{"id":22464,"date":"2021-07-22T13:58:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T18:58:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=22464"},"modified":"2023-01-19T12:03:16","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T18:03:16","slug":"chapter-12-the-whale-machine-or-shanes-origin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2021\/07\/22\/chapter-12-the-whale-machine-or-shanes-origin\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 12: The Whale Machine (or, Shane’s Origin)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tabby came traipsing into Thomas\u2019 office, fifteen minutes after she was supposed to be at work (which wasn\u2019t completely unexpected), holding aloft a glass jar containing some unknown substance. \u201cLook at this!\u201d she exclaimed, and set it on the desk in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Thomas asked, leaning forward and looking doubtfully at the jar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a tissue sample from a carcass washed up on the beach near Pearl Haven!\u201d Tabby explained. \u201cThe president of the Western Mestruna Cryptozoological Society sent it to me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026\u201d Thomas wasn\u2019t entirely sure where she was going with this.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe thinks that this is the big cryptozoology break we\u2019ve been waiting for,\u201d she continued. \u201cI have to find out if it\u2019s from an unidentified species.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did he send it to… you?\u201d Thomas asked, trying not to sound too incredulous. As intriguing as he found her, he wouldn\u2019t single her out for this sort of task. Surely there were other individuals more qualified, with access to better equipment. He didn\u2019t know what kinds of tests she thought she would be able to run.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d said Tabby, taking a deep breath and launching into the explanation, \u201cWhippersnapper used to have his girlfriend in the crime lab look at stuff like this, but she broke up with him, and he had to cobble some instruments of his own together, and then his mom had a garage sale and sold all his lab stuff, and it was this whole thing; but anyway, now I\u2019m his closest link to science.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat is a sad state of affairs,\u201d Thomas mused. It sounded like the Western Mestruna Cryptozoological Society was not quite as prestigious an organization as his own professional affiliations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby gave him a baleful glance. \u201cSo I\u2019m going to sequence the DNA for him,\u201d she went on. \u201cThat will really boost my standing in the society, and maybe I\u2019ll even get invited to join the editorial board.\u201d She rubbed her hooves together in glee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going to get a gene sequencer?\u201d Thomas asked the next obvious question. \u201cIt\u2019s not something I keep around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just going to see what Butch had in stock,\u201d Tabby said matter-of-factly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cButch? The guy with the duck? Whatever for?\u201d Thomas frowned, thinking back to the shifty fellow from the open house, who may or may not have spiked the hot cocoa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe sells old refurbished Atlantean tech,\u201d Tabby explained. \u201cThose Atlanteans were all about the genetics and stuff, you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think the capabilities of the Atlanteans have been greatly exaggerated,\u201d Thomas cautioned. Still, perhaps it was a suitable level of technology to satisfy the WMCS. \u201cIs Butch qualified to calibrate scientific equipment?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I went to school with his sister,\u201d Tabby said, \u201cso I think it\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas was sure that she was being aggravating on purpose. \u201cI think I should come with you and verify the merchandise,\u201d he volunteered. \u201cWe can go over lunch break.\u201d It wasn\u2019t exactly a date, but it was something.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want,\u201d Tabby said. \u201cI\u2019m just going to stick this in the break room fridge for now. Don\u2019t touch it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat. Then maybe you can get to your job,\u201d Thomas reminded her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah,\u201d she said with a dismissive wave of her hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Later, Tabby and Thomas arrived at Butch\u2019s storefront, a dilapidated building on the edge of town. The proprietor was outside on a ladder, making adjustments to the signage. \u201cHey, what do you think of the new sign?\u201d Butch called down to them, beginning his descent. The block letters read <\/span>Butch\u2019s Oddities Shoppe<\/span><\/i>. There was a distinct color difference in the \u201cpe\u201d on the end.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLooks good,\u201d said Tabby, after giving it an appraising look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLiv said that \u2018shop-pey\u2019 would resonate more with the mares,\u201d Butch continued, nodding his head as he surveyed his work. \u201cAnd it looks like she was right. She\u2019s clever like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho’s Liv?\u201d Tabby asked, trailing after Butch as he walked through the door. Thomas followed her, doubting the efficacy of this plan more and more as he saw the shelves piled high with indistinguishable refuse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe’s my girl, of course,\u201d Butch said, looking incredulous that everyone didn\u2019t know. \u201cDown in Azucar. We\u2019re gonna get hitched as soon as we can save up enough to move her here.