thenearshore | [Closed] What's New Pussy Cat, WHOOAAOAO

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[Closed] What's New Pussy Cat, WHOOAAOAO

Who: Speed of Sound Sonic

scrap_metal maybe some Saitama

onepunching
What: KITTEN
When: Evening, April 4th
Where: Radegast's temple
Warnings: Fluff overload

[Immediately after sending his last text to Genos, Sonic is off the computer and on his way to the Near Shore to pick up the supplies he promised. Some people may be shocked at his behavior, but Sonic has always had a weakness for small animals, and he's not going to let anything like a weird grudge feud stand in his way of petting a kitten. While he's at the pet supply store, he picks up other necessities like a cat collar, an assortment of kick toys, and a cat bed]

[What? He was excited, he was there, and it's not like it cost him any extra. Plus, stuffing everything into the cat bed made everything easier to carry.]

[After that, he heads straight to Radegast's, where he lets himself in.] Oi, Toaster! I'm here!

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I have a name. And it's not "Toaster". [ Genos grumpily comments, while walking down the stairs. He's holding the kitten in a towel. It keeps looking curiously and looks... quite calm for an injured animal. ]

I hope you brought that litter-box. [ he says with urgency ]

You never properly introduced yourself to me. [he shrugs, putting down all the stuff he's brought so he can pull out the litter box and litter] Of course I did, look at all these wonderful supplies I brought you. Out of the goodness of my own heart, too.

[The litter box quickly gets filled and he shoves it towards Genos's feet] I understand that you have the patience of a goldfish, but you're going to have to concede as much ground to me as I do to you. Half the reason I pick on you is because you lash out at me.

That's because you threw insults at me, as soon as I told you, I don't know where my god wandered off to. [ Genos waves his hand dismissively ] Whatever. I'm Genos, but you already know that.

[ No need to argue really. He's willing to let this go as a sign of good will. Because free stuff for cat is worth it. Genos goes into the living room and carefully places the kitten in the towel on the couch, he's looking a bit lost as what exactly do with it. ]

I'll get the first aid kit. I don't think it's badly hurt, at least it doesn't act like it's a big deal.

Oh yes, I know that now that you've introduced yourself. [he smirks up at Genos, laughing quietly to himself. Yes, he's going to be on his best behavior, but that's not going to stop him from being a troll]

[He watches Genos go into the living room with a frown, tilting his head head to the side] Why did you want the litter box so badly if the cat doesn't need it? The middle of the entrance way is a terrible place for it, you should put it in the bathroom or a utility closet. [he clicks his tongue] You don't know anything about training cats, do you?

[ After living the kitten on the couch, he makes a round to different room and returns with the first-aid kit, which he places on the table near the couch. ]

Bathroom? Right, makes sense. [ And now he's back for the litter-box. ] And the kitten might not need it right now, but I want it to be ready next time there is need for it.

[ So Genos won't be in sudden need for clean sheets in bed. ]

Can cats even be trained? They're not like dogs.

Well, yes. For example, if the cat has an accident, you put it on the litter box so it knows where to go instead. [he huffs, rolling his eyes.] I assumed that was the case when you came here with the kitten in a towel, asking predominantly about the box.

[Sonic moves towards the kitten, who has half-escaped the towel during their discussion and gets down on his knees in front of it. Once he's made eye contact, he very slowly and deliberately closes his eyes. He takes a deep breath before opening his eyes again, chuckling quietly when the kitten mews plaintively. It's still trapped in the towel, Sonic! Help!]

[He scoops the kitten up and plops down on the couch, settling it in his lap free of the towel] You're right about cats not being like dogs, though. That's why you train them like cats, and not like dogs. That is the biggest mistake people make, thinking that just because they're both domesticated pets, they can be treated the same way.

And you were right. [ No point in hiding that really. Genos produces a notebook from somewhere and writes the part about litter-box down. He pauses as he notices the deliberate blink- ] Is that a part of the training too? The blinking.

[ He's got a lot to learn. ]

No, not exactly. [he wraps his arm across the kitten's belly, holding it in place against his stomach while the kitten squirms] I was mimicking cat body language in order to communicate that I am not a threat. Essentially, cats show trust and comfort by closing their eyes or ignoring each other, so I used eye contact to ensure I had the kitten's attention, then closed my eyes to show that I meant no harm. Although it may have been unnecessary, given this one's fearlessness.

[gently, he takes the cat's wounded leg and stretches it out, leaning down to examine the severity of the damage] I did a little research on my phone on my way here. The sites I looked at recommended simply making sure the wound is clean and treating it with an antiseptic.

[ Genos notes that reasoning next to the "slow blinking" keyword, then puts the notebook on a table. He sits on the floor next to Sonic- because who needs coaches? And slowly moves his hand closer to the kitten, aiming to scratch it forehead ]

I guess it wasn't human who hurt it. Otherwise it would be more stressed by our presence. [ Or maybe it doesn't treat them as "humans" due to their supernatural nature. The gentle forehead scratch makes the little one close its eyes. Good distraction, because Genos gets an antiseptic from first-aid kit, with his other hand. ]

Mmm, it's small, young, and separated from its mother. It could have been anything. I suspect that it wandered into the territory of another cat, but it could have been a bird, a raccoon, or even an overly-friendly dog.

