Ssssuper dads

[brothor]

WHO: Thor, John and possible the people crushing on them?
TONE: Fatherly bonding
RATING: G
WHEN: The 10th
WHERE: The Courtyard
WHAT: John and Thor take their egg for a walk
STATUS: Ongoing

[It's been a few days since John and Egbert joined together for their journey into snake fatherhood, and things are going surprisingly well. It's amazing that Thor hasn't managed to break it by now, but the two of them somehow managed to dodge that bullet. It's been an interesting few days filled with debates about names and snake dietary needs, Thor has become incredibly attached to the thing.

Thor, concerned that their egg baby has become stifled in the castle (and also restless and hoping to get outside) has suggested the benefits of fresh air and sunshine for their egg baby. They want it to be healthy, after all! A walk will do wonders for the bouncing baby egg.

It's currently wrapped in a Gryffindor scarf and seated in Thor's lap as he sits cross legged. He's currently recounting the events of the most recent quidditch match with his personal opinions over lapping. Loudly.]

Comments

[fuckmackandme]

[John has to admit, that Thor has been a better snake daddy than he originally thought. When it comes to controlling ones own strength, Thor wasn't always the best, and the other Gryffindor 4th years had had the bruises to prove it. But the snake egg was safe and sound, with no scratches or whatever other damage could be made to an egg.

As for John... Well, he was taking his role as a father seriously, even going as far as to owl his dad to send him his bubble pipe. He was a proper gentleman and a future father now, it was only right he looked the part.

So there he was, blowing his bubble pipe while Thor goes on about the game's quidditch match.]

You shouldn't be so loud. You are probably scaring it.

[brothor]

[Basically the best dads ever. Thor is clearly taking the horribly traditional route as the mother of the family here. He's constantly trying to feed the egg despite knowing it isn't going to eat. It has no mouth, after all. It just seem polite to offer.

He gives John a solemn look as he chides him for the volume of his voice, looking guiltily down at the egg.]

Perhaps, but at least it will develop a keen understanding of quidditch! ...We should name it. 'It' seems so heartless.

[fuckmackandme]

[He seems to ponder the suggestion for a moment, although he's actually been thinking the same himself.]

Hmmm... Yes, we do need a name. A good, strong name, that goes well with Egbert.

[brothor]

What about Odinson?

[He narrows his eyes at John and raises a suspicious eyebrow.] It should be Norwegian if we are making its last name Egbert. Ah- but will it be a boy name or a girl name?

[fuckmackandme]

The Egberts are a proud family with a great history! Plus, it sounds weird if we hyphen it with Odinson.

As for your question, we can go with a gender neutral name if you know any.

[brothor]

So are the Odinsons! We are descended from vikings, Egbert! Vikings. Why can we not combine them? Egdinson is a striking name, terribly charming!

[He hums thoughtfully.] Norwegian names are generally not gender neutral.

[fuckmackandme]

Hm... Yes, I suppose it is striking enough.

This is a problem. We don't know the baby's gender yet, so we can't just pick a name... [There's a pause] By the way do you know how to tell what gender a snake is?

[brothor]

Any snake would be proud to have such a name!

Indeed. Perhaps a surname will do for now. The little Egdinson baby will have to suffer as such. [He pauses to consider it and begins to look horribly confused.] I...No. I have never had to check...Perhaps a Slytherin will know!

[fuckmackandme]

Hm... No, I do not think a Slytherin will know. Not any Slytherin, anyway. Who do we know that's good with animals?

[brothor]

But they know so much about snakes, don't they? They should! [He hums, considering the question.] Perhaps Nitram of Hufflepuff will be able to help! He knows a great deal about animals and card games.

[fuckmackandme]

Perfect! We can go ask him about our snake when it hatches.

[brothor]

I wonder if he will be approached by many others in regards to their eggs and snakes. I do not know many others quite so capable around all creatures.

[preanimator]

You're not supposed to keep it out in the cold, you know. [Herbert informs the younger boy haughtily. His own egg is kept tucked away in a little box with a warming charm on it, which he keeps in his pocket.]

[brothor]

My lap is not cold. [He gives Herbert a knowing look, nodding deeply.] It is wrapped in a scarf, too. I imagine it is the snuggest egg as it ever possibly could be! With the added bonus of fresh air!

[preanimator]

[rolls his eyes] You know that air doesn't get in the shell, don't you? Or did you poke holes in it? [Thinks Thor might be dumb enough to do something like that, really.]

[brothor]

[Thor looks horrified.] I would NEVER! That is a foolish idea! [He sits upward and thrusts the egg toward Herbert's face to show him. An egg that IS slowly forming a hole as a baby snake noses its way out slowly.] See! No hole!

[preanimator]

Actually [Herbert says, with almost gleeful smugness] You've got one right there-

[He leans in to point, and ... that's an odd smell, isn't it?] What did you do to it anyway .... ?

[His voice trails off as he looks up at Thor, blinks, and then starts to smile, soft and a little shy.] Um. It's not really your fault, though, I don't mean to give you a hard time. It's just, your snake is hatching. See, there?

[brothor]

I- what? [He gives Herbert a defensive but confused look as he pulls his egg toward himself protectively. He looks down at it and seems a little devastated at the hole.

He stares back up at Herbert with tragic blue eyes as if he expects to be told he's done something wrong....and...what? That seems like a change of tune. He'll just roll with it...]

Oh? Ah! How exciting! You are terribly observant. [He gives him a thankful smile before looking at his egg as it breaks a little more.]

[preanimator]

[Herbert's just looking at Thor, rather intently, the faint smile still lingering around his lips.] They can take a long time to hatch, up to an hour, even. So it's sort of a slow motion exciting.

[brothor]

[The smile is becoming disarming to Thor, he grows less suspicious of it and more willing to return it with a sincere grin.]

That sounds terribly difficult for it. I only hope I have the patience to see it through!

[preanimator]

[Ah, that grin is ... truly beautiful. Herbert's going to just bask in it a second, and finally come back with a shy, but quite genuine smile, not just the hint of one.] I'm sure you will. Do you want some help? I know loads about biology.

[brothor]

[Now that Herbert is smiling like that, Thor is happy to relax around him. He didn't have much to do with him before, but he'd thought Herbert truly hated him. Possibly because he's jealous of Thor's amazing looks and personality???

In any case, if he is friendly, Thor will be friendly back.]

Really? That would be most appreciated! I cannot say I know all that much myself.

[preanimator]

Well, it's not really your specialty, is it? You're good at other things. [moving a little closer, still smiling, tilting his head to look up at the taller boy] Have you got a home for it? It's going to need to be kept warm, and snakes like to have places to hide - they're a bit shy.

[brothor]

No, it is not. I am fortunate to have met someone with such skills who is willing to help me. [He smiles appreciatively.] Egbert assisted me in building her a nest. It is in our dorm! [A laugh.] I am sure it will become confident in time!

[preanimator]

Um, most of the time they don't actually. Snakes - well, most reptiles - are strongly directed by instinct? They don't do a lot of what we would know as thinking, their brains just aren't capable of that or the higher emotions, either.

[As Herbert explains, he gestures a little, his expression bright as he talks about something he knows a bit about. There're few things the Ravenclaw likes more than showing off his knowledge, and if it can impress the gorgeous Thor, so much the better!] They can learn to tolerate being handled by certain people, though, so you should at least be able to hold it!