"Iâll take that as a âyesâ." Maria giggled at the puppyâs lick, and tried to cover the animalâs body with her bell sleeves as much as she could while racing to the opera house, her silk slippers soundless on the cobblestones.
It was a long walk, but she didnât want to risk a carriage ride because the driver might see her ill-gotten pup. By the time she reached the backstage door, she regretted her full skirts that made running such a chore.
She crept down the hall, always keeping a vigilant eye out. It wasnât until she was behind the door of her own dressing room that she breathed a sigh of relief and finally allowed the tension to come out of her shoulders.
She set the puppy down on her vanity stool and scratched behind one of its ears. âAlright, little girl. Letâs get you that steak, shall we?â
Elegantly gliding to the wall near the door, she pulled a delicate rope there that connected to a bell in the servantsâ quarters. Turning to the puppy, she put a finger to her lips, insinuating that quiet was still needed. In short order there was a knock on the door, and she opened it just a crack.
"You needed something, Miss Maria?" The young errand boy looked tired, but his voice was pure politeness.
"Yes, Frederick. Iâm feeling peckish this evening⊠do you think I could get a steak?"
The boyâs eyes widened. âA⊠steak, Miss? A bit of an unusual order, isnât it? And I think Cookâs in for the night, since supper is done with.â
The diva tittered. âI thought you might say that.â She grabbed his wrist and pushed fifty gil into his hand. âHalf is for being such a doll, Frederick. The other half is for getting back down to the kitchens and waking Cook up in tears and telling him that I wouldnât stop screaming and shouting til I got my way, and I threatened to beat you half to death. Maybe say that I called you a useless urchin?â
Frederick smiled mischievously at her. âA moment, Miss.â He closed his eyes, focusing, and when he opened them again there were tears welling up and threatening to spill over.
"Thereâs a good boy. Youâll make a fine actor someday, Frederick." She patted his shoulder and sent him off, closing the door swiftly behind her and turning back to the puppy.
"Now, my little dear, your steak is on the way. In the meantime - what are we going to name you? A puppy must have a name. Letâs see⊠Princess? Diamond? Darling? Lady? Goodness, there are so many choices.â
After being set down on the stood, green orbs took a moment to glance about the young womanâs dressing room. It was rather interesting to be sure, not to mention the dozens of strange scents attacking her little puppy senses all at once.
Being a dog was hard.
Not only was the constant array of smells giving her a headache, but just looking over the edge of the stool made her whimper. That was a long way down for a tiny pup. Well, in reality the stool probably wasnât even over a foot high, but to something her size it was like looking over the edge of a cliff.
Fang idly pawed at the seatâs cushioning, while lifting her head to look over towards the door where Maria was conversing with someone. Of course, with such superior hearing all dogs were gifted with, she heard the whole conversation.
Screaming and shouting til she got her way? Threatening to beat him half to death? Useless urchin? If that really was how Maria acted, then the huntress wasnât sure if to be worried.. or impressed.
Oh well. With food on itâs way, she gave a few pleased wags of her tail when Mariaâs attention was back on her.. That was until the names started.
"Princess?"
[âŠHell no. Iâm too manly for that]
"Diamond?"
[Who the fuck names their pet after a jewel?]
"Darling?"
[Woman, the bloody fuck do I look like? Your boyfriend?]
"Lady?"
[âŠDonât ya even dare call me that]
"I know!" She clapped her hands with delight. "Valkyrie! A strong name for a tough little lady. I played a valkyrie once, you know. Delightful part. Oh, but listen to me prattle on - you must be in need of some water."
Maria pulled a pitcher from her nightstand and looked around the room for something that might serve as a dish. A lovely silver bowl on her vanity held her costume jewelry, and she dumped its contents into a drawer and filled the bowl with water, setting it down on the floor for the pup and helping the little dear down to the ground to reach it.
"Your steak shouldn't take long, Valkyrie." She ruffled the puppy's fur gently. "I always wanted a dog. I think ladies are supposed to prefer cats, but dogs are so loyal. I wonder if you'll grow very large? You certainly have big paws. Doesn't that mean you'll be a big dog?"
