YOU'RE A KITTY [open]

[thecatcameback]

Who: Sissel and YOU
What: A feline interloper decides to poke around the courtyard. Feel free to notice/harass him, as he will be there on a daily basis for the school week.
Where: The Courtyard
When: First week back at school at various points
Warnings: Snarky cat, cat-related shenanigans. Hilariously violent bus accident.



People could get used to the strangest things. A cat riding a city bus was one of those things, and so Sissel didn't usually have any problems going the long distance from his home to the prison and back again. But accidents happened, and that's how he ended up at the wrong stop on his way home one day.

Wandering brought the little cat to the gates of a large campus.

There's a lot of kids here. This must be one of those "school" places I always hear about. Where Kamila goes every day. That was handy. If Kamila happened to see him, she could pick him up and they could go home together. So Sissel made his way to the courtyard and waited to see if Kamila would appear.

Unfortunately, this was not the school Kamila attended, and so Sissel didn't see her.

Fortunately, the courtyard was a big, interesting area somewhat like a park, and there was plenty to explore. So for the next few days, the little black cat could be found all around it-- climbing on the walls of the fountain or up in the trees, shuffling through the bushes and plants, napping on the benches and occasionally chasing birds or squirrels. The rest of the time he sat in the grass off to the side of the path, and watched.

Just an ordinary little cat, clearly.


[ooc: If your character is inclined to notice a cat, feel free to have them spot Sissel undertaking any of the mentioned activities in the courtyard. If they're not, just post them walking by and Sissel will get their attention himself. May involve rolling on his back or begging for food or spitting a dead mouse on their shoe.]

Comments

[kidcarnate]

The feeling of being trapped in a child's body was an experience Naoya had repeated thousands of times over. With every incarnation, the process was repeated - going through infancy and childhood and puberty, all with a mind crammed full of memories dating back to the dawn of man. Each time he had to bide, waiting for his body to mature back to adulthood... frustrating, but that was the price he had to pay for functional immortality.

Aging in reverse though - that was new. Still, he was quick to adapt. This was nothing that he wasn't used to already, so he thought. He certainly saw no problem with going out into the city by himself despite physically being about ten years old. After all, Henry was sick, and the idiot mage didn't have sense enough to take care of himself. De-aging be damned, the older brother in Naoya couldn't not do anything about it.

He was on his way back from the drugstore with a bag full of cold medicine when he noticed a cat by the bus stop. That by itself would've been odd enough anywhere else, except... it wasn't an ordinary cat, he could tell that much - something about its soul was off. He didn't have enough spiritual sensitivity to tell exactly what, but it wasn't anything he recognized.

The urgency of Henry's medicine was put off for now. The boy stopped by the edge of the road to stare curiously at this little black cat. He ventured to wonder out loud, "What have we here?" with an aloof air to his voice that sounded just a bit strange coming from the mouth of a child.

[thecatcameback]

Sissel had seen quite a few people come and go since he got off on the wrong stop, but he hesitated to ask any of them which bus he needed to get back to his own city. He'd discovered, of course, that most human beings react very poorly to being spoken to by a cat, particularly inside of their heads. Not wanting to incite a panic, he watched the buses go by in the vain hope he could pick which was the right one.

This would be a lot easier if I could read, he lamented. Or at least learn numbers. I really should start studying with Kamila.

The voice caught his attention, and he glanced up at the boy standing on the street corner. Sissel looked back at him, unblinking, staring for several moments.

"Meow," he finally said. Nothing interesting here, kid. Just a regular, ordinary cat.

[inspirethefire]

If nothing else, his time in the academy so far accustomed Hajime to the fact that he'd see a lot of very odd looking souls in his time here, including those of animals and the deceased. Interacting with such a variety of souls would be an invaluable learning experience in and of itself.

So his stopping to stare at the cat sunbathing in the path was really very academic, really. It had a will like he'd never seen before, and he would be shirking his duty to investigate. That's why he was kneeling down in front of it.

He hadn't seen a student like this around, but that didn't mean there wasn't one. If this cat was a new student, it would be unkind not to welcome him properly. That's why he was reaching out a hand.

It was important to not appear too overbearing, or announce his approach too suddenly, so as to avoid spooking or irritating this perhaps-student definitely-cat. That's why he crouched there, reaching out invitingly and clicking his tongue.

[thecatcameback]

Was it shameless to lay out in the sun on the concrete, flicking his tail and making a big deal out of his relaxation when all the students were rushing busily to and from class? Yes, probably.

But out of all the pleasures of being a cat, that was probably one of the greatest, so Sissel wasn't about to stop now.

He was just drifting off when he heard the click of a tongue, and looking up, noticed the young man holding out a hand to him.

Well. It was really only to be expected, the way he was lolling around. And Sissel wasn't the type of guy to ignore someone offering a nice pet. So he stood up and casually made his way within reach of the youth, almost- but stopping so he'd have to stretch his hand out a little further.

Can't be too easily won, after all.

[grimeofancientmariner]

After getting accustomed to the Academy- okay, no.

