A Miserable Business (Duo)

[Brink]

Rakine. Dark, overcast, and filled with the overbearing smell of fish and human filth. Not exactly the most pleasant place to spend your time, especially on a day like this. Despite the fact that summer was nearing, it was nowhere near warm. Despite this, the humans still crowded around, loud and obnoxious as usual. That fact never changed. The stink had become unbearable so unbearable that John had moved from the center of town to one of the far disused docks near the edge

Though the ocean did not suit him, he was quite comfortable here, listening to the rhythmic sloshing of the water against the dock. It was comforting and the retched human scent seemed to fade away… a little. Having all ready stolen a few fish that the careless humans had let drop from on of their large nets bursting with shoals of fish, he was quite satisfied for settling down for the rest of the miserable afternoon. In a nonchalant manner, he took an almost paranoid glance around and then lay down.

Ear pricked up attentively, the Canaan Dog lay down, a paw resting protectively on the remains of lunch. His consciousness faded and he was soon dreaming of friends, family, and all of that good and happy crap that he didn’t happen to have.

[nightblood]

A black figure stood atop a building in the city, looking down at all the goings on of human life. Duo had stolen exactly one item that day- a wallet from a man's coat pocket. It now lay at his paws. There was plenty of money in it. He had heard the man's wails of agony a few moments after he'd gotten safely away. He grinned at the memory. It was so rewarding being the one to cause such a ruckus. Yet, as always, there was a pang a guilt. Over the months, it was becoming less of a problem. More like just an annoying thought that came and went, instead of lingering for days like it had before.

A movement caught the black cat's attention. In the alleyway just below, a small mouse scurried about near a garbage can. He hadn't stolen a meal recently and was growing hungry. Carefully, the cat slid down the roof and landed soundlessly a few yards away from the mouse. The creature paused, feeling the vibrations from the ground. Probably just a horse stomping its foot a ways away. It went back to eating a nut.

It was a quick kill. The mouse was young and stupid. Not much of a meal, but it was enough to quell Duo's growling stomach. As he licked the tiny bones clean, another smell, other than the blood of the mouse, came to his nose. A fish. As tempting as that scent was, the second scent put him off. A dog. Hoping in vain that the two weren't close to each other, Duo walked out of the back of the allyway. He was on the edge of the port and could see the abandoned docks not far off. His vision caught a dog asleep at one of them, a fish lay under a protective paw. Duo licked his lips, hungering for it.

It would be stupid to steal from a dog that large. There would be no getting away if he woke up. If he was far enough away from him when he woke up, he'd be able to run for it if he needed to. As he moved forward, the cat looked at the surrounding area around the dog. Water was on three sides of the dock, as always. There was, however, a rickety row boat under the dock. It was low tide. The dock was a good ten feet high at this point. Duo would sit on the pillar the boat was roped to and bargain for the meal. If the dog turned out to be aggressive (or stupid), he would jump into the boat below. Unless the dog was a complete moron and followed him, he'd be safe. He could wait until the dog got tired of barking at him and run off. When he was gone, he could climb up the pillar and back onto the dock. Easy as pie.

Duo was at the dock now, staring down the planks at the sleeping canine. He wasn't too fond of dogs, though he could deal with them better than humans. He just didn't get how they could be so loyal to those giant monkeys. That was what puzzled him the most. No matter now. What was on his ind now was the fish... and staying alive. He moved slowly down the dock. Because he was so light, even the most sensitive plank didn't creak much under his weight. He jumped the last four planks and landed on the pillar closest to the dog.

Not wanting to wake him, Duo sat calmly and watched the sleeping mongrel. There was no future for a cat that woke a dog.

