[Open Video]

[plate_builder]

[The video starts awkwardly, as if whoever is starting it isn't used to using the communicator device. Perhaps for some that might have a very clear reason behind if if they recognize a few details. First of these was that the room the video was being shot in was clearly the Restoration Committee building, also known as the large room for organization that one Reeve Tuesti had set up for rebuilding and improvement plans. Second of these was the fact that there was clearly one Mister Reeve Tuesti sitting on a less than comfortable looking stool facing a table with a surface tilted some thirty to forty degrees up from horizontal, hands moving with a ruler and pencil as his voice mumbled indistinctly to himself and he drew lines on it. And, thirdly, there was the fact that the video was clearly shot from only a few feet above the floor, as opposed to a height that would make sense for anyone that lived here save perhaps the droids and the actual culprit: Mini-C.

The video of Reeve continues for a moment before turning away to face the feline's face as he turns and walks away, a door soon closing behind him and leaving him standing with the communicator camera pointed at himself, still recording, while he sat just inside Reeve's room.]

D'ye ken wha tha was? One ah tha most pathetic sad sack sights me wee eyehs hae evah seen.

[The cat shakes his head and then takes a deep breath. He talks more slowly from then on, clearly struggling to suppress his accent to talk more like his creator's more 'refined' tones. Really, the point is to sound more easily recognizable, he gets that these humans don't always get him]

That's been the sight ah've had of him for two days now. All mah efforts ain't managed to get him to eat regular or sleep enough. Most days it's a mite hard to get him ta take care o'imself. It's a good thin' he made me, cause I take care of him. But ya see, he ain't been all right since a thing happened.

[How weird, that it would be a little robot cat to announce this sort of thing.]

Poe. He be gone. Gone gone this time, ain't no listing on the ships or comms. When Reeve found out, well, ah could not keep him from tryin' ta distract himself. Which meant more work. And less sleep. And less food.

Ah need help. Used ta be ah was a good influence on gettin' him to be careful and healthy and all them wee things that make the big thing that is living as a person. Cept he ain't listening to me no more. What do ah do? Ah need help getting him ta sleep and eat.

Annae advice? Or perhaps can some ah'ya lads and lasses help me haul him inta being himself agin? Or at least gettin' him ta take serious the whole 'food and sleep make humans run' thing?

Comments

[plate_builder]

[He's... Reeve stared.]

Congratulations, officially the oldest person I've met. I think.

[sinistral]

[A cheap victory perhaps what with cryo and all, but there's no need to mention that detail. Reeve's attention seems to be straying away from misery, which is the ultimate goal.]

Told you that Tony doesn't know what he's talking about. And that you're hardly old.

[plate_builder]

[It's trying away for the moment. Who knows how long that will last.]

Tony often say things he shouldn't, but sometimes it's charming. Not that one.

[sinistral]

I've been on the receiving end of his attempts at charming. It's not something I prefer to repeat. [He shrugs again.] But to the point of your age, I think we can agree that you're nowhere near old. And won't be for some time.

[plate_builder]

I don't repeat for safety purposes. Jon is... possessive.

[Yes, he can agree for now and nods.]

I'm surrounded by those who are far older than me and seem young.

[sinistral]

I wouldn't know. [Then again, he does as much to dissuade Tony's flirting as much as possible. It doesn't always work, but it's probably clear to anyone who would see it that the Soldier is uncomfortable with the attention.]

Depends on the day I guess. Sometimes it can weigh heavily. I try not to let it.

[plate_builder]

[Yeah, Reeve too. He couldn't handle that attention given everything these days.]

I expect you have some of the same issues as Vincent has, though more acutely.

[sinistral]

Perhaps I do. But there's little reason to dwell upon anything like that now. [It serves little enough purpose, and he doesn't want to put anything in front of Reeve that could be interpreted as a problem to solve. The Soldier doesn't like the idea of someone trying to fix him; it rarely goes well.

Instead:] How are you finding the soup?

[plate_builder]

[Reeve doesn't think there is value in trying to help a man who doesn't want it.]

It's delicious. You could have some.

[sinistral]

I got it mostly for you. [But he'd also said he'd share a meal with the man.] But if you don't mind.

[plate_builder]

I don't mind. I got two spoons, didn't I?

[He passes the second one over.

[sinistral]

You're also unfailingly polite. [A compliment more than a tease; he explains a moment later, taking the spoon from Reeve with his right hand.] It still takes some getting used to, the idea of being treated like a person. And the idea that someone would see me as a person.

[plate_builder]

It's how I was raised. I've been told that it's... unnerving. But you're absolutely a person. Mini says you doubt that. We agree that perhaps you're wrong.

[sinistral]

I wouldn't call it unnerving. Unfamiliar, perhaps. And for now I won't argue the idea of personhood with either one of you.

[plate_builder]

That's a relief to hear. I don't need that today.

[He tears off more bread for Soldat.]

I expect after I eat you'll expect me to sleep as well.

[sinistral]

It is not my intention to bring you stress.

[He glances sideways, but Mini doesn't seem to be making himself largely visible. He supposes that he doesn't blame the cat.]

It was suggested that I knock you out, but I won't commit violence against you. While I would hope you will eventually rest, I also came to provide my company if you will not.

[plate_builder]

Thank you. I've got enough stress as it is.

[He's thankful for the lack of violence though.]

I don't know if I'll sleep or not. I'm... I got used to not beign lonely.

[sinistral]

And I'm sure you've borrowed some from others as well.

[With Reeve's work ethic, he won't be surprised if such is the case.]

Is there anything that I can do to assist?

[plate_builder]

Come now, I don't borrow stress. I actively take it away from other people for myself.

[Something to assist? How strange. He considers then sighs.]

I haven't been bringing food supplies here.

[sinistral]

Hoarding it then. Like some mythical beast on his treasure pile.

[He nods in reply; Mini had pretty much confirmed the same.]

Where were you previously taking your meals?

[plate_builder]

Dragons, contrary to the lore and stories told, don't hoard things on my world.

[Where? He gestures around himself.]

Here most often. The young man who runs the diner is not fond of me.

[sinistral]

Who said it had to be a dragon? I'm sure there are other myths.

[He can't think of any off the top of his head, but surely one exists.]

You'll get no judgment from me; you know I don't use it either. But if you wish for me to gather supplies for you, I can.

[plate_builder]

Oh there are. In fact...

[Reeve smiles at Mini, who is popping his head out from the back room.]

The king of the fairy cats is supposed to have a little horde of shiny objects.

That said, if you'd be willing to do that, my friend, I'd be grateful.

[sinistral]

[He smiles faintly at that, trying to imagine Reeve as such a monarch — a clearly beleaguered one, as Mini would no doubt have words about his chosen hoard.]

I can arrange to do so. [A beat.] Your majesty.

[plate_builder]

[Oh dear, he's got it wrong, and Reeve smiled at it, shaking his head before gesturing to Mini.]

Not me, not at all. Mini's design, and moreso that of his brother, is based on the stories of Cait Sith, the king of cats. A cat that walks on his hind legs, wears a crown, and is marked in a tuxedo pattern.