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latest status update 3/6/2018

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

darkov

[that...does not instill confidence. the image of Rex scowling really intensely at the fish comes to mind...]

Uh, I...I don't know. [he shakes his head.] I never had to name anything before...how would I know what's good?

From:

h2no

[jeez...]

You can't go wrong with a name. 'Specially for a fish.

[he grins.]

Think of the first word that comes to mind when you look into its eyes. That's the name that'll fit it.

From:

darkov

[he gives Archie another dubious glance, just to make sure he means what he says and...leans over the table to peer at the little fish, frowning. in its eyes...? the eyes are on one side each, you can't look at them both at the same time! but maybe that's getting too technical...

he's still worried about Rex thinking this is a bad idea. he's smart enough to know, after all... so this might be a pretty short-lived venture, huh.

still...]

Rex...? [more a trail off from his concerned thoughts than an answer, but there it is.]

From:

h2no

[the fish peers back. probably. it's kind of hard to tell what it's doing.

archie, somehow, does not laugh his ass off at the suggestion. it takes all his willpower, but he only grins.]

That works. That's a name. [he nods, then starts getting stuff out his backback-- some fishfood, a fish care book, some stuff he wrote himself about how to change the water and how to care for it.] Alright... so this book is for Rex the human, just in case he wants to know more. Y'see this can of food?

[he takes the lid off, showing martin the flakey inside.]

Take a little pinch out.

From:

darkov

Eh? What? Oh, uh— [woops. he didn’t mean to, but we’re already moving from names to books and...flakes...

still a little flustered, Martin mutely nods and picks at the contents, nose crinkling at the smell.] Do I just drop it in the water?

From:

h2no

Yep! Once a day. Try doing it when you just get up, even if you're not getting up at the same time. Just drop it in.

[at least the clear glass will let them watch the fish feed on the flakes, so martin'll be able to get an immediate reaction to what he's doing.]

From:

darkov

[once he’s dusted his fingers free of the residue, Martin bends down to peer at the little fish still just going about, doing its fishy thing until one of the little flakes falls into its view and gets gobbled up, prompting to actively seek the rest. it’s perhaps more fascinating to him that it really needs to be, but then again...he’s not seen this before.]

Huh... [his mouth quirks into a crooked, fascinates half-smile.]

From:

h2no

[#blessed this day

archie smiles, too, seeing martin enjoy - even if it's fleeting - watching the fish gulp up all the flakes, then continue to swim around.]

I think he'd say thank you, if he could.

From:

darkov

Eh? [he blinks and glances up at Archie, face going a touch pink, mouth twitching.] Oh... Maybe.

From:

h2no

[he laughs lightly, then moves on.]

So, you just need to do that twice a day... once when you get up, and once before you go to bed. You need to change Rex's water once a week.

[he pushes the papers he'd written himself-- or rather, drawn. it's a very simple diagram, but shows clearly how to remove the fish without hurting it, where to put it in the interim and how to put everything back.]

It won't take long... maybe half an hour? I got this book for, uh, human Rex and your other housemate so they can help if you need it. You can always call me, too. I don't mind coming over to show you how to do it the first few times.

From:

darkov

[the smile ebbs, replaces with a soft, faintly worried frown.]

...How do I know when I mess up?

From:

h2no

If you mess up, then the fish'll be on the floor or the bowl'll be broken or something.

[he shakes his head, still watching rex the fish swim around.]

You won't mess up-- and even if you do, then as long as you learn from what you did wrong, it doesn't really matter.

From:

darkov

[really... hm. sounds suspect. no gruesome deaths or explosions? that’s the sort of speed this place goes...

Martin straightens back up, nodding.]

Alright... I’ll try.

From:

h2no

[archie only beams-- he had sort of expected martin to deny this, but it's nice he's started to try.]

Great! Do you want me to leave it down here, or d'you want it in your room? It can go anywhere you think would be appropriate, really.

From:

darkov

Oh, um... [uhhhhhh] I, I don’t know. Is there a spot it’s supposed to be? I mean... best spot...

From:

h2no

As long as it's out in the open...

[he shrugs one shoulder.]

It could stay here, if you want. Or on another table. S'long as it's not... in a closet, or something.

From:

darkov

[so no dark places. right.

well, the bedroom's out. Martin nods, scratching at the side of his head.] Al-alright, then... I'll just. Keep it here for now. If someone wants me to move it, I will.

From:

h2no

That's fine. I'll leave the food and books here.

[he slides them next to the bowl.]

Do you, ah, have any questions about any of this?

From:

darkov

[his hand lingers at the back of his neck for a thoughtful moment. then:]

...Why did you pick me to do it? Take care of it, I mean.

From:

h2no

[he hums lightly, looking over to martin instead of watching the fish.]

'Cause I think you can.

[archie would say that he wants martin to realise that he can, too, but figures if he vocalises that martin might get more anxious or try to pick it apart, so he leaves it at that.

...okay, no:] Plus Rex is pretty cute, right?

[the fish. the fish.]

From:

darkov

[his mouth twitches.]

I...I should've picked a different name, I think...

From:

h2no

You can always change it, if you want. Maybe call it Archie!

[he laughs.]

Archie's real cute and smart!

From:

darkov

That...[squint.] That doesn't actually...fix the problem... You're Archie.

From:

h2no

[he crosses his arms on the table, leaning until his chin is resting on them.]

What about the name of someone from home? I mean... you could call it Martin if you wanted to. There's no rules for this.

From:

darkov

...

[well, his own name is out. but...family from home? he frowns, tilting his head a little as the fish makes a pass around some of that fake greenery. no one really comes to mind as a fish... maybe Adrian gawks like that sometimes?]

...I'm not sure. I...I guess I'll have to think about it...