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Thirteen

Minori pulled herself up upon the window sill and took a well-deserved breather, splaying out her arms and legs like a starfish. The hot, sticky summer air had made the trip to Rega's more laborious than usual, but she wasn't about to lose to the humidity. There was no turning back the minute she snuck past her napping father and mother who was doing the laundry. She had really put her neck on the line just to see a human cook.

She chuckled at herself, wondering how on earth she was in such a mess. It really was all too similar to a story her father told her in her childhood, a time when every night brought another adventure for her overactive imagination. A little girl got lost in the woods, and Mr. Wolf helped her find her way. Rega's smile was just as dashing as Mr. Wolf's, and the premise of Minori winding up in his stew pot before noon sounded incredibly cliché yet likely. All Minori could do was hope her trust that Rega's eyes were sincere wasn't a fool's bargain.

The sun was beating down on the little girl on the window pane, so Minori finally brought herself up and dabbed at her brow with her apron. Fluffing out her hat, she carefully peered through the glass. But she was surprised. Minori had expected to see a crowded restaurant packed with humans, but there wasn't a soul in sight.

Curious and just a little more doubtful, Minori stood back and observed the window frame. It was almost never closed unless it had fallen, so she was more or less out of options. Hoping Mr. Wolf heard her before some other predator did, Minori hurried up to the glass and knocked upon it with all of her might. "Rega! Reeeeega!"

She thought it would be fruitless, since she was so small and would probably be impossible to hear despite all of her tapping at the glass. But he had been waiting for her - paying close attention to any small sign Minori could be wandering around. Truly, Rega had grown quite stressed as of late, fearing he was about to crush someone whenever he moved.

Minori gazed up as a shadow hurried around the counter. She staggered back as Rega appeared on the other side of the glass and yanked the window up with a screech. He was already fussing with apologies. "I'm sorry, Minori! This old thing falls all of the time, and I didn't notice. Would explain the heat in here! Have to find a way to keep it open…" he frantically looked about him for a solution until he finally took a deep breath. Rega looked down at her with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry. Hello."

"Th-thank you! And hello!" Minori quickly dove underneath with a little giggle as Rega held the window up for her, and she bunched her skirts in her fists at her sudden shyness.

"You haven't been waiting long, I hope?" Rega asked, looking around left and right for a way to keep the old window open.

"Oh, no, no," Minori shook her head. To make herself less of a damsel in distress, Minori ran and leapt across to the counter. She got behind the salt shaker and pushed it forward. She popped up behind it and waved her arms at Rega. "Here, Rega! Use this!"

Rega did a double take between Minori and the window, sidling over and reaching for the salt shaker as he held up the loose pane with his other hand. He snatched the salt up and firmly lodged it between the wall, backing up and observing the successful result. He held a hand to his chin. "Hm. Good thinking. That'll hold it… at least temporarily."

Unwilling to take full credit, Minori shook her head and lightly scuffed her boot. "It wasn't me – I saw a girl do the same thing some nights ago…"

"Nonetheless, that means you're all the more observant," he insisted, holding out his palm flat for her. "But enough time-wasting; the curry's on the stove!"

"Smells yummy!" Minori said, happily hurrying upon his hand. Instead of taking a seat, she ran to his thumb and held on tight, giving Rega a nod to let him know she was ready.

Rega was extra careful as he lifted his hand as steadily as he could. Minori swayed somewhat, but she had a wide smile as she looked out over the passing tables and chairs below her. Rega was so absorbed in watching her be in such awe of the ride that he wasn't watching where he was going and nearly ran straight into a wooden support beam. Minori giggled. He quickly wound out of the way and stepped behind the counter.

Once they were in the kitchen, they discovered a new challenge to tackle. Rega needed his hands to cook. Not wanting to be a burden, Minori watched as Rega struggled to stir the sweet-scented stew with one hand. The pot gently spun on the range, a bit of brown curry spilling over the edge and sizzling on the stove.

"H-hold on a moment!" She piped up before he could move to set her down. Rega was as still as a statue as Minori crawled up his wrist, tickling his skin. She looked up at him with a nervous smile. "May I?"

