[ After his usual Monday rotation of food, laundry, and bathing, Hickey can be found lounging in the solarium, rolling a set of cigarettes for the week. Interestingly, he seems to be unaccompanied by an animal companion. ]

Annoying, isn't it? Having to reset like so each week.

[ Later in the evening, he's perusing the aquarium, still lacking an animal counterpart... until he thinks he's alone. A small lump on his coat that otherwise looked like an odd rumple in the fabric twists, detaching itself to float next to him. The tiny octopus shakes out its tentacles as its color shifts from deep blue to a lighter yellow. It's peppered with a number of vibrant blue rings.

Hickey regards the thing with a hint of conspiratorial irritation, but smirks as it swims up to the tank containing an assortment of much larger octopods. ]

You belong in there with them, you know. Go make friends and quit sliming all over my clothing.

[ Given its incorporeal nature, it's not actually leaving any residue, but, still! He can feel how gross and weird it is. ]