Eli Freeman, ca. 2042 (Half-Life futureverse OC) - somewhere Milliways-ish

[vance_freeman]

"'The common headcrab, Xenogenus calvacaris, was widely thought to be a parasitic lifeform, but further study revealed...'"

The young man who just walked in has dusky skin, a mop of curly red hair, and vivid green eyes, the latter of which are focused entirely on the clipboard full of papers that he's reading as he walks.

"'...is actually a mating instinct mistakenly inflicted upon a human target. By an unfortunate coincidence...'"

The white rat on his shoulder is trying to get his attention. "Eli?"

"'...closely resembles that of a female headcrab in heat. As a result--'"

"Eli."

"Hm?"

"Look up."

He does, and blinks a couple of times at his surroundings. "Oh. How long ago did we walk in here?"

"Eighty-six words ago. You really need to stop pacing around while you're editing."

"C'mon, you know I think better when I'm on my feet..."

"Not well enough to pay attention to where you're going, apparently."

Comments

[acts_of_gord]

"He's a raven right now." Gordon shrugs. "There were shiny things."

It happens.

"I'm sure he'll find out soon enough. You're both six months old. If either of you could scheme much better than that, I'd be worried."

[vance_freeman]

Eli stares at his father for a moment.

Then bursts into a full-throated evil laugh.

Oh, Gordon, you have no idea what's in store for you over the next two decades.

[acts_of_gord]

■__O




(It would be o___O for someone else.)

[vance_freeman]

"...I'd like to say he's just messing with you," says Śarda. "But, yeah, you're pretty much screwed."

[acts_of_gord]

Gordon sighs, reaching up for a moment to touch the test tube around his neck. "Well, at least I'll have an idea of what's coming," he says resignedly. "It's not going to help, though, is it."

[vance_freeman]

"Prrrrobably not," says Śarda. "Sorry."

[acts_of_gord]

And there are two of them.

The next waitrat who passes is getting an order for beer.