Several days have passed since the lifting of the DVPI lockdown, and within those days, the Dalmatian family has never felt more alive! In the daytime, Dylan and Dolly hangout with friends or find the time to do their own thing while other siblings bear the burden of caretaking. And during the night, Dylan has had several chances to become a little bit closer to his usually snooty neighbor. Even if he still fears her sudden friendliness is some inflated prank, he knew more about his neighbor in a few nights than he has his entire life! And something about that knowledge makes Dylan feel safe around Clarissa, despite previous encounters.
Likewise, the powderpuff-princess of a Corgi feels unsure of her newly found kindness. Once, she thought of Dylan as a mere "weak link", a means to one's ends if need be. Now, Clarissa pensively ponders what the next trivial affair will be during their next session. Though Clarissa would never admit it, she's surprised that she could quash her Corgi pride to "slum it" with her neighbor. Perhaps the blanket of secrecy within the night skies keeps her prude tendencies from stopping the fun she is having. And for whatever reason, Clarissa feels like apologizing for the things she had done in the past. In a back-handed, proper way, of course. Maybe…slumming it isn't so bad?
"Uwah!" Clarissa flails off of her personal sofa, jolted awake by a sudden thump against the backyard fence. She sits up and a places a paw over her mouth as she yawns. Before she releases another breath, Hugo picks Clarissa up and gently wipes away eye-boogers and snot. Normally, she would angrily flail away from Hugo if woken up by a sudden loud noise and immediately investigate the sound. But today, she has a hunch the sound came from her oh-so-spotty neighbors like most sounds do.
"Okay, Clarissakins! I will get the morning tea started." Hugo slides open the yard-door. "Behave one's self!"
"Hmph. As if one would do anything but!" Clarissa barks back. "Hmm, with Prunella visiting her veterinarian and Arabella on holiday, one finds the yard oddly uninviting." She looks around at the yard's beautiful display, it's perfected shapes and colors, the brilliantly tended rose bushes, the spotless…spotless?
Clarissa shakes her head. "Right, well, surely one's Dalmatian acquaintance will indulge in one's needs, hmhm." Intent on breaking Dylan's unspoken rule, Clarissa peaks through a hole in her fence to scout for him. The stack of flower pots she stands on wobble beneath her.
"Ahh!" Dylan's near infamous yell bounces off the fences. "Dingo, put Dorothy down! She'd eat you first, anyway." He turns his head at breakneck speeds. "Dandy, no! Don't eat that flower, c'mon! Oof!"
Wham!
A rumbling thud crashes into Dylan. "Ohhhh, Dodger, run with your eyes open, pup…"
Clarissa could not believe her eyes. Nearly a hundred dogs running amok, playing games like as if it is nothing. THIS is what Dylan normally does on his "on" days? Living amongst nearly a hundred siblings sounds simply ghastly, but having to take care of them as well? Inconceivable!
Dylan groans. "Dolly! Take charge, I need a minute…"
"Hahah! You'll be lucky to get ten seconds! But on it, bro!" Dolly parkours into a mountain of pups sending them every-which-way.
"Not like that!" Dylan sighs as he climbs up the stairs to his treehouse.
Clarissa's ears perk up. She tries to step back from the fence, but she topples over the flower pots, with one landing on her head. She shakes it off and scales the fence, reaching the top just as Dylan's paw reaches for the treehouse's door.
"Ohhhh, Dylan~ One desires to share something with you…" Clarissa looks at the other Dalmatians, realizing they are paying attention. "Oh, so now you lot have polished ears!"
"C-Clarissa!" Dylan turns in surprise. "What, are, you, dooooing…!" He swipes his paw across his neck several times, asking her to cut it out.
She doesn't understand it. "What? Speak up, Dalmatian, is there something wrong with your throat? One will not excuse excuses!"
Dolly frowns at the sight of Clarissa. "Hey! Back off, Clarissa!"
"Away with you, hooligan. One is speaking to Dylan and Dylan alone. He can bark for himself, yes?" Clarissa paw-waves Dolly.
"Uhh, that 'thing' you want to share?" Dylan speaks up. "It's gonna have to wait until later."
"And why, pray tell, is that?"
"It's my turn to help out around the house."
"Oho! Dalmatian, you humor moi. Come along now, biscuits and tea await us."
Dolly's head tilts. "Uh…what's happening here?"
Dylan throws his paws into the air. "Clarissa, I'm being serious! I can't abandon post right now!"
"You were being serious about that? Really?" Clarissa scans the sea of Dalmatians in a quick glimpse. "The mut- pardon, Dalmatians seem tickety-boo, Dylan. One won't ask again, or you'll be lapping up cold tea~"
Dylan growls. "What part of 'wait until later' don't you get? I. am. busy! So just drop it, neighbor!"
