{04 VIDEO feat Mollymauk}

[freshtilapia]

[The video opens to Fish awake, sitting up in what seems to be their bed. Their dressing gown is on, at least. It's late at night in Lunatia-- give or take about 3am. And if your volume is up high enough, you might catch the sound of... someone? being very busy the next room over. Fish looks pretty concerned.]

Ah... hello.

[This is awkward.]

It's been a while since I've used this to address the whole network but... I was wondering how people deal with... ah... cats?

[And there's the sound of a door busting open and a blur of violet getting in the way of the camera and Fish and the suggestion that the merfolk threw their hand up so as to save the communicator from getting knocked over.]

Molly what--?

Ignore me, I'm just sneaking in here.

Wait, I can't--

Yeah, it's fine, just let me crawl in here.

I'm on the communicator.

Great. I don't wanna talk I just wanna sit...

[Rustle rustle.]

Perfect.

[A pause of silence.]

Continue, I'm comfortable now.

[The communicator comes down again, a little closer to Fish's face this time, they look defeated. But there's a very content, lavender-skinned, heavily tattooed tiefling on them, their tail swishing lazily and making a mess of the video a bit.]

I guess now you all know what I need... ah... a bit of advice on. Sorry, I'll get to replying to any answers later. It isn't the easiest having a lap full of cat-like tiefling.

[They huff and grin before turning the feed off.]

Comments

[galatining]

Oh that's wonderful then!

[It is truly, to see people coming together in this situation.]

Ah, then perhaps you just need to reorganize a little? It might help him make a little less clutter.

[freshtilapia]

Thank you.

[Fish's cheeks feel warm. It feels wonderful being able to tell other people that they were in love.]

That might be a solution. Though... he is a person. [They laugh.] When I came home earlier tonight, he had ransacked my closets for all my blankets!

[galatining]

[It's really sweet.]

Yes he is a person, but right now he's thinking like a cat. [He frowns, thinking.] If he likes your blankets, it might be your scent he's after then...

[freshtilapia]

Oh really now? Is that what cats do?

[Fish is fascinated. They've never thought of such a thing.]

[galatining]

I believe so. Dogs are fairly similar too. You have to remember they function more on smell than we do.

[He's not an expert, but he's been around enough such creatures to pick up on some of their habits.]

Perhaps if you just give him a few of your things, he will calm down a bit?

[freshtilapia]

That's an idea.

[And it's something that makes Fish feel... oddly romantic.]

I'll let him take something of mine to bring home with him. Though... he really could see me anytime. I let him have free access to my apartment.

[galatining]

Maybe he's just playing with you then. A lover's game of some sort.

Which sounds fun.

[freshtilapia]

Perhaps he is...

[Fish laughs and shakes their head. It feels really pleasant talking about this with Gawain.]

Have you ever been teased like this? Played a lover's game as well?

[galatining]

...after a fashion I have a few times. Though it usually doesn't go anywhere fruitful for me. Or it never did in the past. But that's usually because the other person is also under a curse.

[A knight's life is a strange one.]

[freshtilapia]

Ah... I’m truly sorry to hear that, darling... what kind of a person were they?

[galatining]

Ahhhhh, someone I played the beheading game with was all. I mean I think it was a lover's game now that I looked back on it.

He had a wife though, who was also picking on me.

[freshtilapia]

Beheading game...? A wife who was picking on you...? Pray tell, Gawain dear, what kind of relationship was this!?

[galatining]

A very temporary and complicated one. I had to do a quest and matters became very complicated.

[freshtilapia]

Oh my...

[They really can't quite wrap their head around this one.]

[galatining]

...haha, it's actually part of a very popular myth from my world, so I don't always have to explain it.

[freshtilapia]

Ah... I see.

[They laugh.]

... are you a figure from a myth, Sir Gawain?

[galatining]

Actually, I am. A famous set of tales from my world, the Legend of King Arthur and his knights of the Round. I am the King's nephew and one of the most prominent members of our order.

[freshtilapia]

[ Well, Fish wasn’t expecting this at all. Their eyes are wide. ]

So all this time, I’ve been getting saved by a legendary knight! This is amazing! No wonder you’re the way you are, darling!

[galatining]

You can brag about it to others if you want! I hardly mind!

[He chuckles, trying not to be too pleased.]

But you can rely on me whenever you wish for saving or slaying of foul beasts. I am talented in all those matters.

[freshtilapia]

Well, you're quite the proud one!

[Fish's tone is very bright, very happy to see this side of Gawain.]

And I'll be counting on you for that. It's always good to know a knight.

[galatining]

I try not to be arrogant, but a knight should also know his strengths otherwise he is no use to his Lord.

[Gawain almost thinks he's being teased, but well, it's the truth.]

Do you find yourself in trouble often?

[freshtilapia]

Not as often anymore.

[ They smile, quite warmly. ]

I know when to pick my fights now, I'd like to think. The only trouble I like to deal with is the one sometimes on my lap. But he's a very welcome sort of trouble.

[ And they laugh ]

[galatining]

That is a good quality to have then. More people could learn it. Trouble between lovers is far more enjoyable.

[He chuckles, because yes it is. In the best case scenario, a fraught romance will work out. And in the worst case...

You have an interesting story.]

[freshtilapia]

Absolutely!

[Fish beams, very happy to have gotten to know Gawain better through this conversation.]

Well, see you around sometime, then?

[galatining]

But of course. It was wonderful to speak with you again. And I hope your companion eventually finds something to monopolize other than your lap.