Gunna put it to the test [Mbala]

[Skitt is Under Marmalade Skies]

Kitty walked down wearily down the street, a very sleepy Adonis stumbling after her. She would be carrying him by the scruff if he wished, but he had told her that he was old enough to walk, so here they were. She didn’t know where she was going, just as long as it was safe. She’d had some trouble finding a place to stay, and she couldn’t move around all the time. She was used to it, and she could handle it, but Adonis couldn’t. He could only take so much of traveling in the heat before he simply gave up. She stopped abruptly, turning around to find Adonis drowsily lying in the street a little ways away. Sighing, she walked over to him, picking him up by the scruff before turning around and continuing to walk.

She hadn’t been to Hawthorne Road in so long that she had forgotten who lived where, except for one. The only residence she remembered was Mbala, and he wasn’t feeling all that kindly towards her. She had been rude and he felt that she had intruded upon his family’s generosity. She wondered if he was one of the very few dogs whose owners had yet to leave, though she highly doubted it. She spotted his house, and very slowly made her way towards it. She didn’t particularly want to face Mbala again, but she was in need, and more importantly, so was Adonis. Surely Mbala wouldn’t hurt her if she had a pup, for no respectable dog would. Perhaps if she played her cards right, she would gain back his trust that she had lost more than two months ago.

Reaching his house, she sat on the driveway, thinking of what to say. When she came up with nothing, she walked forward. Reaching the fence, she noticed the hole that she had made, which had grown considerably bigger. She easily slipped through, making sure she didn’t hurt Adonis, who was close to sleeping in her jaws. Walking slowly to the door, she scratched at it nervously, before sitting a few feet away; waiting.

[Noodle!]

<sub>The house the white bulldog approached was not at all in the same splendor it had been upon her last visit. Things were falling down, the doors were rotting and paint peeled away carelessly like the skin of some strange insect. The windows were dusty and fogged over with grim, some being busted out to allow the dog inside to keep a watch on his home. Always protective, the massive boerboel was not one to leave his post. The back yard was turning into a jungle of sorts, weeds growing to the withers of some dogs, and the front was slowly conforming to this unkempt state as well. The doggy door had long since been torn off, as intruders had been many; all were fought off and/or killed in the process. The bags of dog food that were spilled onto the floor were carefully rationed and only a small amount still remained. In the kitchen, however, the brutish canine had made use of the left-over puppy chow from the family’s farm-pups in training, the various human foods in the large cold box, and the large bag of dog food they’d bought when Kitty had lived there for her short amount of time.

Food was the least of Mbala’s worries, however. He paced the halls daily, moving himself from window to window as he made sure his perimeters were safe and undisturbed, he had a strict way of deterring unwanted company, and then a strict plan of execution. Although kind, forgiving, and hospitable, he was a bred killer and guard; something not to be taken lightly. He had slowly, day by day, moved the large white box in the laundry over the doggy door, making sure nothing could enter while he slept, something he found himself doing less and less from unavoidable fits of paranoia. There remained only two ways out of the house now, and only one way in. The exit only route was the balcony from the master bedroom, where he often stalked trespassers from above, and then leapt upon them. A good ten to twelve feet from the ground, it was impossible for him to enter the house in this way. The second was through the cellar door in the back, which led to the basement. He did not fear any one intruding through there, for there were all sorts of human poisons and in the dark it was difficult to find the way to the ground floor. And even if a dog were to succeed that far, Mbala would easily hear them on the squeaking stairs.

Today as he paced from Tommy’s bedroom to the master’s, he caught the scent of something familiar and something else young and vulnerable. His nostrils twitched lightly, massive sides heaving as he allowed a growl to escape his lips. Moving down the hall briskly, he placed himself on the open balcony, looking down to see a familiar white form pawing at the door. He let out a loud bark, and then growled viciously, saliva dripping from his jowls as he glared down at her.

What do you seek, suster Kitty? He asked in that same, typical accent; 'Kitty' sounding more like 'Ketty'. His voice was as kind as possible, though his body posture was not in the slightest.</sub>

[Skitt is Under Marmalade Skies]

Hearing Mbala’s voice, she looked up, letting out a muffled whimper. Gently letting down Adonis, much to his dismay, she gave him a swift lick atop his head. Looking back up, despair in her eyes, she spoke. “Please, Mbala, I know we left each other on bad last terms, mainly because of me. But I have no where else to go, and Adonis is hungry and tired, and he can’t take much more of traveling in the heat.” She said pleadingly. She knew Mbala had hard feelings towards her, and he had every right to be, but she desperately needed his help. She didn’t move her gaze, until she heard Adonis speak.

Adonis looked up at his mother, who was looking up another dog, a big one. “Who are you?” he called, though he was unsure if the big dog heard him. He left up, tail wagging, hoping the big dog would want to play.

