“Does she require interaction, or could any adult oversee her as she played? Assuming, of course, you’re comfortable with her coming outside with me.”
Nicky’s mouth rounded. “I wasn’t suggesting you had to take her out.”
“I know. I was offering. To watch her, at least. I wouldn’t know how to keep her entertained, though.”
“Pretty sure she’ll entertain herself. Just make sure she doesn’t try to eat any yellow snow.” Nicky grimaced.
Bruce chuckled. “I think I can handle that. Suit her up and send her out. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
As would I. The mini-human lacked the cognizance of a dragon. They were born quite stupid and useless. While my kind might not usually have much use for human younglings, I did find this one rather endearing. She’d done her best to keep me warm when the chills hit me the night before.
In short order, Zaza waddled outdoors, cooing and clapping her mittened hands. She promptly planted face first in some snow and Bruce yelped, “Geezus,” as he put her back on her feet.
The child giggled and flung herself down again and flailed her arms and legs, leaving both me and Bruce baffled. A watching Nicky from the door said, “She’s trying to make snow angels just like her favorite characters in her show.”
Weren’t angels religious, celestial beings? I cocked my head. I didn’t see the resemblance in the snow the child smushed.
“Get inside before you get cold,” Bruce chided. “I’ve got this. Pretty sure she can’t outrun me.”
“Don’t be so sure. A determined toddler is both fast and stealthy,” Nicky warned.
Not as fast and stealthy as a dragon.
I stuck close to the child as she patted the snow. Ate it. Flung it. As for Bruce, he dragged his shovel through the yard, creating winding trails that made no sense until Zaza began following them, her short legs able to navigate the path he’d cleared.
He also created a large mound, and I wondered at it until he gripped Zaza and sat her at the top. The youngling blinked at him not understanding why.
I did, though. I showed Zaza what Bruce wanted her to do. I clambered up the small mound, sat on my bottom with tail lifted, gave a little wiggle, and went whizzing down.
And almost got crushed by the youngling as she immediately copied me and came flying after.
“Whee!” Zaza squealed in excitement. “Ancora.” She scrambled to climb the mound and got nowhere until Bruce sat her at the top again.
Up and down. Over and over. I gave up after a few runs, suddenly cognizant that acting like a human child lacked dignity.
When Zaza eventually flopped, she lifted her hands in the air and exclaimed, “Portalo, Mamma.”
“Uh. Okay. Let’s go inside then.” Bruce pointed to the door.
Zaza shook her head and lifted her arms again. “Portalo Mamma!”
“You want me to get her?” The man looked confused. Or was it just his stupidity coming out? Surely, he understood what the child wanted.
“Su. Portalo Mamma” The child stamped her heels and waved her hands.
“Yes. Yes. I’m going to get her.”
Bruce took one step towards the chalet, and I couldn’t help it. He truly was that dense. It led to me saying in very clear English, “Zaza wants you to pick her up and bring her inside to her mother.”
Bruce whirled. “Who said that?”
“Me.”
“Show yourself!” he yelled, dropping into a fighting crouch. A promising thing to see, if he was to be my protector.
“I’m right here, you big goof,” I huffed, my words finally leading his gaze to drop. Drop all the way down to where I stood, not even knee-high, to my annoyance.
Bruce’s eyes went out of focus, and he swayed on his feet as he muttered, “This is not happening. Lizards don’t talk.”
