☞ 014. (video)

[wouldnotkindly]

[It seems that Jack has suffered the full brunt of this curse, what with the scratches plainly visible on his face and hands — not to mention the four or five cats currently on and surrounding him, some meowing for attention, others purring, but all looking fairly content.]

So... Uh. [He looks somewhat sheepishly into the camera.] Does anyone know if there's an animal shelter here? Or, uh... Is anyone looking for a pet cat? They all just kind of followed me home, but...well, I can't keep all of them. [Even if he looks like he would rather like to.]

Comments

[oceantrauma]

Pets are good to have for company here, but I don't know of anyone looking now.

How did you end up with so many?

[wouldnotkindly]

Well, uh... Like I said, these guys just followed me home. I guess they didn't mind that I was hugging them.

[Then he looks at the scratches on his arms and gives a weak laugh.] Not all of them were okay with it, though.

[oceantrauma]

I'm surprised any of them like it. I think I'll refrain from hugging strays.

[wouldnotkindly]

The ones that do are pretty cute, though. [As apparently indicated by the purring tabby in his arms.] See?

[oceantrauma]

Yes...it is very cute. You should keep that one. I think it likes you.

[wouldnotkindly]

What, you think so? [He laughs again.] That'd be nice... But I don't know if I could really keep any of them.

[oceantrauma]

Why not? Having a pet helps with the ticking sound.

[wouldnotkindly]

I know it does. I'm just not sure if it would be...you know, feasible to really keep any of them.

[oceantrauma]

Not even just one?

[wouldnotkindly]

Yeah. [He smiles, but it's a small one.] It'd be nice, but... Sometimes I just feel like I'm not really cut out to take care of another living being.

[oceantrauma]

Cats, mostly, take care of themselves, though. Just be sure to put daily water and food, and leave a window open.

[wouldnotkindly]

[He's still absently petting the cat in his arms as he speaks.] I guess you're right... We had cats in the barn where I grew up, but we never really called them pets. They took care of themselves pretty well.

[And he pauses.] Never liked me much, either. [He can't remember a time when they ever did.]

[oceantrauma]

But that one likes you.

Not that you have to do it. Just if you want to after all, and that one might not leave you if it gets attached.... Then this is something you could do.

[wouldnotkindly]

You think so? [He honestly can't tell for himself.]

I guess... It might not hurt.

[Even though there's some sense in the back of his mind that's telling him only the exact opposite is true, one that feels totally irrational, that he can't quite pin down the source of, but unsettles him nevertheless.]

[oceantrauma]

Yes. It looks very pleased right now.

And if it doesn't like living with you after all, as long as the window is open, it can just not go back.

[superbeast]

Mm, why can't you? They might get lonely.

[wouldnotkindly]

I don't have enough space here, I think... And I definitely don't make enough to care for them all. [Besides that, he's still not entirely sure of his sometimes-roommate's opinion on small domestic animals.]

[superbeast]

[Pauses for a second, just. Thinking.]

[On one hand, his apartment already resembled a zoo. On the other... a cat.]

... I guess I could take one then, to help out. The pet store would probably take the rest if you can't find them homes.

[wouldnotkindly]

Really? [He grins at that.] That'd be a huge help, thanks.

Where's the pet store?

[superbeast]

Heh, my pleasure. I can go meet you in front of the pet store-- seems like the most convenient way?

[Insert detailed address and directions to said store here.]

[wouldnotkindly]

Sure. But, uh... I don't think I can bring them all with me right now, so— [He shifts the camera so that it can catch all of the cats in view.] Is there any one in particular you want me to bring down?

[superbeast]

Wouldn't they just follow you? But, that gray one on the far right-- that one's pretty cute.

[wouldnotkindly]

Well, if someone else wants to adopt one... You know.

Anyway, uh, I'll be right down.

[superbeast]

Ah-- fair enough. See you there.

[likeboudica]

I do not know about a shelter, but if none of the people I live with would mind, I would adopt one.

[wouldnotkindly]

[Jack grins warmly for her.] That'd be great, yeah.

Uh— Do you want to come here to pick one out, or should I bring one to you?

[likeboudica]

[ Smiling back. ] Oh, I would like to pick one, I think.

[wouldnotkindly]

All right. [And here is the address of his apartment.]

[likeboudica]

[ She's there a little later, period dress and all, knocking at the door. ]

[wouldnotkindly]

[And here he is opening the door.]

Hey, come on in. [He steps back to let her through; fortunately, the cats haven't decided to go exploring in the meantime.]

[likeboudica]

[ She does, smoothing out her skirts and looking around curiously. ] Hello, Jack.

[wouldnotkindly]

Hi. [There's not much to see in his place, really, considering how sparsely the place is furnished.]

Uh... Here they are. [He goes over to where the cats are still milling about; one starts to meow at him, and he picks the little guy up.] See one you like?

[likeboudica]

[ That is also telling in itself.

She looks at the cats for a moment, then, after another glance at him, settles herself on the ground. It takes a moment of arranging the skirts, but the cats come closer, curious, and she reaches out and pets the one closest to her. ]

I do not know yet. They all look likable.

[wouldnotkindly]

Heh, yeah.

[He sticks his hands in his pockets, watching her, then changes his mind and takes them out again to squat next to her. He doesn't really know what to do with himself, and it shows.]

They're all pretty cute, though, huh?

[likeboudica]

They really are. [ The kitten is crawling up into her lap and she's smiling, picking it up and hugging it closer.

Still, his discomfort/awkwardness is quite obvious and after a moment, she looks up from the cat to him. ] Are you all right?