Adam Milligan (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
halfwinchester) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
entranceway2014-04-17 11:30 am
halfwinchester) wrote in entranceway2014-04-17 11:30 am
003 ♟ text/action
[By the looks of the network, there's something wrong again, something about missing people, but when isn't something going wrong in Wonderland?
Adam has more immediate concerns, ones that, in comparison, are far more innocuous. In opposition to missing someone, if anything Adam is still trying to adjust to an addition to his one-man family. Getting a dog had seemed like a great plan when the event had been in full swing and encouraging him to ignore the oh my god, I can't be responsible for another living thing panic, but now the event's long over and the dog's still around with no humane society in sight. The destruction the dog wreaks around his apartment spurs him to write a text message he figures can't do any harm. It's not the weirdest thing he's ever asked on the network, anyway, and if nothing comes of it, no loss.]
Anyone have any dog training tips? For a larger kind of dog if it won't listen.
[The warm and fuzzy honeymoon feeling has worn off and cold, heard reality has set in in the form of one barking, grunting, chewing, drooling, messy, smelly, furry giant.]
And if it won't stop chewing everything it's not supposed to.
[At the end of the message, he adds:]
Any good names for a guy dog?
[Not long after he posts his message, Adam takes his new responsibility out for his daily walk, phone in his jacket pocket and gun tucked into the back of his pants (hey, it's not like anyone's around to report him missing, but he's not about to become another statistic if he can help it). The mastiff, a soft fawn-colored dog nearing two hundred pounds and pretty much as tall as his owner standing on his rear legs, trots ahead of Adam, collar jingling merrily. Adam follows behind, rubbing his face tiredly. For once the redness around his eyes isn't just due to night terrors; lately, having a pet padding around his room and bumping him with its nose keeps drawing him out of nightmares and into the perils of having a dog that won't stop trying to crawl onto your bed.
It's a strange thing, having something there with him at all hours. Really strange. And comforting.
After a while, they end up on a patch of grass beyond the gardens. There, Adam tries once again to teach it the "stay" trick like he's been doing all week. He might not have picked a name for the bastard yet, but actually listening to him when he needs it to stay put is kind of important, and a command that has yet to stick in any meaningful way.
Housebreaking? Not really a problem. Sitting? Not too hard with enough commanding and maybe a beer to calm his nerves. But the staying...]
Okay, stay. Stay there.
[He leaves the dog lying down at a point in the field and tries to back away. The routine almost always ends the same way: by the fifth step or so, the dog seems to think the distance means "green light, go!" and launches forward to paw his legs and nip his bootlaces, tail wagging, where he has to push it back to the start again.
At one point, the dog rips his laces undone completely and bending down results in a dog frantically trying to lick his face from top to bottom.]
I'm starting to think you're just doing this on purpose. [Adam pushes its big head away, acting annoyed but not feeling it.] Take a pill. You want one? I have one. Might kill you, but at least you won't be able to get up and follow me. Now get over there and stay.
[Back to the starting point.]
Adam has more immediate concerns, ones that, in comparison, are far more innocuous. In opposition to missing someone, if anything Adam is still trying to adjust to an addition to his one-man family. Getting a dog had seemed like a great plan when the event had been in full swing and encouraging him to ignore the oh my god, I can't be responsible for another living thing panic, but now the event's long over and the dog's still around with no humane society in sight. The destruction the dog wreaks around his apartment spurs him to write a text message he figures can't do any harm. It's not the weirdest thing he's ever asked on the network, anyway, and if nothing comes of it, no loss.]
Anyone have any dog training tips? For a larger kind of dog if it won't listen.
[The warm and fuzzy honeymoon feeling has worn off and cold, heard reality has set in in the form of one barking, grunting, chewing, drooling, messy, smelly, furry giant.]
And if it won't stop chewing everything it's not supposed to.
[At the end of the message, he adds:]
Any good names for a guy dog?
[Not long after he posts his message, Adam takes his new responsibility out for his daily walk, phone in his jacket pocket and gun tucked into the back of his pants (hey, it's not like anyone's around to report him missing, but he's not about to become another statistic if he can help it). The mastiff, a soft fawn-colored dog nearing two hundred pounds and pretty much as tall as his owner standing on his rear legs, trots ahead of Adam, collar jingling merrily. Adam follows behind, rubbing his face tiredly. For once the redness around his eyes isn't just due to night terrors; lately, having a pet padding around his room and bumping him with its nose keeps drawing him out of nightmares and into the perils of having a dog that won't stop trying to crawl onto your bed.
It's a strange thing, having something there with him at all hours. Really strange. And comforting.
After a while, they end up on a patch of grass beyond the gardens. There, Adam tries once again to teach it the "stay" trick like he's been doing all week. He might not have picked a name for the bastard yet, but actually listening to him when he needs it to stay put is kind of important, and a command that has yet to stick in any meaningful way.
Housebreaking? Not really a problem. Sitting? Not too hard with enough commanding and maybe a beer to calm his nerves. But the staying...]
Okay, stay. Stay there.
[He leaves the dog lying down at a point in the field and tries to back away. The routine almost always ends the same way: by the fifth step or so, the dog seems to think the distance means "green light, go!" and launches forward to paw his legs and nip his bootlaces, tail wagging, where he has to push it back to the start again.
At one point, the dog rips his laces undone completely and bending down results in a dog frantically trying to lick his face from top to bottom.]
I'm starting to think you're just doing this on purpose. [Adam pushes its big head away, acting annoyed but not feeling it.] Take a pill. You want one? I have one. Might kill you, but at least you won't be able to get up and follow me. Now get over there and stay.
[Back to the starting point.]
no subject
[She smiled kindly, hearing his dubious response, trying to assure his fears.]
no subject
No man is an island until he is, and Adam is. He's got no choice in that.]
Nice for you. No wonder you're kicking back.
[He volleys the comment about siblings back with any amount of politeness he'd give to a stranger, having learned by now not to let his resentment show on his face, that he has to be alone while others go on with their lives. The mastiff fidgets and takes a few steps behind him, nosing his leg with its snout; Adam focuses on the dog while he pets its head for a moment, giving himself ample time to make sure his expression stays even.]
I don't know, you get used to the weirdness after a while. Could always be worse.
[Instead of by himself in Wonderland with a pooch, he could be in Hell with a couple of archangels for company...]
no subject
I've taken up enough of your time. It was nice to meet you, Adam.
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A demon would probably understand why Wonderland offered more respite for someone like him despite the danger. To his eyes, though, she still just looks like a woman--a somewhat unusual one, but a woman all the same.]
Yeah, it is, but it's looking like a quiet day so far.
[But the sentiment is still appreciated. He nods at her in return. He's met more unfriendly types around here, so you know what, he's chalking this up as not a terrible first meeting.]
... No problem. You, too.
no subject