I wonder... what would Mr. Sunshine do / think if Jay decided to ask the gentle Lilicoon on a date?
@internutter/challenge-03030-h107-tea-and-socialisation -- Anon Guest
Mr Sunshine was calmly painting as Jay was attempting to calmly wait for Miss Lilicoon to show up. Jay had done their best to scrub up, and was now in the middle of Choice Anxiety. Otherwise known as Maybe I should have...
"Deep breaths, apprentice," said Sunshine, carefully adding gloss to the coat of a slumbering kitten. "Remember what I told you."
"You told me that if I hurt her or her feelings, you'd take me apart with a rusty spoon," said Jay.
"The bit after that."
Jay attempted to remember as they fiddled with their bow tie. "Uh... Miss Lilicoon likes us and that is something to be treasured." Two more deep breaths. "Of course I treasure that. Of course I do. I never had anybody really like me before. This is scary."
This was the young cogniscent who had faced down an angry parental four times their mass and carefully, calculatingly, cut that parental out of existence. Nothing truly elaborate. One lesson on what it felt like and one reminder that that parental had to sleep sometime.
No second chances. That parental had their throat neatly cut in the dead of night and their remains thrown to the street dogs. That might have been the end of it if Jay hadn't gone after similar stains on the face of Humanity.
Jay believed in One Chance. No wonder the poor kid was nervous.
Mr Sunshine put his brushes and palette down. Turned away from the canvas. "Apprentice... All you have to do is remember your lessons. Speak your truths, and choose kindness. You've seen what it looks like. When in doubt, ask permission."
"And don't be like Pops."
"A very low bar to pass, I think," Mr Sunshine brought out his Practice Smile. He was never at home with smiling and the result had been reported as unbelievably creepy, but Jay accepted it as it was intended. "I believe you will do well."
"I don't want to fail you. Or her."
"That counts in your favour."
Miss Lilicoon arrived in a pale patterned garment that would conceal any shed fur. Her hands clenched into her long skirts with what may well have been a white knuckle grip.
Two anxious teenagers meet in a field of cats, both trailing their chaperones. One a therapist, and one a security guard.
No matter what happened on the date, it was one hell of a meet cute.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / mesamong]
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