Page 63 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
“More like a rainbow of disappointment.”
I pop a berry in my mouth to prove they’re edible. He wants meat. Of course. But up here in our humble tree house, roast beast isn’t exactly on the menu.
“You could at least get me something edible,” he mutters, crossing his arms.
“Nov, it is edible. And full of vitamins! Great for cleansing your system.”
“I don’t need cleansing. I need protein.”
“Well, hunting’s not exactly in your wheelhouse right now, is it?”
I offer a second bowl filled with roots and nuts. He looks at it like it might bite him. I just beam at him.
“Oh, and I filled your water bottle so you don’t need to crawl to the stream. See? I’m thoughtful even when you’re mean.”
“Thoughtful? Without meat? That’s not thoughtful.”
“I’ll take Goulou fishing with me tomorrow. That lake nearby’s full of delicious fish. You’ll love it.”
He mutters again. I know he’s not used to this lifestyle—or my sunny take on it.
“Living in nature is a lesson: slow down, appreciate the little things.”
“The little things? Like these pathetic berries?” he says, holding up the bowl like evidence in a trial.
“Lovingly hand-picked for your personal enjoyment,” I say with a wink. “Oh, and here—this’ll help your pain.”
I hand him an oblong capsule.
“What the hell is this?”
“A ‘butt-bonbon.’ It’s herbal. Works wonders.”
“A what now?! You’ve got to be kidding me!”
“You got the gist! It’s effective. But hey, do with it what you will.”
He’s about to implode. Just then, Gooz stretches and peeks out of my pouch.
Nov stares at him with an expression I do not like.
“You know, an hour over a fire and this thing might actually taste good…”
“Gooz?! That’s a disgusting joke, Nov!”
He shrugs and watches Gooz sniff around.
“I’m just saying—he’s plump, well-fed… looks tasty.”
Gooz, blissfully unaware, hops onto his leaf mattress and curls up next to his bandaged leg.
“Did… did that thing just lay on me?” he asks, scandalized.
“He’s sharing his warmth. A generous soul, unlike some people I know.”
“I’m not a person. I’m a Srebat!”
“A terrifying species feared across the galaxy… blah blah blah,” I cut in with a smirk.
