Manticore Loves Pizza

- Sokoro 

Please still be there. Please still be there. Please still be there.

Oh geez. I'm not built for all this running. I'm currently making my way back the way I came. I work the late night shift at Nicky's on weekdays since I have school.

Nicky likes to stay after closing to do inventory. They're a good boss, really understanding. I just hope they haven't left yet or I'm screwed. That thing probably has my scent, there'd be no way for me to go if I try to escape. Okay, there it is. Yes, Nicky's still there. They're locking up. No. No, that's bad.

"NICKYYYY!!!"

Oh thank God, they heard me. Dammit, how am I going to explain this? Nicky has way too much common sense. I could be honest.

"Sokoro? Did you forget something?" (Nicky)

"I-"

"What happened to you?!"

"Were you mugged?"

"N-"

"What are those things on your back?"

"Well-"

"Come on. We need to get you to a hospital-."

"No!"

Doctors also have way too much common sense... most times... sometimes... not really-I just have a lot of bad experiences with doctors.

"Look, I-I need a favour."

"Please tell me you weren't tricked into joining a cult, again."

I am never buying girl scout cookies again.

"No... Look I-I need to get a pizza. A meateor."

"Sokoro, we're closed."

"I know, but... it's an emergency."

"What's going on?"

"I... I don't..."

Ah, there's no point in lying.

"There's a... manticore in the forest back there and if I don't get her a pizza, she's going to eat me."

"..."

They always have this blank expression on their face. I can't tell if they think I'm crazy.

"Do you know how to make it?"

"Yes, si-... ma-... Yes, boss."

"Then I'll help you."

I have the greatest boss in the world!

"THANK YOU NICKY! Thank you thank you thank you."

"What did I say about physical contact?"

"Oh... sorry."

"This is coming out of your pay."

"... I understand."

The Meateor is Nicky's most popular and expensive pizza. It consists of cheddar cheese, tomato base sauce, steak, salami, ham, oregano, russians and minced meat. It's meant to be a big family or party meal, so it only comes as a super-sized pizza, usually around 120 cm in diameter.

I've been watching the chefs make it so much, I have it memorised, but I'm glad to have Nicky's help. The last thing I need is for the oven to explode... again.

I just hope that manticore doesn't come looking for me. I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to Nicky, then again I think they'd be fine.

The pizza place is big and homey. We have wood-burning ovens because that's the only way pizza should be made. Nicky's probably the best pizza chef in town.

I should probably describe what they look like. I can tell you that they're wearing a white button-up shirt, jeans and brown boots. They've got their hair tied into a bun. They're pretty tall and fit, which I only know because they're rolling up their sleeves. That's about it. I don't think I've ever met a more ambiguous-looking person in my life.

Seriously, I have no idea if they're a man or a woman. Their eye colour seems to change depending on the light. You know how there's a spectrum of human skin tones? Nicky sits right at the centre of it. They don't have any distinct facial features, so I can't tell their ethnicity. Don't know their last name so I don't know where they might be from. The texture, colour and style of their hair are always different. They don't speak with any sort of accent and their voice is somehow deep and high-pitched...

You know what, there's a manticore in the forest waiting for a pizza. I don't have the time or the energy to keep going with this.

Nicky's a great chef and with their help, it's done in 20 minutes and put in a box.

"There you go. I hope the manticore likes it." (Nicky)

"Yeah, me too" (Sokoro mutters)

"... Are... you going to be okay? Should I come with you?"

"No! I'll be fine. See you tomorrow."

"I'll hold you to that."

I can't involve them any more than I have already. Okay, God we've made it this far. If I survive this night, I will set my entire collection on fire one by one.

I can't believe it. She's still there. You know, the way her ears pricked up, kind of reminds me of a house cat, it's actually kind of- Oh no, she's looking at me. The illusion is broken.

"H-Hey, Kama. Sorry to… keep you waiting…" "It's alright."

"Hehe. You know, I-I'm honestly surprised you stayed put…"

"I sensed no deception, plus I knew I could find you if you were lying so I chose to wait and save my energy."

"Hahaha-and I am incredibly grateful for your trust. Now, as promised, one super-sized Meateor pizza, fresh out of the oven!"

Okay, now I have to open the box. Let her see it and most importantly smell it. Ah, she's hooked, she's coming closer, she's huge. I need to put this down before I drop it. Now she's sitting up and opening her mouth, seriously why does she need that many teeth?

"Wait, what are you doing?" (Sokoro)

"Waiting for you to feed me." (Kama)

"Huh?"

"I don't have hands if you haven't noticed."

And I don't want to put mine anywhere near your big toothy face! 

"I-If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not… stick my hand in your mouth." 

"How about your head?"

"Of course, I'd be more than happy to feed you this delicious, life-changing meal!"

Just give her one, to give her a taste. Huh. I was expecting her to snap her jaws and take my arm off. Now, she's eating it. Oh, her pupils are dilating. 

"Mmm. This is delicious! It's even better than you described. I must have more."

Haha! I've got her now.

"With pleasure!"

Now, I'll just give her the whole thing. Best case scenario, she loves it and lets me live. Even better scenario, she chokes on it!

Okay, she's not choking on it. Of course not, I can't ever be that lucky. 

*BBUUUUURRRRRRPPPPPP!!!!*

And I'm dead, anyway. 

"Oh, excuse me." (Kama, blushing)

I'm dying… Goodbye cruel world…

"Human?"

I'm sorry Mom and Dad. I wish I could have made you proud.

"Human?"

To think, after all I've experienced, it was a smelly, forceful burp that brought my life to an e-

"Will you stop being dramatic and get up?" (Kama)

"I'm sorry. I'm just… really tired. If you're… going to… eat me, can you please… make it painless?"

She just licked me? I guess the pizza wasn't enough. 

"I'm not going to eat you, Silly."

"Huh…? Really?"

"Really. You honoured your end of the bargain and so will I."

"Oh… thanks… Uh, can… can you take me home?"

"Very well. Which way?"

"...s that… building over... th...ere… Top floor…"

"I see. I'll lay down for you. Try to get on."

"Okay…"

Just… need to… get on top of her. Whoa. She's…

"... really… soft…"

"Thank you. By the way, what is your name?"

"So… koro…"

"Well then, Sokoro. Hold on tight."

*FLAP!* 

We're flying… Cool…

"Thank you "

"It's the least I can do."

"You know… you're…ctually… k…nd …f… nice…"

"I… I am?"

"Mm… hmm…"

- Kama

That's a first. I was simply thinking that if I helped him he might get me another one of those pizzas. I can't believe how much I've been missing out on. Hmm. I wonder?

"Would it be alright if I… stayed with you? Sokoro?"

"SssuuuZZZ-Zzzz-ZZzzz-hngGGggh-Ppbhww- zZZzzzZZ…"

"I… will… take that as a yes."

I'd better fly slowly. If he falls to his death, I won't get any more pizza.