'What is that?' Jenn asked, eying the sandwich Ezra had made and left on the table. Though his
furniture was mostly too big for her to make proper use of, she was able to use the table by standing
on his chairs rather than sitting.
'That?' Ezra followed her gaze. 'That's a sandwich. It's what you get when you use two pieces of
bread to-'
'What's on it, smart ass?' Jenn interrupted. The squirrel stared back at her polecat boyfriend with
a mild scolding look. The habit Ezra had picked up, of answering her questions with the redundant
obvious, had only gotten more pronounced once he realized how much it annoyed her.
'Pork.' Ezra replied with a small grin. 'It's completely safe if you want a bite.' He turned back to
the sink, mixing a cordial drink with chilled water from the tap. Both of them were still in their
morning outfits, a simple pair of boxer shorts for the polecat and basic panties and a bra for Jenn.
'Thank you.' She replied, reaching over and sliding the plate over in front of her.
When Ezra turned around, a good two thirds of his sandwich was gone. 'What the...?' He looked
up and saw Jenn still on her chair, her cheeks puffed out with what was once most of his sandwich
but was now basically her own filling breakfast. Between the round bulges on her face was a small
coy smile, clearly his comeuppance for his condescending humour mere moments ago.
Jenn leaned against the back of the chair as she slowly worked on chewing the sandwich and
swallowing more manageable pieces so she could talk again.
'That was all I had left in the fridge.' Ezra said. 'So you have to spend the next three hours in this
house with a hungry polecat.'
'You... want some?' Jenn muttered, propping her cheeks up a little. 'It's still mostly intact?'
'Nah, you keep it.' Ezra shrugged. 'Maybe I'll just OD on coffee instead. You bought more of that
yesterday, right?'
'Yep.' Jenn shrugged between downing more mouthfuls. 'Middle drawer. I can't reach the shelf
where you usually put it. Can you pour me one as well? I didn't sleep much.'
Ezra found the jars of coffee powder and relocated them to his usual higher shelf in the pantry.
There wasn't much else in there except for a few packets of junk food and some jars of various
condiments. After that he made himself a tall cup of coffee as well as a smaller one and sat opposite
Jenn. He finished the small bite of the sandwich that Jenn had left behind and took a deep breath
before taking the first sip of his hot drink.
Jenn let her shoulders slump and leaned forward on the table. One of her cheeks was emptied
now and she was slowly chewing what became her breakfast. 'So... Where is your family going to
meet up with us today?'
'They don't live far from here.' Ezra shrugged. 'All I said was sometime today. I might get to the
shops once they open and buy enough to make a good lunch here. Then again, Ma always had a
habit of keeping the pantry and fridge stocked in case we botched a hunt or just got lazy.'
'That would be the lazy option.' Jenn smirked, finally finishing the last mouthful she'd pilfered.
'Well you wouldn't eat as much as us.' Ezra shrugged, reaching his hand across the table.
'Especially now that you've filled yourself up on my breakfast.'
'Sorry.' Jenn sighed. 'It seemed funny at the time. I didn't realize your fridge was empty.' She
rested her hand on his. His fridge was usually reasonably well stocked, but she'd learned early on in
their relationship that it was not always stocked with something she wanted to see. He was also
quite wrong as her own appetite easily kept up with those of people twice her size and larger, an
evolutionary remnant inherited from one of her family lines when her less evolved ancestors used to
gorge on food and then hibernate through the colder seasons.
She felt him pull on her hand suddenly, lifting her from the chair she stood on and sliding her
across the table on her back. He rested his head on her chest for a few moments before leaning
forward for a kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she held herself close as she reciprocated
the gesture. They stayed locked in their embrace for long, blissful minutes, sharing the touch of each
other's soft fur and lips and sharing the sight of each other's loving gaze.
The moment was interrupted by Ezra's growling stomach, protesting the feeble morsel it had
been offered in place of a real breakfast. His lips curled into a sly grin as he pulled away from hers
slowly, then opened his jaws and gently closed them over her neck.
'Bad!' She slapped him lightly on the cheek. He pulled his teeth off her neck and nuzzled into her
again, laughing softly. 'The teeth marks on my arm were bad enough, how am I supposed to explain
getting those on my neck?'
'Think of how lucky you'll look.' The polecat replied with an amused shrug. 'Not many people can
say they survived that.'
