[ yes, well, black hayate does make it much easier for her - bringing her attention immediately to roy as he steps close enough to be within dog barking range. it also earns her a slight frown from her, watching black hayate jump up on roy's legs and still manage to get pet.

she closes her eyes for a moment, lets the thought pass, and then she follows behind - stepping in closer to roy and giving black hayate enough of a look that he stops jumping, whining once before dropping his head and moving back over to sit near riza's feet - obviously aware that he did something he shouldn't have. ]

I'm starting to notice some of the more familiar animals. Some will get close to the edge of the forest, and I'm sure there are more further in. [ she hasn't....decided to go that far yet. ] There seem to be quite a few of those little white bats.