Cassian Andor (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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abraxaslogs2024-07-15 12:57 pm
diametrically) wrote in abraxaslogs2024-07-15 12:57 pm
[ Cassian might not find himself so concerned for a creature he had little to no attachment to or had more certainty in the kitten's behaviours. Unfortunately he didn't have any knowledge of the latter and was a notorious softie at heart.
Which is how he's found himself in this situation: walking as quickly as he can through the streets of Nocwich apologizing to every other person to ensure that the nameless kitten doesn't get away.
He rounds the corner just in time to see Tifa crouching by a pile of objects and is quick to join her on the other side. Crouched on the other end though he feels a little silly not really knowing what to do. He drops his voice which only adds to the amount of ridiculousness of the situation. ]
...Do I make a noise?
Which is how he's found himself in this situation: walking as quickly as he can through the streets of Nocwich apologizing to every other person to ensure that the nameless kitten doesn't get away.
He rounds the corner just in time to see Tifa crouching by a pile of objects and is quick to join her on the other side. Crouched on the other end though he feels a little silly not really knowing what to do. He drops his voice which only adds to the amount of ridiculousness of the situation. ]
...Do I make a noise?
[ It takes a rude one to know a rude one, just saying.
What Annabeth says isn't wrong though. Summoned could appear at any given time and need a place to stay. However, that isn't the case currently.
Seeing her squint however he stares back at her.
...And doesn't say anything. ]
What Annabeth says isn't wrong though. Summoned could appear at any given time and need a place to stay. However, that isn't the case currently.
Seeing her squint however he stares back at her.
...And doesn't say anything. ]
[ Despite having never owned a pet, Cassian still has enough common to sense that this probably wouldn't go over well in certain animal-loving circles. But really, the basket was just a holdover for a proper carrier. Which he should probably go in search of so that Geralt can have his basket back.
As practical as it probably is, it still feels odd to ask the man to come along on a shopping trip back to the pet store for that reason alone. Particularly after hearing the ease in which he says, "created".
In spite of that his gaze follows Geralt's to the basket and he lets out a snort. ]
Since you contained a dangerous creature I should repay you. [ He nods towards a nearby tavern - which also happens to be near the pet store he'd walked out of not too long ago. ] Drink? Food?
As practical as it probably is, it still feels odd to ask the man to come along on a shopping trip back to the pet store for that reason alone. Particularly after hearing the ease in which he says, "created".
In spite of that his gaze follows Geralt's to the basket and he lets out a snort. ]
Since you contained a dangerous creature I should repay you. [ He nods towards a nearby tavern - which also happens to be near the pet store he'd walked out of not too long ago. ] Drink? Food?
[ Nebula's blunt honesty comes as some of a surprise to him. Pasts, in his experience, are rarely easy things to talk about. Everyone had something that had caused hurt and left scars and everyone coped with them accordingly. For some reason, Nebula's straight forward, somewhat removed delivery, makes sense for her.
Regardless of how she would have said it he listens intently because something like this deserves nothing less. Even as he hazards a hand out towards the kitten without a treat his attention is more focused on her words than whether or not his new pet is going to lash out at him (again). ]
I'm sorry.
[ Words do nothing to help soothe the past and he knows that but it's worth saying - for her losses, for the treatment of she and her sister. There's a beat before he finds himself offering up something else he hadn't shared with anyone here. ]
Children shouldn't have to fight. It makes us stronger in the end though in some ways.
Regardless of how she would have said it he listens intently because something like this deserves nothing less. Even as he hazards a hand out towards the kitten without a treat his attention is more focused on her words than whether or not his new pet is going to lash out at him (again). ]
I'm sorry.
[ Words do nothing to help soothe the past and he knows that but it's worth saying - for her losses, for the treatment of she and her sister. There's a beat before he finds himself offering up something else he hadn't shared with anyone here. ]
Children shouldn't have to fight. It makes us stronger in the end though in some ways.
