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While Brioche didn't despise winter like so many others did, it was a terrifying time to be out alone in the snow. It seemed that every year when the nights grew longer and the air grew cold and bitter, he stopped his standard senshi hunt and focused on a weaker part of Destiny City, the abandoned normal kittens that found it hard to survive out here. He knew as many as he would try and save, there were many he would lose, and heartbreak filled every step he took in the slowly lengthening nights.

Tonight, however, he could find contentment that all the kittens he cared for were warm in the arms of the old woman who left her door open at night. She was always there when the nights were brutal like this, power out in every part of the city he knew were safe... Her old woodburning stove was perfect for the little ones, who happily squealed and curled up with the warmth. Perhaps they couldn't understand just how hard he tried to make sure they were safe, but seeing them content was plenty for him, even if he couldn't allow himself to stay.

What precious angel out there looking for him took pity on his old and tired bones, for as the night continued on, he found himself under the care of Liryn, a most beloved Mauvian who so kindly guided him to a warm sanctuary that he knew nothing about before. Yes, Brioche had heard bits and pieces of such a place existing, a place for those like him to work and learn together, but his always preoccupied mind never once thought to seek it out. Of course, the moment Liryn offered, he was quick to follow, ever so ready to follow the smaller Mauvian to the depths to hell and back for his help in winters past. Though this wasn't a trip to hell, but a trip to heaven and bliss as the warmth of the inside of their base immediately made his face tingle and his whiskers twitch in delight.

That being said, he certainly wasn't used to so many Mauvians together at once. It was nervewrecking, in a way. The way they swarmed about and spoke to eachother in quick and eager voices. Brioche was not quick, nor was he spritely as so many of these others were, but that did not mean he did not enjoy the company. Rather than take a cushion from one of those who may have needed it more than himself, chose to find a nice warm corner to curl up in, watching everyone from under the shadow of his hat.

Yes... This was nice... This was warm and a wonderful environment for sure. He'd make note of that, just in case he ever needed to find himself another place to call home.

Bernard smiled at Itsuki. "I did. He's a good kid, though his outfit makes me hungry." He tried to repress the memories of running. So... much... running... He shivered a bit at the thought. He hoped he would never have to run that long ever again. Luckily the electric blanket under him helped to keep him warm, even if he was shivering from terrible, terrible memories of exercising. But the outfit that Nix did have on did make Bernard hungry. After all, frogs could be good if cooked correctly.

Bernard caught the part of the conversation about comms, and wondered if he should have one. He felt like keeping quiet and saying he didn't have one, because if he got one, that would mean more work. However, Bernard noticed another cat, one that was completely white and wearing glasses, settled in next to him. Bernard didn't mind sharing the electric blanket, after all he had gotten it out for that reason. They also had the other fluffy blanket too, just in case all of the vents and pillows were taken up.

He smiled at the white cat. He could have introduced himself, especially considering that he barely knew any of the cats here, but instead decided to do that when he could be more one on one with them. So, back to the conversation about comms instead. He sighed, and said, "If you have some leftover after you have gotten everyone else's, then I could use one. If not however I am fine for now and will get it at a later date." There, he admitted he didn't have one, and he had officially moved himself to the back of the priority line, just to make sure that he might be able to to put off working with the comms a bit longer.

Others confirmed the power outage was pretty wide stretched, and she sighed slightly. How common were such outages? Or at least, such large ones? Not dwelling on it for the moment, she focused on noting each face she could. She was about to inquire of the dark-furred feline near her how much of a blackout she'd encountered, but the rather... enthusiastic entrance and various greetings given by one lilac point (Itsuki) made her ears pin back slightly before tentatively, curiously, perking again.

His greetings did enable her to put some names to faces, which she appreciated, but to suddenly have that attention on her was a bit startling. Opalescent eyes widened slightly at his language, one ear twitching a bit as she tried to place it and found herself unable. "I... apologize. I do not understand. I have been to Headquarters before, yes, though thank you for the welcome nonetheless. What did you say after that, and before that?" Polite, and perhaps more formal than the smaller feline, she glanced towards the much softer-spoken one (Ichta) and gave another gentle smile. "I take it then you two have met prior?" Seemed the bundle of energy had met nearly all of them prior, anyways.

When one Mauvian in a corner (Liryn) questioned about cat communicators, Réalta perked up. "I do not have one yet. If you wouldn't mind, I would appreciate the catch-up." Really, she needed that on a lot of levels. Perhaps the outage prompting her to come to HQ would be for the best after all~?

Ichta's fail flicked as the other cats assembled informed her of what she'd already suspected; the power was out all over. While not as technologically minded as some felines may have been, Ichta still lifted a paw delicately to her face as she 'hmmmm'd thoughtfully. The power plant had been mostly recovered from that incident with the Negaverse and the giant bird, but had something perhaps not enjoyed the cold weather? Maybe snow on a box or a wire had caused a problem. But Ichta didn't understand how that all worked, so for all she knew, it could have been a power sucking Youma.

"So what do we do in the meantime?" she asked quietly. "Do we stay here and stay warm and wait for an update or do we go out to investigate?" Ichta didn't want to take the lead on this at all. A bolder kitty would have to for her.

A gust of chill air blew down the corridor as a chilled ginger tabby slunk into the HQ. There were places a stray cat could go to keep warm – under car engines, in cardboard boxes. Tomlin had systematically given up every half-warm spot to other creatures caught out in the cold, cats and humans alike. The Mauvian headquarters was a last resort. He wasn’t much up for conversation tonight, and his ears flattened a little to see the number of other felines taking cover in their sanctuary. But it was warm.

“Thank the stars for independent generators,” he sighed. After all the dead streetlights, he’d been starting to worry that even their own systems might be down.

With a nod to the guardians he’d met before, Tomlin wove his way through the crowd and leapt up onto one of the computer banks. The faint hum of the system was like an electronic purr, and the keyboard radiated the internal heat. He gave the computer screens themselves a cursory glance, then ignored them, settling down into a paw-warming loaf formation to thaw, and watch what seemed to be another communicator workshop. Good thing, too. Once again, he noted a lot of new faces, new names to learn.

Comfortable on the heated blanket, he scooted beside Bernard, and then reached out, grabbing the kitten and pulling her over under one arm. It seemed it had no parents as it didn't immediately start talking to them, and decided that he couldn't let a kitten catch a cold on his watch.

"Hello there. Thank you for the blanket. If you don't mind." Not that Arthur already invited himself over anyways. "You need to stay dry, Etoile or else you'll get sick."

"Oh, of course! That would be terrible," Etoile chirped, quite grateful that someone was looking out for her! In a way. "That's so very kind of you, um... hmm, what was your name again? I don't think I caught it."

Not that Etoile had ever thought to ask. In all the commotion of cats gathering together to escape the cold, Etoile had thought there'd be some sort of meet and greet, where everyone'd introduce themselves, share snacks... tell stories?

You know, kind of like a party. Almost. Though perhaps there was still a chance for that to turn around.

(Hopefully with snacks included.)