I Moderate (i_moderate) wrote in we_archive, @ 2006-06-28 20:15:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | bigby wolf, prince charming |
i_huffandpuff Charming the Wolf [Charming]
Bigby looked up at the sky. He didn't believe in any higher beings, he considered most of that as being for Mundies, but if they did exist? Then today he was cursing them. "When I said I'd take Charming," He muttered to himself, staring up at the tall apartment complex. "I didn't mean it. I really didn't mean it."
He'd picked up Charming's scent this morning after finally feeling up to exploring the city. Charming's and Bluebeard's, but Beard's was much fainter. Almost gone in fact. Charming's was strong. He'd walked the sidewalks within a two block radius of the complex he stood before now several times, and Bigby could smell the man's cologne all over the front doors. No sign of Hobbs though, which was odd. The man never traveled without his porter.
But then, so many things were off about this city.
Bigby knocked the button provided to open the doors for those who were handicapped. The doorman standing there seemed surprisingly unconcerned as to the fact that a wolf was limping into the building. He ignored Bigby, and Bigby ignored him, walking as quickly as he could over to the list of names that sat on the wall to the side. There was a listing for Bluebeard, but none for Charming. He'd make do with that.
After a bit of awkward navigating in the elevator, Bigby stepped out on the top floor where there were only three doors and quite spread out. He headed straight for number two and batted one of his good paws against it.
From: i_charm Date: 06/28/2006 17:59:30
Prince Charming believed that one should always make the best of every situation. Spending some time talking to Kristy, the receptionist, Charming now knew that he was in The City, and in addition to the strange name, there were many strange characters around, too. The apartment building apparently was not called "The Woodlands" but the structure was very similar to the Fabletown building. Hell, if Charming's apartment was still here, then...
If one looked at it logically, then one could deduce several facts about the situation: if Snow White's office did not exist, then it meant that Snow White herself must not be in this City, and since Snow was pretty much a constant presence within the Woodlands building, one could jump to the conclusion that no other Fables were here, either. If Prince Charming was the only Fable around, it follows that the apartments that each Fable occupied were free also.
Infallible logic. Well, actually, it wasn't, but his name was not "Charming" for no reason. Ten minutes and two thousand-watt-smiles later, the superintendent had agree to let Prince Charming move into room 702- Bluebeard's apartment.
It was as grand as Charming remembered it to be. The best facilities gold could buy, while maintaining some of that old fashioned stylised architecture Charming was so fond of. Million dollar views.
Charming had just poured himself a glass of wine, and was loosening his tie when he heard the knock on the door. Thinking that it must be one of the girls from downstairs checking to see how he was settling in- magnificantly, of course- he opened the door, a smile already on his face.
And yet, it definitely was not a woman on the other side.
Charming was aware that he was staring a little.
"Well," he said as his gaze traveled to the other, more bloody paw. "Shall I call a doctor?"
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/28/2006 18:12:03
There was no reason to be mean upon first introduction. He just had to remind himself of this before he actually spoke.
"A vet, Charming, would be more appropriate, I think." Bigby didn't even bother to ask before nudging and limping his way past Charming and into the apartment. He was probably getting blood smears on the carpet. Oops. The lady's bandaging from the park had lasted and done well until he'd gotten on the move. "Unless you're going to wow me with new found medical skills?"
From: i_charm Date: 06/28/2006 18:23:17
It was very hard for Prince Charming to summon any shred of goodwill when the other party was rude, unhygienic and bleeding all over his furniture. Still, Charming was a Good and Charitable Man, and if Bigby bled to death in his new apartment it would be an absolute nightmare to clean up.
"My medical skills are more than adequate for anyone who might've gotten into regular scrapes and scuffles." Charming took a closer look at the wound and wrinkled his nose in disgust. "But this looks like you've stuck your paw into a giant bear trap."
Or maybe a giant blender. He wouldn't put it past the wolf.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/28/2006 18:32:51
Bigby just stared at him. "What, did you plant the damn thing?" He wouldn't have put it past the man. Anything to remove him from sheriff position. Not that that position really seemed important if they weren't at home anymore.
"There was a beartrap in the forest, yes. I got caught in it, yes." Bigby glared at him.
From: i_charm Date: 06/28/2006 18:39:32
If Charming won the election, Bigby would probably resign anyway. There was absolutely no need for him to plant the thing. And anyway, anything Charming planted would've done the job far more thourougly.
Charming shrugged and made to pick up the phone. "Vet, you said?"
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/28/2006 18:54:28
"A vet. A cigarette. Some clothes and you could call a normal doctor." Though, Bigby wasn't sure how the wound would look on his human form. It would probably be on his right foot, as this one was, and feel about ten times worse.
He looked down again and licked his paw. He couldn't help it, force of habit.
