Rowdy Rodent Roundup

When Quince asked about Darlet's Imps, she was intrigued by their dynamic. Jekyll was solitary and subtle. Like a fly on the wall in any room they were in. While Hyde was a force of chaos seeking attention from any and everyone. This social energy and fondness of being around other Imps and Buns alike gave her an idea for a training regimen. One that could help the Orange Remil to channel that endless energy into a more refined routine. 

Darlet held Hyde in his arms, carrying them to a small training course Quince set up in the back of Pedigree Pets. The spot usually used for play time of the Pedigree Imps. The way that the course was set up was simple. At various points throughout the course were boxes connected by coloured strings. Under some boxes were individual peach dango balls. Around others, were piles of shredded paper. The boxes containing dango are much too heavy for Hyde to lift themselves, but the string attached to each box leads to one of the upturned boxes surrounded by the shreds of paper. 

There was no preparation for this. Just an idea. But as soon as Darlet placed the small Imp on the ground, it began to hunt. First finding a box close by with a blue string. Underneath a dango sat just waiting to be eaten. Hyde inspected the box, pushing and climbing on top of it at first, before looking at the string attached to it's lid. Following along the string to the empty box at the other end. It peeked inside, but then looked at the shredded paper on the ground. It looked back to Darlet for a moment. Then began to use it's small hands to grab up the bits of paper and drop them into the empty box. Once all of the scraps were off the ground, Darlet moved to the blue box dango. Lifting the concealer of its contents away for the Remil to sprint over and snatch up it's reward. 

This would be the perfect introduction to this course. It began to look at the strings. Not even bothering to go to the boxes of dango, instead running immediately to collect the paper scraps off the ground. One by one, Hyde began filling box after box with frantic piles of paper. Darlet rushing to keep up with it's pace to uncover each respective dango ball. Without even four minutes going by, all eight boxes were uncovered. Hyde taking a swift agency in running around, snagging up, and hoarding each and everyone one of the balls at the end. Eventually lining them up in front of the first box like little pastry trophies.

"Good job lil dude. You killed it. Quince might just be onto something. You are good at grabbing stuff, perhaps I should do something like this at the apartment. I'm sure the guys would play along with you. They need motivation to clean the place up too." Darlet chuckled and scratched at the space in-between Hyde's ears, causing him to let out a squeaky sound. Once he moved his hand away, Hyde hurried and grabbed one of the dango balls. Holding it up to Darlet expectantly. "Huh. You want me to have one?" He smiled at the gesture and took it from the Imps tiny hands. Popping the ball into his cheek. As soon as he started to chew, Hyde pushed its head up into his palm. The gears started turning and Darlet understood what just happened. "Was... That a treat for petting you?"

Darlet reported his findings back to Quince. She was more than pleased that her little recycling for dango minigame was such a smash hit. She told him that it felt like she may have to try it with some of the more versatile Imps that her customers bring around, but that training for these kinds of things are not always one size fits all. Hyde adapted well to the situation, and if anything it may have been too simple. She would have to see Hyde in action to get a fuller training course ready for an true mental workout. Smarter imps work well with self aware and tricky issues, and solutions like picking up trash are child's play. 

"Do you think we could do a playdate then? I could bring around Nibble and Hyde and you could do a couple more tests to see how much he knows." This was more like a fun way to get his Imps out of the house, but he was happy to indulge Quince's competitive urge to push limits. He was curious too just how intelligent his mischief prone Imp really was.