Meanwhile, Oberon was observing the best he could, from an eave across the street. He could feel Annwyn alternately being frustrated and eager, he could sort of feel MacConnal's aggravation, and he definitely picked up on the curiosity of the man and the dog. He wasn't sure what to make of all this, just that he was sure she hadn't been to this part of town before. He burbled softly to himself a bit, but just sat there and watched.
"'Tis ill done to visit an' not let the master o' the house know why ye came," Gwenn scolded Anwyn, ignoring the fact that she'd mistaken what he'd said. "Even if 'twas to play wi' the dog".
Putting on her best "just-a-sweet-and-innocent-little-girl" smile to pretty up her determined stubborness, Anwyn told Gwenn softly (but firmly) "We're not THAT different in age, you and me. So I do NOT have to tell you about EVERYTHING I do, and I certainly don't need to get YOUR permission either. And youu have too much fun by teasing and annoying me so often. Isn't it OBVIOUS that I came here looking for Uilleam ? Maybe you weren't paying attention". There was just the faintest hint of a very boys-can-be-so-very-stupid-sometimes sort of superior tone to her voice.
"Ye could've fooled me," Gwenn said just as softly, "for ye act half my age. An' I've told ye 'til I'm blue in the face I'm responsible for ye".
"You BOTH have a good point", Donal interrupted. "Even though I'd guess that you're used to taking care of yourself when you're at home, Anwyn, THIS is a different environment with different social rules. So I'd guess that Gwenn is likely just doing what your foster mother EXPECTS of him".
Anwyn pouted sulkily at Gwenn, "But why are you always so MEAN to me ? Don't you have any REAL policing to do, somewhere ELSE ? It's not as if I've done anything that you could arrest me for, have I ?".
Donal's statement reminded Gwenn that, in a sense, they were his guests, even though they were only standing in his yard. He blushed again, embarrassed to be arguing like this in front of Donal. So he ignored half of Anwyn's accusation and went back to his point about being responsible for her. "I'm supposed to be keepin' order. How would it look if ye caused a disturbance while I was on duty? Or off-duty, fer that matter?" Gwenn retorted. "I'd be called in front of the lieutenant fer not bein' able to control my sister's fosterling, and probably challenged to a duel over it by whoever ye insulted."
"Now who's teasin' who? I know ye didna' think Uilleam was a dog.", Gwenn added picking up on his OTHER point, and not being able to resist taking a verbal poke at the girl. Sometimes, she could be more annoying than anyone he'd ever met.
"I know what a dog looks like when I see one", Anwyn replied, deliberately misinterpreting Gwenn's comment, "I'm not STUPID, and I'm not BLIND".
Donal chuckled softly at the two of them. He simply could NOT hold it back any longer. "You two sound like how my twin sister and I used to talk to each other, back when we were only ten", he told them, with great amusement.
This only embarrassed Gwenn more, since he'd accused Anwyn of not acting her age. And he was grateful that Donal wasn't offended by the bickering.
Anwyn looked up at Donal, who seemed to be having a VERY hard time NOT laughing at her and Gwenn sniping at each other. "I like Uilleam and and he likes me", she insisted, "And I'm sure that Kay won't mind another animal companion. She had a dog back when she lived on Terra, and I'm hoping to convince her that we need a pony too (hopefully one as pretty as the horse I met yesterday). We live in the civil service residential quarters at the spaceport ...".
"I dinna' ken where she'll put it," Gwenn mentioned with a stoic face, arms crossed. "For the cat an' bird take up what wee space she had."
That comment won him yet another frown from Anwyn. "I have my OWN apartment", she announced proudly, "so Uilleam can live with ME. It's not THAT small, and neither is Kay's".
"An' this was your plan to get Kay out o' the spaceport? To find a dog?" Gwenn asked. "Well, it worked, though I'd have rather you'd gotten her first, than have me send Burl for her." Gwenn was not happy at all, and hoped that Kay wouldn't be much longer.
"I HAVE been trying, but nothing else has worked", Anwyn inisted stubbornly, giving Gwenn a VERY defiant stare. "She just says she's too busy ... and goes right back to whatever she was doing. And I don't care it I get into trouble for doing it -- it WORKED. And I think she'll like Uilleam once she meets him".
"Aye," Gwenn replied in a calmer voice. "'Spect so. She's nae yet met an animal she didna' like."
Gwenn turned to Donal. "Mestru MacLeod, I apologize for our behaviour. _I_ at least should know better. If we meet again, I hope 'twill be under better circumstances. As for now, I hope we find yer family well," he inquired belatedly. The arguement with Anwyn had distracted him so that he had forgotten his manners.
"No apology is neccessary, I can assure you", came an amused reply. There was much more than Donal could have said. But, by the look on the young man's face, perhaps it would be better to continue trying to hide his amusement.
Instead, he chose to follow along Gwenn's change of subject. "And yes, Mhari and Mother and I are all well. If either of them were here, I'm sure it'd be ME who'd be scolded over my poor manners. So, if you'll excuse me for a moment, I'd be happy to fetch us out some refreshments while we wait".
Uilleam's ears perked up suddenly, and he looked hopefully over at Donal. Food. Drink. Refreshments. Those human-sounds usually meant yummy treats. For a moment, he was tempted to follow Donal to the kitchen. But he wasn't entirely certain that the two human pups would still be there when he got back. And anyways, he was comfortable right here.
"And yes, Mhari and Mother and I are all well", Donal continued, "If either of them were here, I'm sure it'd be ME who'd be scolded over my poor manners. So, if you'll excuse me for a moment, I'd be happy to fetch us out some refreshments while we wait".
"Of course, Mestu," Gwenn said. He waited patiently until Donal had returned, then said, "I am happy to hear your family is well. I hope the same can be said for mine. Well, Kay is well, of course, but ye shall see that for yourself soon, I hope." Gwenn accepted Donal's offering, and added, "Where did ye find such a dog, if I'm not pryin'?" he asked.
"Find ?", echoed Donal, with a chuckle, as he stepped back outside, carrying a small table. Sitting on top of the tablecloth, was a small plate of cakes, a carefully-balanced pitcher of juice, and a stack of three glasses.
"I like to think that it was rather the case that HE found ME", he continued. Anwyn giggled. "I'm serious, really", Donal replied, looking fondly at the dog. "I went to visit a cousin last year, and this fine fellow decided he liked me enough to stay near me wherever I went. My cousin didn't mind at all -- he's got a whole crowd of working dogs to help herd and guard his animals. and he told me that dogs choose who they want for a companion".
[OOC: Jeanne: any further comments from Gwenn? The next part starts with folks arriving at the gate]