Boredom, Sheer Bloody Boredom (AW)

[Harli]

OOC: The more the merrier, I say. Bring him in. He's more than welcome.
Soapy, maybe we should just forgo the posting order. That might make things a little easier.

BIC: Harli twitched her ears at Britney's mention of Poppy's unusual accessories. "Sounds like someone I know," she muttered dryly, thinking of her uncle. A sudden wave of paranoia hit Harli, and she glanced up onto the docks to ensure that he wasn't around. It would be just like Cooper to make a miraculous appearance and set something on fire when she was in the middle of a conversation with normal dogs. Satisfied that her relative was far away, Harli allowed herself to relax, only to be set on edge once again by the sound of a new arrival.

[Charmyte]

(OOC: I agree with Harli. So many a time I've waited for my turn, only for it to come RIGHT after I fall asleep.)

"No thanks, Soapy," Mickey said, refusing her offer for more water. "I've got plenty." Mickey listened as Britney described Poppy. But he noticed that it looked like she wanted to avoid describing her perfectly.

"Superstitious, eh? Like 'Oh no! The world is gonna end!' Superstitious? Or 'voodoo, black magic, etcetera' superstitious? Either way, she sounds more and more interesting with every detail."

Britney continued, and Mickey listened closely. He didn't want to start on the wrong foot with someone new. Just as it seemed she was about to stop, a new voice rang from a distance. When Britney explain the voice, Mickey's tail wagged with excitement. Mickey found the voice interesting. "So, Poppy's coming?"

[Soapy]

Soapy listened carefully as Britney explained Poppy. She actually sounded like someone Soapy would get along with.
"Well", said Soapy. "I actually believe in angels and stuff. Course Britney knows that already. And Britney, if she needs food she welcome to join our picnic. I don't think the three of us could finish all this food anyway. I'm starting to feel a little stuffed".
Soapy smiled as Harli spoke up and said that Poppy sounded like someone she knew then saw her cautiously look around.
"Harli are you okay?", asked Soapy. "What are you looking for?"
Soapy turned her attention to Mickey while she waited for an answer from Harli.
"Okay Mickey", said Soapy. "Just tell me when you need more okay? By the way, how are you feeling?"
It was then Soapy heard someone call Britney, someone new. She heard Britney say that that was Poppy and Soapy smiled.
"So we get to meet her after all?", Soapy asked.
She was very excited to meet Poppy. Her tail began to wag a little but a thought went through her head. What did Britney mean bu they were like sisters and separated at birth. Was Poppy Britney's sister? Soapy wanted to ask but felt funny.
Maybe they're just really good friends, Soapy thought.
But something kept nagging at Soapy's mind. A small voice telling her to ask Britney more about Poppy and who she was exactly.

(OOC-Bleh short. Still not over that dumb writer's block guys. It sucks. I hope it's gone by at least tomorrow. Maybe I just need a good night's sleep. And it sounds okay if Dale joins in. But I really think we should have a posting order. I'll leave that to Harli who goes when but one thing I want to point out is no one can post over each other. You have to wait until they post before you can. Sound good? And Harli, is it okay that I put you in charge? I mean, it IS your thread.)

[WonderDog]