[ There's an accompanied 'oof' and an exclaimed 'ow!' as Annabeth scrambles over Percy to get to the cat, but far from being offended or even remotely perturbed, Percy just laughs from where he's been used like an actual human bridge and slowly sits up to get acquainted with the cat too.
He's not even gonna comment on the new set of injuries that Uncle Dusty has since acquired since the last time they'd seen him. Which, you know, wasn't actually that long ago either. And here Percy thought he had the bad luck of being a living punching bag when the honours really belong to Cassian. Happily, he would abscond the crown.
He's grinning when he watches Annabeth and the cat interact, and to Cassian he says, ]
Okay, so there's definitely a story here, isn't there?
He's not even gonna comment on the new set of injuries that Uncle Dusty has since acquired since the last time they'd seen him. Which, you know, wasn't actually that long ago either. And here Percy thought he had the bad luck of being a living punching bag when the honours really belong to Cassian. Happily, he would abscond the crown.
He's grinning when he watches Annabeth and the cat interact, and to Cassian he says, ]
Okay, so there's definitely a story here, isn't there?
[ Hm. Geralt had planned to take his leave, but he's a simple man who is easily bribed by food and ale. ]
True. We don't work for free.
[ He follows Cassian's gaze. The tavern is not one he frequents, but he doesn't frequent much in Nocwich except the springs and the Hunting Woods. (And, as of late, the inn where he meets John.)
It'll do.
He falls into step beside the man. The doors open into a smoky room filled with the smell of stale beer and old tobacco. Geralt settles into a table by a corner, and makes sure there's room for the basket of kitten. ]
How did you come to possess such a ferocious beast?
True. We don't work for free.
[ He follows Cassian's gaze. The tavern is not one he frequents, but he doesn't frequent much in Nocwich except the springs and the Hunting Woods. (And, as of late, the inn where he meets John.)
It'll do.
He falls into step beside the man. The doors open into a smoky room filled with the smell of stale beer and old tobacco. Geralt settles into a table by a corner, and makes sure there's room for the basket of kitten. ]
How did you come to possess such a ferocious beast?
[ she glares at him, unable to follow up on the urge to shove him for his silence without disturbing bob cat, and we all know the golden rule of disturbing cats (you cannot). ]
Stop being annoying.
[ bob cat then moves of his own volition... but simply climbs into her lap instead. her expression softens a little, and she immediately starts petting him again. she has to admit, there is something in the way cassian's cat seems to like her that she takes far more personally than she probably should, but in a way that feels comforting. ]
[ she likes cassian, and she's very glad he keeps sticking around. if she projects on the cat, only she knows. ]
Stop being annoying.
[ bob cat then moves of his own volition... but simply climbs into her lap instead. her expression softens a little, and she immediately starts petting him again. she has to admit, there is something in the way cassian's cat seems to like her that she takes far more personally than she probably should, but in a way that feels comforting. ]
[ she likes cassian, and she's very glad he keeps sticking around. if she projects on the cat, only she knows. ]
I don’t think I’m being annoying.
Â
[ There’s a feigned look of innocence on his face that is definitely annoying and he knows it. But there is something in the way that his expression also softens when he sees the way Bob Cat curls up onto Annabeth’s lap.
The whole image gives off a sense of peace - peace that he feels like he’s only ever been able to grasp a handful of times over the course of his life. Moments with Maarva sat in her chair with Bee charging beside her while he was in the kitchen making her caf or tea. As the years had pressed on and they had both grown older those times had grown far and few between, dragged down with a heaviness that lingered after Clem’s execution.Â
It draws an unexpected lump in his throat and he’s quick to shake it off. ]Â
Just let me know what supplies you need for the cat tower. I’ll get them when I’m in town next.Â
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[ There’s a feigned look of innocence on his face that is definitely annoying and he knows it. But there is something in the way that his expression also softens when he sees the way Bob Cat curls up onto Annabeth’s lap.
