[Closed Post: Caught]

[timebethine]

Laertes is in love. He's in love, and he's carrying his whole heart tucked into his coat, held close against his chest. The pup wriggles and squirms and makes little noises that to Laertes's ears are more curious and interested than distressed. "Soon, pet," says Laertes softly as he undoes the lock on the door to his and Sagramore's rooms. Then, louder: "Sagramore! I've brought a friend for thee!"

And he pulls the tiny puppy out of his coat. It blinks ice-blue eyes at Sagramore, then gives an amiable bark.

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[timebethine]

"Oh--I meant when she's grown," says Laertes. "But thou art right. The woods are strange enough for humans; they would have all manner of trouble for dogs."

[sagramore]

"I'll ride with her, if she needs the exercise, and keep an eye on her. Even grown, I'd rather not have her wander. God forbid she goes after Angus."

[timebethine]

"Or Mothwing! I've still not made her acquaintance, but I should hate to trouble her." The water's started boiling; after another few moments to confirm that the boil has begun in earnest, Laertes scrapes the meat in with the flat of his knife and then sets about washing the knife and cutting board.

Szarka, completely abandoned by her new parents, rolls back onto her feet and toddles off to examine the nearby entryway, which smells of Boot and Dirt and Outside and other interesting things.

[sagramore]

Sagramore goes after her immediately and scoops her into his arms. "Not yet, Szarike. I wonder," bouncing her slightly, "if we could make a little wooden gate to put across the door. Something lightweight we could carry around to keep her in one room."

[timebethine]

"Ay, that would be easy enough," says Laertes. "Are the doorways here all the same size? Or will we need to build more than one gate--or a gate we could make larger or smaller, as we will--"

[sagramore]

"I didn't even think of that, I was thinking make it oversized and just lean it against the doorway, but if thou thinkst we could make something we could change, that would be far and away more secure."

[timebethine]

"I have a few ideas--mayhap I could bring in thine Aleksander; it could give us practice for making his table." With the knife and cutting board safely stowed on the drying rack, Laertes comes over to kiss Szarka's little fluffy head and be licked all over.

[sagramore]

"I'm so glad thou hast met him! And that thou hast a project together. He's a sweet man, once he relaxes." Suddenly his eyes light as a new project occurs to him. "Couldst thou make her a pendant, like the one thou hast made for me, and scratch her name on it?"

[timebethine]

"I can do better than that," says Laertes, grinning. "I found a way to etch metal with electricity, and Claudius and I have proven it effective."

[sagramore]

"Best of men!" It's impossible to pull him into a bear hug with his arms full of Szarka, but the feeling is there, and he nuzzles against Laertes' neck. "Thou art the most accomplished of all husbands. She'll be so finely arrayed."

[timebethine]

"A match for thee, then," says Laertes, laughing, nuzzling back while Szarka squirms and barks that high, excited bark at all the closeness. "Perhaps Kade could make her a collar?"

[sagramore]

"Thou art brilliant. I think he's the sort of man who wants occupation, he seems disappointed to be done with projects. It might well please him. --Is he not beautiful?"

[timebethine]

"Such a beautiful man," says Laertes with a feeling groan. "He says he's straight, though, and that I must respect."

[sagramore]

"I know, I was was devastated. Just the most tremendous waste."

[timebethine]

"Well--not a waste for the ladies among us. Think of the ladies, Sagramore." Remembering his chicken, Laertes fetches a slotted spoon and gives it a stir. It's not looking quite done yet, but close enough that he ought to tend to it more closely.

[sagramore]

"I suppose," mock-begrudging. He carries Szarka over to the refrigerator while he looks for bread -- he and Laertes have baked a fair amount of it, but not the specific dark wheat bran bread that he wants for her. "What dost thou think?" he asks her. "What suits thee?"

[timebethine]

Szarka's keen nose immediately identifies A Bacon, and she barks and wriggles and struggles to free herself for the purpose of Hot Pursuit. Her tail wags in an ecstasy of smell; she has never smelled A Bacon before, and it is the very best smell she has ever smelled.

[sagramore]

Sagramore laughs delightedly. "Oh, my darling, whatever it is, the answer is no, thy dinner is in the making. Unless it's the bread, and then the answer is yes."

[timebethine]

"Try opening and closing the door a few times," says Laertes, more egging him on than actually trying to help. "Picture the bread in thy mind."

[sagramore]

He laughs again. "That was easier when it wasn't my mind," but he shuts the fridge and reopens it dutifully.

[timebethine]

The joy dims on Laertes's face. "Easier when ... what dost thou mean?"

[sagramore]

"Oh-- when I was in Asmodean's body, everything was so clear. I don't know how to describe it really. I just felt as if I could concentrate properly for the first time in my life. Think about tedious things without getting distracted."

[timebethine]

Laertes glances up at Sagramore. "I can't imagine it," he says, low. "I know that some people can concentrate--when my sister bent her mind to something, no earthly force could sway her. But I never had her gift."

[sagramore]

"I really didn't think anyone else was any good at it either. I thought it must be saidin, at first, but half the people I talked to seemed to think maintaining purpose is natural."

[timebethine]

"This place has been good for me, in that respect," says Laertes. "I'm able to follow wherever my passions lead me--to leave off a project for days, or weeks, or to fix myself upon it to the exclusion of all else. I need do nothing against mine inclination, and so I find myself returning to work that would otherwise have lost its savor."