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[justscribing]

USERNAME: Alhaitham ALHAITHAM GENSHIN IMPACT TEXT • AUDIO • VIDEO • ACTION • OVERFLOW

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[fanstheflames]

His name is Banzai!

[ hoisting up the pekingese with the air of a proud mother. Look at this MASS OF FUR. ]

[justscribing]

[Why does it look like a detached mop head. A silky mop head but still.]

Did something go wrong in the printing?

[fanstheflames]

No, he's perfect! Banzai, go say hi to your uncle!

[ As she sets down the detached mop head and it gamely speed-waddles over, something resembling a tail wagging. ]

[justscribing]

[So now he's uncle to the funniest looking dog imaginable.

Alhaitham closes the book and sets it aside before swinging his legs over the edge of the divan. He reaches to pluck Banzai up and set him up on the divan.] Are you've sure? I've never seen a dog with hair like this before.

[fanstheflames]

Yeah, he's a Pekingese! It really does look more like hair than fur, doesn't it?

[ But Banzai appears to be happy to be here, trying to diligently sniff Alhaitham's hand. ]

[justscribing]

[Alhaitham holds his hand steady and allows it to be sniffed.] Have you ever owned a dog before?

[fanstheflames]

Nope, but I've taken care of 'em before! We've done great so far.

[ Again the tail wag before the dog decides it's safe to lick Alhaitham's fingers. ]

[justscribing]

[Alhaitham reaches to scratch behind Banzai's ears.] Who's "we"? Are you sharing custody with Robby?

[fanstheflames]

Nope, I mean me and Banzai! We're a team! He's a pretty fast learner, so taking care of him isn't hard.

But Altria also plays with him too, to help wear him out and also get him socialized.

[justscribing]

A fast learner, huh. Are you teaching him tricks?

[fanstheflames]

Yep! Ask him to shake!

[ She's very proud. ]

[justscribing]

[Well, then. Alhaitham retracts his hand and holds it out, palm up.] Banzai. Shake.

[Encouraging him to do this when he has no treats is terrible.]

[fanstheflames]

[ It's fine, Tsuruno is heading over there with a bag of hand-stripped chicken, so Banzai dutifully lifts an actual paw out of the mop that is him, and plunks it down on Alhaitham's palm. ]

[justscribing]

Good boy. [Alhaitham releases the paw and then offers the next hand, palm up.] Other hand.

[fanstheflames]

[ And again the lil paw whap, tongue lolling. ]

Here--

[ And Tsuruno offers Alhaitham a strip of chicken. ]

It sticks better when he gets a reward for it.

[justscribing]

[Alhaitham takes the chicken and holds it close to Banzai's nose.] You're conditioning him to repeat behavior by associating it with something positive. Dogs react well to praise, but probably much better to food.

[fanstheflames]

That's what I've noticed, anyway.

[ And sure enough, he's leaning forward to latch onto the chicken. ]

So, what do you think? Does he get approval?

[justscribing]

[Alhaitham waits for him to get a good grip on the chicken before releasing it.] Is my approval of him important to you?

[fanstheflames]

Yeah. Because you're important to me.

[ Tsuruno is as blunt as ever and no one ought to be surprised. ]

[justscribing]

And what would you do if I didn't approve?

[fanstheflames]

Visit you every day to drive home all of his good points until you gave in!!

[justscribing]

Do you think I'm that easily won over? I could refute every single point about Banzai you make.

[fanstheflames]

[ She just scrunches her nose up at him. ]

I didn't say it'd be easy.

[justscribing]

[Alhaitham, who has returned to petting Banzai during this:] Make your argument, then. Why does Banzai deserve my approval? Try and avoid subjective reasons such as "he's cute".

[fanstheflames]

... Were you really that bored before?

[ Sir. ]