isleofavalon | Why do Cats always get their way?

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Why do Cats always get their way?

🧙 WHO: Tsuna, Gokudera, Zuko and special guest Uri
⚔️️ WHAT: Tsuna and Zuko try to cheer Gokudera up
🕒 WHEN: Beginning of June
🗺️ WHERE: The Inn?
⚠️ WARNINGS: wholesomeness? will change if necessary

[He hadn't really expected the call from the Traders to come so soon.

When he'd reached out, they'd made it sound like it was going to take a lot longer. So getting the call that morning had come as a surprise.

Tsuna had acted quickly. He texted Zuko, before getting dressed and slipping out of the Inn, hopefully without detection. Tsuna didn't plan to be long, so he didn't leave a note, and if there was a problem, well, he had his phone.

He reached the Traders not to much later, steeling himself before he went in. He was always scared he would knock something over and cause some bit of chaos to occur. That or get saddled with some sort of debt to work off.

He's waiting nervously at the counter now.]

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[ Zuko's joined him readily, already awake since before sunrise... cuz he's like that... So he's already good and woken up and even exercised and meditated and ate breakfast and all that good stuff. Plus he's psyched because he's so smitten with this idea they had to cheer Gokudera up with his kitten — which Zuko... only ever knew as a kitten...

So it's a good thing he's all prepped and pumped when three Traders cautiously drag out... a leopard on a leash. Like, an adolescent leopard on a thick leather leash like a dog and they all look terrified because they have a big toothy cat in their tiny crowded shop. And Zuko's maybe not scared, but definitely looks... disarmed. This is not the Uri he remembers. ]

Wh-what is this! Wait, no— There must be some mistake, Uri used to sit on my head— Hey, no, listen!

[ Zuko tries to object but the Traders are all to happy to hand the creature over to him and Tsuna. This is what they asked for. No refunds, no returns. Thanks for shopping, have a nice day, now get out, and take your cat!

Zuko turns to Tsuna with the most pleading, incredulous, bewildered face as they're shuffled out of the shop with Uri in tow. He's got the brawn here, obviously the more muscular between the two boys, so they handed the leash off to him. But he's... not so certain about this. They've gotta walk it home... ]

Tenth... Th-This is him, right?

[Uri looks at both boys with a narrowed gaze, but sniffs at Tsuna readily before bodily rubbing against him. The leash restricts, and so he pulls and will not be contained, thanks. This is a familiar person. He likes this person.

The leopard sits and looks up at Zuko once they're outside. He turns to sniff at his leg, long body weaving slow until he starts to growl, the noise echoing. This is not Gokudera or food!]

Rwow! Mrrow! [If either of them wants to get down to Uri's level, they'll be getting an affectionate headbutt followed by the rest of that fluffy spotted body.]

He's, uh, bigger...than I remember.

[He's only seen Uri as a small kitten, with the familiar red storm flames sprouting from his ears. But the cat seems to like him, so he's taking that as a good sign.

He kneels down in front of Uri, hoping he's not making a mistake.]

Uri?

[Of course, now he's trapped on the ground with leopard on top of him.]

[ Zuko's nervous as fuck hearing that growl, and when Uri flops himself on top of Tsuna, Zuko's on defense. But he quickly relaxes seeing the cat's just... being as affectionate as Zuko remembers it being. Just, y'know, several time the size and with attention drawn to its fangs and claws more than when it was a kitten crawling over Zuko's shoulders. He doesn't let go of the leash, but lets the big cat have its reunion with Tsuna, standing behind the pair awkwardly. ]

Um... I guess this is him, then... ...Are you okay, Tenth?

[ Zuko's never had an animal friend until his dragon here in Avalon. Throwing pieces of bread at the turtle-ducks in the pond in the palace gardens is not the same as full-body cuddling with a leopard. He doesn't know how to act. ]

[Uri doesn't stay, far too restless and destructive. The leopard just circles about Tsuna as much as it can, walking figure eights and giving little growling purrs before sitting and yowling at him again.

