Anti woke up the next day and stretched out lengthily.
He sat up and started to scratch himself.
Only to realize something VERY important that he had previous forgotten about.
His collar!
It was GONE!
'How did I not realize before?' Anti thought to himself, 'Without that collar, I can't talk and communicate with anyone anyway. . . . . so even if I do trust any of these psychopaths later, I won't be able to tell them who I really am'
Anti immediately sulked.
'I really miss them . . .. I doubt they're looking for me, though.'
Anti looked around and noticed that Dark was at his desk still looking up stuff about cats.
'Man really does put in work, I have to admit. He's overdoing it, though, the stupid bastard.'
Dark glanced at him. So emotionless.
'Why's he so fucking creepy?'
Dark moved his finger slightly, gesturing for him to come over.
Anti narrowed his eyes at him as if challenging him.
Dark raised a brow and gestured again with his finger.
'I'd rather not'
Dark sighed, "I'll give you a treat if you come over here"
'Alright' Anti gave in and strut on over, hopping up on his desk with a little, "Mew"
Dark didn't smile but he did pull out a small bag and handed him a small little pebble.
Anti wasn't used to THESE kinds of treats. He preferred tuna or salmon or cheese.
He sniffed at it and scrunched his little nose before swatting it right at Dark's chest.
Dark blinked, ". . . . Hm. . .Alright"
'You're so fucking bad at this' Anti wanted to laugh at him.
Dark sighed and tapped his fingers on the desk lightly, thinking about something.
Anti felt the urge to mess with him and swat at his fingers with a small trill of a mew.
Dark stopped and stared at Anti who then proceeded to grab hold of his entire arm and kick at like hell in a kill-vice.
Dark wasn't bothered in the least, even when Anti 'bit' onto his hand. It wasn't really a bite, after all. He was just messing around and playing.
For a moment. Just a small little second, Dark's mouth turned a little and he gave a small smile.
Only for it to be interrupted by Illinois bursting into the room.
"Hi Dark! Got those flyers put up- What's going on?"
Anti was still clinging onto Dark's arm. The man looked so unperturbed, it was almost too funny.
Illinois didn't dare laugh, though.
Dark hummed, "Good. I'll keep an eye on my phone in case someone calls for him. Did you need anything else?"
Illinois stared at Anti longingly.
Anti could feel the stare and stopped scratching at Dark's arm, looking up.
He didn't like Illinois' look. It was kind of pathetic.
Dark seemed to get it, though, "No, Illinois. You cannot have any pets. Remember?"
Illinois sighed, "Oh come on. That was ONE time-"
"No" Dark was firm, "Remember the small monkey? You took it on an expedition and handed it a stick of dynamite. What did you think was going to happen?"
Illinois shrugged, "I genuinely thought he'd throw it. Nothing bad ever happens to me so I just thought-"
"And then there was one of King's squirrels." Dark continued, "You were climbing a mountain and took it with you and threw it"
Illinois coughed a little, "I thought it was a flying squirrel"
"It wasn't. It died. King was very upset"
Anti was starting to get the picture.
Illinois went to say something again.
Dark didn't let him, "Then there was the parakeet. . . . . and the fish incident. I can't even let you NEAR Dark Chica"
"Alright, alright. I get it" Illinois sighed, "I won't take him anywhere with me. I promise. Can I just pet him sometimes though and take him to my room and take care of him?"
Dark blinked, "You can come into my office to spend time with him with my supervision."
Illinois grumbled but took what he could get, "Alright. . . . Well, I'm gonna go get my satchel. I need to go take a little hike"
Dark and Anti watched him go and Anti looked back at Dark as if trying to thank him.
Dark reached forward and pet his back lightly, "You'll stay in here for now. The others aren't as understanding"
'No fucking problem there, dumbass'
"This is ridiculous" Jackie huffed, "We're never gonna find him like this. If he's as non-instinctual as you say, Marv, we need to do something else to find him."
"I know, I know" Marvin was deep in thought, "Fuck, I really miss that little bastard"
"Me too" Chase was near tears, "I just wanna hold him and pet him and-"
They all looked at him strangely.
"What?"
Henrik blinked, "It's ANTI, Chase. . . he's not just a cat anymore, remember?"
Chase shrugged, "Well yeah, but he still LIKED it"
Henrik shrugged, "True, I guess." he thought about it, "Zhe question is, did he take on a lot of those peculiarities because of BEING a cat? Or was he already strange that way?"
Jameson raised a brow at him, 'What do you mean?'
Even Marvin didn't know what he was on about, "Well, I think he was just as confused sometimes so I'd imagine he just took on the likings of a cat. Why do you ask?"
"Hmmmm" Henrik was still thinking, "How close are you at making more of zhat potion?"
"Oh. . . well. . . I've been kind of taking it slow, honestly but I could probably have more made in a few days now. Then I can make the antidote as well. But. . . without Anti, what's the point in having the antidote just yet?"
Henrik scratched at his beard, "I don't think we NEED zhe antidote just yet."
They all were curious of what he was thinking now.
"What do you mean?" Chase asked him, "What are you thinking, Hen? Do you have an idea?"
"I might" Henrik sighed, "But you'll have to get vorking on zhat antidote immediately afterwards, Marvin. I think I know a way we can find Anti"
"How?" Jackie asked.
Henrik smirked, "One of us take the potion. Use our heightened animal abilities to find zhe little shit"
They all didn't know whether that was a bad or a brilliant idea.
