h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

EEEEEEEEEEK! *screams on seeing black shape launch itself out from behind carrier bag*

*hears rat giggle and realises it's Styx*

Well, never mind about the salad -- my god, you two scared me. What game is this now? Ammmpton! Bring the mop.

*falls off Odra and slides into wall still giggling*

heh heh heh that's for the perfume!
We're quits now. Yes?
*red eyes glow laughing*

*the mound of lettuce on the floor moves, and Odra emerges, a bit shaken*
Styx...
*massaging her frozen earlobes, trying not to laugh*

We're quits.

l need a drink...
*fixes self another Manhattan, casually tosses a cherry over shoulder to Styx*

Styx, will you hang out with us a while and break bread? Ampton, just dump the salad. We have carrots we can make sticks with, and a cucumber. *shakes her head* Let's get out of the way so AMpton can clean up and do the salad for us. *grabs an Obscure Canadian beer*

*jumps up to catch cherry and slips on lettuce coming back down*
Huh!
*sits down and washes off then picks up cheery*
I want some ginger ale.

*heads back out to the veranda, figuring she can do less damage out there...*

*knock at door. cheerfull whistling also heard*

*shouts down the stairs*
Come on up!

*gets small cup of ginger ale for Styx and adds a couple more cherries*

We're having dinner on the veranda -- join us?

*Digi sits several feet away from Violet, observing her warily*

*wanders around outside for a bit, having not been to the Atelier in a while...hopes the lift is working and gives it a go*

Hello Lil, Odra? Are you here? Is Styx around? Hi, Kumabear.

Nice to meetcha ,ox.

I would be happy to join you for dinner.

Do you have any salmon?

Hi KUMA, ox. We're on the veranda.

ox, come on in! Styx is here, and Odra, fetchingly attired in lettuce

We're just about to eat, and I'm glad you could join us. We reckon we'll club at the Hotel Chrome later on.

*sets Styx's ginger ale at one of the seats at the round table*
*Ampton can be heard throwing lettuce in trash and getting the chafing dishes ready to bring out*

*walks to veranda* This is really nice...I've read some of the backlog but this is my first evening on the veranda. Had to make a stop at the gorilla-test site-I'm an Ivan as well. Sheesh...I thought I led an active life.

lvans all round, then, it seems, of the lot that's been tested. Save the flamenco enthusiast Titania, who's a brash and adventurous Taz.

While you gentlemen are here, I could use a hand with Violet. *points to venus flytrap which is now the height of a doberman* I have this half-barrel with the soil all ready to receive her, but she's just a bit heavy and ... eager to get her feet in the new stuff. Can you two help, ox and Kumabear?

No trout or salmon, I'm afraid. This is a chili con carne meal. Prole night!

The man who has been watching a replay of the Aus v NZ rugby match IRL returns. Alas, the score was the same as when I watched it live yesterday. Aus 24 - NZ 23.

Time for a glass of obscure Canadian beer I feel.

Lil, which gorilla are you?

*moves to veranda and finds chair where Lil put ginger ale. She has put a cushion in chair so I can see everybody*

*nibbles and dunks cherry*

Hi, Loony! Lil, where do you want the barrel moved? You have potting soil?

Oh, I was about to say when Styx scared the bejasus out of us. I'm a Taz!

*Ampton brings chili con carne, steamed texmati rice and cornbread to the table, along with some fresh raw veggies*