Dayshaun - Memories of the Mother (PG-13)
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:56 am
Chapter 1:
Saudade
└is a Portuguese and Galician word for a feeling of nostalgic longing for something that one was fond of and which is lost.
Time stops and moments fade yet our memories remain crystal and more solid than it's time of birth. The weigh within us. And as more events take place, we begin to pain as we long for their return.
A young cat of twelve years stood at his front lawn, staring onto the walkway. He looked from the front door to the path leading onto the fence exit as if affixed to two people at once. Confused and pained, he felt the scars of the past come to him. His body shivered as the cold wind from then and today came rushing through his body.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as his heart beckoned for an answer. "Why?" He thought. The droplets dampened his purple fur as his muzzle filled. His nose, snorting, holding back the sobs as his stomach churned. His pelt, moist at the base of his chest.
"Shaun?" He heard his name. The light of the front porch lit making visible the newly furnished wooden lounge chair. "Mom? Mom!?" He called out.
A cat of the same fur color emerged from the front door. Turning to her son, only in his teal pajama pants, squinted her eyes as her feline night-vision began to settle. Startled, she ran to her son with worry in her eyes. She grabbed onto his cheeks to look into his eyes. "No, not again!" His pupils were a shade of deep Grey, almost making his eyes blend perfectly with that of his cornea. And his fur, moist with tears and sweat. She held him tight as his eyes began to dilate then return to it's regular yellow color. He inhaled deeply then relaxed his lungs as he returned to normal. He held his heart, no longer suffering.
"Mom?" He looked up to her. Relief, he felt, as he embraced her, tightening his grip as if he was holding on for dear life. "Mom!" He felt scared. "Don't worry. Mommy's here." She rubbed his back side, comforting her one and only child. "Come on, let's head back inside."
His feet were apparently numb and had just regained feeling. As his feet brushed against the grass dew, a cold feeling ran up his feet to his spine. His body shivered and weakened as he tightened his grip. The feeling mixed with his already vexed emotions. He felt as if he had just witnessed the Great Fall his mother encountered.
He kept his arms around her as they reentered the Sandwich household. The door shut behind them as the outside world lost sight of them.
"Shaun, go into the living room wait for me there." She handed him his green blanket that hung on the coat hanger.
With a silent nod, littered with pants as he inhaled and exhaled at a pace, he went into the living room with the blanket dragged on the carpeted floor.
He sat on the living room sofa where his grandfather used to sit. Grape entered the room with a cup of hot cocoa in her hands. He looked at her as he hugged his knees under his blanket draped over his body. She gave him his drink as she knelt, leaning on the arm of the chair. He took it, his paws heated by the mug. He gazed upon the drink as the steam emitted from it's mouth. "What's happening to me, mom?"
Concern, obvious in her eyes, looked upon the mug and recalled it's past owner. "Peanut..." She whispered. They made eye contact as she held his cheek with a paw. Her gaze was intent on him, a straight face gracing her features. He felt the discomfort she did. "What did you see?" Taken aback by her sudden change of expression, he began to wonder if he had ever done this before.
He took a sip from the cup leaving a mark of brown on his upper lip. He licked off the chocolate and fiddled with his fingers, entwined with his mug. "I saw uncle Peanut... and uncle Max."
Grape bit her lip. She turned to the fireplace, away from him. She'd had needed to hear this story. Although, her heart beckoned her not to go through this. Gripping her bosom, squeezing the fur above her heart, she sighed. Her attention was to her son's again. She knelt and held his hand. "Tell me everything."
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Peanut brought Grape into their parent's room. Sitting her on a stool, he walked over to a supply of combs and perfumes. "I don't know how you talked me into letting you freshen me up for my date." Grabbing the only plain comb their father never uses and a pair of scissors, he headed over to her taking the hand mirror he noticed sitting in with the rest of the brushes and combs. "Oh hush, I want you to be happy, so I thought I'd put all those hours of pet makeover on TLC to use."
He settled down the mirror to the bed at his side and brimmed with perfect confidence about what he was doing. Peanut combed the tips of her eyelashes. Her eyelids seemed to retreat in her sockets as his combed brushed upon the thin, sensitive skin. Swallowing his hopes, he curved them to the sides of her eyes, pointing, unveiling a new side of her persona: a molly in full color.
She opened her eyes. It seemed it was over.
Peanut took a photograph from his collar that he took of her before they went in. He let her a have a glance of it. "Okay, this is you before..." A sarcastic expression embodied her face. "Thanks for the impromptu photo shoot, by the way."
He imitated her expression with slight irritation. Yet worry bellowed in his heart. He took the mirror from the bed, leaving the photo in it's place. "...and this is you now!"
She gasped. That hint of approval took itself upon him as smile ventured into his cheeks for a moment. "Wait, did you just comb my eyelashes out?" He giggled under his breathe. "You'd be surprised what a difference it makes."
She giggled. "Thanks Peanut."
The door bell rang. "Oh! That must be him." The smile on her face was shining as her date was about to begin. Excitement in her eyes coupled with a now sinister grin grimaced her face.
She walked out to the door. "Thanks again, Peanut!" Shooting a smile to him before the door shut.
He sighed. His heart still beats for her. The ivory door before him seemed to grow in size. His world was shifting a his emotions played in his personal torment. A tear would have ventured fourth on the floor if he hadn't wiped it away. "I can't do this." He turned to the picture on the bed. Seeing her in a "casual" state. A half smile swept across a cheek. "I at least have to see her off."
He gets up and opens the door.
Heading down the stairs, he could hear the conversation of the two. "Woah, I guess you weren't kidding about the girl part!" Peanut felt the pride of accomplishment root into his cheeks, hoping to stay there for a while. "Don't get used to it, this is only for tonight. Consider it a little gift." He felt a bit of disappointment in himself. He laughed it off with a slight chuckle. Though he skillfully payed no mind to that last part.
She stood at the open door. Walking outside then grabbing onto his arm. He could hear a bit more but shrugged it off. He stood at the front door as they walked away. "Hey, Max, be sure to bring her back by midnight this time!" He called out. "No promises!" A friendly reply, he gave.
For a moment he was calm but as they exited the property and onto the walkway, a tear escaped his eye. Flowing down onto the cement step, it echoed into his ears as it made contact with the floor.
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"After that, I heard the TV turn on. I could hear some drama playing in there along with some crying and..." He stopped as his mother seemed disheartened. Her eyes were sheltered by the fur on her forehead as she looked down.
"Mom? What's going on?" He returned to his heartfelt worry.
"I don't know..." Her heart cringed a bit by her half lie. "But I'll talk to Arrow tomorrow about this okay?" She gave him a reassuring smile. "Now, go back to bed. You have school tomorrow." He smiled back. Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he settled down his half empty cup in her hand. "Night mom!" he ran out of the room, flicking a switch on the way, then up the stairs.
She stood. Directing her attention to the crackling fire, she broke the silence that embellished the room. "He's a strong kid..." She smiled. Her focus now on the slowly spinning ceiling fan as she slowly closed her eyes. The rotation come to an end as her yellow eyes adjusted to the fire. "Just like his father."
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Chapter 2:
Philos
└Is a greek word referring to a friend, an associate, or he who associates familiarly with one, a companion.
Exemplifying is the heart as it's many directions daze and confuse. At times we wish to stop at that cross road, and hope, that eventually, the paths collide. Though we halt our lives. Restless and unmoving, we do not grow any further as we suffer from the wait.
A fresh new air engulfed the neighborhood as the sun arose from the horizon. Pointed ears perked up and jolted out of bed as the day began. The once silent streets buzzed to life as the residents and early birds began to exit their homes and reenter the world. Many men walked out of their front doors, fixing their ties with a suit case in the other hand. They started the cars as they drove off into the day. Children burst forth and met with each other. As the groups formed into the corners, the bus stopped at the sign as the folding door pulled open, colliding upon itself as the driver called them in.
Many other children, however, were still at home. Lazy in bed groaning "Just five more minutes..." while others surrendered to the alarm clock the United Mothers Association had placed at the other side of the room.
Shaun, apparently, was not among them. He lay in bed with eyes wide open, staring onto the ceiling as he awaited for a call.
His pajamas were scattered around the room. His pants on the floor with his shirt tossed against the wall, he wasn't usually such a messy tomcat. His mother taught him better. He simply rebelled against the idea of clothing.
His thoughts lingered to the night before. He slept with a hint of distraught beneath his sheltered eyes. Something like that doesn't just go away.
"What's going on?" He thought to himself. His mother had always been so secretive. He'd usually shrug it off and let his mother do what she does. Though, this time it really got him curious.
"Shaun, Breakfast's ready!" He jumped out of bed, leaving his thoughts behind. He gave off a mischievous grin. Surely his rebellious act would be obvious. Subconsciously, he wanted to draw her attention to make her react to his demonstration.
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Grape held a gold, heart-shaped locket in her paws, rubbing her thumb upon it's smooth surface. Her left hand joined the other in the texture of the locket. Her finger followed the tiny designs etching the corners of the heart. It trailed off into the button on top tracing the waves that circulated it.
It's chain, a unique silver, swung underneath her hand, brushing the side of her index finger.
The locket glowed in her soft eyes as she let it swing from the chain. Mesmerizing and hypnotizing her. She felt entranced in the accessory as it brought upon a state of bliss. Her heart beat rapidly, replicating the pace of when she first got it. She recalled that late December, the day she cherished the most.
As the egg timer dinged, the egg began to heat further. She didn't care much about anything so trivial at the moment. Her focus was fully upon the trinket.
"I missed you..." She whispers. A smile crept upon her cheeks. "All too much."
Shaun's bare feet stomped onto the steps as he hastily made his way downward.
Grape heard the quick movement. She would have panicked if it weren't for her wit. The stomping ended as Shaun ran upon the mat in the living room.
He raced across the dining room to her. Grape leaned down as he kissed his mother on the cheek. "Morning, mom!"
"Morning, baby." She kissed him on the forehead.
