Harlequin looked up from his conference to see the crowd still waiting. He tried to swallow away the nervousness that tightened his throat.
"They're waiting for the human," whispered Hubert, leaning in close and accidentally slobbering on Harlequin's ear.
Harlequin managed a confident smile and whispered back worriedly: "I don't even have a plan yet! Pegasus, do you think you could run them trhough some combat maneuvers?"
Peg's eyes brightened and she nodded. She paraded in front of the recruits, demonstrating one-legged battle techniques as Harlequin and Hubert snuck out of the alley and into the field to where Homeless Tony lay snoring.
Harlequin chewed on his claw. The one brilliant plan to make everything work was stubbornly eluding him.
"I wish I could speak English," said Hubert wistfully. "I'd tell him what a mess alcohol makes of men. Hmmmmm... My poor old master never learned."
Harlequin jumped up in the air suddenly and did a cartwheel.
"Why that's just the thing!" he shouted, a little breathlessly. "If we both speak English, he'll have to believe I'm not a hallucination. After all, he's already seen you be a normal dog."
"But I can't speak English," protested Hubert.
"Nonsense! Simplest thing in the world... You just..." Harlequin tugged at his lip; he couldn't remember how he'd learned to speak it. It had com so naturally. And he'd never met another creature who could speak English; perhaps he was as strange as others had always said he was.
"It's at least worth a try. What shall we say... I know! No more alcohol! Try it like this."
Harlequin said "no more alcohol" in English, stretching out each word for Hubert to hear the difference.
Hubert chuckled sheepishly, but tried after some more coaxing. With a variety of growls, howls and groans, he imitated the noise. It came out like this: "rrrroo errrr erggooohoollll!"
Homeless Tony stirred under the awful noise, but remained asleep. Harlequin remained optimistic.
"That last part, where you howled, that sounded right. This time try howling the 'no' and the 'more.'"
A few more tries and Hubert had come up with "noooo moooorrrr arroooohoool."
"Much better! Now think of the 'alc' sound as a gulp: swallow." Hubert swallowed and heard his throat click. He grunted in recognition and eagerly sounded his best rendition yet. Harlequin hoped that the long 'r's and the slur only made it sound more like Homeless Tony. "That should do it," he said, crossing his claws. "Hubert, lick his face to get him up."
Hubert obliged and Homeless Tony sprang up with a splutter.
"Ahhh! It's the demon chipmunk again. Go away until I sleep you off. Get away, dog!" Homeless Tony was unnerved to have them both staring at and stared back at them for a moment. Harlequin caught Hubert's eye and nodded. They faced a suspicious Homeless Tony and recited their phrase together.
"Nggg mrr alcohoooo!" Hubert looked disappointed in himself. Homeless Tony backed away slowly, worried that the two animals were bleating in their death throes or something similar. "Again," said Harlequin.
"No more alcohol!" The words rang as clear as a bell. Hubert's own eyes widened in surprise; Homeless Tony's nearly jumped from their sockets. His mouth dropped and his tongue hung lifelessly from it. Suddenly he clasped his hands together and wildly swung them up to the sky.
"Alright, God!" he shouted. "I get the message! No more!"
Jul 31, 2005
Jul 30, 2005
HR, 28
The squirrel was next in line to speak.
"I'm with the mice," he said, in a reedy, old voice. "If you really do get the man to help, I'll do what I can to help you."
Peg spoke for the birds:
"We'll serve you to the death!"
The sound of cawing above set all eyes to the sky: Sergei flew with great speed and kicked up a great deal of dust as he scampered to the ground. Ignoring the crowd, Sergei rushed to Harlequin and spoke between gasping breaths.
"We did not make it to the rookery. We met some of our brethren foraging on the northeast road and spoke to them of the news. As we spoke, the Pack appeared around the corner. The little one pointed at me and said that I was with the Chipmunk, and the General told the dog-things to catch us. They caught us and treated us most roughly to make us talk. The General said to tell you that he would come at sunset. He said he wants to fight the creature who destroyed Attila!"
Harlequin's face fell at the last piece of news. Sergei continued:
"Pavel has flown to rookery to tell them news. I come here to warn you to run away. You seem to be good creature, and I would not like to see you come to harm."
