"I'll be waiting to see if what you say holds true, Jack." Sounded more amused and, well, honestly looking forward to it. Sure, he had honestly had meat cooked over an open fire, but this really did sound far different than that. The sauce a trick? Color him intrigued.
"Still will be in your home," just perhaps not his bathtub.
Which would be true when Jack got back, the bathroom -if he went there after unloading whatever he'd gotten- would actually look and smell fresh and clean. Dry, and bathtub drained. The only thing missing were a few towels- but the bedroom door would be open. Curtain drawn, or blinds closed, with whatever window was there and, well.
His guest was stretched out on that bed, dry himself with towels under him just in case. All of that wavy hair brushed and tied back so much more neatly. Eyes closed and tail somehow mostly on the bed as he rested on his back, some bandages re-done so as not to bleed all over the place either. The tub wasn't large enough for him to rest easily apparently, but the question could be how the hell he got there.
Jack headed into town, not exactly greeting people and producing the usual stares as if he were a stranger few knew anything about but were willing to gossip over. For once, he didn't much mind or care, keeping to himself but heading into the small grocer without hunching his shoulders too much or grunting at anyone that might greet him.
He actually went through the grocer, picking out some acceptable t-bone grilling steaks, some potatoes and some vegetables that he could eat while his house guest could pick and choose. He grabbed chicken and pork as well, some because it was on sale and others because it seemed like he was going to have to eat more consistently for a little while. That would be weird. He would go out and fish when he felt like it, but these were more the staples he knew well.
Then it was to the bakery that smelled of fresh-made bread. He lingered on the choices, eventually deciding on a loaf of wheat, a couple of croissants, and a dozen chocolate chip cookies. The young woman seemed curious of him as he spent as little time making orders out of everyone in the town and here he took his time.
Items bought and paid for, mail picked up, a little extra tackle and hooks for fishing, and he was back home. He stepped in the door and immediately noted that the bathtub was empty. It smelled of salt water all the same, and everything seemed neat and tidy too. He put the groceries away and then poked around the small house looking for his guest, finding him on the bed. Well... that was one way to be comfortable.
He leaned on the doorframe, still in a coat and beanie, probably somehow looking rougher than his companion all settled on the bed. "Am I going to need a bigger bed now?" It was light and airy, no offense at all.
He stretched, making an entire show of it and almost seeming to spread himself even more over that bed as his tail curled along with fins. Arms stretched out above his head and hair shifting against pillows, looking for all the world like he belonged right there in that bed like some pampered being from the sea.
"Maybe, if you're not one who likes to cuddle up." A hum to his voice as if considering and... not at all thinking much of the fact he was caught on the bed.
Jack had told him to get comfortable and make himself at home, more or less. For all the world he considered this all the be a part of that offer. He'd done his best to not make a mess, and surprisingly the bed wouldn't smell terribly of the sea- at least no more than the salty air made it, oddly pleasant and welcoming rather.
Yep, he was definitely going to need a bigger bed. While he wasn't known for moving around a lot in sleep, he just knew he would be cuddling up and probably at risk for rolling on the fins or nestling in a bit too friendly of a way. He had developed that habit relatively early when he and his boyfriend of the time would sleep outside in the barn and cold nights meant only the best cuddling opportunities. He hadn't been able to shake the subconscious want to cuddle in bed since.
"Ah well, that isn't usually a problem, no. But I don't want to disturb you when you sleep," he pointed out easily. He also didn't want to make his house guest awkward. It was interesting that the merman was perfectly capable and willing to laze around on his bed, so he expected that his adventures with the tub would be short lived for recovery.
"You're welcome to stay there overnight if you like. It's a comfortable bed," he said, not willing to dislodge his guest. "I bought some cookies. They are pretty fresh. Would you like to try one?"
"It isn't uncommon to sleep relatively easily when closer to whomever is being traveled with-" A way of saying it was common with the less solitary of his kind, the way he had once been. "-So it wouldn't be easy to disturb me, since unlike small caves within rock or coral this is a lot more spacious. If anything some of my spines would be more likely to disturb you." Gesturing a little towards the spine along the back of his tail, shifting enough to do so.
