When Skeletons Live (Ajax and Juliet)

[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

This wasn't her normal route, and she felt herself looking around at every shadow as she hurried through the graveyard. It was bigger than she thought, and before she knew it the sun had set and she still hadn't found her way back home. She cursed her curious nature and her eyes grew wide to take in the darkness, the chill in the air making her breath leave her mouth in a cloud of smoke. She shivered, looking at the many headstones that dotted the grounds. Her fur rose just thinking about all the dead that had been laid to res here. She had heard stories of others seeing...things. Things that weren't normal. Supernatural things. She felt more and more scared with every step, with every cracking of a twig or the rustling of leaves in the trees. 

Wait...Was that a dog? No, couldn't be. Dogs hardly came here. She was the only soul in the graveyard that night, unless there were indeed a few restless ones creeping around. The thought of it made her more frantic and ready to get out. She started heading in s straight line. Surely she would run into a fence or something she could squeeze under and escape the creepy place. 

She hurried her pace, her feet almost moving at a runner's pace now as she trotted though the graveyard. She could see the city lights all the way around her, but which way was right? Which way would lead her back to her comfortable, yet small, bed free of all boogie men and baddies? She weaved her way through the headstones, hoping nothing was behind her. She wasn't looking back. No matter what. 

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥

[Redshift]

Ajax didn't know why he enjoyed the graveyard. It was the most foreboding place in all of Bensonhurst, and yet, the young cat was attracted to it like flies to a bug zapper. From his comfortable spot in a solitary oak tree among the gravestones, Ajax watched the shadows below him flicker, imagining them as ghosts. Perhaps they were; one could never truly prove or disprove the presence of a spirit. There were too many factors of the unknown at work that anything was possible. The chilled mystery and dark, haunted nature of this place ignited the feline's imagination as he tried to look for signs of something spectral amongst the slabs of worn marble and stone. His eyes surveyed every inch of he ground below him, trying to find any indication that there were phantom presences in the graveyard.

In the corner of his eye, there was a slight movement that jerked his head up in anticipation. But, much to his disappointment, it was merely a dog trotting hurriedly through the gravestones. Ajax flicked his tail and scowled. What was a dog doing here so late at night? Was she Mancini? That crowd had been here not too long ago for a funeral, or so the young cat was told. Nah, she seemed frightened and in a rush, definitely not here to see a loved one. But as she neared the tree, the black cat's eyes widened. He knew her! It was but a few days prior that Ajax had interrupted Leonardo's attempt to get this lady in his bed. What a coincidence Ajax should see her again, but he counted it a pleasure. What was her name again?Jessica? Jennifer? Julia? ...Juliet! He never did get to properly meet the clumsy, skittish female who offered him a hot dog. Now, he would return the favor by scaring the hell out her.

Luckily for him, the golden mutt was making a beeline right under the oak tree in which Ajax resided. He waited in a crouched stance until she was just coming under the looming shadow and then pounced, yowling like a banshee. True to his trajectory, the cat landed right on Juliet's back, but he did not intend to stay, knowing unless he used his claws he would be bucked off. So, he hopped off as soon as he hit her fur and ran a single circle around the frightened hound for a little added effect. Then, he sat in place, grinning mischievously to survey the damage he caused. Ajax also could not help but adding, "Heyya, dollface. Long time no see."

[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 was almost near the exit, and she hurried again, pushing herself into a run as she headed for it. She was almost there, passing under a lone tree when she felt something land on her back, and she yelped like she had just been shot, lost her footing, and tumbled to the grass, rolling forward a few times before finally stopping. Her heart was going  a mile a minute, and she was panting, her eyes wide with fear as she looked around for what had done it. Finally, her eyes landed on a cat. It was too dark to recognize him right off, but when it spoke, she was sure who it was.

"Ajax...?" She asked, knowing the voice of the cat whom she had allowed to take her hotdog from her a few days ago. "Wha...What are you doing here?" She panted, trying to stand but realizing that she had injured her paw a bit on the fall. She held it up, inspecting it before realizing it wasn't broken. Just a bit bruised. She looked back t Ajax, the cocky cat was a thankful sight in the lone graveyard. She had been terrified being alone in this place, and now that she saw a familiar face she wasn't as scared. 

