(OPEN) they're studying business i study the floor.

[oorah]

» WHO? frank, max & YOU
» WHEN? may from today on
» WHERE? throughout the station
» WHAT? mEET your fiRST spACE DOG REverie!!!
» WARNINGS? adorable pitbull & his crazy human (probably a lot of paranoia discussed)

» BACK TO THE START

[ a day after the mysterious roster appears, frank is waking up to another surprise in his quarters on deck 6. a dog he hasn't seen in almost two years, but one he would recognize anywhere, even in space. anyone who lives near room 19 might hear a dog barking happily before frank decides to make his way out into the station at large and take his chances. ]

Not cool, Max. You blew my cover.

[ it's not that serious really. he's starting to get to know people on the station and he believes on some level that they're all in this together. one rotten apple could still spoil the bunch, but he hasn't seen anyone truly rotten just yet. he has been monitoring the posts on the network closely though, and there have been... a few interesting responses, to say the least. catch these two doges on the way to the mess hall followed by the observation deck (basically anywhere you please!!!) max walks alongside frank dutifully without a leash, but he eyes anyone who comes towards them with a wary look, a low warning growl issuing from his muzzle. ]

Easy, boy, you're okay. [ frank puts a hand on max's head to try and get him to calm down. ]

» MESS HALL

[ those who have ever seen frank take a meal have never observed the type of focus he's exhibiting now as he punches in specifications for his dog's meal into the fabricator he's most partial to. he's basically the equivalent of the old lady who eats cat food except he'd make max a steak and then eat a packet of tuna okay. once he has their meals calibrated, he makes his way to the far end of the dining hall where he sets max's tray on the ground for him to eat off of and sits at the edge of the table himself to drink his coffee and watch over his companion, hoping space doesn't make him sick. every few minutes, he strokes a hand down the dog's spine gently, looking on with open concern though he usually goes out of his way to hide his feelings from people in this place. (it's not very successful...)

on the approach, max seems unconcerned with people if they sit quickly across from frank in a non-threatening manner. however, if they hover he'll look up from his food and do his warning growl again. ]

I just woke up and he was in my room. [ frank will tell anyone happening by. he sounds bewildered and worried, but also... happy. ] I wonder if they make magboots in his size.

» OBSERVATION DECK

[ frank has settled some after receiving his dog (and knife) and he's sitting by the windows so max can get a good look. the dog presses his face nearly to the glass, fogging up the area he's standing at while he watches over the planet with a seriousness only afforded to working breeds. he would much rather protect this strange collection of odd-smelling humans than the irish mafia in hell's kitchen any day. bring it on, his expression seems to say.

for his part, the ex-marine has his newly acquired knife out and is painstakingly ripping the stitches on his right palm so he can pull them out without injuring himself further. he flexes his hand once he's done and looks up briefly at whomever he might be sharing the deck with before addressing the dog again. ] How do you like that, Max? First rescue dog in space.

» OUT ON THE STREETS

[ on the way back to their room, max gets away from frank, clearly thinking it's a game. the pit hops onto an elevator with someone who either doesn't listen to frank's warnings to hold it or simply don't have time before the doors close. either way you are now accompanied by a stocky, brown dog with a white chest and a smile in his big, brown eyes for the duration of your elevator ride.

once the elevator lets off, it's max's time to go exploring without his overbearing dad breathing down his neck!! stop cramping his style, frank!! he will be found in corridors mostly, sniffing around at the empty casings or people's boots. some people he finds more interesting than others, of course. maybe he refuses to drop your scent, nose pressed to the side of your shoe insistently. TELL HIM YOUR INTENTIONS OR ELSE.

he will eventually make it back to deck six and frank himself, but you're also welcome to try and find his owner, or just play a game of tag with him. once he feels comfortable around someone (this will go quicker for women/girls and generally non-threatening individuals) he'll tap his wet nose against your arm and then run off, expecting to be pursued. ]

» CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

[ feel free to run into dog + man or just dog in any location you please and write your own starter if nothing pings you here! happy to roll with anything :) ]

Comments

[donkeyballs]

[He never totally knew where to find Frank, other than the bar, so he was on the way there when he spotted the man in the hallway, instead, his silhouette already becoming familiar enough that Alex could recognize him long before he came up to him.]

Hey, Frank, you seen this yet? [Waving his terminal.] Because I sure as hell don't--

[He stopped dead, because there was something with Frank. Something furry.]

[oorah]

[ he looks up at the sound of his name, and so does his furry companion. who is this tall bearded man waving his arm at dad??? he growls, standing between alex and frank as he waits for the signal to attack. some habits died harder than others, unfortunately. alex stops advancing thankfully, and frank is still processing what the other man had been about to ask him, thinking he knows exactly what it is. ]

Down. [ he says gruffly, laying his hand flat and watching as max immediately deflates and drops to the ground. once he's sure max is calm and won't attack his friend, alex is motioned closer with a wave. ] He's not dangerous, just... anxious. You talking about that roster bullshit?

