Insight

Justin watched with interest as the other boys went one by one to pick out their puppies and noticed how the rougher, more burly men picked the stereotypical butch breeds such as pit bulls and bulldogs, and the scraggly, nerdy-looking boys picked the smaller, fluffier (and unbeknownst to them, the yappier and harder to train) breeds such as Pomeranians and Chihuahuas.

~~~

Ava observed each of the boys as they went to pick out their puppies, making particular note of the ones who did not seem to take care at all in choosing which puppy they picked, but rather just plucked the first one they saw. She made a mental note to look back at their portfolios when she got the chance, because she has not learned every one of their names yet, and ask their respective butlers to keep a discrete eye on them and report back to her concerning their behavior and attitude towards the puppies while not in her presence. They acted like they adored the puppies right now, but how they acted towards the puppies when they thought they were alone would show their true character. She was relieved to discern that only three of the boys seemed to not care though, whereas the other boys took more time and care in picking their puppies.

~~~

When it finally came time for Ezra to pick his puppy, he did not get to pick it at all, there was only one left. The puppy was sleeping, too. Not at all excited or interested in the people around him or the other puppies that left with other suitors. Ezra rolled his eyes at Ava's game and personal taunt. He scooped the puppy up and let him fall back asleep on his lap as he waited for Ava to announce what was to happen next, not even bothering to check what breed the puppy was. It did not really matter to him, anyway, it was not like he could change it now.

~~~

Ava scowled slightly when she saw Ezra stalk towards the last remaining puppy and just grab it before walking back to his seat. She noted, disdainfully as it were, that he did barely gave the pup a second glance before sitting back down and glaring at her. She pressed her lips into a thin line so she did not let what she actually thought slip before standing up and plastering on a smile for the rest of the boys. "There will be a reading and writing lesson an hour from now, you are not required to come to it, as I know most of you have had some sort of schooling back in your respective state provinces, however, for those of you who would like to come and either learn for the first time or even just brush up on some principle skills, the lesson will be held in the Board Room. Thank you, boys, you are all dismissed." Ava walked out of the room and headed towards her own rooms so she could find the portfolios and notify the butlers at once. She already knew at least one of the boys' names that she would have to keep a close eye on concerning their puppy's welfare, much to her chagrin. Ezra Diggle.

~~~

Justin glanced up from Rose when Ava started talking again and smiled at her announcement. It was very thoughtful of her to have realized that some of the boys here might not have had the chance at proper schooling and allow them the opportunity to do so here, he thought. He would be interested in going to that lesson if only he knew what and where the Board Room was. He would have to ask his maids once he got back to his room. For now, though, he was going to see about getting his puppy a collar, a leash, some treats, and food and water bowls. Training for dogs could never come too early, even if it is just the rudimentary lessons.

~~~

Ezra sneered when Ava announced the next lesson she had in mind for the guys. Reading and writing. He had absolutely no need to go to that lesson, how did she think he got his position as an actor. If he could not read, he would be out of a job! Ezra got up after she turned around to leave and headed in the opposite direction. He had far better things to do in his spare time than hang out with a bunch of illiterates. First things first, though, there was no way he was going to be carrying around a puppy for the rest of the selection. He needed a leash and collar. And maybe a harness, considering he just now noticed the breed he had in his hands and it was a Siberian Husky. A breed of dog specifically bred for pulling sleds.

Ezra was on his way out of the dining room when he felt the little pup starting to stir in his arms. He made sure the doors had closed behind him and no one else was in the hallway with him when he finally allowed himself a good luck at the little man. He even permitted himself a small smile. "I am going to name you Geoff." He whispered to the bundle of fur before glancing up and scuttling off outside when he realized his butler was walking towards him. There was no way he was going to allow his butler to see how nice he could actually be. If Ezra let his butler witness his true self, then he would lose all respect and authority from the entire staff, Ezra knew just how fast gossip traveled among servants. He witnessed it firsthand on set all the time, as well as with the paparazzi and tabloids. It was his manager who first gave him a lesson in keeping his personal life guarded, and he has perfected that ever since.

~~~

Before Ava made it to her room, she made a detour to where Ezra's quarters were. She had to talk to his butler right away about keeping a close eye on him, if only for the puppy's sake. He was by far the worst to handle the puppy, and she should have seen it coming. Ava just caught the butler leaving his room with a handful of crumpled shirts when she made her way down the hall. He startled slightly when he realized who it was coming towards him and immediately dropped into a bow. Ava smiled sweetly at the gesture and waited for him to look at her before relaying her warning. He nodded fervently at her request and scuttled off to drop off the laundry before carrying it out. She had no doubt that he would report to her directly anything that he found.

