a c t i o n ][cursed][ 006

[diastereomer]

[ Whether Yusuf was quite so protective of Rhada before this dream coming to The City, is debatable. Rhada is quite the intelligent feline, and it doesn't take much more than one trip around the hot, arid streets of Mombasa to find that hand-outs are not common. This might very well be where Yusuf's stray problem stems from.

The point stands: topside, Rhada is smart enough to know not to stray from the Pharmacy's old window ledges and familiar splotches of sunlight. Here, however...

Here, nothing is as it should be. People change with the date and curses hit like 24-hour bugs that the citizens can't sweat out. Whether Yusuf is more afraid of the curses (and how they make people think crazy thoughts, want to do crazy things) or someone finding a well behaved tabby ("stray" is a word that no longer applies to Rhada in Yusuf's mind) and keeping her, is also debatable-- a debate that Yusuf doesn't much want to have, but still.

Which is why the sight of the slightly ajar front door-- just enough for a little fat cat to squeeze through-- has Yusuf's stomach dropping to his toes. ]

No. No-- no! No!

[ Cats and curiosity have a rather volatile history between them, and the temptation of a door left slightly open is invitation enough. Never let it be said that pets don't emulate their owners.  ]

No! No, this is not good!

[ Neither is running out of the flat to find Rhada without first turning the stove off but, well, it slipped his mind. ]



[ ooc: Yusuf is out looking for his cat while Arthur & Eames' apartment is filling with smoke. Someone on floor 9 of building 11 should call the fire department! Someone should call Yusuf! Someone should also get a fainting couch because Yusuf is going to need it when he finds out what he's just done... ]

Comments

[diastereomer.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, again. You have no idea how worried I was. [ Gratefully, Yusuf scoops the pliant feline up in his arms. Rhada, more or less used to this kind of hand off (when she's taking up too much couch space or deliberately lying all over important papers), does little more than wiggle herself into a more comfortable position in Yusuf's arms. ]

Your sister, she was the one who appreciates Aishwarya Rai?

[synanthrope]

Yes.

[Saya seems a little pleased. She scratches the top of Rhada's head with one ringed finger]

I supposed you would get along.

[diastereomer.livejournal.com]

[ Rhada's paw reaches out, as if to return the motion. ]

At the very least, she seems to be a good conversation starter for you.

[synanthrope]

I'm not very good with conversations.

[This may or may not be a lie.]

[diastereomer.livejournal.com]

You very well could have fooled me.

[synanthrope]

My family suspects I have Aspergers.

[That is definitely a lie, but it's one that's served her before. A pause, and what passes for a smile]

Your cat is very charming.

[diastereomer.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, what is it-- colloquial termed... [ Yusuf prompts himself, looking to Rhada as if she might have the answer.] Little professor syndrome. You handle it very well-- that is to say, our few conversations have been perfectly appropriate. I would hardly have supposed.

[ Yusuf is frank; he's a scientist, not a therapist. His smile is genuine at Saya's compliment to Rhada. ]

She certainly won me over.

[synanthrope]

I suspect it's because you haven't seen me with my cars.

[diastereomer.livejournal.com]

Would it be blindingly obvious if I had..?

[synanthrope]

I don't know. That's what people say.