002 - {action}

[talkshitgetsis]

[Around Locke city it's probably normal to see people walking around the park with their dog in tow or playing a friendly and probably adorable game of fetch. Thus, Rei probably stands out a bit as she strolls leisurely through the park with a white rabbit on a harness. She gets to the less populated side of the park which only makes her stand out even more. The rabbit happily chews on grass intermittently as it leads Rei around to wherever it's little rabbit heart desires. Anyone who sees her around the public highschool from time to time will notice that she is much more lively around this rabbit than she ever acts at school. Not to say that she is some sort of animal whisperer because it's painfully obvious that this rabbit is the one running the show and not Rei. It'll start hopping as fast as it can in one direction and Rei will have to chase along to keep it from wiggling out of the harness or hurting itself. This happens over and over as the rabbit does as it likes and Rei is powerless against its iron will.

You'll probably find her occasionally talking to the rabbit, laughing at it, reprimanding it for getting too close to the street, or or once again being forced to run next to it. Really, you couldn't ask for a better conversation starter.]

Comments

[counterclock]

[Oh, hi there. Avery's just going to be... sitting over here on a bench by herself, staring openly (as openly as you can with sunglasses) at the chick with the fucking bunny on a leash. She's got her sketchbook in her lap and doesn't really make a secret of it when she starts doodling the two.]

[talkshitgetsis]

[It takes a few minutes, but Rei eventually makes that awkward 10 yards away eye contact and her rabbit stops to chew on a patch of grass.

Well that's certainly sketchy.

In more ways than one.

Rei takes a few steps towards the bench.]

. . .

Can I help you?

[counterclock]

Nah, not really. [She stares at the rabbit and lazily approximates its puffy tail onto the already drawn fluffy body.] Cute rabbit, though.

Is it really safe to walk a rabbit on a leash?

[talkshitgetsis]

Do you think a rabbit being outside is abnormal?

[counterclock]

Not when it's like, wild, and not on a fucking leash, [she responds coolly, fiddling with her sketchbook. She draws another picture, this time of the rabbit on its hind legs with a flamethrower. Creative license.]

[talkshitgetsis]

[Her voice is monotone, glancing between the stranger and her bunny.]

It would be cruel to keep him in a cage until he dies.

Dogs can be walked, so can rabbits.

. . .

Are you drawing Santa Claus.

[counterclock]

[Avery flips over the pad and holds it up for inspection.] Does that really look like Santa Claus to you? I hope I'm better at drawing a rabbit with a flamethrower than that, shit.

[talkshitgetsis]

It looks just like him.

[Rei bends down and picks up the rabbit, holding him so his legs kind of dangle and kick around idly in the air.]

This is Santa Claus.

when i was six i had a rabbit named snow white

[counterclock]

Ohhh. The rabbit is named Santa Claus.

[Avery takes a second to process that.] Yes. Yes I am drawing your rabbit. Who is apparently named Santa. That's definitely a thing that just happened.

[soulsborderline]

[That is a girl walking a rabbit.]

[What.]

[Asuka - well-dressed and on her way home from class - is just going to be rude and stare for a bit.]

[talkshitgetsis]

[Rei find the strangers stare and gives one right back. It's a look that loudly says "Haven't you ever seen a damn rabbit before?]

Yes?

[soulsborderline]

You have a rabbit on a leash.

[IQ tested between 140 and 150 here, guys.]

[talkshitgetsis]

[No shit.]

That I do. [That voice sounds familiar though...]

[soulsborderline]

...why?

[Asuka stands back and her expression becomes a little more thoughtful, herself. She wasn't a pro at recognizing voices, but there was this distinct level of annoying monotony that she remembered hearing before.]

[talkshitgetsis]

Because rabbits like being outside as much as any other animal.

[Points at her Rabbit, who is sitting and eating some grass.]

See.

[soulsborderline]

[Well, her questioning stare has turned to the rabit, at least.]

...

[It's hard to maintain annoyance when watching a bunny eat.]

Do I know you from somewhere, rabbit-girl?

[talkshitgetsis]

Don't call me that.

[Oh.

OHHHH. Rei has a look of realization, and then sighs heavily. Of course she'd run into her of all people from the network. God, just her luck.]

If you're who I think you are. . .

[neopianangst]

[Shinji's just walking by playing Neopets on his phone when he sees out of the corner of his eye AN ANIMAL?!?!

Oh. It's his sister's rabbit.

And his sister.]

Hi, Rei...

[talkshitgetsis]

[Oh thank god.]

Shinji! [Rei picks up Santa Claus and runs over to her brother.]

Help.

[neopianangst]

Why do you need help?

[It's your rabbit.]

[talkshitgetsis]

He doesn't run when you hold his leash.

[Holding the bunny out to him, beckoning him to take it.]

You're better with animals.

Walk with me for a bit?

[neopianangst]

Alright, fine. Let me just finish this real quick...

[DOING NEOPETS THINGS VERY FAST and the putting his phone away so he can walk the rabbit.]

[talkshitgetsis]

[She knows you're playing the dumb pet game but she's not going to say anything about it.

Santa Claus seems to hop around in a much more docile manner when Shinji is holding him. He has the Touch that Rei lacks, apparently.]

See?

[neopianangst]

[He shrugs.]

You're the one that insisted on walking him on your own.

[talkshitgetsis]

[Rei looks away.]

Someone told me my relationship with him was like a Mother.

Therefore I should let him walk around with other people too so he doesn't feel stifled by me. [Is she using that as an excuse?? Is she talking seriously?? We just don't know.]