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For @messageforyou
Apr. 2nd, 2023 04:04 pm“Most dogs would have learned their lesson the first time, you know.” Patroclus is seated in a glade by the Lethe's bank, a dog squirming in his lap as he painstakingly plucks burs from her honey-colored coat. The tiny bundles of thorns come from a particularly nasty Chthonic variety that grows thick on the edges of Elysium—one of many deterrents against wandering shades. (It turns out they’re significantly less effective against not-so-bright dogs. Luckily, Elysium is only home to one of those. )
“Just like he should have learned by now.” Méli yips and redoubles her writhing as Pat pulls a bur from between her toes with a little less care than he should have. He grunts and adjusts his hold on the dog. “By the Styx, the both of you have skulls thicker than Ajax’s shield.”
In truth, Patroclus is actually grateful for Méli’s indiscretion; it's not as if she can help her foolishness. Animals have always been a welcome distraction, a salve for a bad mood; even when he was a boy, he found any excuse to retreat to his father’s stables, to hide in the company of horses, dogs, and barn cats until his minders tracked him down. Unlike humans, animals don’t put on pretenses, they have no expectations, and they love unconditionally.
Even if she can offer no advice, Méli is the only creature in Elysium Pat trusts to listen to his complaints without judgment. “I thought he’d changed, but he’s as stubborn and foolish as ever.”
Méli only whines and mouths his forearms unhelpfully. “And of all the damned gods on Olympus, he fancies the one who’s a notorious thief and trickster? Madness.”
He huffs and continues his work, muttering all the while.
“Just like he should have learned by now.” Méli yips and redoubles her writhing as Pat pulls a bur from between her toes with a little less care than he should have. He grunts and adjusts his hold on the dog. “By the Styx, the both of you have skulls thicker than Ajax’s shield.”
In truth, Patroclus is actually grateful for Méli’s indiscretion; it's not as if she can help her foolishness. Animals have always been a welcome distraction, a salve for a bad mood; even when he was a boy, he found any excuse to retreat to his father’s stables, to hide in the company of horses, dogs, and barn cats until his minders tracked him down. Unlike humans, animals don’t put on pretenses, they have no expectations, and they love unconditionally.
Even if she can offer no advice, Méli is the only creature in Elysium Pat trusts to listen to his complaints without judgment. “I thought he’d changed, but he’s as stubborn and foolish as ever.”
Méli only whines and mouths his forearms unhelpfully. “And of all the damned gods on Olympus, he fancies the one who’s a notorious thief and trickster? Madness.”
He huffs and continues his work, muttering all the while.
