Misty

We're sitting around the fire again now that Buck's taken me somewhere we could wash off all the gooey stuff. I'm hoping that this is going to get a bit less awkward, but knowing me, it could go either way.

"If we're going to be friends then I've got rules."

"Alright, give 'em to me. I'm not saying I'll go with 'em, but we'll find out, won't we."

I lean forward slightly.
He looks a bit put out by what I said. He starts off slowly but goes back to normal really quickly.

"Number 1. Always listen to buck."

I lean back on my front paws and think about this for a second. I suppose stalking him means I have been listening to him. But then, I've also done plenty of things he wouldn't approve of. So, this is more of a take it or leave it rule for me.

"Never have, maybe will. If I think it will be worth it. And, I get to decide if it's worth it."

"I'm not so sure if..."

"I decide."

I'm giving him the evil eye now, just to make sure.
Buck almost winces and seems to be getting very uncomfortable now.

"Okay, fine. Rule number 2. Stay in the middle of the path..."

Now I must impulsively cut in.

"Nuh uh. Never happening. No way are you ever getting me to do that."

My shocked and slightly frightened face is having an interesting effect. I have also flown backwards and started shaking. Violently. He has now changed his expression to one more of curiosity.

Buck: (demanding) "Why?"

I'm getting a bit hysterical now.

"Because I have a small phobia of visibility and meeting new people, okay." (Holding up my hands protectively and completely tense.) "You should be privileged that you're here talking to me. Obviously, pathways are way, way to visible. So that is a rule I am never following."

"Okay, well, maybe if you stayed on the path for longer you'd get over your fear."

Really hysterical now. So hysterical Buck's started backing off.

"My Aunt Annie died because she followed a path. I am not doing the same."

"But..."

Standing up.

"No!"

I sit down again trying to cool off.

"Right. Rule number 4..."

"What happened to rule number three?"

"Don't need it. Anyway, if you start seeing things, you will have your head examined."

Now it's my turn to back off. He talks to rocks and trees and uses skulls as puppets; I have very serious conversations with myself and am trying to be friends with him and he only wants us to have our heads examined if we start to see things? I can actually go with that one.

"Okay."

"That's the one you say yes to?"

"Yeah, why?"

"That one is normally the one that people say is the craziest and then try and run away."

"It is crazy."

"No it's not."

"But we're already half crazy and you only want us to have our heads examined if we start to see things?"

"I get where you coming from but It's Not Crazy."

"See, that's why I like it. You can be crazy and not have your head examined."

We're both grinning by now. The thought of knowing we're not having our heads examined but are already half mad actually makes me feel safe, 'cus it probably means I never will. I think Buck's just grinning 'cus I admitted I'm already crazy.

"Is that it?"

"Yep."

"So, I officially do not have to go with any rules except the one about getting my head examined?"

"Done."

We shake paws.