((SCENE: Plum and Big Wins find Wocky's kitten))
Plum: *walks down the hall to Wocky's room, carrying a laundry basket under one arm and humming to herself*
Plum: *slides open the door to Wocky's room, stopping at she sees exactly how much laundry is scattered on the floor - and, by extension, how long it's been since he did any of it himself*
Plum: That boy...
Plum: *stoops, picking up various articles scattered all over the floor*
Kitten: *jumps out from beneath Wocky's bed and playfully attacks Plum's hand, digging her tiny kitten claws into the woman's hand, fluffy tail swishing*
Kitten: Mew~!
Kitten: *rolls onto her side and swats up at Plum's hand*
Plum: *stares down in shock, reflexively reaching to throw the kitten across the room but stopping herself before her fingers close around it*
Kitten: *squirms in Plum's grasp, attempting to bite the woman's large hand with tiny kitten teeth*
Plum: *pinches the skin behind the kitten's neck, lifting it into the air and staring at it hard*
Plum: BIG WINS!
BigWins: *Is in his office and on the phone, having returned only a few hours ago from an endless round of meetings. Hearing Plum's deep-voiced call, though, his priorities immediately re-arrange themselves. He speaks to the other person on the line.* Call you later. *He hangs up abruptly and lifts his large frame from his chair, going right away to where Plum is calling from- which turns out to be Wocky's room.*
BigWins: *Stands in the doorframe and looks for her, his imposing figure filling the entire thing.* Yes, my Little Plum...?
Plum: *turns, blowing the stray strand of hair out of her face and lifting her free hand to the side of her face* I think I found why Wocky's been so secretive, Winnie.
BigWins: *Continues to stare at her for long moments, his dark eyebrows completely obscuring his eyes. A few seconds pass and he blinks, suddenly looking quite puppy-eyed as he squints to make sure that the thing in his beloved wife's hand is, in fact, a kitten.*
BigWins: ...That's what I think it is?
Kitten: *hangs limply in Plum's grip, looking up at Big Wins*
Kitten: Mew~
BigWins: ...
BigWins: *Stares at it darkly as it swings slowly back and forth like a tiny, furry pendulum in front of his face.*
Plum: *sighs wistfully* Poor little thing seems scared and liable to scratch. Do you think you could hold it in your apron?
BigWins: *Looks completely perplexed for a moment, before giving a nod and speaking gruffly, though with a note of affection behind it for her.* Of course. *He reaches out and takes the kitten in one of his large hands. It fits in his palm with room to spare. He raises his other hand to pet it, trying not to crush it at the same time.*
BigWins: Ah, so... *It clicks.* This is why Wocky's been asking us to keep out?
Kitten: *purrs -- exceptionally loudly for such a tiny kitten*
Plum: It seems so. It must be a stray he brought home l- *stops, about to say "last week", when she realizes that with the state of the room being what it is the cat has been in here for more than a week and Wocky isn't likely to have been cleaning after it properly*
BigWins: How long has it been? *He suddenly frowns, running a large finger gently down the kitten's neck.* If it's a stray, it needs taking care of... *He looks down at the tiny creature and speaks to it, a barely detectable note of humor in his voice.* A stray? What can you do for the family, little stray? Are you skilled with a sword?
Kitten: *attempts to suck on Big Wins' finger; his finger much too large for her tiny mouth*
Plum: *files away the realization in the back of her mind, and looks back at the kitten* Well...it is awfully sweet-looking. You're right; we need to get it its shots.
BigWins: We certainly do. We can't let the little thing get sick. *He clasps it in his hand for another moment before promptly dropping it into his apron. It lands softly, as the pocket is shallow enough for it to stick its head out.*
Wocky: *arrives home from school, taking his shoes off at the front door as he walks inside, noticing it's oddly quiet* ... Mom? Dad?
Wocky: *shrugs when he doesn't get a response and heads to his room to toss his backpack in there -- freezing when he sees his parents standing in there*
Wocky: HEY!! I told you guys not to go in my room!
