#brightdarkness

[brightdarkness-2013]

Chapter 13: The Search

Summary: Jazz searches for Prowl.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Prowl was out. Prowl was gone. I rushed down the stairs and looked over into the next yard. I couldn’t see him. No streaks of white anywhere.

“Prowl! Prowl!”

What the hell was that about? Where was he going? Where did he go? I was starting to feel a bit panicked. Had I done something? I needed to call Blaster. Blaster would know what to do. So I called and waited impatiently for him to pick up.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Prowls gone.”

“Gone? What do you mean gone?”

“I was leaving and he slipped out the door. I don’t know where he went and he won’t come back when I call him.”

“Dude, calm down. He’s a cat. An outdoor cat. I’m sure he just missed being outside. Just give him time. I’m sure he’ll be back by nightfall.”

“But-”

“We’ll worry about it if he’s not back by tomorrow. Ok?”

“... Ok.” I answered after a moment, but I still didn’t feel any better.

Prowl hadn’t wanted to go outside since I had gotten him in. What could have possibly sparked it now? By the end of the day I was antsy and rushing back home to see if he had returned. I scanned our little yard. No cat. I checked around the garage and in the space between the trash bins. No cat.

“Prowl!” I called out into the waning light. “Prowl!”

Nothing answered me. He had to be starving. He hadn’t eaten his breakfast when I started out this morning. Maybe food would draw him back. So up I went. Taking the bowl I headed back and set it down.

“Prowl, dinner!”

I sat on the steps and waited for a long while. The night slowly drew in, but Prowl hadn’t returned. Ever so slowly I willed myself to head back up. The following morning I was back out to find that the food I had left out the night before was untouched and my heart sank. Prowl hadn’t come back. So I was back to calling my friend.

“Blaster. He didn’t come back.”

“Then lets start spreading the word. Call the animal shelter to see if he’s been picked up. Spread his image on social media. Put up posters. Someone’s got to have seen him.”

“Why the hell would he do that? He seemed happy inside.”

“He was a stray. He might have missed the outside and after getting out for the first time in months he may have gotten too far in his excitement and got lost. I’m sure we’ll find him. He couldn’t have gone too far without someone seeing him. A white cat is hard to miss.”

Despite my friends pep talk I didn’t feel much better about it. But I went to work. The shelter was a no, but they said they’d keep an eye out. They said that they reunited people with lost pets all the time. Apparently some people found pets that were obviously not strays and took them in wanting a pet before letting them go again because the pet was whining and crying, wanting to go home. I really hoped that wouldn’t be Prowl. Next was the social media platform and finally printing out tons of posters. And as I sat there staring at one of them I had to wonder what I was going to do if I never found him. I slowly stood and checked outside. The bowl was still untouched. Ants and other insects were beginning to claim it, however. I took it and replaced it before heading back in to sulk a while more.

The posters were set up everywhere. Even in places I was sure he wouldn’t have gone to. If there was a chance that anyone had seen him I didn’t want to miss out. Each day I replaced the untouched food and waited for a call that I was starting to think wouldn’t come. Whenever it rained I always thought about Prowl out in it. He had to be cold and starving. Then I heard a sound outside and I was instantly on my feet. I rushed to the door.

“Prowl?” I called.

My hope drained and anger over took me. That filthy opossum was back. And it had the nerve to eat what I had left out for Prowl.

“Hey! Get out of here! Shoo!” I was down the stairs and chasing it away.

It had eaten half the contents of the bowl. My anger evaporated as a thought came to me. What if Prowl had gotten into another fight with it? What if he was hurt? Or… worse. I shook that thought away. No. No Prowl had to be fine.

Those days had turned into weeks until finally a month rolled around. I had chased away the opossum more than a dozen times. Had checked and reposted about Prowl many more, but I got no responses outside of well wishing. Until finally I got a call. A white cat had been spotted going into an unoccupied houses backyard. I wasted no time in heading toward the location.

The backyard was overgrown and the small fence that had probably looked rather nice in its day was beginning to fall over. There was one little garden shack in the back that had been turned into a fort. Old tarps lay over the windows and the door had long since fallen off due to the force of the winds opening and closing it. I slowly began my trek over too it.

“Prowl?” I called. “You there, Prowl?”

I peered in to see my cat in a decaying wooden box. Random items had been left behind. Books growing mold and old deflated balls. But there was my cat.

“Prowl!” I was stopped in my tracks at the growl. “Prowl?”

I knelt down and reached for him. I recoiled when he hissed.

“Prowl? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

He hadn’t hissed at me since we first met.

“Prowl, it’s me. You know I’m not going to hurt you. It’s ok.”

I held out my hand to him. Maybe it was a scent thing?

“Prowl?”

Hope rose in my chest and I smiled when he slowly left the box.

“Prowl.”

There was a long moment of tense silence before he moved. He pressed his head into my hand and I willingly pet him.

“You really had me worried, Prowl. I was scared that you got into another fight with that opossum and got hurt. Damn thing is back and kept eating what I left out for you.”

I simply pet him a while longer before I risked picking him up and smiled wider when he let me.

“Let’s go home, huh. Prowl?”

I laughed happily when he nuzzled his head into my neck. That had to be a yes.

-----------------------------

I raced through the bushes and over wooden fences. My searches for a new home brought me to a box next to a place where the humans constantly threw out food. The large metal bin had fresh meat and other things in it daily. This brought in rodents as well. It was easy pickings for food, but plenty of others had found this place as well. And I was not too keen on sharing. If everyone came to this spot then soon enough there would be nothing left. So fights were inevitable. I had chased off almost a dozen others before a large beast came by. Forgetting our current battle we fled and watched as it easily lifted it and devoured it all. There were several humans in the loud creature. This was a top tier predator and one that I didn’t want to get involved with.

