☼ 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

[limitstorm]

[ he keeps his eyes on dusk for a brief moment before looking up at axel, and then down at dusk.

he points at her, and decides to be as blunt as he can: ]

Do... you want kittens?

[got_it_memorized]

[He tilts his head curiously, glancing at Dusk and then back at Riku before sort of holding the cat up in demonstration.]

Well I was kinda getting attached to this one.

[limitstorm]

[ no no no aaaa riku places both of his hands on his face, ears turning red. his voice is muffled. ]

Girl cats get pregnant, Axel... do you want more kittens?

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel makes a face, suddenly looking indignant and sort of holding Dusk away as if Riku's words might offend her.]

Well no girl cat of mine is getting pregnant until somebody asks her paw in marriage, thanks.

[He is, of course, kidding, but Riku is so easily flustered he really can't wait to see what happens next.]

[limitstorm]

[ oh my god this is riku actually drawing his face up, bright red, frustrated. ]

I'm saying, you need to get her fixed before some guy cat knocks her up!

1/2

[got_it_memorized]

Well maybe the guy cats in this city should respect a girl cat's--pffff [He can't even finish and just starts laughing.] Riku your face is as red as my hair oh my Light. Relax, kid, before you give yourself an aneurysm.

[got_it_memorized]

I know girl cats get pregnant, I did mostly finish school before losing a vital organ and being inducted into the Darkness Mafia, thanks. But I don't think there's a vet in this city, given the very small number of animal residents, so we might have to think outside the box.

[limitstorm]

[ GROUCHFACE

just. this face. ]

[got_it_memorized]

Don't sulk, it's unbecoming.

[limitstorm]

[ i come home and put food on the table and you tell me not to sulk

i'll sulk if i want damn it ]

You never said her name.

[got_it_memorized]

[Boy I'll tell you not to sulk if I wanna tell you not to sulk, keep that up and your face'll freeze that way. You don't need anymore face-changes k.

[He sits back down on the couch and scratches the cat's head before picking up his tablet again and replying plainly,]

Her name's Dusk.

[He figures he won't have to bother elaborating.]

[limitstorm]

Huh... never pegged you for someone who liked them.

[ a beat; ]

But she's white and grey so I guess it fits.

[got_it_memorized]

Don't much like 'em, really. I'd say I felt sorry for 'em if I were capable of such a thing--and don't start with the whether or not I have feelings after all thing, I'm still digesting the very idea and I'm trying not to get heartburn. [Courtesy laugh.]

Her name is Dusk because...

[A pause and he sighs and pulls the little cat from his shoulder, holding her up in front of him and frowning a bit.]

Because we all used to be somebody. And whoever she was before now doesn't matter anymore, because now... Well, she decided to come back here with me. So instead of being Dusk because she's nobody, she's Dusk because she chose to be.

[And so maybe, just maybe, if he can't be Lea because he's Nobody... he can at least be Axel because he chooses to be. He's not Xemnas' pawn anymore. He doesn't answer to Saïx anymore. He's still Axel, but maybe he's a little more Lea than he used to be. And maybe this place is to thank for that, against all odds.]

[limitstorm]

[ riku, at first, opens his mouth to do just that--but lets it slide into easy acceptance.

but, he can't help it.

That sounds like something someone with a Heart would say. he thinks, but doesn't say it, just gives a quiet chuckle. ]

Dusk it is.

[ he'll get a tag, at least. axel can pick out the collar--he moves to the kitchen, starting to put things away. ]