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[darkov]

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latest status update 3/6/2018

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[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?

[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.]

[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.]

[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.

[darkov]

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

[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.

[darkov]

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

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[darkov]

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

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.]

[darkov]

[his mouth twitches.]

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

[h2no]

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

[he laughs.]

Archie's real cute and smart!

[darkov]

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

[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.

[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...

[h2no]

Take as long as you need. Let me know when you think of a name, yeah?

[he grins.]

There are other decorations you can get, and bigger tanks, but I'll leave that up to you if you decide you wanna explore the options a bit. The store is near here if you ever wanna go.

[archie goes back to his bag, taking something out. it's a clear plastic little castle.]

You wanna put the last decoration in?

[darkov]

Oh, uh-- al-alright...

[Martin picks the piece up between a finger and his thumb, turning it over. it...kinda? looks like the compound? high stone walls n such. huh...

then, much like the flakes, he lets it drop unceremoniously into the bowl, kinda bobbing there until it floats down on its side to rest.]

[h2no]

[...

okay, he's just doing what he's been told. nothing broke, it's all good. archie can show him how to put it in up on its end when he shows him how to clean the bowl out.

the fish swims around it, interested.]

Looks nice, right? It's just a lil' something extra for Rex to investigate. [sage nod.] Right, I think that's all. Remember to give this book to Rex.

...Human Rex. Fish Rex can't read.

[darkov]

...Ha.

[yes, ha. a muted, single-note laugh in his breath.]

I'll...try to come up with a better name.