Yeah.. I.. I tried talking to him but he didn’t respond.. he was bleeding from his temple and I’m seriously worried.. -Neb
°CJ is still again. A second passes.°
°...I owe you Neb, that's two people I owe here now, thank you. We /will/ find him, my brother /will/ be ok. I just have to show this scarecrow wannabe the inside of a fireplace before I can do anything. Can you see what street he's on?°
*The doll calmed down and started chanting again. The room glowed purple.*
°If Disney had taught him anything, it was that purple and green were not safe in these contexts. His mind was still reeling from what Neb had said, but if self-preservation hadn't convinced him that he needed to get out, his brother being in danger had.°
°Let. Me. Go.°
Oh god- not you too- this is a really really bad thing... CJ, you gotta get out of there! RJ was in a really bad car crash and he’s gone unconscious! -Neb
°CJ goes ridged. From how tense and still he was, you'd think that maybe you were looking at a very accurate statue of him. Then-°
°Are you sure?°
°The question was... well, you were a reliable source, but he had to make sure, he had to be certain, he /had/ to be sure. He was going to go anyway, but he had to be sure. His gaze was an intense feeling to be under.°
*the kitten purrs at his feet as he saws off the crackers he found. he would've killed a bird and brought to him, but crackers will do* meow meow
°He turns to the kitten, a brief whistle to the little one accompanied by telling him to run. It was a sweet gesture, but the kitten needed to hide; last thing he wanted to give the doll was a hostage, and the thought of it taking his new friend felt like a stab in his gut.°
*The wisp slaps him, causing the doll to stop chanting and start laughing.*
°CJ winces at the sting. He's had worse, but it still hurts. He fixes the doll with a burning glare, ashbowl. Anger felt a little better than panic, if he was honest.°
Oh no.. this is r e ally bad... maybe.. CJ?? Can you hear me?? -Neb
°He hears you, but it's like trying to listen through a wall, while wrestling an octopus. Since he's still trying to avoid death by doll, and his hands are occupied with as such, so he doesn't give a full reply. He does glance around though, giving a nod that could have been dismissed as an attempt to loosen the wisps' grip if you hadn't just said something.°
*They start chanting an ancient language.*
°Oho no, he's seen enough horror movies and sat through RJ's teenage occult phase to know that magical ominous entities never use chants for anything good. He abandons one of his last reservations by attempting to bite one of the wisps, hopefully that does something-!°
*Purple wisps appear and wrap around Jim. They tighten around him.* 🅓🅞🅔🅢 🅝🅞 🅞🅝🅔 🅣🅡🅨 🅣🅞 🅡🅤🅝? 🅒🅞🅜🅔 🅞🅝! 🅡🅤🅝, 🅡🅐🅑🅑🅘🅣, 🅡🅤🅝!
°There's a shock, a horror, then blind panic. CJ attempts to pull, to rip at the wisps and scramble away, terror finally really flooding his veins. He didn't know what the absolute **** was happening, but for the second time in not that long a span he didn't really want to find out. It wasn't exactly as important as getting away from here like the house was on fire, which honestly might not have been as bad.°
RJ?? RJ! Can you hear me? What happened? Oh god.. oh shit this is bad- -Neb
*RJ doesn't stir. He can't hear you. There's a steady trickle of blood running down from his temple, evidence of a nasty impact as a result of a nastier impact outside.*
*A straw doll that couldn't be more than 2ft tall flouted up to the Jim twin.* 🅗🅔🅛🅛🅞, 🅡🅐🅑🅑🅘🅣.
