Case 8

[unnaturalpause]

[You know there are just some things one does not expect to wander down and see. Though perhaps that has as much to do with the fact that he likes to live in something like denial (really bad idea that in a sentient magical castle) as it does the fact that tends to forget such things.

Which he really shouldn't do because weird things happen in this castle and he knows that.

So why is he surprised to find a cat in Helen's room with no sight of Helen (he had gotten worried when he hadn't seen her in the clinic or around and thought he would see if she was up for tea or otherwise busy).

Oh great. How long is this going to go on?

And because he's a polite man he's not about to just pick her up and carry her off to his room (because somehow he doubts she'd appreciate that), and instead he just sits down and takes out his journal, giving a look to the cat.]

You are going to worry so many people Helen, and I do hope you realize that. [Or he's completely wrong and it's not Helen but a cat she got recently. Wouldn't that just be embarrassing?

But before he goes on he writes in a few relevant filters.]

[Nikola Tesla]

...I do believe we have a small problem. [And he's mentally wincing at his words.]

[Maladict]

What's your opinion on cats?

[River Song and both Doctors]

[He had himmed and hawed on who to write this filter to and had decided on all three of them.]

I am sorry to say that unless this is a short loss Helen may not be able to attend your ceremony if she was to be invited.

[Galadriel]

I was wondering if at some point soon you would be willing to have a talk? Perhaps over tea or something stronger? I find I am in need of someone willing to listen and sadly my usual conversation partner can not share her opinion with me.

[Filters done he reaches over to hesitantly try and scratch Helen's ears before saying anything over an open journal.]

Does the castle choose animal losses depending on personality or is it arbitrary?

Comments

James

[mal_addict]

Oh there you are. Listen. I have something hilarious to tell...


Cats? Why are you asking about cats?

Maladict

[unnaturalpause]

[It rather warms his heart really to be thought of in that sort of context, but he won't say that.

Instead he's sounding a little grumbly as he talks.]

I do hate to spoil your mood on your hilarious tale. And I am talking about cats because a mutual friend of ours was turned into one it appears.

James

[mal_addict]

[This has distracted her, at least for a moment]

Really? Who?

James Watson

[vampirize]

Don't tell me that you've suddenly been whisked away into a room and woken up in a dress.

[Huffy Tesla is huffy.]

Because I don't really care if that is the case.

Nikola Tesla

[unnaturalpause]

[You should have kept that dress comment to yourself Nikola. You REALLY should have.]

Unlike you Nikola I have some fair share of experience in that. [All boys schools with forced theater productions suck.]

Though I suppose if you do not care then I will not inform you of the latest thing to befall Helen.

James Watson

[vampirize]

Good. Except, wow, I still don't care. Would you look at that.

[Wait, something happened to Helen? His tone suddenly sounds more concerned.]

What, did she get hurt?

[is0latedthinker]

[Hrm, let him try to remember.] I think most of the few animal losses I've seen have been dogs.

[He quickly adds a filter in case people might take this the wrong way:]
But it fit their personalities more than another animal would, I think.

Alan Bradley

[unnaturalpause]

[Dogs okay. He could understand dogs.

And he scribbles in a filter himself before going on.]

I wonder if that is the usual case then? I seem to have a friend, who I would call a cat person myself who was turned into one. Which is why I asked.

James Watson

[is0latedthinker]

That would probably make sense to the Castle. No matter what changes, people seem to keep some semblance or another of themselves.

what is a hiatus :3

[longaevus]

[ You were quite correct on first thought, James, Helen did wake up as a cat, and whatever he thinks about it she is far less impressed by it.

As he spoke the cat simply looked at him, moving forward until she'd jumped up to the couch to sit beside him as he filtered to others. The looks that she gives him (something that could almost be an eyeroll to how he phrased his words to Nikola before one of curiosity to his message to Galadriel) are ones that are undeniably Helen, undeniably when you've known her for so long.

And when he scratches her ears? She almost flinches at first, wondering what he is doing (even if she is a cat) before staying still and allowing it. They all needed something pleasant, even if the castle made it odd or awkward ]

idk man i really don't :3

[unnaturalpause]

[Well that is perfectly understandable seeing as how she is the one experiencing it herself. He's rather certain he would feel the same if in her position.

But it is in part his small menagerie of animals he has and just in part knowing her so well that he can read those looks and he can't help a grin at them. At least it's her, and at least she has her mind and that is some comfort to him. Even if he is still hesitant to scratch her ears after seeing that flinch and he's rather quick to stop it after only a few moments, running a hand down her back quickly in a pet to see if she likes that better.]

With any luck this is only temporary, and nothing occurs to you or any of us while you are indisposed of.

day one BAM. only thread i'll tag tho (mebbe)

[longaevus]

[ As far as other experiences go it's certainly more pleasant than other things that could have happened (for example inanimate objects), Helen knows, but she certainly does prefer her own body.

Her expression gives as much agreement as a cats face can give, and rather than move or react to the petting (she can't decide if she preferred the scratching or not) Helen lays down - she may as well get comfortable until it's over. (She wouldn't say no to having around her shoulders scratched though - it's probably the only time he'll get to make them feel better) ]

[hullo_sweetie]

Has something happenened to her?

[Also, you should see how spectacular she looks in these leather pants]

River Song

[unnaturalpause]

She's a cat.

[And lets not and say we did yeah? The poor man really does not need to explain a nosebleed to some child passing him by.]

James Watson

[hullo_sweetie]

Oh.

[Didn't see that one coming]

That's...well she was supposed to be my maid of honor.

[blazing_stag]

I heard I was an animal once.

[unnaturalpause]

Oh? What sort of animal? If I may be allowed to ask and you do not mind answering.

James, to end

[cricketycricket]

Oh, dear. She's just having a run of terrible luck lately, isn't she?

Fifth Doctor to end

[unnaturalpause]

Unfortunately it is common for Helen's life to be this way. From one event to another with little pause, it is how I have always known her to live her life, so I am hardly surprised it is no different here.

James Watson

[inafadingcrown]

I would, gladly, though I must warn you- the castle has chosen to alter my appearance somewhat. [i.e. She's dressed in men's clothes. Woe.]

Galadriel

[unnaturalpause]

Unless you have been presently turned into an animal then I hardly think your appearance would be any shock what so ever.

Do you have any preference on the location and what you would like?

[modernholmes]

I haven't encountered very many animal losses yet. What is the situation?

[unnaturalpause]

A friend of mine was turned into a cat, and I was curious if there was any correlation between personality traits and what people are turned into is all.

James Watson

[hulloeverything]

Oh dear. What's happened?

[There's a swish of skirts as he sits down. Yeah... don't ask... or, you know, do. Whatever.]

Eleventh Doctor

[unnaturalpause]

She was turned into a cat. And seeing as our luck for losses tends to stretch them for weeks as opposed to days, I thought it best to inform you all.

[He's not going to River told him and yeah.]