Skye Life: The Ballad of Trashcat Part 1

“It’s okay Trashcat,” Serena told him. “Even if Cyd and Mathias won’t let me keep you, I’ll find a way to take care of you. Promise.”

“Don’t name it!” Vas said watching the menace purr bumping is fluffy head against Serena chin. “Manipulative son of a bitch.” The punk grumbled crossing his arms irritated.

“Did you wanna name ‘em?” Serena asked, placing her cheek against the cat’s head.

“No! The point naming it mean your gunna keep it that little terror.” Vas pointed out.

Trashcat meowed his rough touch licking Serena cheek.

Vas glared at the creature as it played innocent.

“Well yeah, didn’t you get ‘em for me?” Serena asked, wide eyed.

Vas look at both Serene and the cat. “I feel very manuipluated right now.” He said warily and then relented with a deep exhale. “Fine. Only cuz it makes you happy … and it’s too small to be on its own.”

“You didn’t think I was too small,” she said quietly, her cheek pressed firmly against the kitten.

“You didn’t bite me.” Vas reminded.

“How do you know?” She asked. “You don’t remember at all, for all you know I coulda bit you bad.”

“Did you bite me?” Vas asked, looking at the kitten buttering up Serena.

“I threw a shoe at you,” Serena said proudly. “And you were so mad!”

Vas actually laughed. “I … I can see that. I wish …” He let out a sighed stoppeding and chose to try and change the topic. “If that thing bites and you cat some cat related wickedness don’t blame me. I warned you the little thing in a menace.” He reminded. “And you have to tell Cyd. Not me. I’m innocent in all this.”

“Tell Cyd that the cat you gave me gave me toxoplasmosis?” She asked.

Vas opened his mouth closed it and crossed his arms. “Do you even know what that is or are you repeating something chemistry you learned from Mathias?”

“Repeating why Mathias said I couldn’t have a cat, on account of I’d get toxoplasmosis,” she explained. “Which was better than Cyd’s reply. Because I said so,” she mimicked.

“So … you have no idea what it is.” Vas said confirming.

“Nuh uh,” She replied, holding up the kitten as if it were baby Simba.

Trachcat mewed his little lets a tail tucking in.

“You can add Caenorhabditis elegans to that list too.” Vas snorted. “All kittens have it. I think.” He said cryptically.

“Dunno what that is, but he don’t look sick,” Serena said, hugging the cat against her, scratching under his chin.

“Hmm hmm if you say so … guess you'll have to get him to a vet to get checked out.” Vas said causally.

Serena snorted. “A vet? In the sprawl? I’ve never seen a doctor - we stitched you up in our bathtub, I’d rather tell Cyd I have Toxoplasmosis than ask for money to go see a vet.”

“Fair. Mathias probably has stuff to fix up the kitty anyway.” Vas relented. There was no way out of it now. Serena had a cat and it was his fault. “Cyd’s gonna hate me …”

“Probably,” Serena said, matter-of-fact. “Mathias doesn’t like pets either. Let’s grab your stuff.”

“I am the villain of this story …” Vas grumbled packing his things into a worn out duffel. It still had some life in it and with a little creativity coulld be fixed up more and good as new. “... just when I get in i’ll get kicked out to make room for the cat …at least the bed will be here waiting.” He joked.

“I’ll say I’m scared to be there without you,” she promised. “I can make myself cry an’ everything. Wanna see?”

“You know you are terrifying in you own way right?” Vas said tiling his head. “Did you ever pull that …” He motion at her.” … on me?”

“No, when you made me leave, I cried for real real.” She told him.

“That feels way worse.” Vas admitted zipping up his bag.

Serena shrugged. “I was scared, but it turned out okay. I tried to rob Mathias an’ got half a sandwich an’ he said I could stay the night, an’ I’m still there. “

“I guess i wound’t have dont that with out good reason …” Vas said thoughtfully opening the door to let Serena out. “ … But I am glad you landed on your feet.”

Serena shrugged again. “You said it was the only way to be safe, an’ you were right, I mean, I’m alive an’ all. Do you think Trashcat will be okay while we get ice cream?”

“I think you going to need to carry him around a bit to give Cyd and Mathias time to warm up to the idea.” Vas suggested as they walked back to the house.

“I’ll remind ‘em that Raven coulda killed me if it weren’t for you,” Serena told him. “That’ll help, probably.”

“Worth a shot if you wanna keep him.” He said as they approached the door. He wasn’t sure when the door felt like it was looming but it was definitely looming right now. Vas made a face and opened the door.

Serena turned on the waterworks, explaining briefly that Vas rescued the kitten, making sure to emphasize “just like he rescued me. “

Trashcat had made his home in Serena sprawled out and twitching occasionally.