maskormenacelogs | this dog can walk himself [open]

WHO: Ace and you!
WHERE: Various places in Heropa.
WHEN: After dark.
WHAT: Restless dog is out doing his rounds, even if there aren't any monsters out.
WARNINGS: n/a

a; residential area

[ For Ace, night is suddenly a bigger blessing than he'd ever expected. It's the best time to roam unseen, sure, but it's also when the sun is down, the temperature drops, and going out and about becomes somewhat more bearable for a dog like himself. Spring should never be like this, in his opinion, although that is an opinion forged by the states that get snow, something he's already figured out has no chance of falling in this place.

Not that it keeps him from poking his nose around. He weaves his way between the houses with no fencing, then down alleys and around sidewalks to avoid those that do. He'll get a few dogs waking up to bark at him. He stops at the ones that only seem curious and sniff at them, but not to chat. Just thinking about trying that leaves a sense of sadness, that for whatever reason the animals here don't speak the same way he could, back home, to other dogs, to cats, raccoons, rats, anything except humans. It's all so different now. So, he doesn't linger by other dogs for long, hurrying off again after each short stop.

Eventually he turns to head towards Heropa's downtown, but for now? Looks like there's husky on the loose, meandering through the streets at his own leisure. ]

b; downtown

[ Downtown is a different beast. Ace's leisurely stroll doesn't continue here, as he shies away from the main sidewalks. It isn't as crowded as some downtowns might be, but he's still pretty sure people are more liable to call someone on a loose dog spotted around, well, businesses. Even if he can literally talk his way out of that now, he prefers not to chance it. Alleys work best, along with the occasional street crossing.

He revisits the spot that had brought him and Gilbert face to face with a giant alligator, but when that turns up nothing, not even a decent scent to pick up on again, his wandering moves on to the more barfly-ish side of town. There, he still lurks, unwilling to interact too directly. There are a few instances where he finds cause to growl from the mouths of alleyways at a few drunks following after barhoppers who'd rather be left alone and at least once where he suddenly runs out across the path of a man who's taken off with someone's purse, tripping them up enough for those pursuing to catch up.

All those times, he doesn't hang out afterwards. Not in plain sight, anyway. He'll hurry back off out of sight before slowing to a stop to cock an ear and listen. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Violet stands carefully and moves closer into the alley, keeping to the side so she doesn't block his way should he want to run. It almost seems like he's prepared for it, which would be normal for a stray]

It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you.

[ When she drew closer and away from the mouth of the alley, Ace relaxed some, less seeming ready to dash off. ]

I know. [ By this time of the night, playing normal dog has long since worn through his patience. ] I just didn't want anyone else to spot me.

[her eyes widens slightly when he speaks and then she grins]

I can see why. I'm Violet. What's your name?

Yeah. I can get some weird reactions. [ He also doesn't want to be identified, but, well, he's also not too good at lying, so. ] I'm Ace.

[ There's a brief pause after that, soon followed by an uncertain: ]

Are you going to tell anyone?

[a secret, is it? She steps closer into the alley so no one can see either of them easily]

Not if you don't want me to.

I'd rather you didn't.

[ It isn't actually a secret. He's spoken around the native population before, like to the children he has to shepherd to and fro across the streets on school days or those who just happen to be around when to casually talks to other imPorts.

Still, there are plenty of people who aren't aware of him and he feels that might be good. ]

Then I won't.

Could you usually talk or is that a new thing?

The talking to humans thing? Definitely a new thing.

Bet you get all kinds of reactions when people find out.

It isn't as varied as you'd think. I've found some people aren't surprised at all, though everyone else seems to look around for a human first when they hear me.

Do you usually do this? Help people?

[it seems a curious thing for a dog to want to do. Then again, she's heard stories]

[ And here's where he tries to be nonchalant. For the record, dogs are very bad at nonchalant. His ears going back and him trying to look elsewhere suddenly kiiind of gives it away. ]

I was only crossing the street, that's all.

[she smiles, even her tone is amused]

You're a terrible liar.

It isn't a lie! [ No, it is, it is. ] I did cross the street, didn't I?

Right when the guy running off with the lady's purse is passing by. Sure. I believe you.

A happy coincidence? [ But no, she's not buying this. He breathes out heavily through his nose, like some kind of doggy sigh. ] Fine. I did do that, but it was just that one time...

Why do you want to keep all this a secret? It's not a big deal. Not here anyway.

Isn't it? So many different people have been going on and on about vigilantism, right?

[ He's heard stuff. He's spoken to lawyers. Which are apparently supposed to know these things. Maybe. ]

I can't really afford to end up like one of those, even if this is just small stuff.

You're not registered.

I get it.

No, that isn't it. I am registered. I'd just rather not be caught doing anything that could cause that to change.

I thought you could do heroic things if you're registered.

You can? [ In his defense, he's a dog. The tiny details to vigilantism are a little over his head. ] Everything I've heard makes it sound like anyone at all could get in trouble.

Only the unsettled will get in trouble. And people who are going against the government. [she leans against the wall of the alley, looking out into the street] You're helping the citizens. You should be fine.

Well, that's one less problem to worry about. [ He'll idly wag his tail and look the same way, out towards the street. That's a relief, if he's not going to be picked up for interfering like that. ] But even so, maybe they don't need to know there's a talking dog running around like that on purpose.

It's still pretty weird.

This place gives people powers. A talking dog isn't a stretch.

[she turns to look at him earnestly. (while resisting the urge to pet him)]

But if you wanna keep it secret, like I said, I won't tell anyone.

(no subject)

ifnotloyal - 2014-05-28 01:23 (UTC) - Expand

attractedtodarkness - 2014-05-28 06:36 (UTC) - Expand