Virtual Quill

With Dad out campaigning for school board, with George and Danielle preoccupied with the impending delivery of their child, with Fenton and I in college and with Candace on the other side of the world in New Zealand, who's minding Hare-Link?

That would be Uncle Ralph.

Granted, there haven't been any major issues coming up. No contracts coming due or important meetings to take. He's mainly been maintaining the status quo until everyone is ready to fully engage again. That in itself is a big job, and everyone's grateful.

It's such a change from when I first met him, when his goal was simply to kill and eat Dad. So much has happened since then that I find it hard to think of him as the same person. Of course, back then he had his own issues toward herbivores which were resolved when he discovered his relationship to Corrie.

Since he married Martha (and into Fiona's money) he doesn't have to work but he does. Whereas he was raised with Professional Predator being his only career option, he's grateful to work in tech and be productive in this field.

One of us...One of us...

Beige University had its Homecoming Game this weekend, so...I came home.

This was probably the last warm weekend of the year. Dad and Kell took the opportunity to wash the minivan; an activity that generally ends up with them drenching each other.

While home, I made the mistake of opening a package of Dad's campaign materials that were packed in styrofoam popcorn. The static in the air caused them to be attracted to my quills, where they burrowed so deep Kell had to use a rake to get them out. Sometimes I marvel at the many different ways in which life assaults my dignity.

Unfortunately, I won't be home on election night due to having Tuesday classes. It's one of the biggest evenings our family has had, and I feel awful about missing it, win or lose. (I've already sent in my absentee ballot; I'm one of the few non-hibernating species that uses one.)

I've begun warming up to Fenton's roommate Bob, getting over my initial suspicions about him. Being a shrike, he catches insects and impales them on sharp objects in order to tear out their guts with their claws. It's messy, but he's careful to wear a bib.

Those of us in the co-ed dorm had a campfire last week. We insectivores were looking forward to it since it was our last chance to chow down on masses of bugs before the cold weather killed them off. I handed out my quills to those who wanted to roast their six-legged snacks over the fire.

Bob contented himself with eating the insects. My original worries were due to my discovery that shrikes also eat small mammals (like bats!), but so far Bob has stuck to the exoskeletal consumables. He comes from a family that isn't well-off, so they couldn't afford to have mammals on their diet. He seems to never have developed a taste for food with fur, which is fine with me.

The campfire lasted until dawn. Bob, not used to flying at night, had fallen asleep so I carried him back to the dorm. I suppose if he can trust me to do that, I can trust him.

This weekend I came home for Danielle's baby shower, which was held next door at the Fennec mansion. I was somewhat taken aback by the location, since very rarely does a first wife (Martha) throw a shower for a second wife who's pregnant with her ex-husband's child.

There are extenuating circumstances, though. Most importantly is that Martha's much happier herself since she remarried. Fiona is another consideration, as Martha knows that her daughter wants everyone to get alone.

One thing is left unspoken by all concerned...Danielle and Martha share a bond. They both know what it's like to be human. Speaking from my own experience, it's a peculiar bit of memory to have. It gives one a new perspective, knowing what traits come from one's species instincts and which are intrinsic to yourself as an individual.

Also, I've noticed that when Martha and Danielle discuss George, they both roll their eyes and smile a lot.

I gave the baby a beginners chemistry set. I know he won't use it for a while, but it's never too early to start playing with compounds producing unknown results. (That's my human self coming out!)

When I told Rhonda that Coach Pardus had chosen Rudy and Fiona as co-captains of the Caliban Academy hunting team, she was instantly concerned. In her senior year of high school she had been the team's sole captain, and she was worried that having two captains might prove divisive.

In a way she was right. (Being part of the hunting foursome with Rudy and Fiona gave her insight into their roles on the team.) There was friction, stemming from their different abilities.

The Coach's reasoning was that the two of them would bring different skill sets to the table, which is undoubtedly true. In the case of Rhonda, she made a perfect captain because of her commanding presence on the field combined with her interpersonal talents. With Rudy and Fiona...well, you wouldn't find Rudy's picture next to "interpersonal talents" in the dictionary.

Fiona does have that, but her strong point (her hearing) is so advanced that she can't really offer constructive advice to the other team members. Rudy, who has had to use many coping strategies to overcome his dystracksia, has plenty to offer.

So, once Rudy and Fiona ironed out the roles they've become effective co-captains. The team is undefeated, and more tellingly, Coach Pardus is gaining weight from the kills his players have offered their "alpha."