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By: Doulatothestars, Vantage Fits, Off Rip Podcast, Endera Allen Stevens, Yam08, Sashaswholeearth, AI
Chapter 2: Shadows of the Neon City
The Hyena gang’s member, entered with a sly grin playing on his lips, and a mysterious shopping bag clutched in his hands. Cletus, excused himself from his conversation with Monica and went back behind the counter. Cletus friendly demeanor shifted to match that of the Hyena gang member shattering and at the same time maintaining the atmosphere in the shop. A silent understanding passed between him and the lone Hyena, a prelude to the tension that would unfold.
The Hyena sauntered towards the counter, the crinkling of the shopping bag permeating the air with an air of secrecy. “Just browsing, you know, exploring the local treasures,” he explained nonchalantly, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Before Cletus could respond, the shop’s entrance chimed once more, announcing another unwelcome arrival. It was Claire—the government official with gray hair, three hairy moles, and a faint scent of mildew. Her mangy mutt trotted beside her, a scruffy companion that matched the pompous air of his person.
A collective sigh escaped the two. For them Claire was the embodiment of bureaucratic annoyance. Her mere presence disrupted the looming tension, redirecting the focus to a common nemesis. The Hyena’s lip lifted into a snarl that Claire looked upon with an air of dismissal.
“Cletus,” Claire’s voice cut through the room, carrying the weight of disapproval, “I’m here to inspect your familiar licenses. Standard procedure.”
Cletus sighed, exchanging a weary glance with the lone Hyena, who now wore a sly grin happy to be out of her line of fire.
“Fine, Claire, let’s get this over with,” Cletus said retrieving a stack of paper from behind the register.
As Claire meticulously inspected the familiar licenses, the Hyena unable to help himself sidled as close as his nose could bear.
“Claire I haven’t seen you in a while what is keeping you away?” He asked cheekily.
Claire’s pen hovered above the page trembling slightly. Cletus observed this quietly wondering what could have possibly transpired to make Claire hands shake. But thankfully he didn’t have to wonder long.
“I wanted to return your wig, and apologize-,” He started only to finish with a laugh holding onto Cletus’ counter for support.
Monica choked on her blunt and Jazzpur having had enough of her antics went and sat by snickers. Cletus turned around and busied himself with cleaning a counter whilst his shoulders shook silently.
Ignoring the Hyena’s bemused expression, Claire fixed him with a long stare before she replied, “Do you honestly believe you’re anything more than a pathetic, insignificant pest in this city? Your little gang is nothing than a laughable sideshow.”
“Your papers are all in order. The fee for me coming out is $75,” Claire told Cletus getting back to business.
The Hyena not willing to let her insult pass, interjected, “You know, Claire, we just got some peppermint soap at the store. You and your familiar could use a good bath.”
Claire huffed, her disdain evident. The lone Hyena, undeterred, leaned in with a cheeky smile. “I’ll even offer to give you both a bath. My treat.”
Rolling her eyes, Claire dismissed the lone Hyena’s offer. Frustrated by her nonchalance, the gang member excused himself, leaving the shop with the mysterious shopping bag in hand.
However, the drama was far from over. Outside, the lone Hyena decided to make a statement. With a mischievous grin, he emptied the entire bottle of peppermint soap over Claire’s car, the liquid cascading down in a fragrant waterfall.
“Uh, Claire, is that your car?” Cletus asked not bothering to pull his card out.
Claire turned to see and her fury reached a boiling point as she abruptly halted her inspection, abandoning any pretense of professionalism. Without a second thought, she sprinted out of Green Haven, determined to catch the Hyena who dared defile her car with peppermint soap.
The lone Hyena, quick on his feet, circled around her car with a mischievous grin, determined to complete the soap-drenching mission. Claire, hot on his heels, attempted to catch him in the act, but the Hyena’s nimble movements proved to be an elusive dance around the vehicle.
As Claire lunged to intercept him, the Hyena skillfully maneuvered, leaving a trail of peppermint-scented chaos in his wake. The other patrons of Green Haven watched with a mix of amusement and disbelief as the peculiar spectacle unfolded—a government official engaged in a cat-and-mouse chase with a member of the notorious Hyena gang.
The fragrant soap cascaded down in a peppermint waterfall, creating a surreal tableau of rebellion against bureaucratic authority. The once orderly inspection had devolved into a chaotic clash of wills, with Claire’s pursuit escalating into a game of wits around her soap-drenched car.
By then it had stopped raining so the only way Claire was getting that off was if she went to a car wash. Monica having finished her blunt waited till the soap stopped pouring and said a cheerful goodbye to Cletus.
“Well Neotropolis certainly has brought the drama. Thanks again for the shelter.” Monica shared.
Cletus, said his goodbyes and as the door tinkled again he couldn’t help but chuckle at the unexpected turn of events.
