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Last time, in the quiet autumn 
park of Havlikovisadi, 2 dogs 

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met before their owners truly 
did. 

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A King Charles Cavalier named 
Cucumber stole more than a game.

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He carried off a bright yellow 
ball, leaving behind a golden 

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retriever still searching for 
it, and a man named Daniel 

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watching. 
Forever new to Prague and new to

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the rhythm of this city, It was 
the kind of moment that might 

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have ended there. 
A smile across the field, A 

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wave. 
A ball tucked away by accident. 

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But some things aren't meant to 
stay missing. 

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This is Autumn Tales Chapter 2, 
Return and rain. 

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In this episode, a yellow ball 
finds its way back. 

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A new routine begins to take 
shape, and when rain interrupts 

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it, an umbrella and an 
unexpected invitation bring to 

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men a little closer. 
The first day of work is never 

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easy. 
New hallways, new names, new 

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expectations. 
But sometimes what lingers isn't

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what you did in the classroom, 
it's what weights in the bag you

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carry home. 
The alarm buzzed sharp against 

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the quiet. 
Evan pushed himself upright, 

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blinking at the pale rectangle 
of light stretching through the 

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tall windows. 
His stomach already churned with

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nerves. 
His first day at the new school.

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On the floor, Cucumber was wide 
awake. 

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The King Charles Cavalier 
trotted across the boards with 

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nails clicking, tail wagging 
like a banner. 

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All right, breakfast first. 
Evan muttered. 

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He crossed to the half impact 
box marked Cucumber's Things, 

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tugged it open, and pulled out 
the crinkled bag of kibble. 

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The sound alone sent Cucumber 
into a frenzy of spinning paws 

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and impatient yips. 
Evan filled the bowl, setting it

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down on the floor. 
The little spaniel dove in, 

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crunching noisily, ears dipping 
into the dish with every bite. 

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Evan leaned against the counter,
straightening his tie as the dog

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ate. 
The apartment felt different 

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this morning. 
Too big, too quiet, boxes still 

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stacked like Sentinels against 
the walls. 

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When Cucumber lifted his head, 
whiskers damp, Evan crouched 

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down to brush a hand over his 
ears. 

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Listen, today's a long one. 
First day at school for me, and 

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1st day alone in this place for 
you. 

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Cucumber tilted his head, eyes 
wide, untrusting. 

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Evan smiled faintly. 
You'll have to get used to it, 

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buddy. 
I'll be back before you know it.

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Maybe even with something better
than kibble treats, if you're 

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good. 
The Cavalier barked once, tail 

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thumping like a promise. 
Evan stood, smoothing his tie, 

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then reached for his toad on the
chair. 

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He slipped his wallet inside and
heard a muted thunk. 

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He frowned, pushed a folder 
aside, and there it was. 

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The yellow ball, smooth, worn 
from teeth, sitting like it had 

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been waiting all along. 
A memory flickered, sunny nosing

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at the grass, confused, Daniel's
voice carrying across the park, 

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warm and steady. 
Evan sighed, slipping the ball 

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back into the tote. 
We'll return it after work. 

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Cucumber wagged his tail like it
had been his idea from the 

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start. 
Some things you carry to work 

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without meaning to. 
Nerves, expectations, or a ball 

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that doesn't belong to you. 
The school smelled faintly of 

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chalk and floor Polish, the kind
of scent that clung old 

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buildings. 
Evan's shoes clicked against the

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tiled hallway as the head 
teacher introduced him along the

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way. 
New faces, polite nods, names he

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might not remember until weeks 
later. 

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When he stepped into his 
classroom, the room quieted. 

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A dozen students looked up. 
Evan felt the weight of it, the 

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familiar nerves of being both 
new and expected to lead. 

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He set his toad on the desk and 
pulled out a marker. 

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Good morning. 
He began studying his voice. 

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I'm Mr. Parkum, I'll be teaching
English this year, so I suppose 

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today we'll test both your 
patience and my memory. 

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A ripple of laughter ran through
the room, the tension ease just 

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a little. 
Evan smiled, scribbling his name

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across the board in bold 
letters. 

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As the lesson found its rhythm, 
the nerves dulled. 

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Grammar drills, vocabulary 
lists, simple sentences coaxed 

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into shape. 
Evan paced the aisles, leaning 

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into check work, praising small 
victories. 

