video

[agnominal]

[ There's a perplexed looking young man in view of the screen. Anyone familiar with Locus will probably recognize him, but something's definitely different. That tell-tale x-shaped scar? Gone. His hair is shorter, hanging just below his jaw. Moreover, his eyes don't quite hold that thousand-yard-stare to them just yet.

He looks, well. Teenaged.

He's also holding Luna up to view. She's purring heavily, but he appears bewildered by her presence, if anything. ]

Does anyone know whose cat this is? I just...found her here when I woke up.

Comments

video

[nofortunateson]

Hey, it looks like we're both in a mystery together.

[Gabriel's amicable by nature and by sheer habit, his half of the duet he's been playing since he was born, and the curl of his lopsided grin is just enough to cover the jittery apprehension fluttering in his gut. He doesn't spook easily, but walking up in an unfamiliar house without South, closet full of clothes that aren't his and a suit of freaking power armor in the next bedroom over? That's freaky, and he doesn't know if it's better or worse that there's a similarly-confused guy his own age sending out hails on whatever this local network is.

But hey. At least the kitten is cute. He leans in closer to the screen, lip-ring glinting as his smile shifts and gentles.]

It looks like she likes you, anyway. Does she have a name tag?

video

[agnominal]

She must. I woke up and she was just sitting on my chest, purring like she is now.

[ He squints at her, but lets her settle on his shoulder, which is apparently the correct thing to do from the way she immediately sprawls there. ]

No collar, no tags. She must belong to someone.

video

[nofortunateson]

Until you find them, it looks like she's adopting you.

[He's just a little bit jealous. An affectionate little animal would do a lot to dispel the creepiness of a big, empty house.

Playing it cool, though. He's not about to broadcast himself getting all rattled.]

So, uh. Do you know where we are?

video

[agnominal]

Not exactly. It looks like some sort of military compound. That's all I've been able to see.

[ A curious wrinkle appears in his brow. ]

What does it look like where you're at?

Video

[justice_from_above]

Awwww, she's cute!

[Missing is her Eye of Horus tattoo, but it's clear this is Fareeha by her iconic beaded braids. She looks to be about twelve.]

I don't know who her owner is, sorry. I'm not even really sure where I am.

Video

[agnominal]

Some sort of military facility, I think. I mean, that's what I signed on for. Though I don't remember coming here.

[ He blinks at the young girl. ]

How did you get here?

Video

[justice_from_above]

I don't know, I don't remember anything weird happening before I woke up here. I mean, I guess I could have been drugged and kidnapped. [She shrugs. Hey, her mom is a big deal; it could happen.]

[Which is also why she's keeping some of those details close to the chest for now, wait until she finds a clue one way or another about how trustworthy this place is.]

Who did you sign on with? [His country's own defense force? Overwatch? GASP maybe Talon? She watches him intently for his answer.]

Video

[agnominal]

The UNSC. I'm seeing their insignia here, so it must be a facility of theirs.

[ He huffs quietly. ]

Why would anyone kidnap you?

[ That seems highly unlikely. Especially if she's not bound or anything. ]

video

[steelandtemper]

Are you kidding me.

[Look, it's an AI. A smart AI, obviously. She seems annoyed.

Cortana doesn't need this, okay.]

video

[agnominal]

[ Oh wow, an AI. His eyes go slightly larger at the sight of her, but he's got to rein it in. Keep his cool. ]

No, ma'am. She was right here, as I said.

video

[steelandtemper]

[She's not talking about the cat, kid.]

Have you even been to boot yet?

[In Cortana's weird worldview, if he's so much as signed the enlistment paperwork, he's one of Her People, no matter how much of a headache that causes for her.]

video

[agnominal]

Not yet. I only just signed up. Isn't this...?

[ He gestures behind him to the facade of the base. ]

[Audio]

[icysmile]

You should see if she's been chipped. It's pretty irresponsible of her owners to just let her wander loose in a big place like this, though.

video

[agnominal]

Agreed. She's very friendly, I can't imagine there isn't someone missing her right now.

[ Said as he idly strokes the kitten's head. ]

Besides, this doesn't seem the sort of place for animals.

[Audio]

[icysmile]

Well, it certainly looks like she's in good hands for now.

Would you mind taking care of her until the real owner gets located, or would you rather hand her over to someone else?

video

[agnominal]

[ He thinks on this visibly for a moment, eying the kitten as he does so. ]

There seems to be food for her here. I think...she seems comfortable here.

I could take care of her, for a while. At least until her owner is found.

Audio

[goddamngrenades]

She's yours, bud.

[ Seriously, what? Between Jason's earlier message and this weirdness he's just- yeah. ]

...I'm coming over, okay? Okay.

audio

[agnominal]

[ Bud?

Wait, what? ]

Al...alright.

[ The tone is more a question than agreement, those big gray eyes blinking in confusion before he looks to the cat purring against him. His, huh?

Well that's something. ]

Action

[goddamngrenades]

[ It takes all of five seconds to fly from his enclosure to Locus', less to knock on the door. He's done this so often it feels like any other day- if anything he feels too damn light for having left his guitar behind.

But this is a Situation. He's gotta talk to the kid.

He thinks. ]

Sam?

Video

[lovernotafighter]

[Oh, the blissful ignorance of someone who had no clue who he was talking to. Sure, he looked familiar, like passing a guy he saw on a television show once, or a friend of a friend on Basebook, but no one he had personally spoken to. Whatever; there were so many people around here that they were all starting to blur together.

When you started in a canyon with about nine people to...here? It was a bit of a culture shock. Granted, it was the same on Chorus, but at least he had more time to settle in there.

Still, cat. Cute one, too! ]

Pretty sure she's yours now, dude. Does she have tags or anything?

Video

[agnominal]

No, not that I can see. I found toys and food, however. Someone must be taking care of her.

[ There's a pause before a wry tug at his mouth tilts it upwards. ]

I suppose I am, now. I can't just leave her by herself.

Video

[lovernotafighter]

[At least there were supplies. Small favors.]

What are you gonna name her?

[video]

[short_changed]

She's cute. Why not keep her?

[Connie hasn't changed much. Quicker to genuinely smile, that's probably what would give her away from her normal self most.]

If you're no good with cats I know someone who'd be happy to look after her, but she seems to like you plenty.

[video]

[agnominal]

It seems like she might belong to someone. I wouldn't want to keep her from her rightful owner.

[video]

[short_changed]

Well, until someone comes forward to claim her she's yours. Have you ever taken care of a cat before?