"I feel... comforted by that, I think." If it was always like this, then he doesn't need to pity it.

It doesn't seem to want the pity, anyway, the way it happily zooms around playing with Rowan. Ghastly does, however, keep looking in Erik's direction as if keeping an eye on him. Is he about to end up getting adopted the way Snakes had?

"Yes, they do. And they are comfortable enough around us, it seems. That isn't common for wild creatures. Unless it's a stray cat or dog or some such. By the way, how did you settle on the name Rowan?"