Apples of My Eye
"squirrels and otters are ... well, not even in the same family. it's ... you knew that, you know? and there are other ways, now. just pray about it. you love him. you love denali." "dearly," was ketchy's honest, solid agreement.
The Local Weather
" ... there y'are," was the sighing, little whisper. A sound of relief. The scrappy, brown-furred rat coming out of the shadows, into the half-light in front of the teardrop-shaped window. Here in one of the upper docking pylons, which jutted out...
Your Appetite, Darling
A pot was boiling on medium-high heat. The air was a bit steamy, smelling of melted butter, scattered flour, and sliced, green vegetables (broccoli, mostly; but a bit of celery, too). A bottle of amber-colored virgin olive oil was lying sideways, with...
With Open Arms
They were in the 'repli-mat,' the open eating area on the Promenade, which had tables, chairs. Food processing kiosks. From where they were sitting, they could see the infirmary doors, as well as the lift that led to the science lab. The simulation...
None and Much the Richer
Like how squirrels constantly groom their tails or ... you know? i don't realize i do it." benji nodded. "that makes sense." a bit of a giggle-squeak. "i didn't know that. don't know much about cows." "and i don't know much about nutrias.
Stress Fractures
"I thought it didn't rain in the desert," Desmond said, through squinting eyes. His tall, rabbit-like ears drooped over, trying (in vain) to be umbrella-like. His muzzle still got wet, and water droplets still weighed down his whisker tips. His...
Hush
'You gonna come inside?' was the thought-spoken question. More a concern. As she padded, in her bare, pink foot-paws, through the green, uncut grass. It hadn't been cut in two weeks. Dandelions (both feline-yellow and cotton-white) bobbed in the yard,...
All Aflame
"This is Commander Peregrine of the Federation Space Station Redwing. Please identify yourselves." He let out a breath, waiting. Waiting. Still waiting. Continuing, "According to our sensors, your ship has been this way before. The last time...
I Surrender All
squirrels and marmots and such, like talkeetna and antioch? they handle it better. but mouses and pikas? and the rest of us?" a shake of the head. "it's with us constantly.
Here There Be Mouses
"You're obviously," the mouse panted, breath shaky, "traumatized." An exhale. He put a paw to his forehead, wincing, whiskers twitching in frightful fashion. The pain was a throbbing, pulsating one. Pulse, pulse, pulse. Eyes half-open, he pulled the...
Attention, Please
"Phase adjuster." Chirkof fished for the tool-kit, which resulted in a few clattering sounds. Finding the phase adjuster. And handing it to Aisling. "Thank you." The chief engineer took the tool and ran the blunt, glowing end over the...
Things That Hop
As he did one race of mouses, squirrels, et cetera. one male and one femme of each. but, through time and breeding ... sub-species formed for every species. including ours.