It was the dark of night. Except for an occasional, light pitter-patter of feet, all was quiet in Castle Town.
Suddenly, in a back alley, there was the sound of humming. The noise of uneven footsteps grew louder. Someone was skipping along over the rough cobblestone path. Yet no one was there to be seen. Then there was movement. A shadow rose upon the side of a building, the moon outlining its figure. No one was casting it, but it was there nonetheless. From it emanated the humming.
The shadow was that of a tall woman. It would halt every few feet, stand still for a moment, then continue its spirited frolic, humming all the while.
At last the shadow stopped, detaching itself from the building across which it was stretched. It became a solid form, yet still only a shadow, its features dark and blurry. Except for its eyes. They were thin, yet lovely; a deep ruby red. What should have been the white of the eyes was instead a sickly yellow; but it only added to the beauty of the mysterious orbs. They flitted about, taking in everything. At last, they came to rest on a sign swinging above the door of a homely-looking building.
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It read, "Telma's Bar."
The shadowy face was suddenly split in two by a row of glittering white teeth curled into a mischievous grin. The dark figure pranced forward, reaching out a delicate hand and stroking the wood of the door. A sudden noise made it turn. Someone was approaching. The shadow scurried for cover, peering out only when it was quite sure it was safely hidden from plain sight.
A blonde-haired boy stepped into view, looking weary and drained. His eyes were a piercing blue. His clothes were patchy and he looked to be in the early years of adulthood. He paced slowly to the door of the building and slipped inside. The shadow's eyes glinted as they watched. They looked strangely...happy.
It emerged once again, only it was speaking now. The voice—definitely female—was muttering over and over the same words.
"Doggy, doggy," it said, an almost hungry look now lighting its shadowy face, "Doggy, doggy."
It paused, smiling its mischievous smile again.
"My doggy."