[ Always, it's always the last run of his shift that sends him the furthest out of his way. It's intentional, now that his co-workers can see that he's not human, and not because they dislike him. Rather, they see it as their last chance to shunt any questionable addresses onto someone who's less likely to be eaten.
Him, the rabbit boy. Less likely to be eaten? As if.
They don't care that all he's got to work with is a bike, either. Steve would tolerate it less if not for the fact that these callers usually just turn out to be normal people, who know their properties are a pain in the ass to get to, and who do happen to tip well as a result.
And so, he manages to make it out to Lake Dala without getting stuck in a snow bank. At the door, he brushes his lop ears somewhat out of sight behind his shoulders before knocking, one, two, three. Delivery! ]
Hold on, you're a little snowed in!
[ His careful preening is undone as he stoops to half-kick and half-scoop said snow out of the way with the less occupied side of his body. It's not actually enough powder to be a huge problem, but he's doing this as a courtesy. He wants those tips. ]
[ The snow is usually gotten rid of before it's a problem. Annie doesn't want to cause people issues if they, you know, drop by and use the front door like a normal person. ]
I have a shovel?
[ Annie had to scramble from all the way up. The house she paid Mana for is kind of ridiculous some days like right now. The rest of the time she doesn't mind her idea of a lodge and Mana's are very different. It looks a bit like an eccentric rich person's mini castle.
Complete with a weird little tower coming up one side. ]
I think I left it just outside. Crap.
[ Annie is just on the other side of the door. Slightly trapped and wanting her pizza, damn it. She paid for it!
[ See? It's a perfectly reasonable-sounding young lady. The other guys were sweating this one for no reason. Apart from the location, it's also not the weirdest house he's seen. In fact, it looks like a lot of money went into it, which could be a very, very good thing for him.]
So're you okay out here after that crazy quake the other day? Can't help but notice you live pretty close to the action.
[ The sounds he's making outside become more uniform once she informs him there's a shovel somewhere nearby. Those continue for another couple of moments and are then punctuated by the snap of velcro, as he gets her order ready to hand over. ]
I watched things from my deck? Like, I set myself up on a lounger with a blanket and some binoculars.
[ Annie wants her pizza. She had a rough time getting out in weather like this. The ice was hell on her feet. She had nearly broken her nose coming home from work last night.
Stupid black ice. ]
I'm still trying to figure out what's up. Do you think there's some kind of angry lake monster? We did have a kaiju attack Bavan once. Full-blown super angry giant monster.
That was crazy. But you sound local, so I bet you saw that.
[ Is Annie babbling? A bit. Her housemates are just not here, so it's just her and the aging cat who adopted her. ]
I don't want to say it's an angry lake monster, but—
[ One toothy blob made of townspeople people has left him remarkably equipped to have this conversation. Special shoutout, as well, to to his superintendent and his other, other boss for informing him that people-blobs happen here, too, to his great disdain.
So. This is his life, now. ]
A couple nights ago I had a look, and yeah, one hundred percent an angry lake monster. It doesn't seem like whatever it is actually left, though, so, I mean... unless it flew straight up into the sky, you're probably safe?
[ And he's keen to babble right back after a lonely, tense ride out to the city limits. And oh, right. Pizza. In case she hadn't quite heard him give her the go ahead before, he leans forward, knocking on her door once again. ]
[ She pulls the door to not throw whoever is knocking off balance. With the sun being down and so little light outside she has no idea she's speaking to a fellow monster. Just that the chill from the cold isn't at all comfortable for her. ]
You should be careful out this way after dark. There's a number of monsters who call this area home. I think I'm further out than most of them?
[ She offers him a sheepish smile. Annie is a bit weary of the looks she gets from normal people the first time they see her. It gets old fast. ]
I've made sure no one harasses anyone coming out this way with pizza. But like, you never know?
[ He has her order held out in front of him, still piping hot thanks to the 38-8 pizzeria's leg up in insulated bag technology. The large flat box also serves to block his view of Annie's lower half. All he sees is a shoe-in for exactly the kind of girl he'd pictured kicking back on her porch in a lounger.
Her comment about keeping the area safe would seem a little weird were Steve not basking in the rarity that is connecting with someone his own age—his own speed, here, in backwards not-Europe.
