Twenty-Eight Raindrops

It was already a bit out of Jet's way to be going this far, but it was rather unlike Java to be so.. inquisitive. The kettlecat was generally very laid-back and never wanted to run off too far, but maybe it's just the area that's got her curious. Jet carefully parts the overhanging branches of trees out of his way as he walks, hoping that he's going in the direction that Java was going. The grass is soft and cool under his feet, and despite the air being a little humid, it doesn't feel unpleasant. Still, he doesn't want to stray too far from the small resort, knowing it might be hard to find, especially if it gets dark out. Just one glance over at the sun, he knows that it won't be long before it starts dipping downward. 

He pauses for a moment, listening for any noises coming from Java, even something like leaves rustling. But he can only hear the gentle breeze of the wind, and unfortunately for him, the faint sound of a light thunder rumble from not too far off. Java hates getting wet, so Jet knows he needs to find her now before she freaks out when the rain starts. Then he might never find her.

Frowning, Jet turns around in a complete circle, looking for the largest tree he can see from his vantage point. He breaks into a run for the nearest one, all but hugging the trunk of the tree as he starts to climb. His claws dig into the tree bark as he scrambles his way up, doing a very bad job at that, but not caring enough about how stupid he probably looks. Not like there's anyone around to witness this, anyway. 

Looking around from where he's at, Jet doesn't see any signs of Java anywhere. However, he does spy a bit of light not too far away; perhaps from a house? Java's probably over there. He all but jumps out of the tree, landing on his feet and ignoring the mild pain in his knees as he starts making a clumsy run for the direction of the light. 

He comes into a little clearing after a few minutes, and at its center, as Jet guessed, was a house. Only, the house was more of a weird hut, appearing to be made out of.. mud. Jet purses his lips as he stares at it, wondering what kind of weirdo would live in a mud house. The little windows have lit candles on the inside sills, which is where some of the light came from, but there are also homemade paper lanterns that tastefully accent the neatly-made stone walkway leading up to the hut, and those lanterns have some kind of artificial light dancing inside them. Whatever. 

"Who do you think you are? Get out of here, go on!! Shoo!!"

The sudden voice startles Jet, and he frantically looks around for the source, but there's no one around. It scared him significantly, not having expected anyone to be around, much less start yelling out of nowhere. Still, he does notice after processing the voice that it doesn't sound exactly close. It's close, but not right next to him. Perhaps whoever it is might be yelling at someone else. Someone like.. Java?

Jet walks in the vague direction the voice came from, feeling slightly nervous since now he feels like he's trespassing, but if there's the chance that Java is around, he doesn't want to miss it. He wants to get her back to the resort before it rains. He keeps walking, now turning to go behind the hut, where a very strange sight meets his eyes.

There's a browbird standing there, maybe a couple inches taller than himself, and completely covered in deep navy fur from head to toe. Seeing a browbird all the way out here is a bit interesting, but that's pushed to the back burner as Jet notices that one of the bird's arms is outstretched, and that's because he's holding Java by the scruff of her neck. He plucks a green bean out of her mouth, which Jet assumes she's nabbed from the garden that they're standing in. She does love green beans. But this isn't the time to think about beans.

"Oi, oi!!" Jet interjects loudly, taking a few more steps in, "Don't hold her like that; she doesn't like it!!"

"Well excuse me," the browbird snaps, fixing his eyes on Jet, "But she's stealing from my garden."

Jet finally approaches the browbird, who readily dumps the kettlecat into his arms. "I'm sorry she was in your garden; she ran off, which she doesn't usually do. But she does love green beans!!" He smiles in a friendly manner, trying to lighten the mood.

The other browbird maintains his frown, but keeps the green bean tucked into his closed fist. "You should keep a better eye on her, then. There's large animals on this planet the farther away you get from here. I'm sure she'd be eaten in a snap."

"I'll keep that in mind," Jet replies warily, gently smoothing Java's head with one hand. The kettlecat repeatedly pushes her head against Jet's hand, enjoying the much nicer touches from him. Jet looks back up at the other browbird, still keeping his smile up. "I'm Jet, by the way."

".. Indra." The browbird's dark eyes eyes meet Jet's for a moment, and he holds that gaze before he shakes his head. "You should leave. It's about to rain, and I'm about to make supper, and quite frankly, I'm not in the mood for entertaining strangers."

"Right, right. Again, I'm sorry Java was in your garden." Jet scoots back, making his way out of the rather immaculate garden space, "If she's damaged anything, please let me know; I'll gladly pay for it."

Indra waves him off, clearly not interested. "I don't need money," he says dismissively, "And it's nothing that I can't prune tomorrow."

That sounds a bit upsetting to Jet, now knowing that Java has clearly messed up some of his plants. "Well then I'll just come back tomorrow with something else for you."

"No need."

"I insist," Jet replies, frowning as he reaffirms his hold on the squirming kettlecat, "Look, I feel bad for what Java did to your plants. I respect that you won't accept money, so just be chill for five seconds and let me bring you something else instead."

Indra looks incredibly irritated, but he sighs after a moment. His shoulders slump slightly, and he looks vaguely defeated. "Fine. This time tomorrow. It won't be raining. Also please don't bring your kettlecat."

"You got it, dude." The word dude makes Indra flinch.

Jet snuggles Java close to his chest as he walks back to the resort without even so much as a goodbye to Indra, who probably wouldn't have said it either. But Jet is already planning out what kind of food he's going to bring to Indra tomorrow night when he comes back. Doesn't want money? Alright, fine. He'll just make sure that Indra gets something good to eat. No one can be mad when they're eating good food, right?

He'll make Indra regret being rude.. for whatever reason.