And Then There Were Three

Posted on Thu Oct 1st, 2015 @ 11:31pm by Cadet Senior Grade Eli Ziyad & Ensign Ian Bren & Cadet Senior Grade Chance Conradi & Ignatius Reilly

Mission: Further Challenges
Location: Galileo Science Center

Okay, work with me here, Iggy admonished her children. Only three remained now - Ariadne, Gilroy and Kahuna. The others had succumbed to congenital issues. Iggy held a partially wrapped, hissing and struggling cockroach with one tarsus. Repeat after me: Iggy is madre de Dios. First one to say it gets the bug! Iggy is madre de Dios. She kept repeating the words.

Madre de Dios, came a thought, alien and sibilant as the thinker quietly tried out the words.

Iggy dropped the cockroach, lifted her legs in the air and shouted to all those nearby, She spoke to me! Where is Oralia!? Someone call her! Ian!

"Okay! Stop shouting!", one of Ian's coworkers shouted back at Iggy. Grumbling, he went off to call both Ian and Oralia.

* Later *

Grinning from ear to ear, Ian was as happy as Iggy. "Ariadne is speaking; Kahuna has said one word... but Gilroy? She's still a little slow, right?"

Iggy bobbed up and down, Yes! That is correct! I am so excited! She seemed to do a little jig, shuffling all eight legs in rhythm and turning herself about. Eli and Chance are here!

Ian looked around at the door and waited for it to open. "Hey there, you two."

“Hey Ian, Iggy,” Eli greeted them. “What’s the news?” He moved over to the habitat to see the little ones.

Ariadne and Kahuna spoke to me!, Iggy crowed.

Behind her, in a terrarium, a pink and green and brown spider moved toward the glass. Madre de Dios.

Hearing that, Eli laughed aloud. “You’re teaching them Spanish?” He moved over the the glass that separated him from Ariadne. Hello again.

"No, she's been teaching them that one phrase. The whole phrase is 'Iggy is madre de Dios'." Ian laughed.

Chance grinned, "No shortage of ego in that one."

Ariadne came closer to the glass and put a tarsus on it. Madre?

Eli laughed as he touched his finger to the glass. No, I’m more like one of the two fun and crazy uncles. “Can they be taken out Ian? Is that okay Iggy?”

Yes. Just do not drop them. Be careful. Treat them like the precious, precious entities that they are! Iggy stepped aside, allowing Ian to open Ariadne's tank.

Tentatively, Ian reached in and the spider crawled onto his hand. He then passed her to Eli. "Chance, do you want to hold one?"

"Ah... Sure, to get them used to being held," Chance agreed and Ian rewarded him by passing Kahuna to him.

“So, if you’re teaching them some Spanish, teach them tio...uncle.” Eli laughed lightly as he held up his hand to get a better view of Ariadne. It’s good to see you again.

Tiouncle? The young spider regarded Eli. I am Ariadne.

Tio Eli will do. You are lovely. “Iggy? Any idea how much they can understand now?”

Ian shook his head and answered for Iggy, "Ariadne just started talking today. Kahuna has said only a few words. Gilroy hasn't yet said anything."

Chance held up Kahuna. "Male? I'll assume Kahuna is named after the Admiral?"

Yes! And he is a he. I am surprised the male spoke before Gilroy, since Gilroy is female. We all know that the females are much smarter than males.

Chance had recited the line as Iggy spoke it. "Perhaps you're just being biased, Iggs. Maybe Gilroy will be slow."

“Maybe. All kids develop at their own pace, Iggs.” Eli smiled as he studied the small spider before him. “They’re bigger already. How long was I out, Chance?”

"Not long, more than a day. I think Ian's been feeding them growth hormones," Chance joked.

I have been feeding them. Very nutritious cockroaches and crickets. The better the nutrition, the bigger they can be. Iggy sounded rightfully proud.

“Like they need any help,” Eli commented. He moved his hand close to his chest to allow Ariadne to attach herself to his shirt. “How long will they be down here?”

"Um... I don't know. I suppose they could move to Oralia's quarters now. So long as they don't fight each other." Ian said, watching Ariadne move to Eli's shoulder. "She's an interesting adornment."

“Will they fight?” Eli looked over at his shoulder and laughed. “It’s one of Iggy’s usual spots too. Can we take her home Chance?”

"I suppose. Iggs?"

This will be her first sleepover!, Iggy sounded almost tearful.

Eli laughed once more. He stopped by Chance, looked at Kahuna for a few seconds, then brushed a kiss to Chance’s cheek. “Good. You want to bring him too?”

"Oh, gosh, let's just bring all of them and then we can hold a lesson on male-male sex," Chance said.

"I'd be happy to join in that lesson," Ian offered, laughing.

Oh! Yes! That was a wonderful lesson! Iggy bobbed happily.

“We can take them home but no lesson. Iggy…” Eli’s voice was stern as he addressed her. “Just..no.” A flash of jealousy hit him regarding Ian’s statement. He glanced to Chance, knowing he’d sense it.

Smirking, Chance winked at Eli. "Another time, maybe, Ian. I have a prior engagement," he casually tossed a thumb toward Eli.

That lesson was seminal in my understanding of the bi-pedal world.

“Glad to be of service,” Eli said, his tone dry. “Sorry, no offense Ian.”

"None taken. Here, I have some bugs for their meals," Ian pulled out a terrarium full of crickets. "All four, then?" He passed Gilroy to Chance and then helped Iggy climb onto Eli's shoulder.

Home we go!

“Just us and the menagerie.” Eli smiled. “Home gang.” They started out the door and Eli looked over to Chance. “I got a message just before we left. Well, a summons really. There’s a new dean at the academy and he wants to see us.”

"Okay. Let's go there, menagerie and all." Chance grinned. This would be an interesting meeting with their Dean.

********************
Cadet JG Chance Conradi
Cadet JG Eli Ziyad
Ensign Ian Bren
Ignatius J. Reilly-Zeferino
Ariadne
Kahuna
Gilroy, Jr.