Varric Tethras | Dragon Age (taleweaver) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-01-14 10:36:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, helen magnus, varric tethras |
I expect the rest of it on the way back.
Who: Helen & Varric
What: Looking for a puppy!
When: Following this log.
Where: An animal shelter.
Rating: PG
Status: In Progress
Life seemed to have almost returned to what passed for normal. Something Helen was more than grateful for. She simply wanted to put the past month behind them and move forward with her family. A family that was still growing.
Alice asked about her mother less frequently lately, but she was still having nightmares. Helen hoped this trip might provide a much needed distraction. She quietly helped Alice get dressed, sweeping loose blonde curls over the girl’s shoulder as she sat on the bed and pulled her into her lap.
“Are we ready?”
Alice nodded eagerly, then tilted her head back to look up at Helen. “Do I get to stay with you now?”
She hadn’t been expecting the question, momentarily forgetting to breathe. “Of course, darling. Where else would you stay?”
That answer seemed to satisfy her, and she climbed off Helen’s lap, tugging on her hand, the question all but forgotten as she started explaining what kind of dog she wanted.
Varric watched all this, smiling. It was a welcome dose of life. He was looking forward to the trip, hoping he'd find just the dog for him, too.
She had been surprised how easy it was to fall back into old habits, readjust to living with a child again. And somehow, in these little moments, she knew they would be okay. All three of them.
Standing, she offered her free hand to Varric. “Shall we?”
There was still a little hurt over the whole thing, but Varric would get over it. The only way he could, by writing. Now wasn’t a writing moment. Now was a doggy moment. He took Helen’s hand, and then Alice’s.
“Did you have a particular shelter in mind?”
“I do. Lets get into the car, and I’ll take us there.” He just hoped it was still open. With that odd illness going around, he’d rather not risk either Helen or Alice.
Reaching the car, Helen carefully settled Alice into her booster seat before getting in herself.
"I believe we're ready."
Varric rarely drove in silence. Today he was telling Alice the story of a girl knight who went on many grand adventures. They were just about to face off with a drake when they reached the shelter.
"She loves your stories," she said softly, giving his arm a light squeeze, "I expect the rest of it on the way back."
Alice might not have been the only one.
“Good, that gives me time to think of an ending,” Varric replied, under his breath. He got out of the car, and helped Alice out.
She chuckled, stepping out of the car and waiting for them. He seemed to be settling into this role more easily than she had expected, and regardless of recent events, she knew this family was meant to be together.
It was fun, and Varric could never resist a captive audience. They headed inside, to be greeted by a symphony of dogs!
Once inside, she crouched down in front of Alice. "Ready?"
She gave a small nod, trying to see past Helen. "Can I really pick any one I want?"
"Any one you want." After a brief hesitation, she leaned forward to give her a kiss on the cheek before standing and sliding her arm through Varric's.
"Lead the way. The two of you have a very important decision to make."
Varric nodded his head. “This is very important, Butterfly. It has to be just the right dog. You’ll know, and he or she will know, right away.”
Alice nodded, expression serious as she reached for his hand again. But her excitement was beginning to get the better of her, and she impatiently tugged him forward.
Most of the dogs tried to follow them, stopped by their cages. Each was fairly roomy, with glass or clear heavy plastic between the animals and the people.
One husky with a blue eye and a yellow tried to shove her nose under the gap at the bottom to lick at them.
Alice studied each carefully, occasionally giggling when they would come to greet them. But she hadn't yet found the right one.
"How do you know?" she asked quite suddenly, looking back up at Varric again.
“You know.” He replied, kneeling to let the huskie lick at his fingers.
She frowned. That wasn't a very satisfying answer.
“It’s not something that can be placed, Rabbit. I knew with you, didn’t I?”
"Did you?" She watched him a minute. "I didn't," she admitted quietly, "Not at first."
“I think you did. You just didn’t realize it.” Varric grinned up at her, then stood. “See any you like, Alice?”
She didn’t have a response to that, but her attention lingered on him, distracted.
