Chapter 3

The Felix the Cat clock moved its eyes back and forth, back and forth, as the two obstinate creatures stared at each other. Both were visibly perturbed, not only by the sudden break-down of their relationship, but by its transformation as well. In her mind, a phoenix burned brightly, its eyes the color of coal, its wings tipped with blood-red flames, while the rest of its body was a glaring orange-yellow. Below the mythical bird was a gaping hole, its outer rim set aflame, reaching up towards the animal’s talon-equipped feet. She watched as the phoenix flew up, hollering and crowing; her mind’s eye then moved to the hole; the smell of ashes filled her nose, and in the real world, she sniffed audibly. The involuntary movement pushed her back into the present, out of the imaginary, and she noticed him staring, scrutinizing her face.

She slowly slid back down into the chair, not breaking her gaze. Back at square one they were, although some time had passed and the shades of gray had darkened. He had his usual scowl on, and his mouth was turned downward into a painful frown. Silence owned the room again, although both their minds were clicking. As the heavy awkward weight grew larger, he seemed to withdraw deeper into the shadows as his body slinked down the chair. He was like a snake, she thought, with those frightening eyes of his eyes, so filled with anger. She wondered what he was thinking.

“Aren’t you going to bed?” The scratchy voice burst forth from the darkness. She was startled, and blinked and shook her head rapidly. His frown deepened, the lines around his mouth becoming semi-permanent creases. Coming out of his reptilian pose, he pulled the chair forward with an annoying shriek against the tiles, and leaned against his arms on the table-top. His eyes were downcast. She gulped.

“When do you usually go to sleep?” Somehow, the mindless question popped out, and she half-covered her mouth in a vain attempt to kill it. He heard it, though, but kept the staring contest with the table going.

“I don’t sleep, woman. I train,” he replied curtly, his arm muscles tightening.

“Well, not all the time, not 24/7, I mean, rightÖ?” She stumbled over her words, inwardly annoyed at herself, admonishing her idiocy.

He looked up at her. “Why do you care?”

She frowned. “I’m just trying to make this lessÖweird.”

Rolling his eyes, he unclenched his fists and stretched his fingers. “And how was this ‘weird?’ Nothing happened.”

“Oh, that’s a lie and you know it. We barely know each other but we got in a fight like a, a couple!” she said, furrowing her brow. He laughed hoarsely.

“Is that what you’re after? A mate?” He continued laughing, incisors clearly visible in his open mouth. She crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips, and when he stopped laughing, he saw her expression. It kept the grin on his face. “Is it truly a mate you want? What about that human I see you with? The black-haired one, with the scars. Is the conversation between you two not as intellectually stimulating as this was?” He burst out cackling again.

She huffed. “Oh shut up! Yamcha and I are perfectly fine, thank you.”

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “That’s his name, Yamcha. You know, I think I saw him chatting up some blonde, oh, bimbo, the other day. Everything’s really just fine and chipper?” For once, he looked fully amused. His face was only partially concealed in the dark, but his smile was there, glistening.

“At least I have a mate,” she shot back, glaring, “And what do you mean by mate, anyway? Mate? What’re you, a Neanderthal?”

“I’m not exactly sure what that is, but I’m assuming not. We wouldn’t have ended up fighting like life-long partners if my intelligence wasn’t equal to yours.” He mocked her movements, his hands swaying in the air at each elaborated word.

“We are not partners, or mates, or whatever else you want to call it. You said that you didn’t even like me.”

“I kind of like you now.” He grinned mischievously at her.

“Only because you’re having fun!”

“But it diffused the tension, didn’t it?”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise; the air was even different, since everything felt lighter. “Did you antagonize me on purpose?” She flipped her bangs out of her eyes.

“I don’t know. You’re the one that started this with the couple comment, so I just went along with it. Seeing that you’re probably as smart as I am— ”

She interjected, “I am as smart as you are.”

He continued, “Well, considering that your intelligence may reach the same level as mine, I thought you might have said that intentionally.”

“Said what?”

He paused for a moment, staring blankly, like a fish. “The couple comment.”

“Now why would I do that?” Her mouth twisted a little.

“To make yourself more comfortable, so you’d feel less vulnerable.”

“I don’t feel vulnerable,” she asserted, even as some weakness leaked into her voice.

“Women always feel vulnerable when they fight with a mating interest.” He chuckled as she contorted her face in anger.

“I don’t want to mate with you, for God’s sake! And just say intercourse. Or sex. Or even ‘fuck,’ for all I care. I’m going to bed.” She got up out of her chair and walked towards the hallway, disappearing into shadows. He watched her, his smile fading.

Suddenly, mid-step, she turned on her heel, her body in partial profile. “Just to let you know, I wasn’t trying to play around with you. Your change in attitude caught me by surprise, though. Are you feeling more comfortable?”

Before he could respond, she headed down the hallway, the mechanical door sliding closed behind her. His hand floated in the air, waiting to beckon her back, and from his open mouth spilled empty words.

She got ya, his mind told him.

“I know,” he said to no one in particular. Felix hit the midnight marker, meowing in response. He was alone again.