Calliope was minding her business and tying her hair off into low twintails when Sonya hopped up on the bed. “Don’t start,” the girl ordered, giving the feline a sideways glance.
“That’s what you’re wearing, yo?” the fluffy cat said, but her mouth never moved.
”You look like a fecking nun. What, are you worried showin’ a little leg is gonna cause a riot or somethin’?” she bemoaned, whiskers shifting as her nose twitched.
”Those sweatpants are shit. Hold on girl, Imma about to hook you up.”“Please, Sonya, not tod--where did you even get that?”
“What, you gonna narc on me? Snitches get stitches, girl, remember that. Now shut yo mouf and get yo ass in these shorts,” Sonya commanded after she tugged the article of clothing out from behind the pillow. Calliope wasn’t really in the mood for another argument with the cat so she obeyed, pulling off her sweatpants and yanking on the running shorts.
“Alright, they’re on. That’s it, seriously, I’m just going jogging,” the blue haired girl said, giving the feline a quick scratch behind the ears before she started down the stairs.
“Wait! You’re not even gonna put on some mascara? Some blush? You’re too pale, woman, bitches gonna think you anemic or some shit!”“I’ll see you later!” Calliope called, her sneakers thudding softly against the old wooden steps as she descended to the main floor of her little townhouse. Simon, who had been curled up in the window sill, jumped down and greeted her by rubbing against her leg.
“Good morning, madame,” she heard him say, but once again his mouth remained motionless.
“Going on your run?”“Mhm,” she responded, crouching down to sweep a hand over the short black fur of his back. “I’ll be back in a little while. What do you do if the zombie apocalypse happens when I’m gone?”
“That’s highly improbable,” he grumbled, yellow eyes sliding shut as he leaned into her touch.
“...and in all the literature about it that you’ve subjected me to I’ve never heard of the undead desiring the flesh of animals. But if it happens, I promise we will meet you at the predetermined rendezvous point.”“That’s what I like to hear,” Calliope answered as she rose and padded over to the door.
”Of course, madame,” he said, blinking languidly after her.
“And do try to interact with your fellow humans, won’t you? Our demise is imminent and we’d like to know you have secured a long term companion before we pass on.” The woman stopped and gave the black cat a quick nod before hustling out the door, being sure to lock it behind her. She stuffed the ear buds into her ears and set her smartphone to play her running mix.
’Bad Moon Rising’ started and Calliope tucked the phone into the strap of her sports bra before making her way at a slow pace towards Shiny Park.
The temperature had begun to rise now that summer was in full swing and the vet student had already begun to sweat by the time she made her first loop around the park. There weren’t many people out this morning and very few squirrels or birds, which suited her just fine. While she loved animals deeply, Calliope sometimes grew tired of the their constant chattering in her head. Not all of them were as well spoken as her pets, and the constant,
’FeedMeFeedMePetMePetMeTHROWTHESTICK’ was enough to drive her mad on some mornings.
Well, madder than she already was, anyways.
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