Wellspring Arms & Meditation Centre, Wednesday Really Early Morning

[intraspective]

Ino, like usual, showed up hours early for her shift, flipping the sign to Open and going to fuss with her plants. She was midway through watering them when she heard Tether barking from upstairs. That was usual enough.

It was only when he didn’t stop barking that she glanced upwards thoughtfully, set her watering can aside, and headed up the stairs. She knocked lightly on the door. “Cable-san?”

The barking stopped and she could hear Tether’s paws scrabble at the door. Frowning now, Ino tried the door, found it open—and what was up with that?—and was nearly bowled over by Tether. She petted him until he calmed down a little then, with a worried glance into the apartment, took him outside to do his business. He insisted.

Getting back inside, Tether sticking close to her heels, Ino darted back up the stairs. If Cable-san was in a coma again…

He wasn’t in a coma though. He wasn’t even in the apartment. It wasn’t until she was on her second search through the place that she noticed the note, stuck to the fridge, telling her to take care of Tether for him.

She stared at it, shock and fury and underneath it all a strong current of worry--Deadpool-san had said… Cable-san had suicidal tendencies…

The note got crumpled in her hand. No. Way. In. Hell. Was that happening.

Making a quick phone call, while filling Tether’s dishes with fresh water and kibble, both of which the puppy seemed grateful for, Ino then headed for the door.

Tether followed her. She stopped just inside the apartment, and knelt down to be on eye level with the puppy. He tried licking her face. Ino smiled a bit, pressed her lips to his head in a quick kiss. “Be good until Michael gets here, okay?” Ino said softly. “It’ll only be for a little bit, then we’ll have Cable-san back for you. We’ll get him back, promise.”

Another kiss to Tether’s head, a quick ruffling of the ears, and she darted down the stairs, through the shop, barely remembering to flip the sign to Closed and turn off all the lights, in her haste.

Wellspring Arms is Closed.

Comments

Re: Find the place closed.

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

Michael got the message when he got up, and dressed hastily before heading out the door.

As Ino had promised, the shop was unlocked, and he made his way upstairs looking for the puppy.

Re: Find the place closed.

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

The puppy laid near the door of the apartment, head between his paws. He made vague whining noises-- and as soon as Michael came close, clambered upright.

Re: Find the place closed.

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Tether", he said, dropping to the dog's level. "They went off and left you, huh?"

Re: Find the place closed.

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

Tether's response to that was simple, if eloquent:

He tried to tackle Michael's knees with great abandon.

Re: Find the place closed.

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, Michael's centre of gravity was now low enough that he didn't topple over, though he did wobble a bit on impact.

"Hey, hey... yeah, I'm gonna take you home until Cable gets back."

Re: Find the place closed.

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

If Tether had vocal chords, he might've told Michael how grateful he was for that one.

Or he would've just burbled unintelligibly. He was still a dog, after all.

After a moment of making sure Michael was Michael was there, he quieted, settling peacefully in the sitting position, tail wagging.

Re: Find the place closed.

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

Once the dog calmed down, Michael straightened, keeping his hands down where Tether could reach them if he wanted.

"Come on", he said, starting for the door.

Re: Find the place closed.

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

And the dog followed. Cable'd trained him pretty well already.

The begging for treats along the way? Totally Deadpool's fault.