Jamie and Lockheed, Monday afternoon

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Jamie stumbles across Lockheed mounting unsuccessful siege on the dread refrigerator, and after a slightly bumpy negotiation they arrive at a mutually beneficial business arrangement.



Stomach growling vaguely, Jamie made his way down to the kitchen.  A roast beef sandwich and a nice tall glass of milk would about hit the spot, he thought--ooh, unless there was still venison left, because that would be even better.

It was the sound that alerted Lockheed that someone was coming, and by the time the door to the kitchen opened he was sitting quite calmly in the middle of the kitchen doing his wing exercises. Why he would be doing wing exercises in the kitchen he wasn't sure about, but he knew Kitty would not be happy to be yelled at on his behalf and maybe if he distracted whoever was coming in they wouldn't notice the claw marks near the base of the 'fridge'.

Jamie, being a lifetime student of the art of looking innocent, was not taken in for a moment.  "Wing exercises, huh, Lockheed?" he asked, grinning.  "Very important, those.  Especially in the kitchen--I mean, if you weren't here, why, anybody might try to steal food from the fridge."

Lockheed stopped as he realized who had come in. It was The Boy. This meant one of three things would happen. One, Kitty would be here soon, and he would be fed and cosseted, and probably yelled at for the claw marks. Two, The Boy would rat him out as part of their on going war over Kitty's affections. However, The Boy didn't seem to understand the rules of this war, so chances were good it'd be option three. The Boy, who had conquered the 'fridge' and was one of the masters of All the Food in the World would feed him. Ignoring the implication that he had been trying to break into the 'fridge' Lockheed went, "Coo!!" at The Boy, doing his best to look hungry.

Jamie snickered, pointedly checking the edges of the fridge door for claw marks before opening it just long enough to grab one of the Ziploc bags of shredded venison and a carton of milk.  Taking a loaf of bread out of one of the cupboards, he set his sandwich fixings up on a counter at the other end of the kitchen from Lockheed's table, in plain view.  "Now, I know Kitty feeds you regularly, so I have to wonder exactly what you're trying to accomplish here."  He popped a venison sliver into his mouth.  "Mmm, that's good, though."

Lockheed whimpered pitifully - The Boy was taking their war to a new and dastardly level. Only The Boy would torment him this way, flaunting his mastery over the 'fridge'. This would require a new and better plan. Unfortunately, Lockheed was out of plans. Making his way over to where Jamie was making his sandwich Lockheed sat down at The Boy's feet, looking up at him with the saddest look he could manage.

Jamie had to laugh, looking down at the dragon.  He really did look just like a miniature version of his dad, and the thought of Fyrlaf doing sad-puppy eyes, all hundred feet of him . . . "Cuter than you have tried, my lad," he told Lockheed.  "Cuter than you have tried.  And what with Kitty trying to teach you to fly, I'm not about to fatten you up."

Hooking one claw into the pant leg of The Boy, Lockheed went for a pitiful, "Mer?" Wing exercises were hungry work, and The Boy just didn't understand!

Jamie poured himself some milk and looked down again.  "You know, your father--okay, he begged for food too, I'll grant you, but he traded for it.  Say I give you some of my leftover venison--what do I get?"

Oh... The Boy was clever... This was going to be harder than Lockheed had thought. Sitting back he looked thoughtful... Finally he curled up and lay his head on his paws, looking away from Jamie in and Well-I-could-ignore-you-and-your-foul-attentions-to-my-Kitty sort of pose.

Jamie puzzled at the dragon's posture for a moment, then snickered.  "Y'know, when bargaining, it helps to take a position you have some clout with.  I'm sharing Kitty with you, not the other way around."

"Meh!" Lockheed got up and wandered back to puzzle at the 'fridge'. If The Boy was going to be like that...

"Hey, now, hold on there, we're not done yet.  Still got venison on the table here."  Jamie leaned his elbows back on the counter and took a sip of milk.  "I might be in need of some help doing something for Kitty, and I'd be willing to pay handsomely for that help."

That got Lockheed's attention. Doing things for Kitty was always good, even if it meant helping The Boy. And he'd get food. He sat down by the 'fridge', willing to listen, at least.

Jamie grinned.  "She expects me to be sneaky, y'see.  So if I can deliver little presents in an unexpected way, that makes things more fun.  Stuff like flowers, maybe a card or two, maybe a few other things--nothing heavy or awkward.  Of course, I'd be paying on delivery, and if things got lost or damaged, well, that'd impact the fee pretty severely."  He tilted his head thoughtfully.  "Think we can come to an arrangement?"

Paying on delivery? Hmph. The Boy clearly didn't trust him and that was an affront to a dragon's pride, he was quite sure. Tossing his head up into the air he quite pointedly looked away from The Boy.

"Ah, now you're getting the hang of it."  Jamie took a considering bite of his sandwich.  "Mmm, yeah, that hits the spot."  He grinned.  "Now, I'm assuming you're not turning up your nose at the prospect of helping make Kitty happy, so either it's the prospect of spending more nights with Miles or the payment plan that's getting you down."

Without looking back at The Boy he tapped  his claw on the floor twice.

Jamie nodded seriously.  "Well, you have to understand I need to protect my interests, here.  Or are you saying you wouldn't be tempted to procrastinate on delivery, or pass a few of the gifts off as your own idea, and get a little bit more of Kitty's attention for yourself?"

Lockheed growled slightly. He was a dragon. If he agreed to do it he would do it, and if he didn't he wouldn't. Besides, he had no need to go around stealing The Boy's ideas. He could come up with hundreds of better ideas.

Now he looked just like his dad.  "Heh," Jamie muttered, "looks like all kinds of things are hereditary.  All right then," he continued in his normal tone of voice, "I apologize for the insult and I'm willing to accept payment in advance on your word of honor.  How much payment did you have in mind?"

Well that was all right then. Lockheed looked back down, considering the question. It was a tough one. Ask for too much and The Boy would never agree, but he was very hungry... Finally he nodded. Gesturing to Jamie he tapped once, then gesturing to himself he tapped again. One delivery, one meal.

Jamie nodded.  "Sounds fair.  Full meal, or a snack?  I'm not entirely sure what you're putting away these days."

Rubbing his belly, Lockheed indicated that he would like to be full, please, thank you very much.

"As long as we don't run out of meat, I think we have a deal.  If, of course, you're agreeable."  Jamie hunkered down and offered a hand.

Nodding, Lockheed put his own paw in the proffered hand. Him getting along with The Boy made Kitty happy, the little presents would make Kitty happy, and Kitty being happy and him being fed both made Lockheed happy. It was a good deal.

Jamie grinned, cocking an eyebrow.  "Up for your first job right now?  Payment immediately, delivery whenever you get the chance and she's not in her room?"

Lockheed nodded, sharply, then gave a smile full of teeth.

"Well, then."  Jamie stood up and opened the fridge to get out another baggie of venison, which he scattered on a plate and offered to the dragon.  "At your leisure, I've got some flowers in my room I'd like put on her desk when she isn't looking.  Once you're good and fed, I'll show you."

Nodding, Lockheed settled down in front of the plate when something occurred to him. The Shrieking Pillow Girl... He would have to make sure she wasn't in the room, either, when delivering things... Ok, he could do that. He cooed happily and returned to his dinner.