alnifolia | open rp post 2.0

[ So apparently when one gets a dog, one is meant to, like, take care of it and stuff? Which includes buying it food and toys, teaching it when it is and isn't appropriate to relieve itself, and spoiling the goddamn hell out of it.

Peter, at least, proves himself to be exemplary at that third step, and he's managed to teach Indy how to sit and come when he's called. They trudge along as well as they can with the rest of it, though accidents happen, and someone (mainly Rocket) usually flips out over it. Still, Indy manages to fit into the little team of misfits reasonably well. Gamora begrudgingly admits Indy is cute, "if you like that sort of thing," and Drax speaks wistfully of his younger days, when he and his hunting hound would run through the woods together. Groot has a well of patience for all living things, it seems, and takes to Indy the best of them all, while Rocket practically hisses and spits at the little guy, especially when Indy bounds up to him and nearly tackles Rocket over from his enthusiasm.

(Peter's seen Rocket sneak Indy bits of food from his plate, so it's not such a hopeless cause.)

It's about a month after they found the derelict cruiser, and they find themselves on Xandar. A quick visit with the Broker gives them some ideas on how to unload the pieces of art they'd recently acquired, and now that work's out of the way, Peter and Kasumi find a park for the two of them (plus Indy) to relax in.

Well, they're relaxing. Mostly, Indy is shuffling around, exploring this grass thing. ]

We should probably track down a vet for him, huh?

[ Kasumi, on her part, is a little less hands-on in her caring for Indy. She lets Peter do most of the work when it comes to the training and discipline, to be completely honest--apart from the times that Indy either got into things of hers or relieved himself dangerously close to things of hers--but boy does she love spoiling that little pup with belly scratches and treats and toys. So many toys. And a large portion of them possibly stolen. And playtime, too, although most of the Guardians would argue that dressing the little pup up in costumes is not really playtime for him as much as it is for Kasumi. Whatever.

In a month, though, the little pup is not so little anymore, but still really goddamn adorable even if it means he takes up more room on the bed and is a little too big for Kasumi to carry around like a little kid. At the moment, she's carefully watching his first-time experience grass and flora that isn't Groot or the potted plants Kasumi undoubtedly keeps around the Milano through the lens of a camera. (Yup. She's that kind of dog owner.) And at Peter's suggestion, she lowers the camera to look at him. ]

He has gotten pretty big since we got him... That's probably not a bad idea.

[ He hums his agreement, tracking Indy's movement around them with a wary eye. Just in case the little guy wanders off too far, Peter has a pocketful of treats ready to coax him back. The little dude, apparently, responds well to food-bribery. ]

How much bigger do you think he'll get?

[ Kasumi just hopes Indy doesn't inadvertently destroy that flowering shrub in his curiosity. Please leave the flowers alone, sweetheart. ]

--I don't know. We never did figure out what kind of a mix he is, huh?

[ Just like his human. ]

Guess we could always figure it out, when we track down a-- hey.

[ That last part is directed at Indy, who, predictably, starts digging at the shrub in question. Peter lets out a shrill whistle, and Indy perks up, distracted from his task, and bounds over when Peter produces a treat from his pocket. ]

--a vet. [ yep, sure did complete that thought like it was nothing. ]

He kinda looks like a husky though, huh?

[ Kasumi actually appears fairly impressed by that display. Way to go, Star-Lord, saving the Xandarian equivalent of peonies from their pup. (No, seriously, they're gorgeous.) Kasumi looks down at the dog with a measuring glance as Indy happily munches on his treat. ]

He kind of does, come to think of it. But you're right--the vet could probably tell us. If they're versed in Earth canines, anyway.

[ he gives a quiet, thoughtful sound in reply. Now that the treat has been consumed, Indy wanders over to Kasumi, flopping onto his back for belly rubs. ]

You think we should head back to your neck of the woods? I mean, I don't think there are gonna be very many people in this galaxy qualified to look over a Terran anything, much less a dog.

