Beware its silver tongue and electric claws

A bright viridian car speeds past, nearly splashing us with water from yesterday's rain. Fluorescent street lamps light the poorly maintained road where a few dozen people can be seen coming, going, and loitering by the sidewalks.

The scent of smoke, the sound of footsteps and passing cars, the feeling of Gin's unexpectedly toned back and shoulders. Being unable to move my body has left me paying closer attention to my other senses like before.

"Hey Noa, what do you think of Jacob? Think he'll be alright here in AIKA?"

Gin turns his head towards me.

"...He has a good head on his scrawny shoulders."

"Uncalled for but okay, you think he's smart, huh?"

"Smart enough. He listens to Dahlia and you know how she is."

"Yeah. Rough personality but a mother to us all. I see what you mean."

"I'd like to ask you something as well."

"What's up?"

"Out of all the available methods of carrying someone, why a fireman's carry? A simple piggyback would have sufficed."

"This way I have a free hand. See?"

Gin pokes my cheek.

"That's a fair point but this position makes me feel like I'm a hunting trophy."

"The wild Noa, beware its silver tongue and electric claws..."

We take a left turn and find yellow police holo-tape mixed with road barricades blocking the path ahead. Black and yellow police cars are parked behind them as well as uniformed officers investigated the premises.

"Looks like 48th's still a no-go. Guess we're taking that detour through chicken street again."

"We should pass by the megamarket on the way there."

"I don't know how strong you think I am but I can't carry you and groceries on the way home, even if it's only a five minute walk."

"You'll still need something for your next meal. We don't have any ingredients left at home."

"What about the meatloaf I made two days ago?"

"That was meatloaf? I thought something died in our fridge so I threw it away yesterday."

"Wow, rude. Also now it makes sense why that rancid stench suddenly disappeared yesterday."

Perhaps I will have to think of some other way to convince Dahlia to promote Gin.