Kittens! (invited ones first)

[Jesse Fforde]

The reply comes quite quickly after I sent the message. Ivy Bluffs. The way Zodiac has responded makes me wonder whether she’s actually home. Even as I make me way across the planking toward the elevator, the one that would take me down to the ground floor, I key out a response to Zodiac.

”You’re not home right now?”

It doesn’t matter to me if she is or she isn’t. I’ll go another time. Regardless, I descend to the ground floor and wink to the cameras as I leave the Eyrie. I tuck my phone into my back pocket as I make sure my jacket is buttoned, and pull the helmet onto my head. I swing one leg over the bike, falling into the seat like falling into the saddle of a wild horse. The sleek vehicle roars to life between my thighs. I need to go feed. And then I suppose I should probably find a store that is open, and that will sell me some pet supplies.

I like to assume that all these kittens will be house-trained. I also realise that if I want to keep mine up in the Eyrie, I’ll have to make sure it knows how to climb. I imagine it’ll become a wild beast of its own accord. And that’s completely fine by me.

Anyway. The thing isn’t yet full grown. And I’ll need to buy it some food, in the very least. But first, I need some food of my own. I park the bike near Ivy Bluffs. Across the road there’s a club, Dark Eden. I disappear into the club with the express intention of tracking down, of luring my prey. And, should I find out that Zodiac is home, or heading there, I can pick up a kitten afterwards.

[Alexandrea]

Waiting for Alanoth, Alex wandered around a little until aloud whistle drew her attention. With a merry laugh, she waved to Zodiac and hurried to the door. She looked at the apartment number before going in, sending it to Alanoth so he would know where to find her. She gave the mystic a quick hug once inside after setting down the cat carrier.

With a laugh, she explained about the alter ego. "Actually, I changed my appearance to throw off some hitmen. Someone put a hit out on me for 75K. I managed to get it taken care of just today, so as soon as the spell wears off I'll be sticking to looking like the same old Alexandrea for awhile. Just cus I can't see my own face in the mirror, doesn't mean I don't care what others see. It's kind of a bummer when your friends walk right passed you as if you aren't even there."

There was quite a crowd gathered around as tiny furrballs scampered about. With a shy smile she waved at everyone. "Hello, all. I'm Alexandrea Quartermaine, even if I don't look it." Alex said chuckling. "But, please? Just call me Alex."

She turned back to look at Zodiac. "I have a friend giving me a ride on his way in, I hope that's alright? I didn't want to stress out my new friend by running it home or taking it on a busy train."

[Alanoth (DELETED 1528)]

Al had forgotten about leaving his phone in the car, therefore excusing himself to go back and get it while Alex went up to get her kitten. IT made him wonder what it would be like to have a pet again, he hadn't had the heart to keep the rabbit when Octavia disappeared, it reminded him too much of his dear sister.

He got the text from Alex just as he was walking up to the elevator, so he pressed the buitton for the appropriate floor and waited to arrive. On hsi way he met a girl he was not familiar with, whose appearance made him believe she too was a vampire. He smiled as best as he could in a firendly manner at her. "Hello, my name's Alanoth. And yes, I'm helping my friend Alex pick up a kitten as well. To be honest, she's not the safest of drivers, so it's not a surprise she asked me to drive her and her new furry friend home."

When they arrived on Zodiac's floor, Alanoth let the woman go first, then followed down to the apartment number indicated by Alexandrea's text message. He again allowed the other woman, whose name he believed was Charlotte, enter first then followed behind her. Since he knew almost no one else, he decided to casually lean agaisnt the wall and wait for Alex.

[Zodiac]

As she waited for Alex to make her way to her apartment, her phone trilled yet again. "Glad I got the unlimited package, " she smirked as she checked the message. Her fingers dancing across the key pad quickly as she replied to Jesse.

Yes sir, I am home all night tonight. She added her location. Just come on by and bring a carrier to get your new friend home safely in is all I ask.

She hit send just before Alexandrea wrapped her in her arms. This was always a tad odd to her. In her mind she knew it was Alex, but when she opened her eye? Who the hell is this? The woman mentioned the friend giving her a ride ( 'Thank the goddess the streets are safe tonight then,' ) and then began to look around the room.

