poly_chromatic | 34 - Cluck Cluck Cluck

[ The feed snaps on to a very irritable Karl, sprawled out on a chaise by the pool, a book lying half-open in his lap. There's something of the cooked and crispy variety piled on the table near him. Several somethings. Apparently, Karl thought it simpler to roast the flock of talking chickens than to let them cluck away. ]

[ Glancing at the Device, he scowls, ]

For a limited time only. If you're in the mood for an extra-roasted meal, stop by here and pick it up. No strings. [ He even promises not to attack you. If you leave fast enough. ] Hopefully these feathered rats taste better than the advice they dole out.

[ On cue, a colorful rooster flutters to perch on the chaise. Tilting its head at Karl, it opines, ] Remember, mon ami, you can't court a woman like you’d go at a piece of steak. For many of the fairer sex, less is more. Teasing is pleasing. Light is rig--

[ Cut off by Karl thwacking the bird with his book, matter-of-fact and vicious. Expect the pile of chickens to grow significantly larger. ]

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[Mao really needs to learn not to ignore his animal instincts. It's probably a good thing Hei isn't here -- Mao would never hear the end of it.

He mraows and hisses and scratches at Karl's hand.]

[ That's more like it. A typical animal-reaction. Perhaps it is just an ordinary cat? ]

[ Karl doesn't react to the yowling and scratches. No sooner do the claws dig into his skin, when the red cuts fade into smoothness. Smiling cruelly, he holds Mao aloft, at an arm's length. ]

Tsk-tsk. Such a badly behaved pussycat. [ He swings Mao back and forth by the collar. ] Perhaps I ought to give you to Diva to discipline.

[Mao's yowls of pain aren't feigned. Adult cats aren't meant to be held like this!

But his eyes... there's a flash of intelligence in Mao's eyes as he watches the cuts heal. Intelligence and fear.]

[ He sees that watchfulness. It's at odds on a cat's face. Unless, of course, this isn't a normal cat. ]

[ With a curious hm~hm~hm~, Karl dangles Mao closer. ]

Perhaps I should give you to Diva. She'll wring so many pretty mews out of you.

[ Literally. ]

[Shit. Shit fuck damn three thousand hells curse him thrice over for being a fool. He's let himself get soft here.

Not just here. He's gotten too used to working in a team. Being part of a larger whole rather than a lone agent. And as much as he enjoys no longer living under the shadow of the Syndicate, he's not sure what to do with a life that is entirely his own. Which is what gets him into sticky situations like this.

He can't wiggle or claw his way free. His eyes dart around, looking for another animal he can transmit his consciousness into.]

34 - Cluck Cluck Cluck

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