[Brink]

Annoying, the waves swashed back and forth, pushing against the pillars that held the deck steady. It was distracting. So was the strong smell of water and salt, which constantly muddled up the sense of smell. Not only that, but it was sickening. Never went away. While happy dreams morphed into monstrous images of his family’s demise, John constantly twitched in his sleep. The dog remained unaware that anyone, let alone a filthy cat, was observing him and his leftovers. If it hadn’t been for the pungent scent and the distracting noise, the maybe, just maybe he would have detected the charcoal feline standing back behind him, craving the fish underpaw. Only when Duo began crossing to planks did he notice. He didn’t notice him, per say, but instinctively knew that something, maybe dangerous as a human, maybe as harmless as a rat. The maroon paw that they on the fish tensed, digging dull claws into the side of the deceased fish. Cautiously, he slid the paw closer to him, dragging the fish along with it.

After that, John lay as still as he could, not daring to even move a muscle. The canine didn’t even exhale, straining as hard as he could to hear even the slightest movement. Maybe the pitter patter of feet, the ruffle of fur, maybe even clothing, or the creaking of an ancient plank. The fact that he heard absolutely nothing disturbed him far greater than any sound could have. Finally unable to take it anymore, he exhaled silently. Due to the fact that the assailant was completely silent, he knew that the idea that it was a human was absurd. A canine, possible but not very likely. And a feline…?

John didn’t doubt that there was some kind of cat sitting nearby, watching him. Of course, he knew that the cat would be interested in the fish that he had saved. And any cat, intelligent or not, could grasp the concept of “suicide by dog”. What he didn’t quite understand though was why a cat, of all animals, would decide to cross onto a dock that was surrounded by water, and had a dog on it. Maybe he was dealing with a complete idiot. Oh well. Cats were fun to screw around with and they just happened to be near water. Oh what fun!

“There something you want, cat?” He rose to his feet, eyes searching around the immediate area. They stopped dead on the cat before him. ‘Not very impressive…’ he thought, although he shifted his weight onto the paw that held the fish.

[nightblood]

Duo had to stifle a laugh as the dog pulled the meat closer to him. Either he had caught his scent and was awake, or he was dreaming of someone taking his prize. The first was more likely.

It was a while before the dog finally opened his eyes and stood up. Binx could see his ears straining for a sound. Like any good cat, he was as silent as the grave.

“There something you want, cat?”

Right to the point. Now here was a dog who he could tolerate having a civilized conversation with. The fact still remained, however, that he was a dog, and was dangerous to him. Duo was alert for any movement that might give away agression while maintaining a calm composure. He even raised his paw to lick some dust off of it. Placing it back down on the pole, he gazed up at this mountain of a creature, seemingly unintimidated.

"I was just wondering if a big bloke like you could manage to help me out. I know a way into the meat locker at the butcher's place, ya see..."

Duo trailed off, wondering if the prospect of food could interest this canine enough to shoo away any thoughts of killing and eating the cat. Knowing a way into the meat locker meant food for a lifetime, unlike himself who would only make a meal for a day.

[Brink]

Already, the black cat was started to get on John’s nerves and he hadn’t even said a word. Just the way he sat was irritating. Why? Hell if he knew. It was his manner"I was ust wondering if a big bloke like you could manage to help me out. I know a way into the meat locker at the butcher's place, ya see..." The fact that the cat was trying to bargain with him was even more annoying. Did the cat honestly believe that he would even give up the fish? For just the slightest glimmer of hope of getting into the meat locker?

Well, he was damn stupid.

“Then skitter off ‘n go get yourself some lunch.” he snarled, looking up at Duo with disdain. To this feline, John might just be some dense and dim-witted dog. Maybe he wasn’t the most intelligent canine to ever live, but he knew what the cat wanted and if he wanted it bad enough he would lie to get it. Hmmm, maybe now was the time to have a little fun. The fish, reeking of salt and well, fish, of course, was still pinned to the rickety board of wood under his paw. He removed his paw and batted the smelly think around, between his paws. The edge was awfully near…

But now wasn’t the time.

Maybe, just maybe, the cat could make an offer worth considering. Not some stupid story made up in the spur of the moment. If not, well, this fish could go back in the sea… maybe taking a cat with it...

