whether she liked it or not, sobeille had acquired herself a shadow.
jadou toddles eagerly along behind her, crowing  various stupid questions such as where we goin'? and are we there yet? and do you have eyelashes? because, to him, these were the most important inquiries to make as a boy who was the equivalent of a human six-year-old. and, truth be told, sobeille fascinated him in a way he did not yet quite understand.
as they made their way to sapphique's border, jadou spots the silver-backed interloper and does not recognize her. sobeille says nothing — what was wrong with her? this was their land! their home! and this noodle necked freak was traipsing all over it!
who you be?! jadou titters, kicking his feet around in the soil like a bull about to charge. dis be saffique!

i not no skrimp!
why must he be treated this way? his mouth twists into a fierce scowl as he glances to sobeille for backup; which, of course, she does not give. the boy's puffy little face looked as if it were about to explode.
dis my home, he challenges the girl, who, in all honesty, looked very little like a wolf — or like much of anything jadou would recognize with his limited worldview. sobeille seemed to know her, too, and this only disconcerted the boy even further. 'ow you know me maman? she don't be likin' strangers.