Kitty is an illogical moniker.

[science_blues]

Leonard Nimoy's established living quarters were sufficient. However, they did not possess a cat. A cat which he had specifically implied existed on the ship.

Normally, sneaking was quite an illogical venture in line with the retention of accurate information. However, when one seeks to find an organism that may or may not desire to be found, a stealthy approach is the most likely to succeed. It was, also, only logical that she begin this approach before the departure from Leonard Nimoy's established quarters, in the event that the cat was nearby.

She absolutely did not sneak out.

As Spock rounded the corner, and scanned the hallway, she realized a flaw in her plan. The cat was perfectly capable of avoiding her. A new approach was required. She would have to imply, via a distance based technique, that she bore nothing but good will for the creature. Good will and a desire to pet it.

Spock attempted verbal communication, as it was the only distance based technique she was capable of performing.

"Come here, tiny feline of a non-specified gender," Spock hazarded quietly. The cat did not come immediately. She moved down the hall and attempted verbal communication again.

Comments

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

Spock could feel the cat's indignation, just barely, against her fingers. She scratched just behind its left ear.

"You are very soft, Yontaya," Spock commented. "I am Spock. Will you permit me to hug you?"

[vulcans-purr.livejournal.com]

{excuse me?}

{hug?}

{do not want}

{you may pet}

{...Spock?}

{are not dark-sweet}

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

Spock's shoulders sank slightly. The cat desired, expressly, not to be hugged. This was unfortunate. It, however, did not object to petting. Spock continued to pet it.

"Deforest Kelley," Spock started as she stroked the cat. "Do you understand who or what is represented by the concept of dark and sweetness?"

She did not quite understand, but it seemed to be a person.

[de-forest.livejournal.com]

De had been watching Spock stroke the cat, a small smile playing around his lips. She seemed to be content, and he was glad they had managed to find Yontaya. He liked to see her as well, it was comforting to stroke his hand along her back and run his fingers through her fur. Something about the warming presence of a cat...He reached down and tickled under Yontaya's chin.

"Dark and sweetness? What?" said De, confused. "Where did you get that from?"

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

"The cat," Spock answered and blinked. "Apologies, Yontaya," she corrected.

"It was a concept I did not understand," Spock added, as though it were an explanation of some sort.

"Do you desire food, is that why you are present here?" Spock asked the cat and leaned forward slightly. She continued in a whisper, "I would imagine it is difficult to avoid being stepped on."

[de-forest.livejournal.com]

"...the cat? Excuse me, sorry, the cat told you of a concept of dark and sweetness that you don't understand?" De's brow furrowed. "I'm not sure I understand at all." He did understand Spock talking directly to Yontaya, he did that, and had done so with all his animals. Even if they couldn't answer, it was a connection, somehow, to them.

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

"You seem to have captured the situation exactly," Spock replied and looked up at Deforest Kelley. "I do not know how to clarify further."

[de-forest.livejournal.com]

De's eyebrows shot up, and his eyes widened. "You understand her?" He shook his head. "No, you're playing, you can't actually talk to her...can you?"

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

Spock blinked. "Deforest Kelley, you can talk to her, it is not a difficult action."

Spock was uncertain just what his outward expression of surprise was in relation to. She pondered it as she stoked the cat. Its fur was soft and calming.

"I only mostly understand," Spock admitted.

[de-forest.livejournal.com]

"I know I can talk to her, I just...don't get a reply!" De took a breath, realising his tone and volume was beginning to escalate. "Sorry," he said, bringing his voice back to its normal levels, "but let me just clarify here, to make sure I understand, alright. You can talk to the cat, and get an answer? And you're being quite, quite serious about that?"

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

She had upset Deforest Kelley inadvertently. Spock watched him and hesitated to answer.

"Yes," Spock confirmed simply. She was uncertain which addition had caused him the initial conundrum. Whether it was her interaction with the feline, or her misunderstanding of it. She would supply no further information without direct request.

