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 Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 12:39 am
He had made a list:
Pros of early graduation from Azure Valley Academy: starting work, becoming an adult, moving out to live on his own, having his own space, possibly studying at DCU, just breathing room.
Cons of early graduation from Azure Valley Academy: all of his old friends were still in school, he had no money to actually pay for his apartment for more than another month, and his job sucked.
Not that Auguste actually minded the last one of these facts, because a job was a job, even if all he did was scoop ice cream for five hours a day and left smelling of waffle cones and sweetness. He was the youngest of his family, and there had been a great deal of expectations laid upon him as he had grown up -
- but he was eighteen now, nineteen in just a few scant months, and he was on his own. His parents large, white stone mansion had been left behind in favor of a crappy little dive that Auguste treated with the utmost care and respect anyway, even with the general lack of amenities.
Currently, however, he wasn't in his apartment. Currently, Auguste was standing in front of a pet storefront on a long row of shops, idly tapping a finger against his chin. He was clearly contemplating the wide variety of puppies in the windows, wondering if it was a good idea to actually get one.
Probably not. Who cared, really.
And twenty minutes later, he was walking outside with a bundle of snow white fur in his arms, a black nose snuffling at his hand. Engrossed in his new companion, Auguste wasn't exactly paying attention as he rounded a corner, a smile on his pale, freckled face.
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Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 1:01 am
Nadia was grinning, as she held the delicate plant in her hands. Lorne had given her one of his questionable half dead plants and she was actually nursing it back to health, as such, she was holding her hands now...once dead, turning green plant.
Over her shoulder was a large bag with new soil, some fertilizer liquid and new gloves for her small apartment garden.
And luckily, it was a quiet stroll back to her flat. At least that's what she though, but thanks to the plant in her hands, she was struggling to see over them. So as Auguste came around the corner with a puppy, he would solidly connect with a Nadia and her plant. She bumbled it, struggled but managed to save the plant.
Then peeked around it.
"Oh my god aren't you the cutest little thing in the world?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 12:42 pm
Arms full of scrambling, fluffy puppy, Auguste didn't see the young woman he'd just smacked directly into, green coming into his line of vision as the plants leaves swayed and bumped into his face. He stumbled back a step, reaching a hand out automatically to try and catch the plant, should it fall, but it seemed there was no need.
Auguste's eyebrows rose a little, and then he relaxed, smiling.
"I just got him," he said lightly, holding up the mewling bundle. It was a Samoyed puppy, eager and wriggling, and it let out a sound that was probably an attempt at a bark, but came out more of a wheezing snuffle instead as it tried to lick one of Auguste's fingers.
"You can pet him if you'd like, I don't mind," he said mildly.
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Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 3:44 pm
Nadia was making so many cooing noises at the little bundle of joy in his arms that she just...
"Did you now?" She smiled at the man, who oddly looked opposite of her. White hair, pale freckled skin. But their eyes shared a similar vivid blue. It didn't happen often. She cocked her head and then as effortlessly as breathing, switched the puppy with the plant.
"I'll do you one better and let me just..." She held the puppy up as it tried to lick at her face. "Did you give him a name Handsome?" She laughed as it finally got a good round of kisses in. "Yes, you're a pretty boy, yes you are. Yes."
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Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 3:59 pm
She was maybe a year or two older than him, but it didn't make him uncomfortable, because those eyes of hers were reminiscent of his own and somehow this set Auguste at ease - or, at least, more at ease than he already normally was.
He found himself with a plant in his arms, Auguste blinking in mild surprise. But the puppy squirmed happily, legs flailing, and, her compliment of handsome took him slightly aback, because if there was anything that Auguste found himself not to be was handsome. His features were delicate, body slender, almost effeminate in nature, but he had never minded this before.
"Not yet," Auguste said with a smile. "I need something cute and fluffy to match his cute and fluffy self. Any ideas?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 10:54 pm
"Cute and Fluffy?" She laughed even as she cradled the pup and took a look at Auguste. "No no, you want Хорошая сильная имя, Good strong russian name." She laughed.
"Then he'll grow to be a big strong pup, with all soft gooey inside." She looked around for a leash or something before blinking. "Do you not have a leash for him Handsome?" She looked at Auguste with a raised brow, "How does Pasha sound for a name?" She smiled.