°CALM-ISH MOMENT OVER°
°I- hello?? He's stood up on the couch, training the camera on the literal, in his head, horror movie doll. Everything seemed to be happening, all he needed now was a ghost and a demonic possession and he could probably get Bingo. It was.. going to be incredibly cool, once he was no longer freaking out. Wait, rabbit?°
*The city is often a loud place, filled with the bustling of thousands of individual lives all trying to get to the next destination.*
*...Sirens aren't uncommon. Statistically speaking, more people die of car crashes in a year in Texas alone than die of shark attacks around the world. Jim told him that. RJ wonders if he's going to die of a shark attack, then, since he's pretty sure he's still alive. Things are still spinning, and his head feels like it was split open, (and is that a ringing sound?) but he's alive. The car? Maybe not as much, but that's not the major thing on his mind. He knows he needs to get out, but at the same time moving sounds like a really horrible idea.*
*Maybe if he closed his eyes for a second, he knows he shouldn't but... he was tired anyway.. heh, tired, car tires...*
*RJ's eyes slid shut, the sounds of sirens echoes, and he is alone.*
*the kitten hops off the seat and wiggled away for a moment. when he wiggled back, he was dragging- HOW IS HE DRAGGING THE CRACKER BOX FROM THE TOP SHELF!?!?!?!?*
°He watches him wiggle away, he really is cute. The absence of their warmth however makes the pit in his stomach all the more noticable. The little guy's return with his cargo paved the way for more loud blinking. Not the weirdest thing the he has done, but CJ's still not used to this tiny magic cat's bag of tricks.°
°Those for me little guy? You did not have to do that for me°
*the kitten noticed he was still nervous. the other wasn't back yet... did... did he do something wrong? Snow Ears/Ottis?*
°He stops petting for a moment, needing the hand back for a moment, looking at the kitten directly now. There's an odd look in his eyes.°
°He will be ok, he is a grown man who can take care of himself. And once he gets back, we will set everything up for you, so you will be comfortable and happy while you are here. We will all be ok, ok? He gives you a small reassuring smile. Your powers were a little shocking, but I am trusting you right now. Knowing Jim, he probably bought you toys too. That could be fun, right?°
°He resumes petting gently, like he's both reassuring himself and the kitten that it'll all work out.°
*the kitten went back to him and tried to comfort him*
°He's fine...°
°His hand goes still for a moment, resting motionless on his leg, then shifts over to scritch behind the cat's ears. The phone rests on his other leg, his camera letting out a soft beep to say it's on low battery.°
*the kitten noticed the no reply and sneezed, dropping them to the floor* meow *he jumped off his head and sat next to him* mew mew mew?
°He jumps at the sudden return to Earth, heart in his throat for a moment. There are a few more breaths and then he looks at the kitten°
°Warn someone next time, /please/. He looks back at the screen, a frown creasing his face. He's probably just driving, right? It's illegal and unsafe to text while driving, and he had to drive to get stuff for you, so he's probably just driving? He's fine, he's... probably fine. I'll text him again in a minute..°
*the mattresse started to float. then a coffee table, a chair, some paper, and the couch. the kitten kept purring*
°He doesn't stop filming, but shoots a <Please tell me you're almost home> to Jim, both curious and /very worried/, seems to be the overall mood for this...°
°There isn't a reply.°
*the kitten starts purring in his hair. it's happy*
°Despite his reservations, the kitten really was sweet when it wasn't being a fluffy anomaly, though even then they were still cute, if a little alarming.°
°CJ gets more comfortable on the couch, might as well, and texts back RJ that it's not a big deal that he hadn't immediately found all the cat supplies, and that yes, he would in fact like a pretzel.°
meow *he nuzzles in his hair and starts to sleep* mew mew mew. mew mew mew mew mew. mew? mew mew mew mew mew mew mew. *He is The Void. The. Whole. Void. but, he just wants a nap*
-ok, I, I don't speak cat, so I'm going to draw from that, that you are but you're not going to hurt us, I'm trusting this conclusion for now."
°Is- Is my hair really that comfortable??°
"It is soft Jim."
*there's a moment*
"Wow these past- I don't even know, it's been... wow."
°...yeah.°
*...*
°...I think I'm going to move very slowly and sit down on the couch. Would it.. would you be... Is it ok if-?°
"..Yeah?"
°Do you think you could, maybe, run to the store? We probably need cat supplies...?°
"Oh, yeah, right, will you be ok?"
°I will be ok, I'm an adult Jim.°
"Yeah, ok, I should be back soon, stay safe, call if anything happens, you know where the flashligh-"
°Jim?°
"Yeah?"
°It will be ok, I promise.°
*RJ gets an odd look about him for a moment, looking like that reassurance had hit a little harder than intended, but he blinks a few times and straightens up*
"Ok, yeah, I'll be back soon."
