JP - Herbert might have Worms

Gelf hung up. “Oh, my God…those two.”

“Were they fucking?” Kiana asked, staring at the destruction on the TV.

Sorley blushed.

“No, but apparently Mark tortures MegaCorp bastards in Delilah’s basement…” Gelf answered.

“A very productive basement Delilah has.” Kiana said. “Wine, leather and… MegaCorp bastards being tortured.”

“Still…did not need to hear the bastard scream in the background.” Gelf shook her head and looked over at Herbert. “Why does he keep looking at you like that, Kiana?”

“Like what?” Kiana asked, pulling her eyes from the TV.

Herbert was staring up at Kiana with love in his eyes.

“Like that,” Gelf said.

“Oh, that. Did you know that pigs are even more loyal and devoted than dogs? Also, there’s this.” Kiana tossed Herbert some popcorn.

The popcorn bounced off Herbert's face and he blinked.

Gelf looked confused.

“Geeze, I hope he isn’t sick. Maybe I should call a vet.” Kiana frowned, and sent <Hey Herbert, you feeling okay?>

<Yes, I'm fine.> Herbert replied.

Gelf looked at Sorley and shrugged.

<Then why are you looking at me like that?? Kiana asked. <Why aren’t you eating?>

Sorley shrugged back at Gelf, not knowing what to think or say.

Herbert kept silent and went back outside.

"I think I know, but you won't believe it…" Gelf said with a sigh as she checked her email. "Oh, my package arrived!" Shooting up to her feet, she slipped on her boots at the door and headed out toward the mailbox.

Kiana frowned. “I’ll call the vet, maybe Herbert has worms again.”

Sorley got up and followed Gelf. “What’s in the package?” He asked curiously.

"You can't know until our date tomorrow night." Gelf said, sticking her tongue out playfully at him before giggling. "Also, I'm pretty sure Herbert is in love with your sister."

“What?” Sorley started to blush but was quickly distracted. “But he’s a pig!”

"That pig rarely ever looks at his own kind. I'm positive he's always wanted to be a human." Gelf explained and gave him a quick kiss.

"But he's not a human." Sorley was still surprised and confused about this.

Meanwhile Kiana was on the phone with a livestock veterinarian.

“Not everyone likes their own species, Sorley.” Gelf said with a shrug as they returned to the house. “Uh…why are you calling the vet, Kiana?”

“I like my own species.” Sorley said, confused.

“The vet thinks Herbert has worms too.” Kiana said after she hung up. “I made him an appointment.”

Gelf only rolled her eyes and looked toward Herbert. She understood in her own way how the pig felt. "I need some rest " She explained and smiled at them all. "G'night."

And with that she slipped away to her room.

“Uh, night.” Sorley said awkwardly. He thought it was kind of early and did not think Gelf looked very tired but was not going to presume anything. He slipped into the bathroom to change a few of the band-aids- that darn cat- then headed up to his room. To… get a book. Yeah.

Kiana dug a collar and leash from a closet. She did not think Herbert needed to be leashed but could not exactly tell the vet that she was a meta and able to communicate with the pig and that he would behave.

Herbert blinked and rolled his eyes. <He is still that dense after FIVE YEARS?!>

<Yes. But it saves my noise canceling headphone’s batteries.> Kiana shrugged.

Herbert just rolled his eyes again. <You can always go outside and harass the chickens again.> He told her.