The Strength in the Shark
 | Pig and Whistle story universe |
{{#ifeq: | | {{#ifeq: Lloyd | |
{{#ifeq: Lloyd Brunnel | ||
Author: Lloyd Brunnel
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{{#ifeq: Lloyd Brunnel | |
Author: Lloyd |
Author: Lloyd
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{{#ifeq: Lloyd | |
{{#ifeq: Lloyd Brunnel | | Authors: ' |
Authors: Lloyd Brunnel
}} |
{{#ifeq: Lloyd Brunnel | |
Authors: Lloyd |
Author: Lloyd
}}
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}} {{#if:| — see also [[:Category:{{{category}}}|other works by this author]]}}
It was an idyllic summer day; the sun was shining, the breeze was light, and the sky was cloudless. I was, of course, where any self-respecting fox would be on a day like this—the Pig and Whistle. Ever since my rather “explosive” introduction to the bar I had discovered that there were very few ways in which to better spend a lazy Saturday afternoon than curled up on a pillow with a bowl of grape soda; the sunbeam warming my fur was just a bonus.
My lounging was interrupted however, by a voice that called out, “Hey there little guy.”
I turned my head and was surprised to see the giant shark-morph I had run into two days ago crouching nearby. Was he talking to me?
“It’s alright—I won’t hurt you.” The shark continued, in what I imagined to be the closest thing his resonating voice could get to a soothing tone. I continued to stare and he held out a webbed hand—a gesture I recognized as a way to show animals you don’t mean them harm.
On the one paw, I was interested in playing along to see where the shark was trying to go with this. On the other, I wanted to berate him for his ignorance; and on yet another I was curious to see what he would do if I just continued to stare. Since I was in a good mood, I chose the first option. I got up and slowly walked over to his outstretched hand and gave it a cautious sniff. No surprise—it smelled like salty fish.
“There we go!” He said happily when it became apparent I wasn’t about to run away. “I’m Jimbari by the way, and you’re—” his eyes flicked to my collar, “Jonas, right?”
I nodded absently and he scratched me behind the ear, smiling as I gave a pleased (involuntary) growl. What was he trying to do exactly?
“See? I’m not such a bad guy after all—nothing to be scared of.” He continued. “And I’m sorry if I frightened you the other day.”
“Oh, is that what this is about?” I said finally.
Jimbari pulled his hand back in surprise. “Ack!—you can talk?”
“Among other things, yea.”
“I didn’t think—that is I didn’t… know and—I mean,” He spluttered, blushing a dark grey, “why didn’t you say something earlier?”
“I wanted to know what you were trying to do.”
Jimbari was now thoroughly embarrassed—I had to feel sorry for the guy.
“If it makes you feel any better, all you really did was startle me on Thursday. I tend to startle easily in crowds—cat-like canine, y’know?” I said consolingly.
“Yea… I guess.” He mumbled. “I feel like such an idiot though! I’ve never really met a fullmorph before and people say they got all the instincts and I dunno… I just sort of didn’t think it through. God you must be pissed—think I’m a bigot or something.”
I sighed. “I’m amused and slightly annoyed, but not upset.”
Jimbari looked up at me. “Really?”
“Really. The whole ‘looks like a duck’ thing is a good principle under most circumstances and it is true that fullers can get hit harder on the instincts than others. Just… be more careful in the future next time, ok?”
He gave another smile—this time one of relief. “Thanks man. You’re real understanding you know that?”
“I have to be.” I said with a shrug. “There’s over a thousand years of folklore, stories, and Disney movies shaping people’s perception of animals and I can’t get upset every time people confuse reality with fiction.”
“Does that happen often?” Jimbari asked.
“Every now and then. There’s this Japanese guy who sometimes comes to the bakery I work at—keeps calling me kitsune. It’s irritating but I just have to bear with it. Not like I’m above misconceptions either anyway—Gordy may have just gotten some muscle and a head change but some days I think he should be in a labyrinth.”
The shark got to his feet. “Strangely enough, that makes me feel better. Thanks.”
“My pleasure. I’ll see you around I guess?”
“Sure.”
Jimbari gave a small wave goodbye and headed for the door. I went back to my pillow and soda. He seemed nice enough, but as I nestled back down in my sunbeam I couldn’t help but appreciate the irony of someone so concerned with how other people see him being so oblivious.