The mass slowly started to stir, “what? What’s going on?” As he looked up he could see the Pomeranian staring intently at him, “what do you want?”
“You need to get ready, you have very important visitors coming, and you still smell of popcorn and butter.” With that Tarot pushed him out of the bed and to the bathroom, “I’ll tell you everything once you’re done washing up.”
He let out a sigh as he stepped into the shower, the water felt nice as is cascaded its way down. He was grateful he had somewhere to stay but waking up early was definitely one of the things he didn’t like. He went about washing himself still half asleep, his mind beginning to wander as he could feel a strange sensation wash over his body. The shower didn’t last long as he finally got out all the butter and popcorn smell and soon enough he was out and ready to dry. What surprised him though was that he shook himself dry rather than use a towel, that was something he hadn’t done that in a long time. Yawning he just shrugged it off, probably just a lapse back into old habits. The day was so far starting off on the right foot and everything was going to be great, that was at least until he looked in the mirror. There he saw himself, but not the self he had grown used to and accepted. Instead his former self the dog everyone hated was there staring back at him. His heart was immediately racing and he looked himself over, any fogginess he had was now instantly cleared. “TAROT!”
“So you know then I presume Bino?” The Pomeranian was standing at the door as Bino continued to panic.
“Why am I a dog? My time isn’t up yet! I don’t want to be a dog, change me back… please…” His voice started to trail off, it was as if his world came crashing down. He was finally happy and it was all being taken from him in an instant.
Before he could panic any further Tarot sat him on his bed and gave him a small smile, “relax Bino this is only temporary. You only have a few hours like this, but that should be enough time for what I have set up for today, then if it is truly your choice you will become a cat once more but permanently this time. You just have to be sure that it is what you want.” Before he could respond there was knocking at the door and Tarot was instantly off, “let’s go Bino, they’re here.”
“Who are they?” As he followed Bino was rather confused, as far as he was concerned there was only one person he wanted to see, and that was his brother Fido. Tarot was already off answering the door as he made himself comfortable on one of the cushions. His comfort didn’t last long as Tarot returned with her guests. Following close behind the Pomeranian was her ex Peanut and his new girlfriend Grape. “Peanut? W… what are you doing here?” Bino was more nervous as he looked to the lavender cat, he was more than certain she’d like nothing more than to rip his insides out for what he did.
Peanut was smiling as he normally did, and there was a slight wag in his tail as he looked to Bino, “Tarot invited us here, she said that you wanted to see me.”
Tarot nodded as she sat next to Bino, “I’d say an apology was in order before you leave for good Bino.”
“An apology? You think you can just apologize for what you did? You almost KILLED him!” The hate in her eyes was apparent as Grape walked closer to the dog, “You hurt my Peanut and you just want to apologize?”
Before the other two could react Grape managed to slash one deep cut diagonally across Bino’s eye, leaving a crimson trail flowing down his cheek. “Grape!” Peanut was quickly by her side pulling her away, “why did you do that?”
Bino was already wiping away the blood as Tarot brought him a cloth, “I deserved it… I am sorry for what I did Peanut, but because of reactions like that… it’s why I can’t stay… you two may never forgive me for what I did and I don't blame you but I have to apologize anyhow.”
What surprised everyone was when Peanut carefully sat down and hugged Bino, “I’ve already forgiven you Bino, if it wasn’t for you Grape and I wouldn’t be together.” The cats glare softened as he looked to her with a smile, “I’m still recovering from the incident,” he laughed a bit as he signaled to his still casted leg, “but I couldn’t be happier and it’s all thanks to you.” Peanut’s tail was wagging as he hugged Bino once more.
A small smile could be seen on Bino’s face through the cloth he was still holding to his eye, “thank you Peanut, I appreciate it.”
Grape still had her arms crossed as she watched the two, "personally I still hate you, but if Peanut can forgive you then I guess I'll have to as well..." She gave Bino a good hard punch to the arm before heading off with Tarot.
The two dogs talked for a while before Tarot had to come back and cut in, “I’m sorry Peanut but Bino still has someone else to see, but I’m sure he appreciates your visit. Thank you for coming.”
