perhaps we should sit them down and explain

[regenerated]

While it's a blessing that Mr. Muggles doesn't seem keen on marking every unfamiliar territory as his own, Claire can't help wishing that the Pomeranian would be a little less eager about meeting the other animals on the island. It's not that Claire terribly minds being dragged on over to a strange lizard or being yanked at the sight of a tropical bird, but when said animal has an owner dragged along, Claire finds herself nervous at the prospect, never certain whether or not that person is someone she'll enjoy getting to know or even someone she can ever come to trust. That's why she winces when Mr. Muggles suddenly decides to dart out of her arms, chasing after another dog on the beach.

"Mr. Muggles, no—"

How many times has she said that, already? The three words feel like they tumble out with all the force of a reflex these days, causing Claire to roll her eyes as she goes through the same old routine, feet sinking into the sand with every step. She's slower than usual now, chasing after that darned dog.

"No, Mr. Muggles, bad dog, bad—"

And for what seems like the millionth time, Claire looks around helplessly for the owner of the dog, prepared to have apologies tumble out of her lips half-formed in her sincerity.

Comments

[wizard-alive.livejournal.com]

"Ponch- Ponch, no-" Nita was sinking nearly ankle-deep in the sand as she slogged after her dog. And he is your dog, now. Kit's been gone for four years. She shook her head, her long ponytail swinging as bare feet slid for purchase. "Sorry!"

She could see the fluffy dog's owner scrambling after her own dog, who was easily three or four times his size. "He won't hurt him! He just wants to play." Which was all Ponch ever wanted to, with everything except bees. Right now he was bouncing, spraying sand everywhere, barking happily as he went around and around the smaller dog.

Nita finally got to the little flat patch of sand, trying to catch her breath. "H-Hi. Sorry, I'm-" She swallowed, and then held out her hand properly. "Nita Callahan. Nice to meet you. That's Ponch."

[regenerated]

Mr. Muggles quickly took to Ponch, trying his best to keep up with the larger dog in spite of his disadvantage in size, choosing to leap out of the circle formed by the larger dog by simply springing ahead time and time again at random intervals, occasionally throwing the larger dog off balance. The sight was enough to set Claire’s mind at ease— although, truly, she wasn’t sure if she had been more nervous for Mr. Muggles or the other dog.

“Oh, don’t worry,” Claire replied with a half-laugh, still eying the bouncing animals warily. “I’m pretty sure Mr. Muggles is just about the most indestructible thing there is around. He just gets hidden in all of that... oft-shampooed fur.”

Taking the hand, Claire smiled fully; although everyone on the island had been friendly to her so far, it still usually took some level of happenstance for people to come, and so she welcomed the interaction coming from a girl who seemed as nice as Nita. “Hi, Nita, it’s nice to meet you too,” Claire grinned. “I’m Claire, and that little fuzzball is Mr. Muggles.”