1 : Where am I oh god

[fetchthestick]

[Click. Some fumbling of stubby puppy fingers. Snuffling as he checks it out with his nose.]

H-hello? I don't - know where I am... um...

Has anyone seen my Masters? Mister Tallsin - and Xana - I was asleep with them last night and -

[Whimper.]

Where am I?

Comments

[shenghuanzhe]

Yeah, hi.

[Kage's voice is a bit gravelled. His throat is sore.]

I'm First Mate Kage and you're on board the Elegante. Our destination is the Golden Shore and until we get there, you just gotta kick back and relax, awright? Got any questions, need anythin', ask myself or any other crew member.

[teethofneedles]

Except that he neglects to mention they do jack shit to actually answer any of the important ones.

[fetchthestick]

Huh?

[fetchthestick]

H... hi.

Um.

Where're my Masters? Why aren't they here wit' me?

[shenghuanzhe]

[Twitch.]

They ain't here. You don't got masters no more, kiddo.

[fetchthestick]

[Oh dear. Having masters is all Thom knows, Kage.]

But - I -

What'll I do without'm? Who'll take care f'me and - and take me for walks an'play fetch an' - an' -

[This is deeply distressing.]

[shenghuanzhe]

[Been there, done that.]

Yeah, know this is some tough shit, but you gotta feed yourself now. Go on t'Deck 4, there's food laid out. Y'walk yourself, bathe yourself, that kinda shit.

[fetchthestick]

Uh.

I -

I'm now allowed out by m'self.

[He uses a stage whisper to impart this information.]

[shenghuanzhe]

[Kage is not impressed.]

Y'are now. Go nuts.

[fetchthestick]

Won' I get in trouble?

[shenghuanzhe]

Nah. Be careful'a some other passengers, though, they can bite.

[fetchthestick]

[Oh my god that sounds dangerous.]

U-um - that's - but -

Who'll protect me f'I meet them?

[This is why he's not allowed outside without a leash! Some other pets are dangerous ;_; ]

[shenghuanzhe]

Y'gotta take care'a yourself, kiddo. Someone scares you, run th'fuck away.

[Life must be hard for Thom. Poor guy.

Kage picks his teeth with the point of his knife. There's a bit of meat stuck behind his steel molar.]

[fetchthestick]

'Kay. I will.

Thank you, Mister, Um. Mister Kage.

[shenghuanzhe]

No. I ain't a mister. Y'call me Kage or First Mate Kage, kiddo.

[fetchthestick]

... But you're not a pet. So you're a Mister. Right?