Like A Fairytale

Chapter 51

Flo

"Silverpaw! My sweet girl!" Flo hugged the unconscious wolf kitten to him. He knelt on the floor. There, on a warm blanket, the two Shadows had lain his pet.

"She's fine," Number A repeated for perhaps the hundredth time. Number 100? You take over."

"Of course."

The other Shadow leaned against the wall, his posture otherwise stiff and professional. He wore the sinister mask.

So far, Flo had greeted him, but otherwise ignored him rather politely and gratefully. Now he looked at the shadow curiously. How strange it was that they were both here. In the seat of government.

Why was Flo protected?

Why did they save his more than just illegal pet?

"Thank you," he said quietly to Number 100, Icy, and to the back of Number A, who was already leaving. She turned halfway to him for a moment, nodded, and then left the room.

"Can you carry Silverpaw?" Icy's monotonous voice echoed softly through the room.

"Uh... Not for long." Embarrassed, he pressed a kiss on the fur of the fast-growing animal child.

"Should I wear it?"

"Um..." Flo nodded. He looked at the red mask. Would Silverpaw be afraid of that? "And then? Do I stay in my room? But... Silverpaw is almost too big for the litter box. I have to go out with her... What time is it? Feels like it's midnight. I'm tired." He looked at the window. Sunshine greeted him.

The kitten moved slowly. Dazed, Silverpaw opened her eyes. "Meow?"

She purred as Flo scratched her behind the ears. "Good morning, sunshine."

"Midnight? Morning? It's afternoon. Soon evening," the Shadow corrected. He strolled over to Flo, sat down next to him on the floor, and... hesitantly, he took off the mask and put it aside.

Flo couldn't help it. He stared at the face of the young man next to him.

Icy was... Pretty. No. Handsome! A birthmark adorned his left eye; another sat cheekily above his upper lip. He was grayish pale, like all Shadows, but the look from his red eyes was warm. He almost smiled as he stroked Silverpaw as well.

The wolf cat sniffed his hand, irritated. He wore black gloves. She growled briefly, then she got up on wobbly legs, stretched, and began to explore the room.

"I guess we don't have to carry her?" Flo frowned.

"I guess she doesn't like me," Icy announced dryly.

Flo laughed. "Play with her, and she'll love you!"

"Ah..." Icy raised his hand, and a bright light like that of a laser pointer flashed under his glove. Silverpaw enthusiastically threw herself at the red dot that appeared in front of her.

"You have a laser pointer? In your FINGER?" Flo stared at the hand in disbelief.

"No." Icy blinked briefly. "It's a weapon. Not... No historical technique. This light can kill."

"What?" Startled, Flo's gaze wandered to Silverpaw. The wolf cat child happily chased after the point.

"Right now, it's just warm light," Icy explained. "I can set the temperature. Silverpaw is not in danger."

"Good."

"Does she love me now?"

Flo had to laugh. "Definitely."

"We should go." Icy stood up, still letting his glowing finger whiz a point of light across the floor. Silverpaw hurried after the light, jumped, caught it under sharp claws, then the light rushed away again.

"MEW!" she complained, confused, and resumed the chase. "Waff!!"

Icy led the way and skillfully lured Silverpaw out of the room. "Come on, Flo."

Flo followed. "Um... Is it safe?"

Icy nodded. "A suspect has just been arrested. My task for the rest of the day is to stay by your and Silverpaw's side. You can go out with her later."

"A suspect?"

"A terrorist." The Shadow put the ugly red mask back on.

"What?"

"The seat of government will be sealed off for the time being. No one comes in or out until the situation is clarified. According to my information, at least two days. I will accompany you to your shifts. And if you go outside with a silver paw. Otherwise, entering the outdoor area is prohibited. Temporarily."

"What?"

Silverpaw jumped merrily through the corridors, chasing the red dot. A few guards looked at the animal with raised eyebrows. "Somehow... There are more guards."

Until now, Flo had been able to carry his pet, which is why it had passed for a dog or cat. The guards hardly paid any attention to it, some employees looked at the human and 'dog' or 'cat' always amused. But now it was clear to see what kind of pet was jumping through the corridors in ecstasy and trying to bite into a light.

They didn't say anything, but Flo felt their eyes follow him.

"Guards from the neighboring cities were requested," Icy confirmed.

"The cities in the harbor? But... Don't they need their security personnel?"

"Sure." Icy nodded. "Don't worry, the cities remain adequately guarded."

When Flo and Icy arrived at Flo's room shortly afterwards, Alby was already waiting in front of the door. As soon as the two young men were in sight, a young woman from the security staff said goodbye to her and left.

"Flo!" Alby almost ran him over.

He staggered as she threw herself into his arms.

"Alby!"

"I'll spend the night with you!" announced his friend. "Not my idea. Unfortunately. The idea is..." Only now did she seem to notice Icy. "Oh."

"Number 100 keeps us company," Flo explained, embarrassed. He did not use the first name, but the official number of the Shadow. Something told him that he better not call the Shadow 'Icy' in front of other people.

"Meow!"

Flo's gaze wandered to his animal child, who looked at him with sad eyes. The red dot had disappeared.

"We'd better go in." Icy cleared his throat.

(c: sasi)