“I think it’s safe to say that it wins.” One of my previous competition spoke and I didn’t bother responding.

Slowly we all fled the area once we were sure that it was gone. So on I went. My next possible home was filled with potential hiding places. It was pretty large and dry. Safe from the elements. So I rested there that night, only to be chased out the next morning. The humans here did not want me here. I huffed and trotted down the road. They weren’t even using that space. It wasn’t even apart of their den. This was why I hated searching for new homes. It was difficult and areas that seemed uninhabited could quickly reveal themselves to have threats. My previous den had been nice before the beasts moved it. Moving the earth with such ease it was terrifying.

And then I found it. An abandoned den. Spiders and other insects occupied it and the grass was tall, giving me plenty of cover. There were various fabrics around and hanging. Acorns were strewn about from the trees above. Nothing lived here. This would be my new den. No one was going to take it from me. Not even the ground moving beasts. The place was far colder than its den had been, but it was safe and far more than I could ask for. So I scent marked the area and found easy enough prey around it. I defended it, hissing whenever anyone got too close. I hadn’t needed to fight as of yet. My warding off humans with ease had made any potential competitors think twice.

Then one day I was roused by a familiar sound.

“Prowl?”

And there it was. It had followed me all the way here? And it was doing that sound over and over again. I growled. What was it doing here. This was My den. It had its own. I wasn’t sharing. I gave a hiss when it reached toward me. Something… wasn’t right. Why was it saying that sound? Why did it look so upset? There wasn’t any food around. I puzzled over it for a time as it made its sounds. It held its arm out and said the sound again. Prowl. And then something clicked. Human families didn’t split. Was it… trying to call me? I slowly inched out and it smiled.

“Prowl.”

It… was trying to call me. I found myself wanting contact as sorrow filled me. I pressed my head into it and it pet me. It started talking and I let my eyes close. I simply enjoyed the contact. Then it lifted me and I found myself unwilling to fight it.

“Let’s go home, huh, Prowl?”

Prowl… was me. I tucked my head under his chin and got a soft sound and rumble in return. Families that don’t split. Maybe… it wouldn’t be so bad to try that with him.

First

Masterpost

[thefreeblackwomanslibrary]

New moon in Cancer conjure

My heart is a dark, starry night. I aim to show bright.

7.2.2019

[brightdarkness-2013]

Chapter 10: The Move

Summary: Prowl takes a trip to Blasters den.

I had no idea how this was going to work. Prowl did not trust the carrier at all. The cat much preferred the top of the bookshelf over any boxes. Blaster and I were having a bit of a staring contest with the cat. Prowl, without breaking eye contact slid the dragon candle off the bookshelf and onto the floor. Then it sat down and continued to watch us.

“Do you see what I have to deal with now? This cat is getting on my last nerve and he had the guts to try and act cute after attacking someone.”

“He’s a cat. They’re territorial.” He snickered at me.

“Uh. Will you just take him. I can’t have him chase off another guy.”

“Fine, fine. Get the carrier. Get a few toys for the ride and we’ll go.”

“Uh, toys?”

“... You’re kidding right? Please tell me you’re kidding.”

“Uh…” I suddenly had the feeling that I was in danger.

“Jazz. Have you really not gotten him anything to play with?”

I didn’t have a response for that. None that he would like anyway.

“He’s a cat. An animal. It isn’t good for them to Not play. They are active creatures. This is going to shorten his lifespan.”

“How? He seems fine.”

“Animals need to be active like we do. Or they get fat and get illnesses. They can get diseases like we do. Animals can get heart disease, they can get cancer. They can have liver problems. Plenty of problems can stem from them being motionless.”

“In my defense he doesn’t seem too interested in playing. And he occasionally makes a run through the house at different times at night.”

“Because he doesn’t have any toys! What is he supposed to do with all of his excess energy?!”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll get him something.” I tried to quell my friends temper and get the lecture to stop.

“Yeah. This cat is coming with me. We’re going to have so much fun he won’t want to come back.”

“I’m not that bad. Come on, dude.”

“You are a terrible owner. I should have given you a book on pet care and cats or something. This is my fault for letting this go on. Just… go get the carrier. Go.”

Taking the dismissal as it was I went to the closet and brought out the little box. Now was the hard part. Prowl already knew something was up. It took a good half an hour of hisses and scratches before we got him in the freaking box.

“Good luck?” I offered.

“I’m not talking to you right now.” And off went my friend with a box full of angry feline.

--------------------------------

The sibling had come over today and I took that as my cue to go up to my sentry post. The only problem was that the obstructing thing was back. I stared at it, making sure it was watching. They both were. Good. It wasn’t connecting the dots, but the sibling was much smarter so maybe it would explain the situation. I slid off the object and sat in my sentry spot. That would have to do. I’d teach it as many times as necessary, but this was getting a bit ridiculous.

And they were communicating. Maybe it would explain and this wouldn’t be a problem anymore. They chattered for awhile before it suddenly got quiet and it got up. I watched it and my hackles rose when I saw the prison box. They advanced on me and I fought back. Unfortunately their larger size once again bested me. The transport was much shorter this time around and I was quick to notice that this was not the foul smelling place. It smelt like… the sibling. And when the door to my prison opened I was left alone.

I waited there for a long while before I felt comfortable to inch out. This was a den… The siblings den. But something else lived here too. I could hear the sibling interacting with it. Then came the bark. Ah. The sibling had a dog to help it hunt and guard the den. But… why did it want me here? I set out to investigate. I explored the area. Peeking into other areas of the den. This den had obvious signs of many creatures having lived here. Dogs don’t scent mark the area with claw marks and scent glands in their paws. And this warm spot had obvious signs of a cat being here. But… the scent was long gone. It didn’t live here anymore. So off I went.

