Chapter 33 - After the Battle? (2/2)
”Can I keep him?” Valeri suppressed the urge to squeeze Lydis in a tight hug. So precious! Valeri reached for Valfafer but he hid behind Lydis.
”Sure. You can keep him but, it's a lot of responsibility to take care of a pet. Does he have a name?” Lydis was relieved. Initially she had thought that Valeri would be more wary against him but her worries were wasted.
”His name…” Lydis looked over at Valfafer. ”… is Valfafer.” She reached over to scratch his ears. Valfafer inched away but soon found the scratching very likeable. He slumped his head on Lydis's leg, his tongue hanging out.
”Oh, that's a unique name.” Valeri reached over to pet Valfafer too but he rolled away. Feeling a bit hurt and embarrassed Valeri cleared her throat again. *ahem* ”I guess it's time to start training again. Get dressed and follow me to the training grounds.”
”Yes ma'am.” Lydis saluted at Valeri, in turn, she tipped her cap at Lydis and left the tent.
”Hey, was that the old lady you were talking about? Hey~ master~!” Valfafer was bouncing around as his tail began to wag. Lydis sat up and jumped down from the crate, finding a pair of clothes on the middle table. She quickly undressed and redressed into the warmer shirt and pants. Valfafer laid down on the fluffy blanket. He rolled around on the top and began writhing on the blanket, an unreachable itch forming on his back. He continued to squirm until he noticed Lydis's mocking gaze.
”Uh…” Valfafer rolled onto his legs and turned around, too embarrassed to face Lydis.
”Oho, look who's getting pretty comfortable being a lowly dog now?” Lydis leaned closer towards Valfafer, her hand reaching for his paw. With a flick of her wrist she pulled his front paw towards her and began squishing the bean pads under his foot. Valfafer trembled with uneasiness. He didn't want Lydis to touch his paws but as he was now there wasn't much he could do.
Seeing Valfafer give up Lydis smirked a bit.
”You know, when I went after you last might I was planning on eating you…” Valfafer flinched and instantly froze in place. ”When we first met, you smelled so delicious, and then after whatever happened to you to make you evolve, you just smelled so irresistible!” Valfafer was trembling now, sweat building up on his paw pads and nose.
”D-d-d-do you s-still plan on eating me?” Lydis looked at Valfafer for a long time, her stare penetrating into his very being and soul. He felt that she knew about his attempt to kill her earlier which made him sweat more.
”No, for now at least.” Hearing this Valfafer flopped onto his side. He was sure Lydis was going to eat him since he was so small right now. His paw still in Lydis's hand. ”What are you doing now dog? Playing dead?” Lydis dropped his paw and began rubbing his belly, his silky fur sliding between her fingers easily. Valfafer couldn't stop his tail nub from wagging.
”I give up! Being dead would be better than this embarrassment!” Lydis stopped rubbing.
”Really? Then, shall I eat you now?” Valfafer recoiled a bit. Pulling his head closer to his body.
”N-no way! I was just joking! A joke, it was a joke.” Valfafer rubbed his head against Lydis's leg.
”Right master?” He looked up at her with his best puppy eye look. Ears bent downwards and eyes wide, Valfafer did look pitiful.
*sigh* ”Taking care of a pet is hard work…” She continued to rub his head, her fingers scratching behind his ears.
”Master!” Out of a moment of joy, Valfafer jumped onto Lydis and licked her face. Both of them froze shortly after. Lydis with her hand on her sticky cheek and Valfafer in shock in her lap. Silence passed between them. Slowly, they came back to life. Valfafer moved out of Lydis's lap in rigid movements and Lydis wiping her cheek with her sleeve like a robot.
”Don't, do that, again.”
”Y-yes master…” The room filled with an awkward silence. Valfafer cursing internally at his foolishness and at possibly increasing the chances that his master would eat him.