[ this rat is a silent rat and io is none the wiser because that was a very low perception roll. they are clearly just way too into their work. it's the voice that gives nodd away, and io sits up, something that was tucked around their waist now lashing out (it is a humble bull's tail...)
immediately, io turns, giving nodd A Face. ]
So it's come to sneakiness, has it?
Was feeling sick of the helmet. I've got enough to deal with today.
[ they are big... but also sitting down so nodd probably can try and io won't attempt to cover it up. nodd can probably see that it's a microscope, but doesn't like. know what it is actually. only you know. for your own context. there are some slides as well that have been prepared, again, don't think nodd knows what they are, but so you know what he can spy on.
they're just plant samples it seems, though? ]
It's just part of the job.
... And I'm just checking some of these samples. Thebe can't go out when the weather's like this.
[ yup, you guessed it, nodd has no idea what he's seeing in terms of the devices, but the plant element speaks to him. slips around to stand at io's side. ]
Why's that? Are they a lizard under the helmet?
[ this is on monday so it's before lizzie sampo, nodd's a precog ]
[ they shift just a little bit, tapping where one would usually rest their eyes on the microscope. come have a look. it's just some fascinating beautiful plant structures........ ]
No. The metal prosthetics... They sometimes react poorly to the cold.
[ takes nodd a moment to find a method by which he feels comfortable approaching the instrument with his eye. but once he's faced the mild fear of a complete unknown, he's given the gift of seeing plant matter up close as he never has before. ]
That's precisely it. It allows us to see structures that the naked eye can't even begin to comprehend.
[ the structures that nodd sees are... so incredibly intricate and detailed, they're beautiful, like if lace were made by nature's hand into spiraling structures of green and blue. ]
[ that feline-level curiosity of nodd's wants to toy with the knobs and settings on the microscope, but he wouldn't want to ruin delicate equipment. polite peering, and then he lifts his head again. ]
[ just watching kind of tiredly, but not tired of nodd, they're just Tired. slowly, they stand, the metal of their prosthetic thunking on the floor at an off-beat cadence like a limp. they're going to just wash their hands. enough specimens for today. ]
Don't think they'll like that very much... as fascinating as I think that'd be.
[ nodd is leaning and io is just. vibing quietly. the tail flicks briefly, and a dry-grass shuffling sound seems to leave their actual body as they turn their head and begin to move their arms, the way a doll stuffed with dry grasses and straw might sound if its limbs were so moved. ]
I don't much make it my business to pry, open doors or not.
Seeing as how I don't have much in the way to offer in return.
[ the tail is cute. nodd would have had so much fun growing furry features and tails but his nanites are pestering him by other means. he can only gaze in appreciation. ]
Is that part of the senior crew job, too? Can't talk about the before times?
no subject
after comfortably invading their space, but before seeing anything but the back of their head, he says: ]
Feeling safe?
no subject
immediately, io turns, giving nodd A Face. ]
So it's come to sneakiness, has it?
Was feeling sick of the helmet. I've got enough to deal with today.
no subject
look, nodd gave them a chance to hide again. if it was that important to toe the company line. ]
It's a shame they make you cover up. What are you dealing with?
[ leaning faaaar over to look around them ]
no subject
they're just plant samples it seems, though? ]
It's just part of the job.
... And I'm just checking some of these samples. Thebe can't go out when the weather's like this.
no subject
Why's that? Are they a lizard under the helmet?
[ this is on monday so it's before lizzie sampo, nodd's a precog ]
no subject
No. The metal prosthetics... They sometimes react poorly to the cold.
no subject
It's like a spyglass in reverse.
no subject
That's precisely it. It allows us to see structures that the naked eye can't even begin to comprehend.
[ the structures that nodd sees are... so incredibly intricate and detailed, they're beautiful, like if lace were made by nature's hand into spiraling structures of green and blue. ]
A whole new world.
no subject
We should put one of the worm-people under this.
no subject
Don't think they'll like that very much... as fascinating as I think that'd be.
Too bad we can't put you under a microscope, hm?
no subject
[ now leaning a hand on the table's edge. ]
I leave being dark and mysterious to those with more experience.
no subject
I don't much make it my business to pry, open doors or not.
Seeing as how I don't have much in the way to offer in return.
no subject
Is that part of the senior crew job, too? Can't talk about the before times?
no subject
It's... complicated. To explain it would take a long time.