The Mungojerrie: Enemies, Yet Friends

[AmbushCat]

Callista: Let's see. Hmm... hey, Kaoru, got any input?

*A glowing green dot appears on Callista's forehead, through which Kaoru's voice is audible to those at the table only.*

(BC)
Well, I dunno if you knew this, Calli, but you've been staying up late listening to that dragon playing Aria of Sorrow an awful lot.

Callista: Well, yeah, but that shouldn't be all by itself... *focuses on Circe, worried* Should it?

[Ookalf]

*Circe shrugs.* Maybe. Then again, maybe not. I wouldn't know, I'm not a doctor.

[AmbushCat]

(BC)
Six hours of sleep a night. Count them. Six.

*Anything Callista has to say on that is interrupted when the waitress returns with their drinks.*

Waitress #73: Water... and klah. *places the drinks before them* Do you need a minute to decide what you want?

[Ookalf]

Ah, I'm still thinking about it. Callista?

[AmbushCat]

Callista: Ditto that, although I'd still like a tub of macaroni & cheese as an appetizer.

*The waitress jots that down, bows, then returns to the kitchen.*

Callista: *flips through the menu* It's not like I haven't gotten six hours of sleep before, Circe. That one time you got really angry at me a few years ago, I only had two hours, and it didn't impede me this much.

[Ookalf]

*Circe looks through the menu as she talks.* Mm. Could be something at work's getting to you.

[AmbushCat]

Callista: ... *nods* Christmas in July sales, maybe. That's something I haven't thought of. Maybe the spirit of goodwill has poisoned me.

[Ookalf]

Could be. Why not try avoiding places like that, see what happens.

[AmbushCat]

Callista: *thin smile* Sure. L-Sama forbid that I show compassion and love for the store employees. They might start to think I'm getting soft. *sips some klah, twitching just a little at the taste*

[Ookalf]

It's either that, or you can keep on being miserable. Your choice. *Circe takes a sip of water.*

[AmbushCat]

Callista: I'm not disagreeing, mind you. Just trying to picture what would happen were I a nicer person. *shudder*

*The waitress returns with Calli's tub (actually a salad bowl) of mac & cheese, but is called back to the kitchen by someone before she can inquire of them again. Calli doesn't mind, instead helping herself to the food immediately.*

[Ookalf]

Right then... *Circe studies the menu for a few moments more, then sets it aside.* Mm...

[AmbushCat]

*As Calli eats, Aldonza---her standard clothes traded for a dark orange uniform and an apron---walks out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a cloth. Seeing them, her face lights up and she slowly sneaks towards Callista, pausing only to flash a grin at Circe and raise an index finger to her lips.*

[Ookalf]

*Circe briefly nods to Aldonza, then starts looking for something in her pocket.*

[AmbushCat]

*Aldonza continues to sneak up on Calli. Slowly, she reaches a hand up and lightly skritches between Callista's ears. The hybrid's eyes open wide at the contact, but they slowly slide closed as she gradually stops eating, relaxing in her seat bit by bit. The loud purring noise she's emitting throughout it all makes it clear that she's very content.

*Of course, this doesn't last long. Aldonza sloooowly takes a deep breath, puts her face near Callista's ears, and...*

RAHWWWF!

*Eyes go wide. Fur goes wild. Sound waves go screechy. Feline goes flying into the ceiling with a WHUMP.*