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. ]

[ Cloud's gotten so used to their outings, that he doesn't even blink at the notion of getting fed by his girlfriend. Early on? He would have let that romantic connotation fly right over his dumb, spiky head. "I can do it myself", he'd have said. Hoo boy how times have changed. Cloud did a good amount of growing up since he first became a mercenary. ]

When's the last time we ate out?

[ Because he's leaning towards the latter if it's easy enough for her too! A restaurant is nice and quiet, but it's not like they're going to be surrounded by people elsewise. ]

That long?

[ While he's not rough about it, to answer Weiss' question, he is quick to take her hand. ]

We're fixing that.

[ By taking charge! ...up to the point they gotta stop and check her device for directions if they get lost along the way. Luckily, they've been around the city and surrounding area long enough to get a good lay of the land! ]

[ Arm in arm once more, he has to place his hand over hers to reassure her that he's got her. Her weight at his side is a comfort he genuinely wouldn't know what to do without; if anything, he'd feel at a loss. When she talks of their finances, he hums with a nod of approval. While he hasn't fired up a delivery service like he had back on Lunatia, taking odd jobs and various tasks by those higher up on the food chain were keeping them afloat. It also never hurt that despite all this time, their landlady never asked for rent still. If anything, she valued their company and earnest work around the farm. Guess that's one way to pay your way.

By the time they finally got a place of their own though, he has every intention of trying to leave Elaine with something worth thanks. And then he'll promptly get rejected because Elaine would insist they keep whatever was given if it involved money. ]

Feeling's mutual.

[ Because clearly spoiling the other hasn't ever stopped being on the menu.

Speaking of "menus"... ]

— — —

[ The sun was only just beginning to set when the two arrived at their destination. Practically the whole way there, the two were inseparable, arm in arm as the aroma of marinated meats and controlled smoke fills the air. It must be a popular spot! Seeing as they were starting to get into the warmer months, more and more families, couples and groups were starting to come out. If there's a wait? It's not the end of the world. ]

[ If it weren't for living in Lunatia so long, this kind of atmosphere would have been surprising to him. Midgar wasn't exactly the cleanest city once you left topside. Wall Market also wasn't anywhere near as clean an environment either. Hidden behind all the blinking lights and flashy shows was a seedy underbelly. At least Camelot was rather nice in its advancements. Sorry to say Weiss? But he's also caught you staring at that hairpin. ...food for thought for later.

Especially when he's keeping his eyes peeled for something for her too. kasjdhf ]

Yeah, [ he chimes in with a lift of excitement in his voice. Cloud has to tiptoe sort of too from where they stand in line. Being 5'7" didn't put him that much over a lot of other guys. The man with a towel wrapped around his head looked like he couldn't be happier, boisterous as his hearty laugh can be heard from the back of the line as he converses with his customers. ]

Huh? You sure?

[ Well, knowing Weiss... He's tempted to go both the safe route and something slightly more adventurous. Nothing so crazy as to start ordering weird meats or cuts. While this stand didn't have those kinds of meats, there were a couple that specialized in less common parts of an animal. Hearts, livers, the list went on. And while he didn't really care as long as it tasted good? Something in his head was telling him that taking her to one of those stops wasn't going to bode well.

Chicken, beef, and pork. Those were the three staples of the land- not counting seafood! He hums, tapping his foot and folding his arms in contemplation as he eyes up what he can see. Luckily it's only maybe five minutes of waiting before it's finally their turn. The man couldn't be happier to see the couple, greeting them well as he prepares to take their order.

Kebabs with various vegetables and meats are seen dripping with juices and a glaze of rich, dark sauce as the coals beneath sizzle for every drop. Finger foods were easy, but the stall also specialized in dishes that required disposable plates and utensils too! Certainly an upgrade from the methods of "ye olde". Sparing a little glance down at Weiss beside him, he rubs his chin as he peers at the selections. He's tempted. Oh-so-very tempted to ask her to pick between handheld foods or plated options. ]

(Nope. Stick to the plan, Cloud.)

[ She said to order for her. ]

Two plates. We'll go half-and-half chicken and pork belly.

[ "Hohoh! Absolutely. There's an extra charge for the pork belly, sir. That's fine?" ]

Yep.

[ "And your choice of sides? Herbed veggie medley, wild rice, potatoes mashed or roasted..." ]

Sides?

[ As in. Plural? "You get two sides." ]

Oh... Wild rice and...roasted potatoes for me.

[ "And for you, young lady?" ]

[ If Weiss doesn't decide, Cloud will. ]

[ Well if she's gonna try the iced tea version... He's not about super sweet drinks but- berries are nice. ]

And a lemonade. [ Because he's already preparing to share with her on that front. And he's not in the mood to drink anyways. ] Thanks.

[ Sure enough, it's only a minute later before their order is up! Though as the cook gets their plates ready, his gaze keeps flitting to the kebabs. It's not that he's overly hungry or anything, but...he's admittedly skipped lunch with his training and his impromptu puppysitting gig. Not to mention it's been a while since they went out on an also impromptu date! ]

Wait. [ A beat, as the cook asks if there'd be anything else. Sure enough, ] Throw in a couple of mixed kebabs?

[ "Coming right up!" Just one per plate though. They don't cost much. In fact, the street food in general is actually very inexpensive overall! But it's clearly made with love. When they're given the total, Cloud's quick on the draw, his phone at the ready with his banking app. This one is on him. ]