\u201d There was a wistful look on his face. \u201cIn the meantime, I send her all the money I can to help out her family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure Liv isn’t a catfish?\u201d Tabby asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a pony, same as you and me,\u201d Butch said indignantly. \u201cOldest of ten kids, Dad long gone, Mom sick. Liv\u2019s the primary breadwinner; needs all the help she can get.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, with a story like that, I guess she\u2019s real,\u201d Tabby said. Thomas refrained from commenting. This was her show.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnyway,\u201d Butch said, looking at them pointedly, \u201cwhat can I do for you folks today?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am here,\u201d Tabby declared grandly, \u201cfor a gene sequencer. What do you have?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Butch whistled. \u201cThat\u2019s high-caliber kind of salvage,\u201d he said, shaking his head. \u201cBUT–you might just be in luck. Hang on a second.\u201d He disappeared behind a shabby curtain that separated the storefront from the back room, and returned a moment later carrying a tarnished metal box covered in an impressive array of dials and gears.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOoh,\u201d said Tabby, eyes lighting up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust got this bad boy fixed up,\u201d Butch said proudly, setting it on the counter in front of him. \u201cReal refurbished vintage Atlantean tech; sleek, ergonomic design; oricalcum reinforcement; just insert your sample and push this button–\u201d he demonstrated, putting a strand of hair in a cavity on the front.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beep boop beep!<\/span><\/i> the machine chirped as colorful lights flashed. A rotating cylinder with stylized line drawings of different animals whirred by, and settled on the image of a pony.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure that\u2019s just a foal’s toy inside a rusty metal box,\u201d Thomas said, looking at the machine skeptically. Not that anyone seemed to care about his opinion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust don\u2019t push this one,\u201d Butch continued, gesturing at a conspicuous red button on top. \u201cCouldn\u2019t figure out what it does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it looks pretty legit,\u201d admitted Tabby, clearly impressed. \u201cHow much?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026\u201d Butch looked at her speculatively. \u201cFive hundred makes it yours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby looked skeptical. \u201cThe individual parts wouldn\u2019t cost more than a hundred.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey! A guy\u2019s gotta make a living somehow,\u201d Butch defended himself. \u201cHow good are you at assembling Atlantean parts? And don\u2019t forget, I\u2019m saving up to support a family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, whatever. Fine. Ring me up.\u201d Tabby handed over a credit card from her purse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Butch ran the card through his reader, and there was an angry beep. \u201cWell, I hate to break it to you,\u201d he said, \u201cbut your card\u2019s been declined.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat! That\u2019s impossible. Try it again,\u201d Tabby instructed. But the result was the same. \u201cOh\u2026 it\u2019s probably maxed out from that last cargo container of My Little People from Roseland,\u201d she sighed. \u201cIt cost a small fortune to deliver.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do with a cargo container of My Little People?\u201d Thomas asked. \u201cWait–no, I don\u2019t really want to know,\u201d he amended. An explanation would only lead to many more questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou got another card?\u201d asked Butch, shuffling impatiently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby bit her lip and eyed Thomas, clearly struggling with the idea of asking for help. Finally she came to a decision. \u201cDo you have a card I could put it on? Please? I\u2019ll pay you back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a month\u2019s salary,\u201d Thomas said incredulously. \u201cI\u2019m in the way of knowing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can deduct it from my wages. I don\u2019t care,\u201d Tabby insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, I don\u2019t know\u2026\u201d Thomas hedged. As curious as he was about the outcome of this, it was a fair amount of money to spend on a whim.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, you could even write it off as a business expense, and then it basically doesn\u2019t cost anything,\u201d Tabby suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s not really how tax deductions work. But thanks for the tip,\u201d Thomas said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease? It\u2019s for science,\u201d she said with a beseeching look that he really could not find it in himself to ignore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d he sighed, handing Butch a card.<\/span><\/p>\n

