Always she was the one to keep the space between the two distant. When they would run together she wouldn't just stay a few inches behind, but the space between them would be wide enough to give him a respectful berth and for her a comfortable bubble. Even when he commanded her to sleep at his side there could still be much space between the two within his hammock. Slowly, over time, that space between them would come closer whether it was one paw accidentally leaning towards the other allowing the body to follow along the new path with their fur barely touching when they ran, or when the two would move in their sleep and their skin briefly touching only for both to recoil instantly. Subtly her conscious was struggling with the inner turmoil of finding that invisible line that truly was not there to begin with- pack and loner, one could not be both. Yet, she was forcing herself into that minuscule boundary that did not exist, all to keep herself grounded and not just run away. As the bookworm read aloud the menu slowly, explaining things along the way, there was movement from the corner of her eyes that caused her to stop. Blue-grey eyes widen as the deviant began to lift the shirt to reveal his well-toned frame along his tan skin causing the bashful girl's cheeks to flare up in that hot pink shade. As he spoke she would move closer if only to block his form from their patrons' views, hearing the grumblings from behind. A polite giggle came from the girl as she shook her head slowly, slate eyes meeting his briefly as her hands met his and she gently unfurled his fingers, slowly grabbing the edge of his shirt and pulling it down slowly. Her voice trickled from her lips lightly holding a gentle merriment tone.

"No, your sides are not made of food. When I said sides, I meant the type of food that would come with your meal. But you need to put your shirt down...it isn't good to lift your shirt in public."

She did not correct him on his inability to pronounce the words correctly. It was best, she thought, that she shouldn't point out any flaws that would make him feel as if he didn't belong. He wanted lunch. He did not want to be taught proper speech. Shifting away from him, now that his shirt was down, she noticed how his nails would dig into the wood, true to his species. Lowering her head in disgrace she could feel the simmering rage that he was trying to keep in check. Long nimble fingers began to intertwine with one another, nervously, as her head turned to the side. Concerned eyes casted downwards as she murmured her apology.

"I'm sorry if I made you upset about the collar...I was just trying to help."

As the waitress came to their table, she would tilt her head upwards giving the woman a kind smile. Hearing the low growl coming from Tobi, she would turn her head in his direction giving him a small frown while shaking her head. Her shoulder would brush against his, gently, a primal way of reassuring another that all was well. After giving the woman her order and instructing Tobi to do the same, a small smile etched itself on her pink lips as he mimicked her words. Although he had it half right, unable to replace the 'you' for an 'I', she gave the waitress a helpless shrug with that smile still on her face. He could learn, if given proper time and instruction. Perhaps if they did this again he might get it right for a second time, or maybe the third time if she didn't push her luck. That is if, they could survive this first test in the café. Moving to the other side of the table she watched with some interest as the boy began to sniff at the appetizer placed before them. For a moment she would lean her back into the booth sighing in relief as he began to devour the onion rings instead of the sugar packets and making a mess of things. Though it would seem she would be unable to relax for long. As soon the waitress came back she watched as Tobi snatched her cup of water. Sliding quickly from the booth, her lithe frame would circle around the waitress, her hands opened as palms were exposed.

"No...Tobi- please don't!"

Quickly she would move herself in the small space between their table and the waitress, stretching her arms out as she attempted to block the waitress from getting wet. As soon as the cold water slammed into her face, her eyes would close as she heard the patrons within the restaurant gasp with shock. Clenching her teeth her arms would slowly go to her sides, slate eyes narrowed as she simply stood there, eerily quiet. She was trying ever so hard to still be patient with him. Taking a deep breath she would exhale slowly as she spun around sharply, using her small frame to be the barrier for the deviant behind her and the poor woman in front of her. With pleading eyes and voice she would softly attempt to explain to the woman just why they were here, and more importantly, why the boy was the way he was.

"I am so, so, very sorry. My friend here is slowly being indcted into our society, he was horribly mistreated and I'm trying to show him how kind and how good society can be. Please, just help me give him a chance...at least, on the bright side you didn't get wet."

She hoped that when her apologetic tones stressed on her 'good' and 'kind' the waitress would find it in her heart to at least be somewhat forgiving. Females are emotional creatures and she hoped her words and her own show of emotion could have some influence on the woman. She would gladly take pity as of right now. Taking the steak knives from the waitress, she would place them on the table, and spin around carefully facing her troubled companion once more. For whatever reason the steak knives seemed to set him on edge and the only reason why it would, would be that it was possible they were seen as a weapon. With her hands open, palm exposed that kind smile would appear once more as her right hand found his left, and she would gently hold it, her thumb rubbing the top of his hand in a circle pattern. Changing her tones with a bit of gentle firmness, hushed tones flowed very slowly as she tried to help him understand that he was ruining his chance to get his meal.

"Tobi...listen to me...she wasn't going to hurt you. I'd never take you to a place where you would get hurt...please just sit down and say 'you are sorry' to our waitress..."

For a moment she would lean to the side giving him the chance to say his apology, and she hoped he would say it for both their sakes. As everyone within the restaurant seemed to calm down, she would grab a few napkins she had stacked on the table and starting wiping her face and the front of her shirt, for a bit, as the waitress left to get their food. Taking a seat once more her mutilated face held a grave tone, her voice whispered, but slightly strained.

"Please Tobi, try to be good...I promised them you would be and I never break my promise."

Patience. Patience was her true virtue and she hadn't run out of it just yet.

I'd Rather Feel Pain Then Nothing At All

Raven