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WHO: Mouse and you! OTA!
WHERE: around Heropa!
WHEN: Throughout April
WHAT: Catch-all log for Mouse! If you'd like a prompt, please PM me or hit me up on plurk at

sonopants!
WARNINGS: Rats? Rats. Rats!

A - Out and about

[ Mouse has been in Heropa for a few weeks now, but he hasn't actually been staying in his assigned house. He hadn't lived in a house since he was about ten, and the Heropan sewers, which had been his first choice of living space, unfortunately weren't as habitable as the storm sewers and the Movement's underground hideout back in Coral City had been.

Instead, he's been hiding out wherever he can find shelter - abandoned buildings, alleyways, and even actual homeless shelters on colder nights. He can be found all over Heropa... at least, if you know where to look. He's usually chatting with his rat buddies, or sharing food with them. ]

B - RATS IN PANTS

Hey! Hey, stop it! Give that back!

[ Mouse is crouched on top of a dumpster, yelling at a purse-snatcher who decided to use his alleyway as a shortcut during his escape. The purseless victim stands at the head of the alley, screaming Somebody stop him!, and when Mouse reaches out to grab the back of the thief's coat, the guy grabs a the lid off a trashcan and smacks him upside the face with it. Mouse rubs his bloody lip for a second, then shoots a hand out, pointing at the man. ]

Rats! Pants!

[ ... Oh. Oh dear, that is exactly what it sounds like. Rats pour out from seemingly every corner of the alleyway, and surge towards the escaping thief in an undulating wave of fur. Half the rats stream up the poor bastard's pant legs, while the other half settle around his ankles and calves, standing on top of each other to form a furry pyramid around each leg that reaches the guy's knees, holding him in place.

The thief screams, the woman screams even louder (she seems more freaked out by the rats than the purse-snatcher, for some reason!), and Mouse hesitates. He isn't really sure what to do with the guy at this point. Where's the local police station again? ]

C - PARKOUUUUUUR

[ It's windy as hell out today, and the wind has blown his prized bandana off his head and down the street. Mouse is running after it full tilt, bouncing off walls, scrambling around hot-dog carts, leaping over fence rails, and basically parkouring the hell out of downtown Heropa in his pursuit.

Of course, he's bound to smack into a couple of people along the way. Sorry in advance? ]

'Scuse me! I need--! Sorry!

D - Wildcard!

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[ Cisco's glad to be off work early. It's a gorgeous spring day in Heropa, none of the rain and chilly winds like there are up in De Chima right now. It's so nice out he's even going to walk home from Porter outpost, instead of taking the bus like he usually does. He stops in a corner store near the Porter to grab a slurpee and a bag of chips, and when he comes out, he overhears a slightly familiar voice nearby, and, more telling, the squeaking of rats.

He rounds the corner into the narrow alley to find Mouse and his rat buddies dumpster diving. ]

...Uh. Hey, Mouse.

[ At first, there's no answer... at least, not a human one. A couple of rats perched on the lid of the dumpster turn to look at Cisco and skitter inside to alert Mouse, who is bent over the opening at an almost 90-degree angle, with one foot braced on the rim and another against the outer side for balance as he goes through the trash.

After a moment, Mouse levers himself out of the dumpster with a big grin on his face and half a bagel sticking out of his mouth. ]

Shiffshko! [ ... Whoops, right, swallow before talking. ] Hi Cisco! Want a bagel? There's cheese-flavoured ones!

[ Don't worry, it looks like the bagels aren't from the garbage, at least. There's a bag of day-old bagels leaning up against the opposite wall. ]

No thanks, I'm, uh. I'm good.

[ He gestures with his slurpee, the bag of chips open and dangling precariously between two fingers of the same hand holding his frozen treat. A couple chips fall out, oops. Oh well, more for the rats! ]

You didn't find those in there, did you?

[ Hope you're prepared to get your feet swarmed Cisco, because half a dozen rats skitter after the chips and start chowing down as Mouse ambles towards him. ]

Naah, these were from a sandwich place down the street. Today's their best-before date, so the nice lady at the back entrance gave them to me for free instead of throwing 'em out. I think this one's cinnamon-raisin!

