The lioness spoke with what came across as infinite patience, as though he was a miscreat child who did not fully understand the ways of the world. His grip on the pup before him tightened, not enough to hurt her, but certainly she would struggle now to even wiggle. He was surprised by this lioness, who must have had all the confidence in the world in her herself, believing she would never need a favour from the likes of him.
It was the parting words that did it, he let out something that sounded like a cross between a groan and a growl, soft enough that only the pup would have heard it. He moved around the pup, pushing her gently behind him as he moved after the lioness. One might think his actions predatory, if not for the words that followed. In a reluctant, rough flow, he would speak. “Wait…” he said, grimacing again, as through the words pained him. “No matter what your thoughts on favours, you did me a great service, looking after the little one. I.. that is… thank you.” his expression twisted into a grimace again, as through the words tasted sour in his mouth. “And I do believe I owe you a favour, whether you agree or not.” Sirius’s honour was his own, as strange as it could sometimes be, and despite himself, he was tied to that inner code. If he ever crossed paths with this cat again, he would hope to return the favour, and this remove his debt to the feline.
Bloodletter
