It's morning.

The street we're walking down has all sorts of interesting smells, but none of them are smells of immediate threat.

I'm carrying a couple of bags of groceries in one hand, while my other hand holds firmly onto Sierra's.

When we pass by a few young men, one of them comes to a stop and turns to look at us. "Hey cutie-- wanna touch something of mine and see if you can guess what it is?"

We continue to walk, but the group has stopped and turned to watch us now.

One calls out louder as we walk away, "Hey, let us play with your bitch!"

My ears perk up a little despite his voice not sounding the tone of what someone who wants to play usually sounds like-- but no, even if he is being friendly, I'm working right now.

Also, it's quite clear Sierra doesn't want to stop. Her hand is very sweaty as she holds mine, and she's clutching her cane a bit tighter with her other hand.

My human isn't comfortable. They're making her not comfortable?

I start to growl, but cut myself off-- no need to escalate the situation.

We keep walking.

Step after step.

I glance back-- they aren't following.

We cross the street, the light changes behind us. 

They're still not following.

We're safe.

"Goddamned chasers," Sierra mutters.

I blink, tensing a bit-- wait, what? 

I glance back to just to make sure-- they're not chasing us right now?

Chasers... I've chased balls and sticks and frisbees... does that make me bad?

She looks over to me. "You okay, Dust?"

"You don't like chasers?" I'm a bit worried, and it shows in my voice as I lead her through the sidewalk.

"What? No, of course not. They're the worst... why are you tensing up like that?"

I am tensing up.

What do I say?

I can't lie to my owner, but it's terrifying to know she might hate me now.

"I'm a chaser..." ...but what if she gets rid of me? "No, I was a chaser!" I can stop now. "I used to chase things in the past. But I was just a puppy then! I won't do it ever again."

I try to keep my eyes ahead and around us instead of on her, despite being worried what her reaction to this is.

I blink away the tears that start to form in my eyes, so I can see good and guide Sierra even if it's just for a little longer until she gets rid of me.

A moment of silence from her.

Maybe I'm terrible. Maybe she's going to get rid of me.

Then, she laughs. "No, not... nevermind. Not that sort of chaser. It's okay for you to chase toys. A chaser is... someone who seek out people in certain groups, who fetishizes their vulnerability." Her tone is getting a bit darker as she explains.

I don't know what to say, but I'm able to let go of that fear. That's not me, I only seek out who I'm supposed to, and her voice doesn't sound angry with me.

We're silent until the bus arrives.

I lead her onto the bus and guide her to sit at a window seat, sitting between her and the rest of the world like a good guard.

Sierra releases my hand and pets my arm a little, wiping the sweat off her own hand. She slowly exhales, her grip relaxing somewhat on her cane. "Haven't actually had to stab anyone over harassment yet," she says softly.

That's probably good. I'm supposed to avoid escalation like stabbing-- maybe she is too.

I keep an eye out for anyone who might approach and harm my Sierra, but everyone seems to be minding their own business except a girl in black clothes with a lot of piercings who is staring at me like she wants to pet me-- I recognize the expression. 

I make eye contact and shake my head firmly at her. I'm still working.

She pouts, but moves her gaze elsewhere.

The bus starts to move.

Sierra rests her hand on my thigh, which is nice. I slowly exhale, letting out some tension that I hadn't recognized I was holding.

There's a sudden clang of bells, and my head swivels at the loud sound, but it's just an older woman frantically jabbing her finger at her phone until the sound stops suddenly.

My attention is suddenly redirected from my surroundings as I feel Sierra's hand slowly stroking my thigh. Her fingertips trace downwards, my inner thigh, which feels sort of nice, but also just a little uncomfortable.

More importantly... "Sierra, I'm working. I'm trying to keep you safe. Petting me is distracting."

"So I can pet you all I want once we get back?"

I blink. "I don't see why not?" I do like getting pets, and she is my human.

Sierra smiles and leans her head on my shoulder. "Is this okay?"

"I think that's okay." It's not too distracting, it's just kind of nice. I don't remember any rule against it, although most of the rules I was taught are more meant to govern my own behavior than my owner's.

I don't lick her face because I'm working and also because I'm not supposed to lick people's faces. But Sierra seems to want to be a lot physically closer to me than Malcolm did, and a lot more informal in how we interact. 

And it's kinda nice.

But it's also scary.

I hope it doesn't mess up my training.

I need to be a good girl for my owner so I can guide her and keep her safe.