[from the pages—or rather, springs of Ranma ½, we bring to you. . .]

[onlyhonournow]

 [today, there's a rather large dog sitting, looking very reserved while gazing at the sky above the Fussin' Overlook]

[the dog seems rather familiar: there's something in its expression—and I mean, there can't be that many white dogs with red accents who have two swords strapped to their backs.] 

Comments

[bythehorns]

[time also for giggling and squirming, but not actually pushing away]

You are, um, really friendly, as a barkbeast.

[onlyhonournow]

I guess it just feels natural.

[backing off, but only to go into "play" mode, he barks happily and folds his forepaws down to the ground, with his back legs still raised, waiting, tail wagging the entire time]

[bythehorns]

Here, um, let's see if, this works, too.

[You dig through your sylladex for an empty pokeball oogonibomb. You hold it up so Drift can see it, and then throw it down the path.]

[onlyhonournow]

[cocking his doggy head to the side, puzzled for a moment, before instincts take over and he goes bounding after it]

[when he gets there, he sniffs it cautiously, then looks back at Tavros]

Should I bring it back?

[bythehorns]

[you have never actually played this game before yourself, now that you think about it.]

Well, uh, do you want me, to throw it again?

[onlyhonournow]

[we are so good at this.]

[considers. the face a dog makes when thinking is very silly.]

I would like that.

[wraps his jaws carefully around the troll!ball and trots back to Tavros, bending his forelegs to place it carefully at his feet instead of just dropping it.]

[bythehorns]

[Tavros: skritch your barkbeast friend between the ears.]

Here, let me see if, I can throw it better, this time.

[you try. in fact you can: your upper body has had a lot of work to do for the last sweep or two, and it turns out that comes in handy for throwing.]

[onlyhonournow]

[this time, he leaps after it, barking at it the entire way there]

[when he finally catches it, he rolls around in the dirt for a while with it firmly lodged in his mouth. So dignified. When he finally realises what he's doing, he drops the ball, lets out a short snuff, and noses it all the way back to Tavros.]

[then sits there, looking very noble. While covered in dirt and grass. Yup.]

[bythehorns]

[you can't help yourself. you are giggling. you try to cover your mouth while you do it as if that will make it less obvious or *something*, but this is ridiculous. and adorable.]

[onlyhonournow]

[more embarrassed snuffing noises. Still sitting very prim and proper, with his tail tucked around himself.]

Thank you for indulging me. That was enjoyable.

[bythehorns]

Hehehe, we can, do it some more, if you want. It's fun, to watch you.

[onlyhonournow]

[looking as disinterested as possible.]

Maybe just one more time.

[bythehorns]

Hehe, you don't have to pretend, that you're not having fun, because, I don't mind, and also, I can tell.

[THROW.]

[onlyhonournow]

[jumps, and nearly manages to snatch it out of the air—just barely misses, so he trots after it with his tail up and strides back over to Tavros with it in his mouth, then drops it into his hands]




... maybe just one more, if that's possible.

[bythehorns]

Of course, I am, not in any hurry, to go somewhere else.

[throw!!]

[onlyhonournow]

[oh yes oh yes chasing chasing chasing chasing IMMA CATCHU BALL, BALL YOU'RE GOING IN MY MOUTH!! WHO CARES THAT I JUST RAN STRAIGHT THROUGH A MUDDY PUDDLE I'LL ROLL IN IT, TAKE THAT PUDDLE—]

[onlyhonournow]

[—uh, wait, puddle?]

[onlyhonournow]

[u

uhh

well

this

is awkward]

[bythehorns]

[instinctive flinch!!! wait, no, nobody is trying to kill you.]

Aha, I guess, now we know, whether it was permanent, or not.

[onlyhonournow]

[. . . turning away to shove his fingers into his mouth to rummage for the troll!ball]

[he eventually manages to free it, and gingerly holds it out to Tavros]

... I think I'm done with that.