2020-11-02 - Cats With Personal Drivers

The Lobster Fighting Season is over, by any logic. For one, the league played out on the deck of the Vagabond, and that small yacht has been drydocked. Sitting there on her trailer, covered under a bright blue tarp, she looks a lot smaller than she does when afloat; hard to believe that the little King's Cruiser actually can room six passengers -- assuming, of course, that at least two of those are on very friendly terms. Her owner lives elsewhere now.

Or rather, she doesn't. Because Kitty Pryde is a small black cat with a strong sense of ownership of that boat, and the feline stubbornness to match. Which is why Ravn Abildgaard is currently prowling the marina yet again, looking for his cat, and getting greeted by the occasional hopeful flannel shirt wearing local asking if the lobster fights will continue if they can find another boat. The answer is always affirmative -- the Dane will work something out. You'd almost think he enjoys the bizarre script that the Revisionist came up with for him. He wanders around the piers, looking under trailers and tarps, and -- very unusually for him -- does so wearing a purple pullover with a bright red and blue sunburst tie-dye motif.

The thing about cats is, they are very discerning and mysterious creatures who are also complete doofuses, which may explain why one small, adorable black cat is currently on the lap of one Gina Castro, purring while it's brushed and nibbling on bits of dried meat. Gina herself is...well, the locals will all know her by her distinctive winter attire, and no one is really bothering with that little nook she's found for herself, just atop a tarp and tucked in. A long expertly tailored wool coat with a deep hood, currently raised (but the purple braid from the side is rather distinctive) and the coat flaring to brush the top of her boots. It's a dark grey, and looks, from a distance, remarkably like say, a robe might, but up close, it's just a coat. With a long, thin gold chain going from lowest bottom button on said coat to the pocket, on which dangles little charms. You know, a human tooth in a gold setting, lacquered for preservation, a smiley face emoji, a bird's skull, simple wooden circles, a Garfield charm. It does lead for an interesting visual for whoever stumbles into that corner. A hooded woman in a cloak - coat - gently grooming a pleased black cat in her lap.

Devlin finds himself here having had to inspect the rescue gear for the FD when water rescues are involved. Though a wrong turn in within the piers and trailers, have misdirected Devlin's return to his vehicle. A couple more turns and he runs into Ravn, "Hi Ravn.. looking for something?"

The tall Dane in the -- uh, colourful, yes, let's go with colourful -- hoodie waves a hello to the paramedic. "Hey there -- yeah, my cat. She refuses to acknowledge the fact that we're wintering somewhere else. I think it's the smell -- there's still that little whiff of fire and pot on occasion around the trailer, and I don't think she likes it very much."

And then of course, he spots the village witch with her black cat. Face palming lightly he can't help laughing. "And of course, there she is. The two most stubborn females in Gray Harbor have officially found one another. We should run away now, Devlin, while we still can."

Gina is probably definitely in range to overhear the two guys. But, while the cat in her lap at least looks up, faintly debating why its human is there, Gina doesn't even bother, just continues to distract the cat with scritches and brushes. It's very clear Gina likely has her own cats, for those who didn't already know: she knows exactly where the weak spots are.

"Not like we'll chase after you if you run, anyway. Don't need to. You can't run far enough where we can't find you." Oh, look. Gina IS choosing to acknowledge the boys-- verbally, if not with her attention, a smile, or some kind of greeting.

That gets a laugh from Devlin, "To late she knows whom we are. And your cat is in league with her. You may want to take something on the boat she thinks of as her's home with you. She'll feel it means her territory is with her." Yup, nothing like living in a military family to lend lessons in how to make your pets more accepting of a move. "How are things Gina? I am guessing things are great for the cat.. funny how they know who they can get great attention from."

"The really funny part is that cat will not otherwise tolerate anyone touching her." Ravn rolls his eyes good-naturedly at his cat. Kitty Pryde in turn blinks smugly at him; she's clearly quite content where she is. "Every now and then I wake up at night and discover that she's snuck over to sleep on my feet. But the instant I wake up and look at her? She teleports back to wherever she was nearby and pretends it never happened."

He taps a gloved finger against his lip a moment. "Something on the boat... Thing is, I haven't really left anything on it. Not that I have a lot of things to leave there in the first place -- not counting said cat and boat, I could probably still get everything I own into my duffel bag, to be honest. I travel pretty light."

A small smirk is barely visible beneath that hood - but oh, it's there, even as Gina collects the arm full of cat and rises from her seat. "Cats and I've had an understanding." Gina says, not in fact helping her case against witchcraft and being burned in the town square. But she strolls towards the two guys, "McSky, right?" Something like that. Gina doesn't seem particularly worried about getting it right. "My guess is I smell like Vee. Who's kind of the town whore, so maybe this one's met up." The puddle of cat in her arms is offered towards Ravn. Because she might be a bitch, but who is she to try and keep a man from his cat?

