The Stray S.T.A.R.S. - Lavender

Ch - 6 : We play tag, tails we wag

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I close my eyes facing a bush and Chris tells everyone to count upto five and then catch. I close my eyes and start counting. I hear the soft rustle of grass and cracking of dried leaves around me as everyone moves. Finally, when I reach five, I open my eyes, turn around and look around. I find myself and all the players supposed to catch, but those we are supposed to catch are nowhere to be seen.

Seems like this game of tag also includes some hide and seek! Well, I'm ready!

We, the catchers, share an excited look, and we all launch forward looking in every direction, staying calm and alert.

I should go in the direction where I went just now, where Darkie came, and caught me in a vulnerable moment. It's time for payback!

I dash towards that direction and keep sprinting finally, when I reach the destination, I find Darkie. He's hiding behind a tree, trying his best to hide,  but his beautiful long slim tail isn't helping. When I see the tail, I quick walk towards Darkie and paw him. When he turns around, I see that it isn't Darkie, it's Violet.

Why does she look just like her brother? Ugh.

And I'm embarrassed again...

Violet chuckles as she sees the look on my face. I look disappointed, probably cause all the running was in vain. 

But the run did feel good though.

"Lavender? You're supposed to catch Darkie right? Well I suggest you go that way. He always hides in that area." Violet says as she lifts her paw to point towards the greener and more lush area of the park.

"Thanks Violet!"

I send a quick smile towards her and run towards the area she said.

Well, looks like all that running wasn't in vain after all. Darkie has good choice of area.

There are quite many trees in this area, so I need a great eye if I wanna spot him. I look around, keep looking around.

Ugh, there are too many trees.

I catch sight of Chris to ask him if he maybe saw Darkie, but he refused to tell anything, saying he wants me to be good with my own senses and be independent, not spoon fed.

This game. Is. Getting frustrating.

Then, I see a tail again, which is black and looks like a cat's tail.

That must be Darkie, since his sister was hiding somewhere else where I already found her.

So I quickly paw him, and when he turns around, it's Violet again.

What the fuck!?

Violet bursts out laughing, looking at my amused face.

Now, I understand. She teamed up with Darkie, and planned all this. Darkie's still hiding somewhere, and Violet was making me run around in vain. 

That's enough I'm not listening to any advice now. I have to do it myself.

"That's enough Violet. I'm doing this on my own."

"Ok, good luck! Remember he's the best at this game compared to all of us!" Violet wishes me luck.

"Oh, that we shall see very soon."

I look very determined. I know this is just a game, and it doesn't even matter who wins. But I have to prove myself to everyone.

 I'm just playing tag, but the look on my face is like I'm gonna fight a group of polar bears alone.

This is my chance. And they will probably praise me when I finally catch Darkie, who's the best. I can do this."Go, Lav!" .Thanks subconscious.

I search the whole park rapidly, like my life depends on it, and I am fast. I finally spot Darkie, as he spots me too and starts sprinting from his spot. I sprint after him, trying to catch up, with his fast and furious speed.

Fast and furious speed? I can't believe I'm joking in my mind even in such a serious moment..."Lame joke." Shut up subconscious.

But of course he is faster than me. After all, he has been doing this longer than me. I'm so tired. I was just house cat who lazed around and at nutritious healthy food and took weekly baths, and almost always stayed home, and rarely got fresh air or plants and trees, or any animal friends to play with.

 On the other hand his lifestyle, is this. He wakes up very early in the morning, and baths everyday. He lives in a forest, and gets as much fresh air, fruits, trees, and food options as he wants. He exercises wildly for an hour and works hard the whole day. 

He sleeps only around 3-4 hours in a day, other than the night. He eats healthier food than me, cause I ate processed and preserved foods, while he gets fresh fruits and meat. Well, at least now that I live with him, I might just become healthier, more beautiful, fitter,  faster, and more attractive.

I keep sprinting after him, but he's just too fast. Finally, I give up.

"I give up."

Sorry, my dear ego.

"Better luck next time, Lavender. You did very nice for your first time, considering that when Roxy and Blacky did this for the first time, they lasted fifteen minutes. You lasted a whole lot longer. So, do you think you can play the second round? Darkie's supposed to catch you." Chris asks.

"Yeah, sure. I'll regain my energy while hiding."

"Ok, then. Cmon guys lets take a little rest and then start the second round. Chris says. We all lay down, and some of us roll over. It feels really good, laying on the soft, sweet and clean grass. The grass isn't growing wildly, in fact it's comfortably short. I lay on the grass and look around. Chris is sitting alertly, and sneaking glances towards Roxy, and Roxy's also peeking towards Chris. Darkie's rolling around on the grass. Nova's rolled around for a bit, and now he's taking a little nap, and Violet's doing the same. Blacky's laying with her head up and eyes open like me, and she's looking at the sky, as flocks of birds fly by.

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