[center] [h3][color=a0410d] [b]Luke Godfrey [/b] [/color] [/h3] [/center] [color=a0410d]“Ya know, when I shipped out to go to basic I thought that was the beginning of something amazing ya know? It was the start of a fresh start. I’d actually get to be more than a peasant farmer. I mean my father, rest his soul, was a good man and an amazing framer who always helped the community without expecting anything in return. He was definitely the pride of our town, hell he was my hero, but it just hurts to know that such a great man isn’t known to the rest of the world. He at least deserves a trophy or something, but no, he just got a shitty hole in the ground.” [/color] [b]*BARK*[/b] “[color=a0410d]Right? At least send off a great man with a bit more respect than a cold, lonely grave.” [/color] [b]*BARK*[/b] Luke chuckled and looked down to his right to see his new friend, a shaggy stray dog staring up at him with a wagging tail of joy. He pointed towards him with a grin before taking another drag of his fifth cigarette of the night. [color=a0410d]“My words exactly, you’re smart Mutt ya know that?”[/color] the stray hound, now named Mutt, tilted his head in confusion and earned another soft chuckle from the exhausted looking soldier as the two rested in front of the Inn. Luke sighed before he rubbed the back of his neck to get rid of any of the kinks he gained over another sleepless night in this god forsaken city. He looked out towards their surroundings, seeing the clouds of war drift through the morning sky, the sun beginning the day and shining through whatever cracks it could fine. The distant explosions and gunfire was the nights lullaby and now they were the days alarm clock. Any sane man would have gone in to sleep in those heavenly soft beds, but unfortunately he was far from sane and found himself wanting to stay as far away as he can from that room. Every time he tried to reenter the Inn he felt his spine shiver and would always see something in the shadows from the corners of his eye. His mind and body hated him for it, but they reluctantly listened to his wishes. Another bark of enthusiasm escaped his new canine companion and Luke looked back down to see him with a happy, slobbery smile on his face, his tongue hanging out as he softly painted. Luke smiled slightly before scratching behind his ear, earning a few rapid leg stomps from Mutt before he let out a bark of happiness. It was a bit surprising when he approached Luke last night, so surprising that he almost shot the poor bastard when he was doing maintenance on his rifle for the seventh time. Luckily he had no ammo to do the deed with so he managed to gain a new companion for the night. He definitely helped Luke get his mind off of things and ended up listening to him rant on several things no other human would hear. His issues with Darcsens, the war, his angel sisters and even the whole humiliating experience from last night. He admitted it wasn’t bad, but still he would have enjoyed if he didn’t look like a fool. It was actually quite refreshing not getting yelled at or smacked after saying what was on his mind. His smile grew a bit as Luke rubbed under his furry jaw one last time before he heard the front door open. He glanced back to the door and arched his brows slightly in surprise to see the waitress, Emily. Emily returned the same slightly surprised expression as Luke before resting her hand on her hip and tilting her head. [color=00a651]“Have you been out here all night?” [/color]Luke chuckled as he continued to scratch Mutts head and shrugged. [color=a0410d]“I just needed a lot of fresh air,” [/color]he replied with a small smile. Emily sighed and shook her head before looking to his companion and walking over with a happy smile. [color=00a651]“Well I see you you met Shelly,” [/color]she said before kneeling down and rubbing her side with a small chuckle. “She usually bolts when strangers are around, but she looks to have taken a liking to you,” Luke arched a brow before looking to Mutt- or, Shelly. [color=a0410d]“She?” [/color]he asked and chuckled as she nodded with an amused smile. [color=a0410d]“Sorry for calling you a manly dog all night, but you should have told me,”[/color] he stated and was responded with a quick bark. Emily shook her head and sighed before rising to her full height and gesturing for the entrance of the Inn. [color=00a651]“Come on inside, me and Grandpa are almost finished with breakfast. You two can be our first customers of the day,” [/color]both Luke and Shelly’s stomachs rumbled as she mentioned breakfast and quickly sat up, eager to get something in their guts. He hadn’t realized until now, but he hasn’t eaten anything ever since he entered the city. Shelly looked like she could use a bite or two since she