Midnight

"Come on, move your damn feet." Midnight's whining command comes out muffled, thanks to her own actions. She currently has her snout pressed into my back, though that physical direction isn't enough for her.

I'm not dawdling today, though that is a fun pastime in making Midnight's patience run thin. I'm moving at what I feel is a safe pace, considering I have a few hundred pounds of cast iron strapped onto the two-wheeled cart I'm pushing.

Today's the day we get the engine block back from the shop, and Midnight is understandably eager to get it home and continue with the project car. I am too, but I'm having to be the voice of reason here as we haul it to the Trailduster. As much as Midnight wanted to carry it out and heave it in the truck – and though that would have been easier – it's the middle of the day. Explaining away a levitating eating utensil to a passerby taking notice is as easy as saying it's a 'prototype feature'. Hauling a whole engine block... might be more suspicious.

"Middie, you can stop pushing me."

"I will when you move faster," she continues to pout behind me.

"There's no reason for me to move faster – we're at the tailgate."

The pressure between my shoulder blades eases up following my comment. I turn my head in time to catch a glimpse of Midnight peeking her head out from behind to gauge how far we really are from the truck. Good timing, as now that she can believe me, I can stop before running into my vehicle, and without her stumbling into me.

"I really expected you to drag ass just to be a dick," she admits, strutting off to my side.

"I... probably deserve that assumption. I do it a lot – but not today. I don't want to ruin the moment," I assure her. That may sound a little lame, but it's kind of true. There's just a bit more to it than that... mainly that I have something to discuss with her that I know she won't be happy about.

One thing at a time – but the past few days have been agonizing for Midnight, waiting to go get this engine block. While I may be the one assembling it, I'm certain her curiosity will draw her to watch me do most of it, asking questions along the way, as well as help in any way she can.

To be certain, this is a big step forward, even if the task of retrieving the engine is a tad mundane.

I glance around the area as I circle around our cargo and open the tailgate. It's mid-day, but this shop is on the outer fringe of town – meaning there really aren't any pedestrians to speak of amongst the graciously-spaced buildings in this area. As of right now, there are no passing cars to be seen, either.

"Alright, I don't feel like fucking around with this part of the job," I murmur to Midnight, who now stands across the engine block from me. "Coast is clear – beam 'er up, Mid."

The instructions hardly have time to leave my mouth as the cart and engine block rise into the air. In one swift motion, the tandem jet forward into the back of the truck, coming to an equally swift halt into the shadows of the back.

"Nice. So glad I decided to install a tailgate lift in this thing," I joke, patting the tailgate with a hollow thump before lifting it and slamming it closed.

"You're an idiot," Midnight comments, biting her lip as she tries to fight off laughter that could motivate me. But after a few seconds, she gives up and hustles around the corner, heading up to the passenger door.

I'm not convinced that was just holding back laughter. If I'm not mistaken, as I make my way to the cabin on the driver's side, I can hear a little celebratory giggle at our little accomplishment today.

By the time I slide into my seat, Midnight is already seated and turned to face me. "So how long do you think it will take to get it all back together?"

I can't help but laugh at the sudden jump in expectations and goals. "Already turning the screws to me, huh?"

"Well – alright, so maybe I could have waited a bit longer asking something like that, but I'm genuinely curious," she answers, cocking her head as she awaits my timetable guesstimate.

"Well, I don't really know, Midnight. Above all, I want to take my time and make sure I do it right – there's no worse feeling than getting an engine together, starting it up – only to promptly spin a bearing or eat a cam lobe."

"I... did read up a bit on engine building and initial startup, so I'm aware of problems that can happen. Have you ever had issues?"

"I've not rebuilt too many engines, Midnight," I admit, watching as her ears dip in response, going along with her smile that's been fading ever since this inquisition began. "With that disclaimer out of the way – no, I've never had problems with break-ins. But that's why I have to stress even though I myself am motivated to get the car on the road, patience and due diligence take precedence on this build."

The explanation seems to hit all the right notes, for Midnight perks up in her seat again. But it's not likely to last long – as I start up the truck and get out on the road, now is as good a time as any to bring up my next topic.

"There's something else I wanted to discuss with you – sorry to change the subject," I start off, trying to play this cordial and calm. "Teddy and I had a discussion before he left on his trip, and we talked about it again yesterday..."

Pausing for a moment, I take my eyes off the road to glance at Midnight. Though I've only begun my proposal, her posture is unnaturally rigid. Her festive energy has fallen by the wayside as her expression defaults back to a serious, straight face. I anticipated this sort of reaction, though maybe I should have tried to be more light-hearted and joking to start.

"I'm listening," she says expectantly, motioning with her hoof for me to proceed.

"I certainly don't mean it to seem offensive, and I know that you're fine right now, but – well, Teddy mentioned he has a doc that checks out Starla. Like a wellness check-up – and I think it would be in our best interest to pay him a visit."

"And by doctor, I'm sure you mean vet," Midnight quickly spits.

