Page 76 of Tail, Dark and Handsome: Celestial Mates
His kit started school. Winter wanted to hear every detail, but with his attention split between responsibilities, he barely had time to make the evening meal. He did not want to put Zero or Marigold at the bottom of his priorities, but Chase had a way of making everything seem urgent, so he thanked the storm for its opportune arrival.
Winter and Marigold made breakfast, and the aroma eventually drew his sleepy kit out of bed.
“Tell me, how do you plan to utilize your day off from school?” Winter said, filling Zero’s plate with a second helping of eggs covered in melted cheese and herbs.
“I have reading to do, but I want to make a chart of the various school sports teams and calculate how likely I am to excel in that given sport.”
“Or you know, you could try playing a sport and see if you like it,” Marigold said, working on her second portion of toasted bread.
Zero scrunched up his nose. “I want to participate in a team activity, and I’m more likely to be accepted by my peers if I am proficient in a sport.”
“Jocks are popular,” she replied, “but maybe also consider having fun, huh?”
“What sports are you considering?” Winter had never known his kit to willingly participate in anything remotely physical or outdoorsy. He had to bribe Zero to go on hikes and nature walks. Usually, the price for a day spent outside involved a new book or going to a concert.
Zero leaned both his elbows on the table. “I am too small for collision sports. I want to participate, not be injured.”
“Good thinking,” Marigold said.
“My hand-eye coordination is not great,” Zero added.
“Hmm. Wrestling? My brother did that. They have different categories for body size.”
“I believe I will excel in a sport that relies on me being quick, to take advantage of my build. I know I am not the tallest or the largest.”
“I think you’re average for your age. How about running?”
His ears perked. “I like to run. There is a,” he fumbled with a tablet computer, “cross-country team.”
“You run?” Winter couldn’t help but wonder aloud.
“I could run.”
“But do you?” Winter pressed.
“Doyou?” Zero retorted.
Winter’s tail swayed with amusement. He missed these snarky morning conversations. He needed to try to be present before Zero started his day. “I support whatever you choose to do,” he said, taking the empty plate and loading it into the cleansing unit.
“Wait? That sounded like a threat. Why would that sound like a threat?”
“You’ll need to build your endurance for any sport. We can run in the morning or the evening.”
Zero slumped forward, his body entirely supported by the table and hiding his face in his hands. “That was a threat.”
Throughout the day, Marigold jumped at every creak and groan of the house. Often her eyes looked up, as if she could spy what was happening through the bones of the house itself.
“Do not be alarmed. This house has withstood many storms,” he said, remembering how she flinched and jumped during the storm when they first met.
“It sounds like someone’s walking around up there.”
“It is an old house, full of noises. There is no one.”
“Do you have the key to the attic? I don’t think I’m going to rest until I check. What if the roof is damaged?”
“If that is the case, there is nothing to be done until the storm passes. Asan, Karil, or Brae probably have the key.”
She nodded. Good. He grew tired of the topic.
