( open ) out of isolation

[motivation]

Who: dutch (motivation) & YOU, thomas nightingale (ettersberg) & YOU
What: a month in the life of a former assassin, a month in the life of the former last sanctioned wizard of the uk
When: may
Where: flona cove and khalo
Warning(s): alcohol and fyrra use, nudity, sex and probably swearing

Comments

[poolhall_killer]

[Oh. Oh that sounds too cute. But now he has a question...]

I suppose all types of animals come out of eggs, here. But what is a sugar glider?

[ettersberg]

( now that is a question nightingale can answer quite easily. in fact, watch him reach a finger into the front pocket of his shirt. when he pulls the finger out again, a little sugar glider is hanging onto it.

he flattens his palm, letting the little animal rest there. )

[poolhall_killer]

[Nightingale keeps his sugar glider in his pocket?? Venom leans in to get a closer look at the tiny creature. It's not even half the size of Pepper, and even he easily fits in Venom's palm.]

Hello there, little one. What's your name?

[He wants to give it a small pet, but he's being good and keeping his hands to himself. What a cute animal!]

[ettersberg]

( nightingale keeps his sugar glider in his pocket. where else is he supposed to keep him? — it may be the case that nightingale is not the most qualified to look after animals other than dogs or horses. oh, or pigs and chicken. they had those back home, when he was young. )

Argus. Her name is Argus.

( at least he thinks it's a she. )

[poolhall_killer]

It's nice to meet you, Argus.

[Until Venom came here, his experience with animals was limited to the occasional stray cat. Now he has his marmoset, has ridden a lion and a pegasus, and he can add meeting a sugar glider.

So naturally he speaks to them like they're people.]

She must be well-behaved if you can carry her in your pocket.

[ettersberg]

She is.

( there's warmth in nightingale's tone now, more so than before, and it isn't only because he's relaxed. )

And I think she enjoys it.

[poolhall_killer]

I think it's a good bonding experience for the both of you.

[Now he's curious if he actually can get away with traveling with Pepper. The monkey could benefit from some fresh air every now and then.]

May I pet her?

[ettersberg]

Of course.

( he holds his hand a little closer to venom. )

[poolhall_killer]

[Venom moves in a bit closer as well, getting a good look at the sugar glider. With two gloved fingers, he gently pets her head.]

I cannot get over how small she is. I wonder if she'll get larger.

[ettersberg]

I don't expect she will. Not very much larger, at least.

( there's a soft smile on nightingale's features that he's not quite aware of. he'd try to hide it if he were. )

[poolhall_killer]

[Venom notices it but doesn't say anything. But Nightingale does have a cute smile. And it's obvious the older gentleman really likes his new companion.]

Let's hope she doesn't. Otherwise she won't fit in your pocket anymore.

[ettersberg]

( dryly: )

I could always ask the tailor for larger pockets.

[poolhall_killer]

[That gets a laugh out of Venom.]

That's true. Then she can go with you no matter got large she gets.

[One more pet and he draws his hand back.]

She is too cute.

[ettersberg]

I've gotten quite used already to having her around. ( nightingale admits after a moment, reaching out with his free hand to run a finger down her back. )

[poolhall_killer]

They do grow on you rather quickly.

[He knows Pepper grew on him fast despite him knowing very little about marmosets.]

But I must ask... did Argus... hatch from an egg?

[It's a question for science.]

[ettersberg]

Strange, isn't it?

[poolhall_killer]

It is. This place is turning us into sudden pet parents.

Perhaps when we get back, I'll introduce you to Pepper, my marmoset.

[He can't fit in a pocket, but he'd try.]

[ettersberg]

A marmoset?

( that earns venom a lazily raised eyebrow. )

[poolhall_killer]

Yes. I read up on them and apparently he's the smallest species of true monkey. I named him Pepper because he looks like a bell pepper when he's hunched over with a piece of fruit.

[Okay when he says that out loud, it sounds really silly.]

[ettersberg]

( it sounds silly — but in a good way. it's sweet and nightingale finds himself smiling a little. )

Do you think he'd get along with Argus?

[poolhall_killer]

I'm... not sure. We'll have to get them together and find out.

[And he's more and more convinced to socialize Pepper with others and their respective pets. Monkeys need friends too.]

[ettersberg]

An endeavour for another day.