driftfleet | Open Log

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Open Log

Who: Open to all
Broadcast: N/A
Action: On board the S.S.Bishop
When: Shortly after this post

[Hux can be found at his work station, working on sorting out his tools and supplies and trying to make things cat proofed (if there was such a thing). Usually he was more organized, but he was still trying to get a system he was happy with and these were tools and materials he normally didn't work with.

Now with the cat around, he had to rearrange things. He had tried to keep her out of the work station, but she had become very upset or was vocal about being left alone. Nor did he need to hear complaints about her cries, so he eventually gave in to her demands. So the cat was permitted in to the work station.

Millicent can be seen on the desk batting away at a paper ball momentarily entertained. He did prepare some hot tea, not the bitter tea he's known to drink, but something that others tend to favor. There were some sandwiches and cakes made for any possible guests. He recalled a few people were fascinated by Millicent and wanted to see her.]

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[Steve, after doing what he could to exercise that morning, had freshened up and decided to explore the small ship some more. He's seen most of it at this point but he still doesn't have it all memorized. Which is how he ends up at Hux's workstation instead of where he'd planned to be. Steve can see him working and is just about to leave when he sees the cat.

And. Okay. That's the end of leaving.]

Good morning, sir. [First Officer, and all. Deserves respect] And hello, Millicent.

[Steve scratches her between the ears]

How much has she broken?

Thankfully she's only scratched the surface of my data pad. Otherwise, it's just knocking things down. My projects have largely been left alone save for a few pieces here and there that hadn't been secured yet.

[He glanced up from his organization and gave a nod in Steve's direction. As he speaks a small mouse droid can be seen rolling in and another rolling out.

Millicent purrs, appreciating the attention. She clearly is not afraid of any strangers.]

Since you're here I can show you the materials I have to work with. You can let me know what might be good for this shield of yours.

Sounds about right.

[Steve keeps petting her, stroking down her back to keep the purring going. The machine that comes out grabs his attention but not for long. He'd been in Tony's lab.]

Sure thing, sir. Anything that would stop a bullet or...whatever other weapons we have should be sufficient.

[Hux gave a nod and lead him toward the other area in his work station where it looked like a heap of jumbled materials of different scrap metal or any heavy time of material that's not exactly metal but sturdy.]

These are all pieces I've managed to salvage any time we go planet side. It's the main reason why I bother leaving the ship. I also traded around as well for pieces.

[Millie curiously followed the two wanting to see what was going on and why they weren't paying attention to her.]

[Steve remembers the last time he had been in a shop like this. Howard showing him the shield and Peggy taking aim to shoot at it. It makes something hard land in his throat that's hard to dislodge.]

You got some good stuff here... What do you think can take the most abuse without breaking?

[Hux rubbed his chin as he thought about it and then began shifting through the various pieces.]

This particular material is light and sturdy but can take quite a beating. Pick it up and let me know what you think.

[Steve picks up the metal and waves it around as though it were a shield. It's light. Very light. He hands it back with a somewhat bashful smile]

If it can take a beating then it's fine. But I...uh... I can carry something that is heavier, if it has a possibility of being stronger too. It's...a long story, but I'm pretty strong.

[Hux pulls out the material he mentioned and allows for Steve to inspect it.

Millicent decides to climb the pile of metals wanting to see why it was more fascinating then her.]

Yeah. Yeah, this can do a good job.

[He looks at Millie climbing around and reaches down to scratch at the top of her head]

What do you think, Millicent? Do you think this will be a good shield for me?

I'll see what I can do with it and then keep you posted. Hopefully this will meet up to your vision.

[Millie gave a chirp in response and arched her back to twist her body around Steve's arm. She was pleased by the extra attention she was receiving.]

It seems this one is easily won over by treats or any form of attention.

Just like a normal cat.

[Steve laughs as he scratches her back and watches her enjoy the attention.]

Back in my time, we had all these feral cats in the alleys. And we used to play there so they were always in the way. No one knew it but I kept feeding them so they'd come back. The kids woulda beat me up if they knew.

Did those cats come to trust you because you fed them?

[It seemed like something they would do. Millie loved anyone that gave her a treat. He can only imagine what it would be like for a wild cat.]

I think they trusted me because I was the only one who seemed to like them... But the food helped.

[Steve strokes between her ears.]

Next time we get some fish we'll give her a good welcome.

Maybe you can inquire on getting a pet? Often the various planets we land on have places were you can adopt something. I can't guarantee what they would be, but I'm sure it's relative to their planet.

Fish? Now you're really planning on spoiling her.

[Steve's whole face lights up at that] It would be nice to have a pet, actually. I never had the chance. And then Millie might have a friend.

[Hopefully the next planet was a good one and not one where all the creatures spat acid.]

And fish isn't a spoiling thing. Cats love fish. Good for them too. Tell him, Millie.

It's something to look for.

[Millie gave a chirp in response, mainly due to hearing her name. But it was enough for Hux to give a deadpan expression.]

I'm trying to get her on a routine and everyone wants to spoil her in some way. Fish, various treats, catnip.

[Steve shrugs, still obediently petting her]

She's still young and cute. People want to make her happy. It's like grandparents.

I'm afraid I don't understand that explanation. Or to better phrase it, being able to relate to it.

