RP:Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

Summary: Largakh is spending a nice afternoon reading and enjoying time with the newly adopted puppy, Tanner, when Lanara drops by for dinner and her usual weekend at his place. The two discuss their work week and decide their plans for the puppy, as he seems to have separation anxiety and a need to follow Larz to work everyday. They agree on signing him up for some advanced training so that one day he can be a canine officer in Gualon, and they also are going to look for a larger living space as they predict he will be a large dog. During dinner, the conversation takes on a serious tone when Lana tells Larz that she needs to leave for a week or so, to clear her head and see where her heart lies, after having lunch with her sister, Talyara.

Larz’s Shanty

The studio apartment is simple, you enter right into the kitchen, there is a closet to your immediate right and the small kitchen to the left, all hardwood floors kept surprisingly clean. The walls could use a paint job and the blinds on the one large window are dark and kept closed. It seems to have a clean odor which is a pleasant reprieve from the odd smells that apartment halls seem to have, you know, where it smells like someone’s cooking and everyone’s perfume or cigarette smoke all at once. In the living area seems to be one large couch which actually pulls out into a bed for the occupant and a bookshelf. On the back of the door are three sturdy hooks, one for a bow and it’s quiver of arrows, one for his leather holster which has his twin axes and dagger, the last for his patrolman jacket.

Largakh has never owned any pets and for now, while Tanner is still juvenile, he seems to not notice the evil in his blood… Unless Tanner is evil, himself! It’s crossed the half-orc’s mind as he’s picking up the remains of his socks which were shredded to bits by the puppy, but Larz doesn’t care of material things even though he feels his place is always a mess now. The past week alone with the puppy has been interesting to say the least as he’s had like four breakouts while he was at work and the puppy followed him! He’s had to go buy more socks, cleaned up many accidents although Tanner is getting much better about asking to go outside and maybe Larz spoils him a little. There's a few dog bones hidden throughout the apartment and a myriad of chew toys even though Tanner’s favorite is Larz’s work boot, but the half-orc doesn’t care as long as Tanner is enjoying himself because he’s going to miss these days when the pup eventually starts cowering in the corner out of fear. Many moments of ‘hey! That’s not your water!’ as Larz found the puppy drinking from the basin water (which is really gross in Gualon) and redirecting him to his fresh spring water in his own bowl by the kitchen. Lanara was supposed to come over later and despite his best game plan to clean up the place, Tanner has decided to take a long nap on Larz’s belly when he was lounging on his pulldown bed to read and the number one rule in Larz’s place is if a furry boi is sleeping on you - don’t you dare move and disturb their slumber! It’s going on hour three now and Larz is nearly finished with the book he had started with one hand holding up the book while the other gently pets the space between Tanner’s ears. He really hopes Lanara just uses her key to come in so she didn’t wake the puppy or make him get up because he doesn’t have the heart to move him if he’s so comfy. Larz was comfy too, in his short sleeve cotton tee and baggy sweatpants, head propped up on some pillows against the wall.

Lanara walks down the familiar hallway and searches in her satchel for the key to Larz’s apartment, the elf pausing just outside his door for a few minutes as she struggles to locate the spare key, as her bag is filled to the brim with chew toys, treats, and a rubber ball, all for their new little guy. She had stopped by a few times during the week, snagging a minute here or there with Tanner and Larz, though the sanctuary had been taking up most of her time. Thankfully, she had hired a vet, a custodian, and a few full-time employees to help with animal care, adoptions, and in the nursery. She still had a few more to hire, as the business picked up, but for now she was confident in her staff, and the donations were pouring in, so she wouldn’t have to devote as much time on site, and her weekends would be free once more. Today she wears her hair in a messy bun, loose gray sweatpants, a form-fitting black tee shirt with the letters ‘LAS’ emblazoned on the front, and a pair of beat up sneakers. She had spent most of the day giving the sanctuary a deep clean, and training a new associate in the barnyard basics. Stifling a yawn, she inserts the key into the lock, turns the knob, and enters the shanty, her dark eyes widening as she takes in the somewhat messy floor, with dog toys and chewed socks strewn about, and her warrior holding their fur baby on his belly. They looked so content, and she finds herself smiling, as she waits for Larz to look up, and lifts her hand to her lips to blow him a kiss. Lana doesn’t have the heart to wake the little guy, so she steps into the kitchen area and pours herself a glass of water, before taking a seat and merely watching the puppy, sound asleep. He was so cute! The minutes tick by, about twenty of them, and finally she clears her throat, and speaks soft enough that she hopes not to wake the puppy, but loud enough that Larz can hear her from across the room. “Hey! How was your day? I see you two are bonding!”

