Author's Note: Hey guys, if you happen to know where this is from or read this before is because I actually posted this originally on Ao3 but decided to branch out and migrate the story here as well! I have not changed the story at all or anything, just decided to post the story NOW at two places. Sorry for any confusion!
Prologue: First Steps
"This looks like the place," the young man brought a crumpled paper to his view, torn slightly but legible. "Yeah."
His eyes focused and unfocused on the crude form of letters, and looked above at the building, as if it was mistake. With none to be found, he suddenly felt little confidence in himself. His heart sinking. Before him the words Bad Weather stood out upon the entrance of the nightclub. He imagined during the night, the signs would look intense, and insanely bright. Flickers and dazzling effects to lure any within sight; a moth to a flame.
Perfect...now all I need to do is ace this interview, and I'm done here.
To sate his nervousness, he cautiously looked inside pass the windows, eyes peering over the darkness inside. He could spot the vinyl brown bar, and the various assortments associated with it. The chairs and bar stools flipped over on the surface of the furniture, as expected. The place seemed relatively clean, and...a little too quiet. He started to question if anyone was inside even, despite it being the lunch hours.
He knocked, the glass on the gold-rimmed door vibrating with each rap. Even the door seemed fragile to his touch, but he waited, several minutes passing. He tried again, this time with more force as the door shook. And again, no response. He hummed to himself, slightly irritated and backed away. A corner of the front window to inspect on. Idly, dust caught between his fingertips that he picked with. Musing, he stared into the abyss of the room once more, eyes squinting.
Come on...I can't wait here all day!
A nearby rustle distracted his emitted sigh, his attentions turning to the noise that lurked in the alley beside the club. A pair of grey, metal bins shivered, something obviously within or beside it, but he was too far away to quite grasp anything. He craned his neck, left and right, attempting to catch something. The bins shook again, louder.
He pursed his lips to a thin line, one short glance at the bar door, then strode over to the bins. Half expecting a rat, or a homeless person even, he was met with something far bigger yet...much more desolate looking, cowering in a corner.
"A dog? Here of all places?" he blinks, the creature doesn't seem to care about his presence.
More over, the beast curled, forming around itself as a sign of protection, ears twitched. Though the thick, black fur on its body was squalid, suggesting neglect, he was captivated by its sharp and auburn glaze that surrounded its pupils. Eyes that were narrow, and deadly. Eyes that pierced, right back into him.
The animal appeared to be in discomfort, but it would still hold a warning gaze.
He kept his distance, obviously. He didn't want to appear threatening, although that might be a little too late.
"You don't look so good buddy." his tone light, he squatted, but didn't come any closer.
The eyes never wavered, however, they continued to bore directly back with the same, consistent defiance. He darted his eyes to the scruff of its neck, the fur seemed to dance ever so lightly in the wind.
The man whispered. "No collar either. Are you a stray, lil fella?"
The ears twitched at the mention of the last words, nostrils flared as it's claws tapped at the ground, trying to consume as little to none space as possible to itself. The creature look positively uncomfortable now.
"Haha, ok. I get it, I won't be calling you that then." he laughs softly. "Still, it ain't good to wander the streets like this, all alone. Especially near the road. You should go some place else."
The silence gathered between the two, where there was neither a reply nor a reaction from the animal. Yet it continues to stare, until the man shuffled himself closer. Another flick of the ears, the animal was attentive all of a sudden, and slowly reared its head up.
The man swallows, something was still enchanting about those...eyes. As if he could stroke them, like glittered jewels. Like he could grasp and feel the colour slip between his fingers. If he could only touch something so close to pure.
And the animal moved, as the man lifted his hand up. As quickly as it reacted, the beast was then a blur. Roughly knocking a bin over, and surprising the man himself flat on his backside. The loud clutter rolling around him, he cursed and admired it for being swift on its feet, as it ran off into the darkness of the alley.
He watched, after picking himself up, waiting to see if the four-legged one would return. But more doubtful than hopeful being his answer, the void drew nothing but a sigh from himself. He suddenly felt detached, ignored as the darkness itself seemed to swallow his attention.
A creak could be heard close to him, and a door shut. "Are you...Mr Randez?"
"Oh. Y-Yeah." gathering himself in front of a more, appropriately dressed woman than him, he nods. "I'm...him. That guy."
Her beady eyes scanned him, then at the floor with the scrambled garbage, than back to him. Her expression hardening, but hardly changing.
"I can explain." he says. "...sorry. I'll pick it up."
"Don't bother." she shakes her head. "Just follow me inside."
"...right."
"-and that's all there is to it. You get your tips weekly starting on your first shift. And...you should be starting your training this coming monday."
"This coming Monday?" he repeats, and the woman merely nods, her short hair bobs.
"Yes. Any further questions?"
"Ahh. No. I don't think so." he flashes her a slight smile, to which she disregards.
"It is a good thing you have your looks, Mr Randez. I'll be seeing you on monday."
"Yes. Right!" the door slams non too abruptly on his face, and he see's himself in the reflected window as she walks away inside.
"Monday...that gives me a few days to prepare."
I should feel happy? Why am I not excited about this?
He turns to the city that swerved around him, animated with life that still couldn't quite grasp a moment of peace. Was there such a thing as peace in a big, over populated city?
Maybe I'm just not feeling it yet.
He stuck his hands into his pockets, already pacing himself.
"Alright, alright. Focus, Desmond. You've taken a big step today." he mutters. "Just do as you're told there, and you'll be fine. And get your act together man."
His frustrated growl subsided. He paused in front of the place where he met his all too friendly furry companion earlier today. There was definitely something calling him, no matter how quiet the feeling. In the shadows where the gentle wind pull at him, fixated at the sight before him. He could have sworn there was something watching him in there, perhaps it was the animal from before. Perhaps it was something worst.
Desmond knew better than to give in to curious temptation. He left exposed, turning himself away from the alley and crossed the road, letting the hungry brown eyes stare at his back.
