Hello! This is Kasia. This is a one-shot, or maybe two-shot, I haven't decided yet, about Beka and Rosto. Read, enjoy, and tell me if I should write a second chapter!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Beka, Rosto, or the realm of Tortall, no matter how much I want to. It all belongs to Tamora, except for the story line.
Love is Life
Thursday, April 1, 247
Written Before Watch
I woke this morning to the sound of pigeons. Opening my eyes, I realized that Pounce had opened my shutters once again.
"Pounce!" I exclaimed, picking the cat up off my bed so that I could glare at him at eye level. "I told you not to open the shutters again! Do you want to get us killed?"
No mere mortal could hurt me, the cat meowed indignantly. Now let me down.
I glared at him as I stood up, sitting him on the floor. "They could still hurt me," I snapped. Then I went over to the pigeons, feeding them the corn I always kept in my room. I listened to the voices of their passengers, though few of these pigeons carried ghosts.
Every day I listened to the ghosts, praying that nothing as horrible as the Shadow Snake or Crookshank's diggers would happen. The only ghosts these birds carried were the ghosts of murders that you would expect to find in a city as big as Corus. Terrible, but unavoidable.
As the pigeons ate I looked out the window, watching the rain that had fell consistently over the city since the beginning of this week. I can't wait until the rain stops and it's warm enough for our morning breakfast group to go out in the gardens. The rain also makes for a very uncomfortable Watch.
When the pigeons left I closed the shutters, locking them with a glare at my cat, who, of course, ignored me and continued washing his paw.
I had just dressed when someone knocked on my door. I smiled, recognizing Rosto's knock. "Come in," I called and Rosto opened the door, leaving it open so the others could enter. I smiled, thinking it funny how I had come to recognize each of my friend's knocks and could tell whom it was before they entered.
"Hey," he said, coming over to me. "Visitors?"
Looking around, I saw the bird feathers, a gift from the pigeons' recent visit. "Pounce opened the shutters again," I exclaimed. "That cat is going to get me killed one day."
"You're safe here," Rosto pointed out.
"Rosto, I'm a Dog living in the Court of the Rogue."
"At the Rogue's insistence. They dare not hurt you, even the lowest thug values their life."
I didn't argue, knowing it was pointless. We had had a very heated argument months ago when Rosto had first moved the Court of the Rogue. He had won, after pointing out that I didn't want to move in the first place. He had been right of course. I loved living with Rosto, Aniki, Kora, and usually Ersken, who had been living here with Kora more and more and seldom stayed at his own home.
"Hello!" a cheerful voice called from the doorway, and Rosto and I turned to see Aniki standing there, a basket on her arm, her cat Laddybuck beside her. "Not having a love fight are we?" she asked, an impish grin on her face.
"Aniki!"
The Scanran ignored me, turning her attentions to setting out her breakfast. I went over to help her, poking her in the side as I did.
Kora and Ersken came in next, Kora's own cat, racing into the room to play with Laddybuck.
"Can you believe it Beka?" Ersken asked me excitedly. "Our first day as a Dog. Can you believe we're partners now?"
Deciding to tease him, I put a disappointed upset expression on my face.
"What's wrong?" Ersken asked hurriedly, clearly confused. Aniki quickly hid a smile, realizing what I was up too.
"I was just hoping…" I began, letting my voice trail off.
"Hoping what?" Ersken, puzzled. Rosto realized what I was doing as well, and turned his head towards me, hiding the smirk on his face from Ersken.
"I was just hoping for Clarke for a partner." Kora laughed silently from behind Ersken as his confusion turned to shock and he stared at me in disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding."
With that I burst out laughing, Rosto and Aniki giving in and laughing as well. Realizing what was going on, Ersken laughed as well, causing Pounce, who had been sitting in his lap at the time, to run over to the bed, meowing about how insane people had no right being near a cat.
When we had finally calmed down, Ersken watched me apprehensively. "You were joking, right?"
"Of course I was joking. But I will miss working with Goodwin and Tunstall."
"Hey, I'm miss working with my Dogs too," Ersken said, pulling me into a hug. "But it's not like we'll never see them."
"I know," I reply, returning the hug.
"Hey!" Kora exclaimed in false indignation. "Paws off my man, Dog."
I laugh, hugging Ersken a moment longer before pulling away.
We ate breakfast slowly, relishing the peacefulness and tranquility of the morning, the rain pounding down on the roof above.
Eventually Rosto stood up from where he was lounging against the wall. "Duty calls," he said. "Don't worry Beka, it's nothing illegal," he elaborated when he saw the look on my face. With that he left the room, going down the stairs.
I snorted. "Nothing illegal."
