coparent

[duke_of_illusions]

Barma knocks on Break's door with his foot. His arms are caught up holding the tea tray.

It's important that they speak, and in the interest of doing it civilly- tea.

Comments

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"-you have some sort of rodent in your room."

More importantly.

[almost_knightly]

"This," Break says, with immense dignity, "is the Lady Buttercup von Fuzzbutt."

Gently, he picks her up out of the bucket. Less rodent, more weasel. She sniffs at the tray, but when there isn't any food to be found, she snubs it in favor of running up Break's arm to settle on his shoulder.

"She belongs to Hatter, but visits me often."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"That's unsanitary."

It must be. He's from a time where rats are... something different. A harbinger of plague and sorrow.

[almost_knightly]

"Oh, but she's not. She's very well-trained, never makes a mess where she shouldn't. The worst problem she could have is fleas, same as any dog or cat, and we check her daily."

He's petting her more actively now, and she's snuffling around at his hair, confused because it's in a ponytail today.

"It's best to wash hands before eating if you've been handling her, but it's best to wash hands before eating anyhow."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Dogs and cats aren't sanitary either."

He points out. Barma is from rather a different time, and he's eyeing her with distaste.

[almost_knightly]

"Neiver are small children or frogs, if you want to be upfront about it," says Break dryly. "In all cases, it's only a matter of keeping fings clean. It's fings like poor handling and parasites that cause disease, not the animals themselves."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"You'll notice I have neither small children nor frogs in my hair at this point in time?"

He points out, still leaning back.

[almost_knightly]

"You've never just -- sat wiv a purring cat on your lap on a cold night, have you? Or seen the little Elliot around here wiv his dog."

Break is still petting the ferret, quite content. After a few more moments, she hops down to curl up in the crook of his elbow, feeling dozy.

"The value an animal can add to your life is worf it. It's not just responsibility, like Liam wiv his frog. You're interacting wiv anovver living creature, and that always means somefing."