ic inbox.

[heatmetal]

[ his voicemail greeting is just a guitar riff ]

Comments

[retromix]

They don't have rabies, do they?

[ Rabies is just a thing now. Thanks, Robin. ]

[heatmetal]

No, man. A bunch of sad little city cats don't have rabies.

[ but they could have other things. ]

They're askin' if we got food or water. Hungry little guys.

[retromix]

You're really talking to them?

[ An uhhhh cat food? is murmured and tins, with an opener, fall out of the air as he waves his hand. Damn, that's loud. ]

[heatmetal]

I think so?

[ the cats startle and move to run until Eddie holds out a hand, murmuring something soothing. ]

[retromix]

... This is some trippy shit, serious Mary Poppins or something vibe.

[ Steve starts opening some cans as he crouches down, sliding them over as he keeps a wary eye on the cats. Never know when danger might strike. ]

[heatmetal]

[ prepare to get swarmed by hungry howling babies. They go right for the cans OM NOM NOMING their way through ]

So... Mary Poppins but make it metal.

[retromix]

[ jESUS CHRIST, Steve stands up to open the last few cans and drops them hastily, backing off. ]

Are kitty cats metal?

[heatmetal]

Black ones are.

[ scratching chins, grinning st the purring. ]

You know they have a hard time finding homes? Lotta people hurt them just because of that whole saying about bad luck... People are maaaad superstitious.

[retromix]

[ Steve walks over, tilting a hand to scritch the top of Eddie's hair in the same way. ]

You don't say?

[heatmetal]

[ he'll do his best impression of a cats purr, taking it a step further by rubbing himself against Steve's leg. ]

[retromix]

[ What an utter dork; Steve is wholly endeared. ]

Now that's some kinky shit. [ Twirling a curl around a finger, he asks, ] You want to try calling some other critters over? Bats, cats ... what's next?

[heatmetal]

You like a little petplay, baby?

[ he leans against Steve's leg, holding his hand out again to concentrate]

Rats, probably. I tried for mice.

[retromix]

I feel like I know exactly what that is by the way you say it.

[ Rats, yuck. ]

Maybe your power is like, rhyming.

[heatmetal]

Like I'm a fucking nursery book?

[retromix]

Bats, cats, rats ...

[ Listen to this very real suggestion: ]

Maybe try and bring all the hats in the city to you.

[heatmetal]

[ god he loves a stupid stupid man. ]

Okay babe. Lemme try.

[retromix]

[ A respectful silence ensues, then: ]

... Are any hats coming?

[heatmetal]

No, babe. I think things gotta have a brain to respond to me.

[retromix]

Oh. Makes sense, I guess. Magical rules for the talking.

[ Steve wanders back to the car, climbing in to keep an eye on Eddie's progress as he gets comfortable. ]

You're doing great! Try more!

[heatmetal]

[ so he's got a gaggle of cats. After a few false starts - there are also a few rats. Who are... Way better conversationalists than the cats. They're smarter. More eager to chat with him about the city. ]

[retromix]

[ Steve's watching. Sometimes snapping pictures on his phone and feeling like a discount Jonathan Byers, all his shots are less artistic than straightforward. Eddie looks cool though and the animals (even the rats, ew) seem to like him a lot, so he isn't in any danger. Not immediately.

He folds his arms on the steering wheel, cheek pillowed on an arm.

Gonna text him: ]

Cute view.

[heatmetal]

Is this Disney princess shit doing it for you?

[ he seems like he's having a great time, though. Like all these poor misunderstood critters are his flock to tend to and it comes as natural as breathing.

[retromix]

[ If one of those cats isn't named Dustin after all of this ... ]

You're sweet, is all.

[heatmetal]

Not as sweet as you.

[ he might end up with a cat after all of this. The scrawniest and ugliest of them is getting pretty cozy on his lap. ]

[retromix]

Looks like you got a new favorite there.