Dog Fight. (desoto, Open)

He pretty much hit the brick wall head on. Desoto did have issues with trusting others. Those shallow, two face betrayers.. Abandoning others just to save their own necks. Her head lowered, but kept her eyes trained on Karim. “You took my headphones and threw ‘em,” she snapped as if that explained why she was so furious. Again, her voice a bit more even but still laced with a growl, “You act all cozy and close next to me. Like we’re best buddies. Not there yet, dude.” The last was spat out with a mocking tone. It was a basic reminder that if she really wanted to, she would try to kill him. Whether or not she would regret it later, would be explored afterwards.

When could they get to a busy street so she could play that frogger game without getting run over? Her eyes stole glances behind and to Karim’s sides. Cars.. A domestic weapon used for transportation and killing. She switched tactics. She sidled in a circle around Karim in an effort to push him towards the direction of the street. As she was doing so, she made her movements more aggressive and choppy, quickening her pace and nearly crouching. Maybe it would scare him a little bit more. But if he was terrified as he said, why wasn’t he running?

“Heh!” A burst of air was expelled from her lungs. He had the same mind set before? Maybe they shared one thing in common, gambling with danger, like he was now, and cautious trust of others.

But has he actually eaten anyone? Rolled around in their blood and organs for the pure joy of battle and gore? Danced and looted the corpses as if mocking life and laughing hysterically as the still living were tortured by her claws? She thought not. She liked, wait, loved killing. She loved the feel of flesh giving into claws, blood running through her fingers, and the panic filling the air. But after that time of running into Karim, she was starting to become uncomfortable with tearing people in half. Another reason why she dug up to dislike Karim. He was making her soft.

“You really don’t know me very well..” It was a low, smooth whisper as her thoughts replayed the most memorable kills in an instant. A tiny voice, barely heard over the bloodthirsty snarls, was screaming that it wasn’t worth it. It wasn’t worth getting so angry, to try to kill Karim. The street was getting closer, so close, Desoto could already imagine the blaring horns and scrape of claws.

*Karim tracked Desoto as she side stepped. It was one of his moves that he would use to steer his prey into an ambush. He looked behind him with a quick glance to see where she was leading him... She was leading him... It clicked suddenly that she was not just some blood loving killer, but she was in fact using her brain and setting a trap. His glance over the shoulder showed a car pass by a bit in the distance moving about 40mph. There were many, He imagined watching the stampede when whole flocks of animals would get scared they could leave entire areas wrecked. These vehicles reminded him of the rhinos and wildebeests back home.

This was bad. He couldn't run toward that. but at his current pass he'd be upon it in a matter of moments. He looked around the park and noticed many people had taken time out of their lives to watch the display of the two of them. Not a single Samaritan among them trying to help or push them back. It was time to make a decision. one that might cost him in the long run but save him for now. It was time to show what he meant by his previous statement.*

"You know nothing about me. so that makes us even i think... and speaking of which..."

*A small smile started to curl on his lips until it reached across his face. He stopped backing up and put his hands down. His head tilted sideways in a bit of an amused sort of way. His eyes wide to match his smile. He suddenly burst with a high pitched shrill laughter of a mad man amused at the mere thought of having someone to play with. His appearance now was that of a psychopath rivaled only by Gotham city's own clown prince of crime.*

"Daddy's home... and he wants to play with the kiddies... hehehehehe AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA."

*Jackel forced a step forward and then back again flashing his hands at Desoto as if daring her to move first.*

It was welcome to see Karim glance over his shoulder to see where she was pushing him towards. Just a little closer.. Then, all hell could break loose while she could slip away to grab her headphones and go back to snoozing beneath the shade of her tree. But she wasn’t really expecting Karim to suddenly shift personalities the way one would flip a card.

“Hah…” Desoto stopped advancing as he started laughing, more attentive than before. This was new. Very new. Karim had a different personality? There was a faint ache in her chest. Another personality, always there to keep him company. Did it judge him? Were they like really close friends or brothers? Desoto then realized it was loneliness that was making all the anger seep into steam. Her foot stomped on the ground and slid back as she drew into a crouch, her hands hovering over her daggers. No, no time to go soft and back down, after all the anger that was wasted on snarling at him.