Though he wasn't quite sure what she was thinking, Rega just nodded, holding his arm out straight for her. Minori quickly took his forearm at a run, making him chuckle at the strange feel of her boots running along to his rolled-up sleeve. She tugged on the fabric, climbing over it and up his shirt towards his shoulder. Minori pulled herself up with a heave, rocking slightly off balance. She sat upon his shoulder and gave him a look. Scooting further away from his neck, Minori settled with a hand gripping his apron strap and the other his collar for support. She nodded. "Is this… okay?"

"As long as you're comfortable," Rega looked ahead with a wry smile. He couldn't help but think of the analogy of a shoulder angel, and he laughed to himself. With both of his hands now free, cooking became second nature. Focusing on the curry, he steadied the pot and gave it a good mix before the bottom could singe, and he opened the pot of waiting rice. "What do you think? Does it look ready to you?"

Minori took a deep breath, closing her eyes. His voice was obviously much closer now, and it was making her heart pound. Her overactive nose was mostly catching a sweet, homey scent coming from Rega, but she thought the curry below smelled a bit off. She spotted Rega watching her out of the corner of his eye, and she bit her lip. "May I taste it?"

"Of course! That's what we're here for," Rega said, his tone brightening as he was in his element. It was still awkward moving since he was overly-cautious of Minori's presence, but the restaurant was closed today, so he had all of the time in the world. He lightly tapped the spoon against the pot until there was only a smidgen of liquid left in the dip. He carefully brought it to his shoulder, hoping not to drip any on his clothes.

Hopping to her feet, Minori examined the spoon in wonder at how she was going to take a taste. The smell engulfed her nostrils as she bent towards the massive, wooden spoon and took a handful of the curry in her palm. She brought it to her lips and sipped the drop. Clapping off her hands and wiping them on her apron as she thought it over, Minori's eyes scanned the shelves above with all of the spices.

"Up there!" She decided, pointing at the rack. Rega curiously peered at the various spices, but Minori was way ahead of him. She bravely dashed back down along his arm, holding down her skirts as she slid to his hand. Rega got the message and lifted his arm until his fingers met the end of the shelf. Minori slipped once, caught herself with her hands, and made a little leap to stand amongst the spices.

Minori could feel Rega's eyes on her as she parted through the glass vials and jars. When she spotted the cinnamon sticks, it was hard for her to believe that it wasn't so long ago when she was trying to steal one. Well… not steal. Borrow. It was different.

She rolled up her sleeves and gave the shaker full of garlic salt a shove. Rega saw her struggling to move it, and he gingerly lifted it up and examined the label. He gave her a skeptical purse of his lips. "Garlic salt? Is it too sweet?"

"Just a pinch or two ought to set it right," Minori bowed a little bashfully. After all, this was a professional chef's work she was meddling with. Not her mother's kitchen.

"Let's see," Rega complied, holding his hand out to her. With another jump, Minori was climbing back up his arm towards the safe sitting spot on his shoulder. Rega did as she suggested and slowly stirred the salt in, waiting for Minori to get seated. He felt her tug at his collar, and he raised the spoon to her again for another try. "How about now?"

Feeling a little out of breath from all of the action, Minori dipped her finger into the hot stew and quickly popped it in her mouth. She hummed in satisfaction and timidly nodded to him. "I-I think so!"

She watched in apprehension as Rega brought the spoon to his lips and took a taste. His face brightened. "Wow, you're not kidding. Looks like I need to amend my recipe!"

"Don't do anything drastic on my account," Minori smiled, finding she had grown comfortable enough to begin some teasing of her own.

She had to grip his collar tight as Rega spun around and took up a large, serving plate. There was something satisfying about watching as he loaded it with rice halfway and then the curry filled the other. It smelled delightfully warm with a hint of spice. Minori realized too late that there was beef in it – something she had never tried before but in flavoring. After all, it's not like Vaughn could slay a cow for the family.

Minori allowed herself a laugh as Rega brought out a bottle cap and meticulously filled it with a teaspoon for her portion. He turned off the stove and expertly collected napkins and a ready spoon as he held the plate aloft in his free hand. He beckoned his head to Minori. "Where do you want to eat?"

"Near a window, please!" Minori fanned her face. Standing over such a huge stove was bad enough, but combined with the summer heat and all of the exercise, it was becoming unbearable.

