Cold House

Once there, the two were greeted by a cold and empty two bedroom apartment.

Feeling the chill coming from the dwelling, I retreated into Hazal's shirt.

"Hey, what are you-"

Through her sleeve, I slithered across her chest and around her waist.

Making a yelp, "Ah stop it! You're cold!"

Yes. I'm cold. Fix it.

Gathering myself tightly, looking like an expensive belt under her shirt.

Frustrated, she groans, "Argh, why do this?!"

Count yourself lucky that I've educated myself well on human curtesy, otherwise I'd go straight into your chest.

Sighing, she asks, "You won't bite me in my sleep will you."

Valid concern. To this I poke my head out from under her shirt and flaunt my fangs. I've slept with a child in this form in particular, so I am confident in my tolerance of the unconscious.

"Okay then what about food? Since you're pretty tame I'll probably have to buy some feeder mice right?"

Are captive snakes really spoiled so? Food literally handed to them? Well, it's unnecessary, there's plenty of food here. You're welcome, you've got yourself some free pest control.

I tuck my head back into the shirt and feeling my head touch her stomach, Hazal walked towards a desk and sat down. Hearing the click of a keyboard, I move my upper body towards her back, slither up her spine and peek out of her collar, resting my head in the crook of her neck and see her search bar, 'snake care guide'. Clicking on a vet approved site she stays speaks to herself as she reads.

"A Tank,"

I don't need one.

"Hiding places,"

I can find those on my own.

"Thermometers, hydrometers,"

That you should get. It's cold in here.

"Heating stone."

Sounds nice.

"Frozen mice huh."

Well food is food, but I can find my own.

"I make a water bowl in a second."

Just don't forget.

"Grooming?"

She better not use a cat brush on me... I will bite her at that point.

"Shedding."

I consider it like your human periods. Don't touch me and wait a week or so. Once a month then forget it exists.

"Handling, no problem there."

Hand-taming, such an odd phrase.

"Ugh a License?"

You have to own me to need one. Sorry but this little lady is independent.

"I'll have to ask the landlord to..."

They can search your house for me but they can't find me if I'm on your body.