The returned baby girl snake and i are settling in with one another – a bit warily, so far. She escaped from her terrarium and six months later, let herself be seen downstairs and at the other end of the house.
After being fed and enjoying a long drink of water, she disappeared again – a total mystery, since i had closed up every escape route I could discern in her roomy home. I did know that all the thoughts in my head every time I came into the bedroom were about freedom and risktaking and having new experiences – so I was having a lot of sympathy for her, though life now was about having food and water when she wanted it, a warm rock to be cozy, and a cave to look out at the world from.
Finally, Mary took her turn at inspecting Crionna’s home. She spent much time looking over, under, around and through every nooking and cranny – and she spotted the baby girl. The driftwood climber is full of holes, as driftwood is wont to be – and peering out of one of the tiniest of them was Crionna! Another place she hid after that was vertical – in the corner of the terrarium, curling various parts of herself around the nuts holding the lexan plates and wood braces together.
My Hekima, who left the planet at the autumnal equinox, liked to be under cover and peering out. This one loves to tie herself in almost literal knots – she curls herself back and forth into a tangled up ball, to fit into the any small space – obviously enjoying that squished feeling of being tightly surrounded on all sides.
She came out to be fed on Thursday night late – I told her I was too tired to consider it, and that I would feed her Friday. Then Friday was another late evening – by this time she was clearly ticked. So last night, no matter how tired I was, I knew there were no excuses! I thawed her pinkies, and put them on a plate on top of her rock. She ignored them for quite a while, just to make sure I understood who was in charge. Once I settled down with a book and was paying no attention – dinner was gone in no time.
Someone suggested the name independent, translated into Irish Gaelic, would be good for her. I looked it up, and have no way to pronounce it. I just looked up freedom – which is spelled saoirse. At least it has fewer letters than the Irish for independent – so if I can figure out the pronunciation, she may have a nickname!
People over time have asked me what it’s like to have a snake for a pet (I’m not actually sure who has who!), since they aren’t active and don’t have personalities. Those folk have never met my reptilian friends. After I finish learning all the Irish I need to get her properly named, I’m going to take a course in Parseltongue. Just to stay even with that strong personality!