Re: HOUSEPETS! THE SERIES Official Thread
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 4:25 pm
7.
Foster Manor. The Reading Soiree
“Is it my impression, or is the attendance…a bit below expectations?”
A couple of tumbleweeds passed by the garden where everything had been set for the party.
A female blue cat with a spot on her right eye was reading Fredric Brown’s The Sentinel. A small crowd (if you wanted to call 5 cats and 2 dogs a ‘crowd) was listening distractedly. A handful of pets was nibbling by one of the buffet tables. Crickets were chirping.
Martin Foster scratched himself behind his neck at the reporter’s question. “Ms. Cardore, I am more baffled than you. Admittedly, this wasn’t supposed a big event, but I hadn’t surely counted on my guests of honor deserting it.” He sighed. “Oh, well, I guess that the celebration party for Lundberg’s victory will go better.”
Guinevere Cardore, reporter for Terrace High’s The Daily Fact, didn’t look convinced.
Martin sighed. “What?”
“It’s the polls: The…front of the undecided seems to have expanded, in River Ridge. That, and taking in consideration a historical tendency of voters to desert—“
“Pre-electoral polls are rarely right, Ms. Cardore. Even if good sense should suggest an avalanche, the middle-class man will always show doubts. Not to mention that economics and politics are rarely a thrilling reason to go to vote. On top of it all, we have just started talking about a technologic breakout that must still be fully understood. Many are still convinced that a fusion reactor can go off like Chernobyl, imagine that. I could make a list as long as Manhattan filled with names of people deeply concerned about any kind of nuclear reactors at all.”
Guinevere drank from her cup of lemon soda. “You sound as if you expected to lose.”
“We won’t. I’m being realistic, but we won’t lose. We are not trying to convince the nation, not at this stage. We are trying to make the people of River Ridge understand that they’re going to make money like it never happened since the first industrial revolution. And this is a winning argument in a time of economic crisis. Every major environmental association gave the green light. Animal Care associations are with us. We can’t lose.”
Guinevere saw that the man’s eyes were spanning over the horizon, as if he already could see the new buildings, the new city, transportations –everything the new, clean energy source could gave to humans and animals alike.
We are men with a dream, Miss Cardore, Gottschalk had told her, during their first interview.
Martin had no dreams in his mind: He had a mission. He would stop at nothing because he wasn’t a man of business. He was a man of ideas. Woe to those who stood in his way.
My beloved Sabrina, my Queen among Queens, Guiding Light of my life, the letter started, written in an elegant calligraphy, on a fine scroll of paper whose ends were gold-covered.
Thank you for your letter informing me of your decision to marry. At first, I must be true to you, I felt as if my whole world had been tore away from under my feet. All my life since the day we separated I had dreamt of the day we could be reunited. So, isn’t so terribly ironic that, right after the demise of my father, the opening of my borders, you tell me you have no longer place for me in your heart?
But how could I blame you? I had an excuse for not marrying: I had to wait until father passed until I could claim a mate. I could keep pretending I was interested in someone else…But you had the right to search for new happiness, for that special someone who could give you what I couldn’t.
If you were free, my beloved, I would offer you my Kingdom. And I am tempted to do so, to ask you to rethink your decision…But it would be unfair. To you. To my people.
These days also come as the conclusion of a long diplomatic process between the Kingdom of Feraga and the Kingdom of Buwara. We are going to become a part of something grand, part of a new future for the furkindred in the whole world. And my duties as the next King must come first, at all costs. I cannot waste a minute more. And so, with a heavy heart though, I must announce you that after writing this letter I will marry as well. The next time you will hear from me, our love will be only a part, a sweet wonderful part of our past.
I can only hope that you will not forget me, as I will not forget you. And remember, you will be always, ALWAYS the most welcomed guest here at Feraga. You and your whole family. I am eager to meet this Fido dog who could make you break our vows.
Forgive me for sounding so…resentful with that last sentence. I assure you, I am not. I know you are doing the best thing.
Live happy, Sabrina.
Eternally Yours,
Jata
Peanut lifted his eyes from the letter. He was one step from crying openly. “This…is beautiful.” He looked around, hoping that no one else was looking, but apparently the table they were sitting at was still far enough from the stage. No one was minding him and Fido.
“And you haven’t yet seen the pendant he sent her with that letter,” Fido said. He was holding a can of soda in his paw, looking at it as if undecided to drink it in a gulp or not.
Peanut folded the paper back into the scroll. “Is that why you’re here alone? And you got that…” he touched his own left cheek, like one did to indicate a stain.
Fido touched the point in question, flinched. He looked at the red staining his finger. “Yup.”
Peanut chuckled, as if he reflexively touched his face where once Grape had wounded him with her own claws.
But it was different. Grape was furious because she was still scared for what the bad, bad dogs had done to them all. She had a lot of fear and rage she had kept repressed. He hadn’t understood that.
Peanut looked at Fido. “She chose you. You shouldn’t be mad at her.”
Down went the can’s content. More cans were laying on the table, waiting to be opened. Fido opened the second. “She was crying.”
Peanut blinked. “Uh?”
Fido didn’t move, only his eyes did. There was the same mix of rage and sadness Peanut had seen in Grape’s face, when she had scratched him. “She was reading it, and then she had held it to her chest. She was crying, as if she had…lost someone special. And when I asked her what was that letter about, she had tried to…to hide it from me. I could almost smell her shame for being caught.”
“Fido.”
But the police hound’s mind was again back at her room. He had been waiting behind the door, waiting for her to come out and ready for the soiree…and when he had heard her sobbing…
And then Fido’s surprise had turned into doubts, and then into the questions he had never asked. And every answer had been like a dozen daggers in his heart.
It was his fault too. He had taken her for granted, he had never wanted to…investigate. It made him feel dirty, as if the notion itself could spoil what they had.
Now he wished he had asked everything, back then.
And then the pain had made his latent stress surface.
She had let him and his brothers, and King, to be poisoned. She had planned to save them, but with terrible risks.
