Room 222 | Sunday Morning

[pursuedthestars]

For the most part, Jim had gotten used to living with a cat. Moxy wasn't too bad and the fact that he seemed to hate Jackson made him all the more better in Jim's mind. But (and this was a big but), Moxy did like to torment Jim at times.

This morning was one of those times. Jim was right in the middle of a very, very nice dream. He wasn't going to tell anyone what it was about but that became a moot point anyway when Moxy jumped onto his back and proceeded to claw lightly at his hair and shoulders. For a second or two, Jim ignored it. Maybe Moxy would go away.

Moxy did not go away and then went about kneading at Jim's shoulders before the damn cat started pacing up and down on his back.

"Oh my god, go away," he muttered, batting at Moxy sleepily. Moxy just tumbled off his back and came to curl up right against his face. Now Jim had a mouthful of cat fur. "You're disowned."

Moxy purred and blinked in his very feline way at Jim. He knew he wasn't going anywhere.

"Ugh," Jim said and tried to go back to sleep.

[Door closed/post open]

Comments

[pursuedthestars]

"And I'd just be bored so I hope you're not in a horrible mood," he replied. "Book the room, Natalie. And you know I'll be there."

[whenshewasnice]

"You wouldn't be bored, I'd give you a book too." Or he could play with Moxy! "I'll do my best not to be in a horrible mood, though."

[pursuedthestars]

"I'd be bored," he said because after all this talk, getting a book would be boring. "If you feel yourself sliding towards that, just think of me. Or your cat."

[whenshewasnice]

"But what if my horrible mood is because of one of you?"

What, it could happen.

[pursuedthestars]

"How would that even happen?" Jim asked, raising an eyebrow. "After this conversation, I probably won't see you until New Year's. You're reaching."

[whenshewasnice]

"I could become delirious from stress, have a bad dream, and then blame you for something you did in said dream."

See? Completely plausible.

[pursuedthestars]

"You're reaching and if I showed up and you were like that, I wouldn't stick around," he told her, shaking his head. "Not a chance."

[whenshewasnice]

"Why not?" She knew why not. "Haven't you missed me?"

[pursuedthestars]

"Yes. But I also don't want to be blamed for nothing," he replied with a shrug. "So, I wouldn't stick around to be blamed for a dream."

[whenshewasnice]

"I'd only blame you at first, and then I'd curl up with my book," she decided. "Does that make a difference, or should I just rejoice in the fact that you just said you miss me?"

[pursuedthestars]

"The second one," Jim decided after a moment. "I miss you. Try not to be in a horrible mood so we can enjoy each other."

[whenshewasnice]

"Unless Peter has a nervous breakdown, I think we're safe." She was pretty even-mooded these days. "It's my Christmas and New Year's Eve wrapped into one. I won't mess it up. Promise."

[pursuedthestars]

"Awesome," he said sincerely. "When you know the place, just send me the name so I can book a portal. I figure they'll be pretty busy so let me know as soon as you can. I won't mess it up either."

[whenshewasnice]

"I'll get it done as soon as possible." That was her style. Getting things done on time, even when they were just for her and not the Hegemony. "Also, if you give Moxy a treat he's going to be nicer about going into the carrier."

[pursuedthestars]

"Thanks for the tip." The last thing he needed was to get his body scratched all to hell by a scorned cat. "Anything else?"

[whenshewasnice]

The scratching was clearly Natalie's job.

"None that I can think of. I'll text you if anything comes to mind."

[pursuedthestars]

Clearly.

"Okay. So, we're on for Wednesday, then. Looking forward to it," he said, smiling.

[whenshewasnice]

"Tuesday. Well, mostly Wednesday, actually." It wasn't going to be an early night. "I'll miss you until then."

[pursuedthestars]

"Same thing," he said, snickering. "I'll miss you too. And so will Moxy. Don't work too hard."

[whenshewasnice]

"I always work too hard. Don't sleep too much, and don't let Mox push you around." Like a bossy cat. "Talk to you soon. Bye, Jim."

[pursuedthestars]

"Bye, Natalie."

Jim hung up the phone. And literally, as soon as he put the phone on the nightstand, Moxy climbed onto his chest, flicked his tail in Jim's face and curled up underneath Jim's chin.

"Seriously?"

This cat, man.