The Apothecary

*smiles* Hatred. Now this is much better topic, ja? Much more my style. *chuckles* Hatred is the province of the weak, after all, and I am very weak little rat. Very weak indeed. And as such, I have made a study of my hate. Others', too, but mine own in particular.

When in panic, or in doubt/run in circles, scream and shout!

*looks very carefully blank* Ye-es. If you want to die, certainly. If you're suicidal, by all means.

*rubs snout with paw wearily* Alright. Running has definite uses. In circles, not so much. Screaming has uses too, ja. Attracts attention to the problem, which can be good. Sometimes. Unless the attention attacted is not the healthy kind. And shouting sometimes works, if the 'problem' is new to the game and easily intimidated. So. Individually, not always stupid thing to do. But not, never, where there is doubt. And not all at once. Tchu! *shakes head* When you're not sure what to do, attracting attention and staying in the same place is not good plan!

First thing, you do not panic, not until after problem is done. Second thing, if you do not know what to do, you do not draw attention. Attention is dangerous! Stay calm, stay quiet, let events take shape before you move if you can at all. If you can run, by all means, but a destination helps, and a way to get there. Circles are not helpful. Not little ones, anyway.

*rubs face some more, sighs* No panic, no loud noises, no pointless movements. Lessons to stay alive by, tchu? Someone says different, give them nice smile, and lots of space to die in, ja?

"I am, as I am; whether hideous, or handsome, depends on who is made judge." -- Herman Melville

Handsome? Tchu! And what does that mean to me? *laughs* How would I tell, if I were handsome or not? Blind as a bat, yes? Well, not as a bat, because they're not actually blind so much as prone to playing things by the literal ear, whereas I ... black as black can be, my world. One eye white, the other barely formed. Tchu tchu. *chuckles* Never met a creature I could honestly call good-looking, though whether that is my fault or theirs, I leave to you. *grin*

Other ways, now ... People to me are spaces, movements, scents, tastes and sounds. A twitch of my whiskers and a quick (or not so quick) frisk with my paws, and I'll tell you if they have a handsome build. A wrinkle of my nose, and I'll tell you if they have a charming scent. A word from their mouths, and I'll call their voice interesting or not. And a little nibble ... *grin* Well, I'm sure you can figure that out.

Myself? Well. I don't know, really. My scent is that of the doctor, the apothecary. Pleasing to some, appalling to others. My voice ... I find it pleasant, but that it because it says nice things to me. Others, I could not say, but at least it does not bounce from the ceilings or make ears ache, unlike some I could mention. My build ... there, I think, I am superb! Slim, muscled, dapper ... *leers* Don't you agree?

And taste ... let us just say that is for me to know, and none of you to find out, yes? Any predators in the gathering, I promise I'm not worth the experiment.

Tchu! Where was I? Handsome, yes. If by that you mean good-looking, I've no way to comment. If you're either blind or a hedonist like myself, and thus are open to other senses ... there are many unique beauties in the world.