Butch whistled softly as he pushed buttons on the key pad. \u201cOkay, here’s your receipt,” he announced, handing it to Thomas. “All sales final, sold as is, no guarantees; and due to liability, we are unable to assist with transporting merchandise,\u201d he rattled off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay!\u201d said Tabby, stepping aside and gesturing for Thomas to pick it up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, so that\u2019s what I\u2019m here for,\u201d said Thomas, wondering if he would ever see the money again.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Butch unlocked the shop door after returning from an errand at the post office. He tossed a receipt on a sloppy pile on his desk and leaned back in his chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHah hah, a sucker born every minute, as they say,\u201d Butch chortled, remembering the amount he\u2019d fleeced from the veterinarian. \u201cThe other guy wasn\u2019t going to pay more than two hundred for that piece of junk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The bell over the door rang as someone entered. \u201cAh-hem, I\u2019m sure you remember me,\u201d said a dapperly-dressed human of modest stature. \u201cI\u2019m here for my equipment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Darn! Speak of the devil. \u201cWait, what? Who are you?\u201d Butch looked at the man skeptically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShane, Dr. Malcolm Shane,\u201d the human said impatiently, checking a pocket watch dangling on a chain from his waistcoat. \u201cI was here last month and made a down payment on a gene sequencer that you were refurbishing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Butch preferred not to lose the down payment, if he could finagle his way out of issuing a refund. It was amazing what you could get away with, with the right fast talking. \u201cI’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific,\u201d he said coolly. \u201cI handle a lot of merchandise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shane sighed. \u201cIt was a gene sequencer, oricalcum reinforced, later-middle Tartulian era. I do have a lecture in forty-five minutes, if we could wrap this up quickly–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you spell your name?\u201d Butch interrupted, flipping halfheartedly through a dogeared notebook at hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly! What kind of operation is this!\u201d the human huffed. \u201cIt will be under Shane. S-H-A-N-E.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After another minute of searching, Butch shook his head. \u201cI’m sorry, but I can’t find your account. Do you have a receipt?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t give me one!\u201d Shane said shrilly. \u201cYou said it would be no problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then, I reckon that IS a bit of a problem,\u201d Butch said sternly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want my property!\u201d Shane raised his voice, and in a spurt of unexpected violence, lunged across the counter and grabbed Butch around the neck.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDude, chill, chill!\u201d Butch caved. He had not expected this to turn to violence\u2026 at least not so soon. \u201cI sold it this morning. The… uh… hold period expired yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI paid you generously to hold it for me!\u201d Shane thundered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Butch disentangled himself from the angry man\u2019s hold and took a step back. \u201cSorry, no refunds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo refunds!\u201d Shane spluttered. \u201cI didn\u2019t get any product! It\u2019s your fault, not mine!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust settle down, pardner,\u201d Butch said, walking out from around the counter. \u201cMaybe we can find something else for you. What about this one?\u201d He gestured at a nearby artifact.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOricalcum reinforced? No?\u201d Shane looked at it with disgust. \u201cThen it\u2019s just a piece of junk, only fit to collect dust on a collector’s shelf. I need the unit we agreed on. Who did you sell it to?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have strict client confidentiality rules!\u201d Butch protested. \u201cBut… it\u2019s that filly from the vet clinic,\u201d he said after a moment\u2019s hesitation. \u201cWhat\u2019s-her-name, you know\u2026 Tabby.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot <\/span>her<\/span><\/i>!\u201d Shane sighed heavily. \u201cShe’s always trespassing at my dig sites and destroying archeological evidence. The vet clinic, you say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, over on Birch Street.\u201d Butch relaxed as Shane turned to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not done with you yet,\u201d Shane warned, turning back to the pony, \u201cbut I have to get it off her hooves before she breaks it beyond repair.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Might be a good opportunity to take some time off and get out of town until this all blew over, Butch decided, locking up for the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Back at the clinic, Tabby and Thomas found themselves busy with appointments the rest of the afternoon, and there was not a spare moment to work with the gene sequencer until much later in the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrawberry, you still have that box thing, don\u2019t you?\u201d Tabby asked, availing herself of an opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. I\u2019m guarding it with my life, as you asked,\u201d Strawberry said, pulling out the rusty metal box from under her desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand how this is supposed to do anything useful,\u201d Thomas said, joining Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

