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“Forty bucks?” Mittens cried, “The sign said a hundred n’ twenty!”
“For two hours work, duh” grunted the hoodie-engulfed badger behind the counter. “And you did forty minutes, fair’s fair. Anyway, you’ve enough to hire a babysitter next time.”

Mittens snatched the two bills, then stuck out her tongue to the barman. Childishness had ruined her evening, so she may as well contribute to the air of infantilism. Stomp stomp stomp, back to the emergency exit door where the sharks waited. Eurydice warily pushed Ford’s charred stroller back and forth with one claw; the other balled into a fist, ready for the next possible kidnapper. Mitts laid out the wrinkled bills with Andrew Jackalson’s smug face onto the table.

“Ramen?” Eurydice inquired with eyebrows shimmying upwards.
“Ramen.” Mittens retorted flatly.

………………………….

At least the restaurant was abandoned that Friday night. For all of Eury’s complex feelings over her genetics, her being a lowly, ‘dangerous’ shark gave them a security blanket barrier. They sat at the window bar, chewing their noodles. The all too-familiar noodles.

It’s too normal, Mittens groused internally. Los Angles is supposed to be the city of opportunities, and here I am, an adult at 18. Same faces, same noises, same thoughts even… Perhaps, if I hadn’t— she took a gander at her two accomplices. Eurydice was trying to lull Ford out of his anxiety with a lullaby, working even if the word ‘mutilation’ was involved.. What a smile Eury had. But so rare. The timing of such peaceful sights can be a mixed blessing.

It had been about a year since Mittens had taken them into her life, and her savings hadn’t been growing, only nosediving when it came to a shark’s insatiable appetite and hydration. More like kamakazing. It’s not like, she expected to have become the biggest star in the world, or even A star. Just a somebody. And even though she had a potential somebody in her apartment, it hadn’t lead to bigger opportunities. There’d been chances to cash in on the shark angle, but Eurydice didn’t care for a species spotlight. And even then, what gigs remained for The Fanged Fatales hadn’t been promising, just off-putting. Venues that looked closed in both daytime and nighttime, wood panels instead of windows. Shows without a close water supply. And then trying to work around her schedule at the 186th Boulevard laundromat, and Eury’s shifts over at Main….

To say nothing of the baby.

It wasn’t an issue of talent, right? She and Eurydice were just ahead of the game, that’s all, the world had to catch up. Problem was, it was taking its bloody good time to catch up. Mittens continued to poke at her duck-egg soba in an overtly-watery bowl.

“Do you ever imagine like, in another world, there’s ramen that like, doesn’t suck?’ Eury asked. “Like, it’s got big slabs of meat, and spices that aren’t just 70% salt? I mean, I’m not for eating meat, I mean, I keep hearing it’s like, GODLY to eat, that’s all. But like, this fantasy meat was never a sentient animal to begin with, so it’d be okay to eat it in the first place, I guess…?”

Mittens said nothing.

“Oh, and it could have giant chunks of butter, and there’d be a karaoke bar…”

Mitts continued to stare out the window, mostly covered by an orgy of neon. Eury sweated. If she was being the chatty one, something was clearly wrong.

…………………….

The suitcase came out right after lunch the next day. It was dusty and close to becoming a weevil community centre, stuffed in the closet next to that lame old tuxedo and bowtie. BOOM. An explosion and dramatic shouting came from outside her bedroom. Sigh. More familiar noises…
Tampons, glue, guitar, map, Eurydice’s head, tube socks, flea shampoo, wait…

“Please don’t go.” Eury moaned on the bed. “I swear, I thought I left him in the cloak room last night! I thought all those black garments would make him.. think it was bedtime, like a parakeet! P-please, I’ll do anything… I’ll make you a non-burnt brunch… I’ll wear 1980s businesswoman suits with giant shoulderpads for future interviews!”

Mittens smiled. Tragic it could be at times, but she admired how Eurydice’s childlike timidness clashed with her death-metal stage persona. And of course, that wonderful gun-bod adorned in pretty blue sharkskin.

“Calm down love, it’s nothing you—‘ BOOM. Rapid gunshots. Yells in Russian. Overly pounding music. It was the second movie Knashford had started today. The girls weren’t keen on putting him in front of a TV so much, but it kept him occupied, given the lack of playthings in the loft.

“…It’s nothing you did wrong. I’m just tired of all… this.’ BOOM. Mittens slammed the door so hard the termites fell out. “And that. It’s simple back home, but like, I could use some simple. Plus, it’s been a couple years since I last saw ‘em.”

“Y-your family? Why, did they kick you out, or.. or…’ Eury had some idea that parents were an invisible enemy waiting to pounce. Mittens had been meaning to grill her about it, but felt it was not her place to do so YET, close as they were.

“No, silly! I just left home to find myself…. and become a rock star. And, well, here I am… we are. Anyway, I miss having a full meal. Without a receipt.”