After trying and failing to get accustomed to the Academy, Delta's surprise at the variety of students had faded to a constant, dull skepticism in the back of his head. Either everyone here was so spliced up they were mutated and insane beyond belief, or the effects of long-term DNA manipulation were finally taking their toll on his brain. Or maybe he was dead, and this was his punishment for losing his Little Sister.

Hell, why not all of the above?

So it wasn't really notable when a creature as ordinary as a black cat walked across his path. He was still learning the campus, and it turns out that following a mental map while also trying to fill it in takes up a lot of concentration. There wasn't much thought left to devote to something so small.

Delta was on his way to the autoshop when he noticed the cat directly in front of him. He stopped, taking the time to adjust the stack of sheet metal he was carrying under one arm, in the hopes that it would move without any effort on the Big Daddy's part.

[thecatcameback]

Unfortunately, the sight of a big mechanical man thunking and jolting its way down the path was exactly the wrong kind of thing to make Sissel move out of the way. The cat was seated in the middle of the path, staring quizzically at him.

I can't believe it! After all this time... another manipulator? Sissel examined the mechanical man closely, trying to figure out what, exactly, it was.

No... this is different. He's not holding himself together. He must be one of those remote-control robots.

I have to say. This school's use of technology... is just plain off.

[kuragekasa]

Just a normal kitty cat, really, and unfortunately, that was more than enough to lure an excitable little boy his way. He was but a few years, yet he was, in all actuality, built as a full-grown man. Despite Clear's body, his behavior was nothing short of child-like, so when he bolted for the feline...

All that happened was a scoop into his arms from the grass-laden ground.

"Ehhhhh~!! Kitty, kitty!" He nuzzled the tip of his nose into Sissel's fur, sniffling and savoring the scent of nature that clung relentlessly to his being. "Fluffy, fluffy!"

[thecatcameback]

Sissel heard him coming, but a moment too late. By the time the cat sat up, he was already within the grasp of the very excitable pale man.

"Aaah!" Sissel didn't bother masking his thoughts with his powers that time, and it was accompanied by a surprised feline yowl. Unfortunately, the excitable pale man was quite a bit stronger, and Sissel was left dangling from an attempt to wriggle out of his arms that didn't go quite how he planned.

"Hey! Hey! Personal space!"

[icequeen_aran]

With Winter Break over, classes were back in session which meant Samus was also returning to the campus to teach her classes. Armed Weaponry usually didn't require much preparation, but BioMech required the acquisition of spare parts for the students to tinker with. The local junk yards were usually a treasure trove of such parts but there was only so much Samus could carry back with her at a time.

For now the blonde would make tracks across the snow-dusted courtyard carrying a huge box filled to the brim with mechanical this or metal thingamabob that. Screws, bolts, nails, wires--you name it, it was probably clinking and clattering with every step she took.

Inevitable something small and shiny might fall out, really.

[thecatcameback]

Especially inevitable when the little cat currently following her down the path had superpowers.

Apparently of its own accord, a thin, flat piece of metal suddenly flew up, acting as a little tiny see-saw to launch a small metal wheel up and out of the box. It fell to the sidewalk with a clatter, began to roll, and within a few seconds, Sissel was upon it, batting it far and chasing it across the sidewalk.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

Connor wasn't a teacher, he was a custodian; which meant his job never ended. There was always a mess for him to clean as long as another human, or animal, soul was present on the school grounds. This wasn't all he did on campus, but it was the meager job assigned to him by the hands. It was a horrible job, but a job that he didn't complain about too much. Connor worked hard, always have, so he always finished timely. His, uh, descendent helped a little bit, even though he somewhat cheated the system. It made the job go a little faster at any rate.

Plates full with concerns, jobs, and other matters, Connor kept to what he usually did; and that was working at it piece by piece. He was still working in the courtyard cleaning light fixtures along the walkway when Sissel would come about. Today was special, however, because Connor was joined by another on the job today. The Rufflet he took care of wanted to come along, as he had done before. His wing was still badly damaged so when he didn't take to Connor's shoulder, he took to the ground to poke his beak around.

It just so happened that perhaps the Rufflet might have seen Sissel first.

[thecatcameback]

Even as a cat, Sissel tried to have some respect for his fellow living creatures. Being able to speak to other souls made it kind of tough to keep hunting and killing birds and rats and mice without feeling bad for it afterwards.

But he was still a cat. And sometimes he just couldn't help himself.

Crouched down in the "hunting" position, he was carefully following the strange bird across the grass. He was able to draw within about ten yards before the Pokemon noticed him, and he locked eyes with it in an awkward standoff for a few seconds.

"Strangest-looking bird I've ever seen," he thought to himself, though if anyone was paying particular attention to him they might have heard it, too. He actually didn't even have any intention to eat the poor thing. Just... catch it, really.

[trustycrowbar]

Gordon figured didn't particularly care for cats. This was ironic, because the way he dealt with things were pretty much the way cats do; sit back and observe from a distance, then get in and act.

