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More from ardereluna
So, i decided to start doing the Thursday Prompt. Don't see any reason not to, and i love it.
Quick Read:
Angler Angel
Prowling. When I’m prowling, I’m at home. I fit in with my surroundings. I -am- the walls. Or whatever it is I’m standing beside at the moment.
Anyhow, I was prowling on the docks, looking for a bit of easy prey. Hey, if you don’t think predation is alright, then you try being a hungry, growing male lion in a city full of herbivore restaurants. There’s only one good meat joint here, Bangow’s. Like hell I’d ever be seen there.
Right! Story. I was prowling down by the docks, and I managed to find some easy prey. Heh, yeah right. If only it could have been that simple. As it is, that fateful night changed my life, possibly forever.
See, I saw a horse there, sitting on the docks. Pretty young chap, lovely and limber, and he was fishing. I couldn’t help it. I sat down and watched.
It wasn’t long before he got the assumption he was being watched I think, ‘cause after a bit of me staring at him (He was topless, I couldn‘t help it!), he got up and moved back up the quay. I was kneeling behind a small stack of barrels, more than a bit turned on just watching him fish. Sounds like some porno plot, doesn’t it? Ah well, assume what you like.
Eventually, he got closer to where I was sitting, but I barely noticed. Oh, I won’t say I didn’t notice, because I did. I just didn’t really do anything about it. Anyhow, the guy sat himself down on the edge of the old dock we were both on, not ten feet from me, and swished his tail, seemingly unaware of my presence.
For a bit, it was like that. Then, I noticed, on the distant horizon, the sun was rising. I silently cussed. I’d spent all night staring at this guy, and I was still hungry.
After a moment of debate, I was about to hop out and guiltily grab myself a mouthful of horse flesh for breakfast, when “You know, I’ve heard you all night, man. You’re not too quiet.”
I was flabbergasted. I stepped out from behind the stack of barrels, my jaw hanging open and my mane shaking with my head. That was a blow to that inherent pride all male lions have, being heard by a horse. A prey animal.
“Right.” He cast his line again, a grin touching the corners of his mouth. “So, what’s your name, or were you planning to eat me without civilities?”
“Ah-er-Astrelan.” I sputtered, still a bit off guard.
He took a hand from the pole and extended it to me, “Ash. Ash Baker. I take it you won’t eat my hand if I ask you to shake, will you?”
I couldn’t help it. I laughed. I shook his hand, grinning. “No, I don’t think I will. Even though I’m damn near starving.”
He flicked his wrist, and, would you know it? Out popped a fish from the water, hooked on his line. It flopped onto the quay and he flicked his wrist again, sending it back into the water. “Do you want it, or can I let it go?”
“I’ve….Never tried fish.” I shrugged. It was the truth. My parents had raised me on meat, pure and hearty. Not a scrap of fish had ever passed my lips.
“Never? Hell, even I’ve tried fish, and I don’t eat meat. It tastes horrendous to me, but you….You might just like it. Here, give me a sec’, and I’ll take you to the best fish roast this side of the county.” He grinned and cut his fishing line, as if he was sure the fish would be alright. He got up, fishing rod in hand, and grabbed me by the arm and dragged me along the quay to a small-ish shopping center. I’d never seen it before, and I’ve lived in this city all my life.
It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was…different. There were fishing stores, hunting stores, army surplus, gardening stores, and, of course, restaurants. Of course, they served mostly fish and meat, but there was a couple salad bar diners, that I could see. But Ash led me over to one of the fish-serving restaurants. Bill’s Herring Hut, the flashing red and purple neon sign above the door said. The moment that horse dragged me in, I felt right at home.
The smell of salty things roasting over a fire hit my nostrils hard, and I almost swooned in delight, but Ash dragged me to a booth, not altogether unwillingly. After a few moments, a shapely tigress waltzed over to the table, pen and pad in hand, little waitress apron around her waist. “What can we do you for?” she asked in an accent that suggest more than a one relative of hers didn’t live in the city.
