logs | [closed] no cat puns allowed

[ this could be the start to a horrible math problem. 'two nerds walk into each other, one at x feet per second and another at y feet per second... based on their momentum, who falls over first'?

the answer is leaks. unlike dokja and in spite of the fact he's catte-like, he's not as fortunate to avoid more than just a stagger. he has to catch himself by grasping a chair, steadying himself, causing much more sound that he'd like--- especially in a place like this. what was quiet just moments ago now echoes hollowly against the shelves, the stacks, everything...

and all leaks can do is hiss. ]

Watch where you are going!

[ both ears fold. his tail poofs up, though it's only the tip that lashes angrily out behind him. ]

[ All the commotion turns heads, staff members already looking cross at the disruption to the peace that was being so immaculately maintained throughout their library, and Dokja shrinks in on himself at the all the undue attention. And to make matters worse, the person he'd just run into is now speaking at a volume that is higher than the approved library voice, so Dokja quickly steps forward with raised, placating hands.

... Is that a tail? And what kind of ears...? ]

I'm sorry...!

[ It's a hushed apology as he spares another glance to the staff members with a sheepish grin. Nothing to see here... He's got it under control... ]

That was my fault. I wasn't paying attention. Are you okay?

[ leaks sighs, slightly overexaggerated and overdramatically. there's too much attention on them now and the catte is very much unhappy with that outcome. of course he wishes he could just outright punish dokja for his insolence... his ignorance... all of those things, none of which are leaks' fault! retaliation lingers on his mind, the temptation growing as he feels the tension welling up in his chest.

but slowly and surely, his ears return to normal. the fur relaxes, just like the rest of him. ]

... you seem like it.

[ genuinely apologetic. he folds his arms across his body, book still in hand, and lets his resting frown face hang for a while. ]

I am fine. [ his braid is hanging lopsidedly from his shoulders, a little less straight compared to from before. ] I am interested in what has your attention, enough to the point where you could have encountered someone or something dangerous.

[ like him, only he's not... trying to seem like he is... ]

[ The waters seem to have calmed for now and for that, Dokja is grateful. He tries to relax, to ignore the stares until they go away, and finds himself taking quick peeks out of the corner of his eye to make sure the other library dwellers are going on with their routines. As soon as they start shuffling off, he finally does drop his shoulders with an exhale that could be considered a sigh.

It would have sucked if he'd been kicked out of the library for causing a commotion. This is one of his only safe havens now.

He directs his attention back to Leaks, eyebrows drawing together in confusion at what danger he could possibly encounter in a library of all places, but this guy seems a bit high-strung? So he'll pass over that at the moment, and... hide the book in his hand behind him. ]

It's just a book I started. [ A fantasy novel that he may be slightly embarrassed of which can be noted in the way he quickly tries to change the subject. ] What about you? You were reading something too, weren't you?

[ why would anyone want to hide what they were reading? leaks wrinkles his nose in thought, suddenly curious and distrustful at the same time. what kind of forbidden knowledge does this young man hold behind him?

he'll have to find a way to get him to reveal it.

now that the attention on both of them has dissipated, the catte can get to business. he grabs the nearest book and holds it up, showing the title and then spine of it. ]

Yes I was.

[ the book is called "an introduction to the human body". ]

You are human, are you not?

[ Oh, he's almost sorry that he asked.

Dokja's nose wrinkles a bit at that title because what the heck? Sure, this stranger has what looks like animal ears and... a tail... But the rest of him doesn't look too different from that of a human being. ]

I'm human.

[ Well, kind of. Yes? He started out as a human so it counts. Anyway, Dokja gives Leaks a quick glance over. Would it be rude to ask what he is...? ]

Is this your first time meeting a human being?

Here? No. But I do not think that all humans are alike. It would be presumptuous to think so.

[ leaks tilts his head, his tail also angling itself in the same way as he curiously watches dokja. ]

While ribika share similarities, it is hard to determine whether how similar we may be. Clarification is in order if I wish to continue my research.

[ then one of his ears flits. ]

For example: our ears. Yours are rounded, positioned to the side of your head. I suppose that would be helpful for certain situations. What do you think of mine?

[ This is such a strange conversation to follow and Dokja is quietly losing it in his mind. Leave it to him to meet a complete weirdo... ]

Uh, I guess they're...

[ Is it offensive to call them animal ears? Dokja panics mid-sentence and decides to swerve. ]

They look like they'd enjoy being scratched. At the back.

[ You know, like an animal. ]

[ leaks blinks a few times. did this man really just say what he heard? he's pretty sure... and then he scrunches up his face in confusion. ]

What?

[ the concept of anyone trying to touch his ears is mindblowing. ]

No one would dare touch mine. [ he scowls, as one of them twitch in an equal amount of irritation. ] Is that what all humans enjoy doing? Touching the ears of cattes as if they enjoy it?