I trotted into what was obviously the sleeping room, but it was obvious the dog slept here too. There were chewed bones around the den, all of them in various states. And then I discovered the perfect box. Only a small open entrance and it was closed on all sides. Perfectly safe and dark for naps. I moved in slowly. This space was perfect, but then I understood. Its last resident had died… and died here. It was faint. It had happened a while ago and soon the scent would leave forever, but… I withdrew. I’d claim it when the scent fully faded. Protecting a den this large was hard work and if they died in battle then they deserve respect. So when the scent and spirit had finally gone… then I’d take it. It would be a waste for such a space to be uninhabited. So I took a place on the warm spot. I needn’t protect this den with the dog here to do it, and the sibling was competent. Speaking of the sibling it was going through something now. The large dog as happily watching the sibling.

“Dog.” I called out and it turned, tail still fanning the air. “I want to ask you something.”

It approached and simply waited without a word.

“What happened to the last resident that was here?”

“Huh? What last resident?”

"The cat. There was a cat that lived here at one point.”

“Oh. He was old when I got here. He died a while ago.”

“How?”

“I dunno. He just got sick one day and never got better. I liked him a lot. We used to play together. I miss him. He misses him too. We were a family. Are you going to stay here? Will you play with me?”

There was that word again. Family. Families split apart when the kits got old enough. Then you never saw each other again. If they were a family and it wasn’t a guard for it then why were they still living together? The dog was old enough and strong and the sibling could hunt and was healthy as well. It didn’t make any sense.

“No. I have to return to the den I currently share with another. It needs all the help it can get. So once your charge gets what it needs from me I’m going to go back.”

“Aw. But we can play while you’re here right?”

“I don’t have time to play fight with you right now. I need to figure some things out. Now explain to me why you’re still here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Families split apart when pups and kits get old enough. So why are you here?”

“Oh. Human families don’t really do that. They stay together for a long time and sometimes they don’t split at all.”

Humans. Now I had a name for the species that it was.“... Like the cat that died here?”

“Yep.”

Strange.

“Alright, kitty cat. Lets see what you like.”

We looked up when the sibling came out. It held various items.

It took me some time to figure out what it wanted, but soon enough I understood that it wanted me to train. It wanted me to practice hunting with these things. So I chased the round noisemakers and killed and rekilled the fake squeaking mouse. And I was rewarded with a glorious meal. While the dog hadn’t done quite as well it was rewarded just as sweetly. It had spent most of its time running around and bringing things back. It was after my meal that I understood why I was brought here. It was to catch and kill That.

It was quick and obviously too agile for the dog. The red creature had no scent and made no sound, but it was quick and had no problem climbing the walls and clinging to the ceiling. It was quite the daunting foe. I had chased it for hours. Whenever it seemed that I had caught it, it had somehow slipped away. The sibling was watching from his perch on the warm spot. It had to be afraid of it, that was why I was here. I couldn’t let it down. So I chased and pounced until it finally disappeared. That hunt was exhausting, but satisfying.

Next

First

Masterpost

[brightdarkness-2013]

Chapter 12: The Escape

Summary: Prowl escapes.

This was a mistake. It was a horrible mistake to do this on my own. There were so many brushes in this pet store. There were so many that it was ridiculous. There were ones that were longer. Ones that had wire bristles, and I had no clue how that could be comfortable. Others with bristles that looked like they would be better for brushing a horse. Ones with rubber bristles. Ones that were double sided. Others that were far more expensive than others. That had to make it better? Right? I had no clue what I was supposed to get. I mean there were cat combs for pete’s sake. Why couldn’t this be more simple? Like one brush for short haired cats and one for long haired or something? This had to be going over the top. So I did the only logical thing that I could do. I took out my phone and called Blaster.

“Yeah?”

“Uh… Are you busy?”

“Not at the moment. What’s up?”

“So… I’m at the pet store and there are like hundreds of brushes and combs here. What am I supposed to get?”

“... Are you serious? Of course you are. How much does he shed?”

“What?”

“How much does Prowl shed on a regular basis? Is there enough fur to fill up half the vacuum cleaners bag in a week? Does fur come off in your hand when you pet him?”

“Uh…”

“Cause if he sheds a lot then you might want one of the ones that are specifically made to help with that.”

“He doesn’t shed too much I guess?”

“Just get him a standard brush and see if it does the job. If not then I’ll come see and we’ll go out together.” Blaster sighed. At this point I was sure he was fed up with me.

“Steeljaw had short fur. What did you get him?”

“I had two. One was a type of boar bristle brush that I just used to keep his top coat nice and soft. It was more for him then for getting much fur out. Then there was a wire one with plastic ends to help with his shedding. You know you can just ask whoevers there. They work in a petstore. I’m sure they get these questions all the time.”

“I think I got it. I’ll just pick one that doesn’t look like it would be painful and see if it works. Thanks, Blaster. Bye.”

“Ar-”

I hung up and went about scanning them. I decided on a rounder brush with plain plastic bristles. Then I was off in search of toys and I was stuck again. This was a nightmare. I was quick to call Blaster back.

“What now?”

“What did you say Prowl preferred again? For toys?”

My friend sighed.

With that done I was back home. I met Prowls gaze.

“Hey, Prowl.”

Then I was off to ‘unboxing’ the stuff and putting away his cat food. There were different flavors at that store that I thought that he might like. It had to be boring eating the same two flavors of soft food all the time. I heard a meow behind me as I was putting it away. He must’ve thought that it was feeding time since I had opened the cabinet. I suppose that he could have it a bit early today. That wouldn’t do any harm. So I opened one of the new cans and dumped it onto a paper plate.

