[ It's all going to be made worse by the way Ernesto's ears perk up at the word "dog". There's a look of surprise on his face too, but that seems secondary to what his ears are doing right now.

It's just that where he's from when people start dropping the names of the animals you share traits with, it's usually meant as an insult.

Was it because he said he didn't want to get beaten up. That's not unreasonable of him though... At least, Ernesto didn't think it was. ]

It can't hurt to ask around, as long as I don't get caught doing it I guess. Ah but...

[ How to ask this, because it's more personal. He frowns as he looks up at the sky for a second. ]

Do you have some kind of problem with Perroes?