While Ginger and Prince Wayne strangely bonded, Ailee took the opportunity to comb Islinda’s hair, the task having been delayed by the cat for a while. She was still in the process of untangling Islinda’s locks when they heard a sudden commotion outside the door.
"What is going on?" Islinda’s heart skipped a beat, her brows furrowed in concern.
"I have no idea, but it seems to be some squabbling. Perhaps I should check it..." Ailee was still speaking when the door was kicked open, startling them as they squeaked in surprise.
But that shock soon gave way to astonishment as Islinda’s eyes grew wide when her gaze landed on her human friend.
"G-Gabbi?" she stammered, unable to believe her eyes.
Gabbi stood in the doorway, looking equally shocked to see Islinda, her expression a mix of relief and worry. She took a tentative step forward, her eyes scanning the room and the people in it. However, before she could reach Islinda, someone else beat her to it.
Islinda abruptly stood up to welcome her friend, but the next moment, a whirl of movement came barreling in her direction. Someone slammed into her with a force that knocked the breath out of her lungs. By the gods.
It was only by sheer grace that Islinda did not lose her footing and fall, small hands wrapped securely around her waist. Still stunned, Islinda’s hand reached down, running it through a mop of hair before she looked down to see the familiar face smiling up at her.
"Milo?" Islinda said, surprised.
Milo withdrew from the hug, his demeanor changing immediately as he scowled up at her.
"Where have you been, Islinda? I said I would protect you and yet you left me without as much as a word or a hint of where you might be. How would I protect you if you moved without my information?! You are one careless mistress!" he scolded her.
Islinda was momentarily stunned, having no idea how to respond to being scolded by a young half-breed. At this point, she didn’t even know whether to explain the reason behind her abrupt disappearance or simply take the blame. She just stood there with her mouth ajar from the shock.
"You rude brat!" Gabbi walked over to Milo and hit him at the back of his head, causing him to yelp in pain. "That is no way to speak to your elders!" she scolded him.
"Could you stop hitting me for once?! What did I do so wrong?!" Milo snapped, tired of being treated like a child.
However, Gabbi was more aggravated by his boldness. Kids these days had no respect for their elders. Had her grandmother been here, Milo would be getting two or more strokes across his bottom. No, her mother would have hurled her legendary slippers at him.
Gabbi shuddered at the thoughts, recalling her own experiences under her strict and disciplined family. Hence, Milo’s stubbornness got to her and she lifted her hand to shut him up a second time, only for Islinda to intervene.
"Alright, that is enough. No more hitting anybody." Islinda turned to Milo and said, "I owe you an apology for disappearing without warning." She couldn’t go into details considering the circumstances regarding her disappearance were not exactly suitable for children. "However," she added, "if you are really to be my bodyguard, then you must learn to address your elders properly."
Milo’s head hung low with shame and he apologized with a tinge of regret. "I’m sorry for speaking to you that way." He then timidly lifted his head, giving her a puppy-dog look as he begged, "Please promise me that you won’t take away my position because you’re mad at me."
Islinda snorted, yet humored Milo nonetheless. "Your position is not replaceable."
"Thank you, mistress," Milo’s expression lit up as if he just received the best gift in the world and a smile unconsciously crossed her lips. Knowing Milo, he was going to take his guard duties very seriously. The thought was kind of cute.
It wasn’t until that moment that Islinda realized that Ginger and Ailee were looking at Gabbi and Milo strangely, and it dawned on her that this was their first time meeting.
"Oh right!" She face-palmed, finally remembering to introduce them. "Gabbi, Milo, this is Ginger and Ailee. Ginger, Ailee, this is Gabbi, my dear friend, and Milo, my enthusiastic little bodyguard."
"Hello? I’m Ginger, it’s nice to meet you." Ginger was the first to walk over and introduce herself, prince Wayne still secured in her embrace.
"Gabbi." She thrust out her hand for a handshake which Ginger starred at weirdly before taking and enveloping it with hers. Strange human customs. But it was cute any way.
"Milo." He chirped.
Ginger smiled down at him.
"I’m Gabbi, and he’s Milo," Gabbi said, pointing to herself and then to the young boy who was still looking slightly abashed.
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