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[ 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?

[ Oh. His foot feels weird. Okay, he'll decide that she's real... in his mind. For now. ]

Yeah, you're real. But yeah, that'd be great. Please don't punch me. I don't need another concussion.

I was kidding. [ Was she really. ] Where's the fun in beating people up if you can't send them to a hospital.

[ WAS SHE REALLY ]

Actually...can I sleep here? It's so hot outside. I'll just go out for a moment to borrow some meds.

[ God, she's like Kido except Mae is more of an aggressive bomb. ]

Can you really borrow meds though...

[ Not that he'll care if she goes and steals them, but. you know. ]

Maybe they'll think I'm unreal if they catch me borrowing them.

[ She'll think about it if/when it happens!! Now she needs something for this killer headache which is too real. ]

Well, I think it's not everyday when people will see someone like you...

[ Like, yeah. A talking cat?? ]

Are you good at sneaking around? I don't think they have good security here.

I don't want to know what's that supposed to mean.

[ She's tiny and chubby and her nickname is "Killer". No one around should know about it, but Mae's still a bit anxious anyway. ]

I'm a pretzel ninja, dude. Wait, they didn't steal stuff...but they are sneaky, so it counts.

[ ... ]

A pretzel ninja? What's that? A pretzel with a knife? Are you saying you're a ninja? A ninja cat?

[ RAPIDFIRE QUESTIONING ]

That escalated quickly. The more I talk to you, the less I know who I am.

[ She's exaggerating, but...she was a hallucination just a few minutes ago, so maybe she's allowed to have a small identity crisis. ]

I'm sneaky and quick and I can borrow a bunch of meds if I want. That's who I am. I think.

A quick and sneaky one that borrows medicine.

[ You still don't... borrow medicine... ]

... Okay, I can dig it. Sorry, I'm just so curious. [ YEEEEEAAAHHH ]

I thought I've seen most people in town already...

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