10 Minute Tales

Apr 23 - W.D.S.

She walked up to the door, almost skipping with the spring in her step. She had been hired, for the first time in almost a month! The delivery had gone smoothly, too; even Minnie had behaved, not snapping at a single bird they passed. She knocked on the door, suppressing a giddy giggle. It took a while, but the door soon opened. An elderly gentleman leaned through the door, hand shaking a little.

"Yes?"

"Hi! I'm Caitlyn, from the Pegasus Delivery Services! You ordered a parcel, right?"

"Indeed." the gentleman nodded. "May I inspect the package?"

"Of course!" she held it out. "I'll need you to sign for its arrival, though."

"If the item is of sufficient quali- what the devil is that?!" the old man recoiled, having spotted Minnie.

"What?" she looked over. "Oh, Minnie?" she smiled, coming over. "Don't mind her, she's just stretching out."

"I believe you said you were from the Pegasus Delivery Service, did you not?"

"Yup!"

"That is clearly a wyvern."

"Yup."

"Not a pegasus." Minnie looked over, growling quietly. Caitlyn looked over, a little concerned.

"Minnie... don't worry about Minnie, sir, she's a gem when you know about her."

"She's clawing at my garden!"

"Minnie!" she warned, coming over. "Come on, girl, you know you're not meant to do that..." Minnie grumbled but stopped, shaking herself. "There we go." she smiled, turning back to the elderly gentleman.

"I can't believe you're letting a wyvern take you around - and carry my goods!"

"She's tame, sir, I promise. She'll be okay! Do you want to pet her?" she grinned innocently.

"No! You know wyverns aren't to be trusted."

"But sir, Minnie's lovely!" she approached Minnie, hugging her head with both hands.

"She's a beast that's biding her time!" he objected. Minnie started growling, staring at her.

"Sir, you're scaring her a little, can you please relax? We'll be on our way as soon as you sign the clipboard."

"Hmph... fine." he grumbled, quickly scribbling at the clipboard. "But you will be hearing from me again." he threw the clipboard out, pushing the door closed with a powerful thunk. The clipboard clattered to the ground, bouncing once, twice. She sighed and walked over, picking it up. Minnie whined, nuzzling Caitlyn.

"I know, girl, I know." she petted Minnie's head gently. "One day, okay? We just need to get through today, then we'll have enough money to go." Minnie grumbled again, turning and lowering its body to the ground. Caitlyn quickly hopped on, feet sliding into some saddles. "Hya!" she called out. Minnie roared briefly, flapping once. She surged into the air, an emerald streak already shooting into the sky. Caitlyn laughed briefly. No matter how sour a delivery went - and prejudice of Minnie's race ensured there were plenty of sour deliveries - taking off and soaring into the sky like this always cheered her up.