It's probably going to take off once you put that antiseptic on the wound. [he tightens his grip just a little, much to the kitten's displeasure] I'll show you all the things I've brought while its off sulking. I'm sure it'll love the food dispensers; they're fish shaped!

[ Genos nods and carefully applies the antiseptic on the wound. Just as Sonic warned, the kitten suddenly turns into a snake, or is it liquid? Wriggling around, making squeaky sounds and not staying in one place. Genos feels a tinge of guilt for hurting the little thing, but he mentally kicks it away; if the wound got infected, it would be much worse scenario. ]

Don't let it get away, I still need to bandage it. [ easily said, but really, it looks like the moment of escape is near ]

I'm trying, I assure you, this is not as easy as it looks. [Sonic's hands are quick, but cats are cats, and they defy the laws of physics simply by existing. He lasts right up until Genos is ready to put the bandages on, then the cat's out of his grasp and bolting across the room to find the nearest hiding place.]

[Sigh] That should be fine, anyway, as long as you keep the cat indoors until it heals. The main concern is dirt getting into the wound anyway.

[ Genos gets on the floor to look under the couch where the kitten is hiding. So betrayed, so pouty. ]

I've cleaned in the morning, so there shouldn't be any dust there. [ A small sigh of relief. He gets up, and shoots Sonic a side-glance. He's feeling pretty awkward internally, but tries to keep his frowny poker face. ]

Thanks for help. I really appreciate. [ he points at the kitten, or at the couch underneath which she's hiding ] She does too.

[He shrugs one shoulder, folding his arms over his chest] I like animals. I'm doing it more for the cat than I am for you.

[Then he gets up, bringing the pile of supplies into the living room] Come sit next to me, I'll go through everything I brought.

Good. I'd never expected anything else. [ At least it's clear cut, and not suspicious this way. To put simply, their goals aligns, right now. And it's the well-being of the cat.

He does just as he is told and sits next to Sonic ] Bring it on.

[ For the kitten! ]

We'll start with the feeders. [He pulls out a package with four plush fish with plastic inserts on the side and hands it to Genos] I'm so glad I was able to find these in a store, they're wonderful. What you do is put food in the plastic, then you hide the toy around the house, so they have to hunt for their for their food! It's good enrichment for the cat, and it helps reduce the amount of over-eating that can be caused by feeding cats through a bowl.

[ Genos takes it and investigates from all of the sides. ] It's ingenious!

Cats are hunters, this gives them a chance to practice their primal skills. [ way too excited for simple thing, Genos. He might yet train the cat to be a battle partner. Whut ]

What else do you have? Maybe something that can run away?

I know, isn't it brilliant? [Don't worry, Genos, Sonic is just as excited about the feeders as you are] They're even weighted and shaped to roll in the same fashion prey animals do!

[He shakes his head at Genos's suggestion] No, but really, it would be fairly easy to go out and buy a remote controlled car that would function the same way. You could craft a cover for it to make it resemble prey, and add in a little catnip, and it should be suitably appealing.

I do, of course, have the standard fuzzball on a stick, though. [he pulls that out and hands it to Genos] And kick toys.

[ He's slightly disappointed by that admission and his head lowers just minimally. But then, he's already thinking about the possibilities of remaking toys like Sonic mentioned. He perks up when he's handed the set of toys. He places them on a side and looks intrigued at the fuzzball. Pointing it down he starts waving it ]

How is this supposed to work?

[ Then a kitten paw tries to catch it from underneath the coach. After a second whole kitten dashes out from under the couch, misses the fuzzball by inch and slides right under the armchair on the other side of the table. ]

[Sonic watches the cat slide across the room and snickers, reaching a hand up to cover his mouth]

Like that, basically. You just hold it in front of the cat, wiggle it a bit, and they pounce on it. Hold it up high and they'll jump for it, or you can lead them on a merry chase around the room.

[ Genos gets up and he's ready to do exactly what Sonic described. But he stops mid-movement, remembering something important, and sits back. ]

Should such play be encouraged while she's still recovering from injury?

[ What if it makes it worse? Not that kitten cares because she dashes back under the couch, there is better poking point for the fuzzball ]

It didn't look like it was a big wound, and I suspect it's mostly scabbed over at this point. [he shrugs] If she's in pain, she'll stop playing and let you know.

[ and when Genos is not paying attention, kitten paws grab the fuzzball and drag it under the coach, stick slipping from Genos hand ] Wha--

The toy was super effective. [ He bends to look under the coach. ]

[Sonic giggles quietly and pulls a bag of cat food from the supplies.]

I think I also know an effective way of getting her out from under the couch.

[The package of cat feeders gets opened, and a small portion of food added, then Sonic places it in the middle of the floor]

She's probably starving, you know.

Will it know there's food inside or should she be trained in that too? [ he raises his legs to his chin. Feet resting on the couch so his legs do not provide additional cover for kitten ]

Now it's waiting time, I get.

