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[ If Mae ever learns about how Terry considered her a hallucination, she's going to laugh pretty hard. As for now, she plants her butt on the chair near the bed—she considered floor for a moment, but considering how small she is...yeah, the chair might be a better option. ]

It's not like my first killer headache ever. And being in hospital sucks, so I can entertain you. Disclaimer: I'm not good at it, but I'll try my best. So...what's wrong with you?

[ Introductions? What are those. ]

[ It feels like Mae is his therapist all of a sudden. It doesn't make him feel wary of her, but it just feels so surreal... ]

I, uh... got stabbed by a bird man's sandals through my heart so I'm recovering now.

[ Just straight up. Though his hallucination might accept it. Maybe. Probably not.
Who knows. ]

Ugh, that sounds rough. That must've been a huge, sharp sandal. Using shoes as weapons...we learn new things every day.

[ Someone hasn't reached the depths of the dungeon yet. Propping her head on her head, she shifts her gaze from Terry to the ceiling. ]

Did you like...die? I died once for five minutes and I had hallucinations. It was a wild time.

[ Is that what's happening to him right now? He "died" and now he's getting hallucinations just like... his hallucination?? What is even happening. Is she reading his mind?? Terry is at a loss for words for a few seconds before answering her. ]

I... guess so? Kinda. It would kill a human at least. So, are you like... an immortal talking cat? Because that's kinda cool.

I'm not Kat, I'm Mae.

[ She doesn't remember telling him his name but whatever. ]

I'm pretty mortal as far as I know. But I don't want to test it now or anytime soon.

[ One day her time will come, but this has gotten too deep. ]

My mom read a book about dying once. [ Hallucinations have mothers now. ] Is that tunnel of light stuff real?

[ There are so many things Terry wants to ask her, but since she asked a question first, he might as well answer. Hallucinations are so detailed, even having moms. How does it feel having a mother... Terry wouldn't know. Maybe his hallucination can tell him. ]

I didn't see anything like a tunnel of light... and didn't you say that you died once? Or is that a figure of speech? And was that your bedtime story or something...?

I just saw Sharkle. He's a tiny shark in a baseball cap. No tunnels, no lights...that's why I asked, maybe it was different for you.

[ Because this can't get any weirder. ]

Man, I'm twenty and it's been a while since my last bedtime story. But my grandpa used to tell me all the spooky ones.

[ Not only hallucinations have moms, they also have grandparents. ]

A tiny shark in a baseball cap... I wish I could have seen that while I was out. Maybe he would have told me some wise sayings that I probably regret not doing... or something.

[ Does that even make sense? Maybe. Maybe not. He's rolling with that though. ]

What kind of spooky ones did your grandpa tell? Was it like... war ghost stories in the bunker?

[ ???

His hallucinations are so detailed... ]

My bets are on it'd be something cryptic you wouldn't understand anyway. Something like "you need to come back, you have something important to do so don't waste your life you dumbass".

[ Very wise. ]

No, these were more like...civil ghost stories. Okay, maybe not polite civil, because haunting someone's house is pretty rude, especially if it's an annoying ghost. Oh, I think he told me one about a ghost of a nurse that would treat patients when the nurses were slacking off. Some ghosts are rad.

[ Mae clears her throat. She hasn't talked so much ever since she got here. ]

[ Knowing that Terry had something important to do back home but ditched it anyway, he totally feels that as a Big Mood, but he doesn't care about it anyway so all is great! He listens to Mae's story and thinks about it. ]

Wow, that's pretty cool! I wonder how having a ghost nurse would be like that cares about you... I'd be down for that. Are ghosts actually real though?

I don't know, you tell me. You were killed once by a murderous sandal.

[ Mae, don't spook him like that??? ]

Whatever you are, hanging out with you is pretty fun. Even if we are in, you know. A hospital.

Yeah? I think you're pretty cool too!

[ Does this mean he needs to hallucinate more often? He's not feeling that lonely though............. but talking cat friend... nya... ]

I don't think I'm a ghost though.

[ He looks down at himself. Everything sure feels physical. ]

But I'd like to hang out with you more, even when we're not in a hospital.

Maybe you should tell people that it was a murderous scandal. Sounds ~mysterious~.

[ To be fair, sandal does sound just as mysterious and puzzling. ]

I'm cool with that, how long are you going to stay here anyway? A year, two?

A murderous sandal scandal.

[ It sounds fun, and yet... there's something about that seems weird to him. Oh well. It's not like he has an affair with anyone?! ]

At least a week? I think...

[ Normally, humans would stay a lot longer, but. Terry's just weirdly enduring like that and never leaves the hospital feeling his 100%. rip. ]

[ He should have an affair with the handsome daitengu tbh ]

Hey, that's great. Hospitals suck.

[ She's not going to question anything for once. The less time spent in the hospital the better! ]

Outside also kind of suck, but it's not all white and clean at least.

[ After sitting in one place for quite a while, she takes a walk around the room and notices the patient card. ]

Terrence. Now I know what to yell when I see you on the other side of the street.

[ it would be one of those awful revenge kdramas

now coming to a hirajiro near you-- ]

"Terry" is fine too, if you like shorter names more. I'd like to go outside... can't wait until I'm released from the hospital.

[ He looks over at Mae curiously. Would it be something weird to say? Would it matter at all? Anyway-- ]

So have you like... owned a cat before?

There's a reason I'm Mae and not Margaret, Terry.

[ The awkwardness goes right over her head. ]

Just some rats, I was their loving mom for a while. Why do you even ask?

[ It was a bit random... ]

Because... you're a cat.

[ He slightly tilts his head, as if he's trying to process the information himself. ]

So a cat owning a cat would be... weird, right?

Are you sure that sandal pierced just your heart? Didn't it hit your head, too?

[ She has no idea what he's talking about. ]

Or maybe it's the meds. It would mean they have really good painkillers here. I'll have to stock up.

My head is... fine!

[ There's that weird pause there, because he knows that he's on painkillers and he's already done some weird things. ]

Isn't it ironic that my hallucination has to say that??

This is what I am to you? A hallucination?

[ She probably wouldn't have realized it if Terry didn't say it directly. ]

My buddy Mothman will eat you.

[ It won't, but she wanted to get back at him...somehow... ]

Mothman is real?!

[ What??? ]

Also, can I... pat your head.

[ ??? He is making logic leaps again. ]

As real as I am.

[ She might or might not be aware that this answer is totally unhelpful. No one else has thought of her as a hallucination. ]

You need better pick up lines, bro.

It's not a pickup line! Maybe if I can touch you, I can prove you're not a hallucination!

[ That's not how it works, Terry. ]

I'd touch you, but you're already lying wrecked in a hospital, so there's no point.

[ Needlessly to say, that wouldn't be friendly kind of touch. Despite saying that, she pokes his foot with her paw and shakes her hand. ]

So, what's the verdict? Am I real or not?

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