Bright yellow rays of sunshine beam across Clarissa's body as she wiggles awake. She does a big stretch and yawns loudly, bellowing out all of her sleepiness in one go. She hastily turns off her nightlight and begins sniffing around for Hugo. Clarissa waddles towards his bedroom, ears perking up at the sound of Hugo's humming. She reaches his door, but for some reason, it's closed. Clarissa scratches at the door.

Scritch-scritch…

"One moment!" Hugo chimes. He quickly opens his door, picking up Clarissa and placing her on his bed. "My, you appear to be beaming with joy this morning, Clarissakins. Something, or someone, on your mind?"

Clarissa's ears lower and she grits her teeth, her face turning bright red.

"Oh, you mustn't contort your doggy-grin, Clarissa!" Hugo hand waves. "It was a comedic observation, nothing more."

Clarissa huffs, yipping at Hugo. He gets the message, immediately starting her daily routine. Hugo speed-walks into the kitchen, getting ready to prepare a kibble-cake while Clarissa flops on her sofa. As she lounges, Hugo begins a rigorous massage session for the Corgi, releasing any built-up tension in her body. Next, Hugo preps a bath for Clarissa, who initially hides away from him. After enough convincing that the Corgi's fur will be pristine as always, she hops in without protest. Finally, as Clarissa dries her fur with bundled towels, she buries her snoot in a delectable kibble-cake. Normally, Hugo's routines are heavenly to the pampered Corgi. However, Clarissa finds herself too distracted to enjoy any of the premium care from her pet human.

Clarissa couldn't stop thinking about Dylan from that day at the park. She didn't realize that the DVPI has affected him so heavily. That day, she tried to calm him down the best way she knew: commanding him to. But it didn't work as it should have, so Clarissa had to resort to "thinking like a commoner", as she would put it. She embraced the terrified Dalmatian with a warm hug that snapped him out of his trance. Clarissa still cannot believe that a simple hug would affect Dylan in that way.

Clarissa also thought about what Dylan was going to confess to her before she cut him off. From the face Dylan was making, it may as well have been a proper marriage proposal! Does Dylan fancy her, or is the Dalmatian just making nice with a friend? More importantly, does Clarissa fancy him? She knows Dylan has difficulty being direct, so she determines the best way to know would be to ask him directly. Clarissa smirks confidently, knowing that he most likely does. Maybe falling for a common dog isn't as dreadful as Clarissa once thought, especially if a common dog could be Dylan.

"Oi! Clarissa!" Prunella waves a paw in the Corgi's face.

Clarissa shakes her head. She didn't notice that she was in the backyard, seated within the gazebo. "…What? Oh, Prunella, Arabella! What are you doing here? One does not remember inviting anyone over."

"'Rissa, dear, we have arrived on our own accord," Said Arabella. "As a matter of fact, Prunella and I are here for…'friendly intervention'."

Clarissa backs away. "Intervention?! For moi!? Such insolence from one's associates will not be tolerated!"

"Clarissa." Prunella frowns. "We have been made aware of your outings with that Dalmatian."

"R-ridiculous!"

Arabella steps forward. "We saw you on our walks home, Clarissa. You were embracing that street dog like a diamond collar!"

Clarissa shivers. "…I see. What of it! One's activities are one's own business. This is why one desired to hide this from you two, I knew gossip and watchers would make this difficult!"

"Oh, Clarissa…" Prunella raises a paw. "In spite of the rather poor choice in dog, that is not what this intervention is about…"

"Oh?" Clarissa sits, lowering her ears.

Arabella and Prunella glance at one another, nodding before turning back to Clarissa. Arabella details a supposed story about Dylan's previous interests in girls, including Portia and potentially a certain Rottweiler. Clarissa listens in absolute silence, waiting for the moment to rebuke the here-say. Prunella adds to the confession, discussing a supposed romance between Dylan and said Rottweiler. She continues, implying the Rottweiler will meet with Dylan soon. Clarissa shakes her head violently.

"And you expect one to believe that without proof?" Clarissa growls. "Dylak- Pardon moi, Dylan would not do something so heinous. The poor thing can hardly handle an argument, let alone proper deceit."

Arabella tilts her head. "You have made him sound like a dreadfully weak partner, Clarissa."

"What good is a dog without any bark or bite?" Said Prunella.

"He has both when it is necessary!" Clarissa yells before clearing her throat and rising her snoot to the skies. "…Right. One will see for one's self about this ordeal, though I am well aware of Dylan's intentions, ladies."

Clarissa grabs Hugo's tea cup and pours it onto his lap, causing him to hop up in embarrassment. Hastily, Hugo excuses himself from the gazebo, allowing Clarissa to sneak over the backyard's gate. Clarissa couldn't believe she even entertains such atrocious rumors. Why would Dylan dare make nice with her and lead her on only to snag the leash? She feels her breathing become more rampant as she waddles across the backyard to the Dalmatian's front door.

