-15th Bullet-

[emperor_cowboy]

Action: Anywhere

[Hol Horse was one to make certain he had gone into his so called work every couple of days. So it's possible for one to find him stocking up groceries today. He almost seems oblivious to any drone asking him for particular items, but now and again casts a glare in their direction.

After hours of his shift, he can be seen at the park. Yes, the park. Though don't bother him... he still seems somewhat... edgy. For those that have run into him before, might notice something different. He's always been seen with a cigarette lit and in his mouth. Today, he just hasn't got a pack. Yet.

It's not long before he's on his way to get a pack of said cigarettes... but perhaps you're lucky enough to distract him from buying them.]

Comments

Grocery Store!

[nyanpire]

[Groot's policy of letting the "animals" of Mayfield go shopping if they wanted had made Nyanpire bold. No longer did he need to nag Charlie for more ketchup! He could go down and buy some himself! In theory.

In practice, he had to be pretty sneaky as he went up and down the aisles. He had to keep ducking behind displays, and sneaking behind drone ladies. And the ketchup... it was on such a high shelf! What would he do?!

...oh! There was that cowboy, Hol! He could ask for help! So, being sneaky-sneaky as ever he crept over to him, waited for Hol to set down a box, and tugged at his pantleg.]

Nyaa... I need some help!

[emperor_cowboy]

[At the tug of his pantleg, he glanced down to see... Oh, it was that... cat. Thing. Looking around in utter confusion as to how he even got in, he finally crouched down. Soft spot for animals? Naaaaah...]

What'cha need?

[nyanpire]

Ketchup, nyaa! It's up high-high, and I don't wannya knock anything over...

[Oh! He was being so friendly! This was great!]

[emperor_cowboy]

Ketchup?

[Well... an odd thing for a vampire kitty cat to want but... Standing back up he looked down one of the aisles.]

Alright.

[... and off he went. Now, he had to wonder if those wings were just for show... and how the little guy was going to purchase the ketchup...]

[nyanpire]

[Ketchup was totally the best thing ever for vampire kitties. When blood's not available...

Nyanpire sat up on his hind legs and gestured upwards with one paw.]

Here, here! It's here, nyaa!

[His wings gave a little flutter... but he didn't get any height for that. Also, he seemed to have a small change purse strapped to his side...]

[emperor_cowboy]

[He frowned for a moment... idly reaching for the ketchup, which for him wasn't that high at all... he stooped down to hand it over.]

Ya good t' go then?

[nyanpire]

[Nyanpire reached out to grasp the ketchup bottle with both paws, and held it close to himself. It looked like tricky work, standing on his back paws while holding stuff, but he was a pro.]

Nyaa! I'm good, I'm good! Thank you, Hol!

[And he starts to trot towards the checkout... but he stops, something occurring to him.]

Who... who's at the cash, nyaa? Is it... is it a drone?

[emperor_cowboy]

Mm?

[Hol looked up and over toward the checkouts, craning his neck to get a better look. He then returned his attention toward the kitten.]

Eeyup.

[nyanpire]

[Nyanpire's wings drooped and his ears flattened.]

Nyaa... they'll shoo me out. Then I won't have my ketchup...

The Park

[party_hard]

[A distraction, you say? Because here's Pinkie Pie, just bouncing right on through the park as cheerfully as can be. There's a somewhat glazed-over looking baby alligator with its jaws clamped down on her tail, and it doesn't look like that bothers her in the least.

And...uh-oh. Hol's been spotted.]

HOL! HIIIIIIII!

[emperor_cowboy]

Oh... no...

[Hol looks to the left, and then to the right... and was about to run away but... there's a doofy looking baby alligator on her tail. Wait a minute.]

[party_hard]

[Pinkie waves her tail (and, by extension, the baby gator) around excitedly. The baby gator doesn't seem at all bothered.]

I haven't seen you in FOREVER! Look, look! I got Gummy back! I never got to show you! I got the Party Cannon back too but I don't have it with me! I think you'd like it!

[Gummy, at the mention of his name, languidly detaches from the tail as Pinkie continues waving it around. There is no noticeable reaction other than a blink as he hits the ground on all fours. He looks at Hol with the same level of interest he shows everything else--not much.]

[emperor_cowboy]

[He blinked once... then twice...]

Ya have a pet alligator...

[Talking ponies had always confused him. Then they came with horns and wings. NOW they come with pets who apparently can't talk. His brain is trying to process this.]

[party_hard]

[As always, Pinkie is ever oblivious to the confusion she's bringing to the table.]

Of course I have a pet alligator! Gummy's the best pet ever! He's really smart, and he loves parties just as much as I do!

[Gummy blinks again, although his eyes don't blink quite at the same time.]

[emperor_cowboy]

[He cleared his throat into half of a cough. This was... well this was new.]

Of... of course... and I'm sure he does.

[He wasn't buying it.]

[party_hard]

Yeah, he can party and do tricks and everything! Do you wanna see? Do you? Do you?

[Gummy looks indifferent to Pinkie's excitement and life itself, let's be honest.]

[emperor_cowboy]

[The urge to kick the pony and the baby alligator was there, but he couldn't act upon it. He could however...]

NO!

On the way to get cigs? Don't think so.

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa isn't being sneaky, she's being subtle as they just happen to meet at the corner. She walks beside him a few moments before speaking, in deference to his mood. ]

Glad to see you out and about.

but!

[emperor_cowboy]

[Hol glanced to her and snorted at the comment.]

Yea yea... ya need somethin'?

You do not need cigs, Hol.

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa is carefully spinning a thread of calm into his acid mood, and chooses to be direst to distract him, keeping her tone light as she walks with him. ]

Yes, I need to make sure you're as okay as being in Mayfield will permit.

[ She arches an eyebrow at him with a half-smile. ]

... but

[emperor_cowboy]

... What does it matter t' ya?

No.

[ooeeooahah]

You're a friend, and when friends hurt themselves, it hurts me.

[ She says this with a smile, but you have no idea, Hol. ]

[emperor_cowboy]

[There was a clear sigh of frustration but he decided to t
talk.]

... and how am I hurting myself?

[ooeeooahah]

You're not as toxic as you were last time we spoke, but you're still swinging a big sack of rocks around.

[ Ilsa raises her hand, but deflects away from touching him yet, making it a conversational flourish, instead. ]

Would it help to do something, instead of waiting?

[emperor_cowboy]

Colorful choice of words ... What do ya suggest I do then?