[Zack doesn't get a reply this time, but it isn't long before Cloud returns to their apartment. The smell of burnt rubber is overwhelming, lingering in the space once he steps in. He isn't able to make it all the way back to his room before a young corgi scampers up to him, its reddish brown hair practically alight from excitement.
Cloud simply frowns down at her for a moment before walking toward Zack, the dog hot on his heels.]
Glad to see that the place didn't burn down. Mind telling me what happened exactly?
[His expression remains neutral. At least for the mean time.]
[ Zack can only assume the worst with the lack of reply, and is in worried anticipation until the Cloud comes home.
When he does arrive however, the former SOLDIER will attempt to sport his biggest smile. Trying desperately to avoid the look of worry in his eyes as Cloud approaches. ]
I, uh, managed to stop the fire before it got any worse, but... [ His words drift as he gives Fira a glance, sighing. ]
She managed to get into your room while I wasn't looking. I think it was when I was looking for her toys? Turned around for one minute and the rest... well, y'know.
[So there really was a fire, huh? His own glance follows Zacks to start the pup at their feet. She looked far too proud of herself considering the chaos she had just caused.]
You're just full of surprises, aren't you?
[They knew that she ran quite hot which led them to choose the name for her. What they didn't know however was exactly how appropriate it was. At least not until the first time she spontaneously combusted out of excitement. Just how in the hell did Tifa deal with this sort of thing? One dog alone seemed to be a handful for both him and Zack.]
We'll have to figure out how to train her somehow. Ever work with the K-9 unit back with SOLDIER?
Aw, y'know she didn't mean it, though! [ Even if she's being!!! So bad!! Zack will hunch down to give her a pet on the head, all while shaking his own. ]
Nah, they had me in the field most of the time. [ He'll... try to keep it vague for right now. Cloud having a memory induced headache was not on his list of plans for today.... but a dog induced headache? Probably. ] But we had a couple of neighborhood dogs back home, so it can't be that hard.
[Cloud just frowns at how friendly Zack is being with the pup. Especially after what she did. Fira nuzzles against Zack's hand, barking happily at the attention she's being given.]
Okay, dog whisperer. How do you suggest we stop her from lighting things up then?
[He places his hands on his hips, staring down at the both of them. Look, if Zack has an idea, he's all ears. It's not like he knows how to handle animals, let alone actual pets.]
[If only because it's the weakest of the ice spells. Meanwhile, Fira just yips and wags her tail as this conversation continues, almost as if she understands that they're talking about her. Cloud shakes her head at her.]
Not that you'd understand what that means. [He's at a loss here.] Think we should ask around?
[Something tells him that Eustace might judge them for it and his pride can't take that. But at the same time, they were at a loss. He looks down at Fira who stares back up at him, getting on her feet to eagerly approach him. She whines slightly and starts pawing at him]
...Hey, Zack. Do you think she did that because she wanted to take a walk?
[Cloud stares blankly at Zack for just a moment before deciding not to comment on it.]
Maybe. That and maybe she gets antsy stuck here on her own.
[To test the theory, Cloud goes to fetch Fira's leash. When he does she starts panting quickly, making circles as she looks towards it eagerly. Leaning down, he attaches it to her collar. The corgi barks happily in response, tail wagging wildly behind her. Cloud smiles at that. Even he has to admit that she's being cute.]
At least we know she wants to go on one now. [He looks back up to Zack.] You coming with us?
[ Zack will watch closely as he goes to retrieve the leash and can only begin to grin at the results. Ahhhh, there we go! ]
Too bad she can't talk, huh? May make this a little bit easier. [ But it was a start, if anything! Now he knows to include her in their deliveries from here on out. ]
Oh, yeah! I'm in! [ Grinning wildly he'll make for the door too, quickly trying to put on his own shoes with the whole "not bothering to untie and just slip on" effect. ]
Let's do this, Fira! [ As she happily barks at the two of them, tail continuing to wag in anticipation. ]
[As soon as they're all ready, Cloud steps out of their apartment with Fira in tow. The corgi eagerly heads out of the building, all too ready to take in the fresh air.]
We know when she wants to now. That's what matters. Either that or we'll run out of shoes first.
[Cloud shoots Zack a stern look, but it fades quickly, seemingly as a joke more than anything. The two of them might still be learning how to take care of a pet, but this was a win for them today, even if it's a small one.
And at least the didn't have to ask Tifa or Eustace for help in the end. Now that was a big win.]
