Wishful Thinking [Finished]

[carcinoGeneticist]

(<3333 haaaaaaaaai)

Sometimes, Aimili stuck to the alleys and far corners of the Capital, choosing to keep as far from the general public as she could. It just made her painfully aware of exactly how awkward she felt, surrounded by Cards. She'd managed to raise her rank, but she was still so low compared to most of the people that she saw on a day-to-day basis. Beyond that, the multitude of forms and colors that had once seemed to her eyes to be so wonderful were now almost too much to bear.

Worse than that, usually, was the lack of familiarity. Once, she'd felt stifled by family. Now, however... Now, the rabbit-turned-canine just felt alone.

But some days - some days, she felt daring. This morning was one of those good days, and so she trotted along the sidewalk, her tail wagging evenly and easily from side to side as she made her way to nowhere in particular. For once, she was just enjoying the day, even if she didn't have any company. There was a chill to the air that hinted at the coming winter, and so many of the storefronts were filled with lovely things... Not for the first time, Aimili found herself looking at some of them rather wistfully and wishing that she could find a job. Money would make sure she had no trouble finding food, and then...

When her eye caught the shopfront directly in front of her, she actively hesitated. South Street Sparkles. And oh, did it sparkle. Her eyes went round as she stared openly at the beadwork that was on display. It was beautiful. It made her think of home, of the extravagant jewelry that her father would give to his favored Does.

If only she could have something like that.

[Chickendinosaur]

Kanoni had woken up slow that morning. Her bed seemed to be a warm, fluffy nest of quicksand, sucking her back every time she started to convince herself to get up. When she finally got up she walked, rubbing her eyes and yawning, to her tiny yellow kitchenette, and made herself a little breakfast.

Energized from the food, Kanoni hopped downstairs to her little store and began the job of opening up shop. She opened the blinds, letting in the early morning light that somehow slipped past all the other buildings on her street and thankfully reached her store front window. The light reflected beautifully off the array of glass beaded necklaces and matching bracelets she had settled into an artful display last night after closing. She hung her little handmade "Open" sign in the window, and pushed open the front door, and began the chore of dragging her heavy "South Street Sparkles" sandwich board sign outside. It was so heavy because after fighting to keep it upright in the wind all day yesterday, she poured dirt and rocks (whatever she could find in the gutter at the end of the block) inside it to weigh it down.

Once she finally got it positioned just right, she returned inside. She made herself some hot chocolate, and perched eagerly on her work bench, waiting for the first customer to arrive.

Several lonely hours later, Kanoni sighed, wishing that someone, anyone would walk down the street and walk into her store. She was bored, and disheartened that no one had admired her hard display work. Her eyes had started to droop when she noticed a pink nosed, Highlander-mix, staring longingly into her window. Kanoni was so excited, she practically fell from her seat, and rushed outside. She turned to the hound and asked in a quivering voice, "W-would you like to come in ma'am? I have some really beautiful beadwork that would match your coloring just perfect inside."

[carcinoGeneticist]

It didn't take long for Aimili's pleasant daydreams of her father's Warren to fade away, swiftly replaced by a sad acceptance. That wasn't her life anymore. She'd wished herself out of it, and now she was someone - something - totally different. She could make whatever choices she wanted, without fear of retribution or that whoever owned her would decide she was no longer needed.

It just shocked her how difficult her new life seemed to be, sometimes. Her wagging tail drooped slightly as she gave the gorgeous beadwork one last wistful stare and then turned to trot back down the sidewalk. A voice behind her made her stop suddenly, glancing behind her almost nervously. A Highlander. The sight of red and gold swirled over white made something in her sing, yet another memory of home. But this wasn't home.

The shopkeep didn't look mad, but... was she going to get yelled at for just standing there so long? Her ears flattened slightly, eyebrows going up as her tail tucked itself firmly between her legs, clearly expecting to be scolded.

When it didn't come, the canine blinked, her mouth twitching into an awkward smile, a blush showing through the pale fur of her cheeks. "I - ah, I'm sorry. I'd love to, but..." Her tail started to wag again, this time the wag of nervousness. Something about this was just mortifying. "I don't have any... any money. I'm really sorry. Did you make this stuff? It's amazing.[/b]"

[Chickendinosaur]

Kanoni, so excited that anyone had taken interest in her work, didn't even notice the hound was distressed. "Yeah, I've been making jewelry pretty much forever, I love it so much. The stuff in the window is my newest work. And don't worry about money, looking is free, and I really want to show you some things I think you'll like! Come on!" She flapped her wings excitedly and turned to walk back into her store. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure the girl was following. Hardly able to contain herself, she fell back into the habit her mother had always loathed- verbal diarrhea.
"Where are you from? I've never seen a Highland-mix like you- where do the spines come from? And your legs, too! They're really cool! Do you live around here? I just moved here recently, you look like you just got here too, no offense."

