[D-rank job][Duo w/Sly] Who says dogs can't fly?

Job Information:

Lexia tapped her finger against an old twisted tree, the leafless branches reaching down to almost touch unfortunate bypassers who were too tall for their own good. Her eyes flashed across the writing, the scrawl of text written in a hurry on the crumpled piece of paper slackly stapled to the tree. Dog sitting? In the middle of town? What could possibly go wrong, and she always needed to fill in a little time.

With a small shrug of her shoulders, pale slender fingers tugged on the browning paper to release it from its prison. The wind picked up suddenly, a small gale rushing past her. Her robotic fingers tightened on the piece of paper, not allowing it to move as the wind played with her hair, wildly throwing it from its resting place on her back. With a small nod of her head, she slowly began to make her way to the address written on the bottom right hand corner of the page. If she had a choice, it would have been much easier to send them a pigeon message or something, but she didn’t have that sort of luxury.

It took her around ten minutes before Lex found the number 23 on the letterbox of the home. Quickly glancing at it, she nodded to herself. Right name, right address, this was the place. She was about to turn into the narrow path leading to the home when a man, in his mid thirties, burst from the door and shut it in a hurry. ”Calm yeself down Buddy!” He scolded before noticing that Lex was looking to him with a baffled expression. With a smirk, the man walked up to them. ”So, ya both wanting to take care of the pup? It shan’t be a problem, if you both want to look after it. In fact, with this feisty thing, it could be a good thing!” He cackled, but Lex frowned.

Both? There was another...? She slowly turned to her left, before blinking and taking a small step back in surprise. Lex didn’t even notice him there! She didn’t have much time to take in details before the man was shoving his keys into the other mans hands, muttering something about seeing a movie before walking off rather quickly. Lexia’s eyes watched him leave, but the bewilderment was obvious on her face. Slowly, she turned back to the pale haired man and raised her non-metallic hand to gesture to the herself, then the home. ”My name’s Lexia, and you are...?”

[Post 1/10, word count 416/75. . . OOPS]

A strange request, but perhaps it would pay well. He made it to the address, the brown paper scrunched up in his fist as he pushed open the gate, the paint peeling from the railings and the structure making a loud squeak as he did so. Surely the sound it made would stir whatever occupants he would encounter within. The day was rather nice, the sun being out and casting long shadows from the overreaching skyscrapers. A clear symbolism of the struggles of power.

Sly knocked upon the door. There was some clanging and thudding coming from within, followed by a somewhat ecstatic voice saying he would be out in a minute. He was here for five. Growing impatient and feeling the scorch on his back, he found shelter from the sun. The house itself was rather rundown and stuck out like a sore thumb in the city, with how old it was and... how it was the only house left within the heart.

It took several long minutes until something happened, but it turned out to be another who took interest in the job. A young woman, around his age, with long and flowing black hair, and a robotic arm. She did not seem to take notice of him and, just as she took her first step on the path, the door to the house swung open. He said something about taking care of the pup, which confirmed what he was looking for.

Feisty. That should not be a problem, he thought as he was given the keys to the house. He had yet to see the dog, and he was well aware that he wanted to go to the movies. What was strange was that the movies were no longer than 3hrs, and he needed someone to look after the dog during that time. Why could he not just leave it run around the house if he was going to be back in a few hours?

As he was lost in thought, the man brushed past him, basically skipping his way out. He gave them one final wave before he disappeared around the block. Sly huffed a sigh, noticing her greeting him. She did not seem to be looking for trouble, and Sly waved back to her. Sly. I suppose you are also here for the dog work?

--

Post: 2/10
Water Closet (WC): 390/75 (bite me)

Lex sighed as the human just decided to leave them alone. Thankfully, the other man introduced himself. Although it was a rather unusual name, Lexia inclined her head slightly. ”It’s a pleasure to meet you and yes, I’m here for the dog sitting as well. I’ve always love-“

A torrent of clattering steel and wire caught her attention before a brown blur dashed towards her. Thinking quickly, Lex stepped through the gate and slammed it shut. The energetic kelpie slammed into the iron gate, whining in annoyance as it realised its escape plan was thwarted. It never got to leave the property that it lived in and it was being driven mental by the confinement. What didn’t help was that an arm suddenly stretching out towards it.

With a yelp, the dogs mouth clamped over the metal before pulling away. Sharply. It met a bit of resistance and Lex shouted in surprise. Suddenly, her arm was pulled from the shoulder, revealing the ugly scar which tainted her appearance. Her eyes narrowed a little and the dog felt a bone chilling fear shot through. It whimpered once, before turning away and bolting from the two of them.

Lex bit her lip, rather hard, unsure of if she should chase after the beast or not. She gave Sly an apologetic look, ”Well. Not anymore. But... I umm... don’t suppose you’d give me a hand?” Realising her own pun, Lex sighed before stalking after the dog. ”We could attempt to lure it out with toys? I just REALLY need my arm back!”

