Page 134 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

Pip was just… a very large, very moody jumping spider that Milo had selectively bred for a past experiment.

“Pip...” Milo groaned. This silent treatment had gone on for three days now, and he was over it.

“The Glaceryn is very rowdy,” Grievance said, more to himself, as he inspected one of Milo’s MythBeast encyclopedias, something he enjoyed doing often.

“Exactly! She is very wild. Nothing like you, Pip,” Milo tried.

“No, I mean she will need training,” Grievance said, looking up at Milo. “Familiar training.”

Grievance glanced quickly from Milo to the ceiling and back, eyebrows raised.

What do you—OH!

“You’re right, Grievance,” Milo said stiffly. “She will. She’s way too rambunctious to be a proper familiar. If only we knew someone with experience who could teach her.”

Grievance rolled his eyes and returned to his encyclopedia.

“She will need to learn the basics first. How to be still during spells. Offer helpful suggestions when I’m about to mess up a potion. Definitely how to protect the apothecary; that is a must. Grievance, do you know anyone like that?”

His mate ignored him, but the bundle of silk in the corner wiggled for the first time in days.

“How can she suggest potion when she not talk?” Pip muttered.

“Exactly! I need someone who can. Like you.”

A bright blue, four-eyed head poked from the nest. Pip rubbed his fuzzy pedipalps together, like he did when he was anxious.

“Don’t need me. Have powerful ice baby now.”

“That’s not true.” Milo stepped closer, tilting his head almost directly upward. “Pip, even if the Glaceryn stays, that doesn’t mean I’m replacing you. You’re still my familiar, and I need you now more than ever.”

“You do?”

“Yes,” Milo said, exasperated. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for days. I need you. The apothecary needs you. You’re a part of our lives, Pip; nothing will change that. I promise.”

The little spider seemed to consider him for a moment.

“Baby ice dragon too noisy.”

“Yes, she is.”

“Stomps like troll. Needs to be more stealthy.”

“And who do you think is going to teach her? She doesn’t have a mom to teach her those things. And I certainly can’t do it. What do you say, Pip?”

The spider’s pedipalps rubbed back and forth a few more times before he emerged completely from his silken cocoon.

“Fine. Pip will take Glaceryn as apprentice.”

Milo’s shoulders fell in relief.

“Thank you, Pip. I knew I could count on you.”

“Pip still head familiar.”

“Absolutely. You’re in charge.”

And right on cue, Milo heard the telltale sound of little claws scratching at the bedroom door, followed by a few disgruntled chirps.