Clarissa's ears shoot up. She cannot believe what she is hearing! "Weak link" Dylan, telling her off? Inconceivable! Impossible! …Unintelligible? Clarissa blows air through her nose as she tries to sit up, nearly losing her grip of the fence.
"Fine!" She snaps. "Have it your way, Dalmatian. One is growing bored of this. Yes, yes, stay and muck about with your 'fam', but do not expect moi to come looking for you again!"
"Hey! Corgi!" Dolly yells. "This 'fam' does not want any part of your powder-puff princess fuss. You think you're soooo important that Dylan will just waltz to you on your beck and call." Dolly hangs over the fence, staring with a scowl at Clarissa. "But you're nothing but a royal-wannabe that can't take no for an answer! Why don't you get off our fence and gobble down those biscuits of yours, ya Rotund Roundy!" She hops down and walks towards a pile of puppies.
Dylan gasps. "Dolly! Oh my dog, stop it!" He feels his fur grow stiff. What is that awful nickname so many members of his family use against Clarissa?
Clarissa whimpers. She begins growling, her face becomes red with anger. She nearly loses her grip on the fence as she begins huffing and puffing. Most of the Dalmatians mockingly laugh at the Corgi's frowning face. Clarissa opens her mouth to say something, but quickly close it. She shudders and closes her eyes.
Suddenly, Clarissa does something none of the Dalmatians could ever expect. The entire yard becomes eerily quiet. A single teardrop runs down the side of the fence. Dylan couldn't believe his eyes. Clarissa, the pampered Corgi from the house next door, who has said and done plenty of heinous things to the Dalmatians (occasionally with valid motive), was crying.
"…Pardon moi." A tiny, shriveled squeak escapes Clarissa's snoot. With a sniffle, she slowly slides down her side of the fence, landing in a plot of dry dirt. Nobody moves or makes a sound for an entire minute as quiet whimpers and sniffling fills the suffocatingly awkward atmosphere. Ears lowered to the side of her head, Clarissa slowly stumbles towards the sliding door.
"Oh! Clarissa, naughty! One cannot allow you to track mud in the house. Bath." Said Hugo, followed by the squeak of the sliding door.
Silence…
"Whoo! Yeah! Go Dolly! Go Dolly!" Several pups cheer as Dolly struts confidentially.
Dolly smirks. "That's right! Nobody messes with my fam and gets away with it! Gah!" She yelps as Dylan lands in front of her.
"Wrong! That was completely uncalled for, you went too far!" Dylan yells.
"Too far, Dylan?! Okay slobber-face, you really needed a longer break. This is Clarissa we're talking about here!"
"So that means 'everything goes'? Bark, bark, bark, until they run off? You made her cry, Dolly!"
"Since when do you care? You've made Clarissa cry before too! Don't try to play innocent, 'Mr. Funny Guy' Dylan!"
"That's not the same! This time she was just inviting me over!"
"And since when is that a thing?!"
"Since now! Stay out of my business, bark-breath!"
"Yeah, it stops being 'your' business when it's about the whole fam."
The other ninety-seven pup's heads bob back and forth as their eldest siblings argue. They aren't sure who to root for; Clarissa is a mean Corgi, yes, but after DVPI, she seems relatively harmless. Who is to say who is right or wrong?
Dawkins clears his throat. "Umm, Dylan? Dolly?"
"Stay out of this, Dawkins!" Dylan and Dolly bark back.
"Gah! I don't care about this pointless argument! It's time for lunch!" Dawkins shrieks.
"Lunch! Lunch? Lunch!" A wave of spots rushes into the house, leaving Dylan and Dolly alone.
"Why are you being so defensive about Clarissa of all dogs? What, is she your girrrlfriend?" Dolly smirks.
"D-don't be ridiculous!" Dylan waves his paws. "…Look. I've been hanging out with her whenever the pups are asleep. I've talked to her, she's so different from how she was before t-the-" Dylan cuts himself off. A vision of the Devil woman flashes in his pupils. His eyes go a solid white.
"Woah, Dylan!" Dolly catches him. "Careful, you know you don't need to be stressing, bro! And don't mention that human!"
Dylan sits up immediately, backing away from Dolly. "Ugh! A-all I know is that I want to give Clarissa a chance to be friendly. I'm staying cautious, but I do think that she's different. I mean, Clarissa would never cry in front of us, not like that."
Dolly stares at the ground pensively. "…Alright, fine. I don't like this, but if you really think Clarissa's changed, the pups and I will back off."
"Thanks, sis. And honestly? That nickname is uncalled for."