You couldn’t gamble on the life of the one you loved!
Is there anything else I should know, ‘my Queen’? Is there anyone else special in your life? Must I train to fight some chieftain for the right to be your mate? Did you marry me because the others were just too far away?!
It had been then that she had hit him. He hadn’t even felt pain. He was too angry. He had left without saying a word, without turning a moment his head. He just wanted, wanted…
Drink himself silly?
Forget everything?
Lash out at someone?
Turned out Fido wanted just to talk to someone. He needed a friend. One who could really understand him… “Sloppy seconds, Peanut, that’s what I am. How can I…compare to someone who, after all these years, can make her cry like that? I’m not a coyote chieftain, a handsome prince, I can’t offer her nothing but…me and a job that will put me in danger. I’m so irrelevant to her that I didn’t even deserve to…to know. I don’t know her at all, Peanut. I am so scared. How can I ever know that we’ll stay together if her past catches her up? I feel like the biggest idiot!” Fido put his paws over his head…and spilled the can’s contents all over his head. He sighed. “Just. Great.”
Peanut collected a drop from Fido’s ear and sucked his finger. “Are you quite done?”
Fido shook his head. “I just begun. I must decide how hard must I stone myself before making some stupid, cathartic decision. Who knows? I could leave the Force, join Fino and stay away from Sabrina as long and far as possible.”
“I had thought about it, once,” Peanut said. He then started licking Fido’s face, who went rigid with surprise. “Hold still! You are not going to become a sticky soda mess. And I love this brand.”
Fido held still. “Why did you want to leave everything behind?”
Peanut paused again. He spat out some hair. “I thought that Grape and I were an item, since that night at the farm. I was so happy, she seemed so happy. We still did everything we used to do before…that kiss. Life was good.
“And then, one night, Grape proposed me that ‘fake date’ thing. I’d be with Tarot, she’d be with Max…just until she had cleared her mind.
“I felt all the bad things, Fido.” Peanut started licking off the soda again. “I felt betrayed because I thought I was only a stupid, weird dog. I felt resentment because she wouldn’t open up to me. And I felt like biting my tail off because I was allowing it, because I was afraid myself.” He paused again. “And you are scared, Fido, you said it yourself. This is not you.” He started licking again. His movements were soothing, touching ancient chords that forced the other dog to relax.
Actually, for a moment Fido felt like regurgitating a meal for this insistent pup. He smiled for the first time in the evening. “And who is the real me?”
New pause. “The brave dog who spent all his life with a great, sweet cool cat. The dog who never questioned because he knew he could trust her forever and ever, no matter what. The loyal dog who’d fight for her and go against all social conventions for his love.
“You have been my inspiration, not because of your rank and deeds, but because you gave me the courage to dream and hope. Whenever I felt blue about me and Grape, I’d think about you and Sabrina. And I know you don’t want to ruin the best thing in your life ever.”
Fido gently pushed the other dog away. “Peanut?”
“Yes?”
“Am I an idiot?”
Peanut shook his head, then hugged him. “You’re scared. Scared people do stupid things, doesn’t make them stupid.
“You know, someone told to me, once, that ‘the worst part is that there are no instruction manuals. There are things you learn with experience. Give Grape her room, just like she’ll do with you. And always remember that you will always be there for each other. Tell her you love her, but don’t make it a ritual. Pet her, but don’t choke her. Stay with her, but remember that sometimes she will ask advice and comfort from someone else as well.’”
Fido chuckled, hugging back Peanut, his voice trembling. “I really should watch that stupid tongue of mine, sometimes.”
Peanut let go of him. “Now run home. You’ll find her there, I’m sure of it. And above all, let her enjoy her old memories, don’t make her regret her past. Let her share them with you and Pixel. You’re lucky to have a mate with such a rich life.”
Fido stood up. He didn’t say anything else. He just nodded and started to run.
Peanut looked around, still wondering whatever happened to Fox…
---
Lindberg House
“So, do you mind me canceling our participation?” Fox asked, as he took another slice of apple from a plate.
“Shut up and feed me,” Allegra said. She was laying all over a pile of sofa cushions, her arms crossed below her head. She opened her mouth enough for the husky to put the apple slice in it and then started chewing slowly, purring. “Oh my sweet! I can have never, ever enough of this. Trash and fresh fruit are so incompatible. HmmMMM! Unless you go to the market! Just wait until the end of the day and you can pick up some decent stuff. I’ll bring you there if you want.”
Fox chuckled “I think I’ll pass, but thank you.” He took another slice of fruit, this time peach, and fed his newfound friend again. He was wagging his tail.
“Dear, you can cancel even the whole world if it means giving me such tastes of heaven. What was next on the menu?”
“Fresh pastries.” He’d never say that to her face, but Allegra needed to put up a pound or two. Her fur was thick, it hid her body fine, but he could tell how bony she was.
“Are you fattening me up to feed me to the wolves? Because if so, wait until you have done a good job. I won’t resist. You do know how to treat a girl…” she frowned. “Hey, why did you stop?”
Fox showed her the now empty plate. “I treated you too well, it seems.” His stomach gurgled. Fox blushed. “Sorry.”
Allegra sat up, a worried expression on her face. “Aw, I’m so sorry. I can be such a glutton!”
Fox stood up, gesturing her to stay. “You don’t move. I’ll go fix some extra fruit, myself—“
“Were you looking for this?” someone behind him said a moment before a white-furred paw offered him a newly filled plate.
“Oh! Thank you—King?”
The corgi smirked. “I do still live here, remember loverboy?”
Fox ate up a couple of apple slices. He regarded King with suspicion. “Exactly, how long have you been watching? Where is Bailey? I’ll bet she’s taking pictures.” He looked around. It had happened often, in their puppyhood, that she’d set him up in the most embarrassing situations and took pictures to be shown to their owners. And the worst thing was not the humans congratulating on her photographic talent; no, it was how they fawned over those pictures! With some luck, the tornado that destroyed the old farm had also destroyed that despicable book!
