All this seahorsin' around.

[unconchonable]

Where: Eridan's makeshift seahorse pen on the island.
When: Midday till early evening: between working on the pen and spending time with the seahorse, he's gonna be there for a while.
Who: Eridan and an assorted few.
Style: Action
Status: closed



[It's been about 4 days since the Fish-Olympics ended and Eridan made off with one of the over-sized, purple seahorses. With it not being akin to his lusus and needing water, where he can keep it is greatly restricted to the ocean. However, with him not wanting it to just swim off into the horizon, he's formulated a plan, a perfect plan, a plan that involves construction skills he doesn't really have, but that's okay! Because, he honestly believes that with enough perseverance, he can make anything happen.]

[Though, that's all silly thinking. With him here today, at the pen he's placed further up the beach and out of sight from the elevator, a part of it broken due to faulty work on his end. Sure, he definitely had worked hard making the pen out of some of the abandoned hives or trees, honestly anything he could really get his hands on. Even getting things from stores in Vatheon to help in his endeavor, but even with all of that available, he's not the best at creating or making things. That's far from his general schtick.]

[So here he is, working on the pen, cape and scarf discarded for now, sleeves rolled up and hat missing, too busy fixing what damages the overgrown seahorse has done to care about any of that. He's not paying much attention if anyone is to stumble upon him while he's working on fixing the pen, or in the middle of taking a break from it, or even just spending time and trying to bond with the seahorse; with the past few days giving him no interruptions, it's not even a thought crossing his mind that anyone could even find him here.]

Comments

[stayb100ponyboy]

[It's a nice day up on the island, and with everything that's been going on lately, Equius hasn't gotten a chance to exercise the chocobos as much as he should. A bored chocobo is a destructive chocobo, especially if that chocobo is Darkleer, so Equius has him saddled up and, after a long, intense ride through the bubble, is taking him up to the island so he can play in the ocean. And hopefully wear himself out so the night isn't filled with warking and the sounds of destruction from the backyard.]

[The bird, fairly complacent after his workout, trots down the beach willingly enough, and Equius decides to run him around the island a few times before turning him loose into the ocean. As they turn a corner on the beach, Equius spots Eridan, and tugs on Darkleer's reins. The chocobo slows and stops, and both bird and rider look at Eridan with their heads tilted to the side.]

What are you doing?

[Because seriously, bro, that's some terrible building you've got going on there.]

[unconchonable]

[Man no it isn't, he's working hard he just... He's more a book person, not all this hard labor ok. Eridan nearly wants to jump out of his skin though, when he hears Equius. Out of ANYONE he could have POSSIBLY wanted to run into, Equius was by FAR one of the last. After finishing up what he was busy with, stabilizing part of the wall, or at least he thinks it is, he turns, glaring harshly at Equius and his chocobo.]

None a your damn business, though if you ewen had half a workin' pan, you'd probably figure it out, but seein' as you hawe to ASK, I do beliewe that tells us more than enough about the condition of it.

[A jab of a finger towards Equius' chocobo.]

And take your damnably stupid flapbeast away from here.

[He's not too sure how well the chocobo is gonna take to seeing a giant seahorse, and last he needs is some stupid fucking bird chasing the poor thing, or at the very least, frightening it.]

[stayb100ponyboy]

Are you... are you trying to build something?

[Oh god, this is hilarious, and Equius can barely keep the grin out of his voice or off his face. This is largely because he isn't even trying. Just glancing at the pen, he can see about a hundred problems, one hundred things that need to be fixed before that pen keeps much of anything enclosed, and then there's the added bonus of Eridan's new hair cut, too.]

[He believes it is time for a long, dramatic head toss, sending his own hair rippling in waves around his shoulders.]

What happened to your hair?

[unconchonable]

[Oh fuck you into oblivion Equius, you giant sweat-sack. Eridan's just going to scrunch his nose in distaste and maybe jealousy as he feels a ping of self-consciousness with that hair flip.]

I'm not tryin', I am. And what's it to you? My hair has newer been your concern before, so why is it now?

[stayb100ponyboy]

And failing.

[Equius dismounts, holding Darkleer's reins in one hand.]

Did you lose your hair in a horrible building accident? Because that is about all I can think of that would...

[make you think that look works for you, is what he was going to say, but Darkleer chooses that exact moment to spot the seahorse. With a joyful, noisy wark, he charges towards the water, pulling his reins from Equius' hand. Oh boy oh boy, new friend!]

[thekidsare0kay]

[Sollux doesn't go up to the island that often, but occasionally even he is curious and restless enough to venture up top for a little walk around after sunset. He has explored most of the middle part of the island, and he is starting to venture closer to the ocean.