She was planning ahead and knew something pretty well. Somehow, one of them was going to end up in the street. She was lighter, maybe quicker than him. Easier to throw but harder to grab hold. He was heavier, obviously stronger, but his mass made him possibly easier to hit but harder to throw. Unless she tossed him onto the street while as a wolf.

Karim flashed his hands, taking a step forwards and back. A dance, and invitation to fight. Careful, now, careful… Leap at him and he’ll kick your tail into traffic. Then it’s good bye world and hello red pavement. A sadistic grin flashed her teeth, already looking very canine. “Alrighty then.. Whenever you’re ready..”

*Jackel Clapped his hands once and faked another step at her. he moved back and forth bobbing his head the whole time. Then, as if to test the waters his fist flung infront of her. Didn't know if it was gonna hit, didn't care much either. Just wanted to see if she was a defender or an attacker... or even more, both. He remembered an old Bruce Lee movie that he saw when he visited a town once before his journey. How he could most the time fake out an opponent into thinking he was crazy... in this case he didn't really have to fake it but the noises were funny. SO he mimmicked them to screw with her.*

"Woo. wat wat wat WOOOO. Sigad at wat. Wooooo."

Ung… His other side was a nut head. Case. Head. Whatever.

One could almost see the disappointment flash across her body features. The noises that he made, and his jerky moves… Made him appear to be a turkey or a chicken trying to get what all guy turkeys want. It actually started to make her slightly jumpy herself. Crazy people weren't constant thinkers. They could be unpredictable.

But the moment his fist flew within range, she moved. Her daggers slid soundlessly from their sheaths as she drew them in a blink of an eye, swinging one upwards at his outstretched arm and diving in low to the side to slice towards his abdomen.

If this guy was not alright in the head, then maybe she had a chance at pinning him or causeing damage. The latter more probable.

*Jackel Watched as the flash of silver caught his eye. He with drew he hand quickly and jumped back to avoid the second swing the second he landed he jumped back forward again and began throwing a flurry of hand and leg combo techniques. the motion so fliud it almost looked planned out to the T. But of course that was impossible since Jackel never planned anything. But everytime the Jackels hands or feet would get close to Desoto they would slow down a bit as if to give her a competative edge.*

"CUT IT OUT! no pun intended... hehehe pun. pun pun pun. hehehe"

He dodged. Darn. Then he started to retaliate. Desoto was nearly surprised that his moves were being executed well.. Maybe he wasn’t crazy after all. She became a bit insulted, seeing that whenever his feet or hands got close, the speed would reduce. He was mocking her!

Desoto moved back, circling around so that they stayed relatively close to the street. Her back was facing it as she moved out of the way, looking down on him for trying to go easy on her. Her ears twitched, tail swing around behind her for expert balance. The pun Not-Karim said did not amuse her. The blades flashed again as they sliced towards his hand in a scissor motion

*Jackel Quickly re-focused his attention on his new happy fun time friend. It was obvious she wanted to play in traffic. When she rushed him again he jumped up and placed his hands on her head and jumped over her like a game of leap frog. Jackel faced her again and started backing into traffic vollenteeraly. He stopped at the very edge of the sidewalk right before the first car hit him and felt the back draft from it breeze by him. He had a sadistic smile on his face. his arms out as far as they could go daring her to come at him. Too much force and she'd be in traffic with him, but he could at least react to it. He moved his neck from side to side to crack it as he stood there waiting for her.*

He just leap frogged over her head! The very movement, coupled with him actually placing his hands on her head, startled her. It was like that last time.. When one of her friends had stepped on her head to get away. But she was a snarling wolf back then. It made sense.. But it infuriated her. Desoto was not a stepping stone!

Grass tore beneath her feet she twisted around the moment he was overhead, ready to dash forwards again. But, she stumbled to a stop, hastily throwing her daggers up at defense again to cover her startled stop. Karim was walking towards the cars. He. Was. Walking.. Walking! Towards the cars! Her eyes softened minutely before hardening. If he wanted to waltz right into the way of speeding cars, so be it. If he had suicidal tendencies then maybe he was just a weakling.