"Yes, I do." I don't need to take my eyes off the road, I can feel Midnight's piercing gaze on me, trying to bore holes through my body. "I know that it sounds..."

"John, just say what you need to, and then I'll bite your head off afterward if I feel the need," Midnight huffs in irritation.

Surprised by some semblance of patience considering the topic at hand, I have to steal another glance at Midnight. Her expression has changed little, though her brow has hardened somewhat, allowing her to display the frustration she's keeping in check at this point in time.

"I know a vet sounds demeaning, and you aren't just a run-of-the-mill animal – you've got the intelligence of humans. But physiologically... well, you have more in common with em. Teddy says this guy is his go-to for Starla, and since you two might actually have a relation in genetics – maybe you're helping her out too. So the doc has another baseline to work from." While I start out slow, by the end of my spiel, my words have come out quick and frenzied – particularly as I come to realize how much of a tightrope I have to walk here to not insult her.

This is touching on a subject that I haven't really spoken with her about since very early on – acknowledging that she isn't human. It's obvious, but I know Midnight sees herself above animals – to the point of drawing ire when someone sees her on that level.

Seconds tick by with only the engine of the Trailduster and road noise from the tires offering any sort of sound now. Midnight has turned in her seat to face forward now, looking out the windshield at the road ahead. I try to think of something else to say, but... I'm not sure how to jumpstart conversation now, especially when I'm looking for a verbal reaction to my proposal.

"You already scheduled an appointment, didn't you?" Midnight abruptly speaks up.

"I didn't, no. Teddy said he was going to get in touch with his doc and let me know," I tell her. "This is an off-the-books kind of thing, so it would be in the evening after the office has closed."

"And you're sold on it." Midnight's voice starts to sour at that comment.

"I'm trying to think and plan ahead. God forbid if anything were to happen Midnight – but I guess my thoughts on it... you're doing just fine now, so it would make sense to get the ball rolling so if there is an issue down the road, we already have someone lined up who can help, and has at least a starting point to work from."

"That makes more sense than the bullshit you were trying to feed me the first time around."

"Nothing I've said has been bullshit – I just figured I would need to sell you this from multiple angles," I concede. "Yes, it is a bit selfish in the fact I'm looking for my own peace of mind in planning ahead, but I'm not going to drag you by your tail into the office if you're that opposed to the idea."

"Oh god, did you really have to throw that in there?" Midnight whines.

"I— throw what in there?" I stammer, confused by her outburst.

"'I'm not going to drag you there if you don't want to go'," she summarizes in a mocking tone, rolling her eyes. "Now you're gonna try the guilt angle?"

"That... I was being honest with you. There was nothing else that I meant by that."

"Ugh, whatever – I guess I really don't have a leg to stand on here other than 'I don't want to go'," she grumbles. "As much as I want to hate you for this... I'll deal with it."

"Teddy says the doc is really nice – Starla enjoys visits with him," I add, trying to console Midnight. I pat her on the back, but Midnight's solemn expression doesn't sway.

"I don't like the sound of being poked and prodded at. The whole 'veterinarian' thing is a bit demeaning, but that's splitting hairs. Experiencing deja vu of being back in the facility undergoing checks after a procedure... that's what bothers me."

It's a candid and honest response from Midnight, highlighting something that I had not given thought up until this point. With as many procedures and tests as she's been through, how did I not consider the possibility of her being afraid of doctors or medical help?

"I'm sorry, Mid. That never crossed my mind," I apologize, the pang of guilt I feel slipping in to taint my voice.

"John, I'm an adult – I'll deal with it," she replies, trying to brush aside my response. "You'll just owe me extra work on the engine to make up for this little checkup. As long as that's all it is – no funny business with invasive shit."

"Middie, I swear on it, and you should know anything other than vitals and a cursory examination is all that I want," I quickly respond. "No trickery – I'll even ask Teddy what all to expect, and relay what you told m—"

"I can manage. I don't need special treatment," Middie interrupts in a curt tone. "You're getting what you want, I'm agreeing to do this. For you, or Starla, or however you want to spin it."

Even after a few minutes of relatively civil discussion, I'm having difficulty reading Midnight on her stance. For every concession or agreement she passes to me, there's a biting response that follows shortly thereafter, displaying a lingering reluctance.

I'm starting to get the sense that this is an idea that reopens old wounds and fears – ones that run deeper and bother her more than she's willing to share. Trying to dig further down that path isn't going to do me any good – even if I would rather make sure she's fully on board and understanding of why I want to do this.

But, wish in one hand, shit in the other – one of those is gonna fill up much faster than the other. As of now, I have her approval; my best bet is to get back with Teddy, okay the appointment scheduling, and get on with it. Ripping it off like a bandaid.

But it might also be a good idea to have some backup support...

"Can we talk about something else now?" Midnight asks, betraying a wave of impatience that's beginning to grow around this topic. "How's the search and investigation into painting the Hemi going? You've been mum on the subject since the day you initially brought it up."

Keen to bring the mood into lighter territory again myself, I can't help but crack a grin at her one-track mind.