Harlequin looked around him: the rest of the creatures had not heard Sergei because of hushed breathless voice, but looked generally concerned after seeing Harlequin's crestfallen face. He stiffened his lip resolutely and called Hubert and Pegasus to his side, while pulling Sergei in a little closer.
"A brief war council," he explained to the crowd. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Sergei, we plan to fight the pack; Hubert and Pegasus are my lieutenants. Don't look so shocked: we have a good chance if we stick together, and we've got the whole field behind us. Sergei, I've put aside a pile of treasure that I'm going to use in return for the claw. I'll need you to watch that for me until just before sunset." A few more words and Sergei was dismissed to the tree, questioning Harlequin's sanity, but enraptured by the new piece of treasure: Attila's claw.
Harlequin brought his voice even lower for Hubert and Pegasus. "Unfortunately, I've already promised them Homeless Tony, and he's still not with us. I think he's a good enough sort, but I can't get him to believe I'm real. If we can make him believe it, I can get him to help us."
"I'm with the mice," he said, in a reedy, old voice. "If you really do get the man to help, I'll do what I can to help you."
Peg spoke for the birds:
"We'll serve you to the death!"
The sound of cawing above set all eyes to the sky: Sergei flew with great speed and kicked up a great deal of dust as he scampered to the ground. Ignoring the crowd, Sergei rushed to Harlequin and spoke between gasping breaths.
"We did not make it to the rookery. We met some of our brethren foraging on the northeast road and spoke to them of the news. As we spoke, the Pack appeared around the corner. The little one pointed at me and said that I was with the Chipmunk, and the General told the dog-things to catch us. They caught us and treated us most roughly to make us talk. The General said to tell you that he would come at sunset. He said he wants to fight the creature who destroyed Attila!"
Harlequin's face fell at the last piece of news. Sergei continued:
"Pavel has flown to rookery to tell them news. I come here to warn you to run away. You seem to be good creature, and I would not like to see you come to harm."
Harlequin looked around him: the rest of the creatures had not heard Sergei because of hushed breathless voice, but looked generally concerned after seeing Harlequin's crestfallen face. He stiffened his lip resolutely and called Hubert and Pegasus to his side, while pulling Sergei in a little closer.
"A brief war council," he explained to the crowd. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Sergei, we plan to fight the pack; Hubert and Pegasus are my lieutenants. Don't look so shocked: we have a good chance if we stick together, and we've got the whole field behind us. Sergei, I've put aside a pile of treasure that I'm going to use in return for the claw. I'll need you to watch that for me until just before sunset." A few more words and Sergei was dismissed to the tree, questioning Harlequin's sanity, but enraptured by the new piece of treasure: Attila's claw.
Harlequin brought his voice even lower for Hubert and Pegasus. "Unfortunately, I've already promised them Homeless Tony, and he's still not with us. I think he's a good enough sort, but I can't get him to believe I'm real. If we can make him believe it, I can get him to help us."
Jul 29, 2005
HR, 27
There were several white trash bags waiting outside the Chinese restaurant. Harlequin slit one open and began handing out the goodies. The mice got a heaping pile of fried rice; the squirrel gobbled cashew bits by the pawful; the birds dabbled in everything, taking special pleasure in a lone shrimp; Hubert chomped on sweet and sour meatballs; his passenger, the yellowjacket drone, occupied himself with the sauce that had dripped onto the ground.
The mice, especially, were not used to human food and many began to feel queasy, but overall the feast was a smashing success for Harlequin. The animals were full, happy and grateful and, best of all, ready to listen.
Harlequin, having just polished off a batch of egg foo yung, burped and began to speak.
"Friends, now that we have eaten, I've another item of business. I suppose you all know the Pack?" There were a few shudders. One mouse, emboldened by the meal and his taste of freedom, uttered a few loud curses on the Pack.
"We're going to have to deal with them sooner or later. As the vanquisher of Attila, I take responsibility for meeting with the General. I plan to reason with him: tell him what a good sort you creatures are, and how no beast should have the right to rule over us against our will. However," Harlequin raised his voice and gave it the most resolute rumble he could muster; "should he choose oppression over freedom, I say we'll be ready for him!"
