My Personal Zoo
“Envio? I know we meet under the strangest of circumstances, but how in the world did you get into a Philizoph’s Meadow? Even I had only found out about this one hours ago,” I question, shooting a look of confusion at the child in front of me.
“You’re trying to bully them!” She cried out as she spread her arms out to protect the creature behind her.
Envio is the young child I’ve recently gotten acquainted with. With chestnut brown hair and shining green eyes, her cuteness was spoiled by the angry look she always wore. She wore a matching yellow sundress and sun hat, and I could see a picnic basket sitting in the distance.
Is it safe for her to be out here all alone?
“Move out of the way,” I order as I glance at the Philizoph.
“N-No! You’re going to take him!” She cries as she stands her ground.
...What should I do. If this keeps going on, the Philizoph is going to die. Not only would that be bad for my goals, I can’t dare to think what the mother will do to us.
Straightening out my tie, I put on a smile as I look down at her.
“...Hm. Then, as a businessman, I’ll buy him off you. What do you say?” I ask, as I pull my suitcase from my dimensional pocket.
“You can’t put a value on life!” She refuted.
“But what about death? If you sell him to me, I’ll take good care of him. I’ll even fix up that injury of his.”
“You’re lying!”
This isn’t going to go anywhere. How about I try switching tactics?
“...Listen, Envio. I am a businessman. But before that, I am a living being. If you don’t want me to buy him, how about you purchase this off of me?” I say, gesturing to the object in my suitcase.
“It’s a panacea. You of all people should understand how effective they are,” I explain as I take a glance at her neck.
The scar is still there.
For several seconds she stands there contemplating the deal. The Philizoph cries out in pain and the look in her eyes changes.
“...Are you telling the truth?” She asks with shaking but determined eyes.
“I’m a businessman Envio. Trust is the basis of business. It’s also built on mutual value. Now tell me, what can you offer?”
Envio puts down her arms and glances around her. She didn’t have a bag, pockets, or anything of real value. I wonder what she’ll say?
“T-This,” she declares as she lifts up the golden locket around her neck.
“That? I don’t need that piece of junk,” I say with a laugh, closing the briefcase.
As the panacea begins to disappear from her eyes, she glances back at the Philizoph with teary eyes.
“Oh?” I pretend to exclaim, “Is that a picnic basket? I’m feeling hungry, so if you give me all that food, I’ll give you this,” I say as I look behind her
Glancing at her, I see a face of confusion. It made sense that she would, seeing the disparity of value. Panaceas were made with sweat, tears, and blood. Luckily for me, I have mine made with someone else’s. To be perfectly honest the panacea was less valuable to me than those sandwiches of hers.
But she doesn’t have to know that.
“F-Fine,” she concedes as she runs over to the picnic basket.
Bringing it over she stands impatiently with her hand out. Handing over the briefcase, I take the basket from her hand.
Transaction complete.
As Envio pours the panacea over the creature’s wound, a cry rings out through the entirety of the meadow. Looking upwards I see the Mama. A giant, spiny creature that can shoot deadly acid up to ninety meters, and a coat of fur like a young sunset.
As it lands down the baby quickly gets up and runs toward it. Envio watches it teeter over with a smile on her face. The mama talks to her baby for a few seconds before it picks it up with its beak. It soon flies upward and away. Away from the creatures that intruded on their home.
How unfortunate, I really wanted that baby.
That luscious yellow fur that was beginning to floof, and those cute little chicken legs.
It would’ve been a great start to my personal petting zoo.
Glancing down at Envio, I chuckle to myself and take a bite of her sandwich.
But I suppose it’s fine, since I got a step closer to capturing the most dangerous game.
