Dulcet hadn't been wary at all of Derrick until I sheared off his black wool and scrubbed his head good. He'd even stuck around to make sure I didn't cut off the poor man's ear, still holding on to that mysterious package of his. As I worked he asked me about my day, and I told it to him frankly. He seemed interested to hear about meeting all my old friends. I'd talked to him about them plenty of times in the past.
But then Derrick's head was clean, his old human face, not his bear one, was back, and Dulcet's usually blank face sported an uncharacteristic frown.
"I've got some spare fabric inside, I can sew you up a new shirt while we eat," I said, ignoring the bear hunter. "As promised, Dulcet, I'll feed you."
"Uh, you don't have to, I've already eaten - "
"I've got to pay you somehow
