all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey frowns comically, scoffing quietly.]

I'm doing my best!

[He sticks his tongue out at the cat, shuddering once. He decides he's done all he can to really dry off the cat, so situates the towel around him like a blanket, then sits back on his heels and leans his chin tiredly in one hand.]

You're right though... Hm... Donald? Muncher? Cheshire? ...Smoky?

[He hums contemplatively, making a face when nothing gets through, and glances briefly away from the cat's oddly piercing eyes. It almost felt like he was being told he was wrong with each guess.]

Oscar? Tiger? Pumpkin?

[Idly he reaches out to gently pet the cat. He thinks hard, trying to figure out which of the names felt closest, what felt right, when one occurs to him that he hadn't considered.]

Bow...ie?

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

Hey...!

[Mikey turns to watch as the cat jumps out, blinking at him and shaking his head in faux exasperation.]

Okay, okay, I'm coming!

[He giggles, then carefully pushes himself back to his feet, holding his arms out awkwardly at his sides and flicking off the water. Wasting no time with the cold air on his wet skin, he grabs his towel from the towel rack and gets out of the tub, kneeling in front of the cat and huddling close as he takes to patting him dry.]

Listen, kitty... I know it's been like... 20 minutes, but I feel like it's time I stop calling you "kitty". Feels too.... hm, impersonal. And we're friends, right? Yes, yes. So...

How about... Buddy? Or- or Marshmallow! You look like a perfectly roasted marshmallow. One that's... orange underneath. Hm...

Oh! Dusty! Or you could be like... "Thomas O' Malley" from one of my favourite cat movies! Raph likes that one too...

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey smiles softly, relaxing as the cat does. He leans back in the tub, sighing as he finishes gently scrubbing out all the dirt he can find.]

[He finds himself surprised to see that the more dirt he washes off, the more orange-brown the cat looks. He had assumed that was just part of how messy he was, but it's a really pretty, silky coat underneath that just looks more vibrant.]

See? It's not totally bad, right? At least it's warm...

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey's too busy wiping the water from his eyes to notice what the cat does- but he feels the splash and burst into laughter, just kind of confused by the hilarity.]

Ohmigosh, what did you do??

[He reaches over, still chortling, to gently scoop the cat into his arms, subtly holding him in the water but liking just holding him.]

A win's a win, though... And I promise, lots to eat after this.

[He begins gently scratching and petting, rubbing his thumbs over the cat's cheeks, the top of his head, gently down his sides, trying to work out any built up muck.]

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey blinks a few times in mild surprise as he misses completely. Didn't he used to be faster? Come on, Mike!]

What?! Come onnn, I'm trying to help, I promise!

[He hesitates, kneeling down as if to more gently coax the cat his way. It becomes quickly apparent that's not gonna work out, so he lunges again, chasing the cat back and forth and up and down, all around the bathroom until, eventually, he kicks the side of the tub and stumbles over into the water himself.]

Aw, man! Maybe baths do suck...

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[At first Mikey smiles, relaxing a little- right until the cat leaps and darts across the room.]

Wait! Wait, wait, wait! No, no, kitty, come on... Someone's gonna hear you scratching at the door-

[He chases after, trying to shoo the cat away from the door and scoop him up at the same time.]

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey giggles, highly amused, and smiles sympathetically.]

I know, I know, but you'll feel way better after a bath, I promise! And then you can eat to your heart's content! Maybe I'll even pull out my secret bath-snacks stash for you.

[He knows the cat... probably can't understand him, but it makes him feel better, at least.]

[Mikey walks into the bathroom and is careful to close the door behind them so the cat can't run out and get lost or hurt while he starts the tub faucet.]

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey can't help feeling a little victorious. At least the cat wasn't so afraid of him as to attack.]

Come on, little buddy... let's get you a bath and a snack.

[He hugs the cut up a little higher on his chest, curling one arm around to support all his paws. Feeling a little silly, he leans down and presses a little kiss to the top of the cat's head, then peaks around both corners outside the kitchen to make sure no one can see him smuggling a cat to the tub.]

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey dives, kicking one of the lower cupboards in his haste to grab the cat.]

NUH-UH! My lunch!

[He snatches the cat around the middle, being careful not to squeeze or claw, and pulls it to his chest in a sort of hug-trap. He pants, making an expression of exasperation and pouting.]