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A girl in the back grinned when 
she managed the word through 

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without stumbling. 
A boy up front whispered teacher

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with a Czech accent that made 
Evan chuckle quietly. 

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It was familiar, comforting 
even, to be here, guiding words 

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into place. 
And yet, between exercises, his 

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thoughts drifted. 
His hand brushed the edge of the

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tote, and he remembered the 
bright yellow ball tucked 

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inside. 
He saw Sunny nosing the grass, 

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Daniel's calm voice calling him 
back. 

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For a moment, he caught himself 
smiling at the thought. 

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He coughed, turn back to the 
board, and wrote out another 

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sentence with a little more 
force than necessary. 

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By the time the final bell rang,
his throat was dry, his 

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shoulders tight, and his 
notebook dotted with reminders 

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for tomorrow. 
On the surface, it had gone well

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enough, but as he packed his 
things, sliding his wallet back 

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into the tote, his fingers 
brushed a smooth curve of rubber

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still resting at the bottom. 
The ball was still there, 

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waiting. 
Some lessons end with a bell. 

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Others follow you home, carried 
quietly in the bottom of a bag. 

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The tram hissed away from the 
stop as Evan crossed the narrow 

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St. 
He could have gone straight 

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home, but the little bell over 
the pet shop door tugged at his 

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attention. 
He remembered what he'd told 

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Cucumber that morning. 
Be good and I'll bring something

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back. 
The shop smelled of hay, 

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biscuits, and a faint trace of 
sawdust. 

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Rows of leashes and chew toys 
hung in neat lines, bright 

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packets of treats stacked in 
bins. 

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A German shepherd barked faintly
from a crate in the corner, 

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answered by the flutter of 
parakeets overhead. 

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Evan drifted toward the dog 
aisle, tugging at his scarf. 

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He picked up one packet, then 
another. 

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Duck flavored bites, Chicken 
strips, something with salmon. 

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Too many choices, he muttered 
under his breath. 

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You're probably not picky, are 
you? 

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The shopkeeper, an older man 
with Half Moon glasses, smiled 

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knowingly for the little 
spaniel. 

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His check carried the lute of 
English practice, this one 

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gentle on the stomach. 
Good reward for training. 

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Evan accepted the bag, grateful 
for the help. 

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The packet crinkled softly in 
his hands, already carrying the 

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smell of meat. 
He smiled faintly. 

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Perfect, thank you. 
When he tucked the bag into his 

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tote, his wallet brushed against
the smooth rubber of the yellow 

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ball. 
The reminder made his chest 

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tighten. 
By the time Evan pushed back 

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into the cool evening, the bag 
felt heavier than just kibble 

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and treats. 
The park was quieter than usual,

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the last of the daylight 
stretching long across the 

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vineyard slope. 
Evan unclipped Cucumber's leash 

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and the little cavalier bolted 
forward, ears flapping like 

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banners. 
Sonny spotted him at once. 

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A golden streak tore across the 
field, barking bright and eager,

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colliding with Cucumber and a 
joyous tangle. 

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The two circled, spun, and 
yipped as if they'd been apart 

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for years instead of a single 
day. 

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Daniel crouched near the bench. 
He looked up as Evan approached,

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tote slung at his side. 
Before Evan could even speak, 

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Sonny pressed straight against 
him, knolls buried deep against 

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the canvas bag. 
His tail wagged furiously, paws 

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shifting the bright intensity of
a dog who knew exactly what was 

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inside. 
Evan startled, pulling the strap

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higher. 
Hang on. 

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Evan pulled the yellow ball from
inside, holding it out. 

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I think this belongs to you. 
Daniel laughed, shaking his 

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head. 
Oh, I was looking for that. 

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Well, thank you. 
Daniel rolled it once in his 

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palm before tossing it lightly 
into the grass. 

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Sunny launched after it in a 
blur, triumphant bark breaking 

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through the cool air, cucumber 
hot on his heels. 

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Evan crouched, tugging at his 
toad again. 

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The crinkle of the pet shop 
packet drew both dogs instantly 

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back, eyes wide, tails thrashing
the grass. 

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He smiled faintly. 
And this was a promise. 

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First day of school for me, 
first day alone for him. 

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Figured he earned it. 
Cucumber pressed eagerly against

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his knee, Sunny leaning close to
clearly expecting his share. 