“Here you go. Try that and we’ll see if you like it.”

I smiled when he ate if after a moment of sniffing. Good. He liked it. After freeing the brush and the few toys from their packaging I went to go and relax for a while until it was time to sleep.

I had thought that things were going well. Prowl was healthy and appeared happy, he had even slept with me last night, which he hadn’t done since that night I came home drunk, but as I went out for work as I usually did Prowl slipped out the door.

“Prowl!”

I called after him as he went down the stairs and disappeared over the fence.

-------------------------------------

It had gone out of the den again today. More hunting. It had been doing that more as of late. And it was coming back with catches more and more often. It was finally learning. It was finally becoming self sufficient. Though it was still a bit clumsy at times, it was doing much better. Very well in fact. It could take care of itself now. It didn’t need me anymore. And that meant it was about time that I moved on and found myself a new home like I had planned all those months ago. But maybe I could just stay here for one more night. I had to say goodbye to it after all and make sure everything was ok and safe for it.

I looked up when it came in. More shocky carriers. That meant that it had, had another successful hunt.

“Hey, Prowl.” It greeted as it went to the food storage area.

So it had been a successful hunt if it was talking about food. It really had grown and I felt a spark of pride. I jumped off my perch and followed it into the area.

“Well done.” I praised.

Even though it wasn’t time to eat it gave me a portion of whatever it had. It really must have been a very good hunt. I scented it. This… smelled like bird rather than fish. It was catching birds now. It really had come a long way. I was content to share in its victory and feasted. It was always a good feeling to take down a bird. They were superior prey compared to those stuck on the ground. After the victory meal I was off to find it. I paused and looked at the new items on the floor next to the scent marking and clawsharpeing pole. These were similar to the items that the sibling had me use for training. It was practicing its hunting now. It understood…

It... really didn’t need me anymore.

I watched it move about the den before it was off to sleep. I hesitantly followed and watched it settle. This would be our last night together. I took a moment more before I jumped up and settled at its back. It pet along my back a couple of times before it settled again. My sleep was restless and I spent most of my time just staring out at the night sky. That morning as it went out to hunt I slipped out with it.

“Prowl!”

I felt a spark of sorrow. It would understand that I wasn’t helping it hunt for food soon enough.

Next

First

Masterpost

[brightdarkness-2013]

Chapter 6: Learning

Summary: Jazz learns things and tries to teach Prowl his name.

The first thing that I discovered as a new pet owner was that cats did not like any sudden loud noises and that included guitar solos when my neighbors were gone at around one pm. The second thing I learned was that Prowl specifically did not like loud guitar solos. The first time he had hidden and the second time he had attacked my guitar. Or maybe it was me. It was kind of difficult to tell with how quickly that had ended. Me lifting my treasure up so he couldn’t damage it. So when I played it was either outside in the garage or played at a very low volume like I was trying not to wake the neighbors downstairs.

Third on that list was that at seemingly random times Prowl would attack me. I wasn’t sure if he was angry because I had trapped him inside or if this was about the vet thing. Either way he would seemingly come out of nowhere and bite at my leg or jump on my stomach. Then he would walk right off like nothing had happened. So now I was paranoid whenever I hadn’t seen him for too long a time. Blaster had never told me that owning a cat would be so stressful. Then there was the fact that for the life of me I couldn’t get him to learn his name. My complaints to Blaster, a pet lover and expert, apparently, had resulted in him snickering at my struggles. That resulted in another visit and this time I had different flavors of pizza pockets just for him as a thank you.

“So, lets see Prowl. Where is he?” Was the first thing he said when he came in.

“I don’t know. He’s probably skulking around and ready to attack again. I’m telling you he hates me. Maybe you should take him. You’re better with animals.”

“Can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Raindance is a happy go lucky retriever, yeah, but bringing him into the house now might do more harm than good. Cats don’t do well with change in the first place, but a hurt cat? I don’t think so. If you still don’t want him after he’s better I could try to take him.”

“Ok, whatever. I have a variety of flavors of pizza pockets this time and you can have your choice of them if you figure out this cat and why he keeps attacking me.”

Blaster scoffed at me, but the moment we moved toward the couch out came the demon cat. I gave him a look as Prowl bit his leg. Blaster however just let it happen and then reached down and flipped the cat over. Said cat bit and kicked at his hand and wrist.

“Ow. You beast. At least we know you’re feeling better now.” He chuckled before pulling back.

Prowl walked off as usual.

“What was that?”

“He’s trying to play with you, dumbass. You know? Trying to bond? Now lets see that selection. I deserve it, I think.”

“Fine, go.”

“Yessss.”

And off went my friend to raid my fridge again.

“Ok I have more questions though.”

“Fire away.”

“I can’t for the life of me get him to learn his name. How do you do that?”

“Call his name when you feed him. Try talking to him instead of just trying to call him. He’ll get that you’re trying to talk to him if you do it enough. You got to look at him when you say his name or talk to him too or he’s not going to get that you’re talking to him. We talk a lot on the phone and to ourselves.”

“Ok. By the by, he’s not into the scratching post.”

“Give it time. Wait for Steels scent to leave it. He might take interest then. If not there’s sprays to make it seem more interesting.”

With my questions answered for the time being we watched terrible TV and ate. The strange thing was that Prowl had decided to rub up against Blaster. Blaster just pet him absentmindedly.

“I like this cat. I think I’m gonna come over more.”

Of course. I'd at least have a back up close at hand when it came to this cat. Soon enough Blaster took his leave and I breathed a sigh. Checking the clock I decided that it was about time to feed Prowl. Time to get this cat to learn its name. Mission start and all that. I filled his bowl and set it down.

