expiationnet

[the video starts with the camera pointed at the ground, before slowly panning up with the slightly unsteady hand of someone who isn't used to such technology. the pan up reveals a modest stone building, a yard fenced in by nice tall metal fences, and...dogs. they're playing in the yard so it's a little hard to count, but there must be twelve or fifteen of them. small dogs, large dogs, if you can imagine a dog one of them is probably cavorting around the yard. after simply observing the dogs for a moment, the handler of the phone begins to speak.]

As you can see, since Aldrip expanded there's been a noted increase in stray dogs.

[the camera wobbles as a particularly enthusiastic dog jumps on kakashi, showing off how short he is and also possibly how strong he is as he easily pushes the dog away.]

I've been housing and feeding all I can but I'm running out of room. Any responsible individuals who might like to care for a dog themselves can feel free to come by...I'll even send you off with some dog food.

[he fumbles with the phone a bit before there's a DING and the address of kakashi's house appears on the bottom of the screen. god knows how he figured out how to do THAT.]

That's all.

[and the video ends abruptly. not one for beating around the bush, this kid.]

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Hm. [A LOT OF ATTITUDE PACKED INTO THAT HM.] Well, if you think you can handle it, you have my address. Just don't go into it lightly.

I'll...come by later, probably.

[ he still has to ask permission orz ]

I'll be here, probably.

[Later in the day, after regular working hours for most people, Rolo does indeed come by. However, he's not alone. Somehow, in the process of getting permission to bring a dog home, this became a brothers' outing.

And for all that he was the one who was asking for it, Rolo still seems a little tentative looking over the dogs running around the yard from over the fence. He's not sure why this choice feels a little more intimidating than sacrificing himself back before waking up here. Maybe because it's a much less binary choice.]

[kakashi is in the yard, playing tug of war with a pup in the back. he notices he has company before long though and approaches the gate of the fence.]

Here to look for a dog?

[...... Lelouch still isn't sure what to think about bringing Rolo to get a damn dog. it's a lot of responsibility, but Rolo had taken to Koromaru. it also felt like settling into this place, giving up trying to get out--

but the idea had made Rolo so happy. if his swirling complex of emotions for this fake brother of his would stop, he'd be so happy.

maybe eventually.

when Kakashi speaks up, Lelouch nods.]

Yes. My little brother had seen you talking about it and was interested. He seems to have grown fond of them... and obviously there's a lot of free time here, too.

[If Rolo were more like Lelouch, then maybe that'd be on purpose, subtly nudging him towards settling down and giving up on running to his death back home. But Rolo isn't as much of a schemer as his brother. He honestly just wanted a dog.

But wanting things at all is still new to him, so forgive him if he seems less than enthusiastic. It's uncertainty, not disinterest.]

It's just...something to do, I guess.

[Some of the dogs are already wandering over to the fence to nose at new people, and Rolo tentatively leans over it to peek at them.]

[there are dogs of all shapes and sizes, and they surprisingly seem content to stay inside the fence when kakashi opens the gate to usher the two inside the yard. they are very interested in new people, though, a small group of them sticking close to rolo and lelouch, sniffing at them curiously and some of them nosing in hopes of pets.]

Oh, it's you. Don't forget this is a big responsibility.

[but, with that, scolding is over.]

Why don't you look around and see if anyone catches your eye?

[Lelouch steps into the yard with the dogs, watching them. he considers how dirty they are, at least -- some of them. he knows it's a dog's nature to be messy though, so he's not going to mention it to Kakashi.

he reaches out to stroke the head of one that comes up to him, blinking down at it.]

Well? What kind of dog are you looking for, Rolo? Small, large, something in between?

[he'll take his hand off the dog he was petting now, turning his gaze back to his brother.]

[Rolo's the one that wanted a dog, but compared to Lelouch he's much more restrained about jumping into the petting. It'd taken him a bit to get comfortable with Koromaru, and it seems that experience wasn't directly transferable. He's stiff as they step into the yard and are quickly surrounded by dogs interested in the new people.

And of course, he's immediately asked stumped by the very first question.]

I, uh...

[He's saved from the question by a larger dog that gets a bit too enthusiastic in its nosing for pets and pressed up against the back of his knees, and Rolo nearly topples with a yelp. Whoops.]

Do you think you can handle a large dog?

[he sounds a touch dubious. he could call the dogs off a bit, but that might interfere with the ~natural selection~ going on here, so he doesn't.]

Whoa, be careful!

[Lelouch reaches out to Rolo as he stumbles, and smiles a little bit at his brother.]

That one's trying to take you down. Maybe we should move somewhere else?

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UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH PRETEND I DIDN't FORGET TO JUMP IN HERE

shh you're forgiven

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