o3; Companion

[dataset]

Who:  Connor (dataset) and any residents of the Happy Hens Farm
What: Adopting stray animals questionmark?
When: May 1
Where: Happy Hens Farm
Warnings: Nnnnnothing right now.


If he were going to undertake the task of caring for an animal in the future, it would be prudent to look into how to care for them first. Or - more pointedly - how to consistently feed them. Connor had been told that the stables were the best place to start looking. Apparently, there was some sort of food supply that Wanderers were free to use.

So Connor set out for the stables on the only farm that he knew of in Asgard - Happy Hens Farm. The android headed to the farm grounds, idly adjusting the cuffs of his jacket as he did so. It had been getting warmer as of late, but he still couldn't quite shake the habit of dressing in the button-down shirts and long jackets that the city seemed eager to provide.

Connor glanced around the stalls and fenced-in areas to see if there was anyone around. He'd only been to the farm once before. Hopefully, there was someone around who could assist him.

Comments

[thequitecontrary]

Mary had just finished making her rounds of the farms and was returning on her horse when she noticed the man by the stables. She dismounted and led the horse by the reins towards where he was standing.

"Hello," she said. "May I help you?"

The horse was a white gelding and he tossed his head, nudging against Mary as she took in the sight of her guest. She didn't seem to mind and gave the horse a pat on the nose.

[dataset]

Connor turned when he heard the heavy footsteps of the horse approach. He'd never encountered a horse before. Truthfully, the size was a little intimidating.

However, he offered the woman a polite nod all the same. "Hello, My name is Connor." He clasped both hands in front of him as he continued. "I was told that these stables offered food for the animals of the city. Is that the case?"

[thequitecontrary]

She could tell that he was a little freaked out by the horse, so Mary kept him back. People who weren't used to them were always a bit overwhelmed by the size.

"We have some food for animals, yes," Mary replied. "Hay, chicken feed, corn. What sort of animal are you trying to feed?"

[dataset]

"Nothing, as of yet." He glanced between her and the horse with a touch of apprehension. Perhaps he could lift his hand to the horse? It didn't seem aggressive. He didn't do it right away, but he seemed to silently consider the possibility.

"Maybe one animal in the future. A dog, perhaps." 

[thequitecontrary]

"Different animals eat different kinds of food," Mary told him. "You'd need the correct type of food. We do have some dogs here though, so we have dog food. You plan to acquire a pet?"

There are a bunch of strays wandering around Asgard. When the animals came, not all of them were claimed, or some were claimed by people who are no longer here.

[dataset]

"I was considering it," Connor answered with a cant to his head. "However, I have never cared for an animal before. I thought it would be important to ascertain how to reliably feed them prior to caring for them. I wasn't certain how that was accomplished in this city."

[thequitecontrary]

"Again, it does depend on the pet. Different animals eat different things at different times. I can't say I'm an expert on dogs. We had a few back home, but my father generally saw to them." They were more his pets than any sort of family pets, but that had never bothered Mary. She'd had her horse, the same one currently nosing at the ground next to her.

"We do have food for dogs though," she continues. "All you'll need to do is request it from us, since there are no payments here anyway."

[dataset]

"Oh." He looked almost.. shocked. All it took was a request. Really? That felt almost too simple. "That very generous of you. Thank you." His voice sounded sincere. "How would you like me to submit that request?"

[thequitecontrary]

"Certainly," Mary said with a shrug. The farm didn't technically make any money and nobody had any, so it didn't really make sense to charge anyone for anything. If Mary could make money here, she certainly would, but that seemed out of her hands at this point.

"Once you have the pet, you're welcome to come visit again and ask for Jim Kirk or I. We can show you where the feed is."

[madcuriosity]

Alice is feeding the horses some sugar cubes with her golden retriever, Thor, by her side when she sees Connor in the stalls.

"Oh ah, can I help you, sir?" should she go get Mary or Jim?

[dataset]

Connor turned when he heard the sound of another voice. Though if it were any other situation he might not have. Being referred to as 'sir' was just too alien to be correct. "Hello. My name is Connor." He offered with a polite nod.

"I heard that the stables here offered food for animals. Is that correct?"

[madcuriosity]

"How do you do, Mr. Conner, my name is Alice!" she smiled and went back to stroking one of the horse's muzzles.

"Well, yes, but it would be very cruel to not offer food to the animals who lived here since I don't think they can get it anywhere else," Alice smiled. "

[dataset]

Connor tried his best to give a smile in return, though it was very faint. "Is it free for others to use? Or would we have to pay for it?"