“Prowl!”

Nothing happened so I peeked out at him.

“Prowl, come here.”

Still nothing, but he was looking at me now. Well it wasn’t going to click right away. So breathed a sigh and left it at that for the night. I worked on getting him to understand what his name was daily. But it didn’t seem to be working. Then one night as I was feeding it something unexpected happened.

“Prowl.” I called and it looked at me right away. “Prowl?”

Was he getting it?

“Prowl.” I tried again and I froze when it jumped down from the bookcase and started toward me. It looked up at me. Then it meowed and I smiled. Finally. We were getting somewhere. I took the bowl off the counter and he started eating.

---------------------

Living with it was very difficult. It went out hunting at weird hours and came back empty handed everytime. Anytime I attempted to teach it anything it wouldn’t even try. It was far too lax for a hunter so training had to happen in a safe environment. So I ambushed it from time to time. Moving in and giving a soft bite before retreating disappointed that it didn’t seem to be learning. However attacks didn’t always come from the ground. Crows and other birds often tried to steal your meal away. So I jumped down on it sometimes too. It had only successfully seen me coming three times now. I felt a bit of pride at that. It was learning. Unfortunately that didn’t seem to be enough to help it even scavenge for anything.

Then there was that weird thing that it had. The noise maker. It was so loud that anything could pinpoint our location and take away its den. It was just one problem after another with it. All it had taken was one scolding though and now it did its noisemaking away from the den or much quieter. The latest mystery though was this repeated sound it did. It didn’t make much sense for it to repeat a sound so much. It had never done that before, so why start now. It had to mean something. I just had to put the pieces together and figure it out.

A few days later the sibling came over, giving me the chance to train it and thank it. For without its help it would be starving and I would be struggling. However there was one problem. With its tendency to give away food it was endangering itself. So I’d have to mark it. I was a well known threat in enough areas so if I scent marked it that could keep thieves away. But first to test its reflexes. I had to make sure it could defend itself. I readied myself as they communicated as usual. Then as they stepped further into the den I struck.

My strike hit just as usual, but instead of recoiling like it had this one fought back. It was using its superior size and strength against me.

“Ow. You beast. At least we know you’re feeling better now.”

We sparred for a moment more before it retreated. Good. This one could defend itself just fine. That was one more weight off of my back. I left to watch over them as per usual. They were loud together after all and even if its sibling was capable I had to make sure nothing snuck up on them. When they sat I set about scenting the sibling. Marking him. No one would dare steal from him now. Then once I decided that he was thoroughly marked I returned to my spot on the shelf to watch. They interacted for a while before the sibling left again. It got up and went back to the cold floored room which I was quickly understanding as where they stored their food. The soft jingle of food before he said that strange sound again.

“Prowl!” How strange. It was looking at me now. “Prowl, come here.”

Then it seemed to give up and returned to its sleeping space. There was something I wasn’t understanding. I had to figure this out. For days it said the strange word. It always looked at me when it said it. And then one day it clicked.

“Prowl.”

I looked up. Not wanting to miss anything that had to do with the strange sound. Prowl...

“Prowl?”

I looked at it. Trying to piece it together. It said that word when it looked at me so it wanted something. I looked at it a moment longer and then I got it.

“Prowl.”

I jumped down and headed forward. So that’s what it meant. Now to just confirm it. I looked up at it.

“I think I get it now.”

It smiled at me. So I was correct. That was one mystery solved. It gave me my dinner and I ate happily.

Prowl meant food.

Next

First

Masterpost

[brightdarkness-2013]

Chapter 35: More!

Summary: Jazz screams, curses, and just throws a tantrum.

The first thing I did when I got in my car was scream. Then when I got home I screamed again. Loud. Pissed and without a care for anyone within range. My parents had done some really messed up and manipulative things, but This. This takes the cake by a landslide, eats it, and spits it out in my face. I had never hated them more than I did now. I had never hated Anyone this much in my life. This must be what all of their ‘partners’ felt like. The ones they screwed out of their business and or all of their money. Hatred. Defeated. Just plain out stupid. Of course they wouldn’t keep their end of the bargain. Of course they would screw me over. Of course they would go and do this to their kid without even a hint of remorse.

“Fuckin- Damn leeches!”

I flipped the cheap tv tray over and then knocked over a chair in my frustrated rant as I made my way to the couch. I promptly fell onto it and screamed into one of the pillows. My screaming was cutting through the music that was playing from Blasters room. I was sure it looked like I was throwing a tantrum- no I was totally throwing a tantrum like a three year old, but I honestly couldn’t care less. I just screamed my lungs out with curses and just plain screaming in an attempt to free myself of the frustration and pain I felt. I shouldn’t have expected anything less. Not even for me. Their own kid.

“That bad, huh? Want to talk about it?”

“Those fucking sorry excuses that I call my parents-”

“Can’t understand you when your face first into a pillow.”

I knocked the pillow off the couch instead of getting up, but Blaster didn’t make a comment on it. The sound of rock music playing in the background was actually nice given what I had been forced to listen to tonight.

“Those sorry excuses that I call my parents ripped me off! I mean I should have expected it! I mean I’m not their kid or anything, right?! Of course they were going to screw me over! Fuck them! Fuck everything! I have never hated anyone more than I hate them right now!”

“Wait they screwed you over? How bad are we talking here?”

I just shoved the thin folder into his hands before I went back to screaming and cursing. I was going to be hurting by the time I was done. My voice was going to be gone. No doubt about it. Then I kicked the pillow at my feet off the couch just because I could. Blaster again didn’t make a comment on it and just opened the folder. There was silence besides the steady thrum of music coming from Blasters room. I couldn’t really make out any words through the closed door.