'IF I survive that.' Jenn retorted. 'What if you bit me too hard and I bled to death right here?'
'Then I'd have an actual breakfast.' Ezra said. 'As well as a lunch and dinner. You'd last a solid day
or two, I'd say. Also, I'd be very, very sad.'
'Aww, that's so nice.' Jenn said in a tone that suggested very much the opposite. 'So, should we
make use of the time we have before we'll need to put actual clothes on?'
'Sounds... delicious...' Ezra grinned.
Several hours later, the pair had dressed in their casual best. Each wore jeans and a button up
shirt of pale blue. A short while ago, Ezra's mother had sent him a message inviting the two of them
over for a midday lunch.
'So...' Jenn began, fidgeting as Ezra gathered his wallet and keys. 'Who are we going to meet
today?'
'Both my parents and my sister.' Ezra replied. 'My sister, Alexia, she is probably going to make a
lot of jokes at your expense, but she's just playing.'
'So, they know...?' Jenn began.
'That you're a squirrel? Yes.' Ezra nodded. 'They are completely aware that you are not a polecat,
and that you are part of a species that I hunt on a semi-regular basis.'
'And they didn't find that strange at all?' Jenn asked.
'No.' Ezra shook his head, pocketing his wallet and readying his keys to lock the door behind
them. He gestured to Jenn and she followed him outside. 'Ma was impressed if anything that I've
been able to date you this long without giving in to the urge to eat you.'
'Hah.' Jenn replied sarcastically. 'And how often does that urge actually come up?'
Ezra grinned as they began walking south along his street. 'Well, every time we kiss. Every time
we have sex. And whenever you get home from work and you have that build-up of squirrel
pheromone scent all over you. And also when you're just out of the shower and you smell clean.'
'That's... a lot.' Jenn pointed out. 'I keep forgetting how much more carnivores are sensitive to
scent.'
'Oh, I forgot, when you steal most of the sandwich I made for breakfast, too.' Ezra finished.
'There, does that make you feel better?'
'Absolutely.' Jenn replied. Her sarcasm was as plain as it ever was and she slapped the back of his
thigh as they walked.
'Surely you trust me by now?' He laughed. 'It's not like there haven't been a thousand
opportunities since we've met. I think if I was going to, I would have by now.'
'Maybe you just haven't felt the urge strongly enough yet?' Jenn teased. Ezra smirked but didn't
say anything further. The pair walked in silence for the next few blocks, content to enjoy each
other's presence and the slight chill in the autumn air. Jenn noticed there were not many people
home in the neighbourhood and wondered why it was.
'This street.' Ezra called, pointing to the right as they approached a crossroads. 'Fourth house on
the left. The one with the yellow letterbox.'
Jenn nodded. Each house looked almost exactly the same, with the only real differences being
due to age, repaints and other small customizations. Most residential districts were the same, with
houses or apartments being based on identical blueprints. The more elaborate homes were always
towards the edge of each district that was closest to the Central District, where wealthier denizens
were able to expend their finances for greater living status than those of more average income.
Ezra stopped outside the house he had indicated and took a deep breath. 'Alright. There are
probably a few things I should mention before we go in...'
'Stuff you were too nervous to say until now?' Jenn teased.
'Nervous, no.' Ezra smirked. 'Just things I probably should have thought of before we left.'
'Like what?' The squirrel asked.
'Well...' Ezra began with a deep breath. 'My father is one of those weird old guys who has no
shame. My mother is gonna be so nice to you it'll be creepy, and my sister... may try to eat you. But
she'll see it as a practical joke or some crap. So as much as I'd like to assure you that you'll be fine,
try to stay in sight of me or my mother at all times, alright?'
'A...alright.' Jenn replied slowly. 'And I was so worried about you meeting my parents. I almost
forgot back then that you by all rights should be the last person that gets nervous in that scenario.'
'I was.' Ezra shrugged, heading towards the house. 'I just tried not to let it show. I'll admit, I
thought your dad was gonna send some guys after me for the next few nights. Especially after what
he said to you that evening.' He turned and knocked on the door, resting an arm around Jenn as she
stepped close and brushed against his leg.
The door opened and a polecat woman of similar fur pattern to Ezra and long tied back silver hair
stepped forward. She was wearing a blue single piece dress that hung slightly loosely over her form
by a strap over each shoulder, and a necklace shaped like three claws on a simple chain around her
neck. 'Ah, Ezra. Nice to see you at long last. Did you find the place alright?'
