002 ↯ video

[circlejerked]

Um. All right, no one panic, but I may have underestimated these magic closets of ours and accidentally... done something.

<sub>[Anders' voice, sounding contrite. In the background, an unremitting stream of noise threatens to drown him out--it's meowing, rising and falling at different pitches like a tone-deaf a cappella group trying to harmonize and failing miserably.

The camera settles unsteadily on the hem of his robes before he sets it down and steps back. The source of the caterwauling then becomes apparent: in his arms are four young cats of various shapes and color, two tucked under each arm.

By the sounds of it, more are audible off-screen. Many, many more.]</sub>

I wasn't thinking... Well, I was, I was thinking how much more homey this place would be with a cute cat or two, and then--and then they were just there, and everywhere, and now there are a few more than two. If you have cat allergies, stay off the fourth floor.

_{[As if on cue, a kitten on stubby legs capers across the floor behind him. Anders, noticing movement on the screen, squints closely for a second, then looks for the real thing over his shoulder.]}

One's making a run for it. Alistair! Alistair, catch it, my hands are full.

_{[From somewhere off among the caterwauling comes a response, the owner appearing shortly after--]}

I see it!

_{[Alistair runs past in the background, two cats under one arm and what is presumably another squirming about down his shirt. He comes back into view a moment later, the escapee cradled in his free hand. Shoving the kitten in Anders' face--where it proceeds to bat at his nose--he frowns at the other man.]}

This is getting ridiculous. We can't keep track of all of them. Is anyone coming to-- Ow!

_{[The yelp comes as the squirming under his shirt grows more energetic and with a slightly panicked look Alistair disappears from view again, kittens in tow. The only hint as to his fate comes as an increase in the mewling and the sound of fabric ripping mercifully out of sight.]}

I'm getting to that part!

_{[Anders stares after him, eyebrows drawn up in alarm, before dragging his eyes back to the camera.]}

Uhhh, it's okay, everything's fine, we have things completely under control, but as you can tell, we're in possession of some cats who could use a loving home! Soft, furry cats! Adorable, see? They're domesticated, easy to care for, and make excellent house pets. That one doesn't appear to be a fan of Alistair's shirt, but some are more fashion conscious than others.

I don't know if I can take care of them all. If you'd like to take one, we'll be giving them away free of charge in the ballroom. First floor, you can't miss it! _{[Anders then points a finger sternly, though the effect is mitigated by the wide-eyed kittens holding onto his arm.]} But no funny business. If you consider cats a delicacy, I'm warning you now, we're both heavily armed. People wanting to make mittens out of their fur need not apply.

_{(OOC: Come find the log over here!)}

Comments

[circlejerked]

_{[To Anders, this seems like an odd question, and he tilts his head inquiringly, wondering why she'd think he'd be against the idea.]}

Of course. Why wouldn't I? Unless you plan on doing some actual squishing--then I might need to reevaluate my stance.

_{[But she doesn't strike him as the cat-killing lunatic type.]}

[brainleak]

No! No squishing. I'll be very... very gentle. They're so small. Those small, yet knowing eyes.

[circlejerked]

<sub>[But of an odd bird, this girl. But she looks so earnestly delighted at the prospect of kitten toes and knowing eyes that Anders can't help but smile.

This debacle had been worth it if the cats are lifting people's spirits and giving them the chance to let their hair down for a time.]</sub>

I trust you will. And you know, if you want one, you can always take one for yourself. We could all use another friend in this place to keep us company.

[brainleak]

Can barely feed myself. Won't do with two mouths to feed. But, um, thank you.

[She doesn't often stumble over her words, but then, she doesn't often have need to thank anyone for anything.]

[circlejerked]

Are you sure? You and one of these little fellows would make a cute pair.

<sub>[He's obligated to cajole her at least a little bit. He's sure she's more capable than she believes, and sometimes the act of taking care of something else is just what a person needs to take better care of themselves in the process.

It'd worked in Anders' case. He wouldn't have made it out of the Circle with his sanity intact if not for Mr. Wiggums paying his cell a visit every now and then, reminding him of who he was and what he was missing.

Continuing to smile blithely, he carries on as if unaware of her awkwardness.]</sub>

Fine, fine, it's all right, you don't have to keep any if you don't want to, I have to insist you pet one. Just once. Alistair and I only have so many hands--you'd be doing us a favor.

[brainleak]

[She holds up both of her hands.]

Do you better. I'll pet two. [A beat.] Or even more!

[circlejerked]

That sounds like an excellent idea.

_{[Anders nods while the kittens continue to mew and squeak with great enthusiasm. Picking up the device, he turns the camera toward the floor so she can get a good look at ones milling around his feet, one having made a climbing tree out of his boot laces.]}

I don't think they'd mind in the slightest. Do you, kitties?

_{[Almost in unison, their faces turn toward the screen, meowing curiously at the device.]}

I didn't think so.

[brainleak]

[She gasps when they all turn to look, and reaches a hand out for her screen, but quickly pulls it away when that both proves useless and hides them from view.]

Will be there. Right away. Need to pet, like I promised.

[circlejerked]

_{[He has to chuckle at River's childlike enthrallment. Cute kid. He won't mind playing host to her at his temporary petting zoo for a little while.]}

Then I look forward to making your acquaintance in person. That goes for me and my rambunctious friends here.