[nightblood]

“Then skitter off ‘n go get yourself some lunch.”

Binx rolled his eyes at the dog. One, he didn't like being spoken to as if he were some pup, er... kitten... whatever. Two, this dog was VERY dense indeed. Apparently he didn't get the link between "meat locker" and "help". Duo paused briefly and gazed at the fish as he batted it around. Having a guess at what the dog was thinking, he refocused on trying to explain PLAINLY what the situation was.

"I don't think you quite understand," he said, trying to sound polite, "I need help to get into the meat locker. There's a door at the entrance. It's metal. Very heavy. I need you to pull it."

Duo tapped his tail, waiting for the meaning to sink into the dog's thick skull. This was all true. He did know every way into the meat locker, but his way was through the vents. However, if this dog could get in and carry a bunch of food, he wouldn't have to make so many cold trips.

[Brink]

Binx seemed to have been annoyed by John’s reply, as he played the part of the dull dog. The Canaan Dog enjoyed seeing the cat rolling his eyes in that irritated manner. He also took pleasure in the fact that Duo had noticed the fish that he continued to batter between his paws, in a playful manner. Perhaps it seemed a little sadistic, but, hell, he didn’t care.

"I don't think you quite understand. I need help to get into the meat locker. There's a door at the entrance. It's metal. Very heavy. I need you to pull it."

Smirking, he considered this. If it was true, then it was a damn good offer. If it wasn’t, then he could possibly end up stuck in a butcher shop with an angry human who had a set of knives and a meat grinder at his disposal. For all John knew, he could end up being sold for four-fifty a pound. That wasn’t quite what he had in mind for his future. Sure, at the present moment, his future did look bleak, but it wasn’t that bleak. So, he made a perfectly rational request. But what if the oversized rat could prove it? Hmmm…

“Prove it. Assuming that this information is anything other than complete bullshit, what will it cost me?” John knew the answer. The fish, that he continued to knock around to amuse himself and torment Duo.

[nightblood]

“Prove it. Assuming that this information is anything other than complete bullshit, what will it cost me?”

"Only a moment of your time," Duo answered, a satisfied grin on his face now that he knew the dog had figured it out, "I would like a bit of that fish as payment for the information. It's not exactly a well known venture. I will, however, wait until you have seen the place with your own eyes. I know how suspicious one can be."

With that, the cat jumped back onto the dock and started toward town. It would look odd seeing a cat lead a dog, so as soon as he could, he slipped into the darker areas. Not the shadows, or else the dog couldn't see him. Just the areas dark enough so that the humans couldn't see.

"Name's Duo, by the way. Binx Duo."

It was originally proper to give one's name before going into conversation. However, since information was so valuable nowadays, even a name was kept secret until enough trust could be established.

[Brink]

"Only a moment of your time. I would like a bit of that fish as payment for the information. It's not exactly a well known venture. I will, however, wait until you have seen the place with your own eyes. I know how suspicious one can be."

The cat seemed surprisingly confident, at least to John. Then again, if you were a con man, you were supposed to be confident. His head cocked to the side, carefully considering his options, weighing the cons and pros. Being mince meat or not having to eat garbage and fish anymore… With a sigh, he said, “Alright, let’s go.” The cat had already leaped down from the pillar and was already off. John, considerably less confident than Duo, did a quick 360 of the area, then followed. He did keep a good few yards away from Duo, just in case he tried to pull anything.

"Name's Duo, by the way. Binx Duo."

“Nice to know,” he growled at the cat. Why would he give a damn what the cat decided to call himself. It was of no consequence, since the name didn’t come to mind. Immediately after Binx had moved into the shadow, John snapped to a halt and let out a throaty growl, refusing to move any closer. Maybe he was letting paranoia get the better of him, but he didn’t trust the cat at all.

[nightblood]

A return name didn't come. Binx wasn't surprised, but he was a little annoyed. Common courtesy called for return names, but he knew many didn't heed it. He would have to earn it. It was when the growl came that Binx had to stop and turn toward the dog, a wry grin on his face.

