"So let me get this straight...you want me to break into the University of Townsville and snatch one of Professor Utonium's inventions?" I leaned against the dumpster we'd opted to meet by this time. My cohort, a wretched, disgusting lich, was sitting against the wall of the alley, his head low. He chuckled, a habit I never adapted to. Even now I had to resist the delicious urge to smother my face in my own jacket just to block out his putrid odor.
"That's correct...we're getting closer...just a few more and we'll be ready," I crossed my arms and turned away. The act was partially to show my detest for this creature and more to get a revitalizing breath of fresh air from the leaf-ridden streets. The Autumn days were getting worse and worse, with today being by far the least tolerable. In an almost clairvoyant sense I could realistically see flurries coming any time in the near future. I shuddered and crossed my arms tighter, banishing the thought.
"What are we doing anyway? I've nothing against burglary, especially since it so directly affects those Powerpuff Brats, but you still haven't told me what it's all for!" I whipped around and focused a harsh glare on the old sod. He didn't flinch, he didn't seem uneasy. The repulsive bastard just gave me that foreboding sense that he was smiling. I grit my teeth and snarled at the bum. My companion climbed to his feet, moving with the grace and subtlety of a reanimated cadaver.
"Brick...you're becoming greedy..." I clenched my fists and marched up to him, praying my face didn't look nearly as sick as I felt. I shoved dear old Aqualung against the wall and gripped his rags tightly. Somehow, I almost faltered when I realized that even with my fist full of shit-stained cloth the bum didn't seem deterred.
"Look, friend, I've been a trooper. I've played your game, I want to know what this is for!" The wretch grinned, audibly. I couldn't logically determine just how he accomplished this, nor could I possibly imagine the ramifications of his doing so. However, I very much acknowledged how my stomach flipped upside down and my throat tightened up. I was about to vomit, and I was about to vomit hard. He spoke in a very mocking tone.
"You're doing it to kill the Powerpuff Girls," I swallowed hard and shoved him again, spinning on my heel and retreating quickly. I stopped at the entrance to the alley, and snarled, glaring at the sidewalk. This man, this creature...this pathetic scum of the Earth was trying to control me. He was pulling my strings, forcing me to dance at his whim. I was the pathetic marionette to his puppeteer...and it was quickly pissing me off.
"I might do it...no promises, Aqualung, my friend," With a resolute nod, I marched off, hands stuffed as deep into my pockets as they could go without damaging my trousers. I kicked at the fallen leaves, turning my eyes up to the bleary gray sky. Autumn in Townsville was an ugly time. I took to the sky, flying with mindless abandon. I had no real goal, no destination. I flew simply for the purpose of flying. Somehow flying led me to Enchilada Chime.
"Oh hey Brick! Wow, look Scooter! It's Brick!" I rolled my eyes, a grin cracking through my previous state of extreme pissed off. I sat down on the sidewalk next to Boomer and his three-legged mutt. The idiot had red sauce splattered over his face, his mutt had cheese on his muzzle. They looked like a perfect match. I began laughing and took off my hat.
"Wow, Boomer...you look like a moron," Boomer blinked, confusion clear on his face. I pointed at my face and made a wiping gesture. Boomer blinked and began to blindly wipe his face, managing to smear the red sauce even more. I laughed louder when he and the dog traded confused glances. I sighed and snatched the napkin away from Boomer, roughly wiping his mouth off. He winced every time I rubbed it against his face. I pinched his chin and turned his head left and right, satisfied that he looked presentable. I stuffed the napkin into his hand and leaned back, smirking.
"There, now I'm not embarrassed to be seen with you," I glanced over at Boomer, who was staring at the napkin in confusion. He blushed and giggled, scratching his dirty blond hair. I swear he never washed it well enough, it always looked like he just woke up after sleeping in a pile of dirt. Granted, since he and Butch never cleaned up around the house, our house fit the description. His mutt looked up at me, panting wildly. I groaned and reached across, snatching another napkin and cleaning the dog's muzzle. The dog growled at me, but quickly halted his snap when I fixed him with a stern glare. At least it still worked on someone.
"So uh...whatcha been up to Brick? You wanna hang out with us? Scoots and I were gonna go back home and play some Left 2 Die I think," I shook my head. I enjoyed obliterating the undead legions as much as the next guy, but I just didn't feel up to the task lately. Before I started working with dear old Aqualung, I had tried playing a few games, but none could really quench my insatiable pallet for something, anything. Boomer threw his arm around my shoulders, leaning over to me.
"Come on Brick! It'll be great! We haven't hung out in forever!" I rested my chin on my hand and looked at Boomer, who was smiling in a pitiful, hopeful way. I raised my eyebrows at his choice of expression and stood up, yawning and stretching.
"Boomer I'm tired...I'm gonna hit the sack when I get home," I took off without looking back at him. If I did, I know he'd be pouting. And if he started pouting and whining, I know I'd give in to whatever he wanted.