Samuel's first day on the job.   (Chapter 2 of Samuel's story)

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Tagged (plot, m/m/M/M/F, no yiff)
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Now where were we, oh yes, a young beagle who was living on the streets has found his life suddenly taken a turn for the better.  After meeting a well dressed dingo who has helped him stay out of jail, explained some of the basics of mating, and just offered him a job which includes food and lodgings.

Now let us return to a small restaurant on the south side of a city square...

Samuel's Pick-Pocketing Surprise 
Chapter 2 - Orange Sneakers Are The Best!

Shelly smiling, collected the dishes from the pair of canines saying "If you gentlefurs would like to wait near the door, I will wrap up Sam's food and get you on your way as quickly as I can." The young bilby then headed off to the kitchen to make up Samuel's doggy bag.

Getting up from the table Kuenia and Samuel started heading side by side towards the restaurant's front door.

"Kuenia, you should ask shelly if she knows any furs that are looking for new clothes." Samuel said then dropping his head he continued "I don't think I will be able to help you find furs who can afford the sort of clothes you make. I really only ever speak to rich furs after I have lightened their load, and what we say to each other is not exactly polite."

Kuenia put his paw on Samuel's shoulder turning the pup to face him, saying "Don't underestimate yourself Samuel, I don't expect you to suddenly provide me with a list of clients." Kuenia then playfully patted the young pup down, doing his best to tickle the youngster as he did so and continued "Mind you, if you've got a list of clients on you somewhere I'd love to have it." 

The beagle started to squirm in kuenia's paws, laughing Samuel said "Hey stop that! It tickles. I don't have any list on me."

"Oh, well its a good thing then, that you know furs like shelly who might know other furs that need new clothes." Kuenia said desisting from his poorly disguised tickle attack.  The light of understanding now shining in Samuel's eyes.

"You mean, if I just ask the furs I know, if they know anyone who needs the sort of clothes you make..." Samuel said feeling much happier that he might indeed be able to do this job after all.

"Precisely!" Kuenia said gently slapping the pup on the back and getting him walking once more towards the front door. Then continued "The more furs that know I can make quality clothing, the more likely it is that some fur who needs such clothing will come knocking on my door. It's known as word of mouth advertising."

"Should I ask Shelly, when she comes out with the food, if she knows any fur after clothes then." Samuel asked eager to prove himself to the older male.

"That would be a splendid idea Samuel." Kuenia said as they reached the front door of the restaurant, and as if on cue Shelly came out of the kitchen carrying Samuel's bag of food.

Passing Samuel the bag she said "Here you go sam." then leaning closer shelly whispered "Chef has chucked in two free doughnuts for you two, to celebrate your new job." 

Thank you Shelly" samuel said smiling. "Hey Shelly, do you know any fur who is looking for high quality clothes like Kuenia makes? They're really expensive but they will last for years." 

Before Shelly had a chance to answer, Kuenia interrupted saying "I don't think we will say my clothes are 'really expensive' as part of your sales pitch next time, but I liked the bit about the clothes lasting for years."

"Well, now that you mention it, Mr Clyde the restaurant owner is always complaining that he can't find any decent clothes that fit a large wombat like himself properly." Shelly said then asked Kuenia "Do you have a card I can give Mr Clyde?"

"No, I don't, I really need to get some of them made up. Samuel add that to our shopping list." Kuenia replied.

"Ah, what shopping list?" Samuel enquired.

"He means, you should make a list in your head of things that need to be purchased, right Kuenia?" Shelly said helpfully

"Yes, when you get... as old... as I... am... sometimes you forget things" Kuenia said stooping a little and pretending that he was just shy of deaths door in age causing both young furs to burst into laughter. 

"Perhaps you could ask Mr Clyde if he would like to meet me to discuss his clothing needs, that way I wont waste his time, if he is not interested." Kuenia said to Shelly who getting her laughter under control replied "Sure no problem if you stop back about 4 this afternoon I should have an answer for you. I wish I could afford for you to make me something, but I don't make much doing this job."

"Oh, did I forget to mention, you qualify for the 'Samuel Discount!' " Kuenia said grinning.

"The what?" Samuel exclaimed.

"As a good fursonal friend of Samuel you my dear get a discount on the price of whatever you would like me to make for you. Not only that but if Mr clyde decides to purchase something from me, I will give you one percent of the purchase price as a commission for finding a client for me." Kuenia explained.

"WOW!" Samuel said beaming happily at the idea that Shelly could benefit just because she was his friend."

"Thank you Kuenia, that is very kind of you, but I still don't think I could afford it." Shelly said despondently.

"Oh nonsense." Kuenia said trying to dismiss Shelly's concerns, continuing "We will work something out for you, and besides if you manage to find me a few more clients, you could end up making enough in commissions, that you wont have to pay anything at all. Now what is it that your heart desires?"

"I have always wanted a pretty red dress, something sexy but not you know..." Shelly said timidly, Samuel finishing her sentence for her saying "not like something Jilly and sue might wear when they go out with those males."

"Well, yair." Shelly agreed.

Kuenia reached into his Jacket pocket pulling out the bundle of sample fabric squares and quickly flicking through them, extracted a shiny red piece of silk. Holding it up to Shelly's dappled silky grey fur and talking mostly to himself said "Yes, I think that would be perfect. I don't have much of this stuff left over from another job, but fortunately my young Marsupial there is not a lot of you either." Then handing the fabric sample to Shelly he asked "Do you like it?"

It's beautiful" Shelly said caressing the silk in her paws. 

"Well that's settled then, in a few days once Samuel and I have got the shop setup you can come around so I can measure you up for your new red dress. However for now I'm afraid I need that sample back again" Kuenia said reaching for the shiny red square of silk.

"Oh, sorry, and thank you Kuenia." Shelly said handing the sample back to Kuenia who inserted it back into the pile before shoving the bundle of fabric back into his pocket.