“Bailey is up and sleeping soundly. Instead of going between happy and depressed, she goes between hypermode and comatose. Which makes me happy, sometimes I had nightmares of her trying to strangle me during a hormonal storm. And I’ve been watching you two since you were halfway with the first plate.” He settled down onto the cushions, next to Allegra. “Hmm, comfy.”
“Hey, that’s our spot, dog!” She protested.
King put his paws behind his head, then shook it. “Ah-ah, Fox said this wasn’t romantic, right? So I want to be treated like royalty too! Bailey is a dear, but I’d like some small attentions too. So start doing your job, pup,” he said indicating his open mouth.
Fox groaned. “Sometimes I miss being a bad boy, you know?” But one could see he was glad to comply.
Fox was just about to feed King, when Allegra’s jaws snapped and took the food with a loud clank of teeth! The dog was almost sure he had lost his fingers, and checked to see if they were still there...
“Hey!” King barked. “That was mine!”
“No, mine, intruder,” she said between chews. Then she spat a seed straight between King’s eyes. “And you can’t even slice fruit decently.”
“Ow. But to be honest…” He reached out for a slice and ate rapidly, a sly look in his blue eyes. He spat a seed against her left ear. “It was intentional.”
Allegra massaged the offended body part. “Oh, really..?” she reached out.
King did the same.
Both took a piece and started chewing, staring at each other like two gunslingers at the OK Corral.
Fox looked at King, then at Allegra, then back at King. “Ah, guys? Please let’s keep this on a civilized—“ Then two seeds hit him in the eyes! “Owchie!” When he opened them again and blinked, he had seed-shaped pupils.
Fox rubbed his eyes clean. He then stood up and let the plate down on the floor. “Is that so, eh?” He went to the kitchen.
“Going to cut your own apples, pup?” King called out.
Fox stopped and turned his head, a sly grin spread on his face. “Did I mention that both Dad and I love apricots?” And then he disappeared into the kitchen,
King and Allegra exchanged an alarmed look. Immediately the Corgi barked, “Quick! Make a barrier with the cushions! I’ll set up the first line of counterattack!” He took a mouthful of slices.
A moment later *SPOOIE!* a big apricot seed flew from the kitchen and into the living room. It flew past over Allegra’s head.
“Hah! Missed!” she shouted. The seed bounced against the wall behind her and hit her behind her skull!
“Vengeance shall be ours!” King shouted as much as his mouthful allowed and spat a volley of black apple seeds.
“Aaaargh!” came from the kitchen.
This was going to be an interesting night, after all…
---
Tarot’s house
“I miss our time together,” the Pomeranian said to the figure in the mirror floating in front of her.
“Yeah, me too,” Sabrina said from the other side of the glass. “Know what? I could chaperon you in your quest for a boyfriend. I seriously need some fun, too.”
Tarot smiled. “Is it going that bad with Fido?”
The black cat sighed. “He went through something only a few elected can survive with their souls unscathed. He…he doesn’t really hate me. He needs time to adjust, and I didn’t help when I hit him. Oh, Tarot, I-I felt so wounded when he said that awful thing. Just as if he believed it! As if the time we had spent together meant nothing to him anymore…”
Tarot touched the mirror’s surface with a finger, as if wanting to wipe the tear that threatened to escape her best friend’s eye. “You almost lost him, my dear; these days have been terribly stressful for you too, and then everybody is worried for the future that awaits us…” The Pomeranian smiled. “But at least I know one thing about you two.”
Sabrina frowned. “Which is..?”
“You are the forgiving types.”
A moment later, Sabrina shouted as she was trampled by the figure of her husband! Sabrina’s protests were silenced by a long kiss.
Tarot smiled. She touched again the mirror. The glass trembled like water, then the images of a renewed, sweet love disappeared.
The small dog opened her mind to get in touch with another friend. <Are you still there?>
“No,” said the anthropomorphic female reptilian. On her shoulder, stood Pixel. The little black kitten looked quite excited, grinning ear to ear. “It’s funny: Millennia of existence, and still I hadn’t babysat. This creature innocence is quite…contagious.” She bent down enough to allow Pixel to slid down her back and along the tail until she reached safely the floor. The ghost of puppy Tomi appeared a moment later, and the two went to another room.
“Thank you for using a bit of premonition,” Tarot said. “Had she witnessed that confrontation at home, the house would’ve come down on Fido.”
Tiankong Tianshi Jingshen sat down in the lotus position, reflecting Tarot’s. “You’re welcome. So, have you considered my suggestion?” She asked with a happy smile full of expectations.
Tarot’s shoulders drooped. “Tian, please! Volant is just not my type and you are the worst matchmaker ever!”
Tian’s head turned in an offended expression. She snorted smoke. “Hmph! For your information, I helped raising whole dynasties, back in the days!”
“Arranged marriages in the Imperial China were hardly a question of love, my friend. You used to pick them for strategic reasons.”
The dragon blushed. “W-well, I was more focused on other details then! And they used to pray me to grant them a long-lasting kingdom! But don’t forget who married the Sun and the Moon!”
Tarot chuckled. “No I didn’t. Speaking of couples…are you okay?”
The dragon made a tray with tea and pastries appear between them. “I am. Maxwell will help give life to a nice litter, I don’t need premonition to know that. He deserves it. And then it will be only our hearts beating together.” She sighed, then ate distractedly a pastry, her eyes lost in some happy world.
Tarot sipped some tea. Teenagers!
“Oh, and by the way, you were right: That place needed someone who could take care of it.”
Tarot nodded. “Cool—“ Then she realized. “Wait. Did you actually create them now?”
“Yes. A skeleton crew, as based on the Hong Dynasty’s palace. And I programmed them to be of any assistance.”
“And…did you make sure they’d understand when they had to leave them some…privacy?”
“Of course! Everything will just work fine so to respect all the protocols, during—“ Tian seemed to understand, too.
