![]() E. Brendan Robertson He vaguely heard something scratching the pavement. Awful big rats in this side of town, he thought to himself, before dismissing the sound entirely. Yeah, probably not the best of ideas, especially when he was telling himself to be so vigilant. And so when the voice sounded behind him, he visibly flinched. Again, probably not the best of ideas. He turned, trying to keep his pace steady, not a quick whirl of fright nor a slow drag of self-righteousness. His amber eyes flashed as he surveyed the stranger. Male, strong, proud. Oh shit, whose territory has he stumbled on? The bearing of the younger man screams alpha with every stride, and for some reason when Orion gives as unobtrusive a sniff as possible he's reminded of those couple of years he worked on a farmyard. AS if reading his mind, the other speaks. The information is given freely, or so it seems. Yet his grip tightens on his duffle, his world in a drab, worn canvas sack. "I take it, you might happen to know the one who... educated them?" Non-accusatory, non-questioning, yet plenty open for explanation, if the other wished to enlighten him. The coldness of the others voice bothered him, but maybe it was just because he was wet. Then the last sentence sank in fully, and he realized the information had not been as free as he had thought "Well..." Bar scene, definite no there. Last thing he needed was to show up with no money to pay a cover, and shoving off clingy, drunken co-eds. "South seems like the best option. Being a newcomer I've not quite settled in enough to hit the bars." He caught the violet eyes again, and found himself flinching yet again. Save me from becoming indebted to this man, he thought. He's not the kind to forgive them easily. "If you're willing to allow me a visit, of course?" His focus on the other male was so intense he missed the girl as she approached. Shit. I'm just failing all over the place, aren't I? But the girl did give him something, though he didn't think she'd realized it. Now the blonde had a name. "Actually, I'm new in town. He was being nice enough to show me around, point out some dangers that an idiot might stumble into." Very good, ingratiate yourself by belittling yourself. Hopefully you're not digging your own grave. "But it's nice to meet you...?" Hopefully she would take the hint. He wasn't sure who she was, but if she was on a first name basis with the Alpha, then maybe she might be able to put in a good word for a lost little puppy with two, rather four left feet. were-painted dog char and HTML to Lyra |