Kuenia smiling gave a slight bow to the young female bilby saying "It's been a pleasure meeting you Shelly, but the day is passing us by so we better make a move."

"Bye Shelly." Samuel said waving and following Kuenia out the door.

"Goodbye" Shelly said sighing and returning the beagles wave as the door closed behind the two canines.

"Where to boss?" Samuel enquired snapping his heels and standing to attention. 

Kuenia laughed saying "Well first of all you can stop that, I run a fairly casual business not a boot camp. Now I think our first priority should be to find a fur who can make me some business cards for us to give out. Any ideas oh great oracle of knowledge?"  

Samuel tapped a clawed digit on his nose for a second and then said "we can go and see george, he can make anything, that cat's the best forger in the city."

"A forger?" Kuenia thought to himself then said "I was sort of thinking more along the lines of a printing house, but if George is the best in the city we better go and see him." 

Five minutes later Kuenia was completely lost, after following the young beagle as he weaved his way through side streets and alley ways until they were standing at the bottom of a rather rusty looking staircase.

"Where here." Samuel said and gesturing with a paw started up the stairs saying "George lives up there on the second floor."

"Are these stair safe?" Kuenia asked a little worried that they might not hold his somewhat more substantial weight compared to that of the beagle.

Samuel called back mocking the older dog "Don't be such a big puppy, these stairs have been here for years."

"That's what concerns me." Kuenia replied as the staircase creaked and groaned with each step he took.

Reaching the top of the staircase Samuel knocked loudly twice on the old steel plated door and then gave 3 quick knocks calling "Hey, G. You home, it's Samuel."

The door burst open to reveal a Tortoiseshell coloured feline that was dressed only in a pair of blue jeans and a black vest. "DOG! It's been a while." the cat said cheerfully, before looking at Kuenia over the top of the rose coloured glasses that sat precariously on the end of his muzzle.
Raising an eye brow george enquired "So, who's the suit?" 

"G. this is Kuenia, my new boss. Kuenia this is George" Samuel said introducing the two furs to each other.

"Nice to meet you Kuenia, please call me G, everyone else does." George said extending a paw for Kuenia to shake.

"The pleasure is all mine G." Kuenia said giving the cat a firm pawshake.

"And you, DOG, got yourself a job, my little pups growing up." George said looking back at Samuel.  "Now, what can I do for you two furs today?" George asked gesturing for them to enter.

"Kuenia needs some business cards made up, and he needs them like yesterday, do you think you can help?" Samuel replied.  
   
"Sure, what did you have in mind Kuenia?" George asked walking over to a large well lit desk covered in various papers and documents that the cat had obviously been forging.

"I don't need anything to fancy, may I?" Kuenia picking up a pen indicated that he would like to write on a scrap of paper sitting on the desk.

"Go for it." George said.

"It just needs to say my name, what I do and where to find my shop, in a nice hand written style. I would love the writing to be gold or silver in colour but that will depend on price." Kuenia said writing down on the scrap of paper exactly what he wanted.

      Kuenia Wangarra 
   Tailor Extraordinaire 
16 crofts street Riverside

George looked at what Kuenia had written saying "That looks straight forward enough. So your a tailor hey, what would you charge for a nice dinner jacket to match my vest.

"About 600 business cards." Kuenia said winking at George.

"400 with real gold leaf ink" George countered

"450" Kuenia parried 

"425" George responded

"Deal" Kuenia said the two furs shaking paws to seal the arrangement.

Samuel blinked asking "What just happened?"

"We Bartered, or agreed to exchange our respective creations for what the other fur creates without the need to pay each other any money." Kuenia explained to samuel.

"Oh, you mean a swap" Samuel said reasonably familiar with the concept, having swapped things with other furs on several occasions when he had no money to trade. 

"How does 25 in an hour, and the rest by the end of the week sound to you Kuenia?" George asked as he unlocked a draw pulling out a jar that contained slivers of gold leaf. Then sitting a steel quill on a small stand he lit a candle placing the flame directly under the quill to heat up the tip.

"That sounds fine." Kuenia said rummaging around in his pockets and finally pulling out a tape measure, began taking measurements of the felines upper body while George was waiting for the quill to get up to temperature.  

For the third time that day, Kuenia pulled out the fabric samples from his jacket pocket and began flicking through the pile, then stopped and looked at Samuel who was sitting on the corner of a table slowly kicking his legs, obviously slightly board as the two older furs worked at their respective crafts.

Kuenia passed the fabric samples to Samuel saying "I have to work out the design for G's Jacket now, so why don't you see if you can find an appropriate fabric, it needs to be strong yet reasonably light and the colour needs to match his vest."

Samuel looked at kuenia rather worriedly saying "But what if I get it wrong?"

"Don't look so serious, if you get it wrong, I'm not going to be mad or yell at you. I will just let you know why it is wrong and help you to learn how to get it right for next time." Kuenia said reassuringly and tousled the beagle's head fur. 

George put down the quill having carefully finished his first card, turned to Samuel and said "But Dog, what if you get it right! Wouldn't that be cool. Here you can use this to help you pick the fabric." The feline removed his vest revealing a surprisingly well toned body and passed the item of clothing to the pup.

Kuenia gave George an approving nod and said to Samuel "Take it over to the coffee table and lay it out with the samples to work out which ones you think might be possibilities, and let me know when you have made your selection." Then turned to George who was now holding a small white card with exquisite gold writing.

"Oh yes G, that will do very nicely." Kuenia said in reply to the cat's unspoken question.

George grinned saying "Glad you like, now just 424 to go. Normally I wouldn't do this sort of job, the repetition gets to be a real drag for an ar-teest like myself.  However any fur willing to give my Dog Samuel here a job, is alright by me and worth making an exception for. Besides it's kittens play compared to the usual stuff I do." As if to emphasise this point he added another business card to the first one beginning to make a small pile.  

