elnysa | [Video] un: BishopRunout

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[Video] un: BishopRunout

[It's been a rough couple of days. Something in Venom's personal life exploded in his face, so he hasn't been sleeping much. He took a little time off work, and tonight he's decided to film the little egg that showed up a while ago. Call it proof in case something goes horribly wrong. Maybe it'll even hatch on camera and he can share what arrived. That might cheer him up. Possibly. Maybe.

What he doesn't expect is finding shards of eggshell in the box he kept it.

Panicked, he films the path of shell pieces into his kitchen, where a very tiny monkey has started devouring some fruit on the table. Of course that begs the question:]

Sorry to ask so late, but what kind of monkey is this?

And monkeys don't hatch from eggs...

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Is that a monkey?

[he's seen a few, perched on street organ-grinders' shoulders and the like. But never really up close - he's watching the screen with open fascination before he catches himself.]

Ah - so far as I know, no, they do not. Neither do "llamas".

[and yet here, he has one, albeit in miniature - hatched right out of an egg herself last month. He moves the camera over to her briefly - all of three feet tall and delighted by the attention Lula comes trotting over to lay her head on his knee, making a delighted sound when Linneus pets her. A soft trickle of laughter before he turns the camera back on himself]

Curious additions aside, have you been well, Venom?

A very small monkey, yes.

[He watches Linneus pan over to the llama, who is very happy with the pets she was getting from her owner. So apparently many animals do hatch from eggs here.]

I... this monkey is probably the only ray of happiness I've seen in a while.

[And the little guy seems to sense this as he's crawling up on Venom so he can perch on his shoulder.]

[there's a little gasp as he watches the monkey climb. Linneus is hardly the type to squeal but that is adorable]

Very small. I'm told Lula is quite small for her species as well.

[Uff. Someone's name was mentioned and he reaches down to scratch at her neck while he listens to Venom talk]

I'm sorry to hear that. [softly, a little downcast] Is it anything talking about it might help, or just...?

[a little gesture of his hand. Just. The atmosphere everywhere has been terrible, and even if there has been an effort toward normalcy of late... it doesn't erase anything that was done.]

At the moment, no. I won't be good company for a while. I just wanted to share this and hope to find some joy.

It was partially successful, I think.

[Not only with the monkey and his infinite cuteness, but also talking to Linneus.]

I doubt that a little... [Venom's assessment of whether he would be good company. Linneus has seen a lot of people at their worst. People just need space sometimes, though.] But as you feel, of course. He - he? - will help in lifting your spirits, I hope.

[animals are good like that, if one doesn't want human company.]

Have you settled on a name?

I think it's a he...

[Venom hasn't checked to make sure. He gives the monkey a light scritch on his chin, noting the happy noises he makes.]

I haven't. I'm still reeling on him hatching in the first place.

[a light chuckle at that, and how receptive the creature seems]

Ah, yes. My experience was similar, but oddly I became used to her quite quickly.

Was it a very large egg you received or was it... proportionately sized? Lula came to me in an egg about the size of a small ball, or a melon. I put my ear to it, perhaps foolishly...

I think name might come once you have an idea of his personality.

It was about the size of one of my billiard balls. Perhaps slightly larger, and it had speckles. I was tempted to cook it, but something told me not to.

[Because had it been an edible egg, he would have made a giant omelette.]

True. We'll see how he acts a week or so from now. All we know is he likes the berries we left on the table.

Billiard balls.

[he knows what billiards are, but he's never played.]

I'm glad you didn't cook it - I hope you're glad you didn't cook it? And he's quite small so at least he shan't eat much. It's just a matter of being careful what you feed him, or making sure he doesn't eat things that are bad for his health.

And being wary of berry stains, perhaps...!

I am glad I didn't cook it. So far he enjoys fruit, but I'll have to do more research so he can have a proper diet.

Berry stains?

[He looks down, and sure enough, there are tiny berry prints on his sleeve. And of course the monkey looks at him, tilting his head.]

I wonder if I can teach him how to wash his hands...

That’s good - vegetables, perhaps...?

[a low gasp - oh, berry stains or no berry stains, that is precious...!]

Possibly? If you set him out a thimble of water to wash them in...!

[The monkey starts licking his hands instead, so that's a start.
Maybe he should leave out a dish of water for him. Plus more fruit and veggies to see what he likes and dislikes.]

I'm not sure I can handle such an adorable image.

Once I have more time I'll spend it with him and learn more about what kind of monkey he is.

[He runs back down to sit in Venom's hand, looking all cute. In return, Venom's vaguely smiling at him.]

So far I'm glad he's well-behaved.

[licking his hands - paws? - clean is a step in the right direction. But it is also a little too much cute to handle - Linneus is having to resort to covering his mouth to hide his expressions]

Do encourage him, too. Let him know he is doing right, when he is doing right.

[Venom nods and gives the monkey a gentle pet on his head for cleaning his hands. Soon he's grabbing hold of Venom's fingers and climbs onto him, sitting and trying to bunt his head against his new owner's.]

I think he knows...

Perhaps. But it is always good to say.

Has he shown any other talents, beside stealing food - and stealing hearts?

Nothing out of the ordinary, though he does seem to like climbing. There are tiny handprints on our counter and table.

Oh...

[but at least those can be easily taken care of?]

I can't imagine he'd be able to keep up with you, if you walk. You might have to train him to ride on your shoulder.

[but now Linneus is imagining the likely enough possibility that he would find himself covered by Venom's hair. Oh no...]

I'm not sure if I'd want to have him go outside, unless he wants to.

[He says as the monkey stays perched, sitting all obediently. But he might be playing with Venom's hair and examining it.]

Ah- it appears I have much to learn about this monkey.

So it seems. So it was with Lula, too.

[it had been a learning curve for sure, starting with learning what kind of animal she even was]

But it is good to have the company. I shall be interested to see how he learns and grows!

Hmmm...

Perhaps I should document what I find out about him? In case another person receives one as a pet?

[Or the monkey can climb onto Venom and his phone and block out everything.]

Oh - then perhaps it might be worth involving others who have received eggs and the like? We'd be able to share how our eggs looked, as well as what hatched from them and how to--

[tilting his head slightly as the screen goes black. That... was abrupt.]

Hello?

[There's some rustling and Venom carefully pulling the monkey away from the phone, which is now lightly imprinted with his small hands.]

My apologies. He's a curious one, apparently.

As you were saying, we could share the eggs' progress and such.

That was him?

[a light chuckle - all right, that makes sense...]

Ah, I was saying, sorry - there are some who might not want the surprise ruined, of course. But it might be nice, just to have the resource there. It lets people know what to prepare for.

Yes. He seems to enjoy being the center of attention.

[Even if that means blocking the camera.]

I agree, especially for those who don't like surprises.

[Venom sure doesn't, but he can't help being somewhat won over by his new pet.]

Such personality already...!

[and a big one, in such a small package. Linneus is amused.]

Indeed. Surprises are... not exactly my forte.

[not that they aren't unpleasant. But it is nice to know what one is in for.]

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