"And why scare me? That wasn't very nice." She mumbled, looking down and trying to avoid his gaze. She was still trembling, and her fur was raised on her neck and her back, her curly tail tucked between her back legs. Her ears laid against her skull for a moment before she perked them forward to listen for a response.

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥

[Redshift]

Ajax chuckled, unable to contain himself as Juliet tumbled through the grass, just as he expected her to. Her bright blue eyes were shining with fear and her entire body was shaking. The cat had no idea why she would come through the graveyard if she could get spooked this badly. But hey, she remembered him!

"The one and only," he replied with a purr. "Well, first I came here by accident. Some good for nothing pitbull told me this was the way to a restaurant. Looks like he has a special way of saying 'Fuck off'. The bastard, claw his eyes out next... what? Oh sorry, right. Then, since I was here, thought I might have a nice tour of the place. Seems cool, don'tcha think?" He blinked and realized the golden mix was still shaking. She probably did not appreciate the spooky atmosphere like Ajax did.

He then saw her glance at her paw and mutter, "And why scare me? That wasn't very nice." At first, he grinned, not apologetic in the slightest. He loved pulling pranks like that. Heck, he would have done it to his grandmother if he had the chance. "Sorry, 'bout that," he laughed. "Although, it was pretty funny, if you ask me. You were just so flustered even without my help. Come on, lighten up a bit, hon." It was then he realized that Juliet's paw was actually hurt. The female was putting slightly less pressure on it than usual. With that knowledge, Ajax's heart suddenly filled with guilt. He was in it for the good humor, not any harm. "Oh geez, is your paw hurt? I'm so sorry, really. I didn't mean for that to happen." His green eyes melted to compassion, something he did not show very often. "We can get outta here as soon as you like. I was done lookin' for ghosts anyways."

[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 looked up as he mentioned ghosts, and she visibly shook again as a cool breeze swept over her. "G-Ghosts?" She asked, obviously terrified. "You've seen one?" She whispered the last part, unable to ask him in a normal tone, afraid the spectral creatures might hear her. She then looked at her paw, and remembered that it was hurt. "Oh no! It's fine. Just a bruise."

Thinking about it now, it probably was a bit funny to see her tumble in the grass. She was sure that was the most memorable thing about her. She was shy and clumsy. If you looked up her name in the dictionary that would probably be the definition. Along with naive. She felt stupid now, and her eyes went back to the grass, almost cringing at the picture in her mind of her yelping and falling. Funny to others, embarrassing to her. 

"I was just on my way home and...I got lost..." She said, her voice more than a little scared as her blue eyes grew wider to dart this way and that in the darkness, the city lights not lending any of their strength to this area of the graveyard. She felt a bit better having Ajax there though. At least she wasn't alone in it anymore. But he didn't seem scared at all, and she was in awe of that. She had been shaking since she saw the entry gates. 

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥

[Redshift]

Ajax sighed in relief as Juliet said her injury was just a bruise. From experience, the cat knew that even minor injuries could seriously impact a stray's life, even put it in danger. Quickly, he became calm and cool again. In truth, he did want to stay in the graveyard a while longer. He still had to find proof that some specters haunted the area. There was no real reason he wanted to find a ghost, perhaps just to put a little adventure back in his life. Digging through trashcans indefinitely can drive someone mad if they don't have a little fun.

"Yeah, Ghosts!" he meowed, a tinged of excitement sparking in his eyes. "I haven't seen one yet, but I'm sure their out there, just waiting in the shadows...watching us." His mouth turned upward in a sly grin. "But I wanna prove that they're there. I know I said I was done, but can we look for just a little while longer? Come with me, and maybe if we find one you won't be so scared of 'em anymore. They say that the unknown is more terrifying than reality. Plus, I'll help you home if you help me. We gotta deal, Miss Juliet?" He looked over the many rows of headstones lining the dark field and flicked his tail in excitement. Then, he turned his bright, green gaze to the golden mix, their depths pleading and pitiful to look at.