“Two specials, Ruthy.” Ash spoke up before I could say anything.
“Tha’ special? Ashy, I know yer a regular, but yer always orderin’ tha’ salads an’ tha’ like. This here lovely lion boy might find it delicious, but you…” She scratched at her head with the pen.
“A special for a special occasion, Ruthy. Just order it up. I’ll give you a bigger tip…” He leered at her playfully.
“Oh, yer always tippin’ big. But what’ll you two be having to drink?” She grinned at them both, giving me a good look-over.
“Just a cup of water, Ruthy.” Ash leaned back in his seat, a smug grin on his face.
“An’ you?” She jotted down the horse’s drink ,then looked at me.
“Er…Just a glass of water would nice, thanks.” I tugged at the collar of my shirt awkwardly.
“I’ll get ‘em out to you in just a second.” She cheerily waltzed off, swaying her hips in an exaggerated fashion.
Ash was still holding my forearm, I noticed lazily, probably about a minute or two behind. I just hadn’t had anything like this happen to me before. Prey never took you out for an early breakfast. No, prey was your early breakfast.
His brown eyes looked me over critically. “Ruthy’s a nice waitress, if a tidbit slow. She’ll take care with our food. And let me tell you, the fish here is delicious, even if I hate the stuff.”
I nodded. “Alright…Guess it can’t hurt to try, especially as hungry as I am.”
“That’s the spirit!” he grinned. We chatted for a few moments, before Ruthy came waltzing back with our water, then we drank thirstily, neither of us having drank anything over that long night where we sat aware, yet unaware, of each other.
A few minutes later, Ruthy came back, bearing two steaming trays of gold-and-black lumps of meat, which I suspected were fish. The entire meal on the plate was extravagant, delicately laced in garnish, and it altogether looked spiced, yet not so much as to be even close to inedible. And the smell. Oh god above, I don’t think any fish ahs smelt as good as that fish did. Freshly cooked, spiced with pepper and garlic from what I could smell, and carrying the heavy scent of the sea, I think I rose into heaven for a few moments.
Ash dug slowly into his plate, his chewing a bit odd. I had expected him to spit it out in revulsion, though, so I was a bit surprised. Anyhow, I picked up my fork, and speared a good-sized bite. Taking it to my mouth, I think that I never had, nor will experience a more ecstatic moment relating to food than that moment. I finished my plate in just a couple minutes, and Ash offered me his. I eagerly dug in. He ordered himself a salad, and I watched with a smile as he ate.
When we were both done, content and with full bellies, he struck up a conversation. “So, I take it you liked the fish?”
I grinned. “Liked it? The only thought on my mind was that nothing on this earth could come close in comparison.”
He cocked an inquisitive eyebrow, smiling. “Really?”
“Really.” I nodded.
“Well, I’m an angler and cook by trade…If you do catch my drift.” He leaned over the table.
I felt some blood rush to my face. “Erm…Drift? Catch?”
He put two fingertips on the table, grinning widely. “I’m asking you on a date, you big gallumph. How does tonight sound?”
I blinked, speechless. Eventually I managed to stutter, “I-I-y-yeah! Sure, that works out great. Where should we meet?”
“Well, considering I don’t live in the ebst area, how about we meet wherever you live? Those clothes don’t speak of the wharf.” He grinned.
I new he didn’t mean to be offensive, but I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. My family is rich. I come from the rich side of town. “I-I-sure. Need the address?”
“Sure.” He pulled a pad of paper and a pen from…some-where, and handed them to me. I wrote my address down.
We sat for a few minutes, talking, and he offered to walk me home. I couldn’t help but accept.
Quick Read:
Angler Angel
Prowling. When I’m prowling, I’m at home. I fit in with my surroundings. I -am- the walls. Or whatever it is I’m standing beside at the moment.
Anyhow, I was prowling on the docks, looking for a bit of easy prey. Hey, if you don’t think predation is alright, then you try being a hungry, growing male lion in a city full of herbivore restaurants. There’s only one good meat joint here, Bangow’s. Like hell I’d ever be seen there.
