She's...not normal. Neither is yours. [They're much smarter than a regular animal and they understand human speech. He doesn't mind it so much because he doesn't sense anything negative about them.

Tensing, he eyes the hand held out to him in the same way he might view something poisonous.]

I was a kid and...he promised me...desserts in exchange for delivering a message. I delivered the message and I was beaten for the contents. I was dragged into the street by my hair.

But I didn't care. All I could think about were the sweets. I ran back to the man who had made the promise and he pushed me away. He whipped me too. That's why I fell under his cart.

[He grinds his teeth and nods.]

The world isn't fair.