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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 20, 2008 1:36:53 GMT -5
Quiet. It's gotten REALLY quiet. Normally, this wouldn't bother the carrit, but... for some strange reason, she'd found the awkward comments of the hedgemink leading her to his home... almost endearing, even if they struck a nerve once or twice. Of course, the silence was bothering her less than the fact it left her alone with her thoughts. "... Um. Not that I mean to offend or anything, but, er, you are a stray, right?" He'd asked, and from his expression, he'd really meant no harm in the question. That didn't mean the question didn't catch her off guard, though. It... should've been OBVIOUS, right?
Before she could stop herself, she's tugged self-consciously at her collar, which she'd had to do some inventive maintenance of to allow her to keep wearing it.
"...Not by choice..." She'd mumbled, more to herself, before she realized she'd spoken out loud. Unbidden, she recalled the day Rachel... HER Rachel gave it to her.
The overlander girl had been... Ten, yes. Patches' old collar from the shelter didn't fit anymore, so the family had gone and gotten her a NEW one, that would fit her for several years-
With a shake of her head, Patches cleared the unwanted memory from her mind, and tried vainly to cover her earlier comment.
"Yeah... I am. I just... still have my collar." For sentimental reasons... She told herself.
Not because some small, stupid, still trusting part of me hopes one day Rachel'll just come out of the blue and take me back home!But... she DID hope for that, didn't she? That one day Rachel would come and find her, and bring her back in off the streets, saying it had all been a horrible mistake, a misunderstanding... And Patches wouldn't be able to accept it. She knew that. She'd been hurt deeper than anyone would realize by being abandoned, and she was no where NEAR ready to trust an overlander to more than giving her a little something to eat. So, lost in thought, she walked just as quietly as Venice, trailing behind him almost like a ghost, for as much sound as she made.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 20, 2008 2:36:34 GMT -5
The hedgemink leading meandered along through the back streets of the upper classed neighborhood. Neither he, nor his owner, Silvia, were very interested in him being seen after his loss against his 'battle' with a dumpster, and so he had chosen the route to hopefully avoid that. His arms tucked into the small of his back, he mind wandered over to his unexpected companion. He was probably going out of his way for such a minor offense as simply stepping on her tail by accident, but it hardly mattered to him. He always felt bad for those who were less fortunate than him, and some innate sense of good will he had drove him. Without warning he suddenly halted in his tracks, turning to look at Patches. "Oh hey, we're here."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 20, 2008 2:48:08 GMT -5
"Huh? We are?" Patches, unfortunately, didn't even realize Venice had stopped, so looked up just in time to see the hedgemink RIGHT there. With a startled yelp, it looked like she was going to crash into him. "Look ou-"
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 20, 2008 3:10:22 GMT -5
Before Venice had time to realize what was happening the ground swooped up beneath him. With a startled gasp he felt the hard surface thump the back of his head, and then he looked down in surprise to see Patches laying there in his arms. His cheeks were immediately stained. "Ah!" he shouted, trying to help both of them back up. "A-are you okay?!"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 20, 2008 3:15:49 GMT -5
There was no answer from Patches... she was dead quiet, and had gone rigid in Venice's arms. She was no stranger to physical contact, but... this was a bit more than, say, a hand on the shoulder. And she just wasn't mentally equipped anymore for interpreting that sort of thing properly. So she didn't really help get to her feet, instead just nodding mutely in answer, then pulling away once she could. No hostility in the action, just... instinctive freeing of herself. At least, that's what she was telling herself. " I'm fine, really."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 21, 2008 8:07:07 GMT -5
Seeing no need to press the issue further, the mink hybrid nodded and pulled himself up, then lowered his hand to her in offering.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 21, 2008 16:50:01 GMT -5
Patches glances at Venice's hand, and after what seemed like some SERIOUS thought, took it, accepting his help in getting back to her feet. It wasn't HIS fault they fell. ... Mostly. After all, she was the one fixating on the past today. ... And getting herself lost in it, it seemed.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 21, 2008 18:46:43 GMT -5
"Well anyway," Venice said one they were both back on their feet, "This is my home." He motioned to the mansion across the street from where they stood, and without further elaboration he began to cross toward it.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 21, 2008 18:51:05 GMT -5
Cue the stare. She hadn't even realized what part of Eden they'd walked into, and now she was finding out Venice apparently lived in the best part of it. She should've realized when she saw those gems on his gloves that he was pretty well off... "..." But without a word, the carrit was following Venice across the street.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 29, 2008 2:14:05 GMT -5
Telekinetically swinging the gate open, Venice lead his companion through the garden beyond. As they reached the porch the hedgemink did the same for the front door, glancing around at the greeting area beyond for any signs of life as he stepped inside.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 29, 2008 5:40:27 GMT -5
Almost as the mink stepped through the door, a man, dressed in a fine suit, seemed to just... BE there. "Hello, Venice. You're home early." The man said, before turning an unimpressed eye on the carrit who was following Venice. "Who, might I ask, is your... friend? After a moment's instinctive pause, Patches started to offer her hand, then stopped. "Uhm... the name's Patches. ... Who're you?"
