FELINE fun

Posted on Mon Feb 20th, 2023 @ 10:22pm by Lieutenant Jayla Kij MD & Lieutenant Commander Javiylah MacArthur

1,439 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Icarus Files
Location: Main Sickbay

A black blur raced into Main Sickbay, quickly merging with the black under one of the biobeds. The only indication of anything but shadows were a pair of pale golden eyes that blinked once.

Whatever it was had run across Jayla’s left foot. She had nearly kicked it as she took a step, but managed to stop herself in time. Was that a cat? Or was it one of the FELINEs? As she took a step towards the biobed in question, Silver bounded past her and curiously inspected the creature.

“Silver, leave it alone,” she said as she went to intervene.

Silver, however, was now doing his little play jig and chirping incessantly at the creature.

“I don’t think it wants to play, sweetie,” Jayla laughed. “Come on. No, Silver! Stop it!” She had attempted to grab his horn to gently drag him away and he instead decided that she wanted to play and had gently head butted her in the shin. It wasn’t enough to hurt, but it was annoying.

Making a questioning sound, the eyes crept forward to reveal what appeared to be a small black panther. It settled down with forepaws neatly in front as it gazed at both the new creature and the human being, its eyes now a light silver.

“Well, that answers that question,” muttered Jayla. “Sorry about Silver; he tries to play with everything. Silver, sit DOWN!” she ordered and the little fox finally settled down and sat chirping at the FELINE. “So who do you belong to? Do they need help?”

The FELINE only flicked an ear at the questions before giving the fox an encouraging sound, slowly pacing forward with a lazy flick of the tail, clearly open to making its acquaintance.

Silver instantly jumped to his feet and repeated his happy play jig before cautiously creeping forward and tentatively sniffing at the FELINE.

Making another encouraging sound, the FELINE sniffed back, the tail now a playful flag as it wriggled before it bounded away.

"A FELINE who acts like a cat," sighed Jayla, throwing her arms up. "Whatever. Go get her, Silver."

But Silver was already off after the FELINE. This FELINE was different than the one that hung out around Sick Bay all the time. That one was too big to play with, but this one was just the right size! He would catch her for sure! He chittered at her as he bounded along after her, dodging the nurses and doctors expertly.

Turning into a black blur again, the FELINE led the fox on a chase around Sickbay, easily weaving around the legs of the personnel walking around. This went on for several minutes before the FELINE allowed the fox to “catch” up, letting out a friendly sound.

With a gleeful chitter, Silver lept, intending to land on the FELINE, thus 'catching' her.

Waiting until the last moment, the FELINE gracefully moved aside, gently-butting the fox in the side as he landed with another friendly sound.

Silver chittered gleefully and when he had pulled himself off the floor, did his little play jig again, inviting the FELINE to play. This time, he bounded away, glancing back to check that the FELINE was chasing.

Making a happy sound, the FELINE gave chase, navigating some of the staff who were oblivious to the game going on around their feet.

Of course it was fun to be chased, but it was also fun to be caught. And so, Silver was careful not to run too fast, keeping the FELINE right on his heals, but also not letting her catch him. He yipped over his shoulder, encouraging her to hurry.

Making a noise in response, the FELINE sped up so she was almost on top of the running fox, curious what it would do in response.

Silver attempted to put on more speed, but the old injury to his leg would not allow it. So instead, he let out a little shriek-like sound that indicated the sort of exhilarated fear one feels when they know they are totally safe, but still in a frightening situation, such as on a roller coaster or the freefall before the parachute opens.

The FELINE made a concerned noise, catching up so it could look at the fox with a questioning flick of the ears. It didn’t bounce but kept pace with an encouraging sound.

Silver bobbed his head and gave the shriek again, followed by the play chitter to reassure the FELINE he was having fun. Then he nipped gently at her and veered off in the opposite direction.

Reassured, the black cat gave chase with a happy chirp, racing after the fox in another round of Sickbay.

By this time, some of the medical staff had stopped to watch the fun, smiling at the lightheartedness of it and being careful of where they stepped.

Silver was having so much fun, he forgot to pay attention to where he was going. As such, he rounded a corner and skidded to a stop in front of Jupiter, the extra large FELINE that hung around Sick Bay. He gave her the little play jig, but she just stood there staring dispassionately. He added a happy yip, but nothing. He turned to the new FELINE for help. Maybe she could get this one to play.

The black FELINE tilted her head at Jupiter, contemplating the largest FELINE onboard, knowing that the fox wanted them both to play. Beira waited to see if Jupiter would acknowledge her or if she would ignore her like she had the fox.

Jupiter just stared for a moment, her eyes glowing golden. Then, without warning or preamble, she pounced on the little fox and play bit his neck.

Silver shrieked and then added his play yip as he struggled to turn and play bite the larger creature, but she was strong and he was smaller. Still, it was a fun game.

Beira gracefully jumped up onto the nearby biobed to watch, making an mrrt of laughter at the fact that her fellow FELINE had decided to join in the game. She was content to watch unless the fox indicated true distress.

But Silver was fine. Jupiter, well aware of Silver’s injury, went easy on him. She let him win, but also made him work for it. Eventually, he managed to squirm around and play bite her neck. She bounded away and on her way past Beira, jumped at her also. Silver took off after her, giving Beira a little jig and happy yip as he went, inviting her to also play.

Bhéara jumped off the bed and raced after the two of them, pleased that the largest FELINE had agreed to join the chase. She watched with interest as the little fox attempted to catch Jupiter, keeping back to observe.

Suddenly, Jupiter turned, running towards Silver and Bhéara. Silver responded by backpedaling and then scrabbling around to face Bhéara.

Bhéara watched the two others approach with a lazy wave of her tail. She waited until the very last minute then jumped high over both of them, landing behind Jupiter with another mrrt of laughter.

Jupiter skidded to a stop as she watched Bhéara jump clear over both of them and after a few more strides, Silver followed suit, giving them both a quizzical stare. Jupiter turned and play-stalked Bhéara, pretending to move stealthily as if the other FELINE could not see her.

Pretending not to see Jupiter, Bhéara meandered through the personnel who were watching the three of them, going under the biobeds.

Had Jupiter been an actual cat, she may have been fooled by this ploy, but that did not change her tactic. Still she stalked closer and closer to Bhéara, tail twitching excitedly, until she was close enough and then she pounced!

Bhéara went sideways with a chirp, her head swiveling as her attention went from the game and the other two to an examination room that had just opened. Running inside, she went to the back and stared, her eyes going translucent as she scanned the panel before her, quickly completing the scan and running back out towards the main entrance with an expectant look.

This of course, caused Jupiter some amount of curiosity and she sat primly, head cocked to one side in a questioning manner. What was Bhéara up to?

Bhéara glanced over at the other FELINE, making a businesslike noise, before returning her attention to the hatch. She expected someone to enter any moment now.

 

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