Intro. Karina froze.
The little scarlet eyes of the lapwing stared directly at her, intently, impudently, and not at all childishly conscious. The eyebrows knitted, the tiny face contorted in an expression of extreme displeasure, as if it had been woken up without permission.
— … Who are you?.. She gasped, without taking her eyes off.
In response, the lapwing sat up abruptly, crossing his tiny arms over his chest, and defiantly turned away, snorting. He looked as if she was in his bed. The silence in the apartment was oppressive, the refrigerator in the kitchen was humming quietly, and his heart was pounding somewhere in his throat.
"So... Okay. I'm either sleeping or I'm going crazy," she muttered, and slowly held out her hand.
Chibik immediately turned, baring his miniature teeth, and waved his arms menacingly, as if he was going to attack. However, instead of jumping, he only hissed angrily, more angrily than dangerously.
With difficulty, after half an hour of tense negotiations, hissing, grunting and a couple of bites on the finger, Karina still managed to take it in her hands.