"Actually, it isn't," Kora said. "He has to replace Damien, chief of the Flash District."
"Why?" Ersken asked, curious.
"Dawull. Apparently Damien sent one of his rushers out to kill him. Dawull caught him, and found out whom he was alleged to. Last night at the Court Dawull came in and attacked Damien. Damien lost, so now Rosto has to find someone to replace him."
"Not that Rosto doesn't have enough people who want to be chief," Aniki said when Kora paused. "Plenty of people came up to him that night wanting the job. But he needs to find someone who is completely loyal to him and that the rushers will accept as chief."
"I wonder if the Dogs know of this yet," I said. "They'll need to know, especially the ones who get the Happy Bags from him."
"We can tell them tonight," Ersken said. "But now I have to go. My mother decided she wants me to go home before Watch. Said she doesn't see me enough."
"Hey, don't blame me," Kora said, smiling. "It's not my fault you love me too much."
"Yes it is," he replied, kissing her before getting up. "See you at the kennel Beka," he said as he went out the door.
"You think they do this on purpose?" Aniki asked as we cleaned up.
"Do what?" I ask.
"Leave first so that the three of us are stuck cleaning," Aniki explained.
"No, Rosto and Ersken helped yesterday."
"So what are you two doing today?" Kora asked as we finished.
"Market," I said. "Lorine's birthday is coming up and I need to get her something."
"Mind if I join you?"
"Of course not."
"I think I'll join you as well. I need to pick up a few things at the market," Aniki said, picking up Laddybuck.
"Come on, Pounce," I called as we went through the door. The cat jumped up on my shoulder as I locked the door and we went downstairs.
"Pounce, why don't you walk?" I asked my cat as we stepped out on the street. He refused, not wanting to get his paws wet.
"What did you expect, Beka?" Kora asked, pointing to the cats on her and Aniki's shoulders. "All cats are like that. Even supernatural ones."
"I had to try," I replied.
We walked through the market, looking at the items, talking casually. Finally I found a lovely sapphire necklace I though Loraine would love.
"Come on," Aniki called as I paid for the necklace. "I'm hungry."
We decided on a small diner called Hidden Moon.
"Here's a question, Beka," Kora began as we were waiting for our orders.
"What?" I asked suspiciously, put on guard by the mischievous tone in her voice.
"When are you going to finally admit that you like Rosto?"
"I don't like him," I reply, forcing a neutral expression.
"Don't feed me that load of nonsense," Kora smirked. "At least Rosto admits his feelings."
"I don't-"
"You wouldn't date him even if you did like him, would you?" Aniki asked, cutting off my reply.
"Well, no," I said, staring intently at my plate, which had just arrived.
"Why? Is it because you are a dog?"
I paused, wondering if I should take the excuse that was just sitting there, waiting for me to grab onto. "Yea."
"Beka, don't lie to us," Kora injected.
"You're a walking lie detector, you know that?" I told her. "Ever think of becoming a Dog?"
"No, too many restrictions," she replied. "Now what's the real reason?"
"He's the Rogue, I'm a Dog," I answered. "And besides, I don't like him to begin with."
Glancing over at Aniki, I looked away quickly from her piercing gaze. Finally she spoke. "You don't trust rushers," she said simply.
"I trust you two," I objected.
"Yes, but that's different. You're not dating us, we're friends. You're afraid you'll get hurt like your mom was."
"Ah," Kora added. "The rusher that left your mom."
I took a bite of my chicken, choosing not to say anything.
"You know that's not far of you to base your opinions of rushers off of one guy," Kora said. "It would be like the citizens not trusting Dogs just because one of them turned bad."
"That's different," I said.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. There's plenty of rushers like the one my mom was with, but there's only a few Dogs who have turned dirty."
"True, but that doesn't mean there can't be a few noble rushers. Rosto is one of them."
"He's the Rogue, not just some random rusher."
"True, but he'd never hurt someone he cared about. Like me, Aniki, Ersken… you."
"Why are we even having this conversation? I already told you, multiple times, that I only like Rosto as a friend."
"Fine, fine," Aniki said. "We give up. For now," she added, turning her attention to her food.
Written The Next Day
As I continue writing about my first official day as a Dog, I wonder how things happened so fast, and a little on why I didn't let them happen sooner. Writing this down now, I believe that maybe it would be best to write the tale down as if the events are only now unfolding before my eyes.
I don't know what I had expected my first day as a Dog. My new partner is Ersken, though I regret no longer being able to work with Goodwin and Tunstall. But I'm still patrolling the Lower City, so I'll be able to see them at Montel and Pullet. Ersken and I informed our fellow Dogs about the now deceased Damien and Dawull, and I was surprised that they didn't already know.
