maskormenace | 02 | video (backdated to the 27th)

Entry tags:

02 | video (backdated to the 27th)

[the video opens to the sound of the Thanksgiving dog show in the background and Jonathan settled contentedly on the couch, clad inexplicably in a turtleneck featuring the four Pac-Man ghosts. he smiles cheerfully.]

This isn't my holiday, but I hope that everyone who celebrates has been having a good time. I'm not entirely certain what purebred dogs have to do with being thankful, but I'm certainly grateful for the opportunity to watch them.

I never realized that dogs would be among the things that had changed in the future, but I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise. People are always looking to improve their breed however they can.

Perhaps it's a bit childish, but owning a dog again is one of the things I'm looking forward to most when I finally feel able to leave the government housing. It's been a while since I've had a pet.

[he scratches his cheek, the smile becoming a tad nostalgic for a moment of two. the television announces the start of judging for the hound group and he shakes himself out of it easily with a roll of the shoulders.]

Ah, but I hadn't meant to simply chatter away about inanities! I've been thinking about this for a bit, and I wanted to ask someone who was more experienced in the matter - how does finishing one's education work here?

There's no way I could prove my qualifications, after all, but I'd like to finally graduate if at all possible. It's the principle of the thing.

[finally completing his degree feels kind of like a symbolic closing of the worst chapter of his life, even if in Heropa that wasn't technically true. and it would give him a little more confidence in perhaps looking for a job actually related to his field of interest.]

Thank you for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Big dogs, huh? You should look into Retrievers. They're pretty big, and really popular. It's what I'd pick, if I could have a dog right now.

[Ah... now he's thinking about dogs too... fuck...]

Have you had one before?

[it's like a black hole, Joseph, you can't escape the doggies]

[he doesn't want to escape the doggies]

No, I never got to have a dog. Too much work.

[For just him and Erina. If he had parents, they could have cared for the dog while Joseph was at school/arrested/whatever the else fuck he did, but just Erina wasn't enough.]

Ah, that's really a shame. Dogs are wonderful for teaching responsibility and dedication.

[and they'll also be your best friend even if everyone else hates you for the dumbest reasons in the world. dogs are literally the best.]

I hope that we had a few so you could at least spend some time with them during visits.

[Probably could have taught him some lessons, for sure. Could have probably given him a best friend for a while too, but now he has Caesar for that.

GODDAMMIT GRANDPA STOP MAKING HIM LIE...]

Ah- well you know, they were pretty old at the time, so I didn't see them much...

[HE CAN'T HELP IT HE'S REALLY INTERESTED IN HIS FAMILY'S FUTURE even if he's been trying so hard to be good and not jump everyone for details.

even now he seems to sort of glow with a quiet excitement. the dogs may be old by the time baby Joseph rolls around, but it means that Erina's let him have a couple!! and they probably grew up his with son!!! ah, he hopes that Erina picked one out herself, he can just see her out shopping with a sweet hound sitting at her heels.]

That's understandable. It's funny to think that dogs can ever run out of energy, but they really do slow down after they hit a certain point. It's the perfect time to give them all those rainchecks on belly rubs.

[You are KILLING HIM, GRANDPA....... HE CAN'T TAKE THIS- ]

Hey! Let's talk about the present instead, hearing about my past is boring to me, you know! Are you TRYING to put me to sleep with your old-man attitude?? Let's go look at dogs right now! You know where the shelter in Heropa is, right?

[that certainly shakes him out of that dopey lovestruck expression still lingering on his face. well, there would be time to think about the best breed for Erina later. and maybe he'd get some ideas from looking around here, anyway.]

Ah, I'm sorry. I forgot that retreading your childhood probably isn't the most interesting thing in the world. [he laughs quietly, putting his hands up in apologetic surrender]

But that sounds like it ought to be fun for the both of us. I think I can even find the place on my own this time around.

[look see he's improving he can get places sort of now!!]

[RETREADING HIS NON-EXISTENCE CHILDHOOD WHERE HE WAS HAPPY AND HAD PARENTS AND DOGS............. HAHAHAH.......................]

Alright, good. I'll meet you there, but you have to give me a while. I don't live in Heropa anymore, after all.

