PILLOW FIGHT

The water was a great temperature, actually, Chase thought to himself as he floated to the bottom, his eyes closed against its salty nature. He had finally stolen some gillyweed to allow himself the ability to finally visit the Giant Squid. And even though it had been kind of hard to retrieve and not very good to taste, he'd still managed to do it--he never failed to impress himself.

Though he usually couldn't swim, he managed well enough in limited clothing to kick his way to the monster's lair. It was a dark cave with streams of bubbles waving out of the entrance. And with little problem, he made his way inside.

"Squiddly!" he proclaimed, catching the attention of something toward the edge of the cave. And before he knew it, he was flying through the cave--a tentacle firmly wrapped around his leg.

Chase landed in a makeshift chair somewhere deep in the cave and before he could say a word, he was looking the giant squid eye to eye. And he loved it. But a tentacle wrapped firmly around his mouth, keeping him from saying a word. "Well, Mr. Harper," the squid started. "Despite your mackerel sabotage every morning, I should say we have become quite the pair, you and I. But I must insist you realize, once and for all, that I am not a female squid. I am a male squid. Actually, I'm several hundred years older than you are. I have my ph.D in physics, psychology, and mathematics. Which means that while it's entertaining to hear you wail about your love for me above the lake, there is only so much drivel I can handle. Perhaps you could make it a habit to bring a book with you? I do so enjoy a good Shakespeare play."

The boy sat there, staring at the squid, and blinked three times in reply. He honestly...what? What what what? WHO EVEN LIKED SHAKESPEARE?! "Err. I guess so, Squiddly."

The tentacle that had released the boy's mouth immediately covered it again. The squid loomed closer. "And you must also know that every fiber of my being positively cringes at your hideous nickname for me. My name is Percival and I would appreciate it if you would address me as so! Now, would you like to stay for tea?"

Nodding numbly, Chase pulled the tentacle into his lap and started to pet it. He approved when it curled around his hand, leaving little puckermarks here and there. Eventually, he pulled another piece of gillyweed out and chewed it up to keep the effects going longer.

They had tea. It tasted much like salt water and rotten fish, but the boy didn't complain. Instead, he smiled politely and had another cup when Percival asked if he'd like any more.

But he didn't stick to his word about behaving in the squid's home because there hadn't been one. When the squid left the room to use 'the little squid's room', Chase hid behind the make shift couch, a fluffy kelp pillow in his hands. And when Percival returned, he promptly bashed him in the head with it.

"Oof!" came the grunted reply. One of the long tentacles snatched up the other pillow to smack Chase with it--but the boy was too fast.

"Aha! You can't catch--" the sound of his voice had allowed the squid impeccable aim. The pillow hit Chase square in the mouth. He fell backward onto a chair, grabbing the pillow again to chuck back at the squid.

Their game went on for hours, Chase always having enough gillyweed to keep him alive beneath the lake. Eventually, however, his supply did run out and as he choked to death beneath the water as Percival beat him with a pillow, the real Chase woke up swinging--and screaming--much to McCormack's dismay.

"Who the bloody hell is Percival? And why have I been eating feathers all night?!"

Chase could only sheepishly grin.