Grey Dragon
The thunderstorm last night was brutal. The downpour thrummed loudly against roofs, keeping many students awake as the thunder and lightning crashed overhead. The grounds were scoured clean by morning, fresh and muddy as the pale sun rose.
If Jove had been snug in his bed deep in the ghost dorms he would have slept untroubled, but he had gone out early that night to go look for mushrooms. Despite the scent of water in the air, he trotted out to the woods and was quite far in by the time the storm hit. The poor pup was drenched in an instant, and was nearly washed away by the deluge before he managed to find shelter under a fallen tree for the night.
When he returned to campus the next morning, the tiny foxfire appeared even tinier than usual with his fur plastered to his body, his lower half slicked with mud and his upper half spotted with dead leaves. He was exhausted. How he was going to get himself cleaned off and into bed was completely beyond him, but at least it was Spookday and there were no classes he had to attend...
If Jove had been snug in his bed deep in the ghost dorms he would have slept untroubled, but he had gone out early that night to go look for mushrooms. Despite the scent of water in the air, he trotted out to the woods and was quite far in by the time the storm hit. The poor pup was drenched in an instant, and was nearly washed away by the deluge before he managed to find shelter under a fallen tree for the night.
When he returned to campus the next morning, the tiny foxfire appeared even tinier than usual with his fur plastered to his body, his lower half slicked with mud and his upper half spotted with dead leaves. He was exhausted. How he was going to get himself cleaned off and into bed was completely beyond him, but at least it was Spookday and there were no classes he had to attend...
Dragain
Lizzy did not enjoy thunderstorms; they not only make it colder than it already was, but the humidity brought about by the rain generally meant that her long hair would resemble a lion's mane in the morning.
Not one to be lazy about her physical appearance, she spent a good part of the morning styling her hair, getting the fizz out before leaving her dorm, a long, woolen scarf wrapped around her neck as she shivered; she wasn't sure where to go, but anywhere was better than her cold room... Perhaps she really should get a heater installed in her room, just for days like this. Tugging gently at the edge of her scarf, she stopped suddenly as she spotted... Something in the distance, wandering out from the forest grounds. Upon closer inspection, she realized that it was actually a foxfire, covered in filth.
"Awww, you poor thing!" Was her immediate response as she sped towards the minipet, holding him up before trying to brush off some of the dead leaves off him. She couldn't see a collar, so it must be a wild foxfire... What is it doing out here on school ground though? Pausing, she looked determined as she ignored the mud on the foxfire, hugging the poor thing to her chest as she turned around and headed back to her room, "I'll get you cleaned up in no time at all!"
Not one to be lazy about her physical appearance, she spent a good part of the morning styling her hair, getting the fizz out before leaving her dorm, a long, woolen scarf wrapped around her neck as she shivered; she wasn't sure where to go, but anywhere was better than her cold room... Perhaps she really should get a heater installed in her room, just for days like this. Tugging gently at the edge of her scarf, she stopped suddenly as she spotted... Something in the distance, wandering out from the forest grounds. Upon closer inspection, she realized that it was actually a foxfire, covered in filth.
"Awww, you poor thing!" Was her immediate response as she sped towards the minipet, holding him up before trying to brush off some of the dead leaves off him. She couldn't see a collar, so it must be a wild foxfire... What is it doing out here on school ground though? Pausing, she looked determined as she ignored the mud on the foxfire, hugging the poor thing to her chest as she turned around and headed back to her room, "I'll get you cleaned up in no time at all!"
Grey Dragon
Jove trotted determinedly onwards, weighed down by the muck in his fur. For one who usually had little weight at all, it was tiring! How did living creatures handle it?
But he paused when he recognized a familiar pink-haired student, and his tail wagged, or at least tried to wag, when he realized she was approaching. He hadn't seen Lizzy for most of the summer, and although he would have liked to appear in a more... clean manner, he was still happy to see her. She looked to be doing well, if somewhat cold.
