Katz' bookstore had a decent amount of traffic each day. It at least paid the bills. His side business, that of selling forbidden books, however was what really made him a profit. Some of the collection had been the Terriers – okay, most of it had been – which you reluctantly resigned yourself to accepting. It wasn't as though they had any use for them anymore. Plus, the way you saw it, the more people who read such works, the better.
Yet the Terriers' stock lasted for only so long. Soon, Katz needed to branch out to locate other books. That opportunity came one afternoon when Katz' phone rang. After listening to the muffled voice, Saoirse was slightly surprised to see Katz out of his office. She raised a brow but was otherwise quiet.
He studied her for a moment before speaking. "One of my old colleagues has contacted me with an offer. He wishes to meet me at a club tonight in the city…and he said to bring my pet." The last bit was said almost mockingly.
Saoirse blinked. What was that about, the last bit? She placed the duster down on the counter. Before she could ask, he stated firmly, "Be ready by nine." Without even a second glance, he walked back to his office.
Gritting her teeth, Saoirse wondered not for the first time how she put up with him. He was often brisk, always expecting her to obey without question. For the most part, she went along with whatever he told her to do mostly because she would have nothing else to do if she didn't. Still, it irked her.
If they were going to meet someone at some club…she frowned. Her fingers toyed with the new tag – emerald 'Katz' ' – as she thought. When she caught her behavior, she scolded herself and went back to cleaning. She missed toying with her old tag which rest hidden away in a small box of her belongings. But, back to point, she had no idea how to dress for this club meeting. Club like…group of similar interests? Or club like…party?
Saoirse shrugged. She'd take a guess – fifty-fifty shot – and would hope to annoy him with the wrong outfit.
Unable to picture Katz ever going to a sweaty, dim, loud nightclub, Saoirse opted for the 'bunch of people with similar interests' outfit – i.e. the book club outfit. How fitting, she thought, if it really was a book club. That outfit consisted of a simple green dress that reached just past her knees, short sleeves, and a bit of lace sewn around the waist. Simple but nice enough.
As she slid her sandals on – Katz always demanded she wear shoes when outside, no more barefoot roaming for her – she heard his footsteps get closer. By the time she stood, he was in the doorway and she was openly gaping at him.
The crimson-haired man wore dark blue, almost black, slacks, dress shoes, and a similarly dark suit with a tie of deep purple. He looked smooth, incredibly…sexy. Saoirse could have slapped herself for the thought but instead dug her nails into her palm. She looked away, trying to ignore how he slid one hand into his pocket while his tail swished lazily behind him.
Katz' response to her, however, was one of surprise, then irritation. Scowling lightly, Katz said, "What on earth are you wearing?"
Saoirse blinked, no longer enchanted with how fine he cleaned up. "A dress? You said we were going to a club."
Katz' hand smooshed over his face, dragging it down in irritation. "A club, girl, as in a nightclub! This isn't Muriel's sewing club!"
You felt your face flood with heat and embarrassment at his comparison. It wasn't as though you were ever terribly concerned with your appearance before – after all, you lived in the middle of Nowhere. Katz' sharp snap, however, along with his own snappy appearance made her self-conscious. "Well I suppose I'll go change then." Although change into what was a question; did she even own anything appropriate for a nightclub?
Katz made an annoyed tsk before shaking his head. "Don't. We'll be late otherwise. Come along." With a scowl, Saoirse followed him to the truck. This was going to be a long night.
When they parked and walked towards the entrance of the club, Saoirse glanced around. The neighborhood was covered in brand name stores – clearly a wealthy area of town. There was a large dog guarding the door of the club. Saoirse's attention went to the people entering it and their outfits.
While the animals certainly wore clothes to fit the neighborhood, the humans…hardly wore much at all. She felt a bit of heat travel up her neck – yes, she definitely lacked an appropriate outfit for this event. She was both suddenly glad and embarrassed by her own modest outfit. No doubt Katz was further annoyed by it.
She glanced up at him as if to confirm when she noticed something. His jaw was set and his shoulders squared. He seemed…uncomfortable, tense even. Was she really going to humiliate him by association that much? She half expected him to demand her to just cut her dress enough to show all but…
Her eyes landed on a few of the pets once more. These were different…but similar to the others. They all wore…leather. "Katz," she spoke slowly, feeling a ball of anxiety wind up in her stomach, "what…sort of nightclub is this?"