How about... we get you some tasty tuna? Or... I hope we have something like that, a-heh.

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey tilts his head curiously, before recognizing the look of mischief.]

Don't do it...

[He chides lightly, eying the cat and his food. He waves his finger at the cat, as if he might understand.]

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey whispers indistinctly in awe, eyes going wide.]

You're so soft!

[He carefully strokes down the cats back, scratching ever so lightly behind its ears.]

Eugh... and kinda messy... I wonder if you belong to anyone? Maybe I can just give you a bath... No one will notice, right?

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey grins, biting his lip so he wouldn't squeal and scare the cat away.]

Awww, you're so cute! I wonder if I can...

[He tentatively reaches out with the other hand to try to pet the cat.]

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey startles at the soft sound of the cat jumping up onto the counter, unsure what it is until he looks up from the fridge with a bottle of mustard in hand.]

Ohmigosh-!

[He hesitated. Was that really a cat? He rubbed his eyes, then grinned, setting the mustard down on the counter next to some other sandwich supplies. So cuteeee!]

Heyyy, little guy... where'd you come from?

[He approaches slowly, tucking the corner of his blanket under his arm so it wouldn't fall off his shoulders as he holds out a piece of lunch-meant ham.]

[hes trotting down the street in the rain, trying to find some shelter. he ducks into an alley, looking around. he spots a slightly opened manhole cover and jumps down. he finds himself in the sewers. curious, he walks around, hoping to find something, he wasn't sure what though. soon he sees a light in the distance, trotting closer he notices lights hanging above some type of door. he slinks his way through, finding himself in a...home? he walks a bit before wandering into a room with counters and cabinets, and food on top of one of the counters. he jumps up, sniffing at a peice of bread before eating it, purring softly]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey grins as Cassandra pulls him along, eagerly trailing after with just enough of a bounce in his step to look normal. He nods vigorously.]

[Cassandra sighs, putting down her phone and standing up with reluctance. she makes her way out of her room, heading for Mikeys room. once he reaches it he knocks on the side of the door.]

Micheal...?

[shes gonna try to tell him as gently as possible, but she has a feeling it wont help either way]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

[Mikey hesitates, almost like he's not processed that she's moved just yet... then smiles and reaches an arm out lazily to take her hand. He fumbles a little as he pulls himself up to his feet.]

Let's go! Maybe we can talk Repo into letting us do some demo with old junk!

[He knows that's unlikely... but it's not like that was the only junkyard in town, right?]

[Cassandra sighs, putting down her phone and standing up with reluctance. she makes her way out of her room, heading for Mikeys room. once he reaches it he knocks on the side of the door.]

Micheal...?

[shes gonna try to tell him as gently as possible, but she has a feeling it wont help either way]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

What? I- ...

[He's unsure what to say. He doesn't really feel like talking that, so it feels weird to have it mentioned.]

[And then he feels bad for thinking that way. Isn't he usually the most considerate of other people's thoughts and feelings? Cassandra's probably just worried about him, and that's sweet...]

I'll be careful... And we'll keep a careful eye out for the EPF, and I'll tell you if I need to come back and rest, okay?

[Cassandra sighs, putting down her phone and standing up with reluctance. she makes her way out of her room, heading for Mikeys room. once he reaches it he knocks on the side of the door.]

Micheal...?

[shes gonna try to tell him as gently as possible, but she has a feeling it wont help either way]

@all-time-champ-of-today

[all-time-champ-of-today]

All I do is sleep!

[Mikey throws his hands up in the air as aggressively as he can manage without actually jostling himself, because ow.]

I slept yesterday, and I slept last night, and I slept this morning, and I slept after lunch! I sleep, and I get snacks, and then I walk around like a ghost, and then I sleep again!

[He lets his arms flop back to the ground, not really caring to be gentle with the bandages at this point. His arms and hands have mostly gone numb at this point anyway. He sighs, mellowing out again as if he'd simply flipped a switch.]

Wanna go to the junkyard or something?

[Cassandra sighs, putting down her phone and standing up with reluctance. she makes her way out of her room, heading for Mikeys room. once he reaches it he knocks on the side of the door.]

Micheal...?

[shes gonna try to tell him as gently as possible, but she has a feeling it wont help either way]

@all-time-champ-of-today