The Weekly Tot 9/11/23

Uggghhh. I'm too lazy to write anything... but I must. I cannot let creep mail be the only thing left of Quarantime. But... I am too lazy to write anything. So I will drag a finished snippet (and by this, I mean that the SNIPPET is finished) of story from the depths of my google keep. Enjoy if you would like to do so. Next week, I shall bring to you another (finished) tale from the arctic tundra.

THE CLIMB

Prologue

Corvid hid in the bush, watchful eyes fixed upon the top of the bookshelf. There lay her prize, the miracle plant. How pleased Ally would be when she received the ultimate gift from Corvid. Finally, she would surpass Ginger and show that she too could be a hero. She brazenly strode up to the lilacs by the door, her tail held high with pride. She had located the item. The luscious smell of catnip wafted down at her from the open window. A stray leaf was left there, forgotten when the house's caretaker departed. She could imagine the succulent taste of the plant. But she must not bite into the leaf. The tantalizing juice must be left for Ally. Corvid jumped up and slipped through the open window. The pungent smell of another cat was everywhere. Corvid lowered her head for a second, remembering the grumpy old tomcat that had resided in the house for as long as she could remember. The humans had certainly felt the loss, the room was in disarray. She leapt onto the bookshelf, crouching. She picked up the leaf of catnip, examining the treat. Surely the leader of the alleys had to respect her now! She had gotten a piece of a most rare treat for Ally! Suddenly there was a 'click' as the window slammed shut. Corvid's eyes darted to the door, but it was closed. A tiny human had closed the window. Her eyes were teary, brown hair ruffled up. Corvid didn't know why the human was leaking, but they said it happened when humans were upset. A foolish reflex. Corvid leaped onto the floor her paws thudding silently against the ground. The human turned, gasping when she saw the magnificent black cat. Corvid's unblinking eyes met hers, a silent gesture of unfriendliness. Oblivious, the tiny human crouched on the floor, beckoning Corvid with her hands.

"Here kitty, aren't you so adorable? Come on." the human mewled softly. Corvid let out a yowl of displeasure, arching her back and hissing at the unsatisfactory human. Did the foul beast believe she, Corvid a cat born and raised in the streets would come to the likes of her? But there was no way out. The cat flap had been locked since the old cat's death. Corvid turned and sprinted out a doorway into another room, jumping onto a scratching post and burrowing into the piece of furniture. The sisal was perfect, a smooth scratch, but she didn't have time for pleasantries. The cat nip leaf still held between her teeth, she leapt out of a window, the small human's cries echoing behind her. Corvid was out! She raced towards the alleys, not stopping till she reached the sewer gateway into the underground. A forlorn looking cat guarded the entrance, but he brightened when he saw the leaf. "Catnip!" Clover cried. "It's not for you. Where's Ally?" Corvid asked. "I'm right here' a calm voice said from behind her. Corvid turned and lowered her head respectfully as the older cat examined the leaf carefully, biting into it. Ally's face lit up with joy and she purred happily. Corvid blinked happily. This was her chance to please Ally and rise through the ranks of the alleys! "Good work Corvid. Is there more?" Ally demanded. "Erm, no they only had this-" Corvid began. "Who's they??" Ally interrupted. "The humans in the old tomcat's house. There was some catnip left behind" Corvid explained. "Humans? Like the TNR people who tipped our ears?" Clover asked. Ally ignored him. "We need more. The winter months are approaching and catnip is hard to come by. You must go live with the humans." Ally ordered. "WHAT! But-but I thought that-" Corvid stammered. Living with humans? "You MUST. I want more catnip! You must go and deliver catnip every week. That's an order!" Ally said. "Alright..." Corvid agreed petulantly. "Besides Corvid... if your winter mission goes successfully, you can come back in spring when the catnip plants are in full bloom. You can come back at a much, much higher rank... you want to surpass your sister don't you?" Ally asked. Corvid perked up. Coming back to the alleys at a rank much higher than Ginger would make a few months with humans worthwhile.

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That is the snippet of story for this week. I shall prepare a synopsis for you children shortly, in case this plot goes anywhere.