☼ 004 [video]

[got_it_memorized]

[See Axel. See Axel looking puzzled. See Axel looking puzzled with a very small cat sitting neatly on his shoulder, mesmerized by this strange device in Axel's hands.]

So this happened. [He shrugs the shoulder that is not a cat perch.] I was near the ruins and... Well, she followed me home, you might say. As in she staged a hostile takeover of my hoodie pocket.

[He looks a little uncomfortable. Watch out, Axel, your squishy side might be showing.]

I think she's still too small to take care of herself, you know? So... [Fidget fidget. The little cat blinks at the screen, then turns to look at Axel and impulsively bonks her head against his jaw. Great. Cat, you're not helping that squishy side showing thing at all.] I've never had a cat before.

[Translation: HALP?]

Comments

[got_it_memorized]

Excuse you, blondie, I don't remember saying I was planning on giving the cat a penthouse or anything. Our resources might be limited but that's no reason to just abandon somebody who needs a little help. Even if they're just a cat. Far as I'm concerned the cat deserves it more than these native jerkoffs. I'd give her my table scraps before I gave it to these ingrates.

And what's more, I--

[Indeed, was, that a tiny indistinct mew in the background just now? Axel folds his arms and frowns. So that's how we're playing this, huh?]

Oh, did you hear that? I'm sure I heard something--I think it was the sound of hypocrisy.

[imperfect]

[He's heard most of this argument before from someone whose opinion he trusts a lot better than a stranger's on the network, and there's a retort lined up on his tongue practically as a reflex, but the small feline cry for attention below cuts him off too. ...Dammit, he fed the stupid things like five minutes ago! Leave him alone!]

They're not my cats! And if they were, wouldn't that mean I'd know what I was talking about?!

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel waits for him to finish, then makes a face he knows Edward can't see... but he really can't help it.]

You're awfully upset about cats, kid. You sure there's not something else eating you?

[He doesn't really know Ed... they've only spoken once or twice, but he's seen him around on the network. And he seems disproportionately angry about the fact that he has a cat. And this is intriguing.]

Whose cats are they, anyway, then?

[imperfect]

[Similarly out of sight, Ed scowls and runs a hand through his hair. There's nothing eating at him! ...Unless the kitten starts chewing on his leg, which he can't entirely rule out yet. They're just discussing this like sensible adults...]

Does it matter?

[got_it_memorized]

[Oh yes, quite sensible indeed.]

Seems to matter a lot to you that I put this one single little cat back where it came from. And yet you seem unwilling to do the same, despite the fact that the ones in your care are apparently not even your own.

So I'm just curious as to why this is so important to you.

Or is there something else?

[He doesn't think he ever did anything to Ed, but...]

[imperfect]

What do you mean, "something else"?

[And this is a mature and not remotely ill-tempered attempt at a topic change.]

[got_it_memorized]

Something else that's bothering you to the point of lashing out at the first unsuspecting person doing something you disagree with?

[That clear enough? Sheesh, who peed in your Corn Flakes?]

[imperfect]

[He sighs.] Doesn't make anything I'm saying less true.

[With perfect timing, the cat at his feet whines at him again.]

[got_it_memorized]

I didn't say it did. I know animals are a responsibility--I am a grownup most of the time.

I ain't gonna pry about whatever bee's in your bonnet, but bein' that angry about it prolly isn't good for ya. If you wanna duke it out, I'm all for a spar, but screaming about cats on the network doesn't really accomplish anything; got it memorized?

[imperfect]

Well, good thing I didn't hear anyone doing that.

[To his credit, he's trying not to sound as sulky as he's feeling, but this isn't saying very much.]

And I can't stop you. But it's bad enough that there's somehow so many of these things around without some idiots deciding to announce them to the world and give even more people ideas.

[got_it_memorized]

[There you go again with the namecalling. Rude, Edward, rude.]

Well for what it's worth, I wasn't trying to inspire anyone, I was just asking for some advice. I didn't go looking for a cat, it just kinda happened.

Presumably a similar situation happened with you? Seeing as how you have a number of cats that are not even yours...

[imperfect]

No, nothing alike. [The reminder deflates him a bit too much for him to muster as much snappishness as he wants to.]

Look, all I'm saying is, it won't do anyone any good for people to forget these things are pests. And I don't mean that figuratively.

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel won't push the subject upon hearing the way Edward's tone just sort of flattens like a popped balloon. He sounds a bit indignant about that second part though.]

Hey now, 'pest' is a little strong. I'd like to see you catch birds or rats or insects with your teeth. I'd rather have a cat in my apartment than a family of mice, got it memorized?

[imperfect]

It's accurate. Cats don't just pop into existence out of nowhere.

[got_it_memorized]

Neither do people. What's your point?

[imperfect]

That nobody besides the Initiative is hoarding those.

[got_it_memorized]

[i'm sorry, i'm fine with dropping this, i just never got around to replying to your PM cuz i've had the shittiest week from hell /)_(\]