Trust Is a Fragile Thing...

[Fen]

Alonzo nodded. "Tha's good." He said with a laugh, giving her a smile. "Leo's been workin' me tah death. But aye, everybody needs ah little muscle, amiright?" He grew silent after that, simply enjoying the action of walking with her, unconsciously syncing his steps up with hers as he did. He tried to keep his eyes focused on other things to avoid staring, but she as gorgeous. He had always thought so, from the moment he met her. He cleared his throat a bit and looked around at the woods surrounding them. The park here wasn't like the one he had been used to before. There weren't as many trees, but for some reason that was okay. The sunlight filtered through them brilliantly and speckled the ground beneath their feet. It was very pretty.

Having enjoyed the quiet for long enough, he finally looked over to Lily and gave another smile, a kind one. "Thanks for comin' with me. I know dis probably wasn't in ya plans for tha day. So ah...yeah. I appreciate ya givin' me some company."

[Frost]

"No problem," Lily laughed. "I didn't really have any plans for the day anyway. If you hadn't bumped into me earlier I'd probably be having a pretty boring day," she said honestly. "And it's always nice to talk with you," she continued, slightly sheepish. It was all true, but the Kelpie generally wasn't very good with compliments, so she kept it simple.

She was enjoying both the warm sun and the cool shade. The day seemed to get better and better every minute. All of a sudden Lily remembered why her day had started unhappily. She knew that she should just let it go, but there was a question that now bugged her more than ever. She didn't want this perfect moment to end, but she had to know the answer, especially since Alonzo had brought up how Leonardo had him working a lot.

Gathering her courage, unsure how she would react to whatever answer she was given, she sighed. "Does Leonardo have you beat up or kill his rivals that disrespect him?" She blurted out, immediately regretting having brought up the subject, but also curious as to the answer. Lily was almost sure she knew what the answer was, but almost is not certainty, so she waited for his answer, her expression curious, but nothing more.

[Fen]

Alonzo nearly froze as she asked him that question, and he looked to her, his eyes unsure of what the intention was there. He stopped, his expression serious as he met Lily's gaze. "I ain't no killah, Lily. You oughta know dat by now." He started, his voice heavy with sincerity. "But I gottah say, Leonardo saved mah life. I woulda died out deah in tha streets. He took me in, gave me purpose. Leo says jump, I don't ask how high, I just do it. I respect him. He asks me to rough some bastardo up for him, I'm inclined to do that." He paused, looking at his feet for a moment then fixing his gaze back on hers. "Having said dat, I ain't gonnah kill nobody ovah sumthin' stupid. And if I do, it's fah tha good of tha family; it's to protect everyone, you especially." His voice lowered a bit on that part as his silver eyes found hers again.

"I protect tha folks I care about. It ain't 'cause I want to, it's because I have to. I sleep a little bettah every night knowin' that my job keeps othas comfortable and safe. Ya catch my drift, darlin'?" He searched her gaze for a moment, wondering what she could have seen that brought this on. He felt a sudden anger that she had been exposed to it. They should have guarded better. That life wasn't for Lily, he knew that. And inside he didn't want that life for her. "Yous far too pretty and smart to be mixed up in all dat stuff. So tell ya what, I'll take care of the bad, and you make sure I can still be good, alright? Watch each othas backs?"

[Frost]

Lily listened intently to what Alonzo was saying. For a little while, she wasn't sure what she felt, but that didn't last long. "Sounds like a plan," she replied, smiling again. "Thanks for being honest with me. It really means a lot to me that you're not lying about it. I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity before the agony of not knowing did anything to drive us apart," she nudged his shoulder gently to let him know that she supported him.

"Now, let's not talk about business anymore," she said suddenly. "I believe it's your turn to pick what we do," Lily smiled up at Alonzo, looking into his amazing silver eyes with her brown eyes. She'd always loved his eyes, ever since the first time they'd met. They were unique, their delicate beauty clashing with Alonzo's muscular form. In those eyes the Kelpie could see the softness that hid beneath all of the tough layers, and she was sure that was what had made her like him in the first place. Despite his toughness, he was always kind to her, and when Lily looked into his eyes, she knew that she would do anything for him.

[Fen]

Alonzo smiled, glad that she understood and he let the subject go, simply focusing on his time with her now. When she mentioned what they should do next, he thought for a moment and smirked. "Evah played poker?" He asked, a playful tone to his voice as he gestured for her to follow. He had some buddies down at the Plaza that played nearly every second of every day, having to scavenge worn cards from human places to keep up their games. As he walked, he looked to Lily, wondering what exactly it was that enticed him so about her. Her voice was like silk in his ears, and her soft brown eyes met him with a deep-rooted kindness that he had never before witnessed. He smiled to himself and began to chuckle a bit, shaking his head and realizing it must look odd. He just felt so...different around her. Giddy and happy on a level that he had never experienced. His large paws were dwarfing hers as he walked in step with her, his head lowered a bit so she didn't have to crane her neck to direct her voice at him. The scene was...perfect.

