..i’ve? never had a girlfriend? i’ve only dated Pure..
No, kiddo… no, that’s… that’s not true.
*confused?* what do you mean?
You talked to me about a girl once… you wanted to marry her, but I told you that you couldn’t technically get married?
i don’t… *he shakes his head slightly* you must be misremembering or something because i haven’t dated any girls!
Max, I’m old – but not that old. I know exactly what I’m talking about. Are you okay? Did… did you eat something funny, Max?
You got it this time?
Yeah, I got it. You’re spotting me still, right Max?
Yep.
Okay – thanks, buddy. I’m gonna go for the same spot as before… *Carlos gets close to the fire pit and, much slower this time, he starts to lower the pot back to the ground*
Alright. *the pondscum slid off the stick he was holding, resulting in Max silently swearing*
*Carlos glanced at him, confused.* You okay, buddy?
Yep, totally, all good. *he doesn’t sound too sure but it’s just pondscum it’s fine*
*Carlos hums and finally gets the pot on the ground* There we go! Second time’s the charm!
I’m,,, really tempted to kick it,, but I’m not gonna. *he takes a couple pods from his pocket* y’know what’s cool? I can fit a bunch of stuff in this hoodie. 20 pudding cups, or a book for examplez
*Carlos smiled at him and nodded* I know, right? I used to stuff all kinds of things in my hoodie when I was a kid – dirt, notebooks, joy buzzers, my pet rat…
Yeah, currently the only things I have in it now are tide pods, a book, and a zipbloc of pondscum- wait hold up pet what now?
Yeah, I had a rat when I was your age. Her name was Ratney. Almost didn’t keep her though because I thought I was allergic to her… *just keeps smiling*
That’s cool, I guess? I’ve seen mice around here, if that relates any.
Yeah? That’s cool. Too bad that I’m allergic to them now though. I miss having a furry pet.
Unless the platypus counts, I’ve never had a pet that wasn’t a fish, anyway, how many pods are we putting in?
Well, I’d start with a low number. But this is your experiment, Max. How many do YOU want to put in?
Well I don’t know, you’re the scientist, I only have like 4.
Ah. Well, let’s start with just one then, and see how fast it dissolves. Since this is cold water, what do you hypothesize?
That’s like a science guess right? Uhh things dissolve faster with hot water, right? So would it pretty much be the opposite?
That’s a great theory! *he looks at his watch to get the time.* It’s 3:20 in the afternoon right now… so that’s our start time.
*max nods. He puts the pod into the water and sits by the pot*
*now here’s the boring part, Carlos thought. He wondered how long this would keep Max’s attention* So… how have things been going in camp, Max? Anything interesting happen?
*Max shrugged* Dunno. Haven’t really been paying attention.
What do you mean you haven’t been paying attention?
I’ve been doing other things y’know? I still have to do the activities but,
But…?
What?
Just… you stopped at ‘but’. What have you been doing, then?
Stuff.. Wanna see what I have in my pockets?
Uh… sure, I guess? You said you had a book.
Yeah, *the digs around in his hoodie pocket and pulls out 3 tide pods, a small box of tic-tacs, and a book that’s marked a bit over half way done* it’s a pretty big hoodie.
Uh-huh – I see. How’s the book going?
You got it this time?
Yeah, I got it. You’re spotting me still, right Max?
Yep.
Okay – thanks, buddy. I’m gonna go for the same spot as before… *Carlos gets close to the fire pit and, much slower this time, he starts to lower the pot back to the ground*
Alright. *the pondscum slid off the stick he was holding, resulting in Max silently swearing*
*Carlos glanced at him, confused.* You okay, buddy?
Yep, totally, all good. *he doesn’t sound too sure but it’s just pondscum it’s fine*
*Carlos hums and finally gets the pot on the ground* There we go! Second time’s the charm!
I’m,,, really tempted to kick it,, but I’m not gonna. *he takes a couple pods from his pocket* y’know what’s cool? I can fit a bunch of stuff in this hoodie. 20 pudding cups, or a book for examplez
*Carlos smiled at him and nodded* I know, right? I used to stuff all kinds of things in my hoodie when I was a kid – dirt, notebooks, joy buzzers, my pet rat…
Yeah, currently the only things I have in it now are tide pods, a book, and a zipbloc of pondscum- wait hold up pet what now?
Yeah, I had a rat when I was your age. Her name was Ratney. Almost didn’t keep her though because I thought I was allergic to her… *just keeps smiling*
That’s cool, I guess? I’ve seen mice around here, if that relates any.
Yeah? That’s cool. Too bad that I’m allergic to them now though. I miss having a furry pet.
