{"id":31601,"date":"2023-01-30T14:04:57","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T20:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=31601"},"modified":"2023-01-30T14:04:57","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T20:04:57","slug":"chapter-21-return-to-new-pony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2023\/01\/30\/chapter-21-return-to-new-pony\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 21: Return to New Pony"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tabby peered around the corner cautiously and made her way to Strawberry\u2019s desk–there would be safety in numbers, she determined, on this most unusual of days. \u201cIs <\/span>she<\/span><\/i> here?\u201d she asked her friend in hushed tones.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time, Thomas wouldn\u2019t be here–he had flown out to New Pony on business for a couple days. Rather than close the clinic, he had called in some kind of favor with one of the bigger operations in Baytown, and they had sent one of their vets to cover for him. Tabby, however, felt indignant that he had left her and Strawberry in the hooves of an interloper, all for the sake of unspecified <\/span>business<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Appleshine? Yes, she just stepped into the office to take a call,\u201d Strawberry said, unperturbed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas\u2019 office<\/span><\/i>, Tabby fumed. This Dr. Appleshine certainly was making herself at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just then, a melon red unicorn mare with green hair strode in. \u201cHello, and you must be Tabby,\u201d she said briskly, extending a hoof. \u201cI\u2019m Dr. Appleshine. I guess we\u2019ll be working together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi,\u201d said Tabby shortly. The two unicorns regarded each other warily as they shook hooves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe schedule says you’re supposed to start at eight,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said with a critical look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, the schedule\u2026 well, it’s <\/span>understood<\/span><\/i> that it’s more like 8:15, 8:30,\u201d Tabby explained glibly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, I see,\u201d said Dr. Appleshine in a flat manner. It was difficult to read her emotions. \u201cWell, it’s only two days, and I’m not going to exert the energy to get to know your idiosyncrasies. Just try to keep up, okay?\u201d She gestured for Tabby to follow her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTry to keep up–!\u201d Tabby echoed, trailing after.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get the basics down,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said brusquely, leaning against a counter and crossing her forelegs. \u201cI know you\u2019re not accustomed to working with a magic practitioner, but I certainly plan to use magic if they sign the consent form. And what can <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I can do reconstruction work pretty well,\u201d Tabby admitted, \u201cbut Thomas doesn\u2019t let me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPretty well, huh? I\u2019ll be the judge of that,\u201d said Dr. Appleshine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean–you\u2019d let me use magic? I\u2019m not licensed,\u201d Tabby pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m running the show now,\u201d said Dr. Appleshine. \u201cI\u2019ll let you assist on the spay we have coming up; and if I like what I see, then you may be allowed to continue with magic during our time together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t some kind of trap, is it?\u201d Tabby asked, narrowing her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Appleshine snorted. \u201cIf you think I’m hoping to report you for unauthorized magic use, well, I don’t have any patience with those sanctions,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re unicorns; we heal; it’s what we do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby <\/span>was<\/span><\/i> itching to use her powers, and the allure of that thrill overcame any suspicions. \u201cI think you\u2019ll find I\u2019m competent enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see. Don\u2019t get cocky,\u201d Dr. Appleshine warned.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As he made his way out of the airport in New Pony, Thomas\u2019 heart lightened when he saw there was a text from Tabby. It was just a simple update on one of the overnight patients, but it served to open the door of communication. <\/span>How is it going with Dr. A?<\/span><\/i> he texted in reply.<\/span><\/p>\n

A new text came in–not from Tabby, but Cheryl, who he still chatted with upon occasion. She had been enthusiastic about his visit, and suggested meeting for coffee once his flight came in. Thomas had an hour or so before his meeting with Guava, Dr. Wexford\u2019s attorney, so he took Cheryl up on the offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re involved in Steuben\u2019s case. You\u2019ll be able to set them straight,\u201d Cheryl said with great confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a deposition, and I\u2019m not sure I know anything that would help or hinder either side,\u201d Thomas admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou might be surprised at how you can help. This lawsuit is a farce, anyway,\u201d Cheryl said, eyes flashing. \u201cPearl Dust is nothing but a twit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know her?\u201d Thomas asked curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe worked together briefly,\u201d Cheryl said. \u201cA lot of empty space in her head, if you ask me.\u201d She sipped her drink.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would she fabricate something like this?\u201d Thomas asked cautiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome ponies just want to cause trouble,\u201d Cheryl said, shrugging. \u201cShe always needed to be the center of attention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut there are other plaintiffs\u2026 they can\u2019t all be there just to make a scene. If there’s something we don’t know\u2026\u201d Thomas trailed off thoughtfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re not saying you believe any of these outlandish harassment claims, do you?