Harlequin had hoped for cheers; he got a ferocious war squawk from Pegasus and a "hurray" from the emboldened mouse, but the rest gave him worried looks.
"I see your faces. I see the fear. A sensible fear, from sensible animals. Know this: your fears are unjustified. We have with us a powerful dog, formerly of the Pack: Hubert!" At this statement, Hubert chuckled nervously.
"We also have the finest warbird in the city: Pegasus!" Pegasus squawked proudly and hopped about fiercely. Harlequin turned his eyes to the sparrows and pigeons: "She can lead you to victory in battle over any of these runt dogs."
"Friends there is more. The crows have a great deal of human technology that would put the dogs to flight as soon as they caught wind of it. Great mechanical terrors, I tell you, at the tips of our claws. I know how to work them, I'll just need help from the mice and my good squirrel over there to deploy them."
"As if that weren't enough, we have a human! Homeless Tony, the man sleeping over there, is a friend of mine. I know the secret of human speech and he will help us. What dog would dare face a fully-grown human? I say 'no!' But I will need your help. Can I count on you as allies in this noble defense of this field?"
The mice conferred together; the squirrel looked on; the birds pecked at stray crumbs of food. Hubert ambled alongside Harlequin and told him what a foolish thing he was getting them all into. Finally, the mice came to some sort of agreement; an older one stepped forward from the group and spoke up.
"We mice feel that you're a strange creature, but that you mean well. So long as this human really is for you, we'll help in what ways we can."
The mice, especially, were not used to human food and many began to feel queasy, but overall the feast was a smashing success for Harlequin. The animals were full, happy and grateful and, best of all, ready to listen.
Harlequin, having just polished off a batch of egg foo yung, burped and began to speak.
"Friends, now that we have eaten, I've another item of business. I suppose you all know the Pack?" There were a few shudders. One mouse, emboldened by the meal and his taste of freedom, uttered a few loud curses on the Pack.
"We're going to have to deal with them sooner or later. As the vanquisher of Attila, I take responsibility for meeting with the General. I plan to reason with him: tell him what a good sort you creatures are, and how no beast should have the right to rule over us against our will. However," Harlequin raised his voice and gave it the most resolute rumble he could muster; "should he choose oppression over freedom, I say we'll be ready for him!"
Harlequin had hoped for cheers; he got a ferocious war squawk from Pegasus and a "hurray" from the emboldened mouse, but the rest gave him worried looks.
"I see your faces. I see the fear. A sensible fear, from sensible animals. Know this: your fears are unjustified. We have with us a powerful dog, formerly of the Pack: Hubert!" At this statement, Hubert chuckled nervously.
"We also have the finest warbird in the city: Pegasus!" Pegasus squawked proudly and hopped about fiercely. Harlequin turned his eyes to the sparrows and pigeons: "She can lead you to victory in battle over any of these runt dogs."
"Friends there is more. The crows have a great deal of human technology that would put the dogs to flight as soon as they caught wind of it. Great mechanical terrors, I tell you, at the tips of our claws. I know how to work them, I'll just need help from the mice and my good squirrel over there to deploy them."
"As if that weren't enough, we have a human! Homeless Tony, the man sleeping over there, is a friend of mine. I know the secret of human speech and he will help us. What dog would dare face a fully-grown human? I say 'no!' But I will need your help. Can I count on you as allies in this noble defense of this field?"
The mice conferred together; the squirrel looked on; the birds pecked at stray crumbs of food. Hubert ambled alongside Harlequin and told him what a foolish thing he was getting them all into. Finally, the mice came to some sort of agreement; an older one stepped forward from the group and spoke up.
"We mice feel that you're a strange creature, but that you mean well. So long as this human really is for you, we'll help in what ways we can."
Jul 28, 2005
HR, 26
Harlequin grimaced. He'd forgotten to provide the food. The crowd had assembled before him, oblivious to each other, all studying the chipmunk before them. Harlequin felt a little unnerved.
A leader must be above such things, he thought; he put on his resolute and courageous face. Jumping theatrically to the trunk of the tree, he hung over his audience, two paws clutching the bark and the others ready to accompany his speech.
"Friends, countrymen! My name is Harlequin, a humble chipmunk called to a greater service in this time of need. I have promised food, and I will fulfill that promise, but first, a matter of urgent importance to us all..." Harlequin trailed off as the birds of the audience began to wander away.
