First Step [Video; public]

[dogwalksyou]

Hello? Hello, yes.

[The dog comes into focus at an odd angle - the communicator is on the floor, between her forepaws as she peers down over it. Apparently satisfied that it's working, she yips in delight, rushing out of view in a close-up whirl of paws and tail and glimpses of an old timber ceiling as she spins in a circle. Then her face reappears, tongue hanging out slightly from her canine grin.]

Hello! I'm the Disreputable Dog. Or the Disreputable Bitch, if you want to be technical. Who wants to go for a walk?

Comments

[dogwalksyou]

[She laughs, a rough, mirthful, half-barking sound.]

I feel so special! I didn't know there were prizes.

[gotgreenmagic]

Yeah, well, I don't think anybody knows the Barge's zip code so I wouldn't hold your breath if I were you.

[She's only really slightly bothered by how much this situation doesn't bother her. She's a talking dog. Okay. Why not.]

I'm Shego, I've been here three years, so if you've got any questions I have the 'disillusioned and slightly burned out but here anyways' perspective cornered. Hey.

[dogwalksyou]

[headtilt]

Why are you here, then?

[gotgreenmagic]

Meh. Wasted my last deal on something dumb.

[dogwalksyou]

Purely mercenary, then?

[She approves, even if she doesn't 100% believe it.]

[gotgreenmagic]

['Something dumb' was 'her boyfriend's life' so, not a bad call.]

Pretty much. Barge kinda sucks but I can take it for a paycheck that says 'Pay To The Order Of: Anything You Want, Literally Anything, Go Nuts'.

[dogwalksyou]

What do you want next?

[gotgreenmagic]

Private island. Bottomless pit of cash.

...world peace?

I dunno. Haven't decided yet.

[dogwalksyou]

Hard to go wrong with islands. I think I'd like people on mine, though.

[gotgreenmagic]

Yeah, well. Those of us with opposable thumbs and stepladders are gonna want a little peace and quiet when we're done here.

[dogwalksyou]

My last mistress was a librarian. Very quiet.

[Dog misses her.]

[gotgreenmagic]

You had a...

But you're sentient. Maybe I'm just getting caught up on the word 'mistress' but that seems a little...slavery-y.

[dogwalksyou]

I'm a dog.

[As if this explains everything.]

She needed a friend, and I came. It's not at all like slavery - I was neither compelled nor bound. But I was her dog, for a time, and she was my mistress.

[gotgreenmagic]

Okay. I mean, who am I to question...dog culture.

[dogwalksyou]

[She laughs.]

It's okay. I promise to only call you by your name.

[gotgreenmagic]

Thanks. Appreciate it.

[dogwalksyou]

[The Dog chuckles, a low whuffing while her tail wags.]

Dogs want to belong, mostly, whether we can talk in human language or not. But it's just as wrong to be cruel to the ones who can't as it would be to hurt me - more, really, since I can tell somebody to cut it out.

[gotgreenmagic]

I know. Preaching to the choir here, Dog.

[Even when she was a villain her two major 'nope' areas were cruelty to animals and picking on the disabled.]

...Dog. I don't - are there other talking dogs where you're from? What do you call each other?

[dogwalksyou]

Just me! I'm a bit of an oddity. A good mage can take an animal shape for a few hours, but they'd still have their own name.