Britney noticed when she was describing them, they were catching on that she really didn't want to describe her at all and even if they didn't catch on about this, they knew something was up.
"Voodoo, black magic and all that yadda stuff" Britney explained when Mickey asked. Poppy stuck her head around the wall. She was the spitting image of Britney. The same emerald green eyes and the same tone of fur. Britney looked behind her, after picking up Poppy's scent being near.
"Yes... this is Poppy" Britney said, a little weakly. Poppy's eyes scanned the small crowd. She got down lower, outstretching her legs so she got down lower and approached slowly. The band that read "UNSTABLE" on it was clear now, in big rainbow letters.
"Poppy... this is Soapy, remember who I was telling you about?" Britney said, slow and calmly. Poppy nodded and raised herself a little higher, aware that Soapy wouldn't harm her if she was Britney's friend. Her eyes landed on the other two.
"And t hat's Harli and that's Mickey. They won't hurt you" Britney said, rolling her eyes when Poppy didn't look. "Well? What do you have to say?"
"Hello..." Poppy said, raising herself to her normal height. The collar that read "DIFFERENT" flashed, causing a shiny spot of light on a wall behind in front of her. Britney dropped a steak before her sister. Poppy looked at it. "For me?"
"Yes, of course it is" Britney said, a little coldly. Poppy chewed at it slowly.
"Who are you people?" Poppy asked, killing a silence that fell. "I mean... can you tell me about yourselves? Excuse me, but I don't have very good trust levels..." Britney rolled her eyes and snarled under her breath before turning away.

[Soapy]

When Soapy saw Poppy approach she almost fell over. She looked exactly like Britney. Only Britney didn't wear a wristband and collar. Soapy tilted her head at Poppy, reading what the wristband and collar said. This made her more confused. Wasn't everyone different? Unstable even just a little? When Britney introduced Soapy to Poppy Soapy gave her a smile.
"It's nice to meet you Poppy", said Soapy, sounding friendly. "Britney told us a......um....well she told us about you. Not much though. Uh, anyway it's a pleasure to meet you."
Soapy could tell Britney felt a little annoyed and weird with Poppy around.
When Poppy spoke Soapy tapped her tail against the sand again, sensing more of Britney's discomfort as she gave Poppy a steak.
"Yes", said Soapy, continuing from where Britney left off. "And there's plenty to go around Poppy. Uh....I hope you like mudbugs.....I mean, crawdads.....they're little fresh water lobster looking things. Won't you join us?"
She stole a glance at Britney and just knew by her friend's face that Soapy would be given a talking to. She gave Britney an innocent look, much like a dog does when it pees on the carpet and gets yelled at.
Soapy cleared her throat when she heard Poppy ask her, Harli, and Mickey to tell her about themselves. Soapy was the first to speak.
"Uh....well....", said Soapy. "Uh you and I are um.....well um....I too have a strong belief in angels and stuff".
Soapy then started telling Poppy her life story, talking about what had happened to her two years ago and continued telling her about Toby. It was then she cut herself off, feeling Britney's eyes on her.
"Uh anyway....", said Soapy. "Uh....I uh.....um.....sorry. That uh, that was a little too long of a story. Sorry if I got you bored in any way."
Soapy could now feel Britney's discomfort overwhelm herself and she sat back and gave Britney a look like 'Sorry....got carried away there'.
After a few minutes Soapy cleared her throat and spoke up, standing up from her spot.
"Britney", said Soapy. "Um could I speak to you a second. Up on the boardwalk.....alone".
Soapy had to get Britney away from Poppy. The discomfort her best friend felt around Poppy was almost effecting everyone else. Soapy needed to know why Britney was so uncomfortable.
"Meet you up there", said Soapy, getting up and walking towards the wooden stairs. She glanced at Harli and Mickey. "Be right back guys. Try to hold down the fort".
Soapy gave her new friends an apologetic look then smiled at Poppy.
"And Poppy please help yourself to the food", Soapy continued kindly before she disappeared up the boardwalk, glancing behind her once to see if Britney was following her.

(OOC-Eh, I'm doing a little better today. I'm still all 'bleh'. I blame my boyfriend. I think I'm catching his cold. Yuck. Hopefully not though. I was outside a lot yesterday, maybe I'm just tired from being outside and stuff. Could be allergies too.)