Earlier that morning, the Dalmatian family decided it would be nice to stay indoors today. With it being DJ's third time being a caretaker, Dolly throws a party to keep everyone entertained while keeping her own workload minimal. DJ doesn't mind one bit; that gives him a way to sample his new mixes and do his day-job together!

"Bow-Whacka-Wow!" Dolly exclaims. "Alright, you partay pup-pays! Here's a classic from yours truly, me! Ahem…clouds, stars, skies and stuff! This poetry's making me lose my ruff!" Dolly raps.

While most of the Dalmatian house rock their tails off, Dylan sits off to the side, barely bobbing his head. He can't keep a straight face for more than a couple of seconds.

Dijon notices Dylan's weak skills. "What's the deal, big bro? C'mon, it's a party!"

"Huh? Oh hey, Dijon. I was just thinking about someone…In a normal, non-romantic way, o-of course!" Dylan smiles nervously.

"Oh…Yeah, I don't even wanna-hurp!" Dijon covers his mouth with a paw, apparently nauseous. "Know if it's about love, yuck!" He shimmies away from Dylan.

"Oh, grow up!"

"No! How about you grow down!"

Dylan growls at his brother, annoyed with the clever clap back. Maybe Dylan is making a fuss about something that comes naturally. Perhaps there is nothing to worry about except dancing his heart out! Dylan does a twist, then a twirl, then a full-body curl…and ends up flat on his back. But it's all in good fun! He gets up and does it in a different order, only to land on his stomach this time. Some of the other Dalmatians chuckle at Dylan's attempts at dancing, but they are having too much fun to stop and tease him. It's a rare occasion when the whole family can get along this well for more than a few minutes.

That is, until loud thumping is heard at the front door. Most of the Dalmatians continue dancing as if they heard nothing at all, but Dylan raises an ear. Suddenly, DJ switches the music to electronic dance with some other pups operating the lights. The entire living room becomes flashes of red, blue, and purple. Dylan walks to the door, still trying out his dance moves. He places his paw to the scanner, which opens the door.

"Ohh, Dylan~" A loud, coarse voice yells. "I KNEW you'd come to your SENSES eventually, heehee!"

Roxy Rottweiler, covered in bows, bells and her trademark giant teeth, giggles at the sight of her crush. She waltz in, noticing that a party is going on behind Dylan. Dylan tilts his head in confusion, asking what Roxy is talking about.

"Don't be bashful now, DYLAN! I knew we would be more than BSPS's eventually." Roxy exclaims, drool slapping against the flooring. She pounces forward to catch him in a hug. The flashing lights make it near impossible for either dog to see properly.

"Woah, h-hold on, Roxy!" Dylan moonwalks away. "I-I didn't…what I mean to say is, who the dog told you that-"

"Erm, sorry! Can't remember exactly WHO DID, but one of your siblings! Now dance with me, love! I gots a hankering for some SALSA!" The lights become more intense. Dolly notices Roxy from a distance and starts walking over to her and Dylan.

"W-wait a minute, one of-ahh-oof!" Dylan trips, landing on Roxy's collar. Roxy's drool nearly covers his entire face.

"Oh-hoh, DYLAN, you naughty dog~ Trying to nick a kiss in front of your FAM? Well, if you really want to…" Roxy opens her mouth slowly, her tongue rolling out like a red carpet. The strobe effect nearly eclipses the room in a rainbow of light. Roxy leans in close, squinting her eyes…

"OH MY DO-eugh, blech!" Dylan yells, recoiling back as the music comes to a screeching halt. "That's gonna take ages to scrub out!"

Dolly head-butts her way between Dylan and Roxy. "Woah, Roxy! What are you doing to Dylan!?"

"Whuh?" Roxy's tongue almost gets stuck to Dylan's face. "Oh, Dolly! PLEASE don't tell me you're still bothered by Dylan and I. You are, aren't you?" She makes an exaggerated sniffly face.

Dolly shakes her head. "What? No, Roxy! Dylan's already-"

"…Dylan?" Another voice comes in from the doorway. The voice nearly cracks as it escape the dog's throat. Everyone turns to see that the voice comes from Clarissa. Most of the Dalmatians turn away immediately. Roxy looks on in confusion.

Dylan nabs gobs of saliva off of his face. "C-Clarissa! It's not what you think, honest!"

"Oh? And WHAT, pray tell, am I thinking right now?"

"I could probably guess…" Dylan moves towards the door. "Please, let me explain."

Clarissa steps to the side as Dylan exits the house with her. "You get ONE chance, Dalmatian!"

Slam!

The door shuts behind the two dogs, leaving Dylan and Clarissa out in an awkward wind. The porch feels rough and uncomfortable as the two stare at each other intensely. Dylan clears his throat.

"I don't know what the deal is with Roxy! I didn't even know she would be here today."

Clarissa closes her eyes. "The 'deal' appears to be that you are a deceiver! Why was that sloppy Rottweiler sharing a moment with you!"

"Nothing was shared about that! I was trying to get info from her, and she thought I wanted to kiss her!"

"Surely you don't expect one to believe that fairy tale."