Ah. It's alright. Just...the cat is very cute and we want her to like us. So, we all want to spoil her.

Yet, you took care of cats that weren't small and cute.

[Steve shrugs, cheeks a little pink.]

I like animals. Cats and dogs. They had no one else out there to take care of them.

[Even if a ship was not traditionally a home, Lord Akeldama had been treating it as such, thus not visiting other ships unless by invitation - except for the one time on the Blameless but that had been important(tm) for Biffy's wedding.

But he had an invitation now and a reason to visit the Bishop. So making sure that he was wearing a nice jacket for visiting, but also not too nice seeing as he was visiting for the purpose of meeting this tiny cat and he knew all to well what cats could do to clothing, he headed to the ship in question to find Hux. Given that he didn't necessarily know where to find him, he did have to ask and get pointed in the right direction rather than aimlessly wander the ship. But soon enough he found the workstation, Hux, and the cat]

Good evening, darling~!

[He says this from the doorway, not about to barge in while he was working]

Good evening!

[Hux replied and glanced up to see Dama standing there. It took a second for him to get used to the others strange fashion sense. He waved him in. He had made sure there was an extra chair there for the guests. It had been a last minute thought. He was currently trying to secure a sensitive piece to a project he was working on. Otherwise he would have gotten up to properly greet him.]

Please, forgive my manners. I'm trying to secure a sensitive piece to this project I'm working on. I do have some hot tea and sandwiches if you wold like anything.

[Millie gave up pestering Hux for now to inspect the new person in question. She wasn't a shy creature for sure and seemed keen on greeting any person that was near her.]

[It was enough of a greeting for his sense of manners to allow entrance. He stepped inside, looking around at the work area, having no occasion to go into the one on his ship, but for vampires, they love technology so it might be worth looking at on his own ship]

It is well, my dear. You are in the middle of something important.

[Working on technology can be forgiven with vampires. He looked over at the comestibles on offer before spotting the reason he had traveled here coming over]

Well hello there, my lady!

[He crouches down to be closer to the small cat, not kneeling because that would mess up his trousers]

You said that her name is Millicent? What a fabulous name for a cat.

It seems that a lot of people seem to enjoy the name for her. It's an old fashioned name, but fitting for her.

[Hux replied as he finished securing the one piece he was working on. He was half tempted to ask why Dama called everyone dear. It wasn't something he was used to being called and found the term intimate.]

I recall that you said that cats are pretty common? That many people seek them as animal companions?

May I ask the reason for her name?

[Lord Akeldama gave the cat a light scratch before getting up to make himself some tea. It isn't quite the way he would take it, but then again, most people would be squeamish for how he took his tea. Feel free to ask about his quirk of names]

They are. I suppose dogs are far more common as purely companions, but some do prefer cats. Madame Pudgemuffin is a companion, only being dangerous to my pillow tassels.

I wanted something that represented strength and something strong. She also had this regal personality about her. Millicent seemed perfect.

How did you come up with the name for yours?

[The name seemed very colorful which seemed to fit the other.]

Yes, Millicent is a very strong name. Hopefully she will keep living up to it.

[He smiles at the question about how he named his cat]

I do have an affinity for flowery words. They do make things so much more interesting. Besides, she is a rather large cat with a tendency to lay about.

[He flutters his hand when he says "lay about"]

She is quite demanding when she wants to be so she is quite clearly a madame.

Oh, I think she will.

[Hux couldn't help but smirk as he watched her wrap around Dama and chirp cheerfully up at him.]

I would be-careful with your tea. She will try to drink it.

They do tend to exhibit qualities of their name.

[Lord Akeldama smiles, looking down at the cat as she comes over to rub up against him]

Will she now? It is for the best that you refrain, darling. [He's speaking to the cat like she understands or cares what he's saying] There is a reason cats do not hold tea time in the wild.

[And if she tries, he's going to hold his cup away from her so she can't]

[Millicent gives him an inquiring look before attempting again to try out his tea.]

Millicent, behave. That tea isn't for you.

[Lord Akeldama just smiles, adeptly keeping the tea out of range for the curious cat, surprisingly graceful in this]

She will learn eventually. She thinks that if I am drinking, why can she not? The trick is to not allow her to try it.

And if she persists? What would her punishment be? I really don't know how to discipline a creature. They're nothing like training a soldier.

Distraction work very well for young cats. Perhaps finding a toy that she likes. An option could be that she only receives this certain toy when there are guests. The hope would be she would be more interested in the toy than the beverage.

I may have something for her. [Hux had finished securing the piece he was working on and left his table. He then went to dig around in a small box and pulled out a textured colored ball that jingled as he picked it up.

The sound of the jingling caught Millicent's attention and she curiously watched to see what Hux would do. The tea was momentarily forgotten.

Seeing that he had the ginger tabby's attention he tossed the ball. The kitten chirped and went after the toy.]

Let's see how long this will hold her attention, but for now that idea is working.

[Lord Akeldama watched as he went to retrieve something, still holding his tea out of reach of the cat until Hux resurfaced with jingling ball. It was a good sign, the cat getting excited and going after the ball when he tossed it, letting her go after it, and the vampire smiled]

It just takes something to make them focus on a better activity. She may eventually get used to that and ignore it, but it is working now and hopefully by that point, she'll no longer be interested in beverages.

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