Plum: *looks up, shooting a glare that could kill a lesser man* Wocky Kitaki.
BigWins: ...
BigWins: *Stands there silently, just looming.*
Wocky: *swallows hard, staring at his parents* W-what's the dilly, yo?
Plum: *smiles broadly, all the tension melting off of her face* Wocky, if you're going to keep a stray, it'll need its shots, won't it?
Wocky: Y-yeah... *glances over to Big Wins, seeing the kitten poking her head of his apron and he frowns, crossing his arms with a grumpy huff* I still told you guys to stay out of my room!
BigWins: *Puts his hands in his apron pockets, around the kitten.* In a proper tone of voice, Wocky?
Wocky: *still pouting* What?
BigWins: *Looms over him darkly.* .............
Plum: Wocky, look at me.
Wocky: *his face is still all scrunched up as he looks over to his mom*
Plum: What is this kitten's name?
Wocky: I dunno. I been callin' her Mikan though...
Plum: *still looking almost deceptively warm* Well then. Your father and I will be taking Mikan to get her shots at the veterinarian's. While we are gone, I expect you to have cleaned this room to spotlessness. Understand?
Wocky: S-so I can keep her?!
Plum: It wouldn't be right to turn a stray out into the cold, would it?
Wocky: *his face lights up; quite pleased at the outcome of this* Okay! I'll busta move an' be cleanin' my room up right proper!!
BigWins: *Shakes his head subtly, silently, looking to Plum.*
Plum: *shoots him a dark look* Wocky.
Wocky: *pouts again* Aw what I do now?
Plum: How long has that cat been in here, Wocky?
Wocky: *bites his lip a little* two weeks...
Plum: And she's been in here the whole time?
Wocky: No, I been leavin' my window open a lot so she could go out into the garden when I was at school... but mostly, yeah
Plum: *looks down at the tatami, swiping aside a T-shirt with her foot* When your laundry is taken care of, you will clean the floor. If you can't, we will withhold the cost of replacing it from your allowance for... *turns to Big Wins* How long would that take?
Wocky: Aw-- b-but...!
BigWins: ... *Thinks of Wocky's allowance, which is $10 per week.* A few years. He'll be fourteen by the time he gets it back.
Wocky: Aw man... That's cold, Big Wins... I thought we was rollin' deep, man.
Plum: *instinctively reaches for her broom - and when it isn't there, she glares again* You will agree to these terms or you will go get me your grandfather's cane. You cannot refuse.
BigWins: *Picks the kitten out of his apron pocket, cupping it in his hands.* You heard your mother. You have to be a man and take responsibility for your irresponsibility, capice?
Wocky: Yes ma'm... *pouts again*
Wocky: I'll get cleaning right away... stay out really long, okay?!
Plum: We will stay out as long as is appropriate. *steps around her son, trying to avoid stepping on any spot of flooring she can't clearly see, and exits the room*
BigWins: *Watches his wife go and waits a few moments to hear her footsteps fade down the hallway before turning back to Wocky, still cradling Mikan in his hands.* ...
Wocky: *looks over to his father* Daaad, do I have to do all of my laundry...?
BigWins: *His eyes disappear into his massive eyebrows as he strokes the kitten thoughtfully.* If you just kept up with it, you wouldn't have a mountain of it to do.
Wocky: *looks down, pouting* Yessir.
BigWins: *Is silent again, looking out of the window and then back down at Wocky.*
BigWins: ...
BigWins: I'm proud of you for trying to help this kitten by taking care of it.
BigWins: You'll do the same for the family in the future, I'm sure. *He sounds gruff, though almost amused.*
Wocky: *looks up at his father* Does that mean I get to start usin' a real sword now? An' a gun?
BigWins: .....
BigWins: *Looks rather looming.* No, not now.
BigWins: You can keep practising with your bokken.
Wocky: *frowns and begrudgingly starts to gather his laundry into his arms* I never get to be havin' any fun...
