caughtinanetwork

[When the SFC turns on, it looks as though some one is attempting to position it somewhere so it can be pointed straight at something. There's hands fiddling with it for a moment before they finally pull away, showing Ioder holding a silver flute in his hand. He moves back to go to a chair sitting in view of the SFC.

He sits and raises the flute to his lips, and after a thoughtful pause he begins to play. It sounds lovely (though he would tell anyone he's out of practice), up until the point that something nearby starts... howling? He gets about two more notes in before he's suddenly attacked! By... puppies. Yes. Puppies. Adorable little brown and white ones that seem to think this means its time to play.

Ioder laughs as he's licked mercilessly by the two canines now in his lap. One jumps down and starts yipping excitedly at him while the other drops down in his lap and tries to nip at the flute.]

Ah-ah, no, that's not a toy.

[He smiles and puts the flute out of reach of the puppy, petting his head as he turns a sheepish look to the SFC.]

Well, I was going to try to play something nice for everyone, but as you can see these two have other plans. I picked them up from the pet store earlier today. They were very excited and happy to come with me, and the store owner begged me to take them both. They're siblings from the same litter and absolutely inseparable.

I admit, I'm at a loss for good names, though. Would anyone care to help me name them? It's a boy and a girl, and they're quite rambunctious but very loving!

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[Naturally, Dhaos wanders in not long after the puppies. Very gently, he picks up the one not currently receiving attention from his housemate. She squirms a little, but quickly settles down when he starts scratching behind her ears.]

I had not realized you wanted pets.

I didn't really think about it until the animals broke out from the petting zoo, and I saw so many picking them up as pets.

[The male seems content to watch his sister receive attention, but only so long as Ioder continues to pet behind his ears as well.]

We had animals at the palace, but they were almost all exclusively cared for by staff and never really considered "pets" in the sense that I know others are used to. Many of the puppies we had were intended to be raised as part of the royal guard.

I see. I can certainly see how that would influence your choice.

[He pauses for a moment to think, absently continuing to pet the female.]

...Perhaps Iona would be a good name for this little one.

Iona?

[The female barks excitedly right after Ioder says it, getting a laugh from him.]

Do you like that name?

She is quite happy with it, yes.

[Well, he knows the pup is happy to have a name at all. The meaning of said name matters little, for it is just a term of endearment to them. He says none of this to Ioder though.]

Wonderful!

[He picks up the other puppy, holding him out just far enough that their noses touch.]

Now what about you?

[Something about the little scene sparks a memory for Dhaos: the memory of someone recently departed from the city. Although they had not spoken especially much, the boy had left an impression on the seraph. To be so young and have experienced such pain, and still have the determination to fight on... That deserves a tribute of sorts, even if just a small one.]

...Ico.

Ico?

[Ioder pulls a face at that, mostly thoughtful because he'd never heard of such a name, but the puppy immediately starts barking, yipping up a storm as if to say "yes yes I like that one!"]

Well I guess that's decided then! Ico it is.

[Dhaos just smiles mysteriously. If Ioder asks, he will tell what he knows of the original Ico's story. For now, he is content to know that if the pup grows to be anything like his namesake, he will be a fine dog indeed...]

Iona and Ico. I like it. It sounds nice.

[He won't ask. At least right away. For now he's just content that his pets have names, and he has Dhaos' company.

But the last part is always a given.]

I'm glad I could help.

[Dhaos himself is quite content to have helped his friend, and to spend time with him. He's also quite happy about the new additions to the household. Sure, they will be a bit of a handful as puppies tend to be, but it will be nice to have company when the others are out of the house.

He can't help but chuckle a little when Iona takes the opportunity to start licking his chin.]

She really likes you! Not that I had any doubt.

[Don't mind him laughing quietly over there, Dhaos.]

;video

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