[WonderDog]

"You like my collar and band?" Poppy spoke, when she realized Soapy was looking at them. "They were made by some old friends of mine. Very unique, aren't they?" She started to smile and she admired her band on her right fore paw before she gave a gentle tug at her collar.
"Yea, very, so why don't you eat?" Britney said, rushed and cold. Poppy looked at the wide variety of food.
"They all look very... nice" Poppy said. "Thank you for the offer, Soapy, I think I shall eat some of the stock you have here."
Much to Britney's dislike, Soapy was being awfully warm to her not-yet-psycho sister. Britney tried to hold down the awful snarl building up in her throat. She gave an uneasy smile back at Soapy when she gave her an innocent look. When Soapy began to describe herself, Poppy perked up and listened. When she explained her belief in angels, a wide, almost strange grin that showed maliciousness spread across Poppy's face.
"Oh, really? If you ask me, they're everywhere" she said, her green eyes sparkling like stars. "I also believe in ghosts too." She listened to Soapy's life story about the house burning down and all the way to Toby. And every detail made Poppy's eyes glisten with interest.
"That's very interesting..." she said, slowly, with a smile on her face. "No, you didn't bore me at all. And I am sorry for your loss but I'm sure whoever he was, he's still with you." She added the last part in her mysterious voice, a voice full of secrecy and mischief as her smile faded. She then tilted her head and smiled once again. "My mother died when I was young but I'm sure you kn-"
"Poppy, don't you need to eat to get your energy levels up?" Britney interrupted. Poppy gave her sister a curious look.
"Why can't I tell our story?" Poppy asked. Britney gulped.
"It's not... OUR story, it's yours" Britney said. Poppy gave her sister a puzzled look and was about to speak once more until Soapy stood up and asked for Britney.
"Yea, sure" Britney replied, all too glad to be leaving Poppy for a few minutes. She made a mental note to throttle her brother, Dale, for letting Poppy out on her own. She followed Soapy up the board way.
"Oh, and can you keep an eye on Poppy? She... yenno... she's... can you do that please?" Britney added, avoided any form of the word "strange".

(OOC- I think I have the cold as well, my throat hurts and my head hurts, bleh Hopefully, this is good enough for someone with a cold.)

[Soapy]

Soapy waited for Britney to join her up on the boardwalk, laying down patiently on a wooden crate. When Britney walked up Soapy smiled and tapped her tail a little, then proceeded to jump off the crate and walk further down the boardwalk so she and Britney could have some privacy. Once Soapy made sure that no was was near them or below them she spoke up.
"Britney, what's up with you?", Soapy asked. "Your sister is very nice. Why do you feel so uncomfortable around her? Is it what she wears? I mean, everyone's a little bit unstable and everyone is different."
When Soapy saw Britney's look of shock on her face when Soapy said she knew that Poppy was her 'sister' Soapy chuckled.
"Aw come on on Brits", said Soapy. "I could tell you guys were related the second I saw Poppy. It's nothing to be ashamed about".
Soapy gave her friend a friendly nuzzle then walked a little ways towards the others.
"Calm down ok?", said Soapy. "I'm sure everyone likes her. I like her. She seems very interesting. But anyway, you looked like you wanted to give me a talking to down there so.....let er' rip".
Soapy sat in front of her friend and looked at her. Trying not to flinch, she waited for Britney to start yelling at her. Soapy knew that what she had brought up on top of everything else her friend's temper would skyrocket as she was already losing her temper. Soapy could see it in her eyes when they were down with Poppy and Harli and Mickey.

(OOC-Bleh, I SO could've done better. And I think your post is good Wonder. Probably better than mine. And feel better Wonder! Now let's wait for Harli and Charmyte to post before we start taking over. LOL.)