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Evan broke the treat in half, 
offering one piece to each. 

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The cavellier snapped his up, 
the retriever tick his gently, 

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tail still wagging. 
Daniel chuckled. 

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If you keep that up, they'll 
expect snacks every time you 

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show up. 
Evan laughed softly. 

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Wouldn't be the worst way to 
make friends. 

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Daniel straighten then, brushing
his palms, and after a moment, 

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held out a hand. 
We never actually introduced 

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ourselves. 
I'm Daniel. 

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Evan hesitated just to breath, 
remembering the brass tag he'd 

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seen, the name he'd whispered 
quietly to himself once before. 

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He let the paw slip away in a 
smile, taking the hand. 

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And I'm Evan. 
Daniel's grip was steady, warm. 

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Sunny came barreling back again.
Ball dropped proudly at Daniel's

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feet. 
Cucumber sat neatly beside Evan,

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still nosing at the treat 
packet. 

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Daniel gave a short laugh, 
ruffling Sonny's fur. 

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Guess they're better at 
introductions than we are. 

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Evan fed them one last piece, 
watching the two dogs chew side 

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by side, tails drumming the same
beat. 

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I think they've decided for us. 
And for the first time since 

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arriving in Prague, the park 
felt less like a place for 

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strangers and more like the 
beginning of something. 

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A ball returned, a promise kept,
and the smallest kindness 

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shared. 
The park was no longer just a 

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meeting place. 
Slowly, quietly, it was becoming

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something more. 
The week that followed took on a

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shape of its own, not arranged, 
not spoken, but a rhythm that 

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both men and both dogs seem to 
trust. 

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Every evening, just as the sky 
began to dim and the vineyard 

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slope glowed copper in the 
fading light, Evan arrived with 

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cucumber tugging eagerly at the 
leash. 

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And almost without fail, Sunny 
was already there, bounding 

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across the grass as though he'd 
been waiting. 

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The reunion was always noisy. 
Cucumber barked, sharp and high.

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Sunny answered, deep and low. 
And then the chase began. 

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Paws tore through fallen leaves,
tails whipped, and laughter 

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00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:06,200
carried faintly from both men 
standing at opposite edges of 

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00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:08,360
the field. 
Evan would raise a hand in 

196
00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:11,640
greeting, the kind of half wave 
that had grown easier each day. 

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00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:15,840
Daniel usually responded with a 
small nod, sometimes a grin if 

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00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:17,680
Sunny had stolen the ball too 
quickly. 

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00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:20,240
Nothing more than that, but 
enough. 

200
00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,760
The park became a collection of 
small moments stitched together 

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day by day. 
One evening, Cucumber launched 

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00:10:27,560 --> 00:10:31,000
himself head first into a pile 
of wet leaves, rolling with 

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00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:34,000
complete abandoned until his 
ears and chest were streaked 

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brown. 
Evan groaned, but Daniel's laugh

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00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:39,640
carried across the field, warm 
and unguarded. 

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00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:44,360
Another night, Sunny sat 
perfectly still, muscles tense, 

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00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:46,800
eyes locked on the yellow ball 
in Daniel's hand. 

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00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:50,480
When Daniel finally threw it, 
Sani launched out fast. 

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00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:55,440
Evan caught the ball mid flight,
hiding the ball in his pocket. 

210
00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:59,080
The retriever froze in 
confusion, ears flat, then 

211
00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:02,760
bolted after Evan threw the ball
with a bark of sheer delight. 

212
00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:06,520
Evan laughed so hard he had to 
bend over, and Daniel shook his 

213
00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:08,240
head like he was trying not to 
join him. 

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00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:12,200
There were quiet moments too, a 
take away coffee steaming in 

215
00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:15,320
Evan's hand, the scent of 
roasted beans curling in the 

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00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:19,360
cold, a faint trace of machine 
oil clinging to Daniel's jacket 

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00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:22,600
after long hours in the shop. 
Neither stayed more than an 

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hour, but both always left later
than they planned, and always at

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the center of it. 
The dogs, their joy, made 

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00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:34,040
everything else easier. 
It wasn't friendship yet, not 

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00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:37,200
exactly. 
More like recognition, a thread 

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00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:39,720
drawn tighter with every 
evening, until the thought of 

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00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:43,800
not meeting felt strange. 
Then came the rain. 

