Moogle

An online friend called me a moogle the other day, which I made the mistake of repeating to my husband. A moogle, for those of you who are not familiar with the world of geekdom in which my husband and I dabble our toes, is a character unique to Final Fantasy video games. They are small, fuzzy, and ultimately useless; their primary function appears to be running around hostile environments, looking cute, and occasionally saying idiotic things like their trademark "Kupo." Final Fantasy is on its twelfth sequel, and as a video game powerhouse, does not appear to be slowing down.

Nor do moogles appear to be gaining anything in terms of usefulness. Game after game they putter about with their little bobble heads, chirping "Kupo!" at random intervals. Someday we may learn that this meaningless little word actually represents the meaning of life and the magic and mystery of the universe. I like the idea of a four-letter word encapsulating all that. It makes sense.

In the meantime, I told my husband that a friend called me a moogle. And he got this ... look on his face.

There are moments when you hear the echoes of what you've just said reeling out in front of you, painting a picture of the imminent future -- and you just wish, you would just kill for a rewind button to take it all back.

"Moogle," he said. His voice started to quaver.

I sighed.

"Moogle," he said again, and put his fist on my head. He shook it back and forth and squeaked, "Kupo! Kupo!"

...and that's what it's been like ever since. From time to time I'll be minding my own business, only to feel a fist thump down on my head and wag me back and forth. At nights I'll be dropping into a doze, and suddenly, thump. "Kupo!"

I'm sure he thinks he's very funny. The respect I get in this household is awesome. Just awesome.

Marriages have ended for less.