Welcome to Gaia! ::

While he didn't really feel like patrolling, Carnelian was expected to be out and about, collecting energy for his quota. This was easy enough to do, as the darkened lights of bars and clubs easily hid the holes in his chest and forehead. He could slip in and out relatively unscathed, gathering energy as he walked, only to emerge on the other side with a small orb of energy he could tuck away for delivery later. A few jaunts through the seedier edges of society later and he would have plenty to turn in - above the utter minimum and ahead of schedule, which was very unusual for him.

That said, it was time to take a break, and the corrupted senshi sat in the covered patio area of a restaurant closed for the night, just to watch the city. It wasn't particularly windy out tonight, for which he was quite thankful. For now, it was easy to simply watch the scant few cars drive by and listen to the harried shoppers as they searched for Christmas gifts with only a few days to go.

OH NO SHE'S SO CUTE

Carnelian had to contain his inner squee of utter joy, for he loved cats and this kitten was a glossy little black thing with a giant bow on her neck. He hadn't expected to see any cats out and about - usually they stuck to their Negaverse agents from what he understood. Only having met a scant few cats anyway, this seemed like an especially soft and cuddly surprise.

"Why yes, yes I am. Who might you be, little one? May I hold you?" The poor dear looked to be shaking where she stood. Was she cold? How much he wanted to wrap her up in his warm jacket and listen to her purr... But Mauvians weren't like normal cats, were they? Now that he thought about it, Carnelian knew so very little about them. He secretly hoped they purred. That would be so incredibly adorable.

The corrupted senshi before her simply melted at her utter adorableness. It should be downright criminal to be this cute. Without so much as a word (and so much internal squealing), Carnelian carefully scooped the little kitten up in his hands and cradled her against his chest. She was so tiny and soft and needed to be warmed up in this cold weather. Poor dear, outside all by herself. The corrupted senshi pulled his plush jacket around the kitten to keep her protected from the cold winds.

If this were a rocking chair, Carnelian certainly would be rocking back and forth with Lace in his arms. All they needed was a fireplace and a bowl of warm cream for her.

"I would love to be your friend, Lace. My name is Carnelian. I'm sorry I haven't met you sooner! What brings you out here, all by yourself? Is there no one around to take care of you?"

“Seraphinite is right, mon petite. But don’t work yourself too hard -- you’re still very young and still growing! I’m glad you have a safe home and an agent to take care of you. I’d be so upset if something were to happy to little, sweet Lace.” Tapered nails gave her loving scratches behind the ears, as one might with any other cat. Truth be told, Carnelian hadn’t really interacted with many Mauvians, and especially not this close, so he wasn’t even sure they liked scratches. But Lace was tiny and sleek and needed pampering.

“One day, you’ll grow up big and strong with many agents and senshi under your guidance. I’m sure of it. In the meantime though, people like Seraphinite and myself will take care of you, and keep you safe. You’re very precious, mon petite.”

God the urge to take her home and make her a tiny kitten bed full of plush blankets and a heating pad was overwhelming, but knowing she was under the care of an agent meant Carnelian didn’t have the rank or authority to do such a thing. Weep, weep, weep. Still, she blessed him with her presence and Carnelian wasn’t about to let that go to waste. “You like sweets? I should bring you some, then. What kind of sweets does little Lace love?”

Her next question was less adorable and more business, fitting of a Guardian-Cat-in-training. The redhead could appreciate her dedication, despite her age. “A very long time, mon petite. Too long, in fact. I need to work harder, but I’m afraid I’m a bit… unmotivated at times. I’m trying harder, though. Maybe just for you.”

She was such a sweet thing, this Lace, and she earned many gentle scritches under her tiny chin. "I've heard that too, and kittens like you make the people around them stronger when it's the right time. I have the utmost faith in you, mon petite." She was just too cute, too cute to do anything short of loving. Lace would grow up to be a wonderful Guardian Cat, he was sure of it.

Carnelian sighed deeply, continuing to hold Lace like the precious fuzzy baby she was. "I should work hard, but..." He looked off into the distance, somewhat saddened by his lot in life. "My lovely partner is in hiding thanks to the White Moon, and I chose to stay behind to work for her sake. Most of the Negaverse doesn't like people like me, so it's difficult to stay motivated to work for people who don't like you. Does that make sense, mon petite? Surely, kittens like you would make things a great deal easier for senshi."

"Become one of the White Moon? And leave you behind? Never."

It was completely sincere, as Carnelian had heard some horrifying things about what happened to those who chose to leave the Negaverse. They were thought of as double-traitors, and while their bodies might be restored, their memories suffered in some capacity. Carnelian might have been unmotivated, but leaving the Negaverse, where he'd served for several years, was simply not in the cards. Not willingly, anyway, and the corrupted senshi wondered if some were forced to leave against their will.

"I like you too, mon petite. I'll make you a promise - I'll work harder so you can do your best, too. Show the others you're just as capable. How does that sound, mon petite?" Keeping Lace all snuggled in his jacket, Carnelian made to stand while still cradling the precious kitten. "I can take you home safely, if you point me in the right direction, but I wouldn't want to be disrespectful to your agent!"

Honestly, if she wasn't already bonded to an agent, Carnelian would totally take Lace home and feed her and love her forever. He'd buy the tiny kitten only the finest of bows and accessories, and lavish her with sweets and freshly-cooked meals because she was too cute, it was downright criminal.

"Darling, the more time I get to spend with you is well worth having to walk you home. Besides, it's cold out here, and I'd hate to have anything happen to someone so precious." The corrupted senshi even bent his head to kiss Lace squarely on the forehead. She was too precious not to! "There are a few here that I do like. General Jet is a little grumpy, but he does good work. Rigel and Tantalite and lovely people, and there are more I'm trying to meet. I'll be less lazy, just for you, mon petite."

With Lace's directions, Carnelian was able to find where the little kitten was staying, and kept an eye on her until she was safely inside. Outside, in this kind of weather with god knew what senshi and knights running around, Lace could be in serious danger. Tomorrow, by mid-afternoon, she would find a tiny basket full of sweets, addressed just to her.