Fandom Museum- Monday- Ridiculously Early

[anomaly_research_nerd]

What was this? Connor? Showing up EARLY for a shift? Yes, yes it was. Chalk it up to the late-night geeking out over data and numbers and calculations that had gotten a bit out of hand and turned into an unintentional all-nighter.

Not feeling like a 1-2 hr nap was going to help, and in fact, it would probably do more harm than good that this point, Connor decided to head to the Museum and start his shift early. Sure, he might doze off mid-day if things were too quiet. But he could at least get a change of scenery as he kept playing around with numbers and such.

So, realizing just how early it was as the streets were still only dimly lit as he made his way to the Museum, Connor soon had himself situated behind the desk. As he pulled out the papers and such from the folder that had been tucked under his arm, he pulled out his phone to DoorDash some coffee. He was sure he was going to need some before he could manage to sneak off to the Perk later.

The Museum is open- early at that!

Comments

[itsananomaly]

Had Cutter gone to bed either? Probably not, he had been up alternating between working on lesson plans and doing more anomaly research, when he realised how late/early it was in the morning, he decided to go for a walk and found himself caught in a a shower of large plastic spiders, which had definitely been one way for him to wake up that morning.

He happened by the museum, surprised to see that the lights seemed to be on and decided to stop by in case Connor was in.

"Hey," he said, shaking off the last of the plastic spiders that had seemed to stick in his hair and clothes.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor might have had a small heart attack of his own when that spider-shower first started, seeing all the black creepy crawlies falling from the sky. But seeing they were plastic he settled back behind the desk. But he was definitely keeping an eye on them in case any did come to life. So, he saw Cutter as soon as he walked in and gave him a big grin.

"Hey! Didn't think anyone would be stopping by for several more hours!" Connor's face grew a little worried. "Everything ok?"

[itsananomaly]

"Oh everything's all fine, got caught up lesson planning and research, didn't end up going to bed," he admitted, which wasn't really all that unusual for Cutter to maintain all nighters, "figured I'd stop by while I was out, I don't think I've seen you since the trip?" Cutter and the mun tried to remember.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Heh, you too huh?" Connor said with a laugh. "I got caught up in some research and all as well. And yeah it's been a bit since we have really talked. Speaking of which..." Connor said with a bit of a smirk as he looked over at Cutter. "How did things go with Lester after the trip?"

[itsananomaly]

“Well I haven’t talked with Lester yet,” Cutter admitted, “I did talk to Jenny did you know there’s a singer called Jenny Lewis?” He had been listening to the album he’d picked up from Groovy Tunes the other week, he shook his head, “she’s going to keep an eye on Lester for me, in case he does decide to do anything with those calls,”

Even though knowing Lester he probably enjoyed making Cutter squirm more than actually doing anything with the recordings.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Good luck with Lester. I can poke Connor to see if he can run some interference for ya, keep Lester distracted and all."

Connor tilted his head a bit as he thought and then shook his head. "No, I haven't heard any of her music before I don't think. Will have to check it out sometime."

Connor nodded toward the open chair in a silent invitation for Cutter to sit if he wanted.

[itsananomaly]

"It's actually not that bad, she's with a few different groups as well apparently there was even one group she was in called Nice as Fuck," Cutter said with an amused smile as he took up the offer to sit down, "apparently most of her solo stuff is from post 2008 onwards though," Cutter added, completely unaware that unless the timelines changed, he wouldn't be making it past 2009.

"Thanks I may take you up on the offer, I'll see what happens with Jenny and if I need back up well ... I know who I'm gonna call,"

Was that Cutter attempting to make a pop culture joke? Maybe, if you squinted hard enough at it.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor gave a grin that was half amusement and half pride at that reference-that was a big deal for Cutter! And it was something for Connor to try and focus on, rather than timeline and dates and unknowingly depressing things like that. He really did need to touch base with Other Connor soon.

"I'm glad you stopped by though, aside from just getting to catch up and all. I had an anomaly-related question, something for the research I've been doing lately to help Michael."

[itsananomaly]

Cutter was very proud of that reference, it didn't happen that often and he returned the grin.

"Sure, what did you want to ask me?" he tilted his head towards the desk, trying to see what Connor was working on.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor pulled a few of the pages with scribbled figures and calculations on them over.

"Do you think there is a chance that the anomalies we know are somehow connected to the portals they use here on the island? I got some data while we were porting around during the trip I've been going over. And I've tried to get the Gnomes to talk but they aren't divulging much information."