When the man entered, she studied the face for a moment before stepping closer and taking his hands in hers gently. He thoughts to his easy and soft. "I remember this face from 2 years ago when I was a fledgling working the holiday crowds for extra money. Was a kind man behind it who offered to help me, even though he may not have understood what the situation was at the time. It has been a long time, Alanoth. I hope you have been well since we met last. I am afraid all of the cats have been accounted for, but if you are truly interested I can give you a heads up the next time Ginny or her daughter decides to have another litter. Feel free to help Alex pick hers out if you would like, or go get to know the mother there in case you truly want one." She pointed to Ginny still on the chair who was watching the activity with detached interest. It was if the cat had decided she was done with the lot of them now. Only the small female laying next to her was even noticed (barely). When one of the others tried to scale the chair, a black paw lashed out and encouraged the small ones to go elsewhere. Zodiac looked at Alanoth and smiled a bit.

"Hey, if either of us had to raise nine kids at once, I think we'd both be glad to see them go." she laughed. "Please, come on in and be welcome. Has been a long time since my home had so many guests." she held on to one of his hands and began to encourage him gently away from his spot against the wall. "Never get to show it off as I used to. The apartment I mean."

[Alanoth (DELETED 1528)]

Alanoth had expected to be able to do what he normally did as a rather ghastly looking vampire: blend in and remain socially invisible. If he stayed near a wall or else somewhere out of eyesight unless you were specifically searching for him, usually he would never even be noticed. This time, however, Zodiac took notive of him, and while he could hear her thoughts being spoken to his mind, he found himself unable to reply likewise.

Not only was he not a Telepath, he was also stunned at her choice of actions to get his attention. She was purposely keeping the conversation private, and she spoke of things he himself could only barely remember. Yes, the stand, her cart and other cat, offering aid as best as he could with what little he had had at the time. All of that, combined with her taking his hand. It had been a long time since anyone did that...the last had been Octavia...his sister...but he had no idea the extents of a Telepath's power, so he shoved these painful thoughts away and put on his best false smile, seeming cordial and happy.

"I quite agree, though then again, it's not like anyone undead can ever have true children, now can they?" He chuckled sadly at the thought, having never thought of it himself, but he knew many vampires who regretted this fact. "The closest any vampire can have is a childe or childer, and it's just not the same as what that one has." He indicated the mother feline, who lay there rather lazily, only moving to flick her tail in annoyance or bat away a stray kitten. He did take her motions and step away from the wall, but only as far as Zodiac herself lead him. He knew almost no one here, and Zodiac he had never known very well, so he was still a bit uncomfortable.

One of the kittens ran past his foot, accidentally tripping on his shoe and tumbling in a near perfect somersault. Chuckling, he knelt down, releasing his hand from Zodiac's to pick the little kitten up and set it on it's feet. As he did so, it licked his hand in an apparent show of gratitude, then scurried off ot join it's siblings in mewling incessantly and runnign around. As he watched it go, it was like hearing that Octavia was gone again...and he almsot cried.

[CharlotteC]

Apparently the changeling power had worked a bit too good, for it seemed it made her even nearly invisible to the male and woman she had attempted to speak too. When they hadn't answered she had continued her way into the apartment and to the door where the woman who had joined in the gang bang on her only two weeks prior had basically welcomed her with open arms, she even seemed to know who she was despite her disguise. She didn't know how to take the friendly greeting at first and just had remained silent as she was ushered in and told that Doc, a man she had had more than a few run ins with was picking a female from a laundry basket. The man made her take a step back as she looked to Zodiac once more. She was taking the 'mind speak' thing in stride she hoped but she was thankful for her advice to stay away from the man. "I will, thank you." She whispered in an almost child like voice as she kept her distance. Her hazel eyes shifted to the male once more, not quite trusting the guy.

When a ball of fluff came bounding out of it's hiding spot she smiled softly and eyed the black puff. Zodiac had said that the 'boys' were running around so this had to be one of them. Her eyes shifted to the silent woman for a moment and she spoke once more in that soft almost frightened child tone, "how many of the boys are left?" Charlie really wanted a male, males were usually easier to deal with, easier to neuter, and generally just calmer. And they didn't 'go into heat' like a female did. "I'd..." She was cut off by the woman and male that she had tried to speak to earlier. It wasn't until the woman actually announced who she was that Charlie seemed to visibly relax a little, though it was sad that she was forced to hide because someone had put one hell of a hit on the woman.

Setting her carrier down, she nodded to the male that had moved to stand near her and then took a couple steps towards Alex. "Hey Alex, it's me, Charlie. Though I'm hiding too." She whispered so only Alex would be able to hear what she said. She did not want anyone else she couldn't trust to know who she was. Though it seemed there was no hiding her true identity from Zodiac. That idea made her shudder slightly.

