Run, Hamster, Run! - 4. Prompt: The Supernatural Invades the Everyday

“Yo! Mr. Divolo!” I yelled, leaning over the railing of my third story apartment balcony to look at the fruit vender across the street. He looked up, and I waited until he made eye contact with me before I continued. “Could I please buy a lemon or two off of ya? I messed up this morning while I was shopping and forgot to grab some. Now I have food on the stove and need them asap.”

“Sure darling! Just send that sweet pup of yours down with her basket.”

“Thank you! You’re a meal saver. How much?”

“ Two dollars.”

“Cool. The money will be in the basket!” I yelled down before rushing back inside. A quick glance towards the stove ensured that nothing was burning so I quickly moved towards the couch where Riana laid, currently in the shape of a giant salamander.

“Riana, baby, I need you to wake up.” I soothed, gently shaking her awake.

She gave a sleepy rumble and opened one eye half way to look at me.

“I need you to head downstairs, over to Mr. Divolo, with your basket.” I told her, standing upright and making my way over to where I kept my purse.

I listened to her chirp and click in an irritated manner.

“Oh, you know how I am.”

Another set of chirps, this time in a more questioning tone.

“I forgot the lemons for dinner with Alfonso.”

She grumbled, then blew a raspberry behind me. I turned to find myself nose to nose with a chimpanzee, lips folded back in a grin. I sighed and shook my head in frustration.

“Seriously? You know that you’ll end up getting a treat or two out of this, so quit your complaining. I bet if you use those puppy eyes of yours well enough, even Mr. Divolo will melt and give you some grapes.” At this, with a sudden poof of fur, Riana took her preferred canine form of a Saint Bernard. “Thank you, dear. Now, go get your basket. I need to check the food.”

I rushed into the kitchen, wallet in hand, just as the pot of pasta started boiling over. With a swift wave of my free hand, the pot was lifted off the heat and the burner turned down. Floating the pot towards me, I fished out a noodle to check for doneness. With a satisfied nod, I moved the pot over to the sink so that I could drain it, adding a couple pads of butter before setting the pot aside. The click of claws on the tile told me my girl was here, so I took a five from my wallet and placed it in the basket.

“There and back again, please.” I told her, setting the wallet aside before returning back to my work. “No detours, but you can stop for pets. I need those lemons to finish off dinner.” With a quick chirp in reply, Riana was out the doggie door. Picking up a knife, I set about chopping the garlic and broccoli, giving a chuckle as I worked. It always amazed me how chefs like me could take ingredients that have completely different enzyme and protein makeup, and very different flavor profiles, and somehow merge them into one cohesive meal.

A touch of a nose on my knee let me know that Riana had returned, so I swiftly collect the lemons from her basket, slicing them to go with the rest of the dish. Efficient movements had me over to the stove and the veggies sautéing within minutes of the chopping being done.

I was just pouring the finished dish into a serving bowl when a pair of arms wrapped themselves around my waist. Without even thinking, I swung the hot pan up and over my shoulder to have it connect with a solid thunk. The arms disappeared from around my waist to be followed moments later by the sound of the owner hitting the floor.

Turning with the raised pan, I looked down in horror to find Alfonso lying on the floor. With a gasp, I quickly dropped the pan back onto the stove before kneeling next to him to study where I hit him. The connecting point was bright red and already blistering, and I gave a small whimper.

“Shit!” I cursed, gently running my fingers over the area, leaving a glowing green trail of magic behind as I healed the damage that I caused. I held my breath until he groaned and began waking up. With a sigh of relief, I leaned my back against the counter and pulled my knees to my chest as I dropped my metamorphosis spell, sitting in my true dark elf appearance while I waited for him to come to.

“Oh hun!” I cried as his eyes fluttered open, tears streaming down my face. “How many times have I told you not to use your rogue skills on me?”

“Many.” He groaned out, raising a hand to his temple. With gentle fingers he poked around. “I’s guessing ya already healed me?” he asked, sitting up.

“Yes, I did.” I replied as I buried my face in my knees. “I’m lucky you’re so hard headed and thick skinned. I could of done some major damage to you.” I said, my words muffled by my skirts.

“Darlin.” He drawled out, bring his hand to carefully lift my chin out of its hiding place. My eyes met his icy blue ones, and he used a callused thumb to wipe away a tear. “I knew what might happen if I hugged ya like that. It was a risk I was willin to take. I’s just glad ya had a fry pan and not a knife.”

“But…”

“No buts. It’s mah health, and ya healed me.” He said with a shrug. “Now, what’s for dinner. I’s starving.”