Platyproblems pt 3
It wriggled a little bit in his grasp. After about a minute of Aidan staring at it in awe. He looked actually happy looking at the very much disgruntled platypus. It was a bit strange.
After said minute, though, it became less easy to hold. It squirmed and... produced... smoke?! From it's... nostrils?!
Platypuses are strange creatures, but that... that was something I hadn't read about them. Did the electric... things in it's bill overheat or something?
It was a bit worrying.
“Aidaaan... I... don't think you... know how to handle such beings... just... put it back down. Please. Water. It likes water. Put it back in the water...” he tried to take it on his hands for SOME reason, so: “...and please avoid the hind legs!”, he did put it down properly then...
It worked. No problems. Actually no problems. It wriggled it's tail and swam around, raising it's bill to the surface from time to time. Breathing and continuing to swim.
I sighed in relief. Everything was fine for now.
And I boxed Aidan in his shoulder: “These are REALLY, REALLY venomous! And it's breeding time! It's dangerous!”
Aidan grinned. I punched him again.
“Awwww, little one. Don't worry. It's not like it has a mate here... it's... it...,” and now he frowned, the devil knew why, “... well... well, maaaybe I... am glad you made me put it down”
His arm got abused one more time, because he ruffled my hair again.
“You didn't help much! What are we-”
“CHRRRRRRT,” we both looked at the being that now had opened it's bill and stared up at us, keeping the bill open before chattering again.
“... it's probably hungry,” I sighed. What did they eat again? Right. Shrimp. And generally fish. Shrimp and fish. I... should have some. Just that I was supposed to make it for dinner. And the platypus was not exactly planned... so... there was no option B planned. Mh. Anyway, that being was probably hungry, so it needed to be fed. He didn't want to harm this illegal being...
With another sigh, I turned to leave and saw Aidan... frown and looking from me to the animal.
“... I'm... going to feed it now... are you going to... uh... leave it alone? Or do you have a plan to... I don't know... take it away?”
My useless helper made a face and then shrugged, with a smile: “I... guess I'll help you with the food,” he looked and sounded irritated... or unsure... or...?
“Follow me, then,” what else was I supposed to do, really. I didn't keep him from putting a little stool into the tub.
When he got to the kitchen, he looked into the fridge and well, there was a salmon. Fatty fish. The internet confirmed the little animal would eat it, at least in capture. Lets hope it lived in capture before...
And Aidan... he was there. And he... stuttered around, muttering something about how the new member of my household was certainly interesting... which I agreed to, sure. How would he know? His mother talked about him, exchange student program and everything. They got along fine? Sure, sure. How was dating going for his mother?
“... are you sure you want to talk to me about my mom's... boyfriend?,” because seriously, that... seriously... “DUDE!”
“Err... right. Right, not a good idea, no,” he scratched the back of his head, “Aaaah... you... uhm... I think it's a great idea to feed him”
“Him? Oh. Right... the spurs,” it was a male. Right.
“Oh. Yes, yes, right. The spurs,” he frowned.
… what.
“I... see...” I frowned as well, “Is something the matter?”
“Uuuuh... I... mh... the... the student exchange was somewhat sudden, wasn't it?,” he did look like something was wrong.
“... Aidan... what the hell is going on?,” it was a bit weird, having an adult spewing nonsense like that.
“Uh... I... nothing,”
Well, that didn't help.I finished cutting the fish and looked at him: “... you're weird, dude”
And then I walked past to go back to the bathroom.
“I... am not that good with these situations... I... mh,” he frowned some more.
“Well, fine? You can still take away the platypus, yes? No? You have any way to take care of it?”
“...well... well, I do, but...” now he fell silent and looked distressed. Really? HE was the one with a mom that comes home soon and a platypus in his bathtub! A hungry one! And now he had no dinner, either. Seriously, he wasn't in trouble?!
I rolled my eyes, huffed, grumbled and simply walked to the bathroom, the little being did indeed look very hungry. And readily consumed a whole salmon.
It was a bit of a spectacle, really. He has no teeth, so he gulped the pieces down in one, wriggling it's tail afterwards and then coming up for more. It was more preferred to throw the pieces into the water, though. Then he gobbled them up from the floor. Very good. Animal was taken care of. Now the useless adult needed to... be made to do something?
I stared at him, frowning.
And Aidan, who usually was the picture of confidence – as long as he had known him, at least -, still fidgeted a little bit.
“You know... you look like you actually have a problem. You don't have one. Do... mh... kids make you nervous?,” it was annoying enough to say that, but well...
Aidan looked like he ate something... uh... no, he just looked weird.
“... eh... you... no. That's not it, I just... ah...”
“Seriously, now please take the animal away with you?”
“... I... don't... look, it's difficult. Okay? How about I... uh... take you for ice cream... or something? Buy you a beer? I mean... without alcohol, at least? Or a comic book. I know a great nerd-shop. They even have the new TARDIS-statue AND still carry the Blue Beetle series. I always wanted to introduce you,” so Aidan still had some spirit left in him, but...
“I... don't think I'm going to. Trevor will stumble over the platypus... or my mom, and I have to cook something... and the creature ate the dinner. So... it will take some time, so... really, if you can take our 'guest' and go...” an ice cream. Really?!
“... you can resist the Blue Beetle?!”
He DID have a point, but: “Yes”
“It's... difficult, you know? I... can't.. uh... it's not my place to tell... I... you know... your room mate should tell you that... or... or... uhm... Mr. Banner, yeah. Or maybe Mr. Allens. Those are good people. I'm not good people,” he fidgeted again.
“Those people... ah. Why?”
“... uh... they are... responsible people and good at telling you important things?”
Oh good lord. I stared at him for a few seconds, then: “You... know my room mate?”
“Err... no?,” he was not very good at this, was he?
“... but you know he should tell me things instead of... you...?”
“Eeeeh... well, I might know something about him. That's fair enough...?”
I stared at him for about a minute and then huffed, looking down at the platypus: “You know... there is not much that these people have in common... but I suppose Mr Taylor is also... a viable option to tell me? Should I call him instead?”
“... you... know?,” he stared at me.
“... I know what?,” I smiled at him with raised eyebrows.
“... your room mate is pretty damn religious. Like... reaaaally religious,” he looked a lot more relieved now.
“Mom would think we're insane if she listened,” I huffed.
“Yeaaah, but... you know... that's just a beast form. Your room mate is taking a bath, he's fine, totally. But he's kind of exhausted. And needs to eat. He'll be fine when he's rested a little bit. He'll be fine before Palladia comes back,” he definitely looked more relieved than he should.
“... I still fed our dinner to him,” this was stupid.
“Yeaaah, I can get you a new fish if you want,” he smiled like the sun...
“... oookay?”
“I will! Now make sure lil' Matthew has enough space to change back... keep his clothes here and... maybe bring him some music. He understands us. He'll tell you what he likes an dislikes. See you later!”
… and he disappeared. Great. At least he'll bring back a fish. Probably even big enough for everyone. He's kind of obligated to invite him for dinner now.
But as for 'lil' Matthew'...
I narrowed my eyes and looked down at him in the tub: “... I'll make sure you get some music you... like”