*RJ heads for the door, unlocking each lock before going out*
"See you, bro."
°See you, brother.°
*the kitten floats down and lands on CJ's head* meow
*They are trying very hard not to freak out, how does someone even act around a flying kitten? The tiny bean landing on CJ's head put him out of commission. He's completely frozen in place. RJ is taking very measured breaths*
*he takes another breath*
"Even before that though- take a breath Jim, you need to breath."
°...a somewhat larger, shuddery breath, and then another°
"...Slow and deep Jim, five second count. Ok, Snow Ears- fake sneeze for yes three meows for no, are you with the Void and-slash-or do you mean us any harm?"
*the kitten purrs.* meow meow *he hops on the table and floats- HE'S FLOATING IN THE AIR!?!?!?*
°If there's such a thing as loud blinking, CJ is doing it. He's leaned back out of shock, not for the first time wishing he could just yell and get Jim over here. His eyes don't leave the kitten as he feels around his desk for the hand videocamera. He clicks it on and focuses it on the small cat.°
°Eyes and camera still trained on the cat, he gets up and slowly walks towards RJ.°
*CJ's shaking of RJ's shoulder drags him out of sleep, his startled reaction internal. He gives a bleary look around, confused and a little worried, but CJ points him in the direction of the kitten, the FLOATING kitten. It takes a second, but he pops out of bed, no sleep left in him, and stumbles only a little on the blankets in the process*
°A slow nod. I don't know what's happening, Jim, but it's... Something.°
°A valid reaction I think.°
*the kitten seems to smile at him* :3 *he sees him as a parent.* mew *he purrs and rubbed his head against his arm, showing that he loves him* :3
°...I am trying to interrogate you, why must you be this adorable? He sighs. Stop growing on me, you tiny fluff. There's no threat to it, he just looks a little tired still and like he's decided to adopt them unless they eat him in the next few minutes, the cuteness is strong with this cat.°
°If we hadn't been kidnapped not that long ago, you'd be one of the strangest beings I've met. I guess you still are though? Given your little Vision move out there. l still wonder where you come from though...°
°He moves a hand to gently pet them.°
*RJ rolls over, but isn't awake just yet. He will be soon though, as his dream begins its final act.*
*the footage shows the kitten by the front day. they see him meow before he... did he just WALK THROUGH SOILD 4 INCH OAK!?!?!?* mew *they walked through all the doors!!*
°CJ blinked. Replayed the footage. Blinked again. Replayed and slowed down the footage, paused it when the kitten was halfway through the door, hits Ctrl and PrtScn. Blinks once more, and turns to the kitten. Confusion, shock, and suspicion flashing behind a carefully neutral face. You have some explaining to do, I think.°
*they stood their legs and pawed at him to be picked up, purring at his legs*
°He tries to have a blank face, to resist the temptation to lift the tiny bean up. He breaks at the soft purrs, gently lifting them and setting them on his desk next to his computer. Suppose it's only fair if I'm going to ask you anything for you to be able look me in the eye, make no mistake my faith in you is not in full. Though I suppose you didn't do anything to us in our sleep, so thank you.°
°He switches the tab away from the forum and over to a video editing app. He picks up and connects the hand videocamera to the computer, pulling up the footage from the night before. I'm going to review this. Then, I have some questions. At worst, this is a bad idea. At neutral, this is me just signing to myself. At best, I get some answers. Make sense?°
*the kitten crept out of bed and wiggled towards the computer. it's a curious bean* mew?
°CJ looked away from the screen, which holds what looks like a forum of some sort. He watches Snow Ears for a moment. You know, for my suspicions about you, you are adorable.°
Hello jims! Do you guys each of a number like Jim 1, Jim 2, ETC?
