( she got me weak / rabbit )

[michael t.]

YOU NEVER GAVE UP ON ME; WHY DON'T YOU?
I'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU SEE; WHY WON'T YOU?

Michael knew a thing or two about caring for creatures that were considered lesser by others. Companions that were traditionally seen only as prey animals, rather than anything impressive all on their own. In Emil's case, it was a rabbit. For Michael, it was his rats. His precious little family within his already existing family, cared for by himself, Trevor, and their pups. While Franklin and the others still didn't quite have a handle on caring for any of the rats all on their own, the dealer still enjoyed having his children bond with them. Princess especially seemed fond of the pups, since they were always eager to provide her with more treats to plump her up even further. Michael might've disapproved – if it wasn't for the fact that he got himself plenty of treats a lot of the time. He didn't like to be a hypocrite, at least when it came to his family. So, he let the pups play with the rats and spoil them as much as they wished, while also keeping a close eye on his little companions whenever he could. There were plenty within The Typhoon that didn't know Michael's rats were pets, and the thought of anybody pouncing on them made the male's heart clench unpleasantly.

Unlike Diya, Michael hadn't been approaching because he had been intent on a good hunt. Rather, he had just been out for a walk, wanting to shake off some grogginess from an earlier rest. He had started taking the advice of his sister and Roan, the both of them repeatedly telling him to let himself have a nap when he was starting to feel exhausted from his work. The naps admittedly were helping, but the bobcat couldn't help feeling a great deal heavier afterwards, having to shrug off his body trying to lull him back to sleep. This valiant fight against further napping had brought him out towards where Emil stood, as well as where Diya had paused, evidently surprised by the interaction that was going on. As he made his own way over, he found himself blinking, his groggy mind taking a couple of seconds to catch up to what he was seeing. He could certainly understand now why Diya seemed confused, considering the sight of a bear and rabbit being friends wasn't exactly a usual one.

While Diya seemed content to just sit and watch, Michael was motivated further forward by his own curiosity, slowly and silently slipping forth from the brush. Not wanting to frighten the rabbit that Emil was interacting with, the small dealer came up beside the much larger male slowly, sitting down once he was close enough to speak. When he did, he spoke in quiet tones, questioning Emil with a faint smile, "Daisy...? Is that the rabbit's name?" It was a rather pretty and soft name, considering who it had come from, but he couldn't blame Emil for picking something cute. After all, given all the options in the world, Michael himself had chosen to name one of his rats Princess. He could still remember the clear surprise on Trevor's face when he had introduced her to him, as well as the flush of embarrassment that had spread across his own face in return. Still, he hadn't made any sort of effort to change it because... well, it was cute.

— Reggan