A hazy glow flickers through the window blinds. You blink for several moments at your ceiling, adjusting your eyesight. The air is thick; musty with old furniture and laced with streams of sunlight. Amid the antediluvian yet homely scent is the edge of that dark brewed beverage he loves so much.

You figure everything is as it should be, even if that never includes the tickle of numbness from dead weight on your upper arm in the morning.

Ugh, what time is it?

Scrunching up your nose, you slip the sheets off and toss on your shades, followed by jeans and a t-shirt.

Karkat is- as always- awake before you and making coffee.

He has major sleeping issues.

"How'd the show go last night?" He watches you from the kitchen table; his eyes weighed by more luggage than usual.

"Oh, y'know. Same shit. Laying out sick beats and the chicks can't get enough." You walk over and set a hand on the table. "What time did you wake up? You were sleeping when I got home, but dude, your raccoon image is looking damn accurate." You angle yourself to peer into his face.

"Some ungodly hour, I don't know, nor do I care. Just…" he pauses, narrowing his eyes, "Get out of my face."

You raise your hands in mock surrender. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Well, doesn't matter, I'm checking out. Got shit to do today."

"Right, whatever, just get out already then." Karkat groans and stands to pour another cup of coffee.

You snag your jacket off the coat rack and head out the door.

‒

After a time check, you decide: way too early.

Whatever transpired concerning the weather yesterday, the sun despises the occurrence, and is trying to apologize for its mistake. Thank god for your shades, wild abandon from a flaring solar sphere is distressing.

You pull the note out of your jacket pocket. The woman said the kittens are going back in the morning, so you will hold off until noon to visit.

Several hours to waste…

Karkat's mood is dreadful, so returning home for coffee is not the best idea. But consumption of caffeine is a necessity at the moment.

With one fluid movement you tug your phone out of your pocket and call your best friend.

"Dave!"

"'Sup bro? You work at that coffee shop near my apartment complex, right? Are you working today?"

He giggles into the phone. "Yeah, I do work at the café. My shift starts in half an hour, I'm getting ready now. Why?"

"I'm stopping by to chill. I've got time in my wallet and nothing to spend it on."

"Not hanging with Karkat today?"

"He's moody."

"Didn't get much sleep?"

"When does he."

"Hehe, that's true. I'll see you soon then!"

"Later Egbert."

He hangs up the phone.

You walk through the city streets; six blocks and two turns later, you are at the café.

John has not arrived, so you buy an apple latte and relax by the window.

People pass by- an elderly man with a noticeable under bite and a hobbled gait, a mother who stops to scold an obstinate child, a couple arm-in-arm with cameras slung around their necks.

You sonder.

One man walking a Siberian Husky steers your thoughts into animals. None of your friends have pets besides Jade, but that mutt she owns does not count much as an animal. Oh, Rose had a cat when she was young. She might not have relative advice on the topic now. Even if she did, her speech is cryptic in regards to favors. She can make asking for pet guidance into an analytic reflection of your moral values.

The trolls managed their lusii, if that deems near useful. So for animal advice, you assume directing questions to the trolls would be wisest.

Someone taps you on the shoulder. A familiar face; a toothy grin and a complexion sparsely spattered with freckles, blue eyes framed by square lenses.

"Hey Dave!"

You sip your latte. "Hey."

"Is that a latte? Dude, lame. It's not even coffee, it's half milk!"

"It's ironic. And the only apple thing you have on the goddamn menu."

"We have apple juice in the fridge." He points to the customer-accessible refrigerator.

"I needed caffeine."

He giggles again. "Okay, as much as I'd love to continue chatting, I've got a job to do! I'm working the register, so if you need anything just come on over."

"'Kay." You nod, and watch him walk away.

Still an hour.

You text Karkat.

TG: feeling any better?

CG: FUCK NO. MY HEAD HURTS.

CG: AND WHY IS IT SO BRIGHT OUT TODAY.

TG: how do you know its bright outside?

CG: I OPENED THE BLINDS YOU SHITHEAD.

CG: JUST BECAUSE TROLLS AREN'T ACCUSTOMED TO SUNLIGHT DOESN'T MEAN WE POSSESS AN INTENSE ABHORRENCE TO RADIANCE. YOUR SUN IS MUCH MEEKER THAN OURS. ON ALTERNIA, EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT WAS INSANELY ILL-ADVISED.

CG: FOR FUCK'S SAKE WE WENT TO THE STORE YESTERDAY DURING THE DAYLIGHT.

TG: calm down bro

TG: i know

CG: WELL, RIGHT *NOW* I HAVE A VEHEMENT ANTIPATHY TOWARDS LIGHT. MY HEAD IS HAMMERING WITH AN UPROAR A STAMPEDE COMPRIMISED OF A THOUSAND HOOFBEASTS COULD NOT RIVAL AND I AM DRIVEN TOWARD AN ACUTE DESIRE TO GOUGE MY EYES OUT AT EVEN THE EXIGUOUS INSINUATION OF ALL THINGS NOT SWATHED BY DARKNESS.

TG: im guessing you have every light source in the apartment blocked

CG: YES.

CG: I'M ALSO HUDDLED UNDER A BLANKET BECAUSE THE TENEBROSITY IS THE ONLY COMFORT AT THE MOMENT.

TG: why are you on your phone

TG: isnt the screen bright?

CG: I HAVE THE BRIGHTNESS AT THE LOWEST SETTING POSSIBLE AND I'M NOT LOOKING AT IT DIRECTLY.

CG: AND YOU MESSAGED ME.

TG: right

TG: do you want me to get you anything while im out?

CG: TARO ICE CREAM.

TG: the gray shit? dude idk where the fuck to find that

CG: IT WAS A JOKE. GET ME VANILLA.

TG: alright

TG: i wont be home for a few hours though

CG: AS LONG AS YOU RETURN WITH MY DAIRY PRODUCT-PRODUCED FROZEN DESSERT. AND IT BETTER BE THE GOOD STUFF.

TG: yes your highness

He does not respond to your quip. Guess he is in no mood for sass.

You suppose you can head to the shelter now.

After waving goodbye to John, you leave the café.

‒

Again with the fucking bells? You wonder how it doesn't trigger the animals.

The lobby of the shelter is spacious, and to the right of the front desk are shelves lined with an array of animal collars, leashes, clickers, treats, and toys.

Different species of animals are sorted into separate areas; small mammals, birds and reptiles in rooms to the left of the desk, while the dog kennels are in a larger room past the shelves.

The rooms containing felines- in and out of cages- are directly to your right upon entering the building.

A few scrutinizing, scathing gazes survey your movements as you enter the room, along with several friendly, curious eyes.

In the first room, the cats are in cages along two adjacent walls. Transparent glass doors on the other walls lead to two minor rooms where the cats have free roam.

Aside from the eyes watching you, the majority of other felines either sleep, or laze while awake and ignore your occurrence.

The only other person present is an employee- judging by the uniform- who is indulging in frolic with a cat beyond the glass door.

Messy black hair and horns… the employee is a troll.

One of Karkat's friends works at this animal shelter?

A/N: Rai suggests that you google the word "sonder" if you have not done so.