This story is un-finished right now but I was impatient. I was also unsure
whether or not scripting it (with some of the chapter narrations between
brackets []) might make it interesting, or confusing. But then that's what
R&R is for, so read and enjoy peeps. But please, no spamming, flaming etc.
If you haven't got anything nice to say, don't bother cause it helps no
body.
One quick note: Sarnie Bobcat is © to Cherie Fournier (fanfictiongoddess). And Danni Dingo is © to me, Shazi M. In case you are extremely familiar with these characters, I suggest my site "Danni's Den" (click on 'Character Profiles') might at least help make things a little clearer on my characters' backgrounds. Hope you enjoy the story.
When Cat, meets Dog..
[In the evening summertime jungle, Crash relaxed in contentment deep within the confines off his home. He felt so soothed as he gave a loud yawn, stretched wide, and made himself gently melt into his comfortable purple couch. He closed his eyes, and let the aches of today just seep away from his tired soul. Mind you, today not much was aching. It had only been another hot, long lethargic lazy day with nothing being done. And you know what? He loved it. The skies were crystal clear all morning. And apart from the faint dots of the odd bird life gliding here and there, there was no cloud in sight. Crash smiled dreamily to himself thinking about it. Today the skies had been so clear you could've just stared plain upwards and straight into the heavens. And the coastline of N. Sanity was, as it always was: sheer perfection like the perfect postcard. It's beach, freckled with pure white sand that seemed to go out on and on for miles around this tiny island surrounded by the ideal sea: cool blue, and everlasting. It was the sort of day that was typical in the south of Australia come summertime, and yet, a day Crash could rarely stop to admire. That is, ever since the day he waged war with the immoral Doctor Neo Cortex. Crash heaved in a heavy sigh and focused up at his wooden ceiling above. Since then, he had had so many restless days. Days of endless running through the forests, completing tasks, confrontations, and narrowly avoiding death come each step of the way and all in the name of freedom. Whenever a new scheme concocted from that madman reared its ugly head and threatened all that you cherished. No, there was no time to relax with your family, or survey the beauty of Mother Nature. Since the moment that doctor flicked the switch on the evolvo-ray altering the bandicoot's genetics, nothing had ever remained the same for Crash again. He had become the hero (much to Cortex's horror), and freedom to live the easy life had become a little scarce since he chose to don such responsibilities.
It had actually been about two months since he and his young sister Coco infiltrated Cortex's databanks with her laptop and put the doctor's 'then' project on ice. Crash smiled and arched his back making himself more comfortable between the cushions. This was heaven, and it was unbelievable. No signs of danger on the island, none at all. None that screamed: 'Cortex' at least. Nope, Cortex was gone it seemed. Was vanquishing all the productive data to the 'neon ray' in the doctor's labs finally the ticket for freedom? Was that maniac really gone forever? It looked kind of uncertain. But our hero refused to fret about it. Why worry he thought, and let Cortex take that as an advantage? He inhaled gently and closed his eyes to sleep. Yep, why worry? It was just Crash now. Crash, his sofa, and two months, three days of complete tranquillity.
Well, today would have at least ended in tranquillity too, had it not been for a certain polar bear cub darting into the room as Crash started snoozing away. Polar growled as he looked to and fro with a blue Frisbee gripped firmly between his teeth. He was looking for a way he could escape the baby tyrannosaurus Rex who was running down the hallway in hot pursuit of his favourite toy. Rex, another one of Crash's pets, scooted into the room and sure enough made an immediate dash for the baby bear as soon as both they're eyes made contact with one another. Wasting no time at all, Polar barked and dived up onto Crash's stomach. Narrowly missing Rex's clamping jaws, but shattering the bandicoot's blissful start to the night.]
Crash: (jolts up in a fright) Gah! Polar? Polar! (Pushes the bear away) Don't do that!
Polar: Arf!
(He falls to the floor, dropping the Frisbee on contact. He goes to retrieve it however Rex dashes in and snatches it away with his jaws. Feeling triumphant, the baby-t grunts and waves it in front of the disgruntled bear cub. Right, two can play that game. Polar growls and lunges forward sinking his teeth on it's other side. And before long the pair embraces in a tug of war. Crash grunts, rubs his chest and lifts himself up from the couch to see the scene before him.)
Crash: What? (Sighs) How many times have I told you guys? No running in the house! Why are you fighting anyway? (He gets up and spots the harassed toy) Oh no not that old thing. Give it here!
