Hauntyholidays (Ghost of Present)

[guppy_sandhu]

The presence of the ghost sneaking up on him has started to get less scary. But perhaps it did nudge Guppy into doing something about his 'wimpiness', as Brooke calls it.

Perhaps that was what prompted him to go out today and get her the only item on her Christmas list she really wanted. Something she'd been asking for for over a year and he'd always said no.

He hadn't intended to bring it to the bar, but had to duck out of the way to avoid Brooke as he came home tonight. He sets the little plastic box with holes in on the bar, and peeps at the inhabitant through the side.

"Kind of cute up close, I suppose."

The tiny corn snake flicks its tongue at him.

Guppy spots the jar of resolutions on the bar in front of him, gets a piece of paper and writes:

'I will try and be at least slightly cool.'

He doesn't notice the ghost slip away. Instead, he gets a drink, and watches the little creature.

Comments

[runningred]

"What ya got there, Guppy?" Jay asks, getting up from a booth covered in blue prints and small components.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Corn snake. I hope." Guppy says. "Brooke has been asking for one for over a year."

[runningred]

"Hmm, interesting pet." Jay's not sure he's all that keen on snakes as pets but he's not judging. "I'm sure she'll love it."

[guppy_sandhu]

"I'm just hoping it doesn't escape." Guppy says.

"Apparently Brooke thinks I'm a wimp and don't like anything fun."

[runningred]

"Nothing wimpy about listening to your instincts when it comes to things that can potentially hurt you." Jay shrugs. "I'm not big on snakes either. Had to teach myself to live with them in Cambodia."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Yeah, I didn't like the Cambodian ones either." Guppy says. "Fran's willing to supervise the snake-keeping so I gave in."

He peers at the little snake again. "Can't say I can see the appeal."

[runningred]

Jay watches it for a moment. "No, nor can I but if the kids learn how to handle it and Fran's happy to do the hard yards, I guess it's just one of those things you learn to live with." Not at all convinced either.

"How are you doing, other than getting snakes as pets?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"My therapist keeps telling me I need to catastrophise less." Guppy says. "So I guess I need to cut Brooke a bit of slack sometimes."

He straightens up. "Apart from the big monster thing out back, which was a setback, not too bad. You?"

[runningred]

"Yeah, that mess wasn't my idea of fun. Once I roped a couple of people into helping me check all the kids were clear, I backed off. I'm no meta and that thing was well out of my league."

"I'm doing okay. Keeping busy at home and waiting for the drones to let me know what they need."

[guppy_sandhu]

"I'm glad all mine were at home. Brooklyn would probably have watched."

Headtilt. "They've been at it a while now, haven't they?"

[runningred]

"Bonnie had the very wise idea to bundle up young Rae and take her back to Bon's world till it was over. Not a bad protocol to set up. But now Brooke has her own door, getting her out if there's trouble shouldn't be too hard." Yes, he's been thinking about it a bit. The kids become his responsibility as soon as he offered to help with the scouts.

He nods gravely. "Things have been... different with this batch. The drones don't like to take about it but I know they're worried." Which means Jay is too.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Should think a few extra children in Bonnie's house wouldn't even be noticed back home." Guppy says, nodding.

"Anything I can do? I mean, I'm no good with machines but I don't know if the medical scanners are of any use?"

[runningred]

"She does have rather a menagerie." Jay grins. "I rather love it there. She was kind enough to invite me for Christmas."

"Not yet but thank you. When we know more, I may hit you up for access to the scanners."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Feel free to use them in the infirmary any time you need. If you want to take them out to the garage I'll have to detach them - I had to get them fastened down after the thefts."

[runningred]

"Thank you. I'll let you know as soon as I know." he turns his head as the snake shifts in it's box. "Who tried to make off with them?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"Wilford and Jim. Who then acted all offended when I asked them about it." Guppy rolls his eyes.

[runningred]

"Ah, I see." Jay nods. "I've managed to avoid having too much to do with Wilford but I can see they're both trouble"

[guppy_sandhu]

"Yeah. Wilford... stresses me out." Guppy admits. "As does Jim, but I don't see him as often. Neither of them seem to have any basic sense of manners."

[runningred]

"They're both natural agents of chaos. I don't blame you for not enjoying their company."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Well, they gatecrashed at my house once and came back at 2am, waking all the kids up." Guppy says. "Never quite forgiven them for that."

[runningred]

Jay looks faintly murderous at that. "How did they get into your world?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"They barged through my door one day while I was leaving. I always check over my shoulder now."

[runningred]

Jay swears under his breath is an obscure African dialect. "No wonder you're pissed with them. That's-" Jay flexes a fist.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Yeah. They went off somewhere, turned up beaten up at 2am, woke up all the kids and then expected me to get out of bed to fix them, and told me that Fran and I were rude afterwards because we sent them back to the bar to ask someone else."

[runningred]

"Let me know if I can do anything to help. If something like that happens again."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Thanks." Guppy says. "I don't think they will."

He thinks for a moment.

"Actually there was something else I was wondering if you might be able to help with."

[runningred]

"Sure. How can I help?" He gestures openly. "I'm going to be here for a while at this point."

[guppy_sandhu]

"I was just wondering if you would be willing to give me a hand on Life Support at all please?" Guppy asks. "Because we're a few people short since Alana left and Cadfael's been really busy. You give good advice, not just to me but the kids too, not that we get as many kids at Life Support."

[runningred]

Jay rocks back on his heels, eyebrows raises. "Guppy, I'd be honoured. Considering some of my life choices, I'm not sure I'm the best person for it but I'll do what I can."

[guppy_sandhu]

"You're more than qualified." Guppy says. "None of us are without our own issues."

[runningred]

Jay chuckles. "You've got a point there. I'd be glad to help."

"How are the kids?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"Busy as always." Guppy laughs. "They grow so fast, I can't believe Fry is nine now. He's starting to look at secondary schools and everything."

[runningred]

"Starting to plan the transition early?" Jay asks. "I saw Brooke finally got her own door."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Yeah, that's caused me a fair bit of lost sleep." Guppy admits. "I mean, I worried for the other two, but they're generally responsible kids. Brooke is better at holding her own socially but she can be a bit wild."

He nods. "We recognised a problem a while ago about Fry's transition to secondary school. He was put a year ahead academically when he was four, which was the right thing at the time. But now he's socially behind his peers, and not even close to being ready for secondary school emotionally."

[runningred]

Jay chuckles. "I'll keep my eye out for her. I was a wild child too."

"Anything I can do to help? Him or you."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Thanks, you do more than enough, but it's appreciated." Guppy smiles slightly.

"I best get this little snake home before it escapes. Have a good one, okay?"

[runningred]

"I hope the kids love it." Jay chuckles. "I'll see you around."