What made her even more wary was the fact that he was standing on the very precipices of getting run over. Desoto, when transformed, could handle the punishment of getting slammed into by a car. Not head on, that’s… Just begging for Death to come by and pick her up… But thinking about it, thick bones and a quick flap of wings, yes, she’d be out of there.

Option: Throw daggers at him. Pros; could hit him, not end up a pancake on the road. Cons; hit bystanders, lose daggers, won’t hit him at all. Nope. That was out of the question. But she wasn’t about to run head on into him. Wait, maybe she was.

She took mad dash towards Karim, her brain speeding up with her movements and preparing her body for some punishment. Mentally, for defeat.

*Jackel Mimicked her action and proceeded to bull rush her as well. The smile, ever mischevious remained on his face as if constantly glued there. This was one of the few time Jackel actully planned a little. Just a quick step ahead, granted it wasn't the escape from alcatraz but he counted it as a plan. He leaned his shoulder down into a football style rush getting ready to take his final action.*

"HERE. I. COOOOME."

“If you can talk..” You’re distracted slightly. Twisting her wrists, Desoto attempted to flash the light off the blades and temporarily blind Karim. A weak gambit, but she tried all the same. And if you thought she was going to barrel right into him, you’re dead wrong. She’s not that foolish. Well, she was on weekends and holidays, and pretty much everyday of the week unless sleeping; but that’s besides the point.

Her body angled to the side discretely, to leap away just in case her idea failed while still having enough time to fall on her rear before getting crushed by cars. Getting grass stains was much more preferable then painting the pavement red. The way her daggers were being held, up to her chest, blades pointed out, she was aiming to stab and slice as she bolted past him. Maybe she wouldn’t even get past him though.. Oh well. She could call her buddy when the ambulance came or something.

*Jackel Smiled at the attempt and fiegned blindness throwing his hands up infront of his face and screaming a bit, while still running forward. He used his ears to catch her distance from him. When it came to the right distance he pulled his hands away witha "Suprise" face on and pulled a home-run slide to go under her, his hands extended infromt of him reaching for an imaginary base. He dug his palms in after a bit of sliding and squeezed his body to gether like an accordian. His momentum fforced his feet up off the ground and aimed them at Desoto ready to uncoil and kick her into traffic. Just as he was ready to make his big puch his arms suddenly went limp and he caught a face full of grass and dirt. He regained control of his arms and beat them on the ground in frustration as he yelled at someone or another*

"AAAAAHHHH DON"T DO THAT YA RAT BASTARD. I HAD HER I WAS GONNA KICK HER ASS... no literally i was gonna kick her right in the butt Bwahaha."

“Crap.” Desoto instinctively ducked, pushing her right out, in front of her, and quickly shoving her daggers back in their sheaths. Her momentum made her teeter forwards to nearly face plant in the dirt but by swiftly using that momentum to swing around, still in crouching mode, mind you, her hands sat in front of her as stabilizers. At this point in time, her eyes went from Karim’s flailing, temper tantrum movements then to the spectators who were now edging even farther away than before. Like they were close enough before.

A scoff escaped her as her outstretched leg retraced to that she was balancing squarely on her toes, one hand resting on her knee and the other on her hip. The anger before had long since evaporated, so she was overall irritable with herself for getting to riled up easily. And partly curious of Karim’s split personality. However, this Karim was still dangerous, so she remained crouched, a better chance to leap away and play defense. She was still a bit surprised that he hadn't tried to grab her tail yet.. No matter, best if he didn't think about that for his advantage.

“Oi..” A frown tinted her words, “Is this Karim I’m talking to? Or can he take a message?”

*Karim Sat up and jumped back to his feet. He turned instantly and faced his opponent again and went to jump for her but this time the dominant leg went numb and held him back from his attack. Jackel threw another fit as he shook his leg to get the feeling back.*

"BACK OFF IT'S MY TURN. I DON"T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR STUPID LESSONS....

