//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Wallflower's New Pet // by BoredAuthor817 //------------------------------// Sunset glared down the plant sitting on her coffee table. “Why don't you take him for the weekend?” Wallflower had said, “Really get to know him.” Sunset had been taken aback by the offer. “You're really trusting me with a plant?” she had said. “Sure, why not?” “Oh, nothing really," Sunset teetered, "except that I'm really bad with plants.” “I highly doubt that. The ones in your apartment seem fine.” “You never noticed that the plants in my apartment are either artificial or cacti?” “Oh...” Wallflower winced, “Well, take Alistair anyway. I'll stop by Sunday to see how you're doing.” Sunset let out a huff. She wasn't too happy about the arrangement then, and, now that Alistair was in her apartment, she was even more so. Alistair looked up at Sunset, as if longingly—or, at least what Sunset interpreted as longing. She had a difficult time reading the little plant. With no discernible eyes, a small mouth and very few leaves, it was near impossible to understand what he was trying to say. He turned his head again and chirped. “Yes,” Sunset replied, “this is my place.” “Irp!” “I'm sorry it's a mess. I'm in the process of moving.” “Irp! Irp!” Sunset crossed her arms. “Well, I wasn't expecting company...” She stopped when she realized what she was doing. “Great! I'm beginning to understand him! That's not scary at all!” “Irp! Rrrrrhhhhooooo.” “Look, we seem to be stuck with each other for the weekend. You might as well learn the rules.” For his own safety, Sunset had put Ray in a little carrier. She held the gecko to where she perceived Alistair could see him. “This is Ray” she said, “Ray is a leopard gecko—not food.” Alistair seemed intrigued by the new companion and emitted a small series of chirps and clicks. Ray responded in kind and they continued this back and forth before erupting into a full-blown conversation. “Okay...” Sunset said, setting Ray down on the table, “I'll just leave you two to it.” Sunset walked to the kitchenette and began to prepare herself a sandwich for dinner. She started to wonder what Alistair would want to eat—or if he was even hungry. Ray had gobbled down some crickets the previous day, so he wasn't going to be eating. A buzzing sound drew her from her thoughts. She pulled her phone from her pocket. “Hey, babe.” “Hey!” Wallflower replied, “How's it going?” “Okay, I guess.” “Alistair settling in well?” “Yeah. Seems so. He's talking with Ray right now... You still there?” “Uh... yeah...” “Yeah,” chuckled Sunset, “I had the same response, too. By the way, what do I feed him?” “He seems to like insects. Just open some windows and—” Sunset frowned, “I'm not letting bugs into my apartment.” “What does it matter? The new owner's gonna gut the whole thing anyway.” “Yes, but I gotta live here in the meantime.” “You bring in crickets and mealworms.” “Those are different.” Sunset rummaged through her mini-fridge. “How about meat? I have some ground beef here.” “You're vegetarian. What are you doing with ground beef?” “One of my neighbors gave it to me when she moved out—along with half the other stuff in this fridge... Nice old lady, didn't have the heart to say no.” “... or the mind to remember to throw it out, apparently. Is it any good?” Sunset looked at the wad of meat. It had a very unappealing grayish coloring. Sunset could barely bring herself to smell it and nearly gagged. “I think it may be rotted.” She pulled the phone away from her ear just in time for: “NO PET PLANT OF MINE IS EATING ROTTED BEEF!” “Well, sorry, I don't stock steak tartare.” “Well, don't put it back in the fridge!” “I'm not,” Sunset said, hauling over a large garbage can, “I'm going to throw it out—along with half the stuff in this fridge...” “... Maybe it's best if I came over.” “I would like that very much.” “I'll have to pick up some dinner... Have you eaten?” “I had a sandwich.” “Was it a piece of cheese between two slices of bread again?” “... Tofu, actually.” “Okay, I'm going to get you some real food. I'll see ya in a bit.” “Okay,” Sunset smiled, “love you.” She hung up and tapped her phone in thought. Then picked up her journal and pen and, very hastily, wrote: Dear Princess Twilight, What do plant monsters like to eat? --- About a half-hour later, Sunset opened the door to greet her girlfriend. Wallflower had a small duffle bag in one hand and takeout in the other. “I stopped by the Greek place down the street,” she said, handing the food to Sunset. “You're amazing,” Sunset said. She gave Wallflower a kiss on the cheek. Wallflower giggled, “I try.” She glanced around the apartment. Alistair quickly noticed her and began his gleeful chirps. Wallflower acknowledged him and he resumed his conversation with Ray. “Those two have just been at it,” Sunset said, her mouth full of spinach pie. “In the meantime, I have a princess threatening to jump over.” Wallflower jumped. “You told her?” “I had no other choice! It's been a long time since I've dealt with the care of these plants.” She dug through the bag. “Did you get hummus?” “Yep. Dolmades, too.” Sunset opened a container. “Here's your souvlaki. I guess we'll split the salad?” She relocated Alistair and Ray to the computer desk and she and Wallflower settled to eat on the couch. “I see you've started packing already,” Wallflower said, pointing to cardboard boxes stacked in a corner. “Lots of years of stuff to pack. Gonna miss this old place.” “This 'old place' is a walking code violation.” Sunset shrugged, “That's why it was so cheap.” “It's a wonder and a shame you never got hurt. You could have sued and gotten millions!” Sunset laughed, “Like that's just what I need!”