[WonderDog]

Britney looked at Soapy in shocked horror when she mentioned Poppy being her sister. How did she know? How COULD she have known? Before Britney had time to ask, Soapy had replied to the mental question herself. Britney took a deep breath and was about to scream the roof off about Poppy but she didn't. She just exhaled her breath and sighed.
"It's not that I don't like her, it's just... that... I worry about her" Britney said. "That... that collar and band she wears, it doesn't mean she's unique. She's mad, Soapy. She's genuinely mad. She isn't stable at all. She just manages to hold down any unwanted rage or misery she has sometimes, like now. It's probably because of you believing in angels and all, she probably feels like she has someone to connect to." Britney sat down and pawed the ground nervously.
"I don't mean to sound like I'm holding a grudge at her. She's alright I guess but she's hard work, Soapy. She always screams at shadows on the wall, calling them Ivy and stuff. Dale suggested a straight jacket just the other day" Britney said, a little sadly. She looked down, as if she could see Poppy below. "We both worry about her, that's all. She needs help. Professional help."
She heard Poppy mutter a few things, she seemed rather calm for someone of her likings these days. She laughed at decent jokes lately, and smiled at people instead of scream MURDERER at them. It was only a matter of time before she snapped again.

(OOC- Just after this post then, I'll wait )

[Dale]

Swearing violently under his breath, Dale ran down the street, searching for his sister, Poppy. That chic is just MENTAL, he thought to himself.
"POPPY! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Dale yelled, racing down the block at full speed. "THIS ISN'T FUNNY, EVEN IN THE SLIGHTEST WAY!"
He collided into a wall when he caught her scent. Was that really her scent? He shook the fuzz from his head before gazing around dizzily, trying to sniff out Poppy's scent again. he got up onto his feet again, unsteadily and gradually and started walking slowly down the street. The scent bounced back.
"I'll kill her..." Dale snarled. He charged over the corner.
"Right you, you are in such deep troooo- oh..." Dale was cut off by Poppy's company. Poppy didn't creep them out yet by the looks of things. Dale put on an innocent grin. "Hey... I'm Dale, her brother." He jerked his head towards Poppy at the words "her sister". "Everything... everything alright here? She didn't say anything... freaky, did she? Sorry if she did, she's not exactly sane..."

(OOC- Ah, Dale with his outbursts of the truth Sometimes I wonder of him and Britney really are related. So, anyway, thanks for Wonderdog for inviting me, hope you all don't mind ;D)

[Charmyte]

(OOC: That's it, my turn. Can't wait any longer.)

Mickey watched as Poppy wandered over to them.

Good lookin'. Mickey thought. He paid close attention to the bright collar on her neck. Unstable. Unstable? Nah. Mickey let himself be introduced, and then saw yet another collar. Different. Aren't we all? Mickey smiled a little.

He sat quietly as Soapy explained her story. Though he was very interested, Mickey couldn't wait for Poppy's story. When Soapy finished, Mickey grabbed another crawdad, before Poppy began, only to be stopped by Britney.

"Hey, let her speak." he butted in. It wasn't like Mickey to speak in such an angry tone, but he managed to control himself in mid speak. Mickey watched as Britney walked off with Soapy up onto the dark. "Sorry about that. Me and my outbursts of insanity. Continue you story."

Mickey relaxed himself, but then saw another dog walking this way. The new dog asked some questions, to which Mickey was quick to reply. "Yep. Everything's quite alright here. And you are?"

(OOC: Etcetera. And.....I'm bleeding )

[Harli]

OOC: *drags self slowly across the floor* Ugh. Sorry I'm late. I've been repainting my bathroom. I never would've believed such a small space could cause such big problems.

BIC: Harli pulled herself away from her food to assess the newcomer. When Soapy and Britney left, she decided that it wouldn't do any harm for her to answer Poppy's question. "Well, let's see here. My name's Harli, I'm originally from northern Arkansas, I live with my uncle here in New Orleans now, and that's about it." About all she was going to tell to a complete stranger, anyway. Her unabridged life story wasn't something she'd ever recite, not even to close friends. She stiffened again when another dog came on the scene, but soon relaxed. "Yeah, like Mickey said, everything's fine," she reassured Dale. She felt her gaze inadvertently waver to look Poppy over again, when he inquired whether she'd done anything "freaky." "'S prob'ly nothin' I couldn't handle anyways," she muttered to herself, once again thinking of Cooper. Was it her imagination, or did she hear him singing "Dixie" not too far off? She banished the thought from her mind and looked Dale over again. "Hey, aren't you that fella I nearly hit with my radio last summer?"

