Chapter 14: Barefeet

"...and that's it." Cy wrinkled her nose, frowning,” That’s it?" Shar nodded. "That's the plan?" He nodded again. "I'd really like to know where you come up with these things." Shar shrugged one set of limbs. "So I'm supposed to follow McKale out...wherever, and plant something on her...him...so Bress will recognize her even in pants?" Shar nodded. "While you plant the watch in his room." Another nod. "Shouldn't we do this after Yaidom's sent off, if you're so adamant about that happening in order for the plan to work." Shar paused, and shook his head,” I don't approve of the-" "The watch, yes, I get it. You're with Jeffrey,” she rolled her eyes,” But what does it matter, if Winquist's going to be after McKale anyway?" "I doubt McKale's inability to collect Yaidom will deter that." Cy snorted,” I suppose not." "I apologize for intruding, but what are you two conspiring about?" Cy jumped, wheeling around to stare with wide, luminous eyes at the door. Jeffrey had just slipped into the room, shrugging out of his hat and jacket and setting both in their appropriate hanging places. He inclined a brow at Cy and Shar before taking a seat on the sofa and collecting his book from where it had first fallen. Shar shifted across the sofa to rest his head in his bond's lap. He didn't answer. Cy wrinkled her nose and hopped down from the couch,” How to properly dispose of that McKale of yours." The lie slid easily passed her lips. "Cyilume!" She shot Shar a questioning glance. It lingered between them before he finally inclined his head in a barely noticeable nod. He rolled onto his belly and tucked his chin against his hands to disguise it. Cy turned her attention back to Jeffrey. "Can I go out for a walk?" "You've never bothered to ask me before,” he frowned, but waved a hand dismissively anyway,” I would request that you don't leave the building." "Well that's not very much room to explore!" Shar rose off of the couch,” I’ll go with her." "Perhaps I should be the one going with you,” he eased Shar off his lap and stood,” If you're so insistent about taking a walk." Cy looked pleadingly toward Shar, but he ignored her, casting his face up at Jeffrey instead. "Alright,"he said,” I’ll stay here." "Very well, Shar,"Jeffrey moved toward the door,"Cy?" Cy gaped at Shar, then snapped her mouth closed and shot him a glare. Shar turned his gaze away from her, rolled onto his back, and crossed his arms over his chest. Cy grit her teeth, and scampered after Jeffrey. Shar's ears twitched at the sound of the door opening and closing, followed by the light patter of Jeffrey and Cy's footsteps as they headed down the corridor. The noise faded away and Shar slipped off the couch, feeling as if they had gone quite far enough not to turn around and come back for some forgotten nick-knack or other. He crouched beside the sofa and zipped open the cushions, where Cy had unceremoniously stuffed the watch earlier that day. It slid out the stuffing like a hair being extracted from one's food. Shar's nose even wrinkled at the sight of it. He held it in front of his face, where the chain twisted and curled around itself, causing the watch to rotate and glimmer in the faint fluorescent lights. He rested it in his palm, running a finger around the edge of it. It was a pretty thing, wasn't it? He sniffed and, shivering, took the form of the same small boy he'd been only moments ago. He tucked the watch into his jacket pocket (an extension of himself, just an elaborate shape shift, really), and moved for his goggles. He waited beside the door, with his ear pressed to the wood. There we no footsteps. He craned his head toward the kitchen to check the time. Jeffrey and Cy would not have made it quite all the way to the entrance of the hotel by now. He'd have to wait a little longer. The watch felt heavy in his pocket. Letting out a sigh, Shar dragged the thing back into sight. It ticked slowly, quietly, its second hand making its rounds as if it belonged to any other ordinary watch. It was simple, plain. A liquid gold color with iron hands twisted into elegant shapes, but still no different than a million other pocket watches. Shar frowned, although it