#the_ice_cave

"Does Miss Bunny know you are here?"

The whine dies away, and he pulls his nose back under the bed.

"Ice is in the shower. He would not wish to be surprised..."

A faint thump from beneath the bed, a single tail wag.

(The shower finally shuts off)

"Mayhaps I could give him the red bull for you?"

He wriggles out from under the bed, literal hang-dog look, moving low along the floor, slowly towards the door. Tail tucked, ears drooped, the tag on his collar clinking lightly against the floor as he creeps.

She reaches out to gently rumple his ears, if allowed.

(The soft rustle of cloth, as the occupant of the bathroom pulls on a fresh pair of cargo pants)

A frown, and her other hand reaches to touch the collar. "What is this?"

He presses his head against the hand, but then draws away, eyes flicking away from her, and tongue flicking out over his nose. Around his neck is a new adornment, soft blue nylon with a black plastic safety 'break-away' latch, with a batman logo pattern. A familiar tingle of glamour, set in the tag that dangles from it.

(And the door opens, with steam escaping. He is carrying his dusty clothes; shirtless and barefoot, moving to chuck the clothes into the hamper. He misses when he sees Buddy)

His head swivels over as the door opens, and he gives a whine, pressing forward to thunk his weight into the sluagh's legs.

"Connor..." she frowns, losing hold on the collar when the dog runs to Ice.

Zara shrinks a bit. "Ice, I'm sorry... he was going to howl..."

(He is looking down, seeming unsure whether to scowl or not) "Hey, Buddy." (A flick of eyes to Zara and a shrug) "Well, guess the secret's out." (He drops to a squat, ruffling his ears) "Hey, guy."

He shoves his way half onto Ice's lap, accepting the petting, a very faint whining in his throat - this time, a happy sound though. He tries to keep it quiet, but every so often, a faint noise escapes - and his tail is flashing like a semaphore flag.

"He has a dog collar."

"Sorry, guess this means you don't get all the Red Bull to yourself after all." (a quick, wicked grin, then flicks eyes to Zara) "Yeah, so?"

(Ruffles his ears a bit more, what the hell)

"That boggan had him in a dog collar, like an animal. Recall? Bunny put it on a string..."

Ears flicking at the mention, and he pads over towards the door, leaning and carefully, carefully taking the can in his mouth. Long and skinny, it's like they were designed to be easier to carry, as he returns to Ice's side, sitting, and paws lightly at his leg. His tongue shoved to one side, poking out around the can comically.

"Yeah?" (He flicks eyes back, and reaches, hooking a finger under the collar to examine it, then flicks eyes down at the can. A snort) "Red Bull and dog slobber. Breakfast of champions. Thanks, Buddy." (He takes the can, wiping it on his pants, and putting it down) "Split a can with you when I head down, okay?" (A quick look to Zara, then back) "Hey, Buddy, nice collar. Do you WANT to wear it?"

"You know, wag once for yes, and -- hell, I don't know, roll over for no?"

"Do you wish to go downstairs?"

He tilts his head to one side, and peers from Ice, to Zara, and back again. Padding over, he thumps his head against Ice's legs once more, but then goes to the door and sits politely.

"He didn't answer you."

"Yeah." (He shrugs and stands) "But he answered YOU."

"Pooka. Guess a straight answer wasn't gonna happen." (He moves for the door to open it)

"I don't see Bunny going for a dog collar."

"Is Boss here, Connor?"

His head tilts to one side, and then he presses his nose against the door, pressing it open further, and steps out. A pause, and he looks back at Ice, ears questioning.

( He stops, huffing) "Buddy, don't even have a shirt on. Might be down later, though. That okay?"

Zara rakes back her bangs, the frown lingering.

A moment's hesitation, then he pads down the hallway, quiet now, leaving the sluagh duo in peace.

(He shuts the door, and goes to the drawer to grab a black thermal shirt. This one has white 'marker' marks on it, so he turns it inside out and yanks it on)

"I'm sorry."

"For what? The dog having a nose like a dog?" (He rakes back wet hair)

"I guess."

"Stop apologizing, Ghost. We'll deal." (He shrugs, and another drawer opens, socks grabbed out. He drops into his chair to pull them on, and one by one his boots are pulled on) "Staying here or coming down?"

"I can come down for a bit, yeah"

"Don't have to." (He finishes tying his boot, scowling at the tattered remnants of his striped bootlace, destroyed by Damn Cat) "Hell, pooka probably going to forget I said I would, as soon as he gets downstairs, sees a ball."

"I want some tea."

"Want I should bring it up, or want to go down?"

"No. I'm going to go back to bed."

(He rolls eyes, then) "Fine. I'll get the tea when you wake up. Shove over."

Zara nods, clambering over to 'her' half of the bed.

(He doesn't bother removing his boots. He throws himself onto the bed -- his side -- and she has a bed companion scented like a corpse washed in Axe body wash)

(But she does feel a light tug at her hair) "You did good, Ghost." (A rasping whisper before her hair is released)

(Then he rolls onto his back and shuts his eyes)