Bear of The Mountains @bearofthemountains-blog - Tumblr Blog

" Guess who?"

” Captain Buccaneer, reporting for duty.”

Karla did nothing but stare. It was all she could do, really. Here was a face of someone she hadn’t seen for a long time… here stood a man she’d longed to see, for god only knew how long. She couldn’t believe it.

It was an illusion, it was her imagination, that had to be it, that’s right…

But still… maybe he was…

“Daitaro?”

bearofthemountains-blog

His smug smirk slipped away quickly, replaced by a soft, almost wistful smile as he stared at the tiny little firecracker he’d begun to think he’d never see again. Buccaneer turned towards her, the satchel on his shoulder slipping, unbeknownst to him, to the ground.

” Hey, Kal.” He murmured, raising his left hand to rub over his face ruefully.

The months away from civilization had left their mark, his mustache replaced by thick, rough and scratchy scruff that covered his jaw and chin and the upper half of his neck now. His braid had been too much to maintain so he’d cut it off, leaving him now with a pony-tail in it’s place.

His auto-mail had been left behind a month or so back, leaving him with nothing more than the empty socket. His eyepatch had seen better days, a ragged piece of leather barely covering the white of his dead eye and the scarring.

In short, he looked a mess.

But he was home.

bleedingheartchernikova-archive

There was no way in hell that this was possible. Absolutely no way this was possible at all. Yet… here he was. How long had it been? How long? She’d been sure that he was dead, that he’d never come home, but somewhere inside her, she’d clung to a hope that he would come home someday…

…and here he was.

“Daitaro…” The confusion she felt at seeing him suddenly dissipated, and anger took its place. Who the hell did he think he was? To disappear on her like that, no word where he was going, or when he would come back…

“The least you could have done…” Her words came out in a growl, and she took steps toward him for each one. “The least you could have done was let me know where the hell you were!”

A loud smack sounded as her hand slapped his face. Granted, it was a bit softer than she would’ve intended it to be, with less power behind it, but she still wanted it to hurt. “God damn it, you came back completely unannounced, and fuck it all, my hope turned into reality! I knew you were still alive; you’re too damn stubborn to die!”

bearofthemountains-blog

It was barely a sting against his cheek, but still, he felt it as though it were hard rock slamming against him, taking the breath from her. He'd thought for weeks, months, that he'd never feel her touch again, hear her speak or even see that same shade of red.

And here she was.

Here he was.

His face broke into a wide grin, and he bent down to pick her up in a one armed embrace, holding her high as he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

" Oh damn, I missed you, kid." He crowed, before pressing a longer, firmer kiss on her lips.

bearofthemountains-blog

" Guess who?"

” Captain Buccaneer, reporting for duty.”

bleedingheartchernikova-archive

It was an illusion, it was her imagination, that had to be it, that’s right…

But still… maybe he was…

“Daitaro?”

bearofthemountains-blog

His smug smirk slipped away quickly, replaced by a soft, almost wistful smile as he stared at the tiny little firecracker he'd begun to think he'd never see again. Buccaneer turned towards her, the satchel on his shoulder slipping, unbeknownst to him, to the ground.

" Hey, Kal." He murmured, raising his left hand to rub over his face ruefully.

The months away from civilization had left their mark, his mustache replaced by thick, rough and scratchy scruff that covered his jaw and chin and the upper half of his neck now. His braid had been too much to maintain so he'd cut it off, leaving him now with a pony-tail in it's place.

In short, he looked a mess.

But he was home.

#she's like #O_O

" Guess who?"

" Captain Buccaneer, reporting for duty."

#omg its been so damn long #hello people who've probably forgotten me

icequeenofbriggs

Just a Coincidence:.

icequeenofbriggs

Her frown deepened at the pleasantry.

“I’m not a Miss. Now scoot over so I can see,” she ordered, bossy even at the age of ten. Her shoulder pressed against his, the ilk of his robs smooth against her skin as she shoved him into sharing the small sliver through which the Aki clan’s warriors could be seen practicing.

bearofthemountains-blog

His eyes narrowed as she shoved him against him, and he shoved back with a huff, so that she couldn’t see as well as he could. Mama had said that people’d be nice if you were polite, but this girl wasn’t nice at all!

“All girls are ‘Miss’. Unless they’re old and wrinkly. Then they’re ‘Ma’am’, Miss.” He informed her, with a slight, triumphant grin.

icequeenofbriggs

She glared at him and deliberately stomped on his foot both in retaliation for the title and the capturing of her view.