With that first warning out of the way, she headed back to her rooms to find the names of the other three that she had quandaries about. She sighed, she would hate to have to send more boys home tonight, it was only halfway through the first week and she had already sent home five as it were. However, it looked like more would be following suit, and quickly.

~~~

Justin made his way outside of the palace and headed towards the stables, thinking maybe there was something there he could use to fashion into a collar and leash. At the very least, he knew that there would be some lead ropes lying around there used for leading the horses which he could convert into a slip lead and forego the collar completely. Once nearing the stables; however, he heard some yapping coming from behind the stables that caught his attention. Intrigued, he passed the stables and caught sight of what looked like a bunch of cages lined together, with one of the puppies from earlier that morning in one of them. He frowned, wondering why one of the boys would put his puppy into one of those sad things. Justin unconsciously hugged Rose closer to him and continued closer to the cages. If the cages were there specifically for the puppies, the building they were attached to would probably contain all of the materials required for him to properly protect and take care of Rose.

~~~

Ezra walked around aimlessly with Geoff in his arms, only really paying attention to detect if there was anyone around him. The moment that he perceived someone to be too close, he would put on his perfected front. He could not have anyone seeing through him this early in the game. After walking around for a bit, he realized that the faint yapping he heard was not coming from Geoff, but actually from somewhere outside, and near him as well if he could detect it since the puppies were so young and had not found their voices yet. He started walking towards the sound, curious.

Past the stables, there was what appeared to be a row of kennels, numerous ones, at that. He quirked an eyebrow at that, wondering why there would be a place to shelter the puppies when Ava herself said that they were to be with and take care of their puppies 24/7. It was then he realized that this is where the puppies would go when the boys were dismissed. He frowned at the thought, that was no way for a dog to live. They deserved much better than to be kept cooped up in a small cage with no interaction, human or otherwise. He glowered when he realized that he heard yapping because one of the boys had already given up their puppy and it was going to be spent here for the entirety of the selection, maybe even his whole life. Though, he was not surprised to see that it was a German Shepherd. He remembered who got the German Shepherd because he had his eye on that one hoping that it would not get picked: Viktor Yearling. A caste two. As privileged as they come without actually being a prince, he did not even have a job, he just coasted off of his parents' wealth and status. Ezra smirked as a thought came to him. He could take the puppy, it was the breed he had originally wanted, and it would get along well with Geoff.

German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies are both working dogs, and thus have similar temperaments, energy requirements, and intelligence. When Ezra got closer, he also noticed the pup was a female. Ezra chuckled, yes, her and Geoff would get along well. He transferred Geoff to his right arm and went inside, wondering who was in charge of the kennels.

~~~

After Ava picked out the boys (through their profiles and notified their respective butlers, she went back to her rooms to review her reading and writing lesson plan for the rest of the morning. She was in the middle of making some edits when she heard a frantic knock on her door and looked up in surprise. Daniella came out of her bathroom where she was cleaning and grabbed the door for her, revealing a very out of breath Hugh. Daniella peeked at Ava before allowing Hugh into her quarters. Ava stood up and gestured for Hugh to sit across from her on the couch, as she was in her lounge chair with a table in between them cluttered with her notes. He sat down and took a breath before reporting just what caught his attention and caused him to be in such a state.

"Queen Avalai, I did what you asked, and you will not believe it. Master Ezra has been most kind and caring to his young puppy, cuddling him and even naming him, Jeff, I think is what he said. He whispered it very quietly when he thought no one was looking and I was further down the hall, so I cannot be sure. Last I observed, Master Ezra was at the kennels asking to take care of the puppy that Master Viktor had given up soon after you left the dining hall. I would not have believed this myself if I had not witnessed it with my own eyes and ears."

All of the words tumbled out of his mouth in a rush, it was hard for Ava to decipher every word. She raised her eyebrows in surprise at his report, but otherwise said nothing to give away what she was actually thinking concerning his news. She nodded her thanks to Hugh and showed him out of the room, she wanted some alone time for a bit to process all of the new information. Daniella looked at her queen with astonishment in her eyes, but an otherwise professional countenance, Ava nodded at the door, which Daniella understood to mean she wanted to be left alone and immediately turned to the door as well.

Once they left, Ava started furiously scribbling down some notes, thoughts were jumping around in her head and she knew if she did not get them down on paper, she would not remember them all. She also wanted to document the day that she finally learned about Ezra's true character. She realized now that it was all a front to push people away from him because he did not trust anyone to get too close and see the real him, that he was not actually a jerk but just acted like one. She would just have to work that much harder to get underneath that faux exterior of his, and she would have fun doing it. Now that she realized his petty banter and slight jabs were just to get under her skin, she would play along. She also made a note of the name of the boy that gave up his puppy straight after she turned her back. Definitely going home tonight.