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]

[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.

Spam

[force_captain]

[I damn well better revert. I don't plan on living my life out as a house cat.

I'm a little surprised you aren't more curious about who I am.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[It isn't to say Scorpius doesn't have his suspicions, but he can never be certain in the midst of a flood. What would it matter who it was? The truth will out eventually in a matter of days.

He sits down, and feeds the kitten before himself. Sharp claws are used not to tear, but to carefully open the container and poor the milk into the bowl]

At your leisure.

Spam

[force_captain]

[She looks into the bowl and gages the distance. Depth perception is a little off, so she cautiously reaches a little paw over the side until it touches the surface, making the liquid ripple, and thus easier to see.

She shakes the now wet paw, because wet fur is no fun. Then she leans in and starts lapping.

Milk! Num num num num.

Yes, she's making a sound very like this. Apparently she's that kind of cat. ]

Re: Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Satisfied with the kitten as she begins her meal, Scorpius turns to his own, slicing up his pancakes in a way that should probably be alarming to anyone who has reservations about inmates with knives.

Once the syrup is dolled out, he settles in.

With a New York Times crossword puzzle borrowed from Francis.

It's one way to learn human customs, but it will still be endlessly confusing to anyone who's never stepped foot on Earth]

Quieter, please. I am trying to read.

Spam

[force_captain]

[She lifts her little head, licking white drips off her nose, and gives him what is a kitten version of an annoyed stare. Then without comment, goes back to eating. She does make the effort to curb the kitty instinct to vocalize while she eats.

After only a few minutes her little belly is full. She could keep going, but she'd make herself sick if she did. So instead, she wanders over to see what he's doing. She puts her paws on his arm and leans over so she can look.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Thank you.

[he returns to his crossword, puzzling over unfamiliar words and symbols to him. Human culture is a bizarre thing, but for some reason the Admiral feels them important.

He allows the kitten to intrude, leaning back away from his table so she can squeeze in between]

I am searching for a four-letter word having to do with someone who is called "Obi-Wan Kenobi."

I don't suppose you've heard of him.

Spam

[force_captain]

[She climbs over his arm when he makes space, settles down, and leans against it.

No.]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Giving a serious nod, Scorpius returns to the puzzle, tapping his pencil against the paper. His spare hand is used to spear pancakes, mindful not to drip syrup over the kitten sitting between him and his tray]

Do you have a name?

Spam

[neverfeltbetter]

[Crichton tends to stay away from Scorpius whenever he's unlucky enough to find himself eating at the same time. He'll always take note of where Scorpius is, of course, but only so he can go in the opposite direction. Today, he notes something different. Is that...a kitten?

Now he just can't help himself. He's not all that far away, but he closes the distance to get a better look. That sure as hell is a kitten.]

I didn't take you for the type to keep a pet Scorpius.

[Who gave him a cat?!]

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[This is a surprise. Nine times out of ten, it's Scorpius initiating conversation between them. He sets his pencil down, eying Crichton calmly]

You would assume correctly. She is a borrowed commodity, until the flood ends.

What species is she, John?

Spam

[neverfeltbetter]

Borrowed from where?

[He looks a little amused. The irony of a conversation they'd had a good while ago isn't lost on him now.]

Scorpius, she's a cat.

Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

From a box in the hallway. Either she was abandoned by her previous owner or the flood is in play on a passenger here.

[He glances down to the kitten, gently petting her head with his thumb once more]

Take her. I haven't use for her and it's clear you have far more experience with this sort of animal.