Perhaps it was the need to do something familiar or maybe just the need to get away from Katz, but Saoirse helped Muriel with the morning tasks. She helped her collect the eggs, ignored Eustace who worked on his truck while grumbling, and feed the chickens. She got the pans and pots out, made tea while Muriel started with breakfast, and then poured tea for the animals and humans all involved.
The chores gave Saoirse something else to focus on if only for a minute. So Katz and she would meander away today. They would start their journey…one step closer to finding her owners, one step closer to becoming Katz' toy, pet. It was bittersweet.
When Courage came down, his lavender hair messy and eyes struggling to keep open, Saoirse grinned slightly. "Morning."
Instantly Courage perked up, smiled, and greeted Saoirse with his ears perked. The moment of relief and serenity, however, was cut short by the soft footfalls of a certain scarlet cat. Courage's ears flickered lower and his lips curled into a growl, glaring hatefully at the man that offered both hope and distrust.
Out of spite, Saoirse made sure to serve Katz his tea last. The action was duly noted by the man, his vivid yellow eyes hot on her. She ignored it and went to helping Muriel serve everyone breakfast. Then she sat next to Courage who, with her proximity, seemed to relax some.
They ate in silence, sipped quietly, and generally seemed to wake into consciousness. Saoirse wondered how to approach the topic of leaving. Eustace wouldn't care, obviously, but Muriel would show distress and Courage, at least until Katz made him cower, would be furious and guarded. More so, it would be…leaving the last slice of safety, of refuge in the middle of Nowhere. After this…everything would be new, would be different.
Saoirse wondered if Katz would let her keep contact with her past life and all those in it.
Katz' tea cup was placed down with a sharp clink, just like a couple hours ago. She suspected this was his way of announcing a decision made. "The girl and I will be leaving shortly to look into the list of locations the dog has made. Thank you for your hospitality, Muriel."
While Saoirse only scowled, Courage growled quite loudly. Knowing this wouldn't end well, probably for the dog, Saoirse reached up and patted Courage's hand. "We need to find the Terriers." Before it was too late, as the sentiment went unsaid. "I'll be fine." She wasn't sure if that was the truth or if she even believed in her own words. Regardless, a deal was a deal…
Courage calmed slightly at this although he still looked a bit upset. When they stood, they embraced once more. It was tempting to stay, to fight to stay, but…this wasn't her home, as much as she wished it to be.
"Well, it was splendid to see you again, Saoirse. And Mr. Katz, it was a pleasure meeting you." Muriel said as good hearted as ever. Saoirse envied her ability to see everything so…rose-colored.
"And you, madame." Katz gave a nod to her, perhaps out of respect for her age more than her species. Eustace merely grumbled. Saoirse and Muriel embraced. "Girl," the cat-man spoke, "come." Saoirse shot a dark look at him before reluctantly obeying.
With one last look over her shoulder at the small, cozy house, Saoirse went along with Katz to the city.
There wasn't much to do as Katz drove. It wasn't an option even if Saoirse wanted to drive. The closer they got to city limits, the stricter the rules were. A pet human driving? That was laughable – and criminal. So to pass the time, Saoirse read Sheila's journal in the passenger seat.
It was mostly her musings, some in part to her husband and some in relation to their new pet. Of course there were recipes randomly in the journal, as well as cleaning mixes, but what really caught Saoirse's attention was the hurried scribbles that were often awkwardly angled. They looked to be like her last minute thoughts of the days, perhaps worries written to get them out of her head late into the night.
It was disappointing though, overall. Why? Because there wasn't as many references to Saoirse's past as she hoped in the journal, of course. Still, it made for a good read.
"The first building you wrote down, what was it again?" Katz' voice was so sudden and unexpected that Saoirse jumped in her seat. It had been quiet, aside from the wind brushing against the cracked windows.
Saoirse repeated the first building, then glanced at the rest. It occurred to her then that she had no idea where any of these were. Katz, however, did. She paused before reading off the rest just in case…well, if one building was closer than the other.
Katz seemed to think similar for he said nothing at the extra information. A mile passed in silence, then another. There were hints of life on the edges of the road, signifying that they were getting closer to the city.
"We will visit the most conspicuous one today. It allows tours to the public which will allow us to look around." Pause. "If you are caught," Katz stated in a low purr, "I will not hesitate to punish you before the public." So don't get caught, it went without saying.
Saoirse sneered and glared at him, her loathing of the man returning. He certainly knew how to motivate a person. She looked out to the window instead of commenting further. Soon, buildings filled the sight from the window.
When they marked and stepped out, Katz appeared next to her as if he had materialized. Or, more likely, perhaps Saoirse had been so distracted by the towering building that she didn't notice him walk over. "Tilt your chin up." He ordered.
"Pardon?" She frowned, confused more than insulted.
Katz held up the leash with a clip, his tail flickering lazily behind him. His gaze kept hers as she registered his meaning. A challenge; would she obey or would she fight? For once, Saoirse wasn't sure what he wanted her to do. Still, the laws of this city would only hinder them if she fought against him and, as a result, hinder the Terriers. With a hint of reluctance, she raised her chin and forced herself not to flinch at the sound of the leash attaching – or the cool metal brushing against her neck.
"Onward we go, pet." Katz stated as he looked forward, his grip on the leash slack but wrapped around his wrist.
Saoirse's teeth grit together briefly. "Not yet." She corrected him as she walked alongside his stride. It wasn't the action or journey she was correcting, but his name for her. She was not his just yet.