[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 stared at the small cat in disbelief. Juliet look for ghosts? Was he mad? Why would anyone want to find something so scary? She did better running from them. Still, the pleading look he gave her was enough to melt anyone's heart, and she thought for a long time before nodding. "Um...O-Okay." She said, instantly regretting it as she looked around at the graveyard. It seemed much darker now, and a light fog had settled on the grass, making it even more eerie and foreboding. She shivered a bit and gestured for Ajax to lead the way. She wouldn't find her way home otherwise. She had gotten so turned around in her fear, it was inevitable that she would need help finding her way. She'd play along, but the first sight of anything scary and she was out.

"Hey, why are you looking for them anyway?" She asked, her voice hushed. "Why would you want to find one?" She was still confused by the little cat's motives. She was sure Ajax had a reason, but she couldn't see it. She hardly called this fun. She couldn't believe she had accepted. She felt like an idiot as she looked at all the gravestones they passed. A few looked freshly dug, and she shivered again. The scent of death was all over this place, and it made her fur rise again as she followed Ajax deeper into the cemetery. 

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥

[Redshift]

Ajax's tail swished happily as Juliet complied, even if it was hesitant. "Sweet! And don't worry, you'll be safe with me, dollface. I'll protect ya if we do find a big bad ghost." He puffed out his tiny chest out, his purple bandana touching his chin comically. He laughed and then made his way into the maze of gravestones.

Honestly, the young cat did not know anything about ghost hunting. But with Juliet around, he felt like he was an expert. So, like he usually did, he put on a good show. In no particular order or set plan, Ajax hopped from one burial site to the next, stomping on shadows or tapping on tombstones. He wasn't much of reader, but he was able to say a few out loud, hoping their spirit would respond to the call. "Robert Singer. Robert Singer. Robert Singer," he muttered at one gravestone. He scowled and pounded the dirt below his feet. "Come on, Bobby, I know yer there." A slight breeze kicked up, fluffing up the cat's fur. Even though the occurrence was completely random, Ajax would take anything as a sign. He looked up to Juliet with a joyful smile. "It's working!" he whispered.

Now with a "method", the young cat said the name of the person three times quietly, until he got frustrated and began yelling. "Diana, Diana, Diana! Damn it, girl, wake up!" he yowled at one gravestone. He went to a few more, almost about to give up, when he heard voices in the distance. He stopped in place, ears flicking to try and pick up the sound.

"Do you hear that?" he asked his canine friend. "I think it's coming from around that shed over there." He motioned to a small, rustic building that clearly had not been repaired properly in 20 years. From that general direction, gruff voice could be heard conversing. Ajax's heart beat faster as he crawled slowly toward the shed, and then able to decipher the words being spoken.

"Well then don't come back next time with out it, kapeesh?"

"It wadn't my fault though. If this bitch hadn't been taggin' along, maybe we coulda..."

"Me? Yer gonna blame this on me? Ah, typical, cuz you can't do anythin' right."

"Shut dat muzzle before I break it open and..."

The three voices continued bickering as Ajax and Juliet neared the shed. The cat peeked around the edge and saw three dogs huddled along the side in a corner, tucked away in the shadows. Two were large mutts, looking strongly like mastiffs. The other was a significantly smaller Jack Russell terrier. His anticipation fell, disappointed that it had not been a gathering of supernatural creatures. He turned back to Juliet, head shaking and tail low.

[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 was frantic as he tried to make the ghosts show themselves, and she yelped a bit as the wind swept up and Ajax told her it was working. Oh how she wished it wasn't. She still followed, until Ajax pointed out voices in the distance. She let out what sounded like a cross between a yelp and a squeak, trying to remain silent and she clamped a paw over her mouth as she watched Ajax head toward the shed. She hesitated, but then followed against her better judgement. There were three dogs here, she could smell them, and she instantly grew more scared. She was sure her heart would burst from her chest and she backed up a few paces.

"What do we do?" She asked Ajax in a whisper, thinking they should try to get out of there. A gathering of dogs in a cemetery had bad news written all over it, and Juliet wasn't a fighter. She didn't want to know what might happen if the others discovered them there. And not to knock Ajax, he was a big talker, but he couldn't take on three dogs of that size. The best bet would be to run, but any sudden movements might trigger them to attack. For now, Juliet and Ajax had the element of surprise.

Well....did...

