October Prompts

“And in here we have Ptiliidae atomaria! Aren’t they cute! They feed on fungal spores and are one of my best little helpers! Oh its spelled P - T and then two I’s after the L! There are about two hundred all together and between 5 boxes, still laying and healthy. No parasites detected.” Zucca grins excitedly at Amadeus who pushes up his glasses. 

“Yes, thank you Ms Zucca. That’s the last of them right?” He dots the last I and looks at her. 

She nods, “Oh yes! I do suppose that is the last box! Thank you so much for taking all these notes. I really appreciate your time! I know you are a very busy man.” 

He closes the notebook. “It’s always a pleasure to assist you Ms Zucca. Yours was always some of my favorite classes.” He smiles at her and holds it out to her. “Here you go, all your notes.” He passes it to her and she takes his hand as he pulls away. 

“You are the best! Thank you again Amadeus!” She gives it a squeeze and then holds the notebook toward the floor. “Would you like to meet my other new additions?” She asks looking up at him so expectantly he couldn’t say no even if he wanted to. 

He chuckles, “Of course Ms Zucca. I love seeing your crew.” 

She grins and blows into a little whistle around her neck. From holes and the walls and tubes that run along the ceiling, pop little wiggling noses of her rats. “Hello lovelies! Come see our dear Amadeus! I know some of you haven’t met him yet but he is very good! He was a lovely student~” 

The ten rats crawl out of their little hidey-holes and come over to sniff Amadeus. Ferdinand, scurries up to him first and up his body to perch on his shoulder. He rubs his head into Amadeus’ draped fin and crawls under it, making him look like he is wearing a cloak. 

Amadeus chuckles and rubs his head. 

With their senior being so friendly with the new Dextro, the other rats soon follow suit: sniffing and touching (sometimes nibbling) all over the man. 

Amadeus lets them take their time to familiarize themselves to him as Zucca introduces them individually to him. He didn’t expect a rat bath today but honestly he doesn’t mind nearly as much as some others would assume.