onecityblock | (no subject)

(no subject)

There is a crowd gathered around one corner of the student center. Dozens of students and a couple of younger faculty members cooing and awing over low pens. The noise is utterly distracting, but the sign hung above their heads at least explains a little: Final's Week Stress Relief Petting Zoo! There are young animals of every variety from the traditional cats, dogs, and rabbits, to young ducks, ferrets, and even a snake coiled up around the arm of the facilitator.

One of the crates in the back has been covered with a blanket though, and a tiny apricot nose has been poked through the bars.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The crowd is a little much for Oikawa but he's curious none the less. Everything is pretty cute, and he stops to pet a couple of rabbits before he moves on as a group of squealing young women come for either him or the bunnies. He isn't willing to stick around to figure out which it is.

So he ends up near the back where there's a nose poking out to greet him and he bends down and offers a hand to it. ]

Hello there, why are you all the way back here?

[There is the tiniest whine and the nose disappears under the blanket. The man running the petting zoo catches sight of Oikawa and comes over. He smiles gently but sadly.

"Careful of that one. He had a rough time before at these. I thought he was ready to move one, but..." The man trails off with a shrug. "I may have to find a new home for him if he's really gotten this shy about crowds." He looks Oikawa over. "You're not too fond of them yourself?"]

I like them fine, just much more when the crowds are watching but can't touch me. [ He points to the volleyball team name on his jacket.]

[ He leans down to get a look at the dog again. ]

He's such a cute little guy, I can see why he would be popular. What's going to happen to him if you can't find a home?

[The tiny puff of a dog is just close enough to peek back up at him from the shelter of the blanket. The man pets the snake's head as he glances over the pens.

"Finding someone who would take him would be easy. He's just that cute, right? I'd need to make sure he was going to be okay with that person. That's the harder part. If I can't... well, I'll have to come up with something. I haven't given it much thought."]

[ Oikawa frowns for a second, thinking. And then he looks over at the dog and smiles again. It's hard not to smile at him, he's terribly cute. ]

You just need to find someone who will be gentle with you, right? Someone who has time for you and time to let you do your own thing. And not make you do anything you don't want to do. Maybe give you a room all to yourself because he hasn't found anyone to live with since his roommate left...

[ Clearly Oikawa is talking about himself here. But he does look up at the handler. ]

Does he have a name?

[The man laughs quietly. "The breeder named him Sunshine. He was the runt of the litter, but the lady said he always made people smile when he was around."

The man pauses a moment. "If you want to sit back here with him for a while, you can. Don't take him out of the cage though. It's more for his safety and comfort than anything. I need to get back to work."]

Alright. [ Oikawa just plops down on the ground next to him, watching the craziness going on with the rest of the animals. ]

I don't like the word 'cage'. Makes it sound like you did something wrong. But you're a good boy, aren't you? You look like a good boy, and I would know. I know a lot about good boys and bad boys.

[ Oikawa is mostly just talking to himself now, but out loud. ]

[There's a moment of wariness when Oikawa sits down but as he keeps up the rambling talking, the little dog eventually shifts closer, tilting his head to listen.]

I don't blame you for wanting to get away from all of... that. Too many people, too many hands, too many ideas about what is okay to touch. [ He shudders. ]

I've been there too. Which is why I'm back here sitting with you. Also, because you are very cute.

[Sunshine the dog shifts a little closer, ears perking forward.]

[ He offers his hand for the pup to sniff again. ]

Yeah, you know you're cute, don't you?

[He leans forward to sniff the offered hand, and his tail begins wagging eagerly. Taking a moment of bravery, he darts his tongue out to lick a knuckle.]

Awwww! What a sweet boy you are. I knew you weren't a bad boy.

[ He leans over and gives Sunshine a big smile. ]

You're going to make someone very happy when you go home with them.

[The speed of his tail wagging increases, and he comes up to his feet with a little prancing step.]

Do that little dance and you'll worm your way into anyone's heart.

[ He laughs and then looks a little sad. ]

I wish you could come home with me, but I'm not sure it's in the cards, cutie.

[He paws at the crate bars, tail still wiggling his back end]

[ He looks up to see where the man who was running things went. ]

Okay, settle down, why don't I ask about you?

[The man is talking to a freshman girl while she cautiously pets the snake on his arm, her delight blossoming into a broad smile across her face.

The pup however, immediately sits at the "settle down", though his tail is still wagging happily.]

[ OIkawa goes over to get his attention, although he's trying not to catch the girl's attention. ]

Hey, uh, can I grab you for a second?

[ He heads back to the crate and peeks in to make sure Sunshine is still wagging at him. ]

Can I maybe take him home?

[Sunshine is indeed wagging his tail still, and pats one foot to get Oikawa's attention again.

The man hums softly looking down at the tiny fluff ball. He looks back over the crowd around the other animals.

"Tell you what, son. You hang around here and help me get the menagerie into the truck after this, and we'll talk. I can give you a ride home, maybe take a look at your place in the process. Sound fair?"]

I can do that.

[ He's not really eager to wait around for the afternoon, but he's feeling a connection with this cute little dog and he wants to wait for that. ]

["Good, good. We'll be closing up here in about a half-hour. The animals can't stand too much stimulation. You wait here with Sunny."

The old man smiles and pats Oikawa on the head before heading back to the animals in his care.]

[ He isn't as fond of being patted, but he puts up with it. He sits down with the dog again and peeks in at him. ]

I guess that's how you feel, huh? When people pat your head and you don't necessarily want it?

[The little pup tilts his head curiously and prances over to the edge of the cage to be near him again.]

[ He reaches his hand over again to be sniffed or licked. ]

Yeah, you don't like the extra attention either, do you?