Tail flickering behind her, as she walked, she was a bit lost in thought as she wondered if there was anything she could do to help the relationship between the two. She herself needed to spend more time with her corrupted senshi anyway...maybe she could help to patch things up while spending time with the girl?
Hmming to herself the russian blue stopped for a moment, ignoring the fact she was stopped in front of a housing building. Her tail sweeping back and forth over the sidewalk she sat upon.
Tom sighed, finding it hard to concentrate on the textbook he was trying to read. He had gotten some bad news last week and it had continued to gnaw at his mind since then.
His little brother was coming into town to study for school. This wasn’t good news to Tom. Not only was he feeling guilty that his brother looked up to him so much that he wanted to be in the same city as him while going to school, but Tom also knew that he really couldn’t protect Jason that much.
He didn’t want his brother to be taken into the universe like he was. Sure it was nice to know what was really going in the world, but his little brother should have stayed ignorant of all of that, and then Tom would have been able to protect him better.
But sooner or later something would probably get to him in this city. Whether it be senshi, knight, nega, or otherwise, he now had a lot more to worry about concerning his brother.
He sighed and moved towards the balcony door to let some fresh air in. He was starting to feel stuffed in his 2nd floor apartment tonight.
Most normal cats ran off when people approached them, most weren't all that friendly, but Katya was no normal cat. She was special, and she knew it, so when some man came down the street she didn’t skitter off to some dark alleyway or some other place of hiding, like under a car. In fact, the russian blue was rather unaware of his presence as her attention was on her inner thoughts...ohhh and some other lovely thoughts such as how soon till Alexander pulled out his nice comforter.
It would be getting cooler out soon and once he pulled out the nice comforter, filled with feathers, she was going to be spending more time on his bed as opposed to her bed. That comforter was soft and just perfect! So lost in her own thoughts she did not see the man, nor hear him, and was thus the reason he trod upon her tail. The resulting yowling from her, and how she dug her claws into his pant leg and bit down, only further escalated the situation as she man shouted and reached down to swing at her. It was a whole loud mess and right under a set of balconies where people would surely here.
Her little crown was knocked from her head by the man’s large hand, resulting in a hiss from her. She wouldn’t let go of him, if she did there was no telling what he might do. She was keeping a hold on him to ensure he didn’t do too much more to her, for his fear she would injure him further. It was, in essence, a stand off of who would give in and take the risk first.
As soon as Tom had opened the door just a bit he had heard quite a loud yowl from what sounded like a cat. He quickly ran out onto the balcony and looked down. It looked like some man was in a fight with a cat, and he didn’t look too friendly.
Even if the cat had started it first, though he doubted it with that yowl that sounded like a yell of pain, it looked like the man was hurting the cat, at least in Tom’s eyes. Either way, he had to do something.
He looked around quickly, and was sure that the man was quite preoccupied before he powered up and jumped down. Really he had only powered up to make sure that he wouldn’t have two broken legs from the jump, but perhaps he could intimidate the man a bit so he would stop hurting the cat.
Recovering from his jump he looked at the man and the cat currently in what looked like quite the gridlock and noticed there was something on the cat’s forehead…
He had to act. He hoped it would be enough to get the man’s attention. “Hey! Stop struggling! You’re only making it worse!”
As the man stopped, turning toward the voice, and froze Katya had time to take stock of things. Sensing the power signature Katya, feeling rather safe due to the frozen human, let go of the human and turning she was quick to dart toward the owner of that signature. Launching herself at them. Her small, though muscular body, wrapping about the dark uniform.
If she could, at the moment, talk she would but she knew it wasn’t safe to do so. Instead she rubbed her head against the agents. She knew him, this was someone her General had brought in - he was her’s as far as she was concerned. He had also just saved her, that was a big thing to her. Clinging to the Lieutenant's leg she moved to climb, trying to be as gentle as she could, up his uniform so she could get into his arms and gain some altitude.
Her little crown forgotten on the ground she turned her green eyes on the human and hissed, doing her best to innocently point a front paw at him...as if accusing him of something.
Arseno cringe a bit as he could feel Katya cling onto his leg, and moved to where he could pick her up with his hands and hold her in his arms. If she chose to move fine, but crawling up a leg wasn’t the best way to go about getting some height.
She seemed to be quite angry at the man, considering she hissed at him again when she was out of danger, and the man still seemed to be angry with the her. He would have to ask what had happened later.
He sighed and before the man could protest, Arseno was draining him of his energy, using one arm to hold Katya and the other to do the draining. And after it was done he moved the man into an alleyway to be found later. As he went to go back and jump into his apartment he looked back at the kitty. “What happened back there?”
She had watched, purring as the officer defended her. Not only had he gathered energy, and hidden the body, but it was to keep her safe! It didn’t matter, at the moment, that it was also part of his duty to gather energy. He had, clearly, done it to protect her from that violent beast of a man.