'Yes, Ma.' Ezra replied with a smirk. 'It's not like you visit me often either.'
'Your house smells like blood.' The woman responded, glancing towards Jenn. 'I'm surprised that
your lady friend here can stand it. Hello there, you must be Jenn?'
'Yes, it's nice to meet you.' Jenn stepped forward. 'Mrs Hunt? I'm Jenn Aela.'
'Good to finally meet you too, Jenn.' Ezra's mother nodded. 'I'm Lucinda. There's no need to be
overly formal here. Come on in, both of you.' The pair followed Lucinda inside, and Jenn recognized
a very similar layout to Ezra's own home. Lucinda led them into the living room, where they saw a
polecat man of almost identical appearance to Ezra himself. The only difference was that he was
slightly taller and broader, and was visibly older.
'So this is Jenn?' The man leaned forward from his position on a worn looking leather armchair.
He was wearing black jeans and a button up white shirt that was only halfway done up. 'Come on in,
take a seat. I'm Jedd. You can probably guess I'm Ezra's father.'
'Of course.' Jenn nodded with a smile, then followed Ezra to the couch and sat beside him. A small
coffee table was on the floor between them, a feature missing from Ezra's house.
'Drinks?' Lucinda asked them. 'I think it's just late enough now for some lunch wine or a nice early
glass of scotch?'
'I might just stick with sodas for now.' Ezra answered.
'M-me too.' Jenn smiled. 'Maybe later I'll be up for something stronger.'
'Of course.' Lucinda nodded. She gave a quick glance to Jedd, which he responded to with a smirk
and slight nod. The woman sighed but smiled as she stepped through to where Jenn knew the
kitchen to be.
'So where's Alexia?' Ezra asked.
'She's on her way.' Jedd replied. 'So how did you two meet each other?'
'I was doing my one in three thing near the café line up from the park.' Ezra replied. 'She was the
first one I found.'
'You met your girlfriend while you were hunting?' Jedd asked incredulously. 'Well Jenn, I'm
impressed you managed to make it through that night. It must have been a close call?'
'It... was, I think.' Jenn replied, remembering back to the first night that she and Ezra had met.
Ezra had certainly been hunting and had confessed to her himself that he had initially planned on
eating her. Exactly what had changed his mind at the last moment was still a mystery to her, and
maybe even to him, but she was certainly grateful he had spared her. And now they were together
as a couple.
'It was a close decision.' Ezra admitted. 'But something about Jenn was just more intriguing than
the average squirrel.'
Lucinda stepped back into the living room and set a tray down on the coffee table. On it were two
glasses of chilled soda, and two smaller glasses of what was obviously scotch on the rocks. She
handed the sodas to Jenn and Ezra, then lifted the remaining two glasses and gave them both to
Jedd. Ezra noticed her subtle glance towards Jenn, looking for the squirrel's reaction to their gag.
Jenn's confusion lasted only a moment before she realized they were playing with her. 'You must
be quite a fan of the strong stuff.' She remarked.
The sound of the door opening interrupted whoever was going to speak next. Heavy footsteps
preceded another polecat stepping into the living room, a girl that looked close to Ezra's age wearing
a tight-fitting pink shirt and a pair of short cut black jeans. He hair had been dyed a similar shade of
pink to her top and was tied to hang to the left of her face.
'Alexia, running a bit late?' Lucinda called, sitting herself on one of the arms of Jedd's chair.
'Yea.' Alexia replied, taking a few slow steps further into the living room and letting her gaze
come to rest on Jenn. 'But I still wanted to meet this squirrel that managed to appeal to my brother's
romantic urges rather than his... carnivorous ones.'
'That's mee.' Jenn gave a small wave, trying not to be unsettled by Alexia's intense blue-eyed
stare.
'I see.' Alexia grinned, stepping up close and kneeling on the floor in front of the couch. 'So how
close was the gap? How close did you get to being Ezra's dinner instead of his girlfriend?'
'U-ummm...' Jenn stammered. 'I-it was pretty close. And pretty terrifying, even after I knew I was
safe. And even a little now and then since that night, as well.'
'It must be a tense and thrilling relationship.' Alexia's grin got a little wider.
