I Choose You Pet

"Minerva," the potbellied menagerie shopkeeper said over his wire framed glasses with circular spectacles. "It's the name of a Goddess. A Goddess of Intelligence to be precise."

Sylvain gawked at the speckled coloration of the owl's feathers. Having taken his time, he had come to a decision that he wanted an owl. He was not certain she was the one for him yet. "Does she bite?" Sylvain asked skeptically, certain that parting with a finger was the least likely way to bond with a new pet.

"Not at all lad," Witticker said, scratching his beard and releasing a few deep chuckles before fixing his hat and adding to the point. "Well, she may if you ruffle her feathers, best not to challenge her."

Sylvain's gaze re-affixed itself to the yellow of Minerva's irises. Something in them was shrewd, as though it cut right to him, wasting no time in searching for his feelings. There was knowledge behind her stare and knowing in her quiet, unspoken wisdom. Warily, the lad crept forward offering a gloved hand for perch.

"Dear, you'd better fill out a bit more if you're thinking of taking Minerva home with you," Anita said, another tray of cookies in her hands as if to make a point of saying Syl deserved one. Plenty of kids at school had spoken of her legendary ability to bake.

Though Anita might have thought Sylvain deserved more, the lad only took one cookie. It wouldn't be fair to the others students if he took more than his fair share, and sharing was caring. As Minerva crept up his arm towards his shoulder the lad admired the floral pattern of her dress letting the warm sugary cookie melt in his mouth. "I think your dress is lovely Mrs. Witticker." He said with his mouth still full, "and thank you for the cookie."

His slight smile was unaffected by the digging sharpness of the great horned owl's talons as she found a resting place upon his shoulder. In fact, the perch she had chosen was far more comfortable than the strain of outstretching his arm to give the huntress her space. His woolen cloak would withstand her talons, and he cared little if she hurt him a small bit anyways.

The shopkeepers looked at each other, perhaps in some kind of silent agreement, but definitely communicating an idea that Sylvain could not capture or decipher without the ability to read their minds. Luckily it wasn't long before they broke the shop's raucous silence. "Lad," the burly plaid-adorned menagerie manager said in a low, gentle, yet still somehow booming voice. "We think it'd be a good idea for you to take Minerva with you. We've never seen her choose someone like this."

Sylvain looked to Ernest sincerely, then switched his pleading look over to Anita. Her nod was reassuring, but something still didn't sit right with the daydreamer. He still felt uneasy in the pit of his stomach. Narrowing the feelings down, he decided that he must also choose her.

Of course the other feeling was just his anxiety, the near constant impetus within his life, a force that propelled him to learn more about his fears. Curiously enough, as Minerva perched herself upon his shoulder he felt as though this weight he carried were less burdensome. As though with her support he was more himself than his fears. Her comforting cooing more than enough to tame his rapidly beating heart.

Gingerly, Sylvain observed the splendor of his would be companion, coming face to face with the huntress as both Anita and Ernest watched in awe. The most territorial and antisocial of their owls seemingly had no problem with the quiet lad. Then it happened. All eyes glued to the boy, he closed his own and hummed to the huntress upon his shoulder. To everyone's surprise, she bonked him putting her forehead to his own. In that moment, the two bonded. A touch that nobody had shared before, a love that was formed by respect and kindness.

Face all flush, Sylvain opened his eyes, tilting his head to one side while smiling as Minerva did the same tilting to the opposite side. There was some kind of connection most certainly, and Sylvain could definitely feel it. Some sort of thread between them now bound their destiny. Their fates were intertwined. "I choose you too." His sheepish smile seemed to awaken some gentle spirit within the otherwise proud creature.

"Suppose I'll need to pay for her then," Sylvain said as he stuck his hand into his pockets to fish out the appropriate coins. He counted them each out, one by one, sorting them into a stack of glittering gold upon the counter top. A stack of galleons fifteen deep bought the freedom of his newest friend. Her freedom now hers, Sylvain looked forward to their friendship.

Sylvain smiled at Minerva as she nuzzled him from his shoulder. A hearty laugh erupted from the potbellied man as he counted the coins, his wife's kind smile lending to the charm of the boisterous air within the menagerie's atmosphere. "Never have I seen this owl so affectionate," Ernest confessed between the rumbling of his laughter. "We're just glad she found a home," Anita added gently, ensuring Sylvain's smile was as wide as could be.

Word Count: 896
What animal do you wish to purchase?: Great Horned Owl
What do you want to name it?: Minerva
Is this a boy or a girl?: Girl
What is your pet's date of birth?: 20th of October, 2012