Scene #968: Pug Mall Rescue

Owner	Pose
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl walks through the mall at a clipped pace, one eye on the radio. The tracker starts reading stronger and stronger as he jogs up an escalator, eyes flicking around, checking the stores. No time to window shop really, but with Original Face... He was a little worried earlier, realizing the store that Grumble was originally in may have been woman's only judging by his description. But now, it sounds like he is in a bookstore. His tracker indicates that he and Grumble are only 10 meters apart, as he stands outside a bookstore. Fixing his tie and straightening his suit, he pushes the door open and steps inside.
Grumble	Inside the bookstore it is crowded with people. Browsing, studying, and some simply treating it more as a library than a store. In a corner between shelves sits Grumble, paws spread over a barbecue cookbook and staring at a delicious rack of saint louis style ribs. Floating around him are other books, pages turned to pictures of delicious foods. Unnoticed by the pug, nearby a small gathering of people stand gaping at the odd scene. Whispering amongst themselves and few reaching for cellphones to take pictures or videos.
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl scans the store, noticing the cluster of people. With a little sigh, he makes his way over to it, easing in between people as politely as he can. "Excuse me. Apologies, Union business." And... yup, he was right. He sees a pug obsessing over a cookbook. Surrounded by other, floating cookbooks. He winces a little as Original Face starts complaining, kneeling down. "Mister Grumble? It is I, Eryl Fairfax. Nice to meet you in person. Perhaps we should be on our way though? Any more people come to stare and the store might start charging them." He chuckles softly.
Grumble	Grumble snorts and whips his head up surprised. Staring blankly at Eryl for a few moments before his brain catches up.
Grumble	Grumble snorts and whips his head up surprised. Staring blankly at Eryl for a few moments before his brain catches up. "Oh! Mister Fairfax! It is a pleasure meeting you in person as well." The nice Mister Fairfax has come to help him find his way out. But these books were so very interesting. Perhaps Mister Fairfax would like a look as well before they left. "Mister Fairfax. Did you know these books have delicious pictures in them?" With a tilt of his head, Grumble sends the book filled with ribs to float in front of Eryl's face. His voice full of eagerness as his tail wags energetically.
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl winces again as the book seems to move in the air, hovering before him. Even the delicious image on the glossy page can't distract Original Face. But he forces a smile and gently takes it. "I knew, yes. Perhaps you can buy some with your Union pay when you receive some. But for now, we had really best be going." To force the issue, he begins to gather up the books and slip them back onto the shelf. To be honest, he has barely interacted with normal dogs, let alone talking ones. On some level, he is curious to learn more about dog psychology. But, this dog is not normal, so may not be the best subject. "Would you like to walk? I could carry you if you preferred."
Grumble	Grumble whines softly as Mister Fairfax starts putting the books away. It seems that he simply did not to want to be social at the moment. That was okay. Humans were odd that way, even if they did smell like metal and electricity. Nodding as he replies "Alright Mister Fairfax." Without any fanfare he levitates all the remaining books and returns them to their proper places. Hearing the question considers and replies "I have done alot of walking today, but no thank you Mister Fairfax. I shall simply fly from here on." Not waiting for a reply he floats off the ground, tucking in his legs and occasionally paddling his front feet unconsciously, as though he were swimming.
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl hears the whine. While Original Face was made with analyzing human behaviour in mind, he can figure out why Grumble might be doing that. "I am sorry for being so blunt. But you have gathered quite a crowd, and disrupted their shopping." And pulled me away from my journey, Eryl thinks. But he doesn't say that out loud, it is rather rude. "Well, if you are su-ghk." The mounting headache, both from the talking dog and the floating books escalates when the talking dog floats all the books back and starts floating himself. Eryl pinches his nose and takes a deep steadying breath to calm down."R-Right. Let's be on our way. Goodbye everyone, and my apologies."
Grumble	Grumble observes Mister Fairfax display signs of stress. Stress is very unhealthy, if there is something he could do. Grumble knew he had to do it. Floating carefully over by Eryl, he lays a paw upon his shoulder. "Are you alright Mister Fairfax? Do you need to sit down or perhaps have a treat?" He simply could not allow a friend to suffer. Mister Fairfax came to help him. So he must be a friend. Perhaps it was all the people that was causing his new friend this stress? "Would you like me to ask all the people to go away? Will that help you feel better?" He stares at Eryl with his deep soulful eyes, full of concern.
Eryl Fairfax	Grumble isn't exactly making things easier, what with the floating and talking. Eryl shakes his head, smiling softly. "I am fine Mister Grumble, no need to worry about me. It's not the people, but we should probably be leaving them alone now." He starts to lead Grumble from the store, holding the door for him to float through. "How did you wind up in this mall anyway?" Eryl supposed that the answer was likely something along the lines of 'interesting smells' or somesuch. But would that be stereotyping, he wondered? Racist even? Speciest? He dwells on the matter for a moment, managing to ignore the seemingly impossible entity next to him, and the stress it puts on his implants with its existence.
