01 ❂ Polaris

[absentconstellation]

[ Tufts of fluff frame the image of a black cat with purple eyes, sitting upright and looking directly into the camera. The Cat could certainly push them out of the way if he wanted to. He doesn't feel like it. You can deal with his fluffy pillow tripod, and be jealous. His whole room is nothing but cat beds and towers and lovely things to scratch. You wish you had it this good.

He wears a collar a darker shade of purple than his eyes, with a charm in the shape of the Goddess' triple moon hanging from it. ]

Hello.

[ Although the cat is clearly meowing, his words are perfectly understandable as human speech. ]

So that we might not waste too much time in explanation, I will introduce myself. I am a warden on this ship, and you may call me Pounce. My true name is not one that you could comprehend, and is hardly relevant to my work here.

I am a cat.

[ He states this definitively, as many have questioned as to whether or not he is a cat. He is. Not a normal mortal cat, but definitely a cat. ]

Animals in the Mortal Realms of my universe are not typically capable of human speech. I am perfectly happy on a diet of chopped meat and water. I will not harm any of the Beast People here. They are my little brothers, and I am well fed. You may pet me if you wish, so long as you are respectful. I will also accept treats of any kind.

Comments

[routemistress]

About time we 'ad a bit more warden diversity, I reckon. I'm Iris - we've not met, but I think you know my lads.

[absentconstellation]

Yes, I have. They speak well of you.

[routemistress]

[She can't hide how much this pleases her to hear, and the nearest dog's head comes into shot as she rubs his ears and scruff.]

They're good boys. I 'ope they didn't need too much reminding to mind their manners.

[absentconstellation]

[ His whiskers twitch in a cat smile. He doesn't have to talk to dogs to know how much she loves her animals. ]

They were better behaved than many.

[ Which is to say, he didn't have to scratch their noses. ]

[tucky]

Oh, hey. Thanks for catching that rabbit.

[She sincerely hopes Pounce either did not notice or does not care that it got loose when she was in the process of breaking into Zane's room.]

[absentconstellation]

You're welcome. I doubt he would have fared well if left to his own devices. Rabbits are silly creatures.

[ If he noticed, he's not going to say anything about it. Boy did the rabbit have a harrowing tale to tell, though. ]

[tucky]

[Score.]

And fast ones. Bet it thought you were gonna eat it, though.

[godsays]

I knew something happened to her.

[tucky]

[Ruh-roh.]

Well, she looked just fine to me.

[absentconstellation]

She is unharmed and no more traumatized than she was to begin with.

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[akweks]

[First the raccoon, and now this... it's weird. Everything has gone weird.

Connor leans in a bit, curious, hoping he's not about to be offensive, but, you know. Talking cat. He has to ask.]

If it is not common, then how is it you came to speak?

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[absentconstellation]

I am not an animal of the Mortal Realms of my universe. [ Obviously. ]

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[akweks]

Then where is it you come from?

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[150th]

You say you are not typically capable, yet you have learned?

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[absentconstellation]

I said no such thing. I am not an animal of the Mortal Realms of my universe.

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[150th]

You are a cat, then, but a cat distinct from the cats that most would be familiar with.

[sharpsurprise]

I hadn't seen you around yet! It's nice to meet you, Pounce. My name is Souji.

[absentconstellation]

[ He nods, just like a human would. ]

And you, Souji.

[sharpsurprise]

Have you been finding food alright?

[changeitroundsome]

Same could be said for animals where I come from. 'Course, some of us got a gift of understanding them regardless.

Welcome to the Barge, all the same.

[absentconstellation]

[ He nods his thanks like a human might. ]

There are some in the Mortal Realms gifted with such magic. Humans rarely notice when it doesn't bind them to their horses or dogs. [ Humans don't kee cats so much in his world yet. ]

[changeitroundsome]

How about that. So do they only hear the animals they're bound to?

[forgetyourusedtobe]

[You know, Elena can accept most things pretty easily. She likes to think of herself as fairly open-minded, but this is definitely strange. She definitely has some questions.]

Did you choose to be a cat?

[absentconstellation]

I have always been a cat.

[ He is the quintessential cat. Lion, tiger, leopard, you name it: he's related. ]

[forgetyourusedtobe]

Just not like the other cats?