“Call me miss again and I’l break your face!” she threatened, voice at full volume. “Are all Xingese boys idiots like you?”

bearofthemountains-blog

He let out a small howl, his lips twisting into a pout as he stepped away from her, limping slightly. His shoes were nothing more than cloth, and that stomp hurt! He usually didn't have a problem with girls, but this one was mean.

"If y'mean polite, then yes! It's custom!" His lip stuck out further, and he crossed his arms against his puffed up chest, huffing. " Stupid amestrian."

#baby olivier #baby buc #xing #au #sorta au #rp #rp: bearofthemountains

writingweasels-blog

1. What about you is heroic? 2. What about you is social? What do you like about people? 3. Of what benefit could you be to the current group? 4. Why would you choose to join the current group? 5. Invent an adventure/plot that your character would actively undertake (as opposed to just tagging along)?

1. What is your real, birth name? What name do you use? 2. Do you have a nickname? What is it, and where did you get it? 3. What do you look like? (Include height, weight, hair, eyes, skin, apparent age, and distinguishing features) 4. How do you dress most of the time? 5. How do you “dress up?” 6. How do you “dress down?” 7. What do you wear when you go to sleep? 8. Do you wear any jewelry? 9. In your opinion, what is your best feature? 10. What’s your real birth date? 11. Where do you live? Describe it: Is it messy, neat, avant-garde, sparse, etc.? 12. Do you own a car? Describe it. 13. What is your most prized mundane possession? Why do you value it so much? 14. What one word best describes you?

Familial Questions

1. What was your family like? 2. Who was your father, and what was he like? 3. Who was your mother, and what was she like? 4. What was your parents marriage like? Were they married? Did they remain married? 5. What were your siblings names? What were they like? 6. What’s the worst thing one of your siblings ever did to you? What’s the worst thing you’ve done to one of your siblings? 7. When’s the last time you saw any member of your family? Where are they now? 8. Did you ever meet any other family members? Who were they? What did you think of them?

Childhood Questions

1. What is your first memory? 2. What was your favorite toy? 3. What was your favorite game? 4. Any non-family member adults stick out in your mind? Who were they, and how did you know them? Why do they stick out? 5. Who was your best friend when you were growing up? 6. What is your fondest, childhood memory? 7. What is your worst childhood memory?

Adolescent Questions

1. How old were you when you went on your first date? 2. It is common for one’s view of authority to develop in their adolescent years. What is your view of authority, and what event most affected it? 3. What were you like in high school? What “clique” did you best fit in with? 4. What were your high school goals? 5. Who was your idol when you were growing up? Who did you first fantasize about in your life? 6. What is your favorite memory from adolescence? 7. What is your worst memory from adolescence?

Occupational Questions

1. Do you have a job? What is it? Do you like it? If no job, where does your money come from? 2. What is your boss or employer like? (Or publisher, or agent, or whatever.) 3. What are your co-workers like? Do you get along with them? Any in particular? Which ones don’t you get along with? 4. What is something you had to learn that you hated? 5. Do you tend to save or spend your money? Why?

Likes & Dislikes Questions

1. What hobbies do you have? 2. Who is your closest mundane friend? Describe them and how you relate to them. 3. Who is your worst mundane enemy? Describe them and why you don’t get along. 4. What bands do you like? Do you even pay attention? 5. What tape or CD hasn’t left your player since your purchased it? Why? 6. What song is “your song?” Why? 7. What’s been your favorite movie of all time? 8. Read any good books? What were they? 9. What do you watch on the Television? 10. When it comes to mundane politics, do you care? If so, which way do you tend to vote? If not, why don’t you care? 11. What type of places do you hang out in with your mundane friends? 12. What type of places do you hang out in with your normal friends? 13. What annoys you more than anything else? 14. What would be the perfect gift for you? 15. What’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? 16. What time of day is your favorite? 17. What kind of weather is your favorite? 18. What is your favorite food? What is your least favorite food? 19. What is your favorite drink? (Coffee, Coke, Juice, Beer, Wine, etc.) 20. What’s your favorite animal? Why? 21. Do you have any pets? Do you want any pets? What kind? 22. What do you find most relaxing? (Not as in stress relief, but as something that actually calms you down.) 23. What habit that others have annoys you most? 24. What kind of things embarrass you? Why? 25. What don’t you like about yourself? 26. How would you like to look?

