[Yup, she was most certainly talking to a cockroach all right. A persistent, deadly cockroach. But he was not completely made of steel; there was a moment where he yielded.

It was enough to offer him a small, pleasant smile.]

An idiot is still an idiot, no matter what their form. You may have a lot of power, little boy. At least, when you're a dog, you certainly blunder around enough.

[Her hand, the one not currently holding his collar, slowly strokes his cheek.]

But the way you are right now? You're small. And weak.

[No wonder he was so attractive to her right now.]