[Video] Callin' all the animals inside

[notmymccalling]

[There's that awkwardly uneven face on the network again. He looks just as comfortable now as he did the first few times he'd poked the network, but he's getting used to this sort of mass communication. It's a good way to get things across without some kind of school news letter or something. There is a small piglet draped over his shoulder, sound asleep, like some kind of dopey cat, completely contented where it was. The sounds of others scurrying about can probably also be heard from time to time.

So he takes a breath and begins.]

Um, hi Wonderland. Again. I'm Scott, and I know a lot of people around here have taken to adopting the little baby boars that have been running around. If not that, you probably have other pets, too. Back home, I was training with a veterinarian and I wanted to offer what I can to everyone. So, if you have a pet that's in need of something, or hurt, or sick, bring them to the clinic. I've set up a little veterinary clinic on the first floor, second room. It's not much, but it's better than nothing, right?

If you have any kind of emergency or need to get a hold of me and I'm not at the clinic, I'll totally take house calls and stuff. So just, give me a call or something.

That's all I got. But I'll answer any questions you might have, if I can.

[With that, he offered a sweet smile and cut the video.]

Comments

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[thehobbsgirl]

[ Abigail lives on the first floor not far from Scott's clinic, so it's easy enough to loiter, wait for a time when she knows he's there, and show up with little Freddie tucked under one arm. The tiny boar sniffs the air complacently, happy to be carried and looking entirely healthy - which she is. Abigail isn't worried about the piglet; getting veterinary advice was merely an excuse to meet Scott. It's nice, having the opportunity to talk to other people her age who aren't completely unhinged, like everyone at Port Haven had been. Abigail's been in Wonderland long enough that she is, tentatively, uneasily, trying to make some friends. ]

I was wondering what I should be feeding her. [ Okay, not the least awkward of greetings, but Abigail's social skills are rusty. ] To keep her healthy.

[ A question that could easily have been asked over the network, if she'd wanted to. ]

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[notmymccalling]

[Scott wasn't actually expecting a visit so soon, but he did sense her coming, so she didn't startle him. He smile, not bothered by the appearance or minding that she came to him in person.]

Hi. And, welcome, I guess? [He's an awkward teen, don't mind him.]

Well, boars are omnivores, so they'll eat all kinds of different things that they can scavenge. So, vegetation, fruits, nuts, and they do eat meat. They need some protein in their diet to keep healthy.

[One of the little piglets rushed up to greet her, bumping its nose into her ankles. Scott's... acted very much like puppies.

[thehobbsgirl]

[ Abigail listens and gives a grave nod - not purposefully grave; solemnity is just sort of her default setting at this point. She wants to introduce herself but hesitates, asks another question instead.]

Is there anything I should avoid, like how you're not supposed to give dogs chocolate?

[ She looks down at the piglet that is nosing at her ankle and, after a moment's hesitation, sets down Freddie to say hello. They're all from the same litter, aren't they? Chances are they'll get along... at least she hopes they will. ]

[notmymccalling]

Well, I wouldn't give them chocolate. Or candy at all. I mean, I don't think it'll hurt them immediately, but they don't need junk food or it'll make them unhealthy. I'd stick with a mix of vegetation, nuts, and some meat.

[The little piglet toddled around Freddie with excitement. His little piggies were just as goodnatured as he was, likely because they went through a sort of imprinting on Scott when he started caring for them. Hence the puppy-like nature.]

[Scott knelt down and looked at Freddie.] He seems pretty healthy. You must be taking pretty good care of him.

I'm Scott, by the way. I don't think I've seen you around much. [He's reaching out to pat the new piggy on the back as he speaks.]

[thehobbsgirl]

She. [ Abigail corrects him automatically, watching how easy Scott is around the animals ] She's got the same color hair as- [ The briefest moment of hesitation as Abigail tries to pick the right word to explain. 'As a journalist who is helping me write about my serial killer dad' is just way too much information. ] -as a friend of mine back home named Freddie.

[ But why is she standing here talking about her pet's name instead of just introducing herself like a normal person. She wonders if the impulse of reluctance to share her name - the fear that people will recognize it, and her as the daughter of the infamous killer - will ever go away. But Scott has such a pleasant and laid-back way about him, it's hard to worry too much. ] I'm Abigail. I'm pretty new here still.

[ Pausing, Abigail amends ] Not that new, but I didn't exactly feel like going around much when I first got here. [ In other words, she'd spent weeks barely leaving her room, trying to adjust to the fact that she'd been scooped out of the life she knew for this mad, unpredictable place. ]

Where are you from, Scott? [ Thinking of the younger version of Hannibal, she adds ] And, uh, when?

[notmymccalling]

[Scott blinks, looks down at the piglet again and just smiles brighter. He'd just assumed from the name, he hadn't actually... well. That made a bit more sense.] Oh. It's a good name. [He scratches the boar behind the ears. One of the smaller of the runts takes the chance that Scott is near the ground to make a running sort of awkward flop for his legs, landing in his lap. Jealous much? He scoops her into one arm and stands back up, holding out his hand to seal the introduction properly.]

It's nice to meet you. But yeah, I don't blame you. I didn't really want to wander around either. I just kinda stuck with the people I knew, but it seems about time I contribute.

Beacon Hills, California. It's um... 2011 last I remember back home. [Not to worry, Abigail. Scott's never heard of you before.] What about you?

I'm sorry this is the latest response ever in the history of rp

[thehobbsgirl]

At least you've got a skill to contribute. [ Implying, of course, that Abigail doesn't. Which isn't to say that she thinks she lacks skills, but the things she's good at aren't really useful in this environment. It might come to be, if what Tony said might happen comes to pass and they end up having to feed themselves with gardening and hunting, but until then, she's just taking up space, and it's not the most pleasant feeling ]

Baltimore, 2013. [ Another relief - he isn't just around her age, but also from a similar time period. It isn't as if she dislikes people who are from radically different eras and worlds, but it is harder to relate to them. ] Were you still in school?

[ It's unexpectedly... nice, amidst all the weirdness of this place, to just have a regular conversation ]