'Bring on the Carnival Part 4': A Baby Bahrū

After the events of the carnival and finding out that all the trouble was caused by a young bahrū, Horacio found his thoughts repeatedly returning to Thyme’s offer of taking the critter off his claws. He didn’t have a lot of experience with pets, but he had managed to calm it down while it was frightened. Besides, it might be fun having a companion around. 

The more the thought rolled around in his head, the more he came to like the idea. So that’s how he found himself wandering over to Thymes Taming Tavern with the intention of adopting the bahrū. 

“Hello?” Horacio called out. 

A head popped up from behind the table with a grin. “Hello there. How may I help you today? Oh, wait I recognise you. The Iso from the carnival, correct?” He smirked. “You’re back for the bahrū, aren’t you?” 

“Uh, yes. Yeah, ya mentioned that you’re busy with all the other critters under your care, and I have some free space and time for training.” Shaking off his nerves, Horacio puffed out his chest. “I caught the little guy and calmed him down, would be best if it went to someone it knew, right? Taking care of it will be a piece of cake.” 

Thyme’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “So you’ve taken care of critters before then?” 

“Um, well, not exactly,” he admitted. 

Walking out from behind the table, Thyme smiled knowingly. “Well, you’ll need to feed them, exercise them, make sure they’re kept clean, toilet train them and obedience train them, give them someplace safe to rest, not to mention keep them entertained. It’s a lot of work. Do you think you’ll be up for it?” 

Horacio wanted to shrink under the long list of duties that apparently came with taking a pet. Perhaps he should start with a goom, they seemed a bit easier, practically taking care of a blob of living slime. 

“Ah, you’ll be fine,” Thyme slapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll load you up with some essential items, food, beds, that sort of thing and send you on your way. I’m sure you’re most eager to bond with your new friend.” 

“I’m not so—” 

“You’ll be great!” Thyme interrupted, guiding him towards where the bags of food were kept and shoved two into his arms. “Just a few of these to get you started, and of course we can’t forget a toy.” He placed a piece of rope on top of the bags and dragged him onward again. “And of course you’ll want a bed, I think this one will do best, it's made out of a material that shouldn’t build up too much static charge.” He snickered, “Your bahrū will be doing enough of that on its own. Just a few other items and I’ll go get your new friend.” 

Thyme tossed a few last things into Horacio’s arms, who was having difficulty holding it all and trying to walk on two legs, an unnatural stance for the four-legged Iso. The shopkeeper then disappeared to fetch the bahrū. Horacio wondered whether all this was worth it. 

A little yap made his ears perk. He turned so he could see without the pile of items in his arms and saw Thyme with the bahrū from the carnival on a leash. The dark furred critter wagged its tail and yipped. Horacio’s worries melted. He absolutely wanted to take the little guy home. 

“I think he remembers you.” 

Setting his pile down, Horacio wandered up to the young bahrū. “Hey, buddy.” Reaching out a hand, the critter sniffed it before letting himself be pat. Horacio smiled. “This is so much less scary than that little cage with all those Isomaras hanging around, isn’t it?” 

“A heartwarming sight,” commented Thyme with amusement. “Now if you’ll just come up to the counter for payment, I’ll let you two be on your way. You’ve got much bonding to do.” 

After paying the required seashells for all the items he’d purchased at Thyme’s suggestion, Horacio walked away from the store with his new bahrū by his side and the items in the pet bed carefully balanced on his back. “We’re going to be the best of friends.” 

The bahrū gave a small vocalisation. It probably didn’t mean anything but Horacio decided that it was a yes. 

“And since we’re going to be friends, I’d better give you a name. Hmm, what to call you…” He glanced around, hoping something would inspire him. 

A loud noise startled the young bahrū and he shook out his coat, quickly building a charge. Zap. The static energy discharged into the ground. Horacio was glad the lead wasn’t made of conductive material. 

“It’s okay. Ya don’t need to zap everything round us. Hmm.” He paused and tapped his chin. “Zap.” He let the world roll around his mouth as he looked down at the bahrū. “How about that for your name? Zap?” 

It paid him no attention, sniffing at a leaf on the ground. 

“I like it. Zap it is. C’mon Zap, let’s go home.” 

Zap let out a noise and trotted after him, the pair headed home to get settled in.