From: i_charm Date: 06/29/2006 16:45:04
Charming didn't smoke, but he knew a good subsitute. Not knowing the number to a vet, he got Kristy to do it for him, then he walked over to Bluebeard's liquor cabinet- pointly ignoring the licking that was going on, but if he started on his butthole, there will be words- and found the strongest one there.
Two glasses, ice, and drink goes on top. Charming took a sip of his own, and put the other down in front of Bigby. "It really is a pity that wolves don't have opposable thumbs," he said conversationally.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/29/2006 16:55:11
A dog bowl would have been demeaning. This was just slightly above that level, so instead of vocal complaining Bigby settled for a very pointed glare and growl at Charming.
He then proceeded to take a few drinks from the glass, lapping carefully with his tongue. It didn't have quite the same effect as it would have had had he been human, but he still wasn't going to complain.
And then... oh. How careless of him. Bigby wondered (not so innocently) how hard it was to remove alcohol from expensive carpets.
"Definitely a pity. I couldn't agree more," Bigby smirked, going back to his paw.
From: i_charm Date: 06/29/2006 17:09:05
Really. How incredibly childish of him. Charming made a small "tsk" sound at the back of his throat, and sat down in a couch opposite the wolf. He didn't mind the mess; there had to be room service, or cleaners or something, here.
He swirled his drink around and watched the ice clink against the glass. He hoped that it annoyed Bigby. Charming was taking this opportunity to think. There were a lot of thing that needed to be straightened out.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/29/2006 17:18:03
It was kind of annoying actually. The clinks were exceptionally loud to his sensitive ears, and he kept doing it. Over... and over.. and over...
Bigby eyed Charming, glaring once more before bending back over his paw. It was sore and stung more than a bit. He kept tending to it because, well, when he licked it, it didn't sting. Common sense, said the wolf.
"So, this might be a long shot, because you generally don't know anything," Bigby said after a long moment. "But, do you know what's going on here?"
From: i_charm Date: 06/29/2006 17:36:03
The clinking paused. Charming decided to let the crack about him not knowing anything slide. He looked out the window and took a little time before answering. "The City, it's like a combination of... different cities, like say, this building, it's very similar to The Woodlands, but is not. It's a working city, which makes me think there must be someone running it somewhere. It's very American. There are people who were born here, and there are others who... weren't."
He looked at Bigby, then, and the gash on his leg.
"How did you get here?"
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/29/2006 17:49:53
The matched up with what he'd sniffed out. Parts that smelled like New York, and parts that didn't. He hadn't noticed many similarities between this building and the Woodlands besides the obvious of this being Beard's apartment.
He'd take Charming's word for it, however much he hated to do it.
"I got dumped in some forest outside the city, got my paw caught in a beartrap, chased by something that looked a little too much like a Wooden Soldier, jumped through a hole in a wall, and ended up in a park." He looked up at Charming, hoping he conveyed plenty of annoyance at their situation. "And now I'm here with you, because I couldn't find Snow or Jack."
From: i_charm Date: 06/29/2006 18:03:52
Oh, Charming was annoyed, too, but he never wore his emotions on his sleeve. "I come after Jack on your list? Bigby, I am quite disappointed," he said with a smirk that indicated he was anything but.
There was a knock at the door. "That must be the vet." Charming drained his glass, and went to get it.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/29/2006 18:14:54
"Joy," Bigby said, turning around and looking towards the door and then back towards Charming. "Am I expected to open it?" he asked him rather sarcastically.
It occured to him then that if this was a mundy vet he or she wasn't going to be used to, firstly, dealing with a wolf most likely, and secondly, dealing with a talking wolf. It had to be too much to expect every mundy in the city to act like the woman in the park had.
He flopped back down onto the floor heavily and eyed the door. "Come in," he called. Charming's house was his house after all.
From: i_charm Date: 06/29/2006 18:24:05
He could like, not talk. At the 'come in', Charming would've rolled his eyes. He certainly thought about it, but he settled for a heavy sigh instead.
The vet looked like he could be one of those wise-cracking, patronising TV doctors who looked concerned at every little thing and spoke slowly for the sake of the dim-witted pet owner. He was walking up to Charming, presumably to ask where the animal was, when he saw Bigby- who was hard to miss- and stopped.
Charming sighed again. "Just... do it. Don't ask questions."
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/29/2006 18:32:50
But people always asked questions. Stupid ones such as, "W-where did you get a wolf?" Questions that made Bigby want to roll his eyes.
He did his damnedest not to say anything, as that could only agravate the situation. He just gave what he hoped was sufficiantly pained whine and stopped licking his paw, sticking it out so that the doctor could see it.
From: i_charm Date: 06/29/2006 18:48:52
Charming hated repeating himself. "Don't ask questions. He won't bite." Much. That pathetic whine of Bigby's nearly made him laugh.