"Would you like some help picking out some things for him? Growing puppies need lots of toys. And to be spoiled." She made sounds again at the puppy. "My name's Nadia, what's yours?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:31 am
He grinned a little, recognizing the cadence of the Russian language, even if he didn't understand all of what she'd said.
"спасибо," said Auguste, giving a small incline of his head towards her. "Which is to say, I only know a few words in that particular language, I apologize. But I do appreciate that it's a beautiful thing to hear, even when the words are unfamiliar."
He gave a little nod. "I do have one, right here." Auguste reached into the bag on his arm and pulled out a simple black one, along with a harness, because he hadn't really been sure which would be better. "As for Pasha, well..."
He looked at the puppy, who squirmed happily and gave a little yip. Satisfied, Auguste's gaze moved back to the young woman, a smile on his face. "I think he likes it, so Pasha it is," he said decisively, and laughed. "My name's Auguste, it's a pleasure to meet you Nadia. And if you don't mind helping me, I think I'd really like the help."
He would have offered his hand to shake, like a proper gentleman, but, well, plant. And puppy.
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:53 am
"You're welcome." She smiled at him, "I don't find many that speak it. Most of my ballet class and friends actually speak french. Which is understandable." She placed the pup on her hip, like she was holding a book or something.
"Pasha then." She smiled at the pup before taking the harness and the leash. She slipped it on like she was well acquainted with animals (she loved them) and set the now leashed pup on the ground. The pup kind of...sat there for a second and then gnawed on the leash. God her heart.
"Auguste? That's a handsome name for a handsome guy." She stared at him with her plant and then laughed. "Oh dear, Totally forgot you had my boyfriends plant there. I've slowly brought it back from the dead, you should've seen-" She shook her head.
"Would you like to switch? There is a really cute animal boutique around here." She held the leash out for trading with the plant.
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:40 am
"Admittedly, the extent of my Russian knowledge is limited to a few niceties and things such as I'd like to order tea," said Auguste with a laugh. "French, however, that's something I'm more used to, seeing as how my dad is French, and I was raised speaking it."
His new puppy seemed quite at ease at Nadia's hip, yipping happily as she attached the leash. He watched with amusement as Pasha chewed on the cord and then lifted his gaze back to the young woman, remembering belatedly that he was, in fact, still holding her plant.
"Oh, it's no trouble," Auguste said, smiling. "I'm glad to see that it's been revitalized, as you say, here - "
He passed her the plant and exchanged it for the leash, Pasha practically vibrating with excitement to be on the ground. He ran around in a circle and almost tangled himself, finally knocking against Auguste's ankle, nipping and bouncing.
"I wouldn't mind deferring to your knowledge on this," said Auguste, with a gesture forward. "I'm sorry to be taking up your time, though. You sure you don't mind?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 9:53 pm
Nadia's smile never wavered and she was already endeared to the young man. She was pretty sure she was gonna adopt him and he didn't even know it. "French seems to be popular! I could introduce you to my friend and boyfriend. I promise that they would only chatter one of your ears off." She laughed. "I find it absolutely endearing that you actually are naming him Pasha. Though it means I can coo at him all the time...Isn't that right Pasha...so cute...." She watched the puppy carefully for a second in case the pup decided to wiggle out of his contraption but he seemed...well mannered.
Or perhaps it was because the pup got to see the bright outside instead of a pet shop.
The trade went as smoothly as their first one, and Nadia balanced the plant on her hip with one arm, as if it was a baby or something.
"This way handsome, He's gonna need toys. A lot of toys." She looked at him, "Otherwise your furniture or....shoes become his chew toys. Do you live on your own hunny?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 10:39 pm
"I'd be grateful to meet any friends if they're as pleasant as you are," said Auguste with a light, almost teasing smile. "Admittedly, I don't know too many people here, my family recently acquired a large house on the outskirts of town and I only attended the last few months of schooling before I graduated early."
He did very much like the idea of making new friends, especially ones whose interests were in line with his own. And although he'd basically just met this girl on the street, there was something about her that Auguste instinctively found trustworthy.
