Kitty, Harps, Lucca, Lauryn

[Kitty]

He followed the trio of odd children and Eldy into what appeared to be a butcher shop. He paused when Lariel went to step back outside and touched her arm lightly with his fingertips as she passed to get her attention. If she were to stop and acknowledge him he'd mouth the words 'call me if you need me' before stepping in for a second look. It was actually fairly terrifying, what with the corpses of formerly living animals strewn about and their heads sitting on stacks that acted like pedestals. What made it even more odd to him was the temperature, that he realized would be normal for a place like this, and the scent of meat that had been left out of the cold for too long. It took more then a couple of hours for that sort of scent to develop, didn't it? how long had everything been abandoned exactly?

An uneasy feeling crept back into his mind. The ink monster, the thrift shop burning down and the following mini argument had taken his mind away from the suspicious feelings that something was going on that wasn't quite right. he'd also managed to leave the bag of 'tools' he'd rounded up in the thrift store behind. Damn. Well, maybe he could get something a little more useful here?

He stepped toward what looked to be where the fresh cuts would have been made on a regular day and started to look through the drawers. At one point something sharp stabbed him in the finger, probably a skewer or something of that nature... he didn't really check. He brought his finger up to peer at it before finding a clean bit of cloth and wrapping it while he continued ot hunt. Aha, there we go.... that would definitely work!

He'd managed to find a rather sharp knife that wasn't too huge to put into a good hiding place. He hadn't wanted to sharpen any and spook any of the children, although he was starting to believe they were far enough in their own reality it wouldn't, so this was perfect.

He unwrapped his finger, a little bit of his own blood on the scrap of cloth, wrapped the knife's blade and shoved it down the side of his boot. The handle was still visible, but at least he didn't have to have it in his hands at all times.

After getting attacked in the last place they were at, well, he didn't' want to take any chances that the next thing wouldn't spit him out.

He went to move away and nearly tripped over the odd 'lizard-cat'. He managed to stop himself before sending a boot to his ribs, but swayed a little to fully catch his balance. He peered down at him and tilted his head to the side in a curious manner that definitely betrayed the fact that he was canine.

He spoke softly, just in case it was important and not weird....

What're you doing?

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

((Lariel will always acknowledge him silly!! lol I give you permission to always assume such a thing. Unless they're fighting. XD))

Bristol had been concentrating so hard on trying to get the little blobby to feed again he hadn't noticed when the Human Form came dangerously close to stepping on him. He only became aware of the other's presence when Nova had to quickly right himself.

Craning his head to look up at the older adult, Bristol gave the man a weak smile. He realized this Card had no idea yet of his birth. He didn't see the accusation or fear in his eyes like he sometimes saw in the eyes of the ones who had been there. He also realized at that moment that he'd completely forgotten about his Mother's ruined remains.

Holding back a tear or two, Bristol whispered to Nova, "There's another inky blob here under the counter. It took some meat from my hand just a minute ago so I'm trying to see if it'll do it again. I wanna get a good look at it."

Hopefully the Canine wouldn't object to his endeavor.

[Nathalia]

((The blob Cal pounced made a horrible sound!
As though teeth were grinding against one another along with a horrible bubbling noise, as his claws and the snow closed around it.
Shuddering to a halt, it sloshes pathetically against the cold, sizzling slightly and continuing to make the noise.

Fi's jar missed completely, shattering on impact with the floor and resulting in a few shards getting stuck in his poor paws.
The other blob shot up the far side of the shoppe, out past Bristol and away.
The blob under the counter, meanwhile, seems to be ignoring Bristol's renewed offers of meat...perhaps it has already had its fill as the sound of it schlupping far enough under the counter that it can't be reached is heard as it behind to slide toward the exit.

Outside, something seems to be happening...everyone outside of the shoppe or near a door, needs to choose or roll a number between 1 and 20 and put it in their next post.))



~Nathalia

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Bristol realized after quite a few seconds of holding out his hand full of meat to the blob that it wasn't going to take any more food. Well, it was a little thing after all. It probably was already full. The Mix could year it eating though, and moving slowly. Frowning, he looked under the counter and tried to see if it would be possible to try and gently grab it, but while it was still under the counter it was unreachable.