"Hey, I didn't come up with it! But I do feel kinda bad about calling her that. Maybe I should-"
"No! No, not right now. I think it's best to give her some space."
"Oh. Uhh, alright." Dolly lays an arm over Dylan's shoulder. "So…biscuits and tea, huh? I see you, bro."
Dylan leans forward. "What? You think I'd really eat that? We're dogs, that wouldn't be good for my tummy…"
"Uhh, never mind bro." Dolly face-paws. "At least somebody seems to enjoy how much you dial up the dork, heh."
"Hey! Hmph."
The day progresses as usual, with Dolly and Dylan dealing with the usual antics of the Dalmatian home. Before anyone noticed, the sun had become a bright orange outside as it settles into the horizon. And just as that happened, Doug and Delilah are dropped off by human co-workers from their jobs, exhausted but relieved the day is finally over. They both stand in the doorway to their home, with Doug extending his arms to hug their many children.
"Hi Mum and Dad!" Dolly's tail wags quickly. "I forgot to ask but Prince Flapjack's coming over, I hope that's okay!"
Before Delilah can respond, a delicately "royal" sounding jingle chimes throughout Dalmatian Street. The Royal Carriage is already on its way to drop off the royal guest. Nearly every pet and person on the street plastered their face onto the glass windows before slinking down. As usual, the carriage stopped right in front of 101 Dalmatian Street. Quickly, Prince Flapjack hopped out of the carriage, waving merrily at his family.
"Good day, you three! I'll arrive back at the palace by board!" Said Flapjack.
Prince Chorley, Princess Banbury, and their little Prince Waffles yip back with restraint, and the royal carriage begins its journey away. Dolly bursts through her parents who nearly topple over as she flies into Prince Flapjack. Her beanie flies off her head, landing on Prince Flapjack's tail.
"Dolly! Ya bomb gal, how have you been!" Flapjack smiles as she embraces half of his face.
"You know how it is, kingie!" Dolly starts pushing him towards the door. "Come in and hang a while!"
"Dolly, I know I'm stubby, but my legs work just fine, haha…"
As Dolly pushes Flapjack, she glances over at 103 Dalmatian Street's window. One of the biggest royal family followers is strangely absent, only her human peered out with jealous ire. Dolly stops pushing Flapjack and looks a little closer with a small frown. Maybe she did take it too far? Clarissa would normally never miss a royal carriage arrival.
"Oi! Dolly!" Flapjack shouts.
Dolly shakes her head. Flapjack places her beanie back on her. "Huh? Oh, sorry about that. I've had an unplugged day, FJ."
As the two dogs head inside, Flapjack notices Dylan sitting against a wall, staring up at the ceiling. Feeling sorry, he immediately walks up to him.
"Pardon one's street speak, but I couldn't help but notice that you're always narky when I arrive. I assure you there are no worries, Dylan! I'm not going to pinch away your sibling, haha!"
Dylan gives a flabbergasted look, but quickly recomposes his face. "O-oh. Hahah…Good evening, FJ. I-I'm fine. And no fuss about that, really."
Dolly lightly jabs Flapjack's side, shooting him a worried expression. Flapjack raises a brow, but realizes he may have said something insensitive. Without a second thought, Flapjack began profusely apologizing to every Dalmatian in the house, forcing Dolly to beg him to stop out of embarrassment. Otherwise, dinner goes relatively okay for the Dalmatian family and their royal guest, dad jokes from Doug aside.
As Dolly and Prince Flapjack say their farewells, Dolly has one thing on mind as she boards back home: her neighbor. She knows she needs to make the situation right by apologizing to Clarissa, but she HATES the idea of it. Clarissa has never been nice to the Dalmatian family, barring incidents where the Corgi assumed she could benefit from it. But there was the DVPI…Clarissa didn't gain anything at all from helping the Dalmatians. And yet, she put her pride aside and nearly became a part of the road all for the sake of her neighbors. Maybe she really is changing.
Dolly places her board and helmet against the wall. Then she sneaks past the trip alarm and taps at the glass of the sliding door. No answer. She knocks at the sliding door. No answer. Dolly thinks of scratching against the glass, but decides against it since it could cause more problems. So, Dolly does the one other thing she could think of: she rubs her nose against the glass. And before she can pull her face away, the door flies open, nearly tearing the Dalmatian's nose off.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Dolly whines. "Watch the nose, dude!"
Clarissa huffs. "This 'dude' wants nothing to do with the likes of you, hooligan. Stop pestering Hugo's yard or I'll call the police! Leave!"
"Wait, wait! Please don't do that. I just wanted to talk." Dolly's ears hang low.