(He leans forward in an attempt to snatch the harassed toy from the feuding baby animals, when out of nowhere a tremendous thump catches the hapless rodent off guard as Pura the tigress cub suddenly jumps him from behind. Crash gives a loud yelp and falls forward, arms flailing madly in the air. He grunts as he lands face first on the carpet rug with an even louder thud. Coco, his bright young sister giggles as she appears from the doorway behind them.)
Coco: You weren't looking. Pura was after it as well. (Crash shakes his head and holds it with his hand as he lifts himself up from the floor. He reels back in surprise as he comes face to face with a grinning tigress cub.)
Crash: Pura! Why'd you have to go and do that? (He groans and rubs the back of his head.) Now I'm gonna get one of my headaches.
(The little cub tilts her head. She is so very regretful for her actions that she jumps onto the top of Crash's chest, giving him a sloppy wet comforting lick. Needless to say, Crash recoils dramatically with much discomfort.)
Crash: Guh! Hey! (He shudders and wipes saliva from his cheek.) Okay, that was gross! Get off me kitty!
(Pura pouts and retreats off of Crash's chest feeling a little dejected from his scolding. She makes her way over to Coco who by then has completely entered the room. The tigress plonks herself down behind her 'own' master and shoots a scowl back at the crusty rat. Coco giggles and pets her kitty tenderly.)
Coco: Oh she only wanted a kiss Crash. She was saying sorry.
Crash: Well FYI Coco, tiger's don't kiss! They nuzzle!
(A scuffle behind him takes him by surprise and he turns his head to see that his other two pets are now rolling on top of each other in the background. It seems they are still very defiant in retrieving the beloved Frisbee, which was still being clamped by both sets of teeth. Crash lets out a sigh and looks back to his sibling, who was now stroking her own pet by the chin.)
Crash: Why is everyone so keen on stopping me from taking my night nap anyway?
Coco: Because Crash, we only came to give you some news.
(She pulls out a crumpled up wad of paper from her dungaree shorts and unfolds it, then hands it to Crash. He looks at the small imprint and then back at Coco. She has her hands on her hips. Her usual pose.)
Crash: What's this?
Coco: It's a letter I received this morning by e-mail so I printed it out to read later. (Points at him) Only cause you were too busy taking your usual slumber on the beach to read it.
(He glances down at his slender body with a proud smile.)
Crash: Got a good tan too!
[He began to read the letter hurriedly. Polar and Rex, had by then given up on the Frisbee tugging game and quickened themselves over to join their masters by the sofa. Let's face it, the game was getting boring, and it was getting dark, which meant round about 'night time' for the little tearaways. But not for Crash, not right now. His deep green eyes burrowed through the small print as Polar gave a light 'yip' and leapt up onto the couch, plopping himself between his master and a nice cosy red pillow. It amused Coco to watch her brother sway slightly as the bear's intrusion displaced the thick sofa cushions underneath whilst he continued to read undisturbed. That, and of the fact that she knew of the message's sender.]
Coco: I think you'll be quite surprised who wrote it. She's been away for quite some time. It's been awhile. And, well she's come to visit.
(Crash darts his head up.)
Crash: She? (He goes back to it again, reading it more eagerly) I haven't gotten to the end yet. I still can't tell who this is.
Coco: Uh, yes, 'she'. It surprised me when I got it. It's been so long since we last saw her. In fact, I think the last time we saw her was something like.six months ago? Man, that is a long time. I wonder how she's been? Well anyway, it'll be nice to see her again. Won't it Purie? (She strokes the tuft of fur on Pura's head affectionately. The cub purrs back with pleasure.) We'll have to... (Notices Crash still reading. Polar, now lying spread out over his master's lap.) Crash, have you finished reading that yet?
(After a few seconds, Crash finally lifts his snout away from the paper. A clear perplexed look across his face.)
Crash: Sarnie? She's coming to visit?
Coco: Yes, Sarnie Bobcat. She said she'd come round to our home tomorrow morning.
Crash: Sarnie? Sarnie.Bobcat? Be here in the morning?
Coco: (Sighs) Crash do you need your ears de-waxing? I meant what I said. She mentioned in the letter she's coming over to visit.
Crash: But it's been ages. Why now?
Coco: Well why not? (Walks over to the couch and fluffs up a tattered pillow) Besides I think it's great she's coming over. Man it's been ages since we all first met. I hope she's doing well. (She notices a guilty smile sweep across his face) What?
