01 { feb 13: mid-morning } { video+text }

[comradery]

[The video starts with the camera shaking around. Through the shakiness, one can make out Hughes' knees and feet and possibly the floor.]

Here we go!

[The feed suddenly jerks up and the floor can be seen clearly, but the video starts moving around again soon after. The communicator is being waved.]

Record this! Record this!

[A hand takes the device, and it stops shaking excessively. Bakura replies.]

Okay!

[The communicator gets turned around and positioned properly. One can see Hughes is bandaged up and sitting in a wheelchair. Behind him is Amaterasu who is standing on her hind legs with her front paws set against the handles of the wheelchair. Bakura talks to the two of them.]

Everybody wave!

[Amaterasu grins and raises a paw to motion a wave. Her tail is wagging hard. Hughes grins and waves too.]

Look at what Ammy can do!

[Hughes jabs his thumb in her direction. Bakura speaks up and positions the camera so it's easier to see Amaterasu.]

Pretty impressive, ne?

[Amaterasu barks a couple times and pushes the wheelchair forward. Hughes starts laughing really excitedly and jokes between his laughter.]

Don't mind us! Just out for a stroll!

[Bakura laughs from behind the communicator and follows after as they move along. After a few more seconds, Hughes turns and waves his arm at Bakura for the communicator. He chuckles as he speaks.]

Okay, okay, that's enough of that. I think we all can see how talented Ammy here is now.

[He grins at Amaterasu. The camera shakes a little before the video feed is cut off. There is a text note beneath the video.]



Whoops.
Sorry! I was so distracted after that I forgot to post it up on the network yesterday. Thanks so much for helping me out, Bakura and Ammy!

[It seems the video was recorded some time in the afternoon the day before.]

Comments

[motherofthesun]

[You betcha! She'll come inside and stare up at him. No pets here; better get back in first.]

[comradery]

[The look of disapproval she gave made him chuckle. He closes the door behind her]

Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry. You're probably mad I'm walking around, huh? All right, all right. I'm going back to the bed.

[He laughs and steals a pat on her head as he makes his way back. He would have gone to the couch if it were not for the fact that there was not really anything he could lean against in that direction.]

[motherofthesun]

[She whines and follows along as he moves, making sure he doesn't suddenly fall over.]

[comradery]

[He feels a bit guilty for making her worry.]

Sorry... I was excited to see you again is all. I'll be more careful from now on.

[He offers an apologetic smile. He eventually makes it to the bed and sits down, though his breathing is relatively labored.]

[motherofthesun]

[She nods and walks over to him, placing her head on his lap while he breaths.]

[comradery]

[He pets her affectionately as he catches his breath.]

Thanks for coming by so quickly. Even if it was just for pets, hehe.

[It is a bit cruel to make her stay on the ground though. Hughes pats next to himself on the bed and grins.]

Come up here. It's more comfortable.

[motherofthesun]

[Well, he seemed lonely so why waste time?]

[At the bed pat, she blinks, but then, pulls herself up and sits beside him. If this was really okay.]

[comradery]

[And Hughes had been, so he was very grateful.

It was definitely okay for her to be on the bed. Mostly because it also made it easier for Hughes to hug her, which he does so excitedly. Call it ulterior motive, but it was in his nature to treat others fairly anyway. Since she came here, she may as well get comfortable.]

Anyone tell you how fluffy and warm you are? Haha! I bet people tell you that all the time. If not, I guess it's probably obvious, huh?

[He pulls back reluctantly and smiles at her, scratching behind her ears.]

You're really pretty too, you know.

[motherofthesun]

[Her tail flops at the hug and compliments. Well, she does her best and the nurses do to. Even if they didn't, she was always fluffy, warm, and well-groomed for all the hugs.]

[comradery]

[Hughes grins at how content she seems and continues petting her while rambling since that's what he does best.]

I'm sorry about bleeding all over you the other day, haha. I know you have red markings already but...well, blood is pretty different, isn't it. You're a wolf aren't you? I've never actually seen one before, though I've heard them plenty of times. You're very sweet though! I bet my daughter would love you.

[motherofthesun]

[Definitely not the first time that happened so it's okay. This close, Hughes could probably actually look at her markings now. She nodded at his question; yes, she was a wolf. First time anyone got that right. Awe, he has a daughter?]

