[A few days after the Branch incident....]

[favoritefearlesshero]

[Puss could have done this via the watch, but he's a classy kitty.

This team is going to need unity. Teamwork. Togetherness. And Puss knows just the thing that will help.

Every single person at the North pole will find an invite slipped under their door, or otherwise placed near their living quarters...]

[The front feels like velvet and the "P" is covered in gold glitter. It's really fancy, the yetis outdid themselves. Now, time for the preparations. It won't be the same if he's not destroying an oppressive villain's mansion while he does it, but that's not the point this time, and he can still throw quite the bash.]

((OOC: Go ahead and use this post as a party-related inbox! Video, text, or track Puss down in person!))

Comments

[ninjavampire]

[ he should have seen this coming. Miguel's face tightens up with the Stressed Annoyance that has been a mainstay since he unmasked.]

Basta. Muévete de ahí. You're going to get fur on the electronics.

[ He is coming over to try and shoo Puss off his temporary work table. He has a lot of things he has to daisy chain together! ]

I'm busy. I don't have time to goof off.

*Enough. Get off of there.

[favoritefearlesshero]

[Puss doesn't shoo so easily, Miguel will find. Puss may stand up, but only to pace on the desk.]

Goof off? Goof off?!

[He sputters in performative outrage. He's shocked! Shocked and appalled at this accusation!]

Sir! Nothing could be farther from the truth! This party is more important than you could imagine! This is about unity! This is about building strength in the heroes that have been brought to fend off this horrible threat to everything we hold dear!

This, mi amigo, is team building!

[Yes, his finger is in the air triumphantly.]

[ninjavampire]

If you wanted to do team building, there is actually useful training that can be arranged...

[ One might expect Miguel to continue to be annoyed, but.. the guy just looks tired. Being On and Aggravated all the time was exhausting, just as much as working without pause was. It's not like really he enjoyed constantly putting himself under pressure.

His expression falters a bit. Not by much, though. ]

Why did you come out of your way to check on me?

[ He had been a complete asshole to Puss the first time they met, so the fact that he extended an invitation and decided to insist is not something that is lost on him. ]

[favoritefearlesshero]

Ahh, what do you learn from training with someone? Their footwork, their sword styles, their powers, magic, nothing you can't learn while surrounded by foes. But! When it's two in the morning and you have 11 mugs of milk between you after a night of dancing and the music goes low and slow and moves your compadre to tears, what do you learn? Everything that's important!

[Puss takes a look at those tired eyes and allows himself to feel sympathy. Miguel is a pill, but perhaps he didn't come by it on his own.]

Why did I...?

[Puss smiles. He's still learning how to reach out, but he's pretty sure this is an opening.]

I told you back when we first met: I've been where you are. Not exactly like you, perhaps, but I have been...alone. Exhausted. Feeling the weight of my burdens on my back. I was lucky to meet the friends who brought me out of it, but luck...she's fickle, no? I just thought I might pay it forward.

[Well...? Did that do anything for Miguel...?]

[ninjavampire]

Hm.

[ Well, he doesn't reject the hand of sympathy. There's a short silence while he digests all that, albeit with a dour expression his face. Something seems to be sinking in. It felt weird to be...included? Granted, much of his isolation is self-imposed, but being a humorless black sheep also made it harder. ]

I would think all the loud music would be annoying for a cat.

[ he is not saying no...! ]

[favoritefearlesshero]

[Puss knows a not-no when he hears it! That's a victory of a kind, even if he hasn't budged the scowl on Miguel's face.]

For most cats, perhaps. But Puss in Boots is not most cats! After all, what kind of party isn't as raucous as possible?

...Though that reminds me: I should find some ear plugs for Nyara and Elle.

[ninjavampire]

[ Well, that is considerate of you, Puss. He holds his chin thoughtfully. ]

Yes. Some ear plugs would be good.

[ he could drop by if there were ear plugs. and maybe if he found some shades, too. That sounds... potentially enjoyable, instead of a migraine waiting to happen. ]

A short visit won't hurt, I suppose.