but it's not real

happy 20 year anniversary of Neil banging out the tunes!

though every rat is special, it's a wonderful and unusual thing for their accomplishments to be remembered and cherished by so many people so many years later. we're all so fortunate to know about the rat who banged out the tunes!

thank you to all the people who sent me reference photos of their beloved rats for this piece!!! credits under the cut!

grace pretty, rocky stare by serenfire

Project Hail Mary (2026) | Ryland Grace/Rocky | 7,938 words | E

If Rocky propositions him during the workday, he makes no such attempt at a performance—or, as Rocky likes to call it, courtship. After they determine this is indeed the word Rocky’s using, Grace snorts. “No. Courtship is, like, old-fashioned dating. Very formal old-fashioned dating.” “No, no.” Rocky gestures to what he gave Grace. “Is courtship. Trust.” “I don’t know what this is, but it’s not courtship!” Grace holds up the honest-to-God padded handcuffs Rocky made for him. They jingle a little. “Explain how this is old-fashioned to you. Quickly.”