[Post 3/10, word count 253/75... (Ill learn one day)]

Sly sort of wanted to get through with the introduction as quickly as possible, his attention faltering between her and the wide-open door as he powerwalked towards it. But just as he made it, a small mass whipped in between his leg and almost tripped him. His hand found the edge of the door to steady himself before turning to the barking animal. A brown dog. Kelpie it seemed. He guessed this was George, the dog they were supposed to look after. For a moment, he found it amusing that Lexia slammed the gate before he could escape. Though just as she was going to pick him up, George popped the metal arm off her and bolted off.

Her pun aside, Sly nodded to her before going after the dog. That feisty little bastard was quick for his size. He ran around the house, through a series of bushes that was in dire need of pruning or cutting, and... over the fence? The dog hopped a little higher than he thought possible but he chose it ignore it. It went into the backyard. Damn it! Sly hissed between his teeth. He grabbed the top of the eroding and ant-infested fence that bordered the house from the neighbour, and hopped over towards the backyard of the same house. The state of it was even worse.

There was an old swing that had its seat broken, the chain rusting away and looked it would break apart at any moment. There was a wild overgrowth with grass and weeds as well. George could be anywhere in here. George? Sly called out, whistling. Come on out. His foot stepped on a squeak toy. A pig. He reached down and gave it a series of light squeezes, walking slowly across the fields. Come here George. Would you like a pig in your mouth instead? It looks tastier than that metal arm.

He eventually found him, but on the rooftop? George leapt down and sat on the far corner of the backyard, the arm still in his mouth as he stared with statue-like stance towards Sly. Here boy. Sly said, squeezing the toy again. It seemed to only disturb him even more before he ran off again, behind a line of trees and disappearing behind the house on the other side.

Gritting his teeth, Sly hurried after it again, throwing the toy aside.

--

Post: 4/10
Water Closet (WC): 397/75 (lol)

It didn’t take long for the dog to dash over... the neighbours fencing, carrying the arm with him. Lexia slightly grit her teeth together as she came to a sudden stop by the poorly kempt trees, Sly uttering a curse some meters to her left. Quickly, he scaled the fence, something which she surely wouldn’t do while she was wearing what she was. After all, a skirt can always ride up and attract some unwanted attention. Standing on her tip toes, Lexia peered over the fence, watching as Sly did try to lure the crazy dog with one of the toys. Instead of coming up to Sly with a happy expression on its face, the dog’s eyes gleamed for a moment before it dashed straight back through the ‘hedge’.

Attempting to predict where it was going to emerge, Lex made her way north with the fence. Just as she was about to lean down and peak through the thickly entwined trees, the dog burst from the undergrowth and slipped through her fingers. She was so close that she could almost feel the fur dancing across her fingertips. What was worse though was on the way past, her robotic arm was still lolling out of its mouth, the dogs bounding run moving it in a way to give a mocking wave to Lexia. ”You stupid dog! Just stay still for a few seconds!”

At the sudden yell, the dog veered a hard right, its thick skull bashing through the already broken door and into the house. Thankfully, the dog wasn’t able to take the robotic arm through the smaller gap and it was forced to abandon it at the bricked path. Rushing over, Lexia snatched the arm back, checking for any damage. There, she waited for Sly to come across to her. ”Well, at least we don’t need to worry about this anymore. Thanks for the help.” Lex mumbled quietly as she half focused on reattaching it to her shoulder, having to fix a few wires and such that the dog had decided to mess with.

However, something was more concerning. Inside the house came rather loud and sudden noises which were quite similar to that of glassware falling smashing on tiled flooring. Her face almost drained of blood, her natural pale complexion turning almost a stark white. ”We need to get in there.” Lexia stated, looking from Sly to the door, knowing that he had the keys to enter. She could have crawled through the gap but, once more, the fear of having unwanted attention scared her off from doing that.

[Post 5/10, word count 425/75... (Or maybe I won’t...)]

Sly chased him until he encountered a hedge this time. Of course, there were better ways of getting past without trying to run through it, but he did it anyways. Partly because he was running around the corner and did not notice it until he stuck his face in and felt the many hard branches scratching his face. Coughing, he pulled away and spluttered, spitting the leaves that got into his mouth. Son of a... He bared his fist for a moment before deciding not to slam it against the fence.

Sly ran around back to where he came from, jumping over the fence once again, though his heel got caught and he rolled and fell onto the ground. At least he was dressed in a casual attire, but now it was completely stained in mud. Did you get- he held his tongue when he saw Lexia having retrieved her arm but the dog was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he ran back inside.

Sure, no problem, he said, running up the steps and picking one of the keys. He hurried when he heard a lot of rummaging within, as well as glassware or ceramics falling and shattering against the hard ground. The door jammed a little, but with a bit of force, the door gave way and he threw it open.