Crash: Um, it's been ages since we cleaned up the place as well.
Coco: Huh?
(She looks around the room, which was now more recognisable in its actual state. There are burger boxes scattered everywhere, as well as half drunken soda cans. Not to mention the odd clod of dirt brought in from the outside by Bandicoot feet. And the odd dirty laundry was scattered around. Coco gasps completely mortified. Whilst her big brother rubs his neck very sheepishly.)
Crash: Uhh you see, I've been so busy what with dealing with Cortex and all and..
Coco: Crash! When was it the last time you cleaned up this front room? It's hideous! Sarnie will be here tomorrow, and this place is a complete tip! (She begins darting about, picking up as much rubbish as she can muster quickly.) And. (She picks up a dirtied grey heavy machine box by the TV) . uggh! You've spilt orange juice all over the V.C.R!
Crash: Um Coco, that's not the v.c.r. That's the um.playstation.
Coco: What? I could hardly recognise it! It's so filthy! Why didn't you do anything sooner?
Crash: (Simply) Busy! Remember?
Coco: What kind of excuse is that? (Throws her hands up in stress) Urg! Brothers. We're hardly gonna get everything clean by tonight. (Points at him) But you're gonna help me clean this up now Crash. We've gotta make good impressions for our guests! (She heads off back into the kitchen grumbling to herself and imitating her brother's voice, mocks his excuse) "I've been so busy dealing with Cortex and all that.".
(Crash chuckles to himself and shakes his head.)
Crash: Little sisters. (Calls after her) You should relax! Besides, you know Sarnie's never been bothered by grunge. Maybe she won't.. (Coco stomps back in with a such a scowl across her face she looks set to explode. She seizes his hand by roughly slamming a dust cloth into it, and he is caught off by her fierce expression. ).. Mind. Ok.
(She leans closely to her brother's face. There is a moment of silence as she pierces him with her eyes.)
Coco: We're dusting this place, now!
Crash: I guess I can't argue with that. (Smiles and looks at Polar) But you know I do have a bear laying across my legs.
(On hearing this, Polar yips and leaps off his lap onto the floor collecting up as many cans and crumpled up boxes as he can. Oh no Crash, this little teddy is not going to get involved thank you very much. Coco turns back at her brother, a 'now whatcha gonna do?' look upon her face, hands on her hips. He is left sitting, expressionless.)
Crash: Darn.
[Crash wearily stood up away from the couch and surveyed the room. Actually, on second thought, I guess you could say Coco was right. The room did look in a bit of a complete tip. Had he been a stranger the room could have looked well like it fell victim to bombing. As he glanced to his right, his sister was already scrubbing furiously away at the orange stains splattered all over their playstation. He regretfully looked at the cloth in his hands, and then walked forward to join them in the middle of the room. Idly picking up left over sweet wrappers, crumbs, the odd tiger, polar bear fluff. While she busily placed herself with most of the chores with the swift aid of their pets, he yawned loudly, stretched and brushed the cloth over every surface of the room with an effortless swoosh. Smiling sleepily, he hadn't even noticed he was knocking objects and artefacts off the mantelpiece, each and everyone one of them being saved from crashing against the floor by Polar down below, who was darting here and there at breakneck speed once he noticed with horror what the inattentive Bandicoot was doing. Three hours passed. Coco let out a sigh and lifted her head away from looking under the armchair for leftover rubbish. As her eyes glanced out through the window, into the darkness of the jungle she imagined how silent it must be outside now. That peaceful silence was suddenly broken by a rasping snore from just behind her. As she turned to look, there was her brother laying face down sprawled all over the couch. Dead to the world, cloth over his head and a snoozing bear cub laid over the back of his legs. She was about to walk over and whip his butt with her own cloth until she felt a soft prod against her leg. She looked down to see her loyal Pura mew back up at her and indicate with a nod of her head the time on the clock on the mantelpiece. It was way way waaay past midnight. Coco blinked her eyes and stretched her arms up, then let out a soft yawn and rubbed her back. It was now aching and sore from all that bending down. She looked around the room. Not a bad job done, considering she'd done most of the cleaning herself. Everything was now back the way it was, or at least, most of it on her part. She'd be sure to give her lazy brother a good lecture on 'orderliness' again tomorrow before their guest arrives. And she hadn't seen Sarnie in a long long time. Still, excitement was giving way to tiredness. It wasn't long before Coco had to let her heavy legs go, and so flopped back onto the armchair behind her, even more grateful of it being there just when she needed something soft to fall on. To fall on, close her eyes, and fade away into a deep deep sleep. Surely no one could have been more tired than her this night.]