He smiles. Really, really smiles. ]
I'm not too worried. Maybe they're just enjoying the quiet, you know? [ Majima had said as much. ] Mini-New York— Sorry, I mean— A big city like that isn't for everyone. Wasn't for me until I had to make some surprise arrangements.
[ He closes his eyes for a second. Business call, Steve, get to the business. ]
[ Annie's hands go up and finally Steve should see the glittering black carapace that has spread over her hands. The light does help in this instance. Annie just looks delighted.
Another monster. Around her age too!
Good thing he's not just a snack she doesn't want to just eat. ]
Let me get you a bigger tip. I was just going to do like, a standard twenty percent tip because of how far out this place is.
Um. [ Her hands flail about a bit in excitement. ]
Do you want to step inside while I fetch a bit extra? It's super cold out there. I'm an Arachne. I can't wear pants.
[ Which one was arachnooooooooohhhh my god. His ears sproi-oi-oing to attention. It's nothing personal (except when it is) — they do this when the cats outside his apartment block start fighting, too, or when a car horn blares at him, or because of any number of other sudden, unexpected disturbances.
Steve just manages to stop himself from fully gawking as his senses start to put together various bits and pieces that add up to one giant scorpion. This leaves him with his eyebrows raised quite high over the same, cheerful grin, spotty rabbit ears pointing straight up past the top of the doorframe.
She's just another unfortunate person being turned into an animal by magic fog, that's all; she seems really nice. ]
I- Yeah, yeah. Sounds great.
[ It is super cold, objectively. ]
If I could just bum some hot air from your heater, that's a good enough bonus for me, even.
[ Annie isn't going to eat you, Steve. You're not covered in cheese for one. For another she finds the idea of monsters eating each other extra gross.
She also will not eat delivery people. That is just so rude. Annie has standards. They might be a little messed up, but they are standards. ]
No problem. I have the fire place going? This place might be like, solidly built but it still gets chilly.
[ Annie is good at tucking her tail back to try and look less scary. She also tries very hard to not let fangs show because this guy looks really new. She doesn't want to scare one of the few guys who actually looks her age. ]
[ Quickly thanking her, Steve knocks the slush out of his soles and as soon as he can be assured he won't be tracking water across her floor, shuts the door behind him. He doesn't particularly want to wander anywhere off limits by mistake, but the units at 38-8 don't have fireplaces, making the sound of crackling wood tempting enough to follow to the source.
Regardless of what kind of furniture a half-scorpion girl keeps, he remains standing in the meantime, looking vaguely baffled by his surroundings.
It takes his eyes a second to pull away from the decor when she returns. ]
Is it just you all by yourself, in this insanely nice house?
[ Said cat has gotten up from his comfortable perch. Annie shakes her head slightly. The older looking grizzled gray cat is checking Steve out. Annie decides to let Gomez inspect Steve because frankly she doesn't think anyone here has been mean to pets.
Who could be mean to her cat? ]
I didn't expect this place to be so big. I just wanted to have a place outside of Bavan. It gets crazy sometimes and uh.... I honestly couldn't deal after a few of the big and weird things.
[ It doesn't take long for Steve to become locked in a staring contest with Gomez. Two parents with a shared passion for cleanliness meant he was never allowed to have pets. That, in turn, also means he's not the best of the best at dealing with other people's pets beyond the obvious "don't be a dick," but lately? In a weird turn of events, one could say he's actually been undergoing something adjacent to professional training.
Unfortunately, all of the kitty treats and feather toys are in his other uniform. ]
Definitely wouldn't want to risk this little guy getting hurt.
[ Carefully, he holds a curled knuckle out for the cat to evaluate, addressing him directly: ]
Do you wanna be my friend, or is it just because I smell like pepperoni?
Right? I was by myself except for him for a while.
[ He was important. The cat who mugged her for attention then wouldn't leave her be. Frankly Annie hadn't thought of herself as a cat person until Gomez tried comforting her during one of her late night stare at the wall because sleep ain't happening sessions. ]
I got worried a few times. Plus uh, I was briefly taking care of this cute little dog? I gave him to someone who likes dogs. Randy is a good boy who obviously can do no wrong unless you're a cat.
