milliways_bar | (no subject)

*Squeezing his hand, she kisses him.*

Peter, I promise you we will talk later. We have to talk later. I also promise *she kisses his hand* that a few hours isn't going to change anything. It will, however, spoil your present, and I am determined that you have a good birthday.

*With that, she jerks on his hand and leads him outside.*

Don't look directly at the tree. It will ruin the surprise.

Peter doesn't look directly at the tree. "Alright," He says, accepting her words. He trusts she will talk to him later.

Good. *Beaming, she walks in front of him, bouncing every other stride. She absently tries to rub some of the flour off her face, and maneuvers him so they approach from the back side of the tree. Just on the other side is the picnic she painstakingly laid out, complete with lopsided cake. The puppy is tied to the tree. She grins, certain that this will be perfect.

And it would be. If the cake was even remotely edible. Or if the puppy wasn't sitting in the very middle of the cake, wriggling in the icing while his tail wags happily.

Alanna swears.*

[OOC: Puppy! Puppy

]

Peter would snark about the cake if it was any other situation. But this? This is a -puppy- situation, so he just stares at her with wide eyes. "What...?"

Great merciful mother... shit. *She glares at the puppy.* How did you loosen your tie? Don't think I won't put you back where I found you.

*Muttering, she stalks over and scoops the puppy off the cake, giggling when it licks her face. She sits cross-legged on the ground, messy puppy in her lap, and smiles ruefully at Peter.*

Happy birthday. I don't think he got into the wine, but the cake is a total loss.

That's probably a good thing.

"I'm sorry," Peter says, feeling the need to apologize for it. "But I'm sure he was just.. curious." He grins a little, and stares at the puppy. "So this is...?"

He's afraid to ask it.

Yours. *She smiles fondly.* For Haiti. I thought you might be getting a touch lonely, and I have the kittens, so... *Biting her lip, she looks up at him with bright eyes.* You can say no if you don't like him. It's alright. I know you don't have a lot of time.

I know you might be nervous, but you aren't going to hurt him. I swear. You've changed, Peter. You aren't a monster. You never were. Ever.

I went to Corus and sat in a doorway down a side alley. I figured the right pup would find me, and he did. *She bites her lip nervously.*

Just like Alanna. Peter's eyes spark fondness at that, but he continues to stare at the puppy. After a long moment, he sits next to her (not noticing he sits on icing), and reachs a hand out to it.

Do you like him? *She watches his face. Puppy (as she has taken to calling him) lifts a paw toward Peter and slobbers lovingly on his hand.* He's very sweet, if a touch mischievous. His heart is kind, and he will be loyal.

I know it might be difficult having him there, but I can't imagine they will deny you.

*And after? Who would try to take the Hegemon's dog away from him?*

Peter smiles, and pets the dog on the head. He's hesitant about it at first, but after a pet or two, grows more confident. "It won't be difficult."

*Alanna grins, unceremoniously dumping the puppy in his lap.* I'm glad to hear it. Happy birthday. Now you get to pick out a name.

*Thom finds them just in time.* I suggest not taking suggestions.

Peter laughs. "Oh? What would she say?"

Oh, something fantastic, I'm sure.

*He steps up, squeezing Alanna's shoulder as he passes, and kisses Peter on the cheek.*

Happy birthday, brother.

I didn't get you anything. You'll have to go on. Somehow.

*Alanna smiles, watching them with a contented look on her face.*

Of course. I'm good at naming things, but this one is Peter's to name.

Raincloud is rather nice.

"Ah, but your presence is worth a thousand gifts," Peter says, smirking a little.

And then he pauses. "Raincloud?"

It's a good name. Not that I'm suggesting it, because... yours. *The puppy looks up at Peter and burps.*

"It sounds like a hippy dog," Peter decides, staring down at the dog. "And this is not a hippy dog."

...hippy? *Alanna furrows her brow.* No, his hips look normal.

"...another meaning, Alanna." Peter eyes Thom. "You should check out the puppy." To prove this, he pushes it at the other man.

*Thom squeaks and takes the puppy.

He eyes it, looking dubious.* Well . . .

I guess you're not a cat at least.

*The puppy does not vomit on Thom's head. It does, however, lick his cheek and get cake all over Thom's clean clothes. Alanna finds this quite funny and rolls around on the blanket laughing for a moment. Once she has control of herself, she smiles at her brother.* See? I told you I would bake him a cake.

*scowls at the puppy, holding it at arms' length* Oh, I do not approve of you.

And I didn't want to be in your cake!

Peter laughs. "It's just showing its love, Thom."

Don't tell Thom that. *She grins.* He might have an allergic reaction.