Author's Note: Special thanks goes to Janna12 for inspiring this story.
January, 1969
Cambridge, Great Britain
Jack Moffitt found himself somewhat envious of his Siberian husky. Livna had been sprinting and rolling around in the snow for quite some time, having an enormous amount of fun, and it looked like she wasn't about to stop. Unfortunately, she would have to, as Moffitt needed to go to work at the University of Cambridge, and standing out in the bitter cold was incredibly unpleasant.
"Come on, Livna!" Moffitt called. "Time to go in! Please! I'm cold and I have to go to work!"
The dog eventually started running toward Moffitt, a very happy look on her face. She shook the snow off before Moffitt could open the door to let her back in. His son, Jules, and his Egyptian cobra, Anah, were now in charge of her, while Moffitt headed to his blue Land Rover. His wife, Vanora, had already scraped the ice off the windshield and was waiting in the passenger seat.
"Bloody hell," Moffitt sighed as he got in the driver's seat. "I need to get an assignment to North Africa. What a rotten winter."
"Winter for Christmas is nice, but I'm ready for spring," Vanora replied.
"How about we skip right to summer? I'd rather not deal with my allergies."
Vanora sighed, smiled, and rolled her eyes. "Then we would miss all the flowers blooming."
"That's the point, darling! Blooming flowers means a horrible hay fever is on the way."
"Yes, and everyone across the British Isles will hear about it, not because of your sneezing, but because of your griping." Vanora reached over to pinch her husband's left cheek. "I love you, though."
The roads in Cambridge were full of slush. Falling snow was mixing with that slush, and everyone was bundled up while walking through the streets. It was quite a pain to drive through, and Moffitt heaved a sigh while having to slow to a crawl behind other vehicles. "I agree with you, darling. Winter is nice around Christmas, but it can bugger off on Boxing Day."
"Precisely, love," Vanora said. "Unfortunately, we still have three more months to deal with it. Same thing every year."
Moffitt nodded. When they eventually reached the university, the couple walked around to the front of the vehicle. "Alright. I will see you in a few hours, darling. Have a wonderful day."
"You, too, Jack." Vanora hugged him tightly. "Oh, I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you, too." Moffitt kissed his wife on her forehead first, then pulled her in for a more passionate kiss on her lips. "All these years together and I'm still madly in love with you."
"It's wonderful, isn't it?" Vanora smiled, giving her husband a third kiss, followed by a tap on the tip of his nose. "We should head inside, love."
"Right. I love you, and I'll see you later." Moffitt was reluctant to walk away from Vanora, but forced himself to do so. The cold made him walk as quickly as possible to the archeology and anthropology department. Amidst the noise and muffled sounds of lectures and classes was his quiet office and his section of the university's archives, where he could be alone for most of the day. He greatly enjoyed the quiet and the privacy, and was glad that people had finally given up on asking him to be a professor.
Around noon, he was contemplating whether he wanted to actually have lunch, or just a cup of tea so he could keep reading and translating a fragmented papyrus scroll. The thought then struck him that he didn't even know if he had brought lunch or not. A quick check of his belongings said that he didn't. "Tea it is, then," he declared out loud.
His lunch consisting of a single cup of tea was steeping when the telephone started ringing. Blast. Who wants me? Moffitt sighed before picking up the phone. "Archeology department archives. Doctor Moffitt speaking."
"Good afternoon, Moffitt," Doctor Millington, of the zoology department, answered cheerily. "Do you have a few moments to come to the snake laboratory?"
"I just started a cup of tea."
"Bring it with you. I think you'll be interested in this."
"Oh, alright." Moffitt had never disturbed a cup of tea while it was in the process of steeping, nor did he want it to get cold while crossing the street to get to Millington's office. He did it anyway, moving quickly and breathing a sigh of relief that the steeping tea was still hot. Of course, upon entering the laboratory, he had to greet the snakes gathering at the glass of their tanks to acknowledge the only human being on Earth who could communicate with them.
Millington was at the far end of the laboratory, holding his own tea while examining a tank containing a young teal-colored Jameson's mamba. He looked over at Moffitt when the lankier man approached. "Did your tea survive the trip?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, it did," Moffitt replied. "Alright. What is this thing you think I'll be so interested in?"
"Two things, actually. One, I've finally been granted the funding to house sea snakes."
"Ah, so all that pestering of the board paid off."
