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randomplaces2013-07-09 01:24 pm
firra) wrote in randomplaces2013-07-09 01:24 pm
Entry tags:
Backwater Nexus and various worlds. Various Nexus places, an Earth, some other worlds. Tourist!
Continued from Part 1.
River: *brings him to the Black Dog, in the quiet place under the mountain shaped bonsai stand over in the corner* Set the fruit on here. *points to nearest table and then heads out of the artificial cave into a world of huge metallic feet*
Kellen: *immediately scampers out of the little cave to look at the inside of the building and all the much larger creatures out there with a huge grin* *starts suddenly, runs back inside and puts the fruit on the table before he forgets, then goes back out to stare around*
little girl: *looks about eight years old, with tar black skin, long slender pointed ears, and cardinal red hair, claws, and eyes* *hurries over on her paw like feet* Are you selling zhese bananas?
Kellen: *distractedly* I believe my companion is, she told me to put them down here. So... yes?
little girl: *perks those ears at him* Who ist your companion?
Kellen: Her name is River. *he holds out his hands at around River's size* She's sort of this tall, very, ah, narrow?
little girl: Ahhh. Vriver. *ears twitch in a grin that shows there and in her solid coloured eyes, but not on her face* I know zhe right price to offer, zhen. *glances around* She ist a good hunter.
Kellen: I believe that! She's very vicious for someone so small!
little girl: Vell, you vould probably be also if you had grown up vith supernatural beings trying to kill you all zhe time.
Kellen: *frown* Well I'm certainly not faulting her for it, there's no need to defend her.
little girl: *small chuckle* I vasn't. I vas gossipping!
Kellen: Oh! *grin* Oh gossip is fine! Let's! I think River is very sweet, for instance. But she would probably be angry if she heard me say that, wouldn't she?
little girl: *chuckles* She doesn't know anyzhing about sveet. She says it's zomesing from zhe pretty vorld.
Kellen: Well, that's what I like about her so far. She thinks she isn't kind at all, and that she hasn't any friends, but she has lots, and she's wonderfully nice.
little girl: *looks toward a yelp and a few sounds of terror in a deep voice* *chuckle*
Kellen: Oh my, what's going on? *leans out to look*
little girl: A stupid troll let zhe AV field go down.
troll: *big WoW type. Laying on his back and suing for mercy as River stands on his chest with clenched fists* *is also bleeding*
Kellen: Oh no! River! *to the girl* Excuse me, miss. *scampers into the bar proper, towards the fight*
troll: *in his dialect* Don't kill me. My wife'd kick my dead ****.
River: So?
Kellen: *jogs up* Is everything alright?
River: *glances over* Yeah. Fine. *to the troll* Tell my why I shouldn' oughtta kick your slaggin' tusks out, bastich.
Troll: *winces* *that big nose of his is clearly broken*
Kellen: Did he do something? Did you do something?
River: Lived.
nearby smallish bot: He called her a runt 'n pushed her!
Kellen: Oh. Oh, I thought it was something serious. River, I think this young lady wants to buy what you brought with you.
River: *glances over with an absent scowl and snorts* O'course she does. That's the cook.
Kellen: Well, I thought you'd like to know, since that's what you came here to do.
River: *shakes her head and calls him a dork in a tolerant voice, then gets off the troll and kicks that brawny unfortunate a few times as he stumbles to his feet and makes for the door*
smallish bot: Yay! That was a fun fight.
River: *snorts* Pooka, you're nuts.
Kellen: *beams at her*
Pooka: I'm a little kid. I can get away with it. *adorable grin*
River: *shakes her head again and rolls her eyes, but gives the 'little' guy a good natured shove before turning back to Kellen and the little cook* I got green jewel fruit too, Hrafni.
Hrafni: *perks right up* I can make pies! Hurry, let's go back to zhe table so I can buy vhat you've brought.
Kellen: *is, again, clearly rather pleased with himself as he follows them back*
River: *soon has the green fruit, the bananas, and some other food type stuff she'd had in that bag sold, and is pocketing the result*
Hrafni: *bouncing off toward the bar with her arms full*
Kellen: *still standing in the mouth of the 'cave', watching the patrons while the transaction is done*
River: *calls to him* You bored yet?
Kellen: In here? *he smiles* Goodness, no, this is fascinating.
River: I meant, you done tourin'.
Kellen: *headtilt* Did you want to stop?
River: *shrug*
Kellen: Because if you were still willing, and had places to go... I would be happy to come with you.
River: Whatever. Need a drink or somethin' first?
Kellen: If you'd like. Are you going to get into another fight? That was sort of exciting. But I'd rather you not get hurt. But you seem to like it, so... hmm.
River: *looks at him with amusement, like she thinks he's nuts*
Kellen: *he smiles as though he's just done something right* Would you like a drink? I would buy you a drink.
River: *eyes him. Decides he's not trying anything funny* Pot ale.
Kellen: As you wish! Should we have them here, or out there? *he glances out at the huge room*
River: *shrugs* Wherever.
Kellen: Oh, can we go in there? It's so wonderful, I think I'd like to, wouldn't you?
River: *snrk* Oppy jes' dragoned out.
bar: *contains the sound of a couple tables going over, and bots cursing and/or laughing*
Kellen: I'm sorry, they what? What? *looks back out*
huge red and blue dragon: *laying in the middle of the floor and puffing as the sturdy greenish black baytech bartender hurries over with a big pot of something for him*
River: Dragoned out. Spent himself so he couldn't keep his other form.
Kellen: Oh! Oh, I... *bites his lip. He's clearly itching to do something.*
yOp: *face in the pot as he wearily rumbles thanks to the bartender. Then falls silent but for the occasional sipping sound as he empties the pot*
River: Nem'll take care'a him. *watching with hands in pockets*
Nemesis: What were you saving this time?
yOp: *lifts head slightly* Kids. *more drinking!*
Kellen: *sighs dreamily, then turns back to River* Shall we, then?
River: Wait, you like cute ****, right?
Kellen: I beg your pardon?
River: *nods toward the floor, where a slender grey bot with graceful jet wings is now holding yOp's head in her hands and talking to him* Cute crap.
Kellen: Oh, yes, I do, I think. Why? Do you mean him? *indicates the red and blue dragon* I mean, he's lovely, yes, but, do you mean him?
River: I mean what him 'n his ol' lady're doin'.
girl bot: *scolding softly because Oppy didn't call her for help and just drained himself instead*
yOp: *so sheepish. Didn't think of it. Spur of the moment. He's sorry, Columba!*
Kellen: *watches for a moment* I see. I'm sorry, I was distracted... *smiles at them* That is awfully cute. Thank you, River.
Columba: *suddenly surrounds herself and her husband with dove grey sparkles*
River: *soft snort* Columba died. Oppy shared his life ta bring 'er back.
Kellen: *eyes sparkle* Awwww!
River: 'N Changed 'er in the process. *snerk* Nearly killed 'imself doin' it, till she gave some back.
Kellen: That is very sweet. *sighs deeply, eyes all misty with romantic type thoughts. His tail is happily curling behind him*
River: Then Oppy accidentally made 'em a kid. *watches as the sparkles die down and yOp sits up and then sparkles himself into bot form. His sparkles are red and blue*
Kellen: Oh! ...Is that a good thing?
River: *shrugs* They like 'im. *then turns head and gets slurped by a gigantic black Malamute with white paws, a white chest, and bright blue eyes* Gah! *unprintable* Pooka, that's gross!
Pooka: *giggles and play bows, his curly tail wagging happily*
Kellen: *turns around* Oh dear! River, are you alright? *he scampers over*
Pooka: *slurps him too* I KISSED her. *giggles and wags*
River: Nemesis, your *unprintable* kid's slobberin' on people!
Nemesis: *is over behind the bar, flips the bird without otherwise attending to the yelling*
River: *wiping face* *language education for anyone who wants it!*
Kellen: Yeep! *the lick is too strong, he falls over!*
Pooka: *very careful nose bump* *whisper* Are you broked?
Kellen: I'm fine. *grins* Hello! Did you kiss me too?
Pooka: Yup! Puppies do that. *giggle*
River: *so much vituperation as she scrubs her face!*
Kellen: I see! So they do! *gets back to his feet* Well I'm very pleased to meet you, I'm Kellen!
Pooka: I'm Pooka! *perks ears and listens to the cursing*
Kellen: *looks to River* Would you like me to get you a bar towel?
River: *cusses him too*
Pooka: *laughter* I never thought'a usin' that line like that!
Kellen: *sighs and goes to the bar, looking up and up and up at the wall of wood* *clears his throat* Excuse me?
Nemesis: *looks over the counter at him* What's yours?
Kellen: I'd like a towel for my friend, please. And I think she wanted something called 'pot ale'?
Nemesis: *looks over at River and snorts* She'll live. One pot ale or two?
Kellen: I don't actually know what a pot ale is. ...Are you sure I can't have a towel? She's angry. She said some unkind things, and I'd like her to not be angry.
Nemesis: She ain't angry. *leans over with her chest on the bar to offer him a bottle* Shake it before you taste it. *great big hand offering little tiny bottle from above*
Kellen: *brow furrows* Well, alright... *accepts bottle, then remembers earlier* Ah, um, how much is it. Before I taste it. Because, you know... rude...
Nemesis: *shrugs those massive shoulders as she looks down at him* That small silver coin you've got should cover it.
Kellen: *gets a coin from his bag and passes it up to her before he pops open the bottle and gives it a tiny taste... and grimaces* Oh dear, no, augh... Um, do you have anything sweet?
Nemesis: *snerks, her russet eyes holding slightly mocking but not unkind laughter* What do you want?
Kellen: I'm not sure what you have here, but something small and sweet and made with fruit?
Nemesis: Fizzy or not?
Kellen: Not, please.
Nemesis: *looks over her shoulder without getting up from leaning on the bar* How about pink lemonade tea?
Kellen: That sounds nice! Thank you so much!
