[ In all truths, if it were anyone else? Cloud would have been right there with her. While he's not about the lecture life, the owner would have gotten some sass or a stern line about not being around next time to look after things. Hell, he might have threatened to make them "pay up" like he would have in his mercenary days if it was an irresponsible adult or something. But when it becomes clear that Otto was barking and running off towards a young girl? His expression remains neutral while the corgi runs circles around the child.
For the time being, he keeps his distance beside Weiss. As for the girl?
"Hi Otto! Come here!" Something he notices as she bends down to pick up the fuzzy little dog was how she was still lightly sniffling. Her cheeks looked damp from tears earlier too as Otto starts happily licking at her face. "You scared me so much... I couldn't find you and...a-and..."
Well... He doesn't know how this happened or who this kid is, but she seems so happy to see him. And Otto willingly came back to her, so it's fair to say the dog lives a happy life and just got too adventurous. Camelot and the countryside surrounding it were relatively safe. But what if the dog had wandered off elsewhere? An adorable little animal like Otto wasn't going to last long against monsters or other enchanted dangers. Just when Cloud was ready to pat Weiss' shoulder so they can get going though, the little girl realizes that they're watching her. Gently holding the little corgi in her arms, the dog is still looking back at the couple, tongue out without a care in the world.
The entire time, Cloud's expression has remained relatively neutral, even as the child shyly approaches them with Otto in her arms.
"Um... I..." Now, her parents had told her to never talk to strangers. But, it's clear that Otto knows these two. And if her dog knows them. Then...well, "I'm sorry if my puppy gave you any trouble, mister. Miss." She looks between Cloud and Weiss, clearly nervous. She's prepared to get a scolding for letting her dog get out. Weiss may not be exactly well-versed with kids, but... ]
It's not a problem for us.
[ Cloud's the one who steps forward first, hand on his hip. While his tone isn't stern, it's still as cool as usual, bordering on cold when he tells her the truth. ]
The problem's that your dog coulda gotten hurt.
[ The little girl hugs her corgi tighter, bowing her head. She looks like she's about to cry again, both relieved that she finally found her friend, but also ashamed that this happened in the first place. "Yes sir..." Before she can say anything else however, Cloud gets down on one knee, a hint of softness to his voice when he adds, ]
Good to see he's got a caring owner though.
[ The girl sniffles as she looks up to make eye contact with the man, hand extended out as Otto sniffs and does another little 'blep' as he licks it, yipping as if in agreeance with him. Seeing Otto so happy still, let alone Cloud having a little smile on his face perks the kid up. ]
You got parents?
[ "Uh huh!" she nods. "My Mama and my Papa." ]
First thing you're gonna do is take your folks and find out how he got out. So that it doesn't happen again.
Think you can do that?
[ "Mmhmm!"
After giving Otto one more scratch between his ears, with a huff, Cloud gently ruffles the top of the little girl's hair, whose now beaming as he returns to his feet. ]
Okay. Run along.
[ Before the girl can do that though, she steps up to the couple one more time, Otto in her arms as she bends her knees and bows her head.
"Thank you for looking after my puppy, mister." And since she's assuming Weiss was doing the same thing, she turns to her and does the same thing. "Thank you for taking care of him, miss. And I'm sorry."
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For the time being, he keeps his distance beside Weiss. As for the girl?
"Hi Otto! Come here!" Something he notices as she bends down to pick up the fuzzy little dog was how she was still lightly sniffling. Her cheeks looked damp from tears earlier too as Otto starts happily licking at her face. "You scared me so much... I couldn't find you and...a-and..."
Well... He doesn't know how this happened or who this kid is, but she seems so happy to see him. And Otto willingly came back to her, so it's fair to say the dog lives a happy life and just got too adventurous. Camelot and the countryside surrounding it were relatively safe. But what if the dog had wandered off elsewhere? An adorable little animal like Otto wasn't going to last long against monsters or other enchanted dangers. Just when Cloud was ready to pat Weiss' shoulder so they can get going though, the little girl realizes that they're watching her. Gently holding the little corgi in her arms, the dog is still looking back at the couple, tongue out without a care in the world.
The entire time, Cloud's expression has remained relatively neutral, even as the child shyly approaches them with Otto in her arms.
"Um... I..." Now, her parents had told her to never talk to strangers. But, it's clear that Otto knows these two. And if her dog knows them. Then...well, "I'm sorry if my puppy gave you any trouble, mister. Miss." She looks between Cloud and Weiss, clearly nervous. She's prepared to get a scolding for letting her dog get out. Weiss may not be exactly well-versed with kids, but... ]
It's not a problem for us.
[ Cloud's the one who steps forward first, hand on his hip. While his tone isn't stern, it's still as cool as usual, bordering on cold when he tells her the truth. ]
The problem's that your dog coulda gotten hurt.
[ The little girl hugs her corgi tighter, bowing her head. She looks like she's about to cry again, both relieved that she finally found her friend, but also ashamed that this happened in the first place. "Yes sir..." Before she can say anything else however, Cloud gets down on one knee, a hint of softness to his voice when he adds, ]
Good to see he's got a caring owner though.
[ The girl sniffles as she looks up to make eye contact with the man, hand extended out as Otto sniffs and does another little 'blep' as he licks it, yipping as if in agreeance with him. Seeing Otto so happy still, let alone Cloud having a little smile on his face perks the kid up. ]
You got parents?
[ "Uh huh!" she nods. "My Mama and my Papa." ]
First thing you're gonna do is take your folks and find out how he got out. So that it doesn't happen again.
Think you can do that?
[ "Mmhmm!"
After giving Otto one more scratch between his ears, with a huff, Cloud gently ruffles the top of the little girl's hair, whose now beaming as he returns to his feet. ]
Okay. Run along.
[ Before the girl can do that though, she steps up to the couple one more time, Otto in her arms as she bends her knees and bows her head.
"Thank you for looking after my puppy, mister." And since she's assuming Weiss was doing the same thing, she turns to her and does the same thing. "Thank you for taking care of him, miss. And I'm sorry."
Bark bark! ]