"It did. I made all the necessary phone calls this morning, and a contractor will be here tomorrow to take measurements of a room on this floor that I've had my eye on for months."
"It'll be months before you can get any snakes, then."
"Not necessarily. Any snakes I get now would have to be in quarantine tanks anyway for a period of three months, and speaking of acquiring snakes, we might have our first."
"Oh?"
"Doctor Conwyn, an old friend of mine from our wartime service, called me this morning and said that what looks to be a vagrant banded sea krait, Laticauda colubrina, has become a bit of a nuisance along the coast of the North Island."
"I'm guessing it's bitten people?"
"People and dogs. This sea krait is a quick one and has avoided capture. I told Conwyn that I know someone who can help. It took a bit of explaining, but he's fully on board with the idea. If we can catch the krait, we can safely remove it and bring it back here, where it won't be a nuisance to anyone." Millington smiled. "So, how would you like to come with me to New Zealand?"
Moffitt gestured to himself. "Me? Go to New Zealand? This is a bit sudden, don't you think?"
"I considered it. Might I also mention it's summer there?"
"That does make going quite tempting." Moffitt rubbed his chin as he thought. "Could I talk about this with my wife?"
"Absolutely! She could even come with if she'd like. Jules and Anah, too."
"Yes, but then I'd need someone to watch the dog."
"Well, take a day or two to think this over and talk about it with Vanora. If you can't do it, we'll find another way to rescue that krait."
Moffitt nodded, thinking hard about what he wanted to do while he began sipping his tea.
Jules gave a nervous glance to Anah when she set a bundle of chives on the cutting board in front of him. He picked up a knife and started chopping the chives—very slowly, compared to Anah. He knew the cobra wasn't going to criticize him harshly, but he still felt like he needed to get this right.
"You are doing alright, dear," Anah said. "You will gain speed the more you do this. Focus on completing the task and not cutting yourself."
Jules stayed focused until hearing Livna panting, and turned to see the gray and white husky sitting by him. "You can't have any of this. It's poison to dogs," he said.
Livna kept staring up at him, then looked toward the front door, then back up at Jules with a pleading expression in her silvery blue eyes.
"Aw, Liv, I'll play with you later. I'm sorry." Jules returned his focus to the chives. Once they were completely chopped, he added them to a pan of melted butter.
"Good job, dear. Now, stir them a bit, then let them cook."
Jules felt a bit more confident now, even though he felt like this was a silly thing to be nervous about. He knew how much cooking meant to Anah, and how important it was to learn for when he was out on his own—even though Anah would be with him.
The cobra slithered down to Jules's left wrist to see the recipe book propped up on the back of the counter, held open by the cookie jar and a napkin holder. "Ah, so this is what I consider the fun part of the recipe, adding all the other herbs and spices to the sauce."
"I have to add the cream first," Jules said.
"Of course, dear." Anah climbed back up to Jules's shoulders to let him open the bottle of cream and take his measurement.
Jules went through the motions of making the sauce far slower than Anah ever would, but at least it would come out well. Then again, "well" just meant it would be edible. I'm not utterly hopeless at cooking like Troy is. Jules sighed. "I hope Mum and Dad like this. It just… doesn't feel like it'll have the same… I don't know, magic that you add to everything."
"I do not actually add magic to my cooking." Anah smiled. "Just a lot of love. It is not something that you will master overnight. You simply have to keep practicing, and you are doing very well."
"Thanks." Jules went quiet again. "I really want to impress Antheia the next time she visits."
"Why?"
"Well, why not?"
"Oh, you poor dear, you do not have to impress her." Anah stroked Jules's cheek with her tail. "You two care so much about each other."
"I know, but should the day come when we're, you know, actually living together, I want to be able to make something nice."
"And I find that admirable, but I think you and Antheia have reached a point where you appreciate any little thing the other does, regardless of how impressive it might seem. That, and you have been dating from a distance for nearly three years now. Just being with each other, physically, will feel wonderful."
Jules nodded in agreement. "Thanks, Anah."
"However, I am not saying that you should not cook a nice meal. Learn her favorites. I am sure she knows all of your favorite foods." Anah added through the side of her mouth, "Every variety of raspberry under the sun."
Jules smirked. "I heard that. I like more than just raspberries. Your fish and chips are amazing. Chocolate custard cake, treacle tarts, Bakewell tarts—all fantastic."
Anah nuzzled his cheek. "Thank you, dear. I will have to show Antheia how to make all of that, then."