The whole image gives off a sense of peace - peace that he feels like he’s only ever been able to grasp a handful of times over the course of his life. Moments with Maarva sat in her chair with Bee charging beside her while he was in the kitchen making her caf or tea. As the years had pressed on and they had both grown older those times had grown far and few between, dragged down with a heaviness that lingered after Clem’s execution.Â
It draws an unexpected lump in his throat and he’s quick to shake it off. ]Â
Just let me know what supplies you need for the cat tower. I’ll get them when I’m in town next.Â
[ If Geralt had turned Cassian down it wouldn’t have been any skin off his back. He’d done more than enough and from the brief interaction they’d had in the forest as gods the Witcher didn’t quite strike him as the chatty sort. That and he didn’t trust the occasional yowl of discontent from the basket to contain the kitten for that long.Â
Cassian’s taste for ale hadn’t grown during his time in Abraxas, but becoming familiar enough with the various taverns and hole in the wall bars came part in parcel for the work he’d landed himself here. This was a little too close to the main streets for any illicit dealings, but it was nice to people watch if you were in the mood for it.
He settles in motioning for the waiter when they have a moment. ]Â
A friend gave them to me. [ There’s a beat as a sharp hiss comes from the basket. ] Although I’m not sure they’re a friend after this. I’ve never had a pet before.Â
Cassian’s taste for ale hadn’t grown during his time in Abraxas, but becoming familiar enough with the various taverns and hole in the wall bars came part in parcel for the work he’d landed himself here. This was a little too close to the main streets for any illicit dealings, but it was nice to people watch if you were in the mood for it.
He settles in motioning for the waiter when they have a moment. ]Â
A friend gave them to me. [ There’s a beat as a sharp hiss comes from the basket. ] Although I’m not sure they’re a friend after this. I’ve never had a pet before.Â
[ When neither of them answer the question he posed to them, Cassian’s lips thin for a moment but there’s no hesitation on his part when Annabeth takes the fur ball of terror out of his arms giving him a moment’s reprieve. It also means giving him a moment to put down the ridiculous assortment of supplies he’d carted back from Norwich with him.Â
Despite the exasperation he feels there’s a care with which he puts everything down. The last thing he wants is to have to repurchase any of these again. ]Â
It’s a he. I don’t have a name yet.Â
[ Because a name means that he’s actually going to keep the kitten which he hasn’t entirely decided is something he wants to do. ]Â
Dan Heng gave him to me. I thought it was a joke.Â
Despite the exasperation he feels there’s a care with which he puts everything down. The last thing he wants is to have to repurchase any of these again. ]Â
It’s a he. I don’t have a name yet.Â
[ Because a name means that he’s actually going to keep the kitten which he hasn’t entirely decided is something he wants to do. ]Â
Dan Heng gave him to me. I thought it was a joke.Â
That's what all annoying people say. [ and she would know. she has experience being both older and younger sister, even if both are marred by severe emotional trauma. ]
[ she doesn't really feel any of that right now though. mostly she's just content to hang out with cassian and his cat, and if her mind drifts a little to the mass illusion, she can't be blamed. it feels a little like that, albeit with far different circumstances and no curse of godhood - but she feels comfortable, and that counts for something. ]
I'll sketch up some designs later. [ when she is no longer trapped by cat. ]
[ she pauses, scratching being bob cat's ears and idly looking up at cassian, her tone just as idle. ] I could just come with you. It'll probably easier.
[ what if she just invites herself along. ]
[ she doesn't really feel any of that right now though. mostly she's just content to hang out with cassian and his cat, and if her mind drifts a little to the mass illusion, she can't be blamed. it feels a little like that, albeit with far different circumstances and no curse of godhood - but she feels comfortable, and that counts for something. ]
I'll sketch up some designs later. [ when she is no longer trapped by cat. ]
[ she pauses, scratching being bob cat's ears and idly looking up at cassian, her tone just as idle. ] I could just come with you. It'll probably easier.