BigWins: Perhaps we'll look into getting you a knife for your next birthday. *He gets a feeling he might regret saying this within a few seconds.*
Wocky: Aw hell naw, you mean that pops?!
BigWins: Yes. So long as you're on your best behavior, I don't see why not.
BigWins: But you can't take it to school with you.
BigWins: Though... *He looks dark, casting a look out into the hallway as though he thinks Plum is listening in.* I'm not making any promises, capice?
Plum: *from way down the hall* AND TESSIO WILL NOT BE HELPING YOU.
Wocky: *sighs heavily* FINE. I don't be needin' his help ANYWAYS!
BigWins: *Listens to Plum with a nod.* You've got to finish it all by yourself.
BigWins: *He lifts the kitten and tucks it back into his apron pocket.* I'll pay for Mikan's shots, though it'll cost you your best behavior all this week, capice? No rap music.
BigWins: It's a poor representation of the 'gangster culture'. *His brow furrows.*
Wocky: But-- ... *thinks carefully for a moment* ... What about the Umbrella song?
BigWins: ...
BigWins: *His eyes disappear behind his eyebrows again.* You may play that. And the remixes.
Wocky: Aw-ite! No rap music 'cept the Umbrella song. Got it pops.
BigWins: *He looks contemplative.* I want you to show me how to get it as a ringtone on my cell phone. ...I think it will amuse the underlings.
Plum: BIG WINS! GO TIME!
BigWins: *Turns towards the door, calling back, though considerably less loud.* Yes, my sweet Little Plum. In a moment. *He turns back to Wocky.*
Wocky: Aw-ite Big Wins, bust outta here! I gots my room to be cleanin' so mom stop jockin' my style!
BigWins: Alright. Busting. *Winfred nods, patting the kitten in his apron and then patting Wocky on the head before calling out into the hallway.* Coming, my sweet Little Plum.
BigWins: *He mumbles to himself for Wocky's benefit.* I'll see if I can't keep the broom away tonight... *He wanders out the door and goes to find his wife.*
Plum: *slides open the door to Wocky's room, stopping at she sees exactly how much laundry is scattered on the floor - and, by extension, how long it's been since he did any of it himself*
Plum: That boy...
Plum: *stoops, picking up various articles scattered all over the floor*
Kitten: *jumps out from beneath Wocky's bed and playfully attacks Plum's hand, digging her tiny kitten claws into the woman's hand, fluffy tail swishing*
Kitten: Mew~!
Kitten: *rolls onto her side and swats up at Plum's hand*
Plum: *stares down in shock, reflexively reaching to throw the kitten across the room but stopping herself before her fingers close around it*
Kitten: *squirms in Plum's grasp, attempting to bite the woman's large hand with tiny kitten teeth*
Plum: *pinches the skin behind the kitten's neck, lifting it into the air and staring at it hard*
Plum: BIG WINS!
BigWins: *Is in his office and on the phone, having returned only a few hours ago from an endless round of meetings. Hearing Plum's deep-voiced call, though, his priorities immediately re-arrange themselves. He speaks to the other person on the line.* Call you later. *He hangs up abruptly and lifts his large frame from his chair, going right away to where Plum is calling from- which turns out to be Wocky's room.*
BigWins: *Stands in the doorframe and looks for her, his imposing figure filling the entire thing.* Yes, my Little Plum...?
Plum: *turns, blowing the stray strand of hair out of her face and lifting her free hand to the side of her face* I think I found why Wocky's been so secretive, Winnie.
BigWins: *Continues to stare at her for long moments, his dark eyebrows completely obscuring his eyes. A few seconds pass and he blinks, suddenly looking quite puppy-eyed as he squints to make sure that the thing in his beloved wife's hand is, in fact, a kitten.*
BigWins: ...That's what I think it is?
Kitten: *hangs limply in Plum's grip, looking up at Big Wins*
Kitten: Mew~
BigWins: ...