Plus, it'd be funny if he got scratched. Even if the cat looks too sleepy right now to try much. But cats are tricksome like that.

Devlin nods a bit to what Gina says, "Mom was the one that animals liked. Cat run away, call my mom." He grins a bit there perhaps some interesting memories. He then adds, "McCloud.. but McSky is a hell of a lot better than those annoying highlander jokes." He then hmms a bit, "Well, there must be something at the boat she thinks of as hers.. just my guess. May be a seat cushion or something?"

Ravn wisely doesn't reach for his cat.

Given the look the cat sends him, this is probably a matter of survival instinct. Kitty Pryde just nuzzles up against Gina's chin and stays exactly where she is -- even if that means digging in all eighteen claws.

"I tried to carry her once," the Dane says brightly. "I still have scars. Did I mention that it's the boat she loves -- not me? I'm just the person who brings her suitable amounts of canned food and tuna." He nods at Devlin. "I suppose I could take a seat cushion back to the trailer if that makes her happy? I strongly suspect that her main agenda is just to be... a cat. You know, contrary about everything. Because she can."

Gina shrugs, continuing to carry the cat and brush at its forehead and down its spine, letting it remain just a pampered little feline. Great thing about wool coats - if Gina's bleeding, no one can see it. "You're probably trying to hard. Or smell weird. Cats aren't dogs. They need space. They might eventually like you. Or might not. And can change their mind whenever. It's all just cat shit. Isn't that right, you little murderer, you?" Gina says, her tone dropping as she addresses the cat instead.

Devlin nods, "No argument there. And cats may be independent but when they adopt a person.. it can be rather interesting. She still may not be sure if your adoptable yet, Ravn." He grins a bit, "You do seem to have the nack for feline, Gina." He puts his flask away, perhaps lack of interest being the cause. "Now she clearly has a great sense of direction and ability to find a cat person. Me, well.. the maze changed while I was checking the departmental locker, so here I am."

"Most cats love me. That one loves bullying me. It's no wonder she and Gina gets along." Ravn still doesn't look all that bothered even as he pretends to whine, though. Can't argue with cats. Or women. They're the same, just with a different amount of legs. "The first person to suggest that I stay in Gray Harbor was Hera's cat -- Queso. Kitty Pryde will come suck up to me soon enough when her butt is cold and I have the electrical blanket."

"Bully you?" One can almost hear the raised brows in Gina's voice-- and since she actually looks up towards the two men, maybe they see it, too. "Aren't you just a sensitive sunflower." She deadpans, shaking her head and readjusting the cat in her arms. "Most cats are just idiots in the bodies of murderous predators, though. And smart enough to keep it that way." Isn't that implying they're not dumb? Or is it? Soemtimes Gina's words don't always make sense outside of Gina's mind, but she seems to have no thought of correcting them. "She's probably just badly socialized. I'll bring my cats over sometime and she'll have friends." Gina adds. And it...doesn' really souund like she's asking Ravn, either? More just... stating a fact that will be.

"Bullied by a cat.." Yeah, seems Devlin finds that one hard to take also. "Normally it is worrying about your shit being clawed to confetti. Should have seen the mess this one cat left after a grunt kicked him. Even used the guy's shredded pillow as a litter box. That was good for about 3 weeks of dumb grunt vs cat jokes." Devlin hmms, "I think cats want you to think they are idiots so they can get away with all sorts of shit."

"This one wants me to think that I am the idiot," Ravn corrects gently. "She's a stray. I'm pretty certain from the way that she acts that something happened to her. She's connected to some things -- some Gray Harbor things -- as well, though we're still working out how. There's an entire tribe of small malicious gremlins in the Veil who thinks she is death personified after she tried to eat one of them for looking at her fish wrong. I'm inclined to agree with them." He hitches a shoulder lightly. "It's very fitting? I'm the sort of bloke whose girlfriend runs his life. The only unusual aspect here is that my girlfriend has fur."

Gina smirks at the commentary from Devlin, "Yeah, that's why I let Vee wander outside. Otherwise he'd by a shithead and I'd be homeless by now. Or the proud owner of a sawdust factory." She glances down at her arm, not looking particularly bothered by the fact that it's a Veil-related creature or that this little one somehow ate one(?). "No, the cat aspect of Death has different fur, last I saw. Kind of a weird calico, but mostly black instead of mostly white." Gina says-- offhand, like you say these things. "Could've changed since then, though." A glance up at Ravn at his commentary about girlfriends running his life, before she looks towards Devlin instead, "So, I was right. Birdboy's just a sensitive sunflower."

