daemonized | RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

[He gives her the most skeptical look.]

Rosalind.

[He will not judge you if you look like an idiot. He looks like an idiot when he picks up his own cats at home, chiding them for getting into places they don't belong, and placing them gently on their cat beds. Part of being a pet owner is just looking stupid sometimes.

The toy is still being held out, by the by.]

[Okay, but consider: all that happens when he's alone. Rosalind stares reluctantly at the toy, and honestly, it's almost comical how wary she seems to be of it.

But no sense in being a coward. So soon she's taking the toy, pulling a face as she sets it on the floor. Kawaii-san is looking at her, more bewildered than anything-- where did his prey go?

He'd just moved it a bit, hadn't he? Just-- sort of twitched it, yes?]

[Ros, what is that

Blandly:]

You're very awful at this.

[THAT'S IT, CAT OVER, PET OWNERSHIP DONE

Seriously: she seems rather stung for something so minor, but she really does hate looking stupid in front of other people. Ardyn gets the toy pressed very firmly back towards him, a fierce scowl on her face.]

I told you to keep doing it!

[YOU GOTTA KEEP TRYIN THO ROS

He raises his hands up in the air as she presses the toy to his chest, refusing to take it. His expression cracks into a smile and he laughs a bit belatedly.]

Come now! That doesn't mean you can't improve! You need only be more enthusiastic about it.

[NO

IF AT FIRST YOU FAIL IT'S FINE BUT IT SHOULD BE IN PRIVATE, NOW YOU CAN NEVER TRY, TRY AGAIN]

Take it. I told your nephew I wasn't cut out for this and this is precisely why, I'm not good with children nor pets!

No.

[He won't take it.

He offers with a bit of a concession:]

You'll be fine, there's no need to take such a small criticism as a personal slight. Try it again, and move it around more. He'll want to play with you this time.

[She bloody well doubts it, and the scowl she wears says it. Rosalind really doesn't take well to looking inexperienced in front of anyone, and this is sort of a disaster, and she's just inviting it to happen again as she sets the stupid toy down in front of her.

But she does indeed move it more, her ears burning, very much aware of Ardyn next to her. And for a long moment, Kawaii-san doesn't do anything. He just stares, honestly more wary of Rosalind than intrigued by the toy. But she keeps moving it, and--

Oh. Well. There he goes, his rat tail whipping through the air, his eyes narrowing as he focuses on his prey.]

[He's amused still, that's for certain, but he's also self-aware enough to know not to laugh any more -- Rosalind does seem rather annoyed at him, so he manages to bite his tongue.

That is, until she makes another attempt. And Kawaii-san showing interest is encouraging, little hairless thing that it is, and Ardyn cant help but offer a comment.]

There you go. Now make it dart back and forth.

You're so bossy . . .

[HARK AT WHO'S TALKING.

But she does, at least, follow the instruction, and lo and behold: Kawaii-san is more interested, sticking out one paw and stiffly batting at the toy in question. He keeps getting frustrated as Rosalind moves it around, but that's all right, that's the point.]

[He's bossy? Ros pls.]

I'm no such thing.

[But Ardyn watches as the little cat shows more and more interest, batting at the toy as cats do.]

See? It isn't so bad.

[(He can't believe he has to show you how to play with a cat, Rosalind.)]

[I can't believe he cruelly abused Rosalind's trust in him and criticized her cat-playing skills but here we are.]

At least he's enjoying himself.

[She says it grudgingly, but she looks quietly delighted at the fact Kawaii-san is playing with her at all. She hadn't expected that, clearly, but here he is, wriggling around on her kitchen floor.]

["""""""abused"""""""]

Aren't you?

[Come on, Rosalind, admit it.]

Hush.

[She's definitely enjoying herself. Look at this stupid uncooked chicken. Look at this chubby messy, yowling as he tries to hunt down this toy.]

[Part of him is feeling self-satisfied, while the rest is genuinely glad that she seems to be enjoying herself. He watches for a moment longer.]

Cats are silly creatures. Aren't they?

[But he says this with all the fondness of a cat owner.]

He's ridiculous.

[And he's flopped over, lazy but not quite willing to give it up just yet. He'll simply bat at it from on his back, thanks.]

And so are you, for having three of them. I still maintain that.

What's a home, if not filled to the brim with ridiculous cats? Nothing, I assure you.

[He leans over just enough to gently nudge her with his shoulder, playfully.]

You'll keep him, won't you?

Of course I will.

[Of course she's going to. Look at Kawaii-san, he's so stupid, how can you not love something that stupid and ugly?]

I still reserve the right to complain about him, though.

You'd not be a proper sort of pet owner if you didn't complain about him occasionally.

[He's not stupid or ugly, he is CUTE and Ardyn will fight her on that.]

I'm sure with time he'll become a steadfast companion. I expect all the cat pictures to be sent to me almost daily, you realize.

You can have one to start with. I shan't promise you daily anything.

[But she hands over her phone, and he can text this to himself if he'd like. But Kawaii-san really does look like an uncooked chicken, doesn't he . . .]

I'm keeping him. That doesn't mean I'm becoming a cat person.

[This is the best thing ever, you know he will be texting this to himself immediately.

And while he does so:]

The transition will be futile. Don't fight it, Rosalind.

RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

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