voice;

[oceantrauma]

[Ken sounds worn out.]

I'm staying safe as I can. Fortunately, I've not been confronted by any of the [trying to think of a suitable word] creatures. I hope everyone else is staying safe as well.


[Filtered to Charlie]
Charlie-san...I'm very, very sorry. I shouldn't have touched something that wasn't mine. But-

You've been gone way too long. We didn't need that much, did we? Please hurry home. Please be okay.

And, um, is your sword set up to trigger a fire when picked up by anyone? I didn't see a trap set up, but.... I'm sorry I touched it.
[/end filter;]

Comments

video;

[mortemscintilla]

I hope everything's locked tight wherever you are, Ken-chan.

video;

[oceantrauma]

Yes. I made sure to check all the windows, earlier.

I hope you're safe as well, Li-san?

video;

[mortemscintilla]

As safe as it gets. I've been sleeping with a baseball bat these few days. Just in case.

[ He hasn't been sleeping at all. A curse like this leaves him too wired. ]

video;

[oceantrauma]

[He might figure it out, one day, but he doesn't want to, not yet. He likes Li, the familiarity of knowing that type of person, too much.]

Good. I'm glad you're safe.

Do you live alone? Most times it wouldn't bother me, but during this kind of curse...I think I would be very frightened if I still did.

video;

[mortemscintilla]

[ Emotions and old memories do wonders for blinkering perspective. ]

[ Hei would know. He's suffered it too. ]

Frightened is an understatement. It makes me wish I had one of those big guard-dogs with scary teeth. [ A pause. ] Then again, having a pet like that would terrify me as much as the zombies.

video;

[oceantrauma]

[Well, Daisuke's not that much of a coward, but still. The attitude is so similar, Ken nearly clings to it.]

But isn't it lonely without one at all? Surely a big dog would come to be a comfort and lay by your side.

video;

[mortemscintilla]

[ Keep clinging, Ken. It's probably better for all parties involved. ]

I guess it wouldn't be so bad. [ bloop bloop ] But I've always been more of a cat person.

[ Please never let Mao hear this. ]

video;

[oceantrauma]

[A light chuckle.] I think I am, too. There are plenty of cats here to adopt.

video;

[mortemscintilla]

[ He smiles kindly, ] So I'm noticing. Maybe I'll look into getting one. After the curse ends, anyway. There might be zombie-cats out there too, for all I know.

video;

[oceantrauma]

Yeah...no zombie-cats! Hopefully this won't last much longer. Being cooped up inside is frustrating.

video;

[mortemscintilla]

[ He's been cooped up for longer periods on stakeouts. But true, the frustration doesn't diminish. You just learn to bite it down. ]

Maybe after this is over we could go to a pet store. [ His smile softens, turns embarrassed. ] I don't really know much about getting a pet.

video;

[oceantrauma]

Yes, that would be a nice way to end the whole ordeal.

At least with cats it's easy. They mostly care for themselves, and some keep to themselves more than others.

video;

[mortemscintilla]

That's what I'm most interested in. Something low-key and quiet. That doesn't get in the way.

[ In other words, he likes his cats just like he likes his women. ]

video;

[oceantrauma]

Well, if not for all the clean up, fish are more so out of the way, and don't require affection, like some cats. There are also lizards and rabbits.

video;

[mortemscintilla]

[ He considers this thoughtfully, ]

A lizard would be nice, come to think of it. Even if they can be a little creepy. [ Cold-blooded. Silent. Indifferent. Like your very own pet Contractor -- except it can't screw you over. ]

video;

[oceantrauma]

Maybe if you spend more time with one it won't seem so creepy?

video;

[mortemscintilla]

You're right. It's like that song. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face. [ A beat, then he grimaces, ] Not that anyone should dedicate a song like that to a lizard.

video;

[oceantrauma]

Yes...the poor lizard.

I'm sure if you find lizards too creepy there are other options that might be better for you.