'It is...' Jenn replied, leaning closer to Ezra and feeling better once he put his arm around her. 'But
I trust him. He's done nothing to hurt me. Can I also say I love your hair?'
'Aw, thank you.' Alexia replied, finally standing back up and taking a step back. As Jenn visibly
relaxed, she brushed her hand through the pink strands. 'I got it dyed to go with my favourite top.'
'Ha!' Ezra laughed, eliciting a glare from his sister. 'You got it dyed because someone mistook you
for a skunk. Stop pretending, it's only us.'
'Fine!' Alexia growled. 'Can we not humiliate me in front of the new girlfriend, please? I'm not
telling her embarrassing things about you!'
'Stop yelling.' Lucinda said firmly. 'Jenn is here to meet her boyfriend's family, not sit in on one of
your stupid sibling quarrels, alright? If you're gonna finish this one, why don't I take her out into the
backyard and start getting lunch ready?'
'...Uh...' Ezra stared back at his mother and tapped his head twice. An awkward silence followed
as Lucinda slowly realized what she had said.
'Oh, dammit.' The woman buried her face into her palm to cover her blushing cheeks. 'Jenn, I am
so sorry if that sounded like I was planning to... ugh.'
'It's alright!' Jenn spoke up, almost laughing. She slid herself off the couch and gestured towards
the kitchen. 'I'm happy to take my chances if it gives these two a chance to resolve their sibling
rivalry. Do you need some help with something? Anything?'
'Right, right.' Lucinda stood and drained her drink with a single gulp. 'Jedd? Don't let these two
break the TV, alright? I'll show Jenn around.'
'Sure sure.' Jedd replied. 'Keep your tail off the ground.'
'Shut up.' Lucinda retorted. She brushed past Alexia and led Jenn towards the kitchen doorway.
Jenn gave one final glance back, just enough to see Ezra stand from the couch with a feral looking
grin as he and his sister stared each other down. Then she hurried along.
The kitchen was almost identical in layout to Ezra's, with a row of cabinets along the far wall
below a window, then a second row adjacent on the right-hand side with wall cabinets either side of
a small rangehood above the stove. Like Ezra's place, there was room for a table, but while Ezra had
opted for a small round table that barely seated two people, his parents had chosen a slightly larger
square table that could seat four.
Lucinda continued through the kitchen to the back door. A patio had been built out here, with a
slightly raised deck off the backyard lawn and a gazebo like awning standing above. Out here was a
larger table built to withstand outdoor living, having a glass top and more rugged timber
construction. The chairs were of a similar aesthetic, but lacking any glass. There were six of them,
arranged with two down each side and one at each end. On her left as she stepped out the door was
a barbecue fitted to a gas outlet against the wall that Jenn recognized as that of the main bedroom.
A soft sizzling sound could be heard from under its canopy.
'So...' Jenn began. 'Are those two always like that?'
'Pretty much.' Lucinda sighed. 'Alexia is two years older, and being the older sibling feels
compelled to always have to be right. And Ezra, being the little brother, well...'
'Always has to prove her wrong.' Jenn finished. 'Just like little Jerald.'
'You have a younger brother yourself?' Lucinda asked with a smile, opening the cabinet beside
the barbecue and pulling out a stack of plates. Jenn nodded as the polecat took a deep breath. 'And
I'd also like to say I'm sorry if what I said in there made you feel nervous at all. I didn't mean to imply
that we would... well...'
'You don't have to be so nervous.' Jenn assured her. She braced herself for what she knew was a
slightly uncomfortable topic for herself, but which she knew was better to have in the open than
being forced to continually walk on eggshells around. 'I'm well aware of the dynamic that usually
exists between squirrels and polecats. You don't have to tiptoe around the issue for me. I'm sure
you've all made your share of... uh, squirrel meals.'
Lucinda didn't seem to know what to say, but smiled awkwardly as if trying to agree with Jenn
without outright admitting it. She stepped back as Jenn started to set the plates herself, and
returned to the cabinet to retrieve a few sets of knives and forks.
'So...' Jenn continued. 'What do the two of you do for a living?'
'Ah, we manage the finances of most of the farms around Leona City.' Lucinda explained. 'When
Equality passed into law, the demand for food went right up. Even though hunting is legalized,
successful hunts are relatively rare given how cautious most citizens are. So most food is still bought
rather than caught.'