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spikyheaded) wrote2023-03-05 09:18 pm
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Burnt rubber? What are you talking about?
You know what, never mind. I'm heading home.
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Cloud simply frowns down at her for a moment before walking toward Zack, the dog hot on his heels.]
Glad to see that the place didn't burn down. Mind telling me what happened exactly?
[His expression remains neutral. At least for the mean time.]
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When he does arrive however, the former SOLDIER will attempt to sport his biggest smile. Trying desperately to avoid the look of worry in his eyes as Cloud approaches. ]
I, uh, managed to stop the fire before it got any worse, but... [ His words drift as he gives Fira a glance, sighing. ]
She managed to get into your room while I wasn't looking. I think it was when I was looking for her toys? Turned around for one minute and the rest... well, y'know.
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You're just full of surprises, aren't you?
[They knew that she ran quite hot which led them to choose the name for her. What they didn't know however was exactly how appropriate it was. At least not until the first time she spontaneously combusted out of excitement. Just how in the hell did Tifa deal with this sort of thing? One dog alone seemed to be a handful for both him and Zack.]
We'll have to figure out how to train her somehow. Ever work with the K-9 unit back with SOLDIER?
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Nah, they had me in the field most of the time. [ He'll... try to keep it vague for right now. Cloud having a memory induced headache was not on his list of plans for today.... but a dog induced headache? Probably. ] But we had a couple of neighborhood dogs back home, so it can't be that hard.
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Okay, dog whisperer. How do you suggest we stop her from lighting things up then?
[He places his hands on his hips, staring down at the both of them. Look, if Zack has an idea, he's all ears. It's not like he knows how to handle animals, let alone actual pets.]
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[ Helpful. So helpful.
But to something who should never should know how to have fire in the first place... it may prove to be a bit more difficult. ]
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We can't have her wrecking another pair of shoes just to train her. [Pause.] But if we do, it better be yours next time.
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[ And he hasn't read any. ]
What do we gotta do? Get a spray bottle or something? [ Because he doesn't want his shoes being messed up like Cloud's too. ]
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[If only because it's the weakest of the ice spells. Meanwhile, Fira just yips and wags her tail as this conversation continues, almost as if she understands that they're talking about her. Cloud shakes her head at her.]
Not that you'd understand what that means. [He's at a loss here.] Think we should ask around?
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[ Good job on the materia puns, though. He knew you had a sense of humor!
But... hm. This was getting a little complicated. ]
We could... but doesn't that feel like giving up? If we talk to Eustace or Tifa they might think we're not good dog parents.
[ Which he in fact IS. Clearly... by the shoes and all that. ]
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I'd prefer not to bring them into this either.
[Something tells him that Eustace might judge them for it and his pride can't take that. But at the same time, they were at a loss. He looks down at Fira who stares back up at him, getting on her feet to eagerly approach him. She whines slightly and starts pawing at him]
...Hey, Zack. Do you think she did that because she wanted to take a walk?
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[ Huh. He considers, looking from Fire to the door, and then back again to her. ]
Y'know that kinda makes sense. We put on shoes to go outside, so maybe she was trying to put on the shoes, too!
[ Okay maybe not exactly on the right track, but at least he was in the same train station. ]
Maybe she misses us when we're out.
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Maybe. That and maybe she gets antsy stuck here on her own.
[To test the theory, Cloud goes to fetch Fira's leash. When he does she starts panting quickly, making circles as she looks towards it eagerly. Leaning down, he attaches it to her collar. The corgi barks happily in response, tail wagging wildly behind her. Cloud smiles at that. Even he has to admit that she's being cute.]
At least we know she wants to go on one now. [He looks back up to Zack.] You coming with us?
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Too bad she can't talk, huh? May make this a little bit easier. [ But it was a start, if anything! Now he knows to include her in their deliveries from here on out. ]
Oh, yeah! I'm in! [ Grinning wildly he'll make for the door too, quickly trying to put on his own shoes with the whole "not bothering to untie and just slip on" effect. ]
Let's do this, Fira! [ As she happily barks at the two of them, tail continuing to wag in anticipation. ]
🎀
We know when she wants to now. That's what matters. Either that or we'll run out of shoes first.
[Cloud shoots Zack a stern look, but it fades quickly, seemingly as a joke more than anything. The two of them might still be learning how to take care of a pet, but this was a win for them today, even if it's a small one.
And at least the didn't have to ask Tifa or Eustace for help in the end. Now that was a big win.]