video, @chronicler

[scholiast]

(The feed flicks on facing a large tank, propped up on a desk. There's a slight shuffling; a hand appears on the side of it, and then Lucretia pops into view, peering through the glass. Those who already know her might be surprised by her altered appearance: she is noticeably older, and looks around fifty instead of her previous late twenties.)

Where did it go?

(She makes a face, then reaches out to her camera as if to end the feed: thankfully, what she had lost comes swimming into view at that exact moment in a blur of purple and electric blue, pressing against her cheek. It's a small jellyfish, hovering in the air. Lucretia chuckles, cupping her hand about it as she faces the camera.)

I thought I'd take a moment to introduce everybody to Junior. It's a voidfish– a kind of... (she pauses, gesturing vaguely with one hand as Junior curls a little tendril around her ear,) fish-esque alien, I suppose. From space? (It's complicated.)

It enjoys consuming memories, and specifically enjoys art, so I thought I would extend a request to the network for any kind of media they might like to share with it. Usually, giving it something to eat would erase whatever is given from the minds of everybody who has not drunk of its ichor, but I think the climate here doesn't agree with Junior's powers. Not according to some tests I've been doing; the memory loss is very temporary.

But I digress: it loves all things creative: paintings, music, poetry... So if you'd like your work to be judged by a fish, there's always that option available.

(She makes to turn the feed off, then pauses.) Oh, and if anybody knows where I could find an optometrist in this place, I'd be really grateful. My prescription has... changed some what.

Comments

[dancingmd]

Good of you to show some restraint - I'm afraid I haven't been so good.

[scholiast]

I know! I've been talking to Jim.

(She's so pleased.)

[dancingmd]

So he ratted me out then!

[scholiast]

I'm afraid so.

(Oh geez, the tea.The water finished boiling a while ago: she plucks the kettle off its stand, and pours it into two large mugs.)

You're too distracting. It doesn't usually take me fifteen minutes to make a cup of tea.

[dancingmd]

You're pretty distracting yourself you know. I forgot you were even making any tea.

[scholiast]

(Her expression softens as she turns back to Beverly.)

Oh well. I like distracting you.

[dancingmd]

(Beverly takes this opportunity to lean in and give Lucretia a kiss - a longer one than usual.)

I like when you do too.

[scholiast]

(Lucretia hums and cups Beverly's face with one hand, smoothing her thumb across her cheekbone as she draws out the kiss.)

I'll make a note to keep doing it then.

[dancingmd]

(Beverly's smile is warm and happy as she takes a moment to study Lucretia's face. It's very tempting to push this moment further but she holds back, for now.)

I look forward to it.

[scholiast]

(Lucretia's eyes drop to Beverly's mouth for a beat before she takes her hand back and turns to their mugs...

only to realise she didn't put the tea in. She grabs the tin of loose leaf with a huff, measuring out a teaspoon for each strainer.)

Have you got any plans for this evening?

[dancingmd]

(It's really unfair how cute Lucretia is.)

I don't! What? Did you have something in mind?

[scholiast]

No, I just want to hang out more. (Caught!!)

Want to get dinner if you're not busy?

[dancingmd]

Dinner sounds good! And maybe we can take a walk by the river after?

[scholiast]

How romantic!

And then we can go back to your place... and you can fix my glasses. (She's only half joking. She cannot see, Beverly.)

[dancingmd]

(She chuckles.)

I will do what I can!

[scholiast]

I would really appreciate that.

(She beams.) I have a few errands to run in the interim but I can meet you out by the city center this evening?

[dancingmd]

Sounds like a plan!

[scholiast]

Okay!

(She hands Beverly her mug in the meantime; Junior has gone off elsewhere in search of something more interesting to look at than people having tea.)