[video]

[whoseesbynight]

[The communicator turns on - or maybe is turned on, it's a little hard to tell - to Nepeta putting the finishing touches on... something. A moment later, she sits back, revealing a series of drawings that appear to have been drawn right on the wall. Fortunately, they also seem to done in chalk.

Of more interest might be the fact that there might just be a few familiar face in amongst the drawings. For those who happen to have been to Even's place, the general decor might also look just a little familiar.

For her part, Nepeta simply looks over the little drawings once more before turning towards the camera.]

That's better, don't you think?

[Judging by the enthusiastic squeak that answers the question, she's probably asking her bat, who is likely also behind the camera being on in the first place.]

Comments

[whoseesbynight]

You can tell me how you feel.

[defrostedpride]

I DON'T FEEL!

[It occurs to Even just too late that this is not actually true, in the technical sense, any more.]

My feelings are, in the first place, exceedingly platonic, and in the second place, none of your business! Furthermore, while we're on the subject of behavior that could be wrongly interpreted as romantic, get out of my bedroom!!

[whoseesbynight]

I supurrse I could take it off.

[defrostedpride]

That would be a start.

[whoseesbynight]

I can't take them all off!

[defrostedpride]

It isn't your wall!

[whoseesbynight]

I'm already living here!

[defrostedpride]

You BROKE IN! That doesn't count!

[whoseesbynight]

You didn't have a problem with it befur!

[defrostedpride]

I didn't KNOW about it before! That's why it's called 'breaking in' and not 'being invited'!

[whoseesbynight]

You didn't know beclaws you ssssspent all your time in your workroom.

[defrostedpride]

WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING??!

[whoseesbynight]

It means I claim this room by right of sssssalvage.

[defrostedpride]

THAT IS NOT AT ALL HOW PROPERTY LAW WORKS!! I'M STILL PAYING RENT ON IT; YOU CAN'T CLAIM SALVAGE ON THINGS I'M STILL ACTIVELY PAYING FOR THE USE OF, WHETHER OR NOT I APPEAR TO BE USING THEM!!

[whoseesbynight]

Purroperty laws?

[defrostedpride]

Yes, the laws that determine whether or not something is, for example, classified as salvage! Which, for reference, my bedroom is not!!

[whoseesbynight]

Beclaws it's yours?

[defrostedpride]

That is what 'property' means.

[whoseesbynight]

Does that mean this room is mine?

[defrostedpride]

NO! What did I JUST say?!

[whoseesbynight]

You aren't doing a furry good job of explaining how it works.

[defrostedpride]

Am I going to have to draw you a picture?!!

I rent this house. That means that I pay someone else an agreed-upon sum to functionally possess it for a certain period. For the duration of this period, as indicated by the lease, it is treated as my personal property, barring certain circumstances. And no, bored aliens breaking and entering is not one of those circumstances! I checked!!

[whoseesbynight]

[There's a moment of silence as Nepeta considers this. Paying for things is not terribly unusual in troll culture. All the same, the idea of leases isn't anything like she's heard before.]

I think I like the way it was done at home better. It was less compurrlicated.

[defrostedpride]

Well, that's just too bad for you, isn't it? I like the way a lot of things were done at home better, but as may have escaped your notice when you were drawing pictures on my walls, we're not at home, for anyone's value of home.

[whoseesbynight]

[There's a moment of silence as Nepeta considers what she's been told. It's an odd system but she thinks she's got it more or less figured out.]

So... if I wanted to stay in this purrt of your hive I would have to pay you fur it?