudden change in demeanor.
The feeling left him soon, however, and his face brightened upon the news that his hand would not be taken away from him, "Are you sure?" The tone held too much excitement to be a question, and his eyes held too much mirth and hope for him to be dissuaded, now. He pulled his lips back in a pearly grin, letting out a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad! The last thing I wanted was to...." The thought halted entirely when his wrist was grasped, and he licked the back of his incisors worriedly. In most cases, he would have reflexively pulled away; but Romulus had used such tenderness when inspecting the wound that it hadn't bothered Ridley, at all... was barely captured by his senses.
Gray eyes peered at Romulus from behind full lashes, taking quick notes of the other male's actions and overall behavior. Ridley smiled lovingly when he realized that he was being tended to, his head cocking slightly. "Umm...." He blinked when his other hand was grasped, this time a bit more forceful, though still overall a gentle gesture. He rose from his knees with the help of the other male's arm, blinking in confusion when the bathroom was inquired about. But it was not the mention of the bathroom that confused him, rather the evident avoidance of eye contact.
Ridley moved his hand to grasp at the other male's chin, tilting his head so that he could look him in the eye. He frowned upon the realization that he had gotten his blood on the other male's jawbone, but knew that he would repeat the action, were he given a second chance. He didn't remove his palm, merely blinked at Romulus with concern and bewilderment. "The one in the backroom has a first aid kit, I think...." He whispered, pulling his touch away from the hybrid's face in order to visually indicate the direction. "I'm sorry that I've gotten you all dirty...." He whispered as an afterthought.
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:37 am
Romulus groaned, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. "No kid, you're not going to loose -
He stopped as his chin was grabbed, so caught off guard that he could only blink back at the other hybrid for a few moments. In the back of his mind he registered that Ridleys eyes no longer contained traces of fear. This he was glad for.
He jerked his head in the direction of the backroom when his chin was released, a bit annoyed. "Oh? Even better that there's a first aid kit..." he muttered, not at all impressed at the sterilizing power of hand soap. "You really shouldn't grab people like that you know..." he added, glancing back at Ridley. Evidently he had been completely oblivious to the comforting touches he had administrated to Ridley a few moments before.
He walked briskly to the back room, pushing open the door, again not seeming to care that he was invading space usually only reserved for employees or that he hadn't any idea where the bathroom might be.
He looked around, physically turning himself until he spotted the restroom. He quickly retrieved the first aid kit, taking a few moments to assess himself in the restroom mirror before making his way quickly to the front of the shop again.
"Don't worry about it" he said s he approached Ridley again, smiling in an almost amused manner and setting the kit on the counter, rummaging through the bag and finding cotton balls, gauze, medical tape and disinfectant. "S'not the first time I've been bloodied and won't be the last" he added with a short laugh, beginning to soak the cotton balls in disinfectant.
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 3:21 pm
Despite the fact that he had been scolded, Ridley wore a dorky sort of grin upon his feminine features. The idea that he had forgotten of the touches he had applied to the falcon's shoulder didn't even cross the younger male's mind; merely that the other male dished out more than he could take in, he supposed. Aside from that, Romulus's touches had been for comfort; Ridley's had been entirely unnecessary, his fingertips merely lined with curiosity and a bit of concern, and - of course - blood. He could understand why that would vex the other hybrid. No, he didn't blame - nor question - the statements he was given.
Ridley followed along obediently as the other male permitted himself into the backroom. His gray eyes were surveying the perimeter for his employer, cold chills venturing down his spine agonizingly. If he was caught with a customer back here....
He hurriedly made his way back to the shop, his eyes downcast in shame. He wasn't going to lose his hand, thankfully; although, he was quite certain, he could lose his job for being so graceless. His boss wasn't the most understandable man he had ever met. Quite the opposite, really.
The male was pacing back and forth worriedly. He supposed that if he lost his job, he could just tell Gideon and the others that he had tried and the world of labor just didn't seem to accept him. Perhaps then he could watch Winnie the Pooh all day long, like he used to. Like the good old days.
A smile broke out on his lips when he saw Romulus again, fingers on his good hand clenching together when he noticed the disinfectant. That sort of thing stung, didn't it? There was no way he was going to permit administration of something that caused pain. He slid his injured hand behind his back when the other male parted his lips to speak again.
His heart very well could had stopped, if only for a moment.
"Have you hurt yourself?" Ridley whispered, his wounded hand of no concern, now. He hurried closer to the other male, thinning the space between them. "It will be the last! I'll protect you, Sir, I promise." The male announced, his gray orbs filling with determination. "I do."
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 5:10 pm
Romulus watched Ridley hide his hand out of the corner of his eye, the corner of his mouth twitching as he anticipated the uphill battle that would occur in order to dress the others wound properly. Lovely.
Still, he held his own waiting hand out. "Hand please" he said, trying to inject at least a touch of authority in his voice in hopes that it would persuade the falcon to let him clean his cuts. It probably wouldn't be that easy but maybe the other hybrid would surprise him.
He tilted his head, furrowing his brow at Ridleys question. "Nooo..." he began, blinking in surprise once again as Ridley closed the space between them. He took a step back almost out of instinct. "Um..." he sputtered at Ridleys next words. "I appreciate your chivalry, really I do, but... it's not as serious as I apparently made it seem" he tried to reassure the other hybrid, offering a small smile.
"I suppose bloodied was a strong word..." he added, fiddling with the cotton balls now saturated with disinfectant in his hand. "The extent of the occasional injuries I run into in my field of work really aren't more than being shanked with the occasional ball point pin or some other little trinkets people manage to put together" he laughed, obviously amused by this.
