The White Maiden of the Mojave Desert: Rango(2011)

Lesson Learned

Blanca felt something rough, yet warm, cuddling her by the time she woke up. At first, she thought she was back in her little habitat, and her owners were handling her. But when she opened her eyes, basking in the morning rays that seeped through the caves entrance, she turned to her right and was met face to face with a sleeping rattlesnake. It took a moment for Blanca to process what she was seeing. She nearly gasped but managed to suppress it at the last moment. She used her tail to rub her eyes, making sure she wasn't seeing things. But once she opened them again, she still saw the sleeping form of Jake next to her. That was when the memories of last night came back to her.

Honestly, she never expected Jake's hard and rough scales to feel so soothing and warm against her smooth scales. Blanca got a better look at the sleeping rattlesnake. Her eyes wondered over to his lips, and it was then that Blanca noticed something. Jake had a pattern of black scales above his upper lip, almost resembling a thin mustache. How did she never notice that? That mustache scale pattern complimented him even more. Why was she thinking these things? She never felt this way when she was around other snakes back in captivity, so why did being around Jake stir these feelings inside her? She'll admit it, Jake was a good-looking snake. But still, looks weren't everything. His personality was something else, though, considering how he switches from the cold and ruthless side to a much warmer and understanding side. It was a nice blend.

Blanca could've gone on and on about Jake, but she really needed to get up and stretch. The ball python managed to slither herself out of the rattlesnakes coils. She stretched her body and as she let out a yawn.

Jake: What're you doing, girl?

Blanca paused. She turned her head over to see the now awake Jake as his eyes adjusted.

Blanca: I'm just stretching. Blesides, you said we have a long day today. So, what's on today's agenda?

Jake blinked his eyes for a moment before he rolled them. This snake was going to be the death of him.

Today's lesson was something that Blanca was expecting, but she didn't think it would happen so soon. The lesson was learning how to use her tongue to smell the environment and to hunt for prey. Like most snakes, they flick their tongues in the air to pick up tiny chemical particles, which is what smells are made up off. Blanca had used this before, mostly at night since it was hard to see, but she never used it to locate other animals or to hunt. Things started off simple. Jake would make her use her tongue to smell for certain objects, then Jake would hide them, then make Blanca find them, tracking them using only their scent. It was easy for the ball python at first. After a while, things got harder. Jake had hidden the objects in many difficult places, so it took longer for Blanca to find them. It was already noon by the time Blanca had found them all. Maybe it was out of pity, or maybe he thought she deserved it, but Jake had Blanca take a break. Blanca wasn't quite sure, but here they were, standing next to each other, right in front of the watering hole, or what was left of it. Jake was right when he said the water wouldn't last. The water was almost gone, evaporated from the desert heat. Both snakes didn't say anything as they took a sip from the refreshing liquid.

Honestly, the awkward silence was really starting to get on Blanca's nerve. Yes, Jake didn't seem like the conversationalist, but he couldn't at least say something to make it less awkward? It was then that Blanca's mind wondered back to last night, and the conversation she had with Jake. She has been thinking about what Jake said. Maybe he was right. Maybe she didn't need someone to tell her she was something, maybe the only person who should tell her that is herself. That was when Blanca was reminded of something she wanted to ask Jake before his advice.

Blanca: Jake, what happened to your rattle?

Jake paused from his water drinking, not making eye contact with the ball python. He spoke in a low whisper.