Chapter Text
“And with that, we’ve officially landed in Brisbane, Australia. We hope you enjoy your time here, and please fly with us again soon!” The flight attendant’s voice rang out over the plane’s loudspeakers as it slowed to a halt, the dogs around you shifting and chatting in their seats. You unclipped your seatbelt as the attendant continued to prattle on about luggage and whatnot, peering outside your small cabin window at the landscape around you. The sky was clear, without even a single cloud to taint the pure blue. The sun shone down on the (somehow wet with rain)black runway as canines in yellow jackets yelled to each other to assist emptying the aircraft. Their words were indiscernible from where you sat but were so clearly tinged with an Australian accent. Well… obviously. It was just odd to hear.
And here you were; Brisbane. The air weighed heavier on your fur, and despite it being September, it was hot enough to go about without even a scarf or gloves. The backpack sitting in front of your feet contained one light jacket, but that was the extent of your winter wear. The atmosphere smelled different, too; the heavy humidity and damp pavement dominated the atmosphere, ripening fall apples sweetening it all with a cute scented bow.
“Hey mate, mind pulling your bags out? I gotta get mine out from behind ‘em.” A woman suddenly tapped your shoulder, snapping you out of your romantic fantasy of a “new world”. Oh yeah. Can’t stay here forever.
Pulling the aforementioned bag up onto your back, you muttered a small “Sorry!” and crawled out of your seat with that awkward-climbing-shuffle you have to do on airplanes. Your legs ache underneath you, adjusting to suddenly moving after hours of disuse. Forcibly squishing up against other passengers wasn’t exactly the best form of yoga, after all. Yanking your luggage from the overhead bin, you plopped a tiny suitcase onto the thin floor of the airplane aisle. Now to wait. Ugh . As you waited to be let off, you switched your phone on from airplane mode and waited for the messages to begin rolling in.
Ping,
Ping,
Ping.
Mmm… spam emails, a text from your mom, a notification from your astrology app…
Ping,
Ping,
Ping!
A text from the director of your show!
“Hey there, Y/N! Text us when you land in Brisbane; we’ll set up a cab to come get you from the airport and take you to the hotel. Take time to relax and rest after your flight. Remember to meet @ 7:00 tomorrow in the theater to see the space for the first time!!”
You smiled quietly as you read that message from the director, your tail beginning to wag as the reality of your situation set in. God, this was really happening. Your big break- all the way in Australia.
~
“Hey there, welcome to Australia! Where ya headed?” The taxi driver asked, plopping back in his seat after helping place your bags in your suitcase. You sighed, rolling your neck as you settled on the leather seats.
“Headed to the Pawbank Hotel, please,” You asked, returning the man’s grin with a small one of your own. He nodded, turning back and starting up the car.
“That’s a pretty fancy hotel! You a big celebrity, huh?” He laughed, adjusting the radio as he talked. You wiggled in your seat at this comment, flushing slightly at his misplaced praise.
“Hopefully soon.”
The driver laughed and commented again on your supposed fame, excited that he “knew you before you made it big!” The grass outside of the window raced by as he sped down the Australian roads, buildings and trees passing you by as your eyes were peeled with almost kiddish glee. Sure, it wasn’t like you were traveling to Narnia or anything. But the sudden change of environment was so startling and new that you couldn’t help but be bewildered. The trees, the grass, the animals; everything was so different from the gray cityscape that you were used to. The life of an aspiring actor wasn’t exactly the most beautiful to look at, unfortunately. Hundreds of canines were milling about the streets, pulling their kids along or chatting on their phones. It was so… personal. You always loved smaller communities like this, as everything just seemed so much more kind and interconnected rather than a big city(competition ground). Thank God this job pulled you to a community like this- otherwise, you probably wouldn’t have taken such a huge jump in living environments.
“Heya! Did you land?”
You pulled out your cell as soon as it buzzed, mentally kicking yourself for not responding. How could you leave your DIRECTOR on read? You groaned to yourself, cursing Australia for being so distracting that it made you leave a bad first impression. While typing a hasty apology, the cab pulled up to your destination.
“Alright, here’s your stop!” The car eased to a stop outside of your hotel, and you quickly paid the driver with a swift exchange of gratitude. You stepped out, walked over to the front desk, and checked your luggage in with the workers there. You were actually an hour early to check in, so you couldn’t collapse and take a shower in your room quite yet.
“How about you explore the surrounding areas of the hotel? There’s a great park in a neighborhood near here!” The receptionist chirped. She was a perky chihuahua, excitedly explaining directions to the park she referred to. “It can be nice to take a walk after traveling, you know!”
~
She was right. Being able to finally stretch and use your pained legs melted away their strain, and the fresh air was something you were rarely able to partake in. The seaside especially brightened up your walk; each crash of the ocean onto shore flavoring the air with its distinct salty flavor. This would be a perfect photo to post online! You fiddled with your phone, trying to find the best angle to include both you and the ocean on your right into the frame, while also hiding any and all imperfections coming from flying for so long. Jeez, your fur was a mess, wasn’t it?
