Morning, Aftermath of Revival/January Event.

[velesdonnersen]

[Tarvek dozes beside Ilsa, on the sofa bed in the home office. She's back, and there's little that makes him even one tenth so happy... The blankets are piled high, pillows are tucked around them, and he can lie half-dozing, watching her through the veil of half-lowered lashes.]

Mmmmmmmm.

Comments

[velesdonnersen]

[After the list is written, he says,]

Want to go to the hardware store with me? [grimace] We'll have to use the station wagon, which means I really ought to invite Not!Betty and the kids. But she'll say no. At the worst she'll want me to take Perry, and the poor kid won't be much trouble if he does go along. It's not like he gets much fun.

[ooeeooahah]

Sounds like an idea. I'd say ask her for her grocery list, if she wants to stay home, but I'd be tempted to add to it.

[ She looks up from her list, and gives a whistle to Florian, curious what he'll make of an imitation of his happy trumpeting tones. ]

[velesdonnersen]

I'll ask her in any case. [Sad] There's so little I can really do for her. The kids are another matter: I don't feel like I let them down very badly. I...make a better father than I thought I would.

But there's no way Mayfield, I, or Not!Betty herself allow me to be any kind of good husband.

[ooeeooahah]

You make an excellent alpha, even within the constraints of Mayfield.

[ She nods her head to the house. ]

C'mon, we're burning daylight.

[velesdonnersen]

[He nods, and soon he's sticking his head out the back door, calling,]

Ok. Meet me out front. I'm getting the station wagon out of the garage.

[ooeeooahah]

[ The four of them are waiting at the sidewalk, Ilsa holding on to Florian around his neck. When Tarvek stops the car, she loads the maximimmoth into the back as if she's been doing it for years. ]

What? It's not like he's heavy, and he needs a harness.

[velesdonnersen]

[Laughs]You are so much better at this "Mayfield suburbs" thing than I am.

Very well. Pet store first? So he's secure before we continue?

[ooeeooahah]

[ She glances at the back seat before answering. ]

Not like it was that much different.

[ No, she's not saying that it was normal except for the incubus father. ]

Need to make sure we've got everything for Florian that you'll need before nightfall.

[velesdonnersen]

[He nods, starts the engine, and proceeds to spin the dials on the radio before he pulls out. Soon they are listening to "Unchained Melody," and it is proven that maximimmoths can trumpet along...]

Florian! Quiet!

[Booo-woot, booo-wah...hoooooonk....]

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa is not helping, snickering at the musical pet. ]

Now if Quinn could hear this...

[velesdonnersen]

[Boooooo-booooo-hooook, hooooooooonk] ARG! [Tarvek flips the radio off.]

Sorry-sorry-sorry.

[From the back cargo section Florian gives one last pitiful little boop.]

Quinn can hear this some other time. In a less confined space.

[ooeeooahah]

[ Still snickering. ]

I know that The Lion Sleeps Tonight is one I want to hear him sing.

[velesdonnersen]

[Face lights. He's heard this at Quinns!]

Weemoweh-a-weemoweh
A-weemoweh-a-weemoweh
A-weemoweh-a-weemoweh

[Hooonk-hooooooooonk.]

{Tarvek starts laughing so hard he has to pull over to the curb.]

Florian *sings!*

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa is laughing enough she doesn't offer to take over driving. ]

[velesdonnersen]

[Just when Tarvek's starting to recover and get his breath back, Florian decides he's bored, and starts to "dance and hum" to himself to keep himself interested. Tarvek starts to giggle again.]

I should have named him "Fred Astaire." If I'd only known...

[ooeeooahah]

Come on, let's go - you can see if they have tap shoes at the pet store.

[velesdonnersen]

[He managed to settle down, and pulls away from the curb. Soon he's parking in front of the pet store.]

Ok, got any ideas about a good color for a wooly maximimmoth?

[ooeeooahah]

I'd worry about fit, first.

[ She gets out of the car, and pulls Florin into her arms, carrying him into the pet store. ]

[velesdonnersen]

[He follows as she heads unerringly for the harnesses and leashes. But he does note various toys and supplies as he goes by. There's a hooded wicker pet bed that has him already reaching for his wallet.]

So, advise me, oh Sophia.

[ooeeooahah]

[ She's put Florian on the floor, and looked him straight in the eye, ]

Now you stay here with us, understand?

[ then she straightens up and starts looking through the larger dog harnesses. ]

We want something that is comfortable enough that he doesn't want it off immediately. That way he doesn't fight it so much.

[velesdonnersen]

[He finds a nice, "manly" no fuss leather harness with several adaptable buckles.]

This, maybe? With that expensive looking round-plaited leash to go with it?

[It looks like horse harness, and he's feeling a bit homesick for the world where horses are at least part of daily life...and a Prince is expected to know how to look good on a well-trained dressage mount.]

[ooeeooahah]

Hmm... possible.

[ Ignoring the drone clerk, who is babbling on about the wrong harness for a spaniel, she sets about fastening the buckles. ]

Seems to fit. Shake all over, Florian!

[ Ilsa shimmies her shoulders as demonstration. ]

[velesdonnersen]

[Florian looks totally bewildered, and a bit uncomfortable. Tarvek laughs.]

No, he won't get that. But this?

[He chuckles and begins stamping his feet, rhythmically.]

Dance, Florian. Dance!

[The mimmoth's eyes light up with understanding, and he squeals and begins to "dance," stamping all four feet and flapping his ears. He's almost prancing.]

Good boy!

[Tarvek squats easily, and hugs the little goof.]

There. Did that do what you need?

[He lets go of his pet so that Ilsa can check the harness.]

[ooeeooahah]

[ The harness seems to be in place, still. ]

I can't see anyplace it shifted too much, and it doesn't seem to bother him too much. It might jingle a bit once we get his tags on it, unless you think he might like a collar?

[velesdonnersen]

No. Maximimmoths aren't all that well designed for collars. Next to no neck, and the collar slips over their heads too easily. Then it either gets tangled in their tusks or gets turned into a play-toy.

So, that's good. What else do you think we should get him. I was thinking of the basket bed: it gives him someplace to go when we decide to chase him out of bed.

Any other ideas?