was looking a bit skinny. Luke was a bit relieved to see that no one else had awoken yet and sat down at empty table near the bar, Shelly sitting at his side with an excited wagging tail. [color=00a651]“Give me a sec,” [/color]she said before heading into the back. Both stomachs of the two hungry customers rumbled again and Shelly let out a small whine. [color=a0410d]“Tell me about it,” [/color]he muttered as he rested his rifle against the table before noticing the old man emerge from the back. The old man spotted him and scoffed as he wiped a line of sweat from his forehead. [b]“Well at least you’re dressed, don’t think it’d be good for business if we had your bear ass shaking around again,” [/b]Luke grumbled as the old man teased him about last night. He must have noticed Luke’s expression and gave a hearty chuckle. [b]“Oh lose that sour look, at least they didn’t have you done anything worse,”[/b] he pointed out, which Luke silently agreed with. From behind the counter the old man brewed a cup of coffee and walked over to Luke with a nod. [b]“Last night was a shit show, but start of the day right eh?” [/b]he said before placing the cup of joe in front of him. Luke nodded before looking up to the old man with a smile. [color=a0410d]“Thanks, but it’s missing a little somethi-” [/color]he was cut off as the old man held up a hand and shook his head. [b]"Sorry son, your boss told be to cut you and the rest of your team off while you're here. No more booze for you lightweight bastards,"[/b] the old man chuckled. Luke frowned and leaned back in his seat. [color=a0410d]"Seriously, none?"[/color] he asked one final time and sighed as the old man shook his head. Luke clicked his tongue in annoyance. [color=a0410d]"Damnit, what's with that guy? He must have some kind of stick up his ass," [/color]Luke muttered and looked back to the old man who arched a brow at the young soldier.[color=a0410d] "What?"[/color] he asked as the mans look began to unnerve him slightly. [b]"You sure you should talk like that about your superiors? Seems a bit disrespectful," [/b]he pointed out as he leaned on the table. Luke scoffed and rolled his eyes. [color=a0410d]"Please, so far from what I can see I'm not to impressed. He's a good guy from what I've seen, but between you and me..."[/color] he paused for a moment to look around to make sure was listening in on them. After the close was clear he continued on in a more hushed voice. [color=a0410d]"The guy may not make it out of this city,"[/color] the old man arched his brow and awaited for him to explain. [color=a0410d]"Just the way he does things rubs me the wrong way. First we diverge off our original path to our objective after the first fight and he decided to take the long way, which he knew would delay our mission. I don't know about you but that is frustrating when we drag on a job like this,"[/color] he said with the shake of his head. [color=a0410d]"Then there's him leading the charge and all, being in front like some noble hero. Everyone knows there's a damn legendary sniper in the city gunning for people like him, yet he still leaves himself wide open, just asking to get his head popped off. The man should have one of us take the lead,"[/color] the old man tilted his head slightly. [b]"What, you want to be in front for that sniper to kill?"[/b] he asked with a frown. Luke thought for a moment before looking back up at the old man. [color=a0410d]"Better I go down than him. I may not like the bastard and he doesn't like me, well no one really does, but I was trained to follow his orders and keep him alive. Besides, I'm just a grunt, they can replace me if I die. He's their Corporal, the squad and the higher ups would definitely prefer me to die than him. It's just how it is,"[/color] he shrugged before taking a sip of his coffee, his slightly dark outlook of things not bothering him one bit. The old man stared at Luke for a second before cracking a smirk of amusement. [b]"You're an odd one,"[/b] he chuckled before heading back to the bar. Soon Emily returned with their food and both Luke and Shelly couldn't contain themselves as their food arrived. For Luke, a plate of eggs, biscuits and sausage. For Shelly, a bowl of meat scraps that would make any dog cry in joy. Emily giggled at their reactions. [color=00a651]“Here you go you two, enjoy,”[/color] she said before leaving them their food and returning to the back to prepare for everyone else. Luke and Shelly stared in awe of the food before them, gave a moment of silent and dived into their meal. It had been a long time since Luke had food like this, hell it’s been awhile since he had any meat! Both consumers continued to wolf down their meal in eagerness and savagery. For Luke, this was the perfect way to start of the day.