[carcinoGeneticist]

This certainly wasn't what Aimili had been expecting! The woman didn't seem angry at all to hear that she wasn't going to be able to pay - if anything, she seemed just as eager as before. For a reason she wasn't entirely sure of, that made the hound relax a little, her tail's frightened wagging slowing to a more regular pace.

"Are - you sure? I don't want to get in the way, but...[/b]" The words were halted, unsure, but faded into hopefulness. She didn't want to come across as too eager and get herself into trouble, after all. But she did want to see. "It's all so beautiful.[/b]" She was fascinated by the lovely jewelry, lulled into a strange sense of home by the Highland woman. She was the complete opposite of the last Highlander she'd met, that strange canine that had taken her out for a meal before. She was friendly without an air of "creeper" about her.

It was a nice change.

So, still somewhat wary, Aimili stepped into the store after the bird, awe written plainly across her face as she looked around. Such a cute store! And sparkling from the most unexpected places, the jewelry! It was absolutely lovely! The fact that the oddly talkative shopkeep was chattering again took a minute to sink in, but when it did, she blinked and gave another eager little wag of her tail. "Oh, I uh - I grew up in the Highlands, with my Dad. The spines are mine, my Mom was Hisstor.[/b]" Was that treading too closely to the truth? Hopefully not. The next statement made her laugh softly. "And - yeah - really new to the area. I don't... Really have a home, not yet. I'm not sure where I want to settle down.[/b]"

The canine shrugged, trying to make her statement seem as casual as she possibly could. She'd just admitted that she was living in the streets, and she hoped that didn't make the shopkeep angry. It was nice having non-crazy company for once.

[Chickendinosaur]

Excited that the girl hadn't run away (at least not yet), Kanoni led her into the store. "Oh don't worry about it, no one's been in here all day... I'm just thankful for the company! Plus, you keep complimenting my work, and I've never been one to turn down flattery," she laughed.
Kanoni was happy the girl seemed a little more at ease, and intrigued to hear about where she was from. Kanoni couldn't remember her geography lessons but she didn't think the Highlands were very close to the Hisstor wastes.
"You don't have a home yet? Oh my goodness, are you hungry? I have this bread, it's got like raisins and fruit and stuff in it, and it makes really good toast. I could fix some up for us. I'm sure you'll find someplace really soon! Have you ever been to the Wastes? ...Oh my, I haven't even asked your name yet! I'm Kanoni!"

[carcinoGeneticist]

It was hard not to feel at least a little bit overwhelmed by the cheerful bird and her rather active motor-mouth, but Aimili wasn't afraid. Not exactly. There was something about it that was strangely comforting and familiar, and a slow smile worked its way onto her muzzle, her stingy tail whipping cheerfully from side to side. Whenever she could, she made an attempt to get a better look at the various wares on display, but for the most part she was focused on her gracious host and trying to catch all of the things she was saying.

Houses, food, Wastes, and a name. Kanoni. Aimili would focus on the last bit first, then work her way through the list of questions from there.

"It's nice to meet you, Kanoni,[/b]" she said with a bobbing nod, that friendly smile opening up just a little bit more. The last time she'd actually stepped into a store, she'd been chased off with a broom - and this lovely woman was actually offering to feed her? It was more than she ever could have hoped for! "I'm - uh - Mili.[/b]" Mili, Aimili, one was a Rabbit living comfortable in a Warren, the other a street urchin just barely scraping by on her own. Which brought her to the next question, of course.

The Wastes. That had been an ill-fated trip, hadn't it? "I lived there for a week or so, with my sister.[/b]" Aisha. Lovely, beautiful, tragically sad Aisha. She couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt when she considered her sister, trapped with that froofy Jack. Would she have slit his silly little throat yet? Her gut twisted at the thought, but she tried to keep her thoughts off her face as she finally continued. "I didn't like it very much, so I came here. I didn't really think things through. Houses were much less expensive there.[/b]" Her tone was apologetic. After all, she was trying to skirt around saying it outright, but there was no way around it.

