Post by Niles on Jan 3, 2010 20:45:16 GMT
The previous day had ended on a pretty bizarre note, to say the least. After he and Barney had sat down for what could possibly have been the best burgers that had ever been created - and eaten, of course - Niles had left his new friend with Rose for only a few minutes to take a trip to the little boys room, and when he returned there was no trace of him, only a sad looking Rose left whimpering up at her owner. He had disappeared so quickly he half expected to see a human-shaped dust cloud where Barney used to be. He didn't pay it enough mind to be offended, having noticed that he seemed more than a little skittish around Niles anyway. He hoped he hadn't intimidated the poor guy in any way, which was a thought Niles never thought he'd ever have, not being the most intimidating looking person in the world. Before leaving he had a word with the cafe owner to keep an eye out for Barney and to make sure he was well fed, making it clear that Niles would pay any tab there might be.
The next day, and Niles found himself walking the same path, being tugged along by Rose along the crowded street. As he passed by Nincomsoup on the other side of the street he glanced over to have a look inside, knowing that there was probably little chance of Barney actually going back there but taking a look anyway. He kept on walking for little while before it struck him. Wait a minute. He backtracked, followed by a confused looking Rose, and looked towards the cafe again, surprised to see that yes, Barney was in fact in the cafe. A quick phone call to Andy, the patron of the fine establishment, confirmed what he already knew, but he wanted to be sure.
He stopped to think for a moment about how to approach the situation, ignoring the confused puppy pawing at his shoes. He briefly considered walking on and letting Barney get on with his own business, but knew that he would only be annoyed at himself forever if he did that. He'd told Andy to give Barney some food in the mean time which should do one of two things; freak him out and make him dash for the door, or allow his hunger to over-ride his 'flight' instinct. Either way it bought him the few minutes he took to think things over.
He eventually decided to at least try and have a conversation with Barney - hey, if his presence wasn't wanted he would leave - and quickly jogged to the nearest crossing before jogging back towards the cafe, tugging Rose's leash until she started running alongside him. Pushing the glass door open he looked towards his intended target as Rose yipped excitedly upon seeing her new friend again.
The next day, and Niles found himself walking the same path, being tugged along by Rose along the crowded street. As he passed by Nincomsoup on the other side of the street he glanced over to have a look inside, knowing that there was probably little chance of Barney actually going back there but taking a look anyway. He kept on walking for little while before it struck him. Wait a minute. He backtracked, followed by a confused looking Rose, and looked towards the cafe again, surprised to see that yes, Barney was in fact in the cafe. A quick phone call to Andy, the patron of the fine establishment, confirmed what he already knew, but he wanted to be sure.
He stopped to think for a moment about how to approach the situation, ignoring the confused puppy pawing at his shoes. He briefly considered walking on and letting Barney get on with his own business, but knew that he would only be annoyed at himself forever if he did that. He'd told Andy to give Barney some food in the mean time which should do one of two things; freak him out and make him dash for the door, or allow his hunger to over-ride his 'flight' instinct. Either way it bought him the few minutes he took to think things over.
He eventually decided to at least try and have a conversation with Barney - hey, if his presence wasn't wanted he would leave - and quickly jogged to the nearest crossing before jogging back towards the cafe, tugging Rose's leash until she started running alongside him. Pushing the glass door open he looked towards his intended target as Rose yipped excitedly upon seeing her new friend again.