"Well, I really appreciate you making an exception for me" Kuenia said as he worked at sketching the felines new dinner jacket on another scrap of paper.

"No problem, Kuenia." George said adding yet another card to the little pile.

In the mean time Samuel had found and laid out all ten black fabric samples from kuenia's little collection and was intently trying to work out which sample might be the correct choice. Samuel thought to himself "This might be sort of fun, if it wasn't for the fact he desperately wanted to impress his new Dingo boss, and a yearning not to choose something that George might hate. After all George was the coolest cat he knew. Thus he didn't want to appear like some lame unsophisticated street pup in front of the feline."

Kuenia glancing over at Samuel a few minutes later noticed the pained and tortuous looks flickering across the beagles muzzle, turned to George and whispered in the cat's ear "I think we better put Samuel out of his misery before his head explodes." George finishing the card he was working on turned to look in the direction of the beagle and laughed at the faces the younger male was pulling as the pup stared at the fabric samples.

Samuel looked up as he heard George laughing and saw the two older males walking towards him.

"Dog, relax!" George said.

Kuenia felt a little guilty about stressing the pup out but was still curious as to whether the younger canine had any natural talent for this sort of thing, smiled at Samuel and asked "So have you made a decision?"

Samuel gulped and extended a paw pointing at a sample of fine weaved suit material.

"Very good Samuel" Kuenia said trying to boost the young pups confidence before continuing "and do you have any close second or third choices?"

Samuel Sighed, obviously a little relieved at seemingly making a good choice placed a respective paw on two more samples and looked up at Kuenia.

"Ok, the sample under your right paw is not robust enough for the outside of the jacket, but I think it would make a good lining." Kuenia said patting the beagle on the shoulder. Picking up the two other fabric samples Samuel picked out, Kuenia offered them to George saying "Now we ask the client which they would prefer?" George selected the sample that Samuel had first chosen saying "This ones the bomb, Dog."

Kuenia smiled saying happily "Then it's unanimous this is the best sample for G's jacket. There is just one problem, I don't have any of this material left it was one of the things we need to find today."

The other two furs looked at Kuenia for a second and then George started to laugh, Samuel joined in not exactly sure what he was laughing at but very happy that the two older males liked the fabric that he had chosen.

"So it's the old bate and switch, is it Kuenia?" George said punching the dingo in the arm.

Kuenia didn't really appreciate the implication that he was trying to deceive the feline, but then considered the company he was in and simply said "No, I hope not, I just need to find a local supplier for my material."

"No sweat, Bro. I'm just messing with ya" George said realising that he had  offended the Dingo. "I might be able to help you out there anyway, Dog you need to take Kuenia to see Geena, that wallaby can get her paws on anything." George added as he headed back to the desk to continue making Kuenia's business cards.

"Yair that's a good idea G, is she still in that place on Lonsdale street?"

"Yep, you know it Dog." George replied "Say why don't you get us all a drink, I've got some of that apple cider you like so much." Samuel's paws barely touched the floor as the pup flew into the kitchen to get the beverage and poor it into 3 large glasses.

Kuenia chuckled at Samuel's enthusiasm as he picked up the pen and paper he had been sketching on to make a few final touches before showing it to George for his approval.

Samuel returned to the room walking very slowly and cautiously as he carried the brimming glasses, placing his own on the coffee table he proceeded to pass one to Kuenia and then carefully placed the last glass on the desk next to george mindful not to place the glass anywhere that it could be easily knocked over and ruin any of the felines work. The older furs kindly thanked the beagle for their drinks, before returning to the couch next to the coffee table, where samuel sipped at his own glass savouring each of the drops that past his lips.

A short time later following a brief burping contest between the three males, that Samuel managed to win paws down. George said "Ok all done." passing the twenty five finished cards to kuenia.

"Thank you G, your work is truly amazing" Kuenia said putting the cards into a jacket pocket and shaking the cat's paw, as he continued "Well I hate to just rush off, but we still have a lot to do today. Samuel and myself will be back on Friday Arvo to drop off your dinner jacket and pick up the rest of my business cards. If Geena can't find the material you have selected I will pop back with the closest thing I can come up with to make sure your happy with it."

George laughed as the three furs walked to the door saying "Kuenia if Geena can't find something, it doesn't exist on the planet." then opening the door George shivered saying it's a bit nippy out there." 

"Well you will go around half naked" Samuel said reminding the feline that he still hadn't put his vest back on again.

"Have you got all my fabric samples my young novice" Kuenia asked Samuel.

"Yes boss" Samuel said patting a pocket of his rather tattered pants, prompting Kuenia to think about the pups appearance, if he was going to be representing his business to customers Kuenia really had to make some more suitable clothes for the young beagle.

"Good-oh, then lead me to the great Geena, purveyor of, everything!"  

As Samuel bounded down the stairs three at a time he called back "See ya Friday G."

"See ya, Dog" George called after the beagle. Then turning to Kuenia he added "You better go before that young fur ball leaves you behind."

"Your not wrong there G." Kuenia replied grinning as he started down the stairs after the pup who had reached the bottom by this stage, and who was playfully stomping back up again making the staircase shake with each step.

"Hey stop that, killing your boss on the first day of a job is not a good career move my young pup." Kuenia said as he increased the speed of his descent to get off the rickety staircase as soon as possible; while the booming laughter of a certain feline could be heard echoing down the alley way.

"It's a bit of a walk to Geena's, I suppose getting a cab would be out of the question?" Samuel said as he walked backwards in front of Kuenia tail wagging hopefully.

"Ah, yes, completely out of the question, what's wrong with your young legs anyway?" Kuenia said with a bit of a laugh.

"It's not my legs that are the problem, it's these stupid shoes, they don't really fit me anymore and they make my paws hurt when I have to walk a long way in them." Samuel replied his ears drooping a little.

