[012]

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies is in the kitchen today, enjoying a curry and some milk and looking pensive as she mutters to herself about that pesky cross-reality murder case]

What are my chances of finding it if I just search their flats? And would one of 'em warn the other if I started with the wrong one? Not that they've exactly been acting like they're in league...

[but she lets that thought trail off with a frown as she realises she has company when something large and furry rubs against her legs] ...what.

[she ducks down to look under the table, staring at the tiger that is happily rubbing her and giving off what must be a purr. she gapes] Again! Damnit, he did set this up! Of all the absolute--

[she cuts off as the tiger noses her face, apparently unhappy that she seems so displeased. it makes beseeching noises at her as she quickly pulls back] Oi, get off! I don't need comfort; you're the problem!

[ooc: Menzies messed with Gabriel, so he thought it would be fun to have the tiger that was trailing him follow her around instead. It's acting as a pet and bodyguard, so be warned that upsetting Menzies at the moment will also upset the tiger. But feel free to visit her and her new friend! He's generally quite tame, really.]

Comments

[inhumanity]

[That is weird. He was just here to get cookies.] Are those common pets for your time? I respect the human who thought it wise to tame the untameable.

[grip_on_reality]

What? [she looks up in surprise at the voice] Oh, it's you. [the annoyance in her tone is clear, but it's directed at the situation rather than at Christopher] No, tigers aren't pets. Which I'm guessing is why someone thought this would be a hilarious joke. [her lip curls]

[the tiger, meanwhile, can tell that Menzies is both agitated and uncertain about Christopher. in response, it crawls out of under the table, positioning itself between the two, and growls at him]

[Menzies looks a bit startled at that--although she should have realised Gabriel wouldn't do them the favour of making it completely tame] Ah--you might not want to get any closer to him.

[inhumanity]

Your concern moves me, but I've put down deadlier beasts. [ITTP: Christopher kicks the dog TO AVOID THE DEATH OF A TIGER, Christopher does at least not get any closer.] But you mean someone in particular. Why don't you go on? [And he smiles at her. When Christopher decides to focus on something, he gives it all his attention.]

[grip_on_reality]

[the tiger continues growling. Menzies frowns and (somewhat against her better judgement) tries to beckon it] Hey! Here...boy. [she holds out a hand. the tiger looks consideringly between her and Christopher, and then it steps back to rub against her hand. it is still blocking her with its body, but it stops growling at least]

[her expression is sour as she uncertainly makes an attempt to pet the tiger] Oh, 'aven't you met our resident "pagan god"? [dryly] He's a real barrel of laughs.

[inhumanity]

Oh, are there Gods here? What religion? Myself, I believe in the God of the Christians. [Said the vampire]

[lamb_of_gold]

Are we being given pets again?

[grip_on_reality]

"We"? Do you get pets often 'round 'ere?

[she watches the tiger dubiously as it sits at her feet and curls around them]

[lamb_of_gold]

It's happened once before. Shion received a tiger of his own.

[grip_on_reality]

Really? Well, this one isn't courtesy of the Plane, actually. I think it's a, ah, "pagan god's" idea of a joke. Hilarious. [her tone says exactly how amused she is]

[the tiger makes a noise of contentment. hopefully Menzies won't need to stand for a bit because her feet are very much pinned under sleepy tiger]

hi i hope you don't mind this idiot saying hello.

[decrypts]

[since york's heard about the kitchen that magically restocks itself like the bar, he thinks it's high time he sees it for himself. he's still working his way around the plane, getting the feel of things, but he's starting to think he's getting the hang of it when he steps in and -

there's a tiger in here.

holy shit there's a tiger in here.

he stops right where he is, stares at the thing, mouth hanging open.

never mind that menzies doesn't seem to have a problem with the thing other than it appears to be pestering her.] Y'know what they say .. once you feed a stray, they never go away.

[yep. going for humor here. enjoy that.]

Pffft I always need more York in my life!

[grip_on_reality]

[she snorts, giving York a curious look. the tiger, sensing her uncertainty, moves between her and York. it's not growling yet, but its message is clear]

I don't know, curry might be hot enough to scare 'im off. Then again, I doubt we want a tiger 'round 'ere with a burnt mouth. [her smile is wry] So, are you new 'ere, Agent?

[because after meeting Wash, North, and South, she can guess he's probably one of them]

i don't know if you'll be saying that soon ..

[decrypts]

[and he's keeping an eye on that tiger like he's pretty sure it's going to pounce on him at any moment, more wary of anything than he thinks he's ever been in his life.

but he's tilting his head at her assumption. huh .. well, there are bound to be some astute observations made around here, right?] Well, as long as it's house-trained .. y'never know how useful a tiger could be, right?

[but he's smiling back, shrugging with an easy roll of his shoulders.] How'd you guess? I don't look that out of place, do I?

We'll see about that!

[grip_on_reality]

[she chuckles. the tiger seems to relax a bit, sitting down--although it keeps itself right between Menzies and York] I doubt we'd be that lucky. This is somebody's idea of a joke, not a helping hand.

