It was around noon by the time I was in town. I was only a few buildings over from my destination but I was stopped in front of the tall windows of a clothing shop. In that window they had displayed things far from my usual taste.
There were leather belts with metal studs, tall boots that reached up to your knees, and most of all, biker jackets. Each jacket was sturdy and well made to last with large patches of intricate custom designs on the back of them. Most of them were your typical angel wings or angry skull. But one stood out to me. The embroidered eyes of a smiling dragon glared back.
I had rubbernecked at this shop many times before. Yet no one has bought that jacket yet.
I nearly jumped out of my skin as I heard someone suddenly speak from right beside me, “If you buy that thing and suddenly join a boy band, I am quitting my job at the lodge.”
I quickly stepped back from the voice beside me to find that it was only Michael. Responding with a sigh, I turned to fully face her, “I am not into any gangs or even have a motorcycle. I wouldn’t buy such a frivolous thing…” I sneered at the thought as my nose scrunched up, “And the fur on the neck. Simply vile.”
She raised an eyebrow at me, “What’s wrong with fur?”
I narrowed my eyes in spite, “You mean what’s wrong with this whole society? Why isn’t everyone else having an issue with it? Every year literal pounds of disgusting shading just falls off where it wants to! And imagine the plumbing system. If everyone was hairless we wouldn’t have to have all these extra filters and systems to get rid of these stupid little lines. All they ever do is collect more and more dead skin and moisture to trap into your body odor until you just can't keep yourself clean consistently and resort to masking it all with perfume. Well I can SEE it. I see it on your sofas, your pools, your boats, your sinks, your food, your keyboards, your clo…” I trailed off as seeing Michael look devastated was not my intent. It was my own fault that I failed to acknowledge that she was unfortunate enough to have an abundance of fur.
I cleared my throat, “I don’t mind it on others. Just not myself dear. Don’t take it too personally…So why exactly are you here?” I started to walk down the sidewalk as she followed beside me.
Her voice was a bit quieter still, “I got a second job. More for the experience. But you don’t have to worry about saying that fur thing. It kinda makes sense considering you’re a… you know, I actually don’t know what you are come to think of it. I forget the word for it.”
Instantly I snapped back as I saw her visibly jump, “REALLY? You don’t remember at all? No traits that stick out like a sour thumb that would tell you? Something every kindergartener would understand from day one?”
She puts her hands up, “Woah man. I didn’t mean nothing by it.”
Giving her benefit of the doubt, I sigh, “I have a split lip and forked tongue. I have lines across the underside of my neck, tail, legs, and arms. Those are all traits a snake would have.”
Michael squinted at me, “Snake? That doesn’t sound like you at all. You’re not a liar or evil by any means. Cuz I was thinking more how you think. I think I was looking for a word like critical or somewhere along those lines.”
I regained my composure, “You meant mentally, not physically? I apologise dear but you must be more clear on discussions like that in the future towards me. Besides, I’d rather stick to what's real, not these vague distinctions.”
She shrugged, “Doesn’t seem vague at all if you are in FACT not a liar or evil.” she pauses and slowly looks over at me, “You’re not a liar or evil are you?”
I rolled my eyes, “Evil isn’t exactly precise either. Assuming by evil you mean manipulative and deceitful I would say it’s still a vague.”
Curiously she tilts her head some, “I guess we’ll see about that later. I got to make it to my job so I’m not late on my first day.”
I nodded understandingly, “Very well. We can speak further on this at a later time or date.”
We both had slowed down infront of the same thin building wedged between two stores. Now just standing infront of it motionless, we awkwardly exchanged glances.
I gestured to the sidewalk, “Well go on. You said it yourself, you wouldn’t want to be late.”
Michael became more confused, “Yeah? And I’m not?”
After a long moment we seem to both realise what was happening. She seemed less surprised than I was so I spoke first, “You work here? This place?”
I then gestured to the sign on the small shop. It was ironically named Heart Hoax. Michael shrugged and didn’t seem bothered by the idea, “They said they could use a more friendly face and extra set of hands around.”
But I was baffled, “Not for a second did it run through your mind that the supposed angel you encountered claimed to have a name the same as this shop? Did you not think anything was fishy about that? Maybe a sign that this thing isn’t real? A HOAX?”
She thought about it a moment before shaking her head, “No? I mean, they seem nice. And cryptids would have to work too. Doesn’t really disprove anything to me.”
Stunned. This creature had no forethought, “And if you believe it IS real then you are literally throwing yourself into fire!” I threw my hands up in bewilderment.
She again didn’t seem to mind, “I know how to handle myself. Though if I were you I would be careful talking to the owner of the shop. You start arguing about facts and vagueness with her and you’re going to get banned from Heart Hoax before you can even get any information.”
I rolled my eyes and began to walk to the door, “I will not get banned. They’re a business owner and would have to be grounded in reality to keep their business a float. I’m just going to go in there, have a like minded, factual conversation, and get out with the information I need.”
She held her tongue as I swung the door open and we both entered.