Report 031 - [Video//Fail!Filter to House of Love and Pictures]

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[Riza sits on her bed, smiling widely, perhaps more than she's smiled in quite a long time.  Beside her is a fluffy white puppy, about the size of a cat, wagging his curled tail.  He yips a couple times, mouth open in a doggy smile.  Riza shushes him, trying to get his barking under control.]

Everyone, this is Dakota.  He's still young, so he'll

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[general_mustang]

What?

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Hm? I said-

[She looks back at the post.]

...Not that.

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[general_mustang]

[He can't help but chuckle, eyebrow arching a little as he watched her.]

How odd.

How's Dakota?

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It is. I've been seeing some other gibberish on the network, too. I said thank you, again.

[She smiles at mention of the puppy and aims the PCD toward him. Dakota wags his tail faster at seeing Roy.]

He's very vocal, but seems happy. And energetic. I think we'll have to walk him a lot.

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[general_mustang]

[See Roy blush juuuuuust slightly.]

Really, it's no problem. I saw the opportunity and... how could I not act in that situation?

[Calm now, he chuckles when he sees Dakota, giving him a wave.]

I'm sure we can find time in our busy schedule to walk him.

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[Sees that blush and smiles warmly at Roy. D'aww, he's so cute sometimes.]

Jeg stadig sætter pris på det.

[The dog barks at his "daddy" and Riza pets him, shushing him. Really, this puppy gives his opinion freely.]

Did you get a leash? Io non ho da fare oggi.

[ooc: Have some Danish and Italian.]

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[general_mustang]

[He just stares at her as she speaks, only getting from that, that she hopes to get a leash out of him. Without a word he dangles the item in front of the PCD and smiles.]

There's something wrong with your PCD... Try again when I get back?

I'm on my way.

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[...Sigh. Figures, right? She just pets Dakota and waits.]

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[general_mustang]

[He nods, and shuts off the link.]

[Offline]

[It's not long until he's home again, letting himself in and chuckling at the bark.]

Sorry it took so long.

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[As soon as Roy is in the door, Dakota rushes over to him and barks in greeting, jumping up high enough to rest his front paws on Roy's knees. He's happy to see you!

But Riza is a little less enthused about such a welcome.]

Dakota, down.

There's nothing to apologize for.

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[general_mustang]

[He laughs softly as Dakota bounds over, shaking his head and turning his back to the dog, hand out to stop him jumping up again.]

It's down.

[Without another word he wanders over to Riza, slumping back onto the sofa and setting the leash in her lap, leaning over to kiss her cheek.]

No?

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[Dakota tilts his head at Roy's back. But...what does that mean? He sits up on his back legs again, but doesn't jump on Roy, just looks slightly confused. Finally, he can't balance that long and resorts back to four-legged travel, following "daddy" to the sofa where he sits in front of them.

Riza watches this, impressed with the quick learning Dakota possesses. She smiles lightly at the kiss and leans down to praise the puppy.]

You do what you have to, that's all.

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[general_mustang]

[He looks more than pleased with himself at Dakota's reaction, but just sits on the sofa beside Riza as she leans forward to praise the puppy. He can't help but reach up to touch her, placing his hand gently in the middle of her back. He's well aware of what's under her shirt there, but he can't go without reminding her he's right there at the moment.

Her words possibly sink in a lot more than usual, and he can't help the smile. It's always been the same with her.]

I'm sure he was no trouble whilst I was away. You seem to have him under control.

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[She scratches Dakota behind the ears, enjoying this moment. It's almost peaceful, just the three of them. Even when Roy touches her back, which she's understandably wary of, she feels safe.]

He wasn't. Stay.

[She points to Dakota, then leans back up, and slightly into Roy's side.]

It's good to have a dog again. I...miss Hayate, but I'm not sad.

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[general_mustang]

[He watches her ruffles Dakota's fur, smiling at the moment. It's good to have this between them. They're like a little family. When she leans back he can't help a chuckle, but his arm slips around her waist, keeping her close.]

I hoped you'd feel that way about it. Hayate won't know you've gone.

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[It feels good being close to him like this.]

But Dakota is not Hayate, or a replacement. He is Hayate's equal and will be just as loved and cared for.