On Grab Bag Canon Plot

[oneslickedison]

Mun Darling,

... what do you mean you don't have a flipping clue on what to do with me?!

Please stop imagining me with cat ears. You know they're of no practical use, and it's just frivilous thought-wasting exercises.

C'mon. You're more creative than this. I'm more creative than this.

You'll think of something. You always do.

Sincerely,

Howard, who is not going to become a feline-person. It's stale as five day old bread.

Comments

[like_a_gerbil]

[Steve has to grin, picturing Howard with cat ears and thinking about some of the verses he's in.] Might be a good look for you, Howard. They didn't look too bad on Tony. But then, he was a cat.

[oneslickedison]

...Don't encourage her, Steve. Really. [Howard makes a face like he's sucking on a lemon.

[like_a_gerbil]

Hey, there's pictures out there of me with cat ears. Both before and after I was given the serum. Peggy too. I'm waiting for my mundane to zap me with 'em. She says they're 'adorable'.

[oneslickedison]

[Howard just looks at him, for a long, long moment ...] No. Just. ... No.

[He shakes his head and puts his hands through his hair.] I do not have time to be a cat. I have to work on shielding for this flying bucket of bolts!

[like_a_gerbil]

Yep. She kinda likes the ones of me before the serum. [The grin is quickly accompanied by a blush.] She's got this thing for me back then.

I doubt that think having cat ears will slow you down, Howard. Not like you'd actually going to be a cat.

[oneslickedison]

[His lips quirk up at the edges.] So what, I'm still chopped liver when you're half my size? Man, guy can't win around here for being rich and charming.

Hm. Just ears? I guess I could have just ears. [eyes the background] ... she keeps cackling though, so I doubt I'm going to get off that easy.

[like_a_gerbil]

[The blush intensifies as he ducks his head.] Well, it's the reason she let me stay even if she swore she wouldn't play someone with so much 'canon.'

But her drive has pictures of...um...well, most of us. [He really tries not to think about those pictures. Bad enough that his mundane has pictures of him, but Howard and Bucky? Didn't seem right seeing those, even indirectly.]

Um...if not just ears, does that mean you're getting the tail like in that one picture or you're going to actually be a cat.

[notanambassador]

It could be far worse than cat ears, Howard. It appears I'll be getting fangs.

[oneslickedison]

So ... you're going to be ... a Bela Lugosi?

[notanambassador]

A what?

[oneslickedison]

Y'know. Turn into a bat. Wear much ... more revealing clothing. Go around and hiss and bite people.

[Pause] A vampire?

[notanambassador]

I'm fairly certain I won't turn into a bat or hiss or change my wardrobe.

Biting people? That is another topic.

[oneslickedison]

[He looks concerned, openly.] And ... how are you dealing with that?

[notanambassador]

I don't expect I will deal with it at all well. But from what I understand, not biting people will result in the situation becoming worse. I will manage.

[oneslickedison]

Well ... [He sticks his hands in his pockets, clicking his tongue against the top of his mouth, before nodding.] Then you know you can depend on me. To help you.

[He looks her directly in the eye.] Whatever way I can.

[notanambassador]

You understand if I'm not interested in hurting a friend of mine.

[oneslickedison]

I understand. But better to have a willing ... friend help you out than losing control of yourself, right? It's perfectly logical, Inara.

[notanambassador]

Logical, yes, but not one I'm going to enjoy. You know you don't have to, I'm certain I can arrange for . . . donors.

[oneslickedison]

I'm sure you can. [quick smile] Look, you're doing it right now.

[notanambassador]

I mean other than my close friends. Considering the situation, it may be easier to handle in a professional setting. I don't know if it's a good idea for you to have a memory of me attacking you.

[oneslickedison]

Well ... doesn't have to be an 'attack', persay. [His smile suddenly turns mischevious.] I at least expect you to buy me dinner first.

[notanambassador]

Somehow I'm not surprised you'd manage to view this in that manner.

[oneslickedison]

I think every situation is how we perceive it to be. If we don't look at it as an attack - put our own personal spin on it - then it isn't. [He takes his hands out of his pockets to cup hers.] So you don't feel like you're hurting me? Think about it as me paying you back for pajamas.

[notanambassador]

I'm willing to try, but if it doesn't work out, there are other options. You don't have to deal with my little issue all week.

Are my pajamas really worth this?

[oneslickedison]

Well honestly, what will I have to deal with? Cat ears? C'mon.

...You obviously haven't looked in a mirror when you're in pajamas, have you?