calling all grubs

[onlyasign]

[The video shows a much happier, more content Sufferer than the network has seen lately. In fact, he almost looks like Signless again. Over his shoulder, the video catches a cat-troll, one who could easily be mistaken for Disciple except for her shorter hair and blue kitty hat, sitting on a couch and cuddling something, with two kittens bounding around her. The audio catches the occasional giggle, purr, or squeak.]

Hello! It seems we're under another curse. I'm unaffected by this one, but many of my friends are not. If anyone finds someone who looks like this, please bring them to me.

[He holds up a picture of a... well, it looks like a giant, smiling maggot baby. Which is basically what it is. This is an Alternian grub, everyone.]

My assistant Nepeta and I will take charge of him or her for the week, if you aren't interested in caring for them.

[OOC: answers can come from Sufferer or Nepeta or both!]

Comments

[bestestfurrend]

[Uh oh. The thing about kittytrolls?

Disciple isn't the only one in the room.

As the tiny green grub squeaks in delight and strains towards the balls of light, Nepeta cannot help herself from pouncing at them, grub in her arms and all.]

[zelda_hylia]

[The balls do have a little substance to them - they're fuzzy and puffy, not unlike a dandelion ready to burst. And that is exactly what they do when pounced upon.]

Goodness! I did not know that you were so catlike.

[bestestfurrend]

...oops. I guess I get it a lot from Mama! And from Pounce too of course.

[She watches the little fluffy bits floating off, Digrub cooing happily as she stares after them as well.]

[zelda_hylia]

It's certainly not a bad thing. I have a friend who is rather catlike himself - he likes to nap in warm places and laze about in the sun. I think cats are a fine animal.

[One of her favorites, in fact! Cats and birds are her most loved animals, followed up by horses for practical reasons.]

[bestestfurrend]

Oh, they are! They are the bestest creatures ever!

[There will be no objections from Nepeta on that score! Kitties are far and away her favourite animals.]

[zelda_hylia]

[She's getting familiar with troll culture to an extent, so if Nepeta likes cats so much...]

Was your lusus a cat?

[bestestfurrend]

Yes! She was! How did you guess?!

[She looks delighted that Zelda has managed to deduce that about her. Talking about Pounce always cheers her up.]

[zelda_hylia]

Trolls seem to share some behaviors with their lusus. For example, Gamzee is rather gangly and eats everything in sight, and Equius and Darkleer both have some horse-like habits.

[She hasn't weaseled anyone else's lusus out of them yet, but three people is still a pattern enough for her to notice it.]

[bestestfurrend]

That's true! It's very purrceptive of you to notice it, uh huh!

[zelda_hylia]

Do you think so? I confess I feel a little lost at times when it comes to Alternian culture.

[If she's going to be in a part time quadrant with the Grand Highblood and Darkleer, she feels like she has a long way to go.]

[bestestfurrend]

I do think so! And that's okay, I know it can be very different from other cultures. If you want to ask me anything at all about it I can try and explain!

[zelda_hylia]

I think that I will be fine for now. Though... typically grubs are not cared for by other trolls at all, correct? How does one choose a lusus?

[bestestfurrend]

Oh, we don't! Our lusus chooses us once we crawl out of the caverns!

[zelda_hylia]

I see. Why do they do it, does anyone know?

[She can't really see the benefit for the lusus in this situation...]

[bestestfurrend]

It's just what lusii do...but it works both ways, you know! Once a troll is a bit older they start taking care of their lusus as well.

[zelda_hylia]

I see! So it is a mutually beneficial relationship. Do they have some sort of telepathic ability to be able to communicate with trolls, or do they simply teach the troll their body language?

[bestestfurrend]

That's right! It's both, depending on the lusus. Some can communicate telepathically, but some, like my Pounce, just learn to understand their troll and their troll learns to understand them!

[zelda_hylia]

Do you find that your understanding applies to all cats, now?

[She's admittedly curious. If she could learn to read a cat's body language, it could be helpful for handling a couple friends...]

[bestestfurrend]

Not the same amount that it did with Pounce! But it definitely helps a lot, uh huh.

[Nepeta likes to think herself an expert in feline communication, actually, but she knows not everyone buys that.]

[zelda_hylia]

That makes sense. Cats are individuals as much as people are, I would suppose.

[Thinking of her friends has her worried again. Just where is Zelos hiding? She should go find him...]

I apologize for coming over and leaving so abruptly, but I still have a few friends I have not located yet. I should probably make sure that they are all right. It was a pleasure to see the grubs, Nepeta.

[bestestfurrend]

Ohh...that's okay. [She's disappointed but she understands.] I hope you find your friends soon! Do you want to give Disciple one last hug before you go?

[zelda_hylia]

[Being a few years older really kicks Zelda's maternal instincts into high gear. She can tell that Nepeta is a little disappointed.]

That would be lovely.

[Gently, (provided the troll doesn't pull away), she hugs both Nepeta and the little grub she's holding.]/small>

[bestestfurrend]

[Nepeta's face blushes a light shade of green, very pleased at the affection and hugging her back as well as she can without dropping Digrub (who is cooing louder than ever at all the cuddles).]

Come and see us again soon!

[zelda_hylia]

[She doesn't visit as often as she would like to. Zelda knows this is a place that Sola considers safe, and she doesn't want to take that from him by invading it.]

I will. Good afternoon, Nepeta.

[Turning, she heads back to the door and slips her heels on again, tapping them on the ground lightly to make sure they're secure before heading out.]