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00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:46,520
Heavy drops beat against the 
windows of Evans Apartment that 

225
00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:49,840
morning, the sound steady and 
dull by evening. 

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00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:54,520
The streets of Herzavis gleamed 
black, every puddle trembling 

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00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:58,040
with the weight of the downpour.
Cucumber stood at the door, ears

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00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:02,000
flat, tail swishing uncertainly.
His eyes followed every sound of

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the rain against the glass. 
Evan crouched, resting a hand 

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over his silky head. 
Not tonight, buddy, you've got 

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your pat, no point getting 
soaked for nothing. 

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00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:15,040
The cavalier barked softly, 
almost a complaint, then trotted

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00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:17,640
back to the window. 
He sat with his nose pressed to 

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the glass, watching the rainfall
where the park should have been.

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00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:25,440
Across the neighborhood, Daniel 
clipped Sunny's leash with 

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00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:29,320
practiced hands. 
Rain or not, Sunny had to go 

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00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:31,040
out. 
The retriever charged happily 

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00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:34,520
into the street, but slowed as 
the water poured harder, his 

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00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:36,800
tail lowering. 
He knew rainy days meant short 

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00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:40,920
loops, not the part. 
Still, his nose tilted in the 

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00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:43,720
familiar direction, tugging 
gently against the leash. 

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00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:46,520
Then yells sighed, rubbing his 
hood back from his face. 

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00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:49,200
Not tonight, boy. 
Next time. 

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00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:54,160
Sonny looked up at him, 
drenched, patient but unwilling.

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00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:56,840
His coat dripped onto the 
pavement as though even his body

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00:12:56,840 --> 00:12:59,000
disapproved. 
Daniel pushed the door close 

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00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:01,920
behind them, water dripping onto
the entry mat. 

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00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:04,880
Sonny shook himself hard, 
spraying droplets across the 

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00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:08,480
hall, then looked up with wide, 
innocent eyes as if it were 

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00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:10,480
somehow Daniel's fault. 
Great. 

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00:13:10,680 --> 00:13:12,440
Daniel muttered, grabbing a 
towel. 

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00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:14,840
Guess less sleep tonight if 
you're damp on the rug. 

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00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:18,080
He crouched, rubbing the 
retrievers coat, working the 

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00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:21,920
towel along his back and chest. 
Sonny leaned into it, sighing, 

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00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:25,800
tail thumping even as his first 
stuck up in odd patches. 

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00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:29,160
Daniel's voice soft, half a 
sigh. 

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00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:32,280
Yeah, I wished no rain too, 
kiddo. 

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00:13:32,680 --> 00:13:36,640
Bad cucumbers the same tonight. 
He smirked faintly, shaking his 

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00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:38,800
head. 
Sometimes I wonder who's 

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00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,200
training who. 
Sonny pressed his head against 

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00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:45,160
Daniel's knee, sighing deeper. 
Across town, Cucumber went 

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00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:48,160
softly against the apartment 
door, nose pressed to the gap. 

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00:13:48,680 --> 00:13:51,680
Evan lingered in the kitchen, 
listening to the rain beat 

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00:13:51,680 --> 00:13:54,120
against the windows. 
The apartment felt too quiet, 

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00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:56,240
the stillness heavier than it 
should have been. 

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00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:59,400
He rubbed at the back of his 
neck, exhaling slowly. 

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00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:03,040
Sometimes it isn't the days you 
meet that matter most. 

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00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:06,120
It's the day you don't, the 
absence that shows you how 

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00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,400
quickly a stranger has become 
part of your routine. 

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00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:13,840
Rain changes things. 
It interrupts, it delays, it 

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00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:15,800
breaks the rhythm you thought 
you could rely on. 

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00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:18,440
But sometimes it doesn't stop it
altogether. 

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00:14:18,560 --> 00:14:21,080
Sometimes it only redirects the 
path. 

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00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:23,800
The storm that had kept them 
apart the night before finally 

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00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:26,320
broke. 
What remained was softer, a fine

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00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:30,200
drizzle drifting down over the 
rooftops, Air cool and damp, the

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00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:33,520
pads of havli kovi saadi slick 
with fallen leaves. 

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00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:37,480
Evan hesitated, his doorway, 
umbrella in one hand, leash in 

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00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:39,600
the other. 
Cucumber stood pressed against 

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00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:42,120
the door frame, tail beating a 
hopeful rhythm. 

