happiness is a warm puppy [open to all]

[doublethepain]

He's definitely come down with something.

It's hardly cause for panic, really, just a bit of congestion; some coughing that he thinks he's done a fair job of keeping under wraps; maybe a slightly sore throat, a few pressure headaches here and there, a case of the chills; but he's fine, Spencer is sure of it. He's fine because he's got a ring on his finger and a puppy at the end of his leash, so there's nothing at all in his life that he can complain about right now.

John had most generously given him half a day off--"a wedding gift from me to you" is how his boss had put it--so Spencer had stopped back at home to get Huxley before heading in some direction or another, he hadn't really had a plan. It's not very surprising that his feet seem to take him in the direction of Crossroads, as they so often do, but a part of him hopes that he'll run into some people he knows on the way there. He has news, after all, and he's not one to call up all his friends--not that it would take long, he muses--to share even the most exciting parts of his life, but he does want people to know.

He's happy, happier than he's ever been and not just since his mother and Dane had died. He has so much to be thankful for, so much to come to look forward to, and he can't remember the last time he'd felt so optimistic about his future. He smiles to himself as he watches Huxley sniff at the grass on the sidewalk before the puppy scrambles to meet a pair of feet that's headed their way, jumping up on his hind legs to paw at the stranger. Spencer's smile doesn't fade as he lifts his head to look at the other person; in fact, it only grows wider.

"You're in for it now," he says, a teasing edge to his tone. "Huxley seems to grow attached to people far too quickly for his own good."




[OOC: Spencer's a little under the weather right now because I am, too but he's in an excellent mood so it would be a great time to say hello, whether your character has already met him or not :) Find him walking his and Joel's new puppy Huxley or catch him wherever is convenient for your character to be. As long as that place allows dogs.]

Comments

[ofcatsandfate]

"I'll definitely have to check it out," Fabrice promises. His own book collection has been rather lonely lately, with hardly any recent additions to speak of; this signing will certainly provide a decent chance to replenish his stock. "I haven't heard of the author, but it sounds like a great event. And I'm always happy to support friends of Raleigh."

[doublethepain]

He bristles at the mention of Raleigh's name, his features hardening for a split second thanks to the reminder of what she'd told him about the reporter that had tried to use her for his own gain--and he hasn't yet met a reporter who isn't out for glory. Spencer knows that generalizations are nobody's friend, but he's dealt with enough journalists and their hunger for a juicy story to last him a lifetime. Fabrice, he realizes, can't be much different.

"She told me what you did," he says, voice softening along with his expression. "I know that thanking someone for doing the right thing is never-- I mean, it's always a bit strange, isn't it? But I'm glad you were there to help defend her. It's not easy to have to deal with people like that man, people who are willing to step all over others just to make it themselves." He shrugs a shoulder. "But I think we both know that."

[ofcatsandfate]

For a second, when Fabrice catches the look on Spencer's face, he wonders if mentioning Raleigh was a mistake. He imagines she told both Spencer and Joel about that...unfortunate night, and he's not certain that either of them would approve to him resorting to violence, in the end.

"Yeah, yeah we do," he says, thinking of both the paparazzi and his own Aunt, who has only ever thought about herself and her powers and has stomped all over anyone getting in her way. "And thank you, it means a lot to hear that."

[doublethepain]

Spencer's smile is tight as he shifts awkwardly to cross his arms over his chest. It isn't Fabrice making him feel uncomfortable, it's the very notion that the poison that is the paparazzi and the tabloids could spread to the people he cares so much about. Spencer hadn't read any of what had been written about the lighthouse, not like he had after he'd been arrested, but just knowing that Joel's name would have been mentioned, that people would know Joel had been involved, makes him feel sick to his stomach. Now, with Raleigh, he worries what sorts of damaging things might be written if the reporter doesn't heed Fabrice's very clear warning of backing off.

Words are powerful, that's something Spencer had learned at a very early age; but it hadn't been until they'd been so horribly used against him that he'd realized how hurtful that power can be. He thinks of Eli, of what Joel had done to him for the things the bully had said to Spencer, and while he doesn't necessarily think being violent had been the best course of action... sometimes there simply aren't more viable options available.

"If you need anything, please let me know. I don't know how much I have to offer that's of any use, but I'm happy to do whatever I can. Even if you just need someone to listen to you talk." He's good at that, the listening part.