\u201d Cheryl looked at him sharply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt this point, I don’t believe or disbelieve anything,\u201d Thomas insisted. \u201cThat’s what the trial is meant to sort out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheryl looked at him through narrowed eyes, but said nothing more.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to admit,\u201d Thomas continued, \u201che’s, he’s\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s charming, makes delightful conservation, not to mention being an excellent teacher,\u201d Cheryl said, tossing her mane. \u201cBut he would <\/span>never<\/span><\/i> be inappropriate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas stiffened. Was this true, or was Cheryl a little too effusive in her praise? Was she covering up something? He didn\u2019t know what to think. \u201cThe truth will come out,\u201d he said noncommittally, and the conversation moved on to more innocuous matters. Time swiftly passed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re free for dinner, aren\u2019t you?\u201d Cheryl asked as Thomas was taking his leave. \u201cWhere do you want to eat?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas hesitated. Just what did Cheryl expect of him? Considering the last time they had been in each other\u2019s company, she had tried to kiss him, he was concerned that she intended to continue in that vein. She was charming, witty, intelligent, everything he had ever dreamed of in a partner. But somehow, the prospect of courting Cheryl held no appeal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dimly, Thomas returned to what she was saying.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a new place on Stafford that\u2019s supposed to be good,\u201d she chattered. \u201cMezco-Fluro fusion cuisine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI should wait and see how this meeting goes,\u201d Thomas interjected before plans got out of hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut let me just check with Sunbolt. He knows all the best places,\u201d Cheryl said, ignoring him and getting out her phone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSunbolt?\u201d Thomas asked, the name not registering.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSunbolt. You know, my boyfriend!\u201d Cheryl elaborated, typing quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d said Thomas, taken aback. He didn\u2019t think she had mentioned that detail in their chats. While not feeling let-down, he was a trifle embarrassed at believing she was pining for him. It was another example of his inflated ego nurtured by Wexford, he supposed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRishkakh\u2019s it is,\u201d Cheryl declared a moment later. \u201c8:00 works for Sunbolt. I\u2019ll make the reservation. Is there anyone you\u2019d like to invite?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026 no. That\u2019s fine,\u201d Thomas assured her. A friendly dinner seemed safe enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDidn’t I tell you about Sunbolt?\u201d Cheryl asked as they crossed the street together. \u201cHe\u2019s an engineer at Pierce Aeronautics, very clever; you\u2019ll like him. We met–well, I shouldn\u2019t talk about that, actually.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Remembering her mention of working with the military on her research, Thomas idly wondered if that was Sunbolt\u2019s connection to her. \u201cI\u2019ll see you later,\u201d Thomas said with a wave as they parted ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cNot bad\u2026 not bad,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said approvingly, looking at the finished result of Tabby\u2019s latest surgery, a rather complex bonesetting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby looked smug, with an \u201cI told you so\u201d look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA shame you\u2019re not allowed to exercise your skill on a regular basis,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said, pursing her lips. \u201cI\u2019m surprised you took this job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have the right license for anything else.\u201d Tabby shrugged. \u201cI was lucky to get this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose this is where I should lecture you on going back to school, but I\u2019d be hard-pressed to recommend the education track to anyone,\u201d Dr. Appleshine admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Tabby looked at her curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook at me,\u201d said Dr. Appleshine dismissively, \u201cI\u2019m not young by any standards; but with luck, my student loans will be paid off in five more years, and then I can start saving to <\/span>maybe<\/span><\/i> start my own practice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that doesn\u2019t sound great,\u201d Tabby agreed. \u201cWhy did you go down that path?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was young and naive.\u201d Dr. Appleshine shrugged, and didn\u2019t go into details. \u201cBut, if you worked under a magic practitioner, you would be authorized to do certain techniques under their tutelage. That would be a heck of a lot better than nothing at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just don\u2019t think anyone would want me,\u201d Tabby said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm,\u201d said Dr. Appleshine enigmatically. \u201cWhat do you do for lunch around here?\u201d she changed the subject.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s the sandwich shop on the corner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I can check it out. You wanna come?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, sure. I guess,\u201d Tabby said, surprised at the friendly gesture. Maybe she had actually <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> made an enemy this time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