Juliet backed up a few more paces and tripped over a headstone, causing a stir in birds as she did so, letting out a surprised yelp. She cringed as she listened to the sound reverberate. The jig was up now. 

JULIET RYDER ;; UNAFFILIATED

♥

[Redshift]

Ajax looked back warily to the group of thugs, unsure of how to proceed. He paused a moment, then tried to answer Juliet's question in a whisper, "Well, we can try and go out the back way. Just make sure they don't see us and we don't make any noise, I think we'll be..." As the golden she-dog backed-up a few paces, Ajax could already see the disaster forming. He mouthed a quick, No no no!, but it was too late. Juliet had tumbled head-over-heels on a headstone. Her yelp unmistakable rung throughout the graveyard and the young cat cringed as it echoed. The three dogs all halted their conversation, the silence becoming unnerving. Ajax had a sudden urge just to leave Juliet behind, to save his own skin. But a rare sense of chivalry replaced that notion. He was the one who put her in this situation in the first place. So, as the dogs rounded the corner, the black cat took up a defensive stance in front of Juliet, his green eyes sparkling in challenge.

"Oh wow," one mastiff said, surprised. "Thought for sure we were in trouble for a second."

"Yeah, it ain't nothin' more than a couple of sniveling rats," the Jack Russell scoffed.

"What are a couple of rats doin' in a graveyard? Ain't comin' ta spy, were ya?"

"I think they might've been, Trev."

"Aye, I believe your right, Rich," the mastiff growled, baring his teeth. His face was nearly touching Ajax's.

The last dog had been silent up to this point, but then demanded, "Zip it, both of you. Let them speak."

The two goons backed off, but glared at the cat and female dog. Figuring Juliet would be scared straight, Ajax began spinning their story. Though, his own breath was shallow and he had to try very hard to spit out the right words. "Now gentlemen, we are so sorry to disturb you. My uh... friend and I were just popping down for a quick visit to her dear old dad. Quite a shame really." He tried to look as sincere as possible, but he knew that the hounds were not going to buy anything from a little cat with a big mouth. Juliet was the key to their escape, if they were going to escape, that is.

Ajax spun around to his ally and said, "Tell 'em dear how upset you are." He then added quietly, "Play it up, use your lady charm."

[Fen]

Juliet looked at the big dogs and trembled, then scrambled to her feet. When prompted to speak, she froze for a moment, her mouth open as she tried to find the words to say. "Y-Yes...I prefer to come at night. A lot quieter." She said. That? That's what she came up with? She sounded like a scared little mouse who had gotten her tail stuck in a trap and the cat was closing in. She needed to kick it up a notch if she was going to sound convincing.

"I hope we didn't disturb you. We were just leaving." She looked pointedly at Ajax and tugged at his tail. "Come along. Let's leave these fine gentlemen to their conversation, shall we?" Perfect. That sounded a hell of a lot more convincing than her original statement. She turned and started to walk away, hoping the massive beasts wouldn't follow. Juliet wasn't a fighter, and she wasn't a talker. She just tried to keep herself out of these situations. She could probably deal with the jack Russel, but those mastiffs were huge. There was no way she would have been able to fight them off. Not in a million years.

[Redshift]

At first, Ajax was desperately worried Juliet would not perform, but his faith paid off and the golden mix kept most of her cool. He smiled, knowing he could not have done much better, even he was a beautiful female dog. He did however, make an unmanly squeak as Juliet tugged on his tail, urging him to walk with her. "Woah, watch the fur, Jules," he whispered. Then, with a nod to the thugs, he turned and followed Juliet to leave the graveyard.

While Trevor and Richard, seemed pleased to have the cat and female leave, the unnamed mastiff was not quite finished. He trotted after the two quickly and stopped right in front of Juliet's path, his brown eyes glowing in the dark. His cold disposition seemed melted as he said, "Hey, sorry those two are rude, and rather immature. I'm Zig by the way, short for Sigmund." He stepped forward a bit awkwardly, his face close to the golden female's. "You don't have to leave so soon. The graveyard ain't half bad."

