"Sorry the lift was broken, Lucy. That's the first time it's happened in years. Usually they're very reliable about the working conditions of the building." They had both just climbed eight flights of stars and were a little winded.
"No prob." Lucy replied slightly patting her head. "Well, here we are." Alfendi unlocked the door and they both stepped inside. This was Lucy's first time ever seeing where Alfendi lived. It was pretty big for one person actually, but you could hardly notice because of so many stacks of newspapers.
"Like to read the news, eh?" Lucy joked, but Alfendi didn't quite know what she meant. "Er-mind if I look around? This is the first time I've eva been 'ere."
"Oh, um, sure if you'd like. Just keep all of the door closed. I don't want the dog chewing anything up." Alfendi said as he took off his coat and hung it up in the closet. Lucy walked around for a bit. There was a main living room, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a bedroom. There weren't very many colors. The walls were all an off-white and there was a gray sofa in the living room. No pictures or any decor really. There was medium sized house plant, but it looked as if it hadn't been watered in months. Lucy thought to herself. Then she noticed a large cardboard box in the corner of the room. It has something written on it in black marker, but she couldn't read it.
"'Ey, Prof, 'ow long 'ave you lived 'ere?"
"Maybe about seven years is it? My, how times flies." He hummed as he walked in carrying a tray of tea. "Lucy, would you like any tea? I always have a cup right when I get home." He smiled and began to pour some water. Lucy nodded absentmindedly, but all the while thinking, "Seven years? 'e 'asn't even unpacked everything. No wonder 'e spends most of 'is days in the Mystery Room. It seems so lonely 'ere." She had a slight frown on her face.
"Everything alright?" Placid asked at her.
"Mmhm." She nodded and sipped her tea. They sat in silence for a few moments. Then, they both heard a small whimper. "By the way, where's Crumpet?" Lucy set down her tea and stood to survey the room. She whistled a little bit and then they heard a small bang.
"Where?" Alfendi set his cup down and stood up. Lucy looked under the sofa, "No," she walked over to the other side of the room and behind the curtains, "Nope". Alfendi scratched his head. "Great, now we've got a missing dog."
"Where could Crumpet have gone? All of the doors are closed so he couldn't have gotten far. Maybe the kitchen?" Lucy asked as she walked into the other room. Alfendi crossed the room and opened a door. Crumpet came jumping out and rushed over to Lucy.
"Ah, there you are! Where was 'e?" She giggled as Crumpet started to lick her face. "He was in the closet. When you said 'all of the doors are closed' I remember I put my coat away and that he must have snuck in."
"Tat's why they call you a genius!" Lucy said with her hands in the air.
"Oh, come now." Placid humbly responded. After the dog had thanked Lucy, he ran over and sat at Alfendi's feet.
"Hello, there...Crumpet." Placid tried to manage, but it was clear Potty was to soon make his appearance. His hair turned red as Crumpet started jumping up on to his legs. He slightly pushed the dog away with his foot, but then Crumpet began to chew on his shoe "What are you doing?" Potty yelled at the dog. Lucy ran over to see what was happening.
"Crumpet, no!" She yelled. Crumpet suddenly stopped and flopped onto the floor. Alfendi stepped forward slightly and Crumpet ran for safety. He knocked over several piles of newspapers and starting barking loudly. Crumpet dashed around the room. He knocked over a lamp, ran into the potted plant and began to spread dirt as he ran under Lucy's legs and dove under the sofa. Lucy had been trying to catch him, but in the process had also tripped on some newspapers and helped to make a bigger mess. Potty looked down and almost lost it. He was trying very hard to keep his anger in, but the dog was making it very difficult. He red hair was waving wildly while covering his angry eyes. His fists were clenched and he was muttering to himself.
"Prof..." Lucy started to apologize, but Alfendi went off the handle.
"This damn dog has ruined my piles! The piles I put together in such specificity that it's taken me months to go through! There's dirt all over the entire floor! The lamp is broken! The curtains are almost off their rods!" He pointed to the sofa. "That beast has been nothing but trouble ever since he got here. Oh how I'd like to catch him and roast him up like a pig!" Alfendi was heavily breathing and fumbled over the the sofa. He put his hand on his forehead and his hair lost its vibrancy and turned purple.
"Oh, did I really say that?" he questioned out loud. Lucy joined him and sat next to him.