The clinic door opened, and in walked a human, on the short side, with grayish hair, wearing spectacles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m afraid I must inform you that you are in possession of stolen goods,\u201d the man stated solemnly. \u201cThat gene sequencer is <\/span>mine<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGahhh! Not my gene sequencer!\u201d Tabby threw herself possessively over the box. \u201cI bought it fair and square!\u201d She glared daggers at the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn someone else\u2019s credit card, no less,\u201d Thomas pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a prior agreement,\u201d the man said with deadly calm. \u201cButch wasn\u2019t authorized to sell it to you. I\u2019m afraid your transaction is void.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have a receipt?\u201d asked Tabby waspishly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it with you ponies!\u201d Shane blustered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen come back when you have some evidence,\u201d Tabby snapped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s mine, and I\u2019m leaving here with it, one way or another!\u201d Shane stood his ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNever!\u201d Tabby declared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas, seeing a way to possibly recoup the money he had spent, broke-in: \u201cTabby, you only need it for one test. Why don\u2019t you run your analysis, and afterwards, we can take it back to Butch and\u2026 sort things out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t trust her,\u201d Shane fumed. \u201cShe\u2019s a loose cannon!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t trust him!\u201d Tabby huffed. \u201cHe\u2019s a pompous buffoon!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas sighed. This sounded like another of Tabby\u2019s long-standing feuds. \u201cWhat exactly do you two have against each other?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe compromises the integrity of valuable anthro-hippological sites!\u201d the human said shrilly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m only transcribing tomb inscriptions for the genealogical record,\u201d Tabby said, affronted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHah! As if \u2018researchers\u2019 like you have any idea what you\u2019re doing!\u201d Shane sneered. \u201cLet me guess, you have your lineage traced back to the royal family of Atlantis!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho doesn\u2019t!\u201d retorted Tabby. \u201cAt least the information is getting out in the open, unlike your research that stays buried in notes in your office, doing no one any good!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay–well–that aside\u2026\u201d Thomas said carefully. \u201cMr, uhh\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor. Dr. Malcom Shane.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Shane, what if you operate the machine and run Tabby\u2019s test?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shane glowered. \u201cFine, but she stays out of the way. Is there somewhere more private than the reception desk?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once the operation was relocated to a room in the back, Shane took the sample jar that Tabby reluctantly handed over and extracted some of the goop with a scalpel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby winced from her post on the other side of the room. \u201cHow do you do <\/span>anything <\/span><\/i>with all those random fingers wildly flailing about?\u201d she complained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cQuiet!\u201d Shane snapped, placing the sample in the machine. His hand hovered over the red button.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait!\u201d Tabby exclaimed, leaping forward from her assigned position. \u201cThat\u2019s the wrong button–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would be a poor excuse for a scholar of Atlantis,\u201d Shane said haughtily, \u201cif I didn\u2019t know how to operate a gene sequencer. You–\u201d he said, gesturing angrily at Thomas, \u201c–make sure she stays put.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Butch said–!\u201d Tabby protested. Thomas kept a light hold on her foreleg.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, I actually <\/span>know<\/span><\/i> what I\u2019m doing,\u201d Shane said snidely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just, I\u2019m pretty sure, that it\u2019s the green button.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want these test results or not?\u201d Shane asked, glaring at her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, just do it,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shane pushed the red button.<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, nothing happened. But after a few seconds, the machine started to hum. A beam of light emerged and focused on Shane. A shockwave then erupted from the box, knocking both ponies to the ground, and the building shook. There was a blinding flash of light.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Thomas\u2019 vision cleared, he found Tabby draped over him in a disorganized heap, which was somewhat… distracting, but there were probably other matters of more critical importance to focus on right now. He helped her to her hooves.<\/span><\/p>\n

The work bench had collapsed, and the floor was littered with metal chunks and gears, which was all that appeared to be left of the machine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rising from the pile was a figure–thank goodness, Shane hadn\u2019t been killed–but something was wrong. This figure, though somewhat humanoid in form, was clearly not human. It had sleek, gray skin, finned appendages, an elongated head, and\u2026 spectacles perched behind a blowhole.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you it was the green button!\u201d Tabby shrieked, pushing disheveled hair out of her face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you done!\u201d the creature thundered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t pin this on me!\u201d Tabby snapped. \u201cWhat\u2026 what are you, anyway?\u201d She looked at him curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClearly, I’ve just had my DNA combined with a beluga whale\u2019s,\u201d Shane fretted, \u201cas you can clearly tell from the distinctive rounded, oar-shaped fins that are slightly curled at the tips!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that mean the sample was just from a whale after all?