[starter for @finestprint]
Charlie had always heard about there possibly being different creatures that existed in the world. Was it a surprise to him? Not really, but he also paid no mind to it in the first place. The entire thought process behind it all was that there might be other creatures out there and were usually just myths and legends told by humans and other animals to spread rumors and the idea that there could be other life existing among them. Was there probably life that existed among humans and animals? Oh yes, definitely. Had anyone ever found anything? Not really, maybe a few things here and there, but the vast reaches of what Charlie and others did in heaven was massive, so they could never truly tell.
That day finally had arrived for charlie. A new assignment for a kid that lived in the city of Trolberg, somewhere that he hadn’t been before, nor had he heard of. It was an interesting name for the town, especially knowing nothing about it, and received the info he needed about the kid and took off. It didn’t bother him that he had a new assignment out somewhere he hadn’t been before, but it slightly worried him about new places he had to go because of that reason. He didn’t want to show up at a town, only to realize the entire city is in chaos and everything burning to the ground, because he knew those types of cities existed out there.
But… He was surprised when he got there and had a look at the town for the first time. It was a nice little town, nestled away with some mountains, not unlike any other town that had buildings, shops, people, animals. Completed by a wall that surrounded it, most likely to keep people from invading and taking over. Maybe other creatures as well? He didn’t know, but anything was possible here he guessed. He made his way to the ground again, becoming visible as he always was, a normal-looking hound, on a quest to find his new kid. He didn’t know a lot about him, besides the fact that his name was David and he lived somewhere in the town. At least he had a name and description, but that was about it. Ah well, he’d find him eventually, or he wouldn’t. One of the two.
For now, he just ventured around the city, sniffing different things from food to plants, just kinda getting a feel of the city. What seemed to put him off a bit was that he kept seeing something out of the corner of his eye running around. He could never get a good look at it, but he knew something must be there. For now, he’d ignore it, heading off down more streets and alleys to find David.
❝They never give me good enough information for finding these kid,❞ he muttered and poked his head overtop of some bushes to look in some homes, ❝Always just give me a name like David and what they wear and that’s it.❞
He gave a short scoff as he continued walking down more streets, brushing past people, many probably thinking he was a stray of some sort, which wouldn’t exactly surprise him. He just wanted to find him and get to actually know the kid more. But, for the time being, he couldn’t exactly do that. Because something, or someone, had caught his attention. His ears perked a bit, and he turned his head to look down another side street, to see a lid of a trashcan rolling down the path and bumping into his leg. Someone was there. But who?
❝All right, I know someone’s there. Come on out.❞ he called down the street. He just hoped whoever it was wasn’t wanting to attack him. That would end in disaster, in more ways than one. But, he knew someone was there. He thought he could keep seeing slight movements. Was he going insane? He hoped not. Wouldn’t exactly be an excellent thing for what his job called for.
The worst case scenario? Just another dog or something roaming around. He had plenty of homes nearby, so he’d at least by in proximity of places to run to.
Well. As far as landings go there’s certainly been far more graceful ones. He’s told Mum that the balcony is far too difficult to climb down from, but does anyone ever listen to Alfur’s suggestions for remodeling the flat? No. Yes, sure, he can make it down nine times out of ten without incident, but on the occasions that he misses a jump it’s just a great deal of trouble.
Particularly when it makes a racket, which it very rarely does- and their sidewalk isn’t particularly busy, usually, except for when it is.
Like it is now. Busy enough for someone to take notice, at least. Alfur, a bit winded from his fall, shakes his head to bring himself back to coherency quick enough to respond. An uncomfortable laugh accompanies it, discomfort at having been heard and a self-conscious sense of foolishness for having fallen to begin with.
“No, ah... no one! No one’s there. Here, rather. Just... raccoons! Rats... normal city creatures.”
Alright. So he’s not very good at this lying thing. But it’s easier to pass himself off as a ghost or a talking rat (a talking rat who is very good at hiding, naturally) than it is to make yet another human sign the paperwork- let alone a human whom he hasn’t personally verified can be trusted with the paperwork. If you go around letting every human you bump into sign willy-nilly then you’re also going to end up with a village that’s stomped flat. And that’s just a lot of unnecessary trouble for everyone.
Still. With a somewhat weary sigh, he has to admit to himself that no one’s stupid enough to fall for an excuse like that.
“...Please don’t come and verify, there’s really not any need...”
Alfur peeks his head out around the trash can to peer, squinting down the alleyway. There’s no one there, just a dog, looking intently down the street towards him... but Alfur’s never met a talking dog. He’s never met any talking animals, at least not ones that were truly simply animals. Raven hardly counts, of course- he’s not a real raven. But by all accounts, this dog looks remarkably normal... and if he isn’t dealing with a normal dog, then, well, the Elven Counties will most certainly want to hear about this.
“...Was it you who said that? But you’re just a dog!”