[video]

[10_20_15_5_50]

[Standing in her apartment, Sam is smiling, if a little uncertainly, as she leans away from a silvery snout; there’s a robotic moose nosing at her shoulder, like a horse hoping for a treat. It’s friendly enough, having done no worse than nose, but it’s the last thing she expected to find in her previously moose-free living room.]

The moose is not, itself, a problem. The moose is alright. The moose being trapped in my apartment because it can’t quiiite fit through the door, though---that is a problem. It doesn’t seem antsy or anything, but this is still too small a space for something its size.

Comments

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

I could always make the door big enough.

[Breakdown....no.]

[10_20_15_5_50]

[That just makes Sam laugh.]

And easily, yeah, I know, but could you make the door big enough without taking out the outer wall, the floor, and the kitchen or closet?

[It's kind of all the way across the room from the window she keeps climbing out of.]

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

Awww, take all the fun out of it.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Somebody's gotta pretend to be a responsible adult, here. And the floor is kind of important. I appreciate the offer, though. I think.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He chuckles.]

Really, though, I’m sure we can figure out something to get it out.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Amateur hour: reno edition. This is gonna be very, very interesting... and probably a total gongshow. You got an equivalent to popcorn?

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

Yeah, pretty much. We'll figure something out. Not like it'll die if it doesn't get out, at least.

[10_20_15_5_50]

[Getting plural there---but Sam doesn't say anything about it, just grins. It's very Breakdown, and besides, she's happy to have him on-board for anything.]

Or even uncomfortable. And y'know what? I'm actually kind of excited about this because it could be kind of a fun little project. Also, because what the hell, now I have a moose buddy.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[Yes plural. You realize you could ask this big lug to do anything for you, right?]

Glad you’re happy with your new pet. I don’t know what to make of mine. [Pointing at his shoulder. See that thing wrapped around a spike? Yeah that. He doesn’t know what it is or what to make of it.]

[10_20_15_5_50]

[It's become crystal clear. It's one reason why she's thrown in with Breakdown, the other reasons by and large being everything he's already done for her.]

It's cute! Like a weird artichoke anteater thing, but cute. And big. For something that looks like a natural-if-exotic animal. Damn.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

I have no idea what you just said, but I’ll take your word for it.

I’m guessing you don’t really know what it is either?

[10_20_15_5_50]

Someday I'll show you an artichoke, but yeah, okay. And not really? Other than it looks like it should eat termites or something and is probably from Africa or some other hot place.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He turns his head to study it....it seems to be studying him back.]

.....It’s weird. You should see it walk.

[10_20_15_5_50]

At least it seems pretty friendly? [Which is good, because she's not going to be able to resist trying to pet it.] And why's that, what's it do?

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

It walks like it’s crippled or something. [He decides to demonstrate by bending over with his arms curled up and knees bent.] Like this, only closer to the ground. Looks like it’s gonna fall on its face because it never puts its hands on the ground.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Oh, that is weird! I would not expect a thing like that to walk on two feet. I wanted to see it before; now I want to come over and see it in person.

[a_little_red_in_the_face]

[He shrugs] Why not? Drop by whenever.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Then I'm on my way over.

[The plans for the new door are gonna take a little time for Hiro to complete, so she might as well leave him to his work.]