In this case, the break in the bitterness of the winter cold caused him to take lunch outside instead of in the cafeteria or his office. He spies the little cat chasing birds and hanging around the courtyard, while chewing on the sandwich he'd brought.

After a few moments of amused spying, on buttwiggling and pouncing and stretching and yawning and other feline shenanigans, he glances down and pares off some of the ham from his sandwich.

"Hey, psst." He inquires, tossing it lightly onto the paving stones nearby. "You hungry?"

[thecatcameback]

Sissel saw the man sitting there for a while, and had briefly stopped to watch him. But when it became apparent he was just going to be sitting there a while, he turned himself to other interests.

That is, until ham became involved. Technically, Sissel didn't actually need to eat food, but there was no way he'd turn down the chance to have some when it was offered (after all, it would have alarmed Kamila if her little cat never ate any food.)

He slowly headed over, leaning down to sniff the ham before greedily tucking in.

"Hey, thanks."

[iksb]

Mukuro occasionally found herself on stake out duty. Nothing new, but occasionally she just needed to feel like everything was good. She would position herself in a tree, or a bush or a hidden alcove somewhere and watch for anything unusual. This would last anything between three days to a week, Mukuro only leaving her perch to attend class. Otherwise, it was her sniper rifle and her binoculars.

This week, she was perched in a tree. She was dressed in all black, and was eating some crackers that she had brought with her. Sustenance was always good, and one always had to maintain themselves on things like this.

[thecatcameback]

I don't know what this strange girl is doing in this tree, but I recognize that thing in her hands.

Sissel had sidled up the back of the tree, now perched on a branch just behind the girl in black. He'd seen sniper rifles before, and he wasn't exactly a fan, either.

Once he had his footing on the branch, he snuck closer, determined to put a stop to the murder-to-be. This took the form of Sissel pouncing on the girl's back out of nowhere.

[flamedog]

The largest dog you've ever seen in your life (are those tiger stripes? What sort of bass-ackwards dog is this?) walks into the courtyard.

He yawns and stretches. Oh wow, look at that giant, fluffy tail. Oh my goodness, that tail is so large and fluffy and waving in the air.

It's like the world's greatest feather toy, only it's a tail attached to the world's greatest largest dog.

[thecatcameback]

Don't go there. Dooon't go there. That's the biggest dog ever.

Or so Sissel tried to insist to himself as he sat in the bushes, watching the tail swish back and forth. Back and forth. Back and-

Sorry, tail, he simply can't help himself. He takes a flying, leaping pounce at the massive dog's tail, trying to snag it-- but fully prepared to land, turn and flee if he misses.

Stand back Jock, real greatest dog coming through.

[rivalthunderbolts]

While maybe not strictly a dog, Jolt did have many mannerisms of one. And when he saw a little black cat wandering around the courtyard, one of those instincts kicked in. He wondered if the cat liked to play.

So he started to run at him.

I'll end you

[flamedog]

[thecatcameback]

Sissel was just in the middle of trying to get up to peek through a window when he heard something running towards him. He turned, and his eyes widened as he spotted what appeared to be a very spiky Pomeranian running straight for him. (Sorry Jolteon, he just happens to know Pomeranians very well, and you look enough like one.)

He hissed and puffed up, and immediately turned to try and scramble up the nearest tree.

Catnanigans

[vela_nova]

On a quiet day, Blaze just enjoyed being outside and enjoying nature. It was warming up a bit, so it was far more pleasant to be out there, book in hand, sitting on a bench.

[thecatcameback]

Meanwhile, a short distance away, Sissel was hiding in a bush and absolutely puzzled by what, exactly, he was looking at.

What on earth is that thing? It's tall and walks on two legs, but it's... Sissel could hardly believe it.

It's a cat?

you have encountered a doge

[planking]

Everywhere Flint went, Boney followed. Unless there was a really good smell. And today there was. Today it smelled of cat.

Nose to the ground, Boney left Flint behind as he went in search of the cat. His quest took him far and wide and- actually no he just walked around the corner and came face to face with Sissel.

Boney's tail twitched and he gave an extra long huff to make sure his nose was correct. Yep, that sure was a cat.

[thecatcameback]

Sissel didn't actually mind dogs too much. He saw Missile all the time, after all. But he still wasn't overly fond of dogs getting right in his face.

He stared nose to nose at the dog for a moment, then scuttled backwards and away from him.

"Hey, pal, personal space, if you don't mind?"

[cplusplus]

Chihiro was neither a cat nor dog-person, having mostly living his childhood without any sort of pet companion, but he did like both enough when he encounters one.

The thing was, having attend this school for quite some time now, things were almost never the ordinary. Even if this cat look completely normal, he was going to take the chances that the tiny feline can still possibly be anything but ordinary.

Regardless, Chihiro crouched down next to it and smiled, "Hello". He wanted to pet the cat, but it still could be a student or a faculty of sort, so he tried his best to refrain himself.

[thecatcameback]

By this time, Sissel was well aware that the academy wasn't your typical public place, and that most people didn't find his ability to speak particularly strange.

So when he was greeted by the young man, he twisted his tail around his feet and greeted him right back.

"Afternoon."