escordvi | closed 🪶 i'm in the end, just what you made me.

[She is not expecting him to lean in and say that, so when he does, it both makes her stiffen and shoots a relentless shiver all the way down her spine from her ear and then back up—]

Stop that!

[And she gives him a shove that she hopes will topple him over!!!

Gods, she aches so much right now, her body running hot, but she will not afford him any more satisfaction.]

[He lets her shove him because he's again laughing, her reaction priceless. He can't tell how much he's affected her, so perhaps it's some fortune for Benedikta that he only assumes he's embarrassing the hell out of her.

So he staggers a bit against the door before he finally opens it with another laugh.]

It's not like you haven't heard worse!

[Wasn't she all "has no shame" and all that?]

Edited 2023-11-25 05:58 (UTC)

[Yes, and she still is in the "has no shame" boat, except it's different when it's him reading it out loud at her, and in her ear, no less!]

Not in this context, Cidolfus.

[She tosses her head back with another loud huff. He is more than welcome to do so in other specific contexts, but not when she is stuck in an elevator with him.

With a clear of her throat, she pushes past him through the door.]

So, where is this cat?

[Enough about the erotica!!!]

[He's still chuckling to himself as he closes the door behind him, and right on cue—

Meoooowwr.

A soft, languid meow can be heard above them on one of the many perches Cid has made, the gray cat staring down at them with some curiosity as the tip of her tail curls up and down. In fact, there are quite a few along the wall, and in the corner by the window is a tall cat tree, where Ashtail has the perfect view outside.]

That's Ashtail. She prefers high places.

[Not unlike someone else here.]

[Stop! Laughing!!!

Fortunately, the cat serves as a proper distraction as Benedikta's eyes are immediately drawn to her high up on one of her... many perches. Wow, he really went all out for this cat, didn't he? Do cats even need this many perches? Does she even use them all?

Benedikta steps further inside, closer to the cat who remains right where she is.]

As she should. [A lift of her brow, and the corner of her lip.] What with you wandering around down here.

[Wow.]

I'll have you know she comes down every now and then.

[Pause.]

To eat, do her business, and occasionally perch on my shoulder when I'm working.

[She makes her approach, outstretching her hand just enough that Ashtail can get a sniff in without coming too close to her. She can see her whiskers twitching, that curious lean of her body on her front paws, a light swish of her tail, but Benedikta stays where she is, waiting for her.

She's had some experience with cats as a girl—the feral, wild ones that lived in the villages of Waloed. She would sometimes leave her food out for them when they had been gone a long time... Sometimes, she thought them her only friends, even if they would often run from her.]

Well, when you've spoiled her so much, I imagine it would be hard not to be up here.

[The cat has been watching them... And when she sniffs Benedikta's hand, her eyes widen a fraction.

Sniff.

Sniff.

There is the distinct scent of this woman... However...

With a slow curl of her tail, Ashtail eyes Benedikta for a moment before suddenly jumping down onto her shoulder, which surprises Cid.]

Oi, Ash! Don't be jumping on people!

[...It's almost like he's talking to a dog, but he's not sure how Benedikta would react, so he's already moving to grab her.

However, the cat is quite interested here... Sniffing the back of Benedikta's neck and eyes subtly shifting over to Cid.

This scent...

She can smell his scent on this woman! Who is she!?]

[Benedikta is going to react the way anyone might when a cat suddenly leaps on their shoulders with claws digging into clothes and skin for purchase and balance: with a loud, pained yelp.]

Ugh, what the—!?

[She doesn't throw the cat off but she does stiffen and tries to pry those claws out of her, angling her body in Cid's direction and carelessly waving a hand at him, nearly slapping him with it.]

Take your cat, Cidolfus!

[He barely avoids that hand as he tries to reach for her.]

If you hold still—!

[But he will pluck the cat off her, holding her in his arms as the cat protests. And as usual, she will wriggle out and hop onto his shoulder instead, making him sigh.]

Sorry, you all right?

I have been better.

[You know, when she's not being attacked by Cid's cat, of all things!

And she'll cast a mildly threatening stare at Ashtail who's now perched herself on his shoulder as she straightens the back of her hair. Again. Ugh, she spent so much effort this morning fixing it!]

If you have a problem with me, then say it.

[Is she talking to the cat? Yes.]

I think if she had a problem, she would have either stayed up there or clawed your face by now.

[Though he gives the cat a withering look before bringing her closer again.]

She's at least not hissing. Did that to a few people who tried to pet her on the streets while walking home the first time.

[Indeed, Ashtail just seems to be... Staring at Benedikta, as if sizing her up.]

A blessing. Truly.

[Her voice bleeds sarcasm as Benedikta stares right back, sizing Ashtail up, the two of them almost mirror images of each other as they both refuse to back down.

As if this is some kind of contest.]

Why is she still staring at me? [Then, to Ashtail:] I have nothing for you.

[Hm...]

This is a bit different...

[Ash continues to curl her tail around the back of Cid's head, as if trying to assert something.]

Maybe give her some treats?

[...

....

Benedikta steps forward in Cid's direction, as if trying to assert something, but she does break her eyes away from the cat to look at him with narrowed eyes.]

And reward her for that? And different how?

[What does he mean? They might as well be hissing at each other!]

Well I'd move her away fir—

[A small thwap of her tail over his face as if to disagree, leaving him to just make a flat look.]

...Anyway, either she'll show clear dislike or clear like towards someone she meets. It's a first where she seems to be...

[Hmmm.]

Guarded?

But I didn't even do anything!

[She takes some offense to that!?]

Bloody hell if I know, she seemed interested in you at first.

[Actually jumping on her and sniffing around.

Even now Ashtail seems rather focused on Benedikta.]

Try holding your hand out again?

[Bloody hell if he knows—]

She is your cat.

[But Benedikta will shoot him an uncertain look, grumbling something incoherent under her breath, before she lifts her hand, close enough for Ashtail to lean in and sniff it if she wishes, but not close enough that the cat would view her as more of a threat than she already does.

Is that even possible? She has no idea what the feline is thinking...]

I've only had her for less than a week, and I'm still not sure if she's "my" cat or just using me for free food and shelter.

[He wishes he was joking, but kind of true—

When Benedikta approaches, Ashtail continues to slowly curl and tap her tail against the side of Cid's head until he actually pushes it behind him so it's less against his face...and now against his neck, is this better he has no idea. But he just tolerates it as Ashtail once again leans forward a little to sniff Benedikta's hand.

...

And then she just kind of. Mreps and starts licking her paw as if ignoring her—and then purrs as she rubs her head against Cid.

...

Cid has a rather odd feeling about this.]

[Well, if she is going to ignore Benedikta, then Benedikta is going to do the same...! How insolent!]

She seems to think so.

[She leaves him there with Ashtail to go to the kitchen where she'll start opening and closing cupboards, rummaging through them looking for something.]

[And he's just...going to follow.]

If you're looking for something you could just ask.

[Not that he actually minds too much. But what is she trying to do...]

[Another slam of a cupboard before she's moving onto the next drawer beneath it.]

Treats.

[No regard whatsoever if Ashtail understands.]

[...Pft.]

Top middle cupboard. Have to twist the knob twice to the right before it'll open, though. Had to create a special lock so she couldn't get into it.

[She reaches up, twists the knob twice as she's told, and is able to pull it open, and she huffs out loud.]

Hm. Sounds like she's made herself right at home.

[Grabbing the bag of treats from the shelf, she snaps it back shut, jiggles the bag in Ashtail's direction, opens it, digs around...

...

... before she walks away, heading to the couch to sit down.]

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