Largakh grinned at Lanara as she entered and made herself comfortable, but the puppy picked right up on her scent and his head popped up with curiosity. Immediately the pup started to pant before launching himself off the half-orc ‘sorry daddy!’ and sped his way to Lanara as soon as she sat down. Larz was finally able to sit up and he does a little stretch before taking in the sight of his work worn woman, “hey gorgeous.” As Tanner gets cozy on his mommy, Larz got up to his feet and made his way to her seat before lifting her chin and placing a slow soft kiss on her lips, “oh how I’ve missed you… My day was eventful with this guy,” he points to the puppy in her lap before moving on to make himself some food. “Hungry?” Whatever she wanted to eat he would oblige while recounting his week, “the first time I went off to work he ended up breaking out and following me, but it wasn’t all bad as I found him barking at some thugs who ended up having illegal substances on them. I got him some ‘ice cream’ on the way home for his good work. Don’t worry the ‘ice cream’ was really just some whipped cream in a cup,” Tanner was drowning her face in licks by now and his breath would smell oddly minty, “I’ve had to wash his mouth out a few times because he keeps trying to drink the washroom water.” A cringe, “he was a very good boy at the dog park too so… He got more doggy treats on the way home,” he gave Lanara a cute guilty look. “He’s also barked at any woman trying to come up and pet anything other than himself,” a grin to Lanara if she caught on to what he meant. “It worked so well that I started barking as well.” A short chuckle, “by the third day he followed me to work he ended up getting every other officer down there wrapped around his paw and they are asking me if I want to sign him up for canine unit training, but I said I would have to check with you first.” A shrug, “and now they call me whipped,” an eye roll at their childishness. “Anyway, what do you think? He’s got a great nose and he is rather tenacious so I think he would be great, plus we would be looking out for eachother out there on these tough streets. I know how you feel about me being in the line of danger so I am leaving this up to you.” Tanner was busy bringing Lanara all his favorite toys that his daddy found for him.

Lanara squeals as Tanner bounds towards her and leaps into her arms, the elf clutching him lovingly to her chest, and as quickly as he greets her with licks, she’s planting kisses on the side of his head. “My little baby boy! I missed you!” She’s cooing and rocking the puppy as though he were a child, her lips moving from his to rest against Larz’s, the kiss long and slow. “Hey, handsome…I missed you, too.” A beat. “Your kisses are better than his, but shhh.” She winks, and scratches Tanner behind his velvety ears, before reaching into her bag and unloading a multitude of chew toys, treats, a big rubber ball, and some special bath wipes. “I brought some more supplies to keep him occupied. And I’m fine with whatever for dinner!” As he’s making them food, she perches on the edge of her seat, hanging on his every word, her dark eyes sparkling with amusement. He brought him ice cream? Tanner took down some bad guys at only nine weeks old?! They both barked at some women that came onto her man? And… Larz was whipped?! Lana is secretly pleased with -all- of these findings, and as she lowers the puppy to the floor to play with his toys, she returns her gaze to her warrior, her cheeks turning faintly pink. “Whipped, huh? Who has you so whipped? Me? Or the puppy?” Giggling, she crosses her arms over her chest. “And there’s women after my man? And… Houdini here keeps sneaking out? I’m guessing he doesn’t like the separation. Hm…” She pauses, her playful nature momentarily masked as she deliberates on what Larz is asking of her, and of their companion. It could endanger Tanner, though when he was big enough, the danger would be less on both the dog and the half-orc. She’s weighing her options, the gears turning in her head, and it’s then that Tanner trots over to her and plops a stuffed duck onto her lap, his tail wildly wagging from side to side. Those puppy eyes are -slaying- her emotions, and she groans, already knowing she was caving. “Alright. You can go to work with daddy and enroll in these special k9 classes. What do you think, Tan Tan? Huh!? You wanna go to work with daddy? And keep all those pretty women away from him? And save him from bad guys?” The puppy yips, and as she tosses his toy across the room, he gives chase, delighted at the attention. “Yes. Larz. You can put him into the training. I… I think it will be good for him, and for you. Just… Keep an eye on him, okay? I don’t want to lose either of you, ever. I’m excited to see him all obedient with a little vest on.” She uncrosses her arms and claps her hands, rising to her feet, and approaching Larz, who she pulls into her arms. “I think you’re in love with the little guy… I -told- you it would happen! You bonded with our little guy. And I couldn’t be happier! You continue to amaze me, every day.”