Nemesis: *reaches back, and then lowers her hand again, which is now holding the cook by the arm between two fingers*
Hrafni: *happy kid, is offering a china teacup with her free hand and totally unbothered by being manhandled by a giant robot*
Kellen: Hello again, thank you! *accepts tea* How much do I owe you for this?
Hrafni: *twitches her ears in a grin as she's whisked back up to the bar*
Nemesis: You already paid for it. I think River's ready for her ale now.
Kellen: Thank you! *sparkle!* *scampers back, careful not to spill either drink* River, I brought you ale!
River: *looks over from where she's got a hand planted on the wiggly Pooka's face* 'Bout time.
Pooka: *sits pretty and puppy laughs*
Kellen: Are you less angry now?
River: *gives Kellen another of those looks that seem to wonder what he's on*
Kellen: Well I didn't say 'not angry any more'. Less angry? Less apt to swear at me?
River: *snorts* Drink yer tea before it gets cold. *reaches for the bottle*
Kellen: *lets her have it* I tried to get you a towel. *blows on his tea*
River: What for? *finger over opening of bottle and shakes it hard, then puts it to her mouth, tips it up, and chugs the rough, fresh-brewed ale*
Kellen: Your face was wet. I thought it would help.
River: *lowers bottle, gives Pooka an absent stink eye as he burps helpfully, and then shrugs at Kellen* Least it wasn't slime.
Pooka: Ewwww! *runs away giggling. Gets pounced by a smaller pup and the two start wrestling and growling*
Kellen: I suppose that's true! That's a very positive outlook, River. *sips tea cheerily*
River: *leans back on a chair back as she tips her bottle up again*
massive scaly guy in the chair: You comfy, River?
River: *lowers bottle slightly* Bite me, Scotty. *more drink!*
Scott: *snerking now as he turns back to his conversation with the other people at his table, his wings flaring slightly so that they don't bump River*
Kellen: *sits down at one of the empty tables nearby to River and enjoys his tea*
River: *finishes her drink. Has a cutting insult session with Scott, who looks to be over seven foot tall when standing and has a small horn over each eyebrow, and a tail as well as his wings. Finishes that too, chucks the bottle onto Scott's table, and then looks around for her tourist*
Kellen: *has finished his tea at this point, watching with wide eyed, smiling interest*
River: Ready ta go?
Kellen: Yes!
River: Ever ben ta any Earth? *heads for the entrance to the little cave seating area, carefully looking for ambush as she leaves it*
Kellen: *follows* No, but one of my teachers is from there, I think. One of them. One of there? Hmm.
River: I getcha.
Kellen: Are you doing a delivery there next?
River: Yeah. Got a textbook ta drop off in the soggy part'a Florida.
Kellen: Ah, somewhere wet.
River: *brow quirk* Problem?
Kellen: No, just noticing a pattern. This should be fun!
River: *snort* Whatever. *touches his sleeve and takes them away*
Kellen: *blinks hard a few times, acclimating to the new temperature and weather*
River: *mutters about the air sweating for her and scowls as she looks around. Then smirks and points to a spider web the size of a bed sheet, and its creator, who is sitting smack in the middle of it*
Kellen: *follows her hand... and jumps!* Oh dear! Hello!
River: *doubles over laughing at the jump* Don't letter hug 'n kiss ya, you'll do the funky chicken.
Kellen: I have no idea what you just said! *to the spider* Um, hello, miss.
River: *turns and starts walking through the scrub dotted swamp grass* Just a bug. *pauses to watch something move the grass aside in a beeline toward her*
Kellen: Oh. Right. *follows her, then looks over at whatever is coming* Hello!
River: Cat.
Kellen: Cat?
cat: *orange tabby. Stands up to see over the grass and chirps quizzically*
River: Yup. Pet.
Kellen: Oh! *crouches, curling his tail around his feet* *puts out his hand for the cat to sniff*
cat: *bounces over, trying to clear the grass with each hop, then head butts his hand and purrs like mini thunder*
Kellen: *huge smile* I think it likes me!
River: *as the cat tries to climb into Kellen's lap* What gives ya that idea?
Kellen: *scratches the cat behind the ears* Purring and cuddling are usually good things, I think.
River: Yeeuch. *heads toward a clump of trees a little ways off*
Kellen: *scoops up the cat and follows her, scratching its belly* You don't want to pet the cat?
River: Nope. *glances toward a massive albino python sleeping in the sun and snorts amusement*
Kellen: *waves at the python, then goes back to tormenting River* You don't like cats?
River: *shrugs* Don't need 'em.
cat: *sees python and chirps, then wriggles to ask to go down*
Kellen: *sadly lets the cat down* I don't think it's a matter of need.
River: *just snerks as the cat runs over and pees on the python*
Kellen: *sighs and follows her*
cat: *has soon caught up with him and is rubbing against his leg with might and main*
Kellen: Hello again! *picks the cat back up and resumes cuddles* See? It likes me.
River: *absent murmur of something containing the word "suck" as she pauses to look at a really green spot on the ground. Scowls and puts a hand on Kellen to lead him carefully around the green spot, testing the ground with her feet as she goes*
Kellen: Hmm? *glances around* Oh! Oh, what is that? *examines it but keeps close to River*
River: Sink hole. *looks over at a nice pond all bordered with rushes and wild flowers* 'N that's a gator hole.
Kellen: Oh! That would be bad, yes?
River: *shrugs* Guess you could get out. Might freak out the locals though. *lets go of him and continues toward the trees, which can now be seen to be a trio of live oaks with a small house built in their branches. What looks like a shed of some sort stands a short distance away from the aerial dwelling*
Kellen: I think I'd rather not... *thinks* Oh, scare them, yes. Is my appearance going to be an issue on this world?
River: Not with Ben 'n Shirley. Ben's ben ta the Nexus, 'n Shirley don't care.
Kellen: Oh good! *grins brightly*
cat: *headbutts him in the chin*
Kellen: Are Ben and Shirley more friends of yours?
River: I don't got friends.
Kellen: You keep saying that, yes. Are they acquaintances of yours, then?
River: *shrugs* Ain't really talked ta 'em much.
Kellen: Well alright. What are you bringing them?
River: Some textbook Ben ordered.
Kellen: Ok, then. *snuggles the cat a little and takes in the scenery - she doesn't seem like she wants to talk much*
River: *stoops to grab something as she walks, then reaches back to give it to Kellen* Here.
cat: *chirps at the purple aster, ears perked curiously*
Kellen: *smiles hugely* Oh! Thank you! *accepts the flower and tucks it around one of his antlers*
flower: *clashes cheerily with his hair*
River: *quiet snerk after she glances at him* Those ain't endangered. Y'kin have as many as you want.
Kellen: This place is beautiful.
River: *shrugs* S'alright. Might come back 'n get that snake sometime.
Kellen: For a pet?
River: Roast.
Kellen: Oh! Well then.
River: *pauses once they're right behind the tree house, her attention going to the shed, from which voices are coming* I gotta dog. *heads for the shed*
Kellen: *pauses with her* I remember you mentioning her. *follows after her*
dark haired woman: *brushing the pale tan hide of a large, mule-like creature as she talks to a tall man in a cowboy hat, who is holding the bridle of a dark bay animal who looks like a cross between a horse and a zebra*
man: *glances over toward River and Kellen and nods to them, then turns back to what the woman's saying*
woman: *glances over and grins* Hey, River. Delivering stuff?
River: *shrugs* Yeah. Hey, Ben. *to the man* Shirley.
Kellen: *smiles at everyone equally, the blank and friendly expression of someone who is not sure who is actually the sapient here*
River: *to Kellen as she points with a thumb to the woman* Ben. *thumb to the man* Shirley. *to the two equines* Pets.
Ben: Pet nothing. Don't get near this b-word. The only things she doesn't try to eat are me and her cat. *indicates the fluffy, soft grey creature laying on the back of the animal she's brushing* If you like horses then pet Twister.
stripy critter: *already making friendly sounds to Kellen, ears perked with interest*
Shirley: *grins a quiet grin at the small golden visitor* likes you.
Kellen: *perks up and focuses on the humans, apparently not noticing the genderbending names right in front of him* Hello! It's nice to meet you!
Shirley and Ben: *both grin*
Shirley: Are you a friend of River's?
River: *snorts as she pokes Twister's nose and is sneezed at quietly. Twister seems to be enjoying the game*
Kellen: She would certainly say no, but we are acquaintances. I like to think we will be friends, but the word seems to offend her. *shrugs, grinning* I'm helping her deliver packages, or, ah, tagging along is more accurate?
River: Tourist.
Ben: *laughs, the gesture lighting up her whole strong boned face* Tourist? Really?
Kellen: Yes! Yes, that thing. I am.
Ben: From another Earth? Or another world completely? *relaxed and interested as she resumes brushing the grumpy creature*
Shirley: *puts a foot up on a lower rail of the fence, rubs Twister's shoulder, and listens*
Kellen: *nods* A different world entirely. I've never been to any Earth.
Ben: *laughs again* You're on one now.
Kellen: Yes, that's what I meant. Before now.
Ben: *grin* What do you think?
Kellen: It's so beautiful here! There are purple flowers and snakes and cats!
River: Spiders. *pokes Twister's nose again*
Twister: *amiable sneeze*
Ben: *face changes to very slight alarm* You guys saw a spider? What kind?
Kellen: It was very big. But River said it was just a bug.
Ben: *frowns* Was it in a web?
Kellen: *nods* Yes, a very big one.
Ben: Was the silk golden?
Kellen: *thinks for a moment* I think so?
Ben: *relaxes* Just a banana spider.
River: *wiggles the fingers of one hand creepy bug style*
Shirley: *chuckles at her quietly*
Kellen: *pouts at River* Were you just trying to scare me earlier?
River: *blinks and frowns at him* Huh?
Kellen: Is it a dangerous spider? You made it out like it was.
River: Buddy, if that thing got hold'a your face, you'd do the funky chicken.
Ben: Ohhh. Yeah, probably. *laughs* They're not deadly to humans, but I don't know about you. They do hurt like a beep, though.
