Coal Ball stopped in his tracks, but still bared his teeth viciously at Old Mike.
The little kid came running up, panting, and whacked Coal Ball on the head with a wooden stick. A dog's head is pretty tough; you can hit them without worry when they misbehave.
"Coal Ball, don't be mean to strangers."
"WHIMPER..."
"Mister, were you scared?" the little kid asked with great concern. "Coal Ball just looks a little mean, but he's actually a good dog."
"It's alright." Old Mike waved his hand dismissively while pulling his hat down lower, afraid his appearance would scare the child.
"Mister, you're a Tiefling, right?"
"I..."
"I think Tieflings look so cool, but I don't know why nobody seems to like them."
Old Mike didn't know what to say. He used to be one of those who hated Tieflings. He still was.
"Here's an apple, as an apology from Coal Ball." The kid held out an apple that wasn't exactly fresh.
