Of Medals and Lo-Mein [Zhubin/Open]

[Tagliagole]

 <sup>Vengeance glimpsed around the bar, a grin playing on his lips. His human and he had been invited to attend a party hosted in honor of the military men and women. Naturally, his human insisted on bringing him as Vengeance was a very active member of the canine military branch, having been deployed and worked in the war zone. He had racked up quite a few medals, actually, and retained a good amount of fame, though that's not exactly what he was shooting for. Call him petty, but Vengeance had pushed himself to excel in every way he can because of those who had picked on him when he was a pup. He wanted to make them choke on their own words. And he did.

Now, the green-eyed Belgian Tervuren was on a momentary leave granted with his human for their efforts. A vacation, of sorts, like a present for what they've done. Either way, he wasn't complaining one bit. It felt good to lay down, stretch out his paws, and just relax. No more explosions, no more gunshots, bombs, or crazy enemies trying to kill them. He was perfectly content with this. But, naturally, he could not just settle for sitting around all day after all that work. It would drive him mad! Just like he did on base, he was left to his own devices and allowed to roam the streets. Right now, since all the attention had settled down, he figured it'd be the opportune moment to explore the city.

Padding over to his human, he let out a sharp bark, successfully gaining the human draped in fatigues' attention. With a knowing look, he followed Vengeance to the door. "Alright buddy, you know when to be back." He wagged his tail at his human, and nodded, earning a chuckle and a pat on the head. "I swear, it's almost like you can understand me sometimes." Vengeance resisted the urge to roll his eyes. 'Honestly, humans still think we're stupid or something. Eh, as long as I can do what I want, let 'em think what they wanna.' As soon as the door was open, Vengeance raced out into the streets. The warm temperature felt a bit oppressive with his shaggy fur, but it was infinitely better than the desert heat. Since being on leave, he hadn't been clipped and his fur had begun to grow out, fawn with prominent black tips. This summer, he's going to be spending quite a bit of time in the water, of that he was sure.

As he strolled around, looking at the sights, he got some odd looks from humans and dogs alike. Instead of the usual collar, Vengeance donned a bow tie and medals for the party since his human had deemed it a 'special occasion'. Vengeance was okay with that. He rather liked the bow tie. Why? Because he liked to be fancy like that. The medals? He couldn't care less about them, it was all in the bow tie. At one point, when approached by a curious canine who inquired about his attire, Vengeance simply responded with a joking, "Gotta stay classy. Everyone knows that!"

Some recognized the dog from photos in the local paper, which, in turn, earned him some nice pats and kind words. It made him glow with pride and his heart warm. It made the horrors he experienced completely worth it. Vengeance really couldn't understand why some strays looked down upon his lifestyle. He got love, shelter, and a great companion. Of course, he could not complain about all the free food. Oh boy, does he love his food. 

Thinking about food had him salivating slightly. He could almost smell the fantastic dishes. Kung-pow chicken, Shrimp Lo-Mein, Moo shu Pork, eggrolls...His stomach growled, snapping him out of his oriental cuisine daze. When he looked around, he noticed that it wasn't just his imagination, but he had subconsciously brought himself to Almira's very own little China Town. He could almost jump for joy. 'This place just got about forty-nine times better.' 


With well-practiced restraint, Vengeance kept himself from full-out sprinting down some nondescript  alley beside one of the many paper lantern-lined restaurants. 'Sight-seeing could be saved for later. Right now, this fatty wants some food.' It wasn't odd for Vengeance to poke fun of himself for his weight. It didn't bother him. Sure, as a pup it did, but he grew comfortable with himself. Laughter was a good medicine, is his belief. That, and it was a good way to hide the pain.

Pausing at the front of a dumpster and bins, he grinned, tail wagging a bit. Eyeing them, he picked the one that looked freshest to knock over. A bag spilled out and with a bit of clawing, spilled its contents; the majority of which is food. Without a moment to waste, he shoved his face into whatever containers sat closest. He all but moaned in happiness. "Oh dear god, this is amazing. My stomach thanks you, amazing Chinese chef."

