034: No Reply

[contract_star]

[Hei appears on the Plane--with a cat. A relatively normal black cat, aside from the purple eyes. The cat looks sleepy and somewhat disgruntled, bristling a bit at the suddenness of the Plane. It lets out a meow.]

This is the Astral Plane, Mao. All those times I disappeared, all the weird things that were happening? That was because of this place.

[The cat struggles in Hei's arms so Hei sits down and sets the cat on the Astral Floor. Mao crouches down, eyes wide as he stares out across the Plane.]

I always wanted to show you this place. You and Yin. I thought you'd like it. I hated not being able to bring you two here. Though I guess I can now.

[Mao meows loudly. Hei smiles, a genuine smile--though some might notice a hint of sadness there.]

Comments

[contract_star]

[Mao eyes her right back with interest.]

Not that Chairman, but yes. This is Mao.

[cyfor.livejournal.com]

[Tries to sniff Mao's nose in greeting] Hey there big fella.

[contract_star]

[Mao sniffs her rather delicately, whiskers twitching. He makes a little muttering sound of approval.]

I think he likes you.

[cyfor.livejournal.com]

[Rubs her face against his] I like him!

[contract_star]

[Mao starts licking her ear.]

You'll get along well. You know, until recently he could talk too--though it's a bit different than with you.

[cyfor.livejournal.com]

I wasn't a people. He smells like a people.

[contract_star]

Exactly. [Idly pets Mao's back.]

[cyfor.livejournal.com]

How'd he turn into a cat? [Tries to climb onto Mao's back]

[contract_star]

[Mao rolls over and waves his paws at her.]

He was a Contractor with the ability to possess animals. I don't know what happened, but I guess...he was inside this cat when his human body was killed.

He paid his obeisance in full when that happened, too.

[cyfor.livejournal.com]

[Flops onto her side and waves her paws back] You going to pay yours off by turning into a puppy?

[contract_star]

[Laughs.] I don't have one, and I can't transform or anything.