Kellen: Ooh, alright. You're right, it might affect me differently. *smiles* I thought you might have been pulling a prank on me!
River: *snorts at him and turns her attention back to Twister*
Ben: It's the little black ones with red marks that you really have to watch out for, poison-wise. And the tarantulas... *scrunches her face* Just never step on them. *shudder*
Kellen: I'll be careful, thank you. *snuggles the cat*
Ben: *finishes brushing the tan animal, and then takes the parcel that River pulls out of her bag to hand over* Thanks, River. *chuckles as the cat chirps and head butts Kellen again* You like MuTwo, huh?
cat: *mews in response to what is obviously his name*
Kellen: Oh yes. I like cats, I think. And small furry things. And big furry things. I like, you know... things.
Ben: *again that unrestrained belly laugh that startles some people when it comes from someone who is quick to call herself a loner* He's one of Shirley's six orange cats.
Kellen: *to Shirley* He belongs to you, then? He's very sweet.
Shirley: *nods* His mother's sweet. *nods toward the tree house, where a small, bright coloured calico is loafed on the steps and watching some sort of little yellow mesh pod that's hanging beneath the house*
Ben: MamaMu's mine. She had three litters of two orange babies each, and then she had BittyMu. *rubs the ears of the fluffy grey cat on the tan beast's back*
Shirley: MuTwo's from the first litter.
MuTwo: *is a purrbomb*
Kellen: It must be nice, to have so many underfoot.
Ben: *laughing again as though Kellen said something very funny*
River: *snort*
Kellen: I wasn't sure what else to say, I'm sorry!
Shirley: It's alright. They're just laughing because I have more than cats underfoot. I collect animals from sales.
Kellen: I see! Well you live in a very beautiful world, with a lot of friends, it seems. And I think that's wonderful.
Shirley: *quiet grin says that he agrees wholeheartedly with Kellen*
Ben: *cheerfully* Enough friends. *looks at River* Are you guys hungry?
River: Nah. Gotta get goin' when he's done cat cuddlin'. You guys're goin' ridin' anyhow.
Kellen: Oh, I don't mean to hold us up.
River: *gives him an amused smirk that manages to convey that she's not worried*
Ben: *laughs*
Shirley: *just reaches to tickle MuTwo's nose, seeing if the cat would like to come see him*
MuTwo: *kisses fingers, snuggles Kellen, and sings*
Ben: *asks Kellen* Did River tell you that guy's insane?
Kellen: Which guy? *looks at the cat* This guy?
Ben: *more laughter* Yeah, that guy.
Kellen: No! How do you mean?
Ben: He pees on pythons. *grins her amusement at the cat*
Kellen: Oh! We saw him do that. That makes him crazy?
Shirley: Considering those snakes would love to eat something his size?
Kellen: Oh! Oh dear! *hugs the cat*
MuTwo: *squeaks about being hugged, causing Ben and River further amusement. Purrs, head butts, and cuddles*
Kellen: *snuggles and headbutts the cat* Don't get eaten by snakes, alright?
MuTwo: *touches noses in a kitty kiss*
Ben: So is this the first place you've been today?
Kellen: Oh no, we've been to all sorts of places! I don't know what any of them are called but there was a place with giant mint and then dreadfully hot swamp with a wonderful person living there, and then there was a giant bar! With sort of mechanical people and other dragons and River got into a fight.
River: *snorts as she plays with Twister* Wasn' a fight. 'N the "swamp" was jungle.
Kellen: It was sort of a fight. You punched a person. But yes, it was a jungle. We picked bananas!
Ben: River punches people to say hi. *perk* Jungle, huh? I lived in a jungle for a year. By myself.
Shirley: Got any bananas? *quietly hopeful look on his face*
Kellen: *frowns* She didn't punch me when we met... *to Shirley* No, I'm sorry, we sold them. In the bar where River didn't get into a fight.
River: *gentle punch to Kellen's plump side with the back of one fist*
Kellen: *squeak!*
MuTwo: *sympathy squeak*
River: *repeats the punch, as though trying to make him look down at her fist*
Kellen: *sad pout!* *looks at her fist*
River: *is offering him a banana for Shirley*
Kellen: Oh! Thank you... *accepts the banana* ... *very lightly punches her shoulder before turning to Shirley* It seems she saved you one.
Shirley: *grins that quiet grin as he thanks Kellen and takes the banana. Then puts Twister's reins over the fence and heads toward the house to converse with somebody in that yellow pod and share the banana with them*
Ben: What sort of jungle was it that you visited? *leans on the back of the tan creature, her dark eyes showing interest in Kellen's reply*
Kellen: The... leafy kind? With bugs! There were bugs. They didn't like me very much. *ever so slightly embarrassed* I tried to talk to them. I thought they were people.
Ben: *chuckles* Well, I talk to animals. Even that jaguar that kept coming over when I was in the Amazon that year.
Kellen: Oh, no, not like that. I talk to animals too, but this was different. I can't tell, you see. Not at first. I talked to your cat.
Ben: Ohh. You aren't sure who's people. *thoughtful frown* I bet you could pick up a gadget to help with that in the Nexus.
Kellen: That might be helpful - I prefer to be polite, but I don't want to, ah... *glances at River* Be on the receiving end of not a fight. If I can avoid it.
Ben: *chuckles* Most people do. *looks over at River* All the people that never had to fight to survive long enough to grow up.
River: *intent on Twister, but sticks out her tongue*
Kellen: I just think it would be a lot of trouble. For everyone involved.
Ben: *laughs, then slaps the tan animal for looping its head around and head butting her in the back*
MuTwo: *decides he wants down. Touches his nose to Kellen's and then squirms*
Kellen: Oh, I'm sorry. *puts the cat down gently*
MuTwo: *rubs against Kellen's leg, purring. Then trots off to see what Shirley's doing*
River: Time ta go?
Kellen: If you'd like.
Ben: *grins at him* Thanks for stopping by.
Kellen: *giggles and pets Twister* Goodbye to you, then. *back to Ben* Thank you for having me, it was very nice to meet you both.
Ben: *more grin, and a punch to the nose of the tan creature, who seems to be getting impatient*
River: *snorts amusement and slaps Twister, then turns and heads away from the corral*
Kellen: *follows River, waving back at Ben and the animals* Goodbye!
River: *stops and looks at him speculatively*
Kellen: *notices when he turns back to her* Yes?
River: *poke!*
Kellen: *squeaks and stumbles away*
River: *cracking up as she grabs his arm and PINpoints to the pet shop in the Nexus mall*
baby animals of all descriptions: *suddenly trying to say hello to the new people for all they're worth*
Kellen: Why do you kee- *glances around* Oh, hello!
River: *looks around herself, and then heads over to one certain cage after nodding to the big black raven that's standing on the counter with a pencil in his beak* *reaches into the cage and pulls out two animals that are about the size of half grown house cats*
Kellen: *scampers after her* Um, people or...?
River: Pets. *holds the young animals up so that he can see that they're half grown fruit bats who will be possessed of impressive wing spans when they're through growing* Fully domesticated. 'N good at tellin' ya the difference between animals 'n people. *glances back at the young bats that have been left in the cage and gets yawned at contentedly by one of them* These're females. The guys ain't as alert.
Kellen: *reassured that they're pets* Oh, thank you. *looks at the bats* They're very cute! *wiggles his finger at one of them*
calico female: *licka finger*
black and white female: *fusses quietly because she can't reach the finger*
Kellen: *coos over the bats, petting their heads with one finger each*
bats: *very loving, gentle, eager to visit with him. Both pretty much the same in personality, though the calico one is more vocal in her little rasping squeaks and chitters*
Kellen: I think they like me! Do you think I should get one? *realization* Oh, this is like what Ben was saying, yes?
River: Yup. *offers him both bats to take so that he can see them more closely and make a better educated choice*
bats: *reach for him with wing claws, making happy sounds*
Kellen: *within seconds, he has bats crawling all over him*
River: *slight smirk as she watches. Then glances at the sign on the cage* Fifty bucks each.
Kellen: I can do that. *he considers the bats. The chatty one has clambored up onto his head*
calico bat: *and is hugging that head with her big wings as she tells her sister about where she is*
black and white bat: *listening to sister and replying in between licking a Kellen hand*
Kellen: They're both adorable! *nibbles his lip* How do you choose?
River: *looks back from being distracted by the dwarf rancor. Shrugs*
calico bat: *moves to his back with her wing claws holding gently onto his shoulders*
black and white bat: *same pose on his chest*
Kellen: *thinks for awhile, clearly having a terrible time of it*
River: *points out* Calico one's curly.
Kellen: I think... *he looks over his shoulder at the bat on his back* I like her best. She's talkative. Not that I don't like you! *snuggles the black and white one*
black and white bat: *licks his face*
River: Don't shed either. *knows this is a factor for some people in pet choosing*
Kellen: That's nice. *nuzzles the bat* What do they eat, before I forget?
River: Fruit. Nuts. Roaches.
both bats: *pause and look at her. Roach? Where?*
River: *takes the black and white bat, who vocalizes softly and snuggles. Nods toward a heap of big stuffed animals* Toys.
Kellen: *goes to the pile and glances over his shoulder at the bat* What do you like?
calico bat: *likes to lick him!*
Kellen: *giggles and nuzzles the bat* *looks over the pile of soft toys and suddenly laughs, picking up a fluffy green dragon* Oh, River, look!
River: *looks over from where she's tickling noses after putting the black and white bat back into the cage. Smirks and thumbs up*
Kellen: *grins hugely, noticing her playing with the little critters. He chooses not to say anything, instead hugging the fluffy green toy*
calico bat: *crawling over his shoulder now. Wachoo gots?*
Kellen: *wiggles the toy at her* Do you like dragons? I hope you like dragons. There are... well, a lot of dragons where you're going.
calico bat: *licks the dolly's face and talks to it, then perks her big ears at Kellen to listen to what he says to her. Talks back!*
River: *back by the pet toys* Oh, hey, cuttlebone. Dog needs a new one.