Curling into his lap, her head moving to rub against his chin she took the time to answer him. “I was sitting on the sidewalk and he stepped on my tail.” It explained everything, at least to her, he had hurt her and she had reacted. It wasn’t her fault he was violent and didn’t like her reaction, she was just a cat. He was the brute who couldn’t take some cat claws and had to lash out at her, she was reacting and then defending herself from him.
“You saved me from him.” Not that she liked admitting to it, but it was obvious that the confrontation was getting violent. She couldn’t just laser him either, that was not something she wanted a normal human to see. It would get out, surely, and that would not be good. She didn’t want to answer to the higher up’s about such an incident.
Well, can’t blame her for reacting the way she did. He thought to himself as he finally got into the apartment and powered down, but not before putting Katya on a comfy blanket. “Well, glad I was able to help at least. I can’t stand to see a kitty in trouble, even if they’re an alien kitty.” He replied, chuckling a bit.
He stretched his shoulders a bit once he was out of his uniform and looked at her. “I hope you weren’t too hurt by him though.” He had a soft spot for cats. He missed them. He had almost called his parents so that they could have his little brother bring them along with him. “Do you want anything? I don’t have any cat food in particular, but I have water and stuff.”
Glad for the blanket she curled herself up on top of it, her green eyes watching him for a moment. “I might be an alien but I am cute.” She stated primly, moved one front paw to rub at one of her own ears. “I’m glad to know you like cats however.” Since she was, obviously, a cat although she was an alien cat of sorts. “Wait till I can take on a human like form.” She said, wondering when that would be. She had only met one cat who served chaos who could do that...Dahlia...and she wasn’t fond of her. The other had a thing for her owner as well - and Benitoite was hers.
“He stepped on my tail hard, the rest was minor in comparison. More of a standoff than anything.” Though she had dug her claws into the man's leg...so maybe a hostile stand off? Yes, that did seem the best way to describe that.
“Water would be sufficient. I had dinner earlier, Alexandre cooks and I get dinner then.” She ate normal food, rather than cat food. She wasn’t fond of the idea of common cat food, though she would lower herself to such if need be, as she was no normal cat. “You do not have a cat, I remember that - yes?” She asked, wanting to be sure she remembered correctly.
“Well, I’ll be waiting to see that human form then. Never seen a human form of a guardian cat before.” He replied before walking off to put some water in a bowl. He wasn’t sure if she preferred it in a glass or not, but he at least thought the bowl would be easier to drink out of.
After a bit he managed to get the water for her and set it down on the side-table closest to her next to the couch that she was on and he sat down at the other end, sighing a bit as he did so. “I’m glad you’re not hurt then. And it didn’t escalate too badly.” Though the man had been such an easy target he just had to drain energy from him.
He looked back over at her. “I have two cats but not with me. They’re both still with my parents. Though I was tempted to have them sent over along with my little brother.” There it was again, he had been trying to ignore the fact that his little brother would now be joining him in this magically dangerous city.
“We have one, on our side, who can take that form. I’ll wind up with ears and tail but human form otherwise.” And she had no idea what she would have for clothing, though she could guess where it would be inspired from - Russia. It was fitting, if it was true, that would have a Russian inspired outfit when she could take on her other form as she was a russian blue after all.
Moving from the couch and up to the table to drink, taking her time in lapping up the water from the bowl, she lifted and turned her head toward him. Seating herself she took the time to look him over, to observe him. “No, it did not and that is good.” She was glad it had not gotten worse, that the man had not taken the risk and attacked her. She was lucky, and she knew it.
“A little brother...and you did not ask for your cats why? You should if you miss them, if you like cats so much.” She answered while grooming herself, one front paw and then the other. Her tail was then given some attention as well - her poor abused tail. “He will be living with you...it is a good size here? If not I am sure a bigger place can be found to help accommodate. Alexandre could always help.” She offered, unsure from where she sat if the apartment was large enough, and wanting to make sure this officer, who was so good to her, was well and comfortably housed.
Tom nodded, listening to her. He learned more every time he spoke to either her or to Benitoite and he wanted to learn as much as he could. He wondered what Katya would have to do to get her human form.
As soon as he heard her reply about his brother, he knew he had made a mistake. He hadn’t meant to tell her about him, and hopefully the Negaverse wasn’t too desperate for recruits. His little brother wouldn’t make a good one, just like him. How many times had his starseed almost been taken by fellow agents now?
“I didn’t want to cause them stress by having them shipped over here. They’re also used to a lot more space than this apartment offers.” Though he was sure they wouldn’t have minded, Ebony would have protested a bit.
“Actually, he’ll be living in his school’s dorm, so luckily I don’t have to look after him too much. But there was really no reason for him to come here. I couldn’t stop him though, I think he looks up to me too much.” He always felt a bit guilty of that. He hadn’t really done anything worthy of such hero-status, but Jason believed Tom could do no wrong, and so Jason looked up to him quite a bit.