He cleared his throat awkwardly. He didn't look at her, but watched as the others roamed with their master's holding the leash. "It is a…play club. My colleague suggested it due to the privacy it…demands."
"A…play…club?"
There was another moment of silence before Katz explained begrudgingly, "It is a place where pets are…passed around and…used publically, by their master and others…with the master's permission." He refused to look at Saoirse. He implied as much as he could, hoping she'd catch on, especially with the mention of privacy.
It took Saoirse another moment or two of looking at Katz, then at the pets who wore skimpy leather, some of who exited with their clothes and hair in disarray. When it did finally dawn on her, Saoirse's jaw dropped and her face turned a vivid red. She stood up straighter and tried to think coherent thoughts once more.
When Katz finally glanced at her, seeing her rigid stance and mortified look, she reacted with a harsh voice, "I will not go in there! I won't have anyone thinking that…I…I am not your…" She struggled for the word but they both knew what she meant. His sex slave. His whore. His plaything. And especially she would not be passed around. She shuddered and gritted her teeth, about to demand to go home.
Katz yanked on the leash, forcing Saoirse to jolt forward slightly. "Keep your voice down!" He hissed, glaring.
"I will not! I will shout to the sky that I'm not your…" Saoirse snapped, so angered that she was prepared to say the word…except he didn't let her. Instead, he reached up with his free hand and gripped her collar, forcing their noses to meet. The jarring movement and the new position silenced her.
His yellow eyes were bright with anger and perhaps a bit of embarrassment. When he spoke, he made sure his voice was just above a hushed growl. "Listen here, dear girl. While it is not my most ideal of meeting places, it is, however, the most appropriate given the actual business to be conducted here. Privacy is required for my business. I also have an appearance to keep up so while you will not be shared or 'used' in any way, you will sit quietly next to me and obey when ordered to, whatever that may be. If you do not, I will not only cease all of your communications with that cowardly mutt, but I will ensure you are not found for over a year. Understood?"
How could Saoirse say 'no'?
And while Saoirse did as he said – sat quietly next to him – she sulked and scowled most of the time. She listened to the conversation between him and two other gentlemen whose names she did not catch. From her understanding, they were surprised and even teased Katz for owning a pet. Evidently Katz had made it a big deal before her to never own one…for some reason.
Throughout the next half hour, she tried to adjust and ignore all the dancing – nude and otherwise – as well as the, ah, activities happening around her. The flashing lights and music did little to help calm her. Worse yet, one of the 'gentlemen' that met with Katz decided in mid-conversation to order his pet to dip under the table.
It wasn't a mystery as to what he had her do under there.
Saoirse tensed, rigid as a board, and felt her face heat up once more. She didn't dare glance at Katz, but tried to keep her attention on the table and how the candle in the middle played with shadows from their drinks.
It was only when, several minutes and many horrifying noises from the gentleman in mid-talk later, that Katz seemed to notice her. He leaned forward, startling her with the movement. In a hushed voice, he spoke, "If you don't breathe, you will pass out and embarrass us all. Breathe, dear girl." Although she couldn't be sure, she felt like there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
Somehow Saoirse managed not to curse or snarl at the man, but obey. She inhaled deeply but it did little for her blush or for her posture. Katz gave a quiet sigh before he raised his hand to a passing host. Within a minute, a bottle of wine appeared and two glasses of such were poured. Katz took them both, the bottle placed on the table, and placed one glass in front of Saoirse.
"Drink." He ordered quietly before sipping his own.
The girl glanced up at him, curious enough to be distracted from the activity that was happening under the table for a moment. Wine? But she had never really been much of a drinker of any sorts. Still, she knew well enough that it would dull her emotions – more than likely, that was what Katz was planning. So she obeyed with little reluctance. Lucky for her, he was smart enough to order a sweet white wine.
As the meeting went on for the next hour, one glass led to three for Saoirse.
When Katz had finished his second glass, intending to pour more for himself, he found the bottle empty. More so, he found his human swaying in her seat to the music. Well, it was either the music or the alcohol. He wasn't sure how to respond to such so he left her alone for now.
Whatever trouble he thought she could get herself into was immediately identified a few minutes later. Two of the dancers, one rabbit and one human, walked over and invited Saoirse to dance. Before inquiring Katz, Saoirse took their hands and walked a few feet away.
Katz stopped listening to his colleagues and watched her, both nervous that she may humiliate them both and curious to see what this loose and drunk version of Saoirse might do. His tail moved slowly as he studied the trio.
