Chapter Text
You found yourself in a beautiful place in the strangest of headspaces.
Only the most boring of individuals would hate to stand the look of coastal Brisbane.
It was in everyone’s blood to run to the sand and take to the spray of the ocean. Not that you were from around here, of course. You were probably more prepared than any local to do some sightseeing for yourself, although the amount of people crowded around you shoulder-to-shoulder quite overwhelmed you.
I am invisible to them, you thought. It won’t be long now until I find some peace in being somewhere different…while still being invisible.
You clutched your belongings as it was some shield of protection from gregarious passersby. You had your extroverted moments, but only when accustomed or deemed secure with a small number of people. You were a walking cliche. You hated movies that focused on people who would faint in front of a large crowd, but you suffered the same doomed malady. A harshest critic, but a hypocrite all the same.
You loved to judged strangers, even though you were no stranger to your own self. It was much easier to people-watch and draw conclusions from the way they spoke, moved, and looked without caring for them. Perhaps that was why you moved to someplace where you would find nothing but strangers.
A group of children slowly walked past you, some on all fours-they have not developed the ability to walk on their hind legs yet. Each of them had a ring of fabric around their torsos, being led by an overly-exaggerated adult leader. You assumed these were preschoolers on some afternoon outing. You smiled politely as you brushed past the stubby young bodies and their enthusiastic teacher counterpart.
You know they had dreams. That was no assumption. It was a fact, in your eyes.
You longed to have some dreams for yourself.
The truth was, the reason why you moved was due to the lack of substance among people in your circle. You were a stickler for sarcasm, but the kind of sardonic poking that people often mistook for being plain mean. They laughed at your dreams, so you left those dreams behind the door of your last flat. You set off with new baggage and were hoping to try again. Perhaps smiling more at people, tricking your mind to expanding your comfort zone, would attract the kind of people you wanted to be around.
God, what if you were making the wrong decision? You started to panic, the weight of your impulses heightening your awareness. You had to set down your arms of baggage and catch your breath. You weren’t in the right mind, though, as you halted your walk in the middle of tourists, locals, and the like. Crazed looks, gentle shoves, and moves of avoidance surrounded your halted stance. It wouldn’t be long until you would spend all your money and end up broke, trying to dance for cash. Not that that wasn’t a noble profession, but goodness almighty, you hated to judge people when you were so anxious and-
“Excuse me?”
So much for being invisible.
You realized someone was standing right in front of you. You felt hot flashes all over your body.
You were beginning to gather your belongings until the stranger in your line of view held out his paw. “Oh, my bad. I didn’t mean to trouble you. I was just tryna’ look for my library card. I think it fell outta my pocket when I was putting it away.”
You gazed at him listlessly. He seemed like a rugged type, but geez, his accent…what was he asking? You were too distracted to fully register what he was saying. Why was he talking to you? You, of all people?
You suddenly felt two strong paws move you out of the way. You were blinking a thousand times a second, your torso feeling heavy. “God, I’m sorry. You almost got pummeled by some kid with a wagon. You alright? 100 percent?”
More silence followed as you looked deep into the mystery man’s eyes. “Here, let’s sit down. My card is probably long gone anyway.” He chuckled and led you to a bench away from the mound of people.
Your paws were clenched tightly on your luggage while the whole thing was occuring. You were scared this guy was going to abduct you, especially considering your mouth-agape paws-full loner look that must have registered with him. This, thankfully, was not the case.
He sat opposite to you, making sure you were in the shade. “Do you need water or something?”
You cleared your throat. “Do I look like I need water?” You cleared your throat again. You sure sounded like you desparetly needed some.
He stood up, holding his arms in a sheepish way. “I’ll leave if you want, or-“
“Wait!” You yelped.
He sat back down. “Oh.”
You were shocked by your sudden vigor, so you lowered your volume hoping nobody was watching your meltdown. “I’m sorry. I’m new from here. I mean, duh, that’s obvious.” You gestured to your suitcases. “I don’t even know where in Brisbane I am, and my cell is overheating, it’s so ungodly out. I’m sorry for being in your way.”
“Nothing doing, mate,” smiled warmly, so warm that you had to avert your gaze. “I know exactly how you feel. It was over a decade ago when I was walkng in these same footsteps. Look, I can get you a water and-wait.” He stopped. “Can’t assume you need water, as you pointed out. But anyways, I can try to find my card while you try to find where you’re supposed to go?”
A demon-like giggle bubbled through your nose but you refused to let it surface. “That’s very kind, but-but I,” you stammered. “Has anyone ever told you you stare so hard I can feel you touching my soul?”
A laugh that sounded like the riptide escaped from his mouth. “I actually have not gotten that exact phrase, but sure I have. I guess I have that effect on people,” he replied. “Especially strangers.”
You felt something stir inside you. You were beginning to like the choices you let yourself make in the blazing heat. “I am meeting up my new landlord around here in a few hours, so I’ll tell you…something. Is the phrase “tell you what” or “tell you something””?
The stranger looked up to the sky. “Hmm. I think…the latter phrase.”
You facepalmed. “Why in the world did I ask you that? I am losing my mind already and it hasn’t been a full day of living here. How about I keep on looking for the card while I’m here, and I can get your number-“
His phone rang. It was some funky tune you’ve never heard of before, but you liked it so much you wanted it to ring until it ended. He let it ring three times full until he answered, “Yellow?”
You stifled a laugh. The only type of person who answered their phone like that was a Dad. Come to think of it, he acted and looked like a father, too. “Really? Now?” He paused and checked the time on his watch. You wondered why he didn’t check the clock on his phone, but who were you to judge someone who was probably judging you all the same? “Alright, I’ll be there soon.” He hung up and frowned looking out into the sea. He swiveled his head in your direction as he exclaimed, “Look. I have to be somewhere in less than four minutes, so I appreciate your help. Really.”
He took off in a light jog, calling after you as he left, “Welcome to Brisbane!”
Welcome to Brisbane.
Your fur prickled.
You were officially welcomed by a charming outsider. Well, you were technically the outsider, but still…
Were people in Brisbane this nice or was this guy just oddly nice in general, let alone here?
You were starting to see a few new dreams pop up in your mind. You grinned as you thought over a dozen possibilities opening and unfolding in your judgmental, hypocritical, strange enigma of a headspace.
But, shit, you forgot to get his number or his name!
Now you were really a walking cliche, minus the happy ending.
Yet, you pondered.