I take my time doing rounds, walking slowly, methodically, with a rhythm just paced enough that I know she'll be waiting for me at the door of her cell. Antsy and needy. I take just a little over too long to get into her sight and she has conflicting emotions she tried to steel herself against for just a little too long.
She doesn't want to be happy that it's me, but she clearly is. A losing battle as she tries to clear the joy off of her tired face.
"You won't get to do as you please with me..."
She's not confident at all. In fact it's quite the show to put on when she's practically sitting at the door waiting for me.
"Do as I please? With the bet you agreed too? You're right." She is, to some misguided degree. "I won't have you as my hound proper for a lot longer than I truly wanted. Just a subject fit for the program."
I can see her tense up at the word subject. She wants me to call her my hound. She can't stand it now. And she doesn't even realize it.
"You won't have me as your hound at all. I refuse to become one of those mindless monsters. I won't ever turn on the rebellion." Her desires and pack bond are strong. As long as no one gets in to show their face looking for her, all of her hopes will be dashed. No rescue will make it to this one. This stray had no chance at rescue the moment I found it in my base.
Besides, I've seen what the rebels are considering rescue missions. It's nothing short of suicide missions. They've likely stopped after the first couple of pilots they sent to infiltrate us came back and destroyed their offensive teams. They're not coming to rescue her, especially after she mentioned she was acquired by a Handler.
My choice of Hound is a picky one. And so I've waited, continuing to focus on strategies for other mere pilots. Other Handlers may choose to simply pick the ones that would best suite the missions, the dogs that just need to be trained.
But watching her struggle to decide if she should continue her rebel speech or simply stay quiet. I knew I found the one for me.
"No, of course not. Your friends, your rebel comrades, your family. They'll surely come to get you. And you'll prove me wrong." Even if they come and manage to get her, shes too far gone, far too dependent on me. She'll come running back without even knowing why.
"That's right! You filthy imperials think you can just mess in the mind of anyone!" I shoot her a look. "I... You... Sorry Mx. That... I shouldn't have y-yelled like that." She shrinks. Correcting herself before I can.
"Oh I know you're under so much stress wondering if they'll come, honoring our bet, doing your best to prove me wrong." I place my hand near the bars, and watch as her eyes cling to it itching to be closer. "But until then, you're my dog."
"Y-yes Mx. I am... Your dog." Her eyes haven't left my hand even as I draw it away to the keys to unlock the cell.
"Then let's continue your training today." She still has a long way to go. But even now she's making excellent progress. I have zero doubts she'll be begging to be my Hound in no time.