[Video] un: BishopRunout

[poolhall_killer]

[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...

Comments

[inaurare]

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...!

[poolhall_killer]

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...

[inaurare]

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...!

[poolhall_killer]

[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.

[inaurare]

[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.

[poolhall_killer]

[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...

[inaurare]

Perhaps. But it is always good to say.

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

[poolhall_killer]

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

[inaurare]

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...]

[poolhall_killer]

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.

[inaurare]

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!

[poolhall_killer]

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.]

[inaurare]

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?

[poolhall_killer]

[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.

[inaurare]

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.

[poolhall_killer]

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.]

[inaurare]

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.]

[poolhall_killer]

[If only Venom could teach the monkey how to talk so he can thank Linneus for the compliment. He gives him a small head scritch instead.

Why is he so darn cute?]

Yes. Then people can be prepared for the required items and food needed to care for their new friend.

[inaurare]

[maybe the little fellow can learn gestures?]

‘Their new friend’; I like that way of putting it.

It is strange to learn of animals I was unfamiliar with. I had never encountered a llama before Lula, even in books. Or perhaps my world was particularly narrow...

[that wouldn’t surprise him, in all honesty.]

[poolhall_killer]

I admit I'm not good with animals, either. The most I've read about were in books, and maybe the occasional cat that visited our home.

[But they do seem to like him as many come right up, rubbing and silently asking for attention. The monkey sits next to him, hunched over in its peculiar way.]

You do look like a bell pepper...

[inaurare]

Ah - my master kept dogs, until they died. There were horses in the stables to take care of, too, and the gardens were full of little things - bugs and beetles, and little mice. But anything more exotic - anything beyond the countries neighbouring mine; unless I saw it in a book, I wouldn't know it.

[not just llamas - he learned about jelly-fish coming here, too.]

...a bell pepper, really?

[poolhall_killer]

[Those were all animals Venom had little access to outside of his stories. Horses were used for transportation, but the Guild never kept any of their own. And pets were more or less forbidden. Of course some members managed to sidestep that with their respective animals.]

Don't you think so? Zevran pointed it out earlier. He sort of resembles a yellow bell pepper.

[inaurare]

[apologetically-]

I don't quite see it.

[he looks like a fuzzball with eyes.]

But then, perhaps I might if I saw him in person. I shall have to meet him, one day.

[and of course, he would be able to see Venom again as well. That is only a positive in Linneus' book]

[poolhall_killer]

I do want to host a proper dinner with friends. Or if you wish to visit, you're always welcome to come over.

[He'd like to see Linneus, as well. Meanwhile, the monkey's doing his thing and walking up and down Venom's arm.]

[inaurare]

That would be wonderful, if... strange for me. [clarifying, though Venom knows-] I am... not used to being the guest, but you shall have to let me know where the house is...

[a little delighted sound at the creature’s antics]

He balances well!

[look at that tiny tail! Scratching Lula’s neck lightly-]

This one is a little more clumsy than all that.