Page 35 of My Orc Has Big Tusks
“Like what?”
“Too much of the kingdom. Too little of here.”
My chest cracked open. He wasn’t just learning phrases. He was trying to belong.
“I liked the way you said it,” I said. “It’s catchy.”
He glanced up from his notebook, his pen stilling. “You did?”
“It was earnest. And a little wrong. But I knew what you meant.” I reached over and touched the edge of his notebook. “You don’t have to sound like us. I think it’s better if you sound like you.”
His pointed ears darkened to deep green.
Sofia peeped, and I pulled my hand back.
“Thank you for saying that,” he said.
“You’re welcome.”
He tucked the notebook away, and we started walking again, but the air felt different between us. Warmer. Closer.
We stopped at the mossnibble enclosure, and he pulled out his notebook, flipping to a page near the middle. He wrote something in his small, careful handwriting, his pen moving across the paper.
“What are you jotting down?” I asked.
He hesitated, then turned the notebook my way.
Mossnibbles: Behavior stable. Nest-building continues. Stole Traig’s stylus. Possibly planning something bigger.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what else the mossnibbles could steal. I’d dragged my tote bag out of their nest two days ago.
“Can I see what you’ve added recently?” I asked.
He tightened his grip on the notebook, and I thought he’d say no. Then he held it out.
I took it carefully and opened to one of the earlier pages.
Gerald refused food this morning but accepted it when I sat with him. He knows the difference between being alone and being lonely. I think I’m learning it too.
I turned the page.
Duchess Filandra appeared upset with my posture during her grooming. I was slouching too much. She corrected me with her claws. She was right to do so.
Another page.
Steven chose Laina. Driftwhisps always know.
My pulse kicked up. I flipped forward and found my name again, this time in an entry from two days ago.
Laina spoke to Cooper after his exam. She didn’t know I was watching. She thanked him for being brave. I wonder if anyone has ever thanked her for the same thing.
My breath caught.
Brovish watched me with a reserved expression.
“You write about me,” I said.
“I write about everyone.”
