So, Cardenio.
Yeah, he's adorbs. LET ME SHOW YOU GUYS HOW MUCH, OKAY?
Caitlin(07/27/2011 10:39:38 PM) : -William walks through the door and makes his way into the kitchen, loosening his tie as he does so. He fully expects to see his wife there, and when he doesn't, he wonders where on earth she could be.- Grelle? Grelle, darling, where are you? -Nothing. Today is her day off, and she generally spends it at home--cleaning, organizing, setting up metal poles in their bedroom, or something similar--so it's quite odd that she's not here. He pulls out his phone and checks it--no messages.- Where on earth could she be?
Hime(07/27/2011 10:43:41 PM) : -Grelle, for the record, is driving home with a little white fluffball in the seat beside her. He's content to sit and look out what he can see of the windows, occasionally sniffing the side panel of the door. By the time they get to Grelle's neighborhood, he's clambered over the console and made his way onto her lap.- Oh, you want to sit up here with mummy? Alright then, sweetheart, I'll let you see your new neighborhood. -She lets his front paws rest on her arm so he can look out the window, panting happily as they pull into the driveway.-
Caitlin(07/27/2011 10:46:56 PM) : -William has almost resigned himself to the fact that she's left him to his own devices for the rest of the evening when he hears a car pull into the driveway. Taking a look out the window and seeing that familiar red Firebird, he sighs in relief. He mutters to himself like an old man- She should have told me she was going to be out. Goodness gracious, making me worry like that...
Hime(07/27/2011 10:51:24 PM) : -She turns off the car and looks down at her charge with a smile.- Shhh. We're about to go in and introduce you to Daddy, and we don't want to ruin the surprise, do we? -With her other arm, she hooks the bag full of dog food/a collar with tags/flea medicine/the number of a good veterinarian on her other arm and uses it to fish her keys out of her purse. With both arms full, she counts on Will not having locked the door and opens it with a bright smile.- William, darling~ I have a surprise!
Caitlin(07/27/2011 10:53:56 PM) : -He smiles a bit when he hears the door opening and Grelle's salutation. He turns around lazily to greet her and stops midstep when he sees that her arm was wrapped around a little furry thing.- Next time you decided to...Grelle. What is that?
Hime(07/27/2011 10:56:30 PM) : -She drops the things that aren't the puppy to the floor and walks closer, cradling the little thing in her arms.- His name is Cardenio. He's just the sweetest thing. Say hello to Daddy, would you, Cardenio? -Cardenio leans forward and sniffs at William, curious.-
Caitlin(07/27/2011 10:59:07 PM) : -He supposes that she wants him to pet the dog, but all he can do is stare.- Grelle. Grelle, please, please tell me you're...dog-sitting for someone.
Hime(07/27/2011 11:00:43 PM) : -She gets a slight frown at this, taking one more step forward so she can hold Cardenio close, but close enough for him to continue sniffing away.- ...you don't like him?
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:06:02 PM) : -He's hurt her feelings, he can tell. He didn't mean to, of course, but.- It's not that, darling. It's just... -He sighs, scrubbing his fingers through his hair.- I would have liked to be informed that you were purchasing a pet, is all.
Hime(07/27/2011 11:09:15 PM) : -She lets her head fall to one side, and Cardenio snuggles up to her and begins snuffling his way through her hair.- Oh, Will. You know how much I love surprising you. And you'll be happy to know I adopted this little lovely. I had the shelter downtown on call for whenever a puppy like him came in.
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:16:00 PM) : So...you've been planning this? -He's not angry, not really, but he is utterly baffled, as he always is, at her incessant need to surprise him. He sighs again, reaching out his hand and patting the dog's head.- Darling, I know you like surprising me, but this isn't a--a piece of furniture or a wall painting or something trivial. We're almost never at home; how are we going to take care of him? -He wasn't trying to be harsh will her, he was just being practical. Because he was the only source of 'practical' she had.-
Hime(07/27/2011 11:20:54 PM) : -Grelle, for once, had actually thought of this.- Sweetheart, I know I've told you at least once. All I ever wanted in life was a sex change, a caring husband, and a house with a big white dog. I already had all but one before today. -She nuzzles Cardenio with a smile.- And he's such a darling, i just couldn't refuse. As for how we'll care for him, I've actually had a talk with Finnian, and, as it turns out, he had a big white fluffmonster of his own back in the day, so he'll make a wonderful caretaker while we're out. ....and I may have filed for maternity leave....
