Time for a New Day

He smiled a bit to himself as she glanced at him. Good, it was working - that's what he needed to happen. This was good. Even if she looked away after - she was listening, and it seemed to be working... that is, until he said his last phrase. As she flinched away, he reared back in surprise, eyes widening in shock. What? What was happening? Why did - why did that cause such a reaction? His eyes narrowed back in thought, as his brain scrambled to find words, to do something, but he had no idea. He had no idea what was happening or what was going on. He wanted to know, but also didn't want to ask.

Turns out, it wasn't needed to ask, and his eyes widened once more at her words. Within moments, he had connected the dots. Kill a puppy... And she didn't mean to do it, and had just tried to help. Oh, no. Oh nonononono. Oh no. He had - he had chosen one of the most outlandish things he could think of! He didn't realize - he didn't think - that this could be it. Oh no. Oh by the gods, what had he done? Horror filled his eyes, but not at her, at himself; oh, he couldn't have known, but what a mistake to make! And he had no idea with her sobs, and within moments she was crying out, and this time he flinched at her harsh words at herself.

Okay - he had to stop focusing on his mess up. He had to focus - what to do now? How to help? He took a deep breath for himself, and edged forward again, torn between just nudging her like he did before or giving her a solid hug. For him, if he were stuck in memories - well, a hug would be nice. A deep, enveloping hug/ cuddle from someone who cared. So... okay, he could do that. With careful paw steps, he stood, and turned around so he was next to her, and then laid down. As he did, he tried to curl inward, around her much, much smaller body, in the exact mimic of what he pictured as comforting in his mind, and what would be relieving to him.

He was quiet for a long minute before he spoke. "Nothing will change what happened, no," he spoke softly, regret and sorrow tinging his voice. "But you've said it yourself. You didn't mean to... you tried to help, and I see a woman torn by it. Look. You're crying. A monster wouldn't cry over messing up. A monster would be laughing, and celebrating." He paused again, his voice dropping to a mere whisper. "Nothing will change what happened, but you still aren't a monster. You made a mistake. One that will hurt you, always, but that still doesn't make you a monster."

"Speech" "You"