Words: 834
Tagged:  Zhubin/Open
Muse: Great
Notes: Sorry for the wait, I haven't been home. Vengeance loves him some food and fancy bow ties. (;</sup>

[CARROT.]

the other day i drew myself a map The afghan hound roamed the streets of China Town, where the streets and sidewalks were crowded with humans and the buildings were closely fit together. He couldn't believe he didn't visit this place more often! The smell of the food, the completely different atmosphere here... it was all very exciting to him, which fueled his energy to keep wandering around the place. This must've been the busiest place in all of Almira, to be honest. It was pleasantly overwhelming. Zhubin looked into an alleyway, where there was sure to be a dumpster containing food. However, it seemed that someone had beat him to it. Maybe there was still more waiting in the dumpster, and hopefully the stray hadn't taken all of it? He strode down the alleyway, calling out with a friendly tone, "Well good day to you, mister. My name is Zhubin, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. If you don't mind, may I join you?" He gave a polite little bow after his introduction and before asking his question. It wasn't uncommon for him to run into strays whenever he went to dumpsters for food, however it also wasn't uncommon for the stray to think that suddenly all of the food in that dumpster was all theirs. So Zhubin was quite cautious about asking, readying himself for any signs of aggression. But wait, on closer inspection, was this male wearing a bow tie? The afghan hound raised a brow. "Well, that's quite the classy apparel you have on there, mister. I've only ever seen Master Albert wear it on occasion." He commented. Either this was a stray that had just found that lying around somewhere and somehow managed to put it on himself, or this was no stray at all. He also noticed the shiny little things on the bow tie, and dismissed it as decoration. He had seen some canines with their collars studded with jewels, although this was the first time he had seen jewels like that. "If you do not mind my asking, what type of jewels are those around your neck?"  so i could figure out your head

background image by Ricymar Photography ; dog image by Nelanthas

[Tagliagole]

<sup>Being a military dog for quite a few years with intense combat training and the rightful wariness to match, it is increasingly difficult to catch Vengeance off guard. It doesn't take much to alert the Belgian Tervuren to the presence of others, no matter if one is creeping along, attempting to sneak past him. He is keen in ever meaning of the term. That being said, it is imperative to point out that it is difficult, not impossible, to catch him by surprise. One surefire way to distract him is to place a smorgasbord of delicacies before him. He really isn't picky. A dumpster full of thrown-out and slightly old Chinese food? Now, that is a meal fit for a king.

Vengeance was so engrossed with his meal, which mind you, was pretty damn amazing, that he didn't notice the Afghan Hound watching curiously and approaching. Nope, Vengeance was far too busy pigging out quite happily to pay mind to his surroundings, which goes against every single thing he's every been taught, and he would certainly be pissed at himself later for such a life-threatening folly. It's a good thing there are no dumpsters full of food such as this where he's been deployed to thus far. His tail wagged slightly at the fulfillment being achieved.

Then, someone spoke to him. He most certainly was not expecting a seemingly disembodied voice while his face was shoved into a box of chicken lo-mein. It startled him, being caught off-guard, and so he responded as his training and instincts told him to. Vengeance whipped around swiftly, the box flying across the alley and its contents raining down. It was pitiful how sad that made him, but that didn't distract him. His hackles raised and tail went rigid. He tucked his head, bared his fangs, and a guttural snarl ripped from his larynx. Malachite eyes flashed dangerously at the intruder.

It took a moment for him to come to his senses and realize this individual wasn't intending harm, but rather requesting, quite politely, to join him. Within a hairs breadth, Vengeance calmed down. His posture went lax and an almost sheepish look crossed his visage before his usual enthralling grin took its place. Any trace of hostility was now non-existent, almost as if he had never displayed such violent intentions. "Oh, hey man. Nice to meet ya too, Zhubin. I'm Vengeance and by all means, there's more than enough food for the two of us. Sure, I'm a fatass, but I can share."