Even if when he rested a hand against it it was clear it was more flexible than it looked, likely due to the fact he was so relaxed.
With a bit of moving and adjusting of his weight, he was able to sit himself up in that bed, tail and fins curled enough for him to do so comfortably, leaning closer towards where Jack stood- "Cookies?" That was a yes.
Of course. He always figured that mer-people would live in social groups, so maybe it was a bit odd for him to consider this one guarding a territory with family having moved on. "It is true that the bed is spacious," he remarked and glanced at the spines. He wasn't worried about them. He had slept in his fair share of pine trees or under them. "I'm pretty resilient, so I'm not that worried. You're more than welcome to stay and sleep there. I don't mind."
He snorted softly and nodded his head. "Right. Let me grab you one," he said as he turned around and headed back to the kitchen to grab the merman a fresh chocolate chip cookie and a napkin. He offered it out. "I'm sure you're aware, but don't eat the napkin. Tastes awful."
Then he seated himself on the edge of the bed and watched to see if the cookie would be approved by this very novel creature.
He had his reasons to stay, to become solitary rather than moving on with his own social group; got on well enough, still was clearly well fed and all. If it hadn't been for whatever happened he'd still likely be fine. "So long as I'm not chasing you out of it. Enough room for two, judging it's size and yours with mine," and so he was more or less saying they could sleep in it together.
The napkin padded cookie was taken, a piece broken off so he could get a look and even a scent of it- "This is why I don't understand why people eat seaweeds," a tone that made it very difficult to tell if he were joking or not.
Those eyes of his lit up when he finally took a bite of the piece he broke off, but he didn't engulf it all at once. Oh no, he took his time savoring that cookie. It was a perfect taste as far as he was concerned.
He shook his head, deciding that they could at least give it a go, and if it didn't work out for one or either of them, they could make arrangements. He was more than willing to go back to sleeping on the floor; some nights, that's all he could manage anyway. "It should be fine. We can try it, and go from there. I don't mind taking the floor," he murmured with a shrug of his shoulders. Some nights, he might end up down there anyway.
Jack squinted a little, trying to decide how to take that. "Are you talking about sushi? I never had it much when I was growing up, but once I was in a place that wasn't land-locked, I was able to try it. Seaweed isn't so bad." It was an acquired taste, but he liked it?
He could tell that the cookie was a hit, and that was good. He had grabbed a dozen after all, and he had tried to give up a sweet tooth as much as possible. "Looks like you're enjoying that. I have more if you want another after that one is done."
His head tipped just slightly more to one side- "The floor?" When there was plenty of room- sounded just a little odd to him. But he made the question vague enough that a straight answer didn't have to be given if the man didn't want to. Curious as he was, there were still just some testings of boundaries and allowing of things to be let go.
Then shoulders shrugged. "People eat it as a snack by itself- I can get the idea of sushi, but consuming something like that at all seems so very strange. Like eating a napkin." Still hard to tell if he were being serious or not- no matter how serious the tone of his voice seemed to be.
He sucked a bit of chocolate from his finger, humming a little in thought. "You're still going to cook, yes?"
He shrugged his shoulders, not certain he could or wanted to explain the potential choice to lay on the floor. Sometimes it just felt more grounded and secure than a bed, but to his mind, it still sounded ridiculous. He wasn't at war, and he had to reintegrate with society like a normal productive citizen. Yet, in his own home, he was allowed to endure those old struggles however he saw fit and no one could tell him otherwise.
"Yeah, I had seen that being an actual snack in the market." He hadn't understood it, nor had he tried it. "People take all sorts of items from anywhere and try to turn it into food at some point." He looked at the merman enjoying his cookie and raised an eyebrow. "Do you actually use seaweed as a napkin?"
He snorted softly, nodding his head. "Yeah, I bought some meat to throw on the grill. I'll make some marinade in a minute and my own sauce. It will be good, maybe not cookie good, but still memorable."
That was fine- there were things he himself didn't want to or simply couldn't speak of. All the more reason he let the question go unanswered and instead moved on.