All Ersken and I did was break up a few fights and stop a couple amateur pickpockets. With Rosto as Rogue, things have quieted down. Of course, that doesn't mean he hasn't been keeping his Court busy, because I know he has.
After our shift, Ersken and I continued home. It's still a little weird living in the home of the Court of the Rogue, but it works in its odd way. The Court has even gotten used to having a pair of Dogs among them, and as long as they don't break the law around us, it works out well.
I don't see Rosto as Ersken and I part ways, him going to the room he shares with Kora, who's very likely waiting for him, Pounce and I heading up the stairs to my room. It's amazing that even though Kora and Ersken are on the opposite sides of the law, they've been together almost a year.
I enter my room, shutting the door behind Pounce.
"Don't even think about opening the shutters," I reprimand the cat as I take off my boots, belt, and baton. Pounce just looks up at me with that innocent cat smile of his, as if he hadn't even been thinking of such a thing.
I undid my hair, carefully brushing it out when I hear a knock on my door. When I open the door, I see Rosto leaning against my doorframe, dressed in a pair of loose tan breeches and a dark blue silk shirt.
"Oh, it's you," I say, standing aside to allow him in. before I can shut the door, however, Pounce runs out, heading quickly down the stairs. Watching him go, I shake my head. "Wonder what he's up to?" I mutter as I shut the door.
"So how did my Terrier's first day as a Dog go?" Rosto inquired from his seat on the edge of my bed.
"I'm not your anything," I snarl as the young Rogue, painfully aware of how handsome he was. And also painfully aware that he was a rusher and of the fact that I had vowed never to let anyone treat me the way that bastard had my mother.
"Ouch, you have a sharp tongue on you, gixie," Rosto said. "But you didn't answer my question."
"It was very boring," I reply. "Even though I'm in a different area now without Tunstall and Goodwin, I can't seem to find anybody worth bringing in."
"Good," Rosto replied. "That means I'm doing my job.
I glare at him suspiciously. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, just that I ordered them not to cause trouble around a Dog, no matter what the profit."
I snort. "Dogs are still arresting your thieves, just not as many of them. What I want to know is why I in particular can't seem to find anyone to bring in."
"Um, I don't know," Rosto said, shrugging. "I guess because you're the Terrier and any thief with brains stays far far away from you."
I pause, not quite believing his explanation, but deciding to drop it in favor of getting him to leave sooner so that I can go to sleep. "Why are you here so late?"
"I came to talk to you, of course. Why else would I be here?"
"About what?"
"Remember that favor you owe me from last year?"
I pause, searching my memories. Finally I remembered what he was talking about. "Anything except murder," I remind him.
"Yea, I remember. So my question is, would it kill you to give me a chance?"
I froze. That was entirely not what I expected. Closing my eyes, I quickly tried to think of a way, anyway, out of this, stifling the part of me who was crying out for me to give him a chance. "Rosto…"
"Beka, it's just dinner," he said, standing up and walking over to me.
"But Aniki would-"
"You know Aniki and I have been separated for months. That's no excuse."
"Rosto, please…" I begin, turning away so I wouldn't have to meet his eyes.
"Look, Beka, you have to know I would never hurt you," he began, turning me to face him. When I didn't answer, he continued. "You know, you're not being fair, not giving me a chance because of what that rusher did to your mother."
"That's not it!" I protest vainly. "It's just that I'm a Dog and you're-"
"The Rogue. So? What about Kora and Ersken?"
"But Kora's not The Rogue."
"Your point?"
"It's different for them, Rosto."
"No, it's not. Beka, please?"
I sigh, struggling to sort through my emotions. The problem was, I did want to go out with Rosto, even if my mind screamed to me that I was only going to get hurt. And I did owe him a favor…
"Yes."
His eyes lit up, a smile breaking across his face, amazing me at the impact one little word could have.
"Do you mean it? Or are you just saying yes because you owe me?" he asks, frowning.
"I mean it, Rosto," I said, smiling. "But it still counts as your favor."
He smiled again, then leaned down to kiss me.
I never thought that a mere kiss could be so special. None of the kissed I'd shared before had ever made me feel like this. My body was alive, my nerves tingling from head to toe. My senses were on fire. I could feel his lips, smell his unique scent, the way he tasted, hear his breathing, and see the way his blonde hair hung down to surround us.
He pulled away slightly, resting his forehead on mine. "You know I would never hurt you, right?"
"Yeah, I know," I reply, leaning forward to kiss him again.
AN 1: Review, and tell me if there should be a second chapter for this story!
AN 2: Oh, and to anyone who is reading Live and Live, or Opposites Attract. I am really sorry! I am working on the next chapters, but… well… I've been distracted.
Later ppl,
The Dragon Kasia