"That would be nice."
Anah looked up at the clock, then turned her focus back to the recipe. Jules listened while Anah listed off the herbs and spices she used in the sauce, along with how to use them in other recipes. The whole time, Livna was lying flat on the floor by Jules's feet, looking quite bored.
Once all the ingredients of the sauce were together, Anah said, "Alright, dear, turn the burner to a low heat and cover the pan. Now, we will start the chicken. You know what to do first, right?"
"Yep. Use a different knife and cutting board to avoid cross-contamination."
"Right. Good job, dear."
"Thanks." Jules took a chicken breast out of a package that had been thawed in the sink and set it on the cutting board.
"Cut it in half lengthwise and set each piece in the pan I had you set aside with the melted butter and garlic." Anah moved over to Jules's right shoulder to look at something out the window. "I can see your parents' vehicle."
"Blast, this isn't even done," Jules said.
"That is alright. They will both want their showers and your father is going to want his tea first. No need to worry."
"Okay."
Livna sat up to bark twice at the door when a key could be heard turning in it. She trotted over to the door, and happily greeted Moffitt when he came in.
"Hello, Livna," Moffitt said. "How's my favorite fluffy little ball of lint? Okay, down—good girl. Alright, let me take my shoes off."
"Hey, Dad," Jules said.
"Hello, Jules." Moffitt hung up his jacket, then stepped aside so Vanora could come inside as well. "Are you cooking dinner?"
"With Anah's help."
"Wonderful." Moffitt set his shoes on a tray so the ice and snow didn't get all over the house. "Hello, Anah." He gave the cobra a good scratch under her chin.
"Hello, dear," Anah said, leaning in to get more scratches. "I will get your tea started in a moment."
"Thank you kindly. When will dinner be ready?"
"About half-an-hour."
"Perfect timing. I'll be quick in the shower, then."
Anah climbed down from Jules's shoulder to the counter to get the tea started. "Jules, dear, do not forget to turn the chicken over."
"Oh, right! Sorry." Jules grabbed a set of tongs to turn the chicken, breathing a sigh of relief upon seeing they weren't burned. In fact, they had a delicious-looking golden-brown crust. He found himself salivating.
"Would you mind getting a cup of cocoa for me started, Anah?" Vanora asked. "Certainly a good day for it."
"Of course, dear," Anah replied. "You all relax. We have everything under control."
"Livna! No! Stop trying to follow me into the bathroom!" Moffitt said. "No, I'm not leaving the bloody door open for you."
The husky was nudged outside before the bathroom door was closed, and she sat there, waiting for her favorite person to come out.
As Anah stated, within a half-hour, dinner was served. Jules eagerly dug in, impressed that he hadn't utterly ruined everything. I could get used to cooking more often, he thought.
"You did a wonderful job, Jules," Vanora said.
"Thanks, Mum."
"Seconded," Moffitt added.
Jules switched his gaze between his parents. "You're not just saying that, are you?"
"No, of course not," Vanora replied. "You really did do a good job."
"Thanks."
Things were quiet for a little while, then Moffitt spoke up. "So, since everyone is here, there's something I'd like your opinions on. Millington told me this morning that he's finally been given the funding to house sea snakes, and a friend of his down in New Zealand has given him an opportunity to catch his first specimen—a banded sea krait that's been causing some issues around the North Island. Millington mentioned that I would be the best chance of helping this snake. I'm not sure how long this would take, and New Zealand is quite a long ways away, so I want to know everyone's thoughts."
"If you want to go, Jack, you can. I won't stop you," Vanora said.
"Well, would you like to come with me?"
"If you don't know how long this will take, I can't. Evelina invited me along to help out with a conference on magical archeology in London this coming Monday."
"Alright. I'm a bit disappointed, but perhaps we can go again together for a romantic trip someday."
"I would love that. I hear it's quite pretty in New Zealand."
"Indeed." Moffitt looked over at Anah. "I'll need you with me. Millington mentioned there were some bite cases with this krait. They received antivenom from Australia, but if I'll be going, I don't think it'll hurt to make a batch of antivenom potion for future incidents. Plus, I think having another snake present will help this krait feel a bit calmer."
"If you need me, then I will be happy to accompany you, dear," Anah said.
"That means Jules won't have any schooling for a little while," Vanora added.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Jules said, putting a forkful of chicken in his mouth.