“This is it?” Blaster finally spoke with some slight disbelief in his tone that made me want to scream again.

“Yes. That is It!”

“But I thought- oh shit.”

“Yeah! They have more! They just won’t give it to me! They want me to jump for it like a starving dog for their amusement! Those lying bastards want me to do more shit for them! Not only that there are rumors going around about me like you wouldn’t Believe!”

“If this keeps up the information isn’t going to be able to help us by the time we get it.”

“I know! But what am I supposed to do?! I just need Something! Like just the name of who he works for and Bam! We’d be able to go from there! But I doubt they’d just give it to me! Hell it’ll probably be the last thing they give me!”

“I think you should back out.”

“They have something going on too, Blaster! They’re doing something and it has to do with the ocean!”

“Jazz, we can find another way and if they are doing something harmful we’ll deal with it if it becomes a problem.”

“If?! No it’s when! They expect me to believe that they’re funding a Nonprofit organization to Clean the ocean?! I don’t think so!”

There was no way they were doing anything near the ocean that wouldn’t get them more money. Money was all they cared about. They didn’t hoard it like dragons did in fairytales with gold with how they tossed it around like it didn’t matter, but they Never poured any money into anything unless it was going to get them more money in return. And they took shortcuts. They bent rules until they strained, ready to break. If lines were crossed they bribed the authority and in the end got away with it. They were going to cause some real damage and they were going to get away with it.

“It could be for their image. Maybe they did something or got caught doing something and need to get back into the public’s or their partner’s favor?”

“Oh if that happened it would be Big! People would know and the rumors would Fly! No they are up to something and maybe I can’t get to Shane this way, we’ll find something else, but I can figure out what they are doing!”

“Jazz, did you even stop to think that they’re just baiting you? That maybe it is innocent just to get you suspicious?”

“Yes! But then I decided it didn’t matter on the way here and I needed to make sure!”

“You’re letting yourself get dragged into this. You Need to let this go. We’ll figure something out. We have a whole facility of people to help us if things go bad. We’re not the only ones that care. They’re not just going to sit back and let whatever happens happen either.”

“I know, but if I back out now… I don’t want to lose.”

“For the love of… I’m going to bed. There’s pizza in the fridge. I’ll try to talk you out of it again tomorrow when you’re less… This.”

“K. Night, Blaster.”

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Chapter 5: Prowl Gets His Name

Summary: Prowl gets real food and a name. And Mayyyybe Blasters not so bad.

I was a bit confused when a knock sounded on my door the next morning. No one I knew bothered to get up so early as ten am. I and all of my current friends were night owls. So I ended up sneaking around close to the floor to peek through the window to see if it was someone that I wanted to see. If someone saw my shadow then they’d know that I was home for sure, car or no car. Then I’d have to answer it. Upon peeking out I saw that it was Blaster and breathed a sigh.

“Warn me next time. I was paranoid my neighbor was coming to complain or something.” I breathed when I opened the door.

“Whatever, whatever. It’s not like you’d answer your phone if I called you.” He answered, shoving past me and into the house.

“So what do you want.”

“Well my dear friend. I have brought actual cat food.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s less expensive than just feeding him meat for one. Two, you can’t just keep feeding him whatever. Ain’t good for him. Cats have sensitive digestive systems. So here you are. Kitty Kibble and some soft stuff. Steeljaw used to love this flavor. Gravy and beef and in second was tuna and cheese. I got a few other flavors like shrimp so we could figure out what he likes best. All animals are different.”

“Are you serious. You know you didn’t have to-”

“Of course I did. You don’t know anything about animals. You wouldn’t have known where to start with picking good cat food. All you’ve ever had on the brain is music and mischief. Now go get the old scratching post out of the car. I’m gonna feed him.”

“Why me?”

“Because Steeljaws old scratching post is heavy and I’m not going to carry it all the way up here. So go. Make yourself useful. By the way we need to name him!” He shooed me away.

I didn’t bother trying to argue with him. I did owe him for doing all of this for me in the first place. So I went down and got the old post. The old rope that wrapped around it was worn, but still in decent shape for having that huge monster of a cat that was Steeljaw using it once upon a time. When I had finally managed to get the thing in the door I noticed that Blaster had helped himself to something to eat as well.

“You need more variety for pizza pockets.”

“I happen to like that flavor.”

“It’s disgusting.”

“Then why are you eating it?”

“It’s food and it was there. So lets go. Names. I don’t want to keep calling him cat and kitty.”

“Uh, I don’t know. What do you name a cat?”

“Well usually you pick a name that suits the animals personality. Or just a name you like I suppose.”

I took a moment to think. An animal’s personality? I hadn’t really thought about animals having individual personalities before. He was white. Ghost? Too eerie. I hadn’t ever felt afraid of it. Snow? Too gentle. It had fought and almost killed that trash robber of a rat opossum. Maybe going by fur color was a bit too simple. I thought of how it had always come back no matter how many times I had scared it away. How it had been peeking around the side of the garage every night. Always waiting.

“Prowl?”

“Why are you asking me? If you think its good then we’ll call him Prowl. You’ve spent more time with him than I have so I don’t know what he’s like. He’s your cat. Now lets celebrate with a real pizza.”

“You’re still hungry?”

“Of course.”

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Just what was it doing now? Was it trying to practice hunting on its own? It was far too clumsy. I’d have to give it lessons on how to stalk its prey too when I felt better. This was ridiculous. Then its den opened up again and in came the sibling. They were yapping again. Couldn’t they ever be quiet? I gave a soft huff and watched as it left its den leaving me alone with its sibling. Said sibling went into the area with the cold floor and started working on something. I watched him in silence, still a bit wary from our last encounter. Then I smelt it as well as saw it. Ah. Food. It was feeding us again.