The little ghost's ears perked up as he was scooped into her arms, and he let out a little whine. He didn't need to greet her like this, and get mud and leaves all over her clothes! But she didn't seem to think anything of it. In fact, she held him close to her body in a comfortable manner, so he wasn't afraid of falling or being dropped. He was finding that ghouls were pretty good about those sorts of things when they picked him up. His tail flopped wetly across his back in another pleasant wag. Where were they going?
But he paused when he recognized a familiar pink-haired student, and his tail wagged, or at least tried to wag, when he realized she was approaching. He hadn't seen Lizzy for most of the summer, and although he would have liked to appear in a more... clean manner, he was still happy to see her. She looked to be doing well, if somewhat cold.
The little ghost's ears perked up as he was scooped into her arms, and he let out a little whine. He didn't need to greet her like this, and get mud and leaves all over her clothes! But she didn't seem to think anything of it. In fact, she held him close to her body in a comfortable manner, so he wasn't afraid of falling or being dropped. He was finding that ghouls were pretty good about those sorts of things when they picked him up. His tail flopped wetly across his back in another pleasant wag. Where were they going?
Dragain
Lizzy petted the poor, wet thing on the top of its head when she realized that it was wagging its tail; for a wild foxfire, it sure was pretty friendly! Not that she was complaining, of course, since that would make her job of cleaning it up easier.
Soon, they were at the demon dorms, and the ghoul wasted no time in getting up to her room; it might be a good thing that her minipets were out on their own adventure that particular morning, or her bringing a new one home so suddenly might cause them to make a commotion. Placing the foxfire down on the floor in the bathroom, she proceeded to turn the water for her bathtub on, making sure that water filling up the bathtub was lukewarm before turning around to look at the foxfire, "Stay here till I get back!" She wasn't sure if it would even understand her, but just in case!
She then disappeared through the bathroom door, returning a short while later dressed in a bathrobe, her long hair tied up into a ponytail. She was also carrying a tray of what looked like minipet toiletries - from brushes to sponges and even minipet shampoo. By now, the bathtub was filled up with water and she rushed over to turn it off. The tray of toiletries was set down on the floor, and the foxfire picked up before slowly and gently being lowered into the lukewarm water; it should be deep enough for the foxfire to paddle around in, but shallow enough for it to reach the bottom when sitting down.
"Let's get you cleaned up..." She giggled, cupping up some water using her hands and pouring it over its body.
Soon, they were at the demon dorms, and the ghoul wasted no time in getting up to her room; it might be a good thing that her minipets were out on their own adventure that particular morning, or her bringing a new one home so suddenly might cause them to make a commotion. Placing the foxfire down on the floor in the bathroom, she proceeded to turn the water for her bathtub on, making sure that water filling up the bathtub was lukewarm before turning around to look at the foxfire, "Stay here till I get back!" She wasn't sure if it would even understand her, but just in case!
She then disappeared through the bathroom door, returning a short while later dressed in a bathrobe, her long hair tied up into a ponytail. She was also carrying a tray of what looked like minipet toiletries - from brushes to sponges and even minipet shampoo. By now, the bathtub was filled up with water and she rushed over to turn it off. The tray of toiletries was set down on the floor, and the foxfire picked up before slowly and gently being lowered into the lukewarm water; it should be deep enough for the foxfire to paddle around in, but shallow enough for it to reach the bottom when sitting down.
"Let's get you cleaned up..." She giggled, cupping up some water using her hands and pouring it over its body.
Grey Dragon
Ghouls and their affectionate gestures... Jove was too tired to even frown at the petting, and after last night, he even sort of enjoyed it. He didn't fuss or struggle at all as she carried him back to the dorms, but instead of the ghost building she headed straight to her own dorm.
He remained a silent spectator as they entered, and he was carried into the bathroom. Oh, what a big bath tub! It would have been wonderful to take advantage of that size in his human form, but he certainly wasn't going to change back without having some spare clothing on hand. He didn't like changing in front of anyone, but it would be even more embarrassing in front of a ghoul!
