Private Sorcererz

[Starlin Rand]

"Yeah," Kyla replied on her and her sister's behalf. At Diogo's question, she jerked her thumb at a door behind her. "There should be some stuff in the pantry."

It was a walk-in pantry, its shelves filled to the brim with a variety of foodstuffs. Snacks, meals, rations, the works. Though, one small section had been labeled "POISONOUS - DO NOT EAT".

"That's stuff only Starlin can eat," Lara's soft-spoken voice offered an explanation for the warning. "They're toxic to humans."

The smell of something burning hit their noses. Behind Lara, Kyla let out a groan of frustration. "Shep, come on!"

The charhound had pissed on the floor rather than on the designated fireproof pad in the corner of the kitchen. The spot was now smoking as the superheated urine began burning through the wood. Kyla grabbed a cup of water - which may or may not have been on standby for just this sort of situation - and dumped it on the spot, causing it to steam.

Oblivious to the firefighting efforts around him, Shep approached Dio and began sniffing the newcomer curiously.

Diogo​

 

[Diogo]

Diogo chuckled, thinking the poisonous sign was some eccentric's humor to get the kids to stay away from his snacks. Except, that didn't seem to be the case.

"Wait, Starlin's not human?" he asked.

The scent of burning wood hit him, carrying a whiff of nostalgia, of bonfires on Niamos. Kyla splashed a cup of water to put the fire out. The scene was domestically comical, if a little concerning, and he smiled despite the obvious frustration of the others.

Then the source of the fiery piss approached, and thus followed a small, silent prayer that Shep's bladder was empty.

"Hey lil dude," he said, kneeling down. He gently offered his hand for sniffing, and made the potential mistake of looking the charhound directly in its eyes.

Starlin Rand

 

[Starlin Rand]

"He's like, half human," Kyla answered, grabbing a towel to mop up the mess. "Half... Balosar?"

"Yeah, Balosar," Lara confirmed. "He has antennas sticking out of his head. He keeps them hidden in his hair."

"We're not completely human either," Kyla added, throwing away the towel. "Our grandpa was a Nagai. I've got pointed ears." She lifted her hair to show them off, grinning.

While the sisters were talking, Shep sniffed Diogo's hand - then began growling and barking at him. "He doesn't like strangers," Lara said, trying to tug the charhound away. Shep continued to bark, clearly agitated, yet he backed away from Dio rather than attacking. He was afraid of him.

It was then that Starlin arrived on the scene. At the sound of his whistle, Shep retreated to the Jedi Master's side, still growling. Behind him was Isolda, the now empty bag of Whimbamba crumpled up in her hand.

Starlin crouched down to scratch Shep behind the ears. "What's the matter, huh? Are you being a stinker?"

Neither his petting nor his baby-talk was enough to soothe the charhound. Shep took one look back at Dio, then vanished down the hallway.

"Sorry about that," Starlin said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I did warn ya about him. He's gotten worse ever since... ever since his master died." Evidently not wanting to talk about the subject, he gestured to Isolda. "This is my wife Isolda. Isolda, this is Diogo."

"Pleased to meet you." She gave Dio a silent nod in greeting, discreetly throwing her trash away.

Diogo​