"You've done enough talking today, Dalmatian! One last chance…" Clarissa begins to inhale.
"Hold on a sec, dog! It's about Dylan!"
Clarissa exhales heavily, coughing. "Urk! Why would I want to discuss Dylan with you? Was it not you who said that your fam wanted nothing to do with moi's 'powder-puff princess fuss'?" She turns away from Dolly.
"True. I did say that. But I can tell you're lying, Clarissa…" Dolly smirks. "Your tail started going wild the moment I said 'Dylan'!"
"Hmph!" Clarissa faces Dolly, raising her nose high in snooty shame. "I suppose it cannot be shrouded in mystery after one's stunt earlier today. Yes, Dalmatian, your sibling and I have been…how do you say it? 'Hanging out' for about a week now. One believed it would be dreadful, but one's entertainment has been plentiful. One supposes one fancies being around Dylan."
"Woah…you LIKE Dylan!?" Dolly yells. Clarissa jumps to cover Dolly's mouth.
"Be silent, Dolly! That is not what I said!"
"Okay, okay. But why hide it? Nobody would care if you hang with my bro."
"Insolence! One's traditional ensemble would never allow it, Dolly. Furthermore, most of your family despises moi…and rightfully so. One can be a mean, prickly pup!"
The two dogs quietly nod in agreement. Clarissa hears something from within the house, so she turns to close the door. She prompts Dolly to follow her to the gazebo. Dolly and Clarissa wouldn't show it, but they are both surprised things didn't immediately turn into a bark-fest.
"Listen, Clarissa…?" Dolly sighs. "I'm sorry for what I said. Even if you're usually pretty awful to us and there are things I've wanted to call you, I didn't mean to offend you that bad…"
Clarissa frowns. "Well, you did! That gaudy nickname is extraordinarily hurtful! I'll have you know my 'rotund' shape is natural for my particular breed."
"Got it. I'll make sure my fam knows…and just so you know, Dylan is not available all the time. He has free time, of course, but he has to commit to helping take care of the fam like he always has!"
"Yes, one supposes that is true. It was simply hard to believe it from the Dalmatian's words alone. Seeing it for oneself didn't alleviate one's skepticism."
"Believe it, girlfriend! None of us are exactly jumping for joy about it, but it's something we gotta do."
"My, you have a knack for colorful street language. Anyway, one has heard. Dylan can gab for hours at a time about trivial affairs…"
"Haha, I know, right!"
The two dogs laugh. A chill breeze blows through the backyard, causing both dogs to chill in the lull of their conversation. Clarissa perks her ears up, ready to face the truth.
"Dolly…one desired for Dylan to have biscuits and tea so one could formally apologize for past behavior. One cannot fathom why, but after all this time, being a bully to your family has grown…tiresome."
Dolly chuckles. "That's an understatement." Clarissa loudly clears her throat. "Sorry, sorry, go on."
"Therefore, one believes companionship with Dylan could be beneficial for both parties. Perhaps, when things settle down, one will visit Dylan again and try to set things straight."
"Wow. I didn't believe my bro at first, but it's true! You really have changed!"
"However!" Clarissa halts Dolly. "That doesn't make you and I companions. I simply cannot forgive an usurper."
"Usurper!? Whose crown did I- oh…listen, Corgi…"
Clarissa grins. "Pah! I jest, Dalmatian! Hahahah, you should see the gobsmacked expression you have on!"
"Okay, you got me!" Dolly yawns. "Y'know, I had a long day…but I think Dylan won't give up on this. Give him a little time."
"Right, one appreciates the advice, Dalmatian. Off you go."
Dolly hops from the gazebo and grabs her gear. She scales the fence with relative ease and quietly makes her way to the main house. Meanwhile, Clarissa glances longingly at the treehouse. Dylan's telescope moves ever-so-slightly, and Clarissa ponders if she should talk to him right now. She quashes the thought, instead heading back inside for the night. As she lays flat on her back, Clarissa stares into the sea of stars, wondering how different things could be if she became true friends with the Dalmatian family.
Notes: When I first wrote a concept for this, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with Dolly. She's a main character in the show, so obviously she couldn't just be a side character. I think her kind of being a middle dog for her brother and Clarissa works well, even if she directly caused some issues too.
Featured Incidental Dalmatians: Dingo, Dandy, and Dodger as dogs that annoy Dylan. If you know what Dingo references, shame on you lol!
Prince Chorley and Princess Banbury are the other unnamed Royal Corgis from the show as well! I decided the whole Royal Corgi family would be pastry themed after the only named one, Prince Waffles.
Song: Glitched Anger by Atronach's Aura during the scene where Clarissa argues with Dolly and the other Dalmatians.