\u201d Tabby looked crestfallen. She certainly had her priorities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shane twisted around to view his newly-developed dorsal ridge, and shook his head in exasperation. \u201cI really wasn\u2019t planning on having my DNA merged with a cetacean. Most inconvenient.\u201d He turned his attention to the twisted metal at his fins. \u201cAs for the machine–now it\u2019s a worthless piece of junk! I never should have done this for you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s your own fault! Why didn\u2019t you listen to me!\u201d Tabby stomped her hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe because of your belief that Atlanteans made pets of absurd puffballs with clairvoyant abilities,\u201d Shane snapped, \u201can idea which only an utter moron would adhere to!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know,\u201d Tabby said sulkily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould Butch be able to do something?\u201d Thomas interjected. It was hard to believe he was suggesting that, but this situation had gone outside the realm of believability.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> put an animal together from primordial elements? No? That\u2019s what we\u2019re talking about here,\u201d Shane said, impatiently gesturing at the pile of parts. \u201cButch may have some skill working on an existing framework, but this is outside his scope.\u201d He glared at Tabby. \u201cHeaven only knows when a comparable find will come to light. And in the meantime I\u2019m trapped in this\u2026 this\u2026 body! You will be hearing from my lawyers!\u201d With great dignity, he strode to the door and let himself out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now we\u2019re in for a lawsuit, so there\u2019s that to look forward to,\u201d Thomas said, frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, any case he makes will just get sent to the Fuzziwugs\u2019 Court and never go anywhere,” Tabby said nonchalantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that an effective legal system?\u201d Thomas looked at her incredulously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt saves the city a lot of money,\u201d Tabby said. \u201cFuzziwugs work for ice cream vouchers to the SSSS!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds\u2026 reasonable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby kneeled down and picked through the rubble. \u201cOoh, I could turn this into a necklace,\u201d she said, lifting out a gear. \u201cAnd this\u2026 I don’t know what this is, but I bet someone is looking for it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemember, you still have to pay me back,\u201d Thomas reminded her. \u201cWill this junk be going up for sale in your online store?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and I sense your skepticism, but \u2018<\/span>this junk\u2019<\/span><\/i> is worth more than you think,\u201d Tabby stated confidently, standing on her hooves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll reserve judgment until I have my money back,\u201d he said, but a smile belied the severity of the statement. They stood looking at each other, enjoying the shared moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

It would be so easy to lean over and kiss her\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid I miss something?\u201d Strawberry bustled in the room. \u201cThe phone has been ringing off the hook, I felt the building shake, and a whale man just walked out\u2026 oh dear! This doesn\u2019t look good,\u201d she fretted, surveying the mess.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suppose The Old Milk House Foundation will be out here to check for structural damage. They\u2019re very good about that sort of thing,\u201d Tabby observed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how much more of these shenanigans they\u2019ll put up with,\u201d Thomas snapped, ill-tempered from having the moment interrupted.<\/span><\/p>\n

To add insult to injury, a familiar purple stallion strolled into the room. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d Toby asked, frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an employees-only area,\u201d Thomas pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby gave him an exasperated look. \u201cI\u2019m here to take Tabby to dinner. Are you okay?\u201d This he addressed to the pink unicorn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, is that tonight?\u201d she asked, sounding a bit dazed. \u201cUhh, yeah, sure\u2026 can I take care of clean-up tomorrow?\u201d She looked at Thomas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Thomas said shortly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t have a concussion? You seem a bit off-balance. Maybe we should go to the hospital.\u201d Toby shot an accusatory glance at Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s not necessary,\u201d Tabby insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019ll see how you feel after dinner,\u201d Toby begrudgingly agreed, ushering her out of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Tabby turned her head before going through the door and weakly addressed Thomas: \u201cI\u2019ll see you tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas nodded curtly, and then they were gone. He would have liked to be the one with her while she recovered her equilibrium. But, that was life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Silently, he turned his attention to helping Strawberry clean up the mess.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tabby came traipsing into Thomas\u2019 office, fifteen minutes after she was supposed to be at work (which wasn\u2019t completely unexpected), holding aloft a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22464"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31391,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22464\/revisions\/31391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}