Lost in Hollywood (OPEN)

[Fen]

say what you mean

tell me i'm right and let the sun rain down
on me. give me a sign. i want to believe

The park was lovely today, and Juliet didn't think she had ever seen the sun shining so brightly in the sky. She was in awe of the area still, even if she had visited it many times before. She was always intrigued by the smallest things, and it added to her obviously carefree nature. She was sitting next to a birdbath, her head relaxed on the top of her paws, which were stretched out in front of her on the grass. She was mildly watching the birds dip in and out of the water, ruffling their feathers and having a grand time. She was a bit jealous. What a splendor it must be to fly through the air and see the world from a bird's perspective. Her blue eyes closed for a moment, imagining it but knowing that it was probably no where near what it was in reality. 

Sighing slightly, she opened her eyes and pushed herself into a sitting position, a hind leg coming forward and up to scratch at her ear as the broke clasp from her old leash jingled in the metal ring of her collar. The color had long since faded from the thing, and the rhinestones that used to adorn it had nearly all fallen out. She'd rid herself of it if she could find some way to. She had tried chewing on it, but that had just gotten her lower jaw stuck in the thing, and had chipped one of her teeth. She'd even gotten other dogs to try, but to no avail. She had accepted that the thing wasn't coming off, even if it did itch something fierce.

She sighed a bit and drug herself to her feet again. Time to find something to eat. She started forward, causing the birds to stir and fly away in a fluttering of wings. She watched them in the sky until she could no longer see them, and then got to searching for a trash can, her golden fur more vibrant in the sun as she stepped out from the shade of the tree. She really was pretty, though she wasn't the type to flaunt anything. Shy by nature, she hated to be even looked at. If someone's gaze lingered too long, she would shift uncomfortably and it would put her on edge until they looked away. 

She found a trash can and did a quick scan for humans that would likely chase her off were she caught. She put her front paws on the can and pushed with all her weight, knocking it over and beginning to pick through it, looking for anything edible.

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥

[Leonardo]

"No no, non è così che sta per accadere..."

Leonardo was lightly arguing with some friends that followed him out of the market. He had gone there to steal some scented oils, and they were his scouting party. They were old bastards--who lived to do nothing but complain about the way things were today, and how the youth were so reckless. But They greatly enjoyed heckling Leonardo. He was a symbol of success to them, and though many were his friends, they were envious of his business mind. Therefore, they were always ready to bother him, slow him down, tease him because they new that they could get away with it.

"Leonardo, portami a casa tua fantasia e mi danno il cibo!"

Leo laughed. "No, vai a casa idiota."

The two bums laughed. "La nostra casa è con il grande Mancini! Tu ci ispiri!"

"So I inspire you bums? Haha, grazie, grazie."

"Hey!" One of the old dogs noticed the figure of a female digging through the garbage at a distance. "Whoa! I think she may need some help finding something!" The two laughed and shared a wolfish grin.

"Cornea bastardi!" Leo laughed deeply. But he sent them on their way, and then stared at the girl from where he stood. He couldn't see her face, but he decided to approach anyway. He could probably send her to one of his places and make sure she ate with her dignity. After all, a trash can was no place for a woman.

He approached her slowly, and after watching a while, he spoke. "Excuse me, Miss?"

[Redshift]

Ever since the three Mancini's entered the park, Ajax became their shadow. Even from a distance, the loud Italian mobsters were clearly a part of the rumored gang that controlled much stray activity in Bensonhurst. It wouldn't hurt to see where they were headed or what they intended to do. Perhaps he could catch any spoils they left behind of things they might be stealing. The young cat kept his distance, especially since they were speaking a different language, so he would have no idea what they were talking about anyways. But soon, two split off to go somewhere else, while the remaining Rottweiler stayed put investigating a golden female within a trashcan. Odd, but an interesting development.

Carefully, Ajax made his way closer to the two dogs, being careful to stay out of sight. Was there something valuable in the trashcan? Was it worth revealing himself? It was about time he got himself acquainted with this Don Mancini. But to ruin this couple's moment seemed very rude, even for Ajax's standards. So of course, he was going to interrupt them. He waited for a moment, letting them exchange their first words, and then moved in. As naturally as he could, Ajax trotted up to the trashcan right in between the unsuspecting dogs. "Heyya, lovebirds," he meowed. "Sorry to interrupt, but this can seems popular. Anythin' good in there?"

