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

[And will she, is the question?

Benedikta doesn't even look at her as she just continues to twirl the treat skillfully between her fingers.]

I am sure that there are plenty of other cats who would appreciate these snacks.

[The cat is now thumping her tail a bit more annoyed against the back of Cid's neck and...actually looks at him, as if demanding him to get the treat for her.]

Ah ah. I'm staying out of this.

[And he is going to be rude and actually grab her and set her down on the table.]

[Benedikta scoffs out loud, and when he sets her down on the table in front of her, Benedikta lowers her feet and leans forward, propping her elbows on her knees and holding the treat just out of Ashtail's reach.]

Well, little one?

[Will she accept that Benedikta is the one with the power here?

Just another little jiggle of the treat bag beside her.]

[There's another low mreeeeoooowwwrrr as Ashtail slowly swishes that tail back and forth, practically glaring at Benedikta...

...

And then turns to glare at Cid because how dare he not do as she bid???]

...I'm going to get a beer.

[Because this looks interesting and he could use a drink.]

And one for me.

[Benedikta returns to silent staring at Ashtail, and if she were a cat, her tail would be swishing just as much, too. Does she think she's the head of this little household? It's not as if Benedikta thinks so (with Cidolfus? Ugh), but she will not be ordered around by a cat, thank you very much.

Ashtail is smacking and licking her lips, though, which is a sign. She can't hold out forever against food. She knows how cats work.]

It's only a matter of time. I have few places to be today.

[Even fewer now that she's stuck in this deadlock with a feline that she will not be the first to back down from.]

[Cid glances at Benedikta before reaching the fridge and pulling out a bottle, the sound of the cap popping off and pouring the beer into some glasses heard as Ashtail continues to thump her tail against the table. Loudly.

How dare this woman keep this treat away!! Ugh and it's one of her favorites... At this point Ashtail is trying to decide whether to approach but with the intent to steal rather than any sign of "giving in," and Cid just looks at the two of them as he walks back in the room, the two glasses in his hand before he shakes his head.]

Thought you wouldn't bother.

[And setting down the glass on one side of the table closer to Benedikta before going around to sit next to her. Now Ashtail is looking at him, and then the treat... And she slowly stands up to prowl towards the edge, as if going to Benedikta, but then jumps on Cid's lap instead, eyes still on the treat.

He should have seen this coming.]

[Benedikta just watches her, her expression unchanged as she strolls right around only to plop herself down onto Cid's lap. She can see that her eyes still rest on the treat, watching as Benedikta readjusts, throwing back a sip of the beer with a slightly discontent face at it before she's sitting back.]

Well, if she would rather not.

[Popping open the bag and tossing the treat back in, but she doesn't close it. Instead, she rests it against her leg on the side closest to Cid and Ashtail, leaving it open.

With her hand over it so that she doesn't get any ideas of trying to steal.]

Where did you find this beer?

[Just casually moving on!]

Trying a few different ones from one of the pubs that offer to sell their own drinks.

[Takes a sip and ignores how Ashtail is now angrily thumping her tail with an even angrier, lower mreeeooooowr at Benedikta continuing to taunt her. Oh she will get those treats! She's a trained warrior cat, capable of catching the most difficult of mice. She will not be outdone!]

Not to your taste?

[It looks like Ashtail has finally met her match.

No matter how loud and low she growls, Benedikta will continue to ignore her.]

It's weaker than I expected.

[But she's going to drink it anyway.]

You'd think someplace on Nogard would make something stronger.

Always so quick to judge. Sometimes it's nice to have something lighter for a more casual occasion.

[And Benedikta shouldn't relax too much yet.

Because Ashtail is going to suddenly jump around her, first on her shoulder then head then lap in quick succession, the goal to cause as much chaos and confusion so she can grab that bag!]

[Well, when you drink with Waloeder men...]

You can't even call this light—ugh!

[She can jump on Benedikta all she wants—she's going to get some beer splashed on her and an extremely loud shout, but that also means her hand is going to clamp shut right over the bag of treats, sealing it tight, before she's trying to nudge her off her legs.]