“Here kitty maow. I got you some good stuff.”

It set a strange looking food in front of me. I was grateful for not having to move to actually get my own food, but this was one was far too nice. Giving away food so often, it had to be starving itself. I’d have to work on this one too. It’s hunting skills were fine, but this would not do. That’s two creatures I’d have to teach now. That would have to come later though.

For now I had to eat and heal. It smelt fine, but it looked strange. It leaked a strange substance. Was it some creature I hadn’t been able to hunt before? Something too large? Something too far from my territory? I licked at it carefully. Though cold and not freshly caught it was good. Very good. This one was forgiven for its behavior the last time we met. I briefly glanced up when it returned to its den with an odd item. That wasn’t food. Did it seriously go out to hunt and come back with something that Wasn’t food? It really was hopeless. But at least it had the other one for now. I really had my work cut out for me. But so long as I kept getting this to eat then maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

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Chapter 11: Home Coming

Summary: Jazz gets a lecture and Prowl comes home.

I drowsily looked at my phone on the nightstand and begrudgingly decided that it was about time that I got up. So off I went. Rolling out of bed and stretching before I was off to the kitchen. I had already filled the bowl when I realized that Prowl wasn’t there watching me. I glanced around a moment before the fog in my mind began to clear. And then I remembered. Right. Blaster took Prowl. Well he’d bring him back soon enough. So I left it and ate. Going about a routine that felt foreign to me now after having Prowl around for so long. I worked, I played ridiculously loud songs in the house, and watched shitty TV. Though I found myself talking about how stupid people were in those shows to a cat that wasn’t there and looking up before I played like he would come rushing in to scold me.

It was strange going about my day without Prowl there. He was always following me around the apartment when I was doing things and napping when I was stationary. And it was a bit disappointing when I came home and he wasn’t on the bookshelf. Whenever I came back home he would look up and lock eyes with me and the dragon candle would be on the floor again. But not this time. The candle sat in its place untouched and no Prowl waited for me. I caught myself glancing at his bowl when I went about making myself something to eat. And when night rolled around I felt… surprisingly lonely. This had never happened before and I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Having him not here wasn’t as fun as I had thought it would be. I couldn’t help but wonder if Prowl was doing ok over at Blasters.

So the following day I called him. Prowl was due to come home and things were fixed up. Though I was a bit wary of my friend at the moment I wanted my cat back.

“Yeah? Hey. Do you want me to come get Prowl or do you want to just drop him off?”

“We need to talk. We can do it here or there. Your choice.”

“Yeah I’d prefer to do it at your place so that I can escape here.”

So that was that and I was off. I was dreading dealing with whatever mood my friend was in, but once it was over things would be fine. So when I came in and was ambushed by Raindance I spent some time petting and praising him to put off whatever I was going to have to endure. And as I sat on the couch like a child about to get a scolding I refused to meet his gaze.

“So… What’s this about?”

“Prowl.”

“Is he ok?”

“You don’t brush him at all, do you?”

“Well he takes care of his fur himself right? He’s a cat?”

“I fucking knew it.” He sighed and I knew that I had given the wrong answer.

“Ok. We’re going to run through some things about cats. Then I am going to reluctantly, Very reluctantly, let you take Prowl back. Then I’m going to give you some animal care books when I get the chance and hope you figure some things out.”

I did not like where this was going. I had no doubt that he’d quiz me on these supposed books I was supposed to read. So I’d have to read them. “...Ok.”

“You do know that cats can cough up hairballs, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Ok. Good. So where do you think this hair comes from?”

“Uh… Their fur?”

“Good. Now cats, they can’t digest their fur so it tends to just sit in their stomach. It stays there until there’s too much and then they cough it up. There are ways to help with this. First off is brushing the freaking cat.”

“Ok.”

“So get a brush.”

“Ok.”

“Prowl is a short haired cat so he won’t need to be brushed as often as a cat with longer hair.”

“Ok.”

“Now occasionally cats will throw up their dry food.”

“Ok.”

“This is usually because they don’t drink enough water.”

“Ok.”

“If the water dish is right by the food dish then they associate this with the water being tainted by the supposed decay of the food. Wild animals will do this and look for a new water source. House cats can’t do this because they are in a House.”

“Ok.”

“So by moving the water dish to another area and replacing it daily this can help the cat drink more. By giving them their wet food it helps with their water intake as well.”

“Ok.”

“Now we’ve been over this once, but animals are active creatures. They need to run and play.”

“Ok.”

“So you need to get Prowl some toys. It will keep him healthy and playtime is a good way to bond.”

“Ok.”

“Alright. Now tell me. Why do cats cough up hairballs?”

“They can’t digest fur?”

“Good. Now how do you help with this?”

“Uh, brushing and water and wet food?”

“Good. And how do you help a cat drink more?”

“Replace the water every day?”

“And?”

“Uh, keep it away from the food?”

“Good. Now why do animals need to play?”

“Keeps them active and healthy.”

“And what are you going to do?”

“Get him a brush and some toys.” I was pouting like a child at this point, but Blaster didn’t seem to care.

“Good. Now I noticed that he doesn’t have much interest in the balls with bells in them, but he liked the mouse with the electronic squeaker.”

And now he was going on about toys. I really couldn’t wait until he was done. I looked over when Prowl jumped up onto the couch beside me. I felt happiness course through me. He missed me. That happiness fell away and gave way to apprehension and dread when we brought out the carrier. That was another twenty minutes of struggling and clawing, but we were getting better at this. And when I finally opened the carrier in the house, he didn’t hesitate. He was out and looking around the area. He must’ve missed home. My smile fell when he jumped up onto the bookcase and knocked over the candle.

