Ah, if only Ash were scared of horse anthro types.
Not that Dai was an anthro, exactly. He had normal human hands and feet and a normal human body and face. It was just that some of his parts were a bit different. For instance, instead of a human's rounded, hairless ears he had the ears of a horse, soft and velvety and a sort of pale, sea green color, like foam on ocean waves. His wavy hair was much the same color as his ears, just a shade darker, and was long enough to reach down to his waist, curling around the bottom while the shorter strands curled around his face. And, okay, so he did have a few extra parts, like his horn and tail. After all, he wasn't a horse-person, but a unicorn, and in the manner of unicorns a single dainty horn grew from the center of his forehead, a mere six inches long and seemingly made of mother-of-pearl.
If Ash was a bit too pretty for a man, well, his "pet" was certainly a good match, for Dai was built slender and fine-boned, with thick eyelashes, pale skin, and long legs. People might call him feminine in appearance, though in truth it wasn't anything unusual at all for his species! Unlike a lot of species where the male or female was prettier to attract mates and the like, both male and female unicorns had much of the same features. Well, except for the obvious things, of course.
Currently, Dai was shuffling reluctantly behind Ash on bare feet (he never did like shoes and his feet were surprisingly tough), a good twenty feet behind him with his hands in the pockets of his breeches while making a point not to look at Ash. Instead, he looked at the various wares people were selling, the various fruits and vegetables and sweet breads that made his mouth water. Every now and then, though, he would glance ahead at Ash with a frown, just to make sure he wasn't falling too far behind, his ears laid back against his head. He'd considered running more than once since he'd come outside with his "master" today, especially since the man didn't seem like he was paying much attention at all to him, but he knew that would be a bad idea.
Because it wouldn't be the first time he attempted an escape. And failed. Dai was fast but the demon was faster, and each time he ran it wasn't long before he was hauled on back "home" to the manor where he had been taken in as Ash's guest that could never leave.
Slave was probably the more appropriate term, but don't tell Dai that.
Of course, none of that meant that Dai had given up on the notion of escape. Not by a long shot! Unicorns weren't meant to be owned, and Dai certainly balked at that notion. All it meant was that he was taking a break so he could regroup! And try again later.
When Ashley suddenly stopped ahead of him, looking over an eggplant, Dai stopped too and pretended to look over some mushrooms, even though he hated mushrooms. Too...meaty. He didn't like eggplant, either, or any other kind of squash (too slimey!) but he wasn't going to tell Ash that now! Sure, he was a vegetarian and ate only fruits and vegetables (and sugary things) but it didn't mean he liked them all! Still, he remained silent--especially since Ash just went ahead and bought it anyway before he could even say he didn't like them. Oh well! He was just keen on keeping his distance and enjoying his minimal freedom for the time being and just the fact that he was outside with no walls around him.
The carrots Ash bought, however...that was another story! Dai's turquoise eyes fell on them and already he could feel his belly rumbling at the sight. Those were yummy! In fact, they were one of his favorite vegetables, something he couldn't get enough of. Darn! Ash just had to buy carrots right when he was trying to be all defiant!
Whatever "defiance" Dai had been subtly expressing soon faded away, and his ears pricked up, his long, tufted tail waving out behind him as his features brightened. Without a second thought, he began to close the distance between Ash and himself until he was walking beside him, an extra bounce in his step. Hey, if he couldn't get free yet, at least he could get some good food to eat! Especially since it looked like they were on their way home, the manor in sight. There also seemed to be a woman standing nearby...and eating a carrot right there. A carrot! That...was not helping! Staring at the woman for a moment as they walked, Dai finally looked up toward Ash. Up, because Ash was a few inches taller than him, given Dai was around five foot seven.
"Are we gonna have lunch when we get home?" he asked, smiling a little. Okay, so maybe he was a little simple-minded. But yeesh! The carrots...they were haunting him! Speaking of carrots, it seems that woman over there kept staring at them...or rather, at Ash. Gah! Dai looked over at her, then back at Ash, a slight jolt running through him. He knew good and well what Ash had an appetite for...and he had no way of preventing it.
All he could do was look over at her and give a slight shake of his head, hoping she'd notice it and continue to just stare, but otherwise stay away. Hopefully Ash would stay away, too...he should have enough...left overs, right?
Dai shuddered, and the carrot suddenly didn't seem so appetizing.