Zuko better let that leash go, or else it'll get tangled around Tsuna's legs.]

Mrrrrrrow hrfffff.

[Uri's long tail twitches at the end, its eyes an unusual crimson red, and it just keeps bumping, rubbing, and winding itself. It stops occasionally to sniff the air and look around, likely looking for Gokudera.]

Well, I guess this is him so we better let Gokudera-kun know.

[There isn't much of a chance of keeping Uri a surprise at this size.]

Should I text him to meet us somewhere?

Should we just... take him to your home? I feel like I just picked up a baby tigerdillo cub...

[ Zuko's reluctant to let go of the leash for that reason, but indeed does, to spare Tsuna's balance. ]

[As soon as Zuko lets go of that leash, Uri is grabbing it up and rolling about, and chewing on it the same way a kitten would play with yarn. There's no reaction to Gokudera's name because play is much more important than anything else, thanks.]

[In a way, Tsuna is endeared to the leopard and can't help but smile. Yeah, it's definitely Uri.]

What's a tigerdillo?

But yeah, that might actually be better. I'll ask him to meet us out front.

[That probably makes more sense than trying to get Uri to their room. So he'll shoot Gokudera a quick text and then try to grab Uri's leash.]

[ Zuko's happy to let Tsuna take hold of the leash, eyeing the leopard nervously as they all up and go. ]

Tigerdillos... they're these huge cats with a shell on their back like armor, kinda like a turtle-duck has — they're bigger than a platypus-bear but smaller than an eelhound. They're terrifyingly powerful with massive fangs and claws, could easily kill a man with little fuss. You see them in zoos sometimes. They're known for their incredible strength and ferocity.

[ Ahem. So you can see why he's been making this face at Uri all this time. ]

[Uri chases the leash as Tsuna tries to grab it, and it becomes even more of a game. The leopard pats at it with large paws, the claws not sinking in, and then it's in the boy's hand.]

Hrff! [The leopard stands on its back legs and paws at the leach with one front leg, rubbing the side of his face against Tsuna's forearm. No give the toy back!!!]

[Tsuna takes a step back in surprise because Uri is definitely bigger than he remembers. Of course, he also misinterprets the cat.]

It's okay, we're gonna go! We'll go find Gokudera.

...Are you sure this is safe, Tenth? He's almost as big as you are...

[ Zuko has really not spent much quality time around animals that wasn't throwing bread at turtle-ducks, like, this is making him highly suspicious watching Uri jump up on its back legs. ]

[When Tsuna takes a step back, Uri falls onto all four legs and then his long tail lies flat, the tip twitching. Large red eyes watch the leash, making it an obvious target. Or... Tsuna's hand by extension.]

[No, Tsuna does not think this is safe at all. He's holding a leash with a temperamental leopard attached to it. If it weren't for the fact that Uri recognized him and he wants to cheer Gokudera up, he probably would have been heading for the hills.]

Not really, but do we have another choice? We don't have a box to put him and I don't really have any other ideas how to get him to Gokudera-kun.

[He gives Uri an nervous look, before, probably mistakenly, giving the leash a small tug.]

Let's go, Uri.

I guess...

[ Zuko's skeptical, but he's not sure he has any better ideas, either. What if it doesn't want to go on the leash, though? He's not sure leopards are leash-trained. What if it turns on them? Gokudera always said Uri was a jerk. But... so far so good...? He's wary, watching Tsuna tug on the leash, like this cat's definitely about to go for his hand. But maybe not? How should he know?! ]

[Uri looks from Tsuna, to Zuko, and then to the leash as it's tugged. Listening but still wanting to play, the big cat lunges to swat at the leash but is oddly mindful of his claws, patting the Tenth's hand before giving up and walking with them.

Sure, most cats would freeze up when put on a leash, but also most cats don't have experience living in a box. Uri walks right next to Tsuna, occasionally bumping his soft body against his calf.]

[Tsuna definitely jumps at the cat coming towards him, instinct being to flinch but he's also surprised at the gentleness. Maybe even a little encouraged. He smiles, albeit nervously, at Zuko and then at Uri.]

