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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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?! ]

[Uri is not listening, just set on destroying the leash. He doesn't like the tugging it does, and it is the enemy and must die.

The way Zuko moves grabs his attention and he gives a slight start before getting up, showing interest. Uri growls, but is not upset, the ears perking up and the end of his tail twitching. He swats at Zuko, then walks after him before changing his mind and crouching, stalking. As soon as the fire prince runs, Uri will be right behind him, and can easily catch up. Play at your own risk, Zuko. Tsuna should probably release that leash or get tugged abruptly.]

[Because he's Tsuna, he almost gets pulled off his feet, before letting go of the leash. It takes him a minute to regain his balance, before running to catch up with Zuko and Uri, the distinct feeling that he really should have seen this coming once again descending upon him.]

Zuko-san, he's catching up!

[ Yeah, no, this was not a foolproof idea — but it's working. It's possibly the dumbest thing he's done in a while? He hasn't needed to run for his life in a while? Which is a little exhilarating? Prince Zuko, back on his bull shit!

As soon as he sees the leopard start following him, however uncertain, when Zuko starts moving away, he's equal parts relieved and worried. And it spurs him forward. He glances over his shoulder as he sets off only to see the large cat in pounce mode, lowered, ready to prowl and burst into action, and Zuko's off like a shot. Yeah, oh, he's so clever for this, but dumb, dumb, dumb. When he hears Tsuna call after him, he glances over his shoulder again to see exactly how close Uri is catching up, and uh— oh, hi, he's like... right there! Zuko's feet have wings, the air cannot carry him fast enough running away from his hunter, as he shoots off into a sprint as fast as he can. Granted, Zuko's pretty fast, but even without knowing much about leopards, he's certain Uri is faster. So he's gonna keep running at top speed for as long as he can.

Hopefully the inn is very close because it suddenly occurs to him he also doesn't know where exactly they live! He hasn't been to Gokudera's apartment here yet! Fuck! Where's he leading the leopard to? Where's he running to safety to?! Yeah, there were... several holes in this plan. But this is what's happening now. He's not stopping til they get there. As soon as that realization dawns on him, he glances back over his shoulder to check on Tsuna's closeness...!

Poor passerby who might notice the three of them running down the street, though, casually seeing a boy being chased by a leopard being chased by a boy. They probably think there's some magical mayhem afoot, but... no... it's just... a bright idea by Zuko. ]

[This may not be a foolproof idea, but it's a fun one. Uri is gaining easily, but keeping behind Zuko for the fun of the chase. It's a full-out bolt through New Camelot.

And Gokudera is out buying some groceries for his new apartment. He has no idea that any of this is going on, and is carrying a large paper bag full of basil and onions and pasta, a bottle of oil, tomatoes, and another bag that has hamburger in it. Zuko runs past him first and he almost walks right into him.

And while Zuko may be going fast enough to only rustle the bag and make Gokudera stop, Uri does not care.

In fact. That is meat. Uri wants food. That is a person Uri recognizes. Play and food?! The leopard tackles Gokudera, who effectively gets knocked over with a sharp yell of fear, pain, and some panic. Uri is on tops of him, holding him down, and there's a loud ripping sound while he tries to turn and get the fresh red meat away from the leopard suddenly seated on his back. Uri growls at him and smacks the side of his face with a paw.]

Uri?!!

[The boy stops struggling and grabs his other groceries, sliding them away from the cat as it rips into the bloody beef.]

Where did you-ugh where did you come from?

[Uri ignores him, because food is more important. Gokudera looks around, sighs, then drums his fingers against the street. Guess he's not getting up for a while.]

[It's not how Tsuna wanted to present Uri, but when Tsuna thinks about it, it should have been what he expected. Pretty par for the course as far as they're concerned. He catches up to everyone, breathing hard and needing a moment to catch his breath.]

Are you alright, Zuko-san, Gokudera-kun?

We, uh, we got the traders to bring Uri here. To cheer you up.

[ Zuko'd kept running until he heard someone cry out in pain and panic, along with a thud, a tear, and a growl. Not something you want to hear when being chased by a leopard. But when he turns around, he sees Tsuna running up, and he doesn't seem to be visibly distressed...? So he runs back a few paces to meet them all, although perhaps not as fast as he was sprinting, rather out of breath himself. ]

Huh— Gokudera?! Y-Yeah, Tenth, I'm fine...

[ Just panting a bit and looking on bemused as the leopard pins their friend to the ground, eating his groceries, right there in public... This went about as good as it could have gone, maybe, he thinks now... ]

Tenth!

[Gokudera looks up from where he's trapped and tries to pull himself out from under the leopard. Uri isn't actually very heavy at all, but doesn't want to get off. If he's standing, he's gonna have to carry this fluffy inconvenience. So he's getting up, sitting and trying to gather his groceries except for the meat, and Uri is chomping onto that, then trying to lean against him, as if he'll keep anyone away from the food that just got stolen.]

Cheer me up...?

[Uri licks at his big paws, then rubs against the boy before jumping up and wrapping his forelegs around his shoulders. Uri nuzzles at the collar attached to Gokudera's neck, and when he tries to shift away, there's purring and a wet nose poking his ear. He giggles, ticklish, and pushes Uri's face away gently then starts petting.]