[ He does his absolute best not to flinch away. He thinks rats are cute! Really! But a swarm of them is a little intense. But when one of the rats doesn't make it in time to get a piece of chip before the others have eaten them all, he drops another one just for the latecomer. ]

Well, hey, that was nice of her. That's a lot of bagels to throw away.

I know! A whole bag, can you believe it? That's like three days of breakfast!

... Oh! Oh yeah, look what I found!

[ He goes scrambling back into the dumpster, and pulls out a ragged pair of jeans, as well as... um, a bag from the Heropa equivalent of Subway. At least it looks like the sandwich hasn't been unwrapped? ]

Lunch! And extra pants!

That's... awesome, dude.

[ He is a little concerned about this. ]

Oh, hey, weirdly, that reminds me. I have something for you!

[ EXTRA PANTS ARE SO AWESOME, CISCO ]

... Huh? What do you mean?

[ You can buy those at a store, Mouse. With money. ]

It might be kinda weird, but I was shopping the other day and I found...

[ He digs around in his cavernous messenger bag, full of odds and ends from work, his work laptop, his Vibe goggles, a spare Flash suit decal... Ah, there we go. He pulls out a pair of flip flops from the bottom of the bag , still on the weird little shoe hanger from the store, and hands them over. ]

Y'know, in case you find a donut shop?

[ Or you can fish them out of a dumpster! Mouse has been effectively homeless for half his life, this is how he rolls.

Mouse edges closer to Cisco, peering into the bag. The lightning bolt thingy looks vaguely familiar, in the same way that any famous superhero's logo would be to a civilian who doesn't keep up with superheroic stuff, but once Cisco gives him the flip-flops, his eyes go wide and he breaks into a huge, delighted grin. The rat perched on his shoulders actually squeaks and covers its mouth in surprise. ]

... You got me cheese-shoes?!

[ He's holding the flip-flops like they're the holy grail. Cisco, you are now in a three-way tie with Hartley and M as Mouse's favourite person here! ]

Edited 2016-04-20 03:17 (UTC)

[ Okay, the rat reacting too? Might be the cutest thing Cisco has ever seen. He grins. ]

I take it you like?

They're the best sandals in the world, of course I do!

[ Mouse snaps the hanger in two and pries the flip-flops off (one of the rats helps out by skittering down Mouse's arm and gnawing through the plastic ties), then awkwardly shuffles into them. ]

... I think they fit? I haven't worn shoes in a long time, it's kinda hard to tell. Thank you!

Yeah, no problem. I'm glad you like 'em.

[ He's all grins, delighted that Mouse likes what he thought would be kind of a weird present. He wasn't even sure why he grabbed them at the time, but this more than makes up for it. ]

[ Petyr has spies out. Spies in the form of mockingbirds. They're in each of the porter cities, watching over the things Petyr has deemed interesting to him. Mouse is one of those people -- not so much for the young man himself, but his abilities. And upon seeing what happened with the thief, the rodents and King Rodent -- a single bird flutters back to Petyr's side and tells him of the incident.

So it only seems fair to clean up the mess of the rat infested man by alerting a local authority. And that is who arrives on the scene to take away the criminal and thank Mouse for his....quick thinking. And also kind of warily evade the rats as best as possible when it comes to apprehending the thief.

Though once the criminal is taken care of and once the young woman is on her way -- Petyr approaches the scene with convenient timing, not seeming to mind if the rats are still lingering around their leader. ]

It seems as though you are having an eventful afternoon.

[ Thank goodness the policeman came by; otherwise Mouse and his rodent army would have had to try escorting the thief to the police station themselves, and people always start screaming when they see a grown man immobilized by rats, gliding down the sidewalk on a wave of furry rodents!

Mouse is still perched on top of the dumpster like a gargoyle, but he starts and whips his head around to look at Petyr when he hears the greeting. ]

Oh! Uh... Mr. Bael-- Lord Baelish? Peter? I dunno what to call you. Hi?

There was this guy, and he was stealing a lady's purse, and he wouldn't stop or give it back, so we stopped him. Then the police came and took him away. Maybe they heard the lady screaming? I dunno.

Lord Baelish.

