“Oh the cat. Meeting with her was a bit weird. For one, she seemed oddly cheery for a homeless person.. and very flirtatious. Which was a bit uncomfortable, I don’t know her at all, an you’re gonna go around kissing my hand? Scary. But confident I guess? Her sent is very.. unique I’d be able to follow her through the crowds of the city no problem. Hm, I wonder how she got them ears and tails.”
“That dude huh? I use to not like him because Doc seemed to dislike him, but honestly what’s the point? He already beats himself up so much, no need to keep strumming a broken string. Before I was an idiot and snapped at him for his wings or what not, he seemed cool, great humor and shit. I don’t know what it’s like for him, or what it was like, but I dunno. I hope he finds happiness. Should have honestly left the entire gang business an hid or got off planet. Make something else of what was given to him instead of fighting a war that seems never-ending. Someone give this dude a break hah.”
A Conversation about the Mansions Defences between Jay and Scratch
ft @notasinglescratch
Jay
Jay had gone around the manor, checking over what she does daily and listing down on a piece of paper of what she believes would up the manors defenses. With every window, door, and floor (oh my) double checked she heads over to Doc's office. The order put vigor in her step and determination steeled her gaze, checking her list again she nods to her self, ears shoved forward in attention and tail curled husky-like along her back.
She rounds the corner to his office and pauses in the door frame, she hadn't sent him a message to see if she could come.. So she stands right there, not coming fully in and tilts her head slightly, "Hello, Sir. I've gone around and listed what I believe would help the manors defenses." Jay gently grips the paper in her hands.
Scratch
You've taken to leaving your door ajar recently. It tends to tell a lot about people, their reactions. Jay, as always, mild but determined, and a welcome sight after a dreary week.
"Come in, Jay. Let me see what you have."
You motion for her to sit and then hold your hand out, expectantly.
Jay
As he motions for her to sit, she does a small nod and finally steps into his office. She reaches over and hands him the list before sitting down and curling her tail around her waist so she can sit with her back against the chair.
"I keep the mansion pretty secure but I believe these would be able to help me with that, go from excellent to absolute."
She leans slightly forward, her elbows resting on her knees as she waits for his response to the list.
The list reads: Locks for the inside of the windows, Motion detecting lights on the corners of the manor (I think these exist?), perhaps a camera system
She interlaces her fingers an takes a slow calming breath.
Scratch
A quick glance over her list is all you need, short but concise, thats all right. You trust her instincts better than your eyes.
"Ill see you get what you need to make these improvements. Keep in mind any technology we add to the manor must be completely hidden from view." You take out a green pen and start making notes on her list.
"I trust youll be able to do that?"
Jay
"Yes sir, I understand that."
She tilts her head, glancing at the list as he writes, a bit surprised it's in a colour instead of the standard black. She notes that down in the back of her mind, right in the bucket of interesting but probably useless information.
She nods, "Yes sir, I'll be able to handle that just fine. I was figuring putting the cameras on the inside in the halls, accessing them from my phone. The lights will be outside, them turning on will catch my attention in an instant." Her tail flicks to curl around her waist the other way.
Scratch
...Cameras on the inside of the manor? An interesting concept. "Isnt it a bit too late if a camera tells you an enemy is in your base after hes already there?"
You cross something out and rewrite it.
"I will get you a map of the manor. Choose a few locations where you believe cameras might prove useful."
Jay
"If I'm on the other side of the manor and a camera warns me someone is else where I would be able to find them instantly and get there, perhaps even take them by surprise. It is just an extra precaution and would help me pinpoint their location if they manage to get in."
Seeing him cross out something makes her pause, is she being a bit ridiculous with this thought...? She mentally shakes her head. No, no, she'd being reasonable, a bank would do the same thing, and just as a bank many precious people things hole up in this mansion. She will ask for anything she believes would benefit this home.
"Alright Sir, Will do, I have a few areas in mind already."
Scratch
Finished writing, you stand, moving away from your desk to a filing cabinet in the corner. You leaf through the pages until you get to the map section and take out a map of the mansion. Has it really changed so much?
After a moment you return, sitting as you set the map in front of her. "A fair argument. Here, use my pen." You hand her your pen, white and sleek, though it looks like its been broken in half and taped back together again.
Jay
She gently takes the pen, the thought of accidentally breaking it again trips through her mind and she nods, not sure if she should say where she's thinking of placing them as she marks. Her mouth twitches down, let's go with staying quiet and explaining if asked.
She circles a back corner of each lobby, hallway, lounge, sitting room and dance hall, she places two circles in the library, making sure that the placement would have the whole rooms covered. She flips through the map again, making sure she marked the right places before offering the pen back. She would really rather not place cameras in the personal rooms or offices, privacy is key after all and she's interested in intruders no secrets.
Scratch
When shes done you lean forward and take the map back, looking over her markings. Cameras in the manor...youre not sure you like that.
"I'll sign off on this under some conditions. One, there cant be any recordings or tapes. Keep it to real time footage exclusively. Two, tell no one. The calm has only just fallen, the last thing I need is the Numbers or worse looking over their shoulder every time they turn a corner."
You breathe a quiet sigh.
"Put that aside for a moment, theres something I want to ask you. Whats all this about a tattoo?"
Jay
"Yes sir, that works fully with me. I understand, I'll keep my lips sealed on this."
Jay look at the map, wondering if this is truly the right thing to do... well if a problem ever rises she could always remove the cameras. Looking at Scratch with a tilted head as he speaks up again, dread fills her to the brim, each word a heavy stone on her heart. Her ears pin flat against her head and she sits back, unconsciously wanting to space herself from the problem.