*Jackel held his head and began writhing on the ground as if trying to frantically escape an enemy grip on him. He would ball up his fists and punch the ground every now and then which began to bloody his knuckles very quickly. Jackel tried desperately to remain in control of the body. True he and Karim had an understanding but like any animal he didn't like being caged for so long only to be released and then caged again.*

"NOOOOOOO YOU LET ME OUT REMEMBER? SO LET ME HAVE MY FUN. YOU BASTARD IT"S MY TURN!!!"

*He began violently lashing at whatever came closet to him. Trees, grass, dirt, sidewalk, what ever was in reach. His left leg went numb and slowed his fit, followed by his right leg. He began beating them with his bloody hands to try to get them to respond but they simply remain motionless. His left arm was next to follow, leaving him half laying on the ground still trying to get up and fight. And finally his right ceased it's movement, and finally, his mouth save for the open gap to let the air in after stressing his body so much.

Karim lay there staring at the clouds in the sky watching them pass by slowly, changing shape ever so slightly. he breathed heavily but forced his breathing to slow down. He took deep breaths in though his nose and out through his mouth. He could feel the burning in his knuckles and the warm wet blood on his legs from where Jackel beat them repeatedly. He dared not move just yet and let the adrenaline subside before he tried anything.*

Desoto swiftly stood up and moved just out of range of his flailing limbs, all the while glancing at the spectators with a death glare. If anyone tried anything.. They’d be dead meat. At this point, Karim started yelling, and she resisted the urge to cringe away and attempt to stop him beating himself up as the words poured from his mouth.

When he finally stopped writhing and was laying still, she approached. It was the same kind of walk as always, confident, watchful, and the ‘don’t screw with me’ look in her eyes. The vibe she was emitting though, was of caution and tense. And how did she deal with such feelings? Doing something to put her in danger or making others feel uncomfortable.

Desoto walked over and sit on Karim, her weight nestled comfortably on his stomach as she straddled him and reached for his closest arm, “Yer insane dude..” Best to keep an upper hand, possibly if his alter ego ripped loose and tried to eat people. A short burst of air escaped her mouth as she chuckled. Imagine if his wanna be girlfriend saw them like this. It would probably tick her off.

Her head cocked to the right suddenly, her pupils narrowing to thin, dangerous slits. “Put that thing away, or I’ll cut your tongue out..” Her voice was low, threatening as her gaze zeroed in on a by stander slowly backing away and shoving their cell phone back into their pocket. All the while holding their hands out non threateningly.

Focus on Karim again. “Split persona? That crazy psycho dude.. What’s his name? Lemmie see yer hands.” Then a barely audible mumble, “You idiot. Next time you wanna go and try to teach me something.. Do it right, dolt..”

*Karim remained laying on the ground slowing his breathing. His hands shook a bit partly from coming down off the adrenaline partly from the shock of abuse his body just went through. He picked up one hand slowly, drained of most of his physical strength. He looked like an old man reaching for something on a high shelf. His voice sounded strained and tired like he had just got done running a 5K.*

"His name... is Jackel... and if I had not... let him out... you would never... have under... stood... never... believed me... would you?"

*He still did not look at her but continued to stare into the sky. He looked ready to pass out any second. This always happened when Jackel didn't want to willingly give up the body. they would fight for it in a strength of wills. Karim would always win because he knew the difference between physical strength and mental strength.

"I need.... to rest..."

Karim's hand went limp as he eye fluttered, trying to stay awake. His head wobbled a bit from side to side until he finally lost the fight with his own body and lost consciousness. he was comfortable where he was, grassy hill on a partly cloudy day with a slight breeze, but it was hardly the best place for him. his hands would need attention of some kinds if infection was to be prevented/ he hoped Desoto would take him somewhere more private and away from prying curious eyes but did not take it for granted. she was after not a very trusting person, so he fully expected waking up in the same place.*

One could imagine the look of minimal disdain as Karim fainted. A guy actually fainted! Or fell unconscious. They relatively meant the same thing anyway. Her hand snatched at his wrist, feeling the sudden dead weight kick in. “Hrmph.. Jack-eeel.. Sounds like it fits.. He laughs a lot. Should have named him hyena, er something..”