Strange, strange creatures- "Among other things, yeah. Some use it as a bandage wrap, and things among that line as well- or even clothing with certain types." And sounded like they really didn't eat it- "There are other plants that we eat," like sea grapes and things mostly undiscovered by humans.
A few crumbs were brushed out of his beard, humming as fins curled there where he sat on the bed. "I look forward to it- and maybe one more cookie for the moment. More for later."
"I have heard it used for bandages, but not really clothing up on the surface." He also wasn't exactly up on all the trends, but seaweed didn't seem like it would make that great of clothing from where he was standing. He'd eat it, but that was about it. "Generally by the shorelines, I imagine? Fishermen talk about plants that are edible from the sea."
He smiled and eased away to go and grab another cookie for his new roommate. He brought it back and offered it over without complaint. "Enjoy," he murmured before changing tracks. "So, outside of water, do you get cold or too hot easily? I want to adjust the temperature to accommodate."
"It's not like any of us wear much-" A little gesture towards himself, because outside of what looked like an oddly colorful amount of 'jewelry' and a few scraps of fabric, he wasn't really wearing that much at all. "-and so what can be managed suits just well, and others use it as a sort of camouflage while hunting in shallower water." So that bit was a truth at the very least. "Among what we've managed to cultivate elsewhere."
The cookie was taken, and once again he broke it in to pieces to eat it, rather than just biting in to it. Seemed to make it last longer. "It depends on the season, how the weather turns. Usually the water is something of a buffer."
"No, I don't suppose that you have to. Scales are probably insulted and you have a circulatory system built for cooler water temperatures." He had gone into the water once not that long ago. He hadn't exactly been cold for long, but he understood how someone could get themselves into trouble. He liked the mixed jewelry and fabric scraps though. "Well, if you get cold, let me know. We're about the same size in the torso, so you can borrow a shirt or a sweater."
He found himself amused to watch this magical creature eat a cookie in such a dainty way, savouring every bite and clearly enjoying himself. "I have heard that ocean water does help with wound healing."
Was certainly built to survive- "Used to go to warmer places during winter here, but I've adapted to not be bothered by temperature differences in the water." Wasn't as bad as in the air, and luckily seawater didn't freeze that easily. "Sweater might be better if I do ask, yes."
"So long as the water of the area itself is healthy, other times it can cause greater sickness should it not be." As with anything else, so he figured, a ecosystem helping to take care of itself, thrown out of whack otherwise.
Migration had been given up so this merman could remain in his territory. He supposed that was lucky for him, since they might not have met if this creature had decided to migrate to warmer waters for the winter months. "You don't have trouble finding food in the winter months then?" Many fish migrated after all. "I have a few sweaters that are loose enough to not catch your fins too much."
He nodded his head, having not particularly used salt water himself. His ability to heal was accelerated as it was, and it was difficult for infection to take root for long. "And is the water healthy right now? I want you to heal well and as quickly as possible." Not to remove this one from his house, but he had seen enough things in pain to not want to watch that suffering prolonged.
"I go out in to deeper waters, there is enough food there when it comes to fish- I venture inland a bit as well, up rivers enough to pull in deer." He could hunt land animals from the water, and also go on land further if he so wished it. Not that he was going to go in to that just yet. "Any of those would work well then."
His head tipped, thoughtful for just a moment- "Where you got it from before, yes. That water was healthy, so far most areas around the territory I claim has remained so," but further out he couldn't be sure of the same. Not after running in to something that knocked him badly enough to end up washed ashore.
"Ah, that makes sense. Fish travels up through the deeper waters," he remarked. Or so he had been told and what he had gathered from his studies of the migration patterns that he looked into. The whole going up stream to kill deer was interesting too. "You must move remarkably quick to get the jump on a deer drinking or traveling through the waterways." That indicated a physical prowess that wasn't on full display here on his bed.
Jack nodded his head in understanding. There were still clean up efforts for plastic waste, and there were the unseen chemicals that corporations dumped into waterways like it was their right to do so. "Clean up efforts are being made, though let's hope it's not too little, too late on that front."