After a wearying day of endless questionioning on what he remembered from his time at Dr. Wexford\u2019s clinic, Thomas was glad to finally be let go. On his way out of the building that held Guava\u2019s office, Thomas ran into a pastel blue and purple mare he recognized. \u201cSpindrift!\u201d he exclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThomas! How are you?\u201d asked Wexford\u2019s wife, Spindrift, looking genuinely pleased. \u201cWe\u2019ve missed having you to dinner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m good\u2026 how are you?\u201d Thomas asked, wondering how she felt about this spotlight being shone on her husband\u2019s purported indiscretions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs the rough sea calms after a storm, so, too, will these troubles pass,\u201d Spindrift said vaguelly, and changed the subject. \u201cSo, you\u2019re in Misty Hollow? I\u2019ve never been that far west, but I hear it\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, wonderful landscapes,\u201d Thomas agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I have to get going,\u201d Spindrift said, glancing at her watch, \u201cbut how long are you in town?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI fly back in the morning,\u201d Thomas explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026 perhaps next time, we can get together,\u201d Spindrift suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. That would be nice,\u201d Thomas agreed as she hurried off.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHey, babe,\u201d Sunbolt, a yellow stallion with red hair, greeted Cheryl with a kiss after he strode into the restaurant half an hour after the appointed time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, sweetie,\u201d Cheryl said, seemingly unphased by his tardiness, and introduced Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, a general practicioner, huh?\u201d Sunbolt leaned back in his chair and glanced over the menu. \u201cWell, someone has to do the grunt work,\u201d he said disparagingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you!\u201d Cheryl giggled. \u201cDon\u2019t take him too seriously,\u201d she said to Thomas. \u201cHe means well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll I\u2019m saying is, researchers are doing the <\/span>real<\/span><\/i> work, that GPs then profit from,\u201d Sunbolt insisted, tossing the menu on the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all have our part to play,\u201d said Thomas guardedly,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, sure,\u201d Sunbolt said smoothly; then he raised his voice to demand, \u201cHey, can we get some service over here?\u201d A server came running. \u201cYeah, we want an order of centerline rumble strips. Not too crispy. And bring a bottle of Dagnilo C\u00e9page.\u201d He proceeded to order entrees for both himself and Cheryl, and then looked expectantly at Thomas, who was ready with an answer, having had long enough time to study the menu while waiting for Sunbolt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow was work today, sweetie?\u201d Cheryl asked in a simpering tone that Thomas wouldn\u2019t have placed with her. \u201cDid you get that thing with Todd dealt with?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I told him to back off; he can whine to Woodwind about it if he wants, but whatever; Steve will have my back,\u201d said Sunbolt with a self-satisfied smirk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Sunbolt!\u201d Cheryl laughed as if this was exceedingly humorous.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does your work entail?\u201d Thomas inquired politely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, confidentiality agreements, I can\u2019t talk about it,\u201d said Sunbolt brusquely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh. I see,\u201d said Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I can tell you about my new squid,\u201d Cheryl broke-in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot now, babe.\u201d Sunbolt held a hoof out in front of him, forestalling further talk. \u201cYou know that talking about seafood before a meal makes me bilious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas smiled wanly, not finding Sunbolt the charming companion that Cheryl apparently did.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The following day of working with Dr. Appleshine went smoothly for Tabby, though she was relieved that Thomas would be back that afternoon, and things would go back to normal.<\/span><\/p>\n

After lunch, Dr. Appleshine took Tabby aside. \u201cLet me be frank. You\u2019re being wasted here,\u201d she said. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about your training; I can get you in the door. Come work with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby was taken aback. \u201cI don\u2019t think\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let your emotions hold you back,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said sternly. \u201cAs Dr. Fairfax\u2019s assistant, you\u2019ll never grow your magic skills, and that won\u2019t benefit anyone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Thomas\u2019 unexpected job offer, Tabby would have been laughed out of any vet clinic. But now–with the <\/span>right<\/span><\/i> kind of experience–doors were opening for her. She hadn\u2019t thought ahead to that development.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI live here,\u201d she protested weakly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can teleport.\u201d Dr. Appleshine was unmoved.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd zap my magic reserves!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot enough to make a difference for an average day of work,\u201d Dr. Appleshine argued. \u201cWhat\u2019s your salary?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2026 well\u2026 twelve hundred a month,\u201d Tabby reluctantly disclosed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI could get you fifteen, easy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to think about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat means you\u2019ll conveniently forget,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said, shaking her head. \u201cLook, it\u2019s clear that you\u2019re attached to Dr. Fairfax and you\u2019re making excuses. But you need to prioritize yourself. What do <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> want?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI <\/span>do<\/span><\/i> want to use magic,\u201d Tabby admitted. \u201cBut, I\u2019m learning things here. It\u2019s not a waste.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor your sake, I hope you\u2019re right, and not just consigning yourself to a life of mediocrity,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said with a sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