[ what if she just invites herself along. ]
[ Nebula has no other way to deliver it. By now, she's accepted that her childhood was wrong. She understands - always knew - things could have been different. It wasn't and that experience was hers alone. Even Gamora could not say she was raised exactly like her. She chooses to watch him interact with the kitten, who moves to butt its head as she says gruffly: ]
I didn't say it for you to apologize.
[ The words come out in a tuff enough that the kitten jumps a little before choosing to hide behind Cassian's hand. Her tone has that certain edge, "apologies do nothing, especially from someone uninvolved".
Her fingers curl tighter and she looks away. ]
No, they shouldn't. [ She hears the 'us' does not demand an answer because whatever his story is is his to tell - his own terms. ] But it's only a fool who thinks the world treats the youngest kindly. Too many children suffer before they can grow.
I didn't say it for you to apologize.
[ The words come out in a tuff enough that the kitten jumps a little before choosing to hide behind Cassian's hand. Her tone has that certain edge, "apologies do nothing, especially from someone uninvolved".
Her fingers curl tighter and she looks away. ]
No, they shouldn't. [ She hears the 'us' does not demand an answer because whatever his story is is his to tell - his own terms. ] But it's only a fool who thinks the world treats the youngest kindly. Too many children suffer before they can grow.
[ Recognition flits across Geralt's expression. ] Happened to me, too.
[ Now he has a small leosylph wandering underfoot at all times when he's home. Though the leosylph actually likes him. He is not certain why Cassian's friend gave him such a spitfire creature.
He accepts the mug of ale when it comes. ]
It's not difficult. Just keep it fed.
[ He glances down at the hissing basket. Hm. If you ask him, this is probably a poorly planned prank, but he supposes it's Cassian's problem now. ]
[ Now he has a small leosylph wandering underfoot at all times when he's home. Though the leosylph actually likes him. He is not certain why Cassian's friend gave him such a spitfire creature.
He accepts the mug of ale when it comes. ]
It's not difficult. Just keep it fed.
[ He glances down at the hissing basket. Hm. If you ask him, this is probably a poorly planned prank, but he supposes it's Cassian's problem now. ]
I didn't say it thinking that you did.
[ The kitten choosing to hide behind Cassian is something he hadn't expected, but after his initial hesitation he scoops it up, holding them close to his chest as he makes his way over to the other side of the bench to sit down. One more treat shouldn't hurt right? Especially if it was feeling skittish. ]
Or they have to grow up faster than they should in order to survive.
[ As he offers one more treat to the kitten it busies itself gnawing on it contentedly in his lap for what he hopes will be the next little while. Meanwhile he knows that a part of him is speaking about himself. But mostly he's thinking about his sister who is out there somewhere in the galaxy trying to survive on her own. ]
At home, I chose to fight but there were other factors that forced me to. And I would still choose to do it if it means protecting others who can't.
[ Instead he's here, trying to befriend a kitten that is only tolerating him because he's got a bag of treats. ]
[ The kitten choosing to hide behind Cassian is something he hadn't expected, but after his initial hesitation he scoops it up, holding them close to his chest as he makes his way over to the other side of the bench to sit down. One more treat shouldn't hurt right? Especially if it was feeling skittish. ]
Or they have to grow up faster than they should in order to survive.
[ As he offers one more treat to the kitten it busies itself gnawing on it contentedly in his lap for what he hopes will be the next little while. Meanwhile he knows that a part of him is speaking about himself. But mostly he's thinking about his sister who is out there somewhere in the galaxy trying to survive on her own. ]
At home, I chose to fight but there were other factors that forced me to. And I would still choose to do it if it means protecting others who can't.
[ Instead he's here, trying to befriend a kitten that is only tolerating him because he's got a bag of treats. ]
[ Cassian's gaze slowly shifts from the floor to Annabeth with a bit of a curious expression. It's not that he didn't want her to come along - he didn't really care if people tagged along on the scattered number of errands he had to do on any given day.
