NPC pet store, mainland, Saturday evening

[can_be_more]

After visiting Luke, Aeryn had gone back to 238 where in conversation with John she'd somehow made mention of the fish-shaped fishbowl Isabel had gotten her for Christmas. This led to the trip to the mainland, to the store that Bruno had come from because they really need another NPC, and when Aeryn steps inside the store, she pauses for a second.

"This is what Fandom will look like the day everyone turns into an animal at once," she says.


[For John, and NFB due to distance.]

Comments

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"He's a different breed," John says. "He's a beagle."

The beagle jumps up and puts his paws on the glass.

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"Beagle," she repeats, watching it. "How many breeds are there?"

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Lots," he says. That's when a little golden retriever comes up in front of Aeryn and puts one paw on the window.

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The movement catches Aeryn's eye, and she slowly says, "...Hello? Can it hear me?"

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"He can," John tells her, looking over. "I think he likes you."

The dog licks the glass in front of Aeryn.

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"Don't lick the glass," Aeryn tells it helpfully. "It's glass."

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

The dog looks at her with sad puppy eyes.

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"Why is it looking at me like that?" Aeryn asks John.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Because it likes you," John says. "He wants you to talk to him."

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"I'll kill you if you're just trying to make me look stupid," she warns.

And then she totally blanks on what to say to the puppy. "How are you?"

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"I'm not," John answers.

The puppy gives a little yip and his tail starts wagging happily.

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Aeryn feels so dumb doing this. "I'll take that as 'fine'?"

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

The puppy barks again and puts both paws on the glass, panting happily.

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She taps on the glass, just to see what he does.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

The dog moves over to where she's tapped and puts his paws there.

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She moves her hand about an inch to the right.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

The puppy follows her hand, pouncing happily at her hand.

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"Is he playing?" she asks, moving her hand back where it was.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Yep," John says, smiling over at them. "He likes you."

The dog follows her hand.

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Aeryn puts a second hand up against the window at the opposite side of the glass.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

The puppy gets confused and barks loudly at Aeryn.

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She smiles a little. "Didn't like that?" she asks, taking one hand away.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

The puppy starts jumping at the glass trying to get to Aeryn.

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"Sorry, you can't get through there," she informs him.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

He looks mournfully at her.