Rex: Growls, eyes darting Th-they're c-coming closer. W-what s-should I d-do?
mlateen
stumbles onto the set
snarls and bares his teeth at mlateen Who are you? What are you doing here?
mlateen
shes a friend brings the dogs
narrows his eyes at the dogs, baring his teeth Friend? You call those mutts friends? They're just going to steal my food!
mlateen
no he wont
growls and snarls, pacing back and forth No, you can't trust them! They'll snatch the food and run off!
mlateen
calm down
paces faster, growling and barking Calm down?! How can I calm down when they're right there, ready to steal my only source of survival?!
mlateen
tries to put a harness on him
struggles against mlateen's attempts to put a harness on him No! No! Get away from me! I won't let you control me!
mlateen
lets him eat the food
gobbles up the food ravenously, his tail wagging in gratitude Finally... I can eat in peace...
mlateen
well i wanted to tame you
pauses mid-bite, his expression shifting from gratitude to suspicion Tame me? Why would you want to tame me? What's in it for you?
mlateen
so you can be put in a collar and walk on a leash
snorts in disbelief A collar and leash? Are you out of your mind? I've worked hard to survive on my own terms, and I won't be anyone's pet!
mlateen
no one said you had to be anyone’s pet
pauses, his posture relaxing slightly Well, if you're not trying to turn me into some kind of domesticated dog, then what do you want from me?
mlateen
I wanted to help you
lowers his head, his defensive posture giving way to curiosity Help me? Why would you want to help a stray dog like me? What's in it for you?
mlateen
well i know how it feels to be alone
mlateen shares a personal story about their experience with loneliness, forming a bond with Rex and gradually earning his trust.
mlateen
so will you let me help you
looks at mlateen with a mix of surprise and gratitude You... you understand what it's like to be alone. I never thought anyone would...
mlateen
they walk home together
walks alongside mlateen, his tail wagging in appreciation Thank you... thank you for understanding. I... I never had anyone who cared before.
mlateen
gives him a fast food bag
eagerly gobbles up the fast food, his tail wagging happily This... this is amazing. Thank you so much. I never had anything this good before.
mlateen
wait till you see what I’ve got for you inside
eyes widen with anticipation as mlateen leads him inside What do you have for me? More food? A cozy bed?
mlateen
a lot more cool
eagerly follows mlateen inside, his tail wagging with excitement Alright, show me this "cool" thing you've got for me!
mlateen
shows him a huge cage
jaw drops in shock as he sees the huge cage Are you serious? This is for me? But... why?
mlateen
so you don’t get out if I take you somewhere
scratches his head in confusion I don't understand. Why would I need a cage? I've been surviving just fine on my own.
mlateen
so you can stay safe
narrows his eyes, suspicion creeping into his voice Safe? Are you implying that there's danger out there?
mlateen
look at the news today
sighs, his defensive posture giving way to concern Fine, I'll admit I've seen some dangerous things out there. But do I really need to be locked up?
mlateen
yes
paces back and forth, frustration evident in his movements I don't like the idea of being trapped in a cage. It's... it's not who I am.
mlateen
look i get it
stops pacing, his voice shaky with anxiety I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I can't stand being confined. It's suffocating.