“Hey, big guy,” she greeted warmly as Goldie waved. Both of them on the same wavelength. Rok was just a sweet baby boy, and he needed tenderness and a kind hand.
“You shopping?” He asked, his voice deep and sonorous but happy.
“Yeah,” Goldie beamed, offering him her cotton candy. “Want some?”
He hesitated before using one of his lower arms to rip off a piece of the treat. He shoved it in his mouth with a smile and all apparent enjoyment. Garnet just wanted to give him a hug and tuck him in and tell him it was okay to stand tall and proud and not hunched over. He didn’t need to make himself small for anyone.
But for now, it was enough to give him a treat and see him enjoy it.
“Job done?” Tanin asked from behind them.
“Yes, captain,” Rok said, lifting his eyes, licking his fingers. “He was very careful when he inspected it, but he was pleased in the end.”
“Did you watch final payment get sent?”
“Yes, captain.”
“Good. You can enjoy yourself until it’s time to leave then.”
“Want to come with us?” Garnet piped up, eager to bring him along. She bet they could have even more fun with this absolute barge of a male trailing along.
Rok didn’t seem enthused though. He didn’t look unwilling either. Mostly, he just appeared confused as he looked at Tanin, as though seeking permission.
“You’re free to come,” Tanin said simply. “I’m letting the females go where they please and do as they like.”
Rok perked up. “I can do that. I can carry stuff too, if you want to buy things. I’m very strong.”
“Can you carry this then?” Goldie asked, holding out her wolf. Something she was more than capable of carrying, but it was clear she just wanted to make him feel useful since Tanin was already carrying their shopping bags.
And it worked. Rok took the stuffed animal with one hand, carefully curling it in towards his chest with the same seriousness he had given the priceless statuette he just delivered. Garnet had the sudden image of him cuddling a puppy, a tiny little licky thing jumping excitedly in his palm, and she dearly wanted to make that happen for him.
“Let’s go then,” Garnet beamed, hopping a bit as she pointed down the road. “We were heading that way. You hungry?”
“I’m always hungry,” he promised, using one of his other hands to pat his belly.
“Great!” Garnet beamed at the others. “Then lets-”
Pop!
A sudden rush of air, hot and acrid in Garnet’s throat, struck just as her vision abruptly turned gray. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear whatever obstruction had just blinded her, even as her eyes began burning and she started coughing.
Someone yelled out in warning. Goldie was beside her, coughing hard as well.
Smoke. There was smoke in the air. Searing her throat, making her eyes water, coating her lungs. It was a vile, sulfur smell, mixed with a combination of gunpowder and dust. Thick and heavy. She couldn’t see more than a few inches in front of her eyes – when she could even force them apart far enough to try to look around.
Someone grabbed her arm and started pulling. Tanin. Trying to get her out. She attempted to reach for him, but she still had the cotton candy in one hand, her smallest shopping bag in the other. She followed along without a fight though, eager to get away from the noxious smoke.
“Garnet!”
Tanin? He was yelling.
But his voice was in front of her.
“Garnet!” He called again. Further away.
If he was there, then who…
Garnet whipped around, trying to pull back against the heavy hand that held her arm. The smoke was swirling around in the air. Starting to slowly dissipate at the edges, where she now found herself. Pulled there by someone with black skin and five silver eyes.