There was a nice trick to getting deer without ever having to get out of the river, and he was quick enough after years of practice. "I at times get other creatures, but deer meat is something I've grown fond of, and after enough time and attempts I have grown quick to have that." Had a few antlers as well, they made nice enough tools and lasted long enough to be that useful.
"Time will tell on that front, as it always does." So far he hadn't a need to leave because waters had become too polluted at the very least. Showed for something?
"Nothing wrong with venison, no," he agreed. He ate it when he could hunt it, and he had grown up on it as well. He had no doubt that it was quite the process for nabbing a deer while they were drinking. "No doubt a few trail and error times under your belt... er, that would make more sense if you wore pants." Which the merman clearly didn't.
"Conservation efforts are in full swing, but it's not like that can undo years of neglect anyway," he murmured with a shrug of his shoulders. Maybe people could learn. Only time would tell about that too.
"Found a way that worked and perfected it over time- and it was a lot of hit or miss, yeah." Fins curling a bit along with that tail of his, and at the very least the red of fins looked brighter than they had when he was first dragged in. "I get the expression, even if it makes little sense for me," amusement there in his tone for just a moment.
No, it couldn't undo but the attempt could save a few things. "Better many realize the damage done and are trying," even if others couldn't care less and continued to do damage.
"You'll have to show me some time if we ever go upriver together," he remarked. He figured he could have this one in the back of his truck, and he could take them somewhere private to strengthen that body after healing. Right now, it was all about rest. "Ah well... it's a human thing. We wear clothes after all, so we have to come up with phrases related to that. I'm sure you have scale or fin phrases native to you."
He nodded his head and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, looking around his sparse and clean bedroom. Like anyone could live here. "That's all we can do, right? Make up for the wrongs of the past."
He hummed, the sound low in his throat, "Sure. Sounds like it could be an interesting outing while bringing home some fresh food to share." Because he figured at that point he would still be staying with the man, judging by things now. Wanting to make sure he was fully recovered if he took him in at all. An assumption yes, but it was what he had to go on for the moment. "We do, yes."
"It is, in many ways, better than doing nothing at all. Things may not be undone, but it means it can be recovered from with time." Like anything else, even if it's just new growth over what was lost.
"Yeah, and if you don't catch anything, I'll show you how I hunt." Though, there was a chance that the merman was already familiar with human weaponry on some level. He figured their current state was settled until those wounds healed and then they would discuss getting the merman safely back to the sea. "Do you all sing?"
He nodded his head, in agreement. They had to do their part given how much they had messed things up as it was. "Time will tell how well we do. New technology is coming out every day that is based towards cleaning up our waterways and oceans."
"Gun, trap, or bow? I know of some methods, but I haven't seen any outside of trap hunting." He knew of guns because they certainly weren't quiet, and he'd been told stories of those who hunted with bows when he was a kid. Trap and bow hunting were rather old. His head tipped and he actually shifted himself closer, that second cooking gone.
Interesting question- "Yes, all of us sing. Only some have any power to it, while the rest use it as part of story telling, or just to try and keep entertained on longer trips."
Time would tell. "Finding out how important the waters are, and wanting to save them."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2020-01-08 07:10 am (UTC)"Still will be in your home," just perhaps not his bathtub.
Which would be true when Jack got back, the bathroom -if he went there after unloading whatever he'd gotten- would actually look and smell fresh and clean. Dry, and bathtub drained. The only thing missing were a few towels- but the bedroom door would be open. Curtain drawn, or blinds closed, with whatever window was there and, well.
His guest was stretched out on that bed, dry himself with towels under him just in case. All of that wavy hair brushed and tied back so much more neatly. Eyes closed and tail somehow mostly on the bed as he rested on his back, some bandages re-done so as not to bleed all over the place either. The tub wasn't large enough for him to rest easily apparently, but the question could be how the hell he got there.
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Date: 2020-01-10 05:35 pm (UTC)He actually went through the grocer, picking out some acceptable t-bone grilling steaks, some potatoes and some vegetables that he could eat while his house guest could pick and choose. He grabbed chicken and pork as well, some because it was on sale and others because it seemed like he was going to have to eat more consistently for a little while. That would be weird. He would go out and fish when he felt like it, but these were more the staples he knew well.