[ Annie has ducked around the corner looking for her purse. Where is it?
Gomez meanwhile is going to do a sniff. Steven hasn't been judged until he has been judged by a cat. Gomez gives a little sniff then tries to rub his cheek on Steve's fingers. Steve will do for now. ]
[ After undergoing the right of cassage (cat passage) and being deemed... tolerable, Steve offers Gomez a scritch underneath his fluffy jowl. ]
Dogs bad, huh? [ He says to the feline. ] What about other cats, hm?
[ Talking to animals like they're babies was like, day one curriculum. When Steve addresses Annie again, it's denoted by a significant change in his tone of voice. ]
There's this pretty good service in town, y'know, if he needs a playdate one of these days. Ever heard of Poundmates?
[ Nooooot to be a walking commercial for the place, but he could always use more pleasant house calls during his shifts. ]
[ Gomez make a soft murring sound of agreement. Dogs are not his favorite thing. He is kind of 'meh' on other cats but tolerates the fact Annie frequently comes home smelling of others. That just means he has to sit on her until she accepts that he is her overlord.
That's how things work between them. ]
W-What?
[ Steve that sounds like a skin magazine. Annie chokes a bit before she starts to snicker briefly. She finally found the extra solars she wanted to use for a tip. She does some counting and trying to figure out what's fair based on how far out her place is.
Four solars seems fair that'll bring her up to fourteen solars. Not too bad considering back home getting a pizza was usually between twenty and twenty-five bucks depending on extras. ]
I think he's okay. He was kind of a cranky stray who decided to "adopt" me. Now he's super chill.
Take it up with management; the ad copy on all of the promotional material is even worse. It's terrible—so terrible that he doesn't even need to ask what's so funny. ]
I'm just saying, should you be struck with the urge to bring home twenty cats to roll around in for a day, the option's there. And not at all risque.
But- ...he does seem chill.
[ More scritches for the overlord. ]
Most cats would have already gone after my, uh, new assets by now.
[ That he doesn't like to draw attention to, usually. He has less reason to be demure when one person in this picture has been altered much more by the fog. ]
[ Annie could send a strongly worked letter. Will that help? Probably not but at leas she will feel better about Poundmates if she says something. ]
I don't know. What if Gomez decided to fight them?
[ Thank goodness she got him fixed or there would be other concerns. Annie is not paying the pet owner equivalent of child support. Most of the time she is just barely caught up on the important things. Paying for stuff sucks sometimes. ]
I think he's biding his time.
[ Annie chuckles a bit. ]
Most cats are fascinated by my tail or pincers, so I have to stay very still with new cats. One time someone had to rescue me.... Have you had to beg for help?
[ Gomez is ready to flop against Steve or climb up on his shoulder like a pirate cat. The miniature overlord hasn't yet decided. ]
[ Steve strongly considers withdrawing before any potential flopping can happen. He knows the dangers of that. You become trapped, not-permitted to move until the new owner of your legs, lap, etcetera decrees.
One more scritch behind each ear, and then he'll step back. That shouldn't hurt. ]
Oh, yeah, the record for most pain inflicted upon me belongs to Miss Wigglebutt. Another name I'm not responsible for, just to be clear.
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ohmyscream) wrote2020-06-06 01:59 pm
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no subject
Him, the rabbit boy. Less likely to be eaten? As if.
They don't care that all he's got to work with is a bike, either. Steve would tolerate it less if not for the fact that these callers usually just turn out to be normal people, who know their properties are a pain in the ass to get to, and who do happen to tip well as a result.
And so, he manages to make it out to Lake Dala without getting stuck in a snow bank. At the door, he brushes his lop ears somewhat out of sight behind his shoulders before knocking, one, two, three. Delivery! ]
Hold on, you're a little snowed in!
[ His careful preening is undone as he stoops to half-kick and half-scoop said snow out of the way with the less occupied side of his body. It's not actually enough powder to be a huge problem, but he's doing this as a courtesy. He wants those tips. ]
Just one second, I'll take care of it!
no subject
I have a shovel?
