InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I belong to the tin-foil cabal"

Shepherd Derrial Book (i_nevermarried) wrote in we_coexist,
@ 2009-07-03 04:05:00

Entry tags:

jake, shepherd book

Supply Run (tag: Jake)
It seemed somewhat ironic to Shepherd Book that a number of things that he needed daily were simply provided by this place where he lived, and yet when he had an emergency the thing he needed most was nowhere to be found. Admittedly, a cut finger wasn’t a true emergency. But it was definitely an annoyance when no bandages could be found.

After stopping the bleeding and determining that it wouldn’t need any trained medical attention, Book decided that perhaps he should take stock of what he had in the parsonage for such supplies and was heartily disappointed to find none. Not even an antibiotic ointment. For a body that liked to think himself prepared, that was a bit of a failing. Best to correct that now before he had a real emergency.

Which meant venturing out into The City. And hoping he could find not only what he needed, but find his way home again. It was always an adventure, and Book planned accordingly, assuming that he’d be out for some time. A short time later as he made his way across the park in search of an apothecary or a general store that would carry such supplies.

Perhaps he should not have been quite so hasty to send young Dr. Tam on his way.

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i_meow
2009-07-07 02:01 am UTC (link)

Today had been shopping day for Jake. He would never leave such a daunting task for Jennifer. She had other things to worry about. (And she always forgot the essentials. Like toilet paper.) Besides, Jake had perfected grocery shopping. He had it down to a fine art, one could say. He'd created for himself a mini wagon, made from a children's Little Tykes toy, that he could hook up to a harness and pull across town. Now, that may have seemed a bit peculiar for anyone who knew Jake. It would have been much easier for the cat to simply float the paper bags of groceries with his telekinetic powers. But that was lazy. And some people were not comfortable watching a cat perform, well, alien "magic." Even though that's hardly what it was.

It was science.

And Jake enjoyed the exercise. It reminded him of his training days at the academy. When he looked back on it he could hardly believe the things he'd managed to carry without his powers. Oh, the benefits of graduation. Never having to lift heavy objects again. Unless it was by choice.

Jake walked with a sort of prancing motion through the park. The wagon squeaked and rolled along behind him, getting caught every now and again on a crack in the sidewalk or a misplaced rock. It was still a fantastic sight for many people. But Jake was used to the stares. He would simply nod his head at couples on park benches and greet them with a telepathic "hello!" or "good morning!" and continue on his way.

Oh, and he often enjoyed humming while he walked.

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i_nevermarried
2009-07-09 03:14 am UTC (link)

Book preferred, when he was on these outings, to look at his surroundings. Not only because it helped him find his way home again when The City chose to rearrange things, but also because it allowed him to watch the folks around him. Which gave him the opportunity to meet new people. And help those that needed his aid.

Today, however, it wasn’t another human face that caught his attention with a silent plea for help or offer of openness. There might have been those around him that looked that way, but Book didn’t see them. Because his eyes fixed on the unusual sight of a cat hauling a cart full of bags.

A cart that squeaked. And as the cat passed him, the shepherd could have sworn he heard humming. Turning his head, he looked for the source of the melody, but finding none he again looked at the small animal as it made it’s way through the park. That was, he admitted to himself, one of the oddest things he’d ever seen in his life.

Giving in to the overwhelming curiosity, Shepherd Book took his plans to find an apothecary and set them aside for the time being. He wanted to know who had trained the cat to do what it was doing. A dog would be impressive enough, since there did not appear to be anyone nearby to guide the animal. But cats were notoriously independent, and he wished to know how this had come about.

Very quietly, he began to follow the interesting animal.

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i_meow
2009-07-10 02:24 am UTC (link)

Jake didn't notice that he was being followed at first. Granted, he had seen the man as he passed, but it took him a moment to realize that the man had diverted his travels and was now following after him. Jake didn't think he had anything to worry about. The man appeared to be well adjusted and civil. Jake had run into a few crazies in the City, but he didn't think this was one of them. He didn't look the part. Then again, sometimes they didn't. Perhaps the man was hungry? He was carrying quite a few groceries. Jake hoped he wasn't homeless. Jake hated to see people homeless. Homelessness was something they had eradicated from his planet years ago.

Still, Jake continued on his path for another minute or so, glancing back every now and again to see if the man was still following. When he came near the playground and the man was still in pursuit, Jake stopped.

