[She peers at him curiously, a little nervous of that question. Any question, from Arabia, aside from the basics. He's made it clear time after time that they're pets and they're dogs, not really there for conversation. But he does talk to her, sometimes, listens even if she's just a stupid punk girl with a chihuahua in her head.
But answering this question in particular means admitting to the loyalty, faith and care she's developed for him since that day with Highland, since she'd fought Fallen and ended up kicking at the wall outside their room, angry at the golem and at Tink and disgusted with herself. All that time she'd spent, just her and the witch that she'd sworn never to give in to, would she be the same now if that hadn't happened? The quiet faith she'd held over that month travelling with Tink, that Arabia would come for them, even Tink hadn't been so certain of it.
She looks away when she answers him, looks at the water again because that makes it easier. Ignores the urge to blame the dog, because that's just an excuse, and really, she hates using excuses.]
I don't like leavin' you alone. There's somethin' wrong and I don't know what it is, an' it gets worse when you're alone. And cause I don't know what it is, I can't fight it to get it to leave you alone, so I gotta do what I can. If that means sittin' quiet with you then that's what I'll do. [She rubs at her nose.] And I don't really mind it. Sittin' with you.
[Arabia had never really brought the dogs in to be his pets. He had been haughtily insulted by their infringements on him, sought to punish them like it was his right to do so. He would have happily humiliated them for a much longer period of time if his brother had not deemed them to be a convenient vehicle with which to teach.
He answered to his brother always, it was as much a part of his personality as his vanity and his pride. They were never meant to be pets, but they had become so nevertheless. Tinkerbell's affections were won easily with just a little praise and Bambi... He doesn't truly understand dog mentality, is much more catlike in his own nature (ermine: sleek, fussy, vain.) He doesn't know where Bambi's feelings come for, the protectiveness, the comfort. Something distant inside him thinks he should be insulted by it, that he should need such an unimportant creature's protection.
He gazes off out across the water.]
When you return, behave yourself impeccably for Futuna.
[She hadn't expected an explanation, not really. Maybe even Arabia didn't know what was wrong, but she doubted that. He just wasn't going to share with his pet dog. But she really hadn't expected that response, doesn't really understand what he means, looking at him again.]
Futuna?
[She doesn't really like Futuna, the jungle witch scares her. Not quite the same way Highland does, but at least Highland doesn't bother them unless they get in his way. Futuna likes to tease and torment, if she doesn't have better people to be talking to. She'd really rather avoid her.]
[His mother is going to die. He is too weak to resist the temptation to try and live beyond the serpent's borders. It's... painful. His vanity and pride are going to disappoint his brother's expectations. But... if he can find his own strength, it will be worth the pain, he will have vindicated himself, and Futuna, and raised himself up for Highland. He has to try, but the dogs will be the only grandchildren she knows.]
Do as she says.
[He murmurs it faintly as he strokes the girl's hair.]
But answering this question in particular means admitting to the loyalty, faith and care she's developed for him since that day with Highland, since she'd fought Fallen and ended up kicking at the wall outside their room, angry at the golem and at Tink and disgusted with herself. All that time she'd spent, just her and the witch that she'd sworn never to give in to, would she be the same now if that hadn't happened? The quiet faith she'd held over that month travelling with Tink, that Arabia would come for them, even Tink hadn't been so certain of it.
She looks away when she answers him, looks at the water again because that makes it easier. Ignores the urge to blame the dog, because that's just an excuse, and really, she hates using excuses.]
I don't like leavin' you alone. There's somethin' wrong and I don't know what it is, an' it gets worse when you're alone. And cause I don't know what it is, I can't fight it to get it to leave you alone, so I gotta do what I can. If that means sittin' quiet with you then that's what I'll do. [She rubs at her nose.] And I don't really mind it. Sittin' with you.
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He answered to his brother always, it was as much a part of his personality as his vanity and his pride. They were never meant to be pets, but they had become so nevertheless. Tinkerbell's affections were won easily with just a little praise and Bambi... He doesn't truly understand dog mentality, is much more catlike in his own nature (ermine: sleek, fussy, vain.) He doesn't know where Bambi's feelings come for, the protectiveness, the comfort. Something distant inside him thinks he should be insulted by it, that he should need such an unimportant creature's protection.
He gazes off out across the water.]
When you return, behave yourself impeccably for Futuna.
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Futuna?
[She doesn't really like Futuna, the jungle witch scares her. Not quite the same way Highland does, but at least Highland doesn't bother them unless they get in his way. Futuna likes to tease and torment, if she doesn't have better people to be talking to. She'd really rather avoid her.]
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Do as she says.
[He murmurs it faintly as he strokes the girl's hair.]
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Okay.
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Good girl.
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