[comradery]

[Hughes pulls his legs up and sits back against the headboard.]

Yep. My wife, Gracia— She and I decided that we should get a large dog for Elicia—that's my daughter's name, isn't it cute?—some day when she was a little older. Right now, she's a tiny little thing—recently turned 3!—so it's still a bit early, hehe. She loves fluffy things though. Plays with her stuff animals a lot. All of them have names and they're all good friends!

[motherofthesun]

[Awwwe, that sounds so cute! Ammy loves little kids! Too bad Hughes has to be away from it all... though, it's worrisome. Why did he have an injury?]

[comradery]

I was actually planning on going to home early. That day I was suddenly brought here, I mean. But I found out something pretty terrible and...

[He hesitates before continuing and furrows his brows.] It was some really messed up stuff, Ammy. I still don't know what to make of it. But I need to tell Roy as soon as I can... [He sighs and shakes his head.] I got found out though—that I knew too much. Whoever was behind all of it... They sent people after me—strange people. They had strange capabilities that normal people don't have. But one attacked me, and I got shot by another.

[Hughes grimaces, recalling the image of one of those inhuman beings taking the form of his wife, pointing a gun at him, and leering mirthfully at his surprise.]

[motherofthesun]

[Her ears fell at this. That was... that wasn't right. She let out a gruff wolf, unhappy hearing that occurred.]

[comradery]

[He chuckles and lightens up a bit, petting her gently.]

It's okay. I was being sort of...well, rash, actually. You saved me though; you and Bakura both. So I'm really happy. I'm still alive only because you two came to my rescue.

[motherofthesun]

[Her tail resumes its flopping, but not as hard. Well, she wasn't going to leave him to die if he could be helped.]

[comradery]

[Hughes suddenly yawns. He had not realized how tired he was. Whoops.]

Sorry, Ammy, I didn't really sleep last night and all, haha. I'm still awake though.

[He shifts so that he is lying down on his back, though he props up an arm behind his head and used his other hand to keep petting Amaterasu.]

You know, even though I kind of wish I was home right now, it's not a bad place here. I'm not sure if I want to fight another war, but...I don't want people to suffer if they don't have to. Madness is irrational and dangerous; it can affect even the best of us. I don't want that to happen. It makes people do stupid things that they regret later...so I don't want that to happen.

[motherofthesun]

[She lays down besides him so he doesn't need to remain propped up like he is. Her ears flick and she nods in agreement.]

[comradery]

Hehe...

[Hughes rolls onto his side and ruffles the fur behind Amaterasu's ears affectionately before petting it smooth again and continuing to scratch gently behind her ears.]

You're really smart, Ammy. I'm surprised you can understand what I'm saying, but I don't suppose you're just any other wolf either. You're kind and gentle. I really wish you could meet my daughter. She would absolutely love you. She's not one of those hyperactive children. She's cute and sweet and adorable—a lot like you, heh.

[He stifles a yawn.] She's a brave girl too and hardly ever cries. I love her a lot...

[motherofthesun]

[She nuzzles his hand, her tail flopping up and down on the bed. Ah, sounds like Hughes should take a nap.]

[comradery]

[He smiles warmly and hugs her, pressing his face against her fur. A nap would be nice...]

Hm. There was stuff that I was worrying about that was making me nervous earlier...but with you here, it feels like things will be all right... I hope they will be. I don't like it when people have to suffer.

[Was he repeating himself? He could not tell anymore. His senses were starting to dull. Amaterasu was really comfy...]

[motherofthesun]

[Yup, that was a repeat. She nudges him a bit, encouraging him to snuggle into her fur. Sleep time silly.]

[comradery]

[He does so because she's warm, comfortable, and inviting. He had felt so cold a few days before when he was on her back since he did not have much blood, but Hughes had not really been able to fully enjoy snuggling against her given the circumstances. He was definitely enjoying it a lot more now.

Besides, he was really tired...]

Sorry, Ammy... I'm just...going to close my eyes for a sec...

[motherofthesun]

[She lets out a huff and doesn't move. It's fine if he wants to fall asleep, but she might nap too.]