It took little for Saoirse to start moving to the music. Her hips swayed and her shoulders rocked nicely enough – for someone who had consumed alcohol, of course. He watched her for a few minutes behave far more wild and free than he had ever seen before with the two other dancers.
When he looked around, he was both displeased and possessive in noticing several masters having their gaze on his pet as well. He made to call out for her, to stand and grab her, when his eyes landed on a pair across the large room.
The noise was nearly covered up entirely by the loud music. Still, with his sharp ears he was able to pick up shouts and cries, pleas even. When he narrowed his eyes further, he saw a master beating a woman who lay on the floor, arm raised pointlessly, red painting her body. He wasn't sure if it was blood, markings from the man's cane, or a combination of both. Either way, he didn't stop, hardly paused as he went on.
Katz' stomach turned and he felt sick suddenly. He forced himself to look away from the display of violence and look, instead, at his own modesty dressed, though provocatively dancing human. Gritting his teeth, he made a decision then and there.
When the pair arrived back at the store, it was close to five in the morning. Katz had to help guide Saoirse inside and place her on her cot. Before she could fall asleep, however, he placed a glass of water before her. "Drink it. You'll still be sick in the morning, but it won't be as bad." He placed a bucket next to her.
Saoirse obeyed without resistance. When she was done, she lay back down. Katz glanced over as he shrugged off his coat. Scoffing, he said, "At least take off your shoes." When Saoirse didn't react, he sighed heavily. "Honestly, dear girl, what use are you?" Despite his grumblings, he walked over and took her shoes off for her.
She made a noise of gratitude but didn't move otherwise. Katz remained over her for a moment, studying her. His mind flashed back to the woman at the club, the one that was being beaten to a bloody pulp for…well, whatever the reason, it was grotesque. He pictured Saoirse in such coloring and scowled at his own imagination.
As he finished changing into his night clothes, Katz said a bit loudly, "Girl, wake up." She made a movement to suggest she was still conscious. He looked over at her cot then away. "I've decided to assist your friend and his group with funneling certain pets away from their masters." Saoirse muttered something. Katz glanced at the window, uncertain if he'd be able to sleep tonight. He spoke softer, perhaps to himself, "Perhaps there are some that deserve a different life."
Courage drove Muriel, Saoirse, and Katz to the safe house where the HR – Humane Rebels – were going to start planning the system. It would be the last meeting of the group, as group meets were often dangerous if someone were followed or traced, but it would be Saoirse's first time meeting everyone. Saoirse would be lying if she said she wasn't excited. Ever since Katz' sudden agreement to play along, for a price, she felt thrilled for this adventure.
In a way, she felt as though she were honoring Sheila and Oliver by helping out the HR.
For his part, Katz was rigid and reluctant, but not unwilling to play his part. He had decided to sit in the back with Muriel as Saoirse and Courage had the windows down and, occasionally, stuck their heads out to feel the wind. "Hmph, dogs." Katz grumbled, lumping his human pet in with the kind he disdained. Saoirse only smiled.
When they arrived at the place, it was nearly dark. From a quick glimpse, it looked like a worn out, beaten up barn house. Saoirse felt a bit concerned. The very idea of having several people meet up there seemed…far-fetched. There couldn't possibly be any electricity or running water, no form of real shelter, and all the risk of it falling apart on top of them.
When Courage got out, he was smiling slightly. That was enough to reassure her doubts. Katz stepped out of the truck and allowed Muriel out before shutting the door. He lingered briefly behind Courage, perhaps to intimidate – which succeeded if so – before he walked over to Saoirse.
The human raised a brow at the crimson-haired man. "No snide comments about the lack of a five-star hotel?" She couldn't help but jab since he had managed to turn Courage's tentative smile into a nervous flick of his eyes. After all, it was getting dark and there were no lights so far…anywhere. Damn, the moon was only half full as well…
Katz spared a glance at his collared creature before looking back at the decrepit barn house. "There is a remarkable difference in those that perform secret meetings for profit," i.e. black markets, "and those that do illegal things for the 'good of their conscience'. Take note, girl, of which activity offers a comfortable living." He then stepped forward, intending to leave the trio behind.
"Halt!" A rough voice rang out followed by a click – a weapon. Katz froze. The voice came from somewhere in the dark, perhaps in the barn itself, though it was hard to tell. "What business do you have here?"
