aterat | Clever subject line goes here

Entry tags:

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Who; OTA
What; Pupper Shenanigans, Moving Day/Anniversary, Investigations
Where; All over
When; Early to mid-April
Warnings; None as yet! I will update if they come up and add the warning to the header of the tag

( I can also do personalized starters if you want! just let me know either on Discord: WhimsicalSpook#8219 or Plurk:

whimsicalspook You are also welcome to throw a starter at me if you want, I don't bite!)

A wrinkle in plans... - Open to all

A. Network Assistance Request?

[ Llewellyn wasn’t much for using the network, really. Tell-phones were something he tended to be more than a little clumsy with. It did help, though, that Enis had put his on a chain so he wouldn’t lose the darn thing so much. So there’s a light metallic rattle as he adjusted the phone and peered into the camera. ]

Er... Hello everyone. I hope you’re all... well?

[ That seemed polite, and he was trying to work up to asking for a favour. Somehow delivering news on a case was easier than this. Why was work always easier? ]

I’m just uh- looking to see if anyone would be interested in helping me out with a little project I’ve been working on. Some of you already know about it, since you mm... were around in the last world I was, as well. Pretzel’s particularly good at following scent trails, and we had thought he would be helpful in the event that people went missing back then. Seems as important here as it was there. Especially since this world has a lot more potentially confusing places to get lost, like the forest.

But! Anyway, I um... I’ve been spending the better part of the last year and a half training him in scent tracking. Rhy and I have mostly been working with items and making trails like that... But I think it would be beneficial for the little fellow to get experience looking for real people now.

Also... He’s very sociable, and because the last world we were in had very... few animals... [ Complicated in ways Llewellyn didn’t know how to explain, really. ] He doesn’t quite know what everything here is. He keeps trying to make friends with creatures that aren’t fond of dogs. [ A small amused huff. Pretzel really was as awkward as he could be sometimes. ] So if anyone has a particularly social pet that he might get along with, it might be nice for him to get to know them?

[ An awkward pause, then a nod. That was about it. ]

Uh- anyway, I’ll be going then. Thank you for your time!

[ The feed closes. ]

B. Open Log

Pretzel was a very energetic, growing ~~wrinkle~~ hound. It was important to get him out for walks so he didn’t get too housebound, and while the move was going to give the little guy more room to run around? It was going to be an adjustment, and Llewellyn was hoping to keep his routine as close to normal in all the excitement.

Especially since Pretzel had somehow gotten very good at slipping out without their notice to explore the city in search of friends. Neither he nor Rhy could figure out how the dog kept doing it, it was a mystery.

Llewellyn had decided it was just that the dog was rather intelligent, and he wasn’t being challenged or engaged enough. So the best answer he could come up with was to increase training and give him something a little more difficult. Challenge the clever little hound’s mind while they were out and about.

Afternoons where he wasn’t at the Gullwings office, Aerith’s garden shop, or with his husband were spent on very long walks around the market... Or running around the park with fake scent trails and dog toys as he tried to keep up with Pretzel’s training and exercise.

ooc: People could either run into them at the park (especially if you want to handwave them arranging to help with training) or bump into them around the market! Both Llewellyn and Pretzel are very ~~awkward~~ social!

Helping out a friend in need. - Closed to Lauri-Ell

Llewellyn adjusted his hat slightly, moving down a side street with Pretzel trotting dutifully at his heels. The detective had a somewhat concerned and definitely curious expression on his face as he took a shortcut to the forge where his friend worked.

Lauri-Ell didn’t tend to ask for assistance or favours much, in his experience. They had their weekly lessons for writing and sharing books... But this was a little different from that. She had sounded a bit frustrated and troubled, explaining that something rather important was missing...

It hadn’t taken more than a half second of thought to agree. He wasn’t fond of friends being troubled by things, especially if he could help.

So off he went with a quick note for his husband where he was going for the day in case he didn’t make it home till later in the evening, getting Pretzel’s leash on and making his way to their destination.

