Hyacinth

"Where to next miss?"

Dave, my Uber driver, closed the boot of his car, stowing away my bags of shopping. I had hired him this morning after Dahlia had finished my tattoo and he had been a stoic companion throughout my shopping spree thus far. He didn't seem to mind Apollo either which was a bonus. I had been impressed with the complete lack of reaction to our latest store, The Magical Rooster. It wasn't the usual sort of shop I visited but it had been an embarrassing and entertaining experience. Its hard not to blush or be offended when you have the salesman is in full pirate persona confidently calling you a wench and extolling the virtues of practically everything in the shop. It had made the whole shopping venture fun and I had even managed to find something not too risqué to send out as a random prize from this trip.

"Is there a pet shop?"

"Yes, Beasties Besties."

"To there then."

Starting up the car he drove us back through town. As he drove, he resumed his commentary of the places we were passing. This was why I had hired him for the whole day. His commentary was full of rumours and gossip, all sorts of things that no guidebook would tell you. As a human he had a wonderfully fresh perspective on life in this town and its inhabitants. One of the first things he had told me was all about his girlfriend and how happy he was that she wasn't interested in the current trend of polyamorous relationships that was sweeping through the town. Soon he was pulling up in front of a store.

"This is it miss," Ever the gentleman he opened to car door for me and helped me out. "I can't park here so send me a message when you are ready for pick up."

"Thank you, Dave."

Moving Apollo's head away from my face I entered the store. It was bright and breezy, in amongst the items for cats and dogs was a selection of items for other pets. There were cages over to one side which had a gaggle of children oohing and ahhing over the contents. Spotting the counter, I walked over to it and smiled at the handsome red head.

"Hi, I'm hoping you can help me."

"I'm Lars, how can I help?"

"I'm after some frozen mice for my snake."

"Snake?"

"Yes, he's..." reaching up I realise that Apollo is not there, and I hadn't noticed the disappearance of his slight weight. "He's loose."

Lars came around the counter, his eyes wide with horror.

"What do you mean?"

"He was on my shoulder when I walked in, he is loose in the store somewhere."

In that moment the noise from the children turned into screams, a buxom brunette ran out of the back room and almost knocked me over.

"What's going on?"

Running over to where the children were screaming, I looked to where they were all pointing. I found Apollo. He was in an enclosure with mice. The cause for all the screams was the fact that he is in the process of feeding himself.

The brunette bustled up to the enclosure.

"How did the snake get in there?"

"He climbed in all by himself Calluna." One of the boys piped up with a big grin.

Calluna removed the lid completely and started to reach in.

"Stop!" everyone turns to me. "Don't disturb him. He will abandon the mouse and attack you."

"You know this snake?"

"Yes, he is mine. I came in to get some frozen mice for him."

"Miss," one of the girls tugs on my arm. "What is he doing to the mouse?"

Looking down into her wide eyes I send a silent prayer for forgiveness and go with the truth option.

"He is killing it sweetie. Once he senses that it is dead, he will swallow it whole."

There is an assortment of exclamations to my answer, ranging from horror to interest, and the flat disapproving stares from the adults. All the children rush past Calluna and press their faces to the glass so they can watch.

"I'm sorry, normally Apollo is better behaved than this."

Before any of the adults can comment on of the kids calls out.

"Why is he hugging the mouse?"

With an inward sigh I start to go over to the enclosure but Calluna blocks my way.

"Apollo is a corn snake. He doesn't have venom, so he wraps himself around his prey and squeezes it to death."

There are a few giggles from the children at the theatrics of my explanation. I struggle not to blush with embarrassment as Calluna gives me a hard stare, I know I should have been more careful, but Apollo had never wondered off like this before. A bank note is flipped in front of Callunas eyes, one of the men with the children is holding it, there is a twinkle of glee in his eyes.

"I'll pay for the mouse."

"Why?"

"Dinner and a show, the kids are learning something new. And I'm sure they will tell Piney all about it when we get back."

Taking the money Calluna turned her glare on him, he just shrugged and rounded up all the children. She turned back to me and I held up my hands.

"Not happening again, I promise."

Calluna huffed and went to the counter. Apollo curled up and watched me as I approached, his belly bulging with his meal. Setting my bag on the floor I very gently and carefully lifted Apollo out of the enclosure and into his compartment.

"Call next time."

Jumping slightly at Callunas voice I finish zipping up my bag. I stand and put my bag back over my shoulder, carefully moving smoothly. She is standing next to the mouse enclosure.

"There won't be a next time. We will have moved on before Apollo needs to eat again."

"Apollo?"

"My brother named him, apparently it is funny."

"Funny how?"

I mentally kick my self, now I was going to have to tell her my name. I hated having to tell people my name, not everyone knew the myth, most people knew the British show.

"My name is Hyacinth, there is a myth about Hyacinth and Apollo."

There was a squeal and a teenager ran out from behind the shelves.

"Hyacinth and Apollo!" she grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously. "You're Black Hyacinth, aren't you? I love your blog..."

Pulling my hand out of her grasp I look around in a panic, hunting an exit. I was happy to converse with fans on chat boards but meeting them in person was terrifying. Seeing this Calluna distracts the teen and I escape out the door. I spot Dave's car just down the road, so I hurry to him and get him to take me home. No more shopping today. Apollo needs to digest, and I need to write as much as I can before I head out to night to Vee.