“So, I w-w-won’t ever see you again? But.. buh…” Here come the tears. Then the scratching of her wrists. And then she’ll bite-

“Nononono!” Mitts jumped off the bed and pinned her friend to the broken floorboards. “I’ll just be gone eight days or so, I swear!” She said as she fanned her paws. “It’s just a holiday, I’ll be back before you can say ‘Bikini Kill’s last album was overrated.”

“Bikkinnikillslasalbumwasactuallyprettydecen’ Eurydice immediately garbled. She was serious, but they both ended up laughing anyway.

“O-okay…I guess.. all I know is.. you deserve a holl-uh-day. Build up those already smart-smarts, give your legs some exercise… awesome folks like you deserve all the holly-daze.” Eury could hold up a car with two hands, and yet she still thought Mittens was the greatest animal in the world
.
“So.. what will ya do when I’m gone?” Mitts inquired as she packed. Life Savers, combs, blank cassettes…

‘Dunno, really… I guess… just the usual stuff I do. Eat, take care of Ford, work, eat, sleep, eat, but with the addition of missing you. My speck of a life goes on.”

Bit of a gamble, Mittens thought. But, her parents did grow up in the Sixties, when folks preached about love and peace and orgies and other hippy stuff. Not sure about, like, full-on acceptance, but tolerance? Yeah. At least there’d be something to discuss at the dinner table.

“Come with.” She said.
“What?!?” Eurydice fell onto the bed.

“It’d be good for you. You’ve never been outside L.A., at least before your time at college. (Eury winced.) You’re just as bored as I am! My parents aren’t speciesist, and they KNOW I’m gay. And… don’t take this the wrong way… but I’m worried about what might happen to you… and the kid… while I’m gone.”

“Can… can Knashford come?” Eurydice mumbled after a couple minutes’ silence. Typical, but realistic, Mittens mused.
“I mean… I’ve nowhere else to take him… the daycare would just stick him in the fish tank and forget to feed him… again.”

“Oh, obviously!” Mittens said in grandeur. ‘He probably wants out of this hole too. But he better behave himself! Dad’s not used to having small pups in the house.” To call that a lie was an exaggeration. Milquetoast’s pups were hellions for which two visits a year was two too many, while Knashford was indeed a very well-behaved little boy.

But a burden nevertheless.

“Well, okay…” Eury pondered. And started to grin her big razor teeth. “Yeah… yeah, okay!” and sped into the main room, where Lethal Weapon 3’s end credits had started rolling. She picked Knashford up by the scuff of his tail and swung him too close to the ceiling. “Guess what, little sailor? We’re going on a veh-cay-shun!”
Knashford pondered the idea of waking up in a new environment after the events at the concert, and started to whimper.
………………….
CONTINUED...

Description
“Forty bucks?” Mittens cried, “The sign said a hundred n’ twenty!”
“For two hours work, duh” grunted the hoodie-engulfed badger behind the counter. “And you did forty minutes, fair’s fair. Anyway, you’ve enough to hire a babysitter next time.”

Mittens snatched the two bills, then stuck out her tongue to the barman. Childishness had ruined her evening, so she may as well contribute to the air of infantilism. Stomp stomp stomp, back to the emergency exit door where the sharks waited. Eurydice warily pushed Ford’s charred stroller back and forth with one claw; the other balled into a fist, ready for the next possible kidnapper. Mitts laid out the wrinkled bills with Andrew Jackalson’s smug face onto the table.

“Ramen?” Eurydice inquired with eyebrows shimmying upwards.
“Ramen.” Mittens retorted flatly.

………………………….

At least the restaurant was abandoned that Friday night. For all of Eury’s complex feelings over her genetics, her being a lowly, ‘dangerous’ shark gave them a security blanket barrier. They sat at the window bar, chewing their noodles. The all too-familiar noodles.

It’s too normal, Mittens groused internally. Los Angles is supposed to be the city of opportunities, and here I am, an adult at 18. Same faces, same noises, same thoughts even… Perhaps, if I hadn’t— she took a gander at her two accomplices. Eurydice was trying to lull Ford out of his anxiety with a lullaby, working even if the word ‘mutilation’ was involved.. What a smile Eury had. But so rare. The timing of such peaceful sights can be a mixed blessing.

It had been about a year since Mittens had taken them into her life, and her savings hadn’t been growing, only nosediving when it came to a shark’s insatiable appetite and hydration. More like kamakazing. It’s not like, she expected to have become the biggest star in the world, or even A star. Just a somebody. And even though she had a potential somebody in her apartment, it hadn’t lead to bigger opportunities. There’d been chances to cash in on the shark angle, but Eurydice didn’t care for a species spotlight. And even then, what gigs remained for The Fanged Fatales hadn’t been promising, just off-putting. Venues that looked closed in both daytime and nighttime, wood panels instead of windows. Shows without a close water supply. And then trying to work around her schedule at the 186th Boulevard laundromat, and Eury’s shifts over at Main….

To say nothing of the baby.

It wasn’t an issue of talent, right? She and Eurydice were just ahead of the game, that’s all, the world had to catch up. Problem was, it was taking its bloody good time to catch up. Mittens continued to poke at her duck-egg soba in an overtly-watery bowl.

