A/N: So, this one ends really awkwardly, and I'm sorry for that.
About this chapter: ft. Harry Dresden, Mouse, Tetsuya Kuroko, Tetsuya "Nigou" #2, brief mentions of Kagami, Alex, Himuro and Murasakibara.
Dogs are great. They don't judge you for your shitty job, horrendous love life, insane family, or lack of hygiene. They are great sounding boards and conversationalists, mainly because their only reply is to bark or lick you better. They make great radiators in winter, lousy heat sinks in summer, and comfy pillows all year round. They make great protection detail too, with their loyal, protective natures, sharp teeth and claws, evil-detecting instincts and spiritually enforced barks.
Or maybe that's just my dog.
Mouse is what people call a Temple Dog, the offspring of celestial Foo Dogs and mortal canines. I had gotten him as a fluffy little puppy the size of my hand, but obviously, Mouse had pulled a Clifford the Big Grey Dog on me. Four years after I got him, he now comes up to my stomach, and considering I usually have to duck under doorways, it scared me a bit when I found out he was still the equivalent of a doggie teenager.
As the responsible dog owner I was, I had taken Mouse out for a walk. For a teenager, I must say, Mouse was a remarkably well behaved one. He stayed on the sidewalk, kept the leash pulling and casual tackling of pedestrians to a minimum, and did his business with almost no fuss.
We were jogging past a small park when a black and white dog ran across our path. Even though it looked rather large, I was amused to see that the new dog was still a good head shorter than Mouse. It barked at Mouse happily while I took the opportunity to rest my legs.
I watched in bemusement as both dogs spend a good minute or so just wagging tails at each other, circling and barking at each other occasionally.
"Ah, Nigou, don't bother that dog," a soft voice called out.
"I apologise for Nigou, Mr. Dresden. It's good to see you when you're not busy."
Huh? I jumped in surprise as a short figure appeared out of nowhere slightly further down the path. Forcing my heart to slow down, I looked at the newcomer.
First, he was of average height, meaning he barely hit eye level with my chest. Second, his hair was a vivid light blue colour I'm pretty sure my budding young apprentice and resident gothic nerd, had worn to Splattercon! – exclamation marks compulsory – before. Third, he had large piercing blue eyes that I immediately averted my eyes from.
They say the eyes are windows to the soul. For wizards like me, that's not a metaphor. When a wizard looks into someone's eyes long enough, a soulgaze starts. They reveal the true depth of someone's soul. It can't be faked or forgotten, and will remain in your memory as if it had just happened regardless of when you recall it, which is why I tend to avoid doing them as often as possible. It goes both ways, and I really did not want to expose a random dog owner to my soul.
"Do I know you?"
"I'm hurt, Mr. Dresden. I've been living directly across from the Carpenter's for three years." He said blandly.
"Oh." This was completely new information for me.
"So, uh…"
"Call me Kuroko." He continued, tilting his head upwards.
"Kuroko. Do you come here often?"
Kuroko nodded as he called Nigou to heel.
"Quite often, yes. My friends and I play basketball here every weekend."
We ended up walking together, Nigou and Mouse trotting along cheerfully next to us.
"Ah, Kagami-kun and the others are already here." Kuroko commented as we reached the basketball court, where a tall redhead with weird eyebrows and another person with an eye artistically hidden by his black fringe were already playing on the court. An athletic-looking blonde lady with glasses and a sleepy-looking giant with purple hair (seriously?) were munching on potato chips as they watched the two play.
Mouse and I parted ways with Kuroko and Nigou after that, especially since I realised that the redhead was terrified of dogs. I wasn't about to subject a person with cynophobia to Mouse. No matter how much Mouse was a gentle giant; even seasoned bodyguards approached Mouse with a healthy fear and respect.
Up next: Thomas and Kise, probably.