was forced. How was he supposed to be certain that this was a time-traveling device? Perhaps Cy had picked up the wrong one. He flipped the watch over, letting his fingers rest against the button on the back. The only out of place thing on the entire object. It couldn't hurt, to use it just once... No. Shar snapped his head back and shoved the watch into his pocket. It was dangerous. Although...it only took the press of a button to get out of danger... No! Shar jerked his head in the direction of the clock. Eight minutes had passed since Jeffrey and Cy had left. It was time to go. He slipped out the door, and if his hand was caressing the watch inside his pocket as he trotted down the halls, what of it? .:.:.::.:.:. Cy fumed as she stormed down the corridors at Jeffrey's side, her head held low and her ears flicked backward in annoyance. How dare Shar do that! Now what was she supposed to do? She had to get down to McKale's room, she couldn't very well do that with Jeffrey at her side! Blasted dragontaur! "Is there anywhere in particular you had hoped to go, Cy?" Yes! "No." She caught Jeffrey eyeing her with a look on his face that resembled that of a worried parent. She snorted and hunched her shoulders, trotting along jerkily with her eyes firmly on the ground. "Are you certain, Cy? I'd be happy to bring you anywhere you wished to-." "I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to take a walk." "Very well, Cy,"he paused, frowning,” If you are bored of the apartment I can always request permission from Miss slash Mister McKale to return home to earth,” he swallowed hard as he said it,” As I am no longer in good graces with him...her I doubt he...she will be requiring my assistance for the remainder of our stay." Cy growled a little beneath her breath. Blast it all, she would like to leave. Earth sounded fascinating, and it'd be bloody nice to get Jeffrey away from McKale. But, of course, Shar didn't think that a good idea. She rolled her eyes. Blasted Shar! "No." "You're not very talkative today, Cy,"he sighed,” Is something the matter?" Cy opened her mouth to retort. "By Jove, Jeffrey!" Both heads snapped in the direction of the voice. McKale, clad in the navy suit Jeffrey had set out for him, was walking rather hurriedly toward them. The hall opened up at his left, and he paused beside the corner, face flush with the wall. He peeked around it, and, seeing no one, ran across the empty space before finally catching up with Jeffrey and Cy. "By Jove, Jeffrey! What are you doing here?" Footsteps sounded across the corridor, and McKale pressed himself against the wall, eyes wide and cheeks pale. A tall, slim, eight-armed thing stepped into view, cast the trio an odd look with his five jelly-like eyes, and hurried passed them. McKale sighed a breath of relief,” I can be seen with you,” he snapped his head this way and that, and leaned in closer to Jeffrey,” You haven't seen Bress anywhere, have you old chap? He can't see me in...pants,"he hissed the last word out in tones barely above that of a whisper. "No, sir, I am happy to inform you that I have not seen Bress since the beginning of the 'flower issue'." "Oh,"McKale frowned,” Yes, that. Very good, then." He turned, ready to leave. Cy frowned at his back, luminous eyes narrowed. Ignoring her, like that! She wrinkled her nose. Oh, how she'd like to... The hem of McKale's pants slipped upward as his heel rose, revealing a naked foot, but for the snug leather of his dress shoes. "Jeffrey,” said Cy, her eyes widening,"McKale's not wearing any socks." McKale jumped a little, casting Jeffrey a sheepish smile over his shoulder. Jeffrey pressed his lips together in a thin line,” Indeed not, Cy." "Does sh- he usually not wear socks?" "Although I am not ordinarily at liberty to disclose such information, I am certain there is no harm in informing you that Mr.McKale usually prefers to go barefoot when the circumstances permit." McKale ducked his head and hurried along. "Ah,"said Cy. And with that, she bounded after McKale and sank her teeth into his ankle. "GAH!" McKale let out a sharp shriek. "Cyilume!" "It bit me!" "It!" Cy lunged forward again, only to be stopped by Jeffrey's large