Outside in the woods and by the lake, evening

[scots_wolf]

There is a big friendly dog rambling through the forest, followed by an equally big human (on whom the jury is still out in relation to friendliness).

Urquhart is spending much of this summer outside, walking with the dog, fishing, thinking, building fires to roast what he caught. There are nights in which he doesn't come back to the bar at all, sometimes several in a row.

Tonight is such a night.

Comments

[forgottenmotley]

Aww... that's sweet!

The puppy bounces into the thicket and then stops to sniff the ground rapidly.

He smells something funny!

[scots_wolf]

It's a demon bunny that hisses at them.

Franz barks at it, ready to give chase if it bolts, or attack if it doesn't.

[forgottenmotley]

Is it friendly?

He goes closer to it, wanting to sniff this demon bunny thing.

When it lunges forward and tries to bite the puppy, he yips in surprise.

[scots_wolf]

Franz attacks the bunny, snarling.

[forgottenmotley]

He does not like that at all!

From behind Franz he snarls and yips angrily. He was just being friendly! Stupid whatever it was.

[scots_wolf]

Franz manages to grab the demon bunny from behind and snap its neck.

Then, he turns to bring the dead bunny to his human, as he's been taught to do.

Lesson number one to the little apprentice dog: Always bring the dead thing to your master, he will be grateful and call you a Good Dog!

[forgottenmotley]

The puppy trots after Franz and yanks on the demon bunny's ear. He's mildly confused as to why it's not doing anything any more.

He's never seen a dead thing like this before. He's seen dead bodies. But never things die.

"I see they ran into a bit of excitement," the Fool says when he notices the two hounds returning.

[scots_wolf]

"And Franz turned it into 'Hunting For Beginners', it seems," Urquhart grins.

[forgottenmotley]

"Hum. Yes... so they did." He's not sure how he feels about this. But he'll wait and see. It can't hurt for the puppy to learn how to defend himself.

The puppy is trying to yank the rabbit's ear off.

[scots_wolf]

Franz holds on to the demon bunny, so the little dog has a chance of actually succeeding of tearing that ear off and getting a trophy of his own. After all, he found the beast!

[forgottenmotley]

The puppy dances happily, shaking the ear all around.

[scots_wolf]

"His first prey," Urquhart says with a smile.

[forgottenmotley]

"Does it count if he didn't actually kill it?"

The puppy seems to think so, from the way he's shaking the ear around and tearing it to bits.

[scots_wolf]

"Of course it does!" Urquhart says.

[forgottenmotley]

"Then he did quite well," the Fool says.

The rabbit ear is dropped at the Fool's feet and the puppy looks up at him expectantly.

The Fool leans over and gives the puppy a scritch and praise. From a pocket he produces a bit of jerky which is fed to the little critter. "I'm sure with Franz's help you'll become a mighty hunter indeed."

Once he's caught up to his feet.

[scots_wolf]

"Take the ear," Urquhart says. "He is already learning the rule that you must get his prey, and he gets his food from you. It is important to teach a young dog to fetch."

[forgottenmotley]

The Fool does take the ear and sets it aside. He'll do something interesting with it later on.

"He's very smart. He just needs a name."

[scots_wolf]

"You'll find something," Urquhart says.

[forgottenmotley]

"Yes. I'm sure." He frowns though, irritated that it's taking so long to find one.

Names are important.

[scots_wolf]

"Are you asking for suggestions?" Urquhart asks.

[forgottenmotley]

"Suggestions are always welcomed. If they fit, all the better."

[scots_wolf]

"Give him a simple name," Urquhart says. "Nothing too long or funny at the moment. A solid name. Like -- Max, for example."

[forgottenmotley]

He tilts his head a little. "Why would it be at the moment?"

[scots_wolf]

"I don't know," Urquhart says. "But you won't want to introduce your dog with an added apologetic 'We thought it was a good idea at the time' for years to come, would you? So, no funny names."

[forgottenmotley]

"No. A name is important," he repeats. "It is what you are."