Bum Odds
Armando and his relationship with Andross over the years.
Chapter Four: I Ain't Gettin' Paid For This
June 2nd, 2002
Armando was sprawled out on his bed, thinking about life. He pondered upon questions such as, "What did I deserve to be here?" "Why does AJ have to be leader?" and finally, "Where the hell were you last night?" Andross had been missing for quite some time now. He hadn't gone to poker games, never stopped to visit CCG members, and Armando hadn't seen him anywhere. It had been a boring 6 months, nothing but chores to do. His jellybean bank was decreasing at a steady pace, with nothing new coming in. The card games had sucked – well, no. Armando had sucked at them. Shuffling Andross' deck of cards for the last two hours had been getting tiresome.
The afternoon sun drifted, giving way to a pleasant and calm evening light. He was, for the most part, alone in the bunkhouse, but could hear a few of the members playing cards downstairs. They had recently set up a roundtable, specifically for that purpose. Practice games. Games that did nothing for me. Armando thought bitterly of it, but there was nothing he could complain to AJ about. It wasn't his decision and wasn't by any means worth getting thrown out for.
"Armando," Lily Mizzenpop called sweetly, standing in the doorway, "Are you in here?"
Armando slouched down further into his bed, "What do ya want?" Covering his ears with his pillow, he strained to listen to what the yellow cat might have to say.
"AJ wants you," She explained, "He has a task for you. He wouldn't tell anyone what it was though, so you'll be taking your chances."
"Yeah, yeah.. Where is he, anyway?"
Lily Mizzenpop responded coolly, "In his room."
I guess she's going to wait until she can be sure I'm leaving. He sourly thought. "I'm coming," Armando muttered as he slipped on his worn down shoes. Passing Lily on the way out of the bunkroom, he went across the hall into AJ's room.
The noises downstairs were utterly and downright annoying. The toons playing card games had begun to get a little too loud and Armando was tempted to run down the stairs and shout, "Shut the hell up! I'm getting an order." He was unusually edgy today; With no reason as to why.
"Come in Armando," AJ told him, noticing that he was standing blankly in the doorway, "I don't bite you know."
His dry humor aggravated Armando further, "What do you need me to do?" Would you like me to carry in another table for uses that I don't believe in? AJ was sitting on his favorite blue chair, leaning back and tossing his hooves onto the desk.
AJ looked content and peaceful, "We have a visitor here on CCG territory, mind escorting him home? He's been havin' a little trouble with some of the Union boys and I'm asking you to make sure he gets safety back into GV2 territory."
Ah yes. Someone making mischief and havoc with Union.. And they had to be from the GV2? Bullshit. What idiot would do that? Now they can never cross into CCG territory without living in fear. Ha... This has to be a joke. "Yeah sure," Armando replied casually, "Where is she?"
"He." AJ corrected, "Downstairs at the game table." He gave Armando a stare that could only mean one thing: Get the fuck out of my room.
"I can take a hint," Armando muttered after he had turned his back to AJ. Walking down the beat up and creaky stairs, he took a glance around at the crowd around the card table. How do I even find this dude?
The world seemed to be screaming one name, but Armando ignored it as best he could. The one toon who he'd never, ever consider escorting home was straddling a chair in the corner, watching the card game in progress.
That's it. Fuck the whole 'guess who it is' game. "Who the hell needed an escort home?" Armando shouted above the noise, "Get over here now before I go back to bed."
To Armando's dismay, the only one who moved was Andross. Pushing the chair aside, he strode up to Armando, matching his confidence. "That would be me," He smirked.
-x-x-x-x-
Can't you go any faster? It's a hot day and it's getting dark – I would rather be cleaning the bunkhouse floor than escort you home. Armando thought bitterly to himself. It's your fault you made Union mad, now deal with the damn consequences.
Andross shot a side glance at Armando, "It's a long way to go in silence." He stated matter-of-factly.
Armando smirked, "I'm not much of a talker."
"Nor are you much of a card player."
"What the fuck do you mean by that?" Armando snapped back, defensively. "I can play my cards well."
"Yeah, damn well." Andross looked slightly frazzled, "How many times have you won this month?"
"Five," Armando replied softly. "But that's a long way to come for a card game," He added, letting a smirk of his own replace the neutral expression.
Andross glared. "That's not any of your business,"
Armando went on, "Especially after you got in some trouble with Union."
"Oh, tell me something I don't know." Andross hissed back.
"Naw, that would take too long." Armando muttered swiftly.
-x-x-x-x-
"Well, we're past Union territory, this is all the further I had to go." Armando stated, his tone nonchalant. Andross' charisma was certainly nothing to scoff at, but he wasn't ready to walk any more distance than he was ordered to.
Andross looked dismissive, "Whatever AJ told you to do works."
"I ain't gettin' any extra pay for walkin' you home," Armando flared, "And I don't just take any old order from AJ." Armando spat out the word 'AJ' as if it was venom.
"He's your leader, isn't he?" Andross muttered.
Armando was poised to respond, "Maybe he won't be leader forever."
"Whose gonna stop him then?" Andross laughed.
Before Armando could give a witty comment, Andross was already walking away towards the GV2's main street. So.. that was it. He's home now. Will someone explain to me why I'm disappointed?
A/N: Thanks for bearing with me.. I know it's boring to read at some parts, but the plotline is just starting to pick up, as it mentioned tensions between Union and GV2.. And Armando and Andross? They had a civilized conversation. Congrats to them! :P Reviews are love.