Your paw was hovering over the button to snap a picture before 2 squealing voices broke your concentration. Damn it. Well, better to post when you look your best anyway.
“Dad, let’s get ice cream!” Two shrill girls cried out, catching your attention as you put your phone away. You watched them for a moment while trying to fix yourself up, a warm feeling settling inside your chest. They were so cute!
“Keep walking,” responded another voice, this one more grizzled and old. Ah, probably their dad. You were only half listening now, scrolling through your music to find the perfect song to keep strolling to. And maybe a takeout place along the way…
“Aw, can’t we have ice cream?”
“Nope, no one’s having ice cream.”
Oooh, I should actually get some of that ice cream…
“Aw, no fair! But Muffin is getting some!”
You strolled past the bickering family to order yourself something from the ice cream cart, as a reward for doing so well getting here today. Your first treat of Brisbane! I mean, you packed up all your luggage yourself, boarded the plane on time, and even resisted your air sickness this time ‘round, didn’t you?
“Hi, hello. Could I have a double chocolate in a cup, please?” You asked, tail wagging a little too much to be considered appropriate. The ice cream lady smiled at you, nodding.
“What size would you like that to be?”
“Extra large, please.” (Go big or go home, right?)
The lady handed you your iced treat, and you handed her the money she was due. You waved goodbye, and began your trek of exploring your environment, when suddenly you heard a loud voice and a tiny paw pointing at you.
“How come they get ice cream and I don’t?” She whined, standing in front of your path as her sister peered from behind her, nodding. Looking closer, you realized it was the tiny blue heeler from earlier, her eyes locked onto your cup of frozen delicacy. Why was she talking to you? Well, no, you knew why. She wanted your treat. But why would you be the example of choice? Did your eyebags somehow attract her attention? What was going on? Your brain was too tired to come up with any sense of logical explanation to this strange girl suddenly stopping you in your tracks. The only thing you managed to get out in a haze of confusion was-
“Um, what?”
“BLUEY!”
“What?”
“You can’t just stand in people’s way, mate! And you can’t point at them, either!” Bluey(that was her name)’s dad suddenly took her shoulder and tugged her back into him, moving her to the side of the path. She pouted, her ears pointing downwards.
“Ah, sorry about that. She’s just overly excited.” Your attention suddenly snapped up as you realized this stranger was talking to you, now! A slightly rugged-looking dog looked back at you, a half-smile resting on his lips as he offered his paw out as an apology. Oh. The girl’s dad. You shook your head, shaking his extended paw.
“Oh, no no. It’s okay. I was just a little surprised, is all.” You returned his grin, as he gave a small sheepish chuckle at the situation. It certainly was a little bizarre. His laugh rang deep in his chest, gravelly and warm. You could spot a glint of his sharp canines as he smiled, your ears unintentionally twitching ever so slightly.
“I’m Bandit, nice to meetcha.” (Bandit? What a fitting name) “These are my daughters, Bluey and Bingo.” The two girls waved and offered a simultaneous hello. You waved back.
“I’m Y/N. Nice to meet you all too!”
“Um, Y/N, is that ice cream good?” The smaller of the two sisters suddenly chimed in, peeking out from behind her father’s legs. Her voice was so soft, it was almost as if the wind has whispered it.
“Bingo! We are not getting ice cream today!” Bandit muttered to her, his eyebrows furrowing in slight frustration. Hmm.
“Actually, it is pretty good. Today’s ice cream day too, you know.” You replied, bending down to the girls’ level.
“An ice cream day?” They both shouted, bursting out from Bandit’s grip and wagging their tails excitedly. The force of their tails were so much that their entire body shook too to balance it out.
“Mmhm! That means it’s the law that you have to eat ice cream today. Or else, you’ll go to prison!”
“WHAT!” This caused a frenzy between them, dancing around her father in playful panic. They playfully pleaded how they couldn’t go to jail, yelling and squealing with eachother. Bandit huffed, a hidden smile remaining visible despite how hard he tried to fight it. You stood up again, triumphant.
“Aw, come on. Now I have to buy them, you bouncer!” He exclaimed, sarcastically shaking his head with both paws on his hips. You giggled a little at that, over dramatically rolling your eyes at him as well.
“You should have just bought them in the first place, you know. Then I wouldn’t a’ had to intervene.” Bandit chuffed, and you hummed in satisfaction.
“Oy… Alright then, let’s go.” He conceded.
“Hooray!” The two girls ran ahead, excitedly picking out their flavors from the ice cream woman. Bandit followed after slowly, giving you a wave as he passed. You did too, starting to go about your way. That was such a sweet interaction- a lovely introduction into Brisbane. You wondered if everyone else is just as nice as that family there… well, hopefully you’d see them again sometime on another walk. But just before you could take your first bite of chocolate, Bandit called out to you.
“Hey, Y/N! That’s a good ice cream flavor!” He yelled, his daughters still bouncing up and down trying to choose a good flavor. He mouthed the words “My favorite” at you while pointing to your cup. You laughed, scooping up a large spoonful and taking a big bite.
“Duh, it’s chocolate!”