Dog’s particular breed wasn’t anything of this world - literally, he’d been a gift from his dreams, transcending the veil of realities and joining him here - but he could safely be compared to a mastiff, perhaps, or a pitbull. His built bulky, and his height on all fours meant his head would reach Hawke’s waist. And the Champion of Kirkwall was certainly no small fry, either - he was brawny as well, tall, very warrior-built despite his mage origins.
His hound seemed to enjoy the company of other canines too, and when they’d met Gourry and his own domesticated beasts at the beach they happily frolicked. Pranced in the waves, chased each other, and the winds of the ocean helped spread their impressive slobber in the wind. Good exercise for them overall.
“And the award of the least creative dog names goes to you and I, mate,” chuckled the blood mage, hands tucked into his jeans. His feet kicked sand around as they walked. “Dog, Butter and Toast. Surely they’ll be best friends after this.”
Gourry laughed, hands behind his head as he watched the canines. “I think our names are actually that much more creative. Who names their animals this? We’re unique!”
The young labradors were definitely taken by the big ol’ hunting dog, excitedly keeping up as much as they can with him.
“So, not of this world?” Gourry gestured to Dog.
“Not at all,” he confirmed, quite proudly too. Maia had the only other mabari in the world - a shame that Barkspawn was a male, however. Hawke wouldn’t have minded a litter of mabari puppies in the least. “He’s a warhound in the world I dream of. Fought side by side with me rather valiantly, and the breed’s very intelligent. They understand human languages completely.”
Not just ‘sit’ and ‘stay.’ Their comprehension was far more complex. Dog understood an entire conversation. He knew where to go and what to do if his master instructed him to go home and protect the twins if needed.
The dogs seemed captivated by one spot, digging around and splashing in the shallow waves so he opted to sit and take in the scenery. It was a bit cloudy but nevertheless warm - pleasant weather without the concerns of sunburn. “Definitely one of the more pleasant things to come out of it all. He’s a friend. One of the best.”
Gourry smiled. “Reminds me of Lina.” Out of habit, he ducked, looking around. He turned back to the dogs. “Mine are like me. Dumb, but loyal. They know basic commands, and ‘room’ and the like. Also know not to jump on people unless it’s me--Butter, no,” he groaned with a laugh. The yellow lab was happily digging into the wet water, splashing it more.
There were a couple things there that had Hawke break out into a hearty laugh. One, the bloody giant calling himself dumb and implying he at least knew basic commands and two, he wasn’t sure if he’d just compared the sprite-sized sorceress as a...dog, perhaps? What? “I don’t think she’s here to hit you for that comment, don’t worry,” he grinned. “I’ve heard a couple mentions of a not terribly bright swordsman from her dreams, however. Funny how that’s you.”
Garrett was obviously close to the Wisdoms, as he was the chosen godfather for their little sprog - he often babysat for them when the two needed a night out by their lonesome, and he had practically raised his own twin siblings himself. His child-rearing skills were top-notch. “How is all that treating you so far? A lot of magic and beasts, I take it?”
“Definitely. Learning the ropes with the dreams, too,” Gourry frowned. “It kind of gave me a shock. One second, I know only this me. Now I know two me’s. And sometimes I can’t tell what is really real. Which me is the one that’s really dreaming?” He frowned. He knew he sounded silly, but.. It really got to him. Honestly, part of him wished he still was in that world with dragons and food and sword fighting. Better than what was going on currently in the States, anyway.
“You can control the actions of one, for instance, and not the other,” Garrett reminded. It was easy to get wrapped up in this other life they were all plagued with - especially when certain things hurt to the very coremad, or if someone slipped drugs into his drink - it was quite the experience, living here. Very bittersweet. “Go on, tell me about your grand adventures. I understand that we’ve a similar world? Magic’s quite common in mine. I’m a mage myself, though the politics concerning our kind are less than pleasant.”
Swords, dragons, gods and elves. Garrett had been somewhat fond of those times. He had his merry band of misfits that had become family but he definitely did not care to, say, shit in a hole in the ground because plumbing wasn’t available.
Or even invented.
“I dunno much about magic except Lina blew up a town and a dragon, and liked to leave me alone in shops, and she has that time of the month.” He nodded wisely.
Time of the -
Hawke had to stare at the man for a good minute there. Did Gourry not know women had periods? It was tempting to ask, but he had no particular interest in educating him on menstrual cycles. “I see,” he said, slowly. “Seems like you’re along for the ride of destruction, then? I’m sure the two of you make an interesting duo.” Despite them being complete opposites, he supposed. “Have you come across any similarities across lives?”
“Both left home, both did random jobs--he was a mercenary, this me is just a random job… getter.” Gourry scratched his scruffy jaw. “Both searching for a reason.”
“And what are you hoping that reason is?” The fellow seemed lonely - it was an observation Garrett had made fairly early on, so he hoped whatever friendships gleaned from socializing on the network could help fill that void.
Dog seemed tuckered out for now, and with heavy panting he settled next to his master, massive paws caked in wet sand. That fucker was to be hosed down before entering the car, that’s for certain.
