cotton, wind, blow, blouse

[canicide]

[ Nill introduced him to the agency, promising him that it wouldn't be a bad experience to just go in and talk to the guy. Apparently he trains some of the dogs himself, which is why there are so few to choose from, but even if it didn't work out on his first visit he'd help him in the long run. With Nill's experience in the field, Heine trusts her word.

That doesn't mean he isn't stressed about it. After years of coping with his problems by himself, asking for help or admitting he needs it at all throws of the precarious routine he maintains most days.

The appointment he makes is later in the morning to avoid crowds on their way to work. When he arrives he's not sure where to go and ends up waiting in the reception area, standing by an empty desk with his hands in his pockets. ]

Comments

[canicide]

[ Following Eames' voice and his memory of the hallways, Heine finds his way to the room, taking the pamphlets and tucking them under one arm for now. ]

What do you mean, cheeky?

[ Eames seems kind of... 'cheeky', himself. But if it's for this dog, ultimately, Heine thinks it might work out. ]

[embellishing]

You know, too witty for their own good.

[He opened his schedule book, flipped to Monday idly.]

I'm open in the afternoon. Would two o'clock work for you? If not, Ariadne is working that morning, and you can meet her for yourself.

[canicide]

Afternoon works.

[ Heine doesn't always get up in the morning, let alone in a timely manner. He's more likely to be up at 2PM. ]

You have my contact information, right?

time skip???

[embellishing]

Of course. I'll call half an hour before I arrive just to give you a reminder.

[He leaned against the counter, smiling slightly.]

It was nice to meet you Heine. I'll see you on Monday.

[canicide]

[ Monday it is. Heine bids him a curt farewell and sets out to make his way home. The list gets handed to Nill when she visits; their trip to the pet store is long but fruitful. And somewhat chaotic, but they don't get kicked out, so Heine counts it a victory.

Nill helps him dog-proof his house, which is a real help, though apparently his practice of taping and hiding cords so he won't trip regularly is useful as well.

Home alone when the time of their appointment comes, Heine has eaten lunch... or breakfast, since it was his first food of the day, and he figures he's presentable when he responds to the doorbell. In his own space he doesn't wear the sunglasses or use his guide cane. The only strange things inside now will be Eames. ]

Hey. Come in.

[embellishing]

Hello. This is a nice place you have.

[Eames observed as he followed Heine inside, looking around at the house. More so than most, there were adequate walking paths, everything taped out of the way and to the side.]

Are you always this organized?

[He asked half out of amusement, and also to know what Cerberus could expect. Messy houses weren't a problem to him, so long as he knew and could train for it adequately.]

[canicide]

It's that or bruise my shins every day.

[ Hopefully Eames isn't so stupid as to try and move any of Heine's things, but if he works with visually impaired people regularly, he should know better. Heine gestures for Eames to follow him further in. ]

You want a drink or something? Water?

[embellishing]

Water would be lovely, thanks.

[Eames, wisely, kept his hands in his pockets, looking around at everything curiously.]

How long have you lived here?

[canicide]

[ Heine lets Eames follow him to the kitchen, where he opens a cabinet and fetches a glass. His own drink is on the coffee table in the living room; he has a TV for audio and video with additional narration, though he'd been reading more instructions about keeping a dog when Eames arrived. ]

Five years now. [ Gesturing around the kitchen, he continues, ] I moved cleaning materials into that cabinet so I could lock it. Bed and food and water bowls are in that corner.

[embellishing]

[Eames took stock of everything, wandering around to get a layout of the house, nodding his head approvingly. It was good that it seemed like Heine was stable, and had put real roots down here. And that he was making an effort.]

You really read everything thoroughly, didn't you?

[canicide]

Yeah, well. [ Heine remains standing where he is, shrugging and assuming that Eames can see the movement. ] You wrote everything thoroughly.

[ After years of therapy both physical and psychological, Heine has settled, finally. He won't go back to how he was living before. ]

So, what's the verdict?

[embellishing]

Let me check into the bathrooms, closets, and backyard just as a precaution, but so far it looks fine.

[It seemed like Heine had taken everything to heart, which was good to know. He wandered around the house to check, humming thoughtful.]

For training visits, are you fine with them being here? And what days work best for you?

[canicide]

Right.

[ Heine points him to the half-bathroom; the house is all on one level except for the basement and his own bathroom is on the other end of the house near his bedroom. The backyard is at the back. Heine lets Eames out there to look at the (admittedly ragged) yard last. ]

I'm fine with you or the other trainers coming in. I help this guy at his music school some days, but most of the time I'm free.