°Hello. CJ glances at the mattress again before looking back at you. Well at this point in our lives we go by CJ or RJ, it's just easier and more informative to go by the letter of your profession or interest followed by the J. We just use Jim for eachother or other family, really it's outside of realatives that anyone calls us by nicknames like that.°
°He pauses. Though with nicknames like Jim One and Jim Two it'd be perfect Halloween costume as Thing One and Thing Two. He smiles. Though if you're asking specifically if we're numbered? No, we are all just Jim and any nicknames we get along the way.°
*the kitten looks at both men as they slept. brothers? maybe. friends? yes. they snuggle in the nest and tries to sleep, but... Ottis felt something awake outside*
*It's probably a good thing they got a bit of sleep when they could, it had been almost four, and despite how much caffeine was in the both of them, they'd fallen asleep pretty quick. They slept, unaware of the world for a few hours before waking.*
°CJ was first, oddly enough, he was usually the one who slept in. He looks over at his brother and Snow Ears, pretty sure both are asleep, before slipping off of the couch and creeping over to his computer. He opens it up to a lock screen of a Mothman doodle RJ had done once on a birthday card, and logs in.°
°He should probably go back to sleep, or at least eat, but he's curious about something and has to check it first.°
*the kitten felt confused, but is too tired to question* ..meow.. *they didn't care as long as they were warm*
°CJ nods, slipping over to an armchair and taking a throw blanket off of it. He arranges it so it looks like a little blanket nest on one side of the bed, warm and cozy looking. Hope you like it in here, this should be warm enough°
"Yeah, Jim's a bird, he's good at this."
°Caw caw, Jim. Anyway, bedtime you two°
*RJ gently scoops up the kitten and crosses the distance between the kitchen and living room, placing the kitten in the middle of the nest, before flopping more gently than he would have overwise onto the other side*
"I'm not sleeping, just resting a little so I can stay up longer."
°I am also totally going to lay down and not fall asleep.°
"Hilarious."
°I am peak comedy.°
*the sigh is tired, but fond*
"G'Night, Jim. Sweet dreams Snow Ears."
"Goodnight Jim, Snow Ears, both of you- sleep well."
*CJ snuggles down into the couch, a throw blanket over him too, RJ tugged his own blanket up, sighing softly.*
*Ottis- well, Snow Ears, ate happily. when he was done, he purred happily at their feet* meow meow! meow meow! *He thanks them, yawning*
"Aw, glad you liked it so much! Looks like it's time for you to sleep though"
°Time for everyone to sleep, technically.°
"Yeah, I can stay up while you-"
°Jim.°
"Hm?"
°All the doors are locked. I checked, double checked, triple checked. I can check the windows again, but we were both there when we were locking them. The matress is already on the floor, I'll be on the couch.°
"Hey wait, why do you have to go on the couch?"
°Because I want to, let me feel taller. We can offer you some pillows and or a little blanket nest Snow Ears?°
*Øțťī§* meow *he did like Snow Ears.* mew!
°CJ didn't miss the glitch in his camera, nor the odd distorted voice, but he doesn't comment. His one visible eye narrows slightly, however.°
"I think they like your name better, Jim."
*he could have sworn he heard something, but he's blaming it on how late it was*
*the kitten looked him dead in the eye, feeling his soul moving inside.* mew *they hopped. this kitten is a different kitten*
*the intensity in their eyes was somewhat unnerving, not to mention it had actually heard what he said and acted on it. He glanced behind him through the 'window' (it was really just a rectangular hole that let him see the front door)*
"Hey Jim? Could you come here?"
°CJ slipped into the kitchen, looking inquisitive. Yeah?°
"...I think this cat actually figured out door knobs."
°I mean yeah, they did get in. What do you mean?°
"...I asked them if they wanted raw or cooked, said hop for cooked and sneeze for raw. Bean looked dead at me and hopped."
°...Guess they want cooked?°
"Well yeah I got /that/ part I dunno, I think I've been up for to long..? Everything feels off now."
°He pauses for a moment, then pulls out a pocket recorder and trains the view onto the kitten. Maybe, it is late after all... Might as well give the little one some meat for now.°
*a nod*
"Yeah- here. Hope it's good Bean."
*he puts the plate in front of the kitten. There's a medium sized burger patty on it now.*
°Is their name 'Bean' now?°
"I mean, unless you can think of something better?"
°Not really, are they ok with the name? If not I'm calling them Snow Ear°
"...Isn't that a fungus you liked in middle school or something?"
°...Not what I meant.°