Just Dumb Enough to Try

Funtimes in Babylon Pt. 3

"Ok, what's this one?"

"A salad fork."

"Good."

Louis put down one of the various sized cutlery. He had figured Legosi wouldn't remember anything Louis was going to say, unless he actually experienced it, so he went out and got a bunch of plastic silverware from various deli's in the area and arranged them around a paper plate and ordered Legosi to 'Sit!"

Legosi's tail twitched at the compliment.

Louis had to admit, Legosi had a better memory than previously thought. Maybe, this gala would actually go well. The dinner would be the biggest challenge. There, Legosi would be under constant watch, mostly from Louis' dad, but also every other big name executive; many of which were in the middle of important business deals with his father and this dinner would make or break them. Louis couldn't deny his regret at causing that scene with his father.

Or maybe it was the fact that he had to babysit and Gosha would know he was a terrible person. It's not that he didn't like kids. He just didn't care being around or touched by them or hearing them in general. Their hands were always sticky and they were so unnecessarily loud. Louis couldn't think of anything worse than being trapped with a mob of children.

For the time being, training Legosi kept his mind off of everything. Legosi had made considerable progress in the last couple of days. From learning proper meal etiquette to practicing small talk, Louis quizzed Legosi on everything that could possibly come up at the gala. Late nights would end with Louis drowsily flashing note cards with current events while Legosi struggled to keep his eyes open. The wolf seemed to understand Louis' urgency and put in more effort, which was much appreciated.

"Should we start heading to the daycare?" Legosi looked up from his lesson.

"Yeah," Louis said, getting his baseball cap and sunglasses. "Let's go."

It was with some reluctance that Louis left the apartment. The Hidden Condo was already a risk with its close proxemity to the Back Alley Market, but the address that Gosha had given them was even closer, in an area that Louis had never heard of. He ducked his head close to Legosi at the sight of any lions. Parading around the perimeter of the market felt like testing the limits of whatever luck the fates had granted him.

Legosi seemed mildly amused, yet concerned by Louis' behavior. No doubt he enjoyed the contact. The wolf smiled down at Louis and continued to sniff the air. This time his nose had a purpose as it searched for familiar scents. They were both in an unfamiliar place, there were no doubt plenty of new smells.

The daycare itself was tucked away, not really a part of the city that hid it. It's dioramic windows presented the life it had inside. Gosha opened the glass door and waved them in. The lower part of the glass was covered in greasy and sticky prints left by creatures unable to reach the handle.

"Come in!" Gosha beckoned. "We just sat down for snack time."

Gosha wrapped his arms around their shoulders and brought them inside. "Everyone, this is my grandson Legosi and his partner Louis."

Louis blushed, as it was the first time anyone had said that out loud. The kids looked at them with various degrees of disinterest. Both Louis and Legosi waved. Everyone went back to their styrofoam bowls of Cheetos.

"Welcome you two! We're all excited to play with you!" The doe running around the daycare trying to keep the kids in their seats said. "Gosha has told us a lot about you!"

Legosi went and sat down with the kids while Gosha went to help wrangle up the rest. Louis, unsure of what to do, put his hat and sunglasses down, followed Legosi and joined him among the crunching. A giraffe, without a long neck, offered Louis a Cheeto. Louis stared at the orange puff, it clearly had been in the kids mouth at least once, all of its cheese dusting had been sucked clean, leaving behind a disgusting mass of slobber and puffed corn. His lip twisted as he tried to keep a neutral face.