Day of the Platypus

[perrytheperson]

Who: Perry the actual Platypus & OPEN
What: Did you ever want to meet a Platypus? Now is your chance.
Where: Around HospiTown
When: January 28, Any time just let me know.

Perry didn't realize how used to being taller he had gotten until he woke up that morning and Gertrude had towered over him and Bartholomew had been his size. At first he thought it was his digimon suddenly becoming bigger. But he had quickly noticed the teal fur and he could feel the familiar weight of his tail at his back.

He was a platypus again. A platypus wearing a fedora mind you, but a platypus none-the-less.

Not to be perturbed by such changes, he only marveled over the sensation for a few minutes in the privacy of his own room before heading out to see if he was the only one effected. After all, there was really no point hiding in his room like this. If his secret hadn't be exposed before it would certainly be now.

His partners, for their part, couldn't help but marvel at their Chosen's new form. Oh sure, it was one thing for Perry to draw them pictures and write them stories about his exploits back home. It was another point entirely to actually SEE a platypus. Honestly, if they hadn't known better, they would have thought the little greenish-blue creature with a waffle-like tail and duck-bill was a new kind of Digimon they had not hitherto seen. Needless to say, Perry had spent the morning in his room letting Gertrude and Bartholomew get "used" to his form before heading out.

What would everyone else think of the platypus in a fedora walking with a pair of Digimon in similar hats? He was about to find out...

Comments

[strengthinkindness]

Ears flicking at the question, Fluttershy somehow manages to tear her attention away from Perry to answer Gertrude's question. "Oh...a cockatrice is a creature with the head of a chicken and the body of a snake. I believe in some worlds, they're simply mythological creatures, but in my home world, they're very real."

Choco and Sprout can't help snickering a little. "Still sounds funny-looking..."

"Well, it may sound funny, but a cockatrice can actually be quite dangerous. They're pretty mean, and one would have no problem turning you to stone if you were unfortunate enough to come across one. At least with platypi, there only thing you'd really have to worry about are the venomous spurs on the hind legs of the males, and that's only if they think you're a threat..."

She pauses, then glances at Perry. "...Right?" She's heard about them, but since this is the first time she's ever met a platypus, she's not entirely sure herself.

[perrytheperson]

Both of Perry's digimon look to him. He can practically read the question on their face 'Do they exist in your world?' and he quickly shakes his head no. He doesn't need them getting any strange ideas about the platypus. Sure, he may look odd, but he has never been a mythological creature...maybe a little rare, sure, but not mythological.

However at Fluttershy's question he holds up his right leg and shows the aforementioned spur. He actually doesn't use it as often as you might think given his job, but he IS in a rather kid-friendly environment so he doesn't need to go stabbing people with his spur or poisoning them to get the job done. Just not his style.

[strengthinkindness]

She crouches down again to get a better look at the spur. "Oh wow...! That's really cool! But I guess you don't use them much, huh? Especially since you probably don't have to worry about mating or male competition?"

[perrytheperson]

Perry scoffs. Mating, right, like he had time for the lady platypus out there. He had three kids and an evil scientist to look after, not to mention his job. He was a busy guy, really.

He lowers his foot again. As for male competition, he has other skills at hand without relying on the poison spur.

"I never realized you had that! You're more dangerous than I realized," Bartholomew replies, still eyeing the spur in wonder.

[strengthinkindness]

Glancing at Bartholomew, she smiles. "You should never judge a creature based on its appearance. Even if it may seem strange, there could be ways that it will surprise you..."

[perrytheperson]

The platypus shoots Bartholomew a look as if to say 'That's what clued you in to me being dangerous?

"I guess digimon are kinda the same. Sorry Perry," Bartholomew replies after some thought on the subject. He smiles sheepishly. Gertrude merely bobs her head, nodding her agreement to the sentiment.

[strengthinkindness]

Sprout grins a little. "Yeah...Y'think we'd already know that not everything is what it appears to be."

She and Choco trade a knowing grin, a secret that seems to be among just the two of them, before they turn back to Fluttershy and Perry.

"Speaking of things in common, platypi come from eggs, right? That's supposed to be something really weird for some reason?"

[perrytheperson]

It's Perry's turn to nod. This time, however, Gertrude is the one to explain the reason, speaking on Perry's behalf. "They are considered mammals. Apparently this refers to a specific kind of creature and most of them do not have their young this way."

Perry silently hopes that they stop there and not discuss more about platypus reproductive cycles because then this might get awkward.

[strengthinkindness]

Seeming to notice that, Fluttershy smiles and gives Perry a little nuzzle, hoping he wouldn't mind. "It really depends on where someone comes from. In my world, there's nothing really that strange about it..."

The tone in her voice seems to signify the end of the conversation, at least to Choco and Sprout, so they simply drop the subject.