You Dirty Rat(FIN)

[drewsky]

"How could this have happened?"

Xopek lay against the side of the alley and wondered how this could of happened. One minute walking down the street and the next in an alleyway with a scrawny corvie rat standing above him saying

"Stand and deliver"

Xopek said he wouldn't give his gold to a filthy pad-foot like him. The rat swung his small club, and then blackness. He awoke an hour later with a splitting headache and bad mood.

"That dirty rat took my gold. when i find him he's gonna wish he had never crossed -this- ferret."

As he planned his revenge he heard a noise moving around outside the alley in the street. he hoped it was that rat, but even if it wasn't that rat was going to be very unhappy when he saw this esterberry scholar coming at him with a battle axe. Who ever this person was maybe they could help him find that rat and get his gold back.

[Callypso]

Emery had noticed the scuffle when he had slipped down the alleyway to avoid the high-traffic area of the bazaar. He was relatively harmless, after all he was an Ace, but he knew better than to attract curious glances or draw unwanted attention to himself. It wasn’t often you saw an Ace by themselves in the market without an attendant, or for that matter, a leash. He wasn’t considered a real person, and as such, he tended to take side routes unless he deemed the situation safe enough.

As it was, he had headed down this way to evade a Highlander child eyeing him in the street -he knew a bully when he saw one – and wasted no time slipping down the closest alley. Unfortunately, the turn down the side street had found him staring at the backside of another predator, so he slipped behind a garbage canister while a menacing Corvie rat beat an Esterberry ferret senseless and snatch his gold purse.

The rat had foolishly, and loosely, tucked the purse in the backside of his belt. It amazed the mixed breed how careless this fellow was being with his prize. As the rat stomped directly past Emery’s hiding spot the Ace nimbly and silently snatched the purse away before disappearing again behind the trash bin.

The Ace had no intention of keeping the purse. If he was caught toting that much money around he would definitely be questioned or killed. He rifled through the bag for a few small bronze coins and folded them neatly between his wings. It was a Card-eat-Card world but he couldn’t just leave the poor man in the alley. He also wasn’t going to risk being seen hovering over an unconscious ferret. Instead, he waited in his hiding spot until the man recovered.

An hour later, the ferret stirred and Emery quietly poked his head out. The Esterberry looked a bit dazed and definitely angry. Well, judging by the crack the Corvie had given him earlier, he was willing to bet the Esterberry was hurting and wouldn’t be able to chase him down if he lost his temper. He left the purse behind the bin and stepped out into the alley. He took a step forward and no more.

Are you all right, sir?

[drewsky]

Xopek was climbing to his feet when he heard a small voice ask him if he was alright. he looked around until he saw this little bird creature covered in complex words he realized she must be a villa and a highlander too, he looked to see what rank she was. He looked closer at the ruff underneath her neck and saw she was an ace of hearts.

"An Ace?' He said surprised.

At first he was taken aback and disgusted at a filthy ace. He wondered where its owner was or if it was a wild one. he was about to tell it off when he realized it was trying to help him by seeing if he was all right. he held back the things he would have said to any other ace at any other time, but this one did not deserve such words. He realized he might scare him off from the way he called her an ace. He said.

"Um... Yes I'm fine... did you see where the rat who robbed me went..."

[Callypso]

((OOC: FYI, Emery is a dude, lol.))

When the ferret glanced along his chest to see his suit, Emery merely stood straight to display his pitiful rank. There was no point in hiding it. The surprise wasn’t anything new, either. An Ace that could put together complex thoughts, let alone speak, tended to be a marvel for most. There was a broad assumption that most Aces were lacking in mental capacity (which was clearly not true for Emery, and he had met a fair share of dumb natural-born high ranked folk). The assumption sometimes bothered him, however, that was neither here nor there. For now, the trick was discerning whether the Card’s surprise was pleasant or malicious. (It tended to be the latter.)