'Of course.' Jenn nodded. 'I used to work in fast food, and now I'm a waitress in a more upscale
restaurant. It's nice to see that people still appreciate, uh, non-violent dining I guess?'
'Right.' Lucinda nodded. 'And even those who prefer hunting can't do it every night.'
'So what do you prefer?' Jenn asked suddenly. 'Ezra tells me that a carnivore's instincts tend to
build up and burn in the back of their minds if they try to ignore them for too long.'
'Did he?' Lucinda sighed. 'Well that's more or less true, but it does get easier to handle with age
and experience. I... don't hunt anywhere near as often as I used to, and certainly not as often as
those two. And if I'm honest, I think Jedd's over the idea of hunting altogether.'
'Really?' Jenn raised an eyebrow. 'That's interesting. And good to know I suppose.'
'So what about you?' Lucinda asked Jenn, reversing the topic. 'I know squirrels are commonly
thought of as herbivores, but that isn't the case. You know what meat tastes like, right?'
'Yes, I do love a good grilled steak or an occasional burger.' Jenn smiled. 'I've never felt the urge
to hunt though. I think squirrel instincts evolved more as opportunist than hunter.'
As Lucinda nodded, footsteps sounded at the door and Jedd approached, carrying Ezra and Alexia
each under one of his arms. Once they were outside, he dropped the pair with a small laugh. The
two of them looked to be still mildly irritated each other but both were also wearing a small smirk
much like their father.
'I think they're done.' Jedd grinned. 'Both of them think they won, so who really cares what the
truth is, right?'
'Right.' Lucinda rolled her eyes. 'Are we ready to eat then?'
'Absolutely.' Alexia replied, standing up. 'Dibs on the squirrel.'
'Ignore her, Jenn.' Ezra cut in, looking Jenn's way as he too stood up. 'Alexia's just jealous that
your boobs are bigger than hers.'
'Is that the only reason you didn't eat her?' Alexia retorted.
'ENOUGH!' Lucinda silenced them both. 'We can put that crap aside for later, alright? I'm sure we
can keep our aggression in check until we don't have a guest?'
'Don't mind me.' Jenn lifted a hand. 'Really, this is actually pretty enlightening. Ezra always tries to
look like he's in control. I actually like seeing him on the back foot for a change.'
'You're getting bitten tonight.' Ezra slunk around to where she stood and lifted her into a hug. She
made no attempt to resist, seeming to enjoy the attention and the playful threat.
'Oh, I get it now.' Jedd remarked with a curled lip. 'She likes the rough stuff, huh? That's why she
agreed to date you isn't it-'
'Jedd?!' Lucinda hissed.
'What?' Jedd laughed. 'Look at them both blushing. I'm right.' He took a seat at the head of the
table and leaned back in his chair.
'Well...' Jenn said softly. 'This has still been more enjoyable than visiting my family.'
'For you, maybe.' Ezra replied, lowering her onto one of the chairs then sitting beside her. As
usual, she had to stand on the chair to reach the table, the furniture sized for wildcats being suited
to larger mustelids but too small for her.
'I was wondering if that would be a problem.' Jedd said. 'We might have something that will raise
the seat a little bit if you want? I can check the shed.' As he spoke, Lucinda gestured for Alexia to
follow her back inside.
'Thank you, but it's alright.' Jenn replied. 'I do this a lot actually, some of my friends have been
larger than me.'
'Oh?' Jedd raised an eyebrow. 'That's a lot of socializing with carnivores for someone so...
squirrel.'
'I guess it is.' Jenn nodded slowly. 'But if I wanted to play it overly safe, I would never have moved
here. Leona City has far more opportunity than my hometown. And I didn't want to just step into my
family's business and have everything handed to me.'
'That's a respectable view.' Jedd nodded. 'So what does your family do?'
'Dad runs most of the building industry back home.' Jenn replied. 'That whole town is just a haven
for squirrels and other like sized people. It's safe, it's contained, and it's so utterly boring. When
Equality passed and Leona City opened up to people other than felids, I practically jumped through
the gaps.'
'We were the same.' Ezra responded as Jedd nodded again.
'Right.' Jedd agreed. 'There wasn't much going on back in our hometown either. The felids were
all respectful as far as city state borders went, but there was hardly any opportunity for industrial or
financial trade before now. Nowadays, so long as you can keep indoors at night, you can conduct
business with almost anyone.'
