Stark Industries, Monday

[endsthegame]

Ender had managed to keep his newly-acquired student-turned-puppy out of class in deference to students who might have problems being around dogs, but he couldn't really leave William in his dorm room all day. Especially if Ben wanted to go out and do anything while he was at work.

So: he had a beagle merrily roaming around the store, sniffing things with a serious expression on his face. Ender was content to let him; even in dog-form, he didn't expect William to start leaving fur where it didn't belong.

Though his shirt had not been exempt.

It went well for a time-- until William the beagle started barking up a storm somewhere from the back of the store.

Which was when Ender found out about the scarecrow-shaped pile of mangoes leaning leisurely against one of the 3D printers, and his day became a lot more toilsome.

[[ open! ]]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

"Ho, kreetle," Ben said, smiling. "Where's the puppy?"

[endsthegame]

"Sniffing out mangoes," Ender said, sighing. "It's a day."

[momslilassassin]

"At least the Thai food is kind of thematic?" Ben offered, holding out the bag.

[endsthegame]

"There is that," Ender said wryly. He glanced back towards the workshop. "William," he called, "Food!"

[momslilassassin]

"You don't get curry," Ben told the dog.

[endsthegame]

"No spicy foods," Ender agreed. "But I don't think he'll mind terribly much."

The puppy sat down on the ground next to Ender, giving Ben an inquisitive look.

[momslilassassin]

Ben gave him a bowlful of rice, then some steak chunks.

[endsthegame]

That seemed to get the dog's attention; he was soon making short work of the food.

Ender smiled wryly at Ben. "You're figuring this out pretty quickly."

[momslilassassin]

"Tahiri used to turn into a cat this time of year," Ben said with a quick grin. "I remember the drill."

[endsthegame]

Ender chuckled. "There's a schedule for this?" he said. "I wish I'd known."

[momslilassassin]

"Thought you did," Ben teased.

[endsthegame]

"I didn't," Ender said, "And it's not like it's going to be relevant for very long."

He shot a wry look down at the puppy.

[momslilassassin]

Ben grinned and handed Ender some food. "Unless you turn into a dragon on the ship."

[endsthegame]

Ender pulled a face. "We should probably come up with some kind of system for it," he said. "Just in case."

[momslilassassin]

"Do we tell the captain everything?" Ben wondered.

[endsthegame]

"He might have monitoring equipment in place," Ender noted, "Depending on how paranoid he is."

[momslilassassin]

"I just assume I'm always being monitored," Ben admitted.

[endsthegame]

"Paranoid," Ender said fondly. "I'd suggest something terribly low-tech involving sheets."

[momslilassassin]

"Make him think I just have really weird kinks?" Ben said.

[endsthegame]

Ender laughed. "Ben Skywalker-- into komodo-shaped dolls."

[momslilassassin]

"Don't you judge me," Ben replied, laughing along.

[endsthegame]

"I judge you terribly," Ender said, "And I'm not paying for your next shipment from 'Dite's."

[momslilassassin]

"Fine," Ben said, "but that means you won't see that sparkly patriotic thong I bought for you."

[endsthegame]

Ender laughed again. "I'm not sure I'd want to see that," he teased.

[momslilassassin]

"You should see where they shoved the sparkler."