Something Better

Chapter 1

The sun was starting to recede. Casting a long, thin shadow on a tall jackal as he strode into the mountain town Bureaux. People glanced at him from the dirt roadsides, and small carts selling a variety of foods and items, noticing his fine wear, but it's not like they would ever guess he was a renowned hero, or at least he used to be before shit hit the fan.
Mark didn't know what he was looking for, well. He did, but he didn't know where to look. But all his thoughts were quickly cut short as his own dark blue eyes met those of another. Tall like him, toned, and with well kept fur accompanied by large brown eyes.

Mark strained to look away from the German Shepard, nearly tripping over the cart of an elderly lady anthro, who looked at him, and shook her head on annoyance, moving around him he called out.
"Sorry miss," His attention singled in on the german-shepherd again, and to his luck he'd been watching.
The anthro's attention was focused on a large rhino , wearing gruff clothing. He slung a bag from over his shoulder, and handed it to the dog. He took it with ease, surprising Mark at his strength. He wore a pink tank top, accompanied with dark blue shorts. Mark breathed in. 'Walk over, it isn't that hard.' He thought anxiously. He gathered courage, and strutted over.

The German Shepard noticed him, and waved a greeting as he got close.
"Hello there, what can I help you with?" He asked cheerilly.
"Ohh um, well." Mark started awkwardly,"what is this booth for?" He asked, the dog was surprisingly nice for the town.
"Ohh, so you are just a visitor," he laughed. "Cause there was no way you came from the mines in that clothing." Joked the German, looking him up, and down.

Mark blushed, and laughed.
"You are correct, though I do work a lot." Commented Mark. The dog raised an eyebrow at him.
"What do you do? Seems like you have plenty of time to go on vacations if you chose." He commented. 'Sassy, I like him so far.'

"Well, if you were a Hero like me, you would have plenty of spare time yourself." The grin on the German Shepard's muzzle dissipated.
"What? Come again?" Asked the German Shepard in a skeptical tone.

"Names Mark. I've been a guard on this race of ours for a while now."
The name seemed to ring a bell The German Shepard laughed, and shook his head. 'My luck.'
"Well then, my names Sheph, and I work for the trading unit here in Sork. I have an area below deck, where I keep all the carts, plus my stuff."

Sheph stuck out a paw, and Mark shook it with a grin.
"Pleasure meeting you Sheph. Say, do you stand in this same spot all day?" Mark asked, attempting to start a new conversation. Sheph laughed.

Yeah, pretty much, I sleep down below here during thee night, but I have a sweet gaming setup down there." He replied.
"You should totally come over, and hang sometime." Mark was surprised at the offer, but was delighted at the same time.
"Sounds cool." Mark said, acting aloof. A card was pushed into Marks paw.
"Thats a business card, but connects to my cell, so you can totally call me from there." Sheph said.

"Cool! I'll make sure to. Now let me get out of your way, I'm sure you have another customer to attend to." Said Mark glancing back at the line of burly anthros that had appeared behind him. Sheph waved as he walked towards the huge iron doors that bordered the town, flecked with flakes of what look like crystals, he could barely contain his excitement as he warped back to the base.