|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 2:30 pm
It was late, probably later than a young girl should be walking the streets of Destiny City alone. The street lamps were on, casting sickly yellow glows about the street, and the sky was inky black with stars just poking out here and there. It was one of those pleasantly warm nights of spring, a little breeze, but nothing to make it uncomfortable. Though, the slight breeze on the trash and leftover leaves from fall made the place kind of eerie. It didn't help that her weird senses were tingling a little bit.
A few blocks up was something that Cali desperately wanted to avoid. Thankfully, Calintha's apartment was only about a block away. It was over top of the Paper Lantern Drug Store, owned by her next door neighbor. The window display was dark, meaning that either Mr. Kean had turned in already or that he had some other business to attend to.
There were a few dark alley ways on the block in between Calintha and the safety of her locked apartment door. They had always given her the creeps even though they were the standard city alleys. Fire escapes lined the old brick walls, and several large dumpsters were place randomly. Trash was scattered about, blown in by the wind and trapped by the stillness. Normally, even though she was wary of them, nothing happened. Tonight, however, in the last alley before her door there was a loud rattle and crash next to her. Calintha jumped at the sound and froze. Nothing felt particularly weird about the alley way (she wasn't getting any of her bad vibes), but the sound alone was enough to make her want to bolt. As it was, the blonde girl was frozen with indecision; bolt like she wanted to (and possibly make her presence known), or to keep walking normally (and risk being caught unawares). A (incredibly) tiny part of her wanted to investigate the noise, which given the state of the city, was probably not a good idea. Terrors lurked in the night.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 2:47 pm
It was dinner time! That was what it was. Nevermind that the full day was labeled as "Breakfast," "Lunch," and "Snack time," making the full day just an excuse to eat if she found food.
Tonight's menu seemed to consist of moldy bread. Minus the mold, it would have been fine, but even ********* knew when to not eat something. Last thing she needed was an upset tummy as she ran about the town in search of food her girls. The small tailless cat had decided that the trashcan she was current in was not satisfactory in regards to table scraps, so she hopped out rather gracelessly. In fact, the can itself practically toppled down behind her. There had been a gentle jingle of her bell around her neck, a rattle, and then a crash. Her fur puffed up momentarily at the sound and her ears flattened at the loud noise behind her.
Oopsies!
Rather than run off scared from the sound that she, herself, had created, the feline merely just began to walk down the alleyway in search of another trashcan. Her pale green eyes bounced along the pathway, and rather than finding a trashcan, ********* found a girl.
Girls required food. Girls usually had food too. Rather than go incognito, the feline trilled out a convincingly friendly cat sound and literally bounded up to the girl. She said hello by rubbing up against the girl's legs 3 times in each direction. Yes, ********* was turning up the charm in the name of Dinner time!
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:04 pm
Was that a bell tinkling? Cali was surprised at the sound of it, moving down the alleyway. When the small cat hit the lamp light, the noise was made clear. A cute little animal! The...thing stared at her for a second before coming up to her and rubbing up against her legs in a very cat like faction.
In fact, that was one of the only things that seemed cat like about the creature, and Calintha was still wondering what exactly it was. It looked more like a little lap dog, with its lack of tail and thick ears. However, its eyes were rather cat-ish, along with its general movements. It certainly was affectionate, either way.
"Well hello there little thing. Aren't you... strange." Most people might have ended that sentence with 'cute' or 'adorable', however, for Calintha it was very strange. She didn't deal with fauna much, preferring to stick to the flora side of things, though that being said the girl liked animals to some degree. And the ...cat really was affectionate.
The girl cautiously knelt down and put out a hand for the creature to sniff. She'd seen or read it somewhere and figured it was better to try than to just jump into things. The cat was relatively clean, and had a bell around its neck, usually implying an owner. And perhaps it was just the light, but the cat looked a little purple, and had a strange variety of leopard looking spots. Regardless of the strangeties of the cat, it was relatively normal looking, until Calintha's hand ran across the little creatures forehead, and hit upon something hard.
"Huh? You've got something stuck to your head, little one." Hoping not to offend the cat (though, she feeling a little dumb at being worried about offending a simple cat), she stuck out a finger and reached for the little star shaped marking on its head. How strange!