She sat back, ears and tail twitching, smelling and glaring at anyone who stared for too long. Karim was vulnerable and weak… and far to close to the street for her to be comfortable. People driving by must be thinking she was…

Never mind about that! Desoto shook her head as if to get rid of flies and stood up, altering her hold on Karim and rolling him over onto her back only to collapse with a grunt, “Yer heavy!”

She wasn’t so cold hearted as to leave him there all alone and unprotected. So, laying there, propping up her chin on her hands, her free hand thumped against the ground. Too heavy to haul back to her friends place as a human, and she really didn’t fancy shape changing in broad day light. Black, black, black stood out like a sore thumb, soo..

The numbers beeped on her phone as she entered a number, pushing Karim off in the process. “Heeeey, duuuude. Can you pick me and a buddy up?.... I didn’t kill anyone if that’s what yer worried about…. What? He’s, er.. Fainted…. NO! Not my fault!...Okays. We’re at the park.”

Her cell snapped shut as she propped him up to sit, then to standing, he was heavy! And, with some difficulty and a few curses later, she and her friend got him into the car and had arrived at their place. Then the process of getting him out of the car needed to be done and getting him in through the door. Their exchange of words was rather creative…
”Open with door with your foot!”

“Can’t! I need my keys!”

“YOU IDIOT! Aaah! He’s slipping!”

“MUTTFACE! Hold on!”

“Muttface?! Watch yourself in your sleep tonight, Fishcakes..”

“Oh sure; I know you like my body and that I’m extremely sexy, but you can’t have this.”

“..Shut up and open the door..”

Desoto hovered over Karim on the couch as Jason bound his knuckles. Having a buddy that was in college and studying to be a doctor had it’s perks. She could bring home random people who really needed help, or drag herself home to be scolded and literally tied to the bed to keep her from sneaking out at night and reopening fresh wounds.

She refused to leave Karim alone and opted to sit on the top backrest of the couch Karim was dead on, while Jason questioned her, rather bad cop FBI style rather than coax it from her. They wound up on the floor as they argued, Jason having her in a head lock as she growled. To say the least, Desoto was pretty surprised he hadn’t woken up from their arguing and yelling. He must be really tired..

“You got mad at him for that?! Seriously Soto! Stop trying to kill everyone you meet!” A glance over to Karim, “And you have to feed him as if I was sick!”

“Well… I ain’t gonna make myself go and scramble eggs for him and feed him a like a baby! He’s a grown man! And he ain’t you, you twisted little fish.. I ain’t sayin sorry either..” The last part ended with a grumble before she kicked her voice louder, “Now, let go!”

“Never!!”

*Karim opened his eyes a bit. and looked around. it was obvious he was in good company since he was not restrained and laying on something very vvery very comfortable... it was all squishy under him like a softer version of... well he had nothing to really compare it to, but it felt comfortable. He didn't really want to get up 1) because he was still a little wiped from the forceful take back of his body and 2) it was coushy. He eventually forced himself up when he heard Desoto arguing with someone. He quickly jumped up and over the couch Rushing Desoto's "assaliant." He kneed him in the ribs to break his hold on Desoto and pulled him off her to pin him to the ground under him. Karim Placed his knee on the mans left shoulder to hold him down along with his left hand around the man's neck and put a bit of pressure on it. Karim Then balled his fist and reached back so far he had to arch his back to give it more distance to the man face. Karim stared down at him with a look ready to kill.*

Everything happened so fast. Desoto felt like she was being choked for a second as something crashed into the both of them, then felt the weight that was pinning her down disappear. And her eyes rolled over to the couch to see Karim wasn’t there anymore. A part of her was a bit impressed that he moved so fast and the other part blazed with hot fury. He attacked her child hood friend! But then again… he didn’t know that and most probably thought she was being attacked.

In a swift, fluid motion, she was on her feet, her arm wrapped around the fist he was about to release and clawed fingers, prodding at the flesh on his chest. A growl rolled out, threatening but strangely amused, “Jaaaason.. This is why I wont say sorry.. you okay?” A cough as the teen waved his hands up in surrender.