"Even then, it doesn't happen all that often, so no worries..." he affirmed. "Now, can I please see your hand?" he asked, once more raising his open hand to Ridley.
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 11:31 pm
His tongue slid across the back of his incisors in a smooth and contemplative gesture, slick and mint-leafed. Eyes had fixated themselves on the other male's features, etching the expressions of response into his mind and molding his own words and actions based off of them. There was irritation in those eyes of undefinable blue, scheming in the pressed lips, patience in the offered palm. The falcon was busy, also, calculating the fees that would be pulled right out of his paycheck. He, while distant, could hear as Romulus attempted to explain himself.
And Ridley listened.
"Then I'll protect you from all of those occasional troubles." The male decided - no, insisted - whilst the other cackled gently. "I know that I amn't big, Sir... but I do quite admit that I could hold my own for someone like you." He smiled protectively, "Things will be just fine, you'll see!" He shoved his hand willingly into the other male's after the second request, cringing with pain at the final collision.
That was the only heed he gave to it.
He turned his head quickly, closing his eyes and mentally counting to ten. Ridley wasn't very good when it came to pain... especially not the stinging kind that cleansed wounds. He bit his lower lip in anticipation. Normally Gideon was the one who did this sort of thing... and normally he endured the falcon's screaming and pleads and clawing. He wasn't so sure he could hold himself back for a stranger, even if he wanted to.
"Actually...." He whispered, dropping his head. His hand still remained hovering on top the raccoon's. "Perhaps you shouldn't clean it with anything that will sting to it. Maybe just some cold water would be best, followed by a bandage." The falcon gazed worriedly at the other hybrid.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:08 pm
He frowned, lips twitching as Romulus listened to Ridley. "Alright..." he sighed, reaching a hand out to pat the falcons head. He always enjoyed the feeling of others hair and Ridleys was especially pleasant. Very smooth and soft to the touch.
"Though honestly" he began, ears perking up and a smile forming on his lips once more. "If you get this shaken up over a few cuts, I honestly don't see how you'd fare better with larger scale injuries" he laughed, wanting to smirk but smiling instead. He needed to learn to leave rude habits at work unless the situation truly called for them. "No offense of course and I do thank you I suppose" he added quickly, as an after thought.
As Ridleys hand was thrust into his he couldn't help but jump slightly at the sudden movement. Instead of moving to clean the falcons wounds he frowned again, watching as Ridley turned his head. Admittedly he found it amusing to a point but he couldn't help but feel sorry for him, even just a bit. He let out a sigh. He couldn't really bring himself to administer the disinfectant, even if it was for the other hybrids own good, the discomfort and dread playing on the others features was just too uncomfortable for him.
"Yeeeah...that's probably a better idea" he agreed, nodding briskly as Ridley spoke. He dropped the cotton balls on the counter, instead opting to pack up the medical kit.
"So..." he started, clasping his hands behind his back as best he could holding the kit, walking over to the door that lead to the back room. He turned when he reached it, waiting for Ridley to follow. "Back to the bathroom then...?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 3:19 pm
Undiluted love was what filled his entire body when Romulus tended to his hair, causing for him to lean his head subconsciously into the gentle gesture. A fond smile had long since graced his lips, once it occurred to him that the pain of the disinfectant would only last for a momentary time, but his promise to the raccoon would last for as long as they both lived. Like some sort of secret, pretend holy matrimony between a small, energetic girl and a reluctant boy. He frowned somewhat when the coon's hand didn't belong to him anymore, elegant eyebrows dropping considerably as his gray orbs watched, from within their sockets, while the older male fled in a different direction.
Ridley's eyes widened to the size of plates when he informed him that the unwelcome stinging would not have to be endured, and the falcon ran quickly to the raccoon's side. He attacked him with an embrace of pure mirth, smiling widely again as he mentally thanked the gods and goddesses, and - of course - the other hybrid, from saving him the painful episode. "I get to keep my hand, I get to protect my protector, and I don't have to deal with that icky, mean stuff! Do you know how wonderful this is?" He asked excitedly, nuzzling his face into the other male's torso.
The smaller hybrid's wounded hand avoided contact with Romulus, his mind recalling that the raccoon hadn't wanted it touching him. Ridley could understand that. He had seen specials on the television that involved germs and illnesses, and - despite the fact that these programs had been cartoons - they had taught him quite a bit when it came to washing his hands, amongst other things. "Yes." He replied to the question involving the bathroom, his eyes flicking upward to view the bottom of the raccoon's jaw. "Okay."
And he released him from the affectionate grip, staggering his way towards the bathroom.
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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:54 pm
Romulus found himself assaulted once again with unexpected contact and reacted by jumping just slightly, arching his back. He calmed down though, as Ridley nuzzled into his side, taking the chance to once again pat the others head. "Really great I guess...?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
The raccoon hybrid let out a small yawn as he followed Ridley to the bathroom, holding the door open for the other before tossing the first aid kit on the bathroom sink. He eyed the soap dispenser mounted on the wall before turning to look at Ridley. "I'm not going to use the disinfectant...." he said slowly, perching on the edge of the sink gently, testing it in a way to make sure it would hold his weight. "...but, I'd be a least a little bit worried about infection setting in if we didn't use something."
He repositioned himself slightly as he saw that the sink would hold his wieght, almost fully sitting on it now. "So I was thinking maybe we could use just a little bit of soap as well as some water to clean your wounds with" he offered, trying to inconspicuously monitor the falcons expressions. "I mean, I'm not going to lie, it'll sting a bit but not nearly as much as the disinfectant would plus it would get rid of any germs that might have decided to settle there" he tired to sound reassuring, giving the other a grin he hoped looked encouraging.
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