[Doc]

She returned to where he stood and sat the basket on the table so he could inspect them. "That is all the girls I have. None have left yet so you have first pick of them. All have had their fist vaccinations and been checked by a vet. I have the paperwork as well for your future needs."

Doc looked at the kittens. His face was softened by an uncharacteristic smile. It wasn’t a smirk, or a grin, it was a genuine smile. All the kittens were intent on making an escape from the laundry basket, save one. While the others showed their energy and cunning by enthusiastically climbing the walls of the laundry basket. There was one, striped female that sat, content to stare at him.

Even as a young as she was, she had the the look of a queen. While the rest were content to scamper and play, this one was surveying it’s surroundings, and taking in all the nuances. Yes. This was his kitten. Doc scooped her up and settled her in the crook of his arm. He wanted to hold her for a while. So she was used to his smell, before he put her in the cat carrier.

The cat carrier was already prepped with one of his shirts that had been shredded by Minx. It should have his scent well and truly embedded in it. The kitten seemed quite content to be held and cosseted; and Doc was content to lavish his affection on to it. Anyone who knew Doc would find the situation completely out of his normal character. But the truth of the matter was, he loved felines. Not only the little ones, but all felines. They all had something to recommend them. From the house cat to Lion to Tiger.

The Egyptians, it is said, were the first at domesticating the feline. They appreciated the their physical features, their expressive moods and their supposed-supernatural intelligence. They even had a deity said to be of feline nature, Sakhmet. A statue of her stands like a lithe, lion headed and straight as a blade feline, striding forward as if nothing could stand in her way; her manner relentless, smothering, devouring. Doc had an affinity with felines. He didn’t really know why, but he did.

The first thing Doc did was the remove the pink label from around his kitten’s neck. It’s job was done. She had a home, and she didn’t need the pink thing anymore. He looked for Zodiac, but she was busy with others. She would realize he had chosen soon enough. The kitten seemed to approve of his action, as she started to purr. He held her for a few more minutes, before reluctantly placing her in the carrier. He would have preferred to carry her, but it was for her safety. Should he be attacked on the way home, she would be safer in the carrier, than in his arms.

He looked at the kitten safely ensconced in the carrier. Doc could still hear her purr. He couldn’t help but smile. He had found the perfect kitten out of the bunch.

[Alexandrea]

*Charlie!* Alex sent into her friend's mind with a laugh and hugged Killy Bean's childe. *So good to see you! Are you here for a new friend as well? Well, silly me, of course you are, why else the pet taxi?*

Alexandrea smiled at Alanoth as he came in and was greeted by Zodiac. Then chuckled at the kitten he helped set back up on her feet. The pink ribbon giving away the sex of the baby feline. She wanted to go say hello to Jenny but before she could go see the mama kitty, kittens were surrounding her and trying to climb up her legs. Keara had helped Alex to understand what was going on. Animals had always been fond of her but recently it had escalated to an extreme. Apparently Alexandrea had some sort of... 'animal affinity'?

She wanted a kitten that would be brave and fearless, like Jenny. And one that would love her no matter what. Not just due to some weird power she had andd didn't even understand. Plus it had to be a cat that would be okay around lots of strangers, as Alex wished for her new friend to keep her company in her shop in the mall.

So she shifted into her 'monstrous' form and giggled as all the kittens ran away. Except one... Alex felt badly for giving them a scare but noticed the only one that had stood it's ground and was at this very moment trying to chew off her left foot... was the very same one that Alanoth had interacted with.

It was at that moment, she felt it. Daychange. Thee hour had passed and her alter ego and monstrous form had vanished. She bent down to gather up the brave baby girl cat, which at first she had thought was black as night.

She wasn't however. She was just the darkest tabby Alex had ever seen, only after picking her up, did Alexandrea notice the many other colours under the black, and the pattern in her fur. The kitten was purring it's little head off. "Brave and affectionate." Alex said with a purr into the baby cat's fur.

She went over to Jenny, to pay her respects. Holding out her hand for the mama kitty to sniff before bending down and rubbing cheeks with her.

"I'd like to bring this baby of yours home with me, will you allow that?"

[Zodiac]

"how many of the boys are left?"

"There are still 3 males unclaimed. You can tell by the blue collars." Zodiac replied. She was pleased to see such a turn out so far. Her only regret was there wasn't more to offer. Calls were still coming, inquiring. She certainly did not want to start a kitten farm, but part of her felt sad as well.

