video;

[shiro2hero]

[It's very, very early morning when the video flicks on. Displaying someone who really should still have been asleep. But he's smiling, and pans the camera over to where one of the purple alien cats has apparently, in true cat fashion, decided Shiro's bedroll is its new bed, and no one else's.]

Finally got him to stick around long enough for a nap. [He's speaking in an undertone, and fondly, too.] He'll probably wander off after he wakes up, but...

Maybe we can get him to help with the hunting around here.

[A pause.] At least, I've been calling him... him.

Comments

Re: video;

[infailtration]

Either way. I'll have to try harder. [ Shiro can't see his face, but he sounds disappointed in himself. As if one armored soldier can patrol the whole camp. ]

I've never had a pet, so I'm not sure how people name them. Favorite characters from things? After a friend from home they might remind you of? Look up baby name meanings?

video;

[shiro2hero]

If it makes you feel any better, I don't think these cats are anything to be too worried about.

[Unlike the cave monsters.]

... I could just call him "Cat" for now.

Re: video;

[infailtration]

Worse things might come down to camp. I don't want the first alert to be someone screaming.

...

Really?

video;

[shiro2hero]

That's fair enough. Maybe I'll take it up too.

[Something else to keep him up.]

...

Really.

Re: video;

[infailtration]

Not gonna lie, some more company out here would be nice. What's your name? I'm York.

Whatever works for you, man. Personally I'd fire up the name dictionary.

video;

[shiro2hero]

Shiro. And maybe I'll take you up on that next time.

I'm open to suggestions.

Re: video;

[infailtration]

I'll warn you, I'm out here most of the night.

Well what's his behavior like?

video;

[shiro2hero]

That's fine with me, really. Until we got here, my... day-night cycle was pretty messed up.

I was going to say "like a cat", but that probably doesn't help anything. Fairly smart. Kind of aloof.

Re: video;

[infailtration]

If you're up for it. I don't have a partner or anything, besides Delta. Speaking of.

D, male names meaning smart, go.

[ A small holographic figure pops up at York's shoulder, glowing green. ]

Achida, Dhimani, Fahim, Fakih, Fateen, Hewitt, Nikka, Tyjah, Yi-Min, Zeki.

Hmm... not as many options as I thought. Try synonyms.

Aakil, Adalbert, Albert, Alvy, Ardal, Berto, Bertrand, Cong-Min, Cuinn.... [ He's just gonna keep going until one of them stop him. ]

video;

[shiro2hero]

What is that?

[Sorry, his interest has been shifted from cat names to talking green figures.]

[Because that's uh. That's sure a thing.]

Re: video;

[infailtration]

Oh -- say hi, D.

[ The little hologram stops reciting names and turns to look at the TAB, like it knows who's addressing him. ]

Hello. I am Delta. it is nice to meet you.

This is who I was talking about. He's my AI.

video;

[shiro2hero]

[He peers a little closer to the screen in curiosity. He's never seen something like that before.]

[Not... something that small, anyway. Allura's father AI had been pretty close. But it usually only talked to her.]

Nice to meet you too.

... Where did you get him?

Re: video;

[infailtration]

[ Technically that information was classified, but York doesn't give a shit. He was trying to take down the program, after all. ]

I was part of a military experiment that implanted them straight into our heads. He's my brain buddy.

video;

[shiro2hero]

[... well there goes the vague start of an idea.]

That's -- well. Pretty unique. I'll have to say.

Re: video;

[infailtration]

He's one of a kind. I guess you could say we both are.

video;

[shiro2hero]

Both?

Re: video;

[infailtration]

Me and Delta. We come as a pair, after all.

video;

[shiro2hero]

Yeah, I can see how that would help the uniqueness situation.

Re: video;

[infailtration]

Anyway, did you want to name your cat?

video;

[shiro2hero]

I think I'm leaning toward "Purple".

Suggested by one of my teammates.

Re: video;

[infailtration]

Well it's descriptive enough. If it was a girl I'd say name her Violet.

video;

[shiro2hero]

You know, I really have no idea what he is.

Re: video;

[infailtration]

Don't suppose you could get him to roll over.

video;

[shiro2hero]

Even then...

He's an alien.

[You get where he's going with this.]

Re: video;

[infailtration]

Good point.

Purple's a good neutral name, then.