(no subject)

[justadog]

Oh don't get so down on yourself! You've plenty of talents. It just sometimes takes people a bit longer to realize them.

I never let Lirael mope, and let's be fair, she's got far more reason to do so than you.

Comments

[onlydancing]

Sometimes... it's difficult not to lose hope.

[justadog]

Only if you refuse to keep moving forward.

[onlydancing]

Yet, what is there to move towards? What is waiting ahead? Except more suffering...

[justadog]

That's the whole point though. No one knows what's ahead, so there is the promise of better, right? New smells, new adventures!

[onlydancing]

You sense in scents, Madame?

[justadog]

Well I am a dog.

[onlydancing]

I'm sorry. I... couldn't see.

[justadog]

Oh, of course. My mistake mistress, I should have realized.

[And now she's gently nudging your hand with her nose.]

I'm right here.

[onlydancing]

[And Lilith lets one hand run along the top of the dog's head, down along her spine, fingers sinking into her fur.]

Ah. So soft.

[She smiles.]

[justadog]

[The Dog tilts and twists to guide to just the right spots]

Ah, yes. Good. Smiles are always better than worries.

[onlydancing]

The street dogs were never this friendly. Like the rest of us... they were starved. Ravenous from hunger.

[justadog]

[A canine snort]

I am certainly not a street dog. But hunger can make anyone mean I suppose.

[bellbound]

Ever the insufferable optimist.

Mogget! MoggetMoggetMoggetMoggetMogget!

[justadog]

Well someone has to be. It certainly isn't you.

Mrow! :3

[bellbound]

It's hardly useful to give anyone false hope. Particularly when it comes to talent. One stray compliment as a child can inflict the warbling of a tone-deaf adult on the world for years to come.

[justadog]

Ever the cynic. Though I agree encouraging talent where there is none is usually futile. Still, one does not have to be cruel about it.

[bellbound]

Merely factual.

[So maybe he's a little grumpy. Seeing the Dog always puts him in a mood.]

[justadog]

So you say.

It has been quite some time since I've encountered you. I suppose it is heartening to know you have changed so little.

[bellbound]

[He makes a "hmph" sound.]

I'm sure you're glad of it. Who is this Lirael? A stray you picked up?

[justadog]

Did I say is was a good thing? I don't think I did.

Lirael is currently a librarian - sorry, a Second Assistant Librarian of the Clayr. She may end up being more.

[bellbound]

[Technically no, but Mogget just flattens his ears at that.]

A Second Assistant Librarian. [Yawn.] How thrilling. Still, I suppose it beats babysitting royal children.

[justadog]

The job part isn't, true. But there's lots to explore in the library.

Aren't you supposed to be babysitting the Abhorsen?

[bellbound]

They're the Abhorsen's children. I serve the family.

[justadog]

Ah. Of course. Do these pull your tail and try to rub your belly?

[bellbound]

Thankfully they've grown out of that.

[justadog]

I can't see you playing babysitter anyway.

[bellbound]

I've done it for far too long. You ought to take your turn.

[justadog]

Lirael is enough for me. I'm not shouldering your responsibilities as well.

[bellbound]

[Pfft.] I thought not.

[justadog]

Your situation is entirely of your own making.

[bellbound]

Helped along by you. [RESENTMENT. So much resentment.]

[justadog]

Because of your own decisions.

[bellbound]

You know, I think I'll sleep for the next millennia. Much more productive.

[justadog]

You always do enjoy avoiding responsibility.

[bellbound]

Particularly when it isn't mine.

[justadog]

This is an old argument, is it not? I doubt we'll reach any different conclusions.

[bellbound]

Hmm, you're correct. As usual, I waste my breath. When you start to have the same conversations... [-he pauses to give an almighty yawn] ...you know you've known each other for far too long.

[justadog]

I suppose that is true.

[bellbound]

[Well, they've reached a sort of agreement. Now seems a good time for Mogget to groom himself.]

[thebellthatbinds]

So long as you recognize and love yourself for your talents and who you are others will soon follow. Take your time, the most worthwhile friendships are worth the wait.

[justadog]

Indeed they are, Abhorsen. My mundane just tends to forget some times.

[thebellthatbinds]

We all forget from time to time, I know my mundane sometimes forgets quite often. It is good that you are there to remind them.

[justadog]

Well, I have had practice.

...sorry, I couldn't resist

[bellbound]

Be careful talking to this one, Abhorsen. She has fleas.

[justadog]

I MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT!

[bellbound]

Methinks the hound doth protest too loudly.

[justadog]

[Wordless growling]

Oh no worries! I'm just so glad to see Mogget!

[thebellthatbinds]

That's nothing a good bath can't fix. Besides, last I checked fleas weren't spread through speech.

[Sabriel's just trying to imagine Mogget typing on a computer right now.]

:3

[bellbound]

Well, don't come running to me when you get dog slobber all over you.

[Really, why do Abhorsens never listen to him.]