milliways_bar | (no subject)

And so there's a fox bumping his fluffy tail against Guppy's feet as he circles around him and plops down beside him.

Guppy looks down at the fox. Since they last met, he has gained bruises over his face, now nearly two weeks old and fading somewhat, but still visible. He is trembling just a little.

"Hey."

The fox licks Guppy's hand and looks up at him with wide amber eyes.

Guppy gently strokes the fur on the fox's head.

"I am being hunted." he says, hoping to provide an explanation understandable by a fox. It's pretty accurate.

He flattens his ears and nips at Guppy's sleeve worriedly. That is terrible! You should hide! You should run away fastly! Are the hunters here?? He looks around, twitching as his fur stands on end.

[ooc: Can he hear that?]

"They're not here, they're back home." he says, noticing the fur.

[ooc: up to you. Unless there's a reason why he wouldn't, he ought to be able to. But being a doctor and used to listening for things people don't usually hear or see, I'd say there's no reason he wouldn't.]

The fox relaxes a little and edges back to Guppy's side. He noses him gently and tries to wriggle onto his lap.

Guppy moves his knees to let the fox in. He winces a little as the soft creature's paws touch the bruises that cover his legs.

He's squirms carefully until his front half lies over Guppy's lap, and noses his belly very gently. Have your hurts been tended?

"Yes, I was in the infirmary for five days just over a week ago. It is still sore."

He goves a soft whimper and lays his head on Guppy's lap.

I am sorry, sai. Men should not hunt their own.

Guppy puts his hand on the fox's head.

"Thank you. I wish they didn't."

He nuzzles Guppy's hand. Would you like me to sit with you a while?

"Yes, please."

The fox is warm.

"I'm... scared."

That is all right. It is good to be scared when you know things want to hurt you -- then you know to run.

He snuggles close against Guppy, forming himself catlike around his body. If anything comes near, I will bite them! Very hard! Unless it is a badger, he adds quickly. Those are frightening. Better to run.

Guppy sighs.

"I am afraid the gang are much greater in size and numbers than a badger. Thanks, but I don't want you hurt too."

He cranes his neck up and licks Guppy's chin.

I would not like to fight a pack of hounds either. It is very sad that you must. Why do you not simply stay here, if they are not here? You would be safe!

"I will have to face them eventually. Besides, I work in Holby."

Holby? He flicks his tail around. Tell me of Holby?

"It is a city, a big city. I live there. It's on the coast of England, near Wales. It has an airport, two football stadiums, two hospitals and many other things."

Near the sea. That sounds lovely. He closes his eyes and twitches the tip of his tail now and then, listening to Guppy breathing. He isn't asleep exactly, just resting serenely in that way animals often do.

Guppy's breathing gradually slows down from being rather fast, to a little more relaxed. He says nothing, letting the fox doze.

"Wotcher Guppy?" Gil says then frowns and sinks down to his haunches. "Hey," he says, patting Guppy's knee. "What's the matter, pal?"

From close up, it's clear he is trembling a little.

"Has Sooty told you how I got the bruises?" He indicates the now fading bruises on his face.

"Yeah, some bastards whacked you," Gil says. "That's why I got you those steel-toecaps." His eyes narrowed. "They haven't been at it again, have they, because if they have ..."

"I couldn't kick them. They had me against the railings and there were three of them and I couldn't move."

He sounds very panicky, breathless almost.

"It's the gang Scampi saw. They saw me going to the police video line-up today. When I came out they grabbed me and held me against the railings and Lee said if I gave any more evidence he would cut my throat."

"That is completely out of order," Gil says with a bolshie curl of the lip. "You say the word and we'll get some people together and go sort them out for you. We brought down Tim Hunter's bad-ass evil twin so some scuzz-bag called 'Lee' won't be a problem."

Guppy breaks down despite his best efforts.

"I can't, and I really want this to be over so I'm safe again and so are the other people they terrorise but I can't because if I get a load of people to hurt them then I'll end up in the dock because there's six of them and they can all witness one another and I don't want to go to prison like Lara because then it would be just the same except I would be living with the gang and I'm so scared Gil..."

He has to stop to breathe, frantically trying to wipe away the tears and pull himself together.