BigWins: *Stares at it darkly as it swings slowly back and forth like a tiny, furry pendulum in front of his face.*
Plum: *sighs wistfully* Poor little thing seems scared and liable to scratch. Do you think you could hold it in your apron?
BigWins: *Looks completely perplexed for a moment, before giving a nod and speaking gruffly, though with a note of affection behind it for her.* Of course. *He reaches out and takes the kitten in one of his large hands. It fits in his palm with room to spare. He raises his other hand to pet it, trying not to crush it at the same time.*
BigWins: Ah, so... *It clicks.* This is why Wocky's been asking us to keep out?
Kitten: *purrs -- exceptionally loudly for such a tiny kitten*
Plum: It seems so. It must be a stray he brought home l- *stops, about to say "last week", when she realizes that with the state of the room being what it is the cat has been in here for more than a week and Wocky isn't likely to have been cleaning after it properly*
BigWins: How long has it been? *He suddenly frowns, running a large finger gently down the kitten's neck.* If it's a stray, it needs taking care of... *He looks down at the tiny creature and speaks to it, a barely detectable note of humor in his voice.* A stray? What can you do for the family, little stray? Are you skilled with a sword?
Kitten: *attempts to suck on Big Wins' finger; his finger much too large for her tiny mouth*
Plum: *files away the realization in the back of her mind, and looks back at the kitten* Well...it is awfully sweet-looking. You're right; we need to get it its shots.
BigWins: We certainly do. We can't let the little thing get sick. *He clasps it in his hand for another moment before promptly dropping it into his apron. It lands softly, as the pocket is shallow enough for it to stick its head out.*
Wocky: *arrives home from school, taking his shoes off at the front door as he walks inside, noticing it's oddly quiet* ... Mom? Dad?
Wocky: *shrugs when he doesn't get a response and heads to his room to toss his backpack in there -- freezing when he sees his parents standing in there*
Wocky: HEY!! I told you guys not to go in my room!
Plum: *looks up, shooting a glare that could kill a lesser man* Wocky Kitaki.
BigWins: ...
BigWins: *Stands there silently, just looming.*
Wocky: *swallows hard, staring at his parents* W-what's the dilly, yo?
Plum: *smiles broadly, all the tension melting off of her face* Wocky, if you're going to keep a stray, it'll need its shots, won't it?
Wocky: Y-yeah... *glances over to Big Wins, seeing the kitten poking her head of his apron and he frowns, crossing his arms with a grumpy huff* I still told you guys to stay out of my room!
BigWins: *Puts his hands in his apron pockets, around the kitten.* In a proper tone of voice, Wocky?
Wocky: *still pouting* What?
BigWins: *Looms over him darkly.* .............
Plum: Wocky, look at me.
Wocky: *his face is still all scrunched up as he looks over to his mom*
Plum: What is this kitten's name?
Wocky: I dunno. I been callin' her Mikan though...
Plum: *still looking almost deceptively warm* Well then. Your father and I will be taking Mikan to get her shots at the veterinarian's. While we are gone, I expect you to have cleaned this room to spotlessness. Understand?
Wocky: S-so I can keep her?!
Plum: It wouldn't be right to turn a stray out into the cold, would it?
Wocky: *his face lights up; quite pleased at the outcome of this* Okay! I'll busta move an' be cleanin' my room up right proper!!
BigWins: *Shakes his head subtly, silently, looking to Plum.*
Plum: *shoots him a dark look* Wocky.
Wocky: *pouts again* Aw what I do now?
Plum: How long has that cat been in here, Wocky?
Wocky: *bites his lip a little* two weeks...
Plum: And she's been in here the whole time?
Wocky: No, I been leavin' my window open a lot so she could go out into the garden when I was at school... but mostly, yeah
Plum: *looks down at the tatami, swiping aside a T-shirt with her foot* When your laundry is taken care of, you will clean the floor. If you can't, we will withhold the cost of replacing it from your allowance for... *turns to Big Wins* How long would that take?
