Chapter 37 - Thirty-Five (1/2)

I was tired, my body felt heavy, and some part of me was conscious that I was starting to dream, as other part stood alert in some sort of half-awake half-asleep state.

Been unable to move was unnerving, as if a great pressure pushed my body down. I frown, or tried to, I don't know, but I felt my ears stirred as from my closed eyelids I grasped some sounds, strange sounds, as if I was far away from the woods, from the island, the comforting crash of waves disappearing and confusing me.

Them another place erupted upon my senses; the greasy smell of oil, sweat, tobacco, alcohol and food, adding the loud sound of people clashing glasses, talking at the same time, some rock music and cars buzzing around. It was all too much, even without my eyesight, so much information at once that I did not know where I should focus on and what was happening.

”So…” Someone spoke beside me, their breath reeking of alcohol and cigarettes, making me consciously hold my nose in place so I wouldn't grimace. ”How many languages you speak again?”

”Six.” I answered for the third time.

”Wow, still as impressive as the first time I heard it.”

I stop myself from rolling my eyes, sipping my acid drink and trying to ignore his annoying drunkenness by giving a small smile and a nod.

He wasn't my boss, at least, though as bad by been his son; and when your bosses son invites you out, well, you go out.

At least by not been my boss I could ditch him and leave earlier. He always ended up so drunk that he wouldn't even remember when I left anyway.

That thought brought a slap to my face.

Wait, what?

Another slap blurs the sounds and smells, and suddenly I could feel something… thin and fluffy hit me in the face again, but not strong, a simple brush.

I open my eyes wide.

And scream.

I fell down backward from the sofa to the floor, with no time to rub my hurt bottom as the thing hides from view. I feel Leo come behind me, staring at the same mass that stood behind my pillow, hiding and cowering in fear.

Leo, seen an unknown presence, comes with his sword by my side, ready to strike as the thing squeaks and hides further in the blankets.

”Wait! Wait Leo!”

I hold onto his hand, stopping him mid-motion. Gosh, you don't simply attack what appears right in front of you, you brute!

”Ok”

Ops, did I said that out loud? Oh well.

Once he calms down I turn my attention to the thing resting on my sofa. I haven't sensed any evil intention, not even a presence from starts, so I use my third eye to see its status:

Red Mushroom Kin – These are humanoid little mushrooms. Usually dormant in their plant state, they can transform and gain limbs and conscious by consuming great amounts of exp. This kind of mushroom can learn how to speak, shines in the dark, and are very docile.

At that I relax; how docile a species needs to be to appear even in his status? I kneel down beside the sofa them, and with a soothing voice say:

”Hey little buddy, no need to be afraid, we are not going to hurt you. You can come out now.”

The covers shuffle for a bit and a red top comes out of the blanket, some black little eyes peeking out underneath the red hat.

I smile, reassuring, at the little creature, stretching my hand to it.

”There's nothing to be afraid of, you can come out.”

As he comes out of his cover I need to hold a not very manly oing out of my lips, but nothing stops me from owwing inside my head.

He.

Is.

So.

Cute!!

He was holding his red hat in embarrassment, his tiny lower body covered by a grey fur, adding a small pink nose, tiny hands and feet, little pads covering the tip of the fingers making it all the more chubby.

I want to squish it.

Deep breaths now, don't want the scare the little one.

”What's your name little one?”

He peeks under the hat, and with great effort climbs up the blankets onto my hand, hugging my thumb, opening his little mouth and showing off his little canines as he says:

”Moma!”

Oing up; at the same time I wanted to frown from the sudden intimacy between the… thing and Thilgon, but at the same time I wanted to smile at the warm scene, watching how delicately my little hound holds onto the fragile creature, his eyes warm and shining in a welcoming and warm way that I have never seen before.