one fallen star

[maoser]

[action]

MREAAAOW!

[Splash! That, my friends, is the sound of one unhappy cat landing in the fountain.

Mao claws his way out, looking drenched and miserable. He shakes himself off and looks around, the fur on his back sticking out like porcupine needles. It's clear that this is no ordinary cat, even before you see his purple eyes.]

Hei?

[His voice is soft. There are too many people around for him to risk speaking louder, but if the other Contractor is around, Mao is certain he will hear.

Nothing.]

Damn it.


[some time later]

[voice]

[Wherever he is, he's cut off from the Syndicate's network. Not a good sign. Even worse, he can't find a way into whatever network exists here, except through this extremely cat-unfriendly device. He's going to have to do reconnaissance the inefficient way…once he figures out how. Keyboards weren't designed for cat paws in mind. Sigh.

But eventually he figures out how to turn on the audio function.]

Where is this place?

[Not very smooth. He's spent so long pretending to be a cat, he's no longer sure how to pretend to be human. But it's a start.]


[ooc: Action for anyone near the fountain! Keep in mind that he will pretend to be an ordinary cat, except over the network where people can't see him.]

Comments

action;

[anunluckypenny]

[Penny is out and about when she sees the poor bedraggled cat on the edge of the fountain. It's kind of an unusual-looking cat, but it's the City; she wouldn't be surprised if it talks.

Just in case it's a talking cat, she doesn't resort to baby talk.]

Hey... do you need help, cat?

action;

[maoser]

[Mao starts a little, and then quickly makes sure to start licking himself, as though he were just a normal cat doing normal cat things.

He looks at Penny out of the corner of his eye, trying to get a read on her.]

action;

[anunluckypenny]

[Okay, just a normal cat and not a talking one. Her voice rises to a people-talking-to-pets pitch.]

It's way too cold to be outside and wet. Here, kitty kitty kitty... I won't hurt you.

[There's not a lot to Penny. She's nice, she has no hidden intentions or agendas.]

action;

[maoser]

[Ergh, she's one of those people. But she has a point. He's cold and wet and has no desire to remain in such a state.

He feigns hesitation as he reaches his head out to sniff her.]

Action

[deadmanbusiness]

Here. Have an undead rat with beady red eyes staring at you cat.

Re: Action

[maoser]

[Mao's tail twitches. Is that rat another Contractor? Or just unusually unnerving?]

Re: Action

[deadmanbusiness]

[Unusually unnerving. It is missing part of its ear and there is a non-bleeding gouge in its side.

It stares unblinkingly until Theo comes over then it runs over to him. Quickly it scurries up his pant leg and hides in a pocket.]

Action

[maoser]

[And now there's a human involved. Mao hisses to maintain appearances.]

action;

[blackshadow]

[ Tyr, fortunately or unfortunately, has too many cats to ignore the sound of one crying after splashing into the fountain. Even with those purple eyes, it just looks like an ordinary cat. Right down to its collar; he doesn't think to listen for if it can speak.

No, instead he takes off his scarf and holds it out to the cat as he crouches down beside the fountain. ]

Hey-

action;

[maoser]

[Mao looks up at the young man and sneezes. Damn cold. Damn water.

That scarf looks awfully warm...]

action;

[blackshadow]

[ Poor cat is going to freeze if he stays cold... Since he isn't running away, Tyr goes ahead and winds the scarf over his back and tries to shift the cat into his arms.

...And he's a cute cat so Tyr smiles, too. Rita has rubbed off on him... ]

Come here... Let's get warmed up.

action;

[maoser]

[WOAH NOW. That scarf looked warm, but Mao isn't about to let himself be manhandled by a stranger. The Contractor lets out a yowl of protest and struggles out of Tyr's arms.]

1/?

[mortemscintilla]

[ Processing. Processing. Processing. ]

[mortemscintilla]

[ He recognizes the voice right off the bat. Putting two and two together? Not difficult. ]

[ So Mao got here too. ]

[mortemscintilla]

[ He considers addressing Mao via a private filter. But those are easily hacked -- even by semi-decent cyberfiends. ]

[ Better to make the visit in person and in a neutral spot. ]

~fin; action!

[mortemscintilla]

[ Hi, Mao, hi. A very average, very cheerful 'Li' approaches you. Without breaking character, he smiles and leans forward. ]

Oh.

Hello there, kitty. Did you have an accident?

[ Low-pitched and singysongy, in that way reserved for children, pets and idiots. He won't stay to indulge the cat long. A few scritches to the ear, a message of the next location printed on his palm, and Hei will meet Mao at a private rendezvous point. ]

action!

[maoser]

[The Welcome Center had been a nice change of pace, but Mao was too unsettled by the peculiar circumstances to remain there for long. He'd go back there periodically to check for any replies, but he also went exploring.

And got wet. Again. He was beginning to hate fountains.

But luck isn't entirely against him -- Hei approaches him. Mao butts his head against Li's hand, purring as he reads the name of the location, and then strolls off. He's a cat, man; he's a free bitch, baby.

And he will see you there, Hei.]

action!

[mortemscintilla]

[ Hei waits outside a shut-up building in the City's industrial zone. In the distance, the ratcheting of drills and equipment echoes. Seated on a cement stairway, book in hand, he looks like someone trying to get on with his reading, but instead having an unscheduled reflective moment. ]

[ It's all a ruse, of course. There's a white carton of steamed clams in garlic sauce resting next to him. Ostensibly his lunch for the day -- but actually a snake-charmer's scent for a certain cat. ]

action;

[sickbeat]

[Dave is walking by and chomping in a burger when a flying cat meteor comes out of nowhere. He is a bit startled but doesn't show it as he nears it.]

Whoa. This must be a curse. There are cats coming out of nowhere.

[He breaks off a piece of his burger and holds it out.]

Hungry, dude? You look haggard as all hell.

action;

[maoser]

[Hungry? Yes, yes he is. Mao delicately sniffs the proffered burger. He can't smell anything suspicious in it, and the human has been eating from it.

After a moment's hesitation, he takes the bite, then butts his head against the stranger's hand. People often liked to talk to animals, especially ones that seemed affectionate. You never knew what you might learn.]

action;

[sickbeat]

[Dave snorts tsunderely and scritches the kitty behind the eat.]

I should have gotten you for a pet instead of that fucking bird. Cats shit in a box, right? Not on their god damn owners.

action;

[maoser]

[Nobody owns him except the Syndicate, and he does not discuss his toilet habits with others. But he'll accept the scratch behind the ear. If the boy makes any move to pick him up, though, he's gone.]

voice;

[hexappeal]

Damned if I know.

voice;

[maoser]

Are you also new here?

voice;

[hexappeal]

Not really, no.