Both females facepawlmed.
---
Jingshen House
“Are you comfortable?” asked the housemaid. It was what you could call ‘an ancient crone’, white hairs collected in a bun, wearing a long green robe with a black serpentine dragon depicted on it. “Do you need anything, honored guest?”
Blanche Bigglesworth looked around in awe. The garden was pure Chinese style, a miniature meadow with its own small cascade, a small lake, paper lanterns that were positioned as if they were suspended in mid-air. And fireflies, fireflies everywhere like tiny stars.
At last, the Siamese cat smiled. “Comfortable? Heck, even the grass feels great!” She turned to meet Maxwell’s not less surprised eyes. “Maxie my boy, you were right: This place way beats our bedroom!”
“Not to mention the sacrificial altar your siblings had set up,” Maxwell muttered. The most disturbing thing had been the sulfur smell… “Couldn’t they just leave us alone for the night? I am missing a free banquet at Martin’s.”
“Don’t take it on them, dear. We are used to live as a bunch, I would act the same. That’s why Joey likes my family, there’s nothing to hide.”
Max rubbed his temples, a pained expression on his face. “Thank you, now I will have to live with this image for the rest of my life.” Then he regained his confidence. His arms embraced Blanche, his grin was just perfect and smelled like mint. “My dear, in honor of your wise choice, for this night only you’ll enjoy all the benefits a Max Special Offer. You’ll never forget these moments!”
The other cat slipped off the embrace and grabbed his paw. “Dear, I have collected enough awesomeness for one lifetime! The dinner was superlative. And you get to give orders to a human staff, too! We got a dancing show, better than the movies! And I couldn’t understand one word of the poems they read us but they sounded so romantic! Don’t you even think of turning down such an awesome girlfriend! Now—“ She was interrupted by a discreet cough. Polite, but an interruption all the same.
It belonged to a Chinese servant with a bald head, and dressed like a eunuch at the ancient court. “My liege, shall you need some more food for when—“
Max tried to push the interfering thing away. “My good man, all I need is what I have with me. Just scamper and let me get ready to become papa, ok?”
The human bowed. “As you wish, my liege. And of course, for your protection, your guards will be stay at maximum alert.” He then walked away as silently as a ghost, his robe barely swishing against the grass.
Both cats started looking around themselves. Their eyes had dilated with worry.
“He was…kidding, right?”
Max felt as if every tree had eyes now. “Ah…I fear not.”
“My liege?” a young woman asked, as if she had materialized out of thin air. Max jumped into the arms of Blanche. “GAK! Now what?!”
The woman pointed to the lake. She was accompanied by a small staff carrying boxes that smelled like shampoo and soap. One was holding two brushes, another a set of towels.
“A proper cleansing is in order to complete the ceremonial, my liege. Both your bodies must be as pure as your souls.”
This time, pure terror shadowed the felines’ eyes! And, worst of all, there seemed to be an endless army of kind servant waiting for an order!!
“What do we do, then?” Blanche asked.
The black cat sighed. There was only one answer. “Just promise me that the other Biggles shall stay away until tomorrow.”
“Give me the word and I will peel them like bananas.”
“I count on it. Now, on my mark…RUNFORYOURLIFE!!” And before the staff could react, the sounds of their feet had already reached the door…
---
Foster Manor
At least, someone was sincerely happy that night. Everything had gone well, according to plans, and Zachary had even found his own special someone!
At least he hoped so, since it had been her who had come to him to offer herself as his mate. As another zealot of his ‘cult’. So Zachary must hope that she wouldn’t cause him troubles –but what the heck! Let that be a problem for another day. Right now, he could proudly strut around, showing off a big hare, his own child of the wild! She looked buff enough to teach a lesson to any dog around, and she surely didn’t look intimidated. In fact, every time someone looked with surprise or muttered at the back of this new, unusual couple, she’d just silence their thoughts with a glance!
Even her name was something to behold: Fauna! Zachary couldn’t be he could be happier than now. There was only one thing that could make him happier. “When the humans will change their laws, you’ll come to live with me, it will be official.”
Fauna’s normally proud expression was disturbed by disgust. “Pf, as if we needed their permission. But I know what you mean, Opener: The big apes need to feel reassured, for the sake of peace. And so I shall wait for their changes. But I hope we can meet freely. I won’t allow their ways to stand between us.”
Zach looked like a pup who had just met his hero. “Don’t ever leave me.”
Her eyes lit up like lamp bulbs. “If this is what you command…”
---
D'Angelo House
There were still hairs floating in the room’s warm air. A couple of collars, one with a green diamond tag with an F inscribed in it, and the other with an ankh-shaped tag, were hanging from the chandelier. A couple of handcuffs hung from a chair. A police jacket looked like a tiger had toyed with it. Ralph was so not going to be happy about that!
Under the chandelier, two happy pets were snuggling against each other, one of them purring loudly, the other banging his tail against the mattress.
“We should argue more often,” Fido said, grinning like a fox. Then he sighed. “Sorry, my love.”
“It’s alright. We were both at fault. From now on, no more secrets, I promise.”
Fido seemed to think about that. “Hmm, nearly enough.”
Sabrina nuzzled his bare neck. “Ohh, and what must I do to earn your trust once again, officer?”
“Write a confession,” he said “I mean, a book! Write a book.”
Of all thing, that honestly puzzled his wife. She stood on her elbows, regarding his ruffled up figure. “What?” she chuckled.
“I’m serious. You have lived an incredibly intense life. Write a book, for Pixel, so that she’ll know what an awesome mama she has. Imagine, your special friend is a Prince.” He kissed her forehead. “I am so lucky to have you.”
She started to purr again. “And I you. You save lives, you defend the others, teach the pups...Even a Prince can’t compare to that.”
Fido hugged her. “Write it. I will pass it to the new generations, you’ll never be forgotten, by anyone.”
“Wrong,” she said, as she dozed into blessed sleep. “We will never be forgotten.”
