The Great Pretender

“I suppose,” she said not giving it much thought, “If I ever do pick it up then I’d probably play classical music; there’s so much variation in just one song.”

“Do you have a favourite composer then?” he asked stepping up to the helm and turning it a few notches to begin altering their course back towards the island. 

Seeing her make a move to leave he shook his head slightly, “you don’t need to leave if you don’t want. A bit of company would do us both good... Rex needs to get used to people. And I’m sorry if I was abrasive - you caught me by surprise...“ With a smile of apology he studied her for a moment, “what brings you down this way?”

Anson nodded along as if she understood. Which she did, at least she understood the dog’s point of view a little. She crouched down a little making a small motion towards the pup. “I think you’ll be very good with- for him..” Her glance shot upwards a little then skittered away, before settling on the puppy. He was very cute, she thought while staring intently at it. “What is his name?”

Rex seemed to make no move towards Anson, instead having returned to watching her with wide eyes. Her comment though made Eric smile and he nodded, “I think so too... And his name is Rex.”

The beach had always been Richard’s favorite part of the small island. The waves soothed his nerves much in the same way the smell of coffee grounds and the yellowed pages of his battered encyclopedia did and the comfort that he got from the cold water against the tip of his toes was incomparable. His relaxed state now was in total contrast to what he felt for the past three weeks, when he accompanied a few of his students to a routine rebel mission overseas; now that he was finally back, he welcomed the much-deserved rest with open arms. However even this was cut short as he heard a faint barking and a voice—which was vaguely familiar—just a short distance away from him, cutting him out of his stupor. Walking to the source of the noise curiously, he was glad to find a familiar face and… was that a dog resting on his lap? With a soft reply so as not to disturb the dog’s current tranquil state, he said, “Eric. Nice to see you here. We never really got to finish that walk, did we?” 

Eric had developed a certain way of speaking to Rex, to voice his thoughts had been helping him lately. Much like now where he sat speaking hardly more than a murmur whilst his hand stroked the same spot on the dog’s head, again and again. It was different talking without having to worry that his words would change what Rex thought of him or having to hold anything back, he’d never realised something so simple could be a comfort to a restless soul so at the intrusion he was mildly surprised looking up to a familiar face but being greeted with a smile. “And you, glad to see you back in one piece.” His hand had stopped its tracking instead simply pressing into his companion’s fur casting a quick look down to Rex who he felt was a little more tense than previously but he hadn’t bolted just yet which was promising. “No... We didn’t but duty calls I understand that. Plus I’ve gained a companion in your absence.”

“It’s not about the drinking, it’s just about soaking in the atmosphere and letting off a little stress” Eric explained, surprised that he was even having this conversation with Christopher. “If anything you’ll come back clearer headed than before because you’re not cooped up in the same office for all hours of the day.”

And I will fight the darkness with all the light I have within. I’ll rewrite my weakness with strength.

I thought about how one tiny decision can change a life. A decision that takes only a split second to make.

         i mess up     s o m u c h                     { and i’m scared. }

The moment Anson heard a command thrown at her general direction, she immediately ceased movement. Not that she was getting ready to run, but it was a near thing. Anson hunched her shoulders and stood as still as she could though she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Only her eyes moved. They rapidly flickered from the dog to the owner to the beach beyond. As much as she loved animals, she really had no experience interacting with them. She was almost as ready to bolt as the dog was. “I am so sorry.” Anson whispered still frozen in place. She finally looked in one direction long enough to recognise that the owner was a teacher at Nightingale Institute. She cleared a throat slightly and said in a slightly louder voice, “I am so sorry, Mr Duncan, if I had known I would have been better prepared. I mean, not that I could have been better prepared unless I had some dog treats, which I don’t. But I definit-” She cut herself off when she felt the tell tale sign of a blush rushing across her cheeks. “Um, he’s really cute?”

It took him a while to get Rex back into a less agitated state mostly doing so by placing some distance between Anson and himself but it was still enough for him to hear her apologies. “Don’t be and treats wouldn’t help much,” with a small sigh as he looked at Rex, Eric eventually shook his head before adding “he’s not good with strangers right now; they scare him. I’m just trying to get him to trust me right now - only adopted him a week ago.” Her comment however about Rex did earn a smile however, “oh for sure, cute but very timid... They were surprised he even let me close in the shelter.”

                                                  ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ

You tend to distance yourself from others because you feel that they’re going to leave anyway.

I just…feel like I need to save everyone. To redeem myself.

The moment Rex was disturbed by Eric’s surprised jolt at almost being walked on the skittish animal he’d been soothingly speaking to let out a fearful sound and tried to shift away from the interruption. “Just- Stand still” was the only gruff comment Eric gave her for now, shifting to his knees in the sand the lead stopped Rex from going too far but Eric could already see him trembling where he lay. “Hey- Hey buddy it’s okay, it’s just me” his voice drew his dog’s attention with its softer register and Rex thankfully stopped trying to tug away giving Eric time to shuffle slowly closer until he was sat once more besides the fearful dog. Reaching a hand out for Rex to investigate first he let the dog he’d already come to feel so protective of take his own time to settle back into Eric’s side. With a sigh he looked back at who had interrupted them, vaguely recognising her from around the Institute, “is there something I can do for you Miss Hong?”

“Oh don’t even start.” Chris shook his head with a rueful sigh, he got it enough from Richard (and occasionally from his parents). As right as they were there was no chance of any breaks from work- Chris would rather take the time out at a time where he’d feel like he would actually relax. “I don’t drink, Eric. Don’t let me ruin your fun.” What harm could it do? Eric had a point. It was just an hour but at times like these an hour made all the difference. 

“It’s not about the drinking, it’s just about soaking in the atmosphere and letting off a little stress” Eric explained, surprised that he was even having this conversation with Christopher. “If anything you’ll come back clearer headed than before because you’re not cooped up in the same office for all hours of the day.”