Bringing in a Neko from the Rain part 2

Alex! I'm back!

Hey, where's the little one? Oh! There you are! Snuggled up again, are we? Well, when I was out I got some treats for you. Got some stuff for dinner, and I got you some new clothes, though I do hope they fit... and a cute little scarf since it's getting cold outside. Come on, let's go upstairs so we can check to see if your clothes fit.

[listener hops off Alex's lap and follows you upstairs; pause]

Yea, go on, I'll meet you up there.

*pause*

So, how do they feel? Are they comfy?

What? Yes they're for you! Why wouldn't they be?

Honey, I'm willing to buy *whatever* it is you need to make you happy! I just want to help you feel safe and warm, okay?

You've... never gotten new clothes before? Aw, hun... That's... that's not-- anyway, you're here now and *I* think you need new clothes, so you'll get them, okay? And if you want something new, all you have to do is ask!

Now, I bought some fish for dinner tonight; I'm not *exactly* used to cooking meat, but, it shouldn't be too hard right? Here, you can try on the rest of your clothes and then hopefully it'll be close to done when you're finished, okay?

Alright, I'm going to head downstairs, you can join me once you're done.

*longer pause*

Hey, uhm, Alex? Is... Is this how it's supposed to look?

What color is it? Uh... well... It's turning black.

How was I supposed to know! I didn't want it to be raw!

I don't know! I don't know if she can eat raw fish! I mean, sushi is a thing, but I don't know if you can just *give* a neko raw meat!

[listener comes downstairs] Oh, hi sweetie! Did you smell the fish and wanted to eat early?

It smells burnt?! You could smell that all the way upstairs... Uhm, Well you see, I did say I haven't really ever cooked meat before... Hey, Alex, do you have any, like, other meats you could cook up?

Hey, look, don't you yell at me. I *tried*. That has to count for *something*... right?

Fine, fine I'll move.

So, while Alex is... salvaging the mess I made, what would you like to do sweetheart?

You want to go out for a walk? Okay! I'll get my coat, and get yours, too!

What? No way! I am *not* letting you go outside by yourself! You are *way* too young to be going out on your own. Why is it you want to go out, anyway? Is the smell bothering you that much?

There was somewhere you wanted to go? Oh! I can drive you there if you'd like, depending on how far away it is.

You'd rather walk? Okay, that's fine, too. I haven't really been walking enough lately as it is, so it'll be good for me, too! So, where is it you want to take me?

I'll see? Okay, just as long as you don't run off, alright? I don't want you to be stuck outside by yourself anymore.
Okay, here's your coat, arms up for me! That's a good girl. Alright, one sleeve, and the other... now, turn around for me... And you're all zipped up! Does it feel warm?

Yea? Oh! Almost forgot, let's take this new scarf, too. Let's just wrap it around and, god you are adorable!

Alright, let's go. Alex! We'll be back in... I don't know how long, but if you could keep it warm for her that'd be great!

What about me? Eh, it doesn't matter, I've got some food that I can reheat, I'm mainly concerned about our little neko eating dinner.

Okay, we'll be back in a bit!

*door open + close*

Geez, it really is getting a bit chilly, isn't it?

*sigh* Seriously though, where *is* it that you're taking me?

Someplace special? Oh, how exciting! Is it a secret?

Kind of? What do you mean?

You'll let me know when we're there? Okay! Hmm, can I guess what it is?

Is itttt, a park?

No?

Is itttt, a store of some kind?

No?

Is itttt...

Hey, why'd you stop? Hey, sweetheart, why are you sitting down?

We're--We're here? Sweetheart, where is "here"?

[realizes the listener was dropped off; avoid crushing hope; make pauses between lines longer than normal+stuttery] Oh... Oh no... This is... the last place you saw your parents? Honey... Do you... I don't-- Sweetheart, I think we should go back inside now.

You want to wait? Honey, do you really think that... [listener looks like they're about to cry/clinging on to what little hope they have]

*sighs sadly*

No no, Of course i'll wait with you. Here, just, hold my hand, okay?

Hmm? When will they come back? [trying to not break neko's heart] Honey... I don't think-- I... I don't know.

Yea, I hope they'll be back soon, too sweetie.

***long ~10-15 second pause as you both watch cars go by [SFX of cars quietly passing here] the listener perks up at certain types of cars***

Honey, it's getting really dark out, we need to be getting back inside.

I know you want to stay, but... I don't think that-- [again, trying to avoid saying what happened to the listener]

[listener: "They're not coming back, are they?"]

What?

Sweetie, no... No, love; I don't think they're coming back.

I know, I know, it's okay, it's okay to cry; here let me wrap my arms around you.

[improv additional comforting words if you'd like] I'm so so sorry. Shhhh, shhhh, hey look at me. it'll be okay. Everything will be okay. I'm here for you, I'll *always* be here for you, okay? You don't have to worry. You're not alone, I'll never let you be alone.

Hey sweetie, it's okay, just, Look at me, okay? You are perfect just the way you are. This, all of this, is not your fault, it never will be. I never want you to think that. Some people just... Some people aren't as full of love and care as you are. And it's really sad because they're missing out on the most wonderful, loving, perfect neko in the world. The neko who brightens up the world with her smile, her laugh. And... I want to make sure that she's somewhere where she feels wanted and loved. I hope that's with me, but, if you'd rather not... I guess I understand...

What? Honey, of course, I want to! I spent all morning trying to file the paperwork to get a temporary adoption on my lease; and, if you want, we can make that permanent.

Sweetie, no, I would love to have you with me, sweetheart. And Alex does too, though they show their love a little... differently at times, but they do love you to bits. It'll be a loving home. If you'll have it, of course.

Oh? You--you want to stay? Oh, honey, that's wonderful! That makes me so happy; come here! [hugs] Mmmph, I don't want to ever let you go... God, I can't wait! We're going to be a wonderfully happy family. I'm so glad.

Oh, no... you're shivering, it really is just too cold out for you. Let's go back in, I'll hold your hand the whole way, okay?