"Come on, now," he said, his orange eyes glowing in the darkness, "A dog following a cat at anything less than a run would look suspicious. You know that. And we can't run about and draw attention to ourselves if we're supposed to sneak into the butcher's place."

That said, Binx started forward again, expecting the dog to follow. Surely the prospect of food would drive him to do so. it wasn't until they entered an alleyway that Duo finally stopped clinging to the walls.

"Just down here. No one checks this door often. I think they've forgotten it exists. Stupid humans..."

There on the wall hung a rickety door, almost off its hinges. For the cat, it was easy to enter. The canine would have a harder time keeping quiet, but it wasn't impossible for him to enter.

[Brink]

"Come on, now. A dog following a cat at anything less than a run would look suspicious. You know that. And we can't run about and draw attention to ourselves if we're supposed to sneak into the butcher's place."

“Draw attention to ourselves?” A mocking laugh followed. “We’re in Rakine for god’s sake. You think any of these people care?” It was true that humans didn’t give a damn about what the strays and annoying animals that were always underfoot did. They’d probably seen weird things than a cat and a dog not at each other’s throats. Cautiously, John strode forward, following the rippling form of the cat in the shadows. As they got near, he got smell the meat and blood. Saliva filled his mouth. If he hadn’t had any self control, he would have began drooling like a basset hound in the summer heat. They arrived at the door, a rickety old termite-devoured strip of wood, which proved to be Duo’s entry point. Didn’t like the way would be open much longer if the butcher decided to replace the door.

"Just down here. No one checks this door often. I think they've forgotten it exists. Stupid humans..."

Duo Binx easily stalked through the open doorway. Shit. He couldn’t fit through. Maybe if he was a cat he might just be able to maneuver his way through the small space, but he wasn’t didn’t cough up hairballs or eat mice. So, needless to say, any attempt to enter silently would be futile. However, this would be a good time to screw with the cat… Buuuuttt, then again, he could just ask Duo for help. That cat might be obliging… or he might end up mince meat… Binx had proved that there was a ‘secret’ entrance. ‘I haven’t had fun in days’ he thought darkly as he looked back on the past week or so. Most of his time was spent wandering around. Screw the meat locker; he had a fish in his mouth right now.

John knew he wasn’t being rational, but he didn’t care. He turned around, and in the manner similar to that of a donkey, gave the door a vicious kick. The creaking sounded more like a wailing. The door smashed into the wall with a crash, and John had high-tailed it outta there, back towards the dock. He wasn’t sure if the butcher was in his shop today, but if he was, there was no way he didn’t hear that.

[nightblood]

Binx walked forward slowly, prowling in the dark. He could feel the cold coming from the steal door up ahead. The back area was typically how the humans got the meat directly into the freezer, but since the town was relying more on fish, the smaller packages were easily carried through the front.

Quietly, he crept his way to the door. A few mice and rats scurried about, but he knew there was a bigger prize through the door. A moment passed when his mind wasn't totally concentrated on the metal block in front of him, rather on the beast behind. Why had there been no creak of the wooden door? Surely a dog that big would have made some noise upon his entry into the hallway. What was he up to?

CRASH!!

Duo hissed in rage at the sound and looked back at the carnage left at the entrance. Like a bullet, he shot out of the hallway and into the alley. Instead of following the dog, he ran in the opposite direction, shouting as he bolted from the scene of the crime.

"YOU FOUL, UGLY GIT!! COWARDLY MONGREL!! I'LL GET YOU FOR THAT!!"

Fire burned in his bright orange eyes as Duo jumped a wooden fence into the other half of the allyway. He was now out of sight of any humans that would come to see what the noise had been. It was obvious that anyone who saw a dog running from the general area of the carnage was the culprit. He did not stop running, however. In case the canine had heard him, he would be able to slip into any shadow or up any tree he could get to long before he ever caught up to him.

