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[petrifiedshadow]

Is anyone here good at hunting? There is some sort of infestation of small cats in the garden, and we should really stop them before they cause problems. Plus I think we can all agree some fresh meat would be a nice change.

I've been trying to catch some but they keep hiding in places I can't reach. Some assistance would be appreciated.

Comments

[petrifiedshadow]

I'm not saying they deserve to be eaten, it's just how nature works.

And it's not my fault they're scared. I'm a dragon, what do you expect?

[hirotohero]

Well what if something bigger than you decided to eat you?

[ He's not sure what kind of thing might be bigger than a dragon but hey this is a hypothetical scenario for the purposes of stalling. ]

Could you maybe, you know, stop chasing them? I'll buy you a really big steak on the next planet if you leave them alone.

[petrifiedshadow]

Then something bigger would decide it eat me. I'm not saying they're not justified in trying to hide or escape, but that doesn't mean we have to let them.

I appreciate the offer, but that's not going to change the fact they're loose on the ship.

[hirotohero]

I'll help catch them! They're probably all getting really cold so they might find warm spots to hide in.

Plus they're a morale thing for humans. Having something to take care of can keep your spirits up.

[petrifiedshadow]

Fine, I could tell you where a few of them are.

[ He had asked for help catching them, after all. ]

Is it really that much of a benefit? It's not like taking care of your young or family.

[hirotohero]

For humans it is. When I was little, my... my parents died and my aunt's cat, Mochi, helped me a lot by just being there. And when you live with something and you love it then it actually does end up being family.

Plus petting them feels really nice.

[petrifiedshadow]

Hmm.

[ Starflight had to think about that one. Would things have been different for him and his friends growing up in the caves if they had something to take care of? Probably not. Taking care of each other had always been enough of a priority. ]

I guess if you were by yourself it would make sense, but if you had your aunt then would you really need a pet?

[hirotohero]

Aunt Cass couldn't be there all the timem though. She had to work a lot to support me and my brother. Having Mochi there gave me a way to keep busy and distracted. Pets don't ask if you're sad, they just want someone to give them affection.

It's a human thing, I guess. But it's nice to have.

[petrifiedshadow]

I think it's less that it's a 'human thing' and more that dragons are expected to be tougher than that.

[ Starflight gave a bitter snort.]

Our guardians were very clear on that particular lesson. I wish they hadn't been able to be around all the time.