Kitty

Petrichor was hanging heavy this morning. Gentle was the pitter patter of droplets, programmed to perfection in how they merged within the puddles that lingered outside. While obscured with the fumes, the sun had begun to peek through the fog that so loosely hugged the various chimneys of the place MIAOU had begun to call… Home, in a sense. Reluctantly, despite everything they held close to their chest. It wasn’t pixel perfect, and it never will be. But it was something they could call theirs.

MIAOU was only outside to see the change of weather for themselves. Rain wasn’t common in these parts of the world, it often made a habit of sticking around in the Scrybes of Beasts and The Dead’s little corners of this planet. Mostly, the latter, melancholic and predictable as it sounded. MIAOU hadn’t experienced weather often in this scape, and for a change of pace, wanted to embrace the opportunity.

He wouldn’t be too pleased about them dragging the mud back inside when they were done wandering.  Good. Be mad about it.  

They didn’t stray too far into the thick of it. Shielded by the shelter of an abandoned scrap heap was enough to be outside without getting their wires too tangled and into a twist. Their body was temperamental, involuntary experiencing twitching at times. Getting too wet wouldn’t be the best idea for their condition.

They were almost tempted to reach out, feel the rain run against the cold metal of their arms, feel their system thrum and communicate in response. The trail of coded thought was soon interrupted, however, by something else the rain had dragged along with it.

“Mrrrw?”

MIAOU glanced downwards, sensories informing them of something brushing against one of their legs. Black, nimbled dexterity, large green eyes, and a fluffy little tail. With whiskers to match it all, tied up to make a fascinating creature. One of Leshy’s beasts… All the way out here? In the domain of technology? The fact it hadn’t been put off by the scent of fumes, oil and hell knows whatever other lingering scents as an aftermath of owning a factory is a complete miracle.

Their receptors were quick to react, knees adjusting to maneuver into a squat, now in close proximity to the curious creature. The cat looked upon them, unmoving and wide eyed. Orbs shone like jewels in the low light of sunrise… And a shiver came over it for a flick of a second. Wet, cold, and without any means to recover from the onslaught of downpour, the little cat had come to the robot in pursuit of reprieve. A series of communication beeps left MIAOU, none falling to sense on the feline’s ears. Though these noises and chirps were all a part of MIAOU’s own commentary, leaning a hand forward to greet the beast before them. Recognition. Admiration. Familiarity. Kin. They were similar to one another, in MIAOU’s eyes.

A purr soon rang out in acceptance. The cat had pushed his head against MIAOU’s hand, rubbing its cheek against the metal in greeting. Despite the cold of the metal, MIAOU’s hands were surprisingly warm from the surge of energy they had begun to fester in examining this creature. Perhaps in a nonchalant attempt to provide warmth for the creature, or perhaps their arm was close to having a twitching session. Despite which way was true, seeing the beast react so keenly to their greeting was enough evidence to adopt them. Leshy’s property  or otherwise.

A mud and new guest is what that bastard will have to deal with now.

—-

All of this was garbage. Every last one. He was contemplating why he even kept the guy down below when all he seemed to fish up is nothing but cheap scrap and ideas welded together by sheer hope that it’s a good idea. Hope. Who the fuck welds things together with hope these days? Doesn’t matter, what matters was the content that P03 was being provided with was low-tier at best. Baby cards, no thoughts required to operate them. What he really needed was game changing content - stuff to make the other Scrybes finally admit he was clearly the most capable and best player of Inscryption out of the four of them.

But not when literal shit is being pumped out of the machine. This is just embarrassing at this point.

Rubbing a claw against the top of his screen, an expression of irritation and furrowed brows was on display. The light from his demeanor had lit up the table in front, highlighting the failed concepts of cards. A low hum of irritation whirred from his chest, sinking further downward.

He was swallowed up in self loathing that he had failed to hear his roommate— acquaintance — DEARLY ABHORRED walk through the door. Which was a first. Normally he was quick to quip at them once they had shown their face again, often making a snarky comment. Hate that bitch.

MIAOU gently placed their newest companion onto the ground, the cat giving a purr once they were released into their new space. Both the cat and MIAOU trudged in the left over dirt for their feet, and onto the floor. All being said, the floor wasn’t exactly the cleanest, but the newly squished mud was absolutely a clear new addition to the mess. A series of electronic communication rang from MIAOU, signaling their arrival to their companion— IDIOT BASTARD.

“And where the hell have you been all this time?” P03 called back, the handle on the side of his screen cranking to a new face. One of mild disgust, to which the handle swiftly cranked at a faster speed to change it to that of pure, unfiltered disgust.

“Are you kidding me right now? Dragging in the mud from outside alongside your stupid excuse of a face?” He almost hissed, his voice a rumble of low toned electronic whining. A quip was given in response, and P03 only scoffed in response.

“It wouldn’t be a shithole if you actually HELPED me clean the floor.” He retorted, crossing his arm across his chest. “And NOT make matters worse by bringing in more mud. What- are you trying a Leshy impression now? Just to make me…”

As his eyes trailed across the floor, following the trail of dirt into something smaller. More… oh god. Oh Jesus Christ oh for the love of—

“And what is THAT?” P03 almost practically screeched, hovering from his spot and over to the little black cat that had made itself settled into a pile of discarded cards. Green orbs glared  back up to the Scrybe, his hackles beginning to stand on end and it’s back hunching. A precautionary growl, bubbling from deep within its throat, soon stopped once P03 stopped moving until he was a considerable proximity away from the critter.

MIAOU, beeping in response to P03’s question, had moved to sit beside the pile of cards which housed the cat. The feline in question had calmed somewhat once MIAOU had settled nearby, peering over the edge at them.

P03 glared back. He was grimacing, the sheer thought of having a living, hairy beast within the halls of his factory—

“You let this hideous beast inside MY factory?! Are you for real right now?!”

The outburst had actually earned him a look from MIAOU. Something which very, VERY rarely happened. It was clear he had hit a nerve, MIAOU’s eyes going wide for a split second, but soon turned into their usual disapproving scowl. A series of beeps, boops if you will, and low static grumbles came from them, inching closer to the creature.

“You… Relate to this beast?” P03 repeated them, quirking his head to one side. More electrical noises served to solidify their answer, and it made P03 pause to think.

They really relate to this thing? Really?

MIAOU’s reaction to his remark said everything. And while he normally took joy from insulting them, pettiness was a guarantee with the two of them near each other, something was different this time. There was sincerity in the way they explained to him. The way they watched the creature with fascination - admiration and care, and positive beeps from their system. It was all foreign to him, having never seen or had a connection like this himself. But…

A looooong sigh left him. Rolling his eyes, which earned him another deathly glare from MIAOU.

“Fine-“ P03 begun, pointing a claw to the two of them. “The creature is your responsibility and yours alone. If it makes a mess, it’s your mess. And do not let it touch me. Not even by its… “tail” or whatever.”

MIAOU looked at him in disbelief. The robot waved a  claw as he turned his back to them, hovering back to his table to deal with the apparent mess on the desk. Wait- he said they could…

“Meeeeow?”

The cat was now playing with the strings of MIAOU’s hoodie, having snuck into the lap of the robot without them noticing. For once, MIAOU felt rather at peace. Tranquil, and relaxed… it was like this little cat was a cure to all the scrambled code in their had. Looking down at them, fondly, and giving them a well deserved scratch on the back, they only had one thing going through their mind. P03’s glance and sigh went unnoticed, all in favor of focusing on their new friend.

You understand me.