four fallen stars

[maoser]

[action / video]

[Mao dozes on the floor of Yin's apartment, loling about in a patch of sunlight. If he were still human, being trapped inside because of the snowstorm would have driven him crazy, but as a cat it's easy enough to pass the time sleeping.

He rolls over, and cracks an eye open. Notices that the device is open and on. Stands up, yawns, and strolls over. Lies down on top of it -- not to shut the device, of course. Just because he's a cat and cats do strange things.]

Comments

action;

[maoser]

[I don't know, Hei. Mao thinks this is pretty hilarious.]

Are you concerned for her virtue?

action;

[mortemscintilla]

[ He shoots Mao a frigorific stare. Oh, you got jokes. ] I've browsed the Network. The Mad Hatter is a deviant and a possible pedophile. [ Her possession of MI6's Doll is tactical disadvantage -- but that's the extent of Hei's concern. Learning she was around Yin fills him with an entirely different, entirely colder disquiet. ]

[ Irrational, yes. But he's human. He can make allowances. ]

Yin. If she speaks with you again, keep your Network device closeby. [ Easier access in case of trouble. He'll be redoubling his own surveillance, just as a precaution. ]

action;

[moonlitrequiem]

[At hearing this, Yin puts down her fork completely. Pedophile. There's a flicker, a brief, mere grain of discomfort thinking July was to stay with someone like that. Hei won't be the only one surveying more often.]

[To Hei's words, she nods her head. And yet:] The two times I've spoken with her nothing has been strange. [She knows Hei likely won't be soothed with her words, but they are the facts.]

action;

[maoser]

[At this rate, Mao will be the only one to not care. A child staying with a pedophile -- he understands why this is a "bad" thing, that July very likely is not safe. But what does that have to do with him? It doesn't affect his safety in any way. Whatever happens or doesn't happen to July doesn't affect Mao at all. Yin's safety is of greater importance, but that's not saying much either. They're both dolls. Yin's value is in how she affects the material comfort of his life, nothing more. (That she has any affect on his life isn't a sign of affection; it's just a fact.)]

action;

[mortemscintilla]

[ A few years ago, Hei would've shared Mao's mindset about Yin. Her safety often correlated directly to the safety of his whole team or operation (Her memory isn't bad, she knows all about us Huang had once said. ) To compromise her well-being was to endanger his own survival. But it's always been more than that for Hei. It doesn't show on his face, but the idea of her being harmed sparks something in him. ]

[ It's not rage, but it's close -- a cold black simmer. ]

[ He absorbs Yin's words without expression. It would be a redundancy to tell her not every monster (unlike those batshit vampires he sees on the Network) broadcasts its fangs. She should know that. They're in the business of liars. The man who cooked her lunch is living, breathing proof. ]

Next time she speaks to you, I'll decide that.

[ He doesn't know if Hatter's attentions are harmless or malicious. But he won't throw caution to the wind. Not where Yin's concerned. ]

action;

[moonlitrequiem]

[She knows. And while Hatter is likely not safe - Hei's tone says so - Yin is fairly certain Hatter is not a danger to her. At least not now. Still, one never knows when that might change.]

[Hei's word is the final word on the matter, this time. Yin nods her head in agreement, then, once again, picks up her fork for a small bite of food.]

action;

[maoser]

[And Mao will just keep eating his food. Kitty dun care.]