Giving their last good-byes Grape helped Peanut up and they headed out. By now Bino’s cut had stopped bleeding but it would probably leave a scar. Tarot was busy making sure the cut wouldn’t get infected as someone started to knock at the door once again.
Again Tarot was up and off to answer the door, “Bino?” Fido was the first to appear and instantly went to hug his brother as Sabrina and Tarot came in, “hey, how are you doing? You’re back early!” Looking at his brother Fido finally noticed the scratch on his face, “what happened?”
“It’s just a scratch don’t worry about it,” Bino felt his heart drop as he tried to think about how to answer the other question, “About me being here… there is a reason…” He was smiling slightly as he looked up to Sabrina holding Trinity gingerly in her arms. “I… needed to talk to you…”
Bino didn’t have to finish for Fido to understand, but his ears still fell as he realized what his brother was going to say, “You came to say good bye then?”
Bino nodded as he hugged his brother tighter than before, tears started to form as he clung to Fido, “I’m sorry, I just can’t stay… I'm sorry I could hold up my promise to you, but it’s not like anyone wants me back anyhow.”
Fido pulled away and stared at the other dog, “I want you back, you know that.”
Bino’s ears fell as he looked to the floor, “it’s still the minority, the majority will never accept me back and I can’t force them to, nobody can and now I don’t want to force them. I’ve forced too many into too much as it is, I need to start over…” As he looked up to Fido it was obvious he was hurt by losing his brother, “just promise me one thing and I’ll promise you one more thing alright?”
Again Fido pulled the smaller dog into a hug, “anything Bino!”
As he wiped away a few tears Bino looked to the black cat standing nearby, “don’t tell her about me alright? I think it’ll be best if she never knows about me and everything I did.” He didn’t have to look back to his brother to know he was about to object, Bino knew his brother well enough to know that, “it’s what I want, please just don’t tell her.” As Fido simply nodded Bino continued, “I also wanted to promise that I will be happy, you won’t have to worry about me. I know what I’m doing and everything will be alright. Ok?”
“I don’t like this, and I know you know that… but I trust you Bino, I always have. If you say everything will be alright I’ll believe you.” Fido flashed him a small smile as he ruffled Bino’s head fur, “You’re my brother Bino and I love you, so don’t be afraid to come back if you ever change your mind alright?”
“Don’t hold your breath for a return but it’s still good to know...” Standing up Bino managed a smile as he gave his brother a light punch to the shoulder, “even if you’re some glorified glory sponge.”
The two shared a small laugh as Tarot approached the two, “sorry Fido but Bino doesn’t have much time left, I was only able to get him here for so long…”
The Pomeranian let out a squeak as she was hugged by the bigger dog, followed shortly by the smaller one, “thank you for this Tarot. It means a lot to us.”
Both Fido and Bino started to shed tears again as they finally gave what would be their final good bye. Fido flashed a small smile before turning to leave, but Sabrina lingered for a small time before approaching Bino with a small smile, “see you around Thoth,” Giving him a quick hug she turned and followed where Fido had left.
Bino’s eyes were like saucers now, “she knows? How?”
“You really don’t know Bino?” Tarot’s eyebrow was raised as she crossed her arms, “she is a psychic in training you know.” Taking a moment she let it sink in before taking Bino back to the room, “so you ready to officially leave Bino behind for good?”
Bino sighed as he nodded his head, “it’s time to move on…” He had his eyes closed as the familiar green glow started to surround him. As the change finally ended Thoth stood there looking himself over before closing his eyes once more, Bino was gone never to return… but he was happy, and he promised Fido that that was how he planned on staying.
Small little wrap up, and Bino is officially gone... Thoth is there to stay! So yeah now that this is done all I have to do is start wrapping everything up in total which shouldn't take too long, I'll probably have one more update before I jump ahead quite a bit and wrap up everything that is still needed to be done. Like the villian explanation! OOOOHHHHH, that'll be a goodin!
I'll try to work a bit on it while away but can't guarantee much. Though I'll make it up to ya'll after I get back with next Fridays update being the one focused on the double date between Grapenut and Follegra.
) If anyone wants, I can post it.