Kuenia suddenly felt awful at mocking the younger dog and said "Ok, we can't have you getting sore paws." turning the older male squatted indicating to Samuel that he should climb on the dingo's strong broad shoulders.

Samuel jumped on Kuenia wrapping his legs around the older canines neck and grabbed the pointed ears like they were a pair of handles, using them to point the dingo's head in the direction they needed to walk as Kuenia stood up.

Kuenia let out a slight howl of pain saying "Hey take it easy with those young fur or you will be walking again!"

"Sorry Kuenia." Samuel said sincerely before pointing down the road saying "We need to go that way then turn left at the next street."

"Your wish is my command, oh great navigator." Kuenia said as he headed off in the direction that had been indicated by the pup's paw. Kuenia was a little surprised at just how light the beagle felt on his shoulders. "The pup definitely needed to eat more, if he was going to grow up strong and healthy, he would see to that." the dingo thought to himself.

After approximately half an hour of following the beagles directions Samuel finally said "It's just around the next corner." As the two canines rounded the corner in question, Kuenia was astonished to see dozens of furs busily going into and coming out of a shop with various items of all shapes and sizes. No, Kuenia corrected himself to call this place a shop or even a warehouse just didn't do what stood before him justice. That would be like calling a loaf of bread a mere crumb.

Standing at a small table near the front door of the shop was an attractive middle aged wallaby wearing a pretty floral dress and a blue apron, who seemed to be miraculously controlling the Chaos that surrounded her.

Kuenia glanced up at the pup sitting on his shoulders.

"Yep, that's Geena." Samuel answering the older canine's question before it was asked. "Now giddy-up" Samuel said gently kicking his heals into the dingos chest.

"Good morning Geena" Kuenia said as he came to a stop in front of the table the wallaby stood at. 

Geena looking up from the paperwork she was filling in wondered briefly how the dingo knew her name, before recognising a certain beagle perched on the canines shoulders.

"Good day to you sir, are you aware you have some sort of strange growth on your back?" Geena said smiling up at Samuel, who gave his usual response of extending his tongue as far as it would reach and tilting his head to one side. 

"Oh really, I hadn't noticed." Kuenia said playing along.

Samuel leaned forward to look into Kuenia's eyes saying "I would like to get down now please." the unexpected shift in weight combined with the sudden appearance at the end of his muzzle of an upside down beagles face with a pear of ears dangling from what was currently the bottom of a head almost made the dingo loose his balance for a brief second. 

Geena observing the site began to laugh heartily.

Kuenia squatted bowing slightly to allow Samuel to jump off leap frog style, before the dingo straightened up again brushing the dust from his suit  that had been transferred from the beagle's less than spotless clothing and leg fur.

Samuel smiling Looked up at Geena saying "Allow me to present Kuenia Tailor Extraordinaire the maker of quality clothing that lasts for years" then cupping a paw to his muzzle added conspiratorially "but its not cheap!"

Kuenia gave the pups ear a playful swipe at the last comment "Better but I still think you need to work on your wording my young pup."

Geena laughed again and said "Allow me, Sammy when your trying to sell something, a product or an idea, its all in the way you word it. In this case you could say 'You have to pay for the quality of Kuenia's clothing which will last you for years.' That way your not calling the clothing cheap or expensive yet you still convey to the fur you are talking to that if they want the quality kuenia is offering them, then they need to be prepared to pay for it." Geena said running a paw over kuenia's suit, feeling the texture on her pads.

"Geena, stop flirting with the customers" came a voice breaking into Geena's thoughts. 

"Hey, if you looked like this hunk, I might flirt with you a little more often." Geena fired back playfully. Then turning back to Kuenia, Geena said "This is my hubby Jim."

"Hi I'm Jimbara, but everyone just calls me Jim." the male wallaby said extending a paw to Kuenia, who grasping the limb gave the wallaby a firm pawshake.

Jim then turning to Samuel beeped his nose saying "And how are you today, trouble!"

Samuel pretending to be highly offended said "I bring you a new customer, and this is how I am treated" giving a snort and a flick of his muzzle stomped off into the shop to see what strange treasure he could find. Leaving the three older furs in hysterics at his performance. 

"So how'd you meet Sammy" Geena ask curiously.

"He tried to pick my pockets." Kuenia said matter-of-factly "So I offered him a job as my delivery pup, which I thought might be a better career for him to pursue."

The two marsupials just stared open mouthed at the dingo for a second, then Geena said "Well good for you, that pup deserves a break. Now what can we do for you today?" 

"I am new in town, and need to find a supplier or two of quality fabrics and buttons etc. that I can use to make my customer's clothing." Kuenia said earnestly.

"hmm..." Geena said contemplatively "We have a few things that might fit the bill, but you might be better talking to, Harry?" Geena added Glancing at Jim who agreed. 

"Yep Harry's the fur to talk to for the sort of stuff your after, we don't get a lot of furs looking to buy the higher end fabrics around here." Jim said agreeing with his wife's assessment of the situation. Then an idea popped into the male marsupials head "But hang on, didn't jack trade some fancy material with us last week for a new wheel for his cart.

"Yair, your right. Mind you, it probably came from Harry in the first place anyway. Jim why don't you take Kuenia inside to see if Jack's fabric is suitable for his needs, and to have a look around for anything else he might be interested in." Geena said smiling always the consummate salesfur."

"Actually, there is something else I need urgently" Kuenia said to Geena.

"Oh yes, what's that" Geena enquired.

"A new pair of shoes for a certain young beagle who has just got a job delivering things and who's current shoes are far to small for his growing paws." Kuenia said as if it was a great secret.

I'll get someone on that right away." Geena said then called out loudly "GARRRY!"

A young wallaby joey, kuenia guessed to be about 10 years of age, suddenly ran out of the shop saying "Yes mum, what-chu want?"

