Chapter 2: A Pup's Comfort

Morning came in Peak Country, as Feathers and his friends had returned to school after Thanksgiving break. But Feathers was not in a good spirit. He was thinking about Ince. Slither was teaching children a history lesson a king's war against an army of dragons, when he noticed Feathers looking down. He could tell he was thinking about Ince, but he shouldn't let that drop his focus in school, so he tapped his rod on Feathers' desk to get his attention, as he flinched. "Pay attention to your history lesson, Feathers," he said sternly. "This one will be on a test."

"Oh, sorry, sir," Feathers said. "I was just..."

"I want no excuses."

Edward and Ezrah noticed something was wrong, but they didn't wanna ask Feathers just yet. Later that day, while the kids were playing outside, Feathers sat on a tree stump, his elbows on his knees, and his claws on his cheeks, as he was looking down sadly. His friends approach him, looking concerned.

"What's wrong, Feathers?" Ezrah asked.

"Yeah, we had a great Thanksgiving break," Edward added. "Did something happen?"

Feathers sighed. "Yeah. Something happened last night at my caretaker's house," he said.

"Well, what is it? Come on, we're friends," Ezrah said.

Feathers took a deep breath and told Ezrah and Edward about Ince, how he came to Feathers' place, and how he had lost his parents and home from a storm. His friends were shocked.

"Oh, that poor puppy," Edward said sadly. "He must've been so sad."

"Yeah, as much as I am," Feathers said.

"Well, couldn't you try cheering him up?" Ezrah grinned. "I'm sure a puppet show can help, or perhaps a funny joke, anything to make him happy."

This got Feathers cross, as he stood up from the stump. "Ezrah! Didn't you hear what I said?! Ince lost his parents! How can he cheer up easily from such a tragic situation as that?!"

Ezrah's grin faded, realizing what he had said. "Point taken, I'm sorry," he said with guilt in his eyes.

"I know what that's like," Edward said. "I never knew my mom. My dad hadn't told me much about her."

Feathers sighed as he sat back on the stump. "I just wish I knew how my caretaker can handle this. I'm just glad you guys listened to me."

"Hey, no sweat, dude," Ezrah said. "That's what friends are for."

This made Feathers smile weakly.

Later, after school, Slither and Feathers were walking home, and Slither noticed Feathers looking down. "Stop," he said, holding his hand out at Feathers to stop him. He then turned to Feathers. "Feathers, I understand how sad you felt after what had transpired last night, but you should know better than to let your guilt get the better of you like that. I know you well, like the times you felt guilty about your incontinence when you shouldn't be. You cannot let guilt put yourself out of line. Do you understand?"

Feathers rubbed his arm. "I'm very sorry, sir," he said sadly. "It's just that Ince's situation was so grieving, and I felt so bad for him. I just don't know how we could help him."

"What Ince had gone through was nobody's fault. Terrible things can happen to anybody, young or old. But as you know, not all of us arrive together in the end. Sometimes fate always had plans before we even notice."

"What'll we do? Ince missed his parents so much."

"I know, Feathers, but feeling guilty won't help with anything. I will do whatever I can to help Ince, as much as how I helped you. Just don't worry, my boy. I know we'll think of something, but some things take time. It's all a matter of process. And you will see, Feathers, that some things are well worth a good deed."

Feathers looked at Slither, and he smiled. "I believe you, Slither."

Slither tousled Feathers' head. "That's my boy. Now come. I expect you to do your homework when we get home."

"Absolutely, sir."

The two then returned to Slither's house. Feathers set his bag down at the table where he usually sat for his homework, but he thought about checking on Ince. He went to the bedroom to check on him, and he saw Ince by the window.

"Ince?" he asked. "You okay?"

But Ince said nothing, and Feathers' ears droop, as he knew Ince is feeling blue. He then closed the door.

"Feathers," said Slither. "That poor thing's been traumatized from losing everything, and I don't want you making things worse."

"But sir, I just wanted to help him like you do."

"Yes, I know. But Ince's trauma is very painful to process, and that's something you do not want to worsen. Give him time and space, Feathers."

Feathers droop his ears. "Yes, sir."

Later in the day, Feathers had been doing his homework, when his ear twitched from a faint sobbing, and he turned his head, knowing it was Ince. He really wanted to help Ince, but then he remembered Slither's advice against worsening Ince's trauma, as he sighed. Slither had finished making tea when he heard the sobbing, as he sighed.

"Sir, is tea gonna help the poor thing?" Feathers asked.

"Sometimes tea cheers me up whenever I felt sad, Feathers," said Slither, as he grabbed the cup.

Feathers can smell the tea from his nose. "Smells like blueberry." He dropped his pencil in realization. "Oh, blueberry tea!" He got off his chair, excited. "You gave me that tea whenever I was depressed! Maybe that'll help Ince too!"