Connor looked up from the papers for a moment as he continued. "I know we had eventually worked on a way to sort of predict where anomalies would show up... (that wasn't too much to give away for Cutter's future right?) but do you think there could be a way to actually make an anomaly appear where you wanted it to and to connect to a time or location you wanted?" And Connor hope it didn't lead to anything remotely sounding like what he had ended up doing with New Dawn... he wanted to stay as far away from that mistake as he could.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter considered his response thoughtfully as he pondered over Connor’s questions, looking over the paper with the equations, “in theory I think it would work,” he said slowly, “especially if.,.”

Before Cutter realised what was happening he got cut off mid sentence and a moment later a tiny ginger cat was sitting in his chair.

“Meow, meow, me-ow?” cat Cutter blinked repeatedly as he tried to work out what had happened .

Sorry Connor you didn’t need that answer straight away did you?

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor had been listening with rapt attention to what Cutter had been saying. Then suddenly he was gone. And a small orange cat sat in his place.

"Cutter? Is that really you?" He asked, staring in surprise.

[itsananomaly]

“Meow?” cat!Cutter tried to give a response as he looked up at Connor, this was a rather unusual experience for him and given everything they had seen with the anomalies and Fandom that was saying something.

He was going to have to get a better view, he indicated to Connor’s desk and back up to Connor, as if to ask if he could jump up on it.

It looked much better than being down on the chair.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Ok ok... hang on, let me move the papers ...." Connor said as he grabbed the papers and tried to put them back in the folder before the, admittedly rather adorable, cat tried to make the jump. "Alright, go ahead," he said as he watched, still trying to process what was happening.

He had been told people turned into animals sometimes on the island. He thought they meant there were people who COULD turn into animals, like a shape-shifter or something. Or maybe sometimes people got into things they shouldn't and ended up as an animal. He hadn't expected sudden spontaneous changes. But that seemed to be exactly what was going on.

"Ya know Professor... if you didn't know the answer to my question or didn't want to tell me you could have just said so," he said with a laugh and a small head shake as he reached out to try and pet the furball.

[itsananomaly]

cat!Cutter’s response to that was to simply jump up on the desk and flop over in the nice spot that Connor had made for him on his desk.

He would definitely welcome any and all pets and looked up at Connor innocently.

He started purring instead.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"You are going to have to come home with me, I hope you realize," Connor said as he started giving cat!Cutter scritches behind the ears. "Hope Rexy is ok with a house guest" Connor muttered realizing he might have a bit of a busy week on his hands here.

[itsananomaly]

cat!Cutter had not realised that he would have to stay with Connor and Rex, hopefully Rex liked cats or it could get awkward.

He purred as he enjoyed the ear scritches, maybe he should be doing more and trying to figure out a way back but …scritches first.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor couldn't help but grin and after a few more scratches he stopped and then looked around the lobby for a safe place to try and semi-corral the feline.

"It'll just be till shifts over ok mate?' he said as he went to try and scoop up the cat once he caught sight of a large empty crate nearby. "You'll be right here by the desk where I can keep an eye on you and hopefully keep ya out of too much trouble till I can get you back to the apartment. Alright?"

[itsananomaly]

cat!Cutter meowed pitifully, he was enjoying laying on the desk with Connor, he could totally help him research … somehow, he sprawled out on his back looking up at Connor pleadingly for belly rubs.

Sorry Connor you actually didn’t want to get work done today did you?

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Oh come on now... cute-eyes aren't fair," Connor said with a playful groan, reaching out to give the demanded belly rubs. "Guess I will be making a stop by Furnado's as well today. Doubt I can feed you leftover pizza and Chinese takeout for the next few days, huh?" And be should probably invest in a few cat toys and such anyways.

[itsananomaly]

cat!Cutter purred, enjoying the belly rubs and then perked up at the mention of food and began looking round for it.

He was hungry, he would like feeding now please.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"I don't have any right now," Connor said. "You are going to have to wait till I can go shopping for some. Ok? We can hang out here a bit right?"

[itsananomaly]

cat!Cutter sighed rather sadly but let out a small meow, the terms were acceptable ... hanging out until there was food was okay.

He purred again.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Alright... good kitty" Connor said as he took a seat again and slowly pulled over his laptop. "We can do this right? You can let me get some work done while we hang out right?"

Connor didn't sound or feel very confident about that.... Cats would be cats after all, especially when it came to computers. But maybe cat!Cutter would be different.