Grape switched off the heat as she grabbed the pan by it's handle. Sliding off the eggs with a spatula, positioning a small, readily placed plate, in the path of the egg.
He lept into his seat opposite from her. He took his spoon and fork, letting his tongue dangle as his eyes directed upon his meal.
His mother slid the eggs to him. He took the eggs that seemed just a bit brown at the edge, and joined it with his prepared bacon.
Grape grabbed the, formerly known as "Coco Crunch", cereal. She poured the Coco Koala into her bowl joined with organic milk she got from her last visit to the farm not so long ago. "Why'd they have to change the name..." She commented, pushing around the crunches with her spoon to mix with the milk. She swallowed a spoon full of her cereal crunching down the chocolates.
Shaun had already finished, however.
"I'm goin' now, mom!" She smiled as he grabbed his backpack from the counter in the kitchen behind her. Zooming by her, she noticed his bare back...and body. Raising an eyebrow, she settled down her spoon.
Shaun was fast approaching his goal. If he made it through that door, he would have been home free. He made his turn from the living room, only to find that his mother was already there.
"Forgetting something?" She smirked.
"I don't think so." A proud grin graced his features.
"You forgot to give mom a hug." A slight pout upon her face confused the young cat. Feeling a bit odd, he made cautious, steady steps toward her. He embraced her with a bit of confusion in his eyes.
He walked out the front door, still maintaining his expression.
He felt a slight weight. He felt something odd in the air as he walked down the walkway to the white, wooden gate.
"Bye, Shaun! Have fun!" She called out.
He looked around to see his mother and her loving gaze like any mother should. He returned the favor with a young, sparkling smile.
He exited the property as his attention diverted to a bunch of brown fur in the distance. A bright young girl of eleven years old ran toward him in a steady pace. A glad expression filled his face.
Her name was Jill. Daughter of Fido, the city police chief and war veteran from the Great Fall, and Sabrina, the head of the United Mother's Association and secretary of Apollo Inc., a highly acclaimed and versatile company. She was a hybrid and you can tell by her feline body and short tail. To be honest, he's always found this rather cute.
Shaun shuttered at the fact that the interspecies thing was taboo before the Fall. It must've been hard for them, he imagined. Fido and him talked about the war whenever they had the chance, rather than the old standards that graced society.
"Hi, Shaun!" She gave him the regular, energetic smile. He couldn't help but return the favor. Typically, they would have gone into a competition as to who can smile the biggest but he Jill seemed to have been distracted.
A look of surprise plastered upon her face."Umm...I thought you were going nude to protest against clothing. Did you give up or something?"
Shaun was about to correct, raising his finger, about to point out his "obviously" exposed fur with pride, till he realized the minor weight upon his shoulders of his sleeves. He began to pat vigorously upon his chest and stomach, with wide and unbelieving eyes, feeling the fabric of clothing without allowing his eyes the suffering sight of defeat. Slowly, he began adjusting his agonizing gaze upon his blue jeans and red, short-sleeved shirt. He began to imagine his mother laughing manically in victory.
"Ooh! Ooh! I know! It must be your mom's birthday, right? No wonder you gave up." He tried to speak but she cut him off. "Does this mean it'll be a hiatus or did your mom convince you otherwise?" Shaun felt slightly irritated. This was one of her moments when she'd burst out into a talkative frenzy.
"Um... Jill?" She didn't seem to have heard him. "Oh shoot! I have to get your mom a present! What do I do!? What do I get!?" His eye began twitching, intensified by his already pressing defeat.
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Grape looked outside to window, peering at her son as he slowly walked away with his talkative companion. "Hmhmm. So naive." She looked at the locket in her hand. It glowed as the sun beamed down upon it. "Just like me..." She stole another glance at him as they disappeared around the corner.
She headed into the dining room to finish her meal.
Noting that the locket was still in her hand as her paw slid it's chain around her wrist, she lifted it to her eyes. "I should keep you hidden till I'm done with today." She headed up the stairs and into the attic. Opening a small box in the corner of the room, she settled it in. "You'll be safe there." She smiled as she retreated to her bowl.
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It was noon time when she finally exited to bask in the glory of the new day. She looked into the sky and missed the birds. How they sang and brought about the memory of a simplistic life a great distance away from the complications that battered society with innecessity. Nowadays these birds are with them, on the surface. Flightless yet still tend to the skies as they did in the days of old.
Their traits, however, have not gone south. They are still a loving family species. Ever graceful but are nowhere near as majestic as their forefathers who conquered the skies indefinitely.
She traced a plane as it flew by, saluting the avians who still master the skies. She could only imagine the feeling of weightlessness as you carry yourself up from the ground and into the skies with your own ability.
Grape felt a calming wind brush across her features. "I shouldn't stand around." She turns to her home.
"There's not much to see here anyway." She sighed.
She remembers her parents. How her mother's embrace would seem to drain all the pain away and into herself as the agony fell with an unearthly rapidity. The way she cooked the early morning meals with the scent that filled the building. She was an angel, a God sent creature who was much too kind for mankind to have ever fathomed. How she would laugh with her father whenever he commented on the status of society. A man with a great taste and the heart of a saint, who could see the light in everything. How he was the defender, a guardian of his family that he loved without question nor hesitation.
Though, in truth, they were far from perfect. They have had their sins. Their father had showed his own rebellion against the gas station attendant. He had, as well, followed blindly into battle as his country waged war, tossing away his tire iron for the rifle. Her mother was no better letting him go.
She spoke highly of them for they were not only good people, but, as well, her family. The American dream embodied in their very existence. Nationalists and a stable family, they were an ideal couple, something she had wished to imitate in her life.
She misses them.
After the Fall, the building was rebuilt. Trying to replicate as much of the old home as it did before and using most of the old wood. Grape could still see Peanut working on the ceiling tiles as she giggled as to how cute he looked with the suspenders on backwards, the "v" shape choking his neck till she took it upon herself to remove it and set it on normally, and the nails lodged between his teeth as he bit them down, she told him not to do that. She couldn't stop laughing when he opened his mouth to nail the tile in when all of the nails fell down the face of the building.
She chuckled a bit at her playful memory.
She directs her attention to the streets. Not so long ago, some of these streets were shattered. Recently, the community had it's way with the aftermath in Babylon Gardens. Sure, the neighborhood was the first of the resurrection projects but it was also amongst the last.
She recalled having run around the neighborhood trying to find Max despite the danger. It was war and she needed to see him at least once before she would shelter herself. The tears she shed when she finally saw him within a toppled car still burnt like acid whenever her thoughts would race there. It was then that she realized just how much he mattered to her. "He was more than just a friend..." The disheartening feel of loss lingered within her mind.
A calming static flowed through her as she looked onto the driveway of her garage. She saw the young black cat that retained great energy whenever they met. His smile, his joy, the sensation of his touch, rushed through her veins.
That's where they first met. Max was sleeping on top of her dad's car. He would usually just scream or shew it away but when it became much too constant, he sent out Grape. They talked idly about many things but their conversations were always so short lived.
She would have to admit, she had a crush on him then.
The overwhelming relief and tears filled her eyes the same way it did when she found him there, alive, all those years ago.
Wiping them away, she opened the door of her blue car. Hopping in, she backed up the car then drove into the distance, leaving Babylon Gardens behind.
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Grape settled in a parking lot beside where Asheville Middle School used to lie. The building, now known as Alvin State Middle School, was amongst the few still being rebuilt after the Fall. It had no gymnasium and majority of it's classrooms were lacking of paint, windows and educational posters.
She got out of the car and headed towards the double doors. It was a light red in color, proving it was new and recently put up.
Before she pushed them open, she stole a glance at the playground at the side of the building. Waving to a few young, and familiar faces. It was being re-sized, starting with the monkey bars, to suit the feral residents.
She longed to hear the laughter of human young, but those hopes are dashed by the crushing truth. Man was gone, that was why they, the domesticated wild, took the mantle. Prepared or not.
They had with them the earth in their hands, but the stories of mankind bore many, many layers - rough, and smooth, indecisiveness, and calm moments - Thus it was heavy, and on the first few steps, they had almost allowed it to fall. They were tasked to continue these stories for earth to live on. Care for the world in a way humanity had failed to do so. They were doing fine so far.
The door slowly opened a crack as Grape peeked in. No one in the halls but the janitor. She opened the door fully, looking left to right, trying to see if anyone was around.
She ventured through the halls, trying to find Shaun's class.
The lockers were the usual green. Filling the walls and taking up a considerate amount of space. Some of the lockers were new and the sheen of them made it obvious.
Grape had no trouble finally finding his room. Shaun's classroom was the only one with one door. The others had either none or both.
She spied Zach from the front door. He was sitting down with his book, watching his students carefully - unnoticed - trying to catch a cheater or two.
The bell rang suddenly, frightening the purple feline.
"Okay, everyone, pass your papers before you get out." She heard him announce. "Oh, and Shaun, please come here."
Grape entered the door after the students poured out. "Your mother's here." Zach pointed. His arms were crossed as he leaned onto his desk.
"Mom?" He turned to the path that was meant to behold a door. "Mom! Hey, what are you doing here?" He was surprised to see her but loved the sight of his mother whenever she came to visit.
"Just dropped by to see you and Zach before I went off into town." She tussled his hair for a quick second, trying to avoid embarrassing him in front his friends.
"I'm gonna see you at three, k, Hun?" She smiled.
"Okay, mom, I'll you see then!" He ran off, meeting with Jill at the doorway. Jill hid herself at the sight of the mature cat.
Grape chuckled. She turned to Zachery who had gotten off his seat and stood at the open window. He seemed miserable. "So, how's parole?"
He sighs. "Fine, really, I'm just watched like a hawk. But at least I have my privacy." He watches the children as they play. "I miss mom and dad..."
"We all miss our parents Zach..." She rested a hand to his shoulder. "But it's about time we moved on, and make them proud." Zach could sense just how much that implied on herself rather than him. "We were given a clean slate to work on, and so we did our best and are on our way to making the world a better place."
She walks over to the window beside him and looks into the sky. "We may suffer from the sins of our past but it is how we handle them that proves that we have learned, grown." Astounded by her words, Zach finally rewarded her with a smile that had seemed lost in time.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Zach heads to the doorway. "C'mon." His eyes brighten as his chipper expression returned.
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"So what have you been up to?" Zach asked as he leaned against the wall. They were outside next to the front door, opposite of the parking lot.
"Shaun, basically." She watches the empty playground as the swings moved to the wind.
"Yeah, about that, if you're the mother, then who's..." She cut him off. "Sorry, Zach, I can't tell you."
"Well, I know my place." He surrendered.
She was taken aback. Usually, people would push on. "Your amazingly easy to convince."
"Being rehabilitated does that to ya'." Zach remembers the months he spent there under confinement. His thoughts drifted to the past.
Zach did nothing wrong.
He was sick. He could dismantle any organized body from it's foundation by simply touching them. His manipulative ability was solely mental and could extend. He could control it now, but he was still afraid. It was a much feared virus.
It was purely chaotic. He could easily lose himself and go mad!
He could still feel the many injections that pierced his skin throughout his many regions. His hands became clammy. Though he was under medication and the direction of good doctors, he was always afraid.
He couldn't forget the many tests he was subjected to. Yet, he knew, for the sake of those he cared about, he needed to go through it.
"Have you met with Marvin and Tiger lately?" He snapped out of it.
"Yeah. While I was in there, they met me everyday." He looked up, lost in a touching memory. "I don't feel alone anymore." His gaze turning to her. "Thanks."
She embraced him. "I'll see you at the Exhibit tomorrow." Releasing, Zach nodded as he headed up the few steps to the building.
Grape walked to her car then drove off into the city.
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The blue car swiftly made it's way through the streets. The wheels spun against the puddles of the previous rain. The dampened streets reminded her of the guttered path of Peanut's art academy that he attended - Lencelot, was it? - The road was usually peaceful with the lush landscape decorating the area naturally. Yet the many damp tunnels were a let down.
The afternoons were always cold in March. The thin haze that seemed to fill the air was irritating.
Grape felt the faint irony that overtook when she made that halt at the stoplight. Dad taught her how to drive when he brought her along to the auto shop. She never anticipated actually driving someday, let alone be good at it. She was a cat after all. Expecting to drive, or even thinking about it was absurd. Nowadays, that was normal.
She held the steering wheel tightly. Almost nervous about her handling. "10 and 2..." A voice whispered in her head. "Thanks dad..." She replied.
She could feel a vibration on her waist. Ringing and stopping, then repeating. She pulled out the cell from her brown pants. Flipping it open, she kept her eyes on the road as she answered the caller. "Hello?"
"Afternoon, Grape." A jolly voice came across the speaker.
"Rufus? Hey, it's been so long that I almost didn't recognize you." She said, almost joking in tone. "Why the sudden call?"
"Well... I'm plannin' on quittin' the community..." She gasped. Rufus was a member of the community, the replacement of the government. Seeing as politics was nothing to be proud of, corruption and war having already done enough, the world decided to work with communities. It was like large fund raiser. No taxes, no leaders, just representatives and Rufus was representing the country side of North Carolina. It became a symbol of a fresh new start. People could come and go as they please, it wasn't even policy to have representatives for everything, just people willing to help out the country. It was the only thing keeping the city in order.
"But why?" She seemed to panic.
"A lot o' workin' to do on the farm. Ma', Pa', and the kids are gone, leavin' me an' them cats." He paused for a moment. A small sigh escaped his lips. "Believe me, I don't mind havin' them work on things. But they ain't used to my work." He seemed worried.
"What? You can't depend on the three of them to do what you do?" She scolded.
"No, nothin' like that, friend. It' just, you haven't seem them with the hammers. Scares the heck outta me." It was easy to feel his concern. He cared about them. They were all he had left besides the farm.
"Why don't I go talk to them tomorrow?" He could sense the desperation in her tone. "Just...please, stay there. We need people like you on that seat."
He was quiet for a moment. She bit her lip, almost feeling as if he had already hung up. "Alright...but I'm comin' with you. I wanna see for myself if they can handle it." At that, they bid farewell.
The car was silent with nothing but the humming of the engine and the silent rumbling of dad's toolbox in the trunk.
After nearly half an hour, she spoke. "Too quiet." Her vein pumped in irritation. She twisted the knob of her radio, browsing through the many stations. She chuckled at the voice of a crying Italian, talking about a moist pepperoni.
As she turned it slightly to the right, one of the few music stations came up.
It was Two is Better than One by Boys Like Girls. She loved Taylor Swift who was featured in it but she felt unease as the song went on.
The smooth music engulfed the vehicle, surrounding her. "You came into my life and I thought 'Hey, you know, it could be something...'" She remembered Max. The day they first met as kittens. She held her heart, almost loosing her control on the car.
"...'Cause everything you do and words you say, you know that it all takes my breath away, and now I'm left with nothing..." Peanut appeared in a flash. She could barely hold her composure now.
Due to the lack of stations, many of the frequencies were the same. As she turned it in an attempt to change the station, she ended up on the same one.
It was Taylor's turn. "...I remember every look upon your face. The way you roll your eyes, the way you taste. You make it hard for breathing..."
"'Cause when I close my eyes and drift away I think of you and everything's okay. I'm finally now believing..." She shut it off as tears rolled down her mane. Her chest suddenly felt smaller as her heart was closed in.
The tint on the windows shielded sight of her as she drove off in tears to the nearest bridge.
The Wil-Cox bridge was meager in comparison to most but stood proudly as among few of the arch bridges left in North Carolina.
She drove onto it, stopping in midsection. She stumbled out with the radio in hand. She tossed out into a watery grave as she knelt in defeat on the hard cement. Holding herself, trying to comfort her crumbling heart.
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An hour passed as her tears ended their relentless flow.
Her fur, soaked to the nose by the rainfall that ended not so long ago, dripped with her tears and rain drops; aptly moistening her sleeveless dark-violet shirt and brown pants.
Colliding with the ground, she could only remember how deftly painful her tears were to Peanut.
Her eyes, affixed on the ground yet focused on her former days. When her heart would sing to the tune of Max's purr against her chest. How his touch melted her form as his lips thrust upon hers, hungrily. She attempted to stem the loss of life within her, the comforting whispers she so longed to regain were probably miles away.
She stood, heading into the open vehicle that long awaited her.
Sheltering the unpleasant air was the ivory mist that descended upon her; covering her with a veil of white. She drove slowly in the blind path as her hands settled in an uneasy position on the steering wheel.
Her thoughts now drifted to a certain brown dog and his joyous bright smile. Though dawned with a crest fallen expression, she was met with a slight smirk that arose from the depths of these harsh ashes.
"He was always there..." she thought. "Even if I refused..." Her hands loosened at the wheel. "Even when he needed me more then I needed him." As depressing as her words may have seemed, for some reason, her smile had not averted that upward curve. In fact, she began to giggle. Beneath her incoherent smile, she beheld a moment in time when she felt renewed.
Reentering the city, she drove to a large black gate. Cameras scanning the area at the sides of the gate.
Lining the block were cement walls that stood about eight feet tall. Spikes marking the top of them to keep off intruders.
She rolled down the window and let the camera catch a glimpse of her chipper face. The automatic gate opened before her.
As she passed the guard house, she waved to Tiger through the windowpane as he buttoned his uniform. He waved back, midway.
She leaned out of her car. "What are you doing?"
"Shaun told me you were on with the whole clothing thing." He said, emphasizing the cloth-related word with irritation. "Why is that?"
"I don't know, I guess it just feels... liberating." She joked. They were pets, it just felt good to be in control. Despite the basis that distinguished the tip of the food chain. She really didn't mind.
"Doesn't that context go the other way around?" He retorted.
"Hm. Whatever you say." She pulled a switch, her window tract back up, as she drove onward.
"Hey, wait!" She stopped. Her window midway. "Why are you even here?" He walked up the car as he exited the small guard house.
"Isn't it obvious? I wanted to see Peanut." She almost laughed under breath.
"But he won't be back until next week." He looked to the a large black building at the end of the block. "There's no one in here but Joey."
"Then I guess I'm here to see Joey." She drove off with a hint of disappointment.
She parks nearby at the parking lot that took most of the left side of the gate.
She headed out of the car then pulled out her beeper. She pushed the button and the car beeped twice as it locked. She doesn't prefer taking the easy way to lock her car but she was damp and needed to change before she caught something.
Within the confines of the mysterious block lay three major buildings:
To the east was the "Edisco Discere Didici" which means to learn about; understand. It was the tallest among the three which stood an impressive three stories; five if you count the point of the tower. The tower was dome-like and leveled with the rest of the top floor but stood a bit higher. Inside was the staircase that led to the roof. It's design was similar to that of British cement mansions or the White House. Four pillars stood, at the end of two sets of steps, that decorated the entrance.
It acted as an academy that doubled as a research center. It was not as scientific as to possess a telescope but retained many archives on all forms of art aside from the Tele-media. It housed numerous computers as well with internet connection inside the mass library.
The point was a symbol of architectural mastery, yet it's creator still remained anonymous. At exactly six o'clock in the morning, when the sun would rise in the horizon, the light would reflect onto the many prisms inside and thrust a design around the fountain in the center. Though the fountain could stand in the way of the light to complete it's cross-like pattern, the tip of it had it's own collection of mirrors to complete the design to the west. The location was at the corner of the city, nearing the country side, so the light was uninterrupted by other sources.
Grape had only seen it once before. It was a pointed cross with the fountain at it's belly. It's vine like pattern was coupled with the perfect points it made. It was four pronged.
Peanut showed it to her. He said it nearly shocked the day lights out of him when he came early morning to work.
It was easy to see why. It was breathtaking.
She granted a kiss on the cheek for it. Grape touched her lips and giggled at the thought of his blush. The deep searing red that looked all too cute on him.
To the west was the "Absol Feducia eb Emendatio" which means Self-confidence, courage, and improvement. Though lacking in height, standing only two stories tall, it more than made up for it with it's great width which spanned half it's side of the block. It was a facility for the practical arts dealing with dancing, cooking, etiquette, house keeping, and theatrics. It also acted as the cafeteria as well as a head quarters for botanists who grace the block with the flora it needed. This was where Rex works as a professor in his cooking class, as well as experiment with different combinations.
In the center of the block was a fountain. It had a three bowl design for the water to flow in perfect semi-domes. Underneath it lay a large working compass that pointed to the Exhibit, swaying it's hands occasionally.
To the north was the most significant building in the area. Though much meeker and darker compared to the other two as it beheld a simplistic name, it housed the working station and exhibition of the professionals. This was where Joey and Peanut create their artwork - sculptures and paintings. The massive silver sign, reading "Exhibit", just above the dark concrete awning that nearly stretched throughout the entire front of the building. It stood three stories high with hardly any windows. What had sufficed was small shielded portholes that were almost eight feet apart on the upper floors.
It took up a sixth of the block with the appearance of a shady office building. It's glass entrance followed suit with the awning, lining the entrance with an insight to what was inside.
She walked with long, almost quickening, strides toward the building.
With a grey, and almost silver, sling at her side, she pulled out her cellphone, checking it's condition. It was slightly damp yet remained almost unharmed. She chuckled at the thought that most of it might be her tears. Morbid as that thought was, she needed to entertain herself.
Entering the foyer, she greeted Daisy who worked as the secretary. Her dry, black, buttoned up shirt sparked humorous envy within her. Ready to comment on the comparison, she halted the thought when she noticed the glasses that rested upon her canine snout. "I'm impressed. I didn't know you loved books."
"Huh? No, I don't." Dumbfounded was almost the perfect word to describe her. "What made you think that, sir?" She seemed be only attempting to keep up a respectful tone.
"Sir?" Skepticism rose an eyebrow. "It's me, Grape. Don't you recognize me?" She felt somewhat hurt and very irritated. She thought her new wardrobe fit her just fine as a molly.
"Oh, Grape?" She takes the meek spectacles from place. "Oh, Sorry! I can't see well with these glasses on."
She felt relieved, and at the same time, very curious. "Why are you wearing glasses? You seem to see fine without them."
"Doesn't it look good on me?" She had to admit, the small rectangular glasses did firmly match her uniform.
"You could have at least gotten one with plastic or glass that allows some vision."
"No way! Those didn't look cute." She retorted as she put back the glasses.
She slapped her forehead. That sudden force to her head jutted her memory, she needed to change, fast! "I'll just be going." She headed through one of the double doors on the left.
"Okay." She grabbed a file to busy herself.
-------------
Heading into main entrance, she was met with a minor collaboration of the building's primed and proud. Paintings hung on the walls of landscapes and people. In the center of the small rectangular room, were sculptures. On all four walls, held at least one door.
Majority of the paintings in this room was owned by a Mister Baron Godard. He was a German Pinscher who only did detailed real world paintings. He was the third best artist in building. He was much rarely seen here as his works were delivered and not worked on site.
He was usually seen in off places - Bars, grade schools, and parks - all so he could take that one unique person, who stood out in his eyes, and paint their every detail in the right light. His works had ranged from a young janitor to a retired principal, from aged professors to middle-aged hobos.
A hand full of these paintings and majority of the statues were owned by their very own Joey. His works were mainly of a fictional world that branched deep within his mind. He had many epiphanies of his desires of feline personification and fictional realm that usually strung his imagination. Because of this, his first few days working as a Rookie, he became the second most highly acclaimed as his first work sparked the interest of the elite and modern crowds.
It was that of a cat on a throne drenched in ill fitting royal garments cupping the earth in his meek hands tightly, afraid to let go yet baring the desire to unleash the wait elsewhere. It was the first piece of artwork of a former pet, at the time, that dawned an animal in clothing. It was his representation of the shifting of power in the new world. Yet it was much less shifting as it was an unwanted passing of the mantle. Neither side wanted this to happen.
Finally, there was Peanut's skilled illustrations. Surreal and majestic, his artwork had dealt with nearly every emotion. His was a combination of the two: detailed and, mostly, fictional yet mainly featured a lush plain or anything natural. Every painting he made, every sculpture he set up, beheld a story. An entire world he either dreamed to reach or had already encountered.
Peanut was, too, a rare sight in the building but would appear on almost any special occasion. He was either hard work in his personal workspace on the the third floor or dealing with
His vision of the world was crystal clear, being able to view it from any angle and on any side. He saw the light in many situations and often portrayed it. He had even painted a fireman handing over a child to her parents. In the ashes of malice and hatred remained a hope for a better future.
Grape approached the statues.
Of these clay figures was of a dog sitting on a pile of brick while his arms rested upon his forelegs as his hands draped between his separated legs. His nose twitched at a butterfly clenched onto his muzzle. It was entitled "Euphoric", amongst the first of Peanut's sculptures. Grape was not very well read on these kinds of art, so Peanut explained the title. Though it may have seemed, he said, that the dog was irritated by the grasp, he actually enjoyed the sight and feel of the beautiful creature, his friend, as it reveled in the pleasure of his false annoyance.
She walked to the other side of the statues to meet with her most favored creation here. Peanut had taken it upon himself to sculpt their parents. The two humans stood with comforting, soft eyes that they were so familiar with. She inwardly laughed at her father's beard that tickled when you kissed him in the cheek.
She headed for the door on the left. Passing by a picture of a bird basketball player sitting on a bench and an apple with a bite on it atop a bridge railing. She entered the only other door through there in the hall that was decorated with more work.
She began to change with no hurry.
She watched her fur in full view. She had missed this sight for a while now, being able to see it only in her bathroom.
"Still not fat." She commented, playful in her tone.
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Returning to the main entrance, she headed towards the double doors that stood opposite of the entry point.
Peeking in, she saw light brown form of Joey, molding out what looks like two cats. One of the cats had his hand resting on the other's waistline. The female cat rested herself upon him. He was standing on a folding staircase while he used a yellow scalpel to fix the facial features of the male cat.
"Joey!" She called out, startling the silent artist.
"Gyah!" He shouted as he nearly fell off. He held onto the staircase as it shook slightly. "What are trying to do!? Ki-" His anger faded as he saw the giggling purple cat enter the door. "Grape!" He gleefully shouted as he leaped from the staircase onto the ground.
His cheerful expression simply brimming with ecstasy. She snickered lightly. "So, what are you working on?" She seemed a bit worried. She thought his initial cat fetish faded away after all his years here.
He turns to the reformed lump clay. "You still remember Fiddler and Keys, right?"
"Of course, I was at their wedding." Recognition dawned upon her as she watched the all too familiar faces of the pair as well as their collars. Fiddler and her violin and Keys with his, well, keys. He marked it down to detail with their musical notes at the bast of the collars.
"Well, next month is their anniversary, and I'm fixing this up as a gift." He stands proudly as he faces the result of his many sleepless nights.
"He doesn't know?" She thought as her ears drooped. "But their leaving next week to get a head start on their celebration."
A half smile pulled his cheek. "That's why I'm doing it down here instead of my studio upstairs."
He seemed happy, so was she. "You sure Peanut would agree with you working in the theater?" Hinting a threat in her voice.
"Nope, which is why I'm doing it while he's gone." His childish grin grew back. Mischief in his tone.
"Hmhm. Sneaky dog you are." She ruffled his hair. "So what about this masterpiece he'd been working on?"
"Oh, that? Well, I do know he left to Toronto to get something for it but that's all he mentioned." His smile faded.
"Have you seen any of it yet?" Her curiosity engulfed her.
He sighed. "No, luck. I haven't seen it."
Her eyes widened "Really? But I saw the drape, the thing was nearly two stories tall!"
"I know, which is why I'm so stumped. I don't know how he managed to hide it." He sat at the folding staircase with his chin buried in his palm.
"Why don't we double check?" She planted a hand on his shoulder.
He got up, giving her an consenting face. "Look, I'm his colleague and you're his best friend, and he hasn't gone as far as mentioning the title to either of us. We're just gonna have to wait till he's done."
She sighed in defeat, "I guess you're right." Sitting herself in the staircase step.
The doors opened and two ferrets emerged with urban clothing. One was female with a light shade of brown for her head. Her chest down was a darker, yet still light shade of brown and her limbs, as well as her tail, were given a slightly darker color then the chest. She was wearing a red sleeveless tank top with a pink sleeveless jacket along with pair of cargo shorts, and crimson beret. The other ferret, whose arm she promptly wrapped herself around, was dark brown in color with light brown on his scalp and muzzle.
"Hey, Lana, Keene, what's the occasion?" Joey spoke out with his positive vibe resonating once more.
"Just dropping by, Joey." Keene said. He looks to the familiar cat next to him. "Grape, was it?"
"Yeah, I'm surprised you knew my name." They shook hands. "Are any of the other ferrets with you?"
Lana loosened her grip to straighten her back and made eye contact. "We actually came here with Rock. He's down at Edisco doing some research." She remembers the light grey ferret. Their color patterns were so unique it fascinated her.
"We may have a lot of money and tons of stuff but we don't have the Archives." He gave off an air of business in his words. "In fact, we've been trying to buy it off."
Joey lightly chuckled. "I'm sorry, guys, but the Archives are Peanut's, all that was of Saint Lambert Academy, and you know how much he loves that place. You're gonna have to ask him, but I doubt he'll give it up. Besides, you can just come here whenever you want."
"That wouldn't be as convenient for Rock." Lana said.
Grape arose from her seat and headed to the dog. "Hey, Joey, I'm gonna get going." She turns to the ferrets. "It was nice meeting you again."
"You too." Lana said as Keene simply smiled.
Grape left the building. The disappointment she carried since she entered the block drifted away as she resisted. She focused on Shaun, she wanted to help her son.
THE STORY HAS CONTINUED IN ANOTHER POST ON THIS FORUM. I seem to have exceeded the 60,000 characters limit.
Saudade
└is a Portuguese and Galician word for a feeling of nostalgic longing for something that one was fond of and which is lost.
Time stops and moments fade yet our memories remain crystal and more solid than it's time of birth. The weigh within us. And as more events take place, we begin to pain as we long for their return.
A young cat of twelve years stood at his front lawn, staring onto the walkway. He looked from the front door to the path leading onto the fence exit as if affixed to two people at once. Confused and pained, he felt the scars of the past come to him. His body shivered as the cold wind from then and today came rushing through his body.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as his heart beckoned for an answer. "Why?" He thought. The droplets dampened his purple fur as his muzzle filled. His nose, snorting, holding back the sobs as his stomach churned. His pelt, moist at the base of his chest.
"Shaun?" He heard his name. The light of the front porch lit making visible the newly furnished wooden lounge chair. "Mom? Mom!?" He called out.
A cat of the same fur color emerged from the front door. Turning to her son, only in his teal pajama pants, squinted her eyes as her feline night-vision began to settle. Startled, she ran to her son with worry in her eyes. She grabbed onto his cheeks to look into his eyes. "No, not again!" His pupils were a shade of deep Grey, almost making his eyes blend perfectly with that of his cornea. And his fur, moist with tears and sweat. She held him tight as his eyes began to dilate then return to it's regular yellow color. He inhaled deeply then relaxed his lungs as he returned to normal. He held his heart, no longer suffering.
"Mom?" He looked up to her. Relief, he felt, as he embraced her, tightening his grip as if he was holding on for dear life. "Mom!" He felt scared. "Don't worry. Mommy's here." She rubbed his back side, comforting her one and only child. "Come on, let's head back inside."
His feet were apparently numb and had just regained feeling. As his feet brushed against the grass dew, a cold feeling ran up his feet to his spine. His body shivered and weakened as he tightened his grip. The feeling mixed with his already vexed emotions. He felt as if he had just witnessed the Great Fall his mother encountered.
He kept his arms around her as they reentered the Sandwich household. The door shut behind them as the outside world lost sight of them.
"Shaun, go into the living room wait for me there." She handed him his green blanket that hung on the coat hanger.
With a silent nod, littered with pants as he inhaled and exhaled at a pace, he went into the living room with the blanket dragged on the carpeted floor.
He sat on the living room sofa where his grandfather used to sit. Grape entered the room with a cup of hot cocoa in her hands. He looked at her as he hugged his knees under his blanket draped over his body. She gave him his drink as she knelt, leaning on the arm of the chair. He took it, his paws heated by the mug. He gazed upon the drink as the steam emitted from it's mouth. "What's happening to me, mom?"
Concern, obvious in her eyes, looked upon the mug and recalled it's past owner. "Peanut..." She whispered. They made eye contact as she held his cheek with a paw. Her gaze was intent on him, a straight face gracing her features. He felt the discomfort she did. "What did you see?" Taken aback by her sudden change of expression, he began to wonder if he had ever done this before.
He took a sip from the cup leaving a mark of brown on his upper lip. He licked off the chocolate and fiddled with his fingers, entwined with his mug. "I saw uncle Peanut... and uncle Max."
Grape bit her lip. She turned to the fireplace, away from him. She'd had needed to hear this story. Although, her heart beckoned her not to go through this. Gripping her bosom, squeezing the fur above her heart, she sighed. Her attention was to her son's again. She knelt and held his hand. "Tell me everything."
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Peanut brought Grape into their parent's room. Sitting her on a stool, he walked over to a supply of combs and perfumes. "I don't know how you talked me into letting you freshen me up for my date." Grabbing the only plain comb their father never uses and a pair of scissors, he headed over to her taking the hand mirror he noticed sitting in with the rest of the brushes and combs. "Oh hush, I want you to be happy, so I thought I'd put all those hours of pet makeover on TLC to use."
He settled down the mirror to the bed at his side and brimmed with perfect confidence about what he was doing. Peanut combed the tips of her eyelashes. Her eyelids seemed to retreat in her sockets as his combed brushed upon the thin, sensitive skin. Swallowing his hopes, he curved them to the sides of her eyes, pointing, unveiling a new side of her persona: a molly in full color.
She opened her eyes. It seemed it was over.
Peanut took a photograph from his collar that he took of her before they went in. He let her a have a glance of it. "Okay, this is you before..." A sarcastic expression embodied her face. "Thanks for the impromptu photo shoot, by the way."
He imitated her expression with slight irritation. Yet worry bellowed in his heart. He took the mirror from the bed, leaving the photo in it's place. "...and this is you now!"
She gasped. That hint of approval took itself upon him as smile ventured into his cheeks for a moment. "Wait, did you just comb my eyelashes out?" He giggled under his breathe. "You'd be surprised what a difference it makes."
She giggled. "Thanks Peanut."
The door bell rang. "Oh! That must be him." The smile on her face was shining as her date was about to begin. Excitement in her eyes coupled with a now sinister grin grimaced her face.
She walked out to the door. "Thanks again, Peanut!" Shooting a smile to him before the door shut.
He sighed. His heart still beats for her. The ivory door before him seemed to grow in size. His world was shifting a his emotions played in his personal torment. A tear would have ventured fourth on the floor if he hadn't wiped it away. "I can't do this." He turned to the picture on the bed. Seeing her in a "casual" state. A half smile swept across a cheek. "I at least have to see her off."
He gets up and opens the door.
Heading down the stairs, he could hear the conversation of the two. "Woah, I guess you weren't kidding about the girl part!" Peanut felt the pride of accomplishment root into his cheeks, hoping to stay there for a while. "Don't get used to it, this is only for tonight. Consider it a little gift." He felt a bit of disappointment in himself. He laughed it off with a slight chuckle. Though he skillfully payed no mind to that last part.
She stood at the open door. Walking outside then grabbing onto his arm. He could hear a bit more but shrugged it off. He stood at the front door as they walked away. "Hey, Max, be sure to bring her back by midnight this time!" He called out. "No promises!" A friendly reply, he gave.
For a moment he was calm but as they exited the property and onto the walkway, a tear escaped his eye. Flowing down onto the cement step, it echoed into his ears as it made contact with the floor.
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"After that, I heard the TV turn on. I could hear some drama playing in there along with some crying and..." He stopped as his mother seemed disheartened. Her eyes were sheltered by the fur on her forehead as she looked down.
"Mom? What's going on?" He returned to his heartfelt worry.
"I don't know..." Her heart cringed a bit by her half lie. "But I'll talk to Arrow tomorrow about this okay?" She gave him a reassuring smile. "Now, go back to bed. You have school tomorrow." He smiled back. Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he settled down his half empty cup in her hand. "Night mom!" he ran out of the room, flicking a switch on the way, then up the stairs.
She stood. Directing her attention to the crackling fire, she broke the silence that embellished the room. "He's a strong kid..." She smiled. Her focus now on the slowly spinning ceiling fan as she slowly closed her eyes. The rotation come to an end as her yellow eyes adjusted to the fire. "Just like his father."
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Chapter 2:
Philos
└Is a greek word referring to a friend, an associate, or he who associates familiarly with one, a companion.
Exemplifying is the heart as it's many directions daze and confuse. At times we wish to stop at that cross road, and hope, that eventually, the paths collide. Though we halt our lives. Restless and unmoving, we do not grow any further as we suffer from the wait.
A fresh new air engulfed the neighborhood as the sun arose from the horizon. Pointed ears perked up and jolted out of bed as the day began. The once silent streets buzzed to life as the residents and early birds began to exit their homes and reenter the world. Many men walked out of their front doors, fixing their ties with a suit case in the other hand. They started the cars as they drove off into the day. Children burst forth and met with each other. As the groups formed into the corners, the bus stopped at the sign as the folding door pulled open, colliding upon itself as the driver called them in.
Many other children, however, were still at home. Lazy in bed groaning "Just five more minutes..." while others surrendered to the alarm clock the United Mothers Association had placed at the other side of the room.
Shaun, apparently, was not among them. He lay in bed with eyes wide open, staring onto the ceiling as he awaited for a call.
His pajamas were scattered around the room. His pants on the floor with his shirt tossed against the wall, he wasn't usually such a messy tomcat. His mother taught him better. He simply rebelled against the idea of clothing.
His thoughts lingered to the night before. He slept with a hint of distraught beneath his sheltered eyes. Something like that doesn't just go away.
"What's going on?" He thought to himself. His mother had always been so secretive. He'd usually shrug it off and let his mother do what she does. Though, this time it really got him curious.
"Shaun, Breakfast's ready!" He jumped out of bed, leaving his thoughts behind. He gave off a mischievous grin. Surely his rebellious act would be obvious. Subconsciously, he wanted to draw her attention to make her react to his demonstration.
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Grape held a gold, heart-shaped locket in her paws, rubbing her thumb upon it's smooth surface. Her left hand joined the other in the texture of the locket. Her finger followed the tiny designs etching the corners of the heart. It trailed off into the button on top tracing the waves that circulated it.
It's chain, a unique silver, swung underneath her hand, brushing the side of her index finger.
The locket glowed in her soft eyes as she let it swing from the chain. Mesmerizing and hypnotizing her. She felt entranced in the accessory as it brought upon a state of bliss. Her heart beat rapidly, replicating the pace of when she first got it. She recalled that late December, the day she cherished the most.
As the egg timer dinged, the egg began to heat further. She didn't care much about anything so trivial at the moment. Her focus was fully upon the trinket.
"I missed you..." She whispers. A smile crept upon her cheeks. "All too much."
Shaun's bare feet stomped onto the steps as he hastily made his way downward.
Grape heard the quick movement. She would have panicked if it weren't for her wit. The stomping ended as Shaun ran upon the mat in the living room.
He raced across the dining room to her. Grape leaned down as he kissed his mother on the cheek. "Morning, mom!"
"Morning, baby." She kissed him on the forehead.
Grape switched off the heat as she grabbed the pan by it's handle. Sliding off the eggs with a spatula, positioning a small, readily placed plate, in the path of the egg.
He lept into his seat opposite from her. He took his spoon and fork, letting his tongue dangle as his eyes directed upon his meal.
His mother slid the eggs to him. He took the eggs that seemed just a bit brown at the edge, and joined it with his prepared bacon.
Grape grabbed the, formerly known as "Coco Crunch", cereal. She poured the Coco Koala into her bowl joined with organic milk she got from her last visit to the farm not so long ago. "Why'd they have to change the name..." She commented, pushing around the crunches with her spoon to mix with the milk. She swallowed a spoon full of her cereal crunching down the chocolates.
Shaun had already finished, however.
"I'm goin' now, mom!" She smiled as he grabbed his backpack from the counter in the kitchen behind her. Zooming by her, she noticed his bare back...and body. Raising an eyebrow, she settled down her spoon.
Shaun was fast approaching his goal. If he made it through that door, he would have been home free. He made his turn from the living room, only to find that his mother was already there.
"Forgetting something?" She smirked.
"I don't think so." A proud grin graced his features.
"You forgot to give mom a hug." A slight pout upon her face confused the young cat. Feeling a bit odd, he made cautious, steady steps toward her. He embraced her with a bit of confusion in his eyes.
He walked out the front door, still maintaining his expression.
He felt a slight weight. He felt something odd in the air as he walked down the walkway to the white, wooden gate.
"Bye, Shaun! Have fun!" She called out.
He looked around to see his mother and her loving gaze like any mother should. He returned the favor with a young, sparkling smile.
He exited the property as his attention diverted to a bunch of brown fur in the distance. A bright young girl of eleven years old ran toward him in a steady pace. A glad expression filled his face.
Her name was Jill. Daughter of Fido, the city police chief and war veteran from the Great Fall, and Sabrina, the head of the United Mother's Association and secretary of Apollo Inc., a highly acclaimed and versatile company. She was a hybrid and you can tell by her feline body and short tail. To be honest, he's always found this rather cute.
Shaun shuttered at the fact that the interspecies thing was taboo before the Fall. It must've been hard for them, he imagined. Fido and him talked about the war whenever they had the chance, rather than the old standards that graced society.
"Hi, Shaun!" She gave him the regular, energetic smile. He couldn't help but return the favor. Typically, they would have gone into a competition as to who can smile the biggest but he Jill seemed to have been distracted.
A look of surprise plastered upon her face."Umm...I thought you were going nude to protest against clothing. Did you give up or something?"
Shaun was about to correct, raising his finger, about to point out his "obviously" exposed fur with pride, till he realized the minor weight upon his shoulders of his sleeves. He began to pat vigorously upon his chest and stomach, with wide and unbelieving eyes, feeling the fabric of clothing without allowing his eyes the suffering sight of defeat. Slowly, he began adjusting his agonizing gaze upon his blue jeans and red, short-sleeved shirt. He began to imagine his mother laughing manically in victory.
"Ooh! Ooh! I know! It must be your mom's birthday, right? No wonder you gave up." He tried to speak but she cut him off. "Does this mean it'll be a hiatus or did your mom convince you otherwise?" Shaun felt slightly irritated. This was one of her moments when she'd burst out into a talkative frenzy.
"Um... Jill?" She didn't seem to have heard him. "Oh shoot! I have to get your mom a present! What do I do!? What do I get!?" His eye began twitching, intensified by his already pressing defeat.
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Grape looked outside to window, peering at her son as he slowly walked away with his talkative companion. "Hmhmm. So naive." She looked at the locket in her hand. It glowed as the sun beamed down upon it. "Just like me..." She stole another glance at him as they disappeared around the corner.
She headed into the dining room to finish her meal.
Noting that the locket was still in her hand as her paw slid it's chain around her wrist, she lifted it to her eyes. "I should keep you hidden till I'm done with today." She headed up the stairs and into the attic. Opening a small box in the corner of the room, she settled it in. "You'll be safe there." She smiled as she retreated to her bowl.
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It was noon time when she finally exited to bask in the glory of the new day. She looked into the sky and missed the birds. How they sang and brought about the memory of a simplistic life a great distance away from the complications that battered society with innecessity. Nowadays these birds are with them, on the surface. Flightless yet still tend to the skies as they did in the days of old.
Their traits, however, have not gone south. They are still a loving family species. Ever graceful but are nowhere near as majestic as their forefathers who conquered the skies indefinitely.
She traced a plane as it flew by, saluting the avians who still master the skies. She could only imagine the feeling of weightlessness as you carry yourself up from the ground and into the skies with your own ability.
Grape felt a calming wind brush across her features. "I shouldn't stand around." She turns to her home.
"There's not much to see here anyway." She sighed.
She remembers her parents. How her mother's embrace would seem to drain all the pain away and into herself as the agony fell with an unearthly rapidity. The way she cooked the early morning meals with the scent that filled the building. She was an angel, a God sent creature who was much too kind for mankind to have ever fathomed. How she would laugh with her father whenever he commented on the status of society. A man with a great taste and the heart of a saint, who could see the light in everything. How he was the defender, a guardian of his family that he loved without question nor hesitation.
Though, in truth, they were far from perfect. They have had their sins. Their father had showed his own rebellion against the gas station attendant. He had, as well, followed blindly into battle as his country waged war, tossing away his tire iron for the rifle. Her mother was no better letting him go.
She spoke highly of them for they were not only good people, but, as well, her family. The American dream embodied in their very existence. Nationalists and a stable family, they were an ideal couple, something she had wished to imitate in her life.
She misses them.
After the Fall, the building was rebuilt. Trying to replicate as much of the old home as it did before and using most of the old wood. Grape could still see Peanut working on the ceiling tiles as she giggled as to how cute he looked with the suspenders on backwards, the "v" shape choking his neck till she took it upon herself to remove it and set it on normally, and the nails lodged between his teeth as he bit them down, she told him not to do that. She couldn't stop laughing when he opened his mouth to nail the tile in when all of the nails fell down the face of the building.
She chuckled a bit at her playful memory.
She directs her attention to the streets. Not so long ago, some of these streets were shattered. Recently, the community had it's way with the aftermath in Babylon Gardens. Sure, the neighborhood was the first of the resurrection projects but it was also amongst the last.
She recalled having run around the neighborhood trying to find Max despite the danger. It was war and she needed to see him at least once before she would shelter herself. The tears she shed when she finally saw him within a toppled car still burnt like acid whenever her thoughts would race there. It was then that she realized just how much he mattered to her. "He was more than just a friend..." The disheartening feel of loss lingered within her mind.
A calming static flowed through her as she looked onto the driveway of her garage. She saw the young black cat that retained great energy whenever they met. His smile, his joy, the sensation of his touch, rushed through her veins.
That's where they first met. Max was sleeping on top of her dad's car. He would usually just scream or shew it away but when it became much too constant, he sent out Grape. They talked idly about many things but their conversations were always so short lived.
She would have to admit, she had a crush on him then.
The overwhelming relief and tears filled her eyes the same way it did when she found him there, alive, all those years ago.
Wiping them away, she opened the door of her blue car. Hopping in, she backed up the car then drove into the distance, leaving Babylon Gardens behind.
-------------
Grape settled in a parking lot beside where Asheville Middle School used to lie. The building, now known as Alvin State Middle School, was amongst the few still being rebuilt after the Fall. It had no gymnasium and majority of it's classrooms were lacking of paint, windows and educational posters.
She got out of the car and headed towards the double doors. It was a light red in color, proving it was new and recently put up.
Before she pushed them open, she stole a glance at the playground at the side of the building. Waving to a few young, and familiar faces. It was being re-sized, starting with the monkey bars, to suit the feral residents.
She longed to hear the laughter of human young, but those hopes are dashed by the crushing truth. Man was gone, that was why they, the domesticated wild, took the mantle. Prepared or not.
They had with them the earth in their hands, but the stories of mankind bore many, many layers - rough, and smooth, indecisiveness, and calm moments - Thus it was heavy, and on the first few steps, they had almost allowed it to fall. They were tasked to continue these stories for earth to live on. Care for the world in a way humanity had failed to do so. They were doing fine so far.
The door slowly opened a crack as Grape peeked in. No one in the halls but the janitor. She opened the door fully, looking left to right, trying to see if anyone was around.
She ventured through the halls, trying to find Shaun's class.
The lockers were the usual green. Filling the walls and taking up a considerate amount of space. Some of the lockers were new and the sheen of them made it obvious.
Grape had no trouble finally finding his room. Shaun's classroom was the only one with one door. The others had either none or both.
She spied Zach from the front door. He was sitting down with his book, watching his students carefully - unnoticed - trying to catch a cheater or two.
The bell rang suddenly, frightening the purple feline.
"Okay, everyone, pass your papers before you get out." She heard him announce. "Oh, and Shaun, please come here."
Grape entered the door after the students poured out. "Your mother's here." Zach pointed. His arms were crossed as he leaned onto his desk.
"Mom?" He turned to the path that was meant to behold a door. "Mom! Hey, what are you doing here?" He was surprised to see her but loved the sight of his mother whenever she came to visit.
"Just dropped by to see you and Zach before I went off into town." She tussled his hair for a quick second, trying to avoid embarrassing him in front his friends.
"I'm gonna see you at three, k, Hun?" She smiled.
"Okay, mom, I'll you see then!" He ran off, meeting with Jill at the doorway. Jill hid herself at the sight of the mature cat.
Grape chuckled. She turned to Zachery who had gotten off his seat and stood at the open window. He seemed miserable. "So, how's parole?"
He sighs. "Fine, really, I'm just watched like a hawk. But at least I have my privacy." He watches the children as they play. "I miss mom and dad..."
"We all miss our parents Zach..." She rested a hand to his shoulder. "But it's about time we moved on, and make them proud." Zach could sense just how much that implied on herself rather than him. "We were given a clean slate to work on, and so we did our best and are on our way to making the world a better place."
She walks over to the window beside him and looks into the sky. "We may suffer from the sins of our past but it is how we handle them that proves that we have learned, grown." Astounded by her words, Zach finally rewarded her with a smile that had seemed lost in time.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Zach heads to the doorway. "C'mon." His eyes brighten as his chipper expression returned.
-------------
"So what have you been up to?" Zach asked as he leaned against the wall. They were outside next to the front door, opposite of the parking lot.
"Shaun, basically." She watches the empty playground as the swings moved to the wind.
"Yeah, about that, if you're the mother, then who's..." She cut him off. "Sorry, Zach, I can't tell you."
"Well, I know my place." He surrendered.
She was taken aback. Usually, people would push on. "Your amazingly easy to convince."
"Being rehabilitated does that to ya'." Zach remembers the months he spent there under confinement. His thoughts drifted to the past.
Zach did nothing wrong.
He was sick. He could dismantle any organized body from it's foundation by simply touching them. His manipulative ability was solely mental and could extend. He could control it now, but he was still afraid. It was a much feared virus.
It was purely chaotic. He could easily lose himself and go mad!
He could still feel the many injections that pierced his skin throughout his many regions. His hands became clammy. Though he was under medication and the direction of good doctors, he was always afraid.
He couldn't forget the many tests he was subjected to. Yet, he knew, for the sake of those he cared about, he needed to go through it.
"Have you met with Marvin and Tiger lately?" He snapped out of it.
"Yeah. While I was in there, they met me everyday." He looked up, lost in a touching memory. "I don't feel alone anymore." His gaze turning to her. "Thanks."
She embraced him. "I'll see you at the Exhibit tomorrow." Releasing, Zach nodded as he headed up the few steps to the building.
Grape walked to her car then drove off into the city.
-------------
The blue car swiftly made it's way through the streets. The wheels spun against the puddles of the previous rain. The dampened streets reminded her of the guttered path of Peanut's art academy that he attended - Lencelot, was it? - The road was usually peaceful with the lush landscape decorating the area naturally. Yet the many damp tunnels were a let down.
The afternoons were always cold in March. The thin haze that seemed to fill the air was irritating.
Grape felt the faint irony that overtook when she made that halt at the stoplight. Dad taught her how to drive when he brought her along to the auto shop. She never anticipated actually driving someday, let alone be good at it. She was a cat after all. Expecting to drive, or even thinking about it was absurd. Nowadays, that was normal.
She held the steering wheel tightly. Almost nervous about her handling. "10 and 2..." A voice whispered in her head. "Thanks dad..." She replied.
She could feel a vibration on her waist. Ringing and stopping, then repeating. She pulled out the cell from her brown pants. Flipping it open, she kept her eyes on the road as she answered the caller. "Hello?"
"Afternoon, Grape." A jolly voice came across the speaker.
"Rufus? Hey, it's been so long that I almost didn't recognize you." She said, almost joking in tone. "Why the sudden call?"
"Well... I'm plannin' on quittin' the community..." She gasped. Rufus was a member of the community, the replacement of the government. Seeing as politics was nothing to be proud of, corruption and war having already done enough, the world decided to work with communities. It was like large fund raiser. No taxes, no leaders, just representatives and Rufus was representing the country side of North Carolina. It became a symbol of a fresh new start. People could come and go as they please, it wasn't even policy to have representatives for everything, just people willing to help out the country. It was the only thing keeping the city in order.
"But why?" She seemed to panic.
"A lot o' workin' to do on the farm. Ma', Pa', and the kids are gone, leavin' me an' them cats." He paused for a moment. A small sigh escaped his lips. "Believe me, I don't mind havin' them work on things. But they ain't used to my work." He seemed worried.
"What? You can't depend on the three of them to do what you do?" She scolded.
"No, nothin' like that, friend. It' just, you haven't seem them with the hammers. Scares the heck outta me." It was easy to feel his concern. He cared about them. They were all he had left besides the farm.
"Why don't I go talk to them tomorrow?" He could sense the desperation in her tone. "Just...please, stay there. We need people like you on that seat."
He was quiet for a moment. She bit her lip, almost feeling as if he had already hung up. "Alright...but I'm comin' with you. I wanna see for myself if they can handle it." At that, they bid farewell.
The car was silent with nothing but the humming of the engine and the silent rumbling of dad's toolbox in the trunk.
After nearly half an hour, she spoke. "Too quiet." Her vein pumped in irritation. She twisted the knob of her radio, browsing through the many stations. She chuckled at the voice of a crying Italian, talking about a moist pepperoni.
As she turned it slightly to the right, one of the few music stations came up.
It was Two is Better than One by Boys Like Girls. She loved Taylor Swift who was featured in it but she felt unease as the song went on.
The smooth music engulfed the vehicle, surrounding her. "You came into my life and I thought 'Hey, you know, it could be something...'" She remembered Max. The day they first met as kittens. She held her heart, almost loosing her control on the car.
"...'Cause everything you do and words you say, you know that it all takes my breath away, and now I'm left with nothing..." Peanut appeared in a flash. She could barely hold her composure now.
Due to the lack of stations, many of the frequencies were the same. As she turned it in an attempt to change the station, she ended up on the same one.
It was Taylor's turn. "...I remember every look upon your face. The way you roll your eyes, the way you taste. You make it hard for breathing..."
"'Cause when I close my eyes and drift away I think of you and everything's okay. I'm finally now believing..." She shut it off as tears rolled down her mane. Her chest suddenly felt smaller as her heart was closed in.
The tint on the windows shielded sight of her as she drove off in tears to the nearest bridge.
The Wil-Cox bridge was meager in comparison to most but stood proudly as among few of the arch bridges left in North Carolina.
She drove onto it, stopping in midsection. She stumbled out with the radio in hand. She tossed out into a watery grave as she knelt in defeat on the hard cement. Holding herself, trying to comfort her crumbling heart.
-------------
An hour passed as her tears ended their relentless flow.
Her fur, soaked to the nose by the rainfall that ended not so long ago, dripped with her tears and rain drops; aptly moistening her sleeveless dark-violet shirt and brown pants.
Colliding with the ground, she could only remember how deftly painful her tears were to Peanut.
Her eyes, affixed on the ground yet focused on her former days. When her heart would sing to the tune of Max's purr against her chest. How his touch melted her form as his lips thrust upon hers, hungrily. She attempted to stem the loss of life within her, the comforting whispers she so longed to regain were probably miles away.
She stood, heading into the open vehicle that long awaited her.
Sheltering the unpleasant air was the ivory mist that descended upon her; covering her with a veil of white. She drove slowly in the blind path as her hands settled in an uneasy position on the steering wheel.
Her thoughts now drifted to a certain brown dog and his joyous bright smile. Though dawned with a crest fallen expression, she was met with a slight smirk that arose from the depths of these harsh ashes.
"He was always there..." she thought. "Even if I refused..." Her hands loosened at the wheel. "Even when he needed me more then I needed him." As depressing as her words may have seemed, for some reason, her smile had not averted that upward curve. In fact, she began to giggle. Beneath her incoherent smile, she beheld a moment in time when she felt renewed.
Reentering the city, she drove to a large black gate. Cameras scanning the area at the sides of the gate.
Lining the block were cement walls that stood about eight feet tall. Spikes marking the top of them to keep off intruders.
She rolled down the window and let the camera catch a glimpse of her chipper face. The automatic gate opened before her.
As she passed the guard house, she waved to Tiger through the windowpane as he buttoned his uniform. He waved back, midway.
She leaned out of her car. "What are you doing?"
"Shaun told me you were on with the whole clothing thing." He said, emphasizing the cloth-related word with irritation. "Why is that?"
"I don't know, I guess it just feels... liberating." She joked. They were pets, it just felt good to be in control. Despite the basis that distinguished the tip of the food chain. She really didn't mind.
"Doesn't that context go the other way around?" He retorted.
"Hm. Whatever you say." She pulled a switch, her window tract back up, as she drove onward.
"Hey, wait!" She stopped. Her window midway. "Why are you even here?" He walked up the car as he exited the small guard house.
"Isn't it obvious? I wanted to see Peanut." She almost laughed under breath.
"But he won't be back until next week." He looked to the a large black building at the end of the block. "There's no one in here but Joey."
"Then I guess I'm here to see Joey." She drove off with a hint of disappointment.
She parks nearby at the parking lot that took most of the left side of the gate.
She headed out of the car then pulled out her beeper. She pushed the button and the car beeped twice as it locked. She doesn't prefer taking the easy way to lock her car but she was damp and needed to change before she caught something.
Within the confines of the mysterious block lay three major buildings:
To the east was the "Edisco Discere Didici" which means to learn about; understand. It was the tallest among the three which stood an impressive three stories; five if you count the point of the tower. The tower was dome-like and leveled with the rest of the top floor but stood a bit higher. Inside was the staircase that led to the roof. It's design was similar to that of British cement mansions or the White House. Four pillars stood, at the end of two sets of steps, that decorated the entrance.
It acted as an academy that doubled as a research center. It was not as scientific as to possess a telescope but retained many archives on all forms of art aside from the Tele-media. It housed numerous computers as well with internet connection inside the mass library.
The point was a symbol of architectural mastery, yet it's creator still remained anonymous. At exactly six o'clock in the morning, when the sun would rise in the horizon, the light would reflect onto the many prisms inside and thrust a design around the fountain in the center. Though the fountain could stand in the way of the light to complete it's cross-like pattern, the tip of it had it's own collection of mirrors to complete the design to the west. The location was at the corner of the city, nearing the country side, so the light was uninterrupted by other sources.
Grape had only seen it once before. It was a pointed cross with the fountain at it's belly. It's vine like pattern was coupled with the perfect points it made. It was four pronged.
Peanut showed it to her. He said it nearly shocked the day lights out of him when he came early morning to work.
It was easy to see why. It was breathtaking.
She granted a kiss on the cheek for it. Grape touched her lips and giggled at the thought of his blush. The deep searing red that looked all too cute on him.