The pigeons and sparrows had very short attention spans and were ignoring Harlequin as they picked among the weeds for bugs. Harlequin was at a loss for words; he tried feebly to call them back to attention. Pegasus, who'd taken up roost in the tree with Harlequin as one of his "officers," sprung off her one leg into furious flight, dive-bombing the wayward birds with harsh squawks and blows from her beak and wings.
Angry bird-talk erupted, too fast for Harlequin to understand. After a few more jabs from Pegasus, the birds lined-up with rest heads cocked attentively. Pegasus returned to Harlequin's side.
"Thanks, Peg," he whispered. She preened importantly. Harlequin resumed with renewed confidence.
"It is my understanding that this field has long been under the cruel claw of Attila the Cat." At the mention of the name, the mice squeaked fearfully and looked about. "And this evil creature has been tolerated by the 'Pack' that claims to protect us, simply because he brings them creatures like ourselves for them to eat." Here there were a few exclamations of horror, and some nasty looks were directed Hubert's way.
"Friends, the cat is no more!" Harlequin thrust forth the claw for all of them to see. "We've been rid of his evil. Now, we're free to make this land our own, without the fear of death lurking in the grass!"
"And to celebrate this freedom, we shall have a feast in the alley. The finest Chinese food you've ever tasted! Follow me!"
Hopping down from the tree, Harlequin marched towards the alley, not bothering to look behind to see if the crowd followed. The squirrel, a skinny old thing who looked as if he could use the food, was the first to fall in step. The birds were next, under the fiere eye of Pegasus. The mice followed timidly behind, looking about as if they were unconvinced that death no longer lurked in the grass. The yellowjacket, a weak drone who'd exhausted himself on the flight over, rested amidst the furry folds on Hubert's back; Hubert brought up the rear guard.
A leader must be above such things, he thought; he put on his resolute and courageous face. Jumping theatrically to the trunk of the tree, he hung over his audience, two paws clutching the bark and the others ready to accompany his speech.
"Friends, countrymen! My name is Harlequin, a humble chipmunk called to a greater service in this time of need. I have promised food, and I will fulfill that promise, but first, a matter of urgent importance to us all..." Harlequin trailed off as the birds of the audience began to wander away.
The pigeons and sparrows had very short attention spans and were ignoring Harlequin as they picked among the weeds for bugs. Harlequin was at a loss for words; he tried feebly to call them back to attention. Pegasus, who'd taken up roost in the tree with Harlequin as one of his "officers," sprung off her one leg into furious flight, dive-bombing the wayward birds with harsh squawks and blows from her beak and wings.
Angry bird-talk erupted, too fast for Harlequin to understand. After a few more jabs from Pegasus, the birds lined-up with rest heads cocked attentively. Pegasus returned to Harlequin's side.
"Thanks, Peg," he whispered. She preened importantly. Harlequin resumed with renewed confidence.
"It is my understanding that this field has long been under the cruel claw of Attila the Cat." At the mention of the name, the mice squeaked fearfully and looked about. "And this evil creature has been tolerated by the 'Pack' that claims to protect us, simply because he brings them creatures like ourselves for them to eat." Here there were a few exclamations of horror, and some nasty looks were directed Hubert's way.
"Friends, the cat is no more!" Harlequin thrust forth the claw for all of them to see. "We've been rid of his evil. Now, we're free to make this land our own, without the fear of death lurking in the grass!"
"And to celebrate this freedom, we shall have a feast in the alley. The finest Chinese food you've ever tasted! Follow me!"
Hopping down from the tree, Harlequin marched towards the alley, not bothering to look behind to see if the crowd followed. The squirrel, a skinny old thing who looked as if he could use the food, was the first to fall in step. The birds were next, under the fiere eye of Pegasus. The mice followed timidly behind, looking about as if they were unconvinced that death no longer lurked in the grass. The yellowjacket, a weak drone who'd exhausted himself on the flight over, rested amidst the furry folds on Hubert's back; Hubert brought up the rear guard.
Jul 27, 2005
HR, 25
Harlequin was not intimidated by Hubert's report; he simply clapped his paws together and exhorted his companions to diligence. After a moment of contemplative silence, he resumed giving orders.
