Following that other one... [video]

[runs_on_batteries]

If there are any kids- both big and small- who don't want to be alone right now, I'm making hot chocolate and blanket forts in the dining room.

Also, bring a blanket.

Comments

[sobothersome]

[Maru was finding his way to all the kids, or anyone that looked sad or unhappy. He didn't know if there was much he could really do. He was just a lazy cat after all. But he was small and soft and so when he saw the little blond girl he wandered over.

She already had her own cat, so he hesitated...

He lay down not far from her, just watching her curiously, to see if she really needed soothing or if she was okay after all.]

[madcuriosity]

Ah! Why hello. [Alice crouched down and picked up the other kitty, immediately pressing a kiss to his brow.] Hello kitty, are you here to help make us all feel better? What a good kitty. Just like my Dinah. She's a good kitty too.

I've never met a bad kitty.

[sobothersome]

[Maru blinked. Being picked up was nothing new. Being kissed was. He almost laughed, he could well have blushed, but instead he chose to tilt his head.]

My name is Maru.

[Best get it out of the way he was a talking kitty, he didn't want her to be shocked later.]

[madcuriosity]

[Maru you are not her first, and likely will not be her last, talking cat. At least Maru introduced himself.] Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Maru Puss, I hope you didn't mind my kissing you.

[sobothersome]

[Did he mind? Not particularly, it was just strange. So he shook his head. He didn't want her to feel embarrassed for doing it at all.

He gave a little purr.]

It's alright. I don't mind.

Are you okay though?

[madcuriosity]

[Alice will never feel embarrassed about kissing kitties. Kitties always deserve kisses.]

I... I'm not sure... I'm scared of the shadow man. He could be anywhere and decide I'm terribly naughty and need to be punished too.

[sobothersome]

I don't think it will. I don't think you're naughty enough for it to notice.

[He could have been wrong, of course, but he didn't think this girl had committed any crimes or murdered anyone. Looks could deceive though, so maybe?]

Besides, they'll find them soon.

No one's happy with the shadow guy. He's the naughty one who needs to be punished.

[madcuriosity]

[Alice lightly scratched behind Maru's ears, and then under his chin, looking off towards the door.]

I do try to do my best, but who is to say what this creature considers naughty... I mean... murder IS terribly naughty, to be sure. But he may think leaving the table before dessert may be just as terrible!

I do suppose that is the one good thing about this place, can't run or hide when there's only a train.

[sobothersome]

[His head tilted and then lifted, enjoying those little fingers petting him. It was so strange. So many years of none and now, here, almost everyone wanted to pet him.]

Before dessert...?

What about having dessert before a meal? That makes me more naughty than you.

[madcuriosity]

[Alice gasped.]

Kitty! What an absolutely brilliant idea! We can have dessert first together!

[sobothersome]

Dessert is the best part of a meal. [Maru said with a nod]

Sometimes that's my whole meal.

[madcuriosity]

It's certainly one of my favorites. [She giggled.]

How terribly clever of you, kitty.

[sobothersome]

What kind do you like best?

[Maru didn't think he was good at chit-chat, but he could talk about snacks all day and night if allowed to.]

[madcuriosity]

I like cakes and things with in fruit in them. My favorite fruits are cherries and pineapples! What about you, kitty?

[sobothersome]

I like cookies and cream ice cream. And ice cream cake. [Simple and delicious.] Cherries are good though. Cherry tarts are nice.

[madcuriosity]

Ice cream cake?! You can put ice cream in a cake? How! What does it taste like? I've never had ice cream cake before! I've had ice cream but never, not in a cake!

[sobothersome]

It tastes like cake, but without cream... it's ice cream. [He wondered if there was anyone on the train that could make one? It'd be nice if they could.] I don't know if we have something to make ice cream though...

[madcuriosity]

Do you think someone could make it? Do you think the train could get it in some way?

[sobothersome]

[Maru tilted his head and thought about that for a second.]

I could probably make some... if I had an ice cream maker. But there's a train shop you could buy it from as well.

[madcuriosity]

Really? Well, I would like to try some, is it better homemade or bought?

[sobothersome]

Uhh... Guess it depends. On who makes it. I'm not a good cook.

Maybe we could ask someone who is?