dǫçţǫŗ şɭęęƥ (shone) wrote in valloic, @ 2020-02-26 12:34:00 |
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Entry tags: | !: action/thread/log, ₴ inactive: allison hargreeves, ₴ inactive: dan torrance |
WHO: Allison & Dan
WHAT: Fishies (well, jellyfish and water pancakes)
WHERE: The city's aquarium
WHEN: Yesterday?
WARNINGS: Not really
STATUS: Complete
With Klaus’ voice in her mind teasing her lightly about how she was going on dates with someone she’d only just met, Allison could admit to slight levels of anxiousness any time she met up with him. She didn’t let it stop her, though. She could definitely ignore Klaus as well as anything else she didn’t feel like listening to. At the same time, the excitement of being able to visit an aquarium again seemed to override whatever anxiety she was dealing with. It felt like so long since she’d been. She’d also noted a lack of sensibility in this spending considering everything after stressing to Klaus how important it was. But she would eventually figure out a job. Somewhere. One that required no talking. So, she thought. We’re definitely going to check into the part of the aquarium where we can touch the sea animals, right? Cause I’m just saying, we should. Especially if we can hold a starfish. She was quiet for a moment as she allowed herself a moment of excitement over the fact that there was the potential for holding starfish. Also I hope that they have jellyfish because I remember them being very interesting to watch. Maybe interesting wasn’t exactly the right word, but she’d always liked them when they weren’t in the water with her. How’s the cat doing? Being that he had basically zero experience with dating - real, actual dating - Dan was really fucking clueless. He had experience with waking up in the beds of random people he met in bars after a blackout drunk kind of night, and scooting out without drawing attention to himself - though the last time that happened, it had been bloody and angry, his world colored in red; there was a girl who choked on her own vomit when he woke up beside her, that baby and his sagging diaper in the other room, and that had all traumatized him too badly for him to ever want to attempt it again. It. Anything. Maybe because he remembered the person he had been during those dark days - desperate and alone, and he couldn’t fathom why anyone would want to be with him then (he’d nearly robbed that girl, whose face he still saw in his nightmares, a helpful reminder of when he’d hit rock bottom). And he couldn’t fathom it now. But Allison was nice and she clearly deserved better than a washed-up recovering alcoholic with mind-reading powers so, yeah, he didn’t know if shopping for kitty litter counted as a date either but he was really too shy to ask. Best to just keep going along all casual-like until that was no longer an option. Here, it was easy enough to relax - there was something captivating about watching the colorful array of fish swimming through coral, the countless exhibits, the sea turtles; there was definitely even one of those walk-through tunnels that made you feel you were walking with the fish. “Of course, doesn’t everyone want to pet a shark?” Dan grinned, reaching for the map he’d stashed in the back pocket of his jeans. “This way to the petting area - don’t think we can pet any jellyfish - “ Because that would sting like the dickens, “...but there look to be some on the way. Azzie’s fine,” he added. “I’m sure it’s weird for her, not being in hospice. But maybe she likes the vacation?” He’d just have to make sure she didn’t wander off, or find any unsuspecting potentially dead person. She hadn’t really considered the shark part of it, but she thought maybe a ray would be nice. Really most of the animals. She felt a laugh building in her chest, but what came out was mostly just her breathing out. If I wanted to pet a jellyfish, you would definitely be required to feel concern for my mental well-being. She lightly bumped his arm with hers and ignored the voice in her head that was starting to sound alarmingly like Klaus. She’d have to fix that later. I just...like the way they look in the water. Sort of ethereal and ghostly. She smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. Even deadly or simply dangerous things can be beautiful. A beat. When they’re in a place where there’s no risk of being stung. It felt like a metaphor for something, but she didn’t really want to puzzle it out. Not when she could continue to ignore it. I wonder how they feed them. Just put little fish in with them? Because as much as she admired them for the way they looked in the tanks, she didn’t know too much about them except that man-o-wars were dangerous and jellyfish stings hurt. I’m glad she’s doing okay. Hopefully she settles in fine. I’ll be sure to stop by