Chapter Text
There was a slight chill in the air as the sun was just high enough for the lights to have turned off and the campus was quiet due to most of the students having partied till passing out the night before. It was the perfect time for an undisturbed run with Tau, who seemed extra excited to be out this morning. He was certainly enjoying himself, bounding around just ahead of Hassian, and their run was going great until the plumehound ran ahead around a corner.
“Well hi there, pup.” Hassian heard a woman's voice, likely talking to Tau. “oh… hey, what are you… oof... well, ok then.” She was giggling so at the very least the plumehound wasn’t getting into trouble.
So much for undisturbed. He thought as he slowed his pace before rounding the corner himself, apparently Tau had knocked her over and was currently covering her face in drool.
“OK pup that’s enough…” She managed to get him to back up enough for her to sit up and use the bottom of her shirt to wipe her face. Hassian noticed her ears while she attempted to clean off the drool, she was one of the new Humans that the University had accepted recently. “...now, are you lost, hm?” She must not have noticed him yet, with Tau still up in her face to get petted.
“No, he’s not lost.” Hassian said flatly, folding his arms across his chest. His response made her jump a bit and nudge Tau’s head out of the way so she could see, though she continued scratching his ears and neck.
“Oh, he’s with you then? Alright.” She almost sounded disappointed as she reached back to grab the headphones Tau had knocked off, stood up and brushed the loose hound fur off her running clothes. Though she was almost knocked back down as the plumehound started running around her legs. Hassian recognized her; not many Humans had dark burgundy hair with bright pink highlights, which were currently shown off by her ponytail, and honey gold eyes. Actually, he had only seen two so far fitting that description, so this was one of the twins, Xula or Kyla, though he wasn’t sure which.
“What is he doing?” She asked, watching Tau, who was now running figure eights between the two of them, around Hassian’s legs then around the Human’s and back again. He shrugged, really having no idea what Tau was up to until the plumehound started running to the corner, barking and wagging his tail, then back around their legs and back out to the corner. That was something more recognizable.
“He wants us to follow him…” Hassian had no clue why Tau wanted them to follow him or why he had suddenly decided this Human had to come along too.
“Hm… alright.” She shrugged and popped the headphones around her neck as she moved past him to follow the plumehound, who had started jumping in place with excitement. He huffed and turned to follow Tau as well, who gave one last wag and took off. Hassian and the Human had to keep speeding up to follow the overly excited plumehound. It wasn’t long before they were close to going full tilt and he was mildly impressed she was able to keep pace with him. They rounded another corner and came up on-
“The park…” She said, placing her hands on her hips as they both slowed to a walk, breathing heavily from the long sprint. “...really, pup?” She looked down at Tau who just panted up at her, almost appearing to be smiling. He trotted off to some bushes and came back with a ball in his mouth, dropping it at her feet. She picked it up and glanced over at Hassian, eyebrow raised. “You play with him, don’t you?” She asked as she threw the ball.
“Of course.” He replied and, as if to emphasize the fact, Tau came bounding back and dropped the ball at his feet instead. He threw it for him and the hound returned it to the Human, it went back and forth like this for a bit. He was thankful she didn’t try to make conversation, which made it almost enjoyable. Almost enjoyable, that is, until a blare of music interrupted the quiet.
“Gah, what the-” The Human snatched her phone out of her pocket and answered it as she walked off a few feet. “Kyla, what did you do to my phone?!” She practically growled at the caller. So, this was Xula. Though he still wasn’t sure how to go about telling them apart as he hadn’t bothered to look that closely for differences.
“No, it wasn’t funny.” She went to a nearby tree and leaned against it with one arm across her stomach until Tau brought her the ball again, which she threw for him while listening to the phone. Hassian focused on Tau but could still hear her half of the conversation. “At the park.” … “Yeah I know, not my usual route, tried a new one.” … “Kyky, why are you calling me an hour early? You know this is probably the only alone time I’ll get this week.” Apparently they had disturbed each other's time.
Thanks Tau. He huffed, though it hadn’t been too horrible.
“You WHAT?!” Despite obviously getting frustrated with her sister, she still threw the ball for Tau. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” … “No, don't try to fix it yourself, you’ll get hurt.” … “Just leave it alone, I’ll be back soon.” Xula hung up and started rubbing one of her temples with a pair of fingers. Tau dropped the ball at her feet again and she sighed, crouching down to pet him.
“One more time ok? Then I have to go help my sister fix a door, of all things.” She chuckled a little, threw the ball and gave Hassian a half wave and smile as she made her way to where they had entered the park. As soon as she hit the path she popped her headphones in her ears and took off running. Hassian looked down to see Tau watching after her, ball in his mouth and ears drooped.
“What was that all about Tau?” He put his hand out and Tau dropped the ball in it before looking up at him, ears perked back up and wagging his tail but giving no hint about what was going on in his fluffy brain. Hassian shook his head and threw the ball again, watching the plumehound leap happily after it.