Free to Good Home

[force_captain]

Open Spam

[The wish was born of frustration. It happens every now and again...in any given day. Catra is a temperamental sort, so her mood swings are many.

And this one caught her on deck. She made the wish in her mind, but it seems those still worked if they were clear enough. And no sooner had she thought it, bam she was gone. In her place, is a large cardboard box, with an equally cardboard sign leaning against it. In black marker is written: Free to a good home. Inside the box, is a very small black kitten. It's just this side of too small to effectively climb out of the box, that doesn't stop it from trying. It also mews plaintively, over and over. Which is actually Catra calling for some help, but it's only actual words inside her head. Verbally, she can only mew like the tiny kitten she currently is.]

Comments

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Scorpius is not what one might typically think of as a "pet person". The first time he's seen cats was on the Barge, and dismissed them as pests that mercifully mainly kept to their own rooms. He didn't discount them as being possible spies, but otherwise was content to ignore all the critters running underfoot in what was meant to be a prison ship. Honestly, he didn't know why the Admiral tolerated it.

Animals with homes were intrusive enough, but walking by one that seemed to be tumbling in a box by itself gave Scorpius pause.

He knelt down beside the box, eyes searching the sign next to it.

Given the nature of flood, he knows it's prudent to be cautious.]

Re: Spam

[force_captain]

[She scrambles at the sides furiously, hoping to topple the box or something, then Scorpius appears.

Oh thank whatever! Get me out of here!

She tries to say it, but all that comes out is little mews.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

['Adorable' isn't a trait he's used to picking up: it's not instinctive for Scorpius to find things cute and thus worthy of protecting.

Still, he gently scoops up the kitten in one hand, climbing to his feet and looking her over]

...Interesting.

Spam

[force_captain]

[She wiggles in his hold. Her position is awkward, and she wants better support. It's just instinctive for her little back feet to kick and try to climb for purchase.

She looks at him with kitty-frustration. He can't understand her and he doesn't even know it is her at all.

It's me, Scorpius. It hate this flood.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[No, he's got no idea it's her. Instead, he cups her back legs with his other hand, glancing her over as if there's some clue as to where she came from or who set her out here]

Hello.

[do u speak language, creature?]

Spam

[force_captain]

[Well now that she has support, she sits primly in his palm.

This is ridiculous.]

Mrow.

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I'm sorry. My translator microbes don't recognize your language as viable.

What species are you?

Re: Spam

[force_captain]

[She looks down at herself then back up at him.

How the hell am I supposed to answer that?]

Mrrr mew.

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[A pause. Yeah, he wasn't really sure what he was expecting from this, either.

Turning her over in his hands, he experimentally presses the pad on her paw, extending sharp little claws to the light]

Can you defend yourself with these?

No, I suppose not.

Re: Spam

[force_captain]

[She goes wide eyed as he starts turning her and messing with her paws. She mews indignantly.

And then she grabs his finger with both get paws, bitty claws hooking into the digit only a little. His suit is enough insulation that she can't really do any damage.
Stop that.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[A slight smile at the claws digging in. Even if his leather suit didn't offer him protection, he'd still find the slight pain amusing. Such a tiny thing, still unwilling to put up with indignities done to it]

Blue eyes.

[This is offered without explanation, as his thumb releases the paw to stroke the top of the kitten's head, examining her eyes.

After a brief few seconds of thought, he reaches up to place the kitten on his shoulder, releasing her]

Come with me.

Re: Spam

[force_captain]

[Well, the little stroke on her head feels nice.

And then she's on his shoulder and digging in so she doesn't fall.

Do I have a choice? This is... really high up.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Mindful that the kitten doesn't fall, Scorpius takes to continuing his morning routine, walking slowly and evenly]

I'm presuming you either are or belong to one of the passengers here. In either case, it would not be fitting to leave you out to be devoured.

Or stepped on.

Re: Spam

[force_captain]

[Mostly it's the size of the body, and it's inherent weakness that gives her so much trouble. She's been a cat before. Regularly in fact. But a full grown panther is not the same as a tiny domestic kitten. There's a learning curve. But she'll get it.

How generous. I wouldn't get stepped on or devoured. Who would do that to a little kitten? No one is that evil.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Plenty of people Scorpius knows, Catra. Maybe not so much on this ship, but it pays to be careful. He takes her upstairs, intent on breakfast]

I have the distinct impression you understand what I'm saying.

Speak once for yes. Twice for no.

Spam

[force_captain]

[Your acquaintances are awful, Scorpius.

Yes.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Good.

[Once at the breakfast bar, he gently plucks Catra from his shoulder, placing her on the food tray. Because screw hygiene]

I haven't the faintest idea what your kind eats.

Spam

[force_captain]

[ Hey, she is very clean, thank you. She knows better than to get hair in the food.

Milk! Milk milk milk. Make a damn signal for milk. Or fish.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Well, fine. Scorpius in turn is taking a page out of Aeryn's book and fetching up a small stack of pancakes, keeping a watchful eye on the kitten even as she lunges for the milk and lox.]

I'll trust you not to overeat.

Spam

[force_captain]

[She gets her teeth around the top of a small milk carton and starts dragging it with all her tiny body towards the tray. It's awkward, and she loses her grip more than once.

You could help, you know.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Giving a toothy smile at the ingenuity and sheer helplessness, Scorpius pauses when the kitten loses her grip a third time. At last, he reaches up over her head and sets the carton on his own tray, continuing to move down the line]

I would be curious to know how you intended to feed yourself without assistance.

Spam

[force_captain]

[You say that like I wanted this to happen.

She trots along the counter top, and stands next to the stack of cereal bowls. She bats the top one lightly.

I need this.]

Re: Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Scorpius pauses in mild amusement, before picking up the bowl and placing it right-side up on his tray. He's never been at the beck and call of so obstinate and small a creature, and it's only through good humor that he prevents himself from ignoring the furball entirely]

Does this satisfy your needs?

Spam

[force_captain]

[She takes a moment to consider. Her stomach is very small, and that is a lot of milk. She doesn't want to throw up, so she nods and trots back onto his tray, sitting pretty.

Yes. I'm ready.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Giving a slight nod back, Scorpius picks up his tray with delicate precision, careful not to knock the kitten off her feet]

This arrangement will not be permanent. Either we will find you someone to care for you, or you will revert to your true form. I do not make it a habit of keeping animals; my way of life is far too dangerous.