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[ Lately, Wash has had a lot on his mind. Being here on this ship, what happened on Oros, his leg and all of the limitations that healing inflicts on him, Maine and Carolina, and the cats. They aren't exactly his responsibility, but now that he's been assigned to take care of them, he feels like maybe they are. Someone has to look out for those who are weaker and since arriving in Blood Gulch, that someone has been him.

By now, it's all force of habit.

So he isn't paying as much attention as he ought to be either, when he rounds the corner and bangs into someone else. If his leg hadn't been fucked up, he wouldn't have fallen, but since it's not as strong as it usually is, the impact makes it buckle and he lands hard on his ass. ]

Fuck. [ It's an exhale more than it's a fully formed word and as he gets his bearings, he focuses on the guy he just collided with. ] Sorry. [ Which is what the guy just said. ] No, I'm sorry. That was my fault.

[ It probably was. Things usually are.

Heaving himself to his feet with a grimace, Wash gingerly hobbles over and extends his hand. ]

Here.

[ The first thought that runs through Keith's mind is that he ran into this guy so hard he actually hurt him. That... would not be good. An apology rushes to the tip of his tongue again—not that it would make up for this at all. ]

No, I—no. It was mine.

[ He hesitates in taking the offered hand because he feels bad and embarrassed and stupid. But, realizing that might be more of an insult if he brushes off the offer of help, Keith slides his hand over and holds it, though keeps all of his weight to himself to get up. ]

I wasn't really watching where I was going.

[ Which is annoying to admit, but there it is. He takes his hand back and runs it through his hair, ruffling it up even more than it already is. He shifts in a slightly awkward sort of way. ]

Didn't happen to see a cat, did you? [ He exhales, wondering how the hell he's going to explain this to his boss. ] First day on the job and I lost one already.

[ It's easier than Wash expects to get the guy on his feet, which he understands to mean that he's helping to take his own weight. What isn't clear is if he's doing out of pride or because he can tell Wash is injured. Likely it's the former. No one likes looking weak in front of others. And Wash's own pride would be assuaged by that as well.

The whole matter gets rendered moot an instant later when the guy mentions a lost cat. ]

A cat? [ Wash's eyebrows rise. ] No, I didn't. But I'll help you look. What's your job? [ He jerks a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the shelter. ] I've got one down at the animal shelter.

[ Instantly Keith is on the defensive about the job. It's not this guy's fault, Keith is the one who brought it up first. But, he hates the name of it and isn't inclined to actually say it to anyone. He just can't do it. So, he's a little sullen when he responds; ]

A cat groomer. [ Then, more to himself, ] I thought they groomed themselves...

[ He shifts a little uncomfortably and scans the area. How the hell is he supposed to find a black cat out here??? ]

You don't have to. [ Asking fir help is such a struggle. Even when it's offered. ] But, thanks.

[ He does appreciate it even if he might not appear like he is. This just reflects poorly on him. He doesn't like that. He does start moving in the direction the cat went. Or, that he thinks it went. ]

Oh. [ He glances over and makes the attempt at a weak smile. ] I'm Keith, by the way.

[ He doesn't have to do it, but he's offering. Partly out of a general sort of vague concern for the lost animal and partly because he's not doing anything else at the moment and this poor guy looks like he could use a little help. Wash returns that weak smile with a slightly more pronounced one of his own. ]

Wash. Nice to meet you.

[ Moving along beside him, Wash keeps his attention on the corridor in front of them. He's scanning it, looking into any nooks and crannies they might encounter for the missing feline. ]

They do. [ A beat later, he realizes that might require further elaboration. ] Groom themselves. Some of them just need a little extra help. I have to do it sometimes at the shelter. Especially for the ones with long hair.

[ Does that make him sound pathetic? Maybe it does. The other Freelancers would probably laugh at him. ]

[ No, it doesn't make him sound pathetic. A handful of sentences and Wash ( what the heck kind of name... ) told him more than his "manager" did back at the grooming place. Granted, Keith doesn't know a lot about animals no matter the species. But, it just seemed common knowledge that cats groomed themselves and don't need grooming services the way that dogs do.

So.

?????

He makes kind of a face that's halfway between hopeless and fed up. It's something he's gotten down pat, sort of like an art form. ]

Extra help? What do you mean? [ he glances over at Wash in a quick there and back sort of furtive look ] I've never really had a pet or anything so... [ he shrugs ] All of this is kind of weird to me to even think about doing on a spaceship.

[ That's a sentiment Wash understands all too well. He huffs a quiet laugh in response. ]

Tell me about it. The last ship I was on was a training facility. We spent our time running combat scenarios, not taking care of animals.

[ Among other things. Less savory things. But airing Freelancer's dirty laundry is a story for another day. Not something to share with a stranger he's just met.

What he can share are some of the things he's learned during the course of his own stupid job. He looks over at Keith, flashes a hint of a smile. ]

Some cats have a thicker coat. More hair means more matting and even their grooming habits aren't enough to prevent it. So they need brushed. Sometimes the more aggressive ones need their nails trimmed to protect the others.

Edited 2017-02-26 22:46 (UTC)

[ In the long run, he supposes it's not the most unnatural thing for someone to know how to take care of cats. People have pets. People like pets. So, people tend to know about things they like. Keith assumes this guy—Wash—enjoys cats.

Even if it seems a little weird now that he's mentioned being on a ship and having it be combat training. Keith can't help but wonder where the whole cat thing comes in. Hobby? ( Do people have pets for hobbies? Is he overthinking this? Probably. ) ]

Oh.

[ Not very helpful. Then again, Keith isn't known for being that often. It's good information to have at least. ...Well, assuming he has a job after today, anyway. ]

I guess that makes sense.

[ He looks over at Wash quickly before once again looking for the stupid cat that got away. ]

So, space isn't new to you, either? [ He makes some sort of half-hearted gesture to outside the Eluvio. ] The last ship I was on is here in the fleet. [ Nevermind it's the only one he's been on in a traveling capacity. ] For whatever reason...

[ Because that's not weird, or anything. ]

What sort of training were you doing? [ one shoulder rolls in a slight shrug. ] I mean, I know you said combat stuff, but...