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 5:36 pm
********* was not strange. Though, she was rather used to being called such, it still squicked her slightly each time someone used such a word to describe her. It wasn't something she'd openly complain about. There were plenty of other things she could complain about.
What, she didn't know specifically, but those things were out there!
When the hand was offered, the manx cat feigned curiosity, then leaned in to sniff. Her whiskers easily bumped up along the hand, causing her nose to twitch slightly at the sensation. After a couple sniffs, the feline did something that very few cats did after a first encounter. She gave the fingers in front of her a small, scratchy lick. A few purrs escaped her as she rubbed her head up against the hand a bit before there was a sudden touch to her forehead.
Ah yes, this girl had noticed the star marking. The cat sat her tailless rump down, and looked at the girl. It wasn't a simple look. The pale green eyes almost seemed to be looking the whole girl over, though the look could have come across as curiosity, with the way ********* leaned her head to one side.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:20 pm
"Wow, aren't you affectionate." She gladly rubbed the little kitten behind the ears. She was absolutely convinced it was a kitten now, particularly when it licked her hand. When she touched the star mark on her head, however, the little thing recoiled and stared at her.
Calintha stared back at the cat, until she realized that the cat wasn't just grumpy because she touched its weird marking. It was really, really staring. Like it was looking at her, almost intelligently. The cat's pale green eyes were roving across her person, causing her to shiver lightly. Shaking her head, she laughed a little bit. "Silly me little one. It almost seemed like you were actually looking at me. Clearly, I have been losing way to much sleep lately." It seemed like a plausible explanation for the too-intelligent looks of the cat. Calintha was infamous for losing sleep, and with how bad her nightmares had turned, it was no surprise that she was looking too much into things.
"Were you looking for food back there kitty?" Food was something that she could do for it. Clearly she had escaped from somewhere or was abandoned, and by the crash she had heard in the alley, it was looking for food. Though, that being said, it didn't look like a starving alley cat. Either way, Fallon had been over the night before for their cooking and gardening lessons, and her fridge was stocked with extra food. Something that she wouldn't mind sharing with the cute cat.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:27 pm
If the cat was allowed to talk, she would have said so many things. Something along the lines of "No, you aren't imagining things! I am looking at you, just like anyone should when they are listening to someone else." Of course, right now was not the appropriate time to be talking. This was not a Senshi, at least, not that she could tell. There were no blaring signals in her head saying "This is Sailor so-and-so, Senshi of blah-de-blah!"
If she had a tail, it probably would have twitched slightly at that exact moment. It was always frustrating not finding what you were looking so hard for. However, she continued to watch the girl for a moment more before there was something that caused her ears to perk up more.
Food!
Letting the blonde girl know rather clearly that she approved of this notion, she padded up and rubbed herself up against her, trilling a few more convincing "meows." ********* approved of food, please give her food girl-person who was not a Sailor Scout. PLEASE give her something for filling her tummy!!
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:08 pm
Calintha let out a small laugh at the cat's reactions. Clearly, it had been taught to recognize the word 'food' by its owner. "Alright, alright already. So long as you promise not to destroy my apartment alright?" And now she was bargaining with a cat? It was strange, very strange. For some reason she just got the feeling that the cat understood more than it let on. But clearly that was just her being lonely and wanting something cute to hang out with, right? I mean, it was rational to be woo'ed by cute little homeless cats. Even if they were eccentric.
Walking the few short steps to the bottom door, she unlocked it quickly with her key. The outside door always made her feel better, knowing there were two deadbolts and a little Asian man between her and the criminals of Destiny City (not particularly that Mr. Kean was a ninja or anything silly like that, but it was nice to know someone was there). Inside, the light flickered a little. The stairs were a little steep for the short, tailless cat. Calintha knelt down and offered out her arms for it. She figured this was better than just outright picking up a stray, who might freak at the movement. If the strange purple-star cat didn't want to be held, it could simply just choose the stairs.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 1:06 am
There was that temptation to pout again. ********* was a good cat, and an even better guardian cat. Ignoring the fact that 1/2 of her current team was extremely reluctant about the whole ordeal. Yes, ********* was ignoring that fact completely. Regardless, ********* wasn't going to ruin some stranger's apartment. That would just be rude!
