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

[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.