DELETED08735

City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

"I have all the confidence in the world that Tico will rise up and defend my honor if you do anything."

Ele said with a smirk, motioning to the zoned out snake,

"I mean look at him, he's a vicious attack snake, ready to strike."

With a shrug, Ele looked down between them, Tico's coils separating them, but Tyler was right. Ele had chosen to be closer to Tyler willingly,

"I guess it's because you flattered me. But don't get to used to it, Tico's also kind of giving me a squeeze."

City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

Tyler's words confused Ele. Amazing and wonderful? Those were words Ele would have applied to works of art, the beautiful landscapes they had driven through, or even Tyler himself. His kindness, openness, and willingness to help others brought to mind amazing and wonderful. Ele furrowed her brow as she went to help the giant snake out of the enclosure, lifting parts of him out until he finally was out of the cage. She couldn't figure out how Tyler was applying the words to her, she was closed off, distant, moody, and broken.

Shaking her head, Ele bent down and picked up the back end of the snake and wrapped it around herself so she and Tyler were both in a snake hug. Tyler only knew her exterior, if he ever figured out her inside, he would never think of her as wonderful or amazing. He would think she was ugly.

"Tico is pretty. What are the other's names?"

City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

"Men's minds are always dirty, that didn't surprise me,"

Ele said, going to put the snake back in her enclosure.

"The gift part. What did you mean? What does that mean?"

City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

Blinking out of her thoughts Ele looked at Tyler with a confused expression. That was something no one had ever said to her, in fact it was very much opposite of what she had heard right up until she had cut off contact with her mother,

"What do you mean?"

She asked, her eyes going back to the snake.

City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

Stroking the smooth scales on the snake's back, Ele smiled to herself as she let the snake slide over her, supporting her body where she needed it,

"Men are like that, mean, tough and big-talking right up until they come up against something they think is scarier than them. Women are always made out to be the smaller, weaker ones, so we know how to handle big, scary monsters."

She spoke softly, directing the words to the snake, almost forgetting that Tyler was in the room.

City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

Unflinchingly, Ele took the python from Tyler and let the large snake find its way over her shoulders. Smiling, Ele posed with the snake, careful to support it and move smoothly to avoid startling it,

"What do you think? Think I could pull this off in public? Or do the scales clash with my hair?"

City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

"That would probably be good to do before I hold him,"

Ele said, taking the rat from Tyler and opening the top to the snake's cage. Reaching in, Ele enticed the python into striking at the rat and coiling around it. She gave it time to have its meal,

"Snakes are really cool."

Ele said, bending over to look through the glass at the snake,

"I can't have pets in my apartment, but if I could, I would have a snake."

City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

"He seems like he would,"

Ele said, going over and gently stroking the iguana's spikes down his back. She really did like reptiles, they were interesting animals. Going over to the snake cage, Ele smiled when she saw a little ball python,

"Can I hold this one? I like snakes."

City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

Following behind Tyler, Ele kept him between her and whatever was in the next room until she saw what was inside. When she caught a glimpse of the animals, Ele breathed a huge sigh of relief,

"Oh thank God! They're reptiles!"

She bent double, breathing deep.

"I can handle reptiles!"

City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

A look of surprise passed Ele's face when Tyler stood up suddenly. Giving him a wary look, So raised an eyebrow and stood as well,

"If it has more than four legs and can be found in desert climates I am running away and never coming back."

Ele warned Tyler, looking cautious.