"I don't see why Jules can't come with us," Moffitt said. "It'll be a chance to see something new, and, it's summer there. I think we could all use some nice weather. Even better, there are plenty of horse trails. That's something we could do together."
Jules admitted that was tempting, and it really wasn't often that he got out. It had been awhile since he got to go on an adventure with his father. "Sure. I'll come. It sounds fun."
"It won't all be fun—at least for me. It sounds like I'm going to get a crash course in diving in order to catch the krait, and we don't know if it's sick or injured. You, on the other hand, can go exploring."
"On my own?"
"Yes."
"In a place I've never been before?"
"Think of it as practice for when you're on your own. You'll be seventeen this coming May, so… life on your own isn't that far off."
"I-I know, but c-can I say I'm a bit nervous?"
"Absolutely. I've never been to New Zealand before. It'll be an experience for both of us."
"Okay. That helps. Still… alone is a bit scary."
"Until I need her to help with the krait, Anah will be with her. She is technically a guardian over you—literally and legally."
Jules nodded. He had explored Cambridge on his own countless times, but he had lived there his whole life. Going to a foreign country was a whole other challenge. At least, he told himself, New Zealanders spoke English. The only other language Jules had a grasp on was German, though he wasn't fluent by any means. He wasn't sure if he could count all the Greek swearwords he had learned by accident from Troy as knowing another language.
After his lessons with Anah the following day, Jules spent the afternoon reading his father's encyclopedias to learn a bit more about where he was going. He wasn't sure where on the North Island they would be going, so he didn't limit his reading to one particular area.
Moffitt came home with some more reading material that Millington was kind enough to let him borrow. "I've heard some people say that once you learn to speak another language, it becomes easier to pick up a third, a fourth, and so on. I reckon that Māori will be the most interesting language on my list, because it's furthest from my field of study. Even if I only get to use it rarely, I greatly enjoy learning new languages, and I think it will be fun."
Jules took a quick look through the book his father had brought home about the Māori language. "I think I'm most worried about butchering the simplest words."
"You'll do alright. Don't overthink it." Moffitt looked at Jules, his smile fading. "Oh, right, you're related to me. Overthinking is in your genes."
Jules smirked a little, and nodded.
His father's smile returned. He reached over to tousle Jules's hair. "Like I said, you'll be alright. You're very smart."
"Thanks, Dad."
Moffitt turned back to his reading for a moment, then glanced at Jules. "Am I pushing you too hard?"
"No. I think this'll be a good experience for me. I'm just nervous."
"I understand. You're nowhere near as bold as I was—well, you're also not dealing with the pressure of getting the highest marks possible to get into Cambridge. You're not constantly seeking an escape." Moffitt sighed. "What is it that has you so nervous?"
"I'm not sure it's any one thing. Going to a new place and trying to navigate it. I'm worried about getting lost, or… something bad happening and you're not there."
"Anah will be with for most days. I'm not going to tell you what to do when we get to New Zealand. If you would rather wait for me, that's alright, but if you do choice to go exploring, please be careful. You have common sense. I trust you to not do anything stupid. At the same time, I'm going to gently encourage you to go out there and experience something new. Find something that sparks your interest, and maybe make a friend or two."
Jules nodded. "At least now I'm smart enough to not say something stupid that ruins any potential friendships, like I did when I was at my other school."
"You were younger. I wouldn't say you were less smart."
"No, I was stupid. I should've thought more about how to talk to others and that… no one was going to want to hear about…" Jules's voice dropped to a mumble, "the fact that you can talk to snakes."
"You're a vastly different person compared to who you were all those years ago. You were still a child. You were learning."
"I know everyone makes mistakes when they're little, but it… it feels like it's more than just a mistake if it's still affecting you years later."
"To be fair, Jules, you really haven't gone out and tried making friends here in Cambridge, so you have no idea if you will run into the people you went to school with. You also don't know if they're going to care."
"I guess you have a point."
"Something else to keep in mind, when we go to New Zealand, you're not going to know anyone. No one is going to know your past, and you don't have to say anything to anyone about it."
"That's true." Jules was quiet for a moment. "I think… I'm also afraid of looking like I don't know how to talk to people."
"That's why I'm recommending you find something you're interested in while we're there. I mentioned yesterday that there are a ton of horse trails. I'm sure you'll find someone there."
"Alright." Jules drew in a breath. "I'll try. Thanks for listening, Dad."
