Alleyway Poetry. (Open)

[Laya]

Near an alley way a man stood, wearing the simple clothes of a commoner. He was spouting a new poem he had just wrote. Only a couple of people had stayed to listen to him. Unknown to him though he had an extra person listening to his poem. Behind him in the alley was Laya crouched behind a large box of garbade, She was listening so very intently to the beautiful words that left his mouth. This reminded her of the poems her Granny used to read to her.

When his poem ended a frown grew across her hidden furred face, She wanted to leap out and ask for another poem, or at least a repeat. It took every muscle she had to stop herself from doing this. She didn’t want to risk getting caught by the people in the surrounding area,

Quietly she slumped against the box and squeezed her fists tightly. Everyday something came by that reminded her that she wasn’t normal nor was she accepted. These were the times she hated most about her life.

“Dammit.” she said punching the ground. Quickly afterwards she clenched a hand over her mouth and started to look around. She could only hope that no one heard her, or if they did decided not to check on the noise. A clock figure hiding in an alley only begged for whoever found her to call the guards, which would only end badly for her. She heard some foot steps near her location.

Please please please. Just let them leave she mentally begged whatever diety wanted to listen. Closing her eyes as tight as possible. She could only wait to see if the person would pass or not. When the foot steps seemed to be farther away she breathed a sigh of relief and, and let out one of her happy meeps.

[Charity Belleville]

Charity was on her way to the market to buy some food to the cook, that had asked her to buy some onions and other vegetables. Carrying a straw basket she walked happily through the montnuit part of the city that she always did whenever she was on an errand. Stopping she stood still and listened to a man reading out loud one of his pretty poems. His calm voice and soothing words made her close her eyes for a moment, only to open up again as he stopped talking. Smiling at the man she applauded. “That was really pretty. You are truly ta--”

Charity cut herself off as she swore she had heard something coming from behind the man. “Talented.” She quickly finished off the sentence. Silently she started moving closer to the box of garbage looking curiously at it. “Hello?” she whispered, feeling quite silly for talking to something she thought was probably nothing but a normal rat that could often be seen at places like that.

Reaching out for the box she gently started pushing it away to see if there was anything behind, but quickly stopped as she heard another sound coming from behind it. Jumping of surprise she took a step back but moved forward again. “Hello?” She said softly, tightening her grip on the basket a little.

[Laya]

After the original foot steps left, Laya heard something else. A girl complementing the poet. She sighed once more than heard the small pause in the girl’s words. Oh crap did she hear me? She though as she clenched tightly to her own body.

She could hear the person wondering down the alley. Oh crap. Oh crap OH CRAP! Her mind repeated over and over again. She knew now that someone had heard her. This was reinforced by her makeshift hiding spot being moved away.

Hearing the female’s greetings, Laya jumped to her feet and made sure every furry part of her body was covered.

“Um..hello.” she returned the greeting. “I am...not suspicious at all...Yup that;s right. I’m just um....making sure the garbage is um......not piling up too much back here. Yeah that’s it! Oh and the cloak is to keep me clean....cause I am such a nea freak......” She rambled on hoping the person would believe her obvious lies.

“Y...you should head off now. Don’t want the smell of garbage all over you do you? Nope didn’t think so.” A small nervouse laugh escaped her muzzle.

[Charity Belleville]

Blinking a couple of times Charity wondered what to do, obviously this person was lying to her, but she did believe that the little stranger had a reason to do so. And so the black haired girl decided not to push the matter any further. “If you say so, then I’ll believe your words,” she smiled.

“To be honest not really,” she scratched her cheek. “ne are you hungry by any chance?” The maid asked, tilting her head. “I’m going to the market to buy some food, and actually I do happen to have some extra copper coins if there’s anything I can buy for you. Of course you don’t have to, I won’t force you to stop your work.” Offering her hand she continued. “My name’s Charity Belleville. Pleased to meet you.”

[Laya]

Laya’s fox ears perked up at the mention of food. This caused her cloak hood to move oddly on the top. She hadn’t eaten yet and felt too tired to go chase down a deer. Thinking with her stomach and not her brain she instantly started to node her head up and down.

“Yes yes yes. I would like food. Don’t worry bout my work it’ll be here when I get back.” she smiled from behind the shadow of her cloak’s hood. She stared at the hand, she wanted to grab it and shake it, but she knew that the furry feeling would be obvious.

“I am Laya...I would shake your hand, but it has garbage on it. So I can’t right now.” She moved passed the other female and exited the small alley. “Shouldn’t we get going? You want to make sure you get the best they have to offer before other’s have that chance right?” It was the hunter in her that made her think that way. Behind her, her tail was wagging causing the cloak to shift a little more. She couldn’t control her animal appendages all the time it would seem.

[Charity Belleville]

Charity’s smile widened at the reply, and she chose to oversee how the little stranger’s cloak moved, thinking it might’ve been just her imagination. “Oh I see,” The black haired girl replied and withdrew her hand at what Laya told her. “Laya, that’s a very cute name.”

Straightening herself up the young girl brushed some dust off of her dress and adjusted the straw hat on her head that had big red ribbon tied around the top. “Of course,” she replied and started after the other girl. “If you say so. Seems like you’re leading the way miss Laya, then I expect you to lead me to where they sell the best food in the whole town.” She giggled a little.

Walking after the little person in front of her she couldn’t help but gaze down at where something seemed to be moving under the cloak. Is that a tail? The girl wondered before shaking her head and fastening her pace so that she ended up beside Laya.

[Laya]

Turned her head as she walked she looked at her new companion. A larger smile grew on her hidden muzzle. It had been awhile since someone had actually spoken to her, so it was most definitely a welcomed experience.

“Don’t worry I know the best place around.” She lied. She did not know which place had the best, but she would find out. She tilted her head upward and started to sniff at the air. The freshest food always had a better smell to it. Since she was not paying attention to where she was going, she did not see the man who ran by her running into her shoulder, and causing her to fall backward landing onto her butt. This causes her hood to draw back a bitt revealed for an instant a small part of her fox muzzle.

“Ouch....” she said looking upward. Not realizing her hood had been knocked back a little. “Some people need to learn how to walk don’t they?” She let out a soft giggle then picked herself up.

[Charity Belleville]

”Oh my!” Charity gasped as she watched Laya fall back. “Are you a—“ Stopping for a moment as she studied the part of Laya’s face that now could be seen. So my thoughts were exact. She thought, offering her hand for a short moment only to draw it back as she remembered that the cloaked girl had told her she had garbage on her hands.

“True,” The young maid giggled a little as well. “You’re not hurt are you?” She then asked, sounding a little worried.