Looking back in the direction the blob seemed to be slowly heading, he realized he was looking at the exit. Quick as he could Bristol scurried across the shoppe's floor and slammed the door shut. This way the little thing could run around all it liked - though he doubted very fast if it's little belly was so full - but it couldn't get away!

Looking around for anything useful, Bristol stared at the display case in the window. Some of the meat seemed to be sitting in a tray of deep chipped ice. Grabbing a cold handful of the almost-snow, Bristol took a small lid and placed it on the floor as close as he could get to the blob. After holding the ice in his claws for a few seconds it began to melt. He let the ice drop into the flat lid and pool into a makeshift bowl of sorts. The Mix hoped the little thing might be thirsty after eating all that meat.

As quietly as he could, Bristol grabbed a large mug from on top of the counter. There was what appeared to be cold coffee sloshing about inside and the Mix quickly poured it out onto the ice in the display case and waited at the very edge of the counter, crouched and waiting for the blob to appear. Even if it didn't go for the water, he'd try and trap it in the mug.

Bristol bit his lip. He really hoped it went for the water. He didn't like the idea of slamming down the cup around the poor thing. Might scare it too much! He really couldn't decide why it was so important for him to catch one of these blob things. Bristol chewed on his lip in thought as he crouched, ready to grab.

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

((I'm not sure if it counted, but Bristol went NEAR a door and then back to the counter where the blob was; though in my head the part of the counter he and the blob are at is kinda near the door. So I'll go ahead and roll for him if it counted. Otherwise ignore his roll. I'm just not sure what the choice was. XD))

Bristol's Roll: 12

Lariel's Roll: 18
((Lariel's outside with Sergei, next to the rubble of the building.))

[Harpsdesire]

He had a squishy! Cal’s momentary gleeful cackle changed abruptly to a whimper. That noise was awful. It made his ears lay back on his head and gave him a funny feeling in his tummy. Maybe he was hurting the squishy! But… if he let up any, it would escape. In a frenzy of upset and indecision, he looked over his shoulder for Fi and the jar that could more comfortably contain his prize.

Just then, his brother smashed the glass vessel on the floor. Cal yowled furiously, any modicum of forgiveness his brother had earned vanishing in an instant. ”Noooo….! BAD FI! Now no jar! No Squishy!” What started out as an angry shout faded by the end to an almost anguished wail. Now he had no way to keep his prize until it got eyes like the first one had, and it was still making the sound like he was holding it too tight. Cal felt terrible about that, but he needed this gooey to be his!

He loosened his grip just barely, keeping his talons tightly cupped, and leaned down to tell the blob softly, ”Is okay, Squishy. Cal put out fire! Not to hurt you. Cal nice!” He crooned to the strangely-grinding creature. ”If not run away, maybe dance with you, like other Squishy! Be friends!”

”Fi, get new jar!” He hissed insistently, as there was nothing in the freezer close at hand that could contain the blob. His useless, meanie, blob-stealing brother should at least be able to manage without breaking another one, he hoped.

”Hold on, Squishy, make nice house-jar for you soon.” He purred comfortingly to the noisy little thing in must the same way he did to Cat when she was scared, or one of his brothers when they felt icky after eating sick foods or finding no food at all.

[Callypso]

He was flying through the air! On his way to trap the gooey!!

And it promptly went all wrong.

Fi landed hard against the floor, the jar exploded outward as the already cracked glass hit. Shards flew everywhere, including directly into Fi’s little claws. He yowled, unable to stop his momentum as his front end smashed into the floor. He wailed from both pain and anguish as he looked at his bleeding paws. The jar was ruined! And now his paws were, too!

A few tears leaked from the corner of his eyes as he sat there for a moment, snuffling at his failure. Cal would hate him. And his paws hurt. He didn’t have much time to pity himself, as his brother chose that moment to start berating him. Ears flattened against his skull, Fi twisted his neck to find his brother and hissed.