I know exactly what I want, and it's this life that we've created, inundated with the fated thought of you. - Closed to Rhy

This was it. This was moving day. Well... Moving week, really. They had been working for the last week or so to get their belongings moved from the red and blue building to the stonework house that was situated in a small neighborhood near the market.

But today, in particular, was special. It was moving in day. It was also, amusingly, their wedding anniversary. Which had felt rather fitting for their next step together.

There were other things, of course, that needed doing. The house was in livable conditions, but it did still need a little work here and there. Some painting needed to be done to freshen things, some small repairs here and there, and perhaps a little more cleaning where it had been vacant for so long...

But they were both rather eager lovebirds, after having been searching for the right house for a few months now. Especially since this one had been perfect, hitting most of the marks that they had agreed on for a home, which felt rather lucky.

Llewellyn had been... Well, he was up to something. Rhy would be able to tell that much as they got ready for the day. The detective had never been good at hiding things unless someone’s life depended on it (and if it was his life, then less so). So it was clear enough that he was keeping something to himself while they went over last-minute plans.

It was their wedding anniversary though, so what on earth did the man have up his sleeve today?

“So uh- we need to stop off at the shop to get the um...” He gestured at the windows lightly from where he was standing next to the closet, trying to button his shirt and get dressed for the day. “The materials you picked out for the curtains and your projects? And I have to get some paint to work in the kitchen in the next few weeks...” He tapped off the list on his finger, forgetting his task of getting dressed for a moment. “Should probably see if the carpentry shop has some of the things we commissioned finished, too. I think the note I received from the messenger said they had Pretzel’s bed and a few other things ready.” He added, piling a few more things onto the list while he tried to decide on a green waistcoat or a blue one.

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Llewellyn wasn’t exactly going to nudge or call Tommy out on the obvious nerves. He already understood Tommy wasn’t great with dogs, despite his offer to help, and it wasn’t hard to put some idea together with a few things he’d said since arriving. Including the ‘no biting’ request.

Pretzel, though? He tilted his head with an alert little lift of his ears, snuffling lightly at the offered treats in the man’s hand. Then he took them from the man and licked the crumbs up out of Tommy’s hand. Sure there was slobber, but definitely no hand biting.

He knew he was a good boy, but he was happy to be called one regularly.

Oh, that's not so bad. Tommy looks relieved to not be bitten. Super relieved. Give him credit, he's facing his fear. Or he was the best he could. Good thing the pup wasn't something like a German Shepherd.

"Now what?" Tommy asks. "Do I let him get my scent or something?"

Facing one’s fears was something to be proud of, and Llewellyn thought it was quite brave of Tommy to be volunteering at this at all now that he was starting to understand...

But Pretzel was a good way to ease in, at least. Giving Pretzel a couple of pats, he straightened finally and considered the next steps. “Yes, he’ll need to get your scent in order to search and follow the trail. In ideal situations, we’d have personal items that we can use to refresh him on the trail if things get muddled, but it might be worth seeing how he does without them. Just in the event, we can’t get a good sample if someone’s missing and we need to try.”

"You sure? I can take my shirt off," Tommy offered. Not like he cares. World would have to live with how hot he was.

“Mm… We’ll let you keep your shirt for now. It’s worth seeing how he does without something to follow beyond getting your scent now. There may not always be times where we can get something, so it’ll be a test compared to what we’ve done so far.” And really, Llewellyn wasn’t about to ask someone for their shirt. Even if it wasn’t a big deal in Tommy’s time, it wasn’t polite in his in most situations and that was… and odd thing to unlearn. Even he tended to keep himself dressed to standard unless injured or on his own.

"I mean, are you really likely to end up in a situation where you won't have something to work with?" Tommy asks, frowning. He doesn't know how likely something like that is if he's honest. Because really, he thought he should just do it?

“Unlikely as it may be…?” Llewellyn shrugged lightly, there was very little that was certain in his opinion. But, still, it wasn’t like Tommy didn’t have a point.