"Sounds good," Rega agreed with a light huff at the bangs drooping in his eyes. As if he was practicing balancing books on his head, Rega stiffly made his way over to the table closest to the window and counter, setting his plate and spoon down with a small clatter.

Minori stood in anticipation, looking for a way to get down to the table. She slowly inched towards his sleeve as Rega set the plate of curry down, and her feet slipped. With a squeal, Minori fell down his arm and rolled across his hand. Like tumbling down a grassy hill. She managed to right herself as she hit the plate, jumping back and shaking her hands that had touched the ceramic. She blew on them in an effort to cool the stinging. "Oh! Ow! Hot, hot!"

"Are you alright?" Rega asked, bending down to see her more closely.

"Just fine!" Minori peeped, untucking her skirt and smoothing it down around her knees. She was more embarrassed than pained. She smiled up at him and held out her arms.

Rega chuckled as he passed her the bottle cap pinched between his fingers. Minori took it in her hands and hopped down from the edge of the plate onto the wooden surface of the table. Rega took a seat, tearing off a corner of his paper napkin and handing it to her on the tip of his index finger.

"Oh! Why, thank you," she graciously accepted it. Minori spritely sat and crossed her legs, pulling her bag around her hips. She procured a little, wooden spoon and held it aloft. "Ta-da! I came prepared today."

Quite in a similar manner to how Minori was always gaping at Rega's world, the chef was fascinated by all of her tiny trinkets. The spoon she had brought with her was only a few millimeters long. And the craftsmanship! There was a miniscule, leafy design along the handle. To think that their worlds could be so similar and so out of ratio was so… enchanting.

"Well, bon appétit," Rega shook his head, propping his elbow up on the table as he stuck his spoon in and mixed his curry with the white rice. "I hope you like it."

"Oh, I'm sure I will… you do own a restaurant after all," she mumbled as she happily dug in. Minori set the warm bottle cap on the table and stabbed a grain of rice with her spoon, cutting it. She took half and dipped it in the gravy-like mix before taking a bite. Minori set down her spoon so that she could gleefully clap her hands. "Oh, wonderful! This is delicious!"

"I'm glad!" Rega smiled at her enthusiasm. He swallowed a bite of his own and watched as she did the same.

Minori sighed as she easily finished off the little meal given to her. She wondered if there was some way she could repeat the recipe for her parents so that they could try it, too. Minori looked up and found Rega was still watching her. "I… I wish I was big enough for a real plate! This might be the best thing I've ever tasted."

"You know…" he began, swirling another spoonful around on his plate. "It's thanks to you. I wouldn't have added more salt, but it really gave it something new. You've got quite a nose."

"I get that a lot…" Minori giggled in embarrassment, pulling at her red knit cap and looking away.

Rega continued to study her with interest. Now that he was beginning to get used to the fact that he was having a casual lunch with a girl six centimeters tall, an even crazier idea began to form in his head. He wanted to get to know her, and what better way than working in the kitchen? Rega rested his hand under his chin and pointed his spoon at her. "I have a few recipes I'd like to run by you sometime. Next time you come in, I'll have a whole taste testing station set up for you. What do you say?"

"You'd do that? For me?" Minori's eyes bugged in surprise at the generous offer. When he simply nodded in return, she found her mind going back to her parents. "W-would I be able to bring any of it home with me?"

"Only your favorites," he winked.

Minori jumped up. She frantically wiped her spoon off on her apron and replaced it in her bag. She shuffled it back around to rest behind her and held her arm out straight to him. "Then it's a deal!"

He smiled wide, jutting out his pinky for her. Minori shook it for their bargain and brightly picked up the bottle cap. "I'd best be getting back before I'm caught. May I see you tomorrow?"

"You're welcome any time," Rega nodded, taking the cap from her. He sat back in his chair and watched as Minori took the distance to the window sill at a run, making a dive and catching the edge with her hands. His heart clenched in shock at how easily she just threw herself across a chasm and pulled herself up. He tried not to look like a worrywart as he coughed on his curry. "I'll be on the lookout!"

"See you tomorrow, Rega! And thank you again!" Minori waved. She smiled as she made a little curtsy and spun on her heel.