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:28:02 PM) : -He almost doesn't catch that last bit, but as soon as it registers in his brain, said organ nearly explodes- ...maternity leave? Good heavens, Grelle, what in the world makes you think that it will get approved? -The dog keeps on looking at him with big, teary eyes, as if it's trying to worm its way forcibly into his heart. Well. It is cute, in its own way...-
Hime(07/27/2011 11:30:31 PM) : -A flustered 'pff' escapes her lips at this. Stupid William and his stupid logic.- It probably won't, but I figured there was no harm in trying! It's not like I've had any other opportunity to use it... -The last sentence is said out of the corner of a semi-lethal pout. She pets Cardenio's head again and takes a deep breath.- It's alright, sweetness, Mummy's here.-
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:38:42 PM) : -Her pout is dangerous, but he's been subjected to worse over the years- Is that what this is about, then? -Grelle's maternal instinct is quite strong at times, and the force of it always takes him by surprise. It's a source of never-ending frustration for his wife, that although she's had her surgeries and is a woman now, she still can't conceive. He's almost certain that that's why she dotes on Ciel the way she does, but he's never said anything of the sort to either of them.-
Hime(07/27/2011 11:43:18 PM) : -She takes another deep breath, and considers this. A dog is nowhere near the same as a child, and she still wants a child, after all, but she's trying her hardest to be patient. So no, this isn't really about that.- ...Not really, no. This is different, after all. If it were a child, there would be so much more at stake....I'd tell you about that, for one. No, Cardenio is a dog. And he's a very sweet, very good dog. Aren't you, lovely? - She turns the little thing to face her, and it lets out a soft "rrf" and licks the side of her face affectionately.-
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:47:52 PM) : -He lets it go, moving on to other, more pressing matters.- And furthermore, Cardenio is a puppy. The minute he poops in my shoes, he's gone. -Those damn eyes are still looking up at him.- What breed is he, anyway?
Hime(07/27/2011 11:52:01 PM) : Ah, that's what I haven't told you, yet. -She pets his head again, loving how soft he is.- The shelter got him from a family that had to get their litter of puppies out of the house when they found out their son was allergic to dogs. He's already house trained. -She holds him out more fully towards him. -Now, say hello, Will. It's clear he likes you. -Cardenio leans forward with curiosity in his eyes, alternating between sniffing and panting excitedly.- And he's a Samoyed. He'll grow to be a big, majestic creature before we even know it. I always loved the larger white breeds. They look so regal.
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:55:53 PM) : -That makes him hesitate a bit. Their house is relatively small--will they even have room for him in a few months?- ...how big, exactly?
Hime(07/27/2011 11:57:32 PM) : -She laughs a bit at this.- Not too big. I didn't get us a Great Pyrenees, Will, take a breath. When he's full grown, he'll still be able to curl up underneath your armchair, if he likes. Now, really, I know he wants you to hold him.
Caitlin(07/28/2011 12:02:31 AM) : -He reaches for the dog hesitantly, not wanting to hurt it or drop it or something, because he knows Grelle would kill him. His fur is impossible soft. Quite suitable for petting, he thinks, and decides to test his hypothesis a bit.- I suppose he is...quite charming.
Hime(07/28/2011 12:06:38 AM) : -She positively glows at this, twisting back and forth with happiness.- Oh, he loves you, just look at his little tail~ -Said tail is wagging back and forth enthusiastically.- I think you're going to get along just fine. You can take him out for walks when you go jogging!
Caitlin(07/28/2011 12:11:16 AM) : -He wonders what it says about his character that he's almost looking forward to that.- Yes, that would work. -Something else clicks into his mind suddenly, and his eyes go wide. He dreads the answer to his question, but it has to be asked.- Where is he going to sleep, Grelle?
