From his spot on the porch, he can see her, the beautiful white goat with a lovely pink bow as the girl brings her in.
He watches as the oldest one and youngest one then give the goat herbs, salves, things to put on her horrible, shoulder wound as the original girl leaves.
He hasn't forgotten how she tried to drown him.
Perhaps she kills, injures animals for fun, he thinks. Perhaps she hates animals in general.
He watches the goat until her thoughts of pain and death go away. He meets her eyes, those intelligent and ever curious brown eyes and they acknowledge each other.
He pads over to her as she goes outside, paws rejoicing in the fluffy grass growing in the Meadow.
Who are you?
She senses the true curiosity, and decides to ignore his bluntness.
Prim decided to call me 'Lady'. She sends him a thought of mild annoyance at the name.
Prim?
The youngest girl.
Of course. And she calls me 'Buttercup'.
She lets out a bleat that sounds suspiciously like a laugh while sending him a mental smirk.
Are you mocking me? he demands.
Perhaps, she remarks slyly.
He gives her a look about as condescending as a cat can look. You better not be... Or else...
Or else what?
You'll find out...
You know... I've only just met you, but you're terrible at suspense.
I'd like to see you try!
Buttercup senses mild amusement from Lady.
Well...
Well what?...
More amusement and a slight hint of secrecy and a private joke.
You didn't get it? Well...
He coughs the way only a cat can cough. Water, anyone? and sends her another confident smirk.
You're very imperceptive, aren't you? Have you been realizing...
Realizing what?! He demands in annoyance.
If a goat could snigger...
What I've been saying...
Just. Tell. Me. It looks like Buttercup is angry, but there's something beneath that.
I've been leaving you in...
Suspense, they finish. Together.
I should've known! I really messed up that one, huh? Lady senses disappointment and embarrassment, wondering if she'll judge him, and something else, much, much deeper than those surface thoughts, although she cannot place it.
Stop trying to perceive my thoughts... a lot of embarrassment there.
I can't help it if they're radiating off of you!
More embarrassment.
Sorry. It's just that... They're a little bit... Loud, she adds, truthfully sorry.
Don't let her know, don't let her know... Buttercup thinks, albeit a little too loudly.
Excuse me?
Anger directed at himself.
And now she knows, being the perceptive goat she is.
Love?
Mild surprise, but anticipating.
Yes, Love. Towards a special goat right next to me.
This is beyond the regularities of embarrassment. This is embarrassment to the fullest.
Yet she feels the same way.
No response is needed.
Instead, Lady simply lies down and nuzzles Buttercup, giving a new meaning to "love at first sight". He licks her in return; merely a cute scene for the prying eyes of The Healer.
