secretly a bluebird

since Rocky sees through sound and movement and textures that means that he can best “see” Grace’s face when he’s laughing [taps mic] hey is this thing on. when Grace laughs wrinkles crinkle by his mouth and eyes and add more depth to his face for Rocky to see. is anybody hearing me

There's a minor malfunction in Grace's biosphere. All the lights go out. No simulation of the sun or stars or the moon, just complete, total darkness. While the Eridians are concerned, they're more concerned with checking the biosphere's vital and environmental functions to make sure there are no life-threatening issues. After all, if it's just the light, then darkness isn't so bad. Erid is always dark. Earth gets dark too. About 3 hours after the start of the blackout, Rocky goes to update Grace. Entering the biosphere though, he finds Grace... huddled on the beach... absolutely shaking. And Rocky can see how fast Grace's heartbeat is. He hasn't seen it this fast since the Hail Mary! And Grace's lungs... the human is hyperventilating. Rocky quickly rolls forward with a series of concerned chirps. Rocky: Grace! Grace okay, question? Fast heart, statement. Grace: Rocky?! Rocky, where are you? He blindly slaps at the sand, head whipping around in a panic. Rocky: Rocky here! Minor malfunction in biosphere lights. Eridian scientists are solving problem. Why is Grace's heart fast, question, question, question? Grace: O-oh... okay... y-yeah, okay... I'm sorry. He sniffles and gives a teary chuckle. Grace: H-humans don't really do well in total darkness like this. I can't see anything. I... I was too scared to try and find my way back to the house... S-scared I might trip over some rocks or something. And... Grace lets out a harsh sob as he hunches over, still shaking. Grace: It's so dark and quiet. S-so dark... (series of alarmed chirps as Rocky rushes forward) Rocky: Rocky didn't know it'd be that bad. Apologies, apologies, apologies, apologies, apologies, apologies. Grace: (still crying) Heh, fear of the dark is a really common fear with kids a-and I wouldn't say I'm afraid of the dark. But this... this was scary. To be on a beach w-with no stars or moon or... fuck... I can't stop panicking. I-I can't breathe. Rocky: Apologies, apologies, apologies, apologies, apologies. Oxygen in biosphere is stable. Light will be back soon. Grace hug Rocky, question? Rocky notices Grace's heart is steady when hugging. Grace sniffles and practically collapses against Rocky's ball, hugging him closely. It's difficult for Rocky to ignore how loud Grace's body is, but he can tell the hug is helping. Grace: Please don't leave me alone. I felt so... so disconnected. Rocky: Grace is safe. Rocky is here. Rocky won't leave Grace alone. Grace's heart can slow, statement. Grace is safe. Grace continues to stay huddled there, desperately hugging Rocky until the lights are finally fixed.

I rock up to strip poker night wearing a t-shirt with an image of a Russian nesting doll on it. When I lose my first hand, I take it off to reveal I was wearing a second shirt underneath with a smaller but otherwise identical print. After the sixth shirt I am thrown out of strip poker night.