But he really isn’t taking your shirt, sir. At least not without something to replace it. Laugh if you must, but he’s not from the same world. “How about you get something you don’t need at the moment, unlike your shirt, and meet us at the market by the vegetable stand, Hm?”

Something he doesn't need at the moment? Tommy grins. Oh Llewellyn. He has a different opinion about what is and isn't needed. He takes off his shirt, tosses it at Llewellyn, grabs the fish, and then is gone.

Sorry man, gotta live with his poor life choices.

Llewellyn opened his mouth to try to discourage Tommy, when realized what that darn grin meant. Instead, it all happened so fast that he was left fumbling with the shirt. “If the city guard hears about a man wandering around shirtless, I’m going to have to explain it, aren’t I?” He commented absentmindedly with a glance to Pretzel.

The little hound let out a yawn, because this wasn’t his problem. He only had to worry about winning his game of smelling and finding things.

“No help from you, I see…” He mumbled with a shake of his head before he crouched with the shirt to let Pretzel get a good smell. He tucked it in a clean linen bag before letting Pretzel hurry them out the door and down the sidewalk in an attempt to find their friend. He moved quickly to start, of course, with the trail being so fresh, but he slowed at a corner and began snuffling in circles until Llewellyn offered him the shirt again.

Funny, but this was even a surprise to Llewellyn since he wasn’t clear on if Tommy had taken off to the stand he mentioned or if he was taking them on a random path to begin Pretzel’s test now.

Yes, he might well have to explain it. To Nida. Who had never met Tommy (which was probably good given Tommy shared a face with the man Nida had once almost proposed to).

Oh, he'd taken off to the proper stall. They hadn't made plans otherwise. Though he had run by the dorm to get himself a shirt. Wasn't like it would take too long, and it could help confuse his trail for later too.

At least Llewellyn could explain the situation well enough to Nida, he hoped. Training to help with Pretzel and all that… Though it was still an awkward thing to explain.

He would be relieved whenever they did locate Tommy, to find that he’d at least gotten a shirt.

Though the diversion did take Pretzel off course as he circled them around to try to head for the apartments as he followed the trail excitedly, only to dash back in the other direction as he caught a fresher scent leading away from the buildings towards the market. Llewellyn kept an eye out for Tommy, of course, and was pleased when he spotted the head of white hair near the stand that he’d indicated they’d meet at. A small sigh of relief escaping him when he noticed that the man was wearing another shirt.

Pretzel let out a louder bark, excited to direct Llewellyn’s attention to Tommy. Look! They’d found him! He won the game! Llewellyn shook his head a little, offering the dog a treat as a reward and plenty of praise and pats to enforce that the pup had done what he was supposed to.

At least, until he turned to face Tommy. “You know, you could, uh- have warned me.” He said with an amused tone and a raise of his brow.

"But where's the fun in that?" Tommy asked, grinning at Llewellyn. "Should have seen the look on your face as the shirt was going through the air."

It was hilarious actually.

A small, amused chuckle escaped at that. Clearly there was no fun in it, if he followed Tommy’s line of reasoning.

Still, he shook his head a little, “Yes, yes, I’m sure it was mm… quite amusing.” He’d been told on more than one occasion that his expressions betrayed everything. “I can’t blame you for having your fun. You are helping me out, after all.” And it was, honestly, nice to see the mood lightening considering how nervous Tommy had been about Pretzel.

Oh, he's still nervous. But he's in public. And that means he needs to be cool.

"You two ready for the game then? Because I can start on a seriously confusing mess of something now."

“Of course, I think we’re both mm… up for the challenge.” Llewellyn responded with a grin, glancing at Pretzel. “I believe he’s rather eager to continue, now that he knows what we’re up to.” he added with a soft chuckle.

Pretzel’s tail was going, because of course he recognized the activity. They had already found Tommy once. This was a game day, clearly.