Fi trying to help, CAL!

He jumped to his feet, looking for something to wipe his paws on, shuffling awkwardly on his hind feet. There was just ice and meat everywhere! Not that that was a bad thing, but he was bleeding! Tentatively, Fi licked his own blood and grimaced. It tasted yucky – not like food meats, and he had managed to nick the tip of his tongue on one of the shards sticking out of his palm. Once more, tears sprouted as his agitation and upset grew.

Then Cal demanded his assistance.

Fi reared and growled angrily at his brother. He wanted to help and was trying! He even offered to let him name the gooey! Why was Cal yelling at him?!

IT ACCIDENT, CAL!!! GET OWN JAR!!

The gooey on his shoulder wavered drunkenly on his shoulder, as if it were surprised, then burrowed its face deeply into his fuzzy cheek.

Fi plunked down on his rear and wailed, tears matting his already dirty face. He was exhausted from running around, and hurt that his brother was screeching at him. As the gooey nuzzled him, smearing more ink all over his fur, the cannibal hiccoughed and blinked in surprise at his new friend. Maybe Cal’s squishy just needed to know it was okay? He sighed dejectedly then nuzzled back with his beak.

Gooey? Get Cal’s squishy?

The inky creature blinked and tilted it’s head to the side, then schlupped down his arm and zipped over to where Cal was cooing to another blobby. It inched as close to Cal’s hands as it dared, then began a wet, gurgle cheeping sound as it tried to talk the other gooey.


((Oops! Almost forgot! Fi rolled a 3!))

[Bee]

Zhenya had decided to stay near Sergei--all things considered, it seemed the safest place to be, and of all the people he'd encountered in this very, very strange day, he still seemed the most friendly and least insane. Not that that was difficult when your other options were Tragic Cretins and adults that had exploded out of the guts of tigers. Of course, by those standards, he was quite likely to be the one to a jab a knife in someone's back at a critical moment, but, well--little details could defy the Story, and he still thought that Sergei was probably too important to the Plot for that to be his conclusion.

He watched the others run into the shoppe, and then looked back to Sergei, who had his hand on the ground. He kept his ears perked and trained for...anything strange, either from the shoppe or elsewhere.

"What are you doing?" he asked, curiously.

[Rolled a 7.]

[Kitty]

He was about to question the strange mix of feline and reptile when he heard a crash, and then a little bit later the sounds of more arguing and some pain mixed in there as well. He jumped over Bristol and ran to where the two boys had disappeared too and slipped on the ice on the floor, only managing to save grace by grabbing the wall.

He peered down at the two, who both seemed rather agitated, and noticed that the one's paw was not only bloody, but had chunks of glass embedded.

Suits, what happened?!

He got his footing back, stupid ice, and simply stared at the boy's paw for a moment before gathering a coherent thought pattern. There had been other bits of cloth in the drawer, and there was some things to pick out the glass and clean the wounds with but .... wouldn't a place like this have a first aid kit as well? It made perfect sense, since the shop dealt with sharp knives, skewers and who knows what else that he didn't want to know about.

Hold on, I'll be right back to fix up that paw of yours! Eldy, do you want to help me look for some first aid supplies in here?

There, it was laid out as a choice, maybe it wouldn't piss her off quite as much, besides .... it'd be a lot faster if they both rifled through drawers and cupboards. Nova started up in the cupboards since they were higher off the ground.

There were normal things; plastic wrap, paper-esque wrap, string for ties, a wet, cold squishy thing.... wait. His hand stopped on the one thing that was out of place and curled his fingers around it, was it a stray piece of meat or what? With a mildly disgusted look on his face he pulled it out and poked it gently a few times. Gotta love mystery substance.

There isn't one up here ....

[Lucca]

Eldy was half watching the girl hanging from the carcass, and half watching the odd lizard-boy who was trying to get another little blob thing to come to him (seriously? What the hell was UP with everyone suddenly wanting a little blob pet?) when the crash and the screaming children made her ear fold back against her head. She walked into the little freezer, a bit behind Nova, as she really didn't want to slip and her binding on the slick ice meant it would be easy to do so.

