Az laughed again.
Beel felt motion as Jon walked toward the counter, but he didn’t bother opening his eyes. Jon was a responsible pet store owner; there would be no dropping and squishing on his watch.
“You know, I’m still amazed by Mr. Frog’s coloring. He has to be the most unique poison dart frog I’ve ever seen. I’ve looked him up and I haven’t seen his match anywhere,” he said to Gabe. Beel didn’t mind being talked about, because the nice pets continued. “He’s also closer to the size of a northern leopard frog. I’ve never seen a poison dart frog of his size.”
“Hmmm, yes,” Gabe murmured, avoiding answering anything, just as he normally did.
“He also isn’t poisonous,” Az pointed out, gesturing toward Jon petting his back.
“Yes, well poisonous dart frogs never are when raised in captivity. They’re only poisonous in the wild because of their diet. With his coloring and characteristics he seems to fall quite clearly into that species, but as I’ve said, his size is distinctly larger than any poison dart frog I’ve ever seen,” Jon lectured. He turned to Beel then, switching to his softer, cooing tone. “But that just makes you more unique and beautiful. Yes, you are the most handsome Mr. Frog I’ve ever met. And you just love your pets, don’t you, Mr. Frog.”
“We call him Beel,” Az interrupted. Beel blinked his eyes open and stared at the demon, and he saw Gabe look over at Az with a questioning look.
The name change didn’t seem to phase Jon, though. “Yes, Mr. Frog, I think we can be on a first name basis,” the shop owner joked. “What a cute name for a cute frog. Ok, Beel, if I put you on the counter, no hopping off to find treats,” Jon chastised, gently placing him on the counter.
Beel ribbitted his agreement. Really, it had only been the one time he had hopped off and had a bit of a feast. Not his fault Jon had left treats on the side of the counter and the two humans had gotten distracted looking through an aquarium catalog.
Jon leaned down on the counter though, sort of bracketing Beel with his arms while he chatted with Gabe and Az.
“So what can I help you guys with? You just bought a new plant for the aquarium, and you should be good on food. Don’t tell me the heated rock stopped working. I remember how grumpy you both were the last time that happened,” Jon chuckled, looking back down at Beel and continuing with the pets when he was done talking.
Beel practically shuddered at the memory. That had been awful. He had croaked and ribbitted and grumbled until Gabe had figured it out,and yes, he might have kept Gabe up most of the night complaining, so they had both been rather grumpy when they’d come in the next morning to get a new rock.
Beel did not like being cold. It was the one downside of being topside. Thankfully, there were heated rocks for demon frogs.
“Well,” Gabe started, “we’re actually here because Mr. Frog really needs—”
“A frogsitter!” Az interrupted.
Gabe and Beel both looked at Az in confusion, but Jon didn’t break off from staring at Beel and petting him.
“You guys going away? I’d be happy to watch Mr. Frog for you,” he stated, then he switched to his soft voice to talk to Beel. “Yes, we’ll have such a good time, won’t we? Gabe said you guys have movie nights and treats, and I’m sure I could rustle up a nice heated rock for you. Mmmhmmm, you’ll have your own little vacation.”
“Uhhh,” Gabe started, but Az cut him off again.
“That would be lovely! Just an extended weekend away, and you seem like you know exactly what you’re doing. Beel is a very special pet frog, as you can obviously tell. We’re sure you’ll give him all the love he needs,” Az grinned.
Beel looked up at the demon. Az was up to something, but Beel didn’t know what. Gabe was also staring at his soulmate rather suspiciously.
“I’m not sure if that’s a great idea,” Gabe muttered.
“Oh, don’t worry, I don’t have any pets upstairs in my apartment, so you don’t have to be concerned about any other animals messing with Beel. Any animals I have up for adoption stay down here. I could use the company anyway, so it’s really no problem. I’m honored you guys would ask me,” Jon beamed. “We’ll have a wonderful time, won’t we, Beel Frog?” Jon cooed.
Hmph. Well, it could be far worse.
Beel ribbitted in agreement. Much better to hang out with the pet shop cutie than end up with an unwanted aquarium mate.
“Trust me, love, this is a perfect idea,” Az assured Gabe, who stilllooked unsure. “I’m sure we can leave Beel here now, in fact,” he added.
Gabe started to disagree, but Jon cut him off that time. “Oh yes, that’s perfect. I have all the equipment and food I need here, so you don’t need to lug your stuff here. Like I said, I could use the company anyway.”
Jon seemed a little sad when he said the last part, and Beel reached a froggy leg out to touch his hand, which made Jon grin at him and start pets again.
Az giggled.
It was highly disconcerting. And worrisome. Gabe even looked at Az with both eyebrows up.
Az then did some motion with his hand partly out of sight, so Beel had no idea what exactly it was, but it looked like a rune drawing.
