CATS

[soulping]

[VP-tan ushers you into your color-coded team rooms, before bowing respectfully.]

Please start out by telling each member of your team something you like about them, while I finish up. It should only take a moment.

Comments

[nodo]

I remember that. A pinic wouldn't be a bad place to start, I think. And don't worry about the meat.

I can handle the meat since you can't. [ There's a slight pause. ] After you've left the room as well.

[justichthys]

I'd … I'd appreciate that. [ gives a nervous little laugh, fingers twisting in her scarf again. ] It's something I've been working on, but—mmn.

[ Overcoming trauma as deep as that is slow progress, even with the steadfast support she's received from her closest friends. ]

It really would be nice to see the Cats come together as friends.

[nodo]

You don't have to worry about it. It's something simple I can do, isn't it?

[ He'll just nod his head at her slightly and soften his expression. Too soon to go anywhere, he knows that much. ]

It would. We don't have to be the best of friends, but if we could rely on each other even the slightest, it would be an improvement.

[justichthys]

You don't think we can, even a little …?

[nodo]

[ .... ]

After what I've said earlier, I would have figured you wouldn't have wanted to.

[ But he is willing to take his time. ]

[justichthys]

... Uhm. [ she takes a deep breath. ] I won't lie: you hurt my feelings badly, earlier. And I understand now that—my insecurity struck something personal for you as well.

It doesn't mean that I don't trust or respect you as a person; I do. I've always wanted to be be closer, better friends with you ... I just didn't know if you felt the same way, or how to approach you. But I would like to try, so that we can get to know each other and help each other on our own terms.

[nodo]

[ He'll just silently nod his head first. ]

I could apologize for my words but I won't, however, I will apologize for my approach. [ Lowering his head at that. ]

But if you want to be better friends or closer then I won't protest against it. I honestly do want all of us to be friends and be able to come together.

[justichthys]

… [ Welp, that stings again. Aoko purses her lips … before just sighing, shoulders slumping. ]

The Cats are already closer now than they ever were before. It's a small start, but it's something ... and I'm confident that we can make our hopes for the team into a reality, Panther-san. We'll get there.

[nodo]

[ Sorry Aoko, that's the kind of man he is. ]

Likewise. It might take a while and we'll probably lose people through it all but we shouldn't give up on it.

[justichthys]

[ SHE IS STARTING TO REALIZE … … getting to know him is going to be a Process, and will probably involve many, many instances of Hurt Feelings. But as long as he doesn't go all Jack Panther, it should. Be okay?!? She can hope. ]

Mm, we will. That's ... always been the case. But, that's still no reason not to keep moving forward.

[ clasps her hands behind her back. ]

And anyway, I'm confident that we'll be able to get everybody back in the end. There's no way we're gonna leave them stuck in the mirrors forever.

[nodo]

[ He doesn't say things to hurt anyone intentionally or is outright malicious. He just doesn't mince words. IDK what Jack Panther was like.... ]

Getting everyone back from their mirrors and taking down our "new" patron. Granted one of those things should be done sooner than the other.

Things easier when you can work together.

[justichthys]

[ the trials and tribulations of being an insecure teenage girl!! she responds better to sensitivity and empathy. ]

We can do it, definitely. It sounds like we all want to.

[nodo]

[ His strongest points are neither one of those things but he can empathize better than he can be sensitive. ]

Sounds like it, for sure. Nice to know that we're all finally on the same page regarding this.

[justichthys]

Speaking as one of the first … it really is amazing to see.

[nodo]

It is. Only took us this long and to these extremes, but whatever works.

[justichthys]

… Well, considering how things used to be, I can't say it's a surprise that it took this long.

[ Tugs on her scarf, fidgeting with it. ]

Our team used to have bigger problems than just not talking.