HOUSEPETS! THE SERIES
Season IV
Episode 11
FIN
Foster Manor. The Reading Soiree
“Is it my impression, or is the attendance…a bit below expectations?”
A couple of tumbleweeds passed by the garden where everything had been set for the party.
A female blue cat with a spot on her right eye was reading Fredric Brown’s The Sentinel. A small crowd (if you wanted to call 5 cats and 2 dogs a ‘crowd) was listening distractedly. A handful of pets was nibbling by one of the buffet tables. Crickets were chirping.
Martin Foster scratched himself behind his neck at the reporter’s question. “Ms. Cardore, I am more baffled than you. Admittedly, this wasn’t supposed a big event, but I hadn’t surely counted on my guests of honor deserting it.” He sighed. “Oh, well, I guess that the celebration party for Lundberg’s victory will go better.”
Guinevere Cardore, reporter for Terrace High’s The Daily Fact, didn’t look convinced.
Martin sighed. “What?”
“It’s the polls: The…front of the undecided seems to have expanded, in River Ridge. That, and taking in consideration a historical tendency of voters to desert—“
“Pre-electoral polls are rarely right, Ms. Cardore. Even if good sense should suggest an avalanche, the middle-class man will always show doubts. Not to mention that economics and politics are rarely a thrilling reason to go to vote. On top of it all, we have just started talking about a technologic breakout that must still be fully understood. Many are still convinced that a fusion reactor can go off like Chernobyl, imagine that. I could make a list as long as Manhattan filled with names of people deeply concerned about any kind of nuclear reactors at all.”
Guinevere drank from her cup of lemon soda. “You sound as if you expected to lose.”
“We won’t. I’m being realistic, but we won’t lose. We are not trying to convince the nation, not at this stage. We are trying to make the people of River Ridge understand that they’re going to make money like it never happened since the first industrial revolution. And this is a winning argument in a time of economic crisis. Every major environmental association gave the green light. Animal Care associations are with us. We can’t lose.”
Guinevere saw that the man’s eyes were spanning over the horizon, as if he already could see the new buildings, the new city, transportations –everything the new, clean energy source could gave to humans and animals alike.
We are men with a dream, Miss Cardore, Gottschalk had told her, during their first interview.
Martin had no dreams in his mind: He had a mission. He would stop at nothing because he wasn’t a man of business. He was a man of ideas. Woe to those who stood in his way.
My beloved Sabrina, my Queen among Queens, Guiding Light of my life, the letter started, written in an elegant calligraphy, on a fine scroll of paper whose ends were gold-covered.
Thank you for your letter informing me of your decision to marry. At first, I must be true to you, I felt as if my whole world had been tore away from under my feet. All my life since the day we separated I had dreamt of the day we could be reunited. So, isn’t so terribly ironic that, right after the demise of my father, the opening of my borders, you tell me you have no longer place for me in your heart?
But how could I blame you? I had an excuse for not marrying: I had to wait until father passed until I could claim a mate. I could keep pretending I was interested in someone else…But you had the right to search for new happiness, for that special someone who could give you what I couldn’t.
If you were free, my beloved, I would offer you my Kingdom. And I am tempted to do so, to ask you to rethink your decision…But it would be unfair. To you. To my people.
These days also come as the conclusion of a long diplomatic process between the Kingdom of Feraga and the Kingdom of Buwara. We are going to become a part of something grand, part of a new future for the furkindred in the whole world. And my duties as the next King must come first, at all costs. I cannot waste a minute more. And so, with a heavy heart though, I must announce you that after writing this letter I will marry as well. The next time you will hear from me, our love will be only a part, a sweet wonderful part of our past.
I can only hope that you will not forget me, as I will not forget you. And remember, you will be always, ALWAYS the most welcomed guest here at Feraga. You and your whole family. I am eager to meet this Fido dog who could make you break our vows.
Forgive me for sounding so…resentful with that last sentence. I assure you, I am not. I know you are doing the best thing.
Live happy, Sabrina.
Eternally Yours,
Jata
Peanut lifted his eyes from the letter. He was one step from crying openly. “This…is beautiful.” He looked around, hoping that no one else was looking, but apparently the table they were sitting at was still far enough from the stage. No one was minding him and Fido.
“And you haven’t yet seen the pendant he sent her with that letter,” Fido said. He was holding a can of soda in his paw, looking at it as if undecided to drink it in a gulp or not.
Peanut folded the paper back into the scroll. “Is that why you’re here alone? And you got that…” he touched his own left cheek, like one did to indicate a stain.
Fido touched the point in question, flinched. He looked at the red staining his finger. “Yup.”
Peanut chuckled, as if he reflexively touched his face where once Grape had wounded him with her own claws.
But it was different. Grape was furious because she was still scared for what the bad, bad dogs had done to them all. She had a lot of fear and rage she had kept repressed. He hadn’t understood that.
Peanut looked at Fido. “She chose you. You shouldn’t be mad at her.”
Down went the can’s content. More cans were laying on the table, waiting to be opened. Fido opened the second. “She was crying.”
Peanut blinked. “Uh?”
Fido didn’t move, only his eyes did. There was the same mix of rage and sadness Peanut had seen in Grape’s face, when she had scratched him. “She was reading it, and then she had held it to her chest. She was crying, as if she had…lost someone special. And when I asked her what was that letter about, she had tried to…to hide it from me. I could almost smell her shame for being caught.”
“Fido.”
But the police hound’s mind was again back at her room. He had been waiting behind the door, waiting for her to come out and ready for the soiree…and when he had heard her sobbing…
And then Fido’s surprise had turned into doubts, and then into the questions he had never asked. And every answer had been like a dozen daggers in his heart.
It was his fault too. He had taken her for granted, he had never wanted to…investigate. It made him feel dirty, as if the notion itself could spoil what they had.
Now he wished he had asked everything, back then.
And then the pain had made his latent stress surface.
She had let him and his brothers, and King, to be poisoned. She had planned to save them, but with terrible risks.
