Event Log | Days 18-20

[doomcame]

WHO: K, Squalo, Taissa, Chloe & Cat
WHAT: Cabin fever, but inside a jail. The above get stuck after seeking shelter from the storm.
WHEN: Days 18-20
WHERE: VII.C.25 AKA Martin's Jail™
WARNINGS: None yet, please add them to toplevels and I'll update this as necessary.
NOTES: Make your own toplevels within and tag around for shenanigans and bad times.

Comments

[absentconstellation]

The toy is somewhat shiny and makes a curious sound when it bounces on the ground, immediately capturing the Cat's attention and activating his hunting instinct. He freezes instantly, staying perfectly still while watching the bottlecap with overlarge pupils. Only the very tip of his tail moves, twitching madly.

[obeir]

Success! With the Cat now engaged in Hunter Mode, K wiggles the toy with more erratic movements to simulate prey, just as he learnt to do from Jackson Galaxy cat behaviour studies.

"Before coming out here on this rescue mission, I suggested your human companions try talking to you and asking your name," he says conversationally. He's probably the only person on the island who doesn't think it's weird to talk to animals as though they understand what's being said. Because they usually do, in his experience. And it probably helps, being an android himself and fully knowing other species and non-human beings are capable of intelligence equal to or beyond that of humanity.

"Do you have a name or preferred form of address?" he wonders.

[absentconstellation]

Now here's a reasonable two-legger. You can't get an answer if you don't ask. It may be unusual for cats to speak to humans, but it's also unusual for cats to have purple eyes. It doesn't usually take long for people to realize there's something strange about him.

He puts as much energy as possible into every pounce, leaping higher and coming down harder than necessary in an attempt to make up for his lack of activity indoors. He pauses in between jumps to answer.

"No," he says simply. The sound might be mistaken for a meow, but it's certainly and clearly a human word.

[obeir]

After a quick glance around just to make sure it isn't Squalo throwing his voice to troll him, the Cat's response is met with a bright smile. Vindication.

"I knew you could talk." But he isn't smug about it, just pleased that this means it'll be easier communicating going forward. Hopefully. And he doesn't neglect his play duties, yanking the bottlecap out of the Cat's reach at the last moment and sending it plink-plink-plinking in the opposite direction. "What should I call you, then?"

[absentconstellation]

He crouches again, watching the bottlecap closely, not really aware that his butt is wiggling as he prepares to leap. Of course he's aware that K is controlling the toy, but he allows himself to think of them as completely separate entities. It scratches the itch in his bones quite nicely.

"You may call me whatever you wish," he answers, then leaps at the toy hard enough that he skids a bit against the floor.

"Chloe has taken to calling me Sam." But Chloe isn't exactly his human. He watches over her for now, but he hasn't attached himself to anyone in this life yet.

[obeir]

K, on the other hand, both notices and finds the butt wiggling absolutely adorable; the android practically has heart-eyes watching the Cat play. He's never had an animal companion of his own, but he's always wanted one — the closest are Harley's two hyenas. But those are hers, pets she acquired with her ex if he recalls correctly, so he isn't sure if he'll ever qualify as their co-owner, though he does care for them.

"Sam's not bad, if a little plain for such a fancy cat," K says thoughtfully. "You kind of look like an Ellington to me. Or maybe a Miles, or Chet..." Because naturally his mind turns to the accomplished jazz musicians he so admires, whose music has been instrumental (pun absolutely intended) in his own musical journey. It's a compliment to the Cat, K wanting to name him after them.

"What's your home universe like?" he asks, letting the Cat catch the toy before lightly tugging against him, simulating struggling prey. "Is this how you always look? The island has altered a few of us, from the sounds of it."

[absentconstellation]

Any of those names are perfectly find to him. The name "Blackie" was one suggested for him, so his bar for creativity in names is pretty low.

When the bottlecap attempts to escape he finds himself biting it to keep it from getting away. He lets it go when he realizes what he's doing, since the game can't continue otherwise, but one fang has left a clear dent in the metal.

"I am always a cat," he conirms very precisely. Sometimes he is other things, but whatever he is, he is always a cat.

[obeir]

Bottlecap: 0, Cat: 1. Leaning forward, K reaches out to run a hand along the Cat's back as a sort of congratulations on the successful hunt. Which is really just an excuse to pet him. He may be a little guy, but he's still a cat, right? Just like he said so himself.

"Are all your senses intact?" A question inspired from noticing the Cat's unusual strength at times, especially when they'd been travelling, with the Cat perched on him.

[absentconstellation]

He starts to purr, leaning into K's hand. He is very much a cat, and he will be very displeased if people stop petting him just because he's intelligent.

"They are not. I am still adjusting to the changes."