Nepeta and a Kiwi bird

Nepeta pranced about the more empty parts of the meteor. Things were far less hectic at the moment and having lost interest in pestering or playing with the humans, she decided to find other things to occupy her time with until more important issues arose. At first she attempted to play with Terezi, only to find her favfurrite roleplaying partner attention’s occupied with the oh so very odd yet amusing Dave human. Not wanting to bother her, Nepeta then went off to find others to play with. And so she went to Kanaya, figuring that while perhaps the jade blood was not much of a roleplayer (if one at all), they could still possibly bond over fashion in a way; after all, fursuits might not be Kanaya’s particular cup of tea but maybe she could offer some interesting ideas for the little olive colored kitty cat.

Alas, while the pair briefly enjoyed some talk of their respective hobbies and other general interests, neither was able to keep much interest in the conversation, and so the two parted ways. Kanaya off to strike up a conversation with the Rose human and Nepeta to find another for her little play date. She then visited Equius, her Moirail, to see if he needed a shoosh pap or just some general company. But as she arrived at his room, she found Equius chatting with the once dead but now cybernetic Aradia while he repaired and operated on various random and unknown devices. Equius seemed to be in good spirits, and as Aradia was always apathetic to things, Nepeta once more chose to find another to play with; no reason to interrupt her beloved Moirails own free time with her childish antics.

However, as she walked and skipped about, she found herself at a loss of sorts. Terezi, Kanaya, Equius and Aradia; all of them were preoccupied with matters of their own. Who else could she hang out with? Tavros perhaps?

“No.” She thought to herself. Tavros was fun and cute but his cat allergy made any activity between the two of them impractical. Vriskers? Too scary. Eridan? Hell no. Sollux? Nah, Equius would never approve and besides, Sollux himself wouldn’t either. Gamzee maybe? Nepeta mulled over that particular choice for a brief moment. Gamzee wasn’t dangerous like Vriskers or obnoxious and creepy like Eridan, yet he was far too absorbed in his own world to make a good playmate, at least for one as physically active as she was. Oh he could be a good listener and was always friendly, but Nepeta currently craved more demanding pastimes and so passed him over.

Then who else was there? Feferi maybe? She was a sweetie pie and there was almost no other Nepeta would utterly love to just be around if she could. But like all the rest she decided against playing with her, having then recalled the fuchsia blooded chipper girl conversing with Sollux. And while Nepeta was not entirely sure yet, her innate shipping instincts gave her a slight inkling that their interactions were more than platonic. And so not wanting to stifle what she felt was sure to be an adorable flushed coupling, Nepeta then tried to think of another troll to play with. But who else was there? Only… She then froze, and began to pant, her breaths slowly increasing till she began to hyperventilate. Her heart began to beat rapidly and her head felt light.

Karkitty. Her flushed crush. Quickly she dismissed any idea of the two of them interacting, there was no way he’d even remotely be interested in her, and he had constantly brushed her aside all other times she tried to socialize with him. Surely he would do the same again. Or would he? Maybe he wouldn’t this time, she wondered to herself. Nepeta calmed herself a bit; Karkat had never showed even a trace amount of red interest in her or interest period, and no matter her own feelings, she was certain that he didn’t feel the same. But maybe he did? Maybe there was some interest in her, even a little? Her hope rose a little, and she figured, why not pay him a visit? At the very worst he’d be busy and she’d just find something else to do. And perhaps, she’d even get lucky. Perhaps she and Karkitty might find some common ground or even establish some kind of friendship of sorts. Who knows, luck permitting, she might even be able to build off that. And so, Nepeta walked off to Karkat’s room, hopeful yet cautious of what might come.

Her steps were sluggish and lazy, so very unlike her usual energetic prancing. Her hands trembled while her fingers twiddled in an attempt to try to steady some of her taught nerves. Every step she made, each one drawing her closer and closer to Karkat’s room caused her apprehension to grow. She wasn’t sure why she was so afraid or nervous. It wasn’t as if Karkat would hurt her or anything, the worst he’d do would be to simply dismiss her. But perhaps that was it; after all, what she wanted most from him was his attention. What’s the worst thing he could do other than to deny her that, even if there was no ulterior reason behind it?

