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

[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!

[brothor]

If it can learn to deal with my enthusiasm then it will have done well indeed. [He sniggles as he thinks about it, peeking at the egg with a knowing smile.] It already reminds me of my brother! Perhaps I should have called it Loki!

[And then he remembers something he and John had been debating.] Ah! West! You are knowledgeable in this area, are you not? Are you able to tell the difference between a male and female snake?

[preanimator]

[It's something Herbert's been reading up on, though he has yet to be called upon to sex a snake. Still, book knowledge is good enough, right? Especially if it'll impress Thor.]

There's a difference in tail shapes - would you like me to examine yours to determine the sex when it's fully emerged?

[brothor]

I most certainly would, when it hatches! I would like to name it correctly. I am afraid I cannot think of a great many gender neutral names either.

[He pouts down at his egg, wanting it to hatch faster already.]

[preanimator]

You could just name it something in a different language. Then no one would know what sex it was supposed to be. [moving a little closer to stand next to Thor, ostensibly looking down at the egg, but actually studying the play of the candlelight on the other boy's golden hair]

[brothor]

I had wanted to name it something Norse, but our names are gender specific. I do not know any unisex ones. [He seems to pout a little.] It is unfortunate. Eggdinson is not a charming name.

[preanimator]

Oh, I don't know, it's not that bad. But I'll sex it for you when it's hatched, then you won't have to worry about it. [giving Thor a hopeful smile]

[brothor]

You think so? [He gives him a curious smile, raising an eyebrow at him.] I had no idea you were such a helpful companion, West! I'd actually assumed you disliked me...though I cannot imagine why! Perhaps my friendship with Stark is offputting for you?

[preanimator]

[briefly sour look] Let's not mention him if at all possible. I have to deal with him enough every night in the dorm.

[adds, eyebrows up] But I don't dislike you. I think ... perhaps I misunderstood you. You're very different from what I'm used to. [ducking his head shyly, then glancing back up] I hope I haven't been too rude.

[brothor]

As you wish! I cannot imagine tolerating him for such a great length of time. He is hardly tolerable as it is.

I can see that you do not, but you did not seem to think much of me until now. [He laughs.] But I will not complain, you've never been truly rude before.

[preanimator]

[Herbert laughs when Thor mentions Stark's lack of tolerability - he has an odd laugh, rough and peculiarly crow-like, which might be one of the reasons hardly anyone ever hears him do it.] Well, I didn't know you, did I? We're not the same year or House, and I only see you hanging about with Stark.

I wouldn't mind a little more experience to change that, though.

[brothor]

[Thor raises an eyebrow briefly at the laugh, but he doesn't mind it all that much. He's just never heard it before!]

I suppose not, I can imagine why it would deter you from ever wanting to initiate some sort of friendship. [He smiles brightly.] Is that so? I would not mind it at all!

[preanimator]

Really? [Herbert sounds genuinely surprised, then he bites his lower lip.] Do you want to, um, maybe hang out some time?

[brothor]

Of course. [Herbert can probably see his reflection in Thor's teeth as he beams at him.] Absolutely! Perhaps you could assist me with my studies-- or I could teach you something that I know!

[preanimator]

[Yes those are brilliantly white teeth, dreamily white teeth, and Herbert had never realized he cared about dentition, but Thor's is amazing ... ]

Both of those sound really nice. Um. When?