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Post by Basil on Jun 16, 2009 19:08:09 GMT -5
The authentic English pub was crowded tonight. Toby lay contentedly under a table, napping, while Basil of Baker Street stood nearby throwing darts.
He wasn't much of a pub-crawler back in London, though the detective found them good places for observing the locals. Basil never drank spirits for fear of blunting his mental powers, but this evening the British surroundings staved off a touch of homesickness.
So, Basil drank his Coke and threw darts and soaked up the atmosphere.
Very decent of them to provide rodent-sized darts, he thought to himself, scoring another bullseye. It was a game he excelled at.
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Post by Professor Ratigan on Jun 16, 2009 19:28:18 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan decided to go on a little walk...more likely to enter one of the lovely pubs that lines in the United Kingdom. This one especially. It was filled with decent people and their drinks were often lovely. Sure their wine was not the best...but today, he felt like having some good ole ale. He's listened in on his comrades and how they enjoy the mug beer here. Might as well try it.
He entered as a group of people left, making an easy entrance for him to enter. The music was decent and the people were speaking in that same loudish tone. Ratigan was in his same formal suit, hat and cape while holding that nice cane of his. He strutted inside with little hurry and made his way to the front. It was a easy climb to the counter for him.
His eyes looked to the menu and after a moment's look, Ratigan sighed and waved the waiter over. "I wish to have what is the best of the house this evening." He informed quite simply, seeing as how there was not to much to order, why not let the day choose for him? After a few moments, Ratigan got his drink and took a small whiff of it in his nose. Problem was...it was a bubbly concoction causing him to sneeze rather loudly. "ACHOO!" He quickly took his formal handkerchief and held his nose. Now he was somewhat embarrassed...but with the noise, there should have been no possible way for anyone to really hear him...right? "Goodness...that was a somewhat loud one." He guested with a chuckle and took a good sip of it.
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Post by Basil on Jun 16, 2009 20:35:30 GMT -5
Basil froze in mid-toss, not even realizing that the sudden movement caused him to miss the board entirely and skewer a painting of lady in a large hat.
It was only a snippet of conversation obscured by the ceaseless babble all round him, but it was enough to curdle the very marrow of his bones.
Instantly, every sense was on the alert as, back protectively to the wall, Basil scanned the room. Drat the milling crowd, it was impossible to see past the end of his nose. A dozen rats might pass undetected.
Swiftly, the detective alighted on the floor near his sleeping dog. "Toby," he whispered urgently, "Toby, lad. Up, boy, up."
The hound lethargically opened one eye. He was half-inclined to go back to sleep. But, perhaps the Master had a treat for him. Toby stretched and shook himself, sniffing the air for a hint at what that treat might be.
Just then, he caught a familiar scent. Familiar...and despised! A low growl began deep in Toby's throat. "Ah, you sense him, too, eh? Good lad, good lad!"
Basil allowed Toby his head to find the object of their mutual hatred, only holding the dog back so as not to lose any element of surprise.
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Post by Professor Ratigan on Jun 16, 2009 21:41:26 GMT -5
Ratigan did his best to enjoy the drink he had ordered himself. It was different and something new. If he recalled right, this would be a mixed martini. How different of Ratigan. He often drank that of wine, but this was new to him. He in fact began to enjoy it after a while. It had a somewhat citrus flavor with the bitterness of alcohol. Ratigan was quite pleased with his order and soon asked for another. He did not plan to drink to much, but if there was nothing to worry about and whatnot, might as well live free for a bit. You only live once, after all. he should know. He chuckled a the thought and sighed as he took a seat in one of their oddly mouse sized seats. It was funny. They even had mouse sized cups for people of his stature could enjoy. as the next drink came into view, Ratigan chuckled and reached out for it, wantingly. The drink was placed neatly before him and he took in a deep breath of the arising liquid.
"I could get used to this...martini." He chuckled and took another sip then leaned back in his seat. Ratigan's somewhat comfort zone was breached as he heard the sounds of dog feet scattering along the ground. Ratigan felt a twitch meet with his eye. He rubbed it quickly and ignored it. Maybe it was just his imagination. But there was a voice that sounded way to familiar in the distance. Ratigan choose to ignore it...but perhaps that was not the best thing to do at this time. He hummed his song to himself and took another sip, trying to have a good time. He let his thoughts scatter around...trying to think of a possible crime that he could commit while he was here. He had no intention of leaving any time soon. it was just a matter of getting what he wanted and such. He sighed as he looked around. "I wonder how the rest of the gang is doing...?" He hummed with a chuckle, taking another sip.