"Go find Sammy, and work out what size of new street shoes will fit his paws comfortably, with a little room for him to grow then come and let me know their price." Geena told her youngest son.

"No worries mum." Gary said dashing back into the shop to find Samuel.

"Placing a paw on the dingo's back Jim gestured for the canine to come with him into the store. From the second Kuenia stepped through the door he was stunned at the humungous variety of objects being displayed on the shops shelves, from pins to wheels to polished stones.

"It's really something, isn't it." Jim said well familiar with furs first impressions of his wife's store.

"It certainly is." Kuenia said as he continued to follow the wallaby male through the isles until they reached a small section dedicated to the raw materials of Kuenia's trade and there sitting on top of a pile of material was a beautiful finely weaved roll of black suit fabric, absolutely perfect for George's dinner jacket.

Kuenia who couldn't believe his luck, asked jim if he had a basket to put some things in."

Sure I'll just grab you one." Jim replied wandering off to find a large basket for Kuenia to fill he hoped, the dingo appearing to be fairly wealthy he thought to himself. 

Mean while elsewhere in the store gary had just found his young beagle friend and was sneaking up to pounce on the younger male who was rummaging through various boxes of mostly old junk, completely oblivious to the marsupials approach.

"Gotcha!" Gary said grabbing the young canine and tickling him mercilessly. 

"Hey, stop it Gary." Samuel said in protest.

Gary let the pup go saying "Mum sent me to find you a brand new pair of shoes."

"Really, you mean, 'new', new. Not you know secondpaw but new to me" Samuel asked optimistically, but not wanting to get his hopes up. The beagle hadn't had anything brand new for as long as he could remember even when his parents were alive it was rare that they could afford to buy him new things. 

"Yair, I mean new, new." Gary said laughing "Now come on, I'll race you to the shoe section."

They both took off at full speed, almost knocking Jim over as the older marsupial headed back to Kuenia with an empty basket in his paw "Hey slow down you two" Jim called after them as he regained his balance, grateful to have a strong tale to lean on at times like this.

"Sorry dad." Gary called back as the two cubs jockeyed for the inside line as they scrambled around a corner and out of sight. 

Five minutes later the shoe isle was strewn with shoe boxes and their contents which had been tried on before being discarded, and at the centre of the blast radius stood a young beagle bouncing up and down with glee, a pair of bright orange sneakers with white laces were attached to his foot paws, that would never be removed again, if the young canine had anything to say in the matter.

Kuenia having finished looking through all the stock that might be of interest to a tailor, had put a few items including the roll of black suit fabric into the basket Jim had brought him. However as Geena and Jim had mentioned a lot of their stock although not rubbish was not of the extra high standard that Kuenia needed for his customer's clothes. 

Jim who had been staying close to kuenia in case this potentially very valuable customer needed some assistance while at the same time was trying not to appear to be looking over the canines shoulder, detected that the dingo was ready to leave and so popped his head into the isle and asked "Got everything you need?"

"Not quite, but it has been a very good start" kuenia answered honestly.

"Well, Harry will be in on Wednesday around lunchtime if you would like to pop back then, I am sure he is bound to have anything else that you might need that we don't have on the shelf. Jim said brightly, trying to hide the disappointment at the small amount of stock that Kuenia had actually purchased.

"Thanks I will do that.  Now I don't suppose you would know where I might find a beagle pup around this place." kuenia said walking with Jim to the end of the isle.

I'm pretty sure they're still in the shoe section, this way." Jim said indicating that Kuenia should follow.

Upon seeing the mess the two youngsters had made Kuenia was most apologetic saying "I'm sorry Jim" Samuel seems to have made a real mess."

"Don't worry about it." Jim reassured the dingo "I'm pretty sure it was a team effort and it looks like it was worth it, given the expression on that young canines face." Then raising his voice and with a wink to kuenia he continued "Besides if it is not cleaned up properly, with all the shoes back in their own boxes I know two young furs that will not be given a piece of Geena's freshly baked Double choc mud cake which has just come out of the oven." 

The two young males burst into life as if they had been struck by lightning rushing around putting all the shoes back into their boxes and piling the boxes back onto the shelves.

"Come on Kuenia lets go out to Geena. I'm pretty sure these two will probably still beat us there anyway considering one of Geena's cakes is involved." Jim said smiling. 

Just as the two older furs reached the front door of the shop, they were join by the two younger males; who almost crashed into them, in an attempt to beat the older pair out the door.

"Everything packed away neatly?" Jim enquired of his son.

"Yes Dad." Gary said before heading over to his mother to find some trace of the promised baked goods.

Samuel twitching his nose announced "It's in here!" patting a paw on a large tin sitting on the table.

"I see your father's got a big mouth" Geena said to Gary "That was to be your dessert after tea tonight, and it looks like someone has a big nose to match" Geena continued gently tapping Samuel on his muzzle who was alternating his gaze between the cake tin and Geena's face doing his best to look cute.

"Very well, you can both have a slice." Geena said then turning to the two older males she said "and I spose you two males would like a piece too?"

"Well you know what they say Geena 'the way to a males heart is via their stomach'." Jim said extending a paw to take a piece of cake from the tin.

"What about you, Kuenia?" Geena said moving the tin so the dingo could more easily reach the tin's contents.

"I've heard so many good things about your cooking in the last minute and a half, how could I possibly say no." Kuenia said graciously as he reached into the tin and extracted a slice of the cake.

"Mmmm... delicious!" Kuenia said as he took a bite, the three other furs spluttering their agreement as they talked with their mouths full. 

"Why, thank you, it is kind of you to say." Geena said to kuenia.

"Kuenia is coming back on Wednesday to see Harry." Jim said to Geena as he finished his cake.

"Yes, I thought he might." Geena replied as she replaced the lid on the cake tin just before gary could pinch a second slice of cake while no one was looking.

