atypical_echo

solo_sleeper

welcome_summer

"Never work with cats," Mark says with a sigh as he comes back from talking to the volunteer from the shelter. "Present company excluded."

Both he and Sleeper knew that present company was perfect to photograph. The symbiote knew his best angles, where his light was, and how to make the little setting work for his best ends. But the latest cat from the shelter, an older queen with gray fur and a kinked tail, definitely didn't.

"Sorry she got scratchy," Mark says. "The lights are apparently stressing her. Not sure how to deal with it. Might just get one of the backups. What do you think, Sleeper?"

Best way to unwind from an intense project? A night at Descendant. Tonight wasn't even a Coyote Ugly night, just one where Mark could sit at the bar, enjoy his soda and plate of fries, and wait.

"I knew I should have reserved a room before swinging by."

Could you even do that online? Mark didn't know. He spent less time on the website than he should probably. Doesn't matter. Tonight is a night of rest.

"What I need is some people to share a room with. It's always so sad to go in alone.

Walking home. The most dangerous hour of the day for Mark. Literally at any hour actually. Tonight was no different. Another armload of bags, this time groceries, and there he was, grabbed and forced into an alley.

"Oh come on!" Mark says, groaning in frustration. "Can we not do this? I have ice cream man! It's going to melt! Can you have pity on my ice cream?"

And of course, the mugger looks confused. Because who reacts to a mugging like this?