Ajax shivered, knowing the two had gotten off too easy. He looked up to Juliet and muttered, "Deactivate lady charm. Deactivate lady charm." The cat just stood rigid and stoic, ready to claw the mastiff's eyes out if necessary. He even positioned himself underneath his friend's front legs and pushed on Zig's chest, saying, "Step aside, pal. My client ain't interested."

The mastiff looked down incredulously at the cat, surprised by his nerve. But, he waited for the female's response before he persue Ajax.

[Fen]

Juliet was surprised that worked, and she had reason to be, because the one named Zig was in her face before she knew it. She didn't like where this was going at all, and she stepped back a few paces. "No, I think we need to go. We have an...appointment elsewhere. One that we mustn't be late for." She said, giving the most sincere smile she could manage. "But uh...I know where to find you should I want to take you up on that offer." She then turned and brushed past the large male once more, her paws quicker now that she had gotten away again. She looked behind her to make sure Ajax was with her as she made a bee line for the fence. 

Once there, she squeezed under it and came out on the other side, waiting for Ajax when she suddenly realized with a terrible shock that the male that had stepped in front of her was now running after them. "Oh...shit." She cursed, and nudged Ajax to run. "Go!" She whispered, hoping he would heed her warning. "I'll hold him off as long as I can. You find someplace to hide. I'll find you." She nudged him again with her nose then turned to face the oncoming mastiff. 

[Redshift]

Ajax merely followed Juliet like a terrified sheep, not saying a word to contribute to their alibi as they fled from the mastiff. Luckily, his paws were adept to fleeing from canines, so the cat was able to easily keep pace with his friend. They reached a hole in the fence, just big enough for a dog to slip through. It was clear that animals had been using this small tunnel for ages, the dirt underneath the crack dipped drastically and was worn by years of paw prints. Juliet went first, and Ajax followed, slipping through without having to touch the cold metal. He was about to go sprinting off into the city, when Juliet nudged him with her nose and told him to run. Instead of doing what she asked, he turned to her, face confused and scared.

Again, the urge to run nibbled at the young cat's heart like anxious fleas. Twice, he flinched in an attempt to flee, but he was glued to the pavement, unable to move. "No," he said quietly, blinking determinately. "No," he repeated, with more force. "NO!" he yowled for the final time, stalking next to Juliet. "I'm done runnin'. I told ya I'd protect you from a big bad ghost if we saw one, well here he is. Told you the unknown was scarier than reality." With the last statement, he winked and looked down to the hole in the fence.

Zig had come crashing after the duo, but not nearly as fast, given his bulk. His roar was ferocious and Ajax could not even make out what he was saying. Perhaps it was a dog thing. The mastiff finally caught up and rushed under the crevice, snarling like a demon. Since he was significantly bigger than either Juliet or Ajax, he had a harder time fitting through the gap. The bottom of the fence snagged on his skin, slowing him down.

With this advantage, Ajax leapt forward, fur fluffed and claws unsheathed. Only Zig's big head was exposed and the cat pretended it was a scratching post. He went to town slashing the dog's eyes, ears, and nose. Blood began welling up on his face, and soon it was covered in it. Still, the mastiff was trying to break through, just barely able to get his right paw out, but his left shoulder was thoroughly stuck on the fence.

[Fen]

Juliet watched in horror as the dog came barreling under the fence, but she felt a tiny bit of hope as he got stuck, and she watched, helplessly, as Ajax jumped onto the dog and began clawing him. The large mastiff was surely in pain, and she turned away at the sight of it. Her stomach rolled a bit as she smelled blood in the air, and she made a decision in her mind. She hurried over and yanked Ajax by the scruff of his neck with all the gentleness of a mother lifting her pup, and took off. Juliet was sure she was a lot faster than the mastiff, and she would be long gone before he unstuck himself from that fence.

She ran and ran until she couldn't anymore, ending up in the Park, a goo safe distance away from the cemetery. She stopped, putting Ajax down gently and collapsing onto her stomach, her heart racing and her tongue lolling out of her mouth in a pant. She tried desperately to catch her breath, closing her eyes and rolling over onto her back and finally able to grasp it. She inhaled deeply, her heart rate slowing as she did so, and once she got calm, she looked over to Ajax for a moment. "S-Sorry." She panted, and then shook her head. "I saw an escape....I took it."