Grimbaud and I have very different reactions to strangers. My body tenses as a man departs from the shadows, his footsteps announcing his approach. I would not dare attack him - I do not know his position here within the castle and, though a life on the fringes is not exactly glorious, it is still preferable to being a wanted pair - but I am prepared to defend my girl. But as he nears... a frown forms on my dark features, sensing something surprising... Since the beginning of our connection, I have been the wary watcher always certain of a person's ill-intentions when it comes to my girl, and only once I have seen them interact with her - often several times - do I relax. And yet, I sense, no, I know this male will not harm my girl. My body remains stiff and unsure, but my expression reveals my confusion. The dog at Grimbaud's feet glances between the three of us, his body trembling with uncertainty. But Grimbaud's reaction steals the show. Her face lights up, every inch of her shining in happy welcome even before the male crouches down to her level to speak. Her gray eyes are bright and trusting, her limp pronounced as she bridges the short distance between her and the man. She leans forward to catch his words and, though I would have thought it impossible, she brightens even further. A gap-toothed grin flashes over her face immediately, her head bobbing. I frown a bit, worried that this might be some cruel game, but I don't believe that is the case.
"Yes, please, mister!" she says, her voice a shade too loud to be a whisper. She worms her small hand into his larger one, her expression clearly stating she'd gladly follow this man - whomever he was - wherever he went.
"We're very, very hungry, but..." - a small, worried frown formed on her face as she looked into the man's eyes, then her head ducked with slight embarrassment. She wiggles her big toe, which is poking out from her shoes, before she leans forward again to whisper into his ear. - "We don't have any money."
I wince, feeling her embarrassment like a physical blow. Though I try my hardest, doing whatever I must to keep her fed and warm and happy, acquiring money is something I have no skill at. I am too large to be very stealthy in public, and thieving would only bring the authorities down on us all. My girl suddenly brightens again, limping her way back to me. She opens the small pouch around my neck - which carries all of our meager belongings - and digs around for a moment before pulling out... a shell? It is a pretty shell, but not exactly something worthy of a meal... She offers it to the man as if it is a precious treasure, running her hand over the smooth pearled inside for a moment before beaming again at him.
"It's my very, very favorite. You can have it, mister," she says cheerfully. I clear my throat softly, a gentle reminder, and her mouth makes a perfect "O". "Oh, oh, I forgot. My name is Grimbaud and this is Gisli and Pablo. Say hi to the mister, Pablo!"
The dog, still glued to her feet, blinks up at the man with watery brown eyes. Though it trusts my girl, trust in others has yet to come after the cruelty it experienced at the hands of others. Grim's mouth opens again, and I'm certain a million and one questions are on the verge of spilling out, so I give her a gentle nudge. |