Hime(07/28/2011 12:16:13 AM) : -Grelle brightens up even further at this question.- I am so glad you asked. -She runs back to her bag, looks around for a second, then remembers it's still in the car, so she runs into the garage, takes the cushy little dog bed from the front seat and brings it back in the house.- I bought this for him! It's still a bit big, but he'll grow into it, so there are blankets we can put around him in the bag over there. -Cardenio makes an excited whuff at the sight of the dog bed he spent his time in on the way over.-
Caitlin(07/28/2011 12:20:36 AM) : -William can feel the little thing's tail wagging back and forth excitedly. At least she had thought to buy something for him to sleep in. William refuses to share his bed with anything else: Grelle is enough of a mattress and bedding hog already. And god forbid that Cardenio ever even thinks about jumping onto the couch....- That's good. -William hands the puppy back to his wife, scratching behind his ears once more.- What about his vaccination records? His tags? I assume you have all of that as well?
Hime(07/28/2011 12:26:03 AM) : -Grell makes some ridiculous noise that sounds sort of like "uvuvuvuvuvuuu" while scratching Cardenio's nose.- Of course, dear, that’s in the car with the rest of his papers.
Caitlin(07/28/2011 12:33:39 AM) : -William reaches out and pets Cardenio again, who wiggled under his hand as if to urge him to keep it up.- Did they worm him at the shelter? -If they're going to have a dog, William thought it best to have a healthy one, at least one free of parasites.-
Hime(07/28/2011 12:36:22 AM) : -Grelle looks down and smiles at how much Will has warmed up to the little thing.- Yes, sweetheart, I made sure of it. He actually arrived there a couple of days ago, and they've made sure he doesn't have any worms or ticks or any other nasty little things on him. He's a perfectly healthy little pup. -She looks up at William now, the look she gets when she's caught him spreading across her face.- I'm glad to see you get along so well with him.
Caitlin(07/28/2011 12:40:53 AM) : -As much as he wants to deny it on principle, he is warming up to the pup.- Yes, well.... -He looks straight at the dog in his wife's arms, a stern expression on his face.- Just remember, Cardenio: if I ever find poop in my shoes, so help me god, you're through.
Hime(07/28/2011 12:43:24 AM) : -Cardenio gives a happy yip and licks William's hand affectionately. Grelle has to stifle a laugh at how much William does not seem to like this.- He says he loves you, too, Will. -She leans over to give him a quick kiss.- As do I.
Caitlin(07/27/2011 10:39:38 PM) : -William walks through the door and makes his way into the kitchen, loosening his tie as he does so. He fully expects to see his wife there, and when he doesn't, he wonders where on earth she could be.- Grelle? Grelle, darling, where are you? -Nothing. Today is her day off, and she generally spends it at home--cleaning, organizing, setting up metal poles in their bedroom, or something similar--so it's quite odd that she's not here. He pulls out his phone and checks it--no messages.- Where on earth could she be?
Hime(07/27/2011 10:43:41 PM) : -Grelle, for the record, is driving home with a little white fluffball in the seat beside her. He's content to sit and look out what he can see of the windows, occasionally sniffing the side panel of the door. By the time they get to Grelle's neighborhood, he's clambered over the console and made his way onto her lap.- Oh, you want to sit up here with mummy? Alright then, sweetheart, I'll let you see your new neighborhood. -She lets his front paws rest on her arm so he can look out the window, panting happily as they pull into the driveway.-
Caitlin(07/27/2011 10:46:56 PM) : -William has almost resigned himself to the fact that she's left him to his own devices for the rest of the evening when he hears a car pull into the driveway. Taking a look out the window and seeing that familiar red Firebird, he sighs in relief. He mutters to himself like an old man- She should have told me she was going to be out. Goodness gracious, making me worry like that...
Hime(07/27/2011 10:51:24 PM) : -She turns off the car and looks down at her charge with a smile.- Shhh. We're about to go in and introduce you to Daddy, and we don't want to ruin the surprise, do we? -With her other arm, she hooks the bag full of dog food/a collar with tags/flea medicine/the number of a good veterinarian on her other arm and uses it to fish her keys out of her purse. With both arms full, she counts on Will not having locked the door and opens it with a bright smile.- William, darling~ I have a surprise!
Caitlin(07/27/2011 10:53:56 PM) : -He smiles a bit when he hears the door opening and Grelle's salutation. He turns around lazily to greet her and stops midstep when he sees that her arm was wrapped around a little furry thing.- Next time you decided to...Grelle. What is that?
