091 – Lil’ Snacko

Wherever the steps of the Mayor Whale – the affluent and delightfully despotic leader of the Wharf Town – takes him, he is always followed by two shadows. One is the titanic form of his bulwark protector and bodyguard, Hugh Mungus. The other is of course the graceful, nimble steps of his beloved lampreline named Snacko. Snacko was a fully grown lampy, mistrustful of the kin and folks, wounded and living her miserable live in the too small cage of the local sanctuary. Cynics and the manifold opponents of the Mayor considered his adoption of the animal to be merely a publicity stunt, a PR move to garner some positive attention – look at him, they said, the paragon of warmth and love. They were wrong, though. While Mayor whale is a wily, conniving bastard that would sell his own mother for the benefit of the city, he had a real weak spot for animals, and the graceful half-aquatic lamprelines were occupying the biggest, warmest spot in his dark, slow heart. The powerful feline proven to be a fantastic companion, lively, vigilant and stately when she wanted to be, flicking a mood with practiced ease to either match or fill the mood of her master, showing that empathic connection the species is known for. Now her languid form is a constant addition to every political meeting, every office seating and campaigning action across the city. And everyone knows, that even if she might be the Mayor weak spot, ready to be exploited… Woe unto them, who would dare to harm her.