the zoo

[instar]

There is one visit during the day from a lady down the street who has made the girls a casserole, on the grounds that it can be hard to remember to eat when bereaved. Bella thanks her sincerely, sniffles a little, and sends her on her way. The casserole is shared around for lunch. Bella asks Ax what Andalites eat, and when she finds out, she locates a bag of grass clippings in the backyard that he pronounces acceptable. She also asks him how he eats them. By way of illustration, he steps both forehooves into the bag of clippings.

Night falls.

They can all go to the Seattle zoo and acquire everything they can get their hands on.

Comments

[morphbox]

<She said that she is not really the leader even though no one else more exactly meets the description. She is willing to lead me, and can typically convince her sister to do things, and is still unsure of how things will work out in the long run with Charlie, and can often convince Robin that good ideas are good ideas, and is generally "crossing her fingers and hoping" about you and Ethan.>

[aeskhyne]

"Ethan and Robin are best friends," says Trouble. "Ethan pretty much doesn't care about anybody but her. He'll do whatever he thinks is good for Robin. Which right now means saving the world from the Yeerks."

[morphbox]

<Ah.>

[aeskhyne]

"And me, well, I have problems with people telling me what to do, but I wanna save the world too." He snorts softly. "Or die trying."

[morphbox]

<I don't know how you expect to be part of an effective unit without a command structure. Did you want to be the leader instead of Princess Bella?>

[aeskhyne]

"I could," he says. "Might solve a few things. But nah, I don't really want to."

[morphbox]

<I don't understand how this is supposed to work,> says Ax.

[aeskhyne]

"Nobody does."

[morphbox]

<That seems even less likely to be effective.>

[aeskhyne]

"Aw, we'll figure something out. We already managed to rescue Charlie and collect you."

[morphbox]

<All without Yeerk suspicion. When the realize that the Dome fell intact - that there could be Andalites on earth, let alone human morphers - they will be on their guard.>

[aeskhyne]

"Yep," says Trouble. "Or the first time we do something really blatant."

[morphbox]

<Yes.>

[aeskhyne]

He shrugs. "And then I guess it'll get harder."

[morphbox]

<Wouldn't it be easier if everyone followed Princess Bella?>

[aeskhyne]

"Could be. That doesn't mean it's gonna happen, though."

[morphbox]

<Why not?>

[aeskhyne]

"Well, what do you mean by 'following Princess Bella'?"

[morphbox]

<Doing as she says. Operating under her command the way I have begun to do.>

[aeskhyne]

"I can't do that," says Trouble.

[morphbox]

<Why not?>

[aeskhyne]

"I just don't have it in me. I'd quit first. I'll do some stuff she wants me to, if she asks. I'll help. But I can't be under orders like that."

[morphbox]

<She seems very intelligent and committed,> volunteers Ax.

[aeskhyne]

"Sure she is. It's not her that's the problem."

[morphbox]

<I don't think I understand the problem.>