Saoirse kindly laughed off the stranger's near miss. "Don't worry about it. So I'm that obvious, huh?"
Saoirse grinned at the gloomy girl in the golden dress, grateful for her gracious greeting-- and that she'd been met by someone roughly her own age, instead of a palace guard. She'd been kicked out of simpler places for lesser offenses than being out of dress code. Posh mothers of young, spoiled children didn't always take kindly to sharing shop space with itinerants, even if said itinerants were paying customers. People weren't always as hospitable in daily life as they ought to be.
Saoirse scanned the room quickly for any disapproving glares directed at either her or her attire and, finding none, looked from the pretty girl to the large wolf hiding bashfully behind her skirt. She'd never seen a wolf before, not in person. Before she could stop herself, she'd bent down eagerly, gently holding out her hand as if greeting a skittish stray.
"So beautiful!" She smiled in admiration of Leto's brindled fur and golden eyes, then looked up at the girl. "Is this your familiar?"
Saoirse blushed and quickly stood up as she noticed the startled look on the stranger's face. "Sorry!" There she went, carelessly letting her curiosity get the best of her again. She knew it wasn't a particularly good habit, and she'd really been trying to curb it. If she wanted to lead a life of adventure and daring, being open and curious around strangers was a sure way to attract the wrong sort of attention. She'd seen that well enough for herself.
The girl seemed harmless, though, and kind. And Saoirse could use a friend, especially at a party like this. "I didn't mean to be rude. It's just that I've never seen one before. A wolf, I mean, not a familiar. I'm Saoirse," she said, extending her hand. "Nice to meet you."
|
|