The vet fussed around for a little while, then turned to Charming again. "It's just a precaution, but I need to check his temperature, in case of infection. There may be some discomfort when this-" he pulled out a large thermometre, "-is inserted, so I might need you to hold him. In case he, y'know, bites."
Charming couldn't help it. He did start laughing then.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/29/2006 19:01:53
When the vet had finished wrapping his paw properly Bigby had assumed Charming would pay the bill and the man would leave.
Unfortunately the two of them seemed to have other plans. Bigby did not find the look of that thermometer as amusing as Charming aparently did.
This was just... not happening. He stood up, eying the two of them, especially Charming.
The man could at least do something.
Something that didn't involve holding him down like the vet had instructed.
From: i_charm Date: 06/29/2006 19:13:40
The vet gave them both an odd look- was the wolf eyeing him? He was snapping on a fresh pair of surgical gloves, one that wasn't covered with blood. Then he cleaned the thermometer with a disinfectant cloth. It glistened a little.
Charming shrugged. Generally you do what the doctor tells you to do, but there was no way in hell he was going to hold Bigby down.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/29/2006 19:25:54
Smart move, Charming. Very smart move. Because there was no way in hell he was going through with this.
He was no common forest animal. He'd terrorised Red Ridinghood. That whole huff-puff thing? That had been all him. The Big Bad Wolf did not get glass probes stuck up his ass and let the person who'd done it live to tell the tale.
Blood and entrails on the carpet would give Charming plenty to worry about cleaning later.
Bigby growled at the man as he closed in on him and was perfectly prepared to pounce, even on his injured foot. But then an element he hadn't been expecting was introduced. The vet moved rather fast, and suddenly Bigby felt a prick and then a quick sensation of dizziness. Not enough to to pass out, but he lost the will to pounce.
From: i_charm Date: 06/29/2006 19:37:10
Oof. Charming made a sympathetically pained face; it was fairly traumatising, even to watch. Out of consideration for Bigby's dignity, he turned around, and said, "I'm not looking, if that makes it any easier."
The vet was scrutinising the thermometer. Half a minute later, it was taken out. The doctor was satisfied with what he saw. "Everything looks fine," he assured Charming, who turned around just in time to see the man slap Bigby on the rump.
Charming took a cautious step backwards. This could get violent.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/29/2006 19:52:58
The tranqulilzer filled with whatever the doctor had used was still in heavy effect. He'd shake it off quickly, but for now it was working perfectly.
The whine Bigby let out this time was genuine.
Never again.
Bigby turned around and barked harshly at the doctor, tried to stand and menacing but failed. All he wanted to do was rip the arm that'd committed that atrocity with the damn thermometer. And then maybe knaw on it for awhile before taking the thing and sticking it up his butt.
His eyes were trained on it and the hand the vet was holding it in, but he was too out of it now to do anything. Instead he looked back sharply at Charming, his look clearly saying, 'Make him go away. Now.'
From: i_charm Date: 06/29/2006 20:05:44
Charming caught the look. He worked very hard to keep a straight face. Still, he admired Bigby's restraint. Well, actually, he admired the strength of the tranquiliser, because clearly, Bigby just wanted to rip the good doctor into pieces.
He escorted the man to the door, convinced him that the girls downstairs will pay him for his troubles, then stopped in front of the liquor cabinet again. His hand hover above a bottle of JD's, but came down again, as he turned to Bigby and said, "I'd offer you another drink, you know, to settle your nerves, but that would probably wreck havoc with the tranquiliser."
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/29/2006 21:06:02
Well, it was a good thing Charming was thinking ahead (for once) as admittedly, Bigby would have attempted to guzzle the entire bottle. Dog bowl or not. But luckily Charming had a firmer grasp on reality than Bigby at the moment.
"I swear, if you laugh I will rip your arms and legs from your body and stick them in place you never would have imagined they could fit." Not to mention he'd feel no regrets about it.
He felt violated and as such, curled around and examined the spot he'd been violated in. There was some licking involved, sorry Charming.
From: i_charm Date: 06/30/2006 18:07:24
Seeing him lick himself was a disturbing experience, because Charming had always thought of Bigby as human, and never really a wolf. And even though wolves were usually proud creatures, all animals are deduced to the same puddle of indignity when they start licking their backside.
The threat was a lot less threatening because of this. For some reason, it's hard to take someone seriously when you've just witnessed them being knocked around by a vet who was at least half a foot shorter than they were.
Nevertheless, Bigby had very large teeth. So Charming kept the laughter inside.
"How's the paw feel?" he asked conversationally.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/30/2006 18:20:39
Bigby turned around from licking, quite aware of the fact that he was quickly losing dignity with all this tending to himself that he was doing. But he couldn't help it at this point; he'd been in this form for a good deal of time now, and had slipped back into the habits easily.
