Page 29 of Sky Song
“Just wondering. If you cooked, maybe it was recently, like last night? And maybe it was something of an unusual nature like bezods?”
“What?” Bezods were large flying slugs with transparent skin, fast-moving in a slithering and flopping way. They lived in wooded areas and hardly ever came to developed neighborhoods. Why Sulys thought she saw one last night, much less cooked it andateit, she couldn't fathom.
Mr. Sulys rushed to explain, “They’re a popular game with hunting enthusiasts. The permits for shooting them are hard to come by, or so I’ve heard.”
Okay, so killing bezods might be a valid sport, but she still couldn't conjure that stew. “I assure you, I didn’t cook any bezods last night or any night. Until now, I didn’t even know you could eat them. Frankly, I still have my doubts.”
Mr. Sulys’ flat gray eyes rotated with animation. “I know, their meat is a bit tough and requires certain steps to get rid of that sour aftertaste. But after the smell is gone, it’s very digestible.”
Cricket swallowed drily, her appetite for breakfast gone. “I’m sure it’s a rare treat, but I’m afraid my tastes in food are rather too conventional.”
He nodded emphatically and laughed a little. “Yeah, it’s an acquired taste. Hunting bezods is more fun than eating them. They’re also favorite prey for many small-sized predators. Well, I’m sorry to have bothered you, Emma. Have a nice day.”
He went to his door and disappeared inside. The drapes in the window waved once, but Hipper didn’t show himself.
Hipper. Of course! Cattoons must prey on bezods in the wild. Hipper had been acting out-of-character, and Mr. Sulysmust have been racking his brains trying to figure out what set him off.
Shaking her head, Cricket went inside. Mr. Sulys had no idea about his pet reacting to aliens, and Cricket intended to keep it that way. And Lyle had to go.
Steeling her heart against her decision, she walked to the kitchenette and found him exploring her appliances.
“What’s this thing?” He pointed to the ceiling where a discreet sprinkler was mounted.
“In case of fire, it sprays water.”
“Sleek. What did that gum-flapping male specimen want with you?”
“He’s my neighbor. Lives next door.” Cricket motioned to the right and her lips twitched. “He asked if there’s a bezod around.”
“A who?”
“You aren’t a bezod, are you?”
“What in the ever-spinning green moon is a bezod?”
“It’s an animal that lives in the woods. Medium-sized. A popular hunting game, apparently. I have to say, it’s extremely gross-looking. If I could take you to the woods, I’d show you, but as things stand, you have to go by yourself if you truly wish to see one.”
“Now I do, since you asked if I was one. Apparently, we have something in common.” He focused on the wall that separated Cricket’s home from Mr. Sulys’. “That’s where the howling creature lives, too.”
“Yep. The creature is a cattoon, a local animal. Mr. Sulys is his secret owner. He’s trying to solve the mystery of Hipper’s erratic behavior last night.”
“Hipper?”
Cricket sighed. Lyle already knew way too much about her. “Paloma and I named him. Paloma lives on the other side.”
“Does she have a Hipper, too?”
“Oh, no. We can’t have pets. If Hipper is discovered, Mr. Sulys can get in trouble.”
“Why does he keep him?” Lyle looked vaguely puzzled, inasmuch as it was possible for a Rix to look puzzled since their facial expression never changed.
“Beats me. Hipper is the opposite of cute. My theory is that Hipper got into his house by accident, and Mr. Sulys felt lonely and didn’t have a heart to shoo him away. It happens sometimes with uninvited guests. They come, well, uninvited, and they stay.”
They were no longer talking about the cattoon.
“Because the host doesn’t have the heart to throw them out?” Lyle asked softly.
“Because… of that. Where would they go, alone in the night?”