She should be able to smell it. How to get it out might confuse her at first, but once she knocks it over, she'll get it. Cats are very clever.

[he smiles at Genos, pulling his legs up too and leaning lightly against the Cyborg's shoulder]

[ Genos doesn't protest that. He either doesn't mind or is just so focused on the kitten. Kitten that apparently decided to troll them both, because after good few minutes of waiting she emerges on the other end of the room.

Probably moved behind the furniture all around it. But then, right then she becomes super interested and pounces full of energy...

No, not on the feeder, but on Sonic's bag ]

Is this how it's supposed to work?

[Snort. Sonic grabs the bag before she can haul it off the couch and shuffles it down to the ground. There's not much left in there, besides the full bag of cat food, which he pulls out.]

I'd say that's how cats work. It's probably best not to question things too much, I'm fairly certain cats are capable of breaking the laws of physics.

[ The cat food gets ignored for now, because BAG! It makes sounds and can be viciously attacked, and even moves! Eventually kitten gets her way inside it and Genos bends down to scoops the bag with kitten inside and puts it on his lap. ]

That would be an almost impossible feat, but since they already can see us, I'm inclined to not discard that theory immediately. [ the kitten goes absolutely crazy inside the bag, legs and everywhere, somehow Genos hand gets caught in it, and he doesn't take it away ]

If it turns out she can't stay, can I count on you to take care of her? [ he doesn't think that's the case, but it's better to cover the bases ]

[Sonic giggles as the bagcat flails and thrashes around on Genos' lap, keeping his own hand pressed against his chest, well out of the way. Genos might be able to handle being thrashed by sharp kitten claws, but if one of Sonic's hands got caught in that, he didn't think there'd be much left of them]

Yes, of course! I would be happy to take her, if Saitama insists on getting rid of her. You'd be more than welcome to come visit as well.

[ Genos allows the kitten to bite and claw at his hand as much as it wants to. Taking it away periodically for sake of challenge. Maybe Saitama was right. The longer it stays the more used one will get to it.

But then he's stubborn, and something is telling him that if he will be persistent enough no one will want to get rid of the kitten anyway. but is it really a good thing? ]

If there is one thing I'd trust you, it's that you would take good care of this kitten. [ I mean, they kind of had a bonding moment because of the kitten. Sonic, Hermes, whatever might be annoying at times, but he does seem to genuinely care for that little fuzzball ]

Here, hold it. [ And Sonic gets bag full of very fight inclined kitten dropped right onto his lap ]

[He has a much easier time with animals than he does with people. Animals don't have complex social rules that change based on who you're with, where they're from, and where you're meeting. A cat will love you no matter what, as long as you feed it, pet it, and play with it.]

[That said, having a ball of energy and claws unceremoniously dropped into his lap causes him to yelp in surprise, his whole body jerking back reflexively. The poor kitten goes tumbling out of his lap, but before she can hit the ground, Sonic rallies and dives forward to catch her, clutching her to his chest protectively.]

[He gets bit on the hand for his efforts]

Shit, OW! Genos, please! I'm not as cat proof as you are, you can't just DO that!

Does it hurt that much? [ He tilts his head curiously. Sudden reaction like this was not what he expected. Kitten is still in battle-mode and adding to the bite, she starts kicking rest of Sonic hand with hind legs. ]

Genos, I'm bleeding! [Not from the bite, thankfully, but from those dangerously sharp little kitten claws tearing up the palm of his hand] Get her off, I don't want to hurt her!

[ Genos catches the kitten and untangles her gently from her new scratch toy. Of course hand is a hand, and the softer silicone pad on his hand can be as bite into and clawed as well. Genos uses his other hand to hold the kitten in place ]

At least the first-aid kit is within arms reach. [ Genos plz ]

[SIGH] It's fine... [He holds up his hand for inspection, wrinkling his nose up a bit in annoyance. It's not nearly as bad as it felt while the kitten was clawing up his skin; there's blood, but it's not dripping or running everywhere. He uses a bit of gauze to soak the worst of it up, then pats a bit of anti-septic on it and slaps a bandaid over it]

You should probably not allow her to do that. I heal on my own, but you'll need to replace the material of your hand eventually, and I can't imagine it'll be easy to come by.

[ He takes his hand away, much to kitten protest ]

You're right! I didn't thought about it. [ Old habits die hard, Genos considers himself quite replaceable, both in case of bodyparts, as well a potential shinki. But the catch is that he can't be as easily repaired as he constantly assumes when on auto-pilot ]

I knew I should have got a scratching post, I just didn't have enough hands to carry it back. [he sighs, shaking his head] You'll want to pick one up before too long. There's a lot of things around this house for her to tear up if you let it go.

In the meantime- [he gets down on the ground, fishing under the couch for the ball on a stick] -Wearing her out is definitely the way to go.

[ The kitten is quite predictable because it lunges itself at the ball. Genos takes it as his chance of taking notes ]

Got it. Scratching post... Playing a lot until she's tired... [ taking care of a cat is serious business. ]

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[Closed] What's New Pussy Cat, WHOOAAOAO

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