Chapter 17

After a soak and a good chat with Amai, Snek returned to the living room and still found it oddly silent. Melee and Garou weren't even looking at each other for the time being, before he left, Snek paused and turned. "You know, I may not be the one to give advice like this right now. But let me just say one thing. GET OVER IT!" he said. "Amai confessed his feelings, big deal, Melee you aren't going to hurt him any more than he has already harmed himself. Garou, YOU WON. What's there to be upset over, just because Sweet Mask is in the house, loves Melee doesn't mean anything is going to happen. She's not going anywhere!"

The two turned and stared at him oddly. "Snek…"

"And this is when I take my leave. Have a good one" with that he walked out and got as far away from the house as possible.

His phone went off when he was half way down the stairs. "You got Snek"

"Where did you go!?"

He smiled when he heard Angela's voice. "Oh, had to check on the blue serpent who revealed himself to the world. We don't have to tip toe around that anymore. Amai showed his face on TV through a fan video!"

"Why did you go and see him?"

"I had to make sure he was of his right mind. Sometimes people do weird and strange things when they are stuck for so long… especially after eating something. Anyway, it's good right now… well, as good as it can be for the moment. I'll fill you in when I get home."

"Oh, okay. Drax and I have looked at schools in the area. There are some nice ones, however…"

"However? What do you mean however?" he asked and froze right on the stairs.

"We… are considering schools in City Z."

Snek couldn't believe his ears. "Seriously?! That's great! We'll make a trip tomorrow! I'll even go with you!" he had a hard enough time trying to contain the excitement in his voice, but on the inside, he was celebrating.

"Okay, if you want to come with us, I won't say no. You better come home soon, dinner is nearly ready."

"I'll be there as soon as I can!" with that he hung up the phone and made his way down the stairs with a little more spring in his step!

#

He returned to the apartment, the whole place smelt wonderful. A nice hearty and hot meal awaited him. Snek approached the table when he saw the spread, licking his lips.

"Mmmm, looks delicious!"

Angela went all out and made a delightful veggie fry with noodles. Drax was quick to take his fair share as he told Snek about the schools in the area. "They look okay, but I heard City Z has some good ones too, not to mention great dojos to learn from."

"I live next to one and I got a guy who can learn any set of skills and master them. So I am sure he could teach you too." He said with a grin.

"This isn't a for sure thing!" protested Angela. "I am CONSIDERING the idea, it's not set in stone."

Drax however was grinning from ear to ear on the notion. His mother was thinking about it. It wasn't a defiant no that she usually says when it comes to an outrageous idea.

Snek merely smiled as he continued to eat. "So, Amai Mask revealed himself as the snake man today… I wonder what caused that?" said Drax.

"That's the one thing I didn't ask him." Snek said aloud. "Oh well, I am sure we'll find out sooner than later."

"Really? He revealed himself?" asked Angela.

"Willingly, no one forced his hand either," said Snek. "Still, sometimes I don't understand his motives. Amai Mask is a man of mystery to say the least."

"Does this mean people are going to know who you are?" asked Drax.

"People hardly knew who I was BEFORE I even became the serpent. So, no."

Drax snickered as Angela giggled at the thought. They finished dinner, Snek cleaned up as Drax announced he was going to bed. He had a long day and will have a longer one tomorrow. When his door closed, Angela turned to him. "I have been thinking about it." She whispered. "After my talk with Melee, I have strongly considered the idea of moving to City Z. But, do you want us?" she asked.

He paused and stared at her. "What the hell kind of question is that? Of course I want you two with me! Hell, I didn't think you would want to be with me. Not after I turn back. I mean… you don't like snakes!"

"Snek… it will be a big adjustment for us, for all of us. I am still not use to this new you!"

"Yeah, well… this is the new and improved me… temporary packaging though."

She giggled.

He paused as he turned to her. "Do… you mind it? I mean…" he sighed. "I want to be there for you, I should have been a better man than before… and yet… How the hell do I even word this?"

"What are you trying to say?"

He sighed. "Alley can make the same machine the house of evolution used on not just me, but the whole family of Garou, it can take the monster energy right out of my body. In doing so… I will be rendered human. Yet, I know this much, the moment I am turned back. My hero career is over. I don't have much in the way of skill sets, I mean, all I ever wanted to be was a hero. But, if you want…"

She gasped. "You would give up your hero career to be with us?"

He nodded. "If I do, I am just trying to figure out a backup plan. I got enough in the bank to last us a few years but…"

He felt her arms come crushing around him. He couldn't move as Angela buried her face into his chest and wept. "Whoa, hey, what's this about?"

"You… you would do that for us?" she cried. "I left you because I knew how much being a hero meant to you. I won't make you into something you aren't Snek."

His heart froze. "So… you would stay when I turn back?"

She paused, and fell silent for the most part. "Okay baby steps here, let's just talk about it for now, then go from there."

"Yeah…" she said, but her voice was barely above a whisper…