seek refuge in my harbor;

[calmseverystorm]

Comments

[everyslaindog]

I always like it whenever I get a new name. It's what carries me on, all the way to the end. [ Ducks his head low, chin almost to his chest. ]

I remember all of them, and all of them are fond.

[n0kken]

[This would be Mila reaching out hesitantly to pet his head.]

Which one should I use now?

[everyslaindog]

[ He lowers his head a little further so that she does not have to reach far in order to do so. ]

Sadiki, [ the Faithful Hound says proudly. ] It's a new one too, just got it. Do you like it?

[n0kken]

[She smiles quietly, is sure to reward his pride with good scritchies.]

I do, it is lovely. You've found a good master, then?

[everyslaindog]

[ Even with his head ducked low, he keeps his large dark eyes (black like his brothers, large like his sisters) on the young warden. His nose crinkles with satisfaction and the Grey Dog laughs a snuffling noise in his mouth. ]

She is worried, and so I am, but she's warm and gentle and smells like the sun. I'm happy to follow by her side and I'll gladly fall to protect her. A very good master.

[n0kken]

I would be sad to see you fall, Sadiki.

[No reproval for his devotion, pride in her voice on that note, but she thinks about Nessy and how sad she would be if her pet, her friend, her protector, her familiar were to fall for her.]

[everyslaindog]

[ He smiles at her, lifting his head now, acknowledging both her sadness and her pride, appreciating both. ]

I'll fall but I'll rise again. That's my job, my sacrifice. Besides, it's been a while since I've seen Blackie. Could be nice-- [ A little shrug. ] --in a way.

[n0kken]

[She sees his smile and is soothed, maybe a little. Blue eyes round and pensive.]

I hope it will be nice...

[everyslaindog]

[ He is attentive as always, the youngest of the three and still so much a pup compared to the others. He sees her thoughtfulness and nudges her arm. ]

It will be. Don't worry, Mila.

[n0kken]

I'm not worried... [Not exactly. These things are what they are, how can she worry. And yet.] But if you need someone to feed you when your master is gone... you can find me...

[everyslaindog]

Okay, not 'worried'. Then what? It's something, I can tell.

[ He gives her a small smile. She's young like he is, compared to her siblings. Shy in a way a normal girl would be even though she's anything but. ]

Would you rather me come stay with you? Come and protect your fountain?

[n0kken]

[Her head ducks down, hair falling around her face, toeing the ground uncertainly.]

I just want you to have nice times too, that aren't troubled.

[And she flushes at his questions besides.]

Not rather... but Nessy and I would have you, if you wanted to stay with us.

[everyslaindog]

[ He looks down at her foot and then nudges at it with the toe of his shoe. Scuffing the ground with its sole, he mimics wanting to dig, knowing she'll recognize it for what it is. ]

I have plenty of nice times, Mila. My masters give me a name and something to protect; they let me love them above everything else. I fight and I die as part of my sacrifice. Sometimes they mourn me. That's also nice.

[ Sadiki ducks his head down to look at her, a hand lifting some of that hair out of the way lightly. He's a gentle creature, prone to nuzzling and attention; her nature encourages that. ]

Would you give me a nice name? I bet you would. When I have served Sanura and seen my oath through, I'll come to you. Would you like that? I would.

[n0kken]

[She shakes her head, endeared perhaps by his scuffling and nuzzles, but still.]

A servant cannot be the master.

[She has no right to name the Grey Dog, she is a protector and she knows she is not the only one of her brothers and sisters to struggle with that balance.]

[everyslaindog]

Oh.

[ He dips his head low again now, apologetic that he has perhaps spoken out of place and offered something that is against the rules. ]

I'm sorry.

[n0kken]

[She shushes him softly, nudges his shoe back in return with an appeasing sort of look.]

Don't worry.