When he was set down and told to stay, he did just that. His little muddy paws stayed right where they were as he looked around the room, and then Lizzy had returned, and it was bath time!
It wasn't as hot as he usually preferred, but after the previous night, it was quite the luxury. When he was set down he stood for a second or so, and then slowly sank downwards as Lizzy poured water over him. Even his little nose disappeared right under the surface as he relaxed, and his body flopped sideways in slow motion like a dead thing. Now he knew why some of his aquatic friends slept under water when they could, it was very relaxing.
He remained a silent spectator as they entered, and he was carried into the bathroom. Oh, what a big bath tub! It would have been wonderful to take advantage of that size in his human form, but he certainly wasn't going to change back without having some spare clothing on hand. He didn't like changing in front of anyone, but it would be even more embarrassing in front of a ghoul!
When he was set down and told to stay, he did just that. His little muddy paws stayed right where they were as he looked around the room, and then Lizzy had returned, and it was bath time!
It wasn't as hot as he usually preferred, but after the previous night, it was quite the luxury. When he was set down he stood for a second or so, and then slowly sank downwards as Lizzy poured water over him. Even his little nose disappeared right under the surface as he relaxed, and his body flopped sideways in slow motion like a dead thing. Now he knew why some of his aquatic friends slept under water when they could, it was very relaxing.
Dragain
She was quite surprised at how well behaved the foxfire was as she continued to fuss over it, pouring more and more water over- She froze, her hands in midair as she stared at the spot where the foxfire had been for a whole second, before quickly lifting the pup out of the water by grabbing it under its forelimbs, a look of pure horror on her face. Holding it above the bathtub, she gently shook it, causing the now runny mud to drip back into the water below.
"A-are you okay?" She squeaked, still looking positively horrified. The lack of movement, to indicate breathing, was not assuring at all as she shook the pup again, trying to be gentle although she wanted badly to flail about. AHHHHH, IT IS NOT BREATHING. SHE COULDN'T FEEL IT BREATHING. WHAT IF IT'S DEAD? The thought left a lump in her throat that she could not swallow.
"A-are you okay?" She squeaked, still looking positively horrified. The lack of movement, to indicate breathing, was not assuring at all as she shook the pup again, trying to be gentle although she wanted badly to flail about. AHHHHH, IT IS NOT BREATHING. SHE COULDN'T FEEL IT BREATHING. WHAT IF IT'S DEAD? The thought left a lump in her throat that she could not swallow.
Grey Dragon
The moment he was jerked from the water, Jove blinked, and tried to perk his water-sodden ears. What was wrong? His eyes immediately went wide and anxious at the look on Lizzy's face, she looked absolutely terrified! He let out a little whine, and his pink tongue flicked out in a mimicry of an "Don't be scared! It's okay!" lick.
Jove tried to wag his tail, dangling and dripping muddy water as he was. He was okay, really, he was only a little tired! He hoped she would put him back in the water where it was warm and comfortable, and this time he would try to stay on his feet!
Jove tried to wag his tail, dangling and dripping muddy water as he was. He was okay, really, he was only a little tired! He hoped she would put him back in the water where it was warm and comfortable, and this time he would try to stay on his feet!
Dragain
"Ah..." It was a sigh of relief as she managed a weak smile at the lick, letting out a soft giggle at how ticklish that felt against her skin. She was just glad that the foxfire was merely asleep and not dead... Poor thing! It must had a rough night outside in the storm! With the assurance that it was fine, she then placed it back into the water, one hand holding onto it to prevent history from repeating itself while the other hand worked at getting the mud out of its fur; at least the leaves plastered to its body were easy to remove with a bit of water.
Once she decided that it was clean enough, she lifted it out of the water once again, placing the foxfire on the floor; she was too busy to notice now light it was, despite its size, or how it still wasn't really breathing like a normal minipet would. Instead, she worked on draining the bathtub before filling it up with water again. Humming to herself, she then squirted some minipet shampoo into the lukewarm water and stirred it with a hand, causing some bubbles to appear. Thankfully, as the shampoo was made for minipets, it did not have a heavy scent that might cause a sensitive nose to itch.