“Right.. I give! Just don’t hit the face!”

“Huh.. I take that as a yeah, Fishcakes. Karim.. You hurt him again and I’ll kick you out the window.” The threat ended with a stony glare from her eyes, he could see it if he looked behind him. And by ‘kicking him out the window’ she meant it quite literally. Karim should be able to tell that much at the slight twitch of her clawed fingers.

*Karim relaxed his arm and back and fell foraward a bit but caught himself with his hand. His body was definitly not ready for something like that so quickly but he felt he had to do it... Kinda like an automatic protection thing some people have. He got off of the man and lay on his back again. He looked at his hands again and noted that the knuckles had at least stopped bleeding from before but now they were bleeding from Desoto's intervention.*

"I'm sorry... i thought that he was... I am sorry. Although you could have just asked and i would have stopped Desoto. As long as it was you who asked."

*Karim's breathing was still abit laboured but not out of breath, as if it were just a lack of air. He proppeed himself up before he picked himself up slowly, as not to fall again. He wasn't used to reduced mobility like this. It happened every now and then but he never really got used to it.*

"Again i must apologize. You must be a friend of Desoto, I am trying to reach that status with her but she seems fairly reluctant... Did anyone follow you here? Do you think you were being watched at all?"

Karim was becoming annoying again Desoto thought to herself. A muttering grumble escaped her as her claws flexed in front of her face and she wandered off into a different room. She could still hear them, not that she really cared what they were going to speak about, but went to the freezer to pull out a random piece of bacon to chew on. Not the best stuff to eat but it was chewy and it tasted good and her stomach could handle it.

Jason was left in the presence of the stranger, noting how Desoto ditched him on purpose to eat something. He coughed. “Er, yeah. Not very trusting of people.. And… You’re very paranoid, aren’t you?” He heard a few pots bang together and a faint ‘floosh’ as the kitchen occupant turned on the burner, obviously going to cook. “She just needs to warm up to you! Give it a little time, partner.” His eyes looked over to the doorway as he leaned forwards a little, “She’s just shy-”

Something whizzed through the air, missing him by a foot to slap into the wall and land with a thud. The object? A dead fish, still wrapped up in plastic. Desoto leaned against the door frame, waving her hand as her voice held a bored and slightly irritated tone, “My hand slipped.. Where’s the eggs, Fishcakes? ‘N Karim. You really are a rabbit. I would be able to smell them. And The random booby traps that are in random places are random.” She snickered and slunk back to the kitchen.

Jason picked up the fish as soon as she left. “She likes to say ramble stuff too. Right, ramble.” A sudden slam followed by the tinkle of shattered glass, “FINE! They’re in the door you greedy egg eater!” He turned to Karim, and motioned for him to sit down on the couch. “Sit down before you over exert yourself,” he commanded. His doctor instincts were taking over. “I’ll go check on what she broke,” that was a grumble as he tromped out of the room, with his chin up and standing tall. Being tall always intimidated her.

Silence for a few seconds before Desoto’s gruff and a tint of apology entered her tone, “Fine, I’ll clean it… Oi! Karim Rabbit! Want tea?!”

*Karim Obeyed Chris and took a seat. He leaned forward in his seat and placed his elbows on his knees. He leaned his head to one side and cracked his neck. He rotated his shoulders, cracked his knuckles and just about anything else he could. His body felt constricted after remaining in one position for so long.*

"I have asked you not to refer to me as that Miss Desoto."

*Karim put emphasis on the Miss knowing full well she did not like it as much as he did not like his nickname.*

“Haw, haw, haw!” The laughter was forced, angry. It was one of those ‘trying to not maim’ laughs. Jason slapped her on the shoulder to distract her as she twitched, her eyes boring holes in the back of Karim’s head. She rather wanted to see if brains were as pink and squishy as the doctors claimed.