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00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:45,600
Evan sighed. 
All right, you win. 

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00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:49,120
Just don't drag me into the mud,
OK? 

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00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,840
The cavalier barked once, 
triumphant, and bolted ahead the

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00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:55,320
second the clip released. 
The vineyard slope glistened 

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00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:57,320
with raindrops when they reached
the park. 

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00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:00,280
Vines shimmered like glass 
threads under the Gray sky, 

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00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:03,320
puddles forming mirrors in the 
stone walkways. 

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00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,800
And then, through the mist 
movement, Sunny came bounding up

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00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:10,960
the path, golden coat darkened 
by rain, leash trailing just 

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00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:12,680
enough to show he wasn't pulling
alone. 

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00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,600
Daniel followed close behind, 
rain speckling his dark hair. 

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00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:20,360
The retriever lunged forward the
instant he saw Cucumber, barking

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00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:22,680
with sheer delight. 
The little spaniel answered at 

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00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:26,600
once, and within seconds both 
dogs were circling, slipping, 

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00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:29,360
shaking water everywhere as 
though the rain had been worth 

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00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:31,720
it all along. 
Daniel lifted a hand in 

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00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,200
greeting, voice carrying across 
the path. 

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00:15:35,040 --> 00:15:37,160
Guess they didn't give either of
us a choice tonight. 

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00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:41,240
Evan laughed, shaking his head, 
rain dripping off his brow. 

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00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:45,640
Not even close. 
The drizzle thickened suddenly, 

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00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:48,360
pattering heavier against the 
leaves overhead. 

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00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:51,800
Cucumber shook himself 
furiously, spraying water across

303
00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:55,080
Evan's trousers. 
Sonny barked once, ears 

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00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:57,560
flapping, his tails slapping 
against Daniel's leg. 

305
00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:00,920
Evan fumble with the umbrella 
under his arm, leash tugging, 

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00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:04,280
canopy catching awkwardly. 
Oh, come on. 

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00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,760
Daniel stepped in quickly. 
He caught the slipping leash 

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00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:10,680
first, his hand firm, then 
reached for the umbrella. 

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00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:13,560
Their fingers brushed as the 
fabric snapped open with a sharp

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00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:15,960
thwip. 
Rain hammered against it, the 

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00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:19,760
sound loud, enclosing. 
Daniel angled the umbrella 

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00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:23,200
higher, stepping close, 
shoulders mat. 

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00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:27,200
Then, almost naturally, his arm 
lifted, settling across Evan's 

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00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:29,560
back to steady the umbrella 
above them both. 

315
00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:33,440
It was practical, necessary, but
the weight of it lingered, 

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00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:35,720
warmth seeping through damp 
fabric. 

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00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:39,240
Evan felt it in his chest, as 
steady as the drum of rain 

318
00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:41,040
overhead. 
The part blurred around them, 

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00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:43,680
rain streaking silver lines 
through the air. 

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00:16:44,040 --> 00:16:46,640
All that remained clear was the 
space they shared under the 

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00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:49,880
narrow circle of dry. 
Sunny pressed against Daniel's 

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00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:53,480
leg, coat still damp. 
Cucumber leaned into Evan Shin, 

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00:16:53,720 --> 00:16:56,400
waiting for the next move. 
The dogs anchored them to the 

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00:16:56,400 --> 00:17:00,320
ground, but the moment above 
belonged only to the two men. 

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00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:03,880
Daniel's voice dropped quiet 
under the rain. 

326
00:17:04,079 --> 00:17:06,599
They don't even know they're the
reason we're standing here. 

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00:17:06,839 --> 00:17:10,240
Evan let out a shaky laugh. 
Pretty sure they planned it. 

328
00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:13,480
Their eyes met under the 
umbrella, closer than either 

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00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:15,359
expected. 
Neither looked away. 

330
00:17:16,599 --> 00:17:19,160
The rain eased, softening back 
into a mist. 

331
00:17:19,359 --> 00:17:22,359
Daniel lowered his arm more 
slowly than necessary, letting 

332
00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:25,440
the umbrella dip. 
For a moment, Evan felt the loss

333
00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:27,920
of warmth as keenly as the 
return of cool air. 

334
00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:31,120
The dogs tugged forward, eager 
to continue. 