Lucinda and Alexia stepped back outside, the older woman carrying a large bowl of salad and her
daughter carrying a pair of smaller bowls filled with sauces. 'So then...' Lucinda asked as the bowls
were set down. 'Who's hungry?'
'I was about to gnaw Jenn's hand off.' Ezra replied. 'How's the barbecue going?'
'It's in a tray, simmering.' Lucinda replied. 'Should be nice and tender by now. Lamb shanks and T-
bone steaks, so there are options for everyone. One of each if everyone's open to it.'
'Yes!' Alexia beamed with a grin. 'I'm starving!'
'Me too.' Ezra nodded. 'Someone else ate my breakfast.' He rested his elbow on Jenn's head and
slowly forced her to crouch on her chair. She struggled vainly to push his arm off her as Lucinda
deftly served up all five platters. When they were ready, she sat beside Jedd and opposite Ezra, while
Alexia sat beside her and opposite Jenn.
'And enjoy.' Lucinda said, picking up her cutlery. Jedd was the first to start eating, followed
seconds later by his daughter. Jenn and Ezra were next, with Lucinda waiting until everyone else had
begun before making her own first bite.
'This is amazing.' Jenn complimented her.
'Thank you.' Lucinda nodded. 'A lot of people like to keep the recipes of their own sauces secret,
but I'm the sort of person who enjoys teaching. I've tried to teach these two, but they have no
appreciation for cooking.'
'Are you offering to teach me how to make this?' Jenn asked, lifting a piece of steak dripping with
Lucinda's steak sauce. 'That would be incredible.'
'I'd love to.' The polecat woman smiled. 'I suppose neither of these two inherited my love of
cooking, but teaching you will be just as satisfying.'
'My food prep skills tend more towards raw meat.' Ezra shrugged. 'But at least I'm good at it.' His
muzzle was already covered in the same sauce, giving Jenn a brief flashback to the blood-soaked
visage he'd tried to conceal from her shortly after he'd killed and begun eating the less fortunate
squirrel named Liza on the night they'd met.
'You're so messy.' Alexia murmured through a mouthful of food. 'Why don't you just swallow
prey whole like most of us do?'
'It's just what I prefer, okay?' Ezra shrugged. 'Besides, it was a squirrel last time. They're a little
too big for that.'
'No they're not.' Alexia laughed. 'I've eaten rabbits bigger than Jenn. Whole and squirming.'
'She's right.' Jedd added. 'Luci brought home a squirrel two weeks ago. Got him down easily. The
whole reason it took so long to get this meet up organized is because she wanted to wait for her
belly to shrink back down.'
Lucinda dropped her head to the table beside her plate and groaned in embarrassment. 'You
people are impossible...'
'Oh that's nothing to worry about.' Jenn said, trying to sound reassuring despite the casual
conversation about the consumption of her kind. 'Really, I understand. It's just something that
happens. Though... I didn't know you were uh, struggling with live prey, Ezra?'
'Fine.' Ezra confessed. 'I do have some trouble swallowing anything much bigger than a rat while
they're still in one piece. And since rabbits and squirrels and the like are easier to find outdoors after
dark than smaller rodents, I just decided why not? I'll kill them quickly and tear them apart. Sure it's
messy, but I can save some meat for the next few days.'
'You're not really supposed to do that.' Lucinda said, lifting her head. 'You're only supposed to
hunt what you can eat in one meal.'
'I can eat a whole squirrel in one meal.' Ezra retorted. 'Sometimes I choose not to. And besides,
you're not supposed to inflict unnecessary cruelty either. Think your stomach is a cruelty free zone,
do you?'
'Fine, then I guess every carnivore is a criminal.' Lucinda shrugged. 'Jenn, I'm sorry for being a
little dishonest earlier. Truth is I do still hunt, and if I'm even more honest, I do also have a taste for...
well, squirrels. But I hope you won't hold that against me?'
'Of course not.' Jenn blushed. 'If anything, you've been the least scary part of this whole visit. And
that includes Ezra.'
'Thank you.' Lucinda smiled. 'And I'm sure we can all empathize with you as well. After all, this is
still a felid city. Polecat, squirrel, on a bad day we're all just meat for a leopard or a lion, right?'