[ If given the opportunity, that is the name Petyr will always choose! But rather than confess to his hand in the police escorting the criminal away, he simply nods at Mouse's story, feigning ignorance. ]

Either the lady screaming or the offender. I imagine he did not take too well to your method of immobilization. But it was quick thinking on your behalf. You and your army.

[ Mouse gives a solemn nod, as if he's agreeing with Petyr on the sad state of affairs in the world at large. ]

Nobody ever likes getting their legs stuck in rat-pyramids. Or having rats go up their pants. We could've taken him to the police ourselves, but we didn't really know where the station was, and if we'd stopped someone to ask for directions, they probably would've started screaming too.

And, um. Thanks?

I am sorry most do not appreciate the company you keep.

[ Petyr walks over to one rodent in question, stooping down and offering his hand to it. And then he looks up at Mouse, seeking permission. ]

May I?

[ He wants to show his good will. Petyr isn't squirmish when it comes to one or two, but he can definitely understand not wishing to have that many crawling on you at once. ]

Of course! That one's Professor Wiggins. You'd like him, he's an intellectual.

[ Mouse launches himself off the lid of the dumpster and lands just short of the esteemed professor in a springy crouch. He's just about at eye level with Petyr this way! ]

Do you like rats? Lots of people don't, for some reason.

[ There isn't a hint of insincerity in Mouse's voice, he's being totally genuine. If anything, he sounds hopeful! ]

[ Professor Wiggins. He keeps his expression so carefully neutral as he allows the rodent to step up onto his palm. With a small smile, he greets it. ]

Well, I suppose it is an honor to make your acquaintance, Professor Wiggins.

[ His eyes veer past the rat to Mouse. ]

I have always had a fondness for any creature who is underestimated. Rats are known to be quite intelligent and hardy. Yet most people look down on them as being pests and full of disease. Does it upset you that most of the population feels this way?

[ That's a damn good poker face, Petyr! The professor sniffs at him for a moment before skittering off into the alleyway, apparently satisfied. Mouse, for his part, looks a bit surprised to be addressed directly - the professor was such a good conversationalist! ]

Not upset, it's just... confusing, I guess. They're not full of disease, everybody thinks that but they're not. I don't know why anyone wouldn't like them, rats are way nicer than people.

People learn bias and do not often forget them. You should probably make it your task to educate. Perhaps make a form of meet and greet where people can come and interact rats like Professor Wiggins.

[ He gestures to where the rodent had run off. ]

I... huh. You think that'd work? It sounds like a great idea, but people usually scream and run away when they see a lot of rats out in the open all at once.

If you set it up in such a manner where it isn't a man perched atop a dumpster, surrounded by rats -- then yes, I believe it would work. Otherwise, the image can be a bit jarring you understand.

Why not set up a booth at this upcoming FanPort, for example?

[ He glances back at the dumpster for a second, and the look on his face says it all - he'd totally forgotten that most people don't hang out around dumpsters. ]

... I don't know what that is. A booth? Like at a carnival?

Yes, something along those lines. From my understanding, FanPort is a celebration for the imPorts in general. Many are welcome to run panels or put up booths to either educate or sell their wares. It could be helpful, especially since everyone there is attending because they wish to understand our kind much better.

[ He says with a shrug. He's only trying to be helpful here. This guy owns eyes underground, after all. It would be a perfect alliance to expand his spy network to that. ]

[ Hey, if Petyr ever asks, and makes it sound like the rats would be working for a good cause, Mouse wouldn't be opposed to the idea! ]

It's weird thinking of us as 'our kind'. We're just people... or rats, in our case.

[ yes, he is lumping himself in with his rodent buddies. ]

It's a really good idea, though! Thanks, Mr-- sorry, Lord Baelish.

[ He smiles as Mouse catches himself, as he remembers Petyr's title. And the smile is also because of that subtle influence he has on Mouse -- of giving him sound advice that he may actually take. ]

It is something to consider. If you are in attendance at FanPort, I shall look for you. Until then, I will leave you to your business.

[ He presents Mouse with a parting bow. ]

Good day, Your Grace.

See ya!

[ Mouse, on the other hand, doesn't have a manipulative bone in his body. As far as he's concerned, Baelish seems to like being addressed by his title, so he's just being polite!

He tries to give him a bow in return, but since he's still crouched on the ground, it just turns into a nod of the head and a small wave. ]

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