It goes on like that for weeks, months. Soon it becomes quite natural for people to see the Marshal and their first Companion — there are five who flit around the 'domes halls now, five beautiful colored butterflies threading in and out of the masses, five graceful and beautiful young women who have a smile for everyone they meet — walking side by side through the halls, accompanied by a fat bulldog.
Until one day, Inara will come to Hercules' office but there won't be an answer to her customary knock.
Max has been slowing down lately, and Herc had always put it down to him putting on weight or him getting old, and hadn't thought much of it. Until his dog suddenly starts throwing up and topples over, shaking, his tongue a frighteningly deep red as it lolls from his mouth into a puddle of his own vomit.
To say that Herc runs to the medical labs with his bulldog in his arms isn't an exaggeration. There's nobody on this whole 'dome trained in veterinary science, but Max is more than a dog to the inhabitants of this 'dome, and so he's basically treated like a human, being seen by the regular doctors, put through the regular machines.
And Herc stands off to the side with his hands stuffed in his pockets to hide how they shake, his face blank as he comes face to face with losing the last tie he has to his son.
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Date: 2013-07-29 02:29 am (UTC)Until one day, Inara will come to Hercules' office but there won't be an answer to her customary knock.
Max has been slowing down lately, and Herc had always put it down to him putting on weight or him getting old, and hadn't thought much of it. Until his dog suddenly starts throwing up and topples over, shaking, his tongue a frighteningly deep red as it lolls from his mouth into a puddle of his own vomit.
To say that Herc runs to the medical labs with his bulldog in his arms isn't an exaggeration. There's nobody on this whole 'dome trained in veterinary science, but Max is more than a dog to the inhabitants of this 'dome, and so he's basically treated like a human, being seen by the regular doctors, put through the regular machines.
And Herc stands off to the side with his hands stuffed in his pockets to hide how they shake, his face blank as he comes face to face with losing the last tie he has to his son.