[Oscar gently deposited the statue where indicated and grinned at Palamedes, gladdened to not have made him mad and to have more chances to get to know him.]

I dunno. You don't seem the type who would write a soap opera starring the chickens in your yard-- if you had chickens.

[He chuckled. Ruby's escapades with the chickens were always something he looked forward to watching and hearing about. They were little fluffy helpers in the yard, they were wise counselors for bad days, they were bizarre little pets that were moody and loud...

They were also family.]

We'll get to the marker thing when we get there.

...I've got time right now, though. Let's go get the other one.