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It started off as a joke, or at least, he had originally interpreted it as a joke. Apparently his so-called friends hadn’t meant it as a joke at all, and had proposed it genuinely.
“I think having an animal would be helpful for you, Vlad. I can’t count how many times you’ve contacted me because you were having an anxiety or panic attack. I can’t always come, especially not in time to help you properly.” Leblanc had told him, and he resented her bringing it up. His moments of weakness were not to be lingered on, or at least, he very much preferred when they were never mentioned.
“A dog can help you with remembering things too, not to mention the emotional support.” Elise had added onto their ‘discussion’ which had felt less like a discussion including him and more like a interrogation of sorts. Vladimir puffed out his bottom lip.
“Okay, fine, I’ll try it. Since you two are so bothered.” Vladimir grumbled, but Emilia’s face made it obvious that she had more to say. “Go on.”
“I am tired of you waking me up in the middle of the night to run across Noxus Prime. So you need to figure out a way to cope, Vladimir. I can’t deal with it.” It sounded very harsh, but Vladimir had spent more than enough time with the woman to know that despite her resting bitch face, she wasn’t truly a bitch.
“You made your point, I will figure it out, jeez.” Vladimir pouted, he did prefer when he had Emilia over, but apparently that was too needy of him he guessed.
Vladimir didn’t think he would particularly care to have a dog, a small worry that he would forget to feed the poor thing. He was, very pleasantly surprised by the dog that Emilia had found trained for him. A golden retriever, a dog that really did take his job very seriously. He had made sure that the new name for the dog wouldn’t affect his training, satisfied with how quickly he seemed to get used to it.
He unhooked the leash from Maestro, petting him on the head because it felt right. He was going to look really strange for a while he imagined, thousands of years without animals made you very unsure how to interact with them. He went to get Maestro’s bowls filled, one with food and the other with water, and he felt like he had a shadow.
That was true, he looked behind him and the dog was staring intently at him, and so he decided to test that. He went to go put down the food and water, Maestro matching him by stride. Vladimir tried to just put it off as, he had the thing’s food. At first, it did seem to make the dog stay there to eat, but as soon as he was done eating, he was back in Vladimir’s shadow.
“I guess that is your job, isn’t it? Following me around, huh?” He asked Maestro and started to contemplate if that was a normal thing for him to do. Do pet owners ask their pets questions they could never answer?
“Not that I’m complaining, you’re too handsome to be bothered by your presence, so I suppose Emilia was right about one thing.” Vladimir shrugged, reaching down to touch the fluffy dog who returned his affection with a few licks to his wrist. That was certainly a sensation that he was going to have to get used to.
He made a disgusted face and wiped his dog drooled wrist against his clothing. “Can I train you to not do that?” He wondered, but he had no idea how he would manage that anyway, so he gave up on that plan rather quickly. Vladimir had been told what to do to keep his training up to date, but he wasn't entirely sure if he would remember it or not. So he hoped that Maestro would figure it out.
His first day with Maestro was him constantly surprised by the dogs attention, the only time he wasn't being stared to death was when Maestro was napping or sleeping. Vladimir found taking him out for a walk, rather fulfilling for all those involved, and both of them were rather tired when they had unintentionally gotten lost on their way back. Maestro figuring out their way back at some point or another.
Vladimir had to admit, he was impressed and it had only been a few hours of having his dog with him.
He woke up from his post-walk nap with some disorientation, and with that came anxiety. To add to his confusion, Maestro soon climbed onto his lower body and laying down on top of him like he was a pillow. Vladimir found it, comforting, he sat up and wrapped his arms around the fluffy dog. Maybe he could get used to it, sometimes he disliked when Leblanc and Elise were right, but he mainly hated being wrong.
The two of them sat like that for a while, until Vladimir moved to actually get up. He thought he had a cook... But maybe that had been the previous house? Or maybe a few years ago. He wasn't entirely sure.
They went for another walk, a less demanding one with them not getting lost in the process. Had Maestro learnt the way back already? Vladimir wasn't sure.
Another strange part of having a dog suddenly was when he had gotten into bed, climbing up into bed with him. Did he want that? He pondered, but then Maestro had thrown himself into the side of his legs and curled up with a groan that made him sound like an old man. Vladimir smiled at how adorable it was, he reached out his hand and placed it on top of Maestro to pet him.
“I can get used to this, fluffy little guy.” Vladimir commented, rubbing the dog's head who leaned into him more.
He fell asleep quicker than he ever had, and stayed asleep too. At least until he heard a knock on the door and Maestro jumped off the bed to run and bark at whoever it was. Vladimir grumbled, checking the time, very early morning. He didn't need to think hard to know who it likely was. He pulled himself out of bed, heading to the barking at the door which was one hell of a wakeup call. As expected, it was Leblanc in her cloak that she had changed to add a hood onto it for when she wished to stay in her usual appearance.
Maestro quieted when he got to see Leblanc, Vladimir made sure he didn't get any clever ideas like running out by keeping a leg in the gap of the door. “Emilia, it's... really early. Do you need something?” Their eyes connected and he swore he saw something akin to worry.
“I wanted to stop by and make sure you are still comfortable with keeping Maestro. Has there been any problems?” Emilia asked, glancing to the dog. “May I come in?” Vladimir had forgotten they were still at the front door.
“Sure, just give me a moment.” He motioned to a spot with his finger. “Place.” He told Maestro, who quickly moved back to sit down where Vladimir had pointed. “Stay.” He added as he opened the door wider for Leblanc to come inside. Once inside, she changed her cloak back before taking a look at Maestro, who was holding his spot perfectly.
“Release.” Vladimir told the dog and he moved to go to stand in front of Emilia with his tongue lulling out the side of his mouth. Vladimir had thought Emilia was more comfortable around animals in comparison to him, but she seemed just as lost on how to interact with the dog.
“Maestro, was it? He certainly listens well. I had my doubts, but thought it was worth a try. How has it been so far, Vladimir?” She asked, rubbing his head before going to sit down in the nearest chair. At first, Maestro seemed torn between the new person and following Vladimir step for step. Soon enough he felt his shadow back and he went to join her sitting.
Maestro climbed onto the couch with Vladimir, sitting down and resting his head in Vladimir's lap. What a needy little animal. He thought, idly petting his head. “It has been really nice so far. He has been helping a lot, forcing me to go outside and walk around for no reason other than caring for him.” Vladimir admitted knowing that he had no choice but to tell Emilia exactly what had happened as she would know almost immediately that he's lying.
“You look happier.” Emilia commented and Vladimir felt odd hearing it from her. He wasn't depressed or anything.
“I suppose I am.” Vladimir smiled brightly.