catnap with destiny [open]

[regalduchess]

...Perhaps it is true that cats have nine lives.

Three days after the crocodile, Duchess wakes up in the same place she'd died (swiftly, not fast enough for blood to stain past the collar). She's curled up as if in a light catnap on the windowseat in one of the halls, but the dust on the velvet cushions betrays the truth.

Duchess opens her eyes slowly against the light that filters in. Warmth puddles on her back, slips away on her shadowed paws and tail curled under her body.

...despite how nice it feels, she still has a phantom ache in her throat. She'll sit at the windowseat for a while, alternately grooming her fur into perfection or soaking up the sun.

A little later, she'll pad down into the gardens and inspect the newest... additions to the landscape.  It's entirely possible that anyone could run into her, either at the windowseat, the gardens, or anywhere in-between.

Comments

[mercybutton]

Where the hell has Frisk been?

Actively avoiding the castle, that's what--they've taken to moving their belongings to somewhere deep in the woods, guided by Flowey in the jight while the move was active. Everything jn their room has been emptied. Now, Flowey has taken to the freedom the Edge and the Forest allows, and Frisk is on a hunt to scrounge for more food from the candy room and the kitchen.

The only reason any of this has happened is because they'd been chased off by Croc. They don't want to be eaten or have their head bashed in--they'd rather avoid the pain, thanks.

Lucky Duchess, she's the first besides Flowey to see them post-incident. They didn't intend on being seen, but they were hungry. Also, they left their guitar behind.

[regalduchess]

Duchess pads to the kitchen to get something to eat before visiting the gardens-- only to see Frisk!

"Hello, little one!"

She hurries to their side, tail brushing against their ankle to announce her position.

"It is so good to see you safe and well-- you have been keeping safe, right?"

She doesn't want to alarm them, but maybe they've already heard of the crocodile. (Of course they have.)

[mercybutton]

They jump when they hear her, they feel she's a cat. It's odd, but not the oddest thing they've seen. They're crouched on a counter, that might be a little stranger, castle considered.

And at least it's not Croc. They ease up considerably, because someone's around at least, if they're to die. "Yeah, I'm doing okay. Um, have you seen a giant monster running around? He sounds like he wants to hurt people and he's big?"

That's Croc they're describing, but it's not as if they can tell her how he looks.

[regalduchess]

"Oh, yes." Duchess nods sagely. "I am afraid that I perished to him not long ago."

She doesn't go into detail. There wasn't much to go into, really. "Why? Did he-- did the monster attempt to harm you?"

If so, she'll go marching straight to anyone who seems like they can hunt him down and teach him some manners.

...or she might try herself. Small, and quick, and she can probably dodge him if it comes to that. After all, it is better she take the violence than a child.

"Darling, are you alright?"

[mercybutton]

Yikes.

"Mm, he, uh, chased me out of the library. I've started, uh, sleeping in the forest... it's not half bad there, actually." They rub their air, their gaze walking downward. "I'm okay, it's just... I don't wanna run into him again, you know?"

[regalduchess]

"Sleeping in the forest?" If this were a video game, an exclamation mark would surely blink into existence between her twitching ears. "Oh, darling, that is absolutely horrible! Please, you may sleep with me if you wish. I know a secure place that he cannot fit into."

...they might not be able to fit there either, but she'll find a way.

[mercybutton]

"Nn--I mean, I dragged some blankets there, I made a hammock--Flowey helped me and stuff! It's not like it rains here." Oh, they probably sound rude. "I me--uh, I, it's not like--... I mean, it's not bad, but I could sleep in the castle, too."

Nailed it.

[regalduchess]

"My dear," Duchess begins, and there's a hint of steel hiding under the silky tone that still hasn't completely left, "you should not have to sleep outside because of some unpleasant brute. Come, you may sleep with me if you like; or simply avoid the places he has been seen."

She has her suspicions that he's been dealt with; pacified, or neutralized, or anything inbetween.

[mercybutton]

"S-sure. I wouldn't mind, though, uh, Flowey can be kind of… rude."

Which perhaps might be the only problem.

[regalduchess]

"Flowey will behave." It's not quite a promise as much as it is a prediction. And if he doesn't? Duchess will have a few firm words for him.