✓ Memoir 3 // Action in the Tavern

[hawkethat]

[The music is lively and the taps are open and flowing freely at Teeter's. It's a fantastic place to unwind after a long day of running errands. Hawke's got a table to himself where he can watch the dancing and keep his puppy pack contained and out from underfoot, away from the other patrons.

If he sees a familiar face, he'll wave and extend an invitation to join him.

If he sees an unfamiliar face, he'll pretty much do exactly the same thing, because that's how he rolls.]

Having a good time?

Comments

[hawkethat]

Are you happy there? Or would you prefer it in the orchestra?

[Awww yeah, tower of fries. Hawke immediately starts portioning the enormous pile out for the puppies waiting patiently under the table.]

It won't win any awards for grand cuisine, but at least you'll never go hungry when ordering here.

[incousinswithyou]

An important point to consider, when you have an entire pack following you at all times.

[she thinks it's cute, if unwieldy for her own purposes.

Togepi starts wiggling when she sees that other Pokemon are getting stuff and she isn't! It doesn't matter what it is, if other people have it, she wants some too!]

At this point, half my job is keeping Haruka in line, so I don't really mind. [hah.

She'll take a fry and try it. Well, at least it's not terrible. Just terrible for you. Suppressing a sigh, she picks up another and holds it up to the eggbaby so she can nom on it.]

[hawkethat]

What else would they be doing?

[There's no point in having a pack if you leave them home all the time. Under the table the sounds of said puppies politely eating fry snacks can be heard. That'll tide them over until proper dinner, later.

He grins at her response to his question.]

I didn't realize she was that much of a loose cannon.

[incousinswithyou]

Sleeping, I would imagine. [that gets a quiet chuckle

And...oh no. Eggbaby really seems to be enjoying that fry.] Priiii~!

Come to one of our shows if you want to see for yourself.

[Haruka ad-libbing at will and stressing out the rest of the theater crew seems to entertain the audience, however.]

[hawkethat]

They can't spend all day sleeping. When would we train?

[Because training his pack and helping them to be the very best they can be is super important, okay.]

I've been wanting to. You'll have to let me know when the next one is.

[incousinswithyou]

A stern taskmaster, hm?

[Michiru is slowly gathering up the willpower to try one of the onion rings, even as Togepi reaches for another fry. It would be rude otherwise, right?]

I can't guarantee the quality of the writing, but the audience always seems entertained.

[purple prose and high drama, for the most part.]

[hawkethat]

It's important that they meet their potential.

...Though I am starting to wonder when Paladin is going to evolve.

[Don't forget all the amazing dipping sauces, Michiru. Hawke snags a fry and starts off with the Thousand Island.]

You must be doing something right, then, wouldn't you say?

[incousinswithyou]

[that gets a quiet laugh out of her] Your flattery will win you points yet.

[hmmm] Sometimes, they may not want to evolve.

[alright, alright. She'll get a fry, dip it in one of the sauces, and hand it to the eggbaby. Who immediately starts happily licking the stuff off before nomming on it.

...that wasn't the point of it at all, kiddo.]

[hawkethat]

Only starting just now? How much flattery does it take?

[So cruel, Michiru. So cruel.]

I've heard that. I wonder why that is.

[He COULD just ask Paladin, but he doesn't want to seem pushy, and she seems happy the way she is, so he just leaves it be.

...He still wonders, though.

Haha, aww, little eggbaby, that was cute. ;u;]

[incousinswithyou]

Oh? Is it too much for you?

[and she'll finally pick up one of the smaller onion rings and take a bite.

....So apparently, there are even different levels of deep fried.]

I'm sure we're all a bit afraid of growing up, sometimes.

[hawkethat]

...I suppose it's a worthwhile challenge. But only because I like you.

[...She's gonna have horrible gas later, isn't she]

You're probably right. Once you move on from being tiny and adorable, there is no turning back.

[Not unless somebody invents a de-evolution potion or something.]

[incousinswithyou]

[that's too undignified for Michiru Kaioh! But she's also never going to touch this stuff again.]

I have to warn you, my expectations are already set rather high.

[that gets a chuckle. At least her Milotic has mostly forgiven Paladin. Probably.] It's probably harder to beg for food when you look marginally competent.

