Always Be Appreciative of Opposable Thumbs

Chapter Thirty-Two: Goosey, Goosey Gander, Whither Do You Wander?

 Willow had lost all sense of time.

Despite her best efforts to keep track of how long they had been in Tuffet, her brain had turned to fog, and all she could focus on was the here and now. It panicked her a bit at first, but after a while, she came to accept it. Between the warm welcome from the townsfolk and the utter happiness her friends were experiencing, her suspicions seemed completely ridiculous. So she pushed them aside and focused on the utopia that was Tuffet.

It actually wasn't all that difficult to do. Missy arranged feasts and celebrations on a nearly nightly basis. There was music and entertainment and enough food to feed an entire kingdom. One night blended into the next as they celebrated life itself in a seemingly never-ending festival.

More than the revelries, though, Willow was taken with Hugo's sudden affectionate behavior. While he had always humored her when she was in her human form before, his gestures now went well beyond those of a good friend. He took any opportunity he could to be by her side or hold her hand. She kept catching him gazing at her sweetly, and rather than turning away in embarrassment when their eyes would meet, he'd smile as if he couldn't be happier.

It was more than she could have ever wished for.

Willow smiled as she watched a troupe of jugglers perform during yet another celebration—she had given up on trying to keep count. They tossed scarves and balls back and forth, even incorporating a chicken into the act at one point. The onlookers laughed and cheered, and Willow couldn't resist being caught up in the excitement.

"They're fantastic," she said, looking over at Hugo as they sat on a little grassy knoll.

He chuckled softly. "Yes, though I wouldn't want to be that poor chicken."

The chicken had finally escaped from the performance and was staggering through the crowd but was immediately seized by the audience and lifted onto their shoulders. They started a cheer on behalf of the creature, leading it off to be fed cake and fruit.

"I don't think it'll be wanting for much," Willow said.

A roar shook the ground, and she looked up to find Jyoji in the distance, riding Okami over hills and through gardens as he chased down his dragon. No one seemed to mind the destruction his muse caused—although, from what Willow could see, none of it lasted for long. Either the townsfolk were incredibly talented builders, or this place was magical enough that it could undo any damage it experienced.

Sera's raucous laughter pulled Willow's attention away from Jyoji, and she watched as her friend ate and drank and mingled with the rest of the town. While Sera had always had a carefree manner about her, Willow had never seen her look quite so content. How freeing it must have been for her to no longer have to worry about suddenly transforming into a fire-breathing beast.

Willow smiled. She herself was rather pleased with her more permanent form. She glanced down at her thumbs, relishing in her ability to wiggle them around. Humans really did take opposable thumbs for granted. They had no idea how inconvenient it was to function without them.

As she gazed admiringly at her appendages, Hugo slipped his hand into hers and gave it a squeeze. Meeting his eyes, she was struck by the warm affection behind them.

"They seem awfully happy," she said, nodding at Sera and Jyoji.

"They do." He hesitated before meeting her eyes again. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you happy?"

Willow opened her mouth to respond but paused. That sticky unease was pulling at her mind once more, but she firmly ignored it and forced a smile. "I'm always happy when I'm with you, Hugo."