decideformyself | IC inbox for neornithes

Research, science, discovery, an excuse to make a big mess.

[ Good thing he's determined then. ]

[ ... ]

You have my attention.

Had a feeling that would sell the idea.

I could explain it, but showing you how to do it would probably be more exciting.

Very well. I will meet you in the library.

We're allowed to do this in there? Well, I'll trust your judgment. See you soon!

[ When Philip arrived, he'd find John among a mess of items sprawled across one of the larger tables. He'd already put together the volcano itself and was fanning it with an instructional booklet to make it dry faster.

It looked as ridiculous as it sounded. ]

[ Now he's even more curious about what John has in mind.

He pokes around until he finds John, and stares in curiosity at the strange little object. ]

What is this?

Our stand-in volcano. Couldn't get the real thing to fit through the door.

[ He smiled, obviously teasing. ]

This will be the base for our experiment. There's a tube down inside to put the ingredient in. See? [ He didn't really need to considering they were both tall enough to see down into it, but he tipped it toward Philip so he could grab a better look. ]

[ :ooooooooooooo

He peers down into the mouth of the volcano eagerly. ]

I see! What a brilliant idea! Then, when these ingredients are put inside... [ Philip, you are a fast learner. ]

Boom! [ He threw his hands in the air or emphasis. ]

So, what do you think we'd use to create a chemical reaction of the eruption-esque sort? [ It was a little bit of a test, maybe, but he mostly just wanted to see if he actually knew or not. ]

Hmm... [ He rubs his chin. ] Ah-- Diet Coke and Mentos?

[ He laughed, impressed that he'd even heard of that old trick. ]

I think if we made a mess that big we'd both be kicked out of the library for good. Give it another go.

[ Philip's studies are broad and varied. And oftentimes useless. ]

A true volcano erupts due to the pressure of underground magma heated by radioactive decay.

...plutonium?

Believe it or not I don't have a radioactive element on hand.

This set came with vinegar and baking soda, but your guesses sounded better. Might have to try the coke and mentos some time.

Oh, I see!

[ More chemical reactions to keep in mind.

He picks up the vinegar and looks it over. ]

Very well, then. Let's begin.

Right, right... where did I put those instructions...?

[ Oh. He was still holding them. ]

Here you go! Lead the way. I'm just your assistant.

[ He handed the paper over with a grin. It would be more fun for him if Philip did the experiment firsthand. ]

[ He takes a look at the instructions. So, first you pour water in... then food coloring so it actually looks like lava, then the baking soda. Going great so far. Philip crouches at the side of the table, tongue poking out the side of his mouth as he tries to get the proportions just right.

Now he's holding the vinegar up, ready to pour it in and watch the fun begin. This he doesn't bother to measure. He just dumps it right in.

Weiss is going to be so upset. ]

[ John was pretty happy to see him engaging in something constructive. It was simple, but that's all it needed to be. Just something to think about that wasn't bad.

... though, looking away for even one second was probably a mistake. Philip had already poured every last drop of vinegar before he could even open his mouth to protest it. Then again, since when was he a responsible adult? ]

Woooo! [ Again with the arms in the air. He was definitely acting more like the kid between them. ] I can't believe you put the whole thing in! That was brilliant!

[ His grin only grows broader when the solution starts to bubble up out of the volcano. This reaction is even more amazing than he'd expected.

And... it's kind of not stopping. Whoops. ]

This is so much cooler than I remembered!

[ What if it never stops. HOW EXCITING. ]

Edited 2014-10-17 04:09 (UTC)

[ Oh god. Weiss had just turned the corner as it started to seep over the edge of the table. She knew exactly what she was asking the Warden for if the Warden ever decided to play Santa-- an easy-to-clean playroom slash experiment lab. ]

Did you two even bring towels?!

[ God. Weiss was going to run over to try to find some newspapers to try to get onto the floor to at least try to stop some of it. ]

It did not occur to me, no. [ He's not taking his eyes off the eruption, which has now spilled over to the floor. ]

... I knew I forgot something.

[ He stood there for a moment, still watching the eruption. It showed no sign of stopping at all. So cool... but he didn't want to upset snowflake girl either. What a dilemma.

He didn't have anything to use but a handkerchief. He held it forward sheepishly. ]

Sorry.

[ But kind of not. It was still neat. ]

[ Okay, there wasn't enough to stop that, so Weiss just runs over to start gathering the nearby books off the bottom shelf. ]

John, get the books off of that shelf.

[ She pointed to the bottom shelf on the opposite side. ]

Philip, you're going to ruin your shoes if you don't move out of the way.

Hm? Oh.

[ He sits on a nearby chair and pulls his feet up. So helpful. ]

[ He did what he was told, but he didn't look all that sure about it. ]

Isn't this considered against the rules?

[ And why did Philip get out of cleaning duty? ]

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