"Alright. I'll go about the pace of horse then," he suggests. Because his full speed, well, he figured it'd be impossible to tell a fresh trail from an old one given he could cross the whole city in a second, and so the difference may not even be there.

“About the pace of a horse.” He responded with a raised brow, because that was still pretty fast. Better than Tommy’s top speed, of course. “That sounds alright to me. At least I’m familiar with approximately how fast they go.” He wasn’t sure how fast chocobos went, after all. He avoided the race tracks on purpose and hadn’t really seen them going above city speeds.

He crouched down next to Pretzel, giving the pup a command to sit again. “We’ll give you a couple minutes to start and the then I’ll get him started on the trail.”

"Yeah, man, that will be the best," Tommy said, nodding. "I'm not going to tell you where I'm going. If you two don't find me in, let's go with two hours, he loses."

He expects better, but come on, Tommy thinks he's got a chance.

So he gets going. Granted his entire intention is to lead them on a merry chase, including crossed paths, checking in with other people Pretzel probably likes, and of course the fish. And all of it before circling back around to the part of the market where his business stall is set up.

“Of course, that would be cheating if I accidentally directed him in the direction I expected you to be.” He added with a small smile, “I’ll keep it timed, and I’ll uh- text you if I think he’s a little too lost for us to hopefully make it in two hours.”

That was a good challenge, though, one that Llewellyn was eager to see if Pretzel was up for.

But it was quite the challenge. Llewellyn himself starting to feel a little doubtful at times that they’d find their way to Tommy. There were a lot of distractions after all, especially when Tommy took the path by people Pretzel absolutely liked. The only saving grace, really, was that Pretzel seemed to know he was on a little hunt, and he had plenty of experience finding people he wasn’t expected to find between Enis’ arrival and a couple other people.

It was just… This was the first time there was so much to distract him. The fish was a good touch.

You’re really stumping him this time.

Llewellyn sent off a text about an hour in with an amused huff as he was towed down another road by the dog after refreshing the scent for Pretzel with the shirt.

Really? I'm glad to hear it. Finally getting to use my ability to make trouble for good.

He was busy with reorganizing his books for the business. Fuck he hated being an adult.

Quite, I’m starting to wonder if he’s going to actually find the end of the trail.

Llewellyn glanced at the hound, stumbling around a corner a moment later as the dog caught a stronger hint of the trail again. Seems he texted too soon!

This was good, though. It meant he could give the dog plenty of practice with sticking to it, even on the longer trails. The dog needed to keep focused and learn to keep at it if they were actually going to find people who were lost.

I owe you for this, by the way. I think this is just what he needed for a proper test.

I believe he’s stubborn enough to manage it. And the trail is ONLY an hour old. You done him on older trails upset?

This really wasn’t, in Tommy’s mind, a proper test. But he’s glad he managed some difficulty for the guy.

Yes, I think he’s picked up the trail again. He got a little turned around a moment ago when we ran by a shop we frequently stop at.

It was still a decent test when most of Llewellyn’s training had consisted of setting up fake trails at the park with toys and such. This was a nice increase in difficulty, especially with how Tommy had set it up with a few proper distractions aside from the herring.

We have, but nothing this long or with so many distractions along the way.

Yeah, I haven't even bothered to splash through water or anything. So it's impressive, right?

At least he was helping the pup learn.

It is quite. I really appreciate the chance to increase the challenge from what he was doing before.

And Tommy’s help was key to that. A good first experience, and they could increase the challenge in the future, of course. At least if Tommy was up to continuing training on other days in the coming weeks. It would be good to have Pretzel a little more prepared should they find themselves in a situation where someone went missing, something he’d had on his mind for quite some time.

Pretzel was still leading him along, though. The hound’s nose to the ground and going this way and that, ears dragging along and almost tripping him a couple of times. A silly looking thing, but clever and eager to win the ‘game’ all the same. It does cut rather closer to the two-hour mark they’d agreed on, but Tommy would find his work interrupted by an excited bark and two familiar figures heading towards his stand.

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