and visit in case she needs some company. I’m sure Ben won’t mind her hanging around either. It was interesting, at least, to have Ben around. She couldn’t see him, but she could talk to him. She’d missed that. Missed having her family whole. Even if they were more of a disjointed mess of people stuck together because some rich asshole bought them. She still considered them her family. Even, very begrudgingly right now, Luther. Even deadly or simply dangerous things can be beautiful. Well, Dan supposed that was true. Why, do you think you’re dangerous? he asked, projecting the thought. It was sort of a roundabout way of describing Allison as beautiful, but anyone with working eyes could see that she was. He headed for the jellyfish, following the signs - though they were pretty easy to spot; they looked like granny lampshades, with frills and tassels waving behind them like some odd bridal gown train. Though some looked pale, milky, reminding him of the moon. Feel free to keep her company. Ben can too - I can see him, Dan added, with a glance at Allison. I can...sense spirits. And could talk to them sometimes - he also had a whole soccer team’s worth locked in his head, but that was just an aside. He watched the jellyfish pulse through the water, ribbons and lace. “Pretty sure they use an air pump or something,” he said out loud, musing on how they were fed. “Little shrimps, blown right at them.” There was a feeling of happiness as she moved over to the glass, watching the jellyfish swim. If you could call it swimming. She wasn’t sure. She glanced over, the surprise evident as she looked at him. You can? I can’t see him. Klaus is the one that can see ghosts. There were a slew of questions she had. Did he look okay? Did he seem like he was doing well? She didn’t ask them, though. Even though she did want to. It had been such a long time and considering the fact that Klaus had been able to see him this whole time...when he was sober enough for it anyway...it just felt like a lot of questions that she could ask. He could lie to her, sure. We...most of us split up after his death. It was hard to stay after, you know? When we were kids, things were dangerous, but never really...dangerous Which didn’t really make sense...or maybe it did. As we grew, the things Dad got us to do got more dangerous, I guess. Our lives were more in danger. Luther was the only one that stuck around. And they saw where that got him, didn’t they? She turned her attention back to the jellyfish, trying to focus on the concept of an air pump shooting small sea animals at the creatures. The new dining experience. Air pumps shoot food into your mouth. Don’t worry, Allison, the mind-reading part of Dan picked up on those questions just fine, even if she didn’t put them into words. He looks good, Dan assured. It’s - part of the Shining, the ghost thing. At least for me. Seems me and Klaus have more in common than you thought, huh? And your dad is still on par with mine, for winning Father of the Year. Granted, Allison’s father didn’t try to kill her - though that seemed like a pretty sad, low bar when you were considering how decent your parents happened to be. Blub, blub, blub - those gelatinous creatures really were kind of fascinating to watch. He tried to focus on something other than stinging cells and how badly they hurt. “I think that kind glows in the dark?” he observed, leaning in and pointing toward a purple one. “They can also sting when they’re dead.” So not something to be fucked with, got it. Allison blinked a couple times before accepting that he’d managed to hear her questions without her really pushing them to the surface or pushing them forward as things she wanted to ask. She was still, in a way, getting used to what his powers were and what he could do or understand. I’m glad. She nodded in agreement with his assessment of his similarities with Klaus. You’re quieter than he is, though. He’s always been very unapologetically himself. Not that I’m saying you’re not. It’s just a difference in personality. She’d seen Klaus on and off drugs. She admittedly hadn’t seen Dan on anything, so it was possible that they weren’t that different, but she didn’t know. We won the dad lottery, she thought, a wry smile in place as she moved closer to the purple jellyfish. It’s amazing, isn’t it? I mean, terrifying in a way, but amazing. How many creatures can have so many differences even though they’re basically the same thing. Like the ones that can light up deep in the water. And we might never know about any of them. She studied them for a moment. Makes you wonder what we don’t know, doesn’t it? A pause. Probably a lot, to be fair. “They say more than eighty percent of the ocean has remained unexplored,” Dan pointed out. “So yeah, we probably don’t know a lot.” The sea was the