"How'd she know?" Samuel whispered to gary.

"Mothers know everything Sammy, and we have good hearing too." Geena said smiling, of course the fact that she could see what was happening behind her from a reflection in the shop window didn't go a stray either.

Kuenia who had now finished his cake reached into his pocket and pulled out three pure silver coins and placing them on the table asked "Is this enough to cover my shopping and Samuel's new shoes?"

Geena looking at what Kuenia had in his basket and glancing at what Samuel was wearing said "No, that's far to much." 

"Are you sure? I would have thought it was pretty close to the right amount especially considering how much I would have paid for fabric like this in the country area where I used to live."

Geena picking up one of the silver coins and adding two copper coins to it pressed the money back into Kuenia's paw saying "Well, your living in the city now, and I am not in the practice of ripping off my customers. So take your change and don't argue with me.

Kuenia smiled and saluting said "Yes Ma'am!"

"NO!!! Don't give her ideas Kuenia, she will have us all saluting her by Wednesday now." Jim said with a groan.

"And why not, I am the captain of this fine establishment, am I not?" Geena said with a mischievous smile.

"Yes, dear." Jim said meekly, but kuenia caught the faintest flicker of a smile on the male wallaby's face as he answered suggesting that there might be more going on here than met the casual observers eye.    

"Samuel, I think it's time we were going before I cause jim any more trouble." Kuenia said smiling at Geena.

"Hah, males your all the same, full of cheek and nothing but trouble." Geena said as she quickly wrapped up Kuenia's purchases in a large sheet of brown paper, before handing the parcel to the dingo saying "It was very nice to meet you Kuenia and we'll see you on Wednesday.

"The pleasure was all mine Geena" kuenia said kissing the wallaby's paw.

"Hey, that's my wife your kissing there." Jim growled feigning  jealousy.

"Oh, I'm sorry jim, where are my manners." Kuenia said grabbing the male wallaby's paw and giving it a kiss as well. Causing the other three furs to burst into laughter.

"Go on, get out of here" Jim mumbled as he too began to laugh, yanking his paw back as if it had been bitten.

"Oh, and I almost forgot, here's my card if you happen to hear of any fur that might need the services of a master tailor" Kuenia said handing Geena one of the business cards george had made for him.

Geena took the card saying "Thank you Kuenia I'll do that." then looking at her husband said "Maybe we should get some pretty business cards like this?"

"Don't be silly Geena, every fur in the city already knows who you are and where to find the shop." Jim replied. 

"That may be true but..." Geena began, Kuenia deciding it best to leave the couple to their discussion raised a paw in farewell before turning to walk away.

"Bye everyone." Samuel said waving broadly at the three marsupials. 

"Bye Sammy" came the staggered reply from each of the three wallabies, the older marsupials taking a break from their discussion over the merits of business cards just long enough to answer the young beagle. 

Samuel falling into step beside kuenia asked hopefully "Hey Kuenia can you carry me again?"

Don't tell me, your paws hurt because you have new shoes?" Kuenia said grinning at the pup.

"No, I just don't want to get my new shoes dirty." Samuel said with a cheeky smile on his muzzle.

"Now I've heard it all! What happened to your old shoes anyway?" The Dingo enquired realising that neither of them were carrying the old footwear.

"Oh I put them back in the box these ones came out of, Geena will find some one who will want them." Samuel replied getting a raised eyebrow from the older male, before continuing "Every so often what she can't sell she gives away to furs like me who can't afford to buy stuff, that's how I first met her when she gave me this shirt to wear."

Kuenia glanced at the somewhat tattered old shirt, thinking "the cloth would barely pass as a rag" then scolded himself for his thoughts "That bit of clothing had evidently served its purpose well for the young pup and Samuel was obviously grateful to Geena for her generosity in giving it to him.

"Ok then climb on, your lordship." Kuenia said squatting to allow the beagle pup to scramble onto his shoulders "But you will have to get those shoes dirty sooner or later if you are going to run errands for me."

"Yair, I know." Samuel said grudgingly "but this way we will only be waring out one set of shoes today, and their not my cool new ones."

Kuenia couldn't argue with the pups logic even if it was self serving on the part of the younger male simply saying "Well I guess that's true."

"So where are we off to now?" Samuel asked playfully using a claw to gently draw designs in kuenia's head fur.

We're heading back to the square to find a market stall to buy some food. All I have in the house is what is left from my move down from the country two days ago. Which is little more than a hunk of cheese and half a loaf of bread.

Oh, well in that case, your heading the wrong way.

Kuenia stopped and looked behind them, he had felt sure that he was retracing the path that they had traveled earlier that day.

Then samuel began laughing at the obvious confusion he had caused the Dingo  saying "Tricked ya, you were going the right way."

"Why you little..." Kuenia said with a growl, and swung the long brown paper covered parcel he was carrying up in a wide arc, so the end came down gently bonking the young beagle pup on the head.

Samuel let out a yip of surprise "Hey, are you trying to give me brain damage."

It was Kuenia's turn to laugh now, the soft material in the package wouldn't hurt a flee, but before he had a chance to say so, Samuel shouted, the gentle blow to the head apparently knocking a memory loose "OH! NO! I left my doggy bag with the rest of my breakfast and the DOUGHNUTS, at G's place. Can we go back and get it?"

Kuenia glanced at the time, thinking for a second before saying "We can get it later.  First we have to finish our shopping, besides George might have some more business cards finished if we go back later in the day."

"Yair, ok." Samuel said unenthusiastically.

"Now the question is, from whom do you recommend we should buy our food.
Keeping in mind I only want to spend two gold coins, and it has to last a full month." Kuenia said looking up at the beagle sitting on his shoulder.

"Tu-two gold coins" Samuel stammered gasping and looking down into the dingos eyes, the beagle had never even seen a gold coin up close and the older canine was willing to spend two of them on food. 

