The last bounty Marco (Porco Rosso) had flown had been very lucrative but not without consequences. It had forced both pilot and sea plane further north than either had ever been. It had taken all his considerable skill to survive the ice storm that hit on the way back to Italy.
The plane was a little worse for wear, battered and dripping with water-ice on return. Gina had sent for Fio to visit and see to the plane.
As it stood, Gina was more concerned for the pilot.
1
Gina stood frowning over Marco, a thermometer in her hand. "Stop being so stuborn, Marco. You're not fooling anyone. I know you have a fever. I need to know how bad it is. Am I going to have to hold your nose shut?"
"Snout, sweety. I'm a pig, remember?"
"Nose... snout... beak... bill... I don't care. So help me that's my next move if you don't open up in five... four... three..." He signed and relented. "That's more like it." She put the thermometer under his tongue, resting a hand against his bristled forehead. He allowed himself a slight smile at her cool touch.
After two minutes, she took the instrument out. "103. Yeah, that doesn't surprise me. You're really burning up." She replaced her hand with a cloth soaked in cool water and vinegar. "I'll do my best to take care of you but if it gets much worse I'm calling a doctor."
"How about a..."
"Don't you dare say 'vet' Marco!"
"All right, I won't. Sorry, Gina." He suddenly broke into harsh, dry coughs.
Gina sat down beside Marco and encouraged him into a more upright position to make breathing easier. The cough subsided but he still leaned against her, burning and shivering.
She felt herself softening in an instant. Man, boy or pig, she'd never seen Marco so vulnerable. She drew the throw blanket up around him and just let him stay there for a few minutes.
The chills receeded and he lay down, exhausted. Gina smothed the blankets over him and freshened the cloth against his brow.
"You should try and get some sleep. I'm going to go make you some soup for later."
"With those little chicken meatballs?"
"If you like."
"Ok." He closed his eyes. Gina snuck a kiss to the top of his head before leaving him to get some much needed rest.
In the dim light, human features flickered over his face, like a guttering candle.
1
"How is he?" Fio asked. She'd come in for a water break and met Gina in the kitchen.
"A little better I think. He showed an interest in the kind of soup I'm making him. That's a good sign."
"Gina... have you ever tried just giving him a big kiss to break the curse?"
"It's not that simple, Fio. I don't think anyone can break the curse for Marco. I think it's about him finally getting to the point where he doesn't want to be a pig anymore."
"Why does he want to be a pig?"
"Safety. Lower standards for a pig versus a man. Maybe he thinks he deserves it on some level."
"So, what can we do?"
"Be the kind of human beings that may make him want to join us again. Be a safe place for him to try being human. And just try to convince him he's enough as he is. Believe me, that's plenty to take on."
"Well if youre love can't convince him to change back, I don't know what will." Fio drained her glass and set it down. "I'd better get back to work."
"Yes. Me too." Gina put some chicken thighs in the meat grinder, turned the crank and hummed a soft tune.