"Back you go!" She grinned, recovering well from her previous scare as she placed the minipet back into the water, repeating the process although she was much more cautious about getting water into its eyes now that it had soap in it, "Rub a dub dub, pup in the tub~" She couldn't resist giggling as she rubbed its fur to get the mud off completely. Foxfires were adorable! She had no idea why she hadn't gotten herself one yet.
Once she decided that it was clean enough, she lifted it out of the water once again, placing the foxfire on the floor; she was too busy to notice now light it was, despite its size, or how it still wasn't really breathing like a normal minipet would. Instead, she worked on draining the bathtub before filling it up with water again. Humming to herself, she then squirted some minipet shampoo into the lukewarm water and stirred it with a hand, causing some bubbles to appear. Thankfully, as the shampoo was made for minipets, it did not have a heavy scent that might cause a sensitive nose to itch.
"Back you go!" She grinned, recovering well from her previous scare as she placed the minipet back into the water, repeating the process although she was much more cautious about getting water into its eyes now that it had soap in it, "Rub a dub dub, pup in the tub~" She couldn't resist giggling as she rubbed its fur to get the mud off completely. Foxfires were adorable! She had no idea why she hadn't gotten herself one yet.
Grey Dragon
If Jove thought it couldn't get any better, he was wrong. When Lizzy put him back in the tub, he didn't even have to stand up on his own, he could just flop over her hand and enjoy the feeling of the water running through his fur. He didn't usually take baths in his canine form simply because of the time it took to dry all that fluff, but he might have to more often!
As he was lifted out and set down to stand on his own, the little pup staggered slightly. That fur was heavy! He couldn't even manage a proper shake, the weight of the soaked fluff held him down and almost toppled him back onto his side. Well that wasn't going to work...
Jove slogged over to Lizzy instead, curious as to what she was doing with the tub now. Was there going to be... more bath time? His tail wagged, er, flopped, happily as the ghoul picked him up once again and put him back in the clean water. This was one of the best baths ever, he thought as she massaged the remaining dirt out of his fur, his pink tongue flicking out and over his nose happily.
As he was lifted out and set down to stand on his own, the little pup staggered slightly. That fur was heavy! He couldn't even manage a proper shake, the weight of the soaked fluff held him down and almost toppled him back onto his side. Well that wasn't going to work...
Jove slogged over to Lizzy instead, curious as to what she was doing with the tub now. Was there going to be... more bath time? His tail wagged, er, flopped, happily as the ghoul picked him up once again and put him back in the clean water. This was one of the best baths ever, he thought as she massaged the remaining dirt out of his fur, his pink tongue flicking out and over his nose happily.
Dragain
"Awwww, you're enjoying this, aren't you?" She giggled again, a wide grin on her lips as she continued to rub the soapy water into the foxfire's fur, causing it to pretty much flatten. Foxfires actually look pretty silly - in an adorable way of course - with their fur wet! Who would have known? The fact that it seemed to be enjoying the bath made Lizzy really happy, seeing how she rarely got the chance to give a minipet such a long bath... It was almost therapeutic, and she was determined to take her time with it, leaving no spots uncleaned.
Pleased with her handiwork, she then lifted the pup up with both hands, allowing excess water to drip down into the water before quickly transferring it over to the wash basin at the other side of the bathroom. Testing the temperature of the water from the tap, she then started to wash the soap off. As the color of the pup's fur was revealed, she couldn't help but notice how it reminded her of the hair color of someone... Although she couldn't quite figure out who the someone was.
Pleased with her handiwork, she then lifted the pup up with both hands, allowing excess water to drip down into the water before quickly transferring it over to the wash basin at the other side of the bathroom. Testing the temperature of the water from the tap, she then started to wash the soap off. As the color of the pup's fur was revealed, she couldn't help but notice how it reminded her of the hair color of someone... Although she couldn't quite figure out who the someone was.