Largakh grins to Lanara with a shrug, “both,” in response to her inquiry of who has him whipped. “But they call it whipped, I just call it making sure those I care about are happy and content.” He goes back to making up a stir fry of veggies, chicken and rice, “separation, huh? Yeah I don't do well with that either. Maybe you should just move in with us,” he said in a lighthearted manner in a jest with a wink and a chuckle. While their dinner simmers he turns himself against the countertop to watch how the gears in her head would turn and how she would overthink his suggestion. Arms cross over his chest and let's her off the hook finally, “one day… When I can buy a house so all your companions can roam around our land and be happy, all of us. This place is too small and in my mind not good enough for you.” As if Tanner understood what his mommy was allowing him to do he yelped some more and stood on his hind legs to paw at both Lana and Larz’s legs. The half-orc chuckles as this and squats down to him with a rub behind the canines ear, “you hear that buddy?!” Tanner playfully nips at Larz’s hand, but he knows not to be too rough even though his little teeth won't puncture Larz’s skin. Lana and Larz pull each other close and he tilts his head down to look at her, “that's all I hope to do… And I'm just enjoying the time I have with him till he starts to become uncomfortable around me. Who knows, maybe because he's here all the time and so young he might be okay with my orc half.” He looked genuinely worried and bummed out, but found himself looking on while Tanner played in his pile of toys making a large mess in his small home and now Larz’s face looks more serious… He's thinking and for a moment he forgot he was even cooking so he gave Lana a Kiss on the forehead before going back to the task at hand. Still thinking, thinking, thinking. Almost brooding! Before Lana goes on thinking she did or said something wrong he starts thinking out loud, “he’s going to keep on growing. Getting bigger and more active. This is no place for him, so… I'm going to have to look for a place really soon, but I don't know much about all that and I may need help.” He got two bowls out and started serving their dinner, but when he set up her place and pulled out her seat for her he slightly nervously asks, “what do you think?”

