I did quite a bit of turtle research for this chapter. I don't have a true reason why Ava chose a Caspian pond turtle; maybe because they're able to recognize their owners? They also tend to hide when startled. But, let's be real, all animals are dogs (or cats) even when they're reptiles.

This chapter has got to be one of my favorites now too. Between Ava's child-like squealing to Ephemer's still-dead-inside approach to it all, I'd like to think that this chapter is a pretty fun read.

Thank you for reading!

Ava ran a hand through her hair as she read over the student reports. Final exam season was nearly upon them, and it was the perfect time for students to -unintentionally- start slacking. It seemed that many of the students in her house were doing incredibly well, which made the ones who were not stand out even more. She was already dreading the moment she had to talk to them, or worse- contact their caregivers.

"Good ol' Miss Ava Ryce; working on those benchmarks?"

Confused for a moment, Ava looked up and saw Gula casually leaning on the doorway. She relaxed a little as she gave him a bright smile.

"Oh, hello Gula." she greeted. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"We've got a date, Ava."

Ava blinked. "We do?"

"Don't tell me you've forgotten when that tank's been sitting there for two whole months!"

Again, Ava gave an absent blink as she looked over at said fish tank. Then it hit her with a jolt. She turned back to Gula with wide eyes.

"We're doing that today?"

Gula's demeanor darkened for a moment when he said, "We were originally planned to go last week." His expression soon softened again before adding, "But there's no time like the present, right?"

"Right." Ava almost immediately agreed. "Let me just get my things real quick..."

"Let's pick up Ephemer first before we go out." Gula told her as he amusingly watched as Ava put some of the reports away. "Kid's been cooped up since the play. Have you been making sure he eats?"

Ava slowed her movements slightly at the idea. "Skuld has," she affirmed before starting to dig around for her purse.

"But he's still in that funk, huh?"

"Yeah..." Ava sighed before she slung her purse over her shoulder. "Skuld's told me that they started sitting in the cafeteria with Anora and her study group."

Gula hadn't been aware of this. He gave Ava an inquisitive glower as he asked, "You mean that girl he brought to the formal?"

"Yes." she agreed with a small bob of her head. She walked over to Gula and gave him a small tilt of her head. "Why? Is there something wrong with her?"

For this, Gula smirked. "Oh no, not at all." he said in a voice that seemed particularly mocking. "There's nothing wrong with her. I was just curious."

Ava still gave Gula a very suspicious side glance before leaving her office. He laughed at her, of course, following behind and making a point to close the door behind them.

. . .

Ephemer just wanted to sleep. Which was weird- he liked being anywhere but in his dorm on a normal day. But it had been a tiring month. No… two months. It's been a tiring two months and it still didn't seem to end. Gula all but breaking into Ephemer's dorm to tell him that he had to go to the pet store with him and Ava only seemed to be the icing on the cake.

It was a small miracle that Ava decided they should hail a cab instead of walking into town. Ephemer and Ava sat in the back seat while Gula sat next to the driver. The boy didn't care how old he was, he leaned against Ava's shoulder and almost drifted to sleep. But Ava, knowing him far too well, kept nudging Ephemer so he could stay awake.

The smell inside the pet store had been so musty that Ephemer immediately sneezed upon entering.

"Bless you." the pet shop owner instantly replied before Ava or Gula could. "Besides getting the boy a tissue, is there anything I can help you lovely folks with?"

Gula and Ava exchanged glances, trying to see who could egg the other into talk first, before Gula stepped forward.

"The lovely lady there is looking for a new reptile, or amphibian, friend."

"Sounds wonderful." the shop owner smiled. "Any kind in particular?"

"Frogs!" Ava immediately blurted. "Or… or turtles!"

Ephemer looked at Ava and raised an eyebrow. At least one of them actually had the enthusiasm for this trip. The pet shop owner, on the other hand, seemed absolutely charmed by Ava.