You look nothing like Uri! [Gokudera turns and grabs Uri's face in his hands, rubbing thumbs along cheeks and then against dark ears. Uri tips his head and starts to chew gently at his hand before swatting at his head.] eew...

Oh... well, it's you. Feeling alright...? [Gokudera looks at Uri's gums, then gives a gentle pout at the leash before detaching it entirely. Free at last, Uri goes to mangle the leash, occupied enough for Gokudera to stand and brush his hands off.]

Y-yeah. You just seemed kinda down lately since you got back and I, we...figured we could do something.

We weren't quite sure how it would work without the dying will flames and the box and all that, but it's still Uri.

[Gokudera can probably tell. The personality is still very much there.]

I wasn't convinced it was Uri at all, I only ever saw Uri when he was small... But... he seems to know you, so...

[ Zuko's still not totally convinced it's Uri. But he's also never seen a leopard until this moment, period, and his first experience was being chased, so, y'know, maybe his judgment is a little clouded. ]

Edited 2021-07-01 22:49 (UTC)

[Gokudera looks touched hearing that his boss noticed he'd seemed so down, and he puts a hand to his chest.] Tenth...

Ah. Thank you very much. I'm sorry if I made you worry about me at all. [He bows, still seated while Uri rubs against him and picks up the food, just holding it and looking for somewhere to stash it. Gokudera gets up and gathers up the groceries. The bag is crumpled, but not completely useless. He'll just have to go out and get some replacement meat for the dish.]

Uri was able to become much larger and full grown with enough Sun flames. I suppose since in this world, Uri is no longer a part of my sistema... it can be a real animal.

Yeah...that's what we figured. But it hasn't really changed him that much.

[He indicates the groceries which he is helping to pick up.]

And it's alright. I'm just hoping that having Uri here will help.

[ Zuko only moves to help pick up the groceries once Tsuna does, like it only then occurred to him to help, but by then there's not that much left to help with between the three of them and the leopard eating the meat. He manages to pick up some item that had rolled off or so, somewhat sheepishly handing it to Gokudera, wishing he'd helped more. But he'd helped get Uri, so that's worth more than if he'd thought first to help pick up groceries. He wears a crooked smile when handing off the errant grocery. ]

Yeah. And I'm sure Uri will have fun here, too. Look at him already.

[ Clearly... he's getting by... It is a pretty comical looking scene, after all, taking a step back. ]

No. Still the same personality...

[He wonders how much Uri will actually help and just knows that the leopard will be destructive. It's not like he can stash it somewhere.]

Maybe someone with animal magic can help me talk to Uri and find out where or when it's from...

[The leopard chirps at Zuko, sets the meat on Gokudera's shoulder, then starts to walk ahead, as if knowing where Gokudera lives.]

That might be a good idea. The traders didn't really tell us anything about him.

[It's hard to say, be Tsuna's just hoping Uri's presence will be enough. Especially with Gokudera living alone now.]

We might also want to get a scratching post or something.

Y-Yeah... Good idea.

[ Zuko's wary still, eyeing the animal oddly when it chirps at him, but he's reassured hearing Gokudera say "same personality." When Uri gets up and leads the way, though, he looks between the two boys, a bit more frantic. ]

Ah! He's leaving!

Well... the baseball idiot has his dog, so this works well enough.

[It will be a distraction until Uri starts to needlessly destroy things.]

There's actually a big tree in my apartment, so Uri can climb that. [How lucky! Gokudera originally moved in because of how the space looked. It felt more real to have a tree indoors and it's even better since he knows now how leopards like to climb.]

Oh, Uri won't get far. I've got the food.

[Gross as it is, Gokudera is confident the cat will return to him. This isn't the same kitten he used to cry over. Uri may not be an adult leopard, but is definitely not that adorable kitten he once appeared to be.]

[Tsuna grins, glad to hear it. Though, he can't help feeling a little jealous so maybe he'll spend some time with Aki later.]

I'm glad, and yeah, a tree will work.

He liked fish to, I remember. We'll have to get some of that.

A tree in your apartment? Like— inside?

[ Yeah, that's what Zuko got stuck on. He's seen more nature-infused architecture here than he could've ever imagined; it shouldn't shock him. But now he knows someone with a tree inside their apartment, for their pet leopard to climb... That's cool, man, c'mon, worth noting. ]

[Gokudera would tell his boss about his box weapon lion, but doesn't want to spoil his future for him. Aside from that, he's just incredibly grateful and overwhelmed to have Uri back.]

Oh! Easy! I uh...

[He glances away and swallows the rest of his comment down, wondering if Yamamoto would know where to buy quality fish in New Camelot. But he doesn't want to talk about the baseball idiot.]

I can get some easily.

[He looks at Zuko and lifts an eyebrow at his tone.]

Yeah.

[That's what he said.]

[One day he'll meet Natsu.]

It shouldn't be that hard. There's probably a market or something.

Haven't you been to his apartment yet?

No! Not yet!

[ Zuko's excitement may be taken for outrage, but... even if half his emotions still just come off as some flavor of "angry," in fact he's dazzled inside at the mere idea. He's always really enjoyed how nature is infused with the architecture here in Avalon even with all the technology, unlike living in Lunatia that was purely hi-tech, and unlike his home which was... way more low-tech than he'd realized. But valued nature. And he misses that — values that, too, more than he used to by far. ]

Why do Cats always get their way?

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