adstringendum | 32. Community Service [video]

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32. Community Service [video]

[Hello there, Adstringendum, it's your friendly neighborhood tribesman showing his smiling face to the network. For those not in the know, this is actually a bit of an uncommon thing for Sokka recently, so hopefully his enthusiasm can make an impression all around.]

Things have been rough lately, so I've got a few positive announcements I want to make.

First of all, Juliet and I are planning to start a community art project, and we want everyone here to have an option to be involved, regardless of artistic talent. Spirits know, I'm not exactly a great artist, but I'll be submitting some stuff anyway.

So, what do you need to do? Send us your art, of course! We'd like to have a visual history of what sticks out for you and your time here in the city: Special events, important moments, anything you'd want to illustrate. If you can provide a date along with it, all the better. Juliet and I have supplies, so all you need to do is ask and we'll get those to you if you need them or want them. When we've got everything collected, we'll put it into a gallery and it'll be like a visual history of Adstringendum. Pretty neat, huh?

Here's an example I did the other day.

[Image Attachment]

Second point of order? We're still looking for people to join the Adstring City Players. We've got quite a few people interested now, but the more the merrier. Additionally, we're looking for story ideas. What do you guys want to see? Is there a particular genre we should focus on? Or even ones we should avoid? The more feedback we have on this, the better.

Annnd... [Blinking as he refers to some paper off screen.] Oh, no. That's it. So, um, thanks for your time, guys.

[[OOC: Feel free to submit art here, or you can PM me with a link on this account. I can also provide resources (paper bases, links to online art programs, etc.) I realize some characters might be better artists than their muns, so you can cheat if you find something that could work, but please include a source link so it can be properly credited. Should we have enough submissions, I will totally find somewhere public to put them for posterity!]]

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Are you kidding? He'll run off if he even thinks you might make him uncomfortable. Thankfully, you're about his favorite person in the whole world, so I don't see that happening.

[Sokka makes his way around the house, expecting the tub to be out back. He calls back behind him as he does so.]

Do you have soap, by chance? I haven't had any for a week. [Which has made staying clean difficult, let me tell you.]

[Smiling a little, she nudges Appa out to follow Sokka, letting Shakespeare go after him, which she gestures towards the tub.]

I should have things set up by the tub.

[Soap, a worn brush, a couple of towels, and a tub filled with lukewarm water wait for the two dogs at the back of the house.]

[He's pleased to see the sight and makes a spectacle of it, trying to get Appa interested in jumping in on his own. With no hesitation, he claps at his thighs and waits on the other side of the tub until Appa bounds in, sending a small wave of water over the edges.]

[A laugh escapes him. How can he not find that amusing? Seeing the big dog splashing around excitedly, tongue lolling, is a comical enough sight, but add in Shakespeare, partially wet too? Comedy gold.]

I think he got the picture.

[As if Appa would stay away from water. Sokka has gone swimming enough with the dog to only associate it with good things.]

[So as not to get too wet and stinky, Sokka tugs the tie of his tunic and removes it, tossing it well out of the way of the water. His plethora of cuts from the trip into the Inner City have long-since healed and while he'll have them for his duration at Adstringendum, he's already gotten used to them and their large coverage over the usually-hidden parts of his body.]

Please tell me we're not trying to bathe these two at the same time... I mean, I'm not beyond a challenge, as you know, but that just seems like it's asking for trouble.

[At the sight of the fairly large white dog leaping into the water and splashing Shakespeare (who yelped in surprise and began running frantic circles around the tub), Hermione covered her mouth a bit, unable to keep back a laugh.

She moves towards the tub, pausing when she notices that Sokka's chest is bare, and it's the first time she's seen him like that since-... oh. But now there are cuts along his torso, and they make her frown deeply, unable to take her eyes away from them. When she speaks, her words are quiet and obviously preoccupied.]

We can start on Appa....

Great, that works out since he's already in the tub. [He offers a smile, trying to catch her gaze with a slight tilt of his head, but only once, and for only a second.]

[Fear not, Hermione, Sokka is on the move. He's not allowing for distraction time, as he immediately steps forward to signal Appa to sit and grabs up the soap into his hand. Not shy about diving into the job, he scoops at the water with a free hand and starts vigorously rubbing the soap into Appa's long fur.]

[Sokka coos at his companion.] You like that, don't you, boy? It's like getting a scritch and getting clean! [He grins, gesturing for the witch to just get in there wherever she likes, even offering the soap.]

[When Sokka moves, Hermione shakes her head, as though clearing it. Though she's wearing a t-shirt, she rolls the sleeves up to keep it as dry as possible before moving towards him.

Shakespeare has his forepaws up on the sides of the tub, peering up at Appa as though wanting to jump in after him. Kneeling besides Sokka, she accepts the soap from him before wrapping an arm around Shakespeare's middle, pulling him back.]

You'll get your turn later. You're both too big to share one little bath.

[Shakespeare's antics amuse the tribesman and he reaches out to give the terrier a pet-pet with a wet hand. Much like Appa, Sokka already has a huge soft spot for the canine.]