[Soapy]

Soapy sighed and gave Britney a solemn look after her friend was done talking about Poppy.
"Then she needs us more than ever Britney", said Soapy. "If she's that mad then what she needs is a caring sister and brother, and friend. Be patient with her. I know I will be. And what about her band and collar? Who exactly gave those to her and why? Were they making fun of her?"
Question upon question racked through Soapy's mind and she couldn't help but not only feel bad for Poppy but Britney and Dale too. Soapy didn't know what it was like to have a sister, much less a crazy one.
"If she needs help I can try and help her", said Soapy. "I think I have more patience with her and plus, I'll be getting her out of you and Dale's fur for awhile. It's the least I can do. You ARE my best friend, almost like my sister, Britney".
Soapy gave her friend a nuzzle then looked down below hearing yells.
"What the?", said Soapy, leaping up on the wooden crate to get a better look. "Oh hey! It's Dale! Guess he finally caught up. Wanna go back down or stay up here a little while longer? It's up to you Britney. I'll stay with you if you want. Poppy's in good paws."
Soapy gave her a weak smile before leaping off the crate.
"Wanna go for a walk together?", Soapy asked. "To clear your head."
Soapy gave Britney another nuzzle as she waited for her friend to answer.

(OOC-I hate the way this turned out. It sounded better in my head. Bleh, long day, got in a fight with my best friend and I'm not exactly happy. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow when I see my boyfriend. *sigh* Oh! Welcome Dale!)

[WonderDog]

Britney looked at Soapy with a puzzled expression.
"You would take care of someone you don't really know?" Britney inquired. She felt lucky to be offered such a break. A break from Poppy screaming at walls sounded good but it's only a matter of time before Poppy turns all crazy again. Soapy hasn't seen that side of her yet. "Well, you can try I suppose, I'm not stopping you."
When Soapy asked about her collar and band, all Britney could honestly do was shrug.
"I dunno where she got them but she told me she loves them" Britney said, rolling her eyes at the thought of Poppy never taking them off. "She told me old friends gave it to her. Surprise, I didn't know she could HAVE friends let alone make them."
When Dale burst into the scene, Britney also looked down to see him standing there, a little bewildered looking. Britney narrowed her eyes. So, he lost her. Just as bad.
"Shocker, Dale lost Poppy... again" Britney grumbled. "Thing is, I don't really think he lost her at all..." But she was still happy on the inside to see her brother again. Being his clumsy self always seemed to brighten her mood.
"I think we better go back down. Dale is probably looking for me too" Britney said, standing up again. She smiled at the walk being offered.
"Hm, tempting but the sea air can be thick and just plain annoying, you know how I feel about it... unless you mean the street... eh, I dunno. But where ever we go, Poppy is bound to follow eventually..."
Britney rolled her eyes once again. Poppy can be such a pain at times. It's bad enough having her a meter away sometimes let alone having to walk with her.

Below, Poppy sat listening to Harli speak. "Interesting" Poppy replied. "You live with your uncle? That must be quite the time then."
She chewed on her steak a little longer until she decided to answer Mickey by continuing her story.
"Well, when I was young", she started, "My mother died. Me and my sister were separated by Belladonna. She kept my captive for a while, yenno... and she made me pull stuff across her head quarters, stuff that she needed. And she made us serve her every need. She was going to serve me up to her wolf army but I managed to escape. I ran away and got these two things." She tugged her collar and lifted her right fore paw to show her band. "After a while, me and my sister and my brother met up again. Now we all try to live together. My big brother, Dale, does try to keep up with us but he has an owner now, thus, he can't always be with us. So Dale looks after me mostly in the day." Poppy finished off her steak soon afterwards.
"That's very nice steak" Poppy said. "What are these then, the crawdads?" Poppy took one and started on it. Unlike Britney, Poppy really enjoyed them.
"Oh, their very nice!" she smiled. A sudden scream of her name, Poppy perked up, standing almost immediately after the yell. Dale emerged from around the corner. Poppy smiled at her brother.
"Hello Dale, won't you join us?" she asked, ignoring his comment about her completely.