"What, not enough or too much" Kuenia enquired.

Samuel had grabbed the Dingo's head firmly fighting with his brain not to let him faint.  He could eat for more than a week on one silver coin and a single gold coin was worth ten silvers.

"Are you a prince or something? I thought you said you didn't have much money?" Samuel said with a slight accusing tone to his voice as he stared wide eyed down at the dingo's face.

Kuenia chuckled, "No, I'm not a prince, but before I moved down here to the city I did manage to save a little money. I also raised a bit more by selling everything I owned, that I didn't need to live or couldn't use in my new shop.  I meant what I told you earlier, once my money runs out I will be in a real mess if I don't start making a reasonable profit." Kuenia's voice taking on a more somber tone as he said the last part. 

Then Brightening the Dingo continued not wanting to burden the beagle pup with his budgetary concerns saying "However apart from your extravagant breakfast you my young pup have been saving me money all day. So if you can find us some good quality produce, that wont require me spending so much money. I will be the last canine to complain." 

Samuel smiled at the compliment. Although he was feeling ever so slightly guilty at the excessively indulgent breakfast he had ordered, then so carelessly left at George's apartment. "Well there is Charlie he's always nice to me, and gives me stuff at the end of the day, if it is starting to go a bit funny.  Mind you I try to pay him what I can for what he gives me. He has a wife and five children to take care of and really can't afford to be just giving his food away like he does."

Kuenia smiled to himself, he had always thought of the city as a cold cruel place where any furs like Samuel would lead horrific lives just struggling to stay alive.  To a certain extent this was true but the stories he had heard in the last few hours about how generous and kind some furs could be even though they themselves didn't have a lot had warmed the Dingo's heart.
"Very good, lets go see Charlie then."   

Roughly twenty minutes later the double story canine pair stepped into the North side of the square and Samuel pointed in the direction of Charlie's market cart. However as they got closer the beagle from his vantage point on the dingo's shoulders could tell that something was wrong, something was very wrong. The cart was not its usually bright yellow and green colours but a dark grey almost black.  Samuel shouted "PUT ME DOWN" then leaped from Kuenia's back as the shocked dingo stopped to enquire what had happened.  No sooner had the shiny new orange sneakers of the beagle hit the ground and the pup was off and running.  Kuenia rather bewildered began running after the younger canine.  The dingo despite his longer legs really had to push himself to keep up with the young male.

A few seconds later the pair reached the site of a market sellers cart that had obviously been a little to close to a fire. Standing behind the cart was a potaroo with very singed fur who smiled and said "Hi Samuel, how are you today."

"Never mind me charlie, what happened?" Samuel demanded looking horrified at the state of his friends fur.

The two canines stood there gob smacked as the marsupial told the story of how two young joey males had been messing around instead of cleaning the cart last night, and had knocked a candle over that started a fire which the foolish males had tried to put out by themselves, instead of getting their father straight away. Charlie needed to use an axe, to smash his way into the back of the shed in order to rescue the joeys. Who managed to trap themselves with the flames between them and the only exit. Charlie got them out in one piece, and even managed to get the cart out before it was to badly damaged. However the shed was completely destroyed and his fur would probably take a few weeks to grow back properly again.

Kuenia was the first to speak after Charlie finished his story. "I am most relieved to hear no one was badly hurt in the fire. So where does that leave your family and your business?" Kuenia said looking at the various fruits and vegetables that were laid out on a white sheet over the blackened scorched top of the cart.

Charlie who observed Kuenia inspecting his produce said "As you can see I still have a good range of fresh food from our gardens to sell, but lost all our ice boxes in the fire along with most of the stock that was stored in them. From what little we could save, Clairra squeezed as much as possible into the ice box in the kitchen. Since we had no way to stop the rest going off we decided to give it to the Brotherfurs of Mercy for the orphans.     

Kuenia's respect for the potaroo increased even more if that was possible, upon hearing the last part, yes it was probably a case of practicality, but the fact that even after a disaster this fur was still thinking of others was quite admirable.

Charlie continued "As for the family, as I mentioned we got through the fire with only some minor burns and a little missing fur.  Yes things will be a little tough for a while, till we get back on our paws. However we're a hearty mob and it's just a matter of time before we will save up enough to replace what we've lost.  The boys offered to drop out of school and get jobs to pay for the damage they caused. Their mother and I quickly put an end to that idea. We both believe that a good education is priceless." Kuenia nodded his head in agreement. "Mind you those two will be doing a lot more chores and not much else outside of school hours for the next few weeks." Charlie concluded with a small chuckle.

Kuenia came to a decision, he would buy all his food from Charlie for the next month even if it meant Samuel and himself would need to become vegetarians during that period.  "Charlie, if you are able I would like to buy enough food from you to last a month for Samuel and myself. Not all at once mind you, I would need it in weekly increments starting from today."

Charlie smiled, "Sure I think we can arrange that for you." 

"Good!" Kuenia said enthusiastically fishing into his pants pocket and pulling out his money pouch, from which he produced two gold coins. "I trust this will cover things?" he said passing the coins to Charlie, who was about to say "I'm sorry two copper coins is not quite enough." however he suddenly realised that they weren't copper but gold. 

"S-Sir..." Charlie spluttered "this is far to much!"

"Would it pay for the repairs to your home and replacing the stock you lost?" Kuenia enquired still smiling.

"It would go a long way towards that certainly, but I can't accept this for one months worth of food for two furs." Charlie said quite emphatically putting out his paw offering kuenia the money back.

"That Charlie, is one of the reasons I want you to take it. You are an honest hard working, kind hearted fur and from what I can tell this would help you and your family right now. 