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 29, 2008 5:45:08 GMT -5
"Hi Mr. Tanaka," Venice nodded to the taller man. "This is my friend Patches, we sort of... had an accident down at the theater," he motioned sheepishly to the gunk on him. "We're just gonna get washed up and grab something to eat before we head back out, okay?"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 29, 2008 17:59:38 GMT -5
Mr. Tanaka, as Venice had identified him, nodded, taking another, longer glance at Patches, taking in her filthy fur, pale eye, and worn collar. "... Do try to keep the mess to a minimum, Venice." The butler's eyes, however, didn't leave Patches as he spoke, until he turned and walked away, to take care of whatever business he usually tended to while Miss Corona was away. After a quiet moment from Patches, she turned to Venice. "Who was THAT guy?" She hadn't liked the way he was looking at her, although it was understandable, considering how she must look, her fur all mussed up and filthy.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 29, 2008 20:17:38 GMT -5
"Oh, that's just our butler. Don't mind him, he's always kinda like that." Venice spoke, waving off Tanaka's behavior with a hand, then turned and began walking. "Let's head upstairs. He's less likely to bug us in my room. I'll have one of the servants bring us something,"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 29, 2008 21:25:33 GMT -5
It was a few minutes later that the got food brought up to them... food which Patches tore into with a zeal that proved she definitely didn't get nearly that much usually. Almost purring after cleaning off her plate, Patches sat back, closing her eyes for a moment. She hadn't eaten that well for a while, so dammit, she was gonna enjoy it!
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 29, 2008 22:16:20 GMT -5
The hedgemink stared rather blankly at her, his mouth parted slightly in an expression of surprise. In a somewhat reflexive gesture Venice, slowly, began pushing his plate toward her. "Uh... here. You can have mine too if you like..."
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 30, 2008 0:46:40 GMT -5
Patches eyed the plate being offered for a moment, then in a sudden movement had swiped it from him, and had it in her lap and she almost inhaled the food on it. That done, she sent a sort of half-smile Venice's direction. "Thanks, Ven. ... you sure you weren't hungry, though?"
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 30, 2008 22:51:05 GMT -5
Venice shook his head. "Nah, that's okay. I guess this means you'll be heading off then though, right?"