He called out to her again before she disappeared, quickly standing and hurrying towards the window to catch her. "And I'll keep the window open!"

"Okay! Goodbye!" Minori acknowledged with a final wave and a laugh. She gasped in surprise to see a little sparrow passing by, and she whistled with two fingers to the corners of her mouth like her father taught her.

To Rega's astonishment, the sparrow made circling dives until it fluttered down upon the window pane. Minori greeted the bird like one would pet a horse, and she climbed upon its back and straddled above its wings. She sent a shyer wave to him in farewell, and Rega weakly returned it, knowing his eyes were probably the size of saucers as the sparrow kicked off and sped Minori up into the air.

Rega lingered at the window, just staring up at the cloud-speckled sky. He took a deep breath, blowing the sigh through his lips as he scratched the back of his neck. Rega tossed together all that was on the table onto his half-finished plate and carted it to the sink. "It's gotta be hallucinations. The new meds. I ought to ask Marian about that…"

Minori held on tight and barely dared to breathe as Arrow made a nose dive towards the iron grate. It was a tight squeeze, but he easily wove through and spread out his wings, parachuting into a graceful arc to the patio.

It took a moment for Minori to regain her bearings and slide off of the sparrow's back, still feeling wobbly on her legs. She gave him a grateful pat on the head and hurried to the hollowed out acorn they used as a bucket left by the house. There was a mess of different seeds piled inside of it, and she hefted it up with both hands, bringing it to her friend.

Arrow messily jabbed his beak into the feed once he saw it, picking out a small kernel and stabbing it open at his feet. Minori stroked his head again. "You deserve all you can eat, Arrow. You're quite the flyer!"

Chelsea wasn't anywhere in the immediate vicinity, and for that, Minori felt lucky. She took off her gear and held it low as she poked her head by the window to spy on the kitchen. Her mother wasn't within the shadows there either.

Minori quickly opened the door and silently brought it shut. She tiptoed across the room towards the hall, her heart thumping at the prospect of getting caught. She removed her boots for good measure and walked barefoot. It was difficult to avoid the creaks, but Minori was practiced and knew all of the right spots to step.

Suddenly, a merry song swelled down the hall, and Minori froze in her tracks. It was coming from her parents' bedroom through the open door to her left. She peeked around the frame and found her mother making the bed with a pile of clean linens on the floor at her feet. Chelsea hummed the next verse as she worked, oblivious to Minori watching her.

Preparing herself, Minori took the plunge and dove across the opening to the other side, rushing into her room and kicking her things quickly under her bed. As she had guessed, she couldn't escape her mother entirely, and Chelsea's singing had stopped.

"Mini? What are you up to?" She called. Minori could hear her footsteps as she approached.

"Hm?" Minori asked, straightening her boots at the foot of her bed. She snatched the first thing within reach as her mother entered her room. "I was uh…"

"Oh, you're finally practicing your embroidery?" Chelsea's eyes lit up at the loom in her daughter's hand. She took it from her, looking over the pattern of a flower that was braced on the fabric. "It's such a lovely craft to pass the time, don't you think?"

Minori winced at her poor choice. She swung on her ankles. All of the milling about she had done in Rega's kitchen was taking its toll, and she wanted more than anything to take a long nap. "Aha, never too late to practice, I guess."

"Good thinking! I can go get mine, and we can do that by the fireside tonight! Won't that be fun?" Chelsea released a giggle of excitement, so happy to see Minori finally coming around to show interest in her own favorite hobbies.

But it wasn't meant to be. There was a knock, and both girls whirled around to find Vaughn leaning against the door. He shook his head. "Some other night, darlin'. Minori's borrowing with me tonight."

"Borrowing?" Minori's voice cracked slightly. Her arms were already sore and shaking from the double workout she was going to receive that day.

Vaughn mistook her exhausted whine as that of enthusiasm, smiling fondly at her. He too entered the room and ruffled the hat about on her head, frizzing her hair. "Sure, thing. Be ready after dinner, Min."

"Oh, I wish you two could stay home every now and again," Chelsea muttered, throwing up her hands. She forgot the embroidery she was holding was Minori's, and she took it out of the room with her. "This big, empty house all to myself!"