Looking around at Charming, he made an attempt to look as human as one could seem as a wolf. This involved not baring said large teeth and curling his tail up next to the rest of his flank.
Perhaps he looked rather innocent? Innocent and woozy. "Numb, which is an improvement. It's better done than what I had on it before. I won't be going human for a while."
From: i_charm Date: 06/30/2006 18:35:51
Great. If Bigby slips back into wolf-ish habits, does this mean that he'll start chasing chickens next? Or maybe trying to eat little girls dressed in red capes.
Charming settled comfortably on the sofa. He was not fooled by Bigby's seemingly innocent guise. "Please don't tell me I have to take you out for walks."
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/30/2006 18:45:32
As much as pissing on Charming's Persian rugs would have amused him, he did have to admitt that the man had just helped him.
And that eventually the smell of piss shit all over the place would make living uncomfortable for both parties. "I'll let myself out, don't worry."
Bigby grinned a bit, flashing teeth. "I do have to eat though. And since I can't really hunt... I like my meat bleeding, Charming. I'm sure you'll find me something."
From: i_charm Date: 06/30/2006 19:00:49
Charming muttered something that sounded like "give me strength".
"My goodwill only stretches so far, Bigby," he said dryly, waving a hand. "Make do with whatever is in the refridgerator; Bluebeard was a man who liked his food, I'm sure you'll find something to your liking."
Given his reputation, Bluebeard was probably a cannibal, anyway.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/30/2006 19:13:25
Fine, he'd take that. Though without opposable thumbs, the refridgerator, and the contents inside, were going to be a bit tricky. He predicted something of a mess the first time he attempted to get a meal.
Still, the man was going to feed him. This was a good sign. One of good will even. Bigby even returned the gesture, managing his next question seriously. Mostly because if he didn't there was a chance he'd be sleeping back out in the park, which while doable, was not the preferred option.
"Mind if I sleep by the fireplace?" He gestured to the giant structure with his nose.
From: i_charm Date: 06/30/2006 19:20:34
Charming quirked a brow. There were a lot of rooms in Bluebeard's apartment, each of them larger and more magnificant than the last. Not to mention those rooms filled with gold, and rare gems, and other such treasures the man had managed to retain- or gain otherwise- since the Homelands.
Still, each to their own.
"I thought wolves were afraid of fire." The eyebrow lowered. "But I can't imagine anyone else who would need this space. It's yours."
It felt good to say that. For the first time since coming to the Mundane world, Prince Charming was no longer poor. He now had the fortune- someone else's discarded fortune- to go with his title. He could live the life of luxury that he had grown accustomed to so many years ago.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/30/2006 19:44:28
"When it's heading towards our dens, yes. But then, what animal isn't in that circumstance?" Bigby said with a shrug, or, the equivilant to it. He had a slight advantage over other wolves as well when it came to fire, what with his power over the wind.
He pushed up, leaning heavily to his left, and walked slowly over to the spot in front of the fireplace. There was a comfy rug looking there made from the pelt of some animal that--
Bigby looked back at Charming and then back at the brown and grey pelt on the floor in front of the fireplace. "Tasteful," he said sarcastically. "Very tasteful." His eyes glanced back down to the wolf head still attacked to the end of the rug. It was facing away from the spot he'd been sitting in before, the only reason he hadn't noticed it earlier.
From: i_charm Date: 06/30/2006 19:51:40
Holding back all this laughter can't be good for you.
He has teeth, Charming reminded himself, before settling on a smirk, hidden in a pained grimace.
"Bluebeard's apartment," he reminded the wolf. "The man was particularly tasteless."
Because everyone knew bear skin made better rugs. And have a head still attached to the pelt was just trying too hard to be macabre.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/30/2006 19:59:41
The prince had a point there. He technically couldn't be blamed. Technically.
Bigby did blame him though. Just a little. Because if he hadn't killed Bluebeard then there wouldn't have been the ability to inhabit his apartment. Thus the rug would be a non issue.
He stepped back from the rug and retreated to the carpet further back. Not directle in front of the fireplace, but it would do. "You can get that look off your face. You've managed to sufficiantly scar me for the afternoon, and I'm too damned drugged to snap your neck in two."
From: i_charm Date: 06/30/2006 20:05:02
"That's very unfriendly of you, after all that I've done."
Charming was standing up as he was saying this, and was starting to move to his room. He needed to laugh, very badly. Bigby's threat was an empty one, and he knew it. The man/wolf had morals.
From: i_huffandpuff Date: 06/30/2006 20:10:03
Yes, Bigby knew that too, but that didn't stop him from letting out a small growl before laying down on the rug without a face.
"You'd better lock your doors," he muttered after Charming as he retreated.
Sometimes he hated how unthreatening a domesticated wolf was.