Slither shushed him, but he was grinning. "Easy there, boy. But yes, this is blueberry tea. That tea helped cheer you up before. Now if you please."

"Oh, yes, sir," Feathers said, and he sat back at his table to finish his homework.

Slither went into the room to give the tea to Ince. He opened the door, as he saw Ince on Feathers' bed, crying. "Ince? I have something that'll cheer you up." He slithered toward Ince as the poor padded puppy sniffled and saw him holding a cup of tea. "Here, drink this."

Ince sniffled as he sat up and took the cup, and he carefully sipped due to the hot temperature. "Th-Thank you, sir," he said, sniffling still.

"Are you feeling better, dear boy?"

"I wish I am. I miss my parents so much."

"I'm sorry for your loss. It was nobody's fault. Tragic things happen to everyone. It's okay to grief. But I will do all I can to help you."

Ince looked at Slither, and he smiled weakly. "Thank you, sir," he said.

Slither tousled the pup's head. "That's better," he said. "Just make yourself comfortable while you can."

Slither then left the room, as he noticed Feathers had finished his homework. "Very nice, Feathers," he said. "Now..." he suddenly noticed the dining table full of dirty plates, and he realized. "Oh, dear. We had such a situation with the poor pup we forgot about the dishes from last night."

Feathers' eyes widen. "Oh, shoot! I gotta wash 'em right away!"

"Easy, Feathers. One at a time is all it'll take."

But Feathers just sighed, and he brought the plates to the kitchen to wash them one by one, using less soap as advised by Slither.

"By the way, sir, had you spoke to anyone on the phone about the poor puppy?" Feathers asked.

"Yes, when we were at school, my boy," Slither said. "They were working on it, like they did when I first met you."

"What will they say when they call back?"

"I'm not sure, but we shouldn't rush it. Give it time, Feathers."

"Yes, sir," Feathers said as he had finished washing the last plate. He set the plate on the dry rack, when his belly gurgled, and he heavily wet and messed his diaper a lost, squawking. He loaded his diaper a bit more, and then stared at his dirty diaper, embarrassed. "Aw, man. Convenient timing to mess my diaper."

"Well, you do need a change," Slither said. Then he pondered and grinned. "Why don't you give it a shot?"

Feathers blinked. "You mean, I can change my diapers now?"

"That's up to you, my boy. After all, I've changed your diapers for thirteen years, and I think it's high time you give it a try. What do you say?"

Feathers couldn't believe what he heard. His caretaker had changed his diapers for thirteen years, and for him to learn on changing his own diapers left him excited. "I'm your boy, Slither! You will not regret this!" he cried, clapping his talons. "I may not be perfect, but I'll do my best!"

Later, Feathers had gone to the bathroom, his messy diaper sloshing and squelching. He looked at his dirty diaper, took a deep breath, and said, "Okay, Feathers. Slither had changed you for thirteen years. Time for your first diaper change."

Feathers took his dirty diaper off and grabbed the wipes to clean his bottom. He picked up a fresh diaper from the pack and unfolded it. He then threaded his tail through his diaper's tail hole and held the back with one claw, as he pulled the front up to his groin. He placed the bottom tabs on the front, then did the same for the top tabs. He smiled at this, as he rubbed his diaper. He then exit the bathroom after washing his hands, where Slither was nearby. "I did it, sir. My first diaper change in thirteen years."

"Very good, Feathers. I'm proud of you," Slither smiled. "Now, would you like to see Ince now?"

Feathers blinked but then remembered. "Oh, yes, I would... please."

"Very well."

Slither opened the bedroom door, as Feathers walked in, seeing Ince sitting on the floor, looking out the window.

Ince turned around and saw Feathers. "Oh, it's you. Feathers, is it?"

"Yeah. You doing okay?"

"Yeah, I..." Ince then noticed Feathers' diaper. "Wait, are you actually wearing diapers? Like me?"

Feathers looked at his diaper, and grinned at Ince. "Yeah. Been wearing them for thirteen years."

"Thirteen years?!" Ince laughed, grabbing his stomach and kicking his feet. "You must be joking!"

Feathers sighed. "I wish I was, but when you're incontinent full time, you have no choice but to wear them."

Ince's giggle faded as soon as he heard that. "Oh. I'm sorry, I had no idea."

"Well, we just met and all. How long had you worn your diapers?"

Ince looked down, trying to remember. Then he said, "Six years."

"Six. I guess you have the same condition that I do."

Ince blushed. "Pretty much." Then he looked down. "Still, I appreciate you guys keeping me here for comfort. Had your caretaker spoken to anybody?"

"He said they're working on it. But hopefully things will turn out alright. Give it time."

Ince grinned. "Thank you for telling me, Feathers."