The sound of grunting and crunching of tree against tree attracts him and he peers through the foliage to see a sight he'd never expected - Eridan doing hard labour.

With a grin, he steps out of the trees and plunks himself down on a fallen log, watching what Eridan's doing and waiting for the sea dweller to notice him]

[unconchonable]

[It takes a good few minutes for Eridan to notice him, hard at work as he is and everything. Especially since this IS Eridan after all, this hard work definitely is hard for him, he might be used to slinging a gun the size of his own body around one armed and everything, but continuous labor is whole 'nother story.]

[But then he turns and looks back, with this odd feeling he's being watched and--goddamnit.]

What the fuck do you want?

[thekidsare0kay]

[Sollux was just starting to get bored when finally Eridan's senses come back to him and he actually notices that Sollux is there.

The yellowblood jumps to his feet and pads down the beach towards him, though he's not intending to get too close to the water.]

I'm just curiouth what the fuck you're doing, actually. But do I have to want anything? I'm allowed to sit here if I want.

[unconchonable]

What I am doin' isn't any a your damn business.

[God, how long has he been sitting there watching him? Way to be a creep, Sollux!]

I guess this island IS open to all, so yeah whatewer, I'm just surprised that you honestly could muster the strength to leawe your hiwe. Didn't think the outdoors honestly suited you.

[thekidsare0kay]

It doethn't suit me, but even I have to thtrech my legs sometimes. [Sollux eyes the fence, then his robotic eyes shift towards the contents, and he frowns. A purple sea creature of some kind? Why? It doesn't look like it would make a good pet.] But really, what are you doing?

[420]

[Of course, while Eridan is quite hard at work, the seahorse is pretty bored. There is only so often it can swim in circles or bother Eridan. And while Eridan is busy fixing up part of his downright terrible construction job, the seahorse sees its chance and flees.

And it flees straight into the arms of the lazy troll drifting on his mechanical seagoat out at sea.

Gamzee jerks up in surprise when the seahorse practically rams him, wrapping his arms around it in reflex, keeping it from going further out.]

Woah, what--

[unconchonable]

[Fucking fuck! This seahorse is not planning to make ANYTHING easy, first causing the problems with the pen in general, but then harassing him the whole time he's trying to fix it, NOW running off like a total ass? He's thankful that it stopped for whatever reason, but turning and actually looking at who stopped it--plus hearing his voice, stops Eridan in his tracks.]

[Oh.]

[He grumbles, arms folding over his chest as he stares at the indigo blood basically hugging his seahorse.]

What are you doin' here?

[Definitely not as scathing as he could have been, blame it on his slight thankfulness.]

[420]

[Oh. Eridan. Fuck, Gamzee had been trying to avoid him, finally having clued in to how Eridan was really not of the intention to fix their friendship. And yet it seems like he is unable to avoid him completely, always doomed to run into him as if they are in some kind of tiny-ass bubble.

Wait.

Shifting slightly, still on the back of his robo-seagoat, he gives the device a pat, offering Eridan a bit of a grin, his arm still around the seahorse.]

Just all getting up on my relaxing chill, getting my float on with a bro's goatbot.

[You're not the only one missing your daddy, Eridan.]

Uh. He yours?

[unconchonable]

[What's with that grin? Though, the question goes ignored as he finds himself looking at the goatbot in question. He knows what that's supposed to be, it's looks are not a coincidence, just like him having this seahorse is no mere coincidence. They're both just lonely children missing their lusus.]

[The thought almost... calms Eridan in a way, finding a point of relation with the indigo troll makes it a little bit more difficult to throw so much platonic hate his way, even if he's trying to keep up his grouchy and distant disposition towards the other.]

He is. I--uh.

[He glances back at the pen, well from being totally fixed and all.]

I was fixin' up his pen and all, but the little brinesucker's been a pain in my fuckin' nook all damn day.

[Normally he'd thank Gamzee, but things between them have since been far from normal, so maybe he'll let the silence fill in the space that gratuity normally would.]

[420]

[He is just grinning cause grinning is a friendly thing to do.

Gamzee calmly pats the seahorse on the neck in the same way he would've once petted his own goat, getting nothing in return for his trouble but some chewing on his hair.]

Hehe, that's cool. I uh. weren't all being aware you done had one of these motherfuckers.

[Wow, this is kinda awkward. When was the last time they had had an actual conversation? Months ago, surely.]

[devwocean]

[As Eridan is finishing up his work, Dualscar and Signless come walking up the beach. Dualscar's wearing a tight shirt and pants, his feet bare and digging into the sand as they walk. They're preparing for a swimming lesson and just looking for a good spot to wade out into the surf, so Dualscar's not wearing his armour and cape.

