[Voice]

[espigeonage]

[Julien is being so careful to keep his voice light, but someone sensitive might pick up the sheathed edge. He's irritated.]

Okay, I hate asking this, but can I completely take over anyone's hot tub or like... small pool? Something not chlorinated. Or would help me set up and fill one of those largish inflatable pools on their property somewhere.

[Pause. Yeah, he probably should provide a reason.]

It looks like I'm molting. It's - annoying.

Comments

[arrowpoint]

Ew, gross.

[A pause.]

We've talked before, right? I recognize your voice, but I forgot your name.

[espigeonage]

Yeah.

It's Julien, and you're Liam. Sorry, I'm not trying to be rude, it's just... aaugh.

[arrowpoint]

Yep that's me, and nah, man it's cool. That sounds like it sucks.

So... how big a tub you need? I've got a pretty big one off my uncle's old room, but it's a little smaller than a hot tub.

[espigeonage]

Umm, well, I'm really big and I think I need to splash a little. How many people could fit into it?

[arrowpoint]

Uhhhh, wait give me a minute.

[There's the sound of movement as he walks down the hallway.]

Okay, how's this...

[He switches on the video, and turns the camera towards the luxurious tub so that Julien could see it.]

...depends upon how big the people are. About three of me, yeah? How big are you?

[espigeonage]

Maybe... I'd get the whole room wet, though.

I'm like seven feet tall. Wings are... I don't know, fourteen? Fifteen? Tail's like three, four feet.

[arrowpoint]

[He turns the camera towards himself.]

Well, you could give it a shot - but you're bleeding right? You don't have any diseases do you?

[espigeonage]

Far as I know I'm clean. I think the bleeding's stopped.

[arrowpoint]

It's up to you then, man. There's like six bathrooms in this place so you can kind of take over that one as far as I'm concerned.

[espigeonage]

Six? Wow. D'you have hairdryers?

[arrowpoint]

...Yeah?

[Didn't everybody?]

[espigeonage]

I need a lot of those too, or else I have to hang out in the sun for ages or smell like a wet dog.

So where do you live?

[arrowpoint]

Okay well I have a regular one and a travel one, but if I had to guess I think Uncle Teage probably has one too, somewhere.

It's a big place out in the woods. I can give you the address.

[The camera wiggles some as he's typing in the address.]

[espigeonage]

Teage... [It's not a common name, and Liam does sort of look like him.] What, Teagan?

[arrowpoint]

Wow, he's popular around here. Yeah, Teagan O’Reynne.

[In that case, the address might look familiar.]

[espigeonage]

Heh. It's a small world. Are you the nephew he didn't want knowing he was numbered?

[Fortunately Liam seems easier to get on with than Teagan - Julien likes Teagan, but Julien likes everyone.]

Kind of a ways to walk. Hmm.

[arrowpoint]

Yep.

[Said dryly. That was still a sour subject.]

Well, I usually bike or if I really have to I take a bus, but... you're being all feathery right now, right? You got a friend you can give you a ride? ...not that I advocate for cars or anything, but I think when you've got this kind of a problem it's cool.

[espigeonage]

Ah. That must've been awkward.

I'm thinking of who I can ask with a big enough back seat. I get too many stares on the bus and today I don't think I can just be patient... okay, well, date and time?

[arrowpoint]

Whenever you want really, but I have work until four most days. I can give you my cell though, and you can call me if you find a ride, how's that?

[Already he's beginning to type in a phone number.]

[espigeonage]

Sure... how's today, then?

I can't bathe as often as I used to since it's such a big hassle.

[arrowpoint]

That's cool, I'm at home anyway. Give me a call when you can get a ride, and uh... hope you feel better, man.

[espigeonage]

Thanks... yeah, me too.

[He'll call in a few hours.]