Unless the platypus counts, I’ve never had a pet that wasn’t a fish, anyway, how many pods are we putting in?
Well, I’d start with a low number. But this is your experiment, Max. How many do YOU want to put in?
Well I don’t know, you’re the scientist, I only have like 4.
Ah. Well, let’s start with just one then, and see how fast it dissolves. Since this is cold water, what do you hypothesize?
That’s like a science guess right? Uhh things dissolve faster with hot water, right? So would it pretty much be the opposite?
That’s a great theory! *he looks at his watch to get the time.* It’s 3:20 in the afternoon right now… so that’s our start time.
*max nods. He puts the pod into the water and sits by the pot*
*now here’s the boring part, Carlos thought. He wondered how long this would keep Max’s attention* So… how have things been going in camp, Max? Anything interesting happen?
*Max shrugged* Dunno. Haven’t really been paying attention.
What do you mean you haven’t been paying attention?
I’ve been doing other things y’know? I still have to do the activities but,
But…?
What?
Just… you stopped at ‘but’. What have you been doing, then?
Stuff.. Wanna see what I have in my pockets?
Uh… sure, I guess? You said you had a book.
..i’ve? never had a girlfriend? i’ve only dated Pure..
No, kiddo… no, that’s… that’s not true.
*confused?* what do you mean?
You talked to me about a girl once… you wanted to marry her, but I told you that you couldn’t technically get married?
You got it this time?
Yeah, I got it. You’re spotting me still, right Max?
Yep.
Okay – thanks, buddy. I’m gonna go for the same spot as before… *Carlos gets close to the fire pit and, much slower this time, he starts to lower the pot back to the ground*
Alright. *the pondscum slid off the stick he was holding, resulting in Max silently swearing*
*Carlos glanced at him, confused.* You okay, buddy?
Yep, totally, all good. *he doesn’t sound too sure but it’s just pondscum it’s fine*
*Carlos hums and finally gets the pot on the ground* There we go! Second time’s the charm!
I’m,,, really tempted to kick it,, but I’m not gonna. *he takes a couple pods from his pocket* y’know what’s cool? I can fit a bunch of stuff in this hoodie. 20 pudding cups, or a book for examplez
*Carlos smiled at him and nodded* I know, right? I used to stuff all kinds of things in my hoodie when I was a kid – dirt, notebooks, joy buzzers, my pet rat…
Yeah, currently the only things I have in it now are tide pods, a book, and a zipbloc of pondscum- wait hold up pet what now?
Yeah, I had a rat when I was your age. Her name was Ratney. Almost didn’t keep her though because I thought I was allergic to her… *just keeps smiling*
That’s cool, I guess? I’ve seen mice around here, if that relates any.
Yeah? That’s cool. Too bad that I’m allergic to them now though. I miss having a furry pet.
Unless the platypus counts, I’ve never had a pet that wasn’t a fish, anyway, how many pods are we putting in?
Well, I’d start with a low number. But this is your experiment, Max. How many do YOU want to put in?
Well I don’t know, you’re the scientist, I only have like 4.
Ah. Well, let’s start with just one then, and see how fast it dissolves. Since this is cold water, what do you hypothesize?
That’s like a science guess right? Uhh things dissolve faster with hot water, right? So would it pretty much be the opposite?
That’s a great theory! *he looks at his watch to get the time.* It’s 3:20 in the afternoon right now… so that’s our start time.
*max nods. He puts the pod into the water and sits by the pot*
*now here’s the boring part, Carlos thought. He wondered how long this would keep Max’s attention* So… how have things been going in camp, Max? Anything interesting happen?
*Max shrugged* Dunno. Haven’t really been paying attention.
What do you mean you haven’t been paying attention?
I’ve been doing other things y’know? I still have to do the activities but,
But…?
What?
Just… you stopped at ‘but’. What have you been doing, then?
“Uhhhhhh
you know something….. I dunno….. I honestly have no clue where they
come from… where ever they come from it’s covered in these things…
because these things don’t die until you eat them…”—
Peter keeps crying calling for his mother curling around himself in a tight ball. “I want my momma… I want her back!”
“Oh really? I wonder if Carlos has had a chance to study them. He doesn’t usually work with animals, but I’m very curious…”
–
Carlos quickly got in to send the woman away. “I’m so sorry – he’s been having a bad day. We’ve got him now though, we’ll take care of him.”
Mikey positioned himself in front of Kraglin and Peter to deter people from stopping and looking.
Kraglin scooted closer to Peter and put an arm around his shoulder. “Peter… come on, Petey… Look at me. I’m right here, buddy.”
Peter shakes his head as he continues to sob. “I want to go home……. I don’t want to be a ravager anymore. I want to go home…. to grandpa… grandma…… to….. to……. Momma……. home to momma….”