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Post by Basil on Jun 18, 2009 20:56:39 GMT -5
Toby snuffed the air, sorting out the various smells of stale beer, tobacco and...rat! He weaved with difficulty between the legs of the human patrons, his master close behind him, until, finally spotting his quarry, the dog dropped into a menacing crouch.
"Hist! Down!" Basil whispered, tugging on the hound's collar to draw him off. It would not do to reveal his presence prematurely.
Mouse and dog dropped out of sight behind a corner of the bar. But Basil had seen him. His arch-enemy, Ratigan!
So, he had returned to the park, eh? What was his game this time? To rob the place blind? To take over and rule the Magic Kingdom? Perhaps he sought revenge on Basil for foiling his kidnapping scheme the last time they met.
Whatever scheme was developing in that demented brain, the detective would not know a moment's peace so long as Ratigan was at large. For now, he would simply observe.
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Post by Professor Ratigan on Jun 19, 2009 6:38:34 GMT -5
Ratigan was thinking to himself, not a care in the world. Seemed others were use to being like him and whatnot. Not staring to much. That was always a good sign. He took one last sip and let out an nice sigh. But a certain growl made Ratigan's ears twitch. "What...?" His tone was changed rather dramatically and he turned to where he thought he heard the noise. But as soon as he turned and noticed, the sound stopped and was cloaked with the chitter chatter of others. Ratigan's eyes were wide as he wanted to know what sound that was... But after a moment's time, he turned back to his drink and sighed once more. "Even when I relax, I am so paranoid..." He held his face in a somewhat dramatic way and held in more of his paranoid-like self.
That growl almost sounded like that mutt that...Basil of Baker Street owned. "Oh my..." He rubbed his now stressed eyes as he tried not to think of basil and whatnot. "Maybe I should lay off the martini..."
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Post by Basil on Jun 19, 2009 22:20:28 GMT -5
That was a rather close shave. It appeared for a moment that Ratigan would spot him. But, no, he was still unaware of the detective's presence.
Basil would wait and watch, all night, if necessary, and then follow the fiend to his lair, wherever that was. So long as he remained unobserved, all would be well.
"Can I help you with something?" asked a waiter, turning a quizzical look on the mouse crouched behind the bar.
Basil slapped one hand to his forehead in disgust. Dratted customer service! He shook his head and motioned the too-helpful castmember away. But, was it too late? If Ratigan had observed...
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Post by Professor Ratigan on Jul 16, 2009 12:37:26 GMT -5
Ratigan sat in that tiny little seat, just wondering through his own thoughts. Nothing really seemed to be on his mind at the time.. For now. But he had this somewhat odd feeling in his gut that just never wanted to go away. It began to bug him after a while. Soon, he felt the need to be somewhat paranoid. His eyes darted around to the people around. No one seemed to be out of the ordinary.
That all changed when a waiter of some sort moved over to a smaller customer. Ratigan's eyes widened at the sight of the customer. "B-Basil!?" He hissed in his breath and lept from his chair. His brow lowering to an evil glare. This was not good. The one time he as enjoying some time on his own was soon to be ruined by Basil of Baker Street.
He soon peeks around and did his best to act as if he had never seen him. But Ratigan wanted to make sure he was not to be followed by that detective of a mouse. Leaving small change on the small table he had sat at earlier, he moved down to ground level and scurried off to the door, making his exit to the outside world. He moved in a rather graceful fashion, making it seem like he was just in a hurry. "We'll see who will in this time, Basil.." He hied and sent a glare to the door way, then continuing his little walk through the area it was nice, at least.
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Post by Basil on Jul 16, 2009 19:05:43 GMT -5
No!! Ratigan had seen him! Basil slammed one fist into the wall in frustration. "Of all the blundering..." he began to berate the well-meaning waiter.
But there was no time for such indulgences. His plan for following Ratigan was foiled, to be sure; the villain would be on his guard now. But perhaps there was an alternative that would suit.
Once Ratigan had left the building, Basil led Toby over to the chair lately occupied by the crime lord. "Now, Toby, I want you to track this villain."
The hound knew precisely what was wanted of him. Obediently, he snuffed at the chair to pick up the scent his master desired.
"Got it, lad? Good dog. Now we must be cautious, Toby. Stealth, that's what's wanted." So saying, Basil crept to the door, but did not exit.
No, Ratigan would be waiting for him. Well, let him wait, then. And when he grew tired of waiting, Ratigan must leave eventually.
Instead of following the fiend by sight, they would let him get well ahead and then track him by scent.
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