Kellen: *nuzzles the bat* Well at least you like me, that's a good start. *goes over to see what River's doing*
River: *looking at a three foot long slice of chalky bone with a critical frown*
Kellen: Does... does she chew it?
River: *glances over* Yup. Eats it.
Kellen: Huh. Will I meet your dog someday?
River: *shrugs and then whistles while fiddling with one hand at her belt*
sound: *sounds like a ghostly chortle right behind Kellen!*
Kellen: *looks over his shoulder!*
Dog: *looks like a Pharaoh Hound the size of a Shetland pony, with lean powerful jaws and quizzical eyes fixed on River as she makes more of those eerie warbles*
River: *attention back on the cuttlebone* Find Olly. I wanna buy somethin'.
Dog: *soft sound, and then turns and walks away to start searching the store. And she is looking, she's not sniffing*
calico bat: *notices big big dog. Slight poof to her short curly fur as she watches with big eyes and talks softly*
Kellen: *o.o STARES AT DOG.* *o.o LOOKS AT RIVER* *giant smile* She's adorable! *cuddles bat reassuringly*
River: *snorts and tosses a fleece lined cat bed at him* Go look in the pen by the counter.
Kellen: *makes a little surprised noise as the catbed catches on one of his antlers and spins*
River: *sees that. Turns her head and looks, then facepalms and cracks up*
calico bat: *distracted from big dog. Is so curious about that up there that she tries to climb up and see!*
Kellen: *trying to dislodge the catbed - now has a bat trying to climb his head*
River: *snort, snerk* Need a hand?
Kellen: Yes please...
River: *strides over with that way of walking that should by rights belong to a bigger woman. Gets cat bed and bat. Sticks bat in bed, gives bed to Kellen* There.
calico bat: *surprised talking and movement*
Kellen: *little smile* Thank you, River. *juggles the stuffed toy, the bed, and the bat, gets a hand free and fixes his hair* Now what was over here? *goes and looks in the pen by the counter*
pen: *white picket fence typical to pet store puppy pens*
contents: *five massive mastiff babies looking up curiously from a conference of execution on an evil rubber squeaky bird* *tails wag!*
calico bat: *little warning fusses at the bigger baby animals. My person. I'm protecting him*
Kellen: *face lights up* Oh hello! Hello! *kneels down beside the pen and cuddles the bat* It's ok, they're friendly!
River: *opens the gate on the pen* Gowan in.
slightly croaky voice: Yes, go ahead. They don't jump on people. River, take the bed and put it on the counter. Stop teasing the poor guy.
River: *snorts with amusement as Dog warbles at her happily and the mastiff babies sit and look curiously at the open gate*
Kellen: Oh thank you! *gives up the bed and the stuffed dragon and happily gets into the pen*
bravest puppy: *dark toffee brown female with a white chest gets up and walks over to sniff the calico bat and whine softly. Y U make unfriendly sounds?*
calico bat: *blink blink. LICK!*
puppy: *wag!*
Kellen: *to River* She made a friend!
puppy tongue: *slarps him upside the face*
puppy nose: *bumps him on the opposite side*
strong, wrinkly puppy bodies: *suddenly leaning against him from all sides!*
River: *standing with a hand on Dog's collar and laughing as a big raven sits on Dog's back and watches*
Kellen: *least convincing terror voice ever* Oh noo~ *curls up among the puppies to keep himself from being knocked over, one arm protecting the bat*
puppy leaning: *suddenly stops as worried puppy noses check to make sure he's alright*
calico bat: *fusses at them and licks any noses that get near her*
one puppy nose: *pokes Kellen right in the ribs*
Kellen: *giggling madly, tail wiggling around in joy* I like these things, they're fun! *reaches out and boops a puppy nose* Hello!
River: *shrugs and sits on Dog next to the raven* So haul one home.
puppy: *big black guy with a broad white chest and white toes pawing gently at the wriggly tail, his drooping ears perked with curiosity as two of his siblings pause to watch him*
Kellen: Oh goodness, I couldn't. I have her! *snuggles his bat, then sits up and pets the black puppy* Do they get bigger?
River: *snorting snerkfest* Sheyeah!
raven: They'll be about five hundred pounds when they're done growing. And you could give one to a friend. Most people who come through here are of the smaller races, and we do need to find homes for these guys.
creamy tan pup with golden eyes: *going to lay by Kellen companionably and be flopped on by toffee sister. Playfully opens mouth and offers to nom sister, tail wagging*
River: *pokes the raven* Quit beggin', Olly. The right dopes'll show up.
Kellen: *big sad eyes - he is very susceptible to this sort of thing* I don't think I can...
River: See?
smaller toffee pup: *flops down nose to nose with Kellen, eyes- one golden and one dark brown- intent on his face*
brindle toffee pup: *lays on the little one and hams it up*
bat: *talking away to them*
Kellen: *filled with puppy-based guilt*
Oliver: Don't worry about it. River's right. *fans his tail and flirts it*
black puppy: *just flopped on Kellan!*
Kellen: *to the puppies, which he is vainly trying to pet all at once* I'm sorry, I don't have space for you... you are all very cute though!
River: *amused smirk* Need rescue?
Oliver: Want a picture of you in the puppy pile?
Kellen: *all at once* Yes River please save me they're adorable and I'm not good at leaving things.
Oliver: *pecks River on the butt and gets slapped in the face* *happy and amused raven sounds*
River: *gets up and gets the camera. Takes picture, then lightly tosses it back to the counter before stooping and hauling Kellen out of the heap of now concerned and quietly whining pups* Dork.
Kellen: *whining as well* But they're cute! It's haaaard.
River: *gives him a bit of a shake, and then seems to be trying to gently thump him back into shape as though he were a pillow*
Kellen: *straightens up, reestablishing his gentle hold on the bat* * watches, confused, as River pats him*
River: There. Deglittered. *out of the pen and back by Dog*
Kellen: Oh! Oh I'm sparkling! *looks at the bat* Oh dear you are too! *laughs*
Oliver: *as the bat starts to lick her new master again* Don't worry, it's edible. *cocks head to look at Kellen with one eye and then the other* So do you have food dishes and stuff? A book about domestic fruit bats? Any of that stuff?
Kellen: I have none of these things. This is all sort of a surprise. But I am enjoying it!
Oliver: They like water bottles to drink from. We have ones shaped like cartoon animals right over there in aisle three. For food they'll eat out of anything. Books are in aisle nine. *pauses to fix the flight feathers on one wing*
Kellen: Thank you! I'll be right back. *scampers off to collect the items, taking time to show the choices to his bat and pick the one he thinks she wants before coming back*
River: *having a tug of war against Dog with that giant cuttlebone*
Oliver: *has set a bottle of vitamin pills next to the bed and the stuffed dragon and is now busily pecking at the screen on the cash register as he gurps to himself*
Kellen: *returns, the bat now on his head and his arms full* I think I'm ready.
Oliver: *pecks at the screen to pause his Tetris game, then calls up the purchase screen* *looks at what Kellen's got and snerks* That's a lot of treats.
Kellen: Well she liked them! I'll be careful with them, I promise.
Oliver: *makes a very good snorting sound as he types in all purchases* Did you try 'em yourself?
Kellen: What? I... no? Should I have? *looks at River*
Oliver: *another snort* She won't know. She won't even eat cookies. But yeah. They're perfectly good food. If the ingredients are stuff your people can take, then go ahead and nosh. *clicks beak and studies the pile, then types in something else*
River: *engrossed with playing fetch with Dog and some little rubbery beast... with the beast as the ball*
Kellen: Oh! Well... alright.
Oliver: *tells him the total for his purchases, and then stretches up a bit to see River* Great, that guy needed some exercise.
Kellen: *grins at River, assuming everyone know what they're doing* *pays*
Oliver: *rings everything through* You have a bag, right?
Kellen: *holds up his bag* Yes!
Oliver: Great! *offers receipt and waggles his tail* You can pack!
Kellen: Oh! Um, ok! *puts his bag on the counter and starts to pack up... totally ok with this apparently* Not having hands is hard sometimes, isn't it?
Oliver: *blinks at him* *snerk* Not really. If something's too heavy for me to pick up with my beak there's usually some cute girl with hands ready to help.
River: *throws the bouncy beast at him*
Oliver: *neatly cleaned right off the counter top. Awk! #$@&%$*#@!!
Kellen: Oh! *hops back*
River: *to Kellen* All done?
Kellen: *still a little surprised* Um, yes?
River: *nods and ignores disgruntled raven sounds from the floor behind the counter* I gotta get back. See ya.
Kellen: Ah! *scampers after her* Does this mean we're done?
River: Yup. *frowns at him*
Kellen: Oh. *he looks sad for a second* Well then, thank you, River! Thank you so much!
River: *shrugs* No sweat. Have fun with the furball.
Kellen: I'm sure I will. I had such a wonderful time today, thank you so much. *he smiles, nibbles his lip, and continues with a misty eyed smile* And... and you know, River, you might not like to hear this, but it was very kind of you to take me. I was a stranger to you, but you were willing to show me those beautiful worlds. You helped me with the bugs and told me what things weren't people and let me meet your dog. Thank you, River.
River: *frowns more deeply* Keep drivlin', and I'll charge ya for it.
Kellen: *chuckles* I know you would. And I know you don't want to be touched, so I wont try to hug you, though I want to. I would like to see you again. Would you... well, you don't like things, so, would you find that acceptable? Would I be permitted to follow you again some time?
River: *shrugs* We'll see how it works out.
Kellen: Thank you, River. In that case, I'll see you again some day.