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The sibling was a strange one. Though then again maybe it was just strange. It had made several angry sounds whenever I tried to help it clean its den. This one game me gratitude for scaring away the red creature that it had been so afraid of. It had a strange thing as a replacement for a tongue, but I had to admit that it did a very nice job of grooming. It covered far more area thus cleaning and maintaining more. It also felt rather nice. Having someone else groom me from time to time was a bit nice. It definitely helped relieve some stress. Though I had yet to understand why they talked to themselves so much. Maybe these humans were just a noisy species. Kind of like dogs.

“I bet Jazz hasn’t brushed you at all. I’m going to have to get him a book to read or write him some do’s and dont’s or something. There. Your fur is so much more silky now. Isn’t that nice, Prowl?”

“We just ate.” I huffed and it just did that strange baring of teeth that they did when they were happy. They truly were a strange species. Baring teeth was usually linked to aggression, but it appeared to be the opposite for them. Or maybe teeth weren’t seen a threat for them? I’d have to continue my observations to figure it out. One mystery at a time.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Now then. We just have to figure out what to do with Jazz. You’re training him as well as you can, but we both know he needs far more help. I think he got a hint yesterday, but we’ll see. I’ll probably have to tell him that he needs to brush you and why. I know exactly what he’ll say. ‘But don’t cats take care of themselves?’ and then I’ll have to explain how fur works. Then about hairballs and what not.”

I watched the dog chew and chew on its bone as the sibling talked. It had been chewing on that thing for almost an hour now. After eating it went outside and when it came in it had gone right to chewing. I simply lay and watched until the sibling quit its grooming and stood. Then the dog quit chewing and stood. It did not look happy. It followed the sibling around and then with a pat on the dogs head he was out. Then the dog sat down at the door and whined. I stared at it as it cried. I wasn’t sure how to proceed. Nothing had happened. It just went out to hunt.

“Hey.”

“What?” Came the whine.

“Why are you doing that?”

“Doing what?”

“Crying.”

“He’s gone. I miss him.”

“... I don’t understand.”

“He might never, ever, ever come back.”

“He is an excellent hunter. He will be back. Surely this has occurred before?”

“Yes. Almost everyday.”

“Then why are you upset? Does he come home injured often?”

“No.”

“...”

Humans weren’t the only mysteries. Nothing was wrong so I found myself a place to nap and settled. Then came a long whine. Then a pause. Then another… and another… and another. There would be no rest in here it would seem.

“Dog. I’m going to rest in yours and the siblings sleeping space.”

“Ok…”

It didn’t move from its place. No aggression to my claim. Going into such a place should have been alarming. Like a claim to their den. It really was a pathetic creature. Maybe it was in need of support and wasn’t properly trained to survive? Then again dogs were rarely alone. They had a strange pack system in place. I didn’t understand it, but I knew they didn’t like to be alone. I was going to regret this.

“Dog. You can come with me if you’d like.”

It perked up slightly and as I walked to the area it followed. Its longer stride reaching it sooner than I. It sat on the soft space, obviously still upset, but unwilling to deny any form of comfort. I jumped up and we stayed there for a long while. And then we heard the den open.

“I’m home!”

The dog jumped off and bounded over to the sibling. I followed at a far more leisurely pace. The dog bounced and licked as he was touched and pet.

“I missed you, I missed you! I thought you were never coming back! Please don’t leave again!”

I sighed at the drama. Did they really do this every time? It looked exhausting.

“Alright. Lets go for a walk and then we’ll have something to eat.”

“Yes! Yes! I love walks. Let’s walk! Walk! Walk!”

The dog did a couple of circles as he waited at the door for the sibling.

“‘Walk?’”

“Yes! It means that we go outside and explore the border! We get to see others and say hi and find new smells!”

“So you go on sentry duty after it hunts?”

“Everyday! It’s so much fun!”

“...If you do this everyday, then why were you- Nevermind.”

I shook my head and jumped up onto the warm spot and simply waited for them to return. I took that brief time alone to wonder how it was holding up on its own. And when they returned we ate and the dog was groomed. Those two were always so close. Always touching. I couldn’t decide if it was for the dogs benefit or the both of them. As the night drew in they moved to the sleeping area. The dog paused.

“What now?”

“Aren’t you coming to bed?”

“Bed?”

“Yes. Its where we sleep.”

Bed was the sleeping space.

“Mine is here.”

“But won’t you be lonely?”

“No… Why are you doing that now?”

“I’m sad because you’re going to be alone out here again.”

This dog was exhausting. It cried at almost everything, I swear.

“Fine. Just quit doing that. It’s annoying.”

And there it was. It perked right back up. I watched it settle next to the sibling and I took a spot at the end. I simply listened to them breathe for a time. It was warm here. It had been a long time since I had shared a sleeping space with anyone. Maybe… this wasn’t so bad.

The next morning it came into the den after breakfast. The sibling and it appeared to be talking about food as the sibling said ‘Prowl’ multiple times. It appeared to be rather upset about something. I had left it alone for two days. What could it have possibly done? I jumped up onto the warm spot and looked at it. It didn’t appear to be hurt. Had it failed at hunting again? Was it upset? It really was a handful. It was a little later after the siblings lecture on food capture, probably, that they brought out the prison box again. Despite my confidence that we weren’t going back to the bad smelling place I still fought them. They needed to know that I didn’t like the prison box. I could go places on my own. I didn’t need to be brought around like a prisoner. They never seemed to get it though and I was forced in again. When I was let out I knew I was back at its den. I searched for any possible intruders before I noted that the object was back. I was quick to knock it back off. There.

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