Moffitt's sleep was patchy throughout the night before the flight to New Zealand. He, Jules, and Anah would have to get up quite early, which was one thing that was making sleep difficult. At least, he thought, he could sleep on the plane. He sighed before reaching over to take the clock from his nightstand. "Bloody hell," he murmured. He still had two more hours to try and sleep.
"You alright, love?" Vanora whispered.
"Oh, just having trouble sleeping, that's all," Moffitt replied.
"Nightmares?"
"No. Just having trouble in general."
"Nervous about the flight?"
"A little." Moffitt looked at his wife. "I think I'm more worried about Jules than anything."
"He does seem a bit more anxious than I was expecting. I thought he'd be excited."
"So did I. I probably shouldn't have suggested this would be good practice for when he's on his own."
"No, you had the right idea, Jack." Vanora turned to cuddle up to her husband. "Exploring a new place will be a good experience for him."
"You don't think we're pushing him too hard?"
"No. It's not like we'll punish him if he feels he needs to take it slow. He has the sense to go back to the hotel room if he's feeling stressed."
"Alright." Moffitt stared up at the ceiling. "He's worried. I'm worried."
"You always worry, love."
"I've been getting better at that."
"You have." Vanora kissed Moffitt's cheek. "Don't forget to have fun on this trip, alright? I know we won't be together, but we can call each other."
"Yes. There's a thirteen-hour difference, though. I'll call first and give you the name and number of the hotel." Moffitt glanced over at the clock again. "Two hours until I have to get up, and Anah and Livna are in Jules's room. Perhaps we, ah, make the most of it before you don't have me for a time?"
"You don't want to try sleeping first? I wouldn't want to wear you out and make you sleep in." Vanora grinned.
"I can sleep on the plane." Moffitt kissed her. "I'll let you decide, darling. Have a bit of fun now, or wait until I return and I'll treat you to the passion and pleasure you so dearly deserve. Either one is fine by me."
"Would you still give me that passion when you return if we have some fun now?"
"Of course I would, darling. I'm going to miss you so much, after all," Moffitt purred.
Having a wonderfully loving moment with Vanora allowed Moffitt's worry to dissipate, at least for a while. He cherished every second, and knew Vanora was cherishing it as well.
When it came time to get out of bed, Moffitt was quiet so as not to wake Vanora, as she had fallen asleep not too long after their moment of romantic ecstasy had finished. He got dressed, picked up his backpack and suitcases, and brought them out to the front door. After getting water started for tea, he went to Jules's bedroom door and opened it. Jules was still asleep with Livna and Anah curled up with him. Livna lifted her head when Moffitt reached down to pet her.
"Good morning," Moffitt whispered. "You can go back to sleep, alright?" He then started petting Anah, who stirred and adjusted her coils. "Anah," he said softly. "Time to wake up."
Anah's eyes began brightening. She uncoiled herself and yawned before slowly turning to face Moffitt, who picked her up to put her around his shoulders.
Lastly, Moffitt gently shook Jules's left shoulder. "Jules, time to get up."
"Five more minutes," Jules moaned.
"Millington is going to be here in twenty. I'm sorry. You'll be able to sleep on the plane."
"Alright." Jules sat up, stretching and yawning while his father left the room with Anah.
Livna trailed Moffitt, who looked down at the husky to say, "It's too early for your breakfast. Vanora will feed you when she wakes up, alright?" He took the kettle off the stovetop before it could whistle, and poured water into two waiting cups.
"Are you going to eat something before we go?" Anah asked.
"I'll eat at the airport," Moffitt replied.
"I will remind you, dear."
"Oh, I know you will. Let me enjoy my tea; it's far too bloody early for anyone to be annoying." He heard someone try to suppress a snicker, then felt that same someone tap the back of his head. "Jules Michael Moffitt, you're not an adult yet. I can still ground you."
Jules kept smirking while getting the milk and sugar out for tea. "Sorry, Dad."
Moffitt shook his head, sighing and smiling a little. He tried his best to enjoy his tea with what little time they had before Millington showed up, and looked up when he saw Jules opening the refrigerator. "There'll be food at the airport."
"I'm just having something light," Jules said.
"Let him eat, dear," Anah muttered, half-asleep on Moffitt's shoulders.
"Oh, alright." Moffitt returned his attention to his tea. He was finished by the time Millington's car pulled into the driveway, but the caffeine was taking its time kicking in. He and Jules put their coats on and headed out into the cold, dark morning with their luggage.
