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[justmerlin]

[Just in case you haven't tired of all the kitty spam, there is a cat in a scarf in the lobby of the castle. You know, where most cats are hanging out these days.

He is making a lot of noise, too. Why? Because this cat is Merlin, and he is determined to break this enchantment even if it takes him all night.]

Mrrrow!

Merrrr?

Meeew!

Mrooow!

[

Comments

[rhapsodicblues]

[...Scarves? ...Cats? Yeah. He was totally pinged by this. Blues is going to come over to see about petting the loud pretty kitty.]

...Hey there...calm down. It's alright.

[justmerlin]

[Whoa, what? Merlin's ears twitch and he looks up at the person approaching. Whose hand is extended. Hey, wait a second, this is EXACTLY HOW IT HAPPENED TO HIM.

For this guy's own safety, Merlin's going to attempt to back away at first.]

Mrrow!

[rhapsodicblues]

[. . .Blues does not understand this catspeak. And is totally not giving up. He thinks you're just frightened. . . so he'll be speaking softly in an attempt to attract you. While still trying to carefully reach over to pet you.]

...shhhh. It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you...

[justmerlin]

[Don't you get it, bro? If he can't fix himself, he can't fix you! His tail is flicking this way and that, still meowing loudly as he tries to protest. Frightened? Maybe, but only because he's afraid of what will happen to those that touch him.

--And, oh. Is that a wall Merlin just backed into? That is not a good sign.]

[chimesin]

[OH MY GOODNESS, HAVE A POUNCE FROM OUT OF NOWHERE! AAAH!!]

[justmerlin]

[GAIUS'S LUCKY TROUSERS, WARN A GUY BEFORE YOU POUNCE!

Merlin is pounced! He flattens onto his stomach from the tiny weight of this new kitty, and lets out a loud mew of protest which in catspeak interprets to...]

Do I know you?!

[chimesin]

[THAT DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF POUNCING, MAN! Pulling herself up a little...]

Oh, likely not, but-- this is what cats do, right? Pounce each other?

[And she may inadvertently be batting at that scarf...]

[justmerlin]

[He's lifting a paw to bat her paw away. Scarf is not a toy. :(]

Well, I suppose that's true, but don't they pounce other cats they actually know? Like... like brother and sister cats.

[ayasofia]

[Why listen to that! Sofia is just going to follow the sounds of a cute kitten and- there he is!]

Hello there, kitty. [She's just going to approach slowly, holding out her hand.]

[justmerlin]

[Oh no, not this again. Young lady, you are very pretty and you seem very nice but Merlin doesn't really want to start an angry mob of newly turned cats against him.

He backs away, trying desperately to meow a warning to her. Stay back!]

[ayasofia]

[Comes closer anyway.]

It's all right, kitty. I'm not going to hurt you.

[justmerlin]

[He's going to continue to back up as far as he can, going so far as to hide beneath an end table! It's not because he doesn't think she's frightening, he promises.]

Mrow! [He bats a paw in her direction.]

[lord_wizard]

[Felix knows attempted spell-casting when he sees it. So he'll be trotting up to you imperiously. His demeanor translate very well to cat]

It won't work, you know...

[justmerlin]

[His head whips around and his fur stands on end for just a minute. Startled Merlin is startled.]

What? Who? I-I don't... Hmm?

[lord_wizard]

[Hello there.]

Behind you, darling. The other talking cat.

[justmerlin]

[He turns around, still a bit defensive.]

Right. Hello! We seem to be growing in number, from the looks of it.

[unlivingson]

[Thassarian comes in and raises his eyebrows at the noisy cat. He crouches down and peers at him. Maybe this one speaks as well...]

Something the matter?

[justmerlin]

[Something is most definitely the matter, he's a cat! And no matter how hard he tries, his words are never understood.

Merlin heaves a sigh, which comes out as a purr. No one else has heeded his warning, and he doubts this man will.]

Meoooow...

1/2

[unlivingson]

Come on, it can't be that bad. [He leans close to stroke the top of the be-scarfed cat's head...]

2/2: THE CATTENING

[unlivingson]

[...and suddenly finds himself at eye level with him, his own still glowing blue but the pupils now slits. His tail puffs up like a dandelion from sheer surprise.]