The chipmunk/fisher bird mix watched with mild amusement as the Esterberry struggled to decide how to address him. He was careful to lower his head slightly so the Card wouldn’t be able to see his face; it also had the added benefit of appearing respectful to the other man. So-called civilized Cards were prone to displaying their true colors when they came across an Ace. Unfortunately, most Cards either hated or pitied Aces; there didn’t seem to be much in-between. It was a rare Card that genuinely respected an Ace for what they were. Ah, well. The price of social stratification.

I’m sorry, sir, but I found you out cold. Did you say a rat robbed you?

There was no need for the Esterberry to know that Emery had been watching him for over about an hour, let alone that he knew where his gold was. He wasn’t quite ready to give him his money yet. It had been an awful long time since he had been able to slip out of the home of the Highlanders who kept him as a “pet”, and it was rather refreshing to have someone speak to him like a person. For now, he decided to cater to curiosity and see what the man would do next.

[drewsky]

The ace bared his chest for Xopek to see his rank. He saw the little creature was frightened of him, probably afraid he was going to hurt him. Xopek like all the other cards was raised to think that Aces were less than cards, Pets or pelts it was said. The ace said he just found him there and didn't see the rat. Xopek thought that if so he might never see his money again.

"Yes a rat beat me senseless and took my gold. He was a skinny corvie rat, are you sure you didn't see him?" He said.

"Dont look so abashed young man im not going to hurt you. If you didnt see him, then I guess I'll be on my way. Thanks for the help and dont worry i wont tell anyone about you."

The ace seemed respectable for an ace, so Xopek decided to leave him alone. He just wished there was a way to get his money back.

[Callypso]

Perfect![/i][/color] Emery thought as he ducked his head again, another smile curling across his beaky lips. He had every intention of returning the man's gold, after all, there's no way he could have used it himself, but he had been unsure of how to broach the subject without seeming suspicious. On top of that, his performance was going well- the man thought he was meek and afraid!

S-sorry, sir, it's just, well, being what I am and all. Not often a kind word comes my way. [/color]

He looked up with sad eyes and a quiet, grateful smile. Emery didn't like to think himself devious. He preferred to view himself as resourceful. He had to play his cards right (literally and figuratively) or he wouldn't make it in this world as an Ace. The Suits had blessed him with brains and cunning, and he'd be foolish not to use those gifts to his advantage. If he worked this situation right, perhaps he'd get a free meal in the end.

Gold, you say? Did you keep it in a leather pouch, perchance?

The little creature hopped forward a few steps, as if excited by a sudden revelation.

I tripped over just such a pouch on my way down the alley!

Pointing with his claws and flapping his wings animatedly, he hopped over to his earlier hiding place and fished out the sack of coins from behind the garbage bin and squeaked happily. He turned his head toward the ferret.

Is this yours, sir?? I didn't think much of it, before, seeing as how I tripped over it. And you know, I don't have much use for pouches!

He smiled and proudly displayed the coin purse and hopped up and down. Hopefully, the Esterberry would be grateful for his find and offer him a reward. Besides, all this hopping and squeaking was humiliating, and Emery didn't like putting on a show for nothing!

[drewsky]

The ace seemed shifty and Xopek wondered if he had some other agenda then seeing if he was ok. The ace looked like he wanted to help him, so he would trust him. Xopek did wonder were all aces smart like this one, if so did the entire sociaty treat cards who could be helpful memers of sociaty as pets or pelts.

The ace said he had tripped over a pouch of money that might be Xopek's. Even though the ace seemed trustworthy you could never be sure.

"Yes i had a pouch of money. Its what the rat stole from me."

When the ace brought a pouch of money to Xopek that looked exactly like his, red flags were raised. The ace just hppened to find his wallet which meant he took it from the rat or the rat dropped it, which did not seem like something a thief would do.

"Yes, thats my pouch. thank you for finding it. You have been a great help and i know just how to repay you. I'll get you some food from the nice resturant nearby here and get you some. you'll have to stay here, as i cant be seen with an ace getting him food. Dont worry though, i will get you some." He said.