Alice, meanwhile, had settled herself in front of a particular cage, hand pressed against the glass. “I want this one.”
Varric glanced at Alice, and then knelt beside her. “That’s a handsome dog!”
“He’s cute,” Alice corrected, eyes still locked on the small dog, “Do you think he will like me?”
"We can find out." Varric flagged someone down. The only way to find out for sure was to play with the dog. They could find out what sex it was too. He didn't like referring to animals as 'it'.
Helen took a small step backward, giving them space, a chance to bond over their search for the perfect dog. Today was about them, after all. She would be there, if she was needed.
Varric stepped back as well, letting Alice and the dog get to know one another, without his presence or his scent distracting it. His eyes went back to the husky, who was still staring at them, a mournful expression in her eyes.
Helen kept a watchful eye on Alice as she scooted closer to the little dog who happily bounded into her lap. She couldn't help the nagging sense of concern, despite seeing nothing to suggest the dog was a threat. Perhaps Varric had been right to worry about her smothering the girl.
Varric turned his eyes to the girl and the dog, watching her, a smile on his lips. They seemed made for each other.
Alice did seem happier, even if the companion she had chosen appeared far more energetic than either of her greys. Younger, as well, she imagined. Better for keeping up with a small child, and not too big to sit in her lap.
Helen had nearly resigned herself to the fact this was the dog they would be taking home when she finally turned her attention back to Varric.
"And have you found your perfect match?"
“Maybe. I think I need to talk to her more.” He walked back over the husky and knelt.
She continued to watch him for a moment before moving closer to Alice.
"Is this the one, Angel?"
Instead of answering, the girl began to explain in great detail exactly what she and her new friend had been doing. It was answer enough.
Varric grinned, glancing back at them. Clearly they’d found one another.
Helen listened patiently, kneeling beside the girl, and offering her hand to the dog still in her lap. "Should we take him home, then?"
Alice nodded, wrapping her arms around him to keep him close.
“He’s a beautiful puppy.”
"Then it's settled." She glanced up at him, smiling as she nodded toward the husky. "And is your chat going well?"
"She tells me her name is Nali," Varric said, smiling. Nali was the name of a character in a story he'd been working on. "It's a name I rather like."
"Is she the one?"
The dog barked, and Varric laughed. “I guess she is!”
She gave Alice another kiss on the cheek before standing. "I'll get the paperwork."
“I’ll keep an eye on the squirt,” Varric promised, as someone let the huskie out so he and the dog could really get to know each other. He was nearly knocked over, and laughed.
Helen nodded, moving off to make it official, giving them time to get better acquainted with their new charges.
The huskie bounded off of Varric, then made a bee-line for Alice and the other puppy. She skidded to a halt, sniffed, and then started to lick Alice’s face. Varric laughed. “that’s not fair.”
Alice giggled, hugging the dog’s neck, even as the smaller dog tried to wiggle his way between them. “She likes me.”
“She does. Her name’s Nali. What’s the name of your dog?”
Alice shrugged, biting her lip as she studied the puppy thoughtfully. "I don't know."
“Names are very important,” Varric said, in all seriousness. “What does he say his is?”
Alice concentrated hard on the small, brownish puppy, willing him to say something. She wasn’t entirely sure it was working. “Finn,” she finally supplied.
“Good name. Hello Finn and Nali.” Varric put a hand on Alice’s shoulder. “Welcome to the family.”
The girl beamed, pleased to have been right. "We can take them home?"
“We can take them home!” Varric picked up Alice with one arm and the puppy with the other. “Nali, lets go.” The huskie followed obediently, and Varric grinned.
Helen smiled when they found her, taking in the picture they made as she listened to Alice tell her about the importance of names, even if she didn't quite understand it herself. She was glad to see her opening up again.
"Are we ready to take them home?"
"Yes mum," Varric joked. With two dogs and a little girl in tow, he weathered the trip to the car!
(Did you want to end it there? We can always do cute family moments later. Helen is beginning to wonder if their house is big enough.)
(XDD works for me!)