Vengeance laughed lightly, denoting his joker disposition. He watched Zhubin give a slight bow almost incredulously. Now, Vengeance has some manners, maybe not as many as he should, but he's never seen someone bow to another unless in servility. It made him chuckle slightly before returning the gesture, not fully used to such polite decorum. "Dude, you need to chill with the Princely manners. You're gonna make me look like a heathen in comparison." He sent the hound a capering smile, moving aside even though it wasn't fully necessary. The gesticulation was more out of kindness than anything; to show he was comfortable letting Zhubin closer. "I'm kiddin', by the way. Prince it up, Zhubin. Maybe I'll learn a thing or two."

It was then that Vengeance also noticed Zhubin eyeing his bow tie. With a crooked grin, he turned and lifted his head, puffing out his chest as if to show it off more clearly. "well, that's quite the classy apparel you have on there, mister. i've only ever seen master albert wear it on occasion." Vengeance nodded soberly, as if agreeing that his bow tie being classy is of great importance and needed a deal of seriousness to it. "Like I always say, ya gotta stay classy. Everybody knows that! I don't know who this 'Master Albert' is, but if wears bow ties, he's alright in my books."


Upon inquiring about the medals, or jewels, in Zhubin's case, Vengeance glanced down to look at the embellishments, which is quite the feat as his fur and snout were in the way. It was almost comical, the way he turn his head oddly to look upon them, as if just noticing their presence. "I'm guessing you're a pet too, so you're probably aware of humans and their odd fixation with dressing everything up, right? That's how I got this bow tie and the medals. There was a ceremony that I had to attend. I got these for doing 'good and heroic deeds', or something like that." Vengeance gave a rolling shrug. He didn't really understand why humans had to pin medals on everything they thought was special. He did what he did for his human and to stay alive. It wasn't anything spectacular. Eh, it made for a fancy showpiece to walk around in. That's a plus to him. He eyed the well-groomed Afghan Hound for moment. It was clear by not only the mannerisms but his physical appearance that this was no street dog. "So, what's your story, Charming?"

Words: 839
Tagged: Zhubin
Muse: Great
Notes: Yeah, Vengeance isn't the most well-spoken lol, but he does like to talk. A lot. He just likes company. :3 And he's probably gonna keep calling Zhubin 'Prince', 'Charming', or something along those lines.</sup>

[CARROT.]

the other day i drew myself a map "Oh!" Zhubin jumped backward in fright and was just about to high-tail it out of there at the other male's initial reaction to his approach, but the wild ferocity in his face died down and suddenly a friendly smile appeared on his lips. He even introduced himself with a light laugh. Zhubin was somewhat confused, and not too entirely sure about this canine. "Yes, um, Vengeance. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Mister Vengeance." He said again, this time with the other canine's name. The canine was odd, really, calling himself names and laughing about it. It was almost like he enjoyed insulting himself. And then he was saying one thing about "princely manners" and then saying another thing about it that completely contradicted his first statement. It was just as confusing as how his aggressiveness had contradicted his friendliness. He seemed to just be all over the place! Vengeance's personality really didn't seem to fit the bow tie that he was wearing in the Afghan Hound's opinion, but then again it wasn't something that he minded all that much. He just thought him to be quite strange. "Thank you...?" He said in a somewhat confused voice, approaching the dumpster to dig for food, although he wasn't very hungry anymore due to the shock that still lingered in him. When he had asked about the bow tie, Vengeance just said how he always liked to be classy, or something like that. It was all still very confusing. But the part about heroic deeds did intrigue the male, and he couldn't help but ask, "Oh, is that so? What type of heroic deeds have you done, Mister Vengeance?" Then, when Vengeance asked Zhubin a question, the Afghan Hound simply chuckled and said, "Oh, like you said, I'm just a pet and always have been. Master Albert is my human, and we've lived together for as long as I can remember." He spoke of Albert fondly. It was clear that he was very accustomed to and enjoyed life as a house pet. so i could figure out your head

background image by Ricymar Photography ; dog image by Nelanthas