I think we'll be okay.

[ Zuko can't help but smile at that, too, a bit relieved. Uri is still cute, even if he's much bigger... All this world was so surreal in regards to Gokudera and everything Gokudera-related. Familiar but drastically different than the bomber and "firecat" he'd gotten so comfortable with for half a year in Lunatia. It's bittersweet. But it keeps a crooked smile on the fire prince's face as they walk, glancing to the leopard and Tsuna. After a moment, he speaks up, always something somewhat profound to say seemingly out of nowhere. ]

...Y'know, I've never had a pet. Not until Zunyan, but he doesn't count. In the palace, we had turtle-ducks in the garden, but no animals inside. Not like I ever wanted like a cat or a poodle-monkey or something, though, I mean. We didn't even have a cat on our ship when I was searching for the Avatar, and that would've been useful. But I've just... never bonded with animals like that... Not until I met Gokudera and Uri. Gokudera once told me he used to feed stray cats when he was younger, even though he was poor, himself. He said "it wasn't hurting anyone to share with them!" Heh...

[ Zuko smiles to himself at the memory, not sure if he's exposing Gokudera's softheartedness to the Tenth or not, but it's a remark that made a profound impression on Zuko about the bomber's nature. He's still endeared to this day and that's clear on his face, certainly an expression Tsuna's never seen replace his usual scowl. ]

[Uri is very affectionate because he wants food, or to play. Tsuna is doing neither of those things, so he's just going to beg and love on him and stare up at him while making little rumbly chuffing noises.

And then Zuko speaks and the cat looks over at him as if he rudely interrupted. The leopard sits down. Okay, this isn't fun anymore. Food. NOW.]

That does sound like Gokudera. Though, I have to admit you have a lot of weird sounding animals in your world, Zuko-san.

I can't say I had a pet either. I wanted one, but I probably wouldn't be the best at taking care of it.

[Certainly not for lack of trying, but he'd hate for his reputation to affect a pet. And they'd probably end up attacking him.]

Hey Uri! Come on, we're almost there.

[He gives the leash another tug.]

Y'know, that's what everyone says... But the animals in your world sound weird to me. All these half-animals. Like— ostriches and horses instead of a normal ostrich-horse.

[ Zuko exchanges a look with the leopard. Uh, who's rude? Get up! He's not so amused. ]

I don't think I have the patience for a pet either. At least one that's not a dragon. Zun's already a handful anyway, though. We have so many scorch marks... Probably not a concern with other pets...

[ Scorch marks?! The dragons just set shit on fire, he means to say?! Yes, they do. Azula and Zuko's house is fun... ]

[Uri growls at the tugging and stiffens his body up, hunching awkwardly before standing, but not moving. The leopard doesn't want to be on a leash, doesn't like this tugging. It's not fun anymore.

The cat lifts a paw and turns its head to chew at the leash in an attempt to mangle it. Without Storm flames, it's just aggression.]

[Tsuna is about to pursue ostrich-horse because that just sounds...well, he doesn't want to say unholy abomination but he's thinking it. However, that thought is put on hold due to Uri being stubborn.

Yes. This is the Uri he remembers.]

Hey, stop that! We're almost there, almost to Gokudera-kun. Uri!

[He should have brought food or something.]

[ Zuko has less, uh, sympathy for the leopard sitting in the middle of the street making them tug at his leash... He stops and sort of thinks about this, enough to at least say something before he does anything, but Zuko's... not adept with animals...? ]

Do you think if we run and he chases us to make him wanna move, he'll be playing, or he'll attack us?

[ One way to know... Fuck around and find out. Without taking a step closer or farther away, Zuko reaches out and claps his hands somewhat near the leopard's face, then hurriedly gestures his arms like "hey, follow me!" as he makes quick movements away, stepping a pace or two off with a bit of a jump in his step, in the hopes this catches his attention and makes Zuko look like... someone who... wants to be chased... by a leopard... This isn't a foolproof idea here but it's an idea nevertheless, okay?! Does Tsuna have a better one?! ]

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