Right! Story. I was prowling down by the docks, and I managed to find some easy prey. Heh, yeah right. If only it could have been that simple. As it is, that fateful night changed my life, possibly forever.
See, I saw a horse there, sitting on the docks. Pretty young chap, lovely and limber, and he was fishing. I couldn’t help it. I sat down and watched.
It wasn’t long before he got the assumption he was being watched I think, ‘cause after a bit of me staring at him (He was topless, I couldn‘t help it!), he got up and moved back up the quay. I was kneeling behind a small stack of barrels, more than a bit turned on just watching him fish. Sounds like some porno plot, doesn’t it? Ah well, assume what you like.
Eventually, he got closer to where I was sitting, but I barely noticed. Oh, I won’t say I didn’t notice, because I did. I just didn’t really do anything about it. Anyhow, the guy sat himself down on the edge of the old dock we were both on, not ten feet from me, and swished his tail, seemingly unaware of my presence.
For a bit, it was like that. Then, I noticed, on the distant horizon, the sun was rising. I silently cussed. I’d spent all night staring at this guy, and I was still hungry.
After a moment of debate, I was about to hop out and guiltily grab myself a mouthful of horse flesh for breakfast, when “You know, I’ve heard you all night, man. You’re not too quiet.”
I was flabbergasted. I stepped out from behind the stack of barrels, my jaw hanging open and my mane shaking with my head. That was a blow to that inherent pride all male lions have, being heard by a horse. A prey animal.
“Right.” He cast his line again, a grin touching the corners of his mouth. “So, what’s your name, or were you planning to eat me without civilities?”
“Ah-er-Astrelan.” I sputtered, still a bit off guard.
He took a hand from the pole and extended it to me, “Ash. Ash Baker. I take it you won’t eat my hand if I ask you to shake, will you?”
I couldn’t help it. I laughed. I shook his hand, grinning. “No, I don’t think I will. Even though I’m damn near starving.”
He flicked his wrist, and, would you know it? Out popped a fish from the water, hooked on his line. It flopped onto the quay and he flicked his wrist again, sending it back into the water. “Do you want it, or can I let it go?”
“I’ve….Never tried fish.” I shrugged. It was the truth. My parents had raised me on meat, pure and hearty. Not a scrap of fish had ever passed my lips.
“Never? Hell, even I’ve tried fish, and I don’t eat meat. It tastes horrendous to me, but you….You might just like it. Here, give me a sec’, and I’ll take you to the best fish roast this side of the county.” He grinned and cut his fishing line, as if he was sure the fish would be alright. He got up, fishing rod in hand, and grabbed me by the arm and dragged me along the quay to a small-ish shopping center. I’d never seen it before, and I’ve lived in this city all my life.
It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was…different. There were fishing stores, hunting stores, army surplus, gardening stores, and, of course, restaurants. Of course, they served mostly fish and meat, but there was a couple salad bar diners, that I could see. But Ash led me over to one of the fish-serving restaurants. Bill’s Herring Hut, the flashing red and purple neon sign above the door said. The moment that horse dragged me in, I felt right at home.
The smell of salty things roasting over a fire hit my nostrils hard, and I almost swooned in delight, but Ash dragged me to a booth, not altogether unwillingly. After a few moments, a shapely tigress waltzed over to the table, pen and pad in hand, little waitress apron around her waist. “What can we do you for?” she asked in an accent that suggest more than a one relative of hers didn’t live in the city.
“Two specials, Ruthy.” Ash spoke up before I could say anything.
“Tha’ special? Ashy, I know yer a regular, but yer always orderin’ tha’ salads an’ tha’ like. This here lovely lion boy might find it delicious, but you…” She scratched at her head with the pen.
“A special for a special occasion, Ruthy. Just order it up. I’ll give you a bigger tip…” He leered at her playfully.
“Oh, yer always tippin’ big. But what’ll you two be having to drink?” She grinned at them both, giving me a good look-over.
