15. [Video]

[brodakota]

[When North awakes, he can hardly believe his eyes. His room is a warzone of tattered pieces of cloth and a very sorry giraffe in the middle of it.

He can hardly believe it, even when the Giraffe attempts to bleat its excuses. It wasn't my fault, there was another cat, she wanted to help and then I tried but they smelled so good. I'm sorry person, I'm sorry.]

[He runs a hand through his hair and there's a muttered god dammit. This may be the maddest North has been in a while.]

This is a ridiculous request, but, does anyone have anything that can be used as a lock? One that spirits can't open? 

[Trouble is nosing her way in, still trying to apologize.]

Comments

[Video]

[guerriera]

[ Both eyebrows are slightly arched at the sight of the mess in the background. Carolina hasn't see North this angry since the earliest days of the Program -- and South had been the one to talk him around. ]

She learned how to open a padlock?

[Video]

[brodakota]

Apparently. I'm not sure how though.

[Since she's, you know, a giraffe. Who knows better than to use magic in the house. Trouble is making apologetic noises.]

[Video]

[guerriera]

[ Even for Trouble, that's a very apologetic noise. ]

Thought you'd at least cured her of eating the shirt off your back, though.

[ Careful, North, you might make the younger ladies on the channel swoon. ]

[Video]

[brodakota]

So did I. It's a little better. She only ate about half, but that could be because she was full after eating the other ones.

[Video]

[guerriera]

[ She doesn't laugh, but North might notice the crinkles at the corner of her eyes, indicating concealed amusement. It really is a serious matter, though. ]

Sounds like she needs a muzzle. Or to be dismissed entirely when you're sleeping.

[video]

[juniorganymedian]

Not at present, but I can request one from the Moogles. Has Agent Washington's Spirit proved particularly troublesome for you? [There is a minor note of annoyance in Jeeves' voice. Someone's fed up with the animal.]

[video]

[brodakota]

[Hang on?]

What about Wash's cat? Did she cause this?

[video]

[juniorganymedian]

[Jeeves raises a brow, making a pointed up-and-down scan of North's bare top half. Old habits die hard; he can't help falling back into a more formal mode of speech when snarking.] I had assumed, sir, your lack of shirt was not by choice given the number of young women who might see you in such a fashion given the video function. Agent Washington's Spirit, Carmen, has committed various acts of sartorial larceny since her creation.

[video]

[brodakota]

[The confusion and annoyance have started to fade and North's finally starting clue in that oh yeah, he did use the video function, didn't he? He probably should get up and get a new one.]

I guess you'd be right. My giraffe ate it, or most of it.

So, his cat's been stealing clothes? And doing what with them?

[laughingsword]

What sort of lock can they open?

[brodakota]

Padlocks apparently.

I thought a key would be enough to stump them.

[laughingsword]

Oh. My. That is impressive!

Perhaps if you installed a latch....

[brodakota]

I was thinking that or a combination lock.

[Because he probably don't have a resources for a holographic one.]

[statisticallyterrible]

[She can't help with the locks, but she can see the mess. And his chest. Chell holds up a shirt that should look familiar to North.]

Did not sign up to be your shirt reserve.

[brodakota]

[North sighs. At least he has one decent shirt left. Never mind that he's slowly putting together Wash's cat's intentions.]

Sorry. I'll come get it.

[statisticallyterrible]

Mm. You leave many backups around?

[brodakota]

Not usually. I think Wash's cat is to blame, based on what I've heard.

voice

[fatemeter]

[That's... quite a sight. Enough to suggest even without the clearest view of the door that "open" is probably a euphemism.]

The current lock isn't salvageable?

video

[brodakota]

Not really. They did a number on it.

[He holds it up to the screen, where it looks like it was wrenched open.]

voice

[fatemeter]

So it seems. Hmm. [She pauses briefly to run over a few possible ideas, and maybe to put that distracting shirtlessness out of her mind.] There are a number of alternatives more resistant to force than a conventional padlock, but as well as procuring a lock, you'd likely also need appropriate tools with which to work on the door... And given the diversity of Dream Eaters, it's hard to imagine any single lock keeping the majority of them out. Are you sure the lock is the best area to focus on?

voice

[brodakota]

It was the best way I could think of to at least keep Trouble out. She's the only one I have problems with.

'Course now it's back to the drawing board. I suppose I could have Tank stand guard.

[unrecovered]

[Someone saw Jeeves' comments and put two and two together. Someone is not happy about any of this.]

That cat has no idea how much trouble she's in.

[brodakota]

[That's two unhappy someones.]

No kidding.

[ooc:I know we're not in ponyville but this is the most upset North icon I have.]

[sailorgenerous]

[SHOCK AND HORROR]

[How could he put such carnage on the screen!]

[She finally turns on the communicator after a brief stint on the nearest chaise lounge. She needed time to recover from such a sight, after all.]

Did she get everything? You poor dear! Come by the boutique and I'll get you fixed up.

[brodakota]

I think a shirt and some of my workout clothes managed to escape.

[He supposes he owes Wash's cat that much, but not much since this is technically her fault.]

Thanks, Rarity. I appreciate it.