A/N: Hello everyone! I hope you're having a fine evening/day. Enjoy the next crazy adventure of this crazy family.
Of Impulse and Fey: Spin-off Ed.
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Ch. 6
Lunch at Jack's
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Jack was still his same stubborn, yet humble self, which was quite a relief. The shop was doing much better after the renovations he was able to do from the funds I technically donated to him a little more than a year ago. Jack took a liking to Natsuki right away, and made the comment out loud that "ya remin' me o' someone, jus' can't remember who." Natsuki merely smiled warmly, took the broom from the corner of the shop, and began to sweep as she had seen him do countless times before. Relief flooded through me as I knew that she'd be comfortable here. I went to work straight away. It was nice not getting calls throughout the day about your loved one wreaking havoc everywhere.
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It has been about a month since Natsuki had started at Jack's and it occurred to me that Jack never changed the shop name to his. I asked him about it and he said, "M' name is too common ta promote for better 'omes for these animals." I would've tried to convince him otherwise, but he is a very stubborn old man. Anyway, Natsuki was enjoying herself. She still spoke to the animals and created deep bonds with them as she had done when she was in wolf form. Snakes, however, still gave her a hard time. I rather liked snakes. Something about their serpentine bodies and untrustworthy demeanor piqued my interest. I wouldn't keep one now with the baby in the house though.
One time, I brought Natsuki and Jack lunch on a whim and walked in on a forever-scenic battle between puppy and serpent. Natsuki had been trying to feed a king cobra, but the thing felt threatened despite Natsuki's mental comforting. He still hissed and launched to attack; if it wasn't for Natsuki's super alien reflexes, she would have had her first trip to the ER. Too curious for my own good, I walked over to the tank and gazed at the cold-blooded animal levelly. The snake kind of moved to attack but then wavered in its movements before settling back down at the bottom of the tank like a tamed worm. "Here," I said reaching for the small furry mouse in Natsuki's hands, "Let me feed him." She gazed at me oddly, then handed me the tiny creature. She moved to remove her protective gloves to which I said cheerfully, "Oh, there's no need for those."
I moved quickly before Jack could protest and force me to wear the gloves. I pushed back the glass ceiling of the tank, set the mouse in a corner, and secured the tank shut with seemingly practiced ease. The cobra all the while simply coiled himself near my hands now outside of the glass and I itched to pet its smooth scales. "I'll be damned," said Jack hobbling over, "yer a snake charmer too, eh?"
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I took the day off today, and brought Kiyohime with me into the shop so she could see her mama at work. (I was "mom" and Natsuki was "mama".) "She looks like th' both 'o ya," Jack said with astonishment, but happy to see the new family member nonetheless. As we switch off to carry her- Kiyo still hadn't wanted to walk yet- Jack said, "By th' way, where is the mangy mutt? 'ow is she doin'?" Natsuki quietly chuckled as she fed the puppies and I smile knowingly back in response. "She's thriving Jack. I'll bring her around one of these days." He nodded back in response, but was distracted since Kiyo is quite literally a handful. I hear Natsuki shuffling around for a few minutes, but then feel a mental "knock". I visibly shiver at the sudden request but Jack was too busy with our daughter to notice. I open my door. Shizuru, could you feed the cobra again? He doesn't like me. I could feel the grudge in her voice, the one animal that she couldn't befriend.
I meet Natsuki at the king cobra tank and she hands me another quivering sacrifice. I must say that I feel bad for the tiny mouse, but the circle of life is a cruel one. The cobra emerged from his hiding place and coiled in front of my person. Not wanting to make the serpent wait any longer, I push the glass, set the mouse down, and move to close the tank back up again. But this time, the snake slithered up to meet my hand and, while the mouse scurried for a hiding spot, I pet the smooth creature. His tongue lapped at my hand affectionately and began to wrap around my wrist lovingly. Without thinking, I take the snake out from its confines. It was only one of the most poisonous snakes in the world, what was the harm in taking it out while my daughter and friends are in the room?
Natsuki stepped back, but remained close enough to act if the snake chose to make a deadly move. I allow the cobra to slither around my arm happily as he traveled toward my neck. Jack was helping Kiyo walk by holding her hands up and forcing her to teeter-totter on her own pudgy legs. He chocked in alarm when they turned the corner and saw that the snake was contentedly nuzzling my throat by now. Kiyo let out a surprised squeal and began to pump her legs without assistance as Jack stood senseless and looking like he was about to have a heart attack. Our baby just took her first steps! Pride bloomed in my chest as Kiyo moved toward me and Natsuki was able to catch her as Kiyo lost balance. I could see Natsuki felt a sense of pride and happiness too as she held our upright daughter.
I stoop down to Kiyo's level and reach for the cobra sitting lazily on my shoulders, tasting the air with his tongue. I remove him, held him to my eyes, and mentally speak if you harm my daughter I will not think twice of removing your innards while you're still alive. He bobbed his head in submission and shimmied into Kiyo's gentle hands. Kiyo giggled as the cobra acted like a puppy and flicked its tongue on her cheek. Kiyo nuzzled it and the cobra nuzzled back. Jack still hadn't found his voice box when I finally put the snake back in its tank.