“Do you ever imagine like, in another world, there’s ramen that like, doesn’t suck?’ Eury asked. “Like, it’s got big slabs of meat, and spices that aren’t just 70% salt? I mean, I’m not for eating meat, I mean, I keep hearing it’s like, GODLY to eat, that’s all. But like, this fantasy meat was never a sentient animal to begin with, so it’d be okay to eat it in the first place, I guess…?”

Mittens said nothing.

“Oh, and it could have giant chunks of butter, and there’d be a karaoke bar…”

Mitts continued to stare out the window, mostly covered by an orgy of neon. Eury sweated. If she was being the chatty one, something was clearly wrong.

…………………….

The suitcase came out right after lunch the next day. It was dusty and close to becoming a weevil community centre, stuffed in the closet next to that lame old tuxedo and bowtie. BOOM. An explosion and dramatic shouting came from outside her bedroom. Sigh. More familiar noises…
Tampons, glue, guitar, map, Eurydice’s head, tube socks, flea shampoo, wait…

“Please don’t go.” Eury moaned on the bed. “I swear, I thought I left him in the cloak room last night! I thought all those black garments would make him.. think it was bedtime, like a parakeet! P-please, I’ll do anything… I’ll make you a non-burnt brunch… I’ll wear 1980s businesswoman suits with giant shoulderpads for future interviews!”

Mittens smiled. Tragic it could be at times, but she admired how Eurydice’s childlike timidness clashed with her death-metal stage persona. And of course, that wonderful gun-bod adorned in pretty blue sharkskin.

“Calm down love, it’s nothing you—‘ BOOM. Rapid gunshots. Yells in Russian. Overly pounding music. It was the second movie Knashford had started today. The girls weren’t keen on putting him in front of a TV so much, but it kept him occupied, given the lack of playthings in the loft.

“…It’s nothing you did wrong. I’m just tired of all… this.’ BOOM. Mittens slammed the door so hard the termites fell out. “And that. It’s simple back home, but like, I could use some simple. Plus, it’s been a couple years since I last saw ‘em.”

“Y-your family? Why, did they kick you out, or.. or…’ Eury had some idea that parents were an invisible enemy waiting to pounce. Mittens had been meaning to grill her about it, but felt it was not her place to do so YET, close as they were.

“No, silly! I just left home to find myself…. and become a rock star. And, well, here I am… we are. Anyway, I miss having a full meal. Without a receipt.”

“So, I w-w-won’t ever see you again? But.. buh…” Here come the tears. Then the scratching of her wrists. And then she’ll bite-

“Nononono!” Mitts jumped off the bed and pinned her friend to the broken floorboards. “I’ll just be gone eight days or so, I swear!” She said as she fanned her paws. “It’s just a holiday, I’ll be back before you can say ‘Bikini Kill’s last album was overrated.”

“Bikkinnikillslasalbumwasactuallyprettydecen’ Eurydice immediately garbled. She was serious, but they both ended up laughing anyway.

“O-okay…I guess.. all I know is.. you deserve a holl-uh-day. Build up those already smart-smarts, give your legs some exercise… awesome folks like you deserve all the holly-daze.” Eury could hold up a car with two hands, and yet she still thought Mittens was the greatest animal in the world
.
“So.. what will ya do when I’m gone?” Mitts inquired as she packed. Life Savers, combs, blank cassettes…

‘Dunno, really… I guess… just the usual stuff I do. Eat, take care of Ford, work, eat, sleep, eat, but with the addition of missing you. My speck of a life goes on.”

Bit of a gamble, Mittens thought. But, her parents did grow up in the Sixties, when folks preached about love and peace and orgies and other hippy stuff. Not sure about, like, full-on acceptance, but tolerance? Yeah. At least there’d be something to discuss at the dinner table.

“Come with.” She said.
“What?!?” Eurydice fell onto the bed.

“It’d be good for you. You’ve never been outside L.A., at least before your time at college. (Eury winced.) You’re just as bored as I am! My parents aren’t speciesist, and they KNOW I’m gay. And… don’t take this the wrong way… but I’m worried about what might happen to you… and the kid… while I’m gone.”

“Can… can Knashford come?” Eurydice mumbled after a couple minutes’ silence. Typical, but realistic, Mittens mused.
“I mean… I’ve nowhere else to take him… the daycare would just stick him in the fish tank and forget to feed him… again.”

“Oh, obviously!” Mittens said in grandeur. ‘He probably wants out of this hole too. But he better behave himself! Dad’s not used to having small pups in the house.” To call that a lie was an exaggeration. Milquetoast’s pups were hellions for which two visits a year was two too many, while Knashford was indeed a very well-behaved little boy.

But a burden nevertheless.

“Well, okay…” Eury pondered. And started to grin her big razor teeth. “Yeah… yeah, okay!” and sped into the main room, where Lethal Weapon 3’s end credits had started rolling. She picked Knashford up by the scuff of his tail and swung him too close to the ceiling. “Guess what, little sailor? We’re going on a veh-cay-shun!”
Knashford pondered the idea of waking up in a new environment after the events at the concert, and started to whimper.
………………….
CONTINUED...