Barf…barf…wooo…Brf…Cooper, a German Shepherd, couldn't understand why his brother, William, had a new person in their house. He was puzzled how this strange and scary person had managed to enter despite his vigilant watch. Cooper sensed that his brother was in a bad mood and barked incessantly, even trying to scare and chase the stranger out of the house. However, Norman, the stranger, held his palms against his head and somehow tackled Cooper, preventing him from advancing further.
"It's okay, Cooper...don't be scared...it's okay...is...okay," William soothed his pet dog, whom he always considered his younger brother. It took a while for Cooper to be reassured, but eventually he reluctantly went to his food bowl filled with his favorite dog food, still casting a side glance at the bulky man, as if to say, "I still have my eyes on you. Don't you dare do anything weird."
"So?" asked William, raising his eyebrows at Norman. Norman felt even more ashamed of his previous behavior. He couldn't bring himself to apologize for his sudden intrusion and threatening behavior, especially since William was innocent. However, he needed William's help now, and he would be grateful even for a set of old and thin clothes, if offered. Norman had no idea about this new world or how to survive in it. He was grateful that he could understand their language, but for a man who had relied on fighting and magic to live, being in a place where there was no concept of magic was challenging.
"Err...umm...I...I...my behavior...was...wrong," stammered Norman.
"So?" questioned William.
"Hmm...I know my...," Norman replied.
"Your?"
"My...my mistake," Norman repeated.
"So?" William pressed on.
Sighing, Norman said, "See kid...I have never lowered my head in my lifetime..."
"So?" William continued to prompt.
"I...I need your help," Norman averted his eyes.
"Is that So?" William challenged.
"Fine...kid...I AM SORRY. I APOLOGIZE FOR INTRUDING!" Norman blurted out.
"AND?" William insisted.
"Sorry for breaking your door," Norman admitted.
"AND?" William pushed further.
"And...and threatening you...alright...I apologize for all my behavior. So, if you will forgive me this one time, can you please lend me some spare clothes?" Norman's face burned with shame.
"Some of my father's clothes might fit you. Let me fetch them. It would be better if you wait in my room upstairs," William said, going to get the clothes.
Norman found himself noticing the strange things in the room as he waited. Some of those things felt even stranger than magic to him.
"Honeyyyy…surprise!!!...mom is back!" Sandra's voice echoed throughout the house.