He sees Eridan and glances sidelong at Signless, then lengthens his stride]

Eridan! Wwhat are you doin'?

[withoutasign]

[Well, crap. Signless has to hussle to keep up with Dualscar when he walks fast like that, and even then, he falls behind. Stupid highbloods with their stupid long legs!]

[He notices Eridan too though, and waves to the young seadweller. He's dressed more casually than usual today too, leaving his cloak behind and wearing a simple black t-shirt and some tight dive gear trunks.]

Hi, Eridan! What have you got there?

[Now dammit, Dualscar, slow down!]

[unconchonable]

[Oops, maybe he shouldn't be surprised to hear these two coming up here. He's well aware of how they both go swimming, but who would have thought they'd head to this side of the beach. He looks to them, eyes flicking between them before he looks to the pen he's been working on.]

Oh I...

[How to even explain this?]

I'm makin' a thing for this seahorse I... acquired. What're you two doin' here?

[Asking even though he's pretty sure he knows the answer.]

[devwocean]

[Dualscar belatedly realizes he's left Signless behind and slows down to let his moirail catch up, though he continues walking until he reaches Eridan.

He lets his eye run critically over the fencing, then turns to Eridan.]

Wwe wwere thinkin a havving a swwim, Signless and me. You keepin this seahorse as a pet, then?

[withoutasign]

[Signless, meanwhile, is splashing right into the water, the better to try and pet the seahorse.]

He's so cute, Eridan! What are you calling him?

[Come here, seahorse. Stop trying to swim away!]

[bethehugejerk]

[Building is a lot easier and less tiring when you have a construction droid or reality-warping computer program to aid you. That would be why, when Karkat comes across Eridan, it's during a moment of rest.]

[It's not actually that common for him to be up here. He has nothing against it - there are a number of important memories up here - but it's also not something he has an affinity for. Sand and sea, those are the domain of sea dwellers, not a land-bound kid who refused to learn to swim even for the Fisholympics.]

[Speaking of which, Eridan sure has been busy the past few days despite them ending. For all that worked to his favor the day he wanted to hang out with Gamzee, it's also left him curious. So today, after a cursory check around town (and a little asking if anyone's seen a hipster with zig-zag horns), he's wound up visiting the island.]

[He almost stops when he doesn't spot him anywhere near the elevator, but a bit of walking around and fresh air never hurt. In that way he winds up meandering aimlessly before he even finds sign of him: a glimpse further down the beach of some figure seated, and... a glimpse of orange horn. That's enough, and after a bit of walking (which resolves the orange into a familiar bent shape), he's close enough in range to call out.]

Hey, Eridan!

[unconchonable]

[Construction is hard work, but especially so when you have little to any idea of exactly what the hell you are doing, and after working for a good while, he's chosen to take a break. Sitting down on the beach, not really caring about the sand on his clothes, too tired for that, staring out into the ocean, while also keeping an eye on his seahorse. Though, his head snaps into the direction he hears his name being called--sure is Karkat.]

[He stares at him, slightly surprised, because what is Karkat doing up here? He doesn't think Karkat has anything against the island, but he doesn't exactly got any reasons to be up here, at least he doesn't think so.]

Hey Kar. What're you doin' up here?

[bethehugejerk]

Looking for you. You've been out a lot lately and I got curious.

[He strides closer, looking over the area as he does.]

What are you doing, for that... matter...

[Of course, this winds up with him catching sight of the poorly constructed pen, and the seahorse he's trying to contain with it.]

Did you take that from the Fisholympics?

[unconchonable]

Oh I--

[Welp. He shifts a little bit, maybe looking a little guilty when Karkat asks. Yeah, he sure did steal it from the fisholympics. He's just going to avoid looking at Karkat.]

... Yeah, I did.

[ex_fintastic398]

[ Always prone to wandering the island, especially when the weather isn't too terrible, Feferi comes upon a certain scarf and cape before she finds anything else. And unless there are two dorks running around the bubble with a nerdy cape and scarf, it can only mean one thing: Eridan. They seem neatly folded, rather than discarded in a scuffle, so he's got to be nearby, and she nearly runs off to find him, but has a second thought. Picking up the scarf, she drapes it around her neck, then struggles for a moment before finally succeeding in clasping the cape about her shoulders. She has never felt more ridiculous in her life, but in a way, it's kind of funny, and so she seeks the most recent set of tracks. They must be his, and if she follows him, she is bound to find her moirail.

Sure enough, she hears him before she spots him, but only just barely. But where did he get the seahorse, why does he have it penned up, and what is he doing with it. She stands there for a moment, kind of wanting to watch and see what he does, but at the same time, she really really wants to ask all the questions and find out what's going on. ]