012: Just a leisurely winter stroll

[hawkeyeiowa]

[It might seem like a perfectly normal sight. Jack in a winter coat walking Mitch along a path in a snow-filled park. The dog barking at everything that resembles a squirrel. Jack stopping to sit down on a bench for a moment, working on tying a loose lace on his boot. Well, that's as far as the normal gets, because hanging from his other wrist is a

Comments

[auxarka]

Quite the menagerie you have here, isn't it? [[this is said rather deadpan, but there's a small smile visible behind her scarf. her hands are shoved in her pockets as she stares.]]

[hawkeyeiowa]

[He looks up and grins lopsidedly as Maddie starts running around his other leg and essentially tying that one up. When the ferret finishes, she stares up at Natalie and blinks all beady-eyed like. Jack, however, hasn't noticed.]

Compared to the farm, this is pretty decent.

[auxarka]

I would assume. [[her hands pop out, now rubbing together to be kept warm.]] How've ya been, Jack? It's been awhile since I've seen your face.

[hawkeyeiowa]

Oh, ya know. Ups and downs. We all have 'em. How about y--

[Suddenly, Jack jerks to the left, forgetting for a moment that Mitch's leash is still tied around his wrist, and once again, Mitch is targeting squirrels. It's a bit funny to see him sideways, you know. He yanks on the leash once, bringing the Shepherd closer as said dog looks only slightly ashamed.]

Damnit, dog. What are ya gonna do with one if ya actually catch it? Ya don't know, do ya?

[auxarka]

Don't get mad at 'im. He's only a dog. [[she walks over, leaning down to pet the dog. no, she is not asking.]]

Dogs' dream is to catch squirrels. Everyone knows that.

[hawkeyeiowa]

[Mitch is all over that, and even leans against her in some weird form of a hug. Jack, however, is not half as amused.]

He's supposed ta herd cows an' sheep, not squirrels.

[auxarka]

Same difference to 'im. Don't go and scold 'im for it, he just wants to have fun.

[[she smiles, scratching behind the dog's ear. awww.]]

[hawkeyeiowa]

[All sixty-something pounds of the dog keeps leaning, his tail wagging fast. Jack isn't too fond of the idea of his dog knocking his niece over out of sheer love.]

Ah, well. He's gonna figure it out eventually. Anyway, what've you been up to?

[auxarka]

[[she gives a small shriek of delight, happily receiving the puppy love.]] Aren't ya sweet? What a good boy!

I've been fine. Just been roamin'. Not much to do here, it seems. [[she shrugs a little.]] But, I'm dandy. Can't complain, I got everythin' I need here.

[hawkeyeiowa]

[Mitch's tongue hangs out of the side of his mouth and he makes a move like he wants to bark, but stops like he knows better. He probably does.]

Hell, I kinda prefer it if there's not much to do. I've seen this place when there's too much to do, y'know?

[auxarka]

Hardly do, Jack. [[she stands up straight.]] I ain't been around much for all the crazy stuff I hear so much about. Makes me wonder if it really happened.

Although, people 'round here seem rattled, on and off. So, I'll guess somethin's goin' on.

[hawkeyeiowa]

I guess it did. Really, I've taken ta keepin' indoors, but that's not helpin' anything.

[Maddie suddenly comes back around, putting her paws on Jack's leg and looking up at him expectantly. He snorts and hefts her up, letting her crawl on his shoulder and burrow in his collar.]

Sorry about the queen, here. She's demandin'. [And he fulfills all demands, even those unneeded. See: custom pink sweater.]

[auxarka]

Well, we got all these new buildin's. So...

[[she watches the tiny ferret.]] S'wearing a sweater.

[hawkeyeiowa]

Yeah, but it doesn't feel right. Ya get that feelin' yet? Not talkin' about the general 'not home' feeling, but like, I dunno. Maybe I'm not used to apartments.

[He shrugs, and Maddie, disturbed from her relaxation, goes to nip at him, but seems too tired to do so. He sighs and pets the top of her head, appeasing her for the moment.]

Yup. Didn't want her gettin' cold.

[auxarka]

Can't say I know what you're sayin'. [[she mirrors the shrug.]]

She's got fur, though?

[hawkeyeiowa]

She's sensitive.

[At that, he hikes up one shoulder to get her closer to his neck, feeling more protective now. He's her daddy, you know.]