You couldn’t gamble on the life of the one you loved!
Is there anything else I should know, ‘my Queen’? Is there anyone else special in your life? Must I train to fight some chieftain for the right to be your mate? Did you marry me because the others were just too far away?!
It had been then that she had hit him. He hadn’t even felt pain. He was too angry. He had left without saying a word, without turning a moment his head. He just wanted, wanted…
Drink himself silly?
Forget everything?
Lash out at someone?
Turned out Fido wanted just to talk to someone. He needed a friend. One who could really understand him… “Sloppy seconds, Peanut, that’s what I am. How can I…compare to someone who, after all these years, can make her cry like that? I’m not a coyote chieftain, a handsome prince, I can’t offer her nothing but…me and a job that will put me in danger. I’m so irrelevant to her that I didn’t even deserve to…to know. I don’t know her at all, Peanut. I am so scared. How can I ever know that we’ll stay together if her past catches her up? I feel like the biggest idiot!” Fido put his paws over his head…and spilled the can’s contents all over his head. He sighed. “Just. Great.”
Peanut collected a drop from Fido’s ear and sucked his finger. “Are you quite done?”
Fido shook his head. “I just begun. I must decide how hard must I stone myself before making some stupid, cathartic decision. Who knows? I could leave the Force, join Fino and stay away from Sabrina as long and far as possible.”
“I had thought about it, once,” Peanut said. He then started licking Fido’s face, who went rigid with surprise. “Hold still! You are not going to become a sticky soda mess. And I love this brand.”
Fido held still. “Why did you want to leave everything behind?”
Peanut paused again. He spat out some hair. “I thought that Grape and I were an item, since that night at the farm. I was so happy, she seemed so happy. We still did everything we used to do before…that kiss. Life was good.
“And then, one night, Grape proposed me that ‘fake date’ thing. I’d be with Tarot, she’d be with Max…just until she had cleared her mind.
“I felt all the bad things, Fido.” Peanut started licking off the soda again. “I felt betrayed because I thought I was only a stupid, weird dog. I felt resentment because she wouldn’t open up to me. And I felt like biting my tail off because I was allowing it, because I was afraid myself.” He paused again. “And you are scared, Fido, you said it yourself. This is not you.” He started licking again. His movements were soothing, touching ancient chords that forced the other dog to relax.
Actually, for a moment Fido felt like regurgitating a meal for this insistent pup. He smiled for the first time in the evening. “And who is the real me?”
New pause. “The brave dog who spent all his life with a great, sweet cool cat. The dog who never questioned because he knew he could trust her forever and ever, no matter what. The loyal dog who’d fight for her and go against all social conventions for his love.
“You have been my inspiration, not because of your rank and deeds, but because you gave me the courage to dream and hope. Whenever I felt blue about me and Grape, I’d think about you and Sabrina. And I know you don’t want to ruin the best thing in your life ever.”
Fido gently pushed the other dog away. “Peanut?”
“Yes?”
“Am I an idiot?”
Peanut shook his head, then hugged him. “You’re scared. Scared people do stupid things, doesn’t make them stupid.
“You know, someone told to me, once, that ‘the worst part is that there are no instruction manuals. There are things you learn with experience. Give Grape her room, just like she’ll do with you. And always remember that you will always be there for each other. Tell her you love her, but don’t make it a ritual. Pet her, but don’t choke her. Stay with her, but remember that sometimes she will ask advice and comfort from someone else as well.’”
Fido chuckled, hugging back Peanut, his voice trembling. “I really should watch that stupid tongue of mine, sometimes.”
Peanut let go of him. “Now run home. You’ll find her there, I’m sure of it. And above all, let her enjoy her old memories, don’t make her regret her past. Let her share them with you and Pixel. You’re lucky to have a mate with such a rich life.”
Fido stood up. He didn’t say anything else. He just nodded and started to run.
Peanut looked around, still wondering whatever happened to Fox…
---
Lindberg House
“So, do you mind me canceling our participation?” Fox asked, as he took another slice of apple from a plate.
“Shut up and feed me,” Allegra said. She was laying all over a pile of sofa cushions, her arms crossed below her head. She opened her mouth enough for the husky to put the apple slice in it and then started chewing slowly, purring. “Oh my sweet! I can have never, ever enough of this. Trash and fresh fruit are so incompatible. HmmMMM! Unless you go to the market! Just wait until the end of the day and you can pick up some decent stuff. I’ll bring you there if you want.”
Fox chuckled “I think I’ll pass, but thank you.” He took another slice of fruit, this time peach, and fed his newfound friend again. He was wagging his tail.
“Dear, you can cancel even the whole world if it means giving me such tastes of heaven. What was next on the menu?”
“Fresh pastries.” He’d never say that to her face, but Allegra needed to put up a pound or two. Her fur was thick, it hid her body fine, but he could tell how bony she was.
“Are you fattening me up to feed me to the wolves? Because if so, wait until you have done a good job. I won’t resist. You do know how to treat a girl…” she frowned. “Hey, why did you stop?”
Fox showed her the now empty plate. “I treated you too well, it seems.” His stomach gurgled. Fox blushed. “Sorry.”
Allegra sat up, a worried expression on her face. “Aw, I’m so sorry. I can be such a glutton!”
Fox stood up, gesturing her to stay. “You don’t move. I’ll go fix some extra fruit, myself—“
“Were you looking for this?” someone behind him said a moment before a white-furred paw offered him a newly filled plate.
“Oh! Thank you—King?”
The corgi smirked. “I do still live here, remember loverboy?”
Fox ate up a couple of apple slices. He regarded King with suspicion. “Exactly, how long have you been watching? Where is Bailey? I’ll bet she’s taking pictures.” He looked around. It had happened often, in their puppyhood, that she’d set him up in the most embarrassing situations and took pictures to be shown to their owners. And the worst thing was not the humans congratulating on her photographic talent; no, it was how they fawned over those pictures! With some luck, the tornado that destroyed the old farm had also destroyed that despicable book!