[hawkethat]

You know, I think you've warned me of that once before. But I won't lie and say I don't appreciate the reminder.

[om nom nom fries and onion rings and beer, WHAT A FANTASTIC GASTRIC COMBO]

She's very resourceful, though. I'm sure it won't hold her back for long.

[Speaking of, here is a little Lillipup face, popping up over the edge of the table from her new perch in Hawke's lap. They've finished the fries down below...may she have some more?]

[incousinswithyou]

[hah] I'll keep a running score, then.

[maybe you'll get a prize if you accumulate enough points. Even though this 'wine' has definitely lost you a few.

And why, hello there! Togepi trills happily at the newcomer!]

[hawkethat]

[Heh.] Do I get a prize when I get enough points?

[O Hai! Paladin makes a sound halfway between a bark and a whine at the little eggbaby. There sure are a lot of these little guys around, lately! Does this one fall down a lot, too?]

[incousinswithyou]

Did you have something in mind? [that's the sort of mischievous smile she usually reserves for Haruka. Whoops.

Nope, but this one may have started picking up a sparkle or two from her parent(s). And she might be kicking her feet and trying to get closer so she can examine the new fluffy thing!!]

[hawkethat]

[Not that he knows that.]

...Not really. [HM. THINKYFACE!]

I may have to get back to you on that.

[Paladin puts her front paws up on the edge of the table to steady herself while she makes eggbaby number 2's acquaintance, but she knows better than to try to get all the way up there; mostly because she suspects puppy feet on the table is not something Garrett would approve of.]

[incousinswithyou]

[.....hah.] Well, don't keep me waiting too long.

[Michiru smiles fondly, and holds the eggbaby closer to Paladin so they can say hi. Even better, it prevents any chances of eggbaby footprints getting all over the food.]

Priii!

[hawkethat]

I'll be sure to get back to you in a timely fashion.

[Oh, that works! Paladin stretches her neck and pokes her nose at the little Togepi, her little scut of a tail wagging enthusiastically against Hawke's front.]

[incousinswithyou]

Hope springs eternal.

[implication that...maybe you won't get enough points. Whoops.

Togepi trills again, aaand may be trying to unabashedly pat Paladin's face with her stubby little arms.]

[hawkethat]

[As long as she doesn't revoke his friendship card, it's cool.]

Well, it wouldn't be very practical for it to spring temporarily.

[Oh yes hi, hello! Paladin closes her eyes to protect them from togepi pats, but otherwise is happy to encourage this interaction!]

[incousinswithyou]

[well, the policies of the friendship card are about to be changed without informing the holder of said card. That is, Michiru will be picking all the restaurants from now on.]

Hardly enough to leave an impression, really.

[what the heck kind of joke did Michiru just make?

Whee, fluff! She might also be bestowing a slightly used straw wrapper onto Paladin's nose.]

[hawkethat]

[Look, if he ever finds out how truly awful the wine is here, he will feel terrible, okay? And try to apologize with flowers and chocolate or something, who even knows.]

Exactly. Eternally springing is the only way for hope to be.

[What the hell are they even talking about anymore, who even knows.

Oh, there's something on her nose...! It...kind of tickles...!

A-ah...

...Aaahhh...

ATCHOO!

Well that was certainly the tiniest, cutest puppy sneeze. That straw wrapper goes flying! ...Only to land with a tiny 'pft' of crinkled paper sound on the table about a foot away from Togepi.]

[incousinswithyou]

[that just gets a quiet laugh. Most people don't expect subtle dick jokes from her.]

And how's the state of your hope?

[either a continuation of the terrible joke, or an inquiry into your search for your village. Or wondering if you're going to get even more puppies. Or anything, really.

Eggbaby blinks at Paladin, and then giggles and waves her arms around. Do it again!]

[hawkethat]

Mine? I'm going to go with cautiously optimistic, I think.

[That should cover all his bases, naughty and innocent. Right?]

Paladin blinks at the Togepi, then drops her jaw in a cute puppy smile. She's not quite sure how to get herself to sneeze again, but she'll try!

...Hawke, meanwhile, reaches for the crumpled straw wrapper and offers it back to the eggbaby. Try again?]