middaeg | closed & open prompts

[She probably looks more comical than anything, but there are many persons that are weirder than her for one reason or another that a young lioness turnskin with not one, but two cats in tow. The one regally perched on her right shoulder is pitch black with violet eyes, wearing a harness with a light cord that hooks from it to her belt. A separate, matching cord connects to a pure white cat wearing a similarly fancy harness that can barely be seen poking out from the fur-lined bag that’s slung over her shoulder to rest at her left hip. Bright golden eyes and the shadow of a face can occasionally be seen as the queen observes.

Otherwise, the woman looks perfectly local in her almost ranger-esque garb, her belt and thigh holster both holding space for blades, though they’re generally out of sight beneath her cloak.

For now, it seems that she’s running errands for the holiday, stopping at various shops and stands, occasionally referencing a list. Other times she seems to let the current (or smell of food) guide her.

Speaking of food, while the cats are normally well behaved, rarely startled by the commotion of the market, they are not without their curious nature. While Sheva’s stopped at an artist’s stall, it seems that the shoulder-percher, Shomari, has caught the scent of a tasty treat that’s either incoming or just passing.

Quick as lightning, a paw either attempts to snatch the food right out of the hand of the poor pedestrian, or he pounces directly after the package containing the temptation. As he’s attached to the lioness, he yanks her backwards in the direction of the target with an undignified noise of surprise and irritation.]

[ It's a rare time that he's not home for the winter. His thoughts have turned more frequently to Kaer Morhen as of late. Still, there's something to be said about the amount of distractions in the city: lights, decorations, little sprigs of mistletoe every fucking where, which he's taken care to sidestep.

Not that different from Yule. Most of it is familiar in one way or another.

Since things are quiet so far, he's spent some time at the market, looking for what might be useful. For either Yennefer or Jaskier. Along the way, someone's put a small cake into his hands, trying to harass him into buying some. Geralt frowns deeply at them before moving away.

Which is about when a flash of fur comes into his vision. The cat is quick enough to snatch the cake, but not enough to escape: Geralt catches it by the scruff, the pastry gripped in its jaws. His gaze follows the lead to its owner.

Mm. She did mention she had cats. He offers the little thief back to Sheva. ]

Lost something?

[Had she not had her monster instincts and tail for balance, the lioness likely still would have managed to stay upright. As it stands, the added traits only aided her sudden struggle with gravity. Green amber eyes make quick work of puzzling together what had happened. A huff of mildly annoyed laughter escapes her at the white wolf turnskin now holding a batty, black cat on a leash by the scruff.]

Shomari. [Sheva chides while tugging the cake mostly free from the jaws of the little hunter thief, offering it back to Geralt with a bit of a bemused smile. She's joking, mostly. Absently she wonders what's in the cake to make the feline hunger for it enough to steal it.]

Would you like me to buy you a replacement? [Meanwhile, she collects the offender as he enjoys the fruits of his minimal labors, licking icing from himself.]

Not even a gram of remorse? [She's talking to the cat again, who looks nonplussed suddenly about the whole affair. Her attention returns to Geralt, looking him over. It's good to see him.]

[ Geralt accepts the cake, though his expression suggests he's not sure what to do with it now that it's got sharp teeth marks in the icing. His newly formed ears twitch.

He shakes his head. ] It was thrust upon me.

[ He puts it aside, where the cat is free to make another attempt at it if it wants. Or whatever it is cats do. He's met a few in the past few months -- they don't hiss and flee from him here -- but after most of his life steering clear, they're still a bit of a novelty. ]

Besides, I still owe you a drink. For your help.

[The reaction to returning the cake remnants to him was worth the effort, and she has to try not to laugh openly in response. In the end, she merely pats him on the shoulder before returning Shomari to her shoulder, though he seems fixated on the leftover cake bits, slowly reaching out with a paw towards it. Stealth mode engaged.]

Not a sweets person? [She inquires, her attention on Geralt even as she pushes away the inky black paw.]

I might be inclined to take you up on that unnecessary offer. I just need to finish picking up a few more gifts. [There's a bit of of a devious lilt to her smile now.] Care to join?

[ Some amusement flickers over his face as he watches the cat, denied its prey for the second time. ]

Not exactly. [ Geralt considers the offer for a second before following. Not like he was here for any other reason than...gift picking himself. So to speak. Though he's unlikely to admit that that's what he's doing.

He falls into step beside her. ]

Your cats seem to be picking out gifts for themselves.

[Mother has betrayed him, and the tinier feline appears most offended by the denial. It doesn't dissuade him from his attempts, however.]

What are your preferred taste now? [There's a bit of a suggestive lilt to her tone that pairs with her pleasant, albeit toothy, smile.]

We tend to do that. You just missed the lingerie stop. [She comments nonchalantly, inclining her head just enough to watch his reaction as she motions to one of the fancier bags she's carrying.]