Tears started to come to the Poteroo's eyes but still he held out his paw to Kuenia his pride stopping him from accepting the generous offer that would do so much to rectify the situation he and his family found themselves in. "No, Sir, I can't accept this." Charlie said his paw shaking slightly, as if the coins were burning a hole in it.

Kuenia suddenly realised the problem like so many truly generous furs including himself at times it was often easier to give than to receive a gift. "Charlie you should know that I came here today prepared to spend this much on good quality food, just ask Samuel if you don't believe me." Samuel nodded his head vigorously saying "It's true he did!" before Kuenia continued "Ok, well if you won't accept it as a gift. What if you just keep delivering food each week until the money runs out, sort of like a loan that lets you get things fixed up now and you pay it off with food over time."

As Kuenia's words sank in Charlie slowly lowered his paw saying quietly "Thank you sir... your very kind!" Charlie wiped his eyes on the back of a paw before looking Kuenia directly in the eyes and saying "You shall have my very best goods delivered direct to your door step first thing tomorrow, and for your tea tonight..." the Potaroo reached into a small ice box on the side of the cart pulling out a large freshly made egg and spinach quiche. "I want you to have this." the male marsupial said slipping the quiche into a paper bag before popping a few apples into another bag. Passing the food to Kuenia Charlie said "Now is there anything else here that you might like  right now Sir."

Kuenia picked up a peach and taking a large bite out of it he said "Delicious, Samuel you really must try one of these." with that Kuenia chucked a peach in the beagles direction, who fumbled the catch not ready for the flying fruit suddenly hurtling towards him, but still managed to get hold of the juicy red and yellow sphere just before it came into contact with the ground.

"Nice catch pup." Kuenia said both adults laughing.

"Hey, I court it didn't I!" Samuel said a little defensively. "I mean you could have given me a bit of warning!"

"I'm sorry." Kuenia said bowing his head in mock shame before glancing up with his eyes and a twitch of his ears adding "but it was a spectacular catch." as a smile spread across his muzzle.

Samuel poked out his tongue smiling as he too, thought about what his wildly flailing paws must have looked like, when he was struggling to get hold of the fruit.  

Kuenia turned back to Charlie who was still laughing at the antics of the two canines in front of him. "Thank you charlie I think we will be right for food now until tomorrow. However there is two things you can do for me, firstly call me Kuenia, enough of this Sir business; secondly if you hear of anyone who is after quality custom fitted clothing, could you point them in my direction, here is my card." Kuenia said pulling a business card out of his pocket and passing it to the Potaroo. 

"Thank you Kuenia, I will do that." Charlie said as he looked at the card "Is this the address where you would like to have the food delivered?"

"Yes thank you Charlie, that would be great." Kuenia replied.

"What sort of foods do you like?" Charlie enquired.

"As long as it is fresh and tastes good, I'm easy, but I suspect you might know Samuel's tastes a little better than I. So at least some of the food should be based on what he likes to eat." Kuenia said with a wink in the pups direction.

"Sure, no worries.  Just how did you two meet up anyway?"
 
Kuenia and Samuel began the story of how they ran into each other for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day, and went on to describe some of the highlights of the day so far. Then before any of them knew it, almost an hour had past while they had been talking and nibbling on various things as the male Potaroo tried to learn what the two canines liked to eat. They were of course sporadically interrupted by furs coming to buy goods from Charlie which in turn led to them trying even more of Charlie's produce, until eventually they had tried everything on the cart with generally happy results.  Occasionally though samuel had pulled a face like they were trying to poison him. It was agreed that those items would be excluded from the weekly deliveries, with a few exceptions where Kuenia's more mature palette was able to appreciate some of the stronger tastes of one or two items. Including one that Samuel compared to what he produced after answering the call of nature, batting his tongue with his paws to try and remove the taste, much to the amusement of the older males.

Well, it's been great talking to you Charlie and thanks for letting us try all your goods." Kuenia said picking up the two paper bags containing the quiche and the apples.  

"Think nothing of it Kuenia, now I know what you two canines like I can make sure I only bring you stuff you are going to want to eat." Charlie responded with a smile.

"Well, we better make a move, we still have a few things to do today. I'll see you tomorrow Charlie." Kuenia said returning the Poteroo's smile before 
turning to walk away.

"Good bye Kuenia, and thank you for your kindness." Charlie said.

"Your welcome Charlie" Kuenia replied, as Samuel was saying his own farewells to charlie, before they both walked off in the direction of the restaurant they had eaten breakfast in that morning.

Once Samuel deemed that they were out of Charlie's earshot he said "You know that quiche was to be charlie's family's tea tonight, don't you."

"WHAT?" Kuenia said stunned by the revelation coming to a hold and looking at Samuel. "Why didn't you say something? We have to take it back!"

"He won't take it back, even if you tried, you sort of blew his mind by giving him all that money and that was his way of saying thank you, besides if clairra found out that he send you off without a substantial meal for tea to night after your generosity she would hang him up by his balls. 
Don't forget they have their own veggie gardens so they're not going to starve, the quiche was just a little luxury they have every week or so. Mind you it might have been the last one for a while if you hadn't given them those coins." Samuel explained. 

"How do you know all this anyway?" Kuenia ask Samuel thoughtfully.

"I was invited around for tea one night when sarhy one of their joeys was staying with his cousin in the country. Charlie said he didn't want any of the quiche to go to waste, obviously it wouldn't have been wasted, but it was really nice to be asked around for tea. It doesn't happen very often."

Kuenia still wasn't happy about taking this gastronomic treat from Charlie's family even if it had been unwittingly, but still if it was given as a gift, he would accept it graciously. 
	
End of chapter 2.

A/N: Well if your still reading I guess I must be doing something right. As always I am happy to receive constructive feedback.  In Chapter 3 - "New homes and old." Kuenia and Samuel separate from each other briefly as we get to see a bit more of how Samuel was living before he met Kuenia. Samuel also gets to explore his new home for the first time. 
