JP - Caneclone learns Gelf's Name

When morning finally arrived, Lola would be the first one up and made coffee along with some breakfast for everyone. She had her nightmare hair up in a ponytail in an attempt to help deal with her horns. It did not help.

Caneclone was the next one up. He found Lola in the kitchen. “Good morning.”

Lola nodded to him as Fang joined them with a loud yawn. “How ya doing?” The burgundy haired man asked. “Hope you slept well.”

“Yeah, I slept better than I ever remember sleeping.” Caneclone said. “I felt safe here.”

“Cool,” Fang said and helped Lola with breakfast. “You picky about what you eat for breakfast?”

“I don’t think so.” Caneclone said. “I never had much choice. Though ham might be nice…”

“Lola, we got any ham?” Fang asked.

Lola looked in the fridge and got out the ham, letting Fang cook it.

“I think I really like ham.” Caneclone said.

"You think?" Fang chuckled. "You should know what you like. It's a preference, right?"

“I was never allowed preferences in MegaCorp.” Caneclone said. “It’s like they wanted to keep me a blank slate.”

“That’s…weird,” Fang said, blinking as he filled a plate and set it down for Caneclone. “So, Narture, if they wanted to do that, what all did they make you do? I mean, how were you able to get out with Gelf so easily?”

“Is Gelf the pretty cat lady with pink hair?” Caneclone sat a little taller, his face alight with interest. “MegaCorp mostly just had me clean animal cages, feed the animals, stuff like. Escaping was mostly Gelf, I just touched her arm and she teleported me out with others. My collar had a defective hinge so I was able to take it off.”

Lola glared at Fang.

Oops… Fang thought and laughed nervously. “Really? Well, at least she was nice enough to let you do whatever, right? What did you do first? After getting the collar off?” He had to change the subject. Go for the subject change! Go for the fucking subject change!!!!

“Gelf seemed to be in a hurry, I didn’t even get a chance to thank her.” Caneclone said. “What I did was pretty boring. I went to a soup kitchen, then a homeless shelter. I want to hear more about Gelf. I owe her my freedom and I haven’t even been able to say thank you.”

Fang glanced at Lola. “Well, all we know is her name and what she looks like, honestly.” He explained. “We don’t interact with her much.”

That was when the front door opened and Abraham entered the house. “What did I miss?” He called out.

“There were so many dogs on Animal Planet last night!” Caneclone told Abraham with a smile. “And I think I like ham.”

“You think?” Abraham raised an eyebrow. “I take it you really like dogs.” He hung up his coat by the door.

“I know I like dogs.” Caneclone said. “I think I like ham… I’m still getting sure.”

“We’ll let you have more and see if you do then.” Fang said with a forced smile.

Abraham stepped into the kitchen where they all were and raised an eyebrow. “Anything else?”

“Lola gave me a list of really interesting books and movies.” Caneclone said. “I was hoping we could go to a bookstore or a library.”

“I suppose we can,” Abraham replied and made himself some coffee.

“We should probably head back…” Fang tried and grunted when Lola kicked him under the table. “OW!”

“Good!” Caneclone smiled brightly. “Any chance of meeting the pretty cat lady who freed me too?”

“Not yet.” Abraham said calmly. “She’s got work to do right now.”

“Oh.” Caneclone’s shoulders sagged. “What’s her job?”

“She helps out people and there are lot in need of help out there.” Abe answered, staring at him. “I’ll let you know if she can come see you.”

“Why don’t you watch more animal planet?” Fang asked.

“I guess I can watch more Animal Planet… I wish I could get to thank her though.” Caneclone sounded very disappointed.

Fang shrugged. “Sorry, dude.”

Lola ate breakfast and went outside.

Caneclone sadly went to the TV and tuned in to Animal Planet. Instead of dogs, it was a show about cats. He switched the TV off and went outside.

Lola was out by the mailbox, checking it as a dog ran over and barked for her attention. Looking at the dog, she patted his head and gestured toward the house.

Caneclone smiled at the sight of the dog. He whistled to it and patted his knees. “C’mere!”

The dog barked and rushed over to Caneclone, paws tapping happily on the floor as he sniffed at the man.

Lola watched as she walked over to them.

Caneclone smiled and scratched behind the dog’s ears. “Good girl.”

Lola tapped Caneclone’s shoulder and pointed to prove the dog was male.

“Oh. Good boy.” Caneclone amended.

Lola silently giggled and petted the dog's head before going to the front porch and sitting down.

Caneclone sat on the ground and petted the dog.

The dog pants and just enjoyed being petted until it heard something. Turning his head, he barked and rushed off, disappearing into the nearby woods.

Caneclone’s shoulders slumped again. He looked very lonely without the dog.

Lola walked over to Caneclone and tapped his shoulder again before pointing to a fenced area where a few dogs were playing. They belonged to a farmer down the road…