'Right.' Jenn agreed. They all continued eating after that, silence falling for the next five minutes
until every plate was cleaned. Alexia was the first to stand, gathering the plates and carrying them
back into the kitchen. Ezra reached over and scooped Jenn into his arms and sat her on his lap so she
could rest her legs.
'That was amazing.' Jedd summed up their collective opinion of the food. 'Lucinda, if I wasn't such
a lazy man, I'd ask you to show me how to make that sauce as well.'
'Charming.' Lucinda retorted. 'Why don't you lick the bowl clean? It's not like you could be any
less classy at this point.'
'I'm not an animal!' Jedd replied with a smirk. 'I'll put it in the fridge and lick it clean after dinner
tonight.'
Lucinda rolled her eyes and looked towards Jenn, the squirrel now nestled against Ezra's chest
and one of his arms. 'So, Jenn. With the cat out of the bag, so to speak, I had to wonder. You seem
remarkably at ease with the topic of predator and prey. Has Ezra ever hunted in front of you? Eaten
someone while you were in the house?'
'Not since the night we met.' Jenn shook her head.
'I've been behaving myself for her.' Ezra explained. 'Soon though... The craving is starting to build
up again. You might be staying at your own place for a night or two soon.' He leaned down and
kissed the squirrel on the top of her head.
'We'll see.' Jenn replied. 'I don't want you to feel like you can't be yourself around me. And I've
already heard things that squirrels probably shouldn't hear. Maybe if I just wait upstairs while you do
your thing?'
'I guess that could work.' Ezra shrugged, pulling Jenn into a tighter hug as he wrapped his other
arm over her. 'I'll only be bringing home one at a time from now on then.'
Jenn murmured something, followed by a small burp and a light giggle. When Ezra looked down
at her, she had already begun dozing off in his arms. Lucinda smiled and raised her phone, snapping
a picture before Ezra could react.
'That is adorable.' She remarked. 'I'll send it to you. Bring her inside, let her nap on the couch for
a while.'
It was half an hour later when Jenn woke up, lying on the couch with her head propped against
Ezra's thigh. 'Oh, did I fall asleep? I'm so sorry. Ezra made me a coffee this morning then didn't give
me a chance to actually drink it.'
'It's alright.' Lucinda replied from beside them on the couch. 'It's a remarkable show of trust and
respect that you'd let yourself fall asleep here after hearing all of what got said earlier. I'm actually a
little flattered.'
'Oh, not a problem.' Jenn laughed, sitting upright. 'I've been having a great time. You are certainly
a more interesting family to spend time with than mine.'
'Hah.' Jedd grinned, back on his armchair. 'Think you'd be brave enough to spend the night here
sometime? How about two weeks from now when Luci's frothing for another-'
'Jedd!' Lucinda cut him off, prompting a bout of laughter from the four of them.
'Where's Alexia?' Jenn asked.
'Had to go.' Ezra answered. 'She likes you though, gave you a goodbye kiss before she left. Said
you were delicious, and that she envies me, and a bunch of other nice things.'
'You're full of crap sometimes.' Jenn sighed happily. She leaned into him and wrapped her arms
as far as she could around his slightly distended abdomen. 'But that's why I love you.'
With Jenn having fallen back asleep, Ezra left her curled on the couch and joined his mother in the
kitchen. Jedd had headed upstairs to one of the spare bedrooms they had turned into an office and
was getting some work done, leaving only the two polecats downstairs.
'She's an interesting one.' Lucinda commented. 'So you actually almost ate the sweet girl, huh? I
can't imagine how she must make you feel for you to decide against that. You of all people.'
'Me?' Ezra scoffed. 'I inherited my appetite from you if anything. Fortunately, my self-control as
well. Jenn is amazing, and even if I do inadvertently nibble her ears or her tail now and then, I'm well
past the point of thinking of her as food.'
'Have you given much thought to the future?' Lucinda asked, standing and retrieving two glasses
from one of the cabinets. 'There are... things that one or both of you may want out of life. Things
that you won't be able to provide for each other.'
'Yea.' Ezra replied softly. 'That topic has come up. All we know for now is that we have time to
figure it out. Whether we adopt, or find a donor for her... We'll make something work.'
'I hope you do the best you can to make her realize how lucky she is to have you.' Lucinda told
him as she poured a couple of drinks. 'Don't ever take a girl like that for granted.'