[Fen]

say what you mean

tell me i'm right and let the sun rain down
on me. give me a sign. i want to believe

Juliet had her head inside the trashcan, her teeth trying to grasp a half-eaten hotdog at the back, but her shoulders wouldn't allow her to squeeze any further inside the trashcan. She had nearly gotten it when a male voice made her jump, the clang from her head hitting the inside of the can resounding in her ears, and she dug her back paws into the grass and wriggled herself free, the momentum causing her to fall backward and land right on her hindquarters. A chip bag was stuck to her face for a moment, and she shook it away, her eyes coming to land on the massive rottweiler before her. Her eyes widened and she scrambled to stand, nearly tripping and falling again as she did so. When she finally regained her footing, she took a sharp breath. "Y-Yes?" She squeaked, her heart fluttering out of her chest at having been startled and her ears ringing from the clang of the metal trashcan.

She didn't have long to recover before a small cat forced his way in between the two dogs and she jumped again, backing away quickly then realizing it was a cat and sighing in relief. What a lovely start to her day. She was beginning to get a headache already. "Um..there's a hotdog in there but I was gonna..." She trailed off, not really sure what to say. "You can have it if you like." She finally finished, smiling nervously.

Her tail had fallen flat off her back, when it was usually curled up over it. Her heart finally stilled a bit and she was able to take a normal breath as she looked back and forth between the two, trying to muster the courage to say something else, but coming up with nothing. 

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥

[Leonardo]

Well this was already morphing into a disaster.

His voice had started her, caused her to fall, and now he was being cockblocked by a random rude cat. Not that he had any intentions of getting 'busy', he was just coming by to be friendly. Still, he had no idea how the random cat would fit in this brief encounter.

Leo was beginning to wish he had minded his own business and left. But he couldn't do that. Besides, she was a lady. And he would not let one as beautiful as this one--oh Lord, those eyes. They reached past his brain and gripped his soul like the very hand of an angel. It was almost like they didn't belong in the body--and, at the same time, it felt like the fur was artificial as well. But it was all just...just too real. He'd only once seen eyes like that before, and that was on a husky or malamute.

"...Good day Miss," he looked at the random cat. "And, sir." Tilting his head to the side slightly, he addressed the female. "Miss, My name is Leonardo Mancini. Yous okay?"

[Redshift]

Ajax nearly burst into laughter as the poor golden husky fell not only once, but twice, surprised by the presence of the Rottweiler. Fortunately, he was able to hold his tongue, but his cheeks puffed out, strained and his eyes were watering. Instead, the cat tried to advert the attention away from the female's clumsy show, and replied, "Hot dog? Well, if ya don't mind I'll take a bite." He swiftly dug through the contents to find the grimy piece of mystery meat and brought it back out to nibble on. He was more doing it to add to his act than out of hunger. With his mouth half full of meat he nudged the Rottweiler and muttered, "You shoulda used that has a pick up line. You know, like hot dog. Ha! Get it?" Ajax chuckled awkwardly at his own joke, but nearly choked on the snack in the process.

After catching his breath, he looked up to the Rottweiler, introducing himself as Leonardo Mancini, with fake shocked eyes. The cat figured this tough-looking dog was the leader of the Mancini family after the rumors he had heard. Ajax then meowed, his voice quieter, seemingly in awe, "Hold up, hold up. Yer the Don Mancini? Yo, Goldie," the cat pawed at the lady mutt's leg, "this guy is, like, famous. Everyone in the city knows the Mancini name. Should we be asking for an autograph or somethin'?"

[Fen]

say what you mean

tell me i'm right and let the sun rain down
on me. give me a sign. i want to believe

Juliet stiffened a bit as she heard the name, and a sudden fear washed over her as she backed up a few paces. Don Leonardo Mancini, she knew who he was. No one was in this city five minutes without hearing his name five hundred times. She eyed him carefully, then looked down at the cat as he began to speak, and she shook her head. "N-No, that's alright." She said when the cat mentioned having Leonardo give them an autograph. She shifted uncomfortably then realized she had been asked a question. Her name? Oh, hell...What was her name? Her nervousness caused her to draw a blank and then she finally said, "J-Juliet. My name is Juliet Ryder. Nice to meet you." She nearly mumbled as she fidgeted, trying not to let her gaze linger to long on either male in front of her.

She had run into members of the Mancini family before, and they had always been nice for the most part, but the stories were hard to ignore. She had been in this city over a year and not once had she seen Mister Mancini. She'd heard he was a rottweiler, and a big one at that, with sharp teeth and claws. The picture she had in her head of him did not match the dog in front of her, and she suddenly felt a little ashamed at having thought that way. He seemed nice, she supposed, but the fact that she knew who and what he was...it made her nervous. 

The cat that had joined their little group was quite funny, though she couldn't muster a laugh with her heart still fluttering from the initial scare. She had noticed him stifling a laugh when she fell, and that made it even more awkward.