[embellishing]

[Everything seemed to check out, and pleased, Eames headed back to the kitchen to drink down the water politely as he went through the checklist mentally.]

Music school? What instruments do you play?

[canicide]

Piano. Pretty badly. I think he brings me in to make the kids who don't practice feel guilty.

[ He can play accompaniment, but it's mostly a casual hobby. He's certainly not good enough to perform on his own. ]

[embellishing]

That's a terrible way to treat a friend.

[But even as he was saying it, he was chuckling. He polished off his glass of water, before pulling out his schedule book, flipping through the pages.]

The visits will be more frequent in the beginning, but once it looks like you both can handle it on your own, they'll start to taper off. Of course we'll always be available if you need us.

[Finding the next open availability, Eames canted his head to the side.]

How about Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 2:00?

[canicide]

Gets the kids practicing.

[ Heine shrugs; it's sort of funny to him and he takes it in good humor. ]

Works for me. Starting this week?

[ Even though his voice is cool, Heine is looking forward to it. ]

it's time to t-t-t-ime skip

[embellishing]

It's refreshing to see someone whose heart is in the right place.

[Eames gave him an amused look, before nodding.]

Sure. The sooner the better, I always say.

[The next few sessions went well, in Eames opinion. There were a few of the standard hiccups, Cerberus struggling with some commands but picking up others like a charm, but he seemed to get along with Heine well. They complimented each other, and each time Eames followed up, Heine seemed to be more relaxed.

So when it came to take Cerberus outside for a test run of sorts, Eames was sure things would go well. He knocked on the door, before putting both hands in his pockets as he waited.]

[canicide]

Well, it's funny when they cry.

[ Heine is joking. Mostly.

Cerberus becomes a part of his life after a few sessions. So does Eames, or at least his training sessions. The meetings are more regular than a lot of other things in Heine's life. And Nill was right, like she usually is. Having a new dog around means he really can't lie in bed for twenty hours straight.

When the knock comes, Heine is up, cleaned, and dressed to open the door. Cerberus has gotten used to Heine's house and Heine's gotten used to him. He can get Cerberus to heel easily with a murmur and a touch on the head. ]

Hi. Are we going out now?

[embellishing]

We can sit and chat for a bit, if you prefer. How are your music kids?

[Eames squatted down to give Cerberus a quick pat on the head, checking him over for any signs of illness or unhappiness. Despite his rather somber owner, Cerberus always seemed to be well cared for without being spoiled rotten, a tough balance for most to strike.]

[canicide]

They're fine. Still not very good.

[ But they're kids, and Heine doesn't expect them to be prodigies of any kind. He reaches up to the hook next to the door for Cerberus' guide harness and vest. ]

I'm fine to go now.

[ Not asked to be at attention yet, Cerberus nuzzles Eames' hand, huffing at his palm happily until Heine murmurs 'heel', and he moves to stand properly aligned with his feet. ]

How do you think he's doing?

[embellishing]

I'm sure in a few months they'll be concert level if your training of Cerberus is any indication.

[He straightened back up, heading out the door and waiting for Heine to lock up after them before bothering to answer.]

He's doing well. He respects you and is clearly attached to you, which is good at this stage. How are you doing?

[Because wasn't that the big question?]

[canicide]

Maybe if they spent all their time with me like he's stuck doing.

[ Heine snorts a little, tucking his keys into a pocket before starting to walk down the two steps in front of his door to the sidewalk. His guide cane gets unfolded while he stands for a few seconds to prepare for himself. ]

I'm fine. I haven't done anything all week.

[ Heine is self-aware enough to give a small, wry smile at that. His therapist has been trying to encourage him to socialize more, but learning to socialize with Cerberus, even if he is a dog, has been more than enough lately. ]

Let's go to the park.

[embellishing]

He doesn't seem to mind though, does he?

[Eames resisted the urge to pat Cerberus on the head since he was going to be working technically, but he shot Heine an amused look. The look softened into something more empathetic when Heine admitted to doing nothing all week. He tucked his hands into his pockets, bobbing his head thoughtfully.]

I'm sure you're already tired of our collective faces, but we have get togethers on the weekends for most of our clients. Mostly it's me bringing popcorn and a movie, and people complaining, but if you're ever in the area, you're welcome to come.

[He nodded at Heine's suggestion, gesturing for Heine to lead the way.]

[canicide]

Complaining about popcorn or the movie?

[ Heine goes in front, using the sound of Eames' voice to make sure he doesn't bump into him. Cerberus is working well on the lead now. Walking with him is getting easier, and when they make it to the curb Heine stops from his movement instead of the feel of the ground under his guide cane. ]