Sex & Intimacy Questions

1. Would you consider yourself straight, gay, bi, or something else? Why? 2. Who was the first person you had sex with? When did it happen? What was it like? How well did it go? 3. Have you ever had a same-sex experience? Who with, what was it like, and how did it go? 4. What is your deepest, most well-hidden sexual fantasy? Would you ever try it? 5. What was the wildest thing you’ve ever done, sexually? Who was it with and when did it happen? 6. Is there any sexual activity that you enjoy and/or practice regularly that can be considered non-standard? (Bondage, Fantasy Play, etc.) Why do you like it? 7. Is there any sexual activity that you will not, under any circumstances, do? 8. Do you currently have a lover? What is their name, and what is your relationship like? What are they like? Why are you attracted to them? 9. What is the perfect romantic date? 10. Describe the perfect romantic partner for you. 11. Do you ever want to get married and have children? When do you see this happening? 12. What is more important - sex or intimacy? Why? 13. What was your most recent relationship like? Who was it with? (Does not need to be sexual, merely romantic.) 14. What’s the worst thing you’ve done to someone you loved?

Drug & Alcohol Questions

1. How old were you when you first got drunk? What was the experience like? Did anything good come out of it? Did anything bad come out of it? 2. Do you drink on any kind of regular basis? 3. What kind of alcohol do you prefer? 4. Have you ever tried any other kind of “mood altering” substance? Which one(s)? What did you think of each? 5. What do you think of drugs and alcohol? Are there any people should not do? Why or why not?

Morality Questions

1. What one act in your past are you most ashamed of? What one act in your past are you most proud of? 2. Have you ever been in an argument before? Over what, with who, and who won? 3. Have you ever been in a physical fight before? Over what, with who, and who won? 4. What do you feel most strongly about? 5. What do you pretend to feel strongly about, just to impress people? 6. What trait do you find most admirable, and how often do you find it? 7. Is there anything you think should not be incorporated into the media or art (sex, violence, greed, etc.,)? If so, what and why, and if not, why not? 8. Do you have any feelings in general that you are disturbed by? What are they? Why do they disturb you? 9. What is your religious view of things? What religion, if any, do you call your own? 10. Do you think the future is hopeful? Why? 11. Is an ounce of prevention really worth a pound of cure? Which is more valuable? Why do you feel this way? 12. What’s the worst thing that can be done to another person? Why? 13. What’s the worst thing you could actually do to someone you hated? 14. Are you a better leader or follower? Why do you think that? If you think the whole leader-follower archetype is a crock of shit, say so, and explain why? 15. What is your responsibility to the world, if any? Why do you think that? 16. Do you think redemption is possible? If so, can anyone be redeemed, or are there only certain circumstances that can be? If not, why do you think nothing can redeem itself? 17. Is it okay for you to cry? When was the last time you cried? 18. What do you think is wrong with MOST people, overall?

Post-Supernatural Awareness Questions

1. When did you go through whatever made you supernatural? What was it like (in your opinion)? 2. What do you think now of being supernatural? Is it cool, or have you been screwed? 3. Do you have a mentor? Who are they? How did you become their student? 4. Do you have any magical items? Where did you get them? 5. What do you think of the other denizens of the World of Darkness? Why for each? (If you haven’t met something, do you think it exists, and if it does, is that bad or good?) 6. Think of a major event that happened during your training/initiation. What was it? 7. What is something you had to learn during your training that you hated? Why did you hate it?

Miscellaneous Questions

1. What is the thing that has frightened you most? Do you think there is anything out there that’s scarier than that? What do you think that would be? 2. Has anyone or anything you’ve ever cared about died? How did you feel about it? What happened? 3. What was the worst injury you’ve ever received? How did it happen? 4. How ticklish are you? Where are you ticklish? 5. What is your current long term goal? 6. What is your current short term goal? 7. Do you have any bad habits? If so, what are they, and do you plan to get rid of them? 8. If you were a mundane person, what would you do with your life? What occupation would you want, and how would you spend all your time? 9. What time period do you wish you had lived in? Why? (Looking at this as an attempt to change history doesn’t count.) What appeals to you about this era? 10. How private of a person are you? Why? 11. If you were to gain an obscenely large sum of money (via an inhertiance, a lawsuit, a lottery, or anything else) what would you do with it? 12. What would you wish for if you found a genie? 13. What do you do when you are bored? 14. What is the most frightening potential handicap or disfigurement you can conceive of? What makes it so frightening?

blogsareforcats-blog

clown-femme

#this is an accurate representation of me trying to introduce friends to a new fandom

#yep #but i also love this movie #so yeah

thesunnymedic-deactivated201207

bearofthemountains replied to your post: Guess who’s here for the long weekend?!

