Spontoon Island
home
- contact - credits
- new - links -
history
- maps - art -
story
24 September 2007
| "Valentines Dazed"
by E.O. Costello, M. Mitchell Marmel, & Walter D. Reimer All characters © their respective creators The first sensation the next morning was doe-fur safely in my paws. To be specific, the portions near the right shoulder blade and just above the flag. The second sensation the next morning was doe-musk. It was very close to me, and in fact, there was a good bit on me. The third sensation the next morning was the lack of sheets. They were not very close to me, and in fact, I think they were on the floor. The fourth sensation the next morning was the sound of the bedroom blind being opened. This was a few feet from me, and let a good deal of sunlight in the room. The fifth sensation the next morning was hearing Inocenta's mother wish us both a cheery "Buenos dias!" *****
One thing that Inocenta find manly in the Leslie-puppy is how he so ready for the action right away. Mami come in and say hello to Leslie-puppy, and he awake in a second, bouncing up. He forget that Inocenta take away his clothes and make the hiding with them last night. Leslie-puppy make use of the pillow. Mami is so disappointed, but she turn to Inocenta. "And was my Inocenta a good little doe while her Mami was gone?" "Leslie-puppy take good care of Inocenta, is that not right, Leslie-puppy?" Leslie-puppy, he is so modest. He make with the reddie face at Inocenta's praise of him. Mami flickie-flick her flag. "Your Papi, he wire to say he back later this morning. I, Consuela, will have the breakfast deliver for all three of us." Mami pause, and make with the smile. "Consuela have the breakfast deliver in an hour." Mami tap her nose-side with the paw, and trottie out of the room, making sure the door, it is locked behind her. Inocenta, she take the other pillow, and she hit the Leslie-puppy with it again and again. Leslie-puppy finally take the pillow away from Inocenta. We no make the breakfast on time. Leslie-puppy and Inocenta the half-hour late. *****
To be honest, I didn't manage to get much breakfast in. Not that Cupcake worried me...it was her mother. Not to brag, but I've done my share of battling she-dragons protecting their daughters... and Mami simply didn't fit the standard profile. I mean, her attitude was refreshing and all, but I got the sneaking suspicion that Papi isn't doing his homework as much as he should. I also suspected that, were I to extend an invitation, both she and Cupcake would happily...well, let's not get into that. I'm not sure whether this line of speculation frightened me more than it intrigued me, but it certainly made for a jumpy breakfast. Even before the extra-strong coffee. In any event, by the time noon rolled around, I was pretty hungry. L'Etoile d'Argent was right out; I didn't feel like going another round with Andre d'Arbes. No, that's untrue. I would have enjoyed a good punch-up with that *&^%$# squirrel. But today wasn't the day for it. So, it was back to the Grand's dining room. I was about to ask the maitre d'hotel for a table for one when a booming voice informed all and sundry in the general vicinity that the pleasure of my company was requested, nay demanded. The voice belonged to Baron von Kojote, who seemed to be in a completely radiant mood. How, I couldn't imagine. He was sporting a particularly vivid shiner (currently demonstrating that Technicolor didn't have a monopoly) as well as a significant lump on his noggin. And, yet, here he was, swigging a martini. The Baronin Sofia was there, too. She merely raised an eyebrow at my approach, which was interrupted by a vigorous embrace from the Baron. "Lieber Kamerad! I am wishing to tell you how much the Baronin and I make the enjoyment of the aeroplane riding. Kollosal! Wunderbar!" "But Baron, how did you...?" I indicated his various oopsies. The Baron closed his eyes happily. "Ahhhh, the Baronin, my darling precious Sofia, she give them to me. Bif! Baf! Boum!" I was aghast. "The Baronin did this to you?!" The Baronin gave a wry smile. "Not all at once, Herr duCleds. Only when I got the intermittent chance, you see." Her mate nodded serenely. "Ja, ja. There are also the scratches, the bruises, and the bite-marks, too. I show you some other time, no?" I quickly demurred. The Baron looked slightly disappointed. "Ach, well, I am supposing it is not the taste for everyone. I earn them all, you see. I go the best of nine with Sofia. I lose, three falls to six." The Baronin scowled, and smacked her mate's ear with the back of her paw. "Do not tell lies, Heinrich! It was best of seven, and you won, four to three." The Baron took the smack on his earhole with a deep, happy sigh. "Lieber Gott, how I love this woman. I, Heinrich von Kojote, embrace with joyful passion the day I find my beloved Sofia. You see," he said, turning to me, "after the War, I am making the flying to earn my living. I have the difficulty holding the positions, you see. There are many who do not...understand...how my mind works. "A few years ago, I make the long flight to Argentina, to make the delivery to a great ranching and farming family. The family of Sofia, you see. She ask to go up in the crop-duster with me. When we come down, the father of Sofia and her three brothers, they are there with the rifles and shotguns, and they make to me, Heinrich von Kojote, the offer of the paw of Sofia in marriage. Hah! But I, it is I, who have the last laugh, for in that glorious flight, I find the one wolfess in the world who understands what makes me happy. I would not trade my beloved Sofia for her weight in diamonds. Up goes the muzzle at the thought!" The Baron wagged his tail and looked fondly at his mate, who merely pulled a wry face at him, and gently waved her paw at him. She turned to me, with a small, lupine grin. "You, Herr duCleds, owe me for the destruction of one Italian dress and a set of Japanese silk lingerie. Carlos, his call was entirely too late. He did not factor in the state of affairs with Heinrich here," a light biff on the ear followed, triggering a happy whimper, "who ran like the wind. The rest, the best of *seven* (here there was a glare at the mate), you know." I sighed and made a note to myself to haul out the old duCleds checkbook. I'm sure the fashion outlets here are getting used to me buying clothes for every upscale furfemme on Casino Island. Folks are probably beginning to wonder. *****
"Lodge?" "Yes, Mr. duCleds?" I handed him the billet-doux from the STSB. He scanned it briefly, and the hint of a wince crossed his imperturbable features. "I take it then, sir, the reservations must be postponed?" I sighed. "Quite possibly indefinitely, Lodge." Lodge nodded. "Very good, Sir. I shall attend to it." An unhappy sigh. "You're a good fur, Lodge. I really appreciate this." A hint of a bow and even sketchier grin. "Thank you, Sir." I turned to go. "Oh, and Lodge?" I said over my shoulder. "Sir?" "You are QUITE right about Mrs. de Ciervos. I shall have to tread most carefully around her." "Indeed, Sir." *****
And so an uneasy few days passed. Papi came home looking smug, and I, alas, had to curtail my rendezvous with Inocenta, limiting myself to the occasional visit to Shepherd's (ostensibly to confer with Lodge over other matters)... next |