[ Hold on, Peter, I'mma let you finish, but right now there's a cute dog asking for belly rubs and she is sure as hell reaching down to give Indy those belly rubs and coo at him. You want belly rubs, sweetheart? Oh you're gonna get belly rubs you are so cute, yes you are--

When Indy seems satisfied, he flops back onto his belly and lays down for a bit. Kasumi looks back at Peter, and as though she hadn't just been totally baby-talking at the pup, ]

Probably? I'm sure we could hit two birds with one stone, too, since there's no shortage of work in the Milky Way.

[ SIGH. At the very least, the both of them have gotten used to puppy-interruptions. Inter-pup-tions, so he just waits patiently, with a fond little smile on his face as he watches the two of them. ]

Well, when you say “work,” do you mean “work” or “work”?

[ Inter-pup-tions...

She tilts her head at him, looking slightly confused. ]

... What's the difference?

Well, you know.

[ He pauses, head tilting from side to side. ]

Something in an official capacity, or...?

[ She shrugs. ]

I'm open to either option. [ And then, a smirk. ] But you're the boss, Quill. You tell me.

[ He flashes her a sour little look before nudging her with his shoulder. ]

I thought we were partners, Goto?

[ Her smirking persists, even as he nudges her. ]

We are, but I'm also an honorary member of your team, right? Besides, I kind of like it when you take charge.

[ Aaaand wink. ]

[ He huffs out a laugh, giving her another playful push even as he grins. ]

Hint more, why don't you?

[ He slides down to the ground, sitting beside Indy — temporarily, anyway, because soon after, Indy starts crawling into Peter's lap. ]

I think we've gotten a lot of community service tucked under our belts to last us a while. But, hey, this is a team thing. I'm open to second opinions.

[ It's Kasumi's turn to wear a fond smile on her face as she watches Indy snuggle up to Peter, even standing on his hind legs a little to nuzzle the human's face. Absentmindedly, she leans over on the bench, resting a hand on Peter's head and gently running her fingers through his hair. ]

So... What I'm hearing here is that you're itching to get into a bit of trouble, Star-Lord.

I think we can arrange for that.

[ He turns, grinning up at her, even as he holds Indy back from trying to lick his face off. ]

I always knew there was a reason you’re my favorite, Goto.

[ She looks down at him, both sweetly and a little mischievously. ]

We might as well make it a date, don't you think?

[ because what even are normal people dates ]

[ any date that doesn't include larceny is not a date worth having. ]

I mean, sure. Why not, right? While we're out on the town.

[ As if on cue, Indy gives a little bark, like he's asking, what about me? and Kasumi can't help but chuckle. ]

--I think someone wants to be a puppy-in-crime.

[ he wrinkles his nose. ]

Yeah? Well, I think a certain someone still needs to figure out the whole house training thing before he can consider a life of crime.

[ Here it comes, Peter, an actual, literal Puppy Dog Pout™, complete with an actual puppy whine, as Kasumi just looks on, clapping a hand over her mouth, helplessly moved by the power of this dog. ]

[ Peter, it seems, has developed an immunity for Puppy Dog Pouts™, and rather than respond to it directly, he rests his hand on Indy’s head, keeping him in place, and turns to look up at Kasumi. ]

Man, you’re a pushover, Goto.

[ Voice still muffled by her hand, she says: ] Am not.

[ Except that she pretty much is, when it comes to Indy and his pouting. ]

Anyway, I guess the others can watch him while we run off and have our own fun for a bit. [ A beat. ] Do we trust the others to watch him while we run off and have our own fun for a bit?

Edited (phonetagging 1, anna 0) 2016-06-10 22:41 (UTC)

[ Oof. Now there's a difficult question to answer. ]

... Maybe Drax or Gamora. Exclusively. Possibly Groot, as long as we give him strict instructions to keep the little guy away from Rocket's projects.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject