Oscar's Den

[Connor]

Continued from; Alleys and Streets; Back Alleys.

Connor pushed open the door to the fast food joint, stepping inside the bright building. The interior was loud and bright and garish and clashing colours of white and yellow. It made him feel as if he was standing inside some cream and lemon splattered crime scene. It also made him rather want to throw up, something he felt sure had not been the intended end effect.

People didn’t want to go and eat in places that made them feel nauseous. It was entirely possible of course, that Connor was either so hungry he felt sick or that Connor was a freak who in no way represented the normal cliental of Oscars Den. Either was possible.

He made his way to the counter, trying to keep his face from twisting into a disguised grimace at the colours, sure that sooner or later he would get used to it. Connor quickly glanced around him as he walked and automatically took in the few people in the room and their places. It was second nature to him now, to watch out for potential enemies. Not that he really thought he would find one here… he reached the counter now and leaned on it slightly to peer up at the menu and quickly made his choice of pizza. Something that looked edible and wasn’t too expensive.

[Connor]

The pizza looked and smelt edible, which was really all that could be said about the meal on the table in front of him. It didn’t look very appealing but then he wasn’t too concerned with looks or even taste. So long as he could stomach it and it gave him the energy he needed to keep going for a little longer then he supposed it would be good enough. He couldn’t really expect anything else for the price he paid.

Connor poked at one of the slices dubiously and wished, not for the first time that he was rich enough to afford real food on top of what he considered necessary items. The Irish born werewolf reached out to poke the slice again before pausing, finger a hairs breath from the crust. After a moment or two thinking he pulled away and took a drink from his can instead. The way Oscars Den looked; he wouldn’t be surprised if his food poked back.

Unable to put it off any longer he picked up the slice and bit into it, chewing carefully and keeping his expression as neutral as he could manage. It certainly tasted… different to most pizzas.

[Connor]

So, Connor was not a world class actor. He was good, he knew that, full of easy charm and confidence that could be used to trick and convince people of his trustworthiness. (In his defence, he never badly conned anyone. Just enough to get by and only if he thought the other person could manage without it.) Most of the time however, he was who he was, and who he was, was not impressed with the meal now that he had forced most of it down his throat. Since by this point he was the only customer in the place, those that had cooked the pizza could also see his distaste. Had it not been so late, so dark or so dismal, perhaps it would have gone no further. Instead the bulky man stepped out from behind the counter as Connor stood to leave, a slice of the pizza congealing on the table. He only got a few paces before the man spoke, bolstered by fake bravo.

“You got a problem with my food?” The human snapped out and really, it was pitiful. Even as a human, Connor would have liked the odds. He was the stronger, fitter, faster of the two.

“A problem? Food? You call that food? I’ve seen better examples of food growing on alley walls,” Connor replied, rocking backwards and forwards on his heels with a cheeky grin on his face. The werewolf knew he was pushing it, knew he was almost begging the guy to try and punch him so he could return the favour – Connor never physically started fights if he could help it. His wolf yearned for another fight, even one as easy as this one and he had decided to oblige.

[Connor]

Connor may have wanted to pick a fight, but he refused to be the one to throw the first punch, grinning as the other man finally swung out, the wolf easily dodging the feeble attack. He could feel himself shift into fighter mode, his body singing out in joy as he side stepped yet another pathetic attack, wolf sniggering in his mind at the easy battle ahead. He jumped back, landing on the counter and half turning to check his back.

“A kid?” he muttered in astonishment, staring down at the huddled girl behind the counter, all long dark hair and big green eyes. Connor snarled and grabbed the man by the front of his clothes, yanking his forward so the two were nose to nose. “A girl? She your kid?” he growled, eyes flashing wolf white for a moment, his anger clearly visible. When the man in his grasp nodded he growled louder.

“You brought your kid to work and then proceeded to pick a fight with someone? What, you wanted to show her what I big strong man you were?” Connor snapped, his eyes still bright white and showing no signs of fading anytime soon. His hair darkened noticeably at the roots, sticking up and becoming more spiky with the wolf yearning to come out and play. “What kind of person are you?” In disgust he shoved the man away and moved around the counter, gracefully sitting into a crouch in front of the girl.

“Hey there chickpea. I’m sorry I hit your dad okay?” He reached in his pocket and pulled out some of the bills of cash, telling himself that he didn’t need to buy more bullets for another day or so – it went without thinking that he would replace the shattered globe – and that he just had to fight more with his sword for a while. “Here. And remember, not every man is like your father…” Connor handed her the cash, not completely sure what he was doing or why but knowing it was best to follow his instincts.

In a fluid motion he stood up again and stalked towards the man again. “You ever bring her here and try to pick a fight with someone again I will find out, do you hear me? And you will not like me finding out.” Connor smiled, all cold and sharp teeth, watching and waiting for the nod, the man visibly shaking.

[Connor]

There were quite a few things Connor couldn’t stand about humans in general. This desire to show off to kids though violence was one of them, as well as hurting a child physically. He didn’t doubt that making your kid watch you beat up someone – or alternatively be beaten up yourself – would be hurting the kid mentally. Human’s were disgusting.

Connor growled and roughly pushed open the door, wanting to get out of the crappy building. He was sick of Oscar’s Den and he was sick of this side of the city. Basically he was just sick of being outdoors and it only took him a few seconds to decide that this night was over for him. Unless he saw some fun on the way back to his apartment.

Grumbling slightly, he vanished into the dark, heading back for the invisible line between sides.

Continued in: Cole’s Territory: Alleys and Streets; Downtown Streets