A huff as she started grumbling about being ‘old’ and ‘too polite’ before she sparked with a comeback. While pouring the tea, she added hot sauce. Maybe he was into spicy drinks, maybe not.. She knew she wasn’t into those. Spicy foods were a certain craving nearly every month. An entire bottle of Tabasco sauce would be dumped into her ramen; she loved noodles. That pretty much explained her love for it.

Desoto picked up the tea and for herself, ice coffee, meaning left over coffee from yesterday, and tromped to the living room. She thrust the hot tea into Karim’s hand, twitching again; ‘Miss’ having not worn off yet.

She took a seat next to him, sitting on the arm of the chair, after kicking off her shoes – Jason would be furious – to lean against the back. This whole action of choosing to sit next to him was a small sign. She was starting to become attached to him.. Even if she sabotaged his drink.

The leg closest to Karim was pulled up so that her foot rested on the arm rest, and her elbow curled around that to create a barrier. A signal that she wasn’t going get entirely too comfortable next to him. She stared ahead, before taking a large gulp of her coffee before starting to sip it. Dark green orbs slid over to the corner of her eyes to regard Karim with bored interest.

*Karim twitched back when the cup was forced into his face. He didn't remember saying yes to the tea but accepted it anyway. It seemed to him that Desoto knew how to dish out insults but not how to take them. She could sling vulgarities all day but as soon as someone threw one back at her it was somehow war.

He took a sip from his tea and closed his eyes tight and hissed through his teeth. He hadn't expected the zing at all. His eye watered a bit just from the taste. It was horrible, the tea on top was not so bad but whatever the thicker liquid at the bottom was threw the taste off. He put the cup down and pushed it away.*

"I apologize but your tea is not agreeing with me. I did not know such a spiced tea existed."

Waiting a little while longer, still sipping her coffee, Desoto’s bored expression quickly turned into a twisted grin, baring nearly all of her teeth. It was justly deserved for him calling her ‘Miss’ – she wasn’t that old! – and for him not saying thank yo; even though she could’ve cared less about the latter.

Karim commented on how his tea tasted bad, even without being rude… She would have liked for him toe say that the tea was bad and not be polite about it. At least the reaction was what was expected and not a total loss. His face was the most hilarious thing she’d ever seen in the past week, causing her to bite her lower lip to keep from breaking her silent composer. But it couldn’t be held back forever.

Her head ducked, her hair falling to the side of her face to hide her closed eyes and gapping grin as she snickered, before bursting a loud, “HA!” and rubbing the back of her head. Her tail flicked with mirth as she was finding trouble with her hands holding her coffee and brought her other knee up to further hide her face. Maybe, she’d play with his mind a bit.

Her bangs slid out of the way of her eyes, for they usually hide them from view for the most part, as her neck twisted so that she was grinning in his direction. Her left hand rose into the air, pointed and twirled about as if directed music before saying nonchalantly, “Spiked! Get wasted, Karim Rabbit.”

Then, she twisted around and snatched his cup, gulping the rest of the coffee noisily. Not one for very good mannerisms when dealing with drink or food. Besides, she was trying to annoy him. The tea was still kind of hot, which was clearly noted when looking at her face since she dipped her index finger in it and swirled the contents around. Her tone teased, “Don’t like spicy?” Another burst of laughter, “Oi, that’s fine. Lemmie get you a new one. Not sabotaged. Be grateful for that.” As she left, the words were accented with a dismissive wave of her hand, only to return a few seconds later with a different cup and a slightly cooler cup of tea.

“Green tea. Not messed with.” By the gods! She was using a civil and friendly tone with him and actually waited for Karim to reach out and accept the cup. Although this was a display of a weird blooming friendship, her head jerked around as if to look away, uncomfortable. The action was covered over with her barking to the occupant in the kitchen, “Fishcakes! Ramen, please!”

“And scrambled eggs, Muttface!”

“Haw, haw, haw..” Her lips puckered as her all too familiar frown was on her face again. But she wasn’t angry like normal. It was usual, playful banter between close buddies. But she couldn’t go and make Karim think she was a softy on the inside yet. “Oi, you like noodles and eggs too? Cause that’s what you’re going to be eating. Jason’s a pretty good cook as he is a doc.”