"Should have swiped left.." Devlin can't help but grin. "Or still in what was it.. wish three or four in Bedazzled? At least he isn't spouting annoying eco poetry." He then pulls the flask out again to offer to Ravn, "Quesso is more your speed.. doubt she'd help you out either." there is an undertone of suppressed chuckling in his voice. "But this might help."

"I'm a delicate dandelion pushing through the hard concrete of a troubled life, thank you very much." Ravn offers a lopsided grin and still makes no move to pick up his cat slash girlfriend. Instead he glances at Devlin. "So what brings you down to the marina today? We've established I'm here for the cat and Gina is here for the cat so -- you're here for the lobsters, I presume?"

"Still haven't met this Queso, but she sounds like a dog." Gina says, which the worst insult, probably. Meanwhile, Kitty Pryde seems to be becoming impatient with being held - one can't change a cat for too long, after all, and struggles in Gina's arms, starting to twist and look around and half-climbs Gina to perch on her shoulder, looking for anothee spot to go. Gina just tilts her head to one side, and lets the cat do what it wants. She'll fall somewhere, it's fine. Still, even while being a ridiculous cat perch, she somehow manages to send Ravn a dubious look as he discusses the sort of beautiful dandelion he is. But she just glances towards Devlin to see what he's around for.

"Just a routine check of fire department water rescue gear is all. I'm one of the few that is even partly qualified for such. Enough that I can help out." Devlin explains, "However, on the way out, I missed a turn it seems in this maze of piers, boat trailers, and assorted buildings." He shrugs a bit, "Still my day off and people have been telling me to relax, so.. here I am relaxing talking to a couple of people and debating how many fingers I'd have left not to mention how many stitches if I reached out to a cat. Conventual wisdom tells me, leave her a lone. If she wants my attention, she'll let me know. Queso is Hera's cat at the gallery. She's dog like at times but still very cat. Once Hera was wondering where she was as I was drinking coffee. Next thing I know as Hera is looking elsewhere in the gallery, Queso is suddenly on my shoulder saying a quiet Hello, only to vanish just before Hera can see us."

"Queso pretty much ordered to me to sit down and settle in when we first met, which was about three minutes after I got thrown off a truck in Main Street," Ravn adds to Devlin's explanation. "I always trust cats. If a cat tells you to stick around then you're guaranteed a saucer of milk, a bit of fish, and a warm spot to sleep in. You can do a lot worse than that, living in a backpack, trust me."

He holds out his gloved hand towards the cat.

It stays on Gina's shoulder. The look he gets, though, takes imperious to levels where Alexander the Great might feel this was overdoing it a little.

Gina reaches to scratch the cat's rump -- but also gently encourage it to move. A cat owner she may be, but sometimes that means being insistent with a cat. Gina is chill with the feline friends, but she's still /Gina/. Otherwise, she remains fairly quiet, for the moment. Just sort of stands there, being Gina.

Devlin offers an arm to the cat, letting her decide what option to take. "Queso can be a bit of a character, Ravn. Though, she does have a weakness for cat nip mice. I randomly show up with one and give it to her. No strings attached. I feel that would be temping fate if I played that game with her." He suggests, "If your Kitty Pryde loves fish.. may be fish greenies. Mom's cats love greenies. I think Mom could get them to kill a neighbor for greenies."

"Fish greenies? Is this a special kind of treat or toy?" The Dane looks genuinely interested. This is clearly not a term he's encountered before. He does quirk an eyebrow, slightly impressed, when Kitty actually does jump off Gina's shoulder, only to settle on the ground next to her.

Then he looks back to Devlin. "I'm pretty certain I met someone recently who talked about the Coast Guard. If I see her again, mind if I give her your name? She's kind of new in town, probably wouldn't mind meeting people she can talk shop with. I mean, yes, I sail but I'm one of those lazy good for nothing yachters, not a real sailor."

Devlin says, "Sure you can let her know about me. As to greenies, you can get them at petsmart or petco. They even have a dental one that helps to clean their teeth. They have many flavors."

"So it's like a dental chew toy, but for cats?" Ravn nods. "I should look into that. I mean, she chews anything she wants. But I could always try bribes." The Dane still doesn't try to cajole his cat over, or get her attention. One could think that this is actually some kind of power game between the two. The way Kitty Pryde looks up at him when she thinks he's not watching clearly hints of a sharp mind -- for a feline -- and cats do love playing games. Maybe the former stray is just playing the lone game here.

"I never thought I'd have one. A cat, I mean." Ravn chuckles. "I love cats but... they actually don't travel all that well. I wasn't going to go get one and then make it come with me bumming across the country. But this one? She adopted me. And, I imagine, will un-adopt me if she decides she doesn't want to travel."

Devlin says, "A treat, not a toy. And if she's a catnip girl.. get the catnip toys.. those are like gold with the right cat."