It didn't take long to get to the Plaza from the Park. The Dane lead Lily down a back street to a piece of wood over a hole in the bricks of a building's foundation. He pushed it aside for her, following her inside the small basement area where four dogs sat in a circle around worn playing cards, their bets of bones and treats and scraps of meat and fabric in the middle. They all looked up as he walked in and greeted him with "Big Al!" and "Lonzi!"

"Lily, these are some ah tha best poker playahs in Bensonhurst. They barely leave this room." He smirked as the other dogs began to call protests at him and Alonzo jostled them back. "Anyways, dat's Mike, Larry, Otis, and Don. Last names don't mattah. They ain't affiliated." He pulled up a seat and made the other dogs scoot over a bit to clear a space for Lily. They were all labs except Mike, being an English Mastiff.

"Deal us in, boys!"

[Frost]

"I've heard of it, but I've never played it," Lily replied. "It sounds like a lot of fun though," she was happy to be able to have so much fun with someone she cared about so much in one day. And he was such a gentleman, even opening the 'door' for her when they reached the place where his friends played. The Kelpie nodded at each of the dogs as Alonzo introduced them. "Hello," she said excitedly as as she sat down next to Alonzo.

Now although Lily had never played poker before, she knew from what she heard that this game was almost completely based on how well one could read others, and she was good at that. In the end the cards mattered, but if you could get the players with the good hands to drop out and you had a fairly good hand, you were pretty much set to win. At least, that's what she'd gotten from what she'd heard. Lily smiled at Alonzo, then set her face with a blank look, one that she knew she could maintain.

All of a sudden, the Kelpie realized something. She leaned over to whisper to Alonzo. "I don't know about you, but I don't have anything to bet."

[Fen]

Alonzo smiled to Lily. "No worries, doll. I got dis." He looked to the other guys and he gave a sheepish grin. "Aye, you fellas mind one game all bets off? Little lady and I ain't too rich today." This statement caused a lot of laughing and shaking of heads, but they agreed and dealt the cards to each person. Since Alonzo couldn't exactly hide the cards from the other players, he leaned down over them, examining them and trying to figure out his move. He looked to Lily. "I ain't lookin' at ya cards ta cheat ya. Gotta learn how to play, right?" He looked at her hand and made a face. It could be worked with. He cast aside his own cards to help Lily play as he slid her hole cards face down and watched as Mike dealt the first of the board cards, burning the top in his stack respectively. Alonzo waited for Lily's turn and then he whispered to her. "You can either raise or fold, but since we aren't betting, I would just pass as if you raised."

Once the round had finished, with Mike folding. The second round began and the queen of hearts was placed onto the board, next to a jack of spades. He directed Lily as the game went on, and he laughed as she finally won a hand. "Too bad we aren't bettin'. Yous pretty good at dis."

[Frost]

Lily nodded to Alonzo and followed his advice. She ended up enjoying the game a lot. "Thanks," she replied when Alonzo complimented her. "But I must let you know, most of my talent probably comes from 'beginner's luck'," she had a knack for getting things right the first time, then utterly failing the next time she tried it. She wondered if that was how it was with this game.

[Fen]

The game seemed to last for a year once Alonzo started playing. He kept winning and winning until finally everyone decided that they better call it a night. Everyone took their cuts, and ducked out of the meeting place. Alonzo hung around for a moment to speak with Lily. "Sorry if tha boys are a little...rough around da edges. They was bustin' ma bawls cause I don't normally bring lady folk around." He grinned sheepishly, gesturing to the door, which he held open for her again before following her out. He replaced the wooden plank and turned to her, his eyes looking up at the sky.

"It's gettin' dark." He said, smiling as he looked at the few stars he could see through the light pollution of the city. His eyes found hers again and he stepped over to her. "Shall I escort you home, madame?" He said, putting on his best crotchety old man accent, chuckling after. "Walk slow though. I ain't ready fah dis to be ovah yet." He started forward, walking in step with her again as his eyes trailed up to the sky, the cool air refreshing him.

[Frost]

"Hey, I hang out with you and Vinny, it's not a problem," Lily teased when Alonzo apologized for his friends. She found it amusing that even though she'd been on the streets for about half of her life, he was sorry for introducing her to dogs that were 'rough around the edges'. She'd seen much worse.