Earth’s lifeblood (and that was kind of sad to think about, considering all the garbage humans put into it), but it was expensive and time-consuming to really explore. Underwater vehicles and sonar seemed to be the main ways to make a map, but then then. It was intense. He folded and unfolded the aquarium’s map, for something to do with his hands (since he spotted a lot of couples wandering what was essentially an ocean-themed amusement park lacking the pukey rides, holding hands and - well, anyway), seeing how much further they had to go until they reached the fishy petting zoo. “How’s the job hunt going?” he asked. It was difficult to talk about family sometimes, because it brought up past hurts and regrets - and now with another of Allison’s brothers here, he thought she might like the respite anyway. She noted how he was folding and unfolding the map, which made her wonder if he was nervous about something. More so about her or the addition of another brother to show just what a mess their entire family was. But he was here. He could have easily said no. I’m not really sure where to look, she admitted after a moment. I can’t talk, so it has to be somewhere that doesn’t actually require talking. And I keep meaning to ask about it, but then… She gestured vaguely as if that would explain the situation. She’d never had to worry before. Even if she wasn’t using her powers, her ability to talk to just about anyone and her confidence did her wonders. It was a little more complicated now. Her attention shifted between Dan and the jellyfish, taking a few steps forward to the next tank. Everything okay? “Yeah, it’s fine,” Dan chuckled sheepishly - he didn’t mean to worry her. “Just - “ And because he wasn’t in high school, because it was even stupider to hem and haw over something so insignificant, he reached out and curled his hand around Allison’s. “So you don’t lose me, in this crowd.” It wasn’t that bad of a crowd. You were a terrible bullshitter, Torrance, but okay. The petting area was a shallow pool, where you could dip your hands into the water and touch rays and baby sharks, including Bonnethead sharks (which Dan learned, by reading the signs, they had eyes in the backs of their heads). He’d have to let go of Allison’s hand to give her free rein to get up close and personal with the sea creatures. “Medical transcription?” he suggested. “You just listen to recordings of doctor’s notes and...transcribe them. No talking required. I can see if the hospital needs someone, though it’s nothing like acting, I’m sure.” Hopefully not too disappointing, but medical transcriptionists made decent money and didn’t have to deal with people, which was a bonus to someone like Dan - maybe it was different for Allison. Allison couldn’t help but smile when he took her hand. The reasoning was perhaps reaching a little, but she didn’t call him out on it. I’d hate to get lost, she agreed, lightly squeezing his hand. I guess that could work. Might have to catch up on my technology because computers and phones are not popular back home. Well, at least nothing like these. We still use wall phones. She looked slightly sheepish about it. She didn’t question why those things wouldn’t be the same, but then their mother was a fairly complex robot. Nothing’s quite like acting, but I doubt there’s any acting here anyway, so I’d need something new either way. And I don’t mind it. Just a slight learning curve. She wanted to see the rays and starfish most of all when it came to the petting part. The sharks probably wouldn’t be too bad either. They seemed so small in comparison to what you saw in movies. Dan couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Wall phones, really? I think my mom had one of those. The super long cord that went for miles,” he grinned. “You’ll be okay though, if you decide that’s what you want to do. You could probably even do it from home.” Basically, from what he understood, you just needed a regular computer and the correct software. Probably a headset too, or something, but that wasn’t difficult to procure. “I mean, I guess if you hate it, silent films are a thing - I wouldn’t discount anything being here,” he noted, reaching into the pool to brush his hand against one of those rays as it flapped by. He didn’t know what it was officially called so he would just think of it as ‘water pancake.’ “...wow, it’s softer than I thought.” I can’t help what they are. But yeah. The long cords are the best, though. I always wanted my own line, but I didn’t really have anyone to call, so… She shrugged. She considered it anyway. She’d see what it needed and see if she couldn’t talk either Dan or Gansey into showing her how to do whatever she needed. She shook her head slightly, the amusement evident on her face. Silent films. Someone has to enjoy them at least. Allison was pretty sure Diego would have something to say about it. Ignoring that thought, she reached out to let her fingers run over the body of the ray. It’s pretty cute, too. Might have you beat. That having been said, she moved over, keeping her expression neutral and reaching down to touch one of the starfish. It was perhaps a gamble, but they had already held hands. She smiled a little as one of the sharks swum past, bumping into one of her fingers. She moved her hand to let it go past. I don’t think I’ll ever figure out which is which with most of these things. There’s so many kinds. “I fully admit that the water pancake is cuter than me,” Dan said in all seriousness, though there was a crinkle at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. “The sharks too.” They were small, of course, nothing Jaws-sized here in the pool where little kids came to pet ocean dwellers. He didn’t touch the starfish, since they seemed prickly - but he did reach for the Bonnethead, curiosity overcoming him, fingers brushing Allison’s hand before she let the shark go past. Of course he’d help her with any technological questions she may have - it was odd to think that she came from just a little ways back, in terms of decades, and would need to catch up on the progress that had been made. Even Dan had to boggle sometimes. “I don’t know, I tend to just describe them in terms of their looks. Like that one is a sea blob,” he pointed toward a slimy log-looking creature; it really was called a sea cucumber, according to the sign. Well, he was close. The term ‘water pancake’ was met with a sideways look and a silent laugh. Water pancake? She’d never heard anyone call them that before. She wondered if that was something that she’d just missed out on. That sounds like something my daughter would make up. Claire did seem to come up with unusual nicknames for things and people. Allison’s gaze shifted to the ‘sea blob’, looking up to see what it was really called. You have an interesting way of making up names. But now that he’d named it, she moved to look at it a little closer. The sea blob does not seem nearly as cute, but that’s not really its fault. It’s hard to beat a water pancake. She moved to look at one of the horseshoe crabs, reaching out to touch it. She wanted to have something to do with her hands while she tried to think through something, whether she wanted to put it out there or not because it would absolutely mean having to tell Klaus he was right and she was almost terrified of what his brand of ‘I told you so’ looked like. Did you… She glanced over at Dan briefly before looking back at the horseshoe crab. Did you maybe want to get dinner sometime? Maybe Dan was clueless about what buying cat litter with someone meant, but he was still pretty sure that was Allison asking him out on a date. He had to hand it to her - because at least she was willing to just kind of nip the awkward dance in the bud and get right to the point (and that awkward dance was why he’d never really bothered with dating in the past - still, he was willing to give it a go now). “Yes,” he replied, lips pursing to hide a smile. But he sort of smiled anyway - it wasn’t one of those toothy grins, yet he managed to look endeared all the same. Much more endeared than sea blob currently looked, and sea blob seemed to be done with life and little kids picking it up and squeezing it. “I’d like that.” Allison smiled when he replied, turning to look at him finally now that she wasn’t anxious about whether or not he’d say yes, but now she was anxious for other reasons. I’m sorry in advance, then. She moved back from the horseshoe crab. Mostly because she knew her family was not reasonable for the most part, but Klaus would be fine. Just very Klaus. I’ve been told I’m pretty good company, which is, as I understand it, very difficult to put up with. Yes. That sounded like a much less ‘my family is slightly insane’ reason. She grinned then. Any more sea animals you want to befriend today? The horseshoe crab is doing it’s best. Looks like a sea cucumber is awaiting inevitable death. “I like your company just fine,” Dan assured with a laugh, and sure, Allison may have a crazy family but who didn’t? There was probably love between her and her siblings, deep down. Either way, he definitely found it pleasant to be around her which was why he even agreed to a dinner date in the first place. Sea blob had it rough, and water pancake was swimming away from them - doing its rounds in the pool, around and around, kids splashing and squealing with delight. “I think I’m good for now,” he decided. “Let’s see what other exhibits this place has.” Dolphins, maybe. Or otters. Maybe some otherworldly types of creatures too, like Cthulhu or a baby Kraken. You never could tell in this city, he guessed. |