After an unremarkable flight home, Thomas made his way back to the clinic. He entered the employee entrance and nearly walked into Tabby, who shrieked in surprise and nearly lost her balance. Thomas held his forelegs out to steady her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re back,\u201d she stated the obvious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he said, enjoying the feeling of closeness to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Dr. Fairfax, so nice to meet you in pony,\u201d said Dr. Appleshine, smoothly interjecting herself into the moment. Tabby leapt back. \u201cTabby, why don\u2019t you check on Winnifred in the kennel, while I go over some things with Dr. Fairfax,\u201d she instructed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby went about this business with considerably less talkback than when it came to his commands, Thomas mused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps we could step into the office,\u201d Dr. Appleshine suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Certainly,\u201d said Thomas, leading the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby is being wasted here,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said, facing him. \u201cHave you even seen what she can do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019s very competent in wound repair, which has its place, but higher-caliber surgeries need advanced training. You know that,\u201d Thomas argued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how she got to this point,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said, \u201cbut she\u2019s <\/span>good<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou let her do surgeries?\u201d Thomas asked in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnce I deemed she had sufficient skill, yes.\u201d Dr. Appleshine looked at him determinedly as if daring him to take her to task.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t really talked about magic much,\u201d Thomas admitted. \u201cI just assumed\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat she couldn\u2019t do anything beyond the most basic?\u201d Dr. Appleshine asked sharply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026 I\u2026 be that as it may, she\u2019s not licensed,\u201d Thomas pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is why she should be working under someone who <\/span>is<\/span><\/i>\u2026 unlike you,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said pointedly. \u201cWhat was it–personal choice, or tryptophan?\u201d She sighed. \u201cWell, whatever you did, you\u2019re not the mentor for the likes of her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not holding her against her will,\u201d Thomas said, frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe not, but she\u2019s attached to you,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt that,\u201d Thomas said, a little regretfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let thoughts of romance get tangled up in this,\u201d Dr. Appleshine warned. Thomas stiffened. \u201cThere could be so much more for her than settling into a small town practice. You, whatever your reasons, have closed the door on that avenue. I don\u2019t want to see the same happen to her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would you have me do?\u201d Thomas said, a bit annoyed at the critique when it didn\u2019t feel like he had done anything wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to convince her to fulfill her potential,\u201d Dr. Appleshine insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI take it you\u2019ve talked to her,\u201d Thomas said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI did, and offered her a job,\u201d Dr. Appleshine said bluntly. \u201cBut she\u2019s loyal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to her,\u201d Thomas said at length. \u201cBut ultimately, it\u2019s her decision.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. But I\u2019ll be checking in,\u201d Dr. Appleshine warned. \u201cI\u2019m afraid neither of you knows what you\u2019re doing.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Some time after Dr. Appleshine had departed, Thomas asked Tabby into his office. \u201cDr. Appleshine says you\u2019re very good with magical surgeries,\u201d he started.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we weren\u2019t supposed to talk about that,\u201d she said, looking amused. \u201cI believe my employment was contingent on not discussing it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have this talent, why didn\u2019t you go to school, get certified?\u201d Thomas asked. \u201cYou could do so much more good than what you\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd give up, what, ten years of my life to <\/span>the establishment<\/span><\/i>?\u201d Tabby said with derision. \u201cNo, I think I\u2019ll take my freedom over that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVet school isn\u2019t\u2026 that bad,\u201d Thomas said. (But it kind of was.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby was silent for a moment. \u201cI have my life here, and I like it better than anything else I’ve tried,\u201d she finally said. \u201cMaybe it’s not the most prestigious, but it’s what I want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you ever change your mind, let me know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine, but it\u2019s not happening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas was unsure if that conversation had accomplished anything, but at least he had tried. Should he feel guilty for the relief he felt that she wouldn\u2019t explore the path that led away from him? He knew, deep down, that Dr. Appleshine was right; but he also couldn\u2019t envision life with anyone but Tabby at his side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry that I\u2019m not in a position to teach you,\u201d he said softly as she opened the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby looked distinctly uncomfortable. \u201cIt\u2019s fine. Don\u2019t worry about it,\u201d she mumbled before making her exit.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tabby peered around the corner cautiously and made her way to Strawberry\u2019s desk–there would be safety in numbers, she determined, on this most…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31601","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=31601"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31602,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31601\/revisions\/31602"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}