“Ka-ching,” I sang.
“Should have charged more,” Tutu complained. “I thought the fact it had impurities might make it harder to sell.”
We always listed what elements we used when adding swirls of color, but in this case, we had no idea what had been in the hunk we melted. Although, given what I’d learned about Tigger overnight, it seemed likely that bowl contained the remnants of his egg.
We headed off to do our thing, with me popping in from time to time to check on Tigger, who’d discovered the news channel and, like my grandfather, ranted.
“What is the point of your country having a supreme leader if those beneath him counter his every move?” he railed. “When I rule the world, my word will be law, and those who refuse to obey will feed me.”
“World domination? Lofty goal,” I murmured.
“It is a dragon’s primary focus. Feed to get big and strong. Accumulate wealth. And then, when mighty enough, have everyone bow to me as my servants.”
“All dragons want this?” I queried.
“Yes.”
“And have any of them ever achieved that feat? Because our history books certainly don’t mention an era where dragons governed humanity. Actually, they don’t mention dragons at all.”
“Alas, none has ever managed to do so, but they were weak.” He sneered, which was really cute, I had to say.
“But you’re the one who’s going to change that?”
“Yes, because I am the great and mighty Tigger.”
I couldn’t help it, I snickered.
“You find this amusing?”
“If I’d known you had dreams of being a dictator, I might have chosen a different name.”
His gaze narrowed. “What is wrong with my appellation?”
Rather than explain, I loaded the YouTube app on my television and did a search. I left as Winnie the Pooh clips began streaming.
I was in the midst of smoothing a barely discernible hump in the glass coating a side table when Tigger arrived through the shop door, which we’d left propped open for air circulation.
“Woman!” he bellowed, which meant a loud squeak. “How dare you saddle me with such a ridiculous name!”
“Not ridiculous. Tigger is quite famous, and he’s cute, just like you. He was totally my favorite of the entire crew,” I stated, standing to stretch my legs, which were cramped from squatting.
“Cute? What an insult! I am a ferocious killer.” Tigger puffed his chest.
“The only thing I’ve seen you murder is food.”
“That will change as I get bigger. I demand a better title.”
“No.”
“What do you mean no?” Tigger gaped at me.
“I like Tigger.”
“Well, I don’t. I want something more impressive, like the Devourer… or Leviathan. Now there was a mighty monster.”
“Meh.”
“What?”
