Text // Free to a good home!

[netherese]

Type: Text/Video
Sender ID: netherese (Gale Dekarios)
To: All
Subject:Free to a good home!
Warnings: None.

Greetings! Gale of Waterdeep, at your service. Many of you may recall that some months back, there was rat trouble in port and aboard many of the ships, and a number of bold riftfarers were kind enough to adopt some highly-trained Warrior Cats to help combat the issue. Some of my crewmates were among them, but have unfortunately left us in recent months, and so I find myself with more cats than I know what to do with.

While I certainly have the space, I am coming and going too frequently to give all of these animals the attention they are due, and truth be told, I don't think that Tara is keen to share me for much longer. If anyone has any interest in adopting either Frostbite or Pumpkinpatch, I assure you they are both quite affectionate and will make excellent companions, in addition to earning their keep by keeping pests at bay. Frostbite is especially fond of feathered toys, while Pumpkinpatch prefers those that jingle.

[Sometime later, a second message from Gale's username will appear, only this time it's a video message with an extreme close-up of a long-haired calico. When she speaks, her voice is equal parts motherly and refined, as well as miffed.]

I would like to clarify that I do not appreciate being depicted as the jealous sort! It is only that these cats seem to think themselves terribly important, and fail to recognize that I am not one of them, but a wizard in my own right! I am a dedicated student of the Weave, and do not have time to be mothering these eager young cubs when I've my own research to attend to. Hmph.

Comments

video

[empyrean_mirror]

[OH MY GOODNESS A TALKING CAT AND SHE IS SO PRETTY GALE YOU HAVE BEEN HOLDING OUT ON HIM???]

...Well, I'd rather hate to see the research of a scholar interrupted, madam.

[TALKING! SCHOLAR! CAT!]

[netherese]

[Tara turns her chin up slightly, looking quite pleased with that response.]

As it should be! Thank you, I do so appreciate the recognition. They really are lovely young cats, but there's not an ounce of magical talent in a single one of them, I'm afraid.

[She glances at the username.]

Ah! You are Mr. Kaveh, yes?

[empyrean_mirror]

...Ah? Has Gale mentioned me?

[HE IS FLATTERED.]

It's a pleasure to speak to you, Madam Tara.

[netherese]

He has, in fact!

[Tara seems quite pleased to be able to answer him accordingly.]

A pleasure to meet you as well, Mr. Kaveh. I admit, I have overheard a few of your conversations, as well. I am very glad to know my favorite fellow is making friends here.

[empyrean_mirror]

I assure you, his company has been nothing less than delightful on all accounts...and it's quite an honor to speak to you in person, too.

[because TALKING NERD CAT??? HOLY SHIT THIS IS THE BEST DAY.]

I do have some questions about the young ones, though...ah, I should clarify, I am delighted to take one, but I must also convince my roommate, and this requires facts.

text: un; gruffier

[gruffier]

[ He replies almost as soon as the first message is sent off. So aware of the talking cat for the time being, but- ]

Unfortunately my hands are a bit full with a wolfhound, chocobo, and Jill's cat she had taken in from that very same skirmish.

But if it's help you need in the meantime until they are rehomed, I can offer my assistance.

[netherese]

[How very good of him to focus on the business end of things first! Admirable, indeed.]

You really do have your hands quite full!
I can hardly begrudge you not wanting to take on more, but in that same vein, as kind as your offer is, I can hardly accept.

Fortunately, cats are rather autonomous, but I do worry about their emotional well-being. They are well-fed and cared for, but both Daria and I are quite busy with our own affairs, and they've lost their chosen people. I am certain each of them will be happy to have someone new to bond with, rather than having to share.

[gruffier]

[ Clive is all busy! There's no party in the back, sadly. ]

Good to know they're still well taken care of despite your added workload. And I'm... sorry about your previous companions. We've still yet to discover to what reason people stay or leave this place, yet the added burden is not yours to bear alone.

There is a café of sorts that specializes in cats. I'm sure if all else fails they would be happy to taken them in.

[netherese]

Ah, I appreciate your offering your condolences. They will be well-missed, but I am certain at least two of them will be able to find one another again. I take some comfort in that.

[Xenk is rather famous where they come from, and he and Astarion had been quite clear about where they could be found back in Faerun. Surely that had to amount to something.]

This is the first I've heard of such a café, however! That sounds delightful. Do you mean to say the cats mill about while people enjoy their meals?

Video

[feralhumanity]

[Tara's not the only animal replying to the messages. Soon enough Nanaki's face will take up the screen in reply.]

If you are needing a place to house these cats, I have recently opened a conservatory to help care for and house creatures in need of a home. Even if it's only temporarily until someone else finds a home for them, they could stay here and be welcomed.

Video

[netherese]

[Nanaki will get Gale in response to start with, though perhaps unsurprisingly, the wizard doesn't seem the least bit startled that he can talk.]

Have you really? That is quite forward-thinking of you, and very generous, besides. It must take a good amount of resources to keep such a place running! If there are no takers, I will absolutely keep your very kind offer in mind, Mr...?

[feralhumanity]

It is something that's just recently come into development, and has taken the aid of others to come to fruition. But there are many who have also expressed a desire to see this place run smoothly. As long as I'm here, no harm will come to any creature within.