One quick note: Sarnie Bobcat is © to Cherie Fournier (fanfictiongoddess). And Danni Dingo is © to me, Shazi M. In case you are extremely familiar with these characters, I suggest my site "Danni's Den" (click on 'Character Profiles') might at least help make things a little clearer on my characters' backgrounds. Hope you enjoy the story.
When Cat, meets Dog..
[In the evening summertime jungle, Crash relaxed in contentment deep within the confines off his home. He felt so soothed as he gave a loud yawn, stretched wide, and made himself gently melt into his comfortable purple couch. He closed his eyes, and let the aches of today just seep away from his tired soul. Mind you, today not much was aching. It had only been another hot, long lethargic lazy day with nothing being done. And you know what? He loved it. The skies were crystal clear all morning. And apart from the faint dots of the odd bird life gliding here and there, there was no cloud in sight. Crash smiled dreamily to himself thinking about it. Today the skies had been so clear you could've just stared plain upwards and straight into the heavens. And the coastline of N. Sanity was, as it always was: sheer perfection like the perfect postcard. It's beach, freckled with pure white sand that seemed to go out on and on for miles around this tiny island surrounded by the ideal sea: cool blue, and everlasting. It was the sort of day that was typical in the south of Australia come summertime, and yet, a day Crash could rarely stop to admire. That is, ever since the day he waged war with the immoral Doctor Neo Cortex. Crash heaved in a heavy sigh and focused up at his wooden ceiling above. Since then, he had had so many restless days. Days of endless running through the forests, completing tasks, confrontations, and narrowly avoiding death come each step of the way and all in the name of freedom. Whenever a new scheme concocted from that madman reared its ugly head and threatened all that you cherished. No, there was no time to relax with your family, or survey the beauty of Mother Nature. Since the moment that doctor flicked the switch on the evolvo-ray altering the bandicoot's genetics, nothing had ever remained the same for Crash again. He had become the hero (much to Cortex's horror), and freedom to live the easy life had become a little scarce since he chose to don such responsibilities.
It had actually been about two months since he and his young sister Coco infiltrated Cortex's databanks with her laptop and put the doctor's 'then' project on ice. Crash smiled and arched his back making himself more comfortable between the cushions. This was heaven, and it was unbelievable. No signs of danger on the island, none at all. None that screamed: 'Cortex' at least. Nope, Cortex was gone it seemed. Was vanquishing all the productive data to the 'neon ray' in the doctor's labs finally the ticket for freedom? Was that maniac really gone forever? It looked kind of uncertain. But our hero refused to fret about it. Why worry he thought, and let Cortex take that as an advantage? He inhaled gently and closed his eyes to sleep. Yep, why worry? It was just Crash now. Crash, his sofa, and two months, three days of complete tranquillity.
Well, today would have at least ended in tranquillity too, had it not been for a certain polar bear cub darting into the room as Crash started snoozing away. Polar growled as he looked to and fro with a blue Frisbee gripped firmly between his teeth. He was looking for a way he could escape the baby tyrannosaurus Rex who was running down the hallway in hot pursuit of his favourite toy. Rex, another one of Crash's pets, scooted into the room and sure enough made an immediate dash for the baby bear as soon as both they're eyes made contact with one another. Wasting no time at all, Polar barked and dived up onto Crash's stomach. Narrowly missing Rex's clamping jaws, but shattering the bandicoot's blissful start to the night.]
Crash: (jolts up in a fright) Gah! Polar? Polar! (Pushes the bear away) Don't do that!
Polar: Arf!
(He falls to the floor, dropping the Frisbee on contact. He goes to retrieve it however Rex dashes in and snatches it away with his jaws. Feeling triumphant, the baby-t grunts and waves it in front of the disgruntled bear cub. Right, two can play that game. Polar growls and lunges forward sinking his teeth on it's other side. And before long the pair embraces in a tug of war. Crash grunts, rubs his chest and lifts himself up from the couch to see the scene before him.)
Crash: What? (Sighs) How many times have I told you guys? No running in the house! Why are you fighting anyway? (He gets up and spots the harassed toy) Oh no not that old thing. Give it here!
