IC inbox for Snowblind

[ecks]

This device belongs to Ecks. Messages dictated to it will be received by Ecks.

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Comments

[awwnoun]

Nope. Lucky doesn't bite. [ Lucky's tail thumps against the floor as he wags it, watching Ecks. ]

Go for it. He might lick you, though. He really likes to be gently scratched behind his ears.

[ecks]

I have never met an animal that wouldn't bite if it could bite.

[She's never met an animal that wasn't terrified out of its mind. Tentatively, she reaches forward to run her fingers along the top of Lucky's head.]

[awwnoun]

Well, now you have.

[ Lucky lets her, and then noses at her hand to lick it. Clint scoots a little closer. ]

It's all good. He's just licking. Dogs do that.

[ecks]

[She freezes when she thinks the dog is going to put his mouth around her hand -- but he doesn't. She isn't sure she likes the result all the same, and shifts her hand around to scratch behind his ear so he can't reach it with his tongue.]

Why? I do not think that I would taste very good. I do not wash very often.

[awwnoun]

He's not doing it because you taste good. [ Clint laughs. Lucky makes a little grrruff sound and leans into the scratching happily. ]

Dogs lick people when they like them or when they're happy. I don't know why? I guess because he can't tell you that he likes you with words.

[ecks]

It's communication.

[That makes sense. It seems like inexact and messy communication, but Ecks has always been adaptable when it comes to learning the languages of the creatures around her.

Cautiously, she leans down to lick Lucky on the face.]

[awwnoun]

[ Lucky is - not expecting this! There's a pause, and then Clint starts laughing for real and Lucky makes that same sort of borf sound and licks Ecks' face right back. ]

[ecks]

[Ecks is not prepared for the enthusiasm of the response, and she is still not at all sure that she enjoys being licked. She jerks her face back, already working her mouth in response to the uncomfortable feeling of hair on her tongue.]

This is a very messy form of communication.

[awwnoun]

Yeah, it is. He speaks English, too, so you can probably just talk to him if you want. Tell him he's a good boy, he'll like that.

[ This is cute, and Clint's kind of glad - he needed this. ]

[ecks]

You are a good boy.

[Just a flat declaration of fact. She pets the wet patch on the dog's face.]

Did I do it right?

[awwnoun]

[ Clint's still grinning. Lucky seems pleased, anyway - he tilts his head up at Ecks, letting his tongue loll out as he pants. ]

Good enough. You did it just fine. He's a good dog, he'll be nice to you as long as you're nice to him.

[ecks]

[Is Lucky going to lick her again?? She steers her hand away from his mouth.]

Where did he come from? You did not have him before.