“She ain’t here, Pete,” Kraglin told him softly. “She’s gone. It’s just me, Kraglin. And Yondu… Yondu’s back at the house, remember?”
Sniffs and lets out a heart wrenching sob. “I WANT TO GO HOME!!!!!” Flies into a full out panic attack and emotional break down screaming into his knees and pulling at his hair while hyperventilating.
Kraglin grabbed Peter’s wrists and tried to yank them away from his hair. He put his arms around Pete’s shoulders and hugged him tightly, trying to act as a buffer between Peter and his own hands.
“We should get him in the car and back home,” Carlos said. “I… Jesus, I had no idea it could get this bad.”
“Does this happen often?” Mikey asked Carlos, trying not to sound alarmed.
“Not very, but we’re on Earth now so this is a huge change in circumstances…*
Peter panting hard and fast fingers clenching into the back of kraglins coat whole body shaking moments from completely shattering and losing himself.
Kraglin just held him, shushing gently and rocking him a bit. “M’here, Pete… Krags is here…”
“Mikey, can you run and buy a bag of Cheetos?” Carlos asked.
“Why?” asked Mikey.
“It’s familiar – it might help ground him.”
Mikey nodded and quickly sprinted away.
Pressed closer to him almost curling into a ball on his lap clutching not letting go. “Momma……..”
Kraglin rubbed Peter’s back. “She’s not here… It’s just me and Carlos.”
“Take deep breaths, Petey,” Carlos cooed gently, moving to kneel beside the pair as well.
Peter after a bit settled down but he was completely quiet severely subdued, no life or energy in him. A empty shell of his normal self.
Mikey finally came back with a small bag of Cheetos. “Thanks, Mikey,” Carlos said, grabbing the bag. He opened it and held the bag under Peter’s nose. “Peter… what does that smell like, Peter?”
Kraglin wrinkled his nose and glanced at the bag in confusion. “How in the… what are those?”
“Cheetos,” Carlos explained. “Very similar to Beasties, actually.”
..i’ve? never had a girlfriend? i’ve only dated Pure..
No, kiddo… no, that’s… that’s not true.
You got it this time?
Yeah, I got it. You’re spotting me still, right Max?
Yep.
Okay – thanks, buddy. I’m gonna go for the same spot as before… *Carlos gets close to the fire pit and, much slower this time, he starts to lower the pot back to the ground*
Alright. *the pondscum slid off the stick he was holding, resulting in Max silently swearing*
*Carlos glanced at him, confused.* You okay, buddy?
Yep, totally, all good. *he doesn’t sound too sure but it’s just pondscum it’s fine*
*Carlos hums and finally gets the pot on the ground* There we go! Second time’s the charm!
I’m,,, really tempted to kick it,, but I’m not gonna. *he takes a couple pods from his pocket* y’know what’s cool? I can fit a bunch of stuff in this hoodie. 20 pudding cups, or a book for examplez
*Carlos smiled at him and nodded* I know, right? I used to stuff all kinds of things in my hoodie when I was a kid – dirt, notebooks, joy buzzers, my pet rat…
Yeah, currently the only things I have in it now are tide pods, a book, and a zipbloc of pondscum- wait hold up pet what now?
Yeah, I had a rat when I was your age. Her name was Ratney. Almost didn’t keep her though because I thought I was allergic to her… *just keeps smiling*
That’s cool, I guess? I’ve seen mice around here, if that relates any.
Yeah? That’s cool. Too bad that I’m allergic to them now though. I miss having a furry pet.
Unless the platypus counts, I’ve never had a pet that wasn’t a fish, anyway, how many pods are we putting in?
Well, I’d start with a low number. But this is your experiment, Max. How many do YOU want to put in?
Well I don’t know, you’re the scientist, I only have like 4.
Ah. Well, let’s start with just one then, and see how fast it dissolves. Since this is cold water, what do you hypothesize?
That’s like a science guess right? Uhh things dissolve faster with hot water, right? So would it pretty much be the opposite?
That’s a great theory! *he looks at his watch to get the time.* It’s 3:20 in the afternoon right now… so that’s our start time.
*max nods. He puts the pod into the water and sits by the pot*
*now here’s the boring part, Carlos thought. He wondered how long this would keep Max’s attention* So… how have things been going in camp, Max? Anything interesting happen?
*Max shrugged* Dunno. Haven’t really been paying attention.
What do you mean you haven’t been paying attention?
I’ve been doing other things y’know? I still have to do the activities but,
But…?
