Pet Shop of Horrors - Career Day

[braidstobows]

For a pet shop, it's oddly quiet. But the animals seem contented, many laying down or catching a nap with their fluffy tails curled around themselves. The awake ones lightly paw at their long ears or attentively watch passers-by. They all seem to be in good spirits.

They're also all the same breed, with soft and luxurious fur and cutely mischievous expressions. Swirled markings on their fur create a somewhat dramatic effect.

Amid the innumerable myriad cages is Homura, dressed in a uniform and apron that suggest she works here. She does not look particularly like the nurturing sort for her charges. Instead, she stands against the wall nearest the door, with her arms folded across her chest. Once or twice, she bangs on the bars of one of the cages with her hand.

(ooc: pictures of the cute animals)

Comments

[reporteroftomorrow]

"Did you? If you don't like them, why bother?"

This is Clark, being an investigative journalist. Even in dreams.

[braidstobows]

"If there was someone you couldn't trust, but had no reason to harm at the present time, would you want them running free to cause havoc, or under your eyes to keep them in check?" Reasonable after all.

Not that she seems particularly pleased with the... solution.

[reporteroftomorrow]

"I wouldn't know anything about that, miss. I'm just a reporter," Clark replied with an awkward smile, fiddling with his glasses.

Of course if he were a super-hero he might agree, particularly where certain villains were concerned. That's what jail was for.

[braidstobows]

Jail, or barred cages with locking doors. Though she had the sneaking feeling Kyuubey could get free if he wanted. It was probably more advantageous to garner sympathy, though.

"It's the same for animals," she says simply. "It's better to have him in one place under my eyes, before he begins causing his mischief."

[reporteroftomorrow]

"And what sort of mischief does he cause, miss?"

[braidstobows]

Homura settles for embarrassing Kyuubey. "He makes a mess when he eats, and he refuses to be housebroken at all."

This is bound to cause Kyuubey to chime in eventually, but for now, he lets it go.

[reporteroftomorrow]

"Oh, I see," Clark takes out a pad and starts taking down notes. "You mind if I run a human interest piece on this little guy?"

[braidstobows]

"I don't mind," Homura claims. "However, you will find nothing worth exploring or reporting on."

[reporteroftomorrow]

"Psychic Japanese housepet refuses to be housebroken seems like a good story to me."

[braidstobows]

"That is true if your interest is sensationalism," Homura concedes. "Even so, I would ask you to consider the likely reaction of the populace."

Her populace, at least, would be highly alarmed to think of alien creatures with psychic powers living somewhere in the universe. And to think of the people deceived into Kyuubey's wishes- No. Better to avoid that.

[reporteroftomorrow]

"I suppose, miss. Though I guess where I come from this sort of thing isn't too odd. After all, Metropolis regularly has to deal with hostile extra-terrestrial life. Isn't it the same here?"

He's not joking, Clark made a name for himself reporting on Superman, Metallo, Mongul, and various creatures from the far reaches of space.

[braidstobows]

"We come from different experiences," Homura understates the situation. For Clark - or should she say Superman - it may be normal reporting by now. But in her world, even the incidents caused by humanity's enemies are not understood.

No one would ever believe her if she started talking about witches and demons and faustian deals with cute balls of fluff.

[reporteroftomorrow]

"So it seems. What's your name, miss? And do you mind if I quote you?"

[braidstobows]

Is he serious? But she realizes that he is; and in front of Kyuubey, who would become far too interested in another source of energy or power, she says nothing to dispel the notion that they haven't met before.

"Homura Akemi." She doesn't answer the second question. It might be a tacit, but reluctant, yes.

[reporteroftomorrow]

"Nice to meet you, Homura. I'm Clark, Clark Kent from the Daily Planet in Metropolis," he says, completely serious. It's his secret identity for a reason, and he does what he can to protect Clark's reputation too.

"It's nice to meet you."

[braidstobows]

"I'm pleased to meet you." The courtesy seems rote; her expression doesn't quite relax into a smile that would actually be welcoming, or friendly.

"And I'm Kyuubey!" The one that seems to be directing the comment at Clark waves its paw slightly.

[reporteroftomorrow]

Clark nodded at the creature, a little dubiously, but not hostile.

"And you too, little guy."

[braidstobows]

Kyuubey, at least, was certainly more enthusiastic than Homura, and suddenly it was easy to imagine that the shape of his mouth was a smile. "You're a pretty nice guy," he compliments Clark.

Homura takes this moment to open the cage door properly. "Time to go back in," she tells Kyuubey, who looks between her and Clark before complying with slow steps.

"I can't say I really enjoy being locked up," Kyuubey notes.

[reporteroftomorrow]

"Well, if Homura says you're trouble, then perhaps it's for the best. I'm not going to even pretend I know what you are, Kyuubey. For all I know you could be one of Starro's minions and she's just saved me."

[braidstobows]

Strangely, it's not Kyuubey that argues Homura is no more trustworthy, someone Clark has barely met. It's Homura herself, who seems visibly surprised by the statement, freezing in place for just a second with her eyes wide.

She regains her composure. "I am surprised you would put trust in my words, either."

[reporteroftomorrow]

"You didn't get into my head, Miss Homura. He did."

[braidstobows]

It is, of course, a very good point. A point many of the magical girls have taken for granted as simply part of the magic and powers they're suddenly made aware of once they learn about Kyuubey's existence and puella magi.

"You are also a cautious person," she notes approvingly. Like her. He doesn't let himself be drawn in by the surface.

[reporteroftomorrow]

"If there's one thing I've learned on the job, it's that an investigative journalist has to be careful."

[braidstobows]

"It's a good lesson to have learned. Sometimes, risk cannot be avoided if you hope to protect what is important to you. But this should always be tempered with common sense."

[reporteroftomorrow]

"Sense. It's not always common," Clark replied with a half smile, thinking of Bruce and Ollie.