Wocky: Aw-- b-but...!
BigWins: ... *Thinks of Wocky's allowance, which is $10 per week.* A few years. He'll be fourteen by the time he gets it back.
Wocky: Aw man... That's cold, Big Wins... I thought we was rollin' deep, man.
Plum: *instinctively reaches for her broom - and when it isn't there, she glares again* You will agree to these terms or you will go get me your grandfather's cane. You cannot refuse.
BigWins: *Picks the kitten out of his apron pocket, cupping it in his hands.* You heard your mother. You have to be a man and take responsibility for your irresponsibility, capice?
Wocky: Yes ma'm... *pouts again*
Wocky: I'll get cleaning right away... stay out really long, okay?!
Plum: We will stay out as long as is appropriate. *steps around her son, trying to avoid stepping on any spot of flooring she can't clearly see, and exits the room*
BigWins: *Watches his wife go and waits a few moments to hear her footsteps fade down the hallway before turning back to Wocky, still cradling Mikan in his hands.* ...
Wocky: *looks over to his father* Daaad, do I have to do all of my laundry...?
BigWins: *His eyes disappear into his massive eyebrows as he strokes the kitten thoughtfully.* If you just kept up with it, you wouldn't have a mountain of it to do.
Wocky: *looks down, pouting* Yessir.
BigWins: *Is silent again, looking out of the window and then back down at Wocky.*
BigWins: ...
BigWins: I'm proud of you for trying to help this kitten by taking care of it.
BigWins: You'll do the same for the family in the future, I'm sure. *He sounds gruff, though almost amused.*
Wocky: *looks up at his father* Does that mean I get to start usin' a real sword now? An' a gun?
BigWins: .....
BigWins: *Looks rather looming.* No, not now.
BigWins: You can keep practising with your bokken.
Wocky: *frowns and begrudgingly starts to gather his laundry into his arms* I never get to be havin' any fun...
BigWins: Perhaps we'll look into getting you a knife for your next birthday. *He gets a feeling he might regret saying this within a few seconds.*
Wocky: Aw hell naw, you mean that pops?!
BigWins: Yes. So long as you're on your best behavior, I don't see why not.
BigWins: But you can't take it to school with you.
BigWins: Though... *He looks dark, casting a look out into the hallway as though he thinks Plum is listening in.* I'm not making any promises, capice?
Plum: *from way down the hall* AND TESSIO WILL NOT BE HELPING YOU.
Wocky: *sighs heavily* FINE. I don't be needin' his help ANYWAYS!
BigWins: *Listens to Plum with a nod.* You've got to finish it all by yourself.
BigWins: *He lifts the kitten and tucks it back into his apron pocket.* I'll pay for Mikan's shots, though it'll cost you your best behavior all this week, capice? No rap music.
BigWins: It's a poor representation of the 'gangster culture'. *His brow furrows.*
Wocky: But-- ... *thinks carefully for a moment* ... What about the Umbrella song?
BigWins: ...
BigWins: *His eyes disappear behind his eyebrows again.* You may play that. And the remixes.
Wocky: Aw-ite! No rap music 'cept the Umbrella song. Got it pops.
BigWins: *He looks contemplative.* I want you to show me how to get it as a ringtone on my cell phone. ...I think it will amuse the underlings.
Plum: BIG WINS! GO TIME!
BigWins: *Turns towards the door, calling back, though considerably less loud.* Yes, my sweet Little Plum. In a moment. *He turns back to Wocky.*
Wocky: Aw-ite Big Wins, bust outta here! I gots my room to be cleanin' so mom stop jockin' my style!
BigWins: Alright. Busting. *Winfred nods, patting the kitten in his apron and then patting Wocky on the head before calling out into the hallway.* Coming, my sweet Little Plum.
BigWins: *He mumbles to himself for Wocky's benefit.* I'll see if I can't keep the broom away tonight... *He wanders out the door and goes to find his wife.*