Duplicity Inbox

[alwayskayaking]

Duplicity Inbox

You've reached Tim Stoker. I'm out at the moment. Leave me a message and I'll return your call soon.

Comments

[alwayskayaking]

Well, yeah. [He smiles with tired amusement.] Of course it's a bit weird, but weird is kind of what we do. Right? Boss.

[compellingstatement]

[Jon's continuing to sputter, far too flustered to have a good response. His tail is fluffed up, curled a little between his legs, and his ears are down.]

That's not- you know what I mean! Even if- Friends don't just- When have you ever?

[alwayskayaking]

With a half cat man? Never. With a coworker? More frequently then I think you'd like to hear about. [He probably shouldn't look so proud and smug when he says that.

Although for Jon's sake he quickly relents a little bit.] And I'm not saying we even have to do anything. You just don't need to run off all embarrassed. Look! I can even make one of those statements you love so much. Statement of Tim Stoker and the day my boss had some fun pretending to be a cat for awhile. Jon turned into a cat for a bit and enjoyed himself for awhile. The end. [Clearly the most detailed statement ever.]

[compellingstatement]

[Well, now he's being mocked. Jon's somewhere between mortified and indignant.]

I thought you were 'Joe Spooky' for your Statements. [Jon tone is waspish, and he holds the photo album close, glaring.]

[alwayskayaking]

I didn't want to repeat myself and become stale. Although Joe Spooky was pretty great if short lived.

[He can see the way Jon has gone from embarrassed to upset. The cat ears and tail make it hard to miss.] So, which was it? Was it the suggestion you should enjoy yourself for a day or the fact that I was mocking the statements the part that annoyed you the most? [Not that he really cares. He's already betting everything he has that it's the fact that he was mocking the statements.]

[compellingstatement]

Neither!

[It's definitely that second one, if his tail fluffing up is anything to go by.]

I have work to do. I need to go.

[He's going to start stalking to the door before realizing that he's taken off his shoes. And his hat. And his tail is out and on full display. Stalking out is going to be a little less dignified when he has to shuffled sullenly back to the sofa to step into his shoes.]

[alwayskayaking]

I'm sure you do. [While Tim doesn't outright roll his eyes the way he sighs as he speaks probably gives away that he really wants to.

That is until Jon starts to head out the door without retrieving any of his clothes. He's unable to help the way he starts to grin again at the grumpy, puffed up cat. While Jon slips his shoes on Tim collects his hat to hold out towards him with a victorious smirk on his face.] You do know that as the boss you're not going to get in trouble for taking a long lunch or the rest of the day off, right? It's called a perk.

[compellingstatement]

[Jon is huffing and puffing as he finishes with his shoes and snatches the hat back. It's jammed awkwardly onto his head, one-handed. That still leaves the damn tail. Jon reaches behind himself to catch it in his freehand, and it takes him a few tries with the way it's lashing. The tip flicks back and forth, clearly speaking to his agitation.]

Some of us hold ourselves to a higher standard than some people. [A beat.] I need to use your toilet. Please.

[alwayskayaking]

[Somehow with great skill and effort Tim keeps himself from laughing as he watches Jon fight with his own tail.] You know, it might not thrash so much if you relaxed a little. [He says being intentionally unhelpful.] Down that hall. First door on your left.

[compellingstatement]

[Jon isn't going to dignify that advice with a response. Instead, he marches away, muttering low to his tail to 'stop that.' It's a few minutes later that he emerges looking a bit silly in his hat, but much less feline. He's walking with as much dignity as he can muster, chin slightly raised. His accent has been put on a bit posher than is his usual wont. More reminiscent of the early days than the casual one he speaks with now.]

I'll be going, then, and get back to you about the album.

[alwayskayaking]

You look better with the hat off. [He can't help getting one more tease in.] Take care, Jon. Have some fun while it lasts.

[compellingstatement]

[His hair fluffs up a little bit, and he has to stop himself hissing as he leaves, closing the door behind him with more force than might be necessary.]