As much as Lorne is trying to keep an eye out for someone coming, he's also a bit distracted by what he's just discovered. It's not every day one witnesses the Vice, and while it's possible Lorne has seen things without realizing, now-- well, it's the kind of thing that grabs one's attention and shakes it roughly, even if all Detlef is doing is calming cat. Real magic.
So he doesn't notice the Shepherd's approach until Dain is, very obviously, also witnessing Detlef's actions. Shit. Dain had seemed a decent enough person when they'd spoken before, and certainly he was more flexible and outgoing than any other Shepherd Lorne has had a brush with. He's the only one willing to do things like play in the snow with children.
But Dain is still a Shepherd, and Shepherds are tasked with a specific mission.
The cat is free but Lorne moves so he's solidly between Dain and Detlef, as if that will somehow prevent what's already been witnessed. Was it at all possible Dain missed it? He's not immediately accusing Detlef of being Profane nor wearing any expression that indicates anger or judgement. What excuse can Lorne give to protect Detlef if Dain had seen it?
"Poor cat got stuck, and I couldn't get it out, even with food," he explains to hurriedly, waving the bit of jerky he still has in his hand. The truth is usually his friend, if carefully worded. "Detlef spends a lot of time with animals in the stables, he knows them better than I do. Seems he's had more luck."
no subject
So he doesn't notice the Shepherd's approach until Dain is, very obviously, also witnessing Detlef's actions. Shit. Dain had seemed a decent enough person when they'd spoken before, and certainly he was more flexible and outgoing than any other Shepherd Lorne has had a brush with. He's the only one willing to do things like play in the snow with children.
But Dain is still a Shepherd, and Shepherds are tasked with a specific mission.
The cat is free but Lorne moves so he's solidly between Dain and Detlef, as if that will somehow prevent what's already been witnessed. Was it at all possible Dain missed it? He's not immediately accusing Detlef of being Profane nor wearing any expression that indicates anger or judgement. What excuse can Lorne give to protect Detlef if Dain had seen it?
"Poor cat got stuck, and I couldn't get it out, even with food," he explains to hurriedly, waving the bit of jerky he still has in his hand. The truth is usually his friend, if carefully worded. "Detlef spends a lot of time with animals in the stables, he knows them better than I do. Seems he's had more luck."