Then it was to the bakery that smelled of fresh-made bread. He lingered on the choices, eventually deciding on a loaf of wheat, a couple of croissants, and a dozen chocolate chip cookies. The young woman seemed curious of him as he spent as little time making orders out of everyone in the town and here he took his time.
Items bought and paid for, mail picked up, a little extra tackle and hooks for fishing, and he was back home. He stepped in the door and immediately noted that the bathtub was empty. It smelled of salt water all the same, and everything seemed neat and tidy too. He put the groceries away and then poked around the small house looking for his guest, finding him on the bed. Well... that was one way to be comfortable.
He leaned on the doorframe, still in a coat and beanie, probably somehow looking rougher than his companion all settled on the bed. "Am I going to need a bigger bed now?" It was light and airy, no offense at all.
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Date: 2020-01-16 08:55 am (UTC)"Maybe, if you're not one who likes to cuddle up." A hum to his voice as if considering and... not at all thinking much of the fact he was caught on the bed.
Jack had told him to get comfortable and make himself at home, more or less. For all the world he considered this all the be a part of that offer. He'd done his best to not make a mess, and surprisingly the bed wouldn't smell terribly of the sea- at least no more than the salty air made it, oddly pleasant and welcoming rather.
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Date: 2020-01-17 05:41 pm (UTC)"Ah well, that isn't usually a problem, no. But I don't want to disturb you when you sleep," he pointed out easily. He also didn't want to make his house guest awkward. It was interesting that the merman was perfectly capable and willing to laze around on his bed, so he expected that his adventures with the tub would be short lived for recovery.
"You're welcome to stay there overnight if you like. It's a comfortable bed," he said, not willing to dislodge his guest. "I bought some cookies. They are pretty fresh. Would you like to try one?"
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Date: 2020-02-24 08:11 am (UTC)Even if when he rested a hand against it it was clear it was more flexible than it looked, likely due to the fact he was so relaxed.
With a bit of moving and adjusting of his weight, he was able to sit himself up in that bed, tail and fins curled enough for him to do so comfortably, leaning closer towards where Jack stood- "Cookies?" That was a yes.
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Date: 2020-02-28 04:55 am (UTC)He snorted softly and nodded his head. "Right. Let me grab you one," he said as he turned around and headed back to the kitchen to grab the merman a fresh chocolate chip cookie and a napkin. He offered it out. "I'm sure you're aware, but don't eat the napkin. Tastes awful."
Then he seated himself on the edge of the bed and watched to see if the cookie would be approved by this very novel creature.
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Date: 2020-02-28 06:35 am (UTC)The napkin padded cookie was taken, a piece broken off so he could get a look and even a scent of it- "This is why I don't understand why people eat seaweeds," a tone that made it very difficult to tell if he were joking or not.
Those eyes of his lit up when he finally took a bite of the piece he broke off, but he didn't engulf it all at once. Oh no, he took his time savoring that cookie. It was a perfect taste as far as he was concerned.
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Date: 2020-03-02 02:56 am (UTC)Jack squinted a little, trying to decide how to take that. "Are you talking about sushi? I never had it much when I was growing up, but once I was in a place that wasn't land-locked, I was able to try it. Seaweed isn't so bad." It was an acquired taste, but he liked it?
He could tell that the cookie was a hit, and that was good. He had grabbed a dozen after all, and he had tried to give up a sweet tooth as much as possible. "Looks like you're enjoying that. I have more if you want another after that one is done."
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Date: 2020-03-02 07:15 am (UTC)Then shoulders shrugged. "People eat it as a snack by itself- I can get the idea of sushi, but consuming something like that at all seems so very strange. Like eating a napkin." Still hard to tell if he were being serious or not- no matter how serious the tone of his voice seemed to be.
He sucked a bit of chocolate from his finger, humming a little in thought. "You're still going to cook, yes?"
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Date: 2020-03-03 04:54 am (UTC)"Yeah, I had seen that being an actual snack in the market." He hadn't understood it, nor had he tried it. "People take all sorts of items from anywhere and try to turn it into food at some point." He looked at the merman enjoying his cookie and raised an eyebrow. "Do you actually use seaweed as a napkin?"
