I can tell that we are going to be friends--[semp]

<sub>“How about this one?”

A bark answered his question as Chance balanced some coins in his hand, counting the amount. A merchant’s stand stood in front of them, a collection of items filled the cart. One of the items was a firm leather strap, probably a small belt of some kind. Yet, to the boy, it looked like a perfect collar for a dog. It was exactly for his companion currently by his side. She had been his close friend for just over a year now and she had never had a collar. Chance always feared for the day they were separated and no one would be able to identify the dog. Hopefully a collar like this would help her become more recognizable.

After the purchase, strapping on the collar should be the easy part. Except the pup wriggled at the moment Chance bent down, trying to get at his face. The young boy had to hold her back with a hand, his fingers gripping the black-furred scruff of her neck. As he clipped it in place, Ace looked at him with big brown eyes and a wrinkled forehead, unsure of how to react to the new device around her neck. “You’ll get used to it eventually, don’t worry.” The boy tried to convince the canine.

He probably looked crazy, sitting in the middle of the market talking to his dog but most people passed without giving him a second thought. He was Chance, Chance and Ace; you never saw one without the other. The medium-sized dog, only reaching above Chance’s knees, with scars on its muzzle, did not look like a child’s companion but she was the closest friend the boy had. It also wasn’t a stretch to say others were fond of the dog. Owner and pet reflected each other’s personalities, lively, bubbly, loving, and just a touch of clingy.

And Chance loved Ace because she didn't judge him. To her, he was her best friend, someone who protected her and loved her. To others, all they saw was the ugly scar that went from cheek to cheek. Jagged and dull pink, it contrasted with his pale skin. It was all that people noticed, not the kid behind it. Ace on the other hand, didn't care what he looked like.

“Come on, let’s keep moving Ace.” Chance patted his thigh as he stood. The dog pressed close to his leg as the two walked. A couple more coins jingled in the boy’s pants pocket. It was money earned from his father while working in the shop. Chase wasn’t entirely too fond of cutting up animals but it was the family business and his father gave him some money if he did a good job. It also meant extra fat to feed to the dogs, namely Ace.

Glancing around, Chance didn’t see anything that caught his attention. Rather, the boy grew lonely. He loved his dog, Ace was great company but Chance longed for someone to talk with. It wouldn’t be too hard for him to find someone to chat with; the problem was that everyone passed by in a hurry. There was no one that stood still long enough for Chance to start a conversation with…</sub>