River: Yeah, whatever. *starts to turn away, telling Dog to stop conversing with the calico bat and come on*
Kellen: *smiles after her, sighs, and starts digging in his bag for something*
River: *wheels and jabs him in the side with her thumb*
Kellen: *squeak!!*
River: *cackling as she and Dog vanish with a swish and a slight flash*
Kellen: *laughs as well, smiles a satisfied little smile at his new bat friend* *pulls out the same stick he had before, fiddles with it, and promptly vanishes*
((Co-written withrandom_xtras))
River: *brings him to the Black Dog, in the quiet place under the mountain shaped bonsai stand over in the corner* Set the fruit on here. *points to nearest table and then heads out of the artificial cave into a world of huge metallic feet*
Kellen: *immediately scampers out of the little cave to look at the inside of the building and all the much larger creatures out there with a huge grin* *starts suddenly, runs back inside and puts the fruit on the table before he forgets, then goes back out to stare around*
little girl: *looks about eight years old, with tar black skin, long slender pointed ears, and cardinal red hair, claws, and eyes* *hurries over on her paw like feet* Are you selling zhese bananas?
Kellen: *distractedly* I believe my companion is, she told me to put them down here. So... yes?
little girl: *perks those ears at him* Who ist your companion?
Kellen: Her name is River. *he holds out his hands at around River's size* She's sort of this tall, very, ah, narrow?
little girl: Ahhh. Vriver. *ears twitch in a grin that shows there and in her solid coloured eyes, but not on her face* I know zhe right price to offer, zhen. *glances around* She ist a good hunter.
Kellen: I believe that! She's very vicious for someone so small!
little girl: Vell, you vould probably be also if you had grown up vith supernatural beings trying to kill you all zhe time.
Kellen: *frown* Well I'm certainly not faulting her for it, there's no need to defend her.
little girl: *small chuckle* I vasn't. I vas gossipping!
Kellen: Oh! *grin* Oh gossip is fine! Let's! I think River is very sweet, for instance. But she would probably be angry if she heard me say that, wouldn't she?
little girl: *chuckles* She doesn't know anyzhing about sveet. She says it's zomesing from zhe pretty vorld.
Kellen: Well, that's what I like about her so far. She thinks she isn't kind at all, and that she hasn't any friends, but she has lots, and she's wonderfully nice.
little girl: *looks toward a yelp and a few sounds of terror in a deep voice* *chuckle*
Kellen: Oh my, what's going on? *leans out to look*
little girl: A stupid troll let zhe AV field go down.
troll: *big WoW type. Laying on his back and suing for mercy as River stands on his chest with clenched fists* *is also bleeding*
Kellen: Oh no! River! *to the girl* Excuse me, miss. *scampers into the bar proper, towards the fight*
troll: *in his dialect* Don't kill me. My wife'd kick my dead ****.
River: So?
Kellen: *jogs up* Is everything alright?
River: *glances over* Yeah. Fine. *to the troll* Tell my why I shouldn' oughtta kick your slaggin' tusks out, bastich.
Troll: *winces* *that big nose of his is clearly broken*
Kellen: Did he do something? Did you do something?
River: Lived.
nearby smallish bot: He called her a runt 'n pushed her!
Kellen: Oh. Oh, I thought it was something serious. River, I think this young lady wants to buy what you brought with you.
River: *glances over with an absent scowl and snorts* O'course she does. That's the cook.
Kellen: Well, I thought you'd like to know, since that's what you came here to do.
River: *shakes her head and calls him a dork in a tolerant voice, then gets off the troll and kicks that brawny unfortunate a few times as he stumbles to his feet and makes for the door*
smallish bot: Yay! That was a fun fight.
River: *snorts* Pooka, you're nuts.
Kellen: *beams at her*
Pooka: I'm a little kid. I can get away with it. *adorable grin*
River: *shakes her head again and rolls her eyes, but gives the 'little' guy a good natured shove before turning back to Kellen and the little cook* I got green jewel fruit too, Hrafni.
Hrafni: *perks right up* I can make pies! Hurry, let's go back to zhe table so I can buy vhat you've brought.
Kellen: *is, again, clearly rather pleased with himself as he follows them back*
River: *soon has the green fruit, the bananas, and some other food type stuff she'd had in that bag sold, and is pocketing the result*
Hrafni: *bouncing off toward the bar with her arms full*
Kellen: *still standing in the mouth of the 'cave', watching the patrons while the transaction is done*
River: *calls to him* You bored yet?
Kellen: In here? *he smiles* Goodness, no, this is fascinating.
River: I meant, you done tourin'.
Kellen: *headtilt* Did you want to stop?
River: *shrug*
Kellen: Because if you were still willing, and had places to go... I would be happy to come with you.
River: Whatever. Need a drink or somethin' first?
Kellen: If you'd like. Are you going to get into another fight? That was sort of exciting. But I'd rather you not get hurt. But you seem to like it, so... hmm.
River: *looks at him with amusement, like she thinks he's nuts*
Kellen: *he smiles as though he's just done something right* Would you like a drink? I would buy you a drink.
River: *eyes him. Decides he's not trying anything funny* Pot ale.
Kellen: As you wish! Should we have them here, or out there? *he glances out at the huge room*
River: *shrugs* Wherever.
Kellen: Oh, can we go in there? It's so wonderful, I think I'd like to, wouldn't you?
River: *snrk* Oppy jes' dragoned out.
bar: *contains the sound of a couple tables going over, and bots cursing and/or laughing*
Kellen: I'm sorry, they what? What? *looks back out*
huge red and blue dragon: *laying in the middle of the floor and puffing as the sturdy greenish black baytech bartender hurries over with a big pot of something for him*
River: Dragoned out. Spent himself so he couldn't keep his other form.
Kellen: Oh! Oh, I... *bites his lip. He's clearly itching to do something.*
yOp: *face in the pot as he wearily rumbles thanks to the bartender. Then falls silent but for the occasional sipping sound as he empties the pot*
River: Nem'll take care'a him. *watching with hands in pockets*
Nemesis: What were you saving this time?
yOp: *lifts head slightly* Kids. *more drinking!*
Kellen: *sighs dreamily, then turns back to River* Shall we, then?
River: Wait, you like cute ****, right?
Kellen: I beg your pardon?
River: *nods toward the floor, where a slender grey bot with graceful jet wings is now holding yOp's head in her hands and talking to him* Cute crap.
Kellen: Oh, yes, I do, I think. Why? Do you mean him? *indicates the red and blue dragon* I mean, he's lovely, yes, but, do you mean him?
River: I mean what him 'n his ol' lady're doin'.
girl bot: *scolding softly because Oppy didn't call her for help and just drained himself instead*
yOp: *so sheepish. Didn't think of it. Spur of the moment. He's sorry, Columba!*
Kellen: *watches for a moment* I see. I'm sorry, I was distracted... *smiles at them* That is awfully cute. Thank you, River.
Columba: *suddenly surrounds herself and her husband with dove grey sparkles*
River: *soft snort* Columba died. Oppy shared his life ta bring 'er back.
Kellen: *eyes sparkle* Awwww!
River: 'N Changed 'er in the process. *snerk* Nearly killed 'imself doin' it, till she gave some back.
Kellen: That is very sweet. *sighs deeply, eyes all misty with romantic type thoughts. His tail is happily curling behind him*
River: Then Oppy accidentally made 'em a kid. *watches as the sparkles die down and yOp sits up and then sparkles himself into bot form. His sparkles are red and blue*
Kellen: Oh! ...Is that a good thing?
River: *shrugs* They like 'im. *then turns head and gets slurped by a gigantic black Malamute with white paws, a white chest, and bright blue eyes* Gah! *unprintable* Pooka, that's gross!
Pooka: *giggles and play bows, his curly tail wagging happily*
Kellen: *turns around* Oh dear! River, are you alright? *he scampers over*
Pooka: *slurps him too* I KISSED her. *giggles and wags*
River: Nemesis, your *unprintable* kid's slobberin' on people!
Nemesis: *is over behind the bar, flips the bird without otherwise attending to the yelling*
River: *wiping face* *language education for anyone who wants it!*
Kellen: Yeep! *the lick is too strong, he falls over!*
Pooka: *very careful nose bump* *whisper* Are you broked?
Kellen: I'm fine. *grins* Hello! Did you kiss me too?
Pooka: Yup! Puppies do that. *giggle*
River: *so much vituperation as she scrubs her face!*
Kellen: I see! So they do! *gets back to his feet* Well I'm very pleased to meet you, I'm Kellen!
Pooka: I'm Pooka! *perks ears and listens to the cursing*
Kellen: *looks to River* Would you like me to get you a bar towel?
River: *cusses him too*
Pooka: *laughter* I never thought'a usin' that line like that!
Kellen: *sighs and goes to the bar, looking up and up and up at the wall of wood* *clears his throat* Excuse me?
Nemesis: *looks over the counter at him* What's yours?
Kellen: I'd like a towel for my friend, please. And I think she wanted something called 'pot ale'?
Nemesis: *looks over at River and snorts* She'll live. One pot ale or two?
Kellen: I don't actually know what a pot ale is. ...Are you sure I can't have a towel? She's angry. She said some unkind things, and I'd like her to not be angry.
Nemesis: She ain't angry. *leans over with her chest on the bar to offer him a bottle* Shake it before you taste it. *great big hand offering little tiny bottle from above*
Kellen: *brow furrows* Well, alright... *accepts bottle, then remembers earlier* Ah, um, how much is it. Before I taste it. Because, you know... rude...
Nemesis: *shrugs those massive shoulders as she looks down at him* That small silver coin you've got should cover it.
Kellen: *gets a coin from his bag and passes it up to her before he pops open the bottle and gives it a tiny taste... and grimaces* Oh dear, no, augh... Um, do you have anything sweet?
Nemesis: *snerks, her russet eyes holding slightly mocking but not unkind laughter* What do you want?
Kellen: I'm not sure what you have here, but something small and sweet and made with fruit?
Nemesis: Fizzy or not?
Kellen: Not, please.
Nemesis: *looks over her shoulder without getting up from leaning on the bar* How about pink lemonade tea?
Kellen: That sounds nice! Thank you so much!
Nemesis: *reaches back, and then lowers her hand again, which is now holding the cook by the arm between two fingers*
Hrafni: *happy kid, is offering a china teacup with her free hand and totally unbothered by being manhandled by a giant robot*
Kellen: Hello again, thank you! *accepts tea* How much do I owe you for this?