“Just a cup of water, Ruthy.” Ash leaned back in his seat, a smug grin on his face.
“An’ you?” She jotted down the horse’s drink ,then looked at me.
“Er…Just a glass of water would nice, thanks.” I tugged at the collar of my shirt awkwardly.
“I’ll get ‘em out to you in just a second.” She cheerily waltzed off, swaying her hips in an exaggerated fashion.
Ash was still holding my forearm, I noticed lazily, probably about a minute or two behind. I just hadn’t had anything like this happen to me before. Prey never took you out for an early breakfast. No, prey was your early breakfast.
His brown eyes looked me over critically. “Ruthy’s a nice waitress, if a tidbit slow. She’ll take care with our food. And let me tell you, the fish here is delicious, even if I hate the stuff.”
I nodded. “Alright…Guess it can’t hurt to try, especially as hungry as I am.”
“That’s the spirit!” he grinned. We chatted for a few moments, before Ruthy came waltzing back with our water, then we drank thirstily, neither of us having drank anything over that long night where we sat aware, yet unaware, of each other.
A few minutes later, Ruthy came back, bearing two steaming trays of gold-and-black lumps of meat, which I suspected were fish. The entire meal on the plate was extravagant, delicately laced in garnish, and it altogether looked spiced, yet not so much as to be even close to inedible. And the smell. Oh god above, I don’t think any fish ahs smelt as good as that fish did. Freshly cooked, spiced with pepper and garlic from what I could smell, and carrying the heavy scent of the sea, I think I rose into heaven for a few moments.
Ash dug slowly into his plate, his chewing a bit odd. I had expected him to spit it out in revulsion, though, so I was a bit surprised. Anyhow, I picked up my fork, and speared a good-sized bite. Taking it to my mouth, I think that I never had, nor will experience a more ecstatic moment relating to food than that moment. I finished my plate in just a couple minutes, and Ash offered me his. I eagerly dug in. He ordered himself a salad, and I watched with a smile as he ate.
When we were both done, content and with full bellies, he struck up a conversation. “So, I take it you liked the fish?”
I grinned. “Liked it? The only thought on my mind was that nothing on this earth could come close in comparison.”
He cocked an inquisitive eyebrow, smiling. “Really?”
“Really.” I nodded.
“Well, I’m an angler and cook by trade…If you do catch my drift.” He leaned over the table.
I felt some blood rush to my face. “Erm…Drift? Catch?”
He put two fingertips on the table, grinning widely. “I’m asking you on a date, you big gallumph. How does tonight sound?”
I blinked, speechless. Eventually I managed to stutter, “I-I-y-yeah! Sure, that works out great. Where should we meet?”
“Well, considering I don’t live in the ebst area, how about we meet wherever you live? Those clothes don’t speak of the wharf.” He grinned.
I new he didn’t mean to be offensive, but I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. My family is rich. I come from the rich side of town. “I-I-sure. Need the address?”
“Sure.” He pulled a pad of paper and a pen from…some-where, and handed them to me. I wrote my address down.
We sat for a few minutes, talking, and he offered to walk me home. I couldn’t help but accept.
Category Story / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 32 kB
Cute story, I enjoyed reading! I like the idea of "the prey taking the predator to breakfast". It's an amusing thought. Ash and Astrelan are interesting characters, by the way, you've written them well. I can't help but wonder if Ash is asking her out because he likes her or he's after something...
Read again! Now I can tell the lion character's gender. Because it was written in first person, and honestly the way the lion character speaks/thinks comes off feminine to me, I assumed the character was female, but those little details you added at the start denote the lion's gender now. I still enjoyed this piece the second time. It's just a warm and fun story to me. :)
Charming. First the rather casual style of storytelling set me off, but it actually fits rather well for this story. The tale hasn't many motives that really interest me, but it is fairly well written, thus, I enjoyed reading it. You are rather able to give personality to these characters, even in this very limited space of a short story.
Good work. Keep it up.
Good work. Keep it up.
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