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 30, 2008 23:12:25 GMT -5
Patches started to nod as she stood up, but then looked down at herself. She probably wouldn't get an opportunity like this for a long time... "Actually... could I get cleaned up?" The carrit asked hopefully, ears perking a little as she waited for the hedgemink's answer. "I could really use a bath."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Nov 30, 2008 23:44:47 GMT -5
"Oh, uh, sure," Venice said with slight surprise, also getting up. He still needed a bath himself the entire time. The only reason he hadn't was due to not wanting to leave his guest alone. It was awkward, really.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Nov 30, 2008 23:49:40 GMT -5
The carrit smiled just slighty as she got an affirmative answer, then let out a chuckle as she looked at Venice. "Although, you need one more than I do. Go ahead. I won't be offended, really."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Dec 1, 2008 0:30:36 GMT -5
"Eh, it's... alright," he insisted, tugging at his fur again subconsciously. "You go on ahead. Trust me I take long baths." That said he lead her to his personal grooming chamber.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Dec 1, 2008 16:11:17 GMT -5
The carrit just shrugged to herself as she followed Venice into what amounted to the pet's bathroom.... and stopped. The room was... surprisingly large. In fact, it was HUGE compared to what she'd been raised with.... and then her eyes fell on the tub. "You... you have a jacuzzi?" There was more than a twinge of jealousy in that moment, but it was stamped out by the realization that she was going to be using it. Probably within the next few minutes. Yeah, that took care of the jealousy quite nicely, as a large part of her was VERY much looking forward to this.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Dec 1, 2008 16:34:48 GMT -5
Venice glanced over at his favored spa-quality jacuzzi. Sure, it was large, enough that he could probably fit a couple other people besides himself in it, which he was sure was something the lower classes didn't have, but her reaction to having it at all? "Well, yeah," he answered, giving her a quizzical look. "That's not really that unusual is it?" Oh, the poor naive little hedgemink.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Dec 1, 2008 17:23:49 GMT -5
"... ..." Patches just... stared at Venice for a moment. Was he REALLY that naive? That jacuzzi was big enough for her, him, and an friends he felt like inviting! And it was INDOORS. Weren't these things usually tucked away in someone's backyard? "Having one INSIDE is a little odd, yeah!" The carrit began, glancing at the jacuzzi again. But does it really MATTER? It's right there, and he basically said you could use it!"... But y'know what, your owner can afford it." The gave another of her odd, halfsmiles to the hedgemink, before moving to shoo him outside. "And, Venny, while I appreciate you letting me use this, I WON'T appreciate you watching while I do. Out." So Patches proceeded to shoo Venice out of his own bathroom.
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Post by Jamie Lee on Dec 1, 2008 17:33:39 GMT -5
"Huh?" Venice asked, then suddenly blushed. "... Oh. Right," he turned, skittering out of the room quickly.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Dec 1, 2008 18:10:55 GMT -5
Once she was alone, Patches laughed quietly to herself at Venice's reaction, before taking off her collar. Not long after, she was soaking in the jacuzzi, up to JUST under her nose, her eyes closed. This is a good start, but I really should be actually cleaning myself up...So with that thought in mind, she dunked herself under the water. Bath time!
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Post by Jamie Lee on Dec 3, 2008 0:11:42 GMT -5
The mink hybrid continued picking at the gunk stuck all over himself and sighed. Maybe he could get some of it out in one of the spare bathroom sinks or something. Or, he briefly entertained, he could stow away into Silvia's private quarters. Venice shook his head; what in the world had he gotten himself into? He was going to get in so much trouble just for trying to show a bit of kindness! Wandering over to one of his pillows, the hybrid's body began to glow as he levetated himself above it (to keep from getting it gunked up) and idly began to telekinetically juggle a few toy balls of his. A simple parlor trick that always got a wow out of guests, but for Venice, a sign that he was restless. At least Patches seemed nice.
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Post by V for Vizetta on Dec 3, 2008 0:34:27 GMT -5
Speaking of Patches, she had focused herself on scrubbing... a LOT. She was FILTHY, even if the streaks of gray in her fur looked like part of her normal fur color, they WEREN'T. An alley carrit she may have been, but that still meant she was part cat. And she wanted to be CLEAN, thank you. ... Fortunately, wealthy overlanders could afford top quality soap. So instead of the intense difficulty, she expected, she found herself coming clean rather quickly. In fact, it only took her about ten minutes to finish cleaning her fur back to it's original calico pattern... not to mention how it FELT to be clean! Purring to herself as she climbed out of the tub, the carrit grabbed a towel from a nearby rack, and started drying herself off, noting the towels seemed rather... sturdy. Shrugging off this odd bit of trivia, she continues her little ritual, leaving only her hair a bit damp. She would let that air dry. She WAS rather surprised though, to come out and find a set of toy balls floating through the air... and their owner ALSO floating above a pillow. Almost without her notice, and eyebrow hiked slowly, and she walked over to the floating hedgemink almost silently... And whether he noticed her or not, said two simple words. "Bathroom's yours."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Dec 3, 2008 1:00:02 GMT -5
Venice had closed his eyes by this point, resting his chin in his palm boredly as he concentrated on keeping himself aloft. The sudden invasion of his personal space and the unexpected words spoken, however, snapped the hedgemink out of his meditation. With a yelp he toppled onto the floor, the balls he'd been playing with falling one by one on top. "... Ow."
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