As the girl moved towards the edge of her residence, the tailless feline kept close to her ankles. She blinked a bit as a light flickering, but eventually she turned to find the girl's hand extended out to her. Perking up slightly, the cat then leaned in and brushed up against the hand before looking up to the girl expectantly.
Yes, you can pick ********* up now. Feel free, carry on!
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 12:31 pm
The cat looked at her expectantly, clearing okaying the offer to be picked up. Scooping the little thing up into her arms, she walked the short flight of stairs. It was a little bit of juggling at the top to keep a hold of the cat and unlock the door, but nothing too jarring for either of them. Calintha still found it strange how much expression the cat seemed to be showing. She'd met dogs that expressive, but never a cat. Usually the cat's she met had a 'I'M WATCHING YOU' kind of vibe, particularly alley cats.
Once in the apartment she shut the door softly behind her and let the little cat down to explore, giving it an affectionate pat on the head (being careful to avoid the star marking). "Try not to knock any plants over, little one. I'm gonna see what I can find for food." Calintha was hungry as well, and it was better to share a meal with a cat than with no one at all. Though, she did find it a little silly that she kept talking to that cat like it was another person. Though, it was nice to talk to someone. Friends visiting were few and far between, and Calintha was missing her little sister more and more. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a cat at some point. She was sure Mr. Kean wouldn't mind.
Crossing the small apartment to the kitchen, she began rummaging around in the fridge. She pulled out the leftover chicken and some other things as well, setting them on the island counter top. The girl also pulled out a little saucer, and some plates as well.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 1:36 pm
If it wasn't already obvious, the minute the cat was in the girl's arms, ********* began to purr contently, rubbing her cheek up against the blonde's body. Oh yes, ********* liked to be carried a lot. She didn't seem to notice as she was jostled a bit as the situation dealing with lock and cat-in-arm was sorted out. The pale spotted feline merely just leaned in against the girl.
The ride itself did not last long enough, and when she was set down, ********* voiced this with a gentle mewing sound. However, she received a pat to the head and directions. Oooo, directions were something she had to listen to. Like before, the cat looked the girl directly in the eyes. Mentally, she made a checklist:
1) No knocking over plants 2) There would be food 3) It would be nice to know what to call this girl, search for something with her name on it!
It was a pretty simple list to work with, and when the girl excused herself to tend to food preparations, the cat began to pad around the place in an almost eager fashion. The advantage for the girl was that she'd know where ********* was at all times, because that bell about the cat's neck sang gently with each step the cat took.
********* didn't mind though.
********* never minded.
In all of her wisdom, the feline began to try and poke her head into various rooms. Perhaps one was the bedroom. The bedroom would surely have something there that was personalized. Oh! Maybe there would be those funny little hair elastics too!! Those were fun to play with!
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:09 pm
Calintha appreciated a purring cat. It was super cute, and always felt good when you were carrying them. When the little purple cat looked her in the eyes though, she had to look away. It was weird and unnatural almost. Up on the counter, Calintha had been cutting away the pieces of chicken that Fallon had cooked up last night (which had been delicious!) and placed them on a small plate for the cat.
Following that were a few pieces of ham from a deli lunch pack, and some bread... Calintha stopped herself. What exactly DID cats eat? Rummaging around in her cupboards, she found a can of tuna from her last shopping trip. Cats like tuna, right? She opened the can and set a plop of the tuna substance down onto the plate. This was followed by filling up the saucer with some cream she had in the fridge from a recipe she'd tried a few days before.
Meanwhile, the kitty was exploring the other room. Calintha could hear its cute little bell wandering around On the bed was a stack of school papers, several probably with her name written at the top. On the nightstand there was a few hair elastics sitting there, and another of her red headbands that she was so fond of.
However, what really stood out in the room was a particular smell. Plants lined the workbench, each giving out a clean, earthy scent. On the lowest level of the workbench stood a row of plants. Within that row of plants was a little pot of Nepeta cataria, which Calintha had forgotten that she had. One of her regular plant-buying clients had requested it specifically. The old lady prized her cat, and wanted to make sure that she wasn't giving it inferior catnip.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:45 pm
Eventually a room which had a bed was right in front of her. Deciding she needed a better vantage point, the small cat trotted up and hopped like she was spring-loaded onto the bed. At least the bed wasn't super tall or anything. ********* eyes glanced around, and in all honesty, didn't have to look very far at all. There on the bed was the girl's school work.
