+1 Puppy!

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity's back in the Nexus, with the stripes and the crazy braids as usual, but this time she's not alone. With her, or more accurately, in her general vicinity there is a small and adorable puppy. White fur with brown ears and striped tail and stockings. There could not be a more appropriate dog for Verity in all the multiverse. (And you all thought she was a cat person.) The pup is bright-eyed and curious, sniffing and examining everything within the range of its leash, then going back to make sure nothing's moved or changed. It's on to you, stray leaf, you and your blowing hither-and-yon ways.

Ver's got a loose hold on the puppy's leash but is general content to let the little rascal romp and play and explore while she looks on with bemusement. What even is her life. There are so many questions she could ask: how did she end up with a dog, what is she even going to do with a dog, when did she become such a softy... but those aren't questions for the general populace.

"So... I've got a dog now. Anyone got ideas for names?" She doesn't have to take the bad suggestions, she figures, so that should be a safe question. "And, um. Tips? For training her and... so on? Or a limit they'd like to helpfully try to impose on how many toys I buy for her?"

Anyone who doesn't want to deal with baby animals can blame Clint for not answering his phone. He is, after all, great with dogs.

Comments

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Verity isn't the only one out walking. Her new companion elicits some surprise from certain quarters, such as the well-dressed gentleman passing by. "Verity?" The dog is receiving a curious look, one sharp brow raised. "Dare I ask how this came about?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Hey, boss." Schön gets a friendly smile that, upon the second question, turns embarrassed. "We-ell..."

It's never a good sign when she starts drawing words out like that. She's from Manhattan, it's unnatural! "You know that new pet store down the street from the farmer's market I like? I swear I was just going to look. I wasn't even planning to go inside! But then someone came out with a basket of puppies that needed playing with. To socialize them."

While she's talking, puppy trots over to meet Schön. His shoes get some sniffs, but it's the cane she's really interested in. It smells fantastic, like every good thing! She yips at it before sitting to look up at Schön hopefully. They're gonna be friends!

"And... well... just look at her." Ver sighs and shrugs. She was helpless before the persuasive powers of puppy.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Dear oh dear, if Verity is drawing out words, it must be something momentous, indeed. While Verity's telling her tale, although he is listening, Schön tilts his head down to watch the puppy's approach, and a little to one side as he considers the little striped lady.

"She does have a certain charm," he concedes, adding, "is she honest?" Bending down, he offers a hand for the puppy to sniff with all the grave formality of introducing oneself to royalty.

[brave_heart_verity]

Isn't it terrible? Horrible and vicious and slobbering, this beast of hers. Not fit for human companionship. Not cute at all.

Puppy sniffs, then gives his fingers a lick before headbutting Schön's hand to let it be known pets would be acceptable. Perhaps even welcome. Her tail is going a mile a minute. She seriously might manage to fly if she keeps it up.

"Most animals are," she points out. "So... this isn't against my lease, right?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

The call for pets does not go unanswered; a slim hand strokes the top of that fuzzy head a few times before scratching behind her ears.

"Is she house-trained? Does she tend to chew on corners?" It's not a hard yes, but it's not a hard no, either.

[brave_heart_verity]

Ooooooooh Schön is the best sort of tall one! Pets and scratches, what a day! Puppy pants happily before flopping over to expose her tummy.

"Mostly, and not as far as I'm aware. I will, of course, pay for any repairs necessary." It's either gonna be a hard yes or a hard 'fuck, I just finished decorating and now I need to move', which would be sad. "Your ad does say 'pet-friendly'."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Well, isn't that charming? That exposed tummy is going to get some scratches, too. "Such a friendly little creature you are, yes."

To Verity, he nods, admitting, "it does. My only concern would be for the art, but I don't imagine she will be jumping up to savage it. If she chewed corners, and there were murals, I would worry more. So no, this is no breach of lease."

[brave_heart_verity]

Puppy ruffs happily and pawbumps the air. Such happys. Much joys. She's going to be a good friend to Schön. They are going to go on adventures and have all the fun. This is a Puppy Promise.

If he's not careful, his love for all things small and cute and friendly won't be a secret much longer. "Good. Thank you. She's grateful, too." Yeah no Puppy's just having a tummyrub high right now, tongue lolling out and everything. "I'm surprised you haven't had any suggestions for names."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Young dogs and children have a certain innocence the thin man finds precious. It's not a secret he keeps particularly well.

