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[rathercommon]

Hi. It's Kitty.

[ She gives an awkward little wave to the camera. She feels ridiculously uncomfortable posting about this right now, and it shows; she looks anxious and displeased. But - ]

I know there was a bit of talk of having a birthday party for me today, but it's been cancelled. For...rather obvious reasons. So just - if you were going to come, do stay home. [ Then, with a quick attempt at some comforting levity: ] Spend the time you would have at my party finding a good cause, and then when all of this is over with, volunteer with them.

[ Okay. Her attempt at a smile fades, and then she continues on: ]

Anyway. That's not...quite it. There've been a few people who've gone. Simon Newton, for one, and John Mitchell. And just recently, John Mandrake. [ This last...She does not look happy about that. ] And I know sometimes people come back without memories, so if you find them back, and they've forgotten something, please let me know. I think - they might not know to contact me, if they lose memories, so I'd like to know if they return.

[ Translation: "Mandrake was my blood enemy, but now we're friends, and won't it just be my luck if he comes back forgetting that second part."

Her next attempt to shake off her gloom looks like almost a physical effort. She just about twitches like a cat shifting its attention. ]

Anyway. While we're avoiding getting each other ill, why don't we do something to keep our spirits up? Has anyone read those books about the vampires falling in love? Billy gave me one, and they are bloody ghastly, aren't they? So, go on, then, tell me about the absolute worst book you've ever read.

Comments

[rathercommon]

[ Yeah, and - ]

Also, the side characters are completely underdeveloped.

[paintjobs]

Well, I wasn't reading for the side characters.

[rathercommon]

No. It was the love triangle that captivated you. So - which one were you rooting for?

[paintjobs]

Ah, ah. You first.

[rathercommon]

I was rooting for her to spend some time finding out who she was independent of her relationships.

[paintjobs]

[ a low chuckle goes here ]

I was rooting for the muscley human. I like those.

[rathercommon]

[ A little laugh. ]

What - do you go down to make friends at the gym?

[paintjobs]

No, exercising humans have an unfortunate smell. I don't mind watching from a safe distance, though.

[rathercommon]

Huh.

[ That's really interesting. ]

I guess I just sort of thought you'd have zero interest in the human form.

[paintjobs]

Well. [ a quick pause ] I didn't used to. I suppose when you're forced to be around -- and be, for that matter -- something long enough, you gain some kind of appreciation for it.

[rathercommon]

[ Huh. That does make sense. Well - ]

Your human form is quite good-looking itself, you know.

[ That isn't said remotely flirtatiously - of course not. It's just a matter-of-fact statement, because she knows he'll feel good about something like that. ]

[paintjobs]

[ ah yes, things like this is why he likes Kitty. ]

Of course it is, isn't that only natural? We're talking about yours truly, after all.

[rathercommon]

I'd say so, yeah.

[ Kitty smiles. But it only lasts so long, because: ]

The muscly one was sort of a jerk, though.

[paintjobs]

Well, yes. He'd have been boring otherwise.

[rathercommon]

[ She wrinkles her nose. ]

Oh, I don't think being a jerk makes someone interesting. Honestly, it makes them less interesting.

[ Says the girl who loves jerks. ]

[paintjobs]

Are you calling me boring? I'm hurt.

[rathercommon]

What? No! You're not anything like a jerk.

[paintjobs]

Please, I would be doing something wrong if anyone considered me nice.

[rathercommon]

[ Most people, she'd fight on that. But Knock Out might actually mean it - he might not just be self-deprecating. So she gives a little hum of consideration, then says: ]

Well - I think there are lots of things you care about more than people's feelings. But that doesn't really make you a jerk. It just makes you...An independent thinker.

[paintjobs]

Aha. Yes, an independent thinker, that's very accurate of you. How delicately phrased.

[rathercommon]

Well - honestly, Knock Out - after all you've done for me, I could never call you a jerk.

[paintjobs]

Well, building you a car was one of my more impressively selfless good deeds.

[rathercommon]

It was completely lovely. Really, completely lovely. Not least because it means I've got the best car on the road.