The feline padded up to the papers, but she had to pause for a moment to sniff around.
What is that scent?
The cat's fur puffed up and then she rattled her head quickly, causing the bell to almost rattle from the swiftness of the motion. She then leaned down to read over the papers. Upper right hand corner, there was a name.
Calintha Johnson. The name was tucked away somewhere in the cat's brain for future referencing. The manx then began to glance about the room some more. Her gray nose twitched slightly, still distracted by the scent perfuming the air in the room. Fortunately, her eyes weren't distracted, and soon enough she saw something nice and round and perfect.
With a less than graceful leap, the cat bounced from the bed to the nearby nightstand, landing practically on top of the hair elastics. It was the jackpot! Her nose still twitched, but the smell still went ignored as she picked up one of the hair ties with her teeth, then hopped off the nightstand, landing on all four feet with a somewhat heavy thud.
As she was about to pad out of the room, the cat just had to stop in place.
Gosh, WHAT IS THAT SMELL?!!!
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 3:00 pm
Calintha was busy laying out her own mean as well. It was very similar to the cat's plate next to her, but with a few human friendly differences. She just had a few pieces of the chicken, as well as some buttered bread and a small salad to the side (smothered in delicious dressing, of course).
She'd poured out some cream into the little saucer (she was purely going off of cartoons at this point, Calintha had no idea if kittens really did love cream and milk in real life), and set it next to the plate on the counter top. She was just about to call for the cat when she heard a bunch of bell jingling and a rather loud thud.
Thankful that she had no downstairs neighbors to complain, Calintha padded into the other room, curious as to what the kitten was up to. "What are you up to little one?" Nothing was knocked over at all, or damaged. The papers on her bed looked a little ruffled, so that is what the blonde had assumed the kitten had been up to.
It was standing very stiffly however, and sniffing the air like it was looking for something. "Do you smell something interesting?" She gave the room a sniff herself; she'd always heard that animals could sense and smell things before humans could. However, all she could smell in the room was the same scents she always smelled (which mainly was plants).
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 3:23 pm
********* looked up, hair elastic in mouth, pale green eyes almost giving the "puppy-eye" treatment. ********* was innocent, she sweared it! Calintha Johnson had just caught her being COMPLETELY INNOCENT.
At the question about smelling something, her nose twitched again. The feline was no dog, but eventually she was able to figure out which direction the smell was coming from. Taking a couple bounds in the direction of the workbench in the room, the cat stopped in front of the catnip. It was when she stopped in front of the plant that she knew exactly what it was.
Catnip?!! I just kicked the stuff... awwwwww...
Last thing ********* needed to do was get high and start blurting out whatever her silly mind wanted to.
As if regretting the fact she showed off what she had just found, the manx cat literally bounded out of the room as fast as she could, hair elastic still in her mouth. The bell jangled rather loudly the whole way. Escaping the room easily cleared up her nose of any strange smells, and soon enough she found a rather pleasant smell tickling her nose.
There was food.
It was dinner time!
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 4:30 pm
As soon as the cat walked over to that particular plant, Calintha knew exactly why it had acted that way. "Catnip, oops!" At least she wasn't rolling around on the floor and meowing constantly. It seemed to be the biggest reaction that cats had to it. After she had bolted from the room, Calintha took the plant and set it up on the top shelf, behind some stronger smelling ferns. Hopefully that would mask the scent enough from bothering the kitty.
Following the sound of bells out into the kitchen, Calintha smiled. This was one hungry cat! Calintha moved to scoop the cat up, considering it hadn't been angry before, she doubt it would be angry now that there was real food involved. The girl set her on the counter top island, right in front of her two dishes (one with smaller amounts chicken, ham, tuna, and some bread; the other filled with cream). She herself sat on the other side in front of her own meal, picking up a fork and digging in. "Hopefully this is good enough for you kitty! I'm not really sure what cats eat other than catfood."
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|