Lily put on her own crotchety accent. "Why thank you, kind sir. That would be most delightful," she laughed a little as well. "No problem," she replied, happy that Alonzo was enjoying this as much as she was. "I'm also reluctant to let the day end," she smiled. This had been the best day of her life so far, and if she had her way, it would never end. Unfortunately, time waits for no one, and she knew that soon it would be over. However, it was almost better this way, because the Kelpie knew that even though time would not allow this moment to last forever, it would permit her to make more memories like this, and that was a thought she liked.

"Thank you, Alonzo," Lily said happily. "Thanks for making my day so wonderful, and for eating with me and walking with me, and thanks for teaching me how to play poker, it was fun," she looked up at him, her dark brown eyes sparkling with joy. She'd never been happier than she'd been today.

[Fen]

Alonzo smiled brightly, his tail wagging behind him as she thanked him for the day. He shook his head after a moment. "Nah, I should be da one thankin' you." He said, his voice kind as he spoke. "I've been havin' a rough time wit all dis. Joining tha family, working. It's nice ta get back to tha things dat make me happy in life." His nightmares were completely forgotten now as he looked to Lily, his gaze meeting hers for a moment before he averted them to watch where he was walking, careful not to stumble. He was just happy with her presence beside him, and he felt content for the first time since he escaped the cage. Things just seemed....right. He didn't have any other way to explain it, and he was fine with that. Words wouldn't enhance this moment. The silence between them now wasn't awkward, it was pleasant. So, he let it continue for a long time, settling for focusing on the slow steps they took, their closeness as they walked.

After a long time, he looked to her. "Say, can I ask ya somethin'?" He said, his voice a bit lower now as he looked to her. "I don't know 'bout you, but dis was tha best day I've had in as long as I can remembah. But ah.." He paused, wondering how to word his next statement, and finally decided. "Youse think next time we can make it ah real date? I'll bring flowahs and everything. I sweah." He smiled awkwardly, missing a step and stumbling slightly.

[Frost]

Lily's mouth dropped open and her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't sure that she'd heard right at first, so she stood in shocked silence for a moment. She knew now that she was attracted to Alonzo, but she hadn't thought that he'd have the same feelings for her. Never having been in a situation like this before, it took her a few seconds to compose herself. She hadn't thought the day could get any better, but it had.

"That would be amazing," she smiled brightly, looking into Alonzo's eyes happily. "And this has been the most wonderful day I've ever had too," Lily giggled a little, she'd never been so happy. It was all she could do not to bounce the rest of the way back to the warehouse.

[Fen]

Alonzo breathed a sigh of relief and smiled a huge smile. He nudged her affectionately and continued walking. The industrial park loomed before them and he sighed as he realized he hadn't wanted to see it so quickly. He stopped at the gate, waiting for Lily to enter first before following after her. The warehouse was oddly silent for once, and he was thankful. His headache might stay gone now. He paused outside the warehouse entrance and turned to Lily, a small, almost sad smile painting his lips.

'Well, guess I'll see ya tomorrow then?" He asked, his voice hopeful as he met her eyes. Their soft brown depths eating away at his heart as he felt an immeasurable amount of dread at having to bid her goodnight.

[Frost]

Lily couldn't stop grinning like an idiot now. This was paws down the best day of her life so far. She was so excited, she didn't realize that they'd reached the warehouse until Alonzo stood aside so that she could go through the gate first. She didn't want the night to end, but she was now sure that she would have better times coming very soon. She noticed Alonzo's reluctance and decided to do something about it.

"Hey, it's not like this is the last time we'll see each other again," Lily teased, grinning. "And I guarantee you that this will not remain the best day ever for long, there are many better days to be had," her tone was more serious now, but still incredibly happy. "And I, for one, am very excited for those days," she nudged him softly. "Besides, you need some rest, 'Big Al'," she teased again, but this time it was just because she'd never heard him called that before.

"So goodnight, sleep well," Lily said sincerely yet softly. She waited for his reply, then turned to walk to her room. Life was good, and she would sleep well that night.

[Fen]

Alonzo grinned, his tail wagging as she nudged him and he watched her head inside. "Goodnight, Lily. Have very sweet dreams." He winked and turned, heading for his own room. He paused at the door, hearing the sound of shuffling feet inside, and he poked his head in, his face colliding with a female dog as he did so, their heads clashing and the female stumbled backwards, mumbling a string of 'ows' as she shook her head. She turned her blue eyes on Alonzo as he pushed the door open.

"Juliet?"

The female shrank and looked down. "I was just..."

Alonzo laughed. "It's fine. Thank you." He said, brushing past her into his spotless room as Juliet scurried out of the door, her paws quick with the will to escape. Alonzo shook his head and trotted over to his bed, laying down in the satiny fabric as he watched the stars through the window.