Message 01. Technicolor Animals 101

[unrecovered]

[The video flickers on to show both Wash and North in what looks like one of the hotel rooms. It’s far enough away that it’s obvious they’ve set it up on a flat surface somewhere. Wash is still wearing his helmet; old habits die very hard.]

Hey. Does anyone know anything about these Dream Eater things? We know they can fight and that you can make them from little rainbow pieces; aside from that, I’ve got nothing.

[There’s a squeak from offscreen, and Wash looks over-] Hey, get over here. [-and leans out of the frame.]

[North, meanwhile, has his helmet off, because all things considered, this area’s probably safe and he can let his guard down a bit. ]

Also, do they all carry loose change or something? It’s an odd way of making money.

[He glances over at Wash.]

Everything alright, Wash?

Yeah, fine, just- c’mere!

[There’s more squeaking offscreen, and finally Wash leans back into the frame, pulling his bat into his lap. The bat squeaks piteously, and it’s pretty obvious that one wing is bandaged.]

Is there a vet around here, or someone who knows how to take care of this? [He gestures at the bandage.] I can do this much, but that’s about it.

[Responses will come from both Wash (unrecovered) and North (brodakota).]

Comments

[unrecovered]

Yeah, they do, and if you don't finish them quickly, they turn bright red and go berserk. Because that's exactly what my life was missing: berserk fire-breathing attack lizards.

[The bat makes a small noise, and Wash switches to petting its fur, careful to stay away from the injured wing. It's getting harder and harder to convince himself that he doesn't care.]

[brodakota]

Weren't we all?

[Still, he'll keep that information in mind, but another thing crosses his mind. Since when did Wash get so snark? North was pretty sure that was his job.]

I don't think I have anything for burns on me, though. Sorry.

[unrecovered]

I can think of a few people who'd try to keep one as a pet.

[There's a lot you don't know about him anymore, North, and at the moment he'd like to keep it that way.]

Yeah, neither do I or I'd have used it already. Hopefully there'll be someone around here that can take care of it.

[brodakota]

[North never had the pleasure of meeting Caboose.]

You really think one of those would suit York?

[Knowing him, he'd probably just stuff it in Wyoming's locker.]

Well, people seem to be responding, so we should be able to get help soon. Little's guy's tough, he'll hang in there.

[And we'll give the bat a little scratch. Theta's also come out to take a look.]

[unrecovered]

[He might want to keep it that way. Wash was thinking of Sarge anyway, or maybe Tucker. Either way, it would not end well.]

Well, yeah. Just think of what he'd try to pull with one of those.

[The end result would be Wyoming's mustache on fire, and nobody would be happy...except maybe York, who would insist it was worth the laugh.]

[You know, maybe he doesn't want to think about that right now.]

Yeah. Anything with that much energy wouldn't go down so easily.

[The bat squeaks quietly at the touch; it'd be much more enthusiastic about the attention if it wasn't already feeling poorly.]

[brodakota]

[It's probably a good thing they haven't met the Tyranto Rex yet either. Because Sarge would want that.]

I've already thought about it. Doesn't end well.

[But it sure is funny to think about. Theta in the meantime is studying the bat, trying to make sure it'll really be okay.]

And here I thought you didn't like him.

[unrecovered]

[That is a terrifying image. Thanks for that.]

Which is pretty much why he'd want one.

[He freezes at that observation. Dammit, he'd forgotten how quickly people who knew him could see through him...namely because nobody who knew him that well was still around. He sighs and keeps petting the bat.]

Yeah, that's what I thought too. Now I'm not sure I know.

[brodakota]

Well, considering the way you always talked about your cats, I'm not surprised.

[Yeah, he's seen those pictures in your locker.]

But I think we're supposed to have a relationship with these things.

[And he looks at the Prickleman on his bed.]

[unrecovered]

Yeah.

[Man, that seems like a lifetime ago now. And everyone's seen those pictures in his locker. He got grief from York for weeks.]

Well, the Moogle did say they were supposed to help.

[And the bat had been supporting him in combat when he took this hit. Maybe...well, maybe he just needs to accept it. He's had worse partners; at least this one likes him, and quite a bit at that.]

...you think we should name them?

[brodakota]

I don't know, that just seems kind of permanent.

[Certainly he's thought about it, but he can't seem to settle on a name.]

[unrecovered]

Yeah, but it's better than just calling them Bat and Cat, right?

[Whereas Wash hasn't given it any thought at all. It's not something he expected to want to do.]

[brodakota]

That is a good point. I guess I'm stuck trying to come up with one. I was never very good at naming things.

[unrecovered]

[He looks over at the Pricklemane.] You could always call it Cactus.

[...he never was good at naming things either.]

[brodakota]

Cactus, huh? It's a possibility.

[What do you name a spikey-cat?]

What about yours? You got a name for the little guy?

[unrecovered]

[You name it Cactus, man. That's why he suggested it.]

No, actually. I haven't really thought about it.

[brodakota]

What about Dracula?

It's a good name for a bat.

[unrecovered]

I don't know, it doesn't look spooky enough for that.

[Right now it just looks miserable, and he goes back to petting it.]

[brodakota]

[Theta goes back to thinking.]

Well, maybe after something brave then? Since it was fighting for you.

[unrecovered]

What, like Lancelot?

[The bat makes a disapproving noise and burrows a little further into Wash's lap.]

Or not.

[brodakota]

Something like that, or Arthur if you want to keep it open.

But I guess he wants something different. If it is a he.

[unrecovered]

[The bat makes that same noise at the mention of Arthur.]

I don't think he likes that one either. [Oh jeez that's something he didn't think about, and he glances down at the bat.] You are a boy, right?

[The bat squeaks a quiet affirmative.] Good to know.

[brodakota]

[North looks at Theta.]

Looks like we're zero for two, buddy.

I'm going to guess Batty is right out of the question.

[unrecovered]

Would you believe I met someone who named her bat that?

I don't know, I could do something like Bruce or Fang or-

[The bat squeaks at Fang - it's the happiest it's sounded since it was injured. Wash pauses.] Fang? Really?

[The bat squeaks again, a pleased affirmative.]

[brodakota]

Zero for three. Man, am I off today or what?

[North laughs.]

Looks like he's made a decision.