02

[knifesedge]

[Some several days after arriving in Luceti, Knives finally appears in town in midafternoon. This is with remarkably little fanfare; what's one more new feather this week? Those who are familiar with Vash might well recognize him, as they are identical twins; his hair's shorter and black, he's a bit paler, but the rest is still there. The same features, nearly the same bearing..

But Vash probably doesn't pick his way through Luceti with thinly veiled distaste, as if he's spending most of the time wading knee-deep in something nasty. And he is shopping. Oh yes. So much shopping.

Probably because of the black and white border collie cheerfully tagging along wherever he goes. Which means Knives can be found at various times of the day at the grocery store, library, and in the forest near Luceti when he can't tolerate the town any longer.]

Comments

[knifesedge]

[The old adage of cats and dogs. Cats weren't bad, from the one barncat he'd encountered while passing through someone's farm, but dogs just seemed better. If he had to pick just one, he'd go with the canine. And did. The dog sticks neatly by his heels, not being underfoot or getting in the way, and he rather liked that. It was like having a fuzzy, black and white escort.]

Chocolate? Why would I give it that?

[The tone he uses suggests genuine bafflement; when was the last time even Knives had sweets of any kind, never mind chocolate? Giving it away was even more confusing. The confusion evens out quickly into neutrality.]

... No. There has never been a need. [The neutrality fades into a frown] I doubt it's difficult.

[goldenglasses]

Well you were just saying how some food is fine for others, but toxic for others. That's just one is all.

[Vash really isn't surprised that Knives has never been to a grocery store before. Probably always sent Legato out to do that sort of thing.]

Yeah, it's all pretty simple here without having to worry about money. Just go in and pick what you want and take it is all. They'll have bags of dry dog food and cans of wet food labeled dog food.

[knifesedge]

[Vash might be trying to help but all it earns him is a scathing look. Knives' voice is pure ridicule when he replies.]

Yes, Vash. I know. [He'd take what he wanted without paying regardless, that it's official just helped matters.] I don't need a walk-through for the simplest of tasks.

[Knives is very good at figuring out things on his own, and very quickly. That a lot of this stuff came in a guide book written by some Professor Sage simply made it even easier.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash lets out an annoyed snort.] I was just trying to help. [He stops following, realizing that helping now would probably only just give him a headache.]

Good luck finding the food then. [Maybe he'll just go park himself in front of the fountain for a bit. He likes to people watch. He had been planning to go into Good Spirits to drink, but that can wait so he can sit and watch for trouble at the grocery- er, he means, people watch for awhile.

He turns to go do that. Deciding quietly watching and waiting for hopefully nothing to happen was better than possibly fighting and getting annoyed with Knives again.]

[knifesedge]

[Probably Knives could be a little kinder about it. But kindness didn't come easily to Knives, not in easily demonstrated, obvious ways. Life beat that out of him very effectively early on. As Vash turns to go people-watch, it doesn't seem as if the other plant has any intention of stopping him.. or apologizing or anything of the sort.]

If you're interested in helping, watch Sasha until I return from the library. I doubt dogs are allowed.

[There are just some places you don't bring a pet. Said collie perks up when its name is mentioned, orbiting Knives happily; being able to speak like any Luceti animal didn't exactly always convey knowledge or understanding, after all. He points - and like most dogs it does seem to understand that and immediately dashes for Vash and begins orbiting him instead, in tight circles at a remarkably fast speed, claws scrabbling on the ground.

Knives watches for a moment, wondering vaguely how the dog kept from getting dizzy doing that.]

...It is somewhat high energy. Throw a stick, it'll stay occupied for hours.

[goldenglasses]

[Dogs probably aren't exactly in a library, no. Vash should be glad that Knives is at least willing to follow some rules, but did he have to dog-sit?

Eh, at least the dog was a cute one.] Alright, I'll watch Sasha for you. And if you're not going to call her by her name, you could say her, you know. She's not exactly an it.

[He smiles playfully down at Sasha. Moving to scratch her head.] Are you, Sasha? You're a good girl! Not an it! Aren't I right? Huh, Sasha?

[knifesedge]

[Dogsitting is better than having to watch Knives' last 'pet'. Legato was far less pleasant company than a rambunctious collie. He'll bring the dog into the grocery store without a problem but not libraries. Why the difference, he'll never explain.]

I'm fairly sure it's spayed. That removes a good deal of the 'she' parts.

[The dog doesn't really seem to notice or care, because there is attention to be had. And being scratched means that spiralling orbit stops neatly in favor of leaning shamelessly into Vash's touch, tail thumping on the ground happily. She's a good girl, yes she is! Instead of articulating this in any way recognizably speech, she just squeaks a little bit.

Knives, fairly sure that the dog will keep Vash plenty of company and vaguely certain that Vash will keep Sasha from getting into everything ever, heads for the library. He needs dog training books.]

[goldenglasses]

Sheesh! Knives! Even so she's still a girl! Man. Harsh. Don't know why a happy dog like you chose such a grump to hang out with.

[Yet, he's happy to let Knives leave. Even giving Sasha a bit of a belly rub before he'll find a stick to start playing fetch with her. Knives should be thankful. Maybe Vash will manage to tire to collie out by the time he gets back.]