WEEK 6 - LOBELIA

[foundationmods]

Six weeks.

They had been here for that long, and still...the game was continuing.
Yet, it felt like they were finally about to reach the end of it...
Just a little longer. 🗈

Still, things were just the same as they had been the past few weeks.

The goats and servants were still around, and so too were the witches.
Yet, it felt like this week would be the week they would finally get all the pieces to the puzzle.
But...could they solve it?

Only time would tell.

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Comments

[sotoshini]

[ At some point later in the day, Natsuno finds his way to the kennels. He's not too keen on approaching, but dogs are good at sensing other people's presence. Particularly when they don't like them.

There goes his whole "take a discrete look at the houndkeeper" plan. ]

[anonnomnomnom]

[The beagle at least doesn't seem too outright hostile. There's just a crouch and a little play-growl when he becomes aware of Natsuno's presence. There's a torrent of barking from further inside the kennel, so it's evident the more experienced hounds are scenting a Problem on the wind. The hound keeper glances back at his charges and merely smiles, ever pleasant.] You are not the first to set them off, don't worry.

[sotoshini]

[ Yeah he's just gonna stop right where he is. Demon Jinrou is a double whammy for these poor doggos so it's for the best. Looking at the beagle, back to the houndkeeper, then back to the beagle again. He doesn't really know where to look tbh? ]

A-ah, right. Sorry. [ A slight bow that's definitely born out of ingrained norms. Ruffling his bangs after and shaking his head. ] They seem to like you a lot, at least.

[anonnomnomnom]

[The beagle eventually joins the chorus of doggy yelling with his own little yipping howl, as though acknowledging that probably, since everyone else is yelling, he should be yelling too. The keeper laughs a little and puts a hand on his floppy-eared head, and the puppy quiets down to just yips after a moment. He bows his head a little in response, as though Natsuno's stiffness is totally normal.] With such a wide and interesting variety of guests, it's inevitable for a few not to be 'dog people', as some may call them. But as with all things in life, these things may be learned. It took me some time to have the hounds accept me, too.

[sotoshini]

[ Several second long stare at the bowing back. This just got even weirder smh. ]

Some part of me is almost insulted... [ Mumbling to himself because he's technically 2x dog now? Everything about this interaction is a mistake but he continues onward out of some sense of obligation or something. ] How'd you get them to like you?

[anonnomnomnom]

[Robert peers placidly back at him, head tilting just a little as the staredown goes on. Gulliver below him shuts up just to mirror the motion, so now Natsuno just has two sets of stares questioning him. Hmmm.] ... Well, I meant no insult. You'll have to forgive me. [Judging by his blank tone, the keeper has no idea what exactly he's done wrong!! Look what you did, you made him apologize for nothing on top of everything else.] Most dogs can be drawn in with treats, food or play -- particularly hounds, which are driven by a strong prey instinct and pack mentality. Once you have successfully won over one of them, it is not so hard to make friends with the rest.

[sotoshini]

[ Don't make him bow again! Literal facepalm here. Just gonna try to move on. ]

...I think that would take a while. I'm not good at cooking or being friendly anyway.

[anonnomnomnom]

Not to worry! If you wish to play with or feed any of our hounds, I or one of the other servants can supply you with treats. Some of the hounds have special dietary requirements, but we will account for those as well. [He smiles a little and pats Gulliver on the head again. Gulliver seems to have adjusted to having a double-dog-demon-vampire-thing in the vicinity and while his ears are perked and he's still looking at Natsuno watchfully, he doesn't start howling at him again. Progress??] And it won't do to underestimate the instincts of dogs. They may easily find those they don't like, but they are also good at sensing friendly intentions. [Even if you're a social dud like Natsuno! The keeper is 110% too polite to say this out loud.]

[sotoshini]

[ At least one of them is probably having a good time in this conversation. But yes, progress. The correct move here would be to offer his palm and then pet Gulliver, but he could barely dog when he was human so this is asking a lot of him. He manages to not be intimidating in looking to the beagle again at least??? ]

I'm not sure what my intention is anymore. [ ... ]

Actually, I know one thing you can do for me.

[anonnomnomnom]

[I mean, anytime the keeper can talk about dogs is a good time for him; if you really set him off he could probably go for a while, judging by his pontificating thus far. Gulliver watches Natsuno for a little while longer and then does the Beagle Headtilt™ at him again. He lowers a little on his front legs... Pounce? Play? Robert, in the meantime, is nodding pleasantly along.] I see, I see. Well, far be it from me to rush a guest when he is not ready for the mysteries of hound keeping. What may I do for you today, then?

[sotoshini]

[ Having made up his mind, this time Natsuno gives the beagle a nod. Dogs probably don't understand nods all that well, but maybe this next part will be a bit clearer.

It's funny, this isn't a power he used often. He's always been more of a fan of direct methods, but both shiki and jinrou possess the ability to alter their voice to evoke a sense of calm. On face, it has the effect of making his tone soft and almost velvety, but in practice it's just insurance to make sure he doesn't get mauled by an entire kennel of dogs. ]

Close your eyes. [ Stepping closer, all his embarrassment from before seemingly melts away. ]

[anonnomnomnom]

[The beagle gives a tiny yip and a little leap, but it's not quite a pounce yet -- the swing between the nod and the voice confuses him, so it's more like he rises on his hind legs and then almost falls over trying to get back down fast enough. It's also not a command he recognizes, so the pup just flops down at the tone. The keeper, on the other hand, dips his head a little as though acquiescing or maybe starting to nod off. At any rate, his eyes are closed obligingly.] Hmm, how interesting. I'd wager you've at least gotten Gulliver to listen for a moment.

[sotoshini]

[ Natsuno laughs a little, light, airy, and with a hint of...

The next few beats make it clear why he had to step forward, and why he had the keeper close his eyes. See it's real hard to kisss omeone when you're not close enough, and most kisses are done with closed eyes. Chu. It's nothing like their normal kisses (or what will become their normal), it's far too light and quick, but it's still a kiss nonetheless—on the cheek, right where Anon's stripes would be.

He pulls back in a flash, retreating as far as he was when their conversation initially started. His retreat probably helps cover the bemused yet satisfied quirk of his lips. Ah, and his embarrassment too which had been there from the start. ]

That wasn't for you or Gulliver. But thanks for your help, anyway.

[anonnomnomnom]

[The laugh, and all its hidden corners -- they're all entirely unfamiliar to the keeper, because of course they are. This is the first time he's run into this particular guest, this particular way of relating to himself and his hounds. This certainly isn't for him, either. So there's no frame of reference nor any ready reaction when the kiss happens -- just ice-blue eyes blinking open, round and rounder even than they normally are (and they're some round eyes, because it's necessary to be watchful, okay?). It takes him a moment to reach up towards his cheek, as though questioning whether that really did happen.] Ah...? I really don't understand! But I'm not sure that was an appropriate thing for a servant like myself to help with? [He seems caught permanently somewhere between being flustered and being extremely troubled at this point. The beagle next to him looks just about as confused, looking from his master towards the interloper and back again and grumbling a little as though to try and suss out whether he should do something about this. Good job, Natsuno, you broke both of them???]

[sotoshini]

It wasn't. But it can be a secret between us, Gulliver, and—the last one isn't important to you. [ On the contrary, Natsuno seems to grow more self-assured each passing second. There's a predatory way in how his lips turn upward, and in how he regards those icy blue eyes. The beagle gets a small side glance, just in case he decides that some pouncing is in order.

Natsuno deserves it at this point, honestly. ]