"Hubert, I charge you and Peg with rounding out the locals. Tell them... tell them Attila has been defeated and his conqueror would like to speak to them. No, scratch that. Tell them I've got food for them. That'll do it. In the meantime, I'll be seeing what manner of an arsenal I can round up for this silver cask and this shiny claw."
The trio dispersed across the field to perform their tasks. Harlequin headed straight for the tree, still muttering strategies. Only Mitzi was still at the tree with the babies: Pavel and Sergei had left to update the rookery on all the news.
Mitzi had tendered a cautious affection for Harlequin for his role in ridding the field of Attila and freely let him roam the tree.
As a chipmunk, Harlequin was a natural climber. The feel of his claws clenching into spongy bark was pleasantly nostalgic of the forest. His strong, quick paws carried him gracefully within reach of the many treasures. He was looking for weapons of warfare.
It was a time-consuming process. The crows were very indiscriminate in their findings: if it was shiny, they grabbed it. Glittery paper and aluminum foil did not lend themselves well to combat, but they were all Harlequin could seem to find. He did find a lot of copper wire and some glittery string. What he considered potential useful he place of a bare section of branch.
An hour passed and Harlequin's eyes were a little sore from staring at flashy objects. He'd had enough and so, he made his way down the branches to speak with Mitzi. On his way down he found a little cannister that had been tucked away behind some leaves. It was a small plastic capsule half-filled with liquid. Instead of a lid, there was a metal contraption rigged into the top.
Harlequin had seen humans carrying these around, but he'd never known what they were for. Taking it in one paw, he examined the top. From left to right, there was a small hole, a little metal wheel and a button on the end. He brought up his other paw to test the wheel. He pushed at it and it turned with a scraping noise, flashing a spark that singed his paw.
Harlequin was impressed and set it on his useful pile. He hopped down to Mitzi's branch to try and trade the claw for his finds, but Mitzi would have none of it: Sergei was the officer in charge, and nothing could be traded without him or a superior officer present. She did agree to keep the pile in its present place until Sergei returned.
Scampering out from under the dense boughs of the tree, Harlequin saw Hubert approaching, followed by a dozen hungry looking mice. Peg was behind, hopping stoically on her one leg, with a squirrel, a few pigeons and sparrows and a solitary yellowjacket trailing her.
"Hubert, I charge you and Peg with rounding out the locals. Tell them... tell them Attila has been defeated and his conqueror would like to speak to them. No, scratch that. Tell them I've got food for them. That'll do it. In the meantime, I'll be seeing what manner of an arsenal I can round up for this silver cask and this shiny claw."
The trio dispersed across the field to perform their tasks. Harlequin headed straight for the tree, still muttering strategies. Only Mitzi was still at the tree with the babies: Pavel and Sergei had left to update the rookery on all the news.
Mitzi had tendered a cautious affection for Harlequin for his role in ridding the field of Attila and freely let him roam the tree.
As a chipmunk, Harlequin was a natural climber. The feel of his claws clenching into spongy bark was pleasantly nostalgic of the forest. His strong, quick paws carried him gracefully within reach of the many treasures. He was looking for weapons of warfare.
It was a time-consuming process. The crows were very indiscriminate in their findings: if it was shiny, they grabbed it. Glittery paper and aluminum foil did not lend themselves well to combat, but they were all Harlequin could seem to find. He did find a lot of copper wire and some glittery string. What he considered potential useful he place of a bare section of branch.
An hour passed and Harlequin's eyes were a little sore from staring at flashy objects. He'd had enough and so, he made his way down the branches to speak with Mitzi. On his way down he found a little cannister that had been tucked away behind some leaves. It was a small plastic capsule half-filled with liquid. Instead of a lid, there was a metal contraption rigged into the top.
Harlequin had seen humans carrying these around, but he'd never known what they were for. Taking it in one paw, he examined the top. From left to right, there was a small hole, a little metal wheel and a button on the end. He brought up his other paw to test the wheel. He pushed at it and it turned with a scraping noise, flashing a spark that singed his paw.