He snorted softly, nodding his head. "Yeah, I bought some meat to throw on the grill. I'll make some marinade in a minute and my own sauce. It will be good, maybe not cookie good, but still memorable."
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Date: 2020-03-03 05:56 am (UTC)Strange, strange creatures- "Among other things, yeah. Some use it as a bandage wrap, and things among that line as well- or even clothing with certain types." And sounded like they really didn't eat it- "There are other plants that we eat," like sea grapes and things mostly undiscovered by humans.
A few crumbs were brushed out of his beard, humming as fins curled there where he sat on the bed. "I look forward to it- and maybe one more cookie for the moment. More for later."
no subject
Date: 2020-03-05 03:17 pm (UTC)He smiled and eased away to go and grab another cookie for his new roommate. He brought it back and offered it over without complaint. "Enjoy," he murmured before changing tracks. "So, outside of water, do you get cold or too hot easily? I want to adjust the temperature to accommodate."
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Date: 2020-03-05 03:38 pm (UTC)The cookie was taken, and once again he broke it in to pieces to eat it, rather than just biting in to it. Seemed to make it last longer. "It depends on the season, how the weather turns. Usually the water is something of a buffer."
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Date: 2020-03-06 03:09 pm (UTC)He found himself amused to watch this magical creature eat a cookie in such a dainty way, savouring every bite and clearly enjoying himself. "I have heard that ocean water does help with wound healing."
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Date: 2020-03-07 11:45 am (UTC)"So long as the water of the area itself is healthy, other times it can cause greater sickness should it not be." As with anything else, so he figured, a ecosystem helping to take care of itself, thrown out of whack otherwise.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-10 03:57 am (UTC)He nodded his head, having not particularly used salt water himself. His ability to heal was accelerated as it was, and it was difficult for infection to take root for long. "And is the water healthy right now? I want you to heal well and as quickly as possible." Not to remove this one from his house, but he had seen enough things in pain to not want to watch that suffering prolonged.
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Date: 2020-03-10 09:55 pm (UTC)His head tipped, thoughtful for just a moment- "Where you got it from before, yes. That water was healthy, so far most areas around the territory I claim has remained so," but further out he couldn't be sure of the same. Not after running in to something that knocked him badly enough to end up washed ashore.
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Date: 2020-03-10 10:32 pm (UTC)Jack nodded his head in understanding. There were still clean up efforts for plastic waste, and there were the unseen chemicals that corporations dumped into waterways like it was their right to do so. "Clean up efforts are being made, though let's hope it's not too little, too late on that front."
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Date: 2020-03-10 11:23 pm (UTC)"Time will tell on that front, as it always does." So far he hadn't a need to leave because waters had become too polluted at the very least. Showed for something?
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Date: 2020-03-12 11:12 pm (UTC)"Conservation efforts are in full swing, but it's not like that can undo years of neglect anyway," he murmured with a shrug of his shoulders. Maybe people could learn. Only time would tell about that too.
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Date: 2020-03-13 01:08 am (UTC)No, it couldn't undo but the attempt could save a few things. "Better many realize the damage done and are trying," even if others couldn't care less and continued to do damage.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-13 04:47 pm (UTC)He nodded his head and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, looking around his sparse and clean bedroom. Like anyone could live here. "That's all we can do, right? Make up for the wrongs of the past."
no subject
Date: 2020-03-13 11:21 pm (UTC)"It is, in many ways, better than doing nothing at all. Things may not be undone, but it means it can be recovered from with time." Like anything else, even if it's just new growth over what was lost.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-14 03:27 am (UTC)He nodded his head, in agreement. They had to do their part given how much they had messed things up as it was. "Time will tell how well we do. New technology is coming out every day that is based towards cleaning up our waterways and oceans."
no subject
Date: 2020-03-14 07:56 pm (UTC)Interesting question- "Yes, all of us sing. Only some have any power to it, while the rest use it as part of story telling, or just to try and keep entertained on longer trips."
Time would tell. "Finding out how important the waters are, and wanting to save them."
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