Lanara laughs as he explains what ‘whipped’ means, and she shakes her head, not one to keep up with all the slang of the lands. The grin remains on her face, even when he jokingly asks her to move in with them, and she rolls her eyes, playing along. “First of all, there isn’t enough space for all my clothes, shoes, crafting supplies, pets, and even though I’m tiny… I take up a lot of room. I am always bouncing around from room to room, just ask Seldanna! The other day Theo nearly had a heart attack when he found me in the barn, hanging upside down! I tried to explain that I was doing aerial yoga, but he thought there was something psychologically wrong with me and went and brought Seldanna out, so they could ‘inspect’ my brain injuries!” She chuckles at the memory, though her smile vanishes as she realizes that Larz is -not- kidding around. He’s talking about his shanty not being good enough for her, and a place where all her animals can roam around, and rather than hold his gaze, she reaches down to pet Tanner, grateful for the distraction. This was a big step… A step that she had taken with one other, and once that step was taken, she was literally left in the dark and forgotten. Deep down she knows that Larz isn’t like Eirik, in -any- way, and that works in their favor as they’re building a love that’s meant to last… But what if he grew sick of seeing her everyday, and sharing his space? She wants Larz, the house, the pets, it all, but she wants him to be a hundred percent sure it’s what -he- wants, before making any rash decisions. Thankfully, the puppy takes precedence and she frowns, rising up to pull Larz close, her chocolate hues full of understanding. “Tanner will love you, regardless of your blood. And… I’m working on something that you’ll have on hand, just in case. I only have to gather a few more materials, and it should be finished by the end of next week.” She smiles as he kisses her forehead and returns to the cooking, making a mental note to only work a half day tomorrow, so that she could head to Xalious and pick up a book that she had placed on order a few days back. She’s thinking about enchanting a stone, and he’s brooding over -something- and she begins to get worried, when he finally speaks about their son, and she nods. “I’m sorry, Larz… I know that you adopted him for me, for us, and I… I should have known he was going to grow up fast and that this place isn’t quite suitable for a big dog. You don’t have to move out of your home.. What if we just move him into the Rolafir’s? He can play with his sister, and they have a huge yard. I would offer the sanctuary, but if someone adopted him by accident, I’d never quite get over it.” Sighing, she sits down, feeling terrible that Larz had to move out of his apartment because she -had- to have a puppy. The food smells delicious, and she eyes her bowl hungrily, though she senses his nerves as he asks for her help and thoughts on moving to a bigger place. Was there an underlying question here? Lana swallows, her cheeks flooding with color, as she lifts her chin and looks him square in the eye, her tone softening. “If that’s what you really want… I wholeheartedly say chase what you love and dive in… But I want you to move because it’s what -you- want, not what you think I want or need. Larz… I’m still going to see you, whether you live in a shoebox or in a mansion.I just feel like this is all my fault… I never meant for you to have to move on the account of a puppy.”

Largakh grins at her, impressed, in reference to something he can have on hand to help with domestic animals, “what are you cooking up?” He could see her worrying and blaming herself for this so he reaches out to tilt her chin up to look him in the eye, “Llama, I’ve lived here because material possessions mean nothing to me and it was the least costly way for me to live as I’ve donated most of my money to the orphanage.” Relaxing down and then back into his own chair before his food he was giving her a sort of… Indescribable look, “now… My life has so much more meaning and that’s how I want it, I never even knew I wanted this, but now that I have this I never want it to end and I will do anything to make the three of you happy.” Counting Lana, Tanner and Bunilla Ice in this moment, of which is chewing down some special bunny treat by the way. Tanner yips softly at the bunny cage and leaps around it as if entertaining his sibling. “You’ve enhanced my life so much and I just never want you to worry about me, or Tanner, or B-Ice. That’s why I’ll need your help so I can get your stamp of approval for our little family,” Tanner came up to Larz and pawed at his lap for the food on his plate, to which Larz says, “T-dog, you JUST ate…” Those eyes though and Larz sighs before scraping some of the chicken on the floor, “fine, but when we start working out I don’t want to hear you whining.” The puppy glanced up at him curiously with his ears half perked and a head tilt, “you heard me.” A grin before he responds to Lana’s ‘chase what you love and dive in’, giving a grin to her in reference to their second date, “doing it, always, and already done.” A wink before he dives into his food greedily, “so, tell me all about how well your sanctuary is wildly successful.” He would hang on her every word about how busy she’s been and obviously admiring her between bites.