He shook the harness off his neck and stepped to the side of the cart, blocking the sidewalk path, and waited for the man to approach. When the stranger was within conversation distance, Jake sent him a telepathic query.

"Why are you following me?"

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i_nevermarried
2009-07-10 04:17 am UTC (link)

Book paused as the cat moved away from the cart. Was this its destination? Was he going to see who had trained the animal so well? It was simply sitting there, looking at him, which was more than a little disconcerting. But perhaps that’s what cats did, Shepherd Book didn’t have that much personal experience with the creatures.

His footsteps slowed as he approached. He didn’t want to scare the animal. Nor the trainer. But he was not at all prepared to be addressed.

The shepherd had been paying attention to his surroundings, even as he followed, and he’d not seen anyone nearby, so the source of the voice was more than a little confusing. His eyes darted around, attempting to locate the person who was speaking to him. That he couldn’t tell which direction the voice was coming from bothered him a great deal.

“Sorry, friend,” he replied carefully, speaking upwards to project his own voice since he didn’t know where this mystery person was located. Not once did it occur to him that the author of the question might be directly in front of him. “I didn’t realize I was following anyone in particular. I was just following your cat. I wanted to meet the person that had trained him so well. Would that be alright with you?”

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i_meow
2009-07-11 01:58 am UTC (link)

Jake canted his head to the side and stared up at the man. He was very strange for a human, wasn't he? Then again, Frank had seemed strange at first when they met. It was difficult for some people to wrap their minds around a talking feline. Then again, this was a city whose streets and buildings constantly changed locations and a giant starship floated overhead. Compared with all that, a talking cat was hardly anything to raise a fuss about.

Jake cleared his throat.

"I trained myself," Jake said, his collar glowing as he spoke. "Down here, my good sir. Down here! I am not a trained cat. I am Zunar J5/90 Doric 4-7, but most people call me Jake. I'm a scientist and a pilot, not one of your Earth-born felines. Though I do happen to be a feline."

Jake really wished the man would look at him while he was speaking. He felt weird talking to a man who was looking at air.

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i_nevermarried
2009-07-11 05:49 am UTC (link)

It was a joke. It had to be a joke. But still Book found himself looking down at the creature in question. Bit startling to see the cat looking back, as though it really had been the one to speak. Some folks had an odd sense of humor, he supposed.

“Alright.” He decided to indulge the prankster, and kept his eyes on the cat as he spoke. “Alright. You are a feline, but not from… Earth.”

It was still very strange to him to refer to it that way instead of saying Earth That Was. But if he was going to play along, he’d do his best to keep the vernacular simple. “Where is it you are from then, Jake? I’ve been to a few planets my own self. Maybe we’ve got something in common.”

Book was very interested to see how this trickster was going to make the cat’s mouth move now that he was looking right at the creature. And what planet that he’d say the feline was from. The shepherd searched his memory, attempting to recall the other planets that were in the solar system with Earth That Was. What was that one with the rings?

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i_meow
2009-07-16 08:23 pm UTC (link)

But Jake's lips didn't move when he spoke. Instead his voice was simply heard. This was one of the great benefits of telepathy. Besides, Jake never would have been able to pronounce humanoid language with his actual voice. And likewise, most humanoids wouldn't have been able to understand his language.

"It is a very distant planet. In an entirely separate galaxy. I would tell you the name but it's very difficult to pronounce, even for those of us who are from there."

Jake's hind leg reached up and scratched at his left ear.

"Are you a space traveler, as well? You wouldn't happen to be the owner of that large space craft hovering above the City, would you? I would like to meet the captain of such a fine and impressive vessel."

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i_nevermarried
2009-07-20 04:21 am UTC (link)

Unable to hold his curiosity at bay any further, Shepherd Book cautiously moved forward to get a better look at the animal. He noticed the glowing collar that flashed as the cat “spoke.” It was an interesting added detail to the deception.

“No,” he answered… whoever it was that was speaking. There was no way it could actually be the feline, that was beyond the realm of possibility. Wasn’t it? He had seen a great many interesting things in this place, but talking cats were not among them. This was a very elaborate, and extremely convincing, hoax.

“No, the only ship I can lay any sort of claim to is landlocked,” Book explained. “Not my ship, just one I’ve been on… for a bit.”

Despite his current situation, the shepherd couldn’t help but look up at that moment. There was something that was almost reassuring about having a ship overhead. As though there might be an escape from this City, though thus far he’d not been able to find anybody that had any idea how to actually do so. “Wouldn’t mind meeting the captain myself.”

