Cat Room
It is, in fact, a cat room. Cat toys, cat food, everywhere...and there are also actual cats!! A big poster on the wall lists two rules: To not harm the cats (or harm anyone in the cat room), and to not take a cat out of the cat room. It seems to be a very expansive room with a lot of space, enough for all the cats to live in there comfortably.
Dax: There was a cat in their lap. They looked down upon it, quietly.
"...I haven't been able to talk to anyone lately. I just don't feel like it...is that bad, dear?"
Cat: "Mow."
Dax: "Hm. I suppose." They scratch the side of their face, mumbling under their breath.
"But...if I say more things, perhaps they, too, will be used to hurt others. I won't realize...and it seems easy for other people to hurt others."
Cat: "Mrrooowww mrrp."
The cat headbutts their abdomen. Dax purrs in response.
Dax: "...Prrr..."
With a slow, methodical blink, they frown. "...I guess I've never really understood protas. I wish I was a cat. Or another weird species. Sometimes, I think that maybe I'm an alien, who got lost on this planet somehow...and nobody can really disprove that."
Their voice grows quieter as they continue.
"Perks of hatching in some rancid alleyway, I guess...not knowing where you came from, and learning how to speak cat."
Cat: "Mow. Mrrrow mow."
Dax: "...I can't do that." They look down at the cat, their tone as serious as it can get. "Even if it's terrifying...I like Rue. He's pretty cool. I should try to ask them about it, at least."
Cat: "Mworr? Mow."
Dax: "I know I'm bad with words. But I'm good at "Daxing". And I think Rue likes that about me."
Cat: "...Mrrrp?"
Dax: "I know "Daxing" isn't a word. I made it up."
They...continue staring at the cat.
"Can you get off of me now? I have experiments to do. Special ones. That involve less blood, and more words. I'm very inventive."
Cat: "...Mrrowr."
The cat does not move. It headbutts their abdomen again.
Dax: "...Okay, fine. I can wait."
The two of them sit there, as Dax drifts back into thought...