Hey, hey bossman, what do you say?

[socialactivillain]

WHO: Hartley Rathaway and James Jesse
WHERE: A local farm a ways outside of Heropa
WHEN: Sunday morning, 8/7
WHAT: Oranges, rats, and chickens.
WARNINGS: Fowl humor? I'm sorry.


[ Sunday morning should, by most people's accounts, be a morning for sleeping in, but no one in Roguehaus exactly qualifies as "most people". Nonetheless, Piper was still up earlier than usual, because finding ways to undermine capitalism requires an early start. What he doesn't realize is he's not the only one up early, at least not until he's headed out to the driveway to his newly-acquired hover Jeep, only to find James loitering, several inches above the driveway, with a smile on his face and a yo-yo in his hand.

Which is how he winds up with a plus one on his trip out to a farm a few hours drive outside the city, all vibrant citrus groves and picturesque red barns. ]

See? I told you I wasn't going anywhere exciting.

Comments

[socialactivillain]

Three?

[ That's less than he expected, thankfully. ]

[airshow]

More than two, less than four. How'd it go with the rodentia?

[socialactivillain]

We've reached a compromise. They're coming back to Heropa with us, save for some of the older ones who'll stay here to discourage new rats moving in.

[airshow]

And by "back to Heropa..."

[ Oh, James doesn't like the sound of that. ]

[socialactivillain]

[ He glances, almost but not quite guiltily, back at the horde of rats behind him. ]

Well they have to live somewhere...

[airshow]

Piper. We can't have that many in the house.

[socialactivillain]

I was thinking the garage...

[airshow]

That's where I keep my special projects!

[socialactivillain]

...The only thing in there is a unicycle and a box of streamers.

[airshow]

Exactly!

[socialactivillain]

Do I even want to ask what kind of special project those are being used for?

[airshow]

Like the Lord, Hartley, [ arm around shoulder, holding his peeping box in one arm ] I work in mysterious ways. But with less smiting and more air horns.

[socialactivillain]

You sure do.

[ He eyes the peeping box curiously, wondering just what kind of madness James could get up to with chickens. ]

Anyway, what if the rats will let you train them to do something cool? They're very intelligent.

[airshow]

You're the Piper. Rats are your thing. Far be it from me to steal another guy's shtick, unless it's hilarious.

[socialactivillain]

I'm offering to share in case something hilarious comes up.

[airshow]

How charitable.

[socialactivillain]

Well, you know. That's me to a T.

[airshow]

So how are these rats getting home? If they touch me I'll probably scream. Fair warning.

[ At least he's cheerful about admitting it. ]

[socialactivillain]

They're willing to pack into a crate together in the back seat. It's not the most dignified or comfortable way to travel, but at least it's not a very long drive. You can stay up front and they won't bother you.

[airshow]

I'm already bothered. Conceptually. It's only gonna get worse.

[ He sighs, dramatically and loudly, just so Piper is completely aware that he's not happy about it. ]

But I like you, so fine.

[socialactivillain]

[ He raises an eyebrow at that. ]

Since when are you this easy?

[ He turns to tell the rats to start getting into the crates before James can change his mind. ]

[airshow]

Don't get used to it, nerd.

[socialactivillain]

I guess I'll have to enjoy it where I can get it.