[video] ain't no sunshine etc., etc.

[routinemercy]

[There's something different about Hal today. For one thing, he's actually showing his face on the network. For another... well, anyone who's actually met Hal will notice he's markedly disheveled compared to usual. Even stranger, he doesn't seem particularly bothered by it. Instead he almost seems relaxed.]

Would anyone like a pet? Specifically, a dog or an armadillo. Bonus points if you take both.

Comments

[video]

[familyissues]

A dog and an armadillo? What's the story there?

[video]

[routinemercy]

Their previous owners have left.

[video]

[familyissues]

[ Chatty, this one. ]

Shame for the pets. What kind of dog is it?

[video]

[routinemercy]

[Have a dramatic sigh]

You people keep asking me that as if it matters. It's a large, smelly, pain in the ass and in a few days' time, it will be a large, smelly, pain in the ass living off scraps in the street unless some 'kind soul' takes it off my hands. In short, it's a dog.

[But just to move this process along, he shifts the video to the bullmastiff still napping on Alex's clothing-covered bed.]

[voice]

[robosnack]

I'm not sure what an armadillo is, but...

What kind of dog?

[video]

[routinemercy]

... Hm. [He has to think about it for a moment, looking offscreen.]

The large, disturbingly friendly kind. Bullmastiff, I believe? [He angles the bracelet toward Lord Harry, who is currently napping on a pile of clothing which is in turn resting on a bed that looks like it's never been made a day in its life. Alex's room, in other words. Then the video turns again to show an armadillo in a cage that looks far too small for it.]

The armadillo.

Interested?

[video]

[robosnack]

[ Killua looks positively delighted at the sight of the dog, leaning forward to get a good long look. He could probably almost ride a dog that size, considering how small he himself is, though it may or may not be evident on camera. ]

Are you kidding me? Enormous dogs are the best kind of dogs!

You don't want him anymore? I might be interested, if he needs someone to take care of him... Just the dog, though. Maybe. I'll think about it!

The other thing's not really my type. You should get it a bigger cage, though.

[video]

[routinemercy]

[Ride it, shave it, eat it for lunch, Hal doesn't much care. In fact, he just shrugs.]

I never wanted him. He was never mine.

Think quickly. Not that I blame you much for being unsure.

video;

[beyondmeasure]

What's an armadillo?

video;

[routinemercy]

I believe it's Latin for 'worst pet imaginable.'

[But he shows her the small cage with the scaly beast inside]

video;

[beyondmeasure]

( Her eyes light up as she looks at the creature. )

Oooh, it's so cute! Does he have a name?

video;

[routinemercy]

[Okay, he looks way bemused at her delight. 'Cute' is not the word he'd describe by a long shot.]

I doubt it.

[allpurposescarf]

An armadillo? Really? I wouldn't have imagined they'd be terribly common as a pet.

[routinemercy]

Nothing about Alex was common.

[allpurposescarf]

I suppose I could try to keep an eye on it, if you haven't had anyone else offer.

[routinemercy]

Not as such. It's yours, provided you fetch it yourself.

You can keep the cage, as well.

text

[yamagishi]

...That’s rather random. Where did you find an armadillo?

[No seriously, how?]

video;

[routinemercy]

I didn't. Its previous owner has gone home.

video;

[yamagishi]

Oh, I see, I’m sorry about that. I didn't realize.

[Well, this is awkward. Now what?]

Mind if I ask what are you going to do with those animals if anyone does take them in?

Voice

[dyingisnotdead]

...is Alex gone then?

video;

[routinemercy]

Yup. [He doesn't seem too put out by it.]

video;

[dyingisnotdead]

[The man is acting strangely...but Loras knows people react differently to loss.]

I am sorry to hear that. I will miss her.

[video]

[howstrongiam]

[See this face? This is the face of an irritated Annie. Be afraid, Hal.]

What happened to discussing these things? Just because we're not in Wales anymore doesn't mean the house rules go out the window, Hal!

[And then, there's something about his expression that gives her pause and her brows knit together in concern. When she speaks again, her voice is quieter and a lot less hysterical.]

...are you alright?

[video]

[routinemercy]

Oh, I'm sorry. Did you want the sole responsibility of a great, stinking mutt and an unruly little creature that nibbles anything it can get its little grimy paws on?

[He smirks] Though I suppose that would make you feel more at home now, wouldn't it?

[video]

[howstrongiam]

[What the...

Irritation flares into anger, and quite a bit of hurt. She'd never thought she'd ever hear him talk to her like that ever again.]

HAL! What has gotten into you? I thought we'd gotten past all this arrogant tough guy act.