[Phone Call To Bes]

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Bes, would you kindly explain to me what's going on with you so I can explain it to your cat? He's Concerned.

Comments

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Uh... Hi, Bastet. What do you mean he's concerned? I just gave Simba catnip. He should be stoned.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

I don't mean right now. I mean over the last few days. He says you've been acting strangely. He suspects it has something to do with your mate.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Well, I don't know. He likes her and she and Alex haven't been around in a number of weeks. Not since her birthday. Maybe he misses her as much as I do.

[Such a bad liar...]

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

I already dealt with that weeks ago. I mean what's been happening this week. Show tunes and packing? Come on.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Packing? Oh. Well... He's just worried about how he's going to handle a long trip, I guess. He's jumping the gun, though. Worrying for nothing.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Bes... I can tell there's something you're lying to me about. Or trying to.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Don't you believe in secrets?

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

I'm a cat. What do you think?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

I think that you and Simba are worrying too much.

[He pauses, long and thoughtful.]

I'm looking at jobs out in Washington.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Why is that?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

It's hard being in a cross-country relationship.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Is that all?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

I want to be with Erato. You know, be a family.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Family? What, are you expecting litters of kittens of your own in the near future? [yeah, she's teasing him, totally]

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Hey, I like kids. So do you.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

So do a lot of us. How is it you never managed it before? Even I had a kitten of my own back then.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

I dunno. I guess I figured that all children everywhere were partly mine. I still have that kind of feeling deep down and I know it's crazy and overbearing but... Guess it's why I'm a teacher and why I volunteer.

... Do you think your kid is around out there somewhere?

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

I don't know. I haven't even found Ptah, or Ra or most of my brothers and sisters yet, so who can say?

And you are dodging.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Dodging what? I just asked about your kids. You're the one who brought it up. I just... Kids, huh. Don't you miss Meri? Being out in Vegas and all.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Of course I do. And my sister and her mate have standing invitations to see me. As do you. But this is you here. My cats don't care, but yours thinks you've gone stark raving mad. And he suspects your mate is as the root of it.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

[Long silence greets her and then...]

I'm thinking of proposing.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Are you now? You've been with her, what... six months now, give or take a bit?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Something like that. I know it's fast but it feels right. She means the world to me and I love Alex almost as much.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Oh yes. You're in love. Obviously. A little impetuous of you, seems like, though.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Maybe. I, uh, admit that it's a lot faster than I had planned on it. I mean, I love her and have loved her for what feels like ages but...

Well, okay, and this is just for your ears because Simba's going to drive you nuts otherwise...

She's pregnant.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

You sly little dwarf. When is she due?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Sometime in March. I... Geez, I'm going to be a dad.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

I take it the news is just now sinking in?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

I think it comes and goes. Like it makes sense and I'm excited and then, wow, there's a whole host of things that come along with knowing that we're having a baby. Like diapers and cribs and things.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Is this child going to be like its brother, or cousins?

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Erato is pretty sure our baby will be like the cousins. Which is going to make it a little weird for Alex, I guess.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Oh, I doubt it. He'll likely grow and think it's entirely normal.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

You're probably right... So how can I calm Simba down, anyway? He's not worried that I'm going to forget him, is he?

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

Explain to him you're expecting a kitten. He can learn to dodge grabby hands. And will probably protect the new little one once the baby gets here.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

Alright. I'll do that. I don't want him to worry. He's kinda my first kid. He's fantastic.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

He is. And a little reassurance will go a long way.

[mr-bes.insanejournal.com]

I'll take care of that then. Right away.

And, Bastet? Thank you.

[guardienne.insanejournal.com]

You're welcome. Do keep me posted.