PSL; [YOU MAY BURY MY BODY]

[makimavellian]

( me and the devil walkin' side by side )

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[makimavellian]

[Hehe. She just smiles innocuously at his deadpan stare.]

This is an important part of the adjustment period. This is the introduction! You want them to trust you, don't you?

[Meanwhile, Bubblegum, the Doberman, wiggles a little and whines. She wants pets, too...]

[spellbent]

[ She really is engaging in a contest to see just how deadpan Warren can be. He’s reaching new depths on the regular but he’s probably about hit his limit. ]

Do you trust me?

[ This, at Makima. He glances over at Bubblegum, frowning. Fine, she can have pets, too. One hand on each dog. It’s still not… great, as far as petting dogs go, but there’s a mild improvement from his first attempt. ]

[makimavellian]

I trust you... [pause.] ...to do what's best for you. And getting to know my dogs is a part of that.

[Clearly, she's following some line of unspoken logic that she isn't expounding upon. But that doesn't matter! She seems pleased when Warren pets both dogs vying for attention -- he's very obviously making an effort.]

See? They like you already.

[There is one more dog, though. The little chihuahua, who looks up at Warren both expectantly and very... sternly.]

[spellbent]

[ That almost seems like a threat, Makima. Maybe it is, in her own Makima sort of way. ]

I do remember the terms of our agreement. I'm not going to renege on that.

[ Even if it is a bit awkward on his part to start. Just like he's going to have to adjust to having another person in his home, in his life, he's going to have to adjust to these animals, too. ]

... The little one keeps staring at me.

[makimavellian]

[It's not a threat of violence, at least. But getting used to the new "entities" living in his house--which includes a Control Devil and three (possibly more in the future) dogs will make life easier for Warren. Not that she expects to purposefully make life difficult for him, of course, but it'll be an adjustment process, no matter how well he takes to it initially. She knows that.]

Oh, he is.

[She praises the other two, though, and tells them they can be off to explore the house -- but don't get into trouble! Nigh immediately, they wag their tails and trot off, tongues lolling. So much about being interested in Warren; but dogs will be dogs.

That just leaves the little long-haired chihuahua, who remains staring up at Warren.]

Ribeye reminds me of you.

[(This is not an insult.)]

[spellbent]

[ (It feels like an insult.) He looks at her and down to the chihuahua and back. ]

Seriously?

[ His ego may never recover.

In all seriousness, while he doubts the accuracy of her comparison, he's not bothered by it. Others have made much, much less flattering parallels. So, now resigned to properly introduce himself to all three of the dogs, he crouches and offers Ribeye a hand to sniff. ]

[makimavellian]

[Makima would never use dogs comparatively as an insult!]

Seriously.

[Ribeye stares. But then, eventually, he deigns to give Warren's hand one sniff, then two. A bit of an assessment.]

He's smart, and determined, and he intimidates the other dogs sometimes. [this lil guy] He knows what he wants. And oh, his coat is mostly black. He matches your color preferences.

[spellbent]

[ THIS LIL GUY? Once again, Warren looks dubious, casting a sidelong glance in her direction. He clearly doesn't know enough about dogs to know that the smallest ones are often full of the most anger. It's all their tiny bodies can contain. ]

I'll give you the color preference thing. We'll see about the rest.

[makimavellian]

Trust me, you'll grow to like him.

[And yes, he'll learn that the smallest ones are often the dogs with the fiercest tempers. :) It can be one more thing they share in common!

Ribeye gives Warren one final sniff, then seems quietly satisfied with whatever result he was looking for. Either way, he doesn't look like he'll be desperate for pets.]

Now then, I think that's a good start, don't you? [The little chihuahua stands and then begins to trot off, just like that.] I bought us everything we need to take care of them too, of course. I can get it all set up today, but it's not much, since it's only three dogs.

[Only three.]

It'll be helpful to know if you have any steadfast rules for them, though. Like... no dogs on the couch, that sort of thing.

[spellbent]

[ Warren isn't about to remark one way or another whether he thinks he'll end up liking any of these dogs — there are so few things he genuinely likes, and even fewer of those are living things.

He rises to his full height, watching Ribeye trot off like he already owns the place. God, what has he gotten himself into? The things one does for power. (They're just dogs, Warren.) ]

I'd prefer that they keep away from my books. Otherwise, I don't mind if they get on the furniture, so long as nothing gets damaged.

