Lenne had always wanted an Alsatian. She couldn't stand the little yappy dogs that most stars carried round – when her agent insisted over dinner that she should get one, she threatened to throw her pie in his face – but every time she saw an Alsation she turned into a gooey Lenne-mush.
On her birthday, Shuyin presented her with a big box held closed with a blue ribbon. When Lenne opened it, a small ball of brownish-golden fur leapt out and licked her face enthusiastically. Lenne named her new puppy Yu, after the summoner who taught her all she knew of the art.
Three days, Lenne woke up on the sofa from an afternoon nap and made a face.
"Ew, what's on my foot?" she grumbled. Her foot felt as if it had been encased in slime. She opened her eyes to see Yu curled up by her feet, paws twitching as he dreamt. "Oh gross, Yu, stop dribbling!"