“Queer?”
“Yeah…” Jacob began. “At least moreso.”
“Imagine that. You’re standing out now. Nothing wrong with looking a bit different sometimes.” Teddy began. “You’ll relax into it. Just try to enjoy it.”
“Fine…Teddy- when Tic was talking back there something stood out.”
“What’s that?”
“He said he wasn’t powerful enough to be a witch.” Jacob began. “But you say I am?”
“Something like that.” Teddy began. “I mean I’m here. I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t at least a five on the power level.”
“There’s power levels?”
“I mean…Of sorts.” Teddy began. “There’s abilities. And yours is pretty unexplored. So it’s treated a bit more cautiously. Who knows, maybe you’re not actually powerful enough to need me but, just in case, here I am.” Jacob took a closer look in the window when he was surprised by a voice behind him.
“Jacob?” Jacob turned to see Jeff with a collection of shopping bags. He was wearing a military jacket which contrasted the bountiful shopping bags, but still looked gruff and handsome as ever.
“Oh, hey Jeff. Didn’t see you there.”
“Too busy admiring your reflection I suppose?” He narrowed his eyes slightly. “You look…different.”
“Tic did my hair.” Jacob stated. Jeff blinked a few times and then looked directly at Teddy. “Oh- and this is my emotional support bird, Teddy.”
“How nice…” Jeff responded as he faced the bird. “To meet you?” He sounded unsure.
“Don’t worry. I’m totally sane. Still. Mostly.” Jacob tried to chuckle, but Jeff frowned. He must not have been in a very jovial mood today. “What’s in the bags?” To this, Jeff lit up. His eyes went wide and a big smile appeared on his face as he dug through one of the bags to share.
“Quite the new investment! I’ve been collecting stamps!” Jeff chirped.
“Stamps?” Jacob asked.
“Been making a living buying and selling them online. I mean, there’s money in everything if you know where to look. I started investing in stamps and now I have a whole business of sellingthem. It’s quite fascinating. I’ve never enjoyed stamps much before- always thought it was a relic of a dead medium! But these ones are special!”
“Because they’re new?”
“Because they’re very, very old!” Jeff said, sharing a small item with Jacob. It was small and looked like a stamp. Because it was.
“That’s fascinating Jeff.” Jacob tried to sound excited as he suppressed a yawn.
“Are you tired?”
“Just a bit. Sorry. I didn’t sleep great last night.” Jacob responded.
“Too busy planning new dalliances?” Jeff smirked. “You shouldn’t be so lazy with opportunities. You can make money off of anything!”
“I’ll consider, but right now I’m perfectly content slinging coffee.” Jacob said. “Well, content is a stretch but…I mean-”
“All I’m saying is, if you want you could probably sell scarves or something for your bird? If you’ve got one I’m sure someone else must’ve at some point, and all those bird necks are probably cold.” Jeff responded. “My bird is fine.” Jacob laughed.
“Wait, hear him out!” Teddy urged- and Jacob got a bad feeling about what was to come.
If Jacob didn’t look ridiculous before with a bird on his shoulder, having a bird on his shoulder wearing a tiny bandana around his neck did the trick.
“You don’t need to wear that thing you know.” Jacob said as he made his way into work.
“Shut up. I feel fabulous.” Teddy responded with a proud squawk. He puffed out his chest to display the scarf like a proud little king. “I get peacocks now.”