The kitchen was just to his left, but already he saw the cupboards wide open and bits of ceramics scattering all over the tile floor. The lounge room was a little unkempt but manageable., if George did not just jump on top of it and dance until all the newspapers and crosswords flew everywhere and onto the ground. Got any ideas? Sly asked, holding the door open for Lexia before slamming it, just before the dog could escape. Did not look like he was all too happy living here. He would then rush to the lounge, careful of the broken glass and such before trying to scoop the dog. He missed, and it hopped. Veey high. And he landed... on the ceiling? George bolted towards the corridors, passing by the old fashioned lamps and heading to possibly the bathroom, bedroom or laundry.

Sly growled, his back killing him.

--

Post: 6/10
Water Closet (WC): 369/75 (getting there...)

She noticed that Sly had cut himself off, and to answer the unfinished question, she would shake her head in a sign of negativity. She didn’t manage to snag the dog. The thing was too quick and Lexia was use to having two arms. Or at least the appearance of two arms...

As soon as Sly had opened the door, Lexia slipped through the open doorway, uttering a small thanks. She wasn’t much for words, but she found herself talking even more than normal. She figured that it was because of this dog, the thing bringing out an inner desire to care and have fun. If that was such a thing that she could achieve and enjoy anymore. She didn’t know anymore. Lexia shook her head a little, returning her attention to the task at hand. Although reluctant to admit it, she had little to no ideas on how to subdue the beast.

In a half terror, Lexia stood there for a few moments as the papers were thrown, scattered across the ground, over chairs, the pages torn from the dogs prancing. Staring at the energetic dog, Lexia slowly shook her head, bewilderment all too obvious on her face. She flexed the robotic hand a little, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a way to grab this thing. When Sly stated that it didn’t seem too happy, Lexia nodded her head in agreement, ”He may have been happy to get out of the house for a few minutes. As for ideas, all I have is either trapping him in a room until the owner is back, or just try and minimize the damage that it does.” Lexia spoke quietly, a small and apologetic look in her eyes.

She finished speaking and quickly followed Sly as another sound of glass shattering rang in her ears. When they entered the quiet room, the dog’s head rose, its crazed and manic eyes meeting theirs, particularly Sly’s as he was closest to him. A silent challenge was declared, feigning innocence. Lex was about to speak up and give Sly a little warning before the dog  jumped out of his grip. She stared at it for a few moments as it continued to rise higher and higher... Flipped itself upside down before running along the ceiling. She blinked. It could fly?

Shaking her head, she looked back to Sly as a pained expression flashed across his face and Lex briskly walked over to him. ”Hey, are you alright? Maybe you should take it easy...” Lex suggested, before gesturing to the chairs. Flicking her hair over her back, she grinned, almost as if she would accept the challenge that the dog set them.

Lexia bolted down the hall that it travelled through, hearing the sounds of tearing fabric coming from the room. Swinging the door open, she stood there, legs braced apart as she looked down at the dog. Surrounded in feathers and ripped material, the dog stood proud in a pile of destruction. Particularly, the destruction of the bed. Ever so slowly the dog lowered its chest, its rump wriggling from side to side as its heavy tail swung like a pendulum. Lex took a step forward, stamping her foot down as if to encourage the dog to play. Lexia’s throat growled a little, mimicking the noise of a playful puppy. The reaction was instant as the dog twitched, eager to bolt from his stance on the bed. She took another. And another. A fourth.

Seeing the gap was big enough, the dog made a break for it, aiming for the meter gap between Lexia and the doorframe.  Its paws left the bed as it seemed to run through the air. With a sudden yelp, the dog felt hands wrap around its legs. It flailed a little wildly, whining as it was pulled back and stuffed under her arm. With a victory laugh, Lexia called out to Sly.

”I GOT HIM, SLY!”

[Post 7/10, word count 655/75... (I really. Really. Won’t learn.)]

Sly was about to hurry off until a hand stopped him and he looked to Lexia's eyes. He was a little reluctant at first, but he had to agree, flopping onto the wooden chair to catch his breath. While she was off, he plucked the fabric of his shirt between his thumb and finger, groaning a little at how dirty it got. He only just changed a few moments ago.

Leaving George to her hands, he looked around the lounge room. It was crowded with an assortment of stuff, including clothes, wires, half-eaten takeaways and empty cans of soft drinks. He would be doing him a favour if he started cleaning. Having some time to burn, he got off to look for a broom to sweep the broken glassware and deposit them into the bin. That was when he heard her claim she caught him, which surprised him a little.

Fantastic, he said, still huffing. Leave him somewhere where he can't run for a while. I'm going to start cleaning the mess. He exhaled loudly, still trying to breathe as he went to sort the papers.

