grab your hat, get your coat, the cellar door is an open throat (open/closed)

[overlyprecocious]

Who: Tim Drake overlyprecocious, others
What: catch-all post for late April/early May. some post-Jason fight things.
When: late April, early May
Where: Dick's apartment, other places tbd
Content Warnings: dissociation, references to childhood neglect and abuse, (so far) light reference to food insecurity

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[definecat]

"He sure keeps collecting strays for someone who swears he's not getting attached," Sleeper says, amusement clear in their voice.

Still, there's something to be considered as they give the new kid a circle to see him from all angles.

"Not that I'd really call my brother and I strays..."

[overlyprecocious]

There's something both very cute and very unsettling about Sleeper, and Tim just - carefully keeps an eye on him while he's walking around Tim. "Who's your brother?"

[definecat]

Having gotten a good look at the kid, and not sensing anything too dangerous on or about him, they sit, tucking their tail around themself in a classic cat pose.

"Sure, like I'm just going to spill my whole life story to someone who hasn't even introduced themself. I'm Sleeper, of course."

[overlyprecocious]

"I'm Tim."

- And he is currently trying very hard not to kneel down and offer his hand out for Sleeper to sniff, just because Sleeper is in full Cat Mode right now. It's probably rude when you're talking to a sentient cat.

[definecat]

As if any proper cat Sleeper would want to be would object to heartfelt obeisance and scritches. But since Tim is being reticent, they will just have to wait until his cat-worshipping instincts take over.

"Please tell me there isn't another de-aging thing going around. I don't think I'm up to the terrible twos again. Because you don't quite smell the same as the Tim who works downstairs, either. But he definitely has permission to know about this place."

In the same way the Jasons weren't identical, maybe.

[overlyprecocious]

"I'm not the Tim who works downstairs. And I'm not de-aged, either. Just from another universe."

He sure did manage to make that sound nonchalant-ish. Sort of. He's still working on it.

[definecat]

"Well, that's good. I am not built to be a chew-toy. Well, usually I'm not."

They do have the advantage of being able to change. And not growing nerves to certain areas had definitely come in handy when Dylan was pulling fistfuls of their substance to grip and feel safe.

"I don't know if you'd noticed, but Jason isn't here right now, so if you were actually looking for him..." they leave it open at the end because if Tim isn't, they want to know what he is doing.

[overlyprecocious]

He’s not really sure where de-aging and chew toys come into that, but he’ll be polite and not question it. It’s fine.

“Oh. I wasn’t looking for him, actually. He said I could use this space if I needed to, so I wanted to have a look around.”

[definecat]

"Were you looking for anything in particular?" they ask, before shifting position to make themself comfortable on the bed Dylan uses when he stays here. but leaving room if Tim wants to join or stop resisting the inevitable urge to pet the cat.

[overlyprecocious]

"Not really?"

He's already gotten an idea of what the place looks like and what kind of supplies it stocks. "Unless there's some secrets hidden around here that I don't know about yet."

[definecat]

"I'm not showing you where I hide my chocolate stash," Sleeper said, and this time it's clear they're more than a little amused at the whole thing.

"I think the place was designed more as a retreat than a home. Just a place to get away or get a good night's sleep that isn't under everyone's eyes.."

[overlyprecocious]

“Oh. I found that already.”

And it is extremely weird and Uncomfortable that a cat-shaped person has a chocolate stash, but he’s not going to point that out because Sleeper’s clearly not a regular cat.

[definecat]

"I hope you left me some," they tease. They would smell if he'd actually raided the chocolate for more than a piece or two, and honestly, they aren't above sharing. "Chocolate is a necessary food supplement."

The kid isn't asking a million questions. They're almost surprised, but they aren't about to open that door too obviously.

[overlyprecocious]

"I didn't take any of it."

He knows how important it can be to have food hidden away for safety. He wouldn't mess with someone else's stash.

[definecat]

A look of clear surprise crosses the cat's face.

"Then you're the first. Most of the people who know about this place are teenaged boys, and that means bottomless stomachs."

[overlyprecocious]

"I figured if it's hidden, someone needs to know it's there when they look for it."

He understands that intimately. It's - it's good to know you have food no one else can touch, in an emergency.

[definecat]

"In this case, it's more that if it's not hidden, it's guaranteed not to be there when I want it," Sleeper says, giving a slight chuckle.

"Chocolate is more appetizing than tofu and more socially acceptable than brains and other internal organs. Plus it regularly goes on extreme discounts after major holidays."

[overlyprecocious]

Um.

Hold on.

“Do you… actually eat brains and internal organs?”

[definecat]

"I'm willing to eat whatever's readily available. For instance, I'm not at all above mousing if there are any. Certain parts of the body tend to be rich in certain nutrients and, well, some are easier to ingest than other."

They're not saying they eat people, but they're also not not saying it.

"Let's just say I'm no threat to the homeless population or anything like that. It's hard to be friends with someone who might be on the menu."

[overlyprecocious]

Oh. That's. Uh.

"So you have eaten... people?"

He's trying so hard to not sound horrified, honest.

[definecat]

"Personally, no." Well, nobody who wouldn't be missed. And, well, that hadn't actually been something they've had to act on beyond threats to the Backbreakers.

"I have a think about eating anyone I've been introduced to. But then, I'm the civilized one in the family. Just ask Dylan."

[overlyprecocious]

"Dylan's related to you?"

Well, that explains some things, maybe. Aside from. How an alien cat is related to someone human-seeming.

[definecat]

"He's my brother. His human father also is host to my parent, who also is sort of Dylan's third parent. It's...complicated."

The whole thing is normal for them, just not really easily explained. Even some of the best theories as to how Dylan could have abilities relating to symbiotes didn't manage to cover everything.