[ Annie had to scramble from all the way up. The house she paid Mana for is kind of ridiculous some days like right now. The rest of the time she doesn't mind her idea of a lodge and Mana's are very different. It looks a bit like an eccentric rich person's mini castle.
Complete with a weird little tower coming up one side. ]
I think I left it just outside. Crap.
[ Annie is just on the other side of the door. Slightly trapped and wanting her pizza, damn it. She paid for it!
Sort of. ]
At least it's not ice?
no subject
So're you okay out here after that crazy quake the other day? Can't help but notice you live pretty close to the action.
[ The sounds he's making outside become more uniform once she informs him there's a shovel somewhere nearby. Those continue for another couple of moments and are then punctuated by the snap of velcro, as he gets her order ready to hand over. ]
All good, now!
no subject
[ Annie wants her pizza. She had a rough time getting out in weather like this. The ice was hell on her feet. She had nearly broken her nose coming home from work last night.
Stupid black ice. ]
I'm still trying to figure out what's up. Do you think there's some kind of angry lake monster? We did have a kaiju attack Bavan once. Full-blown super angry giant monster.
That was crazy. But you sound local, so I bet you saw that.
[ Is Annie babbling? A bit. Her housemates are just not here, so it's just her and the aging cat who adopted her. ]
no subject
I don't want to say it's an angry lake monster, but—
[ One toothy blob made of townspeople people has left him remarkably equipped to have this conversation. Special shoutout, as well, to to his superintendent and his other, other boss for informing him that people-blobs happen here, too, to his great disdain.
So. This is his life, now. ]
A couple nights ago I had a look, and yeah, one hundred percent an angry lake monster. It doesn't seem like whatever it is actually left, though, so, I mean... unless it flew straight up into the sky, you're probably safe?
[ And he's keen to babble right back after a lonely, tense ride out to the city limits. And oh, right. Pizza. In case she hadn't quite heard him give her the go ahead before, he leans forward, knocking on her door once again. ]
no subject
[ She pulls the door to not throw whoever is knocking off balance. With the sun being down and so little light outside she has no idea she's speaking to a fellow monster. Just that the chill from the cold isn't at all comfortable for her. ]
You should be careful out this way after dark. There's a number of monsters who call this area home. I think I'm further out than most of them?
[ She offers him a sheepish smile. Annie is a bit weary of the looks she gets from normal people the first time they see her. It gets old fast. ]
I've made sure no one harasses anyone coming out this way with pizza. But like, you never know?
no subject
Her comment about keeping the area safe would seem a little weird were Steve not basking in the rarity that is connecting with someone his own age—his own speed, here, in backwards not-Europe.
He smiles. Really, really smiles. ]
I'm not too worried. Maybe they're just enjoying the quiet, you know? [ Majima had said as much. ] Mini-New York— Sorry, I mean— A big city like that isn't for everyone. Wasn't for me until I had to make some surprise arrangements.
[ He closes his eyes for a second. Business call, Steve, get to the business. ]
That'll be ten solars.
no subject
[ Annie's hands go up and finally Steve should see the glittering black carapace that has spread over her hands. The light does help in this instance. Annie just looks delighted.
Another monster. Around her age too!
Good thing he's not just a snack she doesn't want to just eat. ]
Let me get you a bigger tip. I was just going to do like, a standard twenty percent tip because of how far out this place is.
Um. [ Her hands flail about a bit in excitement. ]
Do you want to step inside while I fetch a bit extra? It's super cold out there. I'm an Arachne. I can't wear pants.
[ Did she just say she's pantless?
That's okay she is wearing a long skirt. ]
no subject
Steve just manages to stop himself from fully gawking as his senses start to put together various bits and pieces that add up to one giant scorpion. This leaves him with his eyebrows raised quite high over the same, cheerful grin, spotty rabbit ears pointing straight up past the top of the doorframe.
She's just another unfortunate person being turned into an animal by magic fog, that's all; she seems really nice. ]
I- Yeah, yeah. Sounds great.
[ It is super cold, objectively. ]
If I could just bum some hot air from your heater, that's a good enough bonus for me, even.
no subject
She also will not eat delivery people. That is just so rude. Annie has standards. They might be a little messed up, but they are standards. ]
No problem. I have the fire place going? This place might be like, solidly built but it still gets chilly.