(He leans forward in an attempt to snatch the harassed toy from the feuding baby animals, when out of nowhere a tremendous thump catches the hapless rodent off guard as Pura the tigress cub suddenly jumps him from behind. Crash gives a loud yelp and falls forward, arms flailing madly in the air. He grunts as he lands face first on the carpet rug with an even louder thud. Coco, his bright young sister giggles as she appears from the doorway behind them.)
Coco: You weren't looking. Pura was after it as well. (Crash shakes his head and holds it with his hand as he lifts himself up from the floor. He reels back in surprise as he comes face to face with a grinning tigress cub.)
Crash: Pura! Why'd you have to go and do that? (He groans and rubs the back of his head.) Now I'm gonna get one of my headaches.
(The little cub tilts her head. She is so very regretful for her actions that she jumps onto the top of Crash's chest, giving him a sloppy wet comforting lick. Needless to say, Crash recoils dramatically with much discomfort.)
Crash: Guh! Hey! (He shudders and wipes saliva from his cheek.) Okay, that was gross! Get off me kitty!
(Pura pouts and retreats off of Crash's chest feeling a little dejected from his scolding. She makes her way over to Coco who by then has completely entered the room. The tigress plonks herself down behind her 'own' master and shoots a scowl back at the crusty rat. Coco giggles and pets her kitty tenderly.)
Coco: Oh she only wanted a kiss Crash. She was saying sorry.
Crash: Well FYI Coco, tiger's don't kiss! They nuzzle!
(A scuffle behind him takes him by surprise and he turns his head to see that his other two pets are now rolling on top of each other in the background. It seems they are still very defiant in retrieving the beloved Frisbee, which was still being clamped by both sets of teeth. Crash lets out a sigh and looks back to his sibling, who was now stroking her own pet by the chin.)
Crash: Why is everyone so keen on stopping me from taking my night nap anyway?
Coco: Because Crash, we only came to give you some news.
(She pulls out a crumpled up wad of paper from her dungaree shorts and unfolds it, then hands it to Crash. He looks at the small imprint and then back at Coco. She has her hands on her hips. Her usual pose.)
Crash: What's this?
Coco: It's a letter I received this morning by e-mail so I printed it out to read later. (Points at him) Only cause you were too busy taking your usual slumber on the beach to read it.
(He glances down at his slender body with a proud smile.)
Crash: Got a good tan too!
[He began to read the letter hurriedly. Polar and Rex, had by then given up on the Frisbee tugging game and quickened themselves over to join their masters by the sofa. Let's face it, the game was getting boring, and it was getting dark, which meant round about 'night time' for the little tearaways. But not for Crash, not right now. His deep green eyes burrowed through the small print as Polar gave a light 'yip' and leapt up onto the couch, plopping himself between his master and a nice cosy red pillow. It amused Coco to watch her brother sway slightly as the bear's intrusion displaced the thick sofa cushions underneath whilst he continued to read undisturbed. That, and of the fact that she knew of the message's sender.]
Coco: I think you'll be quite surprised who wrote it. She's been away for quite some time. It's been awhile. And, well she's come to visit.
(Crash darts his head up.)
Crash: She? (He goes back to it again, reading it more eagerly) I haven't gotten to the end yet. I still can't tell who this is.
Coco: Uh, yes, 'she'. It surprised me when I got it. It's been so long since we last saw her. In fact, I think the last time we saw her was something like.six months ago? Man, that is a long time. I wonder how she's been? Well anyway, it'll be nice to see her again. Won't it Purie? (She strokes the tuft of fur on Pura's head affectionately. The cub purrs back with pleasure.) We'll have to... (Notices Crash still reading. Polar, now lying spread out over his master's lap.) Crash, have you finished reading that yet?
(After a few seconds, Crash finally lifts his snout away from the paper. A clear perplexed look across his face.)
Crash: Sarnie? She's coming to visit?
Coco: Yes, Sarnie Bobcat. She said she'd come round to our home tomorrow morning.
Crash: Sarnie? Sarnie.Bobcat? Be here in the morning?
Coco: (Sighs) Crash do you need your ears de-waxing? I meant what I said. She mentioned in the letter she's coming over to visit.
Crash: But it's been ages. Why now?
Coco: Well why not? (Walks over to the couch and fluffs up a tattered pillow) Besides I think it's great she's coming over. Man it's been ages since we all first met. I hope she's doing well. (She notices a guilty smile sweep across his face) What?
Crash: Um, it's been ages since we cleaned up the place as well.
Coco: Huh?
(She looks around the room, which was now more recognisable in its actual state. There are burger boxes scattered everywhere, as well as half drunken soda cans. Not to mention the odd clod of dirt brought in from the outside by Bandicoot feet. And the odd dirty laundry was scattered around. Coco gasps completely mortified. Whilst her big brother rubs his neck very sheepishly.)
Crash: Uhh you see, I've been so busy what with dealing with Cortex and all and..
Coco: Crash! When was it the last time you cleaned up this front room? It's hideous! Sarnie will be here tomorrow, and this place is a complete tip! (She begins darting about, picking up as much rubbish as she can muster quickly.) And. (She picks up a dirtied grey heavy machine box by the TV) . uggh! You've spilt orange juice all over the V.C.R!
Crash: Um Coco, that's not the v.c.r. That's the um.playstation.
Coco: What? I could hardly recognise it! It's so filthy! Why didn't you do anything sooner?
Crash: (Simply) Busy! Remember?
Coco: What kind of excuse is that? (Throws her hands up in stress) Urg! Brothers. We're hardly gonna get everything clean by tonight. (Points at him) But you're gonna help me clean this up now Crash. We've gotta make good impressions for our guests! (She heads off back into the kitchen grumbling to herself and imitating her brother's voice, mocks his excuse) "I've been so busy dealing with Cortex and all that.".
(Crash chuckles to himself and shakes his head.)
Crash: Little sisters. (Calls after her) You should relax! Besides, you know Sarnie's never been bothered by grunge. Maybe she won't.. (Coco stomps back in with a such a scowl across her face she looks set to explode. She seizes his hand by roughly slamming a dust cloth into it, and he is caught off by her fierce expression. ).. Mind. Ok.
(She leans closely to her brother's face. There is a moment of silence as she pierces him with her eyes.)
Coco: We're dusting this place, now!
Crash: I guess I can't argue with that. (Smiles and looks at Polar) But you know I do have a bear laying across my legs.
(On hearing this, Polar yips and leaps off his lap onto the floor collecting up as many cans and crumpled up boxes as he can. Oh no Crash, this little teddy is not going to get involved thank you very much. Coco turns back at her brother, a 'now whatcha gonna do?' look upon her face, hands on her hips. He is left sitting, expressionless.)
Crash: Darn.
[Crash wearily stood up away from the couch and surveyed the room. Actually, on second thought, I guess you could say Coco was right. The room did look in a bit of a complete tip. Had he been a stranger the room could have looked well like it fell victim to bombing. As he glanced to his right, his sister was already scrubbing furiously away at the orange stains splattered all over their playstation. He regretfully looked at the cloth in his hands, and then walked forward to join them in the middle of the room. Idly picking up left over sweet wrappers, crumbs, the odd tiger, polar bear fluff. While she busily placed herself with most of the chores with the swift aid of their pets, he yawned loudly, stretched and brushed the cloth over every surface of the room with an effortless swoosh. Smiling sleepily, he hadn't even noticed he was knocking objects and artefacts off the mantelpiece, each and everyone one of them being saved from crashing against the floor by Polar down below, who was darting here and there at breakneck speed once he noticed with horror what the inattentive Bandicoot was doing. Three hours passed. Coco let out a sigh and lifted her head away from looking under the armchair for leftover rubbish. As her eyes glanced out through the window, into the darkness of the jungle she imagined how silent it must be outside now. That peaceful silence was suddenly broken by a rasping snore from just behind her. As she turned to look, there was her brother laying face down sprawled all over the couch. Dead to the world, cloth over his head and a snoozing bear cub laid over the back of his legs. She was about to walk over and whip his butt with her own cloth until she felt a soft prod against her leg. She looked down to see her loyal Pura mew back up at her and indicate with a nod of her head the time on the clock on the mantelpiece. It was way way waaay past midnight. Coco blinked her eyes and stretched her arms up, then let out a soft yawn and rubbed her back. It was now aching and sore from all that bending down. She looked around the room. Not a bad job done, considering she'd done most of the cleaning herself. Everything was now back the way it was, or at least, most of it on her part. She'd be sure to give her lazy brother a good lecture on 'orderliness' again tomorrow before their guest arrives. And she hadn't seen Sarnie in a long long time. Still, excitement was giving way to tiredness. It wasn't long before Coco had to let her heavy legs go, and so flopped back onto the armchair behind her, even more grateful of it being there just when she needed something soft to fall on. To fall on, close her eyes, and fade away into a deep deep sleep. Surely no one could have been more tired than her this night.]