saveourearth | Don't pet them, grab them! [Mingle]

Date: 25th of July
Characters: Open!

I.

In the afternoon on the 25th, a network message alerts the Numbered to the fact that the petting zoo in Moss Manor's Menagerie is facing a major break-out: Someone has torn down the fences, and all the bunnies, sheep, and all the other animals typically found in petting zoos have decided to book it. They are now swarming the manor's grounds.

Due to the staff being nowhere near enough to catch them all, and due to the generally low threat level of the animals that escaped, visitors are asked to help catch them instead of being sent away.

And anyone who just happens to show up and help will be happily welcomed and included in the fort, without any question of who told them that help is needed.

II.

Afterwards, Lady Margaret Camilla Brassant invites everyone onto her patio and offers refreshments - tea, water, little sandwiches, cake and scones with clotted cream and jam. She retires quickly herself, but not before giving a brief speech thanking everyone who helped save the gardens from hungry mouths.

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All of the sudden, he has regrets. But it's true; he did offer the idea, and the gentlemanly thing is to at least give it a go.

"Oh, right. Uh, keep hold of the bridle if you can, but if she bolts... don't try too hard." He has no idea how the pony will react to him going behind her and giving her a smack on the top of her rump, but running seems likely, and he doesn't want anyone trampled under tiny hooves. It's not a forceful smack, just enough force to hopefully startle the pony forward.

Sadie smiles winningly at Russell as he shuffles around towards the back of the pony. If he falls in the line of duty she'll make sure to honour the bravery of this stranger.

"Will do!" She secures her grip on the bridle, not a moment too soon as Walter's tap on the pony's hindquarters causes the animal to start and lurch forward slightly. The movement is short-lived as the pony grinds to a halt only a metre or so away from where it was initially.

Sadie groans, "Oh for fuck's sack..."

A memorial in his honour, if she could, just so weeping friends and family have somewhere majestic enough to cry their tears.

For the moment, death comes to no one but their optimism, and Russell follows after the pony. "Maybe if we do this... a few dozen more times, she'll get the idea."

She will make sure to erect a giant marble statue of Russell on the spot that he died so that all can come and mourn his passing.

"Right...You're right..." Sadie gets into position again. "I think it's because they're such small horses, it super concentrates the anger and stubbornness until you get one of these buggers." She's not glaring at the pony, she wouldn't do that, certainly not.

He appreciates it. And the pony is simply too adorable and loveable to be glared at. Any attempt softens to cooing at those giant eyes and stubborn, stone-like legs.

"It's why children are so mean," Russell agrees with a sagely nod as he, likewise, moves to position. "Concentrated fury. Adults, well... What's that old chestnut about small hearts?" Gently, thwack.

Sadie moves forward again with the horse, managing to tug it a little further than it moved the last time before it stops again.

Russell's statement makes her think of her youngest cousins. "You've got a good point there. This is why I have cats, they're just fluff and love."

Walk a couple steps, swat, repeat. They'll lead this pony to water yet.

"Fluff, love, and indiscriminate fury? I know some dogs like that..."

He even dogsits for one of them, from time to time. Though that's less fury, and more some powerful mischief urge, unchecked by anyone but their owner.

She shakes her head, "Nah, my cats are sweeties. Well, Squash is a little grumpy but he's an old man now, he's entitled to it."

And so the pony moves forward again. "Do you have a dog then?"

"Not me! I visit, in a part-time way. Mostly I enjoy others' pets."

Onward, pony, onward. And in the spirit of enjoying others, he has to ask:

"What sort of cat is Squash? Do you have pictures?"

Sadie nods, "All the fun of pets without the full responsibility or the expense. Good plan."

Sadie visibly brightens at Russell's interest in her cats, "I'll show you once we sort this pony out. He's a Persian-mix...we think. I rescued him from the street when I was ten. But yeah, he's got that flat face, so I called him Squash."

That's the idea with the pet-sitting. It's usually worked out, too; most animals love him. Not quite every time, and now he has something to prove to that one dog -or really, prove to himself, using that dog as a living prop.

"I love it, that sounds like it suits him." Russell laughs a little and admits, making a scrunched up face imitating what he assumes Squash looks like, "I always worry... Do they have those faces naturally? Or did they run into too many glass doors as kittens?"

You'll show that one dog one day Russell, you just have to believe in yourself!

Sadie giggles as Russell scrunches up his face. "Yep! That's a Squash face alright! You even got that hint of grumpiness right."

The pony is moving forward a lot more smoothly now, obviously resigned to the fact that the two humans were not going to stop making it move. "They're bred like that the poor things. It's why I would never have a flat-faced cat, lots of health issues, but he was hiding under the recycling bin during a storm and I fell in love with him right there and then."

That's right! The pony's movement is a triumph of counter-stubbornness and annoying others into doing what one wants. A heart-warming story for the ages... only to be surpassed by its eventual sequel, of triumph with the dog.

Russell grins, not hiding that he's flattered; usually it takes a few tries to get the expression just right. And he nods along to the rest of her story. "Grumpy old man, found in the garbage... He's entitled to the grumpiness."

Sadie heaves a sigh of relief as the pony continues to move, and laughs, "Pretty much. I don't think he's forgiven me for adopting two energetic kittens just before we moved here. He's like a grumpy, reluctant grandad who just wants to sleep when all the kids want to do is play."

Don't pet them, grab them! [Mingle]

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Excellent Icon choice :3

It's a very Russell expression in dealing w/ all this! but I wanna get more human icons for him soon

the human icons are fab :D

NGL they're a big part of why i thought to join SoE in the first place! a convenient good face

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