Maybe I'll go have a chat with 'em.

[ Cloud must have been a comfy lap, because now, as the blond rotates the camera back down at the corgi instead... ]

I'll stick around for a little longer. If no one shows up, I'll figure something else out.

[ Otto is either asleep or just flopped in his lap. Because his tail is lazily wagging now. ]

Sure. Your new best friend's waiting.

[ No hesitation on that callout. But hidden beneath the dog talk and teasing they do, Cloud's of the same mind. Another day, another chance to go out for a leisurely date.

Otto, you wingman you. ...er, wingdog? ]

[ Weiss was still home. So...actually, the training grounds weren't far on a normal day. So! ]

We'll sit tight unless his owner shows up.

[ As if Otto knew it was being included in the conversation, he perks up and jumps into the frame one more time with a friendly 'Yip!' It tries stealing a couple blepping kisses. ]

Catch you— [ Stop that! ] —later.

[ After hanging up, by the time Weiss arrives? She'll find Cloud by himself on the bench. But just when it seems like Otto was nowhere to be found? From across the other side of the quieter training grounds, the corgi is bouncing along with a big stick in his mouth. Seems that Cloud found a way to pass the time and keep the little guy occupied! It never hurts that he can use Kinetic magic to send the stick much farther away so the dog gets its exercise in. ]

[ His head perks up when he hears Weiss' voice. It doesn't matter how long or little time has passed; she'll never have to miss the trace of a smile that tugs at his lips every time he sees her. Today (thanks in part to a certain pupper,) he hasn't gotten himself all dirty from training today, so asides washing his face and hands? He's still faring well! Standing up, he's about to wave when he realizes that little Otto was also charging him at the same time. ]

Hey.

[ If Weiss is going to come up and hug him, he'll accept it. Regardless, while his attention is solely on the huntress, Otto's stubby front legs are clawing at Cloud's pant leg, stick in hand as it pants gleefully.

It's a double attack. ]

[ And, of course Cloud, used to this treatment whenever an adorable dog happens to occupy her space, patiently folds his arms and taps his foot. Like he's jealous or something. ...he's not; the little smirk on his lips as she baby talks the enthused corgi was telling. If his Chocobo Chick familiar was feeling up to it, it would have plopped down on his shoulder and tried to "cheer up" its master.

His eyes can't help but softly widen with a sense of wonder as Otto's behavior changes completely with Weiss. She really is an animal whisperer. First she gets all of Elaine's animals to follow her like she were leading a parade, and now she's got Otto literally eating out the palm of her hand. If Otto was lost? This was only going to encourage him to run away more often if it meant meeting nice people like her! Oh, and the weird spiky-headed hooman wasn't bad either. kfdsajh ]

That so?

[ He hums lightly behind sealed lips when she kisses him on the cheek. A couple of other young knights on the training grounds notice the couple; a long time ago Cloud would have shied away. Now? He just fixes Weiss with a light smile and blush. It's taken a lot of work, making him more comfortable with public displays of affection! ]

Guess that makes me a good boy too.

[ Cloud... Don't relate yourself to dogs. Weiss & Prismatica as a whole changed him a teensy bit. ahlfdsj ]

Gotta make me work for it, huh?

[ "Oh my god! I think he was trying to talk to me!"

Cloud was...so damn tempted to be a smartass about that remark. The first thing in his brain was how Otto was probably just trying to get more treats. But then Weiss had to look up to him with so much excitement and wonder in her eyes. He just...doesn't have the heart to say it. No, he's not going to start baby talking a dog. (Ever. Don't even try asking.) But instead, he kneels down to give the loveable corgi an ear scritch on the side Weiss wasn't occupying.

Aww. Double love. Hoomans are awesome, this dog must be thinking. ]

If only everyone was like Red...

