|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:04 am
Leander’s suggestion of getting a pet rat had been on Gabby’s mind pretty much since he had said it. It was a revolting idea given the circumstances, but now that it had been said…she kept seeing rats everywhere…and the worst part of it all was the fact that they were…kind of cute. A little. Maybe. The ones that she was watching on the internet were…cute, but she wasn’t completely sure that they weren’t just…overly large mice, regardless. They were kind of cute.
She had been to a few pet stores already and had watched the rats playing, finding herself laughing to the point that she couldn’t quite breathe when they would run a little too quickly on their wheels and end up spinning upside down, utterly and completely out of control. Okay…so maybe he was on to something and they were cute. Seriously cute. But. She still didn’t want to buy one.
So the fact that she had come home with a splendid cage complete with tunnels and at least three other areas for the rat to play in, and not one but two rats in a cozy carrier was a complete and utter surprise for her.
…She had rats. Gabby had just. Purchased rats.
And after she got the cage set up, the food inside, all of the toys and activities set up, she sat on her bed and stared at her handiwork.
Oh dear god.
With trembling fingers, she called Leander, slightly horrified. “You give literally the worst advice. I just bought rats. What have you done to me?”
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 3:35 pm
Leander had answered his phone after only a ring, and before he’d even had the opportunity to say ‘Hi, Gabby, what’s up?’ she was telling him about her rats.
He was quiet for a few seconds as he processed the information and he had to shake his head to clear his thoughts and actually think.
“Wait–what? I said get a cat! And go look at rats. I didn't tell you to buy them! –Why did you do that?”
No, wait. He had a suspicion. “…Are they cute? What did you name them?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 3:40 pm
Gabby gave a grumble and flung herself backwards on the bed, huffing loudly. “I did look at rats. I watched them on youtube. Or maybe it was mice. I don’t know. Could have been hamsters for all I know. Dumb rodents. And then, I went to the pet store and looked at some, and they were so stupid. Leander. They’re so dumb! Running on their stupid wheels and going too fast and then flying off of the wheel…it was. I swear I almost peed myself the first time I was laughing so hard.”
She grumbled once again and then glanced up, watching as the rats explored their new home and gave a sigh. “...Yes. They’re cute. And I named them Freddy and Daphne. After us, obviously. I bought them so much stuff. Cages are expensive, you know…I hope you’ll come over and see them sometime. Since they’re your fault. You helped give birth to these rats, so take some responsibility, Fred.”
Watching as the rat named for Leander began running in the wheel and ended up flying out of it, she snorted. “Daphne is dumb, but Freddie is actually stupid. He just did the whole spinning too fast. Oh my god what have I done.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:14 pm
Was it okay to laugh? Leander wanted to laugh so badly. He had to raise a hand over his mouth to try and stifle the noise, but the effort just made him double over. He could feel wetness in his eyes from trying to swallow the laughter but–wow–he needed that and he hadn’t even known it.
“Oh my god, what have you done,” he said, barely able to manage speaking between laughter. “Can I come over now and see them?”
That wasn’t even a weird thing to ask; if she didn’t let him over right now, he needed a video.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:23 pm
Gabby snorted, though was quite delighted by the request, quickly texting him her address. “Please come over. They're kind of perfect, and you have a good idea for design so you can help me make sure the habitat is good enough. Also, tell me a good place and I’ll order in some food for us, if you’re interested. I can’t see you not being interested but, whatever. Seriously just. Send me a text of a place you like or I’ll just pick something I like.”
She was quiet for a moment and then sighed. “You know. And I’m going to get sappy for two seconds and then we’re going to ignore it for the rest of forever, but I am really glad I got the chance to meet you and the fact that we got the chance to be friends in real life. I want this so badly with my girlfriend but…I’m still trying to convince her she should come into Metallia’s embrace but…”
Rolling over again, Gabby stared up at her ceiling. “It’s comforting having someone I can trust who knows both sides of me and can laugh at me getting two rats after literally talking about how freaked out I was by rats. Don’t think I didn’t hear you just now. But. Pick some food out, b***h. And we’ll have a rat party.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:02 pm
Leander was biting his lip; he wasn’t surprised she’d heard him laugh–it had been nearly impossible to suppress. He might have laughed again if she wasn’t sappy. And offering him food. “I’m not picky, I’ll eat anything. Especially if you’re paying. I’ll text you a place I like, though, and the best thing on their menu. It’s pretty affordable, but I’m sure that’s not a problem for you.”
Miss ‘My Parents Own an Island’.
“I don’t know anything about rats, so I don’t think I’ll be any help in making their habitat any type of livable, but I’ll be glad to be company.”
Good company.
“Maybe you can tell me more about this girlfriend of yours.”
He glanced down at his phone and pulled up directions to her place, pleased to find it wasn’t too far away. “I’m like seven minutes away from you, I’ll be over in a few minutes. Send me a picture of your rats.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:37 pm
“Oh my god I’m going to make them costumes when it gets closer to halloween. He’ll have Freddie and she’ll have Daphne. Oh I love this idea. Yeah yeah. I’ll buy you whatever you want, and I’ll see you in a few minutes. I’ll tell the doorman that you’re expected so he’ll just show you up.” She grinned and watched the rats rolling around for a moment. “I would love to tell you all about Iduna, and perhaps even get your help with something for her. Anyway! Hurry up! I’m taking a picture of the two darlings and I’ll see you soon.”
She ended the call and took a picture of the two rats, grinning and sending it to Leander before going to order food for the both of them.
Perhaps now Gabby would have to request rat charms from that nice boy at the bakery. Ah well. There were worse things in the world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:46 pm
She was probably serious. She was probably actually going to make them costumes to wear.
...And Leander was actually really excited. It wasn't quite as out of this world as, you know, your parents owning an island but this was by far the more tasteful craziness in the world.
She had a doorman.
He was lucky he had a door.
Still, he couldn't help but smile at the absolute ridiculousness of this. She was easily one of his favorite Negaverse contacts. Remarque had warned him about plenty of them, but he had the distinct feeling that she was different form what Remarque had in mind.
Aside from the apparently immense amount of wealth, she seemed so normal. Untouched by the Chaos that seemed to drive so many of them out of their mind, or force them into things that they weren't. He wasn't complaining, of course, he just tended to avoid most of them.
And rats. A few days ago she'd been trembling, absolutely terrified by the idea of rodents. He didn't blame her, of course--if they'd fallen into his hair, he might have been just as squeamish.
But then, she'd gone out and gotten some for herself. To keep. She'd named them, she was going to dress them up.
They were rats!
...Who would have guessed that he'd have been so excited to see them?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