"It's ok. I know 'e's made a mess, but e's a pup. 'e doesn't know any betta." Lucy kneeled and looked under the sofa. "C'mere Crumpet. It's ok." She beckoned him out and then held him close to her. "You've just gotta be gentle." She sat with Crumpet and Alfendi on the sofa and began stroking Crumpet. "See? Now 'e's calmer."
Lucy looked at Alfendi who admittedly felt a little sorry for wanting the roast the dog. Alfendi reached out a hand and awkwardly patted the dog on his looked up and licked his palm. A face of disgust was soon on Afendi and he quickly stood and ran to the kitchen. Lucy chuckled as she followed him with Crumpet in her arms to see Alfendi vigorously scrubbing his hands with soap.
"He's a dirty animal that's what." Potty said to himself. Lucy laughed and walked back to the living room. She set Crumpet down who then began to dig at the floor, 'Uh-oh', she thought. "Prof, you don't 'ave a yard do you?"
"No, why?" "I think...I think 'e has to use the loo." She said worriedly. Alfendi's eyes shot straight out.
"Well, get him out of here!" Potty held his hands in the air.
"I know, alright, we'll be downstairs. Back in a jiffy! Come on Crumpet!" Lucy grabbed the rope and led Crumpet outside. Alfendi slumped onto the sofa. What a day he had had and it was only 5:30. he looked at the mess on the living room floor and groaned. All that work, down the drain. He suddenly remembered something and muttered, "Damn dog".
He stood up, grabbed his coat, and slammed the door on his way out. He walked outside of the apartment complex to find Lucy sitting on the grass plaing with Crumpet. She had a leaf in her hand and was teasing the dog, who barked happily. What a nice person she is. He thought. A small smile crept across his face, but he suddenly hid it away as he walked toward her. Lucy then noticed someone standing over her.
"He needs to eat, right?"
"What's that?" She asked covering the sun from her face.
"He's an animal, so he needs to eat, yes? I don't have anything to feed him so...we should probably go get him something." Al said ended meekly.
"Oh, yes! I'm so proud of you for remembrin'!" Lucy stood and slapped him on the back which caught Alfendi a little by surprise. He chuckled slightly as Placid and looked at the little dog by his feet.
"Come on, there's a convenience store just up the street we can walk to if we hurry. The sun should be setting soon.
When they had made it to the convenience store, Lucy said, "Now, Prof, don't worry. I'll pay you back tomorrow. I told you I'd be responsible, but I jus' forgot my wallet at 'ome."
"Lucy, really, don't worry about it. We're only buying a small bag of food right?" He said hesitantly, knowing he'd probably be wrong. They both walked into the store and found the pet isle. Lucy squealed when she saw a bone-shaped dog toy.
"Look, Crumpet! If only it were the real thing." She laughed and squeaked the toy. Crumpet's ears shot up and he jumped up and took the bone in his mouth. "Er-opps." She said apologetically as Alfendi looked sternly at the dog. ALfendi walked over to the food and called Lucy over.
"Do I need to pick a certain one or?"
"Well, for starters, 'e needs puppy. Then, we want 'im to grow big an' strong so 'e'll needs lots of vitamins, minerals..." Alfendi felt Potty entering his body. "Then, we asked Crumpet what floavor 'e'd like", Lucy continued. She bent down and asked, "Chicken, beef or fish? Or, ooh! This one 'as bacon?"
"Just pick one!" Potty angrily whispered. He combed his fingers through his hair.
"Sorry, Prof. I jus' got a little excited. I'll get this one." She said slowly. Alfendi turned on his heel and started to walk to the register. Lucy saw his hair turn purple and she sighed to herself. When they reached checkout, there was nice old man behind the counter.
"Good evening! What a pair! He said as he saw them. Martha? Do you see this nice, young couple here? What a pair. And oh, a cute puppy too! What a nice family!" He smiled and waved to Crumpet who barked in response.
"Oh, we're not..."Alfendi started to say and Lucy said,"He's just my boss..." They both glanced at each other but quickly looked away, blushing.
"Oh, sorry, to be a bother. I just find young love so wonderful. Sir, your total is 6 pounds." Alfendi rummaged through his pocket and pulled out the money. The old man said goodbye as the two of them left in silence. They continued to walk in silence. Alfendi held the bag of dog food and Lucy walked Crumpet. Lucy had to say something.
"Prof, about in there.."
"No need to worry Lucy." He said rather quickly. They both walked home each thinking their own thoughts.., -