Her attention turned to the Doctor now. She stood silent as she watched what she assumed was a rare sight in action now. The man was smiling. Not the normal smile she saw on his face at times. The one that suggested 'The only reason I am smiling is because I am envisioning you being ripped to shreds by fadebeasts' , but a genuine smile of happiness.

She walked to where he stood admiring his new friend through the bars of the carrier and picked up the pink ribbon and checked the number. She found the file that matched the number on the collar and then offered it to him.

"You may have your own vet in mind, but this is what has been done so far for her." she leaned in and looked at the bundle of fur he had selected and pet the tops of the small paws resting on the bars. "I am glad you found who you was looking for, Doctor Nilson. I hope the pair of you get along well together." she smiled and inclined her head. There was a chance she would be seeing more of this little girl in time, if the Doctor chose to bring her to the Eyrie.

The sound of several kittens in panic snapped her attention around. "CHRIST! How about a heads up first next time, Alex?" Her hand now clasped against her chest as she got used to the sight. This was a power she actually turned down the chance to learn in action in front of her. Her normal size and stature hardly made her look intimidating, so adding horns and a tail would probably make her look like a refugee from some bad anime cartoon.

Ironic for her to consider cartoons for, with a tick of the clock, that's what Alex began to look like as her body contorted and shifted back into her normal form. Zodiac had never gotten past the awe in watching the changes happen. Once, when she had shifted into her snow owl form, she had the digital video record the sight so she could watch it when she was herself again. It was disturbing and downright creepy how her body twisted and warped in the process, but she watched it several times since. Amazing, but still creepy as ****.

Alex had apparently found her tiny champion. Just like her mother, she was attacking the issue, not running from it. The others were crouched and poised now after the shock wore off. With all the things these cats would be exposed to in due time, she had no doubt in time they would all become fearless when confronted by vampires. She watched Alex take her choice and 'ask' Ginny her permission. "That's right, everybody," she projected to all within in her apartment. "Pay homage to the Queen on your way out and thank her." Zodiac walked over to where CC was sitting, either trying to tame or encourage Czeslaw, and flopped on the couch next to her.

"Want some tea, dear? I wasn't sure how many eating types might show up or I would have had nibbles and drinks set out."

[CharlotteC]

Charlie gave a smile, glad that Alex had chosen this way to speak with her even as she was given a hug. This way meant that anyone that didn't want to know who she was, wouldn't be able to know who she was. She returned the hug and then turned her eyes briefly towards Zodiac as the woman once again spoke to her in much the same way. This time though she was answering her question. She gave a soft, polite smile and a nod before she once again nodded to Alex to answer her question as well even though Alex pretty much knew the answer. It was, after all the only reason that she was here. Outside of the e-mail and that one attack on her in the catacombs, she had never met the woman before.

At that thought though, she turned her eyes onto the one she had met, not just once, but a few time. The male. Still she didn't say anything to him or about him, she only turned her gaze away from him and towards the cats. She smiled as she looked at the kittens, especially the one that had run into Alex's human friend and was then promptly put back on her little feet. She turned her gaze to Alex, razing a brow. How in the hell did she manage to be friends with a human. Sure, she had met one or two, but she hadn't been able to get past the 'hey what's up?' phase of things. Then she jumped back as Alex shifted into a form that she had never seen before. Had she had a heartbeat she was sure in that moment it would have stopped. The kittens, save one, all went scurrying about for a moment before they all moved into more attack like poses. The one though that was going for Alex seemed to be her choice. She smiled a bit and shook her head.

Then that feeling happened in her gut, she turned her eyes on Alex and as her powers faded, she knew her own were fading as well and that she was in the same boat, that she was now her true self again. She sighed and shook her head before she turned her concentration to the feel of something butting up against her leg. She looked down at the little blue collar and smiled softly, a male, she liked males. Charlie leaned down and lifted the little thing into her hands, one was supporting his rump as the other held him around his back, her fingers tucked under his forelegs. She brought the thing up to her chest, snuggling the black ball of fur to her, not minding or caring that his little claws were digging into her shirt as he tried to climb up onto her shoulder. She let him and rested her cheek against his little back as she looked over at Zodiac once more. "I think I'll take this little ball of fluff right here." She said in a soft, almost frightened voice, her hands still supporting and petting the little ball, making sure that he didn't try to jump off her shoulder.

As Charlie continued to pet the purring little ball, she watched as Alex moved over to the mama cat and did the same, though she made sure to stay back a bit until Alex moved so that she didn't crowd the mother and do something to anger her, mama cats being angry didn't make for good bonding with the kittens. At least, not in her book.