Keeping Fantasia: The Third Book of the Fantasia Series

Chapter 94: Nana and Nee-Neer Nee-Neer Nee-Neer

Chapter 94: Nana and Nee-Neer Nee-Neer Nee-Neer

            Oddly enough, Jim didn't want to talk about Wendy's dispute with King Arthur.

He also didn't want to talk about her nightmare.

And he especially didn't want to talk about Smigvard's prophesy.

His invitation 'to talk' was merely a tactic to get Wendy alone. Like Peter, Jim just wanted a few minutes with her.

Now make no mistake: Jim thought Peter was a jealous-borderline-territorial psychopath. However, when it came to Wendy, he had to admit that Peter was right: her attention was in high demand. They hadn't been in Fantasia more than one day and already Wendy was the most sought-out  member of their social group.

And call it love, or nostalgia, or whatever you want, but being back in Fantasia had rekindled Jim's best-friend-feelings. And even though he didn't want to talk, he did  want "to be there" for Wendy.

Okay enough sentiment. Shut up and read.

As they strolled, Jim sent Morph to the Second Star with a message for Silver to anchor at Pirate's Point. Approximating that they had about an hour to kill (probably more with Morph's speed), he suggested they take a detour downtown.

Wendy seemed a little surprised but agreed nonetheless. Sending Shadow after Morph (mostly for privacy) she followed Jim into Center-Point.

"You hungry?" Jim pointed to Tony's Resturante. "Slice of pizza to wash down that maple-bacon-chocolate donut?"

Wendy batted his hand. "Very funny. You know it's too early for lunch."

"It was too early for that donut."

"It was a monstrosity." Wendy agreed, gaze drifting across the street. Tony's dogs (Lady and Tramp) were trotting along the opposite sidewalk. Wendy watched as they slipped into a shabby building behind the restaurant's dumpsters.

"That building." she pointed. "Across from Tony's. In they alleyway. Do you see it?"

Jim searched. The building was hard to spot. However, from the signage, he could see it was an animal shelter.

"Fagin's Dog Pound." Wendy read. Abruptly she crossed the street. "Do we have time to go in there?"

It was wildly spontaneous but Jim went along with it.

"Sure." He joined her in the alleyway. "You like dogs. I like dogs. Dogs are cute."

"They are." Wendy kicked her boots free of grime. "They're also comforting. This should cheer us up."

Jim thought about it. Suspecting this was some sort of antidote for her unhappy memories, he shrugged.

Dogs? Why the hell not. It was a little random, but Wendy had definitely used worse coping mechanisms in the past. Plus they both did like dogs.

Scuffing trash from his boots, Jim followed Wendy inside. Bring on the puppies.

Fagin's Dog Pound was full of two things: couches and canines. It looked like a couch junkyard and dog heaven. Every type of dog was lounging on every type of couch, but once they saw Wendy and Jim...

"Oh boy." Grinning, Jim latched arms with Wendy. "Brace yourself."

The dogs attacked. And it was sooooooo cute! Wendy and Jim were swarmed by wagging tails, slobbery smiles, bark-bark-barks, woof-woof-woofs, yip-yip-yips, and bow-wow-wows that all translated to love me-love me-love me! We love you!