They All Smiled

They all looked so happy to see me at dinner. I have never met such friendly locals, really. After all those pointless voyages, this time I’ve nailed it. I feel at home. Not that I’m quite sure what “home” is supposed to be in this setup. I’ll have to look around after dinner, find a hut or something similar.

But first, let me tell you about the day that led me here.

My initial thought upon waking was: how fresh, how vast, how beautiful. Bursting with life, this place. They sure did a wonderful job with the greenery, achieved a triumph of landscape architecture. Many world capitals could learn a thing or two about healing their own urban areas from this place.

While I busied myself with trying to take everything in at once, a pack of neighbourhood kids giggled at me profusely, eyes like cheeky fireflies gleaming as they whispered about the new arrival — yours truly. Such a tight-knit community, I thought. Charming.

I wondered, half-excitedly and half-anxiously, if I could ever become something of a neighbourhood uncle to these rascals. Anxiety felt different in this body. It swelled up inside me, made itself ready to be coughed up into a little ball, disposed of. A small mercy of this form, I suppose. Or perhaps I was simply dissuaded by their contagious brightness. The healing power of youth encompassed me.

“Do you want to play with us?” one of the little ones whispered shyly. Well, they didn’t quite say that. Naturally, I wasn’t yet versed in the language of the locals. But I’m nothing if not intuitive. I read it in their eyes, their toothy smiles. And so we played what I could gather was tag, though with local modifications. I ran, they chased. Their laughter was infectious, so I let them catch me.

When the first one nipped my leg, I’ll admit I let out a shriek that might be described as inhospitable. So I vowed not to embarrass myself any further. It would be a great shame to seem unworthy of their playful hospitality. A little roughhousing is healthy: one tugged at my tail, another climbed on my back, tiny limbs drumming in rhythm. Such spirited creatures!

I didn’t even mind the sharpness of their affections anymore. It must be a clear sign of their inclusion. The smallest one bit down, and a bead of something red and bright surfaced. A baptism of sorts, surely. A welcome, if there ever was one.

As I journeyed forward, feeling somehow lighter than before, a petite brown lady strutted in front of me. Wow, was I just blown away by those pearly whites. She exuded optimism, smiling brightly, in her mink fur. Her long neck moved with grace I’ve always found myself lacking.

Pang. A jolt of electricity rushed through me, magnetism I had buried deep, longer than I would’ve liked. I could have just eaten her up, how cute she was. I wanted her. Goodness, I wanted her. Never before have I felt so open in expressing my attraction.

I caught a whiff of her perfume, earthy, musky, intoxicating. I nearly drooled. How humiliating. Who would’ve thought joy had a scent. In the cloud of her aroma, possibly suffering from baby fever brought on by my previous encounter, I saw our whole future together - we could build our own little nest, start a family. A den, a companion, perhaps a litter of tiny versions of me, all smiling their mother’s smile, though.

Lost in the dreams that shall never be, I gave her a stupid grin. And of course — of course — she nervously ran away. Well, never really had that much luck with the ladies. Why would I think this time it’d be any different?

Oh, but I needed to let it go. Lord knows it was not the first time I’ve been rejected. Well, I mean, in this life it was. But, I’ve had my fair share of unrequited love in previous iterations. I’m truly no stranger to it. The lady was just polite. Generous with her best smiles.

Compelled to explore as I ever were, I decided to continue wandering. Make friends — acquaintances at least. Ready to plant the roots in this place, let them twist deep, and see what grows.

As the sun bled into the golden leaves high above, a deep, melodic voice rumbled through me. Have you ever met someone whose dignified presence so reeked of grandeur, it could almost suffocate you. This must be the town elder, of that I was sure. What effortless authority! He didn’t walk so much as glide, regal and self-possessed, the air itself seemingly parting to make room for him. I could discern him gesturing for me to follow. I tried to wave but my arm — or whatever it is — didn’t really cooperate. No one talks about these silly challenges of manipulating a new vessel once you inhabit it.

Suddenly a dizziness pierced through me, and I nearly fainted. He was going to slip from my sight, I feared. But I’ve underestimated the kindness of this powerhouse of a man, for he could see that I was feeling weak, and so he picked me up and carried me, civilly smiling at any bemused stranger who would come close to us to sniff out this peculiar situation. His grip was firm, reverent, practical. I felt safe, like a toddler in its mother’s arms.

It must’ve been hours when I finally woke up. Nothing could’ve prepared me for what was to come: an evening feast, a little soiree in my honor. Imagine that! There was now about a dozen of them, my host’s friends, I presumed. Tears of joy swelled up in my eyes.

They’d arranged everything so beautifully. The air smelled of smoke and something rich, metallic — some exotic food I couldn’t quite place. They had even placed me at the center, as though I were the guest of honor. Such a kind custom, to make the newcomer the focus of attention.

I couldn’t believe how blissfully happy they looked. They grinned and I returned every smile, wanting so badly to belong. I haven’t had much luck as a person. They said my human slot was taken - and honestly, I didn’t mind. I thought, why not start fresh? Why not try another shape? Another kind of life?

So this is it, I thought. My initiation. My belonging.

And they all smiled wider, as the pack closed in.