undergrounds | The boy is back in town

[A]
After years of imprisonment, freedom is amazing.

Even now, even though it's been a few days, he still can't get over the feeling of being back in the world. Being around people and breathing fresh air (as fresh as a city can manage anyway). Sirius trots along the street and back alleys, keeping up the act as a stray dog and generally trying not to be noticed. He'd forgotten how easy it was.

However, his ability to enjoy himself is currently at war with the realization that he's pretty vulnerable. It's been twelve years and he really has no information about what the city is like. He has no idea if he has any friends left, or if there's anyone in this city who would be willing to help him. He needs allies, he needs information, he needs clothes.

Food should probably be added to that list now. Sirius can't recall the last time he ate a decent meal. (not counting the garbage can he raided out of desperation).

For now though, he needs rest. He's been on the run constantly and all of that energy has finally caught up with him. He collapses under a tree in a park, and from a distance, it might look like he's dead.

[B]

Information and allies will likely have to wait for a bit until Sirius can reorient himself in the city. Clothes and food, however, are slightly more accessible. Thankfully someone's got their laundry out on the line, and he can smell a few things from a garbage that he would be able to stomach. Desperate times call for desperate measures that he's actually thinking of doing that a second time.

[ooc: Sirius can be caught doing either in Option B]

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Sirius leans forward to sniff at the offered food, his mouth watering and he licked his chops, trying to avoid drooling. How embarrassing would that be.

Quite frankly he doesn't care what was on the hot dog, it was meat and he wanted it. He leans forward to take the hot dog gently, before it's devoured in a few bites. He's tempted to try begging for more but the flavors catch up with him and he starts coughing.

"Whoa, you okay there?" He probably should have considered that Sirius might gobble his food up like that... after all, he did seem quite hungry. Still, no real harm done. He rished about for his thermos, opened up the top, and tilted it so that it was more at Sirius's level.

"This is all I got, unless there's a dog fountain around here."

Sirius drinks eagerly, before pulling away and managing something that could be defined as a nod. He just ate too fast, nothing to worry about. His tail ways a little to show that he's okay.

Not that more water wouldn't be a bad thing.

Unfortunately, Heiji could hardly read doggie minds. Maybe if Sirius panted a bit or something...?

But he looked better, and after a moment, Heiji hesitantly reached a hand out to try petting Sirius. Maybe it was a bit weird, but after all --

"Dogs don't like me that much, usually. But you don't seem so bad."

People who provide food to a poor starving dog are okay in Sirius's book. He breaths for a bit, the breaths coming in short pants before his tongue lolls out. Slow down, he reminds himself.

He nudges Heiji's hand with his nose in an attempt to encourage him. Vaguely he wonders if he's found another supernatural being, but it's a bit hard to ask in this form. And he'll save everyone the embarrassment of the alternative.

Well, this was a slightly odd start to his day, but as long as Sirius was encouraging him... Heiji started a bit tentatively, but the nice thing about being a canid was that he'd experienced this from the other side. He knelt down and stroked behind Sirius's ears before moving on to his back.

Yeah. This wasn't so bad at all.

"So, uh... if you're still hungry, we could go down to the corner and get another hot dog? Maybe eat a little more slowly next time."

This is probably something that he should feel ashamed about, since he's not actually a dog. But at the same time, he has an act to keep up and this will help him blend in. He doesn't have fleas so it should be fine.

Sirius perks right up at the offer. More food? It's his lucky day!

He's still tired from the long journey and it takes a while but he manages to stand up. He looks at Heiji expectantly.

Well, alright then! Question answered. He moved off in the direction of the hot dog stand, looking over his shoulder to make sure that Sirius was following along.

The man at the cart seemed to recognize him at once. "Oh, hey -- you come here all the time! Here's one for free."

Heiji took it ~~and threw it on the groooound~~. "Seriously? Thanks! You think I could get a bottle of water, too?" Just in case Sirius needed some more, of course. He bought the bottle and winked at the dog.

"Went pretty well, I'd say! Let's get to a bench."

Edited 2015-06-18 03:47 (UTC)

Sirius trots along behind him, ignoring the looks from passersby since he is a rather large dog.

He dips his head in a nod, since the sooner he reaches a bench, the sooner he can eat. He really hadn't realized how hungry he was until now. Granted, he hadn't eaten much on his journey, having been more focused on staying hidden.

He sits down in front of the bench eagerly.

Heiji sat down, unwrapped the hot dog, and this time tore it off in large pieces to hand to Sirius.

"By the way," he whispered conspiratorially as he bent down with the first, "Are you in trouble or somethin'?"

Sirius takes the pieces eagerly, in a manner that suggests he might not even be tasting the food as it goes down. He contemplates Heiji's question, and manages something that could be called a shrug.

He's probably in trouble for escaping from prison, but he doesn't have people chasing him currently either, so things are pretty good right now. On the scale of trouble he's been in, this is nothing.

Well, that wasn't quite a no, but it certainly wasn't a yes. And clearly this fellow was used to taking care of himself, so that was one less worry.

When Sirius had wolfed down the first couple pieces, Heiji offered him the contents of the bottle. "I'm Heiji, by the way. Guess I can't really ask your name."

Hmm, did Sirius have a tag or anything...?

No tags here. Collars were something that Sirius could not abide. He eagerly accepts the water.

Heiji, Sirius files the information away for later. Maybe he'll try to make contact with this guy once he manages to get a bit more settled. After all, he owes him a pretty big favor now.

He kind of wishes he could say something in return, but the less he says about his identity right now, the better. Plus his appearance would likely surprise a number of people. It was sometimes tough to be a shapeshifter in public.

Hmm. Well, Sirius clearly had his reasons, and perhaps it was best not to meddle in his affairs if he was incognito for some reason. And he did feel a little silly talking to a dog. Still. He shouldered his bag and stood.

"So, um... I work in a cafe in Barnet: Cafe Poirot. If you want, you can come visit sometime. I ain't around all the time, of course, but I know a couple of the waiters are softies for dogs."

Sirius gave another nod, filing the information away. He would have to check that cafe out, especially if he figured out a way to pay Heiji back.

He gives another woof as thanks.

The boy is back in town

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