the wolves all cry

Derek doesn't have the kind of pets that really ever leave the house. He has an enormous black cat and a tiny purple puff ball, and they're usually content to stay at the cabin. This morning, however, Jinx seemed intent on going outside to hunt. Derek let her go, understanding that particular urge, and then set about getting read for the day. Barry has long since left for work, and as soon as Derek puts on his boots and shrugs into his leather jacket the pygmy puff starts squeaking in its cage. It bounces around and lets out another indignant squeak when Derek reaches for the door knob, so he sighs and goes over to peer into the cage.

"What," he says flatly, and the puff stares back at him with determined amber eyes. "You want to go outside?"

The puff squeals again and Derek rolls his eyes in fond exasperation as he opens the cage and holds out his hand. The puff bounces onto it and toddles up Derek's arm until it can rest on his shoulder, purring happily as Derek leaves the cabin.

They get a few looks as he walks through town, and Derek doesn't know if it's simply due to the odd picture they make or if people might remember the puff's rampage during last new year's debacle. Another reason he doesn't often take the puff around town is because of all the attention. He doesn't really like to make a spectacle of himself, and the cute purple puffball sort of begs women of all ages to come over and ask to pet it. He dodges a few of them even as the puff coos at the attention, and then sighs as he heads for the coffee shop.

"I need less cute pets," Derek murmurs, growling when the puff nips at his neck with tiny little teeth. "Hey!"