As tempting as it was to let Katz be shot and killed, Saoirse felt that it was somehow wrong. After all, they would need his bookstore as a safe house, right? She looked at Courage and gestured. The purple haired lad quickly walked over though he trembled. "W-wait a second, Frank! He's w-with me!"
There was a pause. "Courage? That you? Hey bud, come on in!" There was another click, a safety lock perhaps. "Who's the pretty dame there?"
Saoirse took half a step before pausing. Pretty dame? She caught sight of Katz' tail straightening in agitation. "Me?" She blinked, looking over at Courage.
A pink blush came across his pale skin. "We'll…get to introductions later." He led the way with Muriel behind him. Katz remained in the same place as Saoirse went to catch up. When she got closer to the man, however, his arm shot out and barred her path to Courage.
Frowning, she looked up at Katz in question. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, studying her briefly. After a moment, long enough for Courage to enter the barn, he spoke coolly, "I will not have my pet behaving as a harlot…again."
Saoirse's face went aflame. Her memories of being inside the night club, drinking, and dancing with another pet were…scattered, to say the least. They were, however, intact enough to suggest that she had behaved not so…modestly. Gritting her teeth in embarrassment at both the past and his current implication, she said, "I'll be as pure as the snow." There was more than just a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
Satisfied, nonetheless, he let his arm fall before leading her into the hazardous shelter. When they entered, Saoirse's bad mood went away and was instantly replaced with a sense of excitement, awe, and amusement. There were several lanterns around the room to provide the light that the moon could not. There was a large table in the middle and bays of hay to sit on.
On those bays of hay sat a horse, a duck, a rabbit, a snake, and another cat. At the window sat a turtle, 'Frank' who must have been the one who 'greeted' Katz with the gun he held across his lap now. Courage made introductions and, slightly overwhelmed, Saoirse stayed silent as she took in everyone.
Frank the turtle was guard. Courage commented that he was the fastest draw in town. He was hunched over slightly and looked every bit of his fifty years or so. He nodded with a smile to Saoirse and seemed to regard Katz with suspicion.
Meredith the horse had a bit of a long face, but she had the most brilliant chestnut hair Saoirse had ever seen. Her ears twitched at the call of her name in introduction. She gave a nod to the two new folks. Otherwise, the young lady went back to writing something.
Norman the duck was as muscular as Courage was thin. He waved cheerfully at the two new faces. He crossed his arms and leaned against a column that was amazingly strong enough to support him. Saoirse guessed that he had to be as old as Katz.
Gerry the rabbit was toying with his long ears, giving a solemn nod to the pair. He was tapping his foot rapidly and Saoirse found herself wondering what his tail looked like.
Isabella – Isa for short – the snake looked like she had stepped out of an old 1920's movie. Compared to the others, she was overdressed in her dark green dress that seemed to be a second skin, even more so when in the setting of the barn. Her sharp eyes fell upon Katz, hardly sparing a glance for the human, and she winked with a grin at him. Saoirse felt herself tense with annoyance, refusing to look at Katz for his reaction. Hmph.
And lastly, Stoker the cat looked to be the oldest, perhaps as old as the Terriers had been. His tail rest around his waist as he waved slightly. His gaze lingered on Saoirse in a questioning fashion, but after a second and a slight shake of his head, he was focused on the others once more.
Courage pulled up a makeshift seat for Muriel, then for Saoirse, and lastly for himself. Katz glared at the dog briefly but before he could get his own seat, a dark hand pulled up a makeshift seat. "Care to ssssit with me?" When Isa spoke anything with an 's', her tongue flickered out – thin, forked, and every inch of a snake. Saoirse shuddered at the sight.
Katz studied her briefly before smirking. "It would be my pleasure." He purred before sitting. Saoirse had to tear her eyes away from the pair least they notice her. Not that she knew why she was staring at them to begin with.
Frank remained seated near the window but seemed to listen as Meredith started to speak. "Thank you, Courage, for finding another member for our group. As I understand, Katz, your store will be the closest safe house to Stoker's transportation."
"How exactly is Stoker transporting them?" Saoirse's curiosity burst. It was then that she realized that she was, outside of Muriel, the only human there. How odd. Perhaps the others didn't want to risk bringing their pets? Courage needed Muriel for strength, of course, and Katz needed Saoirse because…well, Courage had really wanted Saoirse to be involved. Perhaps the others tried to keep their pets involvement at a minimum, just in case of something.