"Well, it's a good name!" he said with a laugh. "He's a good puppy already, I wasn't going to get one, but, well.." He glanced at the little dog, and shook his head ruefully. "Here we are, with no regrets."
Auguste fell into step beside Nadia, hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks, Pasha gamboling along excitedly by his ankles. "I currently live alone, yes," he said, "But I've been looking for a roommate, rent here isn't particularly cheap, sadly, I'll have to get someone to share the bill with. But I do wish I had some toys for him, my furniture is rather expensive as it is."
And also inherited from his parents, but Auguste wasn't going to get into that just yet.
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Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 2:28 am
Nadia was russian. Her family was large. They accepted all. She was raised to accept all.
"They're a rambunctious bunch by far." She smiled at Auguste, "Sure to keep you entertained for hours if you let them." She was walking carefully to keep the pup with them. Of course it fought, because it was a child and all children fought.
Auguste was in for a treat. "No?" She blinked, "I'm glad you changed your mind. He's far to handsome for some dingy pet shop, and he's too cute not to be with you!"
They were almost at the shop when he dropped the thing about living alone. And needing a roommate. She waited a second, hummed thoughtfully.
"Okay well I got something for you then Handsome. Seeing as I find you charmingly adorable, AND you've smitten me with your puppy..." She turned to him and smiled, "I have a large loft in the heart of the town. Close walking distance to the university, lots of shops around. I've got a room that is basically my storage room, but its pretty big too. Problem is that there is only one bathroom, and the porch is pretty small BUT...I wouldn't charge much rent if you were interested." She relaxed. "I could leave the offer open if you want to think about it."
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Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:05 pm
"My family only consists of myself and my parents, alas," said Auguste with a little laugh. "Not that I mind too much, but I thought it would have been nice to have a sibling, or someone to grow up with, perhaps."
Pasha was dragging on the leash, but bounced along after a gentle tug. "Why thank you," Auguste said, grinning over at Nadia. "I'm particularly fond of him, now that I've got him. He'll certainly be able to keep me company, and, well, he was far too cute to give up, there was someone else eying him when I got there and I decided it was the best time."
He brushed a few strands of hair away from his face and then turned to look at Nadia, surprise registering. Her offer was unexpected, yet kind, and for a few seconds he just tilted his head, looking somewhat like a bird, as he listened to what she was saying.
"That actually sounds...like a delightfully perfect solution to a problem I hadn't anticipated before moving out, actually," said Auguste, blinking at her. "I mean. I suppose I should ask about a background check to make sure you're not some sort of secret psycho killer, but something tells me you're not nearly close to that."
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 12:16 am
"Ah, but were you spoiled only child?" She assumed that because there was only one child in a home, that of course they were extremely spoiled. "I have three older siblings. 6 younger siblings. All boys. All my cousins are boys too." She snorted. "I've got boys in my life, and they are terrible."
"Someone else would of course be eyeing him!" She looked down, "Such a handsome boy he is, too handsome for anyone but Auguste here."
She watched his reaction, easily smiling back at him. It was really not uncommon of her to just offer it.
"I could give you some references if you want. I've been in the loft for two years now and the manager loves me." She opened the door for him to go in, waving at the lady at the counter. "We have a handsome young man here that needs toys!"
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 11:05 pm
He gave Nadia a somewhat rueful smile.
"I was indeed," said Auguste with a little laugh. "Quite spoiled. My family is...well, they've never hurt for money, really, so I can't really refute that. But it also meant that all of the family expectations are laden on me, which can be kind of a handful."
His eyebrows rose in surprise. "That's a lot of siblings," Auguste said, whistling. "I'm surprised you managed to make it out in one piece, that's quite a handful to be taken care of!"
Pasha gave a little squeak and darted this way and that, tugging on the leash as Auguste tried to work through the suggestion in his mind. On the one hand, he'd be living in a place with a pleasant young woman and his parents wouldn't be around to complain about his new friend. On the other, he hardly knew this girl, and yet...
"I think references would be good, only to double check," said Auguste with a grin as he stepped inside, the counter lady giving a little coo of excitement over Pasha as she came around from behind the desk. "But I think it would be a perfect offer otherwise that I'd like to accept, thank you so much."
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