video // open (CW: blood, bartering for blood possibly)

[unphase]

[the video opens on Tinya sitting primly in an low backed armchair, Moonlight on her lap with Polly and Smudge playing at her feet. her expression is a pleasant one, though she was dreading the reactions to what she had to say.

but best get right to the point]

I've heard of batcats and that the only way to tame them is to feed them bowls of blood. Unfortunately for me, my blood turns solid when I try that method. So, I was wondering if anyone else would be willing to volunteer? I've found some very pretty geodes that would be good for bartering purposes. Any volunteers would get at least one.

[and a slightly awkward shrug and a smile]

What can I say, I love cats.

((OOC: please be advised to not use harm to cats in responses. thanks!))

Comments

voice

[theindependent]

[Trent is not particularly interested in geodes, but being able to satisfy his curiosity about what a batcat looks like feels like it would be reasonable payment on its own.]

Two questions. Firstly, how large a bowl is necessary? Would a pint or so of blood be enough?

[unphase]

[she'd shower him in whatever shiny objects he'd prefer if he helped her obtain a batcat]

I would assume...a salad bowl? So a pint would fill it. Absolutely. Unless your idea of salad bowls and mine are completely different?

video; UN: seeingtheworld

[schoolingfish]

I don't think my blood would work well for that, either, but you should try to find a pale blood! I hear their blood smells like milk.

[theindependent]

Well, I can't speak to what your idea of a salad bowl is, but I think I can spare a pint. I don't think mine is the type that solidifies.

[He's not 100% on how all the blood stuff works yet, but he's done enough experimenting that he's pretty sure he can say that with confidence.]

Which brings me to the second question. If you do manage to secure a batcat, may I see it?

[unphase]

[...socute. and so immediately reminded of her son back home]

I could definitely look into that, yes. Smelling like milk would be a benefit, even for a kitty who liked, well. Milk-blood.

Wow. Things I never thought I would say, milk-blood.

[unphase]

Really? You'd do that for me? Thank you!

[neither is she, she only realized that her blood solidified after trying to get some for a batcat.

a little cautiously]

...sure. As long as he or she is okay with it.

[theindependent]

Oh, it's really not that much to spare.

[He wouldn't push an encounter with an unwilling batcat the same way he would an athlete or coach who didn't want to talk to him back home, but he's always been the sort of person that cats like, and he'd hope it would translate.]

What are they like, the batcats?

[The name sounds self-explanatory, but Trent doesn't like to make assumptions.]

video; un: taka

[retsuden]

... If you think they would be willing to drink something that tastes like raspberries, I would be willing to offer some of my own.

[ Must always help the kitties. ]

[unphase]

I guess. It's just that blood here seems even more important than money. [a brief chuckle] Not that we have money here.

[she worries because she knows that the various supernatural animals here have some measure of power, even not taking Omens like her Moonlight into account. she's still amazed that this place allowed Smudge and Polly in, but there they were. waiting for her at the beach]

I've seen them sitting on rooftops. One I watched for an evening on and off and the batcat didn't move. I've heard that they're protective, too.

[and that was a big part of the draw. she knew she could summon fire, lightning too, but she still had yet to access her inborn power]

[unphase]

They might? I haven't seen anything which said they won't. I'd really appreciate your help, Sasuke.

[kitty-kinship fistbump]

[theindependent]

I take your point, but at the same time, think how useless a blood-based economy would be when we replenish it so fast.

[The writer in him is coming up with all kind of half-formed metaphors about blood from stones and the irony of inflation caused by bleeding people dry, et cetera. He ignores them.]

So they're...like gargoyles, then? Sentient gargoyles?

[unphase]

I know, it's simply a--a comparison. Goodness knows this place doesn't seem to have many of those. It's utterly unlike any world or economy I've ever known, not even as serving as as assistant to my planet's ambassador to the United Planets. [wryly] Or as the daughter to the President of the United Galaxies.

[Winema Wazzo, may she rot in the Void]

Pretty much? Softer, sweeter, and cuter than any gargoyle, sure, but that's probably the best comparison.

[theindependent]

...That's an impressive resume.

[Coming from the guy whose world doesn't even have space travel, let alone evidence of extraterrestrial life, and who deeply wishes it did.]

I've got no basis for comparison at all, except science fiction.

video; un: natsume.takashi

[natzoom]

-- batcats? [He sounds immediately intrigued.] Are they what they sound like?

[retsuden]

Cats can be picky about flavors. Maybe batcats are different. [ Bats like fruit, right??? So that could do it. ]

You don't have to give me anything.

[unphase]

[she grins brightly]

Yes! I read about them in one of the books in the library and then I started keeping my eye out, looking for them. They're actually fairly common, they're black cats with black bat wings and they like blood. That's the way to tame them, to leave some blood in a bowl outside your house.

[unphase]

Thank you. On my planet, our foremothers have been serving as diplomats and politicians for as long back as we can trace our line.

[and it was exhausting, trying to live up to her ancestry]

Really? Is there anything in particular you'd like to know?

[unphase]

Yes, Polly and Smudge certainly can be. Moonlight, though? She's happy with whatever I put in front of her. [they did indeed. mission: acquire batcat seemed more and more promising]

But what if I want to?

[retsuden]

Would it be a waste of breath to try and tell you no?

[unphase]

Yes, it absolutely would be. Prepare yourself to receive a present!

[retsuden]

Tch. It's just going to sit and gather dust, you know.

[unphase]

Of course I know! So it will have to be something nice which will show through the dust.

[natzoom]

How cute. I love cats. ["Cute" might be a strong word for...blood-drinking catbats, kiddo.] Do they like, ah, the paleblood kind? It smells like milk so I imagine they might.

[retsuden]

You realize how stupid that sounds, don't you?

[theindependent]

[Is there ever. Some of the questions that spring to mind, like oh wow so is your entire culture matriarchal then, seem a bit too obvious, and others would be too esoteric, but he'll go for the basics.]

My planet can't even get all of its countries represented by a single entity. How many galaxies does your mother govern?