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[recollecters]

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Comments

[samuraisoul]

That's very responsible.

[He smiles, approving, before turning to some of the more sickly cats. Those with the special requirements have notes attached, making it easy enough to work out who needs what; Jūbei opens one to greet an old fellow with a croaky meow, whose ears he scratches briefly before sorting his food.]

Them having their mother makes all the difference, as you seem to already know... ah, easy there, old guy... what does your friend have in place already?

[appraiser]

I think he's taken care of kittens before, actually. But he's trying to find homes for them, and won't let them go to others until both sides are fully prepared.

[ The most responsible friend.

Ryoji also works off the notes to see what food each cat should get, measuring out the proper around and letting Jubei double check that it's correct before filling bowls and setting them down for the cats. Old cats especially, he really likes them. The way they don't mind having their fur smoothed down while they ate, unlike the younger cats who take his approaching hands for play things to pounce on. ]

I'm sure I'll be able to do a good job taking care of a cat, but there's also a matter of being home for them. I'd never want to leave my apartment, for wanting to always be there for them.

[samuraisoul]

It sounds like things are going very well already.

[That makes Jubei laugh quietly; not out of humour, but because he's endeared... and because he can hear himself in those words, in some ways.]

You don't need to worry; were you taking in a dog the amount of time you are at home would be a much bigger deal, but cats are very independent. You should of course make sure you spend time with your kitten, though I don't need to tell you that, hmm?

[He thinks he knows what to say to help here, too. Fussing over each of his charges in turn, Jubei sounds quite content in his work as he goes through the Kitten Problem. This is a good career, isn't it? Helping out souls in need, both pets and owners... his old job seems so far away in this moment.]

But they are quite happy to be alone for periods of time. Need their alone time, in fact. Even a young and overly energetic cat will have moments when they just want to be left to sleep, so leaving your apartment sometimes would in fact be good for them.

[appraiser]

That's good to hear. Cats nap much of the day, so alone time...

[ Alone time is something he's always been unsure of, with "alone" for him meaning uneasiness, a huge reason why he thought of getting an animal companion now that he's settled down in Recollé with no further plans to move away or travel. All he can hope is that the kitten would like him, and grow up comfortable enough to sleep in his room as its own little personal space in close proximity. ]

I do love dogs though, how they're always happy to be by your side. Sometimes I walk the neighbors' dogs, especially when it was cold out these last few months and not everybody wanted to be outside. How do you choose who to take home...?

[ Look at these cats, clambering over for their meals (he can pretend they're tripping over themselves because they're happy to see him). He's so fond already. ]

[samuraisoul]

[That earns another laugh, though afterwards Jubei shakes his head a little; ah, yes. This is an age old problem for him.]

With great difficulty... except for those rare, lovely moments when a pet and owner just click upon first meeting.

[Reaching one of his favourites now, a shy, older girl he has previously dubbed Shiori, Jubei sighs a little (though his smile does not shift). There is little room in the tiny place he lives in, and besides that his landlord has forbidden pets; on his current wage a bigger place with more options is simply impossible. There's nothing to be done, though. He's not giving up this job for anything.]

I only wish I could rehome several of the darlings here.

[appraiser]

[ Like love at first sight, a magical moment Ryoji's only ever seen in books or movies, but he wants to believe it can happen to him too. He loves easily and quickly, soft smiles for all the animals here even if they nip at him or crowd around to put their backs between him and their food, loving them just as much as he does the sweetest cats here, with nonstop purring motors. ]

I have... this silly dream, actually. That won't be able to happen for many years, so I haven't told anybody yet. But someday, I'd like to run something like Old Dog Haven, or the Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary.

[samuraisoul]

That's not silly; I consider it a very kind dream.

[Perhaps it's the kind of thing Jubei should have thought of himself from the very beginning. Before getting involved in business, before making himself believe he could really make a difference on that scale; when he'd not known how naive he was.]

[Moving between the cats, latching onto a certain train of thought, Jubei turns his head briefly to look at his helper.]

You have a good heart, Ryoji.

[appraiser]

[ A good heart, a kind heart, Ryoji loves hearing that. Being told that his thoughts are in the right place. And so he beams, up at Jubei, and then down at the cage in front of him, extra tender as he coaxes a thin cat closer with flakes of fish. ]

...Thank you. I want to make it a reality, however silly my dreams are, because one may never come to be if everybody thinks that way.

[ The cat, enticed by the special treat of fish, starts eating, and Ryoji runs two fingers down the length of its back, thin enough to feel its spine, so that he stays here to make sure it finishes all of its food. ]

By the time I can make it happen, I'll be able to help make your dream a reality too and adopt all the older animals who might not otherwise find a home.