There was a little glimmer of hope the longer the adult spent in her presence. Unable to flee, the pup was trapped in this encounter, but Malina seemed to choose to stay. Jaws did not come flying for her, nor curses, nor screams and insults. It was less a passing thought and more a genuine interest. Her eyes were on her, and shyly she came forward into that gaze. Ears perking forward in hopeful interest. Malina chuckled at her and her whippy tail started to show a flicker of life. Unknown to her it started to wave behind her.
Her excitement did not come from hearing her ‘skills’ were favored, but in hearing they were at least not scorned. It was not her desire to be this. She did not want to be a tick on the world around her. Sapping life from those around her broke her heart but it seemed to be all she could do. Her head tilted to the side at Malina’s next list of traits. Fights? Pariah blinked and pulled away just slightly. That was not something she had been forced to do yet. Sneaking and stealing had been enough to stay alive. Those she stole from had not caught her and therefore she had not needed to defend herself. The little body quivered again at the thought. She could run. That was the extent of her fighting.
Malina was something new and different to her. She dared take another step forward, curious about this woman who seemed so relaxed around her. Curiosity perked more at the final skill Malina stated. Eavesdropping? She had never heard that word. Losing herself, she wiggled forward to place herself within a comfortable conversational distance from Malina. Now there was plenty of distance to flee, if need be, but close enough Malina’s jaws could easily close on her quickly.
Once more the girl was caught off guard. It was clear from a second of drooped ears and a twitch of her nose as she thought. No one had ever called her by a name. Demon. Spawn. Brat. Welp. Maggot. Parasite. Pariah.