[Callypso]

Damn. It was clear from the ferret's expression that Emery had laid it on a little too thick. For what it was worth, the little creature would have been less than impressed if the other man had fallen for his antics. Some Cards were just plain stupid, and this fellow actually looked a little wary. Okay, fine. A change of plans would clearly be necessary. The question now would be whether he told the truth or if he turned up the sympathy by providing a sob story. A little bit of both couldn't hurt. If the Esterberry decided to go after him, he would simply high-tail it down another side alley. He knew these backstreets like the back of his little clawed hand.

Also, the mix was a bit lonely. Loneliness could you killed if you sought after it too much, but he was being driven mad by the family he lived with. Sure, he had warm, safe place to stay, but he was just a thing to them. Not a person with thoughts, feelings, or a desire to learn. What he really craved was some company and intelligent conversation, and he was hoping this Card could be the ticket. He just hoped the man wouldn't be too angry with him for his earlier performance.

Actually, sir, I... I did see the rat. I would've gone after him, but, well, I'm just an Ace, y'see. I couldn't go after him and I couldn't risk asking for help. Who would help me?? I didn't say so earlier because, well, I wasn't sure how you'd react. Can't risk being seen on my own beside a lifeless body, right?

He folded his little wings against his body and clasped his hands together in an apologetic gesture.

I'm sorry I wasn't truthful, but I have to protect myself. I promise I wasn't going to keep the pouch. I couldn't have kept it anyway.

Emery looked down at the ground as if in shame and then turned to look back up at the Card.

I'll understand if you want to just get on with your business. No need to worry about a worthless little nobody like myself.

The gesture was honest, even if the wording was a little melodramatic. Hopefully, this ferret had some empathy and would humor the bi-realmed Heart.

[drewsky]

Xopek was right. The little ace had taken his wallet from the rat. The ace was on his little knees begging. Xopek could tell that he was telling the truth. The ace couldn't have done anything else, being an ace and all. Xopek felt his heart strings being pulled by this little guy. He would have to be careful to keep alert because the ace had already lied to him.

"Its alright. I know you couldn't have done anything else. Thank you for your help. If not for you my money would probably have already been spent on cheap hookers and beer." He replied.

"I don't buy your weak facade. Your very intelligent and you know how to survive, and i respect that. You seem kind of lonely, if you want you can come with me. Lets get out of this alley and get some food." He said to the ace.

[Callypso]

Emery smiled wryly at the Esterberry's suggestion of what the rat would've done with his money. At least this guy seemed to have a sense of humor and he didn't appear to be getting angry. So far, so good.

The next comment actually shocked the Ace, though he was careful only to let one eyebrow raise as if questioning the man's position. Sympathy or anger had been expected, but this? This Esterberry was actually addressing him as if he were a real person! Suits, all Emery had been hoping for was to score a meal and a little conversation- if he was lucky. The ferret had completely exceeded his expectations; he'd even invited him to join him for a meal! Boy, it really couldn't get much better than that. He was impressed, too. The man had completely called him on his act, and there was something admirable about that. That, and he hadn't questioned him further about the incident. He was actually taking his word for it.

The world was a dangerous place for folks like him, but at least once in a while it threw him a scrap. It could give a guy a little hope. Unfortunately, reality didn't escape Emery that easily. He knew that though he may have altered the Esterberry's mind about Aces, even if just a smidgeon, he knew that wherever they went to enjoy a meal he'd have to keep a wary eye out. Most Cards weren't going to tolerate an Ace being treated as an everyday friend.

Still, he was grateful for this stranger for giving him a chance. It felt good, even if he knew he wouldn't likely come across someone like him again, at least not very soon. He grinned broadly and gestured for the Esterberry to lead the way. He'd have to follow a few paces behind like a pet anyway, if they didn't want to raise any eyebrows.

Thank you, sir. Glad I could be of service. I appreciate the offer, as well. I really do. By the way, the name's Emery.