"You two look like you're going to sleep quite well on the flight," Millington said.
"I think we are," Moffitt replied.
"Given that you are used to traveling to America, I have a feeling you'll adjust to the different timezone better than most."
"The difference between here and Wyoming is about six hours. I think the thirteen-hour difference with New Zealand will be a bit trickier."
Once Moffitt and Jules were situated, Millington started backing out of the driveway. "Well, I was able to get us into first-class seating on the plane, and we'll have lounge access at Heathrow Airport."
"You didn't have to do that," Moffitt said.
"I had the means, and since this is your first time going to New Zealand, I'd like to make this special for you."
"Alright. As long as they have good tea."
"You just had your tea, Dad," Jules said.
"Well, now I'll have tea at the airport."
"I'm more interested in a proper breakfast."
"You could have asked, dear, I would have made something," Anah said.
"You seemed too sleepy."
"Oh, nonsense! I would have cooked for you."
"There wasn't time," Moffitt said.
"That is also nonsense. A couple of eggs and a crumpet take very little time."
Jules looked at Millington through the rear-view mirror. "What sort of breakfast can we expect in New Zealand?"
"Breakfasts can be quite similar to what you can get here, Jules, with some differences," Millington said. He glanced at Moffitt. "Yes, you will have your tea."
"Look, I'm not opposed to trying new things," Moffitt said. "But tea is part of my routine and I'd like to keep that."
"Oddly enough, where we're going, there is a town called Cambridge nearby. Not a long drive by any means. Still, I encourage both of you to explore when you have the chance. Have fun."
"Sounds like the hardest part will be choosing where to start," Jules said.
"You'll find something that catches your interest. In general, the people there are very nice, so don't hesitate to ask questions."
"And you know to be polite and respectful," Moffitt added.
"I know, Dad," Jules replied.
When they arrived at the airport, they located the lounge and got comfortable while waiting for their flight. Jules went to find a restroom, leaving his luggage with his father. With Jules gone, Moffitt turned to Millington. "I hope this'll be a good experience for him. He's been quite anxious the last few days."
"Going to a new place at the other end of the world for the first time would be a stressful experience for anyone. I think Jules will be alright," Millington replied.
"I just hope I've prepared him for being on his own."
"You've done a wonderful job with him. Don't you get all stressed out, too."
"I'm trying." Moffitt drew in a breath. "It's also hard to believe he's going to be seventeen in a few months. He's grown up so fast. Feels like only yesterday Vanora and I were taking him home from the hospital. Honestly, I miss the days when I would come home from work and sit in the parlor with my cup of tea and hold Jules for a little while."
Millington laughed. "You mean he was small enough for that?"
"Yes, there was once a time when he was small. Now, he's as tall as me."
"And built like you, too."
"Yes, indeed. I've told you about his girlfriend, right?"
"Troy's daughter? Yes, you have."
"They'll be celebrating three years together come May, and still going strong. I'm proud of him, and of Troy for being such a good father to Antheia. She might not be his biologically, but he loves her so much."
The conversation stopped when Jules returned to the lounge. He sat by his father, looking around somewhat nervously. "How much longer till we board the flight?"
"About an hour," Millington said. "I recommend purchasing some little things to keep yourselves occupied. We'll be traveling for over a day."
"I've brought plenty of books," Moffitt replied. "Some old favorites and a couple of guides to New Zealand."
"Can I borrow the guides when you're done, please?" Jules asked.
"Of course you can."
When they boarded their flight, Moffitt realized just how strange it felt sitting in first-class. He appreciated the extra room, being so tall, but still felt it was beyond what he deserved. Jules, on the other hand, fell asleep after propping up a pillow behind him and covering himself with a blanket. Millington had started a conversation about the turtle-headed sea snake and its uniqueness in that it was classed as an elapid, like Anah, but possesses no venom and eats only fish eggs. This had been, of course, started by Millington seeing caviar being offered. Moffitt didn't see the appeal of caviar and would never eat it under any circumstances. Thankfully, Millington didn't see the appeal of caviar, either. "We're not turtle-headed sea snakes," his exact words were.
Moffitt was far from interested in the luxuries offered by first-class seating and more focused on Anah in his lap. He pet and massaged her even after she had fallen back asleep, then reclined in his seat so she was laying on his stomach. He covered her with a blanket after taking one of the books he brought to begin his lengthy reading session as the plane began its long, long journey from one lovely island to another.
