The World Overflow

[justonezero]

Nsfw threads marked accordingly.

Comments

[deto]

Is it bad manners to crave shrimp curry when I’m watching live shrimp swim?

[ will the staff kick him out ]

I’d rather walk around with you, though.

[justonezero]

I guess... it's not like they can tell?

We can get food right after, though.

[deto]

[ as they make their way past the aquascape, the hallway darkens for the glow of hundreds of jellyfish. moon jellyfish swim beneath the glass under their feet as they walk. the signs around them also have info on the sea nettles, spotted jellies, color jellyfish, and cassiopea in various petri tanks

the vibe is ethereal, a wonder that seems out of this world and straight into a realm of glowing blue hues that feel like they shouldn’t be possible outside of a video game. deto noticeably lowers his voice into a hush as they continue to chat, a little more respectful of the atmosphere now that they’re looking at more than just shrimp ]

Shrimp remind me of food, but jellyfish aren’t like jelly at all. They’re kinda… just peaceful. Like when we wake up next to each other, this is how I feel.

[justonezero]

[His own voice goes quiet, huddling a little closer, faces lit up only by the soft glow here and there in the otherwise darker portion of the aquarium.]

...I can see what you mean. It's just... soft. Relaxed.

...But, it's still a little different. Because when I wake up next to you, it's much, much warmer.

[Not that the aquarium is particularly cold - but the blue surrounding them gives off a cool atmosphere.]

[deto]

[ in lieu of kissing him to warm them both up right this minute, deto squeezes his hand gently ]

Well, that’s true. With you, it’s always a warm morning - or afternoon, makes me look forward to the rest of the day with you. But these guys feel kinda timeless, don’t they? Like they’re waiting for something.

[justonezero]

Kind of does... Like they're floating, lost in an eternal void.

...I guess that's what's the most comfortable for them, though.

[deto]

Lost with this many? Is that the loneliest feeling in the world? Though I guess this sign says most jellyfish are lone drifters.

[justonezero]

They also don't have brains.

[Also peering at the sign.]

[deto]

… Eh?!

[ suddenly this is creepy ]

[justonezero]

See? It looks like they have a nervous system, but no centralized brain.

[Pointing at the info sign.]

[deto]

… Doesn’t… doesn’t that mean they’re zombies???

[justonezero]

-? What? They're still alive, you know.

[deto]

Zombies aren’t dead?

[justonezero]

They're undead??

[deto]

Yeah???

[justonezero]

Zombies are undead. Jellyfish aren't.

[deto]

I’m not convinced. I thought they were head empty, chill guys, but I didn’t expect - you know, nothing up there at all.

[ he simply cannot compute living creatures without functional brains ]

[justonezero]

Would it be easier to think of them as something like plants?

[deto]

Eh - that’s right, I guess… plants don’t have brains either…?

[ but he sounds uncertain ]

But a venus fly trap is pretty zombie-like.

[ deto ]

[justonezero]

How???

[deto]

Isn’t that the one that eats human flesh?

[justonezero]

No? It eats flies and bugs. It's not big enough to eat people!

Plus, it's just reacting to things that touch its center!

[deto]

[ he looks confused. he’s sure there’s a flesh eating plant out there, somewhere. he’s sure!! ]

… Next time let’s go to the botanical gardens and doublecheck.