Hrafni: *twitches her ears in a grin as she's whisked back up to the bar*
Nemesis: You already paid for it. I think River's ready for her ale now.
Kellen: Thank you! *sparkle!* *scampers back, careful not to spill either drink* River, I brought you ale!
River: *looks over from where she's got a hand planted on the wiggly Pooka's face* 'Bout time.
Pooka: *sits pretty and puppy laughs*
Kellen: Are you less angry now?
River: *gives Kellen another of those looks that seem to wonder what he's on*
Kellen: Well I didn't say 'not angry any more'. Less angry? Less apt to swear at me?
River: *snorts* Drink yer tea before it gets cold. *reaches for the bottle*
Kellen: *lets her have it* I tried to get you a towel. *blows on his tea*
River: What for? *finger over opening of bottle and shakes it hard, then puts it to her mouth, tips it up, and chugs the rough, fresh-brewed ale*
Kellen: Your face was wet. I thought it would help.
River: *lowers bottle, gives Pooka an absent stink eye as he burps helpfully, and then shrugs at Kellen* Least it wasn't slime.
Pooka: Ewwww! *runs away giggling. Gets pounced by a smaller pup and the two start wrestling and growling*
Kellen: I suppose that's true! That's a very positive outlook, River. *sips tea cheerily*
River: *leans back on a chair back as she tips her bottle up again*
massive scaly guy in the chair: You comfy, River?
River: *lowers bottle slightly* Bite me, Scotty. *more drink!*
Scott: *snerking now as he turns back to his conversation with the other people at his table, his wings flaring slightly so that they don't bump River*
Kellen: *sits down at one of the empty tables nearby to River and enjoys his tea*
River: *finishes her drink. Has a cutting insult session with Scott, who looks to be over seven foot tall when standing and has a small horn over each eyebrow, and a tail as well as his wings. Finishes that too, chucks the bottle onto Scott's table, and then looks around for her tourist*
Kellen: *has finished his tea at this point, watching with wide eyed, smiling interest*
River: Ready ta go?
Kellen: Yes!
River: Ever ben ta any Earth? *heads for the entrance to the little cave seating area, carefully looking for ambush as she leaves it*
Kellen: *follows* No, but one of my teachers is from there, I think. One of them. One of there? Hmm.
River: I getcha.
Kellen: Are you doing a delivery there next?
River: Yeah. Got a textbook ta drop off in the soggy part'a Florida.
Kellen: Ah, somewhere wet.
River: *brow quirk* Problem?
Kellen: No, just noticing a pattern. This should be fun!
River: *snort* Whatever. *touches his sleeve and takes them away*
Kellen: *blinks hard a few times, acclimating to the new temperature and weather*
River: *mutters about the air sweating for her and scowls as she looks around. Then smirks and points to a spider web the size of a bed sheet, and its creator, who is sitting smack in the middle of it*
Kellen: *follows her hand... and jumps!* Oh dear! Hello!
River: *doubles over laughing at the jump* Don't letter hug 'n kiss ya, you'll do the funky chicken.
Kellen: I have no idea what you just said! *to the spider* Um, hello, miss.
River: *turns and starts walking through the scrub dotted swamp grass* Just a bug. *pauses to watch something move the grass aside in a beeline toward her*
Kellen: Oh. Right. *follows her, then looks over at whatever is coming* Hello!
River: Cat.
Kellen: Cat?
cat: *orange tabby. Stands up to see over the grass and chirps quizzically*
River: Yup. Pet.
Kellen: Oh! *crouches, curling his tail around his feet* *puts out his hand for the cat to sniff*
cat: *bounces over, trying to clear the grass with each hop, then head butts his hand and purrs like mini thunder*
Kellen: *huge smile* I think it likes me!
River: *as the cat tries to climb into Kellen's lap* What gives ya that idea?
Kellen: *scratches the cat behind the ears* Purring and cuddling are usually good things, I think.
River: Yeeuch. *heads toward a clump of trees a little ways off*
Kellen: *scoops up the cat and follows her, scratching its belly* You don't want to pet the cat?
River: Nope. *glances toward a massive albino python sleeping in the sun and snorts amusement*
Kellen: *waves at the python, then goes back to tormenting River* You don't like cats?
River: *shrugs* Don't need 'em.
cat: *sees python and chirps, then wriggles to ask to go down*
Kellen: *sadly lets the cat down* I don't think it's a matter of need.
River: *just snerks as the cat runs over and pees on the python*
Kellen: *sighs and follows her*
cat: *has soon caught up with him and is rubbing against his leg with might and main*
Kellen: Hello again! *picks the cat back up and resumes cuddles* See? It likes me.
River: *absent murmur of something containing the word "suck" as she pauses to look at a really green spot on the ground. Scowls and puts a hand on Kellen to lead him carefully around the green spot, testing the ground with her feet as she goes*
Kellen: Hmm? *glances around* Oh! Oh, what is that? *examines it but keeps close to River*
River: Sink hole. *looks over at a nice pond all bordered with rushes and wild flowers* 'N that's a gator hole.
Kellen: Oh! That would be bad, yes?
River: *shrugs* Guess you could get out. Might freak out the locals though. *lets go of him and continues toward the trees, which can now be seen to be a trio of live oaks with a small house built in their branches. What looks like a shed of some sort stands a short distance away from the aerial dwelling*
Kellen: I think I'd rather not... *thinks* Oh, scare them, yes. Is my appearance going to be an issue on this world?
River: Not with Ben 'n Shirley. Ben's ben ta the Nexus, 'n Shirley don't care.
Kellen: Oh good! *grins brightly*
cat: *headbutts him in the chin*
Kellen: Are Ben and Shirley more friends of yours?
River: I don't got friends.
Kellen: You keep saying that, yes. Are they acquaintances of yours, then?
River: *shrugs* Ain't really talked ta 'em much.
Kellen: Well alright. What are you bringing them?
River: Some textbook Ben ordered.
Kellen: Ok, then. *snuggles the cat a little and takes in the scenery - she doesn't seem like she wants to talk much*
River: *stoops to grab something as she walks, then reaches back to give it to Kellen* Here.
cat: *chirps at the purple aster, ears perked curiously*
Kellen: *smiles hugely* Oh! Thank you! *accepts the flower and tucks it around one of his antlers*
flower: *clashes cheerily with his hair*
River: *quiet snerk after she glances at him* Those ain't endangered. Y'kin have as many as you want.
Kellen: This place is beautiful.
River: *shrugs* S'alright. Might come back 'n get that snake sometime.
Kellen: For a pet?
River: Roast.
Kellen: Oh! Well then.
River: *pauses once they're right behind the tree house, her attention going to the shed, from which voices are coming* I gotta dog. *heads for the shed*
Kellen: *pauses with her* I remember you mentioning her. *follows after her*
dark haired woman: *brushing the pale tan hide of a large, mule-like creature as she talks to a tall man in a cowboy hat, who is holding the bridle of a dark bay animal who looks like a cross between a horse and a zebra*
man: *glances over toward River and Kellen and nods to them, then turns back to what the woman's saying*
woman: *glances over and grins* Hey, River. Delivering stuff?
River: *shrugs* Yeah. Hey, Ben. *to the man* Shirley.
Kellen: *smiles at everyone equally, the blank and friendly expression of someone who is not sure who is actually the sapient here*
River: *to Kellen as she points with a thumb to the woman* Ben. *thumb to the man* Shirley. *to the two equines* Pets.
Ben: Pet nothing. Don't get near this b-word. The only things she doesn't try to eat are me and her cat. *indicates the fluffy, soft grey creature laying on the back of the animal she's brushing* If you like horses then pet Twister.
stripy critter: *already making friendly sounds to Kellen, ears perked with interest*
Shirley: *grins a quiet grin at the small golden visitor* likes you.
Kellen: *perks up and focuses on the humans, apparently not noticing the genderbending names right in front of him* Hello! It's nice to meet you!
Shirley and Ben: *both grin*
Shirley: Are you a friend of River's?
River: *snorts as she pokes Twister's nose and is sneezed at quietly. Twister seems to be enjoying the game*
Kellen: She would certainly say no, but we are acquaintances. I like to think we will be friends, but the word seems to offend her. *shrugs, grinning* I'm helping her deliver packages, or, ah, tagging along is more accurate?
River: Tourist.
Ben: *laughs, the gesture lighting up her whole strong boned face* Tourist? Really?
Kellen: Yes! Yes, that thing. I am.
Ben: From another Earth? Or another world completely? *relaxed and interested as she resumes brushing the grumpy creature*
Shirley: *puts a foot up on a lower rail of the fence, rubs Twister's shoulder, and listens*
Kellen: *nods* A different world entirely. I've never been to any Earth.
Ben: *laughs again* You're on one now.
Kellen: Yes, that's what I meant. Before now.
Ben: *grin* What do you think?
Kellen: It's so beautiful here! There are purple flowers and snakes and cats!
River: Spiders. *pokes Twister's nose again*
Twister: *amiable sneeze*
Ben: *face changes to very slight alarm* You guys saw a spider? What kind?
Kellen: It was very big. But River said it was just a bug.
Ben: *frowns* Was it in a web?
Kellen: *nods* Yes, a very big one.
Ben: Was the silk golden?
Kellen: *thinks for a moment* I think so?
Ben: *relaxes* Just a banana spider.
River: *wiggles the fingers of one hand creepy bug style*
Shirley: *chuckles at her quietly*
Kellen: *pouts at River* Were you just trying to scare me earlier?
River: *blinks and frowns at him* Huh?
Kellen: Is it a dangerous spider? You made it out like it was.
River: Buddy, if that thing got hold'a your face, you'd do the funky chicken.
Ben: Ohhh. Yeah, probably. *laughs* They're not deadly to humans, but I don't know about you. They do hurt like a beep, though.
Kellen: Ooh, alright. You're right, it might affect me differently. *smiles* I thought you might have been pulling a prank on me!
