It may not have even been an opossum. Considering the location, it could have been a sewellel (aka mountain beaver), a large, primitive rodent that’s found only in the Pacific Northwest. It’s something Sweetheart and Gavotte would be unlikely to recognize, especially after it’s been chewed on by some predator and partially decomposed. Quite common within their restricted range, though rarely seen due to nocturnal habits, they dig many large burrows in damp, brushy areas (they eat bushes) which are a hazard to anyone attempting to navigate same.
People whose activities take them out in the brush, whether for work or recreation, tend to be aware of them – because they’ve probably stepped in a mountain beaver hole at some point. Few have ever seen one, though, since they come out at night and never go far from their tunnels. In my 63 years I think I saw a dead one once.
Nah. possums are scavengers, eat carrion and garbage. We could all take a lesson from the mountain beaver, which has outlived all its relatives by sticking close to cover. It’s a living fossil – which I’m rapidly becoming myself.
Opossums are omnivores. They will eat just about anything, including bushes. Yes, they’ll get into your garbage, especially in urban areas, but only because it’s convenient, not because it’s their preference. They’re not really fast enough to attack animals like dogs and cats, but they will definitely kill rodents and snakes if the opportunity presents itself. It’s a pity that the opossums around here won’t dig up and eat our moles.
I keep bees.
The main goal of the bee hive-mind is to send out a swarm, (On the hive-level, it’s like amoeba reproduction). That’s why bees work so hard to build up resources and personnel beyond what will comfortably fit in their hive space. So, as far as Gavotte’s concerned, she ‘may’ have accomplished her task, now that Skin Horse has gone rogue.
But…If she’s not done, the next step is to find a new hive space for the swarm to live in, possibly invading an attractive area populated by a weaker group and taking over their resources.
(But we don’t see anything like that happening, do we?)
BTW…Another way a hive can reproduce is by sending out drones…attractive, sex-obsessed, but otherwise unless males. (Know anybody like that? Now, she has Nick in out the field, as well!)
“But…If she’s not done, the next step is to find a new hive space for the swarm to live in, possibly invading an attractive area populated by a weaker group and taking over their resources.”
So Gavotte even saw the collapse of Seattle as an opportunity?
Maybe I’m too suspicious, but telling Sweetheart, of all people, that from now on all her choices are her own feels like exactly what someone who was still manipulating the situation would say.
Of course, it’s also probably what someone who is genuinely letting Sweetheart make her own choices would say, so we’ll see.
This is Sweetheart’s worst nightmare come true – she is officially out of the hierarchy with no-one in charge to report to. Last time we saw this, it was in the post-apocalyptic parallel universe, and she was becoming increasingly unhinged from being at the top. Who knows what’ll happen when she’s stuck to one side?
She likes the lure of being in control, but she’s not so thrilled about the responsibility of being in charge. Even as the head of Skin Horse, she was really only a figurehead. She still answered to Mr. Green, and Dr. Englebright basically ran the office.
let’s be honest here, she’s still probably a few steps ahead still
True, but at this point the gap is down to difference in initiative order, to use D&D parlance.
What’s the office protocol for telling your supervisor they stink?
Would the answer depend on whether they would take that as a compliment or an insult?
Unity would mean it as a compliment.
If they were rolling in dead opossum they already know.
Oh no! She knows about the opossum roll!
It’s doggy perfume
Sweetheart can’t be held responsible.
Self control goes by the board when facing pure doggy in-stink.
Was the dead opossum Tony or Merc?
A most perceptive perspective! The ramifications are… intriguing.
“Alas, poor Merc! I knew him well! (enough to be sure he wouldn’t mind…)”
It may not have even been an opossum. Considering the location, it could have been a sewellel (aka mountain beaver), a large, primitive rodent that’s found only in the Pacific Northwest. It’s something Sweetheart and Gavotte would be unlikely to recognize, especially after it’s been chewed on by some predator and partially decomposed. Quite common within their restricted range, though rarely seen due to nocturnal habits, they dig many large burrows in damp, brushy areas (they eat bushes) which are a hazard to anyone attempting to navigate same.
That’s your nature lesson for today.
Supposed to be @greenknight32… I’ve lived in the area for 25 years, but this is the first I’ve heard of this animal. Thanks for the educational tip!
People whose activities take them out in the brush, whether for work or recreation, tend to be aware of them – because they’ve probably stepped in a mountain beaver hole at some point. Few have ever seen one, though, since they come out at night and never go far from their tunnels. In my 63 years I think I saw a dead one once.
Miss Gavotte, I have to say I don’t believe that even for a second. XD
Green Knight: What have you got against guys who eat bushes? You insinuating we’re possums?
Nah. possums are scavengers, eat carrion and garbage. We could all take a lesson from the mountain beaver, which has outlived all its relatives by sticking close to cover. It’s a living fossil – which I’m rapidly becoming myself.
Opossums are omnivores. They will eat just about anything, including bushes. Yes, they’ll get into your garbage, especially in urban areas, but only because it’s convenient, not because it’s their preference. They’re not really fast enough to attack animals like dogs and cats, but they will definitely kill rodents and snakes if the opportunity presents itself. It’s a pity that the opossums around here won’t dig up and eat our moles.
as compared to a sushi roll…
I keep bees.
The main goal of the bee hive-mind is to send out a swarm, (On the hive-level, it’s like amoeba reproduction). That’s why bees work so hard to build up resources and personnel beyond what will comfortably fit in their hive space. So, as far as Gavotte’s concerned, she ‘may’ have accomplished her task, now that Skin Horse has gone rogue.
But…If she’s not done, the next step is to find a new hive space for the swarm to live in, possibly invading an attractive area populated by a weaker group and taking over their resources.
(But we don’t see anything like that happening, do we?)
BTW…Another way a hive can reproduce is by sending out drones…attractive, sex-obsessed, but otherwise unless males. (Know anybody like that? Now, she has Nick in out the field, as well!)
“But…If she’s not done, the next step is to find a new hive space for the swarm to live in, possibly invading an attractive area populated by a weaker group and taking over their resources.”
So Gavotte even saw the collapse of Seattle as an opportunity?
Does Sweetheart roll in a dead opossum in the woods?
If Sweetheart rolls in a dead opossum in the woods, and no one is around to smell it, does it still stink?
Sweetheart is there to smell it, which is sort of the point.
Maybe I’m too suspicious, but telling Sweetheart, of all people, that from now on all her choices are her own feels like exactly what someone who was still manipulating the situation would say.
Of course, it’s also probably what someone who is genuinely letting Sweetheart make her own choices would say, so we’ll see.
This is Sweetheart’s worst nightmare come true – she is officially out of the hierarchy with no-one in charge to report to. Last time we saw this, it was in the post-apocalyptic parallel universe, and she was becoming increasingly unhinged from being at the top. Who knows what’ll happen when she’s stuck to one side?
She likes the lure of being in control, but she’s not so thrilled about the responsibility of being in charge. Even as the head of Skin Horse, she was really only a figurehead. She still answered to Mr. Green, and Dr. Englebright basically ran the office.