drear | cotton, wind, blow, blouse

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cotton, wind, blow, blouse

[ 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. ]

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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?

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?]

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.

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.]

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. ]

Both, but usually the latter. Movie snobs, the lot of them.

[Eames said with a long suffering sigh, watching approvingly as both Cerberus and Heine seemed to be synchronizing very well.]

The dogs are the worst. You would think none of them are trained, since they tend to play together the whole time.

[Which may or may not be encouraged by Eames, but no one was here to rat him out.]

Doesn't that mean you suck at training them?

[ A small smirk tugs at the corner of Heine's mouth. Once he's sure there's no one driving through the intersection he signals Cerberus to guide him down the curb, following the feeling to know how far to step down. ]

Cerberus is working out for you, isn't he?

[Still, Eames couldn't help but laugh at the barb, shrugging.]

The only way you'll know for sure is if you come to one and judge for yourself.

For now.

[ Cerberus, attentive and actually well-trained, only looks at Heine at the teasing tone of his voice and continuing to follow Heine's direction towards the park. ]

Maybe. I don't do a lot on the weekends. [ But, well... ] I'll think about it.

He's doing very well for his first big outing.

[Which spoke to how strictly Heine adhered to the regiment as well as the dog's own temperament. Even if he kept looking around curiously, he didn't try to break away or get too distracted by all the noise and smells. The park would be the ultimate test, since it seemed like a busy day, whole bushels of families and their rambunctious kids picnicking and playing in the park. A few other dogs were making their rounds too, and Eames kept his eye on them just in case.

But the most they probably would have to worry about were a few people running up to try to pet Cerberus without asking.]

Don't feel obligated.

[It was a bit distracted as he headed towards a bench in the park, deciding to test how long Cerberus would sit in all of this commotion.]

[ Is he? Heine's not sure—he never really is. For the most part things are going smoothly, but that could always change. Things do always change.

In the end he doesn't say anything. When they reach the park Heine follows Eames' directions to the bench; counting steps makes it easy enough for him to find the back of the bench with his hand and sit down next to him. ]

Sit.

[ He hears Cerberus move and sit next to his feet. Further away he hears shouting, running, barking. Kids playing. Heine slowly leans to rest against the back of the bench. ]

It's nice out today.

[That observation was surprising from a so far grumpy guy who had warmed up to a dog named Cerberus, but it made Eames grin as he sat back in the bench comfortably. He slung his arm over the back of the bench, watching as people went about their lives, occasionally glancing over at Cerberus to make sure he wasn't on the verge on bolting. He looked calm, just like his owner.]

It is. And it looks like there's a dog park nearby. That or other people just like letting their dogs loose in a certain area.

[ Heine doesn't reply for a moment, thinking over his own words. He feels warm in the sun. Comfortable, for lack of a better term, but he doesn't remember the last time he let himself be comfortable. ]

I hear them.

[ It's almost like leaving the house is a good change of pace or something. ]

Do you not know this area?

Not really. I think you're my only client this far out.

[Eames stretched out, resting his hands lazily on his stomach as he leaned back on the bench.]

But it's nice out here. It seems pretty peaceful.

...yeah.

[ Peaceful is a good way to describe it. Heine focuses more on the feeling of sun on his skin. The sound of kids is weirder than anything else. ]

It's a lot nicer than some other places I've been. Having him's not bad either.

[ Meaning Cerberus, of course. ]

Where have you been other than here?

[He glanced over at Heine curiously, before grinning at his blase compliment to Cerberus.]

What about me? I'm not going to get any credit?

Wolkania.

[ That's the long and the short of it. For most people, Heine can summarize the events of war and fighting in the war when he was far too young with that one name. And just as easily, he slips back into (mostly) gentle ribbing. ]

I don't know, what have you done for him?

[That one word really said it all, and Eames let out a small, soft whistle. Even though it felt like some sort of violation of their client relationship, he patted Heine on the shoulder, because what was there to say about that? He'd never been to the region, but the horror stories that came out of it regularly was enough to make anyone wary about going there.

So instead, he accepted the barb and let out a small snort.]

You mean other than housing and taking care of him before you came along? I'll always be his first you know, so I can understand your jealousy and your territorialism.

[ Heine stiffens slightly under the hand, unexpected as the touch is, but as Eames' hand moves again he exhales slowly and leans back, relaxing more than before. ]

Just because you're his first owner doesn't mean you're the best.

[The way that Heine froze up underneath his hand was noted, and Eames gave him a bit more space as an unspoken apology, snorting at his retort.]

First means the best most of the time, I'm sure you're aware.

Guess I'll just have to prove that there are exceptions.

[ Cerberus is still on alert, looking around but sitting in his place next to them. Heine is quiet for a few more seconds before he tilts his head towards the exit of the park. ]

I'm ready to head back.

We should see how he reacts around the other dogs.

[Eames said, pleased that Cerberus had been very attentive and still for the duration of their talk.]

Then we can head back.

Right now?

[ Do they have to? Heine reaches out and Cerberus turns to put his head under it. ]

You're not curious to see how far he's come?

[Eames won't force it, but the park is only a few steps away. It seemed like a wasted opportunity.]

But if you both are tired already, we can head back.

[ ...right now? Heine continues to rub his fingers between Cerberus' ears, touching the short fur with his head tilted down. Even if he couldn't see even with his head up, he stays that way until the thought of giving up pisses him off enough. ]

Fine, let's go.

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