[ His eyebrow lifts, catching her tone. If she'd found him before, when he and Yennefer were circling each other for years across the Continent, he'd likely respond in kind. But Yen's close presence here has made their relationship less ephemeral. No less complicated, though. ]

Particular to one. [ He tilts his head, acknowledging the bag she's carrying. His gaze suggests her remark hasn't escaped him, but he's chosen to sidestep it. ] Are you certain they won't shred it?

[ They're mischievous, that much is clear. Not unlike Sheva. Hard to say if she's always been that way or if they're remnants of the changes that overtake their kind. ]

Edited 2021-01-04 07:45 (UTC)

[Tis the season for togetherness and giving, but on that night, the lioness finds herself taking an evening of solitude with her two favorite furry friends (sorry Trinket). Apparently, the night had called for stretching and drinking in front of the fire, but her teleporting companions must have sensed her mood enough to decide she’s in need of a distraction.

They’re not wrong.

So now she’s sitting in a pike with a glass of amber liquid in one hand and what equates to a magical laser pointer in the other, which is decidedly far more entertaining with cats that can teleport, she’s learned. Shomari is particularly vigilant, while Banou takes her time stalking the magical prey, preferring security in its lingering before she pounces.

And if Vex walks by, Sheva will likely aim the little red dot on her roommate’s rump. For posterity.]

[ It's a posterior worthy of posterity. Probably. In at least a few minds, anyway.

Her room-mate's aren't initially noted when Vex descends from the first floor, taking the spiral stair into the lounge, mind entirely on other matters as she heads towards the kitchen. She knows Sheva is there, of course, distantly aware of the flight of young cats she's gotten to know over the last few months, but attention is elsewhere.

Right up until something sharp pricks her rump, and there's a yelp of surprise from the half-elf as one of the cats collides with the point of light. ]

OW, what the f--!

[Sheva suffocates a laugh at the scene, hand going over her mouth to cover the smile. Strangely, any and all evidence of the red dot have vanished by the time Vex makes any effort to investigate the source of the pain. Tiny claws release when the dot disappears, and the black cat lands back on the floor, eyes wide and searching fervently for his prey.]

Shomari! [The lioness exclaims in reprimand, as though she wasn't the cause of such chaos herself. A few further words follow in the same tone, but in another language.]

Are you okay? They are quite rambunctious tonight. [Now that she has Vex's attention, she motions to the bottle on a nearby table and lifts an eyebrow. Join her?]

[ Tiny beast may drop to the floor, but if its not quick, the dragon-elf ducks down to scoop up the culprit, making soft scolding noises.

One cannot control what cats will do, after all, so there's no immediate suspicion on Sheva. ]

Oh, I'm fine. Just a surprise is all. Kitty claws can be sharp no matter what their age. [she gives a grin, before eyes shift to the bottle then back, offering a slight nod. Why not? She was looking for a drink anyway.] I suppose even they know its some sort of holiday.

[He is not quick enough, and while he makes a noise of startled protest at the sudden capture, he doesn't fight her. Instead, he stares up at Vex with wide eyes for several moments before meowing very loudly at her general direction.

Unhand him or give pets, apparently is the decree.]

I would trim them, but they do such a great job putting their adorable murderclaws to work on vermin.

[She grins, giving the white cat now headbutting her leg for attention a chin scratch.]

They have a way of knowing these things. Bring a glass.

[ There is no unhanding, at least not initially. There's a gentle scritch under the chin, before Vex tucks him against the crook of her arm and rummages in the cupboard to retrieve an appropriate glass. ]

Would that all households had such dedicated feline familiars. Still, might not hurt to blunt them at least a little?

[ Glass is carried over to where Sheva sits, and Vex folds herself onto one of the large floor throw pillows. Kitcat is carried with, absently petted as Vex settles, before extending the towards her roommate. ]

Then, a toast. To cats, and their forever smug knowledge of future festival events.

[Fine. He will accept this manhandling for chin scritches, which he leans his head back to receive more of without much hesitation.]

Their ability to teleport makes nail trimming and baths... [Sheva eyes them both, the white one even giving pause enough to stare back.] Difficult.

[But this is clearly something she can toast, though it feels a bit selfish as she's a feline turnskin. The black cat provides Vex with a betrayed expression, before happily climbing up onto the lioness' arm to perch on her shoulder, claws and all. The turnskin winces slightly, but just shakes her head at him before smiling and raising her glass.]

To cats and their perpetual weirdness.

You said it, not me.

[ Vex has known weirder. Just a side perk of being friends with a goliath barbarian and a gnome bard.

Glass is lifted, all the better to clink together, before she takes a sip and sighs, sinking into the cushion. ]

Speaking of festivals, is this one usually a shared food hotpot gathering, or are there any extra things I should be aware of?

closed & open prompts

holiday shopping | ota

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closed to Vex

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