Lanara smiles as he asks about the nifty rock she’s working on enhancing, and she takes a small bite of her food and chews, before answering. “I’m making an animal ally stone… They cannot be purchased in any shops or anything, as you need so much of the person that you wish for it to work with… Like hair samples. A personal item or two. That kind of thing… Speaking of, I will need to snatch a few hairs off of Tanner. That will enhance the spell, as you’ve already bonded with an animal.” She pauses, and then explains, “With this stone, you will find it much easier to befriend domestic animals, and wild animals will treat you as if you are a ‘human’ without the orc blood in your veins. You won’t necessarily be an empath, but it will put you in higher standing than most with befriending animals. And it’s important… Since you now have pets, and you’re in a relationship with a woman that runs an animal sanctuary.” She laughs, as if Larz had chosen the wrong girlfriend, though she has complete confidence that her enchantment will go as planned. “Mm… This taste really good. You’re a really good cook, but I have to be impartial, because Seldanna will get mad.” She winks, returning to her meal and it’s then that he’s giving her that ‘look’ which she can’t even begin to describe, he’s deep in thought, about -something- and she swallows a little harder than she intends. Had she offended him, somehow? He’s speaking from the heart, she can tell, and she lowers her fork, her dark eyes locking with his smoldering gaze, and she can’t help but smile. “”I would be honored to help you house shop… It will be fun!” Larz wanted -this- with her and her companions. The real deal, all in, forever, type of thing. Lana wants it too, and for a minute it looks like she’s about to jump out of her chair in excitement as he opens up a little more about his feelings, and of course, Tanner chooses that moment to interrupt. She gives a glance to Bunilla, pretending she didn’t just witness the half-orc spooning some of his chicken onto the floor for the begging puppy. He was teaching him bad habits! Lana doesn’t have the heart to intercept though, as her mind is still reeling from the whole ‘our family’ and did he just say ‘always’ to the whole chase, love, and dive, comment?! Was she reading into things, or was this really happening? The elf is caught up in the man, the puppy, and the delicious food, unsure what to comment upon next, when he asks about her sanctuary. “Oh! It’s wonderful! I love it, so much! It’s a lot of work, a lot of hours, and… There has been some heartache… I keep getting attached to the ones that end up adopted. And we had a little owl that didn’t make it… But other than that? I couldn’t be happier. I hired a few people to work with the animals, a clean up crew, some security, and I’ve been training the staff. The other night I actually gave a ballet lesson to two women in the evaluation room!” Lana laughs, thinking of the horror on the caretaker’s face when she saw the founder prancing around in a tutu, before moving furniture and sending home half of the newly hired staff. “So… Larz… Um. I have to talk to you about something.” Lana pauses, gathering her thoughts about how to proceed, as she takes a sip of her water. “I had lunch with my sister the other day… She, um, she thinks I need to separate from you for a few days… So that I can see if I’m ready for this? And if I am in love with the newness of a relationship, or with, um, you. -I- know where my feelings lie… She’s just… Being difficult.” There, she blurted it out, and she hopes he’ll ask questions and not make assumptions about the need for her to leave. It had nothing to do with a lack of feelings, that was for sure.

Largakh chuckles softly when she mentions she had a ballet lesson in the animal sanctuary, “well, the place we find should have a suitable instruction room?” By now his food was gone and he relaxed into his chair again, “this is amazing for you.” He was genuinely happy she had something going on even if it doesn’t involve him, but he is happy she wants him involved as much as he wishes he could be. Then the conversation takes a more serious tone and his gaze lingers on her facial features for a moment, but another puppy whine breaks the silence as if he knew that Lana was saying and Larz looked down at Tanner by Lanara’s side, giving her that look. Larz grins at this and gives a whistle to the dog who was trained to fetch one of his favorite toys which gives Lana and Larz a few minutes alone-ish. He locks his gaze back to those hypnotic chocolate heues as if committing them to memory and takes a deep breath, “well… Damn Llama. I’m going to miss you.” A short chuckle because they’ve gone days without seeing each other before so he knows it is doable, but it’s going to suck, “Tanner, B-Ice and I will be here whenever you get back and I assure you, nothing will have changed.” He was being entirely honest and Tanner brought the toy over to Larz’s feet, sat on his butt, then wagged his tail patiently for his daddy to throw it, “except maybe this guy… Lookit how chubby he got.” Tanner gave a bark and panted before Larz threw the toy for him and once they were ‘alone’ again, “do I still get my weekend with you? When are you going?” He was not upset in the least and actually gave off a very supportive vibe, but he was going to definitely up the time they got to spend together and not waste a moment.