(( I’VE MISSED YOU ))

((AKFSDGHDFLGJFDLGJFLG THERE YOU ARE *glomps*))

bearofthemountains-blog

(( I DIDNT DIE *FLAILS* ))

mommyhawkeye-deactivated2012072

((BBY IVE MISSED YOU *pinchy cheeks*))

bearofthemountains-blog

(( *flails more* ))

#bearofthemountains

thesunnymedic-deactivated201207

bearofthemountains replied to your post: Guess who’s here for the long weekend?!

(( I’VE MISSED YOU ))

((AKFSDGHDFLGJFDLGJFLG THERE YOU ARE *glomps*))

bearofthemountains-blog

(( I DIDNT DIE *FLAILS* ))

#bearofthemountains

~ An Explanation, Of Sorts ~

He hadn't meant to be gone for as long as he had.

The mission had dragged on, beyond the estimated time frame that they'd outlined during the planning process. He'd intended a week, give or take a day or so, simply due to the hazards of traveling across the border between the two countries.

Buccaneer hadn't even told her where he was going, just that it was a mission.

That he'd be back soon.

She would worry if she knew, and try and stop him, and that... Wasn't possible.

Orders were orders and the Captain followed his.

He'd planned for a week, and in the end, it had been a month, at least. He'd lost track of the time passed between then and now, his days marked by shadows passing over cold stone walls, and the time that stretched between the clattering of a old, battered tray of stale food against the floor of his cell that signified it was time to eat.

He knew for sure that it had been a week that he'd been in the capital city of Drachma, gathering intelligence, but his captivity...

It could have been days, it could have been weeks.

All he knew now was that he was out.

He was free, and at last...

The tired, battered Bear of Briggs was going home.

#open rp #anyone?#Buccaneer #is no longer allowed out on missions #just no #he always gets captured

icequeenofbriggs

Just a Coincidence:.

icequeenofbriggs

Olivier followed the sounds of battle- the muffled grunting and occasional cry guiding her down the hall towards a kid in the most florescent shade of orange she’d ever seen. He slammed himself against the wall and she frowned.

“Hush. You’ll get me caught-” she hissed, glaring at his figure in the dark.

bearofthemountains-blog

He scowled over at the girl, his braid twisting as his head turned.

She’s speaking Amestrian.

Daitaro could speak the language; he’d learned since before he could walk, since his clan did their best to speak as many languages as possible, so they could ‘please’ as many different cultures as possible.

Whatever that meant.

The girl, though…

She was obviously full-blooded Amestrian what with her hair color and the shade of her eyes; he’d seen far too many men with the same exact basic features in his Mama’s yorikobo to think that she was anything else than a ‘blue-eyed devil’, like his own father.

” Not gonna get caught. They can’t hear anythin’ in there… Miss.” He tacked on the miss as his Mama’s ‘ettiquette’ lessons flashed at the forefront of his mind once more.

Always be polite to the ladies, Dai. You never know when one has a kunai hidden in their brassiere.

Not that he even knew what a brassiere was or if this little blonde girl even had one, but it was always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it came to his Mama’s advice.

icequeenofbriggs

Her frown deepened at the pleasantry.

bearofthemountains-blog

His eyes narrowed as she shoved him against him, and he shoved back with a huff, so that she couldn't see as well as he could. Mama had said that people'd be nice if you were polite, but this girl wasn't nice at all!

"All girls are 'Miss'. Unless they're old and wrinkly. Then they're 'Ma'am', Miss." He informed her, with a slight, triumphant grin.

#baby olivier #baby buc #xing #au #sorta au #rp #rp: bearofthemountains

OOC:

It's been awhile, huh?

Yeah... I wish I had some legit excuse for my extended, unexplained hiatus, but I don't, really. Work's been exhusting, and most days I just want to come home and sleep, and my body hurts all the time, and it doesn't help that I rented Skyrim and I absolutely got addicted to it, and my friends are having problems so I'm trying to help with that, but I've totally neglected these accounts and by god I haved missed tumblr.

So I am

tentatively

back.

Anyone want to rp?

#bearofthemountains

fighterplanesandhamburgers

Try your hardest to make my character cry.

Headcanon

He's a twisted ball of energy, a tightly wound spring that is slowly...

coming undone.

Buccaneer can feel it, as the liquor numbs his brain and the cool glass warms in his hand. Grey eyes are hazy, but at least he is calm.

At least the memories are far too blurry in his Golden fogged brain to make him do anything too rash, even when the damned bastard has the gall to walk right by him and brush past, shoulder nudging his.

He freezes, but he say nothing, despite the rolling wave of anger and eight years worth of pent up frustration, of guilt... His shoulders shake but no one notices, and its only when he pounds his empty fist against the bar top that Olivier looks at him, blue eyes searching, full lips pursed.

