The Big Hurrah

[arsenal_arrow]

(Bendy-timed to August 17th)Lian's been distracted most of the day doing other things, but that doesn't mean she doesn't suspect there's a party being planned for her. She'd be right. Unknown to her (though Roy didn't put anything past his baby girl), there's been quiet setup for weeks

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[make_contact]

Joey arrives a little later than some of the other guests, guitar on his back and Apollo on a harness leash at his side. The puppy is still running circles around him trying to trip him up as they reach the front door. In fact by the time Joey has run the doorbell the leash is cutting off circulation to his right foot.

Joe can only hope that a whole afternoon with a gang of children paying him some attention will wear the little guy out so that he'll actually SLEEP through the night instead of waking his loving owner up in the wee hours of the morning with licks on the face and possibly bites on the ear.

He whistles three particular notes to get the puppy's attention, picking him up once he scampers over. This is going to be an interesting party, doubtless.

[starinopal]

In eye sight of Jack, Teddy is making his hyper rounds at the party, yammering off at one person until another catches his fancy. He's worked his way back to the door to greet guests as soon as they come in, and tell them all about the awesome cookies Ma Hunkle let him deliver.

"Oh, hi! I bet you're here for th--" Teddy's frozen, wide-eyed and fascinated. They live in a house, but dad says something about a "lees" every time Teddy asks for a puppy.

"Neat dog! Can I pet him?"

[make_contact]

Joey beams as he steps inside the house, Apollo wriggling excitedly in his grip, alternately licking his fingers and trying to leap out of his arms.

Once the door is shut Joey nods to Teddy, crouching down still holding the puppy so that Teddy can pet him without getting bowled over by eight pounds of wriggling dog.

Apollo makes an excited little whining noise and pushes his head toward Teddy, tail thumping back and forth like an especially speedy metronome.

[_ghosty_girl_]

Greta smiles, sitting a tray of finger-pastries on the table, and comes over to give Apollo a scratch before signing to Joey.

"Welcome to the grouping" Greta says, then frowns as she realizes that that's not the word she wants.

"Sorry. Still new to signing talking" Greta says with a sheepish smile.

[make_contact]

Joey beamed back at her, gently setting the puppy down on the floor and pinning the leash under his foot to keep him close, freeing up his hands to sign back to her.

"It's okay, your sign is pretty good." He holds out a hand to her to shake, points to himself, a spells out his name with his free fingers.

[nation_titanse]

Lilith tries a different approach. Is this still okay? she asks, using her telepathy.

[make_contact]

He jumps a little bit, can't help it, but smiles and nods once he realizes what's going on. Voices in his head always bother him a little, but it's alright when he can see who he's talking to.

Yeah, it's fine. How are you?

[nation_kids]

"So you're what Henry's babbling about," Lian says as she gets close enough to Joey, Lilith, and Greta for Apollo to start sniffing at her sneakers. As soon as Apollo licks her hand Lian forgets that she came over to say hi, and kneels in front of the puppy with a small giggle and starts scratching behind his ears.

"Who's a good puppy?" Lian coos.

[starinopal]

"I tell dad I need a puppy all the time," Teddy announces, leaning to fawn over the dog as well.

"Lian, I bet if you ask before your brother gets here, you can get a dog, too. I bet if you ask really nice, and then I could come to your house and play with your puppy!"

Teddy looks around awkwardly for a minute and then leans over to Greta. "Can you ask what his name is? I don't know that hand-talkin'."

[nation_titanse]

"Sign language," Jesse corrects. She looks to the new-to-her Titan apologetically.

[make_contact]

Joey just smiles, waving that it's alright, and he signs the four letters of his name for her.

[nation_titanse]

Well enough, Joey. Welcome back to us. Outwardly, the only sign of a conversation is brief eye contact and a little wave.

[starinopal]

"Oh... sorry." He gives Ms. Jesse his best grin.

"The puppy needs cake!" Teddy's off in a blur-- literally-- to go find cake.