Isabella blinked at the small creature, trying to process what just happened.
It trusted her? Already?!
"Wait, wait, wait." She rubbed her temples. "I literally just met you. How do you trust me this fast? Do you have trust issues the other way around? You're supposed to be scared of strangers, not throwing yourself at them."
The creature let out a tiny chirp.
"Oh, don't give me that. You don't even know me!" Isabella crossed her arms.
But as she stared at its big, round, trusting eyes, something inside her softened.
She exhaled. "Alright, fine. Let's do this."
[Initiating binding process.]
A soft, golden glow surrounded the little creature. The air hummed with energy, sending a faint vibration through Isabella's skin. The light grew brighter, wrapping around them like a warm cocoon.
Isabella felt something tingle in her chest. Like an invisible thread pulling between her and the creature.
Then—a surge of warmth.