335
00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:34,680
Evan adjusted his grip on the 
leash, and Daniel fell into step

336
00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:36,600
beside him. 
Their strides matched without 

337
00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:39,160
effort, the sound of paws 
splashing through shallow 

338
00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:40,960
puddles filling the silence 
between them. 

339
00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:44,360
The vineyard rose, rose on 
either side, leaves dripping 

340
00:17:44,360 --> 00:17:47,840
with silver light. 
The path narrowed, forcing them 

341
00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:50,400
closer. 
Cucumber darted ahead, nose to 

342
00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:54,040
the ground, while Sunny lingered
back, as if ensuring no one 

343
00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:57,160
strayed too far. 
Daniel glanced sideways, a hint 

344
00:17:57,160 --> 00:17:59,160
of a smile. 
You ever notice how they don't 

345
00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:02,640
care what the weather's like? 
As long as we're here, it's 

346
00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:04,920
enough. 
Evan breathed out through his 

347
00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:07,760
nose. 
Quiet might be smarter than we 

348
00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,320
are. 
At the end of the path, the 

349
00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:13,560
lights of a cafe glowed faintly 
through the mist, warm windows, 

350
00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:17,720
silhouettes moving inside. 
Daniel slowed, Sunny leaning 

351
00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:20,960
close to his side. 
His voice was casual, almost 

352
00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:23,320
testing. 
You know, there's a place just 

353
00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:26,320
down the street. 
Dog friendly, good coffee. 

354
00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:31,920
Evan glanced at him, curious. 
I've haven't been there. 

355
00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:35,200
Daniel gave a small shrug. 
I still on Sony? 

356
00:18:36,120 --> 00:18:39,240
We could stop in some time. 
Doesn't have to be today. 

357
00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:43,520
Evan adjusted his grip on 
Cucumber's leash, a smile 

358
00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,400
tugging at his mouth. 
That sounds nice. 

359
00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:49,400
They walked a few steps more, 
the silence stretching 

360
00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:52,840
comfortably between them, broken
only by the splash of paws 

361
00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:55,720
through shallow puddles. 
Daniel's voice dropped a little 

362
00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:58,920
lower as they walked, his hand 
brushing Sunny's damp fur. 

363
00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:04,760
How about Saturday this week? 
Evan blinked, caught for a 

364
00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:07,240
second between surprise and the 
pull of a smile. 

365
00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:11,200
Before he could answer, Sonny 
barked, sharp, eager, and 

366
00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:14,200
cucumber yipped right after, 
tails beating like they'd 

367
00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:16,600
rehearsed it. 
Evan laughed, shaking his head. 

368
00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,200
Guess that's a yes. 
Daniel grinned. 

369
00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:20,960
They miss. 
Softening around them as the 

370
00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:23,920
dogs bounded forward, as if 
dragging both men toward the 

371
00:19:23,920 --> 00:19:27,760
promise of the weekend. 
For now, it was enough, the path

372
00:19:27,760 --> 00:19:32,040
ahead and Saturday waiting. 
And sometimes the answer comes 

373
00:19:32,120 --> 00:19:33,640
before the question even 
settles. 

374
00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:38,040
In one apt, a retriever shook 
out the last of the rain, 

375
00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:41,240
curling against his owner's knee
with a sigh that spoke of tired 

376
00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:44,240
contentment. 
In another, a cavalier spaniel 

377
00:19:44,360 --> 00:19:48,480
settled at the door, tail 
thumping softly, still carrying 

378
00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:51,120
the scent of wet leaves and 
promises not yet kept. 

379
00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:55,680
Two dogs, two men, one city 
drawing after the storm. 

380
00:19:56,080 --> 00:19:58,680
Neither of them knew how quickly
a walk in the rain would shift 

381
00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,240
into something more. 
But tonight the threads had 

382
00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:04,000
already tightened under a narrow
umbrella and in the barked 

383
00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:09,320
agreement of two impatient dogs.
This was Autumn Tales Chapter 2,

384
00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:13,160
Return and rain. 
If you enjoyed this episode, 

385
00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,800
don't forget to follow and 
subscribe to our channel for the

386
00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:19,400
next chapter where Saturday 
arrives, brunch is shared and 

387
00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:21,560
would begin as coincidence 
starts to feel a lot like 

388
00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:22,000
choice.