THIRTY | SPAM

[imaythrowuponyou]

[Open Spam, all over the Barge]

Usually when he was feeling particularly upset and frustrated, McCoy would just throw himself into work. It probably wasn't the healthiest coping mechanism, but it was useful because it was a constant distraction, and it wasn't like he could just walk away from work on Enterprise or even here for a few days just because he was feeling crummy about something. And while he might be a little snappier with people than usual, at least stuff was getting done and people were being looked after, and that was good enough for him.

Now, that was sort of less of an option than usual. He was still doing shifts in the infirmary and keeping an eye on things, but now he had a wolf that was going to wind up being the size of a pony to look after, and - call him crazy - he didn't love the idea of her wandering around by herself. It wasn't that she was dangerous, but... she was a goddamn wolf, and she was clearly Not Happy about Arya being gone, so he didn't really want to leave her to her own devices that much.

So, instead of holing himself up in the infirmary and refusing to come out, McCoy's actually been pretty out and about over the last several days, perhaps even more so than usual, and he's got said wolf following along (or more usually, running ahead) with him. Sometimes she'll sit with him in a common room or under a table in the dining hall, looking pretty sulky, and he takes her up to hunt in the CES which has been... an experience, but for the most part, it hasn't been awful.

[ooc: Feel free to run into Bones and Nymeria wherever on the ship!]

Comments

[with_my_teacup]

Riddick went slowly to his haunches, pushing the food towards Nymeria and then backing off, his body posture loose and easy. He didn't have hackles to be down, but the muscles in his shoulders and back were loose, non-confrontational.

Then he looked up at McCoy, and shrugged loosely. "Good an explanation as any. Least she's still eating. Still on small game, I'm guessing, without a pack."

[imaythrowuponyou]

The intelligence in knowing what body language to use is apparently appreciated, and Nymeria sniffs the bowl again a little bit before starting to chow down.

"Yeah. Arya and I take her up to the CES to hunt, but I guess she'd probably be better off if Ghost was still around." Although Ghost was kind of by himself up on the Wall with Jon anyway, but. Having family around was always a good thing, even if Arya didn't seem to want to allow herself to know that anymore.

[with_my_teacup]

"It's possible to survive without a pack." Not that that was at all defensive of his way of life. "Just a bitch. No offense, baby girl."

He put his elbows on his knees, still hunkered down. "What're you gonna do when she gets full grown? She may get a little territorial."

[imaythrowuponyou]

That sounded about right to McCoy, and it had been something he and Arya had been arguing about back in Risa. And maybe this was just him, but personally, he'd like to cut down on the ways life could be a bitch, because it was frustrating enough at times even with a group of friends or family around with you.

He sighed, sounding frustrated, but not with Riddick or because of the question. It was something he'd been thinking about ever since Jon left, and it was definitely a problem. "I don't know. Back when Jon and Ghost were here, they were helping Arya figure out how to make sure she wasn't gonna be an issue for anyone on board, but now they're gone and I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. I'm a doctor, I'm not an expert on animals." And, sort of dryly, not really expecting a serious answer, he asked "Got any advice?"

[with_my_teacup]

As the food disappeared, Riddick reached out a hand, palm down, for Nymeria's inspection and approval before he moved in to actually touch her.

"She's socialized with people; the day to day doesn't scare her. But she's gonna need space to be her own. The CES is great and all, but there's no way to carve out your own territory there, not the way it resets. She'll need a den that she doesn't have to roll over in." He considered the teenage animal. "Dogs, they're a different animal. They can stay dependent on people, always second string, because they don't grow all the way up. Not mentally. A wolf... ain't gonna be anybody's dog. Partner, not a child."

[imaythrowuponyou]

Nymeria sniffed him curiously, and while she doesn't move to lick him or otherwise look like she's asking for attention, she clearly doesn't seem to mind the idea of him patting her head or what have you.

"D'you think she'd do okay if she had her own, I don't know, room in Arya's room here? That's the only way I can think of giving her her own space without building a dog house on deck."

[with_my_teacup]

"Maybe?" Riddick leaned in to touch her muzzle-- not quite the full canine greeting, that's a little too much teeth and tongue for the cafeteria-- and leaned back. "I don't know her that well. It's better than nothing. Mostly I think you want the girl to come back."