“Uhhhhhh
you know something….. I dunno….. I honestly have no clue where they
come from… where ever they come from it’s covered in these things…
because these things don’t die until you eat them…”—
Peter keeps crying calling for his mother curling around himself in a tight ball. “I want my momma… I want her back!”
“Oh really? I wonder if Carlos has had a chance to study them. He doesn’t usually work with animals, but I’m very curious…”
–
Carlos quickly got in to send the woman away. “I’m so sorry – he’s been having a bad day. We’ve got him now though, we’ll take care of him.”
Mikey positioned himself in front of Kraglin and Peter to deter people from stopping and looking.
Kraglin scooted closer to Peter and put an arm around his shoulder. “Peter… come on, Petey… Look at me. I’m right here, buddy.”
Peter shakes his head as he continues to sob. “I want to go home……. I don’t want to be a ravager anymore. I want to go home…. to grandpa… grandma…… to….. to……. Momma……. home to momma….”
“She ain’t here, Pete,” Kraglin told him softly. “She’s gone. It’s just me, Kraglin. And Yondu… Yondu’s back at the house, remember?”
Sniffs and lets out a heart wrenching sob. “I WANT TO GO HOME!!!!!” Flies into a full out panic attack and emotional break down screaming into his knees and pulling at his hair while hyperventilating.
Kraglin grabbed Peter’s wrists and tried to yank them away from his hair. He put his arms around Pete’s shoulders and hugged him tightly, trying to act as a buffer between Peter and his own hands.
“We should get him in the car and back home,” Carlos said. “I… Jesus, I had no idea it could get this bad.”
“Does this happen often?” Mikey asked Carlos, trying not to sound alarmed.
“Not very, but we’re on Earth now so this is a huge change in circumstances…*
Peter panting hard and fast fingers clenching into the back of kraglins coat whole body shaking moments from completely shattering and losing himself.
Kraglin just held him, shushing gently and rocking him a bit. “M’here, Pete… Krags is here…”
“Mikey, can you run and buy a bag of Cheetos?” Carlos asked.
“Why?” asked Mikey.
“It’s familiar – it might help ground him.”
Mikey nodded and quickly sprinted away.
Pressed closer to him almost curling into a ball on his lap clutching not letting go. “Momma……..”
Kraglin rubbed Peter’s back. “She’s not here… It’s just me and Carlos.”
“Take deep breaths, Petey,” Carlos cooed gently, moving to kneel beside the pair as well.
You got it this time?
Yeah, I got it. You’re spotting me still, right Max?
Yep.
Okay – thanks, buddy. I’m gonna go for the same spot as before… *Carlos gets close to the fire pit and, much slower this time, he starts to lower the pot back to the ground*
Alright. *the pondscum slid off the stick he was holding, resulting in Max silently swearing*
*Carlos glanced at him, confused.* You okay, buddy?
Yep, totally, all good. *he doesn’t sound too sure but it’s just pondscum it’s fine*
*Carlos hums and finally gets the pot on the ground* There we go! Second time’s the charm!
I’m,,, really tempted to kick it,, but I’m not gonna. *he takes a couple pods from his pocket* y’know what’s cool? I can fit a bunch of stuff in this hoodie. 20 pudding cups, or a book for examplez
*Carlos smiled at him and nodded* I know, right? I used to stuff all kinds of things in my hoodie when I was a kid – dirt, notebooks, joy buzzers, my pet rat…
Yeah, currently the only things I have in it now are tide pods, a book, and a zipbloc of pondscum- wait hold up pet what now?
Yeah, I had a rat when I was your age. Her name was Ratney. Almost didn’t keep her though because I thought I was allergic to her… *just keeps smiling*
That’s cool, I guess? I’ve seen mice around here, if that relates any.
Yeah? That’s cool. Too bad that I’m allergic to them now though. I miss having a furry pet.
Unless the platypus counts, I’ve never had a pet that wasn’t a fish, anyway, how many pods are we putting in?
Well, I’d start with a low number. But this is your experiment, Max. How many do YOU want to put in?
Well I don’t know, you’re the scientist, I only have like 4.
Ah. Well, let’s start with just one then, and see how fast it dissolves. Since this is cold water, what do you hypothesize?
That’s like a science guess right? Uhh things dissolve faster with hot water, right? So would it pretty much be the opposite?
That’s a great theory! *he looks at his watch to get the time.* It’s 3:20 in the afternoon right now… so that’s our start time.
*max nods. He puts the pod into the water and sits by the pot*
*now here’s the boring part, Carlos thought. He wondered how long this would keep Max’s attention* So… how have things been going in camp, Max? Anything interesting happen?
*Max shrugged* Dunno. Haven’t really been paying attention.
What do you mean you haven’t been paying attention?
The Perfect Scientist 