a posse ad esse

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

[Sebastian has been playing croquet, but now he looks almost thoughtful as he sits down on a desk on the Plane and swings his feet back and forth]

I don't like to ask questions without a specific audience, as soliloquies seem so lonely and monologues are simply a bore, but I was wondering if singing fish can live in lakes or if they must have fountains as their habitats? I have never had a singing fish before, so I do not know myself, except that honey helps them when they get sick. They sing very prettily.

[he twines a thread from Aloysius's scarf around his finger]

Aloysius might try to eat them, so it's important they move somewhere safer.

Comments

[suchatourist.livejournal.com]

Singing fish?

Surely Sebastian, you must be joking, or at the very least you have been consuming enough drink to lose all sense of reason or proportion. Should I even hazard to guess what songs they sing to you?

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

[Firesong is wondering if he should be finding a mind healer to deal with Sebastian] I have seen many strange things during my life, but I must admit that singing fish are one thing I haven't had the chance to see.

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

[Sebastian nods seriously] Yes, I did wonder if I had lost my senses. Wilcox confirmed that they were there when I asked him, though of course he gave me a very disapproving look for wanting to swim in the fountain.

[then he brightens up] But I haven't seen you since term ended, Charles! How nice it is to be able to see you here. [he links his arm in Charles's] Walk with me in the forest. I can ask about the fish later.

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

[he probably should] I wonder how they do it. Straxus says it isn't like it is with whales and mermaids, and it's rather more poetic to be sung to by mermaids than by fish, I think.

[grand-gaia.livejournal.com]

...Fish can sing?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

Apparently. I'm still not completely certain of the process.

[suchatourist.livejournal.com]

[Charles will choose to believe that Wilcox was just placating Sebastian. He allows Sebastian to lead him into the forest]

I must say that your letters did leave me rather curious about how you might be spending your days. Unfortunately my days have proven rather tedious, I must say. Since my father has come home, he has proven to be infinitely...[pauses, trying to find the right word] maddening.

[grand-gaia.livejournal.com]

I've been on the sea for months and haven't heard singing fish.

[polarization]

[ So, here's a kid. With a plush rabbit you might find familiar, Sebastian. ]

Singing fish?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

Maddening? How so? It's been an awful bore for me. My family keep weaving in and out of the house, almost gone, and then---and then another comes back, just one, just enough that I'm never alone. I am so looking forward to Venice.

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

Perhaps they don't live in that part of the sea. They may need shallow water, or water without salt. I know some fish are like that. [he nods, agreeing with his own conclusion]

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

[Sebastian vaguely recognizes the rabbit, but not at first - after all, singing fish are his current topic of interest] Yes! It's very surprising, isn't it? Only I had heard of some from Straxus, so they must exist and I've simply never seen them at home before. I like how they sing, but it is awful trying to swim in the fountain when they are there. That's a very nice rabbit you have there. My bear is named Aloysius and I am sure he is delighted to meet you both.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[cue a moment where his hearts stop for a nano-second, surprised by this news]

Did you say "singing fish"?

[polarization]

[ His brow wrinkles as he goes over that. ] But how do they sing? ... Alosus?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

I don't know. I haven't tried to ask them. [helpfully] Al-oh-ee-shuss.

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

Oh, not you, too. Charles doesn't believe me, I can tell. I thought you at least would. Say, do you know how they sing? I can't quite figure it out myself.

[polarization]

They talk, too?! [ He bobs his head with every syllable. ] Al-oh-ee-sus.

[bytwo.livejournal.com]

[Because the munagement has been bonding with teddy bears.

River happens to be nearby, and eying Aloysius dubiously.]

Should be hibernating for the winter.

[lostandfinder]

You had a sick singing fish?

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

I can think of several ways that one could make a fish sing, although I'm not sure I see why anyone would want too. But I suppose someone would always claim 'because they can' as a valid reason.

I have never heard a whale or a mermaid sing. Mermaids are considered mere myths where I'm from.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

No, the thing is, I do believe you. But why are they--oh. [he sucks in a breath] Well, Sebastian, I think those are my singing fish.

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

Oh, mermaids aren't anything but a myth where I'm from, too. But I think they're a beautiful idea. Don't you?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

I don't see why they shouldn't. [Sebastian offers his hand - not to Sefton but to the rabbit] Who is your friend? I feel as if we may have known each other before. [he smiles at Sefton] Like strangers passing in the streets.

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

They're in my fountain. By all rights, they belong to me. Well, Papa's, really, and in practice, Mummy's.

[the issue, as it is, has just blown swiftly to Sebastian's left - far on Sebastian's left, perhaps a few croquet lawns away]

[polarization]

Is it like a fishy language? [ Sefton giggles to himself and puts the rabbit's paw out to shake. ] His name's Gab'riel.