[donkeyballs]

[ Even after being motioned closer, though, Alex is still just staring at the dog, his eyebrows raised high on his forehead. Is he supposed to be scared of it or charmed?? He doesn't know??

He doesn't get closer, though, it made pretty clear it didn't want him to. After a few (way too long) seconds he manages to pull his attention from the pup back to the man.]

Uh--

Yeah, that's what I'm --

[ Okay, no, he can't just pretend that thing isn't there. ]

Is that a dog?

[oorah]

[ for dogs like max, both or somewhere between the two is probably safest. frank bites into his lip to keep from laughing at alex. he can't blame him for being distracted by the giant dog in space. ]

I take it you don't have many on Mars? [ he crouches down to show alex how to relay to max he's not a threat, laying his hand flat for the dog to sniff. he knows frank already of course, dad, savior; and he butts his head into the offering before laying his snout out on frank's palm, looking up at him like please love me. ]

[donkeyballs]

Dome livin' ain't exactly the best place for big animals. We got rats and a few birds, but.

[But nothing like this. He watches for a minute, before carefully kneeling down where he was and holding his hand out.]

Where the hell d'ya find it?

[oorah]

[ max gets with the program quick, sniffing at alex enthusiastically. he smells different from anyone max knows in new york, but not in a bad way. he sits and offers his paw. ]

Max, this is Alex. He's a sailor so I guess he's alright. [ he sits back and lets them get to know each other without interference before answering alex's question. ] He was just in my room when I woke up. But I know him from back home.

[donkeyballs]

[He didn't really know what to do with the dog after it sniffed at his hand, and he looked a little bemused at the offered paw, but figured that it he must be looking for a handshake, so... shook his paw.

He glanced back up at Frank, an amused look at the 'guess he's alright'.]

You know him? So they brought him with you, maybe? [Alex still hadn't figured out where or what or why or how they were brought here, but. He looked back at the dog.] So you're here t' make sure he doesn't get in any trouble, huh?

[oorah]

[ max wags his tail at the handshake like that was the right answer, then butts at alex's hand with his head once he lets him go. the price for a handshake is ear scritches, everyone knows that alex come on. ]

...I don't really wanna think about it, if I'm honest. [ but frank smiles and shrugs to concede the man's point. ] We're both shitmagnets, so I guess being here together makes sense.

[donkeyballs]

[ It takes a few seconds for Alex to figure out what the animal is asking him for, but then he gets the memo - given Max some good, hearty ear scritches. ]

Holden's our biggest shit magnet, and I ain't found him yet, so that don't bode well for how much more shit is probably gonna go down.

But still - I gotta admit that even with all the weird folks on the station, I wasn't expecting us t' find animals.

[oorah]

But the rest of being here makes perfect sense, right? [ a gentle tease, smiling as max leans into alex's hand. he will educate this whole damn station about how perfect dogs are now that he has one as exhibit a. ]

He got me out of a tight spot before, I'm willing to bet he's got one more in him.

[donkeyballs]

[Alex looked up at him, an amused smile on his lips, before his attention got pulled back to the adorable animal pushing into his hand?? God?? Dogs were so cute??? ]

Look, apparently I've still got the capacity for surprise.

[ He was starting to get really into this petting thing. Why was it so soft.... ]

That right, partner? [Talking to the dog.] You been keepin' our soldier boy safe?

[oorah]

[ ugh max and alex are so sweet together. it's hurting him. ]

I wouldn't say safe, but it's not for lack of trying on his part.

[donkeyballs]

Oh, is that right. Has he been makin' it impossible to keep care of him?

[ Yeah, he's... he's still talking to the dog. Sorry, Frank. He's Too Charmed.]

[oorah]

[ he has to laugh. it's soft, but entirely genuine. something he doesn't do much from the sounds of it either. ]

Do you two need some space?

[donkeyballs]

[ He glanced up at Frank, having the decency to look a little sheepish, then stood back up, clearing his throat. ]

Uh - I'm good. Sorry 'bout that. He's uh - he's real cute.

[oorah]

[ frank snorts again, shaking his head. no one ever has to apologize for ignoring him for a cute dog OK that's his default setting with literally everyone else. ]

A lot cuter than me, can't blame you.

[donkeyballs]

[ Alex flashed him a grin. ]

That ain't exactly hard, cowboy.

[ But he looked back at Max incredibly fondly. ]

Heard a lot about them, obviously. Dogs, I mean. But it's somethin' else, seein' one.

[oorah]

[ frank just lifts his eyebrows and nods. that was kind of the point. ]

Nothing like dogs, man. They're the best. Always happy to see you, always there when you're upset... they're basically magic. [ he watches alex with max before crouching down so they're all closer to eye level. ] Did you know petting a dog at least once a day lowers your blood pressure?