As with all animals, reinforce positively. Gina reachs down to stroke the cat, before nodding, "Fastest way to get a cat sick. Feed it too much human shit and too many treats. Animals don't self-regulate on food. Better than dogs, though." A nudge, so the cat approaches Ravn. Or so it now looks at her boot suspiciously, cats are weird. "Later." Is it to the cat, or the group? Either way, Gina just sort of.... walks away, not looking at all like a cultist of some kind. Not. At. all.

Kitty Pryde, she of the mercurial temper, looks after Gina.

Then she tries to climb Devlin's leg. Because her butt is cold and she's sure as hell not climbing the person she already owns.

Said person shakes his head. "My cat is Veil touched. I have no doubts whatsoever. The fact that she loves Gina Castro just cements it in my mind. That said, at least she's harmless?"

Devlin shrugs as he kneels down, "Hello there Miss Pryde.. looking for a lift?" He allows her again to choose. "Veil touched.. and ate one. Rather interesting though, I am absolutely clueless if that is good or bad. Or what it may mean."

The black ex-stray cheerfully scampers up to sit on the paramedic's shoulder with a look to her human that very clearly says neener, neener, but in Cat.

Ravn just looks at her. Then he shakes his head and chuckles. "She really did literally eat a gremlin. And she is -- smarter than any other cat I've met. I had a friend actually talk to her -- the shine way. To make sure that she really is a cat. She is. Just, a very smart one, and one that's obviously connected to the Veil somehow. Not directly -- but there are these sets of kittens around town that are definitely Veil touched, and she's connected with them somehow. And pretty scared of them, I should add."

Devlin slowly stands as he offers a behind the ear scritch to Kitty. "Interesting. But she likes you, right? Never realized that an animal might not be what they seem to be." He then turns towards you, "Sounds like a bit of an adventure there. I do admit that I have more experience with the dreams than the veil, but I was taught some by of all people a psychologist. But she has left town for now.. otherwise, would introduce you."

"Some of those kittens are definitely not cats. Their owners are trying to teach them to be, though -- because what the hell is the alternative? They bite through solid metal. Better to convince them that they are in fact harmless floofs because the alternative is rather dangerous." Ravn shudders at the memory of a vet's clinic table that looked like a small furry shark had literally taken a bite. "But that's how it is here, isn't it? I mean, you get used to... how there aren't really any rules. My friend said they really want to be cats. So they're going to be cats."

Devlin nods as he rubs Kitty's head gently, "And she likes to be contrary, I see. Glad that I do not have a pet. Just do not spend enough time at home for one. I guess Queso and .." he pauses, "Damn.. she did it to me again, got me to forget the Shepard's name.. that evil Queso."

"Hans," Ravn supplies helpfully. And after a beat add, "I always learn the names of things that look at me like they might eat me. I'm very much not a dog person. Although, I'll cede that Hans is very well behaved for an eighty pound murder machine with fur."

He quirks an eyebrow. "Actually, while we are talking about Hans and Queso and all -- you're Hera's brother? Something like that?"

Devlin says, "Cousin. Though others have made the assumption. Seems a family member fell off the grid as it were.. and I did not know about her.. or anyone else till both Hera and Mom did some DNA family tree testing"

"Hey, I could imagine worse news than a surprise cousin who is both pleasant and hospitable. Hera offered me a place to sleep my first night in town, as it were." Ravn smiles at the memory. "Made me tell her a fairytale as payment. I like her, world needs more kind people like that. You learn to appreciate someone who'll give you a place to sleep and coffee in the morning when you live in a backpack. A lot of people would never open their place to a stranger on fear of being mugged or worse."

Devlin says, "Yeah, she is something else. Mom let me know about her once it was known we's both be near by. A pleasant surprise really. Hera wanted to know about the rest of her family, so I have been filling in the blanks really."

Ravn raises a hand to point accusingly at the feline shoulder pilot. "She's the only family I have. Well, that's not true entirely because I have a metric buttload of cousins and extended family, but I'm not really in touch with any of them. Something which I should probably fix some day when I go home." He shrugs lightly. "Not in any hurry to go home, though. To Denmark, that is -- I should probably head home from here now. Assuming that the little lady there can be cajoled into going along."

Devlin nods, "Need a lift? May be she just wants a ride?"

"... Somehow the idea that my cat is so lazy and bossy that she now has her own car and driver does seem appropriate." Ravn can't help a grin. "Want to drop us off at Kicklebury? It's not the best neighbourhood in town, admittedly, but I've yet to actually see anything bad happen there. Or at least nothing you wouldn't see in other towns -- a bit of pot dealing, arson, gang related violence. But, you know, -- not Cthulhu."

Devlin teases, "I refuse to settle for a lessor evil." He walks with you to the parking lot. "Not much phases me after war and rescuing victims of various activities.. have to keep an open mind."