It was more like he was surprised that she wanted to tag along with him even if the goal of it was for to build a cat tower for Bob Cat. Maybe she just wanted it done properly which he couldn't blame her for. If there was anything he quickly learning about Annabeth it was that when she was doing something, she wanted to do it right.
That didn't mean her presence, her company, wouldn't be unwelcome though. ]
I'm heading into town on deliveries tomorrow. You can come if you don't have plans.
It was more like he was surprised that she wanted to tag along with him even if the goal of it was for to build a cat tower for Bob Cat. Maybe she just wanted it done properly which he couldn't blame her for. If there was anything he quickly learning about Annabeth it was that when she was doing something, she wanted to do it right.
That didn't mean her presence, her company, wouldn't be unwelcome though. ]
I'm heading into town on deliveries tomorrow. You can come if you don't have plans.
[ when she notices him watching her, annabeth finds herself straightening, almost like she's daring him to say no. it's instinctive but ultimately not necessary, and deep down she probably knows that. ]
[ still, she's relieved anyway when he agrees. ]
Maybe just a magic lesson, but I can skip it. Bob Cat deserves a tower.
[ she absolutely wants it done properly and will have a lot of say in the supply choices, but it is very much pushing her way into spending time with him too. so there. ]
[ still, she's relieved anyway when he agrees. ]
Maybe just a magic lesson, but I can skip it. Bob Cat deserves a tower.
[ she absolutely wants it done properly and will have a lot of say in the supply choices, but it is very much pushing her way into spending time with him too. so there. ]
[ annabeth is, naturally, already attached to the kitten. she's practically vibrating while she waits for it to settle a bit in her arms, and only then does she deem it okay to pet him very gently, scratching between his ears and smiling widely. ]
[ she looks up briefly at the supplies cassian puts down, because joke or otherwise, he went out and got himself supplies. oh yeah, he's keeping the cat, and annabeth is going to reap the benefits. joke?? what joke?? cassian has a cat now. ]
That won't do. He needs a name. You came to the right place.
[ he definitely asked them for help with something other than naming a cat, but as far as she's concerned, that's the first step to taking care of a creature. ]
I'm not feeling any fancy vibes. He's got silly little guy energy. [ based on approximately nothing. ] Robert?
[ she looks up briefly at the supplies cassian puts down, because joke or otherwise, he went out and got himself supplies. oh yeah, he's keeping the cat, and annabeth is going to reap the benefits. joke?? what joke?? cassian has a cat now. ]
That won't do. He needs a name. You came to the right place.
[ he definitely asked them for help with something other than naming a cat, but as far as she's concerned, that's the first step to taking care of a creature. ]
I'm not feeling any fancy vibes. He's got silly little guy energy. [ based on approximately nothing. ] Robert?
Well, this cat's no joke — look at him!
[ He slides off the bed to join Annabeth in the cat-scritching and general demigod-cat introductions, still grinning widely. ]
Too formal. Maybe 'Rob.' But that just reminds me of like, some guy who regularly plays rugby and drinks beer at the local bar.
[ Will Cassian know what any of those words means? Who knows, but Percy stands by his statement. ]
I mean, you can never go wrong with regular non-fancy 'Bob'. And we know like, two Bobs already.
[ Whom they've ... both named. But, like. It's fine. ]
[ He slides off the bed to join Annabeth in the cat-scritching and general demigod-cat introductions, still grinning widely. ]
Too formal. Maybe 'Rob.' But that just reminds me of like, some guy who regularly plays rugby and drinks beer at the local bar.
[ Will Cassian know what any of those words means? Who knows, but Percy stands by his statement. ]
I mean, you can never go wrong with regular non-fancy 'Bob'. And we know like, two Bobs already.
[ Whom they've ... both named. But, like. It's fine. ]
[ The sound he lets out is something akin to a laugh. First River, now Annabeth - what was with them skipping classes for what he thinks are one-off, rather insignificant things with him? ]
Tomorrow then.
[ He leans back into his chair, his body language relaxing that much more. ]
Hopefully you're not skipping anything important.
Tomorrow then.