--

Post: 8/10
Water Closet (WC): 186/75 o3o

Although Sly wasn’t able to see her do it, Lexia gave a nod to him. Humming a little to herself as he tucked the dog under her robotic arm to ensure that he wouldn’t escape again, she began to wander through the rubbish-infested home. Empty cartons of milk were thrown carelessly in a corner, their smell giving that of a rather off sour milk. However, no matter where she looked, Lexia wasn’t able to find a room that she was able to leave the dog in. They were all rather run down,  their walls showing significant signs of decay. She sighed, her other hand patting the dog. She slowly understood why it was a little mental from living in such dire conditions. Eventually, Lexia found a cage underneath piles of newspapers which had a rather old blanket inside.

It was obviously the dogs bed.

Putting the little puppy away, who whined rather sadly at being put away, Lexia made her way back to Sly. Inwardly, her heart broke at hearing the dog whine so bitterly, almost going back to let it out. She would have- if they didn’t have its mess to clean up. The mess which they had was giant, almost as if the owner regularly let the dog run rampant. Or maybe the owner was just lazy and the dog had yet to be released... Lexia didn’t know and decided that it wouldn’t be in her best interests to make too many assumptions. They can end up rather horribly, so she chose not to do it.

”You know, Sly, even though he’s caused a giant mess, I think that that was the most fun that the dog has had in years.” Lex spoke casually, finding a dustpan and broom to start sweeping up the broken glass and ceramics. Dog fur and dirt paw marks were all over her side, but she ignored it. Complaining wouldn’t do her any good with this situation. ”But hey! I thought that was a little fun, it was more exciting than just sitting about watching things while the dog chewed its leg off in boredom.” She flushed a little, ”Sorry about that, that... could have come off a bit weird.”

Lexia rose her head to the sky for a few moments, her expression and thoughts questioning why she made such a fool of herself in front of others. The question, of course, would remain unanswered as the sky couldn’t speak and answer silent questions. Giving Sly a grin, she returned to sweeping up the mess, gathering the rubbish to throw out, sweeping up the broken sharp objects and piling up the newspapers again. ”Yikes... How often does this guy clean...?” Lexia asked Sly while they were still alone, rather baffled by the sheer volume of rubbish which the man had left out.

Poor dog, no wonder it was crazy...

[Post 9/10, Word count 469/75 (At least I’m closer to 75 this time xD)]

The last of the ceramics was done and dusted as he emptied it into the bin. Looking up at the cupboards, there was not a lot of plates. Then again, if he had pieced the broken ceramics together, there was not much left to begin with anyways. There was a lot of room here and there. He was in no position to judge the man. This could be all that he could afford. With a sigh, he closed the cupboards, just as Lexia came in to put George behind a cage.

You think? Sly asked with a casual smirk before grabbing a cloth and started wiping the kitchen. There was bits of fur all over the bench, as well as pawprints from the mud which George had stepped on earlier. Good thing he did not jump down onto the floor after knocking everything over, or they would have to explain his injury. I suppose it's better. As long as it doesn't break anything or cause such a mess. He waved her apology. I have been through worse.

Although the job description was looking after a puppy, no matter how troublesome or annoying it was, most the time within the few hours were spent cleaning up the mess George left in his frenzy, plus some added extra which Sly hoped would trigger the owner to start looking after his house a bit more. Even after finishing the kitchen and sweeping the ceiling, he didn't bother drinking any water from the sink. Not after what he had seen the state of the house when he got here. Well. It's been fun.

He found George's water bowl and filled it with the sink water before carefully popping it inside the cage. Most of the time, really, he spent on the lounge with Lexia having a bit of small chat. About the day and such and how George liked to run around and cause a huge scene. Eventually time went by quickly and Sly heard a knock on the door. Opening it, he was greeted with the owner, a big smile on his face as he tried to offer a hug. "Thank ye so much for lookin' after me George. I hope he ain't trouble for ye."

Oh! Um... not at all. I... slipped and fell as I was... playing with him at the back.

"Ahh. Ye he can be lil' rascal, but he sure likes to run. Thanks for lendin' ye hand to a guy in need."

Don't mention it. Sly tried to force a smile, hiding his exhaustion behind it which the owner was buying. After a little trouble trying to find the money he stored to the side for payment, he divided the share between Sly and Lexia before giving them his final farewells, then went to give George a few smooches. Good day to you sir. Sly said, powerwalking out of the home before looking up to the sky. He stretched a little, still trying to relieve his back pain before turning to Lexia. Well. Guess this is where we part ways. It's great having a chat with you. I will be seeing you whenever our paths cross again.

And with that, he left the gate, Lexia following behind until they went towards opposite directions of the street.

--

Post: 10/10
Water Closet (WC): 548/75 (What? It's the last post!)

Lmao. Great read. You both were well over the limit.

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