( 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]

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.