[Action]

[straycontract]

[It's cold, there's snow, and most people outside are scurrying towards warm indoor places and last-minute shopping for New Years' parties

Comments

[bufferprincess]

-Di Di had a tendency to look down where ever she went, but she wasn't too surprised by seeing the little animal in the city. She walked over to him and bend down a little away, so as not to frighten him-

Hey Pecha, are you enjoying that heat?

[straycontract]

[Ah, a familiar face. He twitches his whiskers in response, but makes no indication that he understood what she was asking.]

[bufferprincess]

-she pats his head then looks around-
Out on your own huh? I don't have any nuts for you though.
-she didn't look like she wanted to sit down on the cold floor either.-
Oh! But I do have a chocolate. -she pulls it out of her coat pockey- It's really dark, so I think you can eat it. -she holds out the little square nugget to him anyway-

[straycontract]

[Even with his apparent odd metabolism, chocolate is probably not the best food for a squirrel... or at least one trying to keep appearances. He sniffs at the candy for a show of interest, but doesn't eat.]

[freckleddoll]

[Doll isn't rushing off home or doing any shopping, nor is she preparing for a New Year's party. It had been normal enough for her to celebrate Christmas, but New Year had never been that important to her back home. She's content to watch everyone bustling about, bundled up in a jacket and scarf as she walks through the City's streets with Tiger trotting obediently next to her.

That is, until he scents the squirrel and dashes off at it in a frenzy of excited barking, prompting Doll to rush after him and scoop him up before he can playfully pounce on the small creature.]

[straycontract]

[Years as a cat and now a squirrel have given Mao a healthy dislike of dogs. His immediate response is to run, not wanting to count on the dog being stopped in time. He scrambles up the side of a nearby trash bin then leaps off, gliding to a much safer (and colder) perch on a wall.

It's only after all this that he realizes he's seen this girl before.]

[freckleddoll]

[She looks up to where Mao is now perching, keeping a tight hold on the struggling puppy. Hadn't she seen that squirrel before? And it's even wearing a scarf...

S'alright, 've got 'im now.

[Even if she isn't sure why she's talking to a squirrel. But it wasn't like she doesn't talk to Tiger all the time too.]

[straycontract]

[The squirrel does not look so convinced of that, especially since the dog still seems very eager to give chase if he's allowed.]

[treadingdawn]

[Carrying a bag of bread and a bottle of wine, Caspian makes his way down the street towards home where New Years celebration preparations are underway. He pauses when he sees the squirrely creature dressed in red scarf, thinking he's seen this one before.]

Hello there.

[It's not uncommon for King Caspian X to address animals, Talking Beasts and dumb ones.]

[straycontract]

[Mao remembers you as well, unfounded accusations and all. Still, in the end there were no hard feelings, so after glancing around to make sure no one else is in earshot, he answers.]

Good afternoon.

[treadingdawn]

[Surprised by his forthcoming voice Caspian can't help but smile, keeping his own voice low as if talking to himself. It doesn't bother him to know that some passersby might think he's a little queer for it.]

How is winter treating you?

[True enough, he still thinks this one is a Talking Squirrel, not a Former Man.]

[straycontract]

[and he'll let Caspian think that for the present.]

More or less well. I've been in colder places than this. [This is practically a tropical vacation compared to Russia.]