It was well into the night when the father and daughter were trudging down the duct to the vent. Vaughn eyed the mouse traps in the silence, carefully navigating their path through them, and Minori closed her eyes behind him to get as much rest as she could. She felt like she could sleep on her feet. Her calves were killing her.

They stopped, and Minori nearly bumped into him. She shook her head to wake herself up as Vaughn spun his hook around and expertly caught the grate above. When he was out of the way, she followed suit and made it up after a few tries. She struggled through the vent and collapsed on her stomach, worming her way to the edge. She'd forgo grace at the expense of further exhaustion.

But Minori's interest piqued as Vaughn led her to the wall and gestured upwards. Perplexed, she watched him mime using her bow. She felt for it on her back, and he nodded. Reaching around, she took it off of her shoulders and handed it out to him. Vaughn shook his head and pointed.

He's… pointing to the sill… There was no mistaking it; he wanted her to use her tack and bow like she had done time and time again at this very spot. Did he know she went up there? Often? Why did he want to go to the sill now? Thoughts were swirling through her mind as she lined up the shot with her hook, trying to make it look less practiced.

She loosed her bow, and her hook caught the corner flawlessly. She hung her head at her victory, knowing it was suspicious. But Vaughn ruffled her hat and took her line, running up the wall to the top. Minori held the rope taught for him and climbed up once he made it.

Vaughn took her hand and hoisted her to stand beside him. Minori dusted off her skirt as he investigated the area, perceptively glaring at the shadows. He crossed through the moonlight and soon signaled for her to do the same as he passed through the screen and stepped out into the night.

"What are we doing out here, Papa?" Minori chanced the question as the chorus of crickets below them made their voices carry less. She couldn't help but feel a lecture coming on.

"No borrowing tonight. Just enjoying the fresh air," Vaughn plucked a second berry from the raspberry bush and tossed it to her. She caught it as he bit into his, going to the edge of the sill and taking a seat.

Minori was surprised to say the least, but she awkwardly followed him and stiffly sat at his side, swinging her legs over the side as he had. The garden below them was so alive tonight. There were clouds gathering, foretelling rain tomorrow or perhaps the day after. Tree frogs sang for it, and the locusts hummed in the forest. Minori caught sight of the tail end of a garden snake weaving through the dark grass below them, and she gulped. She scooted closer to her father.

"I know you like to go out here. I've always known," Vaughn said in the quiet.

Minori looked guiltily at the berry in her hands. The hole in her stomach got bigger and eliminated her appetite. She always knew… he knew. And she dreaded the day this conversation would happen. Her parents spent their lives keeping her alive, and she spit in the face of that by defying their measures put in place to keep her safe.

Vaughn took a deep breath, turning the berry over in his hands before biting it again. "You sneak out and adventure all over the place. I wouldn't be surprised if you've been clear across this garden. And you do it all behind our backs. It's a shame."

Tears filled her eyes as she bit her lip, hard.

He looked over at her, his face relaxing as he grew to look ashamed of himself. His silver hair blew in the breeze over his eyes. This daughter in front of him that he had sheltered was growing up so fast. "I don't blame you, Min."

She quickly turned, a tear leaking out. Minori skeptically waited for him to continue, not quite believing what she was hearing.

"I'd do the same. Kept locked underground like that – that's no way to live," he said. She continued to wait, and he cleared his throat with unnecessary force. "Your mother and I have done all we can for you, but you're too old to sit still. It's time you learned how to survive. We won't always be around to protect you, and when that day comes, you'll have to know what to do on your own."

Minori stared out over the garden at Rega's restaurant window where her eyes focused. There was a yellow light coming from the kitchen. She imagined he was cleaning up after dinner. Her father's words sounded far away.

Vaughn gave her a pat on the back in an effort to perk her up. She weakly smiled back at him, and he returned the solemn grin. "We won't live forever. We gotta teach you what we know while we can. You're a smart girl. You can handle yourself. I'll have a talk about it with your mother in the morning. Don't sneak around us anymore."

She nodded, and Vaughn went back to eating his raspberry, satisfied with their talk. Minori turned the berry around in her hands, unable to take her eyes off of it. It was her favorite, but she couldn't bring herself to taste it. For the first time, she was really afraid. Of that inevitable future. When she'd be all alone. The last borrower.