Buccaneer shakes his head and then stands.

He can't say anything, he can barely breath.

" Need some air," He manages, before forcing himself through the crowd, towards the bathroom, where he prompt threw up.

#Night of The Hunter #Thirty Seconds To Mars #song inspired drabbly headcanons #He's 23 at this point #and its when he and Olivier are in Ishval #Buc's tag

Headcanon

One of his cousins finds him after it happens.

He's bleeding, clothes more bloodstained rags than any sort of usable material, and all he can think is of how sad his sister will be, that he ruined the new outfit that she'd sewn especially for him, the blues and golds that she'd said brought out the silver of his eyes tarnished with dirt and blood and other mess that he is resolutely determined not to think about, even as he hears the gasps of a familiar voice.

"I'm fine," he murmurs, his voice hoarse as he almost viciously rubs at his eyes, trying to hide the reddness.

Tao just swallows and remains silent as he throws an arm around him and hoists him up, lifting him easily. The other boy had always been bigger, and now it seemed that Daitaro was nothing, a speck of weight in his cousin's arms.

Nothing.

"Nothin' happened." He insisted, his words coming out in jarbled Xingese as his vision fades briefly and then returns with a flash of brightness. "M'fine."

Everything was fine.

#Swingset Chains #Loquat #song inspired drabbly headcanons #Buc's tag #and yes #Tao #because damnit i miss Jas and her Buccaneer #and Buc's fifteen #and at fifteen #he was average/shortish height #and skinny #he didn't hit a growth spurt and grow muscle until he was seventeen #and didn't finish growing entirely until his early to mid twenties

Headcanon: To Amestris

The trek across the desert was long, and it was hot.

Most of Daitaro's memories of the trip from Xing to Amestris were of sweat-soaked cloth sticking to flesh during the day, and chattering teeth from the chill of desert night seeping through thin clothes, turning his skin clammy and cold. He could remember wanting to turn back, but holding firm, and keeping the nose of his horse pointed west, towards Amestris, and his back to the east.

To Xing.

To the only place he had ever known as home.

With a bag slung over his shoulder and a determined expression on his face, he looked the picture of any child running away from home for the first time.

For Daitaro, it wasn't the first time, but it would surely be his last.

He couldn't go home again, not even if he wanted to.

Home was safe, home was warm, and the young boy wasn't sure if he'd ever feel warm and safe again, wherever he went, but...

He had to try.

#Someday #Rob Thomas #inspired this drabble #song inspired drabbly headcanons

stephaniekilbury-deactivated201

bearofthemountains-blog

They told me the big black Lab’s name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I’d only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn’t hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie’s advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn’t look like “Lab people,” whatever that meant. They must’ve thought I did. But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn’t really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike. I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that. “Okay, Reggie,” I said out loud, “let’s see if your previous owner has any advice.” ____________ _________ _________ _________ To Whomever Gets My Dog: Well, I can’t say that I’m happy you’re reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie’s new owner. I’m not even happy writing it. He knew something was different. So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you. First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he’s part squirrel, the way he hoards them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn’t done it yet. Doesn’t matter where you throw them, he’ll bound after them, so be careful. Don’t do it by any roads. Next, commands. Reggie knows the obvious ones —-“sit,” “stay,” “come,” “heel.” He knows hand signals, too: He knows “ball” and “food” and “bone” and “treat” like nobody’s business. Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand. He’s up on his shots. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car. I don’t know how he knows when it’s time to go to the vet, but he knows. Finally, give him some time. It’s only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He’s gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn’t bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially. And that’s why I need to share one more bit of info with you…His name’s not Reggie. He’s a smart dog, he’ll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn’t bear to give them his real name. But if someone is reading this … well it means that his new owner should know his real name. His real name is “Tank.” Because, that is what I drive. I told the shelter that they couldn’t make “Reggie” available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could’ve left Tank with .. and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter … in the “event” … to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my CO is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he’d do it personally. And if you’re reading this, then he made good on his word. Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me. If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming to the US I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades. All right, that’s enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. Maybe I’ll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth. Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me. Thank you, Paul Mallory ____________ _________ _________ _______ I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure, I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer. I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog. “Hey, Tank,” I said quietly. The dog’s head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright. “C’mere boy.” He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn’t heard in months. “Tank,” I whispered. His tail swished. I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him. “It’s me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me.” Tank reached up and licked my cheek. “So whatdaya say we play some ball?” His ears perked again. “Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?” Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.”