"I- um.."
She digs her nails into the back of her hands as she interlaces her fingers again, looking down at them. If Jay could go any paler than the pitch white she already is, now would be the time for that.
"Just something I considered, I like the meaning some tattoos can have and there are some really pleasing to look at ones.. While it would be neat to have a tattoo, I.. I know you don't want me to have one so you don't have to worry about me getting one."
She wonders briefly who brought this tattoo business back up to Doc, her tail thumps once against her lap in annoyance, way to hang her up to dry there.
Scratch
You sit in silence for a moment, hands folded on your desk in front of you, a cool,easy expression on your face. Its easy enough to understand her desire, flashy things like that always look appealing to a young, impressionable girl.
"From what I hear youre quite serious about it, though. Commited, even. And not that I particularly enjoyed hearing about the tattoo, again."
You pause for emphasis.
"But I cant help wonder what design you had in mind. It must be something very important to be pulling your attention away from your work."
Jay
Jay doesn't even look at him once, her head is bowed, ears pinned back and heart pounding so heavily in her chest she was sure Doc could hear it himself. It takes her a bit to respond as she swallows her panic and tries to ease her nerves. If this is the feeling she gets for just thinking about it and not acting upon it, she is sure she could never actually break a rule or order, she wouldn't be able to handle it.
She takes a deep breath and steels herself, keeping her head down.
"I don't know who brought this up to you, or where you heard it from, but..."
She pauses, it's not true, it's not true! She bites her tongue, not finishing the sentence. She does want a tattoo, and badly too. What's so wrong with that besides Doc telling her not to get one. Jay grits her teeth and shakes her head slightly.
"I am serious about it, but as I said I wouldn't go against you. Enjoying the thought of things is different than acting a part of it."
She glances up at Scratch, her green gaze firm under all the worry and fear on her shoulders.
"Everyone dreams after all.. And there is no way this is pulling me from my work, I've done everything everyday like I have for the past fourteen years, sir. Nothing comes before my job, ever..."
She sighs and glances down again, the design... of course. She internally grumbles in embarrassment. He's gonna think it's stupid of course.. Rrrgg.
"The design is phases of the moon down my spine with cherry blossom branches on the top and bottom. It's meant to draw attention away from the scars on my back, The moons are a tribute to my space aspect The phases of the moon each mean something different, and cherry blossoms are my favorite plant right next to a white lily."
Scratch
You can see youve hit a bit of a nerve in her. If she were not already made of nerves, that is, though she seems to be taking it on the chin. Good girl. You'll make a hound of her yet. As she explains her design, you give her a once over, trying hard not to picture your best girl with a back covered in ink. How incredibly unbeseeming. No, you cant allow it to happen. You might have at least considered if it was something classy and simple.
"I see. Well, if thats the case then theres no reason for concern, hm? You're a good girl, Jay."
With a thin smile, you fold the map and place it in your desk drawer. You dont blame Jay for her flights of fancy, if all were punished for desiring things the world would be empty. If anything you're more curious why Doze would bring it up to you if its causing Jay so much grief.
"I certainly hope this will be the last time we have to discuss it."
Jay
A ray of hope, for a moment at least. 'You're a good girl, Jay' if only she could of heard just that over this whole tattoo conversation, though it does make you curious about something else you had in mind...
"Yes, sir. I hope so too, I have no intention of bringing it back up."
Rubbing the palm of her hand with her thumb she eases enough to look back up at him, ears drooped instead of harshly pinned against her dark green hair. She pauses for a moment. It's better to ask and know, right? She wants to try out short hair, and after all that can at least grow back, while a tattoo is irreversible.
"Sir.. May I ask something, while on the ending end of things I'm allowed or not..."
Scratch
Your smile dips slightly, and you return your gaze to her. Theres a reason youre so hard on her. Letting your creations develop too much of a personal identity is just asking for trouble in the future.
"You may ask."
You hope all this 'wanting things' is just a phase.
Jay
"Am I allowed to cut my hair? I wanted to try out shoulder length hair.."
Seeing the smile falter on his face makes Jay instantly regret asking. Gosh where is her fucking blue and white cow plushie when she needs it. To avoid his gave she busies herself with smoothing out the fur on her tail.
Scratch
There comes a bit of relief when she asks about her hair. Youll miss her lovely locks, but you allowed the same for the Handmaid once she began behaving. And shoulder length is far less drastic a change.
"Yes, I'll allow it. I think it will be a lovely look for you, hoo hoo."
Jay
That.. She looks up at him finally for, with a soft smile she nods. Like rain washing things away, that easily rids her of the tattoo conversations tolls. Keeping down a sigh of relief, she swishes her tail behind her and interlaces her fingers again.
"Thank you, Sir. I hope it will be.”
Scratch
You smile fondly. Yes, you think that will be quite lovely. Youll have to look into getting her a uniform as well, something to match her coloring and new hair. Ribbons...
"Very good, thats that, then. I will get you what you need to set up the cameras."
Jay
Jay smiles and takes a breath, tail thumping against the chair. Okay.. Okay, just easy business talk now. None of that stressful 'Hey you can't do this to your own body' talk. She sighs under her breath and leans forward with a nod.
"Alrighty, Sir.. Is that all we need to discuss for now?"
She tilts her head, ears flopping with the motion. 'Just.. let me out of this office for two minutes.' Her ears flick as she thinks to herself, 'Feels like a mountain of smoke in here, just need to get a breath somewhere else.'
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