hand grabbing hold of her tail and pulling her back,” Jeffrey!" "Jeffrey, I'm bleeding!" McKale had sunk to the floor and rolled up his pant-sleeve to reveal a rather large bit mark, which was indeed dribbling a little blood. "I apologize profusely, sir, I had not expected Cyilume to act in such an inappropriate manner,” he shot her a dark look before kneeling down beside McKale. "I'd do it again, too!" barked Cy. Jeffrey shot her another look. She snapped her jaw shut and fumed at him. "Let's see, sir,” he pressed the cuff of his sleeve to the wound,” It does not appear to be bleeding too badly." "I should dashed well hope not! I don't know why you've gone off and bonded those horrid little beasts, I wouldn't-" Cyilume let out a strangled growl and leapt forward once again. McKale let out a little yelp and scrambled backward. Jeffrey snatched Cyilume as she darted passed him, wrestling her back into his arms. "Sir, I believe it would be best if you - Cyilume! - ceased referring to the dragons in an offensive manner, if only to avoid further injury." McKale huffed,” Very well, Jeffrey,” he narrowed his eyes at Cy,"I'm sure you know best in regards to the lit- them." "Very good, sir," he moved back toward McKale, setting Cyilume down and snapping a pocket handkerchief out of his jacket pocket,” If you will permit me, I shall attempt to bandage the wound?" "Oh! You're that Jeffrey fellow, aren't you? Tierney's butler?" All three heads snapped up in the direction of the voice this time. It was Bress. McKale froze, his eyes widened and his face devoid of any semblance of color. White as a ghost. Cy grinned and snuggled against Jeffrey, ducking her head to hide her smirk. Jeffrey himself cleared his throat and nodded his head,” I am. Is there anything I can help you with, sir?" "Well, yes, actually. Umm, I couldn't find Tierney in her rooms and I needed to ask her something. You don't know where she is, do you?" Jeffrey shook his head,” I regret not, sir, I haven't seen her in quite some time." "Ah,"Bress frowned,” You wouldn't be able to answer my question, would you?" "Perhaps, sir, if I knew what it was." "Oh, well, of course. McKale's friend, the one who wants to see Yaidom, is he interested in Yaidom's business?" Jeffrey's brow furrowed deeply. Cy squirmed uneasily at his side. McKale looked a little peaky at the question as well. "I could not say, sir,” he said, finally. "Ah, well, thank-you anyway, then,” he turned to leave. "Wait!" All eyes were on Cyilume now. Bress turned slowly,” Yes?" Cy coughed, shifting her weight awkwardly between her paws,” Of course he's interested in the business! Why else would he want to see him?" she nodded her head sharply. Hopefully that was the right answer to the question. "Oh,"Bress brightened a little,” Thank-you...ah..." "Cyilume,"she puffed out her chest. Bress' gaze shifted back to Jeffrey’s,” Your bond?" "Sponsorling,"he frowned at her,” And not one I am particularly happy with right now." Bress nodded, noting the poor lad sprawled out on the floor, ankle bleeding,” I see. Right then, thank-you both, and..."he looked up at McKale,"I'm terribly sorry about your ankle, sir,” he gave a quick nod,” I hope you're feeling better shortly." And with that, he turned and left. "He didn't recognize me,” said McKale, breathing finally. "It would appear not, sir,” he turned back to her and proceeded to fasten the handkerchief to McKale's wound. He gave it a final tug to set in place and stood, pulling McKale up with him. "Well,"McKale brushed the dust from his sleeves and pants,” Thank-you, Jeffrey." He tipped his hat to him, and, with a lingering look cast on Cy, gave her a cordial nod as well,” I’m off then, tinkerty-tonk!" He slipped out the doors, limping just the slightest little bit as he went. Jeffrey turned his attention back to Cy. She squirmed, but matched his leer anyway,” Can we go back to the apartment?" she grinned sheepishly,” Please?" Jeffrey nodded, and before she could move forward, he scooped her up into his arms,” I would not so much as entertain the thought of bringing you elsewhere after what you did to Mr. McKale." "He was asking for it!" "Cyilume!" "Well he was!" Jeffrey sighed.