"Well," they then said, scratching the back of their head, "We don't sell any living frogs. But we do have a small selection of turtles. Would you like to see them?"

"Yes!"

"Then follow me." the shop owner offered, gesturing for the three of them to follow. They didn't need to be told twice as they followed the shop owner through the store. As they walked, the pet shop owner told them, "We have three breeds of turtles available at the moment. Red Ear Slider, Reeve's, and a single Caspian. They're all quite friendly, and should be active this time of day."

They stopped walking when the pet shop owner gestured to a large tank holding seven turtles. Ava immediately glued her face against the glass to get a better look at them. Gula snorted and joined her at her side. Ephemer dully lingered behind, still wishing that he could just go to asleep.

"Gula, look at this one!" Ava happily trilled. "Oh! What about that one? She looks like such a sweetie!"

But it was when Ava locked eyes with the Caspian pond turtle that she drew out a sharp inhale.

"Ava?" Gula curiously asked, trying to figure out if she was having a stroke or was honestly that excited about seeing a lone turtle.

"He's… so… cute!" she squealed.

The pet shop owner looked at Ava and laughed. "Shelby's got quite the personality! Would you like to play with him?"

Ava's eyes grew wide in wonder. "Can I?" she happily asked. Gula tried not to laugh at her- the 26 year old was acting like she was six again. The only one who didn't seem to find it as funny was Ephemer.

"There's a small play area right there," the pet shop owner told Ava, pointing to a small inclosed place littered with pillows. "I'll get Shelby out if you can wait over there for him."

"Sounds great!" Ava agreed. "Come on Ephemer!" she then said, grabbing her adoptive son by the hand. The boy let out a small sound of surprise, Ava's grip far stronger than what he was expecting, as she dragged them to the play area. Gula watched with interest as the pet shop owner got the Caspian pond turtle out and brought it over to the play area.

"Remember," the shop owner told her, although talking to all of them, "Turtles are their shell. When you pick him up, make sure you do it from under- don't try to hold him by the sides."

"Got it!" Ava quickly nodded, reaching her hands out for the turtle. The pet shop owner denied her the chance to actually hold the turtle, instead setting him down on one of the play area's pillows. Ava didn't care- she immediately scrambled to her knees to get a better look at the turtle.

"Hey little guy," she cooed. "How are you doing?"

With Ava down for the count, Gula knew it was his responsibility to ask the important 'new pet owner' questions.

"If you don't mind me asking," he said to the shop owner, "How long do they live for?"

"Like all turtles, it's quite some time." the pet shop owner smiled. "But for these guys, the average is about 40 years."

"How old is Shelby now?"

"He arrived to us freshly hatched back in April, so a good three months."

Gula gave a small, sage-like nod of understanding. "How big will he get?" he then questioned.

"About 40 inches." the shop owner replied.

"Oh Ephemer," Ava continued to gush as the turtle let her pet its head. "Isn't he just the sweetest thing?"

"Is this the way you acted when you met me?" the boy mused- his voice earning the attention of the turtle. It looked up at him with wide, curious eyes.

"No!" Ava quickly denied with a shake of her head. "Why would you think that?"

"Just a hunch..." Ephemer mumbled as the turtle started to carefully trot over to him. The two made eye contact, and for a moment, Ephemer wondered if turtles could smile.

"Hey there little guy." Ephemer dully smiled at the tiny turtle. "You're a real lively one, aren't you?"

Now it looked like the turtle was wagging its tail. Was this thing a turtle or a dog?

"What do you think?" Ava asked Ephemer, scooting closer in a less than subtle attempt to gain the turtle's attention again. "Should we take him home?"

Ephemer lulled the idea over as he wiggled his fingers over Shelby's head. The tiny thing hungrily glared at them before making several attempts to snap at him. It was pretty amusing, honestly. As Ephemer started to stroke the top of the turtle's head, he turned to Ava with a small smile. "I wouldn't mind having a little brother."