She drew closer now, turning a corner while she desperately tried to stifle her hitched breath. Only a few feet now until she’d be right on his doorstep. Briefly she stopped, breathing deeply and gathering every ounce of mental willpower and fortitude she could muster, then before entering leaned near the entrance, attempting to hear if Karkat was inside. After receiving nothing but silence she leaned her head to the side, using one eye to peer into his room for any sign of him. As before Nepeta found nothing and slowly entered, looking around for her crush while weakly calling his name. What response she did get was not however what she expected.

She heard a rustling noise, like that of a crumbled paper moving against itself, and out of the corner of her eye saw a tiny ball of light grey puff with a beak waddle towards her. Almost instantly Nepeta forgot all thoughts of Karkat and her crush, her attentions now utterly focused on the adorable thing staring back at her. It looked like a chirpbeast, only sans any noticeable wings; it was no bigger than her fist and possessed a relatively long thin beak and thick coarse like hair similar to Equius’ beloved hoofbeasts. As she held it in her hands, the adorable chirpbeast nestled itself in her palms, resting its head against the lip of her cupped hands. Slowly it slipped into a sleep, opening its beak to yawn before finally drifting off to slumber land. Nepeta’s eyes were wide open, her mouth slightly hung agape as she struggled not to scream in joy. She bit her lip, stifling the now overpowering feelings of motherly love within her. Gently she slipped away back to her room, sleeping chirpbeast in tow. She now had her perfect playmate.

The first thing the Chripbeast did once it awoken was to notice the rather large and comfy nest built around it. And the large yet not quite as large as its mama troll looming over it. The olive colored troll stared intently at him, an amused look on “her” face he suspects the gender of it to be. She doesn’t seem particularly scary or even threatening to him, in fact she seems rather friendly and even, nurturing in a way. Almost instantly her mood lightens up, going from the warm yet watchful demeanor to an excited yet restrained one. She bites her lower lip and claps gently, and then leans towards him. She tells him in a vastly more quiet voice then his usual Mama that she’s read up on evfurry thing she needs to know to care for him.

She reaches for something he can’t make out, and returns with what looks to him like a tiny set of paper cat ears and a tail, similar to the ones she wears herself. Gently she places them on the chirpbeast and just as carefully picks him up, placing him in front of a mirror. He stares curiously at them, tilting his head side to side, shaking his hindquarters amusingly as the crude paper tail sway with him. After a while he puffs his chest out and seems satisfied, proud even at his outfit. Nepeta squees in excitement, patting her finger tips together and picking him up again. Gently she places him to the ground and gets on all fours, playing the role of the protective mother watching over her litter.

“Time to hunt little Catbird. Theres purrrey afoot.” She says to him, a playful and mischievous grin on her face. The Chirpbeast seems nonplussed at first, but soon begins to emulate her best he can. Waddling while craning its neck low, as if stalking some prey of its own. Nepeta lets him lead their pack, watching proudly as her kitten takes to the sport like a catfish to water. Before long he already seems to have the act down, walking proud and regally like a proper cat should. Why Nepeta could even pick him up by the scruff of his neck without trouble now, the little chirpbeast calmly enjoying its new “mother” carrying it to and fro. She had however ceased trying to bathe her kitten, that activity having proven unpleasant for them both. Apparently troll tongues were neither the most suitable nor comfortable for cleaning nor was Nepeta able to tolerate the taste long enough anyway. But this little setback did not deter either for long. And soon they were right back into the swing of things, Catbird pouncing on whatever caught his eye and Nepeta watching over him, still on all fours the whole time, meowing with every squawk he made.

Some time, but not very much had passed and Karkat had grown tired of Terezi’s playful barbs towards him. Finally having had enough he stormed out of the computer labs, deciding to sulk and cool off in peace. As he rested against a wall he heard a bizarre sound accompany a pitter-patter of hands and shoes coupled with a smaller flip flop of feet and the slight tapping of claw against steel. He turned his head towards the sound, only to find Nepeta on all fours, walking like a cat, her tail wagging side to side. And even more peculiar was his kiwi bird in front of her, a tiny set of cat ears and tail tapped to him; walking in a similar manner. As he looked at them they only glanced back, Nepeta offering only a short meow and the Kiwi a squawk before marching off to parts unknown.