Kitty ignored Adonis, looking back up at Mbala. “I know I have intruded upon your hospitality once before. I didn’t think I would need to do it again but due to recent events, I have no other choice.” She said, still not moving her gaze. If Adonis could eat and sleep inside, and she could sleep elsewhere, it would be so helpful. Of course, she didn’t want to sound like she was trying to guilt him into it, so she didn’t add that.

[Noodle!]

<sub>The yellow eyes of the massive male softened for only a moment as the pup spoke, innocence was something he did not ever touch nor disturb. It was in this instance that Kitty was lucky, for Mbala would have otherwise ran her off or killed her. His gaze let her know just that. He huffed, motioning to the cellar door, before he took back into the house. He moved stealthily down the hall, descended the main staircase and then made his way to the basement. Quickly, he met the two in the darkness, moving them around rat poison and mouse traps, and then up the rotting, yet steady, stairs. The two intruders turned into guests as he took them to the kitchen. Mbala was a very intelligent dog, he’d learned several tricks by his master’s hand, and the kitchen set up was proof of this. He had chewed off the doors beneath the kitchen sink, exposing the dripping pipes. Beneath the two leaking areas, he had placed both of his dog bowls, using them to collect himself something to drink each day. Now, he moved one of the bowls carefully by grasping the down turned edges in his teeth. He sloshed some onto the floor as he sat it down.

Eat and drink your fill, suster an’ little broer. He sat, laying himself at the door as he waited for them to do so. You are lucky you carry him with you, suster. Else you would be strewn across the grass like slaughtered vee.

His mixed language of Zulu and English was hard to comprehend, but he was sure she caught his severity. You have a chance now to redeem yourself. His paws tightened lightly, for this was the chance he’d been waiting for. He’d asked for an opportunity, and now here it was, and he knew it was an offer she could not refuse… For the life of her pup was held in the balance. And what mother didn’t want a better life for her child?</sub>

[Skitt is Under Marmalade Skies]

Adonis bounded after the big dog, while Kitty followed, though a bit slower. She should be relaxed, knowing she could trust Mbala not to hurt her pup, but she was still as tense as ever. As Mbala invited them too eat and drink till they were content, she simply watched as Adonis took it upon himself to take up the offer in full. He ate and drank his fill, and, began to start up his game of chase the tail once again. Spinning around, he accidentally bumped into Mbala, though it was hardly likely that it made even the slightest impact on the massive dog. The pup took no notice, though he instead began to stalk an imaginary piece of prey.

He stopped abruptly, watching his mother and Mbala curiously. Who was this dog, and how did his mother know him? He knew that this dog most likely wasn't his father, though he did slightly resemble him, more than build than anything. He slid down, now lying on his belly, yawning widely. Laying his head down on his paws, his eyes began to close, and within moments he was out.

Kitty looked at Mbala, slightly confused. “How do I regain your trust, Mbala?” she asked, nervousness showed in her eyes. What could she possibly do to redeem herself to the respectable dog. Most males would have something on her mind, but Mbala, she just couldn’t tell. He didn’t seem like the type to take advantage,but she could be wrong.

[Noodle!]

<sub>Mbala watched as the pup bumped into him during play, feeling more like a misguided fly than another canine brushing his shoulder. He noted the tinge of fear in Kitty’s voice, the insecurity at wondering what Mbala would ask of her. He already knew what she suspected, and it was completely incorrect but justified. Most males would want such things from a female, but he had nothing such as that on his mind. No, he had other plans. He watched the pup fall asleep, knowing that when he woke up things would be much different in so many aspects. The large male cleared his throat, breathing in deeply, The only way into the house is through the basement, the steps creak under even the smallest of weight. An intruder can be easily be taken down. There is enough food to last you a long time, and there are only two more bags, unopened down sta’rs.

He stood, as some traveler preparing a trip, To redeem yourself, to regain my trust… Protect my home. As if it were ‘yours’ own. Kitty would now know that Mbala had plans, plans taking place elsewhere. Away from Harlow, she would not know what they were, nor when he would return, but she would know what her duties were in order to gain back his confidence. Whether or not she did so when he left, was entirely up to her.</sub>

[Skitt is Under Marmalade Skies]

She looked like him, a bit surprised, but entirely relieved. She nodded, looking down briefly at the sleeping Adonis. This would be easy enough, it’s not like she had anywhere else to go. “Where are you going, if you don’t mind me asking?” she asked, purely out of curiosity. Where would he go, since it obviously wasn’t back to his homeland. She was a good enough fighter, though she wasn’t too sure if she could handle multiple dogs. “And, what about letting other dogs in? I have made a few friends on my travels, none of which have homes. If they came here, would I be allowed to let them in?” she asked.

She’d made very few friends, but if they came to call, she’d like to provide them lodging. Of course, this was the brutes home, so it was us to him. She wouldn’t turn it into a shelter or anything, 3 other dogs maximum, and that would be highly unlikely. Even the event of someone asking for lodging was unlikely, but it was always good to know before hand. She wanted to be very careful with this job, seeing as it meant gaining back Mbala’s trust.