You are too late.

[Cid jerks back, somehow not spilling too much of his own drink as Ashtail now hisses and brings out the claws.

Right he's standing back up to avoid this cat fight.]

[Alright. If she's going to start hissing and bringing out the claws, then Benedikta will, too.

When Ashtail bats at her chest, she takes the cat by the scruff of her neck and holds firmly like a mother would hold her kitten when she is in trouble, and it renders her almost completely still, ears pinned back and eyes wide.]

If you'd just sat politely and asked for a treat, I would have given it.

[Picking her up and setting her down on the table before she climbs to her feet, not giving her the chance to leap back onto her lap.]

Where did you say you found this thing?

[She is FERAL.]

[Just.... Quietly sipping his beer. He recalls Benedikta having handled cats before, but this may be the first time he's ever really seen it firsthand.]

Some sanctuary that trained them as some kind of warrior cat to hunt mice on ships.

[And as Cid goes to find a towel for Benedikta, Ashtail is now arching her back, hissing at Benedikta, as if refusing to back down.]

[Well. Best thing to do now is ignore her until she calms, so that is exactly what Benedikta does, with a slight grunt of disapproval under her breath as she sips her beer, before she nearly chokes on it.]

Warrior cat?

[Benedikta looks to Ashtail and then to Cid in clear disbelief.]

She hardly looks like one.

[Keep hissing all you want, you aren't getting a treat until you're nicer.]

[Stop drinking the beer if you don't like Benedikta—]

Again, always so quick to judge.

[But he's amused since he can see why she thinks that way. Even he has some questions as he's never seen her hunt yet.]

Whether or not she can hunt I can't say since I haven't seen her, but I have seen her with other cats. I could believe her ordering the others to do her bidding for her.

This time, however, she's clearly met her match.

[Ashtail continues to eye Benedikta with a low growl before she darts up to one of the ledges behind the couch and jumps all the way over to her cat tree where she will sulk.]

[She said it was weak, not that it was undrinkable—

Benedikta picks up the treat bag and starts heading to the kitchen with it, prepared to put it away if Ashtail isn't going to come get any from her. Your loss, cat.

But at Cid's words, she turns around to stare at him with an equally grumpy sulk.]

What is that supposed to mean?

[Just a casual half shrug before nodding toward the sulky furball barely visible from the tree.]

I think you've clearly made an impression that you're not one to be trifled with.

[Oh. She preens a bit at that.]

Of course I'm not. Just because she thinks she is cute doesn't mean that she gets things for free. [Benedikta waves her glass at him.] You'd do well to remember that.

[A light laugh.]

Does that apply to you as well?

No?

[Said with some offense, and as if it's the most obvious thing in the world?]

But I am not a cat.

[He would do well to remember that, too!!!

Even if her expression does match Ashtail's at the current moment before she's downing more of the beer.]

[And he is definitely glancing away with the thought that no, they really do look and behave alike, using his glass to hide the amused grin as he looks towards Ashtail.]

Well I can't have you both always at each other's throats. Treats might not get her, but I know another way that might.

[And he'll walk over to a little bin of toys, pulling out one a purple mouse toy attached to a stick, a green feather with a little bell attached to it. Immediately Ashtail's ears perk and she looks up, eyeing the mouse.]

[For a split second—and only a split second—Benedikta is confused because she thinks that he intends to use that on her... before it sinks in.

She's never seen a cat toy like that before, alright!?

So she eyes it suspiciously.]

And what exactly do you mean for me to do with that?

[Like. What the hell is it...]

[A low chuckle as he sees that look, and he can't help but tease her by shaking it towards her, Ash's tail now slowly curling in and out as she watches with keen interest.]

Well you wondered how good of a mouser she could be. Why not put her to the test and have her chase one?

[She snatches that thing so fast out of his hand the moment he shakes it at her, a great big pout on her face as she stares down at it.]

This is meant to be chased?

[She turns it over in her hands, waves it, and looks over to note the way that Ashtail's undivided attention is on this little wand toy in her hand.]

I would look ridiculous.

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