“Bailey is up and sleeping soundly. Instead of going between happy and depressed, she goes between hypermode and comatose. Which makes me happy, sometimes I had nightmares of her trying to strangle me during a hormonal storm. And I’ve been watching you two since you were halfway with the first plate.” He settled down onto the cushions, next to Allegra. “Hmm, comfy.”
“Hey, that’s our spot, dog!” She protested.
King put his paws behind his head, then shook it. “Ah-ah, Fox said this wasn’t romantic, right? So I want to be treated like royalty too! Bailey is a dear, but I’d like some small attentions too. So start doing your job, pup,” he said indicating his open mouth.
Fox groaned. “Sometimes I miss being a bad boy, you know?” But one could see he was glad to comply.
Fox was just about to feed King, when Allegra’s jaws snapped and took the food with a loud clank of teeth! The dog was almost sure he had lost his fingers, and checked to see if they were still there...
“Hey!” King barked. “That was mine!”
“No, mine, intruder,” she said between chews. Then she spat a seed straight between King’s eyes. “And you can’t even slice fruit decently.”
“Ow. But to be honest…” He reached out for a slice and ate rapidly, a sly look in his blue eyes. He spat a seed against her left ear. “It was intentional.”
Allegra massaged the offended body part. “Oh, really..?” she reached out.
King did the same.
Both took a piece and started chewing, staring at each other like two gunslingers at the OK Corral.
Fox looked at King, then at Allegra, then back at King. “Ah, guys? Please let’s keep this on a civilized—“ Then two seeds hit him in the eyes! “Owchie!” When he opened them again and blinked, he had seed-shaped pupils.
Fox rubbed his eyes clean. He then stood up and let the plate down on the floor. “Is that so, eh?” He went to the kitchen.
“Going to cut your own apples, pup?” King called out.
Fox stopped and turned his head, a sly grin spread on his face. “Did I mention that both Dad and I love apricots?” And then he disappeared into the kitchen,
King and Allegra exchanged an alarmed look. Immediately the Corgi barked, “Quick! Make a barrier with the cushions! I’ll set up the first line of counterattack!” He took a mouthful of slices.
A moment later *SPOOIE!* a big apricot seed flew from the kitchen and into the living room. It flew past over Allegra’s head.
“Hah! Missed!” she shouted. The seed bounced against the wall behind her and hit her behind her skull!
“Vengeance shall be ours!” King shouted as much as his mouthful allowed and spat a volley of black apple seeds.
“Aaaargh!” came from the kitchen.
This was going to be an interesting night, after all…
---
Tarot’s house
“I miss our time together,” the Pomeranian said to the figure in the mirror floating in front of her.
“Yeah, me too,” Sabrina said from the other side of the glass. “Know what? I could chaperon you in your quest for a boyfriend. I seriously need some fun, too.”
Tarot smiled. “Is it going that bad with Fido?”
The black cat sighed. “He went through something only a few elected can survive with their souls unscathed. He…he doesn’t really hate me. He needs time to adjust, and I didn’t help when I hit him. Oh, Tarot, I-I felt so wounded when he said that awful thing. Just as if he believed it! As if the time we had spent together meant nothing to him anymore…”
Tarot touched the mirror’s surface with a finger, as if wanting to wipe the tear that threatened to escape her best friend’s eye. “You almost lost him, my dear; these days have been terribly stressful for you too, and then everybody is worried for the future that awaits us…” The Pomeranian smiled. “But at least I know one thing about you two.”
Sabrina frowned. “Which is..?”
“You are the forgiving types.”
A moment later, Sabrina shouted as she was trampled by the figure of her husband! Sabrina’s protests were silenced by a long kiss.
Tarot smiled. She touched again the mirror. The glass trembled like water, then the images of a renewed, sweet love disappeared.
The small dog opened her mind to get in touch with another friend. <Are you still there?>
“No,” said the anthropomorphic female reptilian. On her shoulder, stood Pixel. The little black kitten looked quite excited, grinning ear to ear. “It’s funny: Millennia of existence, and still I hadn’t babysat. This creature innocence is quite…contagious.” She bent down enough to allow Pixel to slid down her back and along the tail until she reached safely the floor. The ghost of puppy Tomi appeared a moment later, and the two went to another room.
“Thank you for using a bit of premonition,” Tarot said. “Had she witnessed that confrontation at home, the house would’ve come down on Fido.”
Tiankong Tianshi Jingshen sat down in the lotus position, reflecting Tarot’s. “You’re welcome. So, have you considered my suggestion?” She asked with a happy smile full of expectations.
Tarot’s shoulders drooped. “Tian, please! Volant is just not my type and you are the worst matchmaker ever!”
Tian’s head turned in an offended expression. She snorted smoke. “Hmph! For your information, I helped raising whole dynasties, back in the days!”
“Arranged marriages in the Imperial China were hardly a question of love, my friend. You used to pick them for strategic reasons.”
The dragon blushed. “W-well, I was more focused on other details then! And they used to pray me to grant them a long-lasting kingdom! But don’t forget who married the Sun and the Moon!”
Tarot chuckled. “No I didn’t. Speaking of couples…are you okay?”
The dragon made a tray with tea and pastries appear between them. “I am. Maxwell will help give life to a nice litter, I don’t need premonition to know that. He deserves it. And then it will be only our hearts beating together.” She sighed, then ate distractedly a pastry, her eyes lost in some happy world.
Tarot sipped some tea. Teenagers!
“Oh, and by the way, you were right: That place needed someone who could take care of it.”
Tarot nodded. “Cool—“ Then she realized. “Wait. Did you actually create them now?”
“Yes. A skeleton crew, as based on the Hong Dynasty’s palace. And I programmed them to be of any assistance.”
“And…did you make sure they’d understand when they had to leave them some…privacy?”
“Of course! Everything will just work fine so to respect all the protocols, during—“ Tian seemed to understand, too.
Both females facepawlmed.
