Fierce Creatures (Nel & Sam)

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"They're herbivores," he said witheringly. Yes, they were big and could be forces of nature, but like forces of nature, they were meant to be respected rather than feared. Then again, she was a girl and one could only expect so much of them, even if they weren't wearing skirts.

"Besides," he added with lofty pride, "I keep him well fed. He's not some monster that feasts on virgins or anything, see. He likes hay and oats and barley and some grasses and things. That's all."

For that and some love, Horse carried, protected, and otherwise accompanied Samael through life.

[Nel Sayo]

"There are plenty of tales about horses that eat people," she scoffed, glaring at him with those big, blue eyes. The only stitch of true color on her. Piercing, like a drill of sunlight across the ocean at noon. "And anyway, monsters don't exclusively feast on virgins, there are plenty that'll do with regular old people."

She spoke like she knew. Jutted her chin at him in challenge, like he was an idiot.

"Yeah, I bet he likes those things and he'd kick me in the ribs and break my lungs and stomp on my face if you gave him half the chance."

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Well, maybe he would," he allowed finally, "but not to eat. Just because you were slandering him."

He was proud of his big word and him without a day of proper schooling. None of his masters had seen fit to educate him beyond his more obvious uses. Thinking slaves were more prone to thinking for themselves, and that was never a good idea. At least for masters.

Maybe one day Sam would be a master, but he would be kinder to his slaves. After all, there was no reason not to be nice to a person. Unless they didn't like horses.

[Nel Sayo]

"It," she seethed, jabbing a finger at Horse. "Was totally going to bite me and you have no proof that it wasn't!"

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"And you have absolutely no proof that he was!" He turned to Horse. "Look, watch. Horse! Puppy-dog!"

Horse gave him the eye, then started running in circles chasing his tail. When he was done, he lolled his tongue out and panted much like a puppy-dog.

[Nel Sayo]

"What's that supposed to mean!" she cried. "I saw that look it gave you before it did it. That look said: fine, but I'm gonna bite her in a minute!"

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"No, I just proved how well-behaved he is normally, and that look meant that he thought it was stupid he had to prove himself to you!"

[Nel Sayo]

"Just go away already!" she snapped, taking another step backward, like he would unleash his hell beast upon her and tell it to eat her alive.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

A canny look crossed his face like a storm warning.

"Not until you apologize to Horse," he said slowly, almost sing-song.

[Nel Sayo]

Her jaw practically dropped.

And she straightened up. A hand fell palm-down to the wrist-guard of the rapier slung low on her hips.

"Well I won't," she said evenly, eyes narrowing. "So go away anyway."