[with a wry smile] Nah. I think it'd take a lot to look out of place 'round 'ere. But I thought you might be since I 'aven't seen you before. I'm Detective Inspector Patricia Menzies. Oh, and this 'ere is a tiger that a, ah, "friend" 'as decided to send after me. [she gives a rather long-suffering look in the direction of the tiger] 'ow 'bout you? Agent Montana? [not that she expects her guess to be right, but she's forever amused by their American state naming procedure]

[tricksterofthelord]

Wow, look at that! Two of my favorite tigers together. [Gabriel chuckles, watching from a bit away. He's so amused by Menzies' reaction.] A bit more of some exotic clothing and you could pass as a princess from India.

[grip_on_reality]

Oh, is that your next act?

[because even the tiger problem doesn't mean she's going to stop taunting him. she crosses her arms over her chest. the tiger, sensing her emotions, moves to stand between her and Gabriel, giving out a soft growl of warning]

[tricksterofthelord]

Might as well should be if ya insists so nicely, babe.

[And Gabriel already considers putting Menzies in a very revealing belly dancer costume for this. Then he chuckles at the kitty's reaction. It doesn't scare him because he can handle his tigers very well, thank you.]

Don't tell me ya're not happy for a guardian this exotic. [Smirk.]

[grip_on_reality]

[if he does, he'll have to put up with an earful. but for the moment, she continues with their usual banter--though there's a hint of a barb in her reply] And wouldn't that be just like you.

Oh, it's exactly what I've always wanted! A ferocious animal that could accidentally kill somebody just because it thinks I'm upset. What a great way to 'elp me keep the Plane safe! I can't believe I didn't think of it meself.

[her sarcasm is thick in her tone as her expression sours. whatever Gabriel might think, she doesn't appreciate the joke]

[behisequal]

[After spending a fair bit of time exploring the Plane, Loki has decided to try what delicacies that may be found in the kitchen of the Plane. While not accustomed to the technology, it wouldn't be difficult for him to figure out. (And just because he's a son of Odin doesn't mean he doesn't know how to do anything in a kitchen either.)

But when he enters, he's mildly surprised to see a woman with an exotic animal at her feet]

Would you like assistance with that creature? [His eyes go to it, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything harmful.]

[grip_on_reality]

[she turns when the man enters, giving a curious look at his odd clothing. it smacks of some other world, and once he opens his mouth, she's fairly certain he's not from Earth]

[she makes a face at his question, waving a hand] No need. Not from you, anyway. What I need is a word with his, ah, owner.

[the tiger, sensing that Loki isn't familiar to her, moves to stand between Loki and Menzies. it watches him right back. she rolls her eyes, starting to get used to this behaviour] Oi, leave 'im be!

[looking almost apologetic, the tiger turns obediently to Menzies and moves in to nudge her hand with its nose. she sighs and holds out her hand for it to lick. it throws another glance back at Loki, though, just to make sure he isn't up to anything]

[behisequal]

Oh? [His hands fold behind his back as he bends over to get a better look it. He stares right back at the tiger, unafraid of it.] I believe it would beg to differ on the subject of ownership. You may protest that it does not belong to you, but it seems to be rather loyal to you.

[grip_on_reality]

Yeah, well, that's all part of the fun, apparently. Joke's on me. [her lip curls]

Look, you sure you want to get that close? He might seem friendly, but he's not completely tame.

[and she really, really doesn't want someone to get injured or--worse--killed by it]

[betrayedtwin]

[North smiles behind his helmet, amused by this display, as he enters the kitchen. He's been hoping to see her around--really see her with his own eyes--ever since he took that allergy medicine.] Oh, come on Patricia, it can't be that bad, can--[He takes a better look at the giant cat] Is that really a tiger? I've only read about them in old zoology books.

[grip_on_reality]

[she looks up when he comes in, glad to see him, too. she was hoping he got hold of the allergy medicine, but she wasn't able to find him, so it's a relief to see that it worked out]

Hullo, North. And no--it's a pony.

[did you expect anything other than sarcasm from her, really? she smiles a little at how interested he sounds, though. meanwhile, the tiger can sense that she's glad to see this person, so it pads over to him and rubs against his legs, hoping for some petting]

[betrayedtwin]

[He can't help smiling, feeling some of that pure excitement that he felt when he first happened upon the mansion with South.]

Now those I have seen before. [Carefully, he reaches down and starts to pet the big cat. After a second, he stops though to remove his armored glove, and resumes petting.] Get a new friend recently?

[grip_on_reality]

You could say that. More like our resident pagan god decided it'd be good for a laugh. [she makes a face]

[she watches the tiger consideringly as it eagerly accepts North's petting. he seems to be safe enough with it, but she still gives him a skeptical look when he takes off his glove] Uh, are you sure you want to do that? Because I'm 'oping your zoology book didn't miss the part where tigers aren't exactly house-trained as a rule.