River: *snorts at him and turns her attention back to Twister*
Ben: It's the little black ones with red marks that you really have to watch out for, poison-wise. And the tarantulas... *scrunches her face* Just never step on them. *shudder*
Kellen: I'll be careful, thank you. *snuggles the cat*
Ben: *finishes brushing the tan animal, and then takes the parcel that River pulls out of her bag to hand over* Thanks, River. *chuckles as the cat chirps and head butts Kellen again* You like MuTwo, huh?
cat: *mews in response to what is obviously his name*
Kellen: Oh yes. I like cats, I think. And small furry things. And big furry things. I like, you know... things.
Ben: *again that unrestrained belly laugh that startles some people when it comes from someone who is quick to call herself a loner* He's one of Shirley's six orange cats.
Kellen: *to Shirley* He belongs to you, then? He's very sweet.
Shirley: *nods* His mother's sweet. *nods toward the tree house, where a small, bright coloured calico is loafed on the steps and watching some sort of little yellow mesh pod that's hanging beneath the house*
Ben: MamaMu's mine. She had three litters of two orange babies each, and then she had BittyMu. *rubs the ears of the fluffy grey cat on the tan beast's back*
Shirley: MuTwo's from the first litter.
MuTwo: *is a purrbomb*
Kellen: It must be nice, to have so many underfoot.
Ben: *laughing again as though Kellen said something very funny*
River: *snort*
Kellen: I wasn't sure what else to say, I'm sorry!
Shirley: It's alright. They're just laughing because I have more than cats underfoot. I collect animals from sales.
Kellen: I see! Well you live in a very beautiful world, with a lot of friends, it seems. And I think that's wonderful.
Shirley: *quiet grin says that he agrees wholeheartedly with Kellen*
Ben: *cheerfully* Enough friends. *looks at River* Are you guys hungry?
River: Nah. Gotta get goin' when he's done cat cuddlin'. You guys're goin' ridin' anyhow.
Kellen: Oh, I don't mean to hold us up.
River: *gives him an amused smirk that manages to convey that she's not worried*
Ben: *laughs*
Shirley: *just reaches to tickle MuTwo's nose, seeing if the cat would like to come see him*
MuTwo: *kisses fingers, snuggles Kellen, and sings*
Ben: *asks Kellen* Did River tell you that guy's insane?
Kellen: Which guy? *looks at the cat* This guy?
Ben: *more laughter* Yeah, that guy.
Kellen: No! How do you mean?
Ben: He pees on pythons. *grins her amusement at the cat*
Kellen: Oh! We saw him do that. That makes him crazy?
Shirley: Considering those snakes would love to eat something his size?
Kellen: Oh! Oh dear! *hugs the cat*
MuTwo: *squeaks about being hugged, causing Ben and River further amusement. Purrs, head butts, and cuddles*
Kellen: *snuggles and headbutts the cat* Don't get eaten by snakes, alright?
MuTwo: *touches noses in a kitty kiss*
Ben: So is this the first place you've been today?
Kellen: Oh no, we've been to all sorts of places! I don't know what any of them are called but there was a place with giant mint and then dreadfully hot swamp with a wonderful person living there, and then there was a giant bar! With sort of mechanical people and other dragons and River got into a fight.
River: *snorts as she plays with Twister* Wasn' a fight. 'N the "swamp" was jungle.
Kellen: It was sort of a fight. You punched a person. But yes, it was a jungle. We picked bananas!
Ben: River punches people to say hi. *perk* Jungle, huh? I lived in a jungle for a year. By myself.
Shirley: Got any bananas? *quietly hopeful look on his face*
Kellen: *frowns* She didn't punch me when we met... *to Shirley* No, I'm sorry, we sold them. In the bar where River didn't get into a fight.
River: *gentle punch to Kellen's plump side with the back of one fist*
Kellen: *squeak!*
MuTwo: *sympathy squeak*
River: *repeats the punch, as though trying to make him look down at her fist*
Kellen: *sad pout!* *looks at her fist*
River: *is offering him a banana for Shirley*
Kellen: Oh! Thank you... *accepts the banana* ... *very lightly punches her shoulder before turning to Shirley* It seems she saved you one.
Shirley: *grins that quiet grin as he thanks Kellen and takes the banana. Then puts Twister's reins over the fence and heads toward the house to converse with somebody in that yellow pod and share the banana with them*
Ben: What sort of jungle was it that you visited? *leans on the back of the tan creature, her dark eyes showing interest in Kellen's reply*
Kellen: The... leafy kind? With bugs! There were bugs. They didn't like me very much. *ever so slightly embarrassed* I tried to talk to them. I thought they were people.
Ben: *chuckles* Well, I talk to animals. Even that jaguar that kept coming over when I was in the Amazon that year.
Kellen: Oh, no, not like that. I talk to animals too, but this was different. I can't tell, you see. Not at first. I talked to your cat.
Ben: Ohh. You aren't sure who's people. *thoughtful frown* I bet you could pick up a gadget to help with that in the Nexus.
Kellen: That might be helpful - I prefer to be polite, but I don't want to, ah... *glances at River* Be on the receiving end of not a fight. If I can avoid it.
Ben: *chuckles* Most people do. *looks over at River* All the people that never had to fight to survive long enough to grow up.
River: *intent on Twister, but sticks out her tongue*
Kellen: I just think it would be a lot of trouble. For everyone involved.
Ben: *laughs, then slaps the tan animal for looping its head around and head butting her in the back*
MuTwo: *decides he wants down. Touches his nose to Kellen's and then squirms*
Kellen: Oh, I'm sorry. *puts the cat down gently*
MuTwo: *rubs against Kellen's leg, purring. Then trots off to see what Shirley's doing*
River: Time ta go?
Kellen: If you'd like.
Ben: *grins at him* Thanks for stopping by.
Kellen: *giggles and pets Twister* Goodbye to you, then. *back to Ben* Thank you for having me, it was very nice to meet you both.
Ben: *more grin, and a punch to the nose of the tan creature, who seems to be getting impatient*
River: *snorts amusement and slaps Twister, then turns and heads away from the corral*
Kellen: *follows River, waving back at Ben and the animals* Goodbye!
River: *stops and looks at him speculatively*
Kellen: *notices when he turns back to her* Yes?
River: *poke!*
Kellen: *squeaks and stumbles away*
River: *cracking up as she grabs his arm and PINpoints to the pet shop in the Nexus mall*
baby animals of all descriptions: *suddenly trying to say hello to the new people for all they're worth*
Kellen: Why do you kee- *glances around* Oh, hello!
River: *looks around herself, and then heads over to one certain cage after nodding to the big black raven that's standing on the counter with a pencil in his beak* *reaches into the cage and pulls out two animals that are about the size of half grown house cats*
Kellen: *scampers after her* Um, people or...?
River: Pets. *holds the young animals up so that he can see that they're half grown fruit bats who will be possessed of impressive wing spans when they're through growing* Fully domesticated. 'N good at tellin' ya the difference between animals 'n people. *glances back at the young bats that have been left in the cage and gets yawned at contentedly by one of them* These're females. The guys ain't as alert.
Kellen: *reassured that they're pets* Oh, thank you. *looks at the bats* They're very cute! *wiggles his finger at one of them*
calico female: *licka finger*
black and white female: *fusses quietly because she can't reach the finger*
Kellen: *coos over the bats, petting their heads with one finger each*
bats: *very loving, gentle, eager to visit with him. Both pretty much the same in personality, though the calico one is more vocal in her little rasping squeaks and chitters*
Kellen: I think they like me! Do you think I should get one? *realization* Oh, this is like what Ben was saying, yes?
River: Yup. *offers him both bats to take so that he can see them more closely and make a better educated choice*
bats: *reach for him with wing claws, making happy sounds*
Kellen: *within seconds, he has bats crawling all over him*
River: *slight smirk as she watches. Then glances at the sign on the cage* Fifty bucks each.
Kellen: I can do that. *he considers the bats. The chatty one has clambored up onto his head*
calico bat: *and is hugging that head with her big wings as she tells her sister about where she is*
black and white bat: *listening to sister and replying in between licking a Kellen hand*
Kellen: They're both adorable! *nibbles his lip* How do you choose?
River: *looks back from being distracted by the dwarf rancor. Shrugs*
calico bat: *moves to his back with her wing claws holding gently onto his shoulders*
black and white bat: *same pose on his chest*
Kellen: *thinks for awhile, clearly having a terrible time of it*
River: *points out* Calico one's curly.
Kellen: I think... *he looks over his shoulder at the bat on his back* I like her best. She's talkative. Not that I don't like you! *snuggles the black and white one*
black and white bat: *licks his face*
River: Don't shed either. *knows this is a factor for some people in pet choosing*
Kellen: That's nice. *nuzzles the bat* What do they eat, before I forget?
River: Fruit. Nuts. Roaches.
both bats: *pause and look at her. Roach? Where?*
River: *takes the black and white bat, who vocalizes softly and snuggles. Nods toward a heap of big stuffed animals* Toys.
Kellen: *goes to the pile and glances over his shoulder at the bat* What do you like?
calico bat: *likes to lick him!*
Kellen: *giggles and nuzzles the bat* *looks over the pile of soft toys and suddenly laughs, picking up a fluffy green dragon* Oh, River, look!
River: *looks over from where she's tickling noses after putting the black and white bat back into the cage. Smirks and thumbs up*
Kellen: *grins hugely, noticing her playing with the little critters. He chooses not to say anything, instead hugging the fluffy green toy*
calico bat: *crawling over his shoulder now. Wachoo gots?*
Kellen: *wiggles the toy at her* Do you like dragons? I hope you like dragons. There are... well, a lot of dragons where you're going.
calico bat: *licks the dolly's face and talks to it, then perks her big ears at Kellen to listen to what he says to her. Talks back!*
River: *back by the pet toys* Oh, hey, cuttlebone. Dog needs a new one.