Harlequin was impressed and set it on his useful pile. He hopped down to Mitzi's branch to try and trade the claw for his finds, but Mitzi would have none of it: Sergei was the officer in charge, and nothing could be traded without him or a superior officer present. She did agree to keep the pile in its present place until Sergei returned.
Scampering out from under the dense boughs of the tree, Harlequin saw Hubert approaching, followed by a dozen hungry looking mice. Peg was behind, hopping stoically on her one leg, with a squirrel, a few pigeons and sparrows and a solitary yellowjacket trailing her.
Jul 26, 2005
HR, 24
"Well, that's actually something of a mystery." Harlequin chuckled. The fierce pigeon was incapable of showing amusement.
"You fight dogs, too?" she asked.
"Hopefully not. I hope that I can sit down and reason with them, talk about civilization and such."
Pegasus tried to spit in disgust. "They are mean dogs. Fighting is their only way of talking."
"I'm afraid she's right," Hubert chimed in. "The General doesn't like to talk. He'd rather eat you than listen to you."
"Well, I'm still hopeful," said Harlequin with stubborn optimism in his tone. "Nevertheless, I'm capable of humane and civilized warfare, if that's what is required."
Pegasus cooed affirmatively, but Hubert rolled his eyes. Harlequin began a contemplative.
"The first key to warfare is strong leadership," Harlequin reasoned with a steady voice, gesturing authoritatively with his tail. "As it is my strange fortune to have defeated Attila and caused this disorder, I offer to take the honor and terrible responsibility of Commander of the Allied Defense. Any objections?"
Hubert and Pegasus were silent, entranced by the stern determination in Harlequin's face.
"So be it. As Commander, I appoint you, Pegasus, to be my Chief Warrior. You've got the courage and spirit to slay a dragon."
Pegasus didn't know what a dragon was, but fluffed her feathers proudly.
"Hubert: you know a great deal," continued Harlequin. "You will be my Senior Advisor in Combat Affairs. As your first official duty, I'd like you to give us a rundown on the opponent."
Hubert coughed self-consciously.
"Like I said, there's seven of them, but without me, I guess they're only six. You've seen Dorian, already. Little, but mean. Hmmmm... There's Jasper, old Toothless... hmmm... yes, Scout. They're all tough old dogs: wouldn't like tangling with any of them. I haven't seen the new recruit, yet. Word is he's big and mean. Ahh, yes, the General. As tough as they come. Sharpest teeth I ever saw, real strong, fiercer than any dog. Hmmm..." Hubert trailed off, and seemed to be reconsidering the wisdom of his decision.
"You fight dogs, too?" she asked.
"Hopefully not. I hope that I can sit down and reason with them, talk about civilization and such."
Pegasus tried to spit in disgust. "They are mean dogs. Fighting is their only way of talking."
"I'm afraid she's right," Hubert chimed in. "The General doesn't like to talk. He'd rather eat you than listen to you."
"Well, I'm still hopeful," said Harlequin with stubborn optimism in his tone. "Nevertheless, I'm capable of humane and civilized warfare, if that's what is required."
Pegasus cooed affirmatively, but Hubert rolled his eyes. Harlequin began a contemplative.
"The first key to warfare is strong leadership," Harlequin reasoned with a steady voice, gesturing authoritatively with his tail. "As it is my strange fortune to have defeated Attila and caused this disorder, I offer to take the honor and terrible responsibility of Commander of the Allied Defense. Any objections?"
Hubert and Pegasus were silent, entranced by the stern determination in Harlequin's face.
"So be it. As Commander, I appoint you, Pegasus, to be my Chief Warrior. You've got the courage and spirit to slay a dragon."
Pegasus didn't know what a dragon was, but fluffed her feathers proudly.
"Hubert: you know a great deal," continued Harlequin. "You will be my Senior Advisor in Combat Affairs. As your first official duty, I'd like you to give us a rundown on the opponent."
Hubert coughed self-consciously.
"Like I said, there's seven of them, but without me, I guess they're only six. You've seen Dorian, already. Little, but mean. Hmmmm... There's Jasper, old Toothless... hmmm... yes, Scout. They're all tough old dogs: wouldn't like tangling with any of them. I haven't seen the new recruit, yet. Word is he's big and mean. Ahh, yes, the General. As tough as they come. Sharpest teeth I ever saw, real strong, fiercer than any dog. Hmmm..." Hubert trailed off, and seemed to be reconsidering the wisdom of his decision.
