Sunday, April 5, 246
I woke at the sight of dawn. It took me a moment to figure out where I was; I had forgotten that we moved. For a moment, I thought I was robbed, but then I realized I left my room a mess. What a nuisance! A sudden urge to clean it pulsed through me as I got up, but I needed to bathe. I was halfway finished with organizing my things when I heard a knock on my door.
Kora stood there with her hands on her hips, looking at me to see if I had gotten hurt. This was a normal thing with us but I tried to stay away from her healings. That wasn't a particular gift she possessed and there were a few occasions when it didn't help at all.
"Morning," I said, leaning against my doorframe eyeing her. "What brings you here, my dear?"
"Breakfast," she smiled at me sweetly. "We'll be in Beka's room in a few minutes. Are you joining?" I found my answer to be rather obvious. I wanted to see the damage done to our Pup. There had to be some type of damage. From the sounds of it, the fight was harsh.
I heard the girls knock on Beka's door, and then the sound of their muffled voices. When I made my appearance, she had her back turned to me so I couldn't see her face, but in the instant she heard me she spun. At the first glance of her bruises, I couldn't help but say, "I'll kiss them and make them better."
Beka moved herself into defense position as though I had just threatened her. My kisses aren't deadly, if they were a lot of mots would be dead, including Kora and Aniki. "Try and I'll bruise you. Then Aniki and Kora can kiss you better." I wanted to release a sigh at the feisty Puppy but there was no telling how she would handle that.
"Aniki can do the kisses," Kora said. I knew that was going to happen. Her eyes are on another cove, she doesn't want me to kiss. Kora then shot me a look. "Rosto, don't pull Beka's tail. She doesn't like it." I will have to say, I didn't pull too hard on Beka's tail or she would have bitten harder than that.
I felt something touch the inside of my knee. It was a strange feeling but then it made sense after the cat made a strange noise. He held it out longer than his usually ones. Without realizing it, I stooped to pet the purple-eyed cat.
I released a sigh, not being able to help myself. "I was being friendly," I complained, though at the moment, I think the cat was the only one paying attention to me. Beka was still holding out her pose, eyes glued to me. "See if I bring you a treat tomorrow, Master Cat." The cat looked up at me with his purple eyes. I thought he might have been mocking me. "Is there a tomorrow?" I wanted to know. "I think this breakfast idea is quite nice, even with threats and the nasty birds coming and going." Beka eased out of her stance and perched on her stool.
"Not tomorrow, Tuesday's my day off. I leave early to visit my family." I was surprised, though I hid it well. I didn't think she had family. If she had family, I figured that she would be living with them if they were that close to her that she took the time out to visit them. "And tomorrow," she continued, "is our day in Magistrate's Court. It starts the hour after sunrise."
"Ugh!" I grimaced. The thought of sitting in a building an hour after sunrise sounded painful to me. "They don't pay you enough, sweetheart." She scowled at me, though I could tell that it was half-hearted.
Not long after, Ersken and Verene presented themselves with more food. I could almost feel Kora's excitement when her eyes landed on the cove. She was giddier than a gixie about to canoodle for the first time. I almost felt offended but I let it slide. She was never truly my mot. Just a bed friend.
The Puppies had brought some gossip along. Verene was the one who supplied it. She seemed to enjoy herself by knowing the city gossip. "Remember Alacia?" she asked Beka. She looked at Kora Aniki and I. "She's another Puppy, named in tribute to His Majesty's first Queen." I found half of that to be irrelevant to her story, but I kept silent and let her continue. "Well, till yesterday, she was on Day Watch in Unicorn. Then my lord of Olau got word that his youngest and only son has been flirtin' with a pretty Puppy."
"Fast work," Aniki said. "You have been on duty, what, five days?"
"Four, not counting today," Ersken replied. I could have laughed at how specific he was but, again, I remained silent.
Verene didn't seem to enjoy the interruption as much as I did. "Anyway," she continued, emphasizing her words. "Anyway, the lad's noble father pitched a fit at the Unicorn kennel, and they switched Alacia with Clarke. He was on Night Watch at Prettybone. So now she's on night watch."
I rubbed my chin. "So this Alacia's a sweet armful? I'll look out for her. Dog or not." I silently laughed at myself. Aniki elbowed me hard. I gave her a look.
"Don't you have enough women in your life, Rosto?"
I looked over at Beka with an abstemious look, trying not to smile as I did it. "Now without Cooper, I don't"
"Cooper will never go with anyone crooked," Ersken stated as though everyone should have known. "A rusher was mean to her mother. He's never forgiven them." Well, I find that to be unfair. Not all rushers are like the ones her mama was with. I felt offended, but I didn't show it. There has to be a way to prove that all rushers aren't as bad as the one her mother was with.
There was a small moment of silence before Verene jumped in. I was for sure she was going to say something way before then but she was chewing her food. She told Beka of some dead Dog. It meant little to me, that's for sure, but I couldn't help but see the shock on Beka's face.
As the sun continued to rise, I could tell that Beka was getting antsy, yet, her eyes were drooping. I had never seen such a contradiction. The Puppies left and I helped Aniki clean up. Beka didn't look fit to do anything at that moment. Kora rushed her to bed and we all left her to sleep.
I decided to finish organizing some things in my own room. I felt bored after some time. I am a rusher and sometimes had the tendency to get restless. It was just one of my moments.
I left the lodgings and slowly walked about the city. I have layout of the city in my mind and I'm positive that I know where every street and alley led. It took some time, but I got it. Eventually, I made my way back to my new home and waited until I had to leave for another day with my chief.
After Duty
As it turned out, Ulsa had one of her guards killed. I replaced the poor bastard. It was rather unfortunate for me. Sure, I got paid for 'protecting' and escorting Ulsa but it was the most uneventful job. I just stood there, listened to gossip, flirt a little, drink, and ate a little, but I didn't get to leave the tavern in Prettybone. Nope, I had to stay with Ulsa. She flirted with me some and I gave her my most charming smiles in return.
The coves I worked with last night seemed to have replaced me with some other cove who looked clumsy on his feet. One of them gave me an apologetic look before they left. They probably pitied me for having to stand there while they had all of the fun…unless they were the types that liked leisure for coin? I don't know, not like I am going to ask them soon anyway. They were too busy rubbing their freedom in my face.
Oh well, I know I'll get over it. Ulsa had only sat on her bum for the two days. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt for now. The other men in her crew had said that she didn't mind getting active every once in a while. I can only hope.
After boring night, Ulsa appointed me as one of her permanent guards. She apparently likes the way I do the job. Not like there was much to do. I was beginning to find her dull until she promised to have some fun tomorrow. It was the Dog's court day and all of the Dogs that rushers like me need to worry about would be rotting away in court. I feel sorry for the bastards but I can't help but laugh at them.
A/N (again): Not entirely my best but not too bad, I guess. In the next chapter it should prove a little more interesting. I'll have that up by this weekend, Saturday at the least, but it may take a while. I have Finals next week for my Chinese class so I need to do some serious studying...sorry, I'm rambling.