(no subject)

[theresnodoor]

In Metropolis, one can find almost everything. All kinds of peoples - fighters, tricksters, thieves, innocent people just looking for a good time.

And occasionally, you can find a healthy looking kitty with silky white fur sitting on the porch of a nearby storefront to a club, grooming himself (because the cat itself is a boy, you see) and occasionally running off to walk a fence or leap on a row of trashcans or chase a mouse.



Rachel may or may not be avoiding the nightlife of other twenty-somethings.

Comments

[greatestofease.livejournal.com]

"Aww. Hey there, kitty. Someone's looking after you, huh?"

Because obviously what Rachel needed is more superheros. This one actually looks like a superhero -- tight (but armoured, not Spandex) suit, mask, classically-flawless features, wide bright grin. He, too, is significantly cleaner than the rest of the population of Metropolis' alleys.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel turns toward the noise, ears laid flat and ready to hiss and--

Hey, he's cute.

...Dean and Jo are busy. They never have to know about this - and Rachel will surely never admit to sitting up tall and letting out an utterly adorable "Mew" in response.

(He's just lucky she doesn't realize he's yet another Batman figure)

[greatestofease.livejournal.com]

Not Dick's fault she doesn't read the right books. Comics. Things.

He grins, dropping to a crouch atop the fence as easily as if he were a cat too, leaning down to offer pettings. "Cute cat. What's a pet like you doing roaming Metropolis at this time of night? Owner not in trouble or anything?"

Because the cat will answer him. Faint smirk; he looks up and down the alley, frowning thoughtfully.

[theresnodoor]

...the guy just moved like a cat. The human guy.

Rachel hasn't crushed this hard since Jeremy Jason McCole and she's only met him about thirty seconds ago. And before she knows it, she's leaning into his hand for petting.

And also purring.

This would be so embarrassing if anyone she knew were watching.

[greatestofease.livejournal.com]

"I guess that's a good sign of no, huh?"

Petting is offered, obligingly. Clean friendly cats demanding petting are pretty rare these days, so he's still looking around for an owner, but also, petting.

[theresnodoor]

Bah, owner. Neither Rachel nor Fluffer McKitty need an owner! And neither of them have a collar either.

Fluffer, however, is immensely enjoying the attention. Rachel really doesn't have a problem with letting the cat mind take over for a pet, rubbing against Dick's hand or against his knee when his petting isn't quite up to snuff.

Not that her human mind isn't at work, too. They way he'd moved... and he's totally human. She can hear his heartbeat (normal) and sniffs for his scent (human), but he'd looked like he could challenge a housecat for natural grace, and that's just incredible.

And must be tested.

Getting control over Fluffer, Rachel lets Dick get a final pet over her back before turning to walk across the porch - and leap four feet straight up into the air to land on the post of a fence.

Then she blinks green cat eyes at Dick and wonders if her curiosity is worth possibly exposing herself.

(answer: yes)

[greatestofease.livejournal.com]

"Want me to follow you, huh? Okay, sure. Not much else happening around here."

Besides, eerily-intelligent cats and things are a lot less weird than anything else. Dick vaults lightly to the next post on the same fence, poised and graceful.

"Lead on, Macduff."

[dragonreturned.livejournal.com]

Iroh comes down to the big city every couple of weeks. He likes the people, and he has to replenish his tea supply somehow.

He pauses to watch the cat in question.

He smiles. "Well, well, well. It appears someone is taking care of himself."

[theresnodoor]

Rachel makes a mental note to roll in some dirt and bushes the next time she tries the cat morph. But for now, no harm will come from grooming herself a bit and making a show of ignoring the old man.

The cat mind has no problem at all with this. It was made to ignore people.

[dragonreturned.livejournal.com]

"Ah, yes," Iroh nods. "I suppose it's none of my business and you have far better things to do than acknowledge me."

He approaches slowly for a better look.

[theresnodoor]

Yes, she absolutely does. Far better things like continued grooming.