Don't feel as if you have to hurry on my account. It's kind of you to be doing this at all.

[because to Jonathan this is just a super nice family bonding outing rather than an elaborate way for Joseph to forget the horrible false reality he's constructing more and more of as time passes.]

Hey, don't act like I'm doing you any favors here. I'm doing this because I want to.

[AND NOT JUST BECAUSE HE'S TRYING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE AWFUL LIES HE'S TELLING.]

I'd hope so! I'd hate to be the only one enjoying the outing.

[a statement which only Jonathan can manage to strip completely of any passive-aggressive undertones]

[Damn you and your fucking politeness powers.

Whatever, give him like an hour and he'll meet you there, Jojo...]

[he will give you all the time you need. whenever Joseph shows up he'll see his grandpa waiting for him outside the shelter, still wearing that Pac-Man turtleneck. because, you know, two huge bara almost-twins checking out dogs wasn't weird enough.]

[Don't worry, when Joseph shows up, he's dressed THAT MUCH MORE INAPPROPRIATELY. It evens out, somewhere in the world.]

Hey.

[who the fuck lets any of these assholes dress themselves and leave the house seriously. Jonathan smiles brightly, giving a small wave.]

Hello! I hope your trip went smoothly.

[PLEASE NOTE THE LACK OF MOTHER ROLES IN JJBA AND THE LACK OF ANY ABILITY TO CLOTHE THEMSELVES REASONABLY.]

I don't throw up anymore, so...

[Went better than earlier!!]

So let's see those dogs.

[THIS IS TRULY WHERE THE ABSENCE OF WOMEN SHINES THROUGH THE MOST]

That's certainly an improvement! But yes, let's go in. They'll be excited to see us.

[he heads towards the door, which he will of course be holding open for Joseph. ur welcome.]

[Hey, he usually holds doors open too. Y'know, the "take advantage of Jonathan's kindness" thing was fun while it was new, but now... now Joseph just feels a little embarrassed whenever Jonathan does it. Hurries through the door as it's opened for him.

Sure enough the doors open, and there's the sound of many, many dogs. Barking, growling, scampering. It's a dog shelter, after all.]

...Definitely smells like a place with a lot of dogs.

Isn't it wonderful?

[problem? nope, Jonathan doesn't see one here. not with being polite to his family or the cacophony inside. he moves towards the cages with the sort of confidence that makes it clear this isn't the first time he's been here. the shelter's open later than most pet shops, after all.]

As long as it's not wet dog.

[See, Joseph never had a dog. Never had the chance to get used to Wet Dog Smell and grow to love it.]

You seem like you've been here a lot, though. Found a dog here you like enough?

[it's a scent only slightly less lovable than a face full of dog breath. Jonathan chuckles, crouching in front of a cage to give its occupant an affectionate ear tousling.]

I like to come visit when I have the time; even if I can't have one of my own yet, there's no reason for me not to give a little love. There are a few I particularly enjoy seeing, but...

[well, it seems a little unfair to be choosing favorites when he shouldn't be adopting one. also they're all ugly dogs. they are so ugly, Joseph.]

A few? Well, there's a few that I like too when I visit, but c'mon, you've been here more than I have! You've got to have a favorite by now. They aren't gonna be offended.

[Show him your favoritest ugliest dog, jonathan.]

You'd be surprised at the dirty looks I've gotten before.

[he's joking, probably. buuuut it can't hurt to show Joseph the one guy he always makes sure to swing by and foist love on, can it?

he stands up and leads the way significantly further into the back, something which will probably make a lot more sense when the dog comes into view. he is gigantic, he is black, and he is probably at least part Neopolitan mastiff. he is also losing his shit in excitement as he sees the pair of them coming over.]

[That sure is a big slobbery mess of a dog there. But as they get closer, and as that beast of a canine gets more excited, Joseph can tell. This is definitely Jonathan's favorite, and it seems he's visited him quite a bit if he remembered him. Even if it's ugly as all get out, but whatever, it's not for him anyway. Good enough for Joseph and his plans.]

Wow, he's big!

[And a hot mess, goddamn.]

So why haven't you picked him up yet?

Video; damn right

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

-> action i suppose

yes

good

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject