Poptart was curled up on the couch in a ball, her rainbow-streaked, silver hair mussed from sleep and her fur all over the place. She yawned, opening jade-green eyes as she pushed hair from her pale face and glanced around. Daddy smiled over at her from where he lounged on the edge of the sofa in torn jeans and a paint-splattered tanktop, his own hair pulled back in a pony. In his hands was a plate of celery. Poptart wrinkled her nose, but scootched closer to him. "Why do you eat green stuff, Daddy?" Her voice was soft, curious.
Impulse merely grinned at her and held out a stalk, to which Pop nibbled. Eugh! Tasted like grass! She wrinkled her nose even further and her father laughed, one hand over his mouth to block the sound. "Because it's good for you, sillygirl," he smiled.
Poptart merely stood and stretched. "Can I go play?" Which Impulse's eyes widened just a fraction; Poptart had been scared by something...or someone the other week and hadn't left the house since. Pop puffed out her chest and blew hair out of her eyes. "I'm brave today, Daddy," she explained with an ornery smile.
Impulse merely grinned and agreed, and after combing her hair through with her favorite comb, he sent Poptart on her way. The calico kitten eased through the door to their apartment and into the hallway. Her eyes darted from side to side, as if anticipating that strange, scary feline...but Vesna wasn't around. She took a deep breath and forced herself to keep walking. Bravery, she reminded herself.