[madcuriosity]

"Oh, well, I know it's free for the animals here," she gestured to all the animals around them. "But I'm afraid I don't know about other animals, sir. Would you like me to get Lady Crawley or the Captain so you can ask them?"

[dataset]

A reasonable answer, but he shook his head to refuse the offer. "That's all right, Alice. I'll find them sometime later." It felt much too odd to have someone else take on tasks on his behalf like that.

Connor clasped his hands behind his back as his attention strayed to the pooch just beyond her. "What's your dogs name?"

[madcuriosity]

"This is Thor!" she patted her leg and the golden retriever was quick to put his paws up on her lap. "Thor was Lord Peter's dog, now he's mine! Do you like dogs? Is that what you're getting food for?"

[dataset]

He nodded with a small half-smile, sure he liked dogs! "In a way." Connor answered vaguely. "I am considering caring for a dog. However, I've never cared for an animal before." Or anything that needed consistent attention for that matter. "I'm not entirely sure what they need besides food."

[winscenario]

Rather than run into someone, Connor would come face to face with a dog. An excitable and friendly dog, who very promptly ran up to Connor in an attempt to befriend him as soon as he saw him.

A whistle followed right after, and a familiar voice as Jim followed after the dog into the stables. "Scotty, back!"

With a little whine, the pup turned back, returning to Jim's side just as he came up to the door. Eyebrows going up, he smiled as soon as he saw the android. "Connor! Hey, what brings you here?"

[dataset]

Connor couldn't help but get a smile on his face when he was greeted by the strange pooch. It seemed friendly! However, as friendly as it seemed, he hesitated to interact with it beyond a careful glance. He watched as it soon retreated back to the sound of a nearby whistle, smile fading back to its usual neutrality as it did so. 

A familiar face was always a welcome sight. Connor offered a small nod in lieu of a greeting to his newest acquaintance. "Hello, Jim." He took a few steps to close the gap between the two of them. "I came by to ask you about your stables. I heard that they supplied food for the other animals in the city. Is that the case?"

[winscenario]

Seen as he knew Connor well enough to know he wouldn't be scared of the dog, he let Scotty get close to him again. The pup wagged his tail excitedly, trying to reach up and nuzzle against Connor's hands, hoping to either get some treats or pets-- ideally, both.

"Oh, they're not my stables," he smiled. "They're everyone's. But yes, food is supplied to all animals, and if you need a little extra, we have some vegetables back at the farm. Have you adopted a new friend?"

[dataset]

The dog seemed so eager to get his attention, but Connor didn't look so sure. The only dog he'd ever dealt with was so lazy and unassuming which was the polar opposite of this. Was it really okay to just pet him? He tested the waters a little at first with offering his open palm to it.

"No." He admitted, "I've considered the possibility. However, I wasn't aware of any reliable way to take care of them." Taking care of a being who had to eat regularly was a daunting task. "I was told I could possibly find one if I looked here."

[winscenario]

Jim watched the interaction between the two, admittedly very amused. Scotty, unsurprisingly, just stepped up closer and stretched his head out as much as he could to fit his head against Connor's palm, nudging as though he was teaching him how petting worked (come on, man).

"I can help you, if you want. I'm not a vet, but you can find a few people who know more about taking care of animals. Anyway, for the basics I can give you a rundown, even help you set up a schedule with all the tasks you should do regularly. But tell me first-- what kind of animal are you looking for? Dog? Cat? Something else?"

[dataset]

So it was okay? Connor carefully smoothed out the fur on the dog's head with the tips of his fingers before gradually petting with the whole of his palm. He lifted his hand and slowly ran his hand across his head again. It seemed okay.

"A dog." Though he wouldn't be opposed to anything else, really. "Although I'm not aware of any in the city which are in need of care."

[winscenario]

It was more than okay, as Scotty very promptly moved closer to his new friend, practically melting happily in response to the petting. He was a playful and friendly dog, and very much the type to enjoy attention-- to ask for it repeatedly, even.

"There are a few around. A lot of dogs and cats showed up a while back, and not all of them were adopted," he said, then his smile stretched a hint. "Come on, I know where we can start."

He motioned for Connor to follow him out of the stables, starting to make his walk across to the other end of the farm.

[dataset]

Connor glanced at the pooch apologetically. It seemed as though he'd have to continue petting the dog some other time. With one final pat, he started to follow where Jim lead.

"How many are there?" He asked, trying to keep pace alongside Jim.  He was less concerned with actual numbers though, and more concerned if that amount of strays wwere being cared for adequately.