"I'm not...trespassing right? I can find food somewhere else..." Her voice was almost a whisper toward the end of her statement as she focused her blue eyes on the grass between her paws. Oh, dear what had she gotten herself into?

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥

[Leonardo]

Leonardo was less than amused at this strangely bold cat. He was just...just "here". Of course, he didn't show his irritation. He just smiled at the little fella, and made a discreet signal to the south with a flip of his head.

"Yeh, I dunno about bein' famous, but I have a few buddies heyah an' theah. But I can't quite provide an' autograph cuz uh..." he trailed off, finding no real reason to finish that sentence. He turned his attention back to the beauty. Juliet...yes that was her name. Juliet.

"Juliet? Beautiful name. I 'ave nevah seen you 'round heyah before. An' I come to da park nearly every day. Gotta stay fit." He smiled kindly and tapped his gut with his hindleg. Leo was actually very fit for his age and lifestyle, considering all he did lately was sit around and bark orders at everyone else. "And no, Julie baby, you are not trespassin'. An' if you'd like, I can take you to get some food somewhere's else. No lady should be eatin' outta da trash."

*********

Frankie was watching them.

He was a little ways off, but he saw the signal that Leo had given him. He noticed why, as well. There was a random cat there.

"What...why?" But he shook his head. There was really no answer for that. He just made his way over there, drifting somewhat like a ghost.

[Redshift]

Ajax finished munching the last bits of the hot dog and silently watched the volley between the two dogs, a sly smirk on his face. He was just about to reply with his own usually sarcastic jeering, when another shape in the distance caught the cat's eyes. It was another feline, staring directly at the trio, his eyes narrow and intent. The black cat's heart beat faster as he realized Leonardo's strange head jerk had not been just a purposeless motion; clearly, he did not want Ajax messing up his game. Fine, the young tom huffed in his mind, annoyed he could not taunt the two hounds any further.

"Welp, that was satisfying," he said, licking his lips. "Thanks for the chat, but I've gotta skeedaddle. See ya around, dollfaces!" He quickly winked at Juliet and glanced at Leonardo, then scampered away. He tried to whistle non-chalantly and avoid the Don's feline friend. Ajax was not the brawling type and knew this cat was much older than himself, and probably more vicious.

[Fen]

say what you mean

tell me i'm right and let the sun rain down
on me. give me a sign. i want to believe

Juliet watched the cat, named Ajax, trot off. She hadn't noticed Leo's signal to the other cat, but she picked up his scent on the air. She ignored it, and started to call a goodbye to the cat, but he was out of earshot before she could. Shame, he was awfully funny. She turned her attention back to Leo, and he was still as intimidating as when she was startled out of the trash can by his voice. His voice was friendly, though, and that was comforting. The offer he made her was very tempting, and her stomach answered for her by growling loudly. So loud she could have sworn that someone three streets over could have heard her. 

She felt the blood rising to her face in embarrassment and she averted her eyes back between her feet. "Ah...yes. That would be nice." She said, then instantly regretted saying it. She chose not to linger on him referring to her as a lady. She certainly didn't look like one at the moment, having just heaved herself out of a pile of trash. How else was she to eat? She was too shy to ask anyone for help, and she refused to do any sort of dirty job. Occasionally she played a babysitter to a family over near Bath Beach, but that was only once in a while. Food was hard to come by unless you had friends, and Juliet had none.

"Um..." She started, finally chancing a glance up at Leo, taking in his massive size. He nearly dwarfed her, and she wasn't a small dog either. "I mean, unless it's too much trouble. I wouldn't want to impose." She kept digging herself into a hole, and finally decided it would be best to shut her mouth. Though, it was hard not to talk to him. He seemed friendly, and she hoped she wasn't falling for some trick. Women had to be careful in this city. 

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥

[Leonardo]

Leonardo grinned, picking up on her awkwardness with a thoughtful stare. What she nervous? Was he being too aggressive? He didn't think so. Besides, Leo never changed for anyone, and he certainly had been the same gentleman he'd been with ALL women for the past 4 years or so, so he knew his techniques of engagement were fine. Still, there was always that one that got a way: the shy girl. Leo needed to make her feel comfortable. She was among friends, and no one was going to hurt her.

"Nonsense, Juliet!" He gave her his kind, famous smile. "I've got nothin' but time, my friend. An' of course if dat wasn't da case, I could awlways make time fuh a damsel in distress." He winked teasingly, and looked around. "Say, theah's a nice Vendor out heah dat donates grilled chicken to dawgs--as long as they don't botha 'im too often. I 'appen to know dat nobody's gone theah in 3 days. Whaddya say you n' I take a lil walk?"