---
Jingshen House
“Are you comfortable?” asked the housemaid. It was what you could call ‘an ancient crone’, white hairs collected in a bun, wearing a long green robe with a black serpentine dragon depicted on it. “Do you need anything, honored guest?”
Blanche Bigglesworth looked around in awe. The garden was pure Chinese style, a miniature meadow with its own small cascade, a small lake, paper lanterns that were positioned as if they were suspended in mid-air. And fireflies, fireflies everywhere like tiny stars.
At last, the Siamese cat smiled. “Comfortable? Heck, even the grass feels great!” She turned to meet Maxwell’s not less surprised eyes. “Maxie my boy, you were right: This place way beats our bedroom!”
“Not to mention the sacrificial altar your siblings had set up,” Maxwell muttered. The most disturbing thing had been the sulfur smell… “Couldn’t they just leave us alone for the night? I am missing a free banquet at Martin’s.”
“Don’t take it on them, dear. We are used to live as a bunch, I would act the same. That’s why Joey likes my family, there’s nothing to hide.”
Max rubbed his temples, a pained expression on his face. “Thank you, now I will have to live with this image for the rest of my life.” Then he regained his confidence. His arms embraced Blanche, his grin was just perfect and smelled like mint. “My dear, in honor of your wise choice, for this night only you’ll enjoy all the benefits a Max Special Offer. You’ll never forget these moments!”
The other cat slipped off the embrace and grabbed his paw. “Dear, I have collected enough awesomeness for one lifetime! The dinner was superlative. And you get to give orders to a human staff, too! We got a dancing show, better than the movies! And I couldn’t understand one word of the poems they read us but they sounded so romantic! Don’t you even think of turning down such an awesome girlfriend! Now—“ She was interrupted by a discreet cough. Polite, but an interruption all the same.
It belonged to a Chinese servant with a bald head, and dressed like a eunuch at the ancient court. “My liege, shall you need some more food for when—“
Max tried to push the interfering thing away. “My good man, all I need is what I have with me. Just scamper and let me get ready to become papa, ok?”
The human bowed. “As you wish, my liege. And of course, for your protection, your guards will be stay at maximum alert.” He then walked away as silently as a ghost, his robe barely swishing against the grass.
Both cats started looking around themselves. Their eyes had dilated with worry.
“He was…kidding, right?”
Max felt as if every tree had eyes now. “Ah…I fear not.”
“My liege?” a young woman asked, as if she had materialized out of thin air. Max jumped into the arms of Blanche. “GAK! Now what?!”
The woman pointed to the lake. She was accompanied by a small staff carrying boxes that smelled like shampoo and soap. One was holding two brushes, another a set of towels.
“A proper cleansing is in order to complete the ceremonial, my liege. Both your bodies must be as pure as your souls.”
This time, pure terror shadowed the felines’ eyes! And, worst of all, there seemed to be an endless army of kind servant waiting for an order!!
“What do we do, then?” Blanche asked.
The black cat sighed. There was only one answer. “Just promise me that the other Biggles shall stay away until tomorrow.”
“Give me the word and I will peel them like bananas.”
“I count on it. Now, on my mark…RUNFORYOURLIFE!!” And before the staff could react, the sounds of their feet had already reached the door…
---
Foster Manor
At least, someone was sincerely happy that night. Everything had gone well, according to plans, and Zachary had even found his own special someone!
At least he hoped so, since it had been her who had come to him to offer herself as his mate. As another zealot of his ‘cult’. So Zachary must hope that she wouldn’t cause him troubles –but what the heck! Let that be a problem for another day. Right now, he could proudly strut around, showing off a big hare, his own child of the wild! She looked buff enough to teach a lesson to any dog around, and she surely didn’t look intimidated. In fact, every time someone looked with surprise or muttered at the back of this new, unusual couple, she’d just silence their thoughts with a glance!
Even her name was something to behold: Fauna! Zachary couldn’t be he could be happier than now. There was only one thing that could make him happier. “When the humans will change their laws, you’ll come to live with me, it will be official.”
Fauna’s normally proud expression was disturbed by disgust. “Pf, as if we needed their permission. But I know what you mean, Opener: The big apes need to feel reassured, for the sake of peace. And so I shall wait for their changes. But I hope we can meet freely. I won’t allow their ways to stand between us.”
Zach looked like a pup who had just met his hero. “Don’t ever leave me.”
Her eyes lit up like lamp bulbs. “If this is what you command…”
---
D'Angelo House
There were still hairs floating in the room’s warm air. A couple of collars, one with a green diamond tag with an F inscribed in it, and the other with an ankh-shaped tag, were hanging from the chandelier. A couple of handcuffs hung from a chair. A police jacket looked like a tiger had toyed with it. Ralph was so not going to be happy about that!
Under the chandelier, two happy pets were snuggling against each other, one of them purring loudly, the other banging his tail against the mattress.
“We should argue more often,” Fido said, grinning like a fox. Then he sighed. “Sorry, my love.”
“It’s alright. We were both at fault. From now on, no more secrets, I promise.”
Fido seemed to think about that. “Hmm, nearly enough.”
Sabrina nuzzled his bare neck. “Ohh, and what must I do to earn your trust once again, officer?”
“Write a confession,” he said “I mean, a book! Write a book.”
Of all thing, that honestly puzzled his wife. She stood on her elbows, regarding his ruffled up figure. “What?” she chuckled.
“I’m serious. You have lived an incredibly intense life. Write a book, for Pixel, so that she’ll know what an awesome mama she has. Imagine, your special friend is a Prince.” He kissed her forehead. “I am so lucky to have you.”
She started to purr again. “And I you. You save lives, you defend the others, teach the pups...Even a Prince can’t compare to that.”
Fido hugged her. “Write it. I will pass it to the new generations, you’ll never be forgotten, by anyone.”
“Wrong,” she said, as she dozed into blessed sleep. “We will never be forgotten.”
HOUSEPETS! THE SERIES
Season IV
Episode 11
FIN