There was a brief moment of silence, perhaps at the surprise of the human speaking so freely. Stoker spoke, his voice deep, steady, but with a hint of exhaustion dulling the edge. "By boat, of course. The 'Pet Paradise' is across the ocean some miles. Only I know the way."
Pet Paradise? Ah, Saorise thought, it must be both code and some sort of irony. After all, if only humans were allowed there, surely it was paradise to them. "You, by boat? Wait, you're a cat. I thought cats' hated water." She ignored the creeping blush up her neck when she heard someone snicker – was it Meredith or Isa who did that?
Stoker's faded yellow gaze darkened with intensity, something that looked a bit frightening given the lantern lighting. He studied Saoirse for another moment, again that questioning look over his face. Finally he brushed it away and smiled softly. "That's exactly why I do it. They'll never suspect a cat sailing the deep, blue waters." He winked.
"Here's how the route will work out. First we'll start with my…" Meredith started to speak, but went silent when Katz cleared his throat intentionally.
When all eyes were on the crimson-haired man, he spoke, "You seem to be under the delusion that I will offer my store up for use for free. Given the risks and circumstances, as well as my true business, I cannot give a little without…taking a little."
The silence that followed seemed to fester. Slowly, the moods of nearly everyone there darkened. "You're asking for payment?!" Gerry spat, his ears standing straight up.
Saoirse shrunk slightly, embarrassed by her owner's behavior. She heard Courage's growl next to her, followed by a few other displeased grumbles from the others. Katz, however, seemed as poise as ever as if he had asked for a cup of tea rather than money for their freeing operation.
It was Isa who spoke first, her voice soft but dark. "I think we could work sssomething out between all of usss. We are, after all, asssking you to put your…other busssinessss at risssk asss well. What would you like? Or…how much?"
If Saoirse could growl like Courage, she would have just then. Something didn't sit right about Isa with her. She made a note to talk to her purple-haired friend later about it. Katz' gaze rested on the snake woman who sat not a foot away. After a moment, he named a figure, "A thousand dollars per escapee…paid before they use my business as a hiding hole."
There was a slight uproar from the seven folks, but it was Isa's voice, sharp but sweet, that won out. "Deal. Now then…ssshall we dissscusss how we choossse the poor pet?"
Saoirse listened to the rigid voices that followed, mortified by Katz. At the same time, she couldn't say she was entirely surprised at his intent to profit from it all. Still, when he had told her that he would help that night, he had seemed, he had sounded, so…well. It didn't matter how he sounded since she had been drunk and he was now demanding money.
"We must be even more selective with who we wish to help, given our new 'budget'." Meredith glared at Katz briefly. "We will have to find those that suffer in all the realms, but who are not under lock-and-key. Helping them escape once we make contact cannot be impossible. We can work with 'improbably' – we have before long ago, right Frank?" The turtle nodded. "If we can save them younger, the better. Isa, Norman, and myself will handle getting them out of the situation. Everyone will be concerned about transportation and safe houses. We will move only during bad weather and darkness. It's when no one would suspect it – for now. As for the code and way of contacting one another to be alert for the delivery…"
As Meredith went on in detail, Saoirse's eyes roamed across the faces of this group. Even though they were slightly irked still at Katz' demand, they all seemed intent and focused on the plan. Her gaze flickered to Isa briefly and scowled before she could stop herself. The snake of a woman had her gaze on Katz. Ew.
It was then that Saoirse felt eyes on her again. She blinked and glanced around, wondering why she was suddenly aware of this. When she spotted the old cat, Stoker, watching her, she froze. There was a look on his face that she couldn't quite read in this dim light.
Suddenly everyone stood. Saoirse jumped, breaking her gaze and looked around. The meeting had ended apparently. As everyone started to leave and Isa had Katz' attention, Stoker walked over to Saoirse. She looked up with a hint of nervousness. She wasn't sure why though.
"I believe I know you from somewhere…what did you say your name was again?" Stoker inquired.
Just as she made to open her mouth to answer, Katz' sharp voice rang out, "Girl, come. We're leaving." It was as though he had been paying attention to the pair more so than the woman speaking to him.
With a moment's hesitation, she nodded and walked away. The ride back had her silent though. Stoker said he might have known her from somewhere…he must have been mistaken. She rarely went out in public, before and after the Terriers' passing.
Yes, he must have confused her with someone else…somehow…or the light in the barn house had…messed with him…that had to be it. Yet despite this mental chant, she couldn't get rid of the ball of anxiety in the pit of her stomach.
