Gambler looked straight at him.The silence that proceeded was enough to make Riesling sit forward and clear his throat. Blood tensed, unsure of what his master would decide.
"Quite an admirable request, Gambler. To be honest I didn't take you for someone who would consider castrating a perfectly able dog, but please, do as you wish in Dice's respect. I have no interest in your overeager dog other than that he actively challenged mine. Any injuries on his part - due to his scuffle with Bloodhound or otherwise - are of no concern of mine either."
He wasn't sure what to make of Riesling; part of him had the nagging feeling he looked down on him. But that was fine; he wasn't a trainer, not yet. Not yet of their status.
They where almost behaving the same way their dogs did to one another... álmost. Because thát's where Dice and his master where different. Where Dice hated Blood's guts, Gambler respected Riesling for his rank. He never really had trouble with anyone, he was too tactic and calm to make a fuss or get into fights. It was a trait Dice could have used, too.
Well, at least Riesling didn't demand Dice's castration. In that case... there was no need, as long as Mistress agreed with him. Just doing some extra training with Dice would suffice, then. As long as Dice and Blood where able to get along later, that was.... or things would get more complicated.
- ''Hmmm...'' Gambler rubbed his stubby chin with one hand. ''Deal. I think I can manage that... If given proper time to find something worthy.''He paused, glanced at the Gambler, then continued.
"Neither do I want your money, honestly. I have enough as it is from my other venues and wolves. Blood's paw will be treated and will heal in a few weeks time. In the meantime, I won't have a dog in the speed fights and the Mistress has an injured wolf - from what I hear, an extremely expensive injured wolf."
He leaned back in his chair again, linking his lands together over his chest.
"Therefore, my requests are as such. First, that you pay the good lady her compensation as she likes. Second... If you get your hands on any promising animal in your line of work - particularly a wolf, if you please - I'd like it offered to me first, regardless of who's first in line. A simple request, don't you think? Just one good dog or wolf... or otherwise. I hear you come across a few exotic animals every so often. And after that I will bother you no further, so long as Dice can keep himself in check."
Well, this wasn't half as bad as he expected. Sure, a good animal was expensive too, but it was not the compensation it could have been. Gambler did notice Blood's behavior, though; the dog seemed annoyed. Man, that dober sure hated Dice's guts.
With a glance at the dog, Gambler grinned. ''I hadn't expected otherwise.''"That said, Blood here will no doubt have some... discrimination against Dice from now on, but I have no doubt that he won't make any trouble unless Dice deserves it completely. Isn't that right, Blood?"
The doberman wuffed, though it was with such irritation that Cardinal couldn't help but smile ruefully.
He then looked at Mistress; there was a good chance she would have demands, too. She hadn't said a word yet....
As expected. Gambler tensed slightly. If she didn't want Dice's balls, then what DID she want?“well it seems to me you both have reached a deal, and im happy with what you propos gambler and I don’t think castrasion his the right thing at this point not that I haven’t thought about it, but as you no how I work things here I don’t alou things to go unpunished, he damaged my propity and I wont my pound of flesh”, she said her voice like a viper beautiful but oh so deadly.
Gambler tensed even more. No serious, lasting damage. That said enough.“Il exspect him in the empty cell bloke with in the next 15 minets and il deal with him personal, don’t worry he wouldn’t have any serios lasting damage”, she said now pleased she had put on her sharper clawed hand.
He did not like the thought of his dog being harmed. It was almost a personal threat; his eyes narrowed slightly. But he knew better that to denie her her wish. She was powerful, the daughter of the boss. Dice had brought this upon himself, and there was nothing to be done. He would have to undergo his punishment.
- ''As you wish, then.'' His protest sounded subtile in his words, but he did not challenge or denie her in the least.
Gambler's eyes shot at Bloodhound right away. He had a feeling that dober somehow would understand those words... and that he'd be even more annoyed. But he himself was rather happy with the announcement. Sure, he knew it already. But at this point, it was a relief to have Riesling and Blood reminded of that fact again, too.Her eyes then went over to Riesling and they didn’t change at all.
“im pleased that blood protected my wolves, I have great trust in him and faith that’s why I let him into my block and my cells, he dose great work. But I exspect when he is dealing with my employees work dogs or any of the dogs or wolves in my block, that he restrains not kills unless he has orders to do so”, she said nodding to Riesling in respect.
He didn't want to retrain a dog only to have him torn to shreds by Blood later, after all.
He waited for both of them to fall silent, then got up.
- ''Well, I guess that rounds it up then. I thank you both for your time, and I'd like to apologize once more for all of this chaos. Rest assure it will not happen again.'' He looked at Mistress. ''You'll find Dice in the sickbay.''
He then turned around and left the room swiftly.
The muscles in his shoulders where tense; he didn't like the thought of what was about to happen to Dice, and he couldn't wait for it to be over.
---------------------------
Sleep... a deep sleep.
Shade's paws moved slightly as she dreamed. She dreamed of the forest where she had lived; she could féél the grass under her paws. Smell the scents of the forest... hear the river in the distance, the birds above her head.
Oh, how she had missed this...
Suddenly, he saw her.
MOTHER....
The dark shewolf smiled brightly as she saw her daughter; Shade let out a scream of happiness as she ran to her.
In the cellblock, only a soft whimper came from her maw.
The two shewolves rushed up to one another; they cuddled, they playfully wrestled. Her mother's clear laugh rang in her ears.
- ''Mom... I missed you so much....''
- ''Shhhh... my daughter...'' The two both fell back to four paws; her mother rested her head on Shade's shoulders. ''You know what to do. Remember... remember it...''
I'll then come in again. Terribly sorry for all the delays, I'm glad to be able to come back finally!))