[Soapy]

Soapy smiled.
"Of course I would", said Soapy, answering Britney's question. "Especially if she's your sister."
When Britney said she wasn't stopping Soapy from watching over Poppy Soapy grinned in a rebellious way.
"Good", said Soapy. "Cause I was gonna do it anyway whether you liked it or not".
Her smile widened and she couldn't help but giggle. Her smile dropped though when Britney spoke of Poppy's band and collar. Why was Britney so surprised that Poppy could make friends. She decided to just nod at this one, deciding to ask Poppy. When Britney brought up Dale looking for her Soapy nodded.
"Yeah he probably is", said Soapy. "And about the walk. We can walk in the street if you want. I just hope the road isn't too hot. But we should probably touch base with Dale first. And listen, instead of Dale watching her I could. Toby isn't that clingy with me and he still let's me wander around and stuff. If you want I'll take Poppy off both of your paws and watch her everyday. Toby doesn't mind if I bring other dogs in from off the streets. Plus, it'll give me a chance to really get to know her you know? You can trust me. And if she runs off I'm right on her tail. You know how fast I can run."
Soapy jumped up on the wooden boardwalk railing with her forepaws and smiled as she looked down.
"Things seem to be going okay down there", said Soapy. "But looks can be deceiving. Let's go see Dale. If you want we can go for that walk later when the sun starts to set and the road cools off a bit. Even this wood feels hot."
Soapy jumped down onto the boardwalk and started for the stairs.
"Let's go Britney", said Soapy, already walking down the stairs.
When Soapy reached the bottom she trotted over to the group of dogs.
"Hey guys", said Soapy. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I just had to talk to Britney a sec".
Soapy turned her head towards Dale.
"Hey there Dale", said Soapy, smiling. "Britney's up on the boardwalk. She'll be right down. Sorry, I was having a little chat with her about.....stuff. Um....girl stuff"
Soapy didn't want to bring up the Poppy subject in front of Harli and Mickey so she told herself to keep her mouth shut until later or if Britney happened to bring it up with them still there. Soapy was guessing that Britney would have a little private chat with Dale about the matter or something. Soapy walked over to the pot of mudbugs and picked out a few before she went to go lay down in the shade.
"So...."Soapy started, chewing and swallowing a mudbug. Did I miss anything?"

(OOC-Rushed. My boyfriend's gonna be here any minute and I'm not even ready! Also, Dale, is it just me or does Dale (your char) remind me of Itchy?)

[Charmyte]

Mickey turned his attention to Poppy, who had just finished her own story. "Very intriguing, Poppy. I guess that leaves me to tell my story." Mickey avoided asking stupid questions that it looked like everyone knew: 'Who is Belladonna? Who's your sister?' Besides, Mickey had a feeling that her sister was nearby, considering the type of dog Poppy was.

"Well, it's not like me to tell people this, I'm not very proud of it." Mickey leaned a bit closer and whispered, "I come from a line of Tibetan royalty. There! I said it.But I prefer to not think of myself like some classy heir, but as just another dog. Especially after...after I was taken from Tibet by two humans. It was nice living in San Fransisco with them. For a while." Mickey paused. "Before they kicked me out for absolutely no reason. Life on the streets is more of my style anyways."

Mickey felt that that was all they needed to know, but felt that because everyone else had told their full stories, one last secret had to be revealed."But, to be completely honest, that family is the reason I'm here in New Orleans. Quite frankly, I'm none too proud at what I did. It was only a few days ago..." Mickey chocked back tears. "I...well, nah. I can't tell. Not unless you all really want me too."

Hopefully they don't. Mickey thought. But he know that curiosity is within all, and his secret will eventually come out in some way.