"You should, it's the truth!"

Clarissa sighs. She squints her eyes, turning her gaze away from Dylan. "Do you…fancy her?"

"What?"

"Do. You. Fancy her?"

"It's not like that, 'Rissa…You know I-"

"What I know is that I've been duped by a commoner. The audacity! Was one's comforts too much for you? Or has this been an ongoing prank?"

"No, of course not." Dylan's ears droop. "Wait, duped? So that means you…?"

Clarissa huffs. "Any chance of that right now is squandered, Dylan!" Clarissa turns to leave. "Prunella and Arabella are right. I should have told them from the beginning and ended this charade. I am a fool for dropping my guard around ruff-raff like you."

"Tch! So you'd rather them never know the truth? That the times we shared are special? That you could 'stomach' being around me? They clearly don't know the real you, or they wouldn't mind. As usual, prim and proper Clarissa being snooty as ever! It's always your reputation first!"

"One's reputation is everything, Dalmatian! Let one remind you that I was anticipating the right moment to tell them." She lowers her gaze. "…It matters not. I clearly did not know the real you. She can have you. Goodbye and good riddance, Dalmatian." Clarissa says as she scurries off.

Dylan scoffs. "Bye, neighbor."

Dylan opens the house door. A plethora of spots scatter away from the door. He slams the door shut and scuttles through the hall all the way to the backyard door. Everyone stares at the defeated Dalmatian's aimless shambling…well, almost everyone.

Roxy steps out of the mountain of Dalmatians. "OI! Everything alright, Dylan?"

Dylan's glare nearly singes the Rottweiler. Roxy closes her huge mouth with a yelp. "Not. Now. In fact, why don't go home? That way, you can't ruin anything else for me." Dylan grumbles.

"O-oh." Said Roxy.

Dolly frowns. "Dylan! So not cool! Uhh, Roxy? Lemme walk you home, I guess. Dawkins- oops! I mean, DJ, you're in charge!"

The front and back doors of the Dalmatian home slam shut simultaneously. Dolly glances at Roxy with mild annoyance, wondering what possessed her best friend to boldly claim Dylan like a hunk of meat. Roxy sniffles as she cries through her words.

"I didn't KNOW!" Roxy sobs. "Oh dog, I nicked a LICK from him! A-and he was just…just…oh, he's gonna HATE ME now! Dolly, WHAT DID I DOOOOO!?"

Dolly cringes as she dodges missile shots of saliva, snot, and tears. "Woah, Roxy! Chill! Dylan's not the type to hate anyone, I think." Roxy's watery eyes make Dolly's fur crawl. "I-I'll check in on him when he cools off. I'm sure things will be okay. Anyway, I got questions. Who the dog told you that Dylan like-likes you, anyway?"

Roxy inhales her snot. "OOH, I can't remember WHO! But it was one of you lot! What was their name? Flambé? No, no, Pompei? NAH, that's not it! Or maybe it was Zimbabwe???"

"Roxy, all of our names start with 'D', so it can't be…" Dolly trails off, realizing what name Roxy was looking for. "No way! It was-"

"Dante. Figured you'd have chickened out at the last tick." Portia smiles.

Doom is Rich huddle on top of a vehicle across the street from 101 Dalmatian Street. Portia, Spencer, Arabella, and Prunella each peer through a pair of binoculars as Dante shambles towards them. Dante's eye bags and perpetual frown hide his true feelings about ruining his brother's relationship.

Spencer nods. "That was certainly a performance. Might have to gab at that Rottweiler, that dog can act!"

"I don't think she was acting…" Dante sighs. "Are you lot satisfied? You've DOOMED my brother's relationship."

Arabella leans in. "And rightfully so! Ooh, that's our cue, Pru. Clarissa will require her closest acquaintances to tend to her wounds."

Prunella and Arabella hop off the car. Prunella looks back at the car. "Right. Ta ta for now, you grim dogs!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Portia waves them off. "Dante, Dante, Dante…remember what we said, or it'll be your fur that'll be doomed next~"

Dante shudders. "Oh dog…discombobulate, discombobulate…"

"What?"

"Nothing! Nothing."

As the sun touches the peak of the skies, two distinct howls ring out from Dalmatian Street. More howls soon follow, jumbling the message through the World Wide Woof.

Dolly raises an ear as she leaves Roxy's door. "What? Ghoulish fogs in guppy dove? Uhh…? So not relaying that! Some dog needs their ears cleaned, heh." She chuckles to herself before sighing. She is not looking forward to the rest of the day.

Notes: Considering how bubbly Roxy was the few times she played a role, I definitely had to have her appear in the fic! You can probably tell I like rom-coms based on the cheesy real-fake breakup scene.

Featured Incidental Dalmatian: Dijon, who can be seen in the episode, "Dog's Best Friend" as the nauseous pup with an orange collar. No imagined personality was needed!

Song: Dance of the Fates (Extended Studio) by Auralnauts during Roxy scene and argument between Clarissa and Dylan scene.