Later. Right now, he had another mystery to solve. His eyes returned to the cat and he thought he had the answer to how to trip up whoever was playing this very elaborate joke. “I have to admit, I’m a might curious as to how you’re able to talk without moving your mouth.”

Let him explain that one.

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i_meow
2009-07-22 04:27 am UTC (link)

"I've heard rumors about the captain. The shopkeeper at the fish market said he stopped in one day. But I have yet to meet him. It's so difficult in this city, too, you know. What with the buildings changing all of the time."

Jake didn't know how some of these people didn't get lost forever. Were it not for his keen sense of smell, he would have quite a difficult time trying to locate Jennifer's apartment every night.

"Well, if I ever encounter the captain, I will be sure to inform him of your desire to cross paths. Perhaps we could all meet sometime. That would be lovely. All of us space-faring gents in one room, discussing our travels and adventures."

Jake was a very enthusiastic feline. And he loved to hear tales of other worlds and learn about different space vessels. That was the scientist in him. Always curious about new gadgets.

"It's telepathy. By communicating mentally, I am able to break the language barrier difficulties of speaking aloud. My thoughts are transmitted, for lack of a better word, to your mind where they are instantly converted, translated, into your own language. Though, I am quite a proficient linguist, I have trouble speaking humanoid languages and dialects. My vocal chords can't distinguish the diphthongs. If you know what I mean. Besides, telepathy is much more convenient. Don't you think so?"

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i_nevermarried
2009-07-23 09:50 pm UTC (link)

The pleasant smile stayed in place on Book’s face as the jokester continued. He had to give credit where it was due, this person had not only planned well, they were following through brilliantly by not breaking character. The shepherd had always been fond of a good joke; made for an excellent story later he found. There was even a bit of a chuckle at the term “space-faring gents.”

But when the word telepathy was introduced, and his expression changed. Wasn’t like he hadn’t had a brush or two with it, even if it wasn’t in his nature to say much about it. The way Book figured, there were plenty of things in the world that he might not understand. Didn’t mean they weren’t part of the Lord’s plan. So he might not understand completely, but he tried to keep an open mind.

Still there was something very off-putting about the word in this context. Because it had the feel of truth, and that wasn’t sitting particularly well. Book’s head turned again to look at the surrounding area, trying to figure out where the voice was coming from. This was all a bit bizarre.

“I suppose it is,” said Shepherd Book. “Don’t know that it would be everybody’s cup of tea. I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be rude, but this is a bit out of my realm of experience. Talking cats and all.”

He kept waiting for someone to come forward and explain that it was a joke, show off the way they’d pulled it off. But he was getting a sinking feeling that might not be happening.

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i_meow
2009-07-26 02:56 am UTC (link)

"It's alright. I'm quite used to it. When I arrived on Earth, I didn't know what to expect! And Frank wasn't so keen on the idea of telepathy and talking cats either. Nor was his friend, or the nice lady he worked with. I miss them. She had a beautiful Persian named Lucybell. I miss Lucybell, too."

It wasn't that Jake was opposed to all of the bipedals in the City, but it would have been nice to converse with a couple quadrupeds every now and again. But, as a space traveler, he really didn't have the luxury of being picky. It might be years before he saw another talking cat again.

It was a good thing he had nine lives.

Jake glanced back his groceries. The milk was starting to sweat in the sun.

"Oh dear! I really ought to get these back to the apartment. It really has been a pleasure speaking with you, sir. You're welcome to accompany me, if you wish. We could have lunch. I'm sure Jennifer wouldn't mind the company."

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i_nevermarried
2009-07-28 03:35 am UTC (link)

Book was first confounded and then relieved by the reply from the “cat.” Persian, if he remembered right, was a breed of cat. Fluffy sort of thing. Here he’d been worried that this might not be a joke, but there was confirmation. The outerspace cat was talking about missing a common house cat.

Very amusing. This would make a good story. Once he sorted out exactly what had actually happened.

When the prankster offered lunch, and meeting someone named Jennifer, Book was sure he had another piece of the puzzle. This Jennifer must be one of the pranksters. Or it was a random name. At this point, it was all speculation. But the shepherd wasn’t really willing to drag this joke out any further. He did have things to do with his day.

“That’s a kind offer,” Book replied, “but I think I’ve taken up enough of your time. Have a nice lunch, Jake. I hope we meet again.” If only to have another chance to see this joke up close. But for now, he gave a slight bow of his head before going on his way.

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