Hime(07/27/2011 10:56:30 PM) : -She drops the things that aren't the puppy to the floor and walks closer, cradling the little thing in her arms.- His name is Cardenio. He's just the sweetest thing. Say hello to Daddy, would you, Cardenio? -Cardenio leans forward and sniffs at William, curious.-
Caitlin(07/27/2011 10:59:07 PM) : -He supposes that she wants him to pet the dog, but all he can do is stare.- Grelle. Grelle, please, please tell me you're...dog-sitting for someone.
Hime(07/27/2011 11:00:43 PM) : -She gets a slight frown at this, taking one more step forward so she can hold Cardenio close, but close enough for him to continue sniffing away.- ...you don't like him?
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:06:02 PM) : -He's hurt her feelings, he can tell. He didn't mean to, of course, but.- It's not that, darling. It's just... -He sighs, scrubbing his fingers through his hair.- I would have liked to be informed that you were purchasing a pet, is all.
Hime(07/27/2011 11:09:15 PM) : -She lets her head fall to one side, and Cardenio snuggles up to her and begins snuffling his way through her hair.- Oh, Will. You know how much I love surprising you. And you'll be happy to know I adopted this little lovely. I had the shelter downtown on call for whenever a puppy like him came in.
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:16:00 PM) : So...you've been planning this? -He's not angry, not really, but he is utterly baffled, as he always is, at her incessant need to surprise him. He sighs again, reaching out his hand and patting the dog's head.- Darling, I know you like surprising me, but this isn't a--a piece of furniture or a wall painting or something trivial. We're almost never at home; how are we going to take care of him? -He wasn't trying to be harsh will her, he was just being practical. Because he was the only source of 'practical' she had.-
Hime(07/27/2011 11:20:54 PM) : -Grelle, for once, had actually thought of this.- Sweetheart, I know I've told you at least once. All I ever wanted in life was a sex change, a caring husband, and a house with a big white dog. I already had all but one before today. -She nuzzles Cardenio with a smile.- And he's such a darling, i just couldn't refuse. As for how we'll care for him, I've actually had a talk with Finnian, and, as it turns out, he had a big white fluffmonster of his own back in the day, so he'll make a wonderful caretaker while we're out. ....and I may have filed for maternity leave....
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:28:02 PM) : -He almost doesn't catch that last bit, but as soon as it registers in his brain, said organ nearly explodes- ...maternity leave? Good heavens, Grelle, what in the world makes you think that it will get approved? -The dog keeps on looking at him with big, teary eyes, as if it's trying to worm its way forcibly into his heart. Well. It is cute, in its own way...-
Hime(07/27/2011 11:30:31 PM) : -A flustered 'pff' escapes her lips at this. Stupid William and his stupid logic.- It probably won't, but I figured there was no harm in trying! It's not like I've had any other opportunity to use it... -The last sentence is said out of the corner of a semi-lethal pout. She pets Cardenio's head again and takes a deep breath.- It's alright, sweetness, Mummy's here.-
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:38:42 PM) : -Her pout is dangerous, but he's been subjected to worse over the years- Is that what this is about, then? -Grelle's maternal instinct is quite strong at times, and the force of it always takes him by surprise. It's a source of never-ending frustration for his wife, that although she's had her surgeries and is a woman now, she still can't conceive. He's almost certain that that's why she dotes on Ciel the way she does, but he's never said anything of the sort to either of them.-
Hime(07/27/2011 11:43:18 PM) : -She takes another deep breath, and considers this. A dog is nowhere near the same as a child, and she still wants a child, after all, but she's trying her hardest to be patient. So no, this isn't really about that.- ...Not really, no. This is different, after all. If it were a child, there would be so much more at stake....I'd tell you about that, for one. No, Cardenio is a dog. And he's a very sweet, very good dog. Aren't you, lovely? - She turns the little thing to face her, and it lets out a soft "rrf" and licks the side of her face affectionately.-
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:47:52 PM) : -He lets it go, moving on to other, more pressing matters.- And furthermore, Cardenio is a puppy. The minute he poops in my shoes, he's gone. -Those damn eyes are still looking up at him.- What breed is he, anyway?
