Pretty Doggy [Tag: Declan]

[MICHAEL MATTHIAS WINSTON]

Michael was a quiet child generally and when he decided to do something, he often blended in when he did it. He was small, and he was a pale-faced little kid. No one really thought twice about a child like that when they saw him on the streets, which was why he tended to wander. The boy was left at the house alone, Adam had to go and get something, so when he saw through the window a little doggy, he decided he could always tell Adam through a coded secret message where he was when the male got back. Besides, he often left for a long period of time. Looking around from left to right, Michael found his way to where the dog was, that same teddy bear gripped tightly in his arms. It seemed that the bear had received mending recently, and looked rather fixed up, which was odd. He didn't generally allow people to touch his bear, so he must have someone special who did it for him.

Gripping onto his bear, the boy made his way down the street, silently stalking the dog until it was lost in a big group of people. Then he stood simply lost, his only direction being going near the smell of food. He wriggled a bit. It smelled good.

[Deleted]

The smell of hot dogs and french fries wafted through the air as Declan strolled through the crowded street. On either side of him food vendors did their utmost best to tempt the potential customers with their wares. Finally succumbing to the grumbles of his stomach, Declan stopped at a hot dog stand and managed to grab a place in line. As he waited, he took a moment to check his phone for any emails or notifications of importance. Seeing none, he glanced up just in time to see a blur of brown fur rush by him. Amused, he watched as a scruffy terrier snatched a fry off the ground and dart off. Suddenly his phone began to flash and buzz in his hand. Alarmed, Declan glanced down just in time to see his phone black out. Frowning he tried to turn it back on, but was unsuccessful. Something about this was wrong, and yet very familiar. Michael. Only being in close proximity could fry his technology so badly. Declan abandoned the line, scanning the crowd as he looked for any sign of the young boy. It had only been a week since Michael left the Sanctuary and Declan couldn't help but worry about him. After living in Hollow Earth, the world aboveground must seem infinite. After a few minutes, Declan was starting to doubt his initial analysis. Maybe it was a malfunction. Just as he turned back he caught a glimpse of a familiar mop of hair. Quickly he walked across the street to where Michael stood, apparently rooted to the spot. Cautiously, Declan moved until he was kneeling at eye level with Michael. "Hey, mate." Declan glanced around. "Bit of an odd place for you to be standing." He smiled."Are you hungry?"

[MICHAEL MATTHIAS WINSTON]

He knew that the hot dogs in that stand were hot dogs. He'd learned what they were, and they smelled really yummy, so he moved near them. Plus, Adam Worth was nice enough to get him a slushie from the place with the hot dogs once. He wasn't one to smile or giggle at anything that was making him happy, he just felt more content, and the grip on his bear became a bit less fierce in it's appearance. Michael was feeling like things were okay now. Adam was probably going to come home this time, and he would get more chinese food for Michael, and let him watch animal planet with all of the funny looking animals like doggies that ran around up where the sun was. He didn't know what he called up here yet. Maybe the surface, but it was sure different from Praxis. That place was so much better than anything else because it had things he understood. While he understood more stuff now....there was still a lot that frightened and unnerved him. Michael turned, however, when Declan appeared next to him from seemingly nowhere. He took a little tiny step back, a bit afraid. Adam told him that the Sanctuary wouldn't let him leave and go back home if they found him again, so he was wary. He was wary...but he nodded in response to being hungry, holding onto his bear very tightly at this new interaction.

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When Michael took a step back Declan frowned slightly. Clearly Adam was already telling Michael lies-Or,he amended-half truths. When it became clear Michael wasn't going to speak, Declan tried a different tactic. "Do you want a hot dog? He said, gesturing towards a nearby stand. Not sure if Michael would like or even know what a hot dog was, Declan cast around for another food that might entice him to open up a bit. When his eyes fell on the slushie stand he smiled slightly and stood up, offering his had to Michael. "You know mate, when I was your age, there was this one store that every kid went to. Didn't matter if they were 6 or 16, we all went. You want to know why?" He pointed at the bright, invitingly blue machine. "Slushies." Getting no response from Michael, Declan leaned down slightly and said, his hand still extended, "Michael, I promise you I won't make you do anything you don't want to. But let me show you some of the better things that come from Above." It was a long shot, but he hoped to show Michael that whatever Adam said, not all non-Praxians were bad or out to get him.

[MICHAEL MATTHIAS WINSTON]

Michael recognized Declan, sure. The man had gotten him off the streets the last time, when Adam hadn't gotten home to feed Michael, but he knew that Adam said he was sorry, and not only that, he sent a private message to Michael, letting him know that he really was sorry for anything that may have happened along the way. And he was all better now, with Adam saying that he promised he would be home later. Meeting Declan was a new thing and it made him a bit uneasy. He wasn't supposed to meet with people from the Sanctuary. That wasn't allowed, because they would try to hurt Adam. He met another person, a doctor who said he wanted to help Michael the other time, but he looked kind of scary, and he kept on following Adam, which wasn't good. Declan was offering him a hot dog, and he frowned in thought. They were yummy, but he didn't know if he wanted one from Declan. What if he was forced to go back somewhere because of eating the food? The male put his hand out for Michael to take and he simply held onto his bear a bit tighter. The mention of slushies did slightly push his mood however, and he thought about it. “A-Ad..Adam buys me...sl-slushies...yummy.” He mumbled after a moment, though he still hadn't taken Declan's hand. He clearly wanted to see the slushy first.

[Deleted]

"Adam buys you slushies, huh? Declan, realizing Michael wasn't going to take his hand, dropped it to his side and shrugged. "Alright, then a slushie it is. We will have to cross the road though, so stay close. Can't have you getting hurt, right mate?" Glancing down the street, he motioned for Michael to cross and followed quickly behind him. It wouldn't do to lose him again so soon. Once they reached the cart, Declan ordered a regular blue slushy for Michael and a small pink lemonade for himself. Will Zimmerman would tease him mercilessly if he found out that the proper British ex-soldier's favorite drink was pink lemonade. Handing Michael his slushie, Declan watched in amazement as the boy drank half in seconds.

[MICHAEL MATTHIAS WINSTON]

It wasn't anything that Declan did that made Michael ignore his hand that was outstretched. It was a simple matter of what Adam had told him already about the sanctuary and about what might happen if he went back. He agreed with the male because Michael had wandered into places that really were more about keeping abnormals like him pretty much locked away. He didn't want that to happen to him, and it would happen to him should he be less careful. Gripping the bear, Michael started across the street. He had watched on TV that people looked around when they crossed the street, and when they were on their phones they got hit by cars, so he was being extra careful, aware of the presence of the male just behind him. It was almost uncomfortable, but he was sure that Adam would come rescue him if Declan wasn't being very nice. He took the slushy with both hands, stuttering out some words. “Th...thank y-you.” He mumbled a bit, then started to drink his slushy. He looked around at his surroundings, then frowned as he started to step towards where he thought Adam might be. He was a tiny bit lost, but he could find Adam using his rather outstanding memory.