She calmed herself and breathed in and out a few times as she saw what lay on her doorstep.

(“Another one?”)

She didn't even try to conceal her presence and walked over with the haste of a student being late for class.

The little goblin sniffed the air a few times and turned around. He began walking towards her with arms held open.

She grabbed him by his arm and lifted him up.

“This one's dirty as well.” She turned him around and…

“I can't believe it. It's the same bastard.”

Although it had faded, the smiley face on his back remained. Given the little bastard's tenacity, it was safe to assume it was the one that had found her house in the weeks prior.

“Alright, I've put it off enough. It's time to go meet that asshole so I can see what's up with this little shit.”

----------------------------------------

With the little goblin tied up in her lap, she sat opposite someone.

How should I know?

She rolled her eyes.

“Considering what you did, I'd be surprised if you weren't an expert in goblins.” She coldly answered.

Haha, don't be ridiculous.

She coldly stared at him, unconvinced.

“If you say so. Can't you at least keep him, then? Surely you need something to keep you occupied when you come back to this place.”

If you feel like doing some free babysitting then I'll agree.

“Like hell!”

She released the string restraining the boy, hoping to give the person before her a better look at him. And his first action left the host giggling and Colleen confused.

“Why's he climbing up my shirt?” She said, unconcerned. “And stop giggling you bastard, what's so funny?”

They continued giggling.

The goblin stopped at her chest and opened his mouth. Before any contact could happen she placed her finger in its mouth and pushed it back into her lap.

Hahaha, so that's it.

“Don't push your luck, you little bastard. I've hated everyone who ended up putting lips on those things, so don't think you're gonna be any different.”

She removed her finger from its mouth and flicked its head. It reeled back but didn't make any noises of distress.

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I see, its heritage has created something very interesting. He's developed enough to eat solid food yet yearns to suckle off his mother's teat.

“So he just goes around trying to suck on animal nipples? No wonder he looks so rough all the time.”

Hmm. I don't think so.

The pair left the location and made their way to a small farm nearby.

“Is this a common walk for you?” She wondered.

Now let's do some testing.

They grabbed the boy and placed him on an open field. Thankfully the owner wasn't around or they might have to explain their actions. It held various animals such as goats, cows and pigs.

Within an instant, the person made their way back to Colleen’s side.

“So what? Gonna watch him suck cow nipples or something?” She said, disinterested.

Just look.

She noticed the little goblin come closer. And closer. He walked past the horses and ignored the sheep grazing.

(“Well, none of them are nursing but he'll obviously go for the cows.”)

He continued walking along and soon reached the cows. He ignored them as well.

Eventually, he found his way back to the pair and made a beeline for Colleen.

She looked noticeably uncomfortable as he approached.

“He is looking for breast milk, right?” She asked.

Hahaha, I think you're not telling the whole truth about how you met him, dear.

“What the fuck are you talking about you giddy twat? And don't call me dear unless you want your head buried thirty feet under.”

I think from this, it's obvious to see he's imprinted on you. He recognises your scent and even runs toward it dea-

The person’s hand fell to the ground.

“Feel like completing that last word?” She asked while staring into their face.

They picked it up and attached it back.

…Can't even handle a little teasing.

When the goblin grabbed her leg, she tied it up and left it on the floor for the time being.

“Imprinting… you gotta be shitting me. This little bastard thinks I'm its mom?”

I know, right? If only he knew your track record for parenting, but alas ignorance isn't always so bliss.

“Tch, I don't know what you're talking about. I've never been a mother before. I've just given birth.”

Uh-Huh. Well look at the bright side, now you have a chance to right that wrong. Besides, pretend all you want but you've taken care of this little thing.

“And why do you say that?” she asked.

How else would it have imprinted on you? Just admit it, you want to be a mother. I'm your friend here, so you don't have to lie to me. I bet you'll coddle it as soon as you go home.

“The only reason it isn't dead right now is because I stopped unnecessarily killing. If it was fifteen years ago, he'd be dead in a forest, with buzzards eating his eyes and the foxes nibbling on his flesh.”

But it isn't!

After talking some more, she soon found a way it could have imprinted on her without her taking care of it.

“First thing it saw and smelled?”

I guess if you want to keep up the rough and tough girl persona, you can say, you just so happened to meet it at birth and that's how it bonded with you.

As she thought back to it, she did remember one baby goblin of his ilk she hadn't killed while taking some preventative measures.

“What a dumbass.” She said as she turned her face towards him. He had rolled to her feet while restrained.

And why would that be?

“He thought a woman with blood on her slippers was his mother.”