You're just too excitable, aren't you? Maybe I'll work on making you a new bath. Would you like that?

He's just-- [This is to Hermione.] He's just too cute. I never knew just dogs could be so interesting. Did you have pets back home? [So what if this is some kind of distraction? Between friends, it's not a tactic, just a tool.]

[The little terrier gives his head a few firm shakes as Sokka's wet hand touches his head, though his bark doesn't sound the least bit upset. He squirms a bit in Hermione's arms,trying to get to Sokka, but she gets a firm hold on him.]

Oh no. He's busy bathing Appa. You leave him be for now.

[She gives Sokka a small smile at that, shaking her head.]

I didn't have any dogs, but I used to have a cat. I got him when he was already an adult, though, so dealing with Hestia as a kitten was an experience. Luckily, she tends to take care of herself. Still... it's nice, occasionally, having a little pet that requires your attention. It gets your mind off of things.

[Not at all nonchalant as he soaps up the sheepdog...] Has your mind been on a lot of things lately? I-I mean, I know it has been, bit are you feeling some better? [Sokka isn't sure it gets easier, but it doesn't hurt to ask.]

[She's quiet for a moment, absently stroking the squirming pup in her arms.]

No.

[She smiles then, a small, sad smile as she makes sure to keep her eyes averted.]

I always think I am, and then... something reminds me of them. Or him, especially. And then it starts hurting all over again. I don't think it's ever going to stop.

I don't either, but... Well, you know, if there's ever anything I can do, all you need is to call me and I'll make it happen. [Right down to mopping her floors if need be.]

[She turns to look at him, chin tilted upwards a bit as though to keep any tears that might fall as far back as possible.]

I know, Sokka. I don't know why you're so... unabashedly loyal, but believe me, I do appreciate it.

[So much for staying clean, lady. Sokka reaches forward and gives her shoulder a squeeze with a wet dog hand, his lips curling into an encouraging smile.]

You're an amazing person, that's why. I want to be there for you because you're there for me.

[And back to the dog washing he goes, as Appa is far too excited for him to stop for any length of time.]

[Though it falters a little, the smile she gives him is genuine. She says nothing, though, until he turns back to Appa, wishing she didn't have a squirming puppy in her arms.]

I wish I could be there for you more often. You deserve it.

[He waves off her words, obviously not agreeing with her assessment of her own presence.]

You're there plenty. Besides, I'm not shy about seeking you out when I need you. I've just been lucky that things haven't been totally insane. Or... I've gotten better at coping with the insanity.

[Appa is soaped up, utterly sudsy, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as he just sits there. At least he's not over-excited, and they can have a good conversation without too many interruptions.]

[She looks at Appa, reaching out to gently scratch behind one soapy ear as she shakes her head.]

While I'm happy you can cope, remember that you don't need to do it on your own. I want to be here for you whenever I can.

Are you talking to me, or the dog? [Sokka snickers a little, reaching down to scoop at the water with his hands, trying to wash the soap out of Appa's fur. Does he bother asking for magic? Of course not.]

[She casts him a wry look at that.]

Do I need to scratch you behind your ears whenever I'm addressing you?

Couldn't hurt, right? At least then I know for sure. [Sokka shakes his head, clearly amused, and then continues to coax Appa to move around while he rids him of the majority of the suds.] You're getting better at this, boy, but you're going to be too big for the tub soon, aren't you? Yeah, you are.

[She laughs at his comment, tightening her hold on Shakespeare before reaching in a hand to at least help get rid of the suds on Appa's fur.]

Well, his breed tends to run a bit on the larger side, I think, so he still has quite a bit of growing left to do.

[...]

[Sokka gives the witch a wide-eyed look.]

He's going to keep growing? Spirits, Hermione, he already pushes me out of bed every night!

[And that only makes her laugh again, albeit a bit more gently.]

Well, it's not my fault you stumbled across one of the larger breeds of dogs. Of course, he might not get much bigger and he won't grow forever, but I doubt this will be his biggest size.

I... guess there's no going back now, right? [And he rubs at the dog's head, taking a couple of unintentional dog kisses to the face. Sokka sputters and laughs and wipes his cheek with his forearm.] Not so bad when I think about it. At least he'll be intimidating... until he wags his tail and attacks the enemy with kisses.

[... okay, fine, so Hermione's outright giggling now. Giving Shakespeare a small squeeze when he barks, she shakes her head.]

You'll find that most dogs behave that way around people they know. Around unfamiliar faces, though, they can be a bit fierce, especially if they sense that their owners are upset.

Well, here's hoping I don't ever have to end up in that situation, but if I do, I'll bet Appa would protect me. [He's giving the dog an appreciative look and a smile. Having Appa around has been something of a soothing presence over a rather turbulent couple of months, just like the witch hanging out with him.]

I think this guy's about done. What do you think? He seems pretty de-soapified.

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[offline] This is totally my favorite thread right now~

[offline] D'aww, they are always adorable together.

[offline] So true! <3

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