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[completelycrazy]

"Hey! Uh... It's Newt, sooo leave me a message, I guess? These voicemail things are always so lame."

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[completelycrazy]

[UH. HM.]

What? Why?

[Newt is having a nervous?]

[bespectacledsnake]

I would appreciate it if you could take a look at something that requires your expertise.

[completelycrazy]

That something being?

[bespectacledsnake]

I will tell you if you will not attempt to read any particular meaning into my concern over this issue.

[completelycrazy]

Well, jeez, dude. If you'd have just told me the thing, I wouldn't be tempted to read into it, but like, I won't be able not to now.

[Way to go, Semiyon.]

If you want me home, you're gonna need to spill the beans.

[bespectacledsnake]

[If Newt could see his face he'd see the mild annoyance that passes across Semiyon's face at being 'dude'-ed. It's not a big annoyance. But just enough, like being bitten by a mosquito.

However it does not come across in his tone which remains steady and calm]

Radegast [No. He is not calling him by the other name.] Is acting strangely. I would like you to examine him.

[completelycrazy]

[...]

You're worried about the salamander?

[This is amazing. Newt bites back a laugh.]

Wait, which one is Radegast? Is that Beep Beep or Chimney?

[These salamanders are in his care purely for scientific purposes.]

[bespectacledsnake]

[He can already hear in Newt's voice that the man has put two and two together and now knows that, despite his earlier grievances, Semiyon has succumbed to an affection for the salamanders he shares a house with.]

.....

[Internal sigh]

.....Beep beep.

[completelycrazy]

[Newt's laughing.]

Alright, what's wrong with her? She's a lady, by the way.

[bespectacledsnake]

Well she isn't being as responsive as she usually is.

[completelycrazy]

[...]

And how do you know that, huh? Been spending a lot of time with the salamanders? That's adorable.

[bespectacledsnake]

....

[Semiyon is glad this is audio or Newt might see the hint of a blush]

I happen to spend a lot of time in the house. I cannot, er, help but notice them....

[completelycrazy]

Uh huh, sure. The monster room isn't exactly part of the common areas, though. You gotta work to see what the salamanders are up to.

[Sort of. It's not that weird that Semiyon would just be familiar with their behavior in passing, but Newt is going to razz him about it anyway.]

You sure she's not just tired? The salamanders are nocturnal. Maybe you woke her up.

[bespectacledsnake]

[For the most part Semiyon admires Newt's perceptiveness, but perhaps not when it is working against him.]

Well I am not well-versed in the behavior of salamanders, but this seems unusual for her. Could you please come and examine her?

It would make me feel be--

[A pause as he decides to rephrase]

- I wouldn't want her to be unwell.

[completelycrazy]

[Newt can't help but chuckle, but alright, fine.]

Sure. Give me a few to finish up. Keep an eye on her, would you? In the meantime, see if she'll perk up for some fish. There's some in the fridge.

[Sorry, Semiyon, you're gonna have to brave the fridge if you want the salamander to be healthy.]

[bespectacledsnake]

That is something I can do.

[Is he eager to come face to face with whatever organs or carcasses Newt has managed to pack into that fridge? No. But he's seen worse.]

[completelycrazy]

[Gross, Semiyon.

But Newt surfaces back at the house before long. Despite the teasing, he is a little worried about the salamander. It'd be a shame to lose her. Chimney would probably be pretty bummed, too. They seem like they're friends.

He tosses his jacket onto the couch and heads off to find Semiyon.]

Hey. You try the fish?

[bespectacledsnake]

[It comes with the mafia territory, Newt. Maybe he'll tell you stories about it sometime.

Semiyon is in the monster room sitting on a chair as he stares at several pieces of fish go uneaten. He only turns his head when Newt comes near enough that were he to stretch out his arm it'd make contact.]

She looked at them but--

[He gestures. He doesn't need to explain it to Newt who can see for himself]

[completelycrazy]

Huh.

[Newt peers into the enclosure. Yeah, that is a bit worrisome... Usually she goes nuts for fish. Instead, Chimney is daintily picking at the fish chunks while Beep Beep lounges in the water dish. She doesn't look up at Newt when he taps on the side of the cage.]

Yeah, that's... Hm. Thanks for calling me.

[He opens up a drawer to fish around for some welding gloves. They're a necessity for handling salamanders.]

How long's she been like this?

[bespectacledsnake]

Perhaps a day...day and a half now?

[He reaches up to adjust his glasses, pushing them higher up the bridge of his nose]

What do you think could be the problem?

[completelycrazy]

Could be that she's not suited for the temperature on this planet. You'd think that would affect Chimney too, though.

[He gestures at Chimney who is clearly not bothered by the cold. He's gulping down fish chunks, happy as ever.

Newt puts on the gloves and unlocks the enclosure after tossing in a few more fish pieces to keep Chimney distracted. He pulls Beep Beep out of the water and then out of the cage, looking her over as he does. She struggles a bit, but not as much as she usually would, being manhandled like this.]

[bespectacledsnake]

[Semiyon chews at the corner of his lip a moment]

Perhaps she is more stressed by the change than he is?