[ Annie is good at tucking her tail back to try and look less scary. She also tries very hard to not let fangs show because this guy looks really new. She doesn't want to scare one of the few guys who actually looks her age. ]
I.. I'll be right back.
no subject
Regardless of what kind of furniture a half-scorpion girl keeps, he remains standing in the meantime, looking vaguely baffled by his surroundings.
It takes his eyes a second to pull away from the decor when she returns. ]
Is it just you all by yourself, in this insanely nice house?
no subject
[ Said cat has gotten up from his comfortable perch. Annie shakes her head slightly. The older looking grizzled gray cat is checking Steve out. Annie decides to let Gomez inspect Steve because frankly she doesn't think anyone here has been mean to pets.
Who could be mean to her cat? ]
I didn't expect this place to be so big. I just wanted to have a place outside of Bavan. It gets crazy sometimes and uh.... I honestly couldn't deal after a few of the big and weird things.
no subject
Unfortunately, all of the kitty treats and feather toys are in his other uniform. ]
Definitely wouldn't want to risk this little guy getting hurt.
[ Carefully, he holds a curled knuckle out for the cat to evaluate, addressing him directly: ]
Do you wanna be my friend, or is it just because I smell like pepperoni?
no subject
[ He was important. The cat who mugged her for attention then wouldn't leave her be. Frankly Annie hadn't thought of herself as a cat person until Gomez tried comforting her during one of her late night stare at the wall because sleep ain't happening sessions. ]
I got worried a few times. Plus uh, I was briefly taking care of this cute little dog? I gave him to someone who likes dogs. Randy is a good boy who obviously can do no wrong unless you're a cat.
[ Annie has ducked around the corner looking for her purse. Where is it?
Gomez meanwhile is going to do a sniff. Steven hasn't been judged until he has been judged by a cat. Gomez gives a little sniff then tries to rub his cheek on Steve's fingers. Steve will do for now. ]
no subject
Dogs bad, huh? [ He says to the feline. ] What about other cats, hm?
[ Talking to animals like they're babies was like, day one curriculum. When Steve addresses Annie again, it's denoted by a significant change in his tone of voice. ]
There's this pretty good service in town, y'know, if he needs a playdate one of these days. Ever heard of Poundmates?
[ Nooooot to be a walking commercial for the place, but he could always use more pleasant house calls during his shifts. ]
no subject
That's how things work between them. ]
W-What?
[ Steve that sounds like a skin magazine. Annie chokes a bit before she starts to snicker briefly. She finally found the extra solars she wanted to use for a tip. She does some counting and trying to figure out what's fair based on how far out her place is.
Four solars seems fair that'll bring her up to fourteen solars. Not too bad considering back home getting a pizza was usually between twenty and twenty-five bucks depending on extras. ]
I think he's okay. He was kind of a cranky stray who decided to "adopt" me. Now he's super chill.
no subject
Take it up with management; the ad copy on all of the promotional material is even worse. It's terrible—so terrible that he doesn't even need to ask what's so funny. ]
I'm just saying, should you be struck with the urge to bring home twenty cats to roll around in for a day, the option's there. And not at all risque.
But- ...he does seem chill.
[ More scritches for the overlord. ]
Most cats would have already gone after my, uh, new assets by now.
[ That he doesn't like to draw attention to, usually. He has less reason to be demure when one person in this picture has been altered much more by the fog. ]
no subject
I don't know. What if Gomez decided to fight them?
[ Thank goodness she got him fixed or there would be other concerns. Annie is not paying the pet owner equivalent of child support. Most of the time she is just barely caught up on the important things. Paying for stuff sucks sometimes. ]
I think he's biding his time.
[ Annie chuckles a bit. ]
Most cats are fascinated by my tail or pincers, so I have to stay very still with new cats. One time someone had to rescue me.... Have you had to beg for help?
[ Gomez is ready to flop against Steve or climb up on his shoulder like a pirate cat. The miniature overlord hasn't yet decided. ]
no subject
One more scritch behind each ear, and then he'll step back. That shouldn't hurt. ]
Oh, yeah, the record for most pain inflicted upon me belongs to Miss Wigglebutt. Another name I'm not responsible for, just to be clear.