ArchivedLogs:Dogs Of War

Dogs Of War
Dramatis Personae Micah, Anette
In Absentia	27 September 2014 Talking current events in the dog park.
Location <NYC> Tompkins Square Park - East Village
Small but popular, this tree-lined park is a perfect centerpiece to the eclectic neighborhood it resides in. Home to a number of playgrounds and courts from handball to basketball, it also houses a dog park and chess tables, providing excellent space for people watching -- especially during its frequent and often eccentric festivals, from Wigstock to its yearly Allen Ginsberg tribute Howl festival. It has been a lovely weekend, a return to comfortably warmer temperatures and bright, clear skies. Many of the locals have been taking advantage to pass their time outdoors. The park is filled with people wandering, talking, playing games, listening to musicians. The enclosure of the dog park is also decently populated, various breeds making an appearance amongst their owners. One of these pairs is a one-eyed beagle (gleefully chasing a squeaky yellow ball over and over and over) and a slender young redhead in sneakers, jeans, and a blue Doctor Hooves t-shirt. An olive newsboy cap perches on Micah's head to shade his eyes from the day's fading sunlight. Along the pathway leading to the dog park, a woman wearing a long jacket casually walks, earbuds popped in and, as those who pass close by an attest, blasting rock music. Once she nears the dog park, an overactive beagle catches her attention and she pauses to watch the dogs, pulling the earbuds out. She momentarily smiles, leaning up against the fence to people- and dog-watch. Micah seems game to keep pitching the ball for Obie, though he does shake his head a little as the pup grows increasingly tongue-lolling as he wears himself ragged with running. He has a thin glove over his right hand to help with the /slobber/ issue and keep the ball from just slip-sliding out of his hand. Anette turns her attention to Micah, watching him toss the ball out into the park. She suddenly frowns, glancing towards a nearby tree, one that the beagle has ran past several times. Her eyes dart up to the leaves and she focuses for several moments before shouting out to Micah. "Careful, there's a hornet nest hidden in the bushy tree over there." "Fortunately he ain't interested in much aside from the ball. An' I'm gonna hafta cut 'im off on that soon enough 'fore he collapses outright," Micah replies lightly before so much as turning to regard the person behind him. He claims the ball from Obie when the dog returns, hiding it away instead of throwing it again this time. The dog looks first confused, then a little disappointed, then flops over on one side with his tongue dragging on the ground. Micah kneels and scritches at the dog's flank. He positions himself so that he can face the fence. "How're you doin' this evenin'?" Anette can't help but grin as she watches the dog happily pass out into the grass. "Oh, I'm alright, just waiting for the sun to set some. Just trying to get some...last minute exercise in before it gets too cold." She glances towards the dog with a chuckle. "Who's the slobber machine here?" “S'posed t'be nice all weekend, so y'should be set,” Micah reports with a grin. “This is Obie. Usually he'd love t'come say hi himself, but I think he's gonna be flopped here 'til time t'go home. Better give 'im the rest so's he can make the walk, anyhow.” "Ah, I think I can forgive him then," Anette replies, glancing back up to Micah. "I heard, which is good for me. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do over winter though. Joining a gym isn't going to help me much. And even now, it seems I'm breaking more and more laws every night I go out. Used to just be trespassing." “See, boy, we're good.” Micah gives Obie's ribs a pat. The dog doesn't offer much by way of reply. Flop. Pant. Loll. “It is...a mess. We been tryin' t'do what they can 'bout...the ridiculousness. Still kinda hopin' we get some leverage off 'em arrestin' /me/ for it.” His nose crinkles a bit. “Meanwhile...free weights're pretty cheap an' easy? Real basic treadmill or exercise bike can run inexpensive if y'get 'em second hand. I mean...if you're lookin' for somethin' t'do at home.” A shrug adds itself to the crinkle. Anette chuckles softly at the suggestion of treadmills and dumbbells. "Those are nice and all but I have...other appendages to stretch out and my flat is just a bit too small. And the ceiling isn't quite near high enough." She suddenly stands up straighter and glances around briefly before adding. "Speaking of doing something about it...did you see that video everyone's talking about? The one by whats-his-face declaring war?" "Yeah, that's...problematic. I got friends as've had t'deal with that. Fortunately we planned out our housin' arrangement such as there's places indoors an' out where folks can stretch out a bit." Micah's head tilts as he looks back at the woman. "We've got grounds, if you'd like t'visit? S'outdoor space but it's /private/ property, so...nobody should mess with you." His cringe at the mention of the video is more marked. "That was gruesome. An'...real heartenin' t'folks like me, I'll have y'know, too. Always feel real warm an' fuzzy 'bout the calls t'be rid of humanity. Genocide ain't a good look on /either/ end of this thing." Anette says, "Oh, thanks. I'd hate to intrude but...well, we'll see," Anette says, nodding as the space is offered. "As for the video, well...yeah, it was pretty gruesome. And I suppose a bit overboard regarding the message. But if a few neo-Nazis and bigots and crooked politicians never see tomorrow, well, I won't be losing any sleep over it." “Don't feel like it does any favours t'the cause t'make folks scared with actual /reason/ 'stead of hardly any.” Micah pulls a collapsable dog bowl from his bag, filling it partially from his water bottle before putting it in front of the pup to drink. The speed with which Obie goes through it is a pretty good hint as to why Micah adds only a little water at a time to the bowl. He sighs heavily, just watching the dog for a time. "Well, they don't respond well to talking so maybe some action will get their attention. Besides, there are some people you just can't change. No amount of logic or reason will get to them so there's not many options." Anette sighs loudly before continuing. "Besides, I don't know how they expect us not to fight back when they beat us down and kills us. I'm sure even Obie here would bite back if you kicked him enough." "S'plenty of things t'be done short of turnin' into a serial killer an' callin' for a war." Micah's head shakes slowly. "Fair certain the man's mad, besides. Leastaways that's how he presents 'imself." The next time the bowl is empty, Micah shakes it out and folds it back away. "Should be gettin' back home 'fore it's too late'n dark out, 'sides. S'good talkin' with you. An' remember y'got that offer of some space t'use when y'need." He hooks the leash back to Obie's collar before pushing himself to his feet. The dog is tail a-wag soon enough, recovered from his bout of exercise. “Never said he wasn't mad. Genocide will get us nowhere. War is on the horizon though. Not quite to the scale he wants to take it, but it's there. All we can do is see what happens." She watches Micah leash Obie up again before offering a smile. "Yeah, nice to see you again. I'll keep that space in mind. Thanks for offering." Micah situates his bag and the leash before moving toward the gate. "It's...a fight at least, yeah. Not gonna argue that." One hand pats at his thigh to call Obie close to follow. "Have a good night, sugar. Hope you're able t'get t'that exercise you're lookin' for one way or another."