*******

Frankie glided past Leonardo and Juliet. He didn't even stop to nod 'hello' to the boss. He was after Ajax. He'd left, yes. That was essentially what Leonardo had wanted. But Frankie was in a bad mood today, and he needed to yell at someone. Besides, a chase was always a good way to pass the time.

"Eh! You!" He called out after Ajax. "Getcha ass back heyah!"

[Fen]

say what you mean

tell me i'm right and let the sun rain down
on me. give me a sign. i want to believe

Juliet laughed a bit, but it was still a bit nervous-sounding. "I'll take your word for it." She replied, growing a bit more comfortable as she walked alongside him. He was charming when she took the time to notice, but a lot of dogs in this city were charming, then turn and take a swing at your throat. She was wary, but her hunger was a lot stronger than her nervousness, and she went with him, the promise of chicken freshly cooked too good to pass up. Her small paws took careful steps as she walked, not wanting to trip and make a fool out of herself, and she was very good at doing that. She swore she tripped on air sometimes. She'd already embarrassed herself enough, the last thing she needed to do was fall again. She might actually break something this time. 

Sad as it is to admit, most of her injuries were self-inflicted, though not intentional. She was still favoring her hind leg slightly from that fall she took from the top of a dumpster a few days before. It wasn't obvious, and she wasn't exactly limping. It just smarted a bit every now and again. 

"So, uh...Mister Mancini..." She began, her voice rather small as she spoke. "What made you want to come pull me out of the dump? I hardly think I'm anything special. Plenty of other dogs digging in trashcans too. I mean...not that I don't appreciate it!" She shook her head. "That came out wrong, I'm sorry. I just...now I'm rambling." She looked down, blood rushing to her face again as she walked. 

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥

[Leonardo]

"Now 'old up a minute." Leo stopped their walk and faced her, speaking pleasantly bu with firmness. "Don't evah say you "ain't special". Dat's hardly da truth. Every one of us is special, an' we all deserve a shot at da finah things in life. Diggin' through a park trash can in public ain't one of them, swee'eart. You are a strong, beautiful, independent woman. It would 'ave been a crime for me to simply walk away, an' let prying eyes pass judgement ovah you as if you were some kind of tramp. As a gentlemen, I'm obligated to help you preserve your dignity, and it's my pleasure to do so. Don't forget that, eh?" He nudged her playfully, and continued to the spot where the vendor usually was.

"Cazzo," he whispered when they arrived. The place was closed. He hadn't come today. Leo had one other option. "My apologies, Juliet. It seems the man 'as not come today. I've got one otha place. It's nearby. Can I take you there?"

[Redshift]

Ajax froze in the middle of the sidewalk, slightly shivering. Though desperately, he wanted to ignore the harsh voice behind him and sprint out of there; his best bet was to run away as fast as possible, gambling that the Mancini cat would be slower than the nimble youngster. But, Ajax still did not want to take that risk because he basically doomed himself as an enemy of the state. No, he would rather take the chance he could talk his way out of this rather than limit his business opportunities. The black cat took a deep breath, putting on his game face. Slowly, he turned around to meet the other cat with a grin.

"Is there a problem, officer?" Ajax meowed, acting naive. "Can I not take a leisurely stroll down this street? There somethin' wrong with that?" Unintentionally, his eyes flickered around, evaluating his escape options. He wondered if Leonardo and Juliet were still within hearing range. Perhaps if he yelled loud enough....

[Fen]

say what you mean

tell me i'm right and let the sun rain down
on me. give me a sign. i want to believe

Juliet shrank under his tone, and she looked down, her eyes focused on the grass. She didn't particularly agree with him on those facts, but she shook her head nonetheless. "Right, sorry." She said as he nudged her and she tried to give him a sincere smile. The dog was nice, as far as she could tell. What reason was there for him to not speak the truth? She had just met him, maybe he was trying to make a good first impression? Her nervousness had all but left her at this point, and she simply felt small next to Leonardo. Such an imposing figure as a mob boss was sure to draw a few stares, and she could feel eyes on her fur as they walked. 

When they reached the vendor, she felt her stomach growl in protest at the sight of the man not there. She looked up to Leonardo as she spoke. She thought for a moment. This would be her chance to decline and instead go find her own meal in some other dumpster somewhere. But something about his nature made her want to accompany him, so she nodded her head. "Sure."

She followed after him again, remaining quiet for a long time before finally looking up. "About what you said. I didn't mean to sound....unappreciative, it's just that people aren't usually this nice. I hope I didn't offend." She looked down. "It's hard to find a meal in a city full of hostile dogs. So, trashcans it usually is."

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