Jul 25, 2005
HR, 23
"What's going on here?" Harlequin shouted over the din of squawks and curses.
Pegasus stopped her wild flapping and came down to rest on her one leg.
"Homeless Tony!" Harlequin shouted again, this time in English. "What are you doing attacking a defenseless bird?"
Homeless Tony stopped his rolling and swearing to ogle at Harlequin, wild-eyed.
"Still there!" he gasped to himself and then gestured frantically. "Go away you demon, I'll have none of you. Send away your demon bird!"
"I'm no demon," Harlequin said matter-of-factly. "Come on, feel my fur, I'm flesh and blood."
Homeless Tony shook his head, closed his eyes, plugged his ears with his fingers and plunged his face into the grass.
"Not much of a communicator, is he?" Hubert remarked.
"Somehow I'll get through to him," muttered Harlequin. "In the meantime, how about you introduce me to Peg?"
Peg stood on her sole leg, eyeing them both suspiciously. It was not in the typical wide-eyed stare that Harlequin had become accustomed to in his dealings with birds. This bird was intense and fierce in her gaze, despite her fluffy appearance and obvious handicap.
Harlequin approached her gingerly, with Hubert following lazily behind.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently.
"Keep your distance, ground-thing. I've defeated the man-thing. I will crush you if you wish to fight."
Harlequin was a little disturbed by the threat, especially as it came from such a helpless looking bird. He stammered a bit, thinking of the most diplomatic way to talk to her.
"I don't wish to fight, Miss Pegasus. My name is Harlequin. I'm new to this field."
The pigeon looked at him with what she intended to be scorn, but her facial expressions were limited to two general emotions: interest and surprise. This one looked like interest.
"I see you are with the dogs. I spit on them." She tried to spit. "I am free and fierce. I fear nothing." Hubert growled disapprovingly and added a few more furrows to his brow.
"No, Hubert is just a friend. You see, I'm not with anybody in particular. I just want to live free of the Pack." Harlequin arched an eyebrow invitingly.
The pigeon saw the claw in his hand and changed her countenance to one of guarded surprise.
"You fight evil cat?"
Pegasus stopped her wild flapping and came down to rest on her one leg.
"Homeless Tony!" Harlequin shouted again, this time in English. "What are you doing attacking a defenseless bird?"
Homeless Tony stopped his rolling and swearing to ogle at Harlequin, wild-eyed.
"Still there!" he gasped to himself and then gestured frantically. "Go away you demon, I'll have none of you. Send away your demon bird!"
"I'm no demon," Harlequin said matter-of-factly. "Come on, feel my fur, I'm flesh and blood."
Homeless Tony shook his head, closed his eyes, plugged his ears with his fingers and plunged his face into the grass.
"Not much of a communicator, is he?" Hubert remarked.
"Somehow I'll get through to him," muttered Harlequin. "In the meantime, how about you introduce me to Peg?"
Peg stood on her sole leg, eyeing them both suspiciously. It was not in the typical wide-eyed stare that Harlequin had become accustomed to in his dealings with birds. This bird was intense and fierce in her gaze, despite her fluffy appearance and obvious handicap.
Harlequin approached her gingerly, with Hubert following lazily behind.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently.
"Keep your distance, ground-thing. I've defeated the man-thing. I will crush you if you wish to fight."
Harlequin was a little disturbed by the threat, especially as it came from such a helpless looking bird. He stammered a bit, thinking of the most diplomatic way to talk to her.
"I don't wish to fight, Miss Pegasus. My name is Harlequin. I'm new to this field."
The pigeon looked at him with what she intended to be scorn, but her facial expressions were limited to two general emotions: interest and surprise. This one looked like interest.
"I see you are with the dogs. I spit on them." She tried to spit. "I am free and fierce. I fear nothing." Hubert growled disapprovingly and added a few more furrows to his brow.
"No, Hubert is just a friend. You see, I'm not with anybody in particular. I just want to live free of the Pack." Harlequin arched an eyebrow invitingly.
The pigeon saw the claw in his hand and changed her countenance to one of guarded surprise.
"You fight evil cat?"