(Untitled)

[mogget_cat]

*There is a very cute kitty dozing lightly on the bar. He never asked to be cute. It just happened.*

Comments

[notsoyoung]

David approaches the bar for a cup of substitute and sees the cat. He smiles, and reaches out to pet him. He misses Kestrel's cat form keenly for a moment, and smiles.

"You're a very unusual colour, for a cat," he says, and then turns to the bar, a cup of blood substitute popping up even as he strokes the cat. "And I wonder who you belong to."

[mogget_cat]

*A collar resolutely refuses to appear.*

*The white cat leans unconsciously into the petting, purring loudly. The cat's head rests in David's hand, seeking the most contact and the best petting.*

[notsoyoung]

He does notice the absence of a collar, and scritchies him behind the ears.

"Or perhaps you belong to no one?"

The blood sits untouched in favour of petting the cat.

[mogget_cat]

*After a while, the cat wakes up more. It bats a half-hearted paw at the scritching hand, by way of greeting.*

Mrrrwrr...

[notsoyoung]

He smiles, and touches his finger to the batting paw, moving his head back to stroke the cat's head.

"Wonder if you're hungry."

[mogget_cat]

*The implied question is enough to finish waking Yrael up. Ears perk, eyes open.*

Yes.

[notsoyoung]

David is suddenly glad he's not holding anything as his entire nervous system jumps three feet above his body.

He refrains from staaaaaaaring.

Merely blinks a few times, and then says, "What would you like?" as though it's perfectly normal for a cat to talk.

[mogget_cat]

*businesslike, an ear twitching* A saucer of goats' milk, if you will, and a plate of pan-seared, pesto-encrusted Ahi tuna.

Thank you for your offer.

[notsoyoung]

"Bar? As the cat asks, please."

His mouth twitches. "How are you able to talk? I've not met another cat in the bar that can talk."

The goat's milk and tuna appear a few inches to the left of Yrael, and David quirks his head. "And is it okay to continue petting you? Perhaps not while you eat."

[mogget_cat]

*Yrael stands and begins to lap up some of the goats' milk.*

My shape alone is that of a cat. I am not a cat. You may still pet me, of course. It was polite of you to ask.

*He picks at the Ahi tuna.*

[notsoyoung]

He strokes a gentle hand on Yrael's fur.

"I figure a talking cat has preferences and can voice them, whereas a non-talking cat would just take a swipe if I did something it didn't like."

He smiles.

"Do you have a name, not-a-cat?"

[mogget_cat]

I once had many names in my time, but now I merely have several.

*The not'cat's back arches under David's hand as the not'cat enjoys his meal.*

Call me Yrael. Most here do.

And you? What should I call you?

[notsoyoung]

He smiles, and continues petting, reaching with his other hand to take up his blood and sip it.

"David Talbot, but just David's fine. Is this your normal shape, or just one of many, Yrael? I believe I've only met one shapeshifting cat before, and she was a redheaded woman."

[mogget_cat]

A pleasure to meet you, David Talbot.

This is merely one shape I can take. I choose it because it is familiar to me and useful, on occasion.

*he picks at the fish.*

My...true shape, I have promised not to use in the bar unless in dire need. My true shape is not welcome here.

If you find it awkward to talk to a catshape, I can change, if you want.

[notsoyoung]

"It's not awkward. Just unusual for me. When I speak to a cat at home? They don't talk back."

He smiles.

"At least finish your meal before I bother you to change?"

[mogget_cat]

I can always get a fork and knife.

*Not waiting, even for David to quit scritching behind his ears, Yrael shifts. A blurred, brightly shining liquid stretches up until Yrael sits there in human form. Colorless skin, touseled white hair, white dress-shirt and slacks, bare feet. All the color is concentrated into his bright green eyes. He is smirking.*