Oh? You're a cat... person?

[ That makes sense... Those do look like cat ears, after all. Dokja doesn't put too much thought into the question next asked because it's kind of easy to answer? Don't most cats enjoy being scratched behind the ears? He'd occasionally run into a friendly street cat or two, and they'd put up with it.

So he shrugs his shoulders in response. ]

The cats that I've pet seemed to like it.

[ he winces. yeah, at the most basic of definitions, leaks is indeed a 'cat person'. it being said like that causes him a little inner turmoil. ]

Do you think that a cat person and a cat are the same? What if I wanted to touch your ears? Would you enjoy that?

[ the questions are not sarcastic, nor does he expect a serious answer. it's ridiculous nevertheless. ]

... regardless, I am curious as to what you may have been researching here.

[ It's awfully tempting to say no, he wouldn't like it because he's not a CAT person. But Dokja holds his tongue and remembers that he should be acting politely...

And a change of subject does well for that. Some of the embarrassment from earlier returns, but if his company is divulging in his interests, it's only fair that Dokja do the same.

So he finally presents the book he's been holding. ]

It's a fantasy book.

[ The cover presents a man in armor, sword raised at the ready and poised to strike. It's nothing revolutionary or even that well-written, but it's a genre that Dokja is quite familiar with and one that he feels comfortable immersing himself in. ]

I'm not researching anything. I was just reading it because I wanted to.

I see.

[ leaks' posture suddenly changes: from pointed and sharp and ready to tear dokja a new one just because he simply... there's something about him that pisses him off. which frankly, that's pretty easy to do but that's not the point... to genuine curiosity. no admonishment, no anger. the subject matter before has departed leaks, and instead in its place is a blinking ribika who reaches out and presses a claw against the cover. ]

Hm. Fantasy... fictional, yes? I know someone else who enjoys them. He believes... they are a way to escape the realities of this place. I think.

[ his tail flicks to the side. ]

Is that... what you desire as well?

[ Damn, he wasn't expecting to be so casually read just by presenting the cover of this book. Dokja blinks in surprise at the perceptive reply from this guy he'd pegged as kind of bonkers in regards to his temper.

Well, there's no denying it, really. Dokja could lie the way he always does, but he finds that he doesn't want to put forth that sort of effort. Not in the face of this complete stranger, at least. Were it someone he knew, he might have made up excuses, but in this case, what's the harm in admitting to something like this? ]

... Yes.

[ Even so, his tone remains uncomfortable and his gaze flickers off to the side. Stories have always been a form of escapism for him. A way to get lost from the world he didn't want to face. So much has changed since then, so much of him lost that he turns to what he's always known. ]

Or I did, a long time ago. I'm not so sure about now.

[ some people are just like the covers of the book they're holding, but that doesn't mean they're necessarily lacking depth. not interesting. things of that nature. perhaps dokja could've lied to save face; surely this catte has met other humans that would be familiar with him and his unique disposition?

but nope he is very lucky. a very lucky boy.

there is something very innocent about dokja's response. ]

I suppose when faced with extraordinary and unusual things, a book may act as relief from them. Even if said fiction is not quite as strange...

[ he trails off. maybe this human isn't so bad after all. ]

... are you searching for a respite?

[ Oh? While Dokja isn't the best at reading people, he's sensing a loosening of the tension in the air, and that further bleeds some of the nervousness from him as well.

And despite the next question being a bit personal, he finds that he doesn't mind. Unlike the people from his past, he can't feel any judgement coming from this stranger. ]

You could say that. I live with others and occasionally need time away for myself.

[ From watchful, concerned eyes that know more than they let on, but Dokja's too fearful to face what they keep behind them. Rather than dwell on this topic, he's quick to switch gears, one corner of his lip turning up in a slight smile. ]

Is talking to me helping your understanding of humans?

[ He highly doubts it. ]

[ sensible. he likes that, though leaks would argue that being with others in the first place would remove the requirement of needing that alone time. to occupy his own thoughts to the extent where loneliness may creep into those dark crevices and fester... that's a dangerous way to live. it's how he got here in the first place.

dokja... would probably make a good cat. he's not sure why he feels that way, even when he despises cats in general, but... ]

Hm. Well, you are not impeding my progress in terms of learning.

[ both of his ears wiggle. ]

I still do not understand how you can survive without a tail.

[ Loneliness... That's something Dokja knows all too well. He used to think it suited him just fine, but upon gaining trusted companions, he never wants to go back to that lonely life ever again.

... The occasional break is fine, though. Especially with the personalities he surrounds himself with.

This next statement from Leaks gives him pause, however, and Dokja's face scrunches up like he's trying to make sense out of what he's just heard. ]

What does a tail do for you? In terms of surviving.

[ Look at that, now they can learn things about each other. ]

[closed] no cat puns allowed

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