[What a polite man. Nanaki's tail flicks behind him.]

Nanaki. My name is Nanaki.

[netherese]

Nanaki! A pleasure to meet you. Your efforts are quite admirable; I'm certain that others must appreciate it, as well. I don't think I've ever seen an establishment of its like where I come from.

[There are strays just about everywhere in every city, and certainly people who take in more than the average family, but most of them are simply allowed to wander.]

text;

[phoenixdominant]

[My, what a refined cat wizard. Joshua is entirely charmed. And this might be a good opportunity to introduce himself to Gale.]

While I'm unable to commit to caring for a cat at the moment, I genuinely hope they find loving homes soon.

It's disheartening to hear about your comrades' departures through the rifts. I hope all is well.

text;

[netherese]

[Gale gladly welcomes the opportunity to get to know some of his new crewmates— he knows Joshua by name only, as he does a number of the others, but that's all about to change!]

That's very kind of you, on both accounts. Joshua, yes? Cid has mentioned you to me. I've no doubt someone will be eager to take them in, there are plenty of riftfarers out there seeking companionship.

I do appreciate the kind words. All is as well as can be! Though they will be missed, I cannot deny they each had pressing matters to attend to elsewhere. While I can't say for certain that this is what they would have wanted, I have to believe in the best possible outcome.

[phoenixdominant]

Yes, my name is Joshua. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Gale. I hear you have recently joined our merry little crew.

And that is a good outlook to keep close to the heart. I too think that is what I would want to believe if any of mine close to me were to return through the rifts. Still, my apologies that you had to bid them farewell at all.

If you need anything, please do ask.

literally a month later I'm so sorry, this notif got lost

[netherese]

Indeed I did! I am most grateful for the opportunity, and look forward to getting to know the lot of you better as we work side by side!

You're really quite kind. As I said, they will be missed, but I do know that Astarion at the very least would never let me hear the end of it if he caught me moping about their disappearances. Astarion and Xenk, at least, are from the same world. I do hope they find one another, given the opportunity.

UN: nutsornothing | TEXT

[nutsornothing]

Hold a minute. Is that a cat that can talk?! I mean I have seen crazier shit back home but this is still pretty wild.

I think one cat is enough for me to deal with in mine and Power's apartment though sorry man. I'm more of a dog person to be honest.

[netherese]

Ah, yes! My partner, Tara— it seems she was dissatisfied with my choice of phrasing. Technically, she's a tressym, though I wouldn't expect most people here to know the difference.

No apologies necessary! I'm certain a home will be found for these little ones, and my housemate and I are happy to continue looking after them in the meantime. We're fond of them, ourselves, only concerned that they aren't getting as much one-on-one attention as they might like. Cats are rather particular.

[nutsornothing]

What the hell is a tressym?!

Also you said they are warrior cats...What exactly makes them warriors can they use knives and cut people up or some shit?

[He's not very bright, sorry Gale.]

[netherese]

A tressym is a creature that rather resembles a cat, if cats could fly, but calling them one so plainly is considered to be offensive. They are commonly found as familiars to wizards, like myself!

[Tara does take offense to it on occasion herself, but even he has to admit she is, perhaps, the most cat-like tressym he has ever met, considering her mannerisms and preferences.]

As for the warrior cats, I'm not entirely certain, only that they were introduced as such. I suppose they are rather adept at hunting— but there are no weapons involved, I'm afraid.

Action

[standingonmyneck]

[Daria saw the message and felt…off. She sat in her room in their far emptier house. Bramblesong laid on her lap while Footloose hung around her by her feet. She was growing so used to taking care of these cats whenever Gale or Tara were here or not. It felt like her duty with the others gone. It became even harder to stomach as time went on and people left.

It felt like the same hat was worn all over again, and it made her sick to her stomach.

The curse she held since she met him, and the desire for connection anyway…

She wanted to find Gale.

Daria left her room and walked down the hall to the stairs toward the kitchen. Judging from a smell, Gale seemed to still be home and in there. So.]

[netherese]

[Daria had been absolutely right to follow her nose. On any given day, there was a good chance that if Gale was home, he could be found either in the kitchen or in his study, and this afternoon he's chosen to keep himself occupied with spending more time than was strictly necessary on dinner.

He looks up from where he's kneading dough by hand as she enters, the sleeves of his robes pushed up past his robes.]

Daria— come in, come in. Is everything alright?

[Her expression tells him something may well be amiss, but— well— it can be hard to tell, with her.]

[standingonmyneck]

Mm.

[She clearly wasn't. Footloose and Bramblesong curled on her lap as she sat on a chair next to him. She wanted to talk but she had some difficulty...conveying it in a way that was healthy. Daria wasn't mad at Gale but there was something that was upsetting her enough that she struggled the keep the bubbling at bay. Daria wanted to talk but just needed some time to find the words.]

What are you making?

[netherese]

[She's clearly not alright, but he knows better than to push— she'll open up and tell him in her own time, he suspects. That's likely why she's here. He offers a smile to both of the cats that have chosen to join her, and proceeds to engage as he continues on with his work.]

It will eventually be garlic bread, once I'm through with it, to go with tonight's seafood dish. I hope you're not entirely exhausted with shrimp, there's almost more of it than the two of us can reasonably eat.