We can take them.
Whoever it was, Shoe felt confident she and her mother could take care of them. Growling, she lowered herself to a hunting crouch and began to slink forwards, sniffing at the earth.
Shoe wasn't much use to her family as a wolf, but what she could do, she would do with pride.
Malin rolled his eyes, his annoyance at his family only growing as Life continued talking. What was wrong with these people that they would turn their back on one of the first entities? Why seal Life and none of her followers? Why seal Life and not Maria, who was keeping so many souls in the in-between with her? Why seal Life and not Malin?
"You can keep talking," he insisted. "I don't mind. Your voice is nice to listen to."
What was it about talking to Life that made Malin sound so stupid? He continued hastily to cover his clumsy compliment.
"I wouldn't have seen it coming either if I were you. You're so essential to the workings of this planet, why would they ever want to get rid of you? Because of freakin' jealousy? It's so stupid, you deserve to be treated better than that--"
He was cut off when his pounding feet slipped on a pine cone, and Malin went sprawling face-first onto the ground. Thankfully, his body had cushioned Life from too bad of an injury, but landing on Malin's somewhat muscular body probably wasn't much better. He mumbled an apology.
"It's getting dark. Didn't even see the stupid thing." Malin turned his head, resting his cheek on the grass. "I guess this is comfortable. The nearest village shouldn't be too far. I can take you there and watch over you while you sleep. ...N-not like, actually watching you sleep. Just, you sleep, and I'll watch out for other entities like my stupid parents."
"Oh, right." Bennie laughed, oblivious to Kayin's worry. "Yeah, I ran into her a bit earlier. We were supposed to meet somewhere after I finished dealing with Alfie and company, but Shoe ate the bread crumbs she left me so now I have no idea where she is. I was hopin' you could help."
She began to walk again, only half checking to see if Kayin followed. Finding Life was her number one priority at the moment.
"I see." That made Alfonso's job quite a bit easier. His heart swelled with pride for a moment, and, wanting to share his victory, he announced, "Shoe and I ran into Life today."
"Life, Death, Maria," Xenos chanted.
Ingris just rolled her eyes.
Alfonso wilted. Clearly this was a victory he could only share with Death. Craving approval, he looked longingly at Niven once more.