sixwordstories | (no subject)

Mostly I'm just hungry.

[ You weren't really going to eat all of that anyway, were you? ]

[She's just going to reach around him and pluck the little case of strawberries out of his hands with an amused, crooked smile.]

You know, just because you are my brother's friend, it does not mean I have to overlook theft or inconveniences from you.

[ Noooooo not the strawberries! That would be a whine, Emilia. A pitiful, pitiful whine. Pity him! ]

I could be your friend too.

[ And friends get to share your strawberries, yes? Look at this cute smile! ]

[She smiles brightly at him and opens the strawberry box, pulling one out before closing it again.]

Oh, yes. That would be just so lovely. I have always hoped you would get tired of playing with my brother one day and come be my friend instead.

[She looked like she was going to offer him the little red fruit before she brought it to her lips and ate the juicy fruit in one bite, tossing the stem over her shoulder with a grin.]

I do not share my breakfast with thieves. Next time you want something from me, you can ask for it properly.

Oh, come on Emilia!

[ Look at this handsome devil coming to kneel at your feet. What is dignity? ]

There ain't no need to be cruel.

[Her lips curl with the effort to hold back a light laugh. Caleb, you are ridiculous.]

Oh I do not know if I could agree with that. You did try to make off with my breakfast. Not at all like a gentleman, are you. Just a rough and rowdy dog.

[She taps her fingers on the top of the case, watching him with her eyebrows raised like a question.]

Surely someone in your family taught you about manners around a lady.

[Which is amusing to come from Emilia, who never acts the part of a lady unless it suits her to be one at the time.]

[ And he knows he is, too. It usually works rather well for him so he's never seen a need to change his ways. ]

I didn't know it was your breakfast!

[ All he'd seen was food that no one seemed to be claiming at the time. And no, he's not been taught proper manners. At all. ]

And I am a dog, yes. What else do you expect?

[Oh, that is a terrible idea he gives her.]

Dogs only get a treat if they do a trick.

[She pulls another strawberry out and thoughtfully rolls it between her fingers.]

Are you going to do a trick for me?

Depends on the trick. I'm a pretty old dog, not sure I could learn a new one.

[ He totally could, but he is also quite the cheeky one. Hence he does actually give her a bit of a smirk now. ]

[That's better, though. She likes it when he plays along. Especially when he does so from his knees.]

Oh, I think you know this one very well. It is an easy trick, too.

Beg.

[ Only that? He is an expert at that trick. But now it's more of a game than it is about getting the treat, which is fine by Caleb. He likes to play.

So he bends down further to press his lips against her foot. ]

Please, Emilia.

[This time that soft laugh does escape and she shakes her head, bending her knees to crouch down and ruffle his hair like petting a good dog.]

Good Boy.

[She offers him the strawberry with an open palm and shakes her head.]

Would you like to have breakfast with me, Caleb?

[ He laughs happily and takes the strawberry from her hand with his mouth, tongue flicking out to sneak a taste of her skin as well as he does so, because she's pretty and even if he doesn't get away with it, it might be worth a scratch or two. ]

I'd love to, Highness.

[Oh you sneaky dog. She gives him a light smack to the cheek and wipes her hand off on his shoulder.]

Only if you can manage to keep your tongue from lolling out while we eat.

[But she still seems to be in a good mood when she gets back up, moving to sit on the nearby overturned tree. She does have more than just strawberries for her breakfast, and maybe she will share them with Caleb. His company, at least, is never quite as frustrating as some of the other forest dwellers.]

[ Like he thought, totally worth it. ]

Hard to make that promise in such pretty company.

[ He gets to his feet as well and goes to join her where she sits, mood not dampened in the slightest. He'd gotten the strawberry after all.

It should that his tongue does stay inside his mouth. ]

[She just ignores his comment, better for both of them, and pulls some bread and jam out of the bag she kept her lunch in, offering it to him and taking another strawberry for herself. No meats yet, today. She has not gone fishing yet, and it is early, anyway.]

I heard my brother dragged you into another of his scuffles when he came back to visit.

Yes to the first and no on the later.

How are you doing?

I am doing wonderfully, Reynard. And how are you?

[ Now this is a queen he could follow faithfully for all of his days. Food!

He happily spreads some jam on a piece of bread, not minding the lack of meat. He eats anything, really. Especially in this form.

He shrugs her comment off with a smile. ]

I wasn't expecting much else. I ain't no different than I've always been so I was sort of assuming the same'd be true 'bout him.

I suppose it is reassuring to know the world hasn't changed him much.