Grumble	Grumble floats along after Eryl. Bobbing gently as he sways in the air. Head turning back and forth as he eagerly observes everything. Without fear of the dreaded "animal control" he could resume what he had originally been in the mall for, exploring. Even if they were leaving he could still have a look around. "I was curious Mister Fairfax. This building was bigger than all the rest and so many people were coming and going from it. So I followed a group inside. There was a beautiful fountain and I sat to watch it for a while. The water there is so smart to be able to dance and jump. I decided to have a look further inside, up moving stairs and into a room that moved place to place. Then I could not find my way back." Whining softly, he pouts as recalls the events. "I suppose I could have tried teleporting. But I do not know the area well and I would have had to travel very far away or risk hurting myself."
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl can't help but smile as Grumble explains his reasons. An explorer with natural curiosity, just like him. "The water isn't dancing per se. Rather, there are machines that shoot the water in a special way to be attractive," he explains, trying to put it in terms that a dog might understand. He then pauses at the mention of teleportation, eyes widening. "W-Wait. You can teleport as well? Exactly what can you do?" He has met a lot of powerful individuals since his world Unified. But the idea that he might be inferior to a dog... well, that doesn't bear thinking about.
Grumble	Grumble tilts his head as he considers that machines could make water smart enough to dance. Machines are such amazing things he thinks. Humans were so clever at making things! Pausing as Eryl asks him about what he could do. He furrows his brow in confusion before answering, "I can walk and smell and eat! But perhaps you wanted to know what I could do that other dogs could not?" He floats closer to Eryl and moves sideways through the air so they can face each other as they speak. "I can speak for one, and read as well. I can pick things up without touching them, make them fly, including myself!" He twirls himself in a circle in with a gentle bob as he floats. "I move place to place without moving, you call it teleporting. But it is dangerous if I don't know where I'm going. I can see ......energy I think you call it...or smell it is a better word. I can also make things with the energy! Like sausages, and metal to!" Hoping greatly he has impressed his new friend he waits for a sign of approval.
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl listens with rapt attention as Grumble starts to describe his powers. Floating and making things move is simple telekinesis. Well, not 'simple,' but... whatever. Teleportation is a little more impressive. His own world has teleportation technology, but they have yet to figure out how they got them to teleport people or complex objects. Sensing energy is also nothing major. But then, Grumble starts talking about making things. Eryl's jaw drops a little before he composes himself. Making things? That's fundamental restructuring of matter. "... you have no idea how incredible you are, do you Mister Grumble?" Eryl asks, keeping his voice even, struggling to reign in the mix of awe and envy he has.
Grumble	Grumble tilts his head as Mister Fairfax stares at him oddly. He supposes that he is quite unusual for a dog so he replies honestly and simply. "Well I do suppose being able to make breakfast is incredible in itself. Are you hungry Mister Fairfax? If you would like I could make you a sausage? I can make 6 kinds!" That was it! Mister Fairfax must be hungry and that is why he is so impressed!
Eryl Fairfax	"Uh. No, I am fine. Thank you Mister Grumble." Eryl breaths a little sigh. This dog could be a huge boon for ReGenesis. In a world where vital supplies are low, someone that could just make them from nothing could be vastly useful. And yet, Eryl can't help but smile at Grumble's simple rationale. Coming from a world of corporate thinking and desperate acts in the name of survival, logic extending to the lengths of just eating and being comfy was oddly endearing. But soon, they are outside the mall once more. "Well then, here we are Mister Grumble. You should continue your journey, as I should mine."
Grumble	Grumble bows midair to his new friend. "Thank you for helping me Mister Fairfax. If you ever require my assistance. Please call me. I will rush to your side and will do my best to help you." Considering a moment he realizes he really has nothing to do. "If I may ask. Where are you going? Would you like company?" He looks on eagerly eyes shining at the prospect!
Eryl Fairfax	Eryl smiles at Grumble's genuine desire to help. Perhaps it was part of his heritage as a domesticated dog. "I shall keep that in mind, Mister Grumble. Thank you." An ally this powerful would be useful, should he need it. When Grumble offers to come along with him, he speaks in a slightly more sterner voice. "Er, no. This is a journey I have been assigned by my superiors. It is a journey to help people, and bring back civilisation. It is mine to finish, but thank you for the offer." He smiles and bows his head before turning on his heel, walking away.
Grumble	Slightly disappointed but knowing it was time for parting, Grumble simply nods and waves his paw at the departing figure. Looking around he feels a stirring. There was something going on towards the setting sun. Wondering what it could be he floats off into the sunset.