[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

[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.

[sinistral]

Interesting. [He's sincere about that! Bucky can't recall ever hearing anything of the type, though his memory is not the most reliable.]

So if he's the king, please tell me you're not the court jester.

[plate_builder]

My mother would tell me the stories when I was little. All sorts of fairy creatures. None of them real, sadly.

[Court jester? Reeve snorts as he finishes his piece of bread.]

I don't know. My life is a bit of a joke recently.

[sinistral]

That seems like it would make a pleasant memory.

[Every bite Reeve eats is a victory! The Soldier is glad he'd asked Mini for food suggestions.]

Again I'll ask: how can I assist?

[plate_builder]

[Well that's the bread down, and he needs to finish the soup.]

I don't know how to cure a broken heart. I never have.

[sinistral]

[Still, it's progress.]

I wouldn't know, either. Not the kind of break you've had. [He understands this kind of heartbreak on an academic level and has witnessed it secondhand through others, but the Soldier has found himself unable to experience the kind of attraction and connection that leads to what Reeve currently feels.]

I don't know if anything I could say would be truly useful to you.

[plate_builder]

I suppose company is helpful. Mini doesn't much know what to do with me, as you could see.

[Mini huffed from the bedroom, clearly listening in.]

[sinistral]

I might not be much better. [The Soldier felt it only fair to give the warning.] But I don't mind helping you with food and company, if you will accept my presence. I— have done similar things before. Kept someone company.

[plate_builder]

I will always welcome your company, Soldat. We could both stand to have it from time to time.

[And this was clearly one of those times.]

[sinistral]

Perhaps so. [If nothing else, getting Reeve to eat at somewhat regular intervals should help.]

I do wonder when you will decide I'm too frustrating. Hopefully not before I've gotten you at least some supplies.

[plate_builder]

[This? This was helping too.]

I don't think I could be frustrated by you, Soldat. YOu have been nothing but a supportive friend. And you clearly care.

[sinistral]

[Is this one extremely awkward looking assassin? Yes. Yes it is. Reeve will probably easily pick up on how awkward compliments feel.]

I did partly conspire with your associate. But I hold you in esteem. I wanted to try to help you.

[Awkward...]

[plate_builder]

[Yes, he's seen the same in Vincent before.]

I do not doubt that. Mini conspires far better than I do. I do not know who taught him that. But I thank you. The help means a lot.

[sinistral]

In this specific case, it may not have been a bad thing. I would want him to contact me if you were in danger. Or pain.

[He glances at the door to the other room before looking back to Reeve.]

He wanted you to consider sleeping as well. I don't know how you feel about that.