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Chapter 20 “She’s doing better than I had expected,” Tapki admitted reluctantly to Madame Zinkrey as they watched the girl try to brush a group of excited Olvecks. “Then there is no reason to put her somewhere else instead then,” Madame Zinkrey said proudly. “She’ll do well enough,” Tapki grunted. “But after the little buggers go into hibernation she’ll have to go somewhere else, don’t need a kid following me around as I do my job.” “She’ll go back to Tabi then,” Madame Zinkrey said lightly and turned to walk away. Katrina looked up and watched the woman go, glad that she was finally leaving. Several of the Olvecks pushed forward and shoved themselves against the long handled brush Katrina was holding. She laughed at them and began trying to brush them, but they kept moving and making it difficult to do a particularly good job of it. “They just want the attention,” Tapki said, coming to stand on the other side of the wire fence. “I doubt they really care about the brushing but it’s good for us. The loose hair you’re collecting will be woven for smaller items, personal garments and such.” Katrina nodded and pulled the hair off the brush and pushed it into the jar at her side. She turned back to the small creatures that were trying to climb onto her lap. Red eyes glowed up at her as she moved from one Olveck to another, trying to give each a fair amount of attention. “When you’re done there it will be feeding time again,” Tapki called as he walked back towards the school. “How do I know when I’m done?” “When the jar’s full,” Tapki called without turning. Katrina looked down at the jar with one credit-sized bit of white fur at the bottom. It was a small jar but the fur was easily compacted it would take many brushfuls to fill it. Katrina sighed and continued her work, laughing still at the cute animals. Hours later the jar was only half full and Katrina’s arm was tired. The Olvecks were beginning to fight one another in a less than playful manner. She switched the brush to her other hand and continued working, not laughing quite as much but still enjoying the feel of the Olvecks climbing on her. Later still Katrina was ready to give up. The jar was nearly full but her arms felt ready to fall off. The Olvecks were no longer friendly. They began growling and biting at her when she did not brush that specific animal, and with only one brush and many animals that meant she was nearly constantly feeling sharp teeth against her skin. “Dinner time,” Tapki called, setting down his two pails on the other side of the fence. Katrina sighed with relief, never so glad to see the older man. She stood abruptly; ready to find the safety of the other side of the fence. Olvecks slid off her lap and fell to the ground, they knew that she was leaving them and became even angrier about it. The little balls of white fluff attacked her ankles and feet, surprising her and making her yelp with the stinging pain. “Come and get it,” Tapki called to the animals as he threw two handfuls of their feed over the fence. Immediately they left her and dove for the squirming food. Katrina didn’t waste a moment opening the gate and slithering through the small opening. She held the jar out to Tapki, showing him her collection as he continued to feed the Olvecks. “Not bad,” he nodded. “You’ll do better next time.” |
