☈ strike #06 (action / voice)

[thestormishere]

[ Lightning doesn't tell anyone the reason why she spends so much time outside despite her hatred of the native weather. Walking or jogging in the cold, training at the 'battledome' and barracks, visiting the stores when people tend to not be around... these things keep her busy, in the time she's not poring over the journals and library and

Comments

[goggle_syndrome]

[Due to the fact he hates being inside all the time, Taichi's out and about today when he spots this unfamiliar woman. Lightning's not really his concern, but instead he's focused on the puppy.]

Wouldn't it be easier for him to walk on his own?

[thestormishere]

[ The puppy is quite busy at the moment trying to pull a stick out of the snow, with limited success. Lightning looks up from watching him stiffly, though she's slightly taken aback for a moment over finding a kid talking to her. ]

... It's easier to get him to come back inside, this way.

[goggle_syndrome]

[He's busy watching the puppy then, shrugging at Lightning's answer.]

How do you figure?

[thestormishere]

Because he doesn't follow all the time. It's either that or picking him up.

[goggle_syndrome]

He just needs some training. He's brand new, right? He probably doesn't know any better.

[thestormishere]

And until he learns, that's what the leash is for.

[ She glances back at the puppy in question at a particularly loud play-growl, just as he loses grip on the stick and tumbles backward. Cue eyebrow raise. ]

[goggle_syndrome]

Right, sure. [And at the puppy's tumbling and Lightning's eyebrow raise, cue snickering. He's going to crouch down to puppy-height and see if he can get the animal to come closer.] What're you calling him?

[thestormishere]

[ The puppy flails a bit but then recovers his footing, generously flecked with snow along one side and up all four legs. Then he notices the boy and seems to straighten, staring at him curiously but slightly cautious as well.

As for Lightning, she frowns a little at the question. They say giving something a name definitely means you intend to keep it, and she's not quite sure about that yet. ]

"Hey Puppy," for now.

[goggle_syndrome]

[That just makes him laugh more, and he's holding out his hand for the puppy to sniff if he so chooses.]

You don't really expect him to listen that way, do you? How's he supposed to know who you're talking to?

[thestormishere]

I really don't think it matters to him at this point. He'd probably listen to anything if you used the right voice.

[ And has Lightning been using said voice yet? The world may never know. For now she crosses her arms, letting go of the 'leash' as the puppy slowly walks over the boy. Hopefully the puppy doesn't bite him and that he doesn't, you know, grab the dog and bolt or something. ]

[goggle_syndrome]

Dogs are a lot smarter than people give them credit for. He probably knows he can get away with anything that way. [If it helps, Taichi's not dumb enough to run off with Lightning's dog...probably because Lightning might hit him or something. He's just coaxing the puppy closer because he's convinced he's an awesome animal trainer.]

Did the Malnosso bring him?

[thestormishere]

[ No comment on that first part, although yeah, Taichi would probably find himself face down in the snow before he even turned around to run. :| Fortunately, the puppy isn't anywhere near as hair-triggered and suspicious, so after a moment he begins wagging his tail as he makes the last few steps to that outstretched hand. ]

How'd you guess? [ Totally flat delivery there. Why couldn't they have given her... oh, the rest of her stuff back? Or even just her necklace? ]

[goggle_syndrome]

[PUPPY. Don't mind him, he's having fun just petting behind his ears and stuff.]

Because they brought a lot of people presents this year. Sounds like you were really surprised though.

[thestormishere]

You have no idea.

[ Lightning just watches, thinking the dog would probably be much better in the hands of someone who actually seems to care, like this kid. Someone who's not a l'Cie. Oblivious to her misgivings, however, the puppy just keeps playing. He's more interested in inspecting his newest human friend than sitting still for scratches at the moment, though. ]

[goggle_syndrome]

There has to be a reason they brought him to you though, right? [Taichi's cool with letting the puppy inspect. Hey, he likes dogs okay? It happens when you grow up with your sister's cat constantly taking up room in your bed at home.]

[thestormishere]

Oh, I'm sure there's a reason. I'm just not sure I'd like to know what it's supposed to be.

[ So inspect the puppy does, sticking his nose into different places of Taichi's clothing and inhaling deeply. You didn't get crumbs or something on you lately, did you? ]