Lanara drops her gaze, staring at her half-eaten plate, and she swallows, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. He was alright with her leaving? Just like that?! Did he not fully understand the depth of –why- she had to take this journey? On the ‘off’ chance that Taly was right… That would mean the end for them, for a ‘domesticated’ lifestyle with Larz… And… Would he truly wait for her? She was going to be gone for like a week… That meant no letters, no contact of any kind. A lot could happen during that time, she knows, and that’s why she’s so hesitant to leave in the first place. The half-orc is giving her an easy out… Not asking about her feelings, or what Taly and her discussed, or even seeming all that upset about this new development. Lanara is overthinking now, panicking that she shouldn’t have brought it up, and that she let it slip that she told Taly that she loved him, though she had yet to tell the actual man, himself. Tanner is whining and running back and forth with the toy, and where she normally would have giggled, or applauded the little handful, she sort of grimaces. Larz said nothing would change, that him and the pets would be waiting for her return… But she’s uncertain. –This- is what her sister was talking about… She believed that he was in love with the ‘idea’ of them, and that Lana’s feeling may be deeper. She finds herself mechanically responding and wishing she never agreed to one more grand adventure, “Uh. No… I’m leaving in two days… Monday morning. But I’ll set up for your poker night with the guys before I leave… And I’ll drop off some more treats for Tanner and Bunilla. As if they didn’t already have enough! Shyly, she lifts her sad eyes to look at Larz, “Will you really miss me?”

Largakh was entirely ready for the whole ‘domesticated’ lifestyle with Lanara and only Lanara, but he’s unsure what she wants from him here as he’s made that quite plainly obvious by helping him pick out a new home that is suitable for her and their pets. “Yes! Two days. I don’t even know all we can cram in two days. We will go out to eat, take Tanner to the dog park I found and we of course have to take B-Ice and Tanner to see the orphans, Selina has been dying to show you her new moves.” He was beaming, obviously excited for their weekend to continue, “I’ll make you any and all of your favorite meals, at least to my best ability.” While cleaning up their plates once shes done he guffaws, “will I miss you?!” He gave her a look as if to say ‘do you really have to ask,’ before answering, “what am I supposed to do with all those notes I leave you? I’m going to write you every night of how my day was only brightened by Tanner and B-Ice, I’ll keep the letters and notes in a little box for when you get back. Of course it’s going to be the longest time knowing you are gone, but I am not about to sit here and waste our time making you feel guilty about something you feel you need to do. I want these two days to be filled with nothing but laughter and good times,” sure he’s worried she might come back after a week and realize ‘uh… he’s an orc!!’ and end it, but he’s hopeful.

Lanara smiles faintly, although the pain in having to leave the area for a week or so, was visible in her eyes. She had –finally- found a place to call home, a heart with which she felt a deep connection, her dream job, her sister, and of course, her many animal companions. What was happening with the little witch? Her entire life, she had no qualms about setting out on her own, without even mention of her plans to another… And she’d be gone for months at a time! The woman suffered from wanderlust, she craved her independence, and she wholeheartedly fed her addiction for adventuring, at least in the past. And now? She was sitting at a table, full on pouting, and wanting nothing more than to spend every waking moment with this man, in this life that she had finally settled into. Lana was hoping for a little more from the conversation, but for what? It had only been eight weeks, and he’d already shown her as much of his heart as he felt comfortable. He’s been talking this whole time, and she blinks, before catching on and feigning a smile. “Yes. Selina is adorable. I’d love to visit with her, soon. Maybe we can squeeze it in, before I leave. And maybe –I- better cook for you, next? I mean, it’s only fair, right? To split the chores?” She winks, trying to fall back into the easy flow of conversation, although her mind was everywhere else, all at once. She stands, helping to clear up the dishes, and her cheeks flush as he promises to continue writing her letters. “Maybe I’ll write you some letters, too. And when I return from my journey, I’ll hand you a whole stack!” Heading over to the kitchen wash basin, she rinses the dishes, her back to the half-orc and the puppy, and she sighs. She didn’t –need- to do this for herself… She was doing this for Larz, as well, as he would also be using this time to reflect on their relationship. She washes the same dish, three times, and sets it on the rack, her jumbled thoughts and that big heart getting the best of her, again. Tanner prances over and nudges her in the back of the leg, and she looks down, the puppy and the woman locking gazes, before she drops to pet him. “I’m going to miss you, too, little guy.” To Larz, she glances his way, “So… Do you want to make a list of things you really want in your new home?” The couple would spend the remainder of their evening deep in discussion of what they would and wouldn’t like in a new dwelling, before retiring for the night in each others arms.