[ He leans back into his chair, his body language relaxing that much more. ]
Hopefully you're not skipping anything important.
He doesn't -
[ The end of that sentence could end any number of ways. "He doesn't give off silly little guy energy," or, "He doesn't look like a Bob", or even, "He doesn't need a name because that isn't my cat." Whatever the ending of that sentence is Cassian finds himself stopping short and physically having to close his eyes to take a second. It goes without saying that that wasn't what he had come here for.
When he does finally manage to compose himself he looks completely and utterly...incredulous? ]
Why would you name a cat Bob?
[ The end of that sentence could end any number of ways. "He doesn't give off silly little guy energy," or, "He doesn't look like a Bob", or even, "He doesn't need a name because that isn't my cat." Whatever the ending of that sentence is Cassian finds himself stopping short and physically having to close his eyes to take a second. It goes without saying that that wasn't what he had come here for.
When he does finally manage to compose himself he looks completely and utterly...incredulous? ]
Why would you name a cat Bob?
[ Ironically enough the kitten had been totally calm in the presence of Dan Heng. In fact the boy had said that he'd picked out the calmest of the bunch for him. Cassian is starting to think that he'd gotten duped. Which would honestly be just his luck. ]
Spoken like a someone with other pet experience.
[ He can't help but sound mildly amused. ]
If you don't have a cat then what do you have?
Spoken like a someone with other pet experience.
[ He can't help but sound mildly amused. ]
If you don't have a cat then what do you have?
[ the look she gives cassian is deadly serious. almost too serious. it juxtaposes against the way she cuddles the cat in her arms and he purrs loudly with her attention. ]
Why wouldn't you name a cat Bob?
[ she looks down at the kitten, who mews at her. she pokes his nose. ]
He could be a Bob. It's a good name.
Why wouldn't you name a cat Bob?
[ she looks down at the kitten, who mews at her. she pokes his nose. ]
He could be a Bob. It's a good name.
[ Percy waves a hand in Annabeth's direction, and then to Cassian to emphasize said point, because! Yeah! Exactly! Why wouldn't you name a cat Bob???
It's the perfect name all around, and in this essay, Percy will — ]
Well, he can't be 'Small Bob' 'cause that's taken already.
[ He's thoughtful, like he's really putting some thought into this. ]
Maybe ... Middle Bob? Mid-Bob for short.
It's the perfect name all around, and in this essay, Percy will — ]
Well, he can't be 'Small Bob' 'cause that's taken already.
[ He's thoughtful, like he's really putting some thought into this. ]
Maybe ... Middle Bob? Mid-Bob for short.
[ she made him laugh?? somehow?? it's a win. she relaxes a little too. ]
Don't you know I'm a juvenile delinquent, Cassian? [ he probably doesn't, actually. ] I can skip a class or two.
[ just because annabeth likes learning doesn't mean she subscribes to a classroom is the be-all-end-all method!! besides. cassian's important too or something. ]
Don't you know I'm a juvenile delinquent, Cassian? [ he probably doesn't, actually. ] I can skip a class or two.
[ just because annabeth likes learning doesn't mean she subscribes to a classroom is the be-all-end-all method!! besides. cassian's important too or something. ]
Yeah, like this.
[ Tifa clicks her tongue again, continuing to shake the toy around in hopes that the kitten will be tempted to come investigate.
She eyes Cassian over the pile of stuff and nods to the treat container he's holding. ]
Shake that around too. With kittens, it's hard to know if play or food is going to grab their attention more.
[ And it could vary from cat to cat. Surely the little furball won't be able to resist both of these options, though... ]
[ Tifa clicks her tongue again, continuing to shake the toy around in hopes that the kitten will be tempted to come investigate.
She eyes Cassian over the pile of stuff and nods to the treat container he's holding. ]
Shake that around too. With kittens, it's hard to know if play or food is going to grab their attention more.
[ And it could vary from cat to cat. Surely the little furball won't be able to resist both of these options, though... ]
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