She had become a dirty hobo.

That brought her to the final question, the one that tugged at her pride to answer honestly. "I-I don't mean to impose, but...[/b]" Her stomach was growling, and she blushed darkly and gave a slightly awkward shrug. "Some bread sounds lovely, thank you.[/b]"

[Chickendinosaur]

Watching the hound's tail sweep side to side, brushing the glass of some of her bead work displays, Kanoni smiled, "Mili... I like that! That's too bad about not enjoying your trip with your sister, though I understand that family can be kinda lame to travel with. Hold on just a sec, look around while I go grab food."

She flapped up the stairs, hoping that Mili would still be there when she came back down. Kanoni grabbed the fruit bread and dropped it on a green dish with a knife and pulled her butter bell out of its water container. She carefully started downstairs, diligently watching so she wouldn't trip on her talons (again). She called down, "Mili did you want something to drink? I have hot chocolate and water? Oh wait, I finished off the chocolate...water it is!" Kanoni turned back upstairs and grabbed a serving platter and placed the plate of bread and butter on it, and added two mugs, one pink and one black with white spots, filled with water. She spoke as she carefully returned downstairs, "I wish I could travel, it sounds so exciting and romantic. To go with my sister would be great, but she died when I was very little, so I guess that's really wishful thinking." She laughed a little at that, so it didn't sound so depressing. Kanoni had lived a very lonely childhood, so even thinking of having a bad time with a sister seemed preferable to a good time all alone. She slipped down the very last stair, but thankfully managed not to spill anything, and smiled as she turned to face Mili.

[carcinoGeneticist]

((I am so lame sorry for taking so long @_@; ))

Throughout it all, the Hound forced her expression into something neutral and stable, betraying none of the emotions she was experiencing. If only it had been a simple problem like a disagreement with her sister! She didn't say anything, however, just nodded. There was no easy way to explain what had actually happened, and this seemed like a more convenient mask. It was almost frightening how easy it was becoming for Aimili to lie. "Ah... Thank you! Your name is nice, too.[/b]" She paused for a moment, considering what to say next. "And yeah, it can be hard. I might try it again, someday.[/b]"

And then the bird was taking off, using her wings to help her get upstairs. The Hound watched her, openly amazed by the sight. She'd never seen - wow. Wow. She'd seen Rabbits with wings before, but they were usually attached to Does and didn't really seem to be good for much more than looking pretty. But Kanoni was a bird, and birds flew. For a moment, the young woman felt silly for having been taken by surprise, but she did her best to mask it by exploring the shop. So many beautiful things...

Her ears perked at the sound of someone calling her name, and she turned to face the stairs once more. She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, the Highlander answered for her. Despite herself, the canine's tail wagged slightly. What an amusing person... She made her way over to the staircase, ready to help the other woman, and listening to her speak.

"It's fun, but sometimes it's really stressful,[/b]" Aimili replied, lightly clacking her bone paws against the ground, an eyebrow quirking. At the mention of her sister, her expression fell slightly, and she faltered noticeably. A dead sister? "Oh - I - I'm sorry to hear that. I have a sister and a brother, and I... I miss them terribly. Oh, careful![/b]"

The slip did a good job of distracting her from sadness, and she did her best to help the Kite regain her balance. Then she smiled again, meeting Kanoni's gaze. "Thank you. I haven't really had... a lot of luck with money, so this means a lot to me.[/b]"

[Chickendinosaur]

Mili was smiling which made Kanoni happy, so she shivered and puffed up her feathers and laughed a little while cutting off a piece of bread. "You know, I'm really glad to help. I'm glad you came in, it's really nice to talk to someone."

It was so nice to see Mili becoming more relaxed and comfortable that Kanoni couldn't help herself, she got up and flitted to the back room, to find the project she had finished the night before, a long chain with red, gold, and silver beads. it had a black loop clasp, so it could be worn as a necklace or wrapped around a wrist or paw or claw several times as a bracelet. It seemed almost destiny that Mili, a Highland mix, who so well complemented the chain, had come in today. She wanted to give it to Mili, though she wasn't sure if the hound would accept, this was more than food for an empty belly, but she hoped.

Kanoni came back into the room holding the chain, "Mili, I really want you to have this, I feel like I made it especially for you, and it would really mean a lot to me if you wore it," she paused to take a breath, "Plus, it would be like marketing for me, so more people will come to my store!"


((it's kinda lame but thats what it looks like))