"So I see. Hmm. With her zeal and friendliness, perhaps she is a Fiona? What do we think, puppy?" he adds, with a few more scritches. "Does Fiona suit us?"

[brave_heart_verity]

It's nice to know he has a weakness, and it's not one many would consider a flaw. He's a better man for it.

"Fiona?" The name doesn't mean much to Verity, so she's giving him a questioning look now. "It's pretty. What does it mean?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Oh, there are many who would consider a fondness for fragile things a flaw, but they are horrible people and we shan't think of them.

"She was a great lady, gracious in peace and fearless in battle, known best of all for the very great capacity of her heart."

[brave_heart_verity]

Better a life misspent on fragile things. Especially considering the moral debts he collects.

"Hmm. She sounds nice." She has a feeling there's more to it than that, but she also knows there are things he'll never tell her, and things he won't speak of in public. It'll keep. "Fiona. Definitely shortlisted. Thank you."

Puppy yips, perhaps at the name or perhaps they're talking too much and petting too little. If tummy scratches are over, she'll get up and move on to investigate Schön's shoes. Such sniffs!

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Well, his shoes are shiny, and smell of fresh polish, but they also smell like they've been any number of peculiar places.

"You're welcome. Is there anyone you might like to honor? That could be another fitting name."

[brave_heart_verity]

Oh yes, very worth investigating. Sniff sniff, paw tap, scampering. Schön is just full of delights!

Schön can see the little signs in her expression of the pain she's getting better at hiding. The way the light in her eyes dims and gravity seems to be heavier for a moment. But she tries to make a joke of it, despite all that. Or because of it. "Oh... considering Loki's luck with dogs, I don't think he'd appreciate it."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Ah, of course. Really, who else would Verity honor? Bending down again, Schön gives the puppy a nudge back in the direction of her human, a gentle suggestion that Verity might need the attention more at the moment. The shoes will still be there later.

"Ah, perhaps not. Does anything roll particularly pleasingly off the tongue?"

[brave_heart_verity]

It's a pretty obvious choice, but that doesn't make it wrong.

Puppy doesn't understand at first. Does Schön not like her anymore? It's only when she turns to her tall one for sympathy that she realizes, oh no, sads! Must defeat the sads! Time for upsies, tall one, so that Puppy can lick away all the sads.

(There may be a reason Verity let herself get talked into this.)

"I've never really thought about it," she admits quietly. Baby names aren't something she's let herself mull over in life. Puppy will have her upsies and a cuddle.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Alright, clearly Schön is going to need to talk with this dog when she's a little older about the fine art of subtle hints, but for now it's enough that she got to the conclusion intended. Good dog.

"Hmm. Perhaps a great lady of history--Boudica, who refused to be held accountable for someone else's choices? Theodora, the great empress? Elvira, after the comedienne?"

[brave_heart_verity]

Puppy's young! She'll learn. Small animals and children require patience after all. For now, there are cuddles and a wagging tail, and Ver's sads don't linger long. It's a win.

"Boudica? Wasn't she a warrior queen or something?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"She was: queen of the Celts. Her husband, while he lived, ran up debts with Rome, and when he died Rome turned to her, expecting to collect." He chuckles softly, shaking his head. "Celtic belief includes a form of reincarnation, and it's believed that a soul reborn carries any debts left over from its past lives. Boudica told Rome to wait for his next life and collect from him then, as the debt wasn't hers."

[brave_heart_verity]

"This is why you need to read the terms and conditions before signing on the dotted line," she points out with a sigh. "So she went to war over annoying debt collectors?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"And to watch what may be signed by the spouse," he agrees. "And she did."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Hmm. That too. Good thing Matt's a lawyer. Did she win?"

Puppy wants more pets now please. Yip?

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Puppy can have more pets, although for Verity's question, Schön has to sigh and shake his head. "I'm afraid she did not, at least not in most worlds. Rome was able, with its legions and its mercenaries, to overbear the Celts with sheer numbers."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Oh. That's too bad." Ver sighs, and focuses on puppy again. Cute is better than disappointment. "It's still a good name. Boudica."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"It is," he agrees. "I would very much have liked to see her win."