(no subject)

[fry_sandhu]

Fry is wearing his Scouts hoodie this afternoon, and is outside planting tomato seeds into pots.

He measures them exactly at the right depth, then gives each the same amount of water.

Gardening is a hard skill. You have to look not at what is there right now, but try and work out what will be there later. You never know how many seeds will come up, and if you don't look after them consistently, the plants will die. You can put in all the work in the world and get nothing, but if you don't put in any work you will definitely get nothing. Mum says this is called reaping what you sow.

It's certainly more relaxing than the rest of the day, which he spent trying to stick his front baby tooth back in.

Comments

[onceaviking]

Later, when the sun is moving behind the horizon, Eric sees him come through the door.
He doesn't look terribly upset which is a shame. He likely hasn't spoken with Hannibal lately then.

Still, gotta stroke the embers, so Eric says, "Hello Fry," in his not at all threatening voice.

[fry_sandhu]

"Hello Eric." Fry says.

He hasn't spoken with Hannibal, but has had an extensive conversation about him. There was much shrieking.

"Do you want to see my chicken?"

[onceaviking]

"Chicken?" Eric repeats. A little blankly.

[fry_sandhu]

"He's growing between the fiftieth and seventy fifth centile." Fry says.

[onceaviking]

"Ah."
Just as blankly.
"Why do you have a chicken?"

[fry_sandhu]

"To get my chicken keeping Scout badge." Fry says. "But I'm only allowed to pick him up when an adult is there."

[onceaviking]

There are so many things in what Fry is saying that makes no sense.

"Why?"
What's the point of him minding chickens, if he needs supervision?

[fry_sandhu]

"Because Dad said there can't be a rule for me and a different rule for everyone else."

[onceaviking]

Modern people.
Isn't the whole point to make sure that there are different rules for everyone else?

"Animals tend to get nervous around me," Eric replies.

[fry_sandhu]

"Oh, okay."

Beat.

"You're going to have to bring in an alternate topic of conversation then. I used my five prepared conversation starters for the day."

[onceaviking]

Sometimes he wonders why he bothers.

"Are you learning anything useful then? Besides - chicken rearing?"
On the other hand, there was Lector to consider.

[fry_sandhu]

"I did my photography badge." Fry says. "And I built a sledge. Maybe I should make a detectiving badge."

[onceaviking]

"Ah yes. So you can keep an eye on Lecter. "

[herr_bookman]

Autor drops off his carpet outside and raises his hand in a wave as he approaches. "Hello, Fry. What are you planting?"

[fry_sandhu]

Fry fails to notice the wave, on account of not actually looking, but does glance up when spoken to.

"This are Gardener's Delight Tomato Seeds." he says, not quite managing to hide the fact that he lost a tooth.

[herr_bookman]

"Oh, nice! For your gardening badge? And congratulations on your lost tooth," Autor says, pointing to his own.

[fry_sandhu]

"Yes. Bonnie said she might do a county fair later in the year so we can display our vegetables." Fry says.

He scowls. "The toothpaste people lied to me. I tried to stick it back in with glue but it alarmed my teacher."

[herr_bookman]

"That's a good idea," Autor says, dreaming of his own garden. "I hope your tomatoes grow well. Let me know if you need any help with that. And oh, how is your chicken growing?"

He holds back a chuckle. "Oh! Oh, no. Fry, the best thing about losing teeth when you're this age is that you grow a new one," Autor explains, peering at him. "You have two sets of teeth, and you lose the first set when you're about six or seven."

[fry_sandhu]

"He is growing between the fiftieth and seventy fifth centile." Fry says.

"I don't want to lose my old teeth, I've been brushing them three times a day."

[herr_bookman]

"So he's doing well," Autor translates. "Good job raising him. What's his name?"

The boy shakes his head. "Unfortunately, everyone loses their teeth. You'll have to brush the new ones, too."

[fry_sandhu]

"His name is Fractions." Fry says.

"I even take my toothbrush to school."

[herr_bookman]

"Fractions is a great name for a chicken," Autor says, nodding sagely. "Why did you name him that?"

He smiles a little. "That's better than I do. I only brush my teeth at morning and night."

[fry_sandhu]

"Dad said I should name him something I like." Fry says.

"The man dressed as a toothpaste said I should brush them three times a day."

[herr_bookman]

"Well, there you go," Autor says, nodding. "Like I said, Fractions is a great name. I'm envious of your ability to touch them; I start sneezing up a storm."

The boy blinks. "Oh. Dressed like a...?" Autor thinks that's rather silly, but doesn't bring that up given that Fry seems to listen to him. "I've never heard of such a thing. Why was he dressed like a toothpaste?"

[fry_sandhu]

"He came to my school and gave everyone a free toothpaste and a chart to show how many times you brush your teeth and I did it the most."