Hime(07/27/2011 11:52:01 PM) : Ah, that's what I haven't told you, yet. -She pets his head again, loving how soft he is.- The shelter got him from a family that had to get their litter of puppies out of the house when they found out their son was allergic to dogs. He's already house trained. -She holds him out more fully towards him. -Now, say hello, Will. It's clear he likes you. -Cardenio leans forward with curiosity in his eyes, alternating between sniffing and panting excitedly.- And he's a Samoyed. He'll grow to be a big, majestic creature before we even know it. I always loved the larger white breeds. They look so regal.
Caitlin(07/27/2011 11:55:53 PM) : -That makes him hesitate a bit. Their house is relatively small--will they even have room for him in a few months?- ...how big, exactly?
Hime(07/27/2011 11:57:32 PM) : -She laughs a bit at this.- Not too big. I didn't get us a Great Pyrenees, Will, take a breath. When he's full grown, he'll still be able to curl up underneath your armchair, if he likes. Now, really, I know he wants you to hold him.
Caitlin(07/28/2011 12:02:31 AM) : -He reaches for the dog hesitantly, not wanting to hurt it or drop it or something, because he knows Grelle would kill him. His fur is impossible soft. Quite suitable for petting, he thinks, and decides to test his hypothesis a bit.- I suppose he is...quite charming.
Hime(07/28/2011 12:06:38 AM) : -She positively glows at this, twisting back and forth with happiness.- Oh, he loves you, just look at his little tail~ -Said tail is wagging back and forth enthusiastically.- I think you're going to get along just fine. You can take him out for walks when you go jogging!
Caitlin(07/28/2011 12:11:16 AM) : -He wonders what it says about his character that he's almost looking forward to that.- Yes, that would work. -Something else clicks into his mind suddenly, and his eyes go wide. He dreads the answer to his question, but it has to be asked.- Where is he going to sleep, Grelle?
Hime(07/28/2011 12:16:13 AM) : -Grelle brightens up even further at this question.- I am so glad you asked. -She runs back to her bag, looks around for a second, then remembers it's still in the car, so she runs into the garage, takes the cushy little dog bed from the front seat and brings it back in the house.- I bought this for him! It's still a bit big, but he'll grow into it, so there are blankets we can put around him in the bag over there. -Cardenio makes an excited whuff at the sight of the dog bed he spent his time in on the way over.-
Caitlin(07/28/2011 12:20:36 AM) : -William can feel the little thing's tail wagging back and forth excitedly. At least she had thought to buy something for him to sleep in. William refuses to share his bed with anything else: Grelle is enough of a mattress and bedding hog already. And god forbid that Cardenio ever even thinks about jumping onto the couch....- That's good. -William hands the puppy back to his wife, scratching behind his ears once more.- What about his vaccination records? His tags? I assume you have all of that as well?
Hime(07/28/2011 12:26:03 AM) : -Grell makes some ridiculous noise that sounds sort of like "uvuvuvuvuvuuu" while scratching Cardenio's nose.- Of course, dear, that’s in the car with the rest of his papers.
Caitlin(07/28/2011 12:33:39 AM) : -William reaches out and pets Cardenio again, who wiggled under his hand as if to urge him to keep it up.- Did they worm him at the shelter? -If they're going to have a dog, William thought it best to have a healthy one, at least one free of parasites.-
Hime(07/28/2011 12:36:22 AM) : -Grelle looks down and smiles at how much Will has warmed up to the little thing.- Yes, sweetheart, I made sure of it. He actually arrived there a couple of days ago, and they've made sure he doesn't have any worms or ticks or any other nasty little things on him. He's a perfectly healthy little pup. -She looks up at William now, the look she gets when she's caught him spreading across her face.- I'm glad to see you get along so well with him.
Caitlin(07/28/2011 12:40:53 AM) : -As much as he wants to deny it on principle, he is warming up to the pup.- Yes, well.... -He looks straight at the dog in his wife's arms, a stern expression on his face.- Just remember, Cardenio: if I ever find poop in my shoes, so help me god, you're through.
Hime(07/28/2011 12:43:24 AM) : -Cardenio gives a happy yip and licks William's hand affectionately. Grelle has to stifle a laugh at how much William does not seem to like this.- He says he loves you, too, Will. -She leans over to give him a quick kiss.- As do I.