Yeah, and he's met her like before. The ones that like you to dance to their tune, or whatever you like. She has played him once before, in the role of a traveller seeking company, and he's not like to let her pilfer his dignity or his belonging again. Herc opens his mouth to speak, only to be preempted by a whine (betrayed) and a growl (there's the surliness) and he's looking down as the white and brown mabari, drool and water dripping from his mouth. "You found the stables then, mate?"

A bark (confirmation) and then another whine (what is this???) and Herc smirks a little as he addresses the hound. "It's all right. The Councillor's seeing to setting things right."
Max's next whine doesn't sound convinced, and instead sounds rather injured before he huffs out a beleaguered agreement to endure Benuta's - sorry, Benevenuta, bloody extra syllables - company.

When Herc looks back to her, finally, that infuriating not-quite-smile still lingers at the corners of his mouth. "'Fraid he's the sensitive sort, Max. Doesn't take kindly to robbery."