She did not desire him to be upset.

[vulcans-purr.livejournal.com]

{why is warm-animal-safe upset?}

{have did you do?}

{nuuuuuuuuuuzzle his leg}

{am here, will make things better!}

{answer you lots!}

mrp!

[de-forest.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. He'd upset her somehow, it seemed, or confused her. He didn't mean to do that, didn't want to do that. "Sorry," he repeated, "I just...I didn't understand that you would be able to communicate with her, I didn't know that was possible, even." Then again, now he thought about it, a bit more....Vulcan. Mind melds. Was this something like that? God, it was all real, wasn't it?

He reached out to stroke Yontaya again, as she nuzzled his leg. "Sorry, kitty," he said, feeling a bit more self-conscious now that he knew the cat was apparently capable of understanding. "I...hope you're alright."

Turning back to address Spock he added, "Sorry," again, "It's also just...just something children I know would say, that they could understand animals, when they can't. For fun, y'know. But I believe you, that you really can. Is Yontaya alright? Happy?"

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

"Yes," Spock confirmed again, though she hardly needed to feel the feline's thoughts to discern this.

"You need not be overly concerned, Deforest Kelley," Spock replied, "Vulcan children do not state falsehoods for entertainment purposes."

[de-forest.livejournal.com]

"No, I expect you don't," De confirmed, exhaling audibly, putting the relative strangeness of the situation in the usual place in his head, with everything else (it was really getting rather full), before smiling down at Spock. "So, what else can we learn from Yontaya today? Do we have a hungry cat on our hands?" He scratched behind Yontaya's ears as he spoke.

[vulcans-purr.livejournal.com]

{food}

{milk? can I have milk?}

{or fish? smells good!}

{please?}

{will purr nicely for you}

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

Spock stroked Yontaya and nodded shortly.

"Yes," Spock answered. "She would like milk...and fish."

Spock rested her hand on the cat's back and looked at the human beside her. "She has offered a trade of purring in order to obtain these items."

[de-forest.livejournal.com]

"Milk and fish," De repeated. "Well, those sound like perfectly acceptable things for a cat, don't you think? And I think a trade of purring is a fair one. Shall we accept the offer?"

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

"Yes, I think that would be appropriate," Spock agreed quickly.

[de-forest.livejournal.com]

De looked over to where the food was prepared, and looked back down at Spock. "I'd imagine, if we asked, the staff would give us some milk and fish? Do you want to go ask?" He'd go, if she didn't want to, but he would really rather stay here and focus on Yontaya.

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

"I will go ask," Spock agreed and gave the feline a long pet before standing. The counter-top was high, but Spock was able to get the attention of the staff without overmuch issue. She requested milk and fish, filleted, and waited as they retrieved it.

[de-forest.livejournal.com]

De watched, relieved, as she walked over to get some food for Yontaya. "Hey," he said, stroking the cat in one long movement from head to tail. "I didn't think you could actually understand me. Or respond to me, more accurately." Cats did always seem to know what was going on, after all. "Umm. Sorry. I'll pet you lots to make up for it, and Spock's gone to get some milk and fish for you now." He stroked her again, twirling her tail in his fingers.

[vulcans-purr.livejournal.com]

{like this!}

{tail flick!}

{can make up with much more pettings}

{mmm...}

{crouch}

{jump!}

{climb up cloth}

{climb up body}

{shoulder!}

[science-blues.livejournal.com]

Spock turned, with a bowl of milk and a plate of fish, to find that the cat had changed location considerably. It had climbed atop of Deforest Kelley's shoulder. Spock watched it regain its balance as she approached. As it had just exerted the effort to move, it was only logical to hold the plate up to the cat rather than move the latter for the former.

As Deforest Kelley was still within range, Spock did so.

[vulcans-purr.livejournal.com]

{now this is proper service}

{lean forward}

{sniffsniff}

{TUNA!}

{grab piece}

{nomnom}