[makimavellian]

[Oh, she assumed the books were off-limits, of course. She never intended them to let them stray even close to Warren's library, or anyplace else he might keep less precious books, even.

But she just nods.]

Of course. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Nothing will get damaged, but they'll be glad to snooze on the furniture once in a while.

And what about the indoor pool?

[she can't believe she has to ask this question, this rich ass man]

[spellbent]

[ Maybe if he lets her keep the dogs on the couch in the theater, there won't be room for him and he can be free of his obligation to watch movies— no, that's just wishful thinking. He did say he wouldn't renege on their deal, and that includes the movies. ]

The pool? I'd rather they stayed outside. We can revisit that when winter rolls around if they're that desperate to swim.

[ Like, realistically, he's only one man and he can only get so much use out of all the insane crap in his house. It's fine. ]

[makimavellian]

[Warren, if you're not getting out of dog walking, you're definitely not getting out of watching movies. They have so much to catch up on.]

Fair enough. Outside only for swimming, then. Until the weather changes.

[Actually... Hm.]

That said, are you busy right now?

[spellbent]

Not particularly. Why?

[ He eyes all those shopping bags. This isn't related, is it? ]

[makimavellian]

[Maybe. Her eyes sweep down to one shopping bag in particular, then back at Warren.]

Let's exchange a dog-walking session today for... an afternoon at the pool. What do you say?

[spellbent]

[ Okay, that's not what he was expecting. He lifts a shoulder in a shrug. ]

I don't see why not. I assume you have a bathing suit in that bag.

[makimavellian]

Of course! I’m always prepared.

[She says this as she moves over to the exact bag and picks it up with that effortless excitement of hers.]

But great, that’ll be fun. I’ll go change and meet you and the dogs at the pool.

[spellbent]

[ He’d be more surprised if she didn’t buy a bathing suit with the full knowledge that her new residence has not one, but two full swimming pools.

With a nod of agreement, he wanders off to get changed himself. In short order, he’s out by the pool – it’s a good day for it, at least, so he has no complaints. What else does a guy like him do all day anyway?

If Makima had any curiosity over why some of Warren’s spells needed to be written and some don’t, she’s treated to an answer in the form of spellwork etched out across the broad expanse of his back in pitch black lines. Unlike some, he doesn’t bother to hide it, and the language of his magic is plain for all to see. Sitting at odds with all of that is another mark – the dark silhouette of a chess piece, a knight, scored into his skin over his rib cage on his right side.

In any case, he’s lounging with a book while he waits for her. Surprise, surprise. ]

linked image faintly nsfw bc it's makima in a bikini i guess

[makimavellian]

[It is a nice day for it -- bright and warm. The dogs have already made their way to the edges of the pool, though notably none of them have dove right into the water just yet. Instead, they sit and pant, waiting patiently for Makima to arrive.

And arrive she does, dressed in a wide-brimmed sunhat and her new swimwear; in the crook of one elbows hangs an inflated floatie. Her other arm is held strategically behind her back.

She tosses the flamingo floatie into the pool, then glances over at where Warren's lounging.]

But your book down and try this out!

[She's such a gremlin. But also... Hello, look at those tattoos? Interesting, and she wants to get a closer look -- preferably in the pool itself, though.]

hello ma'am

[spellbent]

[ He glances up at her, blue eyes peeking over the tops of the sunglasses he's wearing. One eyebrow arches. Don't think he doesn't notice you hiding one hand behind your back, missy. ]

Try what out?

[ It's his pool?? He has used it before??? ]

[makimavellian]

[Shush, there's nothing to see here.

She points at the flamingo floatie with her free hand, now drifting in Warren's direction across the pool's surface. What does he mean "try what out"?]

I bought it for a reason.

[spellbent]

I would have thought you bought it for yourself.

[ The pink flamingo seems at odds with Warren's... everything. He doesn't exactly seem keen to move from his seat. ]

I'll pass, thanks.

[makimavellian]

It's for both of us to use. Whoever wants to laze around in the pool and soak up the sun the most. Besides, they don't make a black flamingo floatie.

[Warren, don't be a fuddy-duddy.]

At least get into the water.

[spellbent]

[ Girl. The look on Warren’s face suggests she’s pushing her luck. This wasn’t part of their deal – and she suggested the substitution without giving any stipulations – so he’s not exactly eager to comply. There are some lines that won’t be crossed, and apparently flamingo floaties are one of them. ]

I said I’ll pass.

[makimavellian]

[Yeah, well. She pushes. With pointed clarification.]

You're not even going to swim?