SSO Winter Prompts 2020

9. Penguin (Rebecca)

[AN: Calls back to my Rebecca and the Seals fics]

"Enjoy your new feathered friend!" the salesman called, waving farewell to his latest customer before fixing his gaze on his newest prospect.

"Warm winter wishes! And what better to warm yourself this winter than with one of these... cute... you!" he trailed off before exclaiming, recognizing the blond woman looking at the penguins in confusion.

"This is all legal! I have the paperwork! I should have you arrested for sealnapping my seals!" he declared in a rush, pulling the papers out from behind the register.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Rebecca said flatly, still looking at the penguins. She wasn't familiar with every species of penguin, but she did know that no penguins were native to the northern Atlantic.

"I think you should leave," he crossed his arms, firm. At that she looked at him, unimpressed and unbothered.

"There some sort of penguin pet trade?" she asked instead. Since the penguins weren't native she couldn't pull the same trick she had with the seals, getting the smugglers and fishers of Cape West Fishing Village to help her take the seal pups back to their native range.

"That is a trade secret. A legal secret! Now leave before I call the authorities!" he threatened once more, tensing when she gave him a bored expression. But she got back up on the horse she was training.

"But why penguins? Puffins at least would be native to the region, penguins you would have to ship from the southern hemisphere," she asked, curiosity keeping her in place.

"You're not welcome at my shop! Go!" he didn't answer, pointing away from the stall he had set up near the winter festivities.

"Hope all those seal pets don't eat them," Rebecca snorted, though she was concerned. Perhaps that is why he had opted to sell penguins instead of puffins, native seals might not immediately recognize penguins as food. Plus, puffins could fly, making it easier for them to run away should they grow bored of their owner.

With no indication that the salesman had done anything illegal or foolish, other than being involved in exotic pet sales, Rebecca forgot about penguins and continued her day. At least until evening when she opened the barn door at the sound of barking, letting the seals in for the night.

"What have you got, Aisling?" Rebecca asked, the blue marked seal holding something large in her mouth. It sounded like a squeaky toy, but where had she got it? The white and blue seal looked up at the human, the thing in her mouth squeaking and looking as well. Rebecca's eyes went wide and she shoved her hands out.

"No no no don't- give it here, Aisling! Don't eat it!" Rebecca begged, not wanting to clean up penguin blood. The seal snorted, as though insulted, and opened her jaws for the penguin to fall into Rebecca's hands.

"Okay. Okay," Rebecca sighed, inspecting the penguin for damage, "I've got a penguin now."

Aisling barked, looking pleased with herself and continuing into the stable with the rest of the seal pod, leaving Rebecca with a penguin. The penguin cooed and cocked its head, staring at Rebecca expectantly.

"I guess I need more fish," she muttered, shaking her head and taking her newest animal into the stable.