"Oh," Gil breathes and moves forward to give Guppy his hug. Gil cradles him quite gently, rubbing his chin against the top of his head and patting his back.

"I'm sorry, Guppy," he whispers. "Can't you stay here? Where it's safe?"

[[ooc: sorry - yahoo's stockpiling notifications again!!]]

"Not unless I'm Bound, because time keeps moving and I have to go to work and even if I could I can't hide away from this forever. I want to stay here Gil, I'm so scared and it's not just that I don't know what to do but I don't think there's anything I can do...

He hugs Gil back, the tears still running down his cheeks as he tries to hold them back.

"I mean I could stay here for a night or two before I am missed but then I still have to go back..."

[ooc: Mun has to get up early tomorrow for a kempo trip. Slowtime ok?]

Gil wipes Guppy's face with his apron then cuddles him again, his face set and furious. But his voice is gentle when he speaks.

"Then stay a night or two. Sleep safe, eat well - better to go back strong than tired and weak."

[[ooc: snap - though not a trip. Slowtime's fine.]]

Guppy cuddles back, appreciating the warmth and security. He sniffs a little.

"Yes, you're right."

He manages a small awkward smile. "You're going to tell me off. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast, and that was only half a slice of toast."

[ooc: Thanks, night :)]

It was cold in New York and Ray's dinner left him wanting to sit somewhere warm still, so he migrates in the direction of the fire. And blinks.

"Guppy?"

Guppy looks up.

"Hey."

He is trembling, and looks very shaken.

Oh, hell...

Ray sits down on a convenient patch of floor nearby.

"How bad was it this time?" he asks quietly.

Guppy takes a deep breath.

"They followed me to the identity parade, threw me against some railings and threatened to slit my throat if I said another word to the police."

His voice sounds panicky, a little breathless even.

"... Guppy, have you considered wearing a wire? I mean- I realize it's not going to be much use to you nine times out of ten, since they can't be there forever, but- have you seriously ever considered wearing or carrying a tape recorder so that you'll have evidence against them the next time they try to screw with you? Even the most indifferent police force in the free world is going to have to pay attention to someone making documented terroristic threats."

Guppy looks up at Ray, the terror showing in his eyes.

"I think that's a good idea. Except if they screw with me again, they're going in for the kill."

He tries to keep himself together but he's struggling. "Their first victim had fifty percent burns by the time they'd finished with him. They're not afraid to kill Ray."

Ray thinks about this.

"Pepper spray legal where you come from? ... no, that's not going to be much help as an area-effect deterrent, is it. And a taser's only good against one opponent at a time..."

He thinks a while more.

"I know you have the kitten to look after, but is there any chance you could lay your hands on a large breed of dog for a while? Something like an Anatolian shepherd or a Rhodesian ridgeback, that isn't particularly vicious but could hold a number of them off for a while? I mean, Rhodies were bred as lion hunters. A couple of humans who don't use guns can't be that big of a threat to a dog that does that by nature..."

Guppy thinks about this.

"Not sure about the pepper spray. If a dog bites them it'll be put down and I'll be in the dock. I could probably foster one from the animal shelter, but I'm not sure my landlord would be too keen. It took a lot of persuasion for him to let me keep the kitten. And although they haven't pulled a gun on me yet that doesn't mean they don't possess one."

"Well, I assumed they weren't using a gun because of the burns on the first guy. I kind of figured the bullet would've shown up in the reports, but you're right- we can't asume they don't have one. Is there anyone you can legally hire back home to make things easier? Any way of suing these guys to keep them busy and off your back? Restraining orders rarely mean more than 'oh, we should've seen this coming' in the states so I won't even waste your time asking about those."

"They broke the restraining order on the same afternoon they got bail. I think it's the suing part that's the problem."

He fidgets. "Several people have offered to come to Holby and look out for me from here. I declined because I was worried they might go too far and get arrested, but I think I will have to reconsider."

[ooc: Sorry, mun has to be up early tomorrow so must go to bed. Nice RPing with you. Happy to continue tomorrow but I know you don't like picking threads up the next day.]

Ray winces, and nods. "If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. THere's lots of stuff that's legal to buy in New York that you might not have access to."

[OOC: Sleep well!]

"Thank you." Guppy replies quietly, rubbing his arm around the shoulder.