26. LOL

[heisrisen]

[Public]

[The Emperor stands the hallway of Level One, awkwardly clutching a beehive shaped like a small griffon, with soot smudges on his face, dirt on his clothes, a few drowsy bees bumbling around him, and the door of his room, smoke billowing gently through the sliver of open door behind him.]

No need to be - alarmed.

[His breath catches wrong, and he coughs hard for a few seconds.]

Planned incineration. Perfectly contained.

If nobody claims the bees they're going to the greenhouse.



[Private to Barbara]

I'm going to need a new room.



[Spam - deliveries for Bush, Morgana, Hannibal, and Sylvanas.]

[Hours earlier, but not many- On the morning of the 10th, each of them will open their doors to find neatly potted plants. Bush recieves one elegant apple bonsai, less than two feet high. Morgana gets several pots of pansies, in different colors, arranged so as not to block the door, Sylvanas gets catnip, and Hannibal gets herbs - basil, sage, rosemary, and thyme.]

Comments

[Spam]

[forsaken_queen]

[Yes, good, onward!

Up up up, they end up on level one. He's doing great, totally knows where he's going.

Right into the dining hall. It smells like food in here. You should give him something. He will express this by doing full body rubs against your legs, that might be strong enough to topple you if you aren't careful.]

[Spam]

[heisrisen]

[He's pretty good at maneuvering through the cat-leg weaving, and he cruelly loads up a tray with pork chops before patting Lirath firmly on the head and holding them on of reach.]

Mommy first, then treats.

[Spam]

[forsaken_queen]

[Unfortunately, the Emperor seems to have forgotten the fact that Lirath is not a small house cat. He's not quite full grown, but he's about as big as some of the larger breed dogs on the ship.

And he jumps. Which he does, leaping up at the tray, going to snag one of the meaty treats, because why would you deny him? Is he not the cutest thing you've ever seen? Also he is hungry.]

[Spam]

[heisrisen]

[He hasn't forgotten - and he's kept big cats before. Some of them can't really be managed this way at all, but Lirath's from a working breed despite his cushy circumstances, and there's a biddable, trainable core to him - if he accepts someone. Aslan, confident in his reception, dodges with neat balance, and smacks Lirath's nose with the backs of his knuckles. It's more for shock than pain, but not light, either.]

No. I don't care how much she spoils you.

[Spam]

[forsaken_queen]

[The truth is she doesn't spoil him. It's everyone else that spoils him. He's picked up a lot of doggy habits from his canine friends, both living and undead. And the bop on the nose is a definite shock. It's a sharp change of dynamics that almost ruins his buzz completely, as he sits abruptly, as if coming to attention. The playful cat sobers to serious on a dime. Sylvanas really is training him. She just lets him be himself when not right at her side.]

[Spam]

[heisrisen]

[He smiles, and ruffles Lirath's ears a little, one-handed.]

Good boy. Now, take me to mommy.