Get the go-ahead

"Your cat came up with all this?" Tori asked, trying to stifle a laugh as she read the 'Best Pet Olympics' paper. "This is adorable."

You rolled your eyes. "I tried to reason with her, but Sabel was insistent. Ever since Ollie showed up, I know Sabel's been on edge but now she's gone a bit overboard with her attempt at a solution. So, I couldn't convince her to try something else. And then she had some tuna."

Tori ran her tongue along the front of her teeth. "Well, that explains the aftertaste I'm dealing with. Can you teach her to use mouthwash afterwards? That would save me some time if she'd brush for me!"

"You're strangely unfazed by the fact that my cat wants to use your body to make you compete against, well, yourself, kind of. It sounds exhausting, and complex, and it puts a lot of burden on you to do all this just to make my cat happy. I'll just get her some of the fancy treats."

Shaking her head, Tori poured herself some water, taking a sip as you leaned on the back of a kitchen chair. "I wouldn't recommend ignoring this. This is Sabel trying to use my mind to figure out a way to solve a problem, she probably looked at my memory of the reality shows we're really into, so she's trying to relate to you. Since she's trying to understand a way to resolve conflict in a way you would understand, it's a genuine attempt at a connection that should be humored, to a degree." She sips her water again and sets the glass down. "If we devote one day to it, and I'm conscious in the channeling, then I think it might be kind of fun. I'll let them retain the majority of control, but I think it's fair for me to want to see what they think they should do to make you happy!"

You ran your hand through your hair, still hesitant to agree to anything. "I'd like them to get along, though... this feels like it'll drive them apart. Are you able to keep your memories hidden from someone you're channeling?"

Tori shook her head. "Sorry, not really. It's better to just not have secrets as a channeler. It's just gonna come out at some point. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, I was wondering if you and I could gameplan a way to fix this without a competition. But I guess I'll just have to figure out on my own. I did talk Sabel into letting me create my own events."

Giggling, Tori looked back at the list. "What more do you need after the 'underwear model competition'? I wonder what memories of mine she was referencing when she came up with these, honestly. I think maybe she was tapping into, uh, some other thoughts and got a few things mixed up... I like the sports and athletic aspects though. I need to get more exercise anyway, so the fact that Sabel wants to do actual outdoor events sounds perfect to me! If we're running around outside, though, I'll be enforcing a strict dress code... and no ears and tail. They're going to have to look full human, in case neighbors are out in the backyard. Fortunately, Sabel and Ollie's fur don't look too different color-wise so people probably won't notice too big of a difference that way. Should be fine."

"Speaking of, can you feed Ollie? I'll take care of Sabel's food. Maybe it'll help me get on her good side."

A smiling Tori took a scoop of dry food out of a bag in the pantry, while you did the same from another bag. Immediately, the cat came running, rubbing against your leg as you put her food in a bowl. "Well, at least someone's still easy to please when they aren't stealing my friend's body..." You scritched Sabel's head before she totally ignored you for mealtime, and you walked back into the family room where Ollie had been resting. Ollie was so much healthier and peppier than she'd been before, especially when food was involved. At first, she'd stayed on her bed or the couch to lie next to you and Tori, but she was starting to walk more, willing to put weight on the cast leg even if walking was still kind of awkward. You and Tori took turns walking Ollie so she could get used to both of you, particularly since she didn't really get a chance to get used to Tori when she was assuming Tori's body.

Hmm... there might be something more to that. You filed away a few thoughts for this Best Pet silliness, hoping you could come up with a way to get them to tolerate each other's company. Well, at least getting Sabel to tolerate Ollie felt like it was important--Ollie really didn't seem to care about whatever the cat did. Sabel, however, would make a whole scene if she was in the same room as the dog.

"I have an idea, maybe it will actually solve this thing for Sabel."

"Great!" Tori said, petting Ollie. "So, when do we start? I'm not doing anything today. Constant channeling like this might help me get stronger with the magic anyway, I don't want to pass up that opportunity. I think you'll have to explain a few things to Ollie, but it'll be important to get her on board, since Sabel will see memories if we just pretend to only do one half of a competition. So, we'll have to make sure it's happening, okay? Try to have fun, I'm sure I will! Especially when I get to see what each of them does to make me as cute and pretty as possible..." Tori winked at you.