four.

[welljustwatchme]

A: Mayfield General Store

[Canada is out grocery shopping. This is perfectly normal, because she is a well-trained lady of the house. What might not be normal (although she sees no problem with it) is that she's accompanied by the bear that arrived in the mail this morning. She's missed Kumarie enough that she didn't think twice about taking the

Comments

A:

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa is studying labels when she feels a brush of fur on her leg. These aisles are really narrow, aren't' they? ]

[ She reaches down to absently pat the dog on the head, not really looking. ]

(( Ilsa's got her reception back, but it's weak, still. ))

[welljustwatchme]

[And the "dog" immediately growls very much like a bear would and strips her teeth at Ilsa. Kumarie is just about to bite when Canada spots her.]

Kumarie! Don't you dare!

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa freezes, responding to a thread of {Scolding!} she feels, and slowly turns to the OMG... bear... ]

My apologies, I merely wished to greet you.

[ Yep, not moving until the bear is okay with it. ]

[welljustwatchme]

I'm so sorry about that, ma'am. She's not the friendliest of things some days. [Canada steps over to put her basket of groceries on the floor and scoop Kumarie up into her arms, looking endlessly guilty.]

She didn't bite you, did she?

[ooeeooahah]

My fault, I reacted like I would have back home, at the co-op. Most of the fur people there were service dogs and the shop cats.

[ She tilts her head a bit. ]

You're... a country, aren't you? I've not met anyone other than Estonia, here.

[welljustwatchme]

I... yes. Canada. I'm Canada.

[ooeeooahah]

[ She smiles. ]

I'm Ilsa Higa, we spoke on the phone about alcoholic ice cream.

[ Then Ilsa speaks to the bear. ]

I'm sorry for being too familiar.

[welljustwatchme]

Oh, Ilsa, it's nice to properly meet you.

[Even while Canada's saying that, though, Kumarie is muttering something about Ilsa being rude and pointedly shifting to put her paws on Canada's shoulder, looking behind the country instead of at Ilsa.]

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa looks a little confused a moment, then shakes her head. ]

She's very protective of you, isn't she?

[welljustwatchme]

It's, umm... sort of her job, yes. You should be thankful you didn't meet me when I was younger and she really protective. You would definitely be bleeding by now.

[ooeeooahah]

Mama had a cat that would trip someone at the top of the stairs if she thought that person might harm Mama.

[ She chuckles. ]

Miss Nao would watch out for us when we were sleeping, but always for my mother. I understand.

[welljustwatchme]

[Canada gives a smile, still a bit awkward, but trying not to be.]

Oh, that's sweet. Animals make great companions.

[ooeeooahah]

They do. I've been without since leaving home, since most apartments near campus don't allow animals that aren't service related. The place I signed a lease for before I was brought here was different, though.

[ Ilsa's trying to be soothing, but has a feeling of unease, as well as annoyance... not quite unfamiliar though. ]

Are... you all right?

[welljustwatchme]

I'm fine, thank you. [Just flustered and forever feeling inadequate at conversations, especially when they started out with near biting. Having an animal around again only served to remind her how hard it was to talk to people.]

At least that's something to look forward to when you get home, right? Being able to have a pet?

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa nods, and begins to smile as the odd feeling shifted to shyness. ]

I'd thought about adopting one here, but none of the cats at the pet store spoke to me, so I think I might wait a while. Usually the companion finds you, according to the tales I remember.

[welljustwatchme]

Oh, of course. You wouldn't want a pet who didn't want you. [She gives Kumarie a squeeze, momentarily pressing her cheek to the bear's white fur. It's always been a good place to hide her face, that lovely thick coat.]