Kellen: *nuzzles the bat* Well at least you like me, that's a good start. *goes over to see what River's doing*
River: *looking at a three foot long slice of chalky bone with a critical frown*
Kellen: Does... does she chew it?
River: *glances over* Yup. Eats it.
Kellen: Huh. Will I meet your dog someday?
River: *shrugs and then whistles while fiddling with one hand at her belt*
sound: *sounds like a ghostly chortle right behind Kellen!*
Kellen: *looks over his shoulder!*
Dog: *looks like a Pharaoh Hound the size of a Shetland pony, with lean powerful jaws and quizzical eyes fixed on River as she makes more of those eerie warbles*
River: *attention back on the cuttlebone* Find Olly. I wanna buy somethin'.
Dog: *soft sound, and then turns and walks away to start searching the store. And she is looking, she's not sniffing*
calico bat: *notices big big dog. Slight poof to her short curly fur as she watches with big eyes and talks softly*
Kellen: *o.o STARES AT DOG.* *o.o LOOKS AT RIVER* *giant smile* She's adorable! *cuddles bat reassuringly*
River: *snorts and tosses a fleece lined cat bed at him* Go look in the pen by the counter.
Kellen: *makes a little surprised noise as the catbed catches on one of his antlers and spins*
River: *sees that. Turns her head and looks, then facepalms and cracks up*
calico bat: *distracted from big dog. Is so curious about that up there that she tries to climb up and see!*
Kellen: *trying to dislodge the catbed - now has a bat trying to climb his head*
River: *snort, snerk* Need a hand?
Kellen: Yes please...
River: *strides over with that way of walking that should by rights belong to a bigger woman. Gets cat bed and bat. Sticks bat in bed, gives bed to Kellen* There.
calico bat: *surprised talking and movement*
Kellen: *little smile* Thank you, River. *juggles the stuffed toy, the bed, and the bat, gets a hand free and fixes his hair* Now what was over here? *goes and looks in the pen by the counter*
pen: *white picket fence typical to pet store puppy pens*
contents: *five massive mastiff babies looking up curiously from a conference of execution on an evil rubber squeaky bird* *tails wag!*
calico bat: *little warning fusses at the bigger baby animals. My person. I'm protecting him*
Kellen: *face lights up* Oh hello! Hello! *kneels down beside the pen and cuddles the bat* It's ok, they're friendly!
River: *opens the gate on the pen* Gowan in.
slightly croaky voice: Yes, go ahead. They don't jump on people. River, take the bed and put it on the counter. Stop teasing the poor guy.
River: *snorts with amusement as Dog warbles at her happily and the mastiff babies sit and look curiously at the open gate*
Kellen: Oh thank you! *gives up the bed and the stuffed dragon and happily gets into the pen*
bravest puppy: *dark toffee brown female with a white chest gets up and walks over to sniff the calico bat and whine softly. Y U make unfriendly sounds?*
calico bat: *blink blink. LICK!*
puppy: *wag!*
Kellen: *to River* She made a friend!
puppy tongue: *slarps him upside the face*
puppy nose: *bumps him on the opposite side*
strong, wrinkly puppy bodies: *suddenly leaning against him from all sides!*
River: *standing with a hand on Dog's collar and laughing as a big raven sits on Dog's back and watches*
Kellen: *least convincing terror voice ever* Oh noo~ *curls up among the puppies to keep himself from being knocked over, one arm protecting the bat*
puppy leaning: *suddenly stops as worried puppy noses check to make sure he's alright*
calico bat: *fusses at them and licks any noses that get near her*
one puppy nose: *pokes Kellen right in the ribs*
Kellen: *giggling madly, tail wiggling around in joy* I like these things, they're fun! *reaches out and boops a puppy nose* Hello!
River: *shrugs and sits on Dog next to the raven* So haul one home.
puppy: *big black guy with a broad white chest and white toes pawing gently at the wriggly tail, his drooping ears perked with curiosity as two of his siblings pause to watch him*
Kellen: Oh goodness, I couldn't. I have her! *snuggles his bat, then sits up and pets the black puppy* Do they get bigger?
River: *snorting snerkfest* Sheyeah!
raven: They'll be about five hundred pounds when they're done growing. And you could give one to a friend. Most people who come through here are of the smaller races, and we do need to find homes for these guys.
creamy tan pup with golden eyes: *going to lay by Kellen companionably and be flopped on by toffee sister. Playfully opens mouth and offers to nom sister, tail wagging*
River: *pokes the raven* Quit beggin', Olly. The right dopes'll show up.
Kellen: *big sad eyes - he is very susceptible to this sort of thing* I don't think I can...
River: See?
smaller toffee pup: *flops down nose to nose with Kellen, eyes- one golden and one dark brown- intent on his face*
brindle toffee pup: *lays on the little one and hams it up*
bat: *talking away to them*
Kellen: *filled with puppy-based guilt*
Oliver: Don't worry about it. River's right. *fans his tail and flirts it*
black puppy: *just flopped on Kellan!*
Kellen: *to the puppies, which he is vainly trying to pet all at once* I'm sorry, I don't have space for you... you are all very cute though!
River: *amused smirk* Need rescue?
Oliver: Want a picture of you in the puppy pile?
Kellen: *all at once* Yes River please save me they're adorable and I'm not good at leaving things.
Oliver: *pecks River on the butt and gets slapped in the face* *happy and amused raven sounds*
River: *gets up and gets the camera. Takes picture, then lightly tosses it back to the counter before stooping and hauling Kellen out of the heap of now concerned and quietly whining pups* Dork.
Kellen: *whining as well* But they're cute! It's haaaard.
River: *gives him a bit of a shake, and then seems to be trying to gently thump him back into shape as though he were a pillow*
Kellen: *straightens up, reestablishing his gentle hold on the bat* * watches, confused, as River pats him*
River: There. Deglittered. *out of the pen and back by Dog*
Kellen: Oh! Oh I'm sparkling! *looks at the bat* Oh dear you are too! *laughs*
Oliver: *as the bat starts to lick her new master again* Don't worry, it's edible. *cocks head to look at Kellen with one eye and then the other* So do you have food dishes and stuff? A book about domestic fruit bats? Any of that stuff?
Kellen: I have none of these things. This is all sort of a surprise. But I am enjoying it!
Oliver: They like water bottles to drink from. We have ones shaped like cartoon animals right over there in aisle three. For food they'll eat out of anything. Books are in aisle nine. *pauses to fix the flight feathers on one wing*
Kellen: Thank you! I'll be right back. *scampers off to collect the items, taking time to show the choices to his bat and pick the one he thinks she wants before coming back*
River: *having a tug of war against Dog with that giant cuttlebone*
Oliver: *has set a bottle of vitamin pills next to the bed and the stuffed dragon and is now busily pecking at the screen on the cash register as he gurps to himself*
Kellen: *returns, the bat now on his head and his arms full* I think I'm ready.
Oliver: *pecks at the screen to pause his Tetris game, then calls up the purchase screen* *looks at what Kellen's got and snerks* That's a lot of treats.
Kellen: Well she liked them! I'll be careful with them, I promise.
Oliver: *makes a very good snorting sound as he types in all purchases* Did you try 'em yourself?
Kellen: What? I... no? Should I have? *looks at River*
Oliver: *another snort* She won't know. She won't even eat cookies. But yeah. They're perfectly good food. If the ingredients are stuff your people can take, then go ahead and nosh. *clicks beak and studies the pile, then types in something else*
River: *engrossed with playing fetch with Dog and some little rubbery beast... with the beast as the ball*
Kellen: Oh! Well... alright.
Oliver: *tells him the total for his purchases, and then stretches up a bit to see River* Great, that guy needed some exercise.
Kellen: *grins at River, assuming everyone know what they're doing* *pays*
Oliver: *rings everything through* You have a bag, right?
Kellen: *holds up his bag* Yes!
Oliver: Great! *offers receipt and waggles his tail* You can pack!
Kellen: Oh! Um, ok! *puts his bag on the counter and starts to pack up... totally ok with this apparently* Not having hands is hard sometimes, isn't it?
Oliver: *blinks at him* *snerk* Not really. If something's too heavy for me to pick up with my beak there's usually some cute girl with hands ready to help.
River: *throws the bouncy beast at him*
Oliver: *neatly cleaned right off the counter top. Awk! #$@&%$*#@!!
Kellen: Oh! *hops back*
River: *to Kellen* All done?
Kellen: *still a little surprised* Um, yes?
River: *nods and ignores disgruntled raven sounds from the floor behind the counter* I gotta get back. See ya.
Kellen: Ah! *scampers after her* Does this mean we're done?
River: Yup. *frowns at him*
Kellen: Oh. *he looks sad for a second* Well then, thank you, River! Thank you so much!
River: *shrugs* No sweat. Have fun with the furball.
Kellen: I'm sure I will. I had such a wonderful time today, thank you so much. *he smiles, nibbles his lip, and continues with a misty eyed smile* And... and you know, River, you might not like to hear this, but it was very kind of you to take me. I was a stranger to you, but you were willing to show me those beautiful worlds. You helped me with the bugs and told me what things weren't people and let me meet your dog. Thank you, River.
River: *frowns more deeply* Keep drivlin', and I'll charge ya for it.
Kellen: *chuckles* I know you would. And I know you don't want to be touched, so I wont try to hug you, though I want to. I would like to see you again. Would you... well, you don't like things, so, would you find that acceptable? Would I be permitted to follow you again some time?
River: *shrugs* We'll see how it works out.
Kellen: Thank you, River. In that case, I'll see you again some day.
River: Yeah, whatever. *starts to turn away, telling Dog to stop conversing with the calico bat and come on*
Kellen: *smiles after her, sighs, and starts digging in his bag for something*
River: *wheels and jabs him in the side with her thumb*
Kellen: *squeak!!*
River: *cackling as she and Dog vanish with a swish and a slight flash*
Kellen: *laughs as well, smiles a satisfied little smile at his new bat friend* *pulls out the same stick he had before, fiddles with it, and promptly vanishes*
((Co-written with
random_xtras))