To the west was the "Absol Feducia eb Emendatio" which means Self-confidence, courage, and improvement. Though lacking in height, standing only two stories tall, it more than made up for it with it's great width which spanned half it's side of the block. It was a facility for the practical arts dealing with dancing, cooking, etiquette, house keeping, and theatrics. It also acted as the cafeteria as well as a head quarters for botanists who grace the block with the flora it needed. This was where Rex works as a professor in his cooking class, as well as experiment with different combinations.
In the center of the block was a fountain. It had a three bowl design for the water to flow in perfect semi-domes. Underneath it lay a large working compass that pointed to the Exhibit, swaying it's hands occasionally.
To the north was the most significant building in the area. Though much meeker and darker compared to the other two as it beheld a simplistic name, it housed the working station and exhibition of the professionals. This was where Joey and Peanut create their artwork - sculptures and paintings. The massive silver sign, reading "Exhibit", just above the dark concrete awning that nearly stretched throughout the entire front of the building. It stood three stories high with hardly any windows. What had sufficed was small shielded portholes that were almost eight feet apart on the upper floors.
It took up a sixth of the block with the appearance of a shady office building. It's glass entrance followed suit with the awning, lining the entrance with an insight to what was inside.
She walked with long, almost quickening, strides toward the building.
With a grey, and almost silver, sling at her side, she pulled out her cellphone, checking it's condition. It was slightly damp yet remained almost unharmed. She chuckled at the thought that most of it might be her tears. Morbid as that thought was, she needed to entertain herself.
Entering the foyer, she greeted Daisy who worked as the secretary. Her dry, black, buttoned up shirt sparked humorous envy within her. Ready to comment on the comparison, she halted the thought when she noticed the glasses that rested upon her canine snout. "I'm impressed. I didn't know you loved books."
"Huh? No, I don't." Dumbfounded was almost the perfect word to describe her. "What made you think that, sir?" She seemed be only attempting to keep up a respectful tone.
"Sir?" Skepticism rose an eyebrow. "It's me, Grape. Don't you recognize me?" She felt somewhat hurt and very irritated. She thought her new wardrobe fit her just fine as a molly.
"Oh, Grape?" She takes the meek spectacles from place. "Oh, Sorry! I can't see well with these glasses on."
She felt relieved, and at the same time, very curious. "Why are you wearing glasses? You seem to see fine without them."
"Doesn't it look good on me?" She had to admit, the small rectangular glasses did firmly match her uniform.
"You could have at least gotten one with plastic or glass that allows some vision."
"No way! Those didn't look cute." She retorted as she put back the glasses.
She slapped her forehead. That sudden force to her head jutted her memory, she needed to change, fast! "I'll just be going." She headed through one of the double doors on the left.
"Okay." She grabbed a file to busy herself.
-------------
Heading into main entrance, she was met with a minor collaboration of the building's primed and proud. Paintings hung on the walls of landscapes and people. In the center of the small rectangular room, were sculptures. On all four walls, held at least one door.
Majority of the paintings in this room was owned by a Mister Baron Godard. He was a German Pinscher who only did detailed real world paintings. He was the third best artist in building. He was much rarely seen here as his works were delivered and not worked on site.
He was usually seen in off places - Bars, grade schools, and parks - all so he could take that one unique person, who stood out in his eyes, and paint their every detail in the right light. His works had ranged from a young janitor to a retired principal, from aged professors to middle-aged hobos.
A hand full of these paintings and majority of the statues were owned by their very own Joey. His works were mainly of a fictional world that branched deep within his mind. He had many epiphanies of his desires of feline personification and fictional realm that usually strung his imagination. Because of this, his first few days working as a Rookie, he became the second most highly acclaimed as his first work sparked the interest of the elite and modern crowds.
It was that of a cat on a throne drenched in ill fitting royal garments cupping the earth in his meek hands tightly, afraid to let go yet baring the desire to unleash the wait elsewhere. It was the first piece of artwork of a former pet, at the time, that dawned an animal in clothing. It was his representation of the shifting of power in the new world. Yet it was much less shifting as it was an unwanted passing of the mantle. Neither side wanted this to happen.
Finally, there was Peanut's skilled illustrations. Surreal and majestic, his artwork had dealt with nearly every emotion. His was a combination of the two: detailed and, mostly, fictional yet mainly featured a lush plain or anything natural. Every painting he made, every sculpture he set up, beheld a story. An entire world he either dreamed to reach or had already encountered.
Peanut was, too, a rare sight in the building but would appear on almost any special occasion. He was either hard work in his personal workspace on the the third floor or dealing with
His vision of the world was crystal clear, being able to view it from any angle and on any side. He saw the light in many situations and often portrayed it. He had even painted a fireman handing over a child to her parents. In the ashes of malice and hatred remained a hope for a better future.
Grape approached the statues.
Of these clay figures was of a dog sitting on a pile of brick while his arms rested upon his forelegs as his hands draped between his separated legs. His nose twitched at a butterfly clenched onto his muzzle. It was entitled "Euphoric", amongst the first of Peanut's sculptures. Grape was not very well read on these kinds of art, so Peanut explained the title. Though it may have seemed, he said, that the dog was irritated by the grasp, he actually enjoyed the sight and feel of the beautiful creature, his friend, as it reveled in the pleasure of his false annoyance.
She walked to the other side of the statues to meet with her most favored creation here. Peanut had taken it upon himself to sculpt their parents. The two humans stood with comforting, soft eyes that they were so familiar with. She inwardly laughed at her father's beard that tickled when you kissed him in the cheek.
She headed for the door on the left. Passing by a picture of a bird basketball player sitting on a bench and an apple with a bite on it atop a bridge railing. She entered the only other door through there in the hall that was decorated with more work.
She began to change with no hurry.
She watched her fur in full view. She had missed this sight for a while now, being able to see it only in her bathroom.
"Still not fat." She commented, playful in her tone.
-------------
Returning to the main entrance, she headed towards the double doors that stood opposite of the entry point.
Peeking in, she saw light brown form of Joey, molding out what looks like two cats. One of the cats had his hand resting on the other's waistline. The female cat rested herself upon him. He was standing on a folding staircase while he used a yellow scalpel to fix the facial features of the male cat.
"Joey!" She called out, startling the silent artist.
"Gyah!" He shouted as he nearly fell off. He held onto the staircase as it shook slightly. "What are trying to do!? Ki-" His anger faded as he saw the giggling purple cat enter the door. "Grape!" He gleefully shouted as he leaped from the staircase onto the ground.
His cheerful expression simply brimming with ecstasy. She snickered lightly. "So, what are you working on?" She seemed a bit worried. She thought his initial cat fetish faded away after all his years here.
He turns to the reformed lump clay. "You still remember Fiddler and Keys, right?"
"Of course, I was at their wedding." Recognition dawned upon her as she watched the all too familiar faces of the pair as well as their collars. Fiddler and her violin and Keys with his, well, keys. He marked it down to detail with their musical notes at the bast of the collars.
"Well, next month is their anniversary, and I'm fixing this up as a gift." He stands proudly as he faces the result of his many sleepless nights.
"He doesn't know?" She thought as her ears drooped. "But their leaving next week to get a head start on their celebration."
A half smile pulled his cheek. "That's why I'm doing it down here instead of my studio upstairs."
He seemed happy, so was she. "You sure Peanut would agree with you working in the theater?" Hinting a threat in her voice.
"Nope, which is why I'm doing it while he's gone." His childish grin grew back. Mischief in his tone.
"Hmhm. Sneaky dog you are." She ruffled his hair. "So what about this masterpiece he'd been working on?"
"Oh, that? Well, I do know he left to Toronto to get something for it but that's all he mentioned." His smile faded.
"Have you seen any of it yet?" Her curiosity engulfed her.
He sighed. "No, luck. I haven't seen it."
Her eyes widened "Really? But I saw the drape, the thing was nearly two stories tall!"
"I know, which is why I'm so stumped. I don't know how he managed to hide it." He sat at the folding staircase with his chin buried in his palm.
"Why don't we double check?" She planted a hand on his shoulder.
He got up, giving her an consenting face. "Look, I'm his colleague and you're his best friend, and he hasn't gone as far as mentioning the title to either of us. We're just gonna have to wait till he's done."
She sighed in defeat, "I guess you're right." Sitting herself in the staircase step.
The doors opened and two ferrets emerged with urban clothing. One was female with a light shade of brown for her head. Her chest down was a darker, yet still light shade of brown and her limbs, as well as her tail, were given a slightly darker color then the chest. She was wearing a red sleeveless tank top with a pink sleeveless jacket along with pair of cargo shorts, and crimson beret. The other ferret, whose arm she promptly wrapped herself around, was dark brown in color with light brown on his scalp and muzzle.
"Hey, Lana, Keene, what's the occasion?" Joey spoke out with his positive vibe resonating once more.
"Just dropping by, Joey." Keene said. He looks to the familiar cat next to him. "Grape, was it?"
"Yeah, I'm surprised you knew my name." They shook hands. "Are any of the other ferrets with you?"
Lana loosened her grip to straighten her back and made eye contact. "We actually came here with Rock. He's down at Edisco doing some research." She remembers the light grey ferret. Their color patterns were so unique it fascinated her.
"We may have a lot of money and tons of stuff but we don't have the Archives." He gave off an air of business in his words. "In fact, we've been trying to buy it off."
Joey lightly chuckled. "I'm sorry, guys, but the Archives are Peanut's, all that was of Saint Lambert Academy, and you know how much he loves that place. You're gonna have to ask him, but I doubt he'll give it up. Besides, you can just come here whenever you want."
"That wouldn't be as convenient for Rock." Lana said.
Grape arose from her seat and headed to the dog. "Hey, Joey, I'm gonna get going." She turns to the ferrets. "It was nice meeting you again."
"You too." Lana said as Keene simply smiled.
Grape left the building. The disappointment she carried since she entered the block drifted away as she resisted. She focused on Shaun, she wanted to help her son.
THE STORY HAS CONTINUED IN ANOTHER POST ON THIS FORUM. I seem to have exceeded the 60,000 characters limit.