She frowned. "Boys? Please calm down...can't you two share the same, uh, Squishy?" she asked tentatively, since it wasn't hard to guess what they were screaming about. She glanced at Nova as he asked that, and nodded. Of course she'd help, getting glass in one's paw was a very painful and slightly dangerous experience. Eldy was a lot calmer now than before, and even if the kids were insane, she didn't want to see them hurt. "Try not to move too much Fi," she told him, and went to investigate the lower cabinets. The silver key she slipped into the barrette she always wore on her tail so both paws would be free.

Nudging open one cabinet, she found a lot of paper towels and windex as well as a package of trash bags. Not helpful, though in a pinch they could use the towels to stop the bleeding. She went to the next cabinet, and found a bunch of miscellaneous spices and such, possibly for the meat that was going to be cured...again, not what they wanted, since rubbing salt in cuts only made things worse. The third cabinet had bleach, a tool box, and...bingo. "Found it," she said, grinning slightly at the tell-tale white plastic box with a red plus sign on it. It was larger than a lot of small first aid kits, too. Carefully bringing it out in her paws, she set it on the ground and fiddled with the latch to open it before stepping back to let the one with hands take what he needed. She would be the first to admit tackling a delicate first aid operation wasn't at all what Feline paws were suited for.

[carcinoGeneticist]

Sergei had a brief moment in which he felt very strongly that he was a freak. That feeling was inspired, of course, by the brief flicker he caught of the eye in his palm sliding open before his normal eyes slipped closed and his attentions were focused on the floor. Through the floor. Whatever.

The boy had no idea what he'd expected to see. How could he? The one thing he could say for sure, however, was that he had not been expecting that. The Solandrian let out a loud gasp of surprise, reeling back from his vision and nearly bumping into Zhenya, eyes wide with fear. "I -- I was looking through -- Zhenya, there's something down there!!"

Frantically, the boy looked around, hoping that someone had noticed his actions. "I'm gonna... Gonna see if I can get down there," He felt twitchy and nervous, slowly stepping out further. There was still heat under his feet, and he swore softly, then turned his attention to the meat shop. ...Perhaps... There he'd find a solution. With a bounce in his step, Sergei quickly stepped in, looking around. Finally, his eyes settled on a stack of steaks. The thought of what he was about to do made him cringe slightly, but... It would keep his feet from burning quite so bad, wouldn't it?

Doing his best to ignore the creepy cannibal children, he gathered up the thickest slabs of meat he could find, and some twine sitting nearby. Once back by the burned building, he tied the meat to his feet, giving Zhenya a triumphant smile. Step by step, he made his way over to the entrance to the basement. The air around him was uncomfortably warm, but... It wasn't as bad as it could have been!

~~~

Feeling a bit embarrassed by her display, Cat continued to cling to the carcass. Now that she was up here, she really wasn't entirely sure what to do. It needed to look intentional, or else the others would laugh at her. Clearly, she had been seen - the Torque-kitty was standing beneath her, looking up and laughing. Cat's ears flattened and her eyes narrowed, but she didn't respond for a moment. First, she gnawed a little bit at the haunch of the meat, finding it too cold to actually pull a bite off.

"Cat okay. Just hungry?" As for getting down... She released her hold ever so slightly, sliding down until she was closer to the ground and then bounding gracelessly down. It was hard to stand on the cold floor, her feet slip-sliding all over as she tried to regain her balance. "We bring food-meats, too? Food-meats and blobby?" She queried, tilting her head oddly at Eldy.

Activity exploded behind her, and Cat fluffed up instinctively, whirling to see what was going on. Fi was bleeding all over the place, and Cal was yelling, and Fi was yelling back -- even when the rest of the world went to the dream-land, her brothers were real to her, and she knew well how badly a fight like this could become. She hissed loudly, rounding on Cal. "CAL! CAL, STOPPIT!!" she spat at him, going to cuff him across the back of his head with a forepaw. "Fi is TRY! He BLOODS."

((Sergei is insane and also rolls a 7))