“Honestly? I’m not sure,” Gourry moved his arms to fold them across his chest. “Dream me was just moving, finding work and the like so each day passed. Then I met Lina, and suddenly everything started to fall into place. Here, kinda similar. Left home, did jobs across the States, showed up here, and now I’m meeting all of you guys through the Network.” He tilted his head, much like a dog. His two labs trotted up, sat down and copied their dad, heads cocked to the side. “Maybe meeting you guys is my new reason.”
“You need people, then,” Hawke figured, trying to pat his damn canine clean but it wasn’t working at all - despite his master’s wishes Dog seemed to not care, and burrowed his head into the sand. Balls, you stubborn and noble creature. Balls. “You’re quite the friendly bloke, Gourry, and perhaps what’s happening to you here will give you purpose too. Do you know what all to expect from these things? You’ve someone you share them with - she can warn you with what’s to come if she hasn’t already.”
Would he remember if he was told ahead of time, was the thing. He knew a little bit, mostly from what Wisdom had endured throughout his relationship with the redhead and the bloody ringer the dreams had put them through. He didn’t know how much of that actually affected the swordsman, though. “Just a heads up - it’s always nice to tell someone ahead of time if they die in the dreams because you run that risk of dying here. Not always, but I’ve seen it happen enough. I’ve also had certain events parallel what I’ve dreamt. For instance? It seems as though my mother was doomed to be decapitated by a mad man putting together his perfect dead wife in either life.”
Not to sour their lovely evening out enjoying the pacific view, but that was an example of how extreme things could mirror.
Gourry stared at Garrett, unsure of what to say to that of all things. “I’m sorry,” he chose to go with, frowning. “I could ask her questions, but I’m not sure if they’d be all comfortable for her to revisit. My gut says not everything was fun and blowing up villages.” Gourry rubbed the back of his neck. “People, huh? I never had people before,” he said, smiling small.
“I was searching for an extreme parallel and, well - my apologies if it was macabre but it was the best example that came to mind,” Hawke laughed, mirthlessly. Not that he meant to rain on their parade in the slightest, but it was important to explain that what they experienced brought consequences. Dire ones. Wounds, demons, and other challenges, yes, those were all common but when it all had you lose someone you loved?
He was always a mama’s boy, the oldest Hawke sibling. But he at least had the twins to carry on the legacy with. Isabela too.
Anyway, he leaned back, elbows propping him up. “And yes, people, all kinds. I had my own in what I dreamt, and they were a hysterical mess and balls, to I miss them dearly - though all the plonkers I’ve made connections with here have filled those empty spots. You and the firecracker seem like you’ll be close too, even if she sounds like she’d rather fling you across the country sometimes.”
“So far, she does the same in the dreams,” Gourry laughed. “I can tell already she’s important to me.” He smiled at Garrett. “You got a good family, a good workplace, and kind of owning it all up, huh? I was hoping for good when I came to Socal, so I’m looking forward to everything.” He tilted his head back, enjoying the remnants of the sun on his skin. “I don’t think I’ve been so relaxed.”
Aw, how bloody cute. “Enjoy it while you can,” Hawke advised so wisely. He wasn’t usually. More of a trickster, this one, with jokes on his tongue during the most inappropriate times - usually in the face of danger that was meant to have him soiling his trousers but, ah, bollocks to that. “Something will come to ruin it, surely, but then we go back to being jolly and drunk and moving on with life.”
Gourry nodded. “Such is the road of life, yeah? Ups and downs and curves and wrecks but hey, as long as you keep surviving,” he shrugged. “And so far, I’m happy with everything in OC. I got two amazing jobs, the animals love it here, and it’s a great place in general. Then, ‘course, meeting everyone. And even he weird people from a movie? I think? Doing stuff.”
“Weird people from what movie??” Hawke quirked a manly, bushy brow because - well, what? He must have missed something. “You didn’t get cast into the next Magic Mike installment, didn’t you?”
Bela had been encouraging him to wear those tight pants. The man had an ass. He could also appreciate it.
“The guys in white suits running around a while back?” Gourry looked confused. “I don’t watch movies much, so I don’t know what that was about. Everyone talked about it on the network though.”
Oh. Garrett snorted, easing back against his elbows. “The Star Wars things - you know those were actual soldiers, yes? Sometimes people, ah...they dream they’re certain characters of fiction. I don’t understand the logic myself, but I can tell you Captain Hook regularly comes into my bar to spank my arse. We have a very friendly relationship.”
Gourry blinked at Garrett. “You’re into that?”
“Clearly. I’ve a thing for pirates, didn’t you know?” A smirk was visible through the shroud of glorious, glorious beard. “It’s a joke, mate, but the ass spanking is true - we’re just that comfortable with each other. He’s engaged, I’m about to hit one year of marriage but if you’re so concerned whether or not I’ll give your delectable bum a hit with a hand, never fear. I’m a gentleman. I’ll only do it if you ask, politely.”
Gourry laughs. “I don’t fear, was just surprised. The fact it’s slapping, I mean. Not into that part,” he grinned. “So. Agenda for work tomorrow?”
“Same shite, different day,” shrugged the blood mage. “Though I’ve got my anniversary coming up and I may be pulling a prank on my wife, so - it’s very possible I’ll return to work sore the next day but we’ll see.”
Gourry would get to hear all about it. Let’s see if he’d want to get married after that.