[Brink]

John was laughing so hard that he almost chocked on the fish that hung limply from one side of his mouth. He had chanced a glance behind him and saw that Duo had bolted as soon as the door slammed. He had been close behind, but headed in the opposite direction. That seemed a bit odd to him since the cat would probably want to claw his eyes out by now.

"YOU FOUL, UGLY GIT!! COWARDLY MONGREL!! I'LL GET YOU FOR THAT!!"

Git? What the hell was a friggen’ “git”? After pondering the word for a while, he decided that the dock probably wasn’t the best place to be. Duo Binx or Binx Duo… (whichever one it was) definitively wasn’t happy. He needed to find a nice place to hole up in, just in case Duo decided that he should gather a few of his feline comrades and give this dog a beat down.

Hopefully not.

After nearly a half an hour of wandering and sprinting through back-alleys and constantly looking wherever EVERYWHERE (up, down, left, right, even under himself) he stopped, winded. He had hoped that his trail would be all screwed up… just in case… John took a seat on a wooden crate and practically swallowed the entire fish. Satisfied, he took a precautionary glance around.

[nightblood]

Duo ran as fast as he could. He jumped at the first tree he saw and raked his claws into it, bolting upwards. Through the branches and the leaves, he saw the roof of the building it stood by. Aiming carefully, he launched himself onto it. Now on solid matter, Binx trotted along, looking for the best place to observe the city from. He chose a spot at the top of a window. There he sat looking down at the humans. He calmed himself down, focusing his eyes and keeping them on those things that walked about that were shorter than those dirty primates. Canines.

Yeah, he had a bone to pick with that mutt. He didn't know if he should get back at him immediately, or to wait until he let his guard down. Either way, he had to know where he was to do any harm to him.

A few moments more of searching, and he found his target. Darting through the town as if his arse was on fire. Binx jumped down from the window, where he was totally obvious to the world, and into the shadow beside it. He kept his eyes on the dog, never once faltering. A few times, when he'd turn a corner, he'd have to catch sight of his prey through windows or between houses, but he never lost him completely. How could he with a vantage point like this?

Finally, the mutt stopped running. He walked into a wooden crate and- DAMN IT. Now his prize was gone. He'd have to steal a snack from someone else. But, at the moment, he wasn't hungry. What was on his mind was getting back at this mongrel. He'd pay. The cat watched him carefully, not once moving. He wouldn't even twitch until his prey was asleep...

[Brink]

Sitting there, all alone and not very well protected, John began to get edgy. Nervous energy building up in him made it difficult to even sit still. Someone, he forced himself to sit on that crate until the tension was unbearable. In even, lengthy strides, the dog paced the alley. Not all of it though; he avoided getting to close to either of the entrances/exits. He took a few calming breaths and went over the events that had occurred. The dog let his blue-grey eyes wander as he recounted what had happened not long before he had ended up her. They ran up and down the walls and then stopped… John froze in place, muscles tense, ready to bolt.

There was something (or someone) up on the roof. He couldn’t be sure what is was, but there was something up there. It might be a bird, or just a giant rat… but it wasn’t. Couldn’t be. And how did he know this? Because karma sucked arse. There was no way that it wasn’t Binx Duo.

Gawd, was he paranoid.

How could it be that stupid cat? It would’ve taken a hellova long time to search ALL of Rakine for a single dog… but he couldn’t deny that it was nothing. There was something up there.

That thought caused John to move. Anywhere but here… although there probably wasn’t any place that was safe. The best thing to do was not to stop. And so he didn’t. Staying in the shadows, he sprinted once again. This time, no stopping. Zig-zagging through crowds. Double-backing. Anything that he count thing of… By now, Duo would have gone to the dock and found that his target wasn’t there. So… maybe that was safe… after all, what cat would honestly go back to a place with surrounded by water on three sides. So the foul-ugly-git/cowardly-mongrel headed towards the wooden peninsula that he hoped would be his salvation from would-be gang-banger cats. Maybe he could pick up some fish on the way…