strangetrip | [EP] The eye of the storm

Anybody coming to find out what all the noise in the lobby had been about would find a girl sitting on the floor with a cat in her lap, bloodied hands stroking over its black fur.

When Yasmeen had gone away, when Sansa had gone away, Snow had managed to get herself out and away from the inn where she could let her noise out without fearing any person, or more importantly, the horses. And both those times, Kash had found her and helped her scrape herself back together. She had come so much to rely on him being there, that at first she hadn't believed it. She'd gone searching, like a child trying to grasp the meaning of dead. She'd wandered all over the grounds, gone to his room, gone to the stables, gone to the clinic, walked miles of paths. It was only then that she'd given up and asked Darryl.

Then she lost her shit.

She howled, threw anything small and breakable that she could lay her hands on, and punched the walls until her knuckles were raw and bleeding.

What was she going to do without him? Kash had always been there for her when she didn't think she could talk to anybody else. He had saved Juno. Who would help her now when any of the animals were injured or sick? Who would hear what she was saying, even when she couldn't say it? He was her friend. Perhaps the best friend she'd ever had.

This was what happened when you trusted people. They just left. They just fucking left.

And she probably would have screamed herself hoarse if it weren't for the feeling of a furry little body slinking around one of her ankles. Of course she wouldn't have been the only one left behind (which was a cruel and unfair thing to think, she was not the only person who loved Kash. She just didn't care right now). She crumpled to her knees and Socks climbed into her lap. After a long moment she began to pet him, no longer the little kitten she'd held out to Kash last Christmas. There was no peace in the silence, but she could not continue to rage with Socks holding her down. The moment he left that place, it would all rise up again. So for now, she sat there in the mess she'd made, staring at nothing, her blood running into his fur.

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One good turn, do unto others, simple kindness. Call it what you wanted to call it. Piotr's departure yesterday didn't make her less sensitive to Kashaw and Zahra's departure. If anything, she was more so.

And without Kash to heal the wounds Snow had made in her hands, well. When Kitty saw her, she brought water, gauze and betadine she kept behind the counter in the bar. She didn't try to talk anymore than Snow had.

Snow's eyes were wide and wild like any horse she'd ever had to bring back out of a state of panic, and she stared at Kitty like she hardly dared to blink. But she didn't shy away. Didn't growl. Didn't hiss or spit. Her breath hitched and sped up, but she only watched. And watched. And kept her hands soft on the cat's spine.

"If I promise not to talk, will you let me tend them?" Kitty asked, coming near enough to put the supplies down for Snow if she said no, but not invading her space all together.

She knew perfectly well she wasn't anyone Snow wanted. But if she didn't offer sympathy or ask any stupid questions, Snow might at least tolerate her presence.

To be fair to Kitty, there was only one person Snow really wanted to see, only apparently she was never going to see him again. She couldn't accept this. Couldn't bear this. If it weren't for the cat, she knew she would fly apart.

But she didn't bare her teeth or snap or snarl. She didn't answer either, not in words. Instead her body... deflated rather than relaxed, back melting against the wall.

It was as close to a yes as she was capable of giving anyone.

Nodding once, Kitty squatted beside Snow. She offered no commentary, only took her hands one at a time, doing her best not to dislodge or distress the cat that seemed to be the only company Snow wanted. Fortunately the damage to her hands was minor and Kitty could clean it up quickly.

"I'll bring you a bottle of water," she said quietly and then stood.

Snow had surprised herself by remaining still as Kitty cleaned and bandaged her hands. She made a soft sound that could have been acknowledgement or assent or a go to hell that she couldn't find energy to utter. It could have been a reflex, a response to the fact that she had been spoken to and she had too often been hurt by remaining entirely silent in such cases.

Kitty didn't know what it meant, the sound Snow made, but it didn't really matter. She wasn't planning to try to keep her company. She just got her a bottle of water, and on a second thought, a bottle of beer, too. After delivering them by Snow's side, Kitty retreated. She'd keep an eye on Snow but she wouldn't intrude.

[EP] The eye of the storm

Kitty & Snow

Re: Kitty & Snow

Re: Kitty & Snow

Re: Kitty & Snow

Re: Kitty & Snow

Re: Kitty & Snow

Re: Kitty & Snow