Nodding her head in understanding, a lot of space was something that was hard to suddenly have taken away, or so she imagined. She had always had a rather large home with the blond General she called her own, whether he liked it or not. She had claimed him, not the other way around, and he seemed to perhaps understand it or at least not go against the idea that he was owned by a cat.
“That is something you should be proud of. If he looks up to you than you have accomplished something great - something he has noticed and wishes to emulate.” The cat spoke, praising the other. Her words were not false though, nothing to boost the ego or self confidence, rather they were honest and sincere.
“It is good that he is coming to spend time, to have a family member so close. Some people have no family, or distant living family.” Waving a paw about as she spoke, meaning to show just how far away people could be from each other - this was a big world after all. To have someone you were close to, who you knew well, live nearby was a good thing. You could talk to them and visit them if you needed them, and hopefully you had someone loyal who you could rely on, nearby.
“If he decides he wants to move in here and it is too small let me know. I won’t go poking my nose in to bring your brother into the Negaverse, that isn’t my place. I am a guardian cat and while recruiting is part of the duty - so is my agents happiness. If you find a need for a larger home Alexandre and myself will seek to help find a place.” She could try and recruit the Lieutenant's brother but that wasn’t on her mind, for once, she wanted to make sure this agent was cared for and happy - that he was comfortable in this world.
“You have been doing well, I hope? With school and the Negaverse?” She spoke seriously, green eyes focused on him, for a moment, before the lure of the water bowl and it’s contents drew her in. Drinking some more she lifted her head and jumped toward the other, intending to seat herself in his lap. “I may not know the subject you study but I can help. I rather like to read and learn.” A study buddy of sorts, she could learn and he could study, and time spent bonding would be had.
He felt a bit better at her words, but it was not as if he had been apart from his brother for that long. Or at least he visited his family regularly and called his brother at least every other day, if not every day. But his little brother needed to learn not to rely on him so much. As much as Tom would like to be able to stay close and provide for his brother as much as he could, Jason needed to learn how to do things for himself, without his older brother’s input.
He sighed a bit. “I know, but that doesn’t lessen the worry I have for him.” He replied, smiling a bit. “And if something happens I’ll take you up on that offer, but for right now we’re pretty well situated.” He noticed her coming closer to him and made sure there was nothing in his lap to get in her way.
“School is fine, though the Negaverse sometimes makes it difficult.” He couldn’t study as much at least. “Apparently I’m supposed to be promoted to Captain at… some point. Not really sure when, so I’m just staying with my Lieutenant duties right now.” He had gotten the news about a month or two ago, but nothing else since then. He almost wondered if it was a joke at this point, he hadn’t exactly been the most exemplary of agents.
He moved his medical book toward her. “Well if you want to read it it’s fine. Mostly just medical stuff. Maybe you could learn some first aid or something.” He said chuckling a bit.
Leaning up, slowly, her front paws came to rest on the others cheeks. Nuzzling his face with her own face. “School first. Energy gathering on weekends, when you are not studying. I want my officers to succeed.” She spoke seriously, green eyes looking up into the others eyes. She was not one for stupid people, she was a bookworm herself. She appreciated a good book and the time spent reading it.
“If you need help, and are falling short on energy gathering, let myself or Alexandre know. We will work with you so that you succeed in both areas.” She would make sure he did well, in both spheres of life, she would not have him failing in either thing if she could help to prevent it.
“You will make Captain when the higher up’s deem you ready, Alexandre cannot promote someone - it is a power that no General has. The control over the energy is not something they have...it would result in your starseed shattering and you becoming a youma…” The words, seriously, but somber as she knew how close to home they hit for her General. It was something he would talk about but it still obviously bothered him, he had paid for his mistake many times over.
“There are many things going on behind the scenes though, things even Alexandre does not know. But do not worry, Captain will become you soon, and then you will be able to teleport.” She spoke, smiling at him and licked his nose once before settling into his lap and looking to the book.
“I would like to, perhaps together. You can explain things and it will help you with studying.” And she would learn as well, she had never looked into learning about medicine and it could be useful. It would be good to learn what she could.
Even though she wasn’t like a regular house cat, it was good to have a cat in his lap again. He felt quite lonely without one of his kitties snuggling or trying to get his attention somehow.
“That sounds like a good schedule. And if I do need help I won’t hesitate to ask for it then.” He had been doing fine so far, but the stress of it was starting to take a toll on him. And even after he completed college he still wanted to get into graduate school, so there would be no large school breaks for him.
“Yeah, I remember him telling me that. And that’s why I don’t mind waiting. I’d like to stay as myself and not turn into a youma.” He was okay if they were all busy or something. He would rather stay at his own rank rather than possibly getting turned into a monster and losing his mind.
He ran his hand gently over her head and to her back, making sure her response wouldn’t be to take a swipe at him. He smiled as he reached over to grab the book, opening it up to where he had left off, and slowly explaining it to her out loud as he continued to pet her.
At least some of the stress had gone away tonight.
Sleet Tempest Snape