Rachel doesn't like the slow approach, but the cat isn't worried. He's fully aware that, if necessary, he can claw and bite and scratch his way to freedom.

But for right now, there is grooming to be done.

[dragonreturned.livejournal.com]

As he approaches Iroh looks up and down the street. He's not sure a cat in this kind of condition really belongs around here. He may not often act it, but Iroh is actually rather observant, after all.

[theresnodoor]

When he gets close enough, the cat looks up at him, frozen.

Except for the ears starting to lay back against his skull anyway, tail starting to twitch int he natural 'better think twice' warning of a cat.

[dragonreturned.livejournal.com]

Iroh tilts his head this way and that, not yet reaching out for the clearly not-happy cat. He doesn't see a collar though.

[ineveryport.livejournal.com]

This twenty something has a nightlife that doesn't necessarily include clubbing.

Which isn't to say that he's not avoiding anything that involves watching Jo flirt with men, and possibly more. But he did have other things to do. Or other women. Metropolis is one of his regular ports, and he knows where to find people that isn't clubbing.

He's alone when he walks past this one, though, and he stops. And he grins, inclining his head.

"Well met."

[theresnodoor]

Rachel makes a mental note: acquire an uglier cat morph.

Fluffer wants to ignore Jack and Rachel, still vaguely irritated at Jo, doesn't see any reason to be nice to her friend. ...just yet.

Grooming is a great way to seem utterly unconcerned with your audience.

[ineveryport.livejournal.com]

Well, then.

Jack is never one to stay with someone who doesn't want his company. He touches his hat again, this time in farewell.

"I hope your evening improves."

[theresnodoor]

There would probably be a more interesting dialogue between the two if Rachel knew she wasn't fooling him. So far as she knows, he's just talking to a cat... as people seem to do.

Still grooming, green eyes dart in his direction. She's at least going to make sure of which direction he's heading.

[ineveryport.livejournal.com]

He's heading on, actually. There's plenty in Metropolis to entertain a pirate who loves violence and women, and Jack doesn't want to creep out Jo any further.

So he continues down the street, whistling to himself.

Well, This IS Still On The 1st Page, So . . . ;)

[lecter-md-phd.livejournal.com]

An older man walking past notices the cat. He smiles at the cat.

"Hello there, Child of Bast. And how are you today?"

He holds out his hand so the cat can smell him--he knows the ways of animals.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel is getting bored of visitors, frankly. She glances impassively at the offered hand, ready to ignore it but... then there's something interesting.

Something that makes the cat's ears lay flat on its head, a low grumbling in its throat that is absolutely a growl, not a purr. And while Fluffer wants to hightail it the hell out of there, now Rachel is curious.

She sniffs the hand lightly and pulls back almost immediately. Animals have a sixth sense about things sometimes - intentions, thoughts, purposes - but that doesn't mean the human inside can always interpret them seamlessly.

The cat backs up a few paces-- but he isn't running yet.

[lecter-md-phd.livejournal.com]

"You can tell what I am, I see." He grins. "A predator knows its own. But don't worry, I won't harm you."

He smiles and sits down by the cat. "I haven't seen many animals around here. How have you survived, little one?"

[theresnodoor]

Obviously by being astute enough to avoid the crazies and cute enough to sucker food out of people.

...though Rachel ruins that first bit by being curious. What does he mean, 'what I am'? She slinks back a little further but makes sure to stay close enough to smell him, looking for something. He smells human, not even the faintest scent of anything else.

Yeerk? No, not when he's talking about Earth animals affectionately.

Shapeshifter? But then what would 'predator' mean?

The cat is still growling softly and Rachel doesn't see any reason to stop it. Not now, anyway.

[lecter-md-phd.livejournal.com]

Hannibal laughs. "What a cautious one you are! I said I won't harm you, and I always keep my word.

"You're more than just a cat, aren't you? A normal cat would've attacked me or fled, by your stance. But you want to know what I mean, don't you?" He grins at Rachel.

[theresnodoor]

...whoops.



Disinterested cat failsafe: grooming.