Indistinguishable Numb

No, says Freddie. Gaius left strict instructions.

But we need some fresh air, says Terence.

All right. Just go to the entrance. And don't follow strangers.

Terence and Tiny are free.

They go to the entrance. They don't follow strangers.

Which way? asks Terence.

That way, says Tiny. There might be a chocolate shop.

Several minutes later, Tiny is lagging behind.

Stop. Pick me up, says Tiny.

Why? says Terence.

Ballast, says Tiny.

Terence doesn't know much about ballast, but his winged hand is heavy.

If I pick you up, will you hold my parrot wing? asks Terence.

Yes, says Tiny.

So Terence does it.

Soon they come to the Aldstadt. There are shops there. One looks like a chocolate shop to Terence.

He goes in.

Willkommen, little fellow! says Heine. Would you like a puppet?

No, says Terence. My parrot wants a chocolate.

I see no parrot, says Heine. Oh, but yes! It is broken, your parrot. Only the wing is left, and... was ist das?

Me! squeaks Tiny.

Guter Gott! says Heine. Ein snake! In mein mustard shop!

Tiny doesn't like mustard, says Terence.

How do I know? asks Tiny.

Let him taste, says Heine. Here. Try this one. ABB.

A few customers have gathered to watch Tiny sample the ABB mustard.

Achoo! I don't like it! It's hot!

Keep trying, says a Japanese customer. You will get used to it.

This is rich, coming from the Japanese customer. The same one who later that day writes a Trip Advisor review, including these words: WATCH OUT AS GRADUALLY BECOME INDISTINGUISHABLE NUMB.

But how is Tiny to know that?

He tries the Lowensenf Lion mustard.

And his mouth becomes numb.

It's like glue! cries Tiny. The bull glue is fresh in his memory.

Stille! says Heine. The customers!

Let's go! says Tiny, looking for Terence, who is poking around in the Mustard Museum.

Okay, says Terence. It's a rubbish chocolate shop anyway.

Tiny is in such a hurry that he jumps on to the wingless hand of Terence, and wraps himself round Terence's wrist.

Now I have to carry both of you, says Terence.

There's only one of me, says Tiny.

But you had the wing, says Terence. Now I've got it.

You already had it, says Tiny.

But I didn't have you, says Terence.

Yes, you did, says Tiny.

Only for ballanst, says Terence.

There is no arguing with Terence.

He walks towards the Königsallee, and stops by the canal.

Let's sit here, says Terence.

Okay, says Tiny.

They sit and gaze at the landscaped canal.

No one ever looks after us, says Terence. We could fall in.

I can swim, says Tiny.

Only inside a snorkel, says Terence.

A tear forms in Tiny's small eye.

What? says Terence.

I miss my family, sniffs Tiny.

Third Sister is coming, says Terence. Then you'll have a family.

She isn't! says Tiny.

Weren't you listening? says Terence. She's in Team Claw.

The tear dries up.

His sister. In a Tour de France team! Tiny is jealous.