inbox.

[tender]

action + written + crystal

Comments

[justashotaway]

They are soft, though. And they purr. There are reasons to attend to them.

[tender]

I know. I just...well, I've never really had pets.

The cats usually belonged to the cook.

[justashotaway]

I never had pets, either. Only meat. [A pause.] One has a spot on the end of its tail. You could have that one.

[tender]

Oh, me?

[ what!! ]

You aren't sure someone else would be better?

[justashotaway]

You would be kind to it.

[tender]

I would.

[ grimacing ]

Are you sure there isn't anyone else?

[justashotaway]

...If you do not want it, you do not have to take it.

[tender]

It's not that.

[ it's a little bit that ]

I just...I'm not sure I know how to take care of it.

[justashotaway]

[...well. she can reassure on this front, at least.]

It requires water, but only food if it does not catch anything to eat. It will need to relieve itself sometimes, so you must not leave it trapped in your room. It will come back to you because you will pet it and give it food and water. That is how it will know it belongs to you.

[tender]

That sounds very simple. It seemed like the one cook had required a lot more of him.

[justashotaway]

What did it require?

[did matthias forget to tell her something important about cats]

[tender]

He would keep the cat with him, on his shoulder. Sometimes in his apron.

[ what health codes ]

And he'd sing little songs.

[justashotaway]

You could do those things.

[tender]

Would it make you happy if I took the kitten?

[justashotaway]

Not if you do not want it.

[tender]

[ panicky internal scream ]

I can try it.

[justashotaway]

...You must tell me if you change your mind.

[it took so much to persuade her that laura's starting to second-guess her instincts in this matter]

[tender]

[ commitment is hard, laura ]

I will. I promise.

[justashotaway]

[Everything is hard.

A long, considering silence, but then--]

All right. Do you want the kitten now or later?

[tender]

You could bring it to my room in an hour? I'll be finished up in the clinic by then.

[justashotaway]

All right.

[She waits one hour and five minutes or so, to give Derrica plenty of time to get back. And then she's at her door, knocking lightly, a fluffy kitten cradled in the crook of one arm.]