[ There is the branch of magic that allowed one to communicate with animals though! He doubts he'd ever have a valuable use for that. People are beginning to wrap up for the day, while some stragglers prefer to keep at it throughout the later hours of the night. Sometimes Cloud did that too! But not today. Looking around, at first he doesn't see anybody who appears to be searching for the little guy. He sighs as he looks down at the content dog sitting between the two.

This sucks. As nice as the pup was, it didn't belong to them. And he...wasn't really keen on looking after someone else's pet. But if they needed to find it a place to stay... ]

Best take him with us if he'll let us. Maybe he'll—

[ "Ottooooo!!!" ]

[ The dog's ears twitch as it lifts its head up. Did it hear something? ]

[ "Otto!!" ]

Huh?

[ Now Cloud hears them too. And suddenly, with a happy little yip, Otto starts trotting away from Weiss and Cloud. ]

You hear someone?

[ Wherever they are, they must have been shouting out from somewhere near the training grounds. Giving Weiss a look as he lifts to his feet, if she wants a hand up, he'll give it to her. But after that, he decides to follow the little dog that starts scampering off towards the sound of someone calling his name. ]

[ 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."

Bark bark! ]

[ The little girl is briefly taken aback by Weiss' tsun flabbergasted reaction, but is more confused than anything when the huntress huffily places the biscuits into her hand. Otto must detect the treats because while he doesn't squirm in her arms, he's still looking around, nose wiggling as he sniffs out the biscuits.

Meanwhile, Cloud keeps to his silence, unable to help himself as he stares at Weiss with a little yet amused smile. ]

[ "O-Okay! Thank you so much! Say thank you, Otto!"

Yip yip! Complete with adorable happy face and panting. The little girl then carries her dog off, happily running along. Fortunately from here, she's not very far. And her parents were actually out looking too, having temporarily split up near the training grounds. Sooner or later they will all meet up and go home together. All's well that ends well.

...

That and Cloud got a kick out of his girlfriend's reaction. ]

...

[ Yup. He's still watching Weiss with a smile. Good thing he's not laughing. She's cute when she does anything. But...huffy Weiss is a special occasion. ]

[ It looks like Weiss will have to settle for second best. ]

...

[ Well? Say something, Cloud. ]

Nothing. [ It's Weiss' turn for a pat on the head, gentle as ever as his smile grows. He'll gloss over the very real "Nice Weiss is so nice" look he was giving her. ] Just glad you're here.

[ Cloud could have technically kept going. Otto cut his training short. But that's not something Weiss needs to know. She and his family would always come first. So without any hesitation, ]

I do now.

[ And those plans involve a certain white-haired huntress. ]

Lemme just go wash up.

[ And go where? He doesn't care as long as it's with her. But he's up for an impromptu date night. He can at least wash himself of dog kisses and corgi smell! Not to mention dirt from all the training he was doing. ]

[ Even if he had something else in mind (he didn't), unless it was an emergency? He'd prioritize Weiss every time. Then again, if it was an emergency? Chances are she'd be coming with him anyway. Motioning with a turn of his head for her to follow him, he's just going to go towards the closest washroom to wash his face and hands. ...not that she has to follow him into the washrooms. ]

Something light? [ He hasn't quite figured out what he wants yet. But that'll soon change once he's come out. ] One sec.

[ Sure enough, after splashing his face with refreshing cold water and drying his hands off, he doesn't even take a couple minutes before he's back out, feeling more refreshed (and Otto free.) ]

Actually- [ It's not "light" per se, but... ] -what about BBQ?

Something like that.

[ That way they can pick and choose what they want! Grilled veggies, meats, the works. He doesn't know what Weiss has had to eat today or not. Bonus points if it's a buffet! Not because he plans on stuffing himself full, but so there's no worries on paying extra for trying something they ultimately weren't a fan of. ]

Gotta be something... This ain't your ordinary Avalon.

[ Hope Weiss doesn't mind Cloud getting into her bubble, arm to arm, peeking at her device while she peruses spots that might tickle their fancy. ]