exsiliumlogs | (open) kitten adoptions by squirrel

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(open) kitten adoptions by squirrel

Date & Time: July 26th, all day
Location: The Housing Complex
Characters: Sir Codpiece & ...you!
Summary: Sir Codpiece has been granted a mission from the Wise Hag: to find homes for all the furry feline fiends he can in this city of Exsilium. Thus he comes a knocking.
Warnings: Ridiculousness.

( Codpiece manages to take two or three kittens along at a time, in twine harnesses he made himself while suffering the heat and hysteria of the jungle beaches. He keeps them in line through cajoling, tugging, herding, and bopping noses, sometimes even resorting to using his very limbs as entertainment.

His poor tail...!

And now he's made it to your door, where he lifts one gauntleted paw and knocks three times sharp, hoping to draw your attention. Should the door open, he leads in with a polite few words. )

Greetings, my lord, my lady. I have been sent on a quest of earnest importance across this dark and determined city. Pray tell, would you have room at your hearth for a feline pup gone chilled and crying for lack of warm mantels to sleep upon?

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Verily do they try, my lady, but among the youngest there is room for learning and improvement, even of a soul given over by nature to the predatory instinct.

( He withdraws his hand from the kitten's chin, and it playfully bites at him. )

I see. I didn't know people trained housecats. [Well. She didn't know squirrels did it either. This is all so surreal and yet she can't look away!]

Have...you had much luck getting people to accept them?

Not as much as one might wish, my lady, but some good success I have had indeed! Why, just earlier this day, two such furred fiends found homes among the noble hearts of those called Transports by the council of lords who brings us here.

So two, then. [She can't help but smile. He certainly has such a fancy way of talking. She leans down then, crouching with one arm resting on the knees of her skirt as her other comes out towards the kittens, letting the sniff her finger or the thimble that covers her stumpy pinkie finger.]

I'm Elizabeth, by the way. I've never met a talking squirrel before.

I am called Sir Codpiece, Lady Elizabeth, Defender of the Nuts.

( He bows, deep and low (for a squirrel, anyway), while the kitten closest to her hand attempts to push its head into said hand. )

[That name and title get a little giggle out of Elizabeth. Sorry, Sir Codpiece.]

I see. Well, it's awfully kind of you to be helping someone with their kittens.

[She leans closer, letting the kitten rub against her hand and then scritching it gently behind the ear.]

The city needs more help than one knight might provide, I fear. I do as I can on this quest. If only it were more.

( He shakes his head sadly. )

There is no chance my lady may know of a fine abode in need of a furry ornament for their mantle?

[Elizabeth sighs.] No, they didn't even give me an apartment. All I have is a cot in a corner.

[She scritches the kitchen again.]

I've never had a pet before. It might be nice.

I am told they make excellent companions, when treated with trust and respect and a firm hand for taking none of the nonsense they are fond of creating for themselves.

( He nods to the kitten who's approached her. )

They may not be loyal in the way of the dog, but they do have a certain wit and intelligence about them which carries overtures of the concept of loyalty.

[That makes Elizabeth smile.]

So they might be loyal if you look at it the right way.

[She leans forward, looking for a way to unhook the kitten from the harness.]

I'm not sure how I would get it to stay near my cot though.

In a matter of speaking, exactly so, my lady.

( He nods. )

I find a steady hand, warm bed, and the promise of food keeps them closer and likely to return. They are not so quick to forget as all that.

No I mean all I have right now is a cot with a curtain around it. If I take...is it a boy or a girl? If I take it, I need a way to keep it from slipping off and not coming back.

Ah, rest at ease, my lady! I am certain a firm discussion between squirrel and beast can resolve even that issue for you, if you but take your new friend well in hand for the moment... then place them gently on the ground. Allow them to wander the hall if they would for but a moment.

( He gets the other two kittens in order behind him, watching the third's movements. )

I...

[Whatever Elizabeth was going to say, she just trails off, and instead gently sets the kitten back down in front of the squirrel. Then she sits back on her ankles, watching rather curiously...]

( The kittens continue to perform as kittens are wont, listening with half an ear to when Codpiece directs them to stop or pay attention.

Elizabeth's interest wanders around her feet, sniffing and nudging and reaching out with one paw to pat pat pat at her leg toward her ankles. Mrrp? )

[Elizabeth watches for a few moments before she gently scoops up the kitten again.]

They don't seem to be listening to you.

( If a squirrel can be said to smile, then smile he does: with a chitter-squeak, he calls the kittens to attention. They look toward him, considering, then make their ambling way to his side and sit down, in the slow, relaxed, purposeful way of felines, in an almost neat line.

Yes.

Food training and entertainment training has gone well. )

Perhaps not, my lady, but they listen better than the month prior.

Will they listen to other people?

[Her attention is mostly on the kitten in her hands now, watching as it tries to climb up her arm and keeping one hand free to catch it when it fails.]

One might find many creatures will listen, as long as the one speaking to them speaks with good intent.

( He rests a paw on the head of one kitten, claws scratching behind its ear. The kitten leaned its head in, enjoying the attention. )

If you are of a mind to try, even creatures as stubborn and young as these will listen.

[Elizabeth hesitates, looking at the little kitten in her arms, which has decided that her thumb is the most fascinating thing and is thusly trying to chew it off. The young woman smiles faintly.]

So I could keep her? ...Even though I don't have one of these apartments?

My fair lady, you may do whatever it is your heart tells you is right. There is no better way for you to live than guided by such an earnest, pure thing as your heart.

( His paw comes to his chestplate, resting over his heart. What a needlessly fancy way to say yes! )

[She raises an eyebrow at that because 'good heavens' that was flowery.]

Right.

[She turns to consider the kitten in her hands again, the little creature staring back at her with big, desperate eyes.]

I can hardly say no to her now, can I.

( Codpiece didn't think it was impossible to say no. Had it not been his quest, he'd have had an easier time of it himself.

Still, for the sake of the lady, he inclines his head forward. It was indeed difficult. )

Shall I consider her rehomed, my lady?

Mm. I suppose. [She smiles at the kitten, then looks at the squirrel again.]

I know people vanish. If I ever do, you'll have to find her another home, alright?

( He cannot say no to a lady, let alone one asking on something that shows such foresight and intelligence of mind and emotion. )

I would lament such a day, my lady, but you have my word that should it arrive, I will find your feline another home. She will not go without for a want of you!

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lambofcolumbia - 2013-08-16 01:56 (UTC) - Expand

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squirrelyknight - 2013-08-17 18:27 (UTC) - Expand

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