loficharm: (small)
September 24 - 26

A few days, Magnus had said. Martin had assumed he meant 'the weekend,' and when John had been so sick on Monday, he hadn't had time to consider it. Now, it's becoming uncomfortably apparent that this is still happening, John is still a cat, and they really have no idea when it's going to wear off. 'A few days' could mean anything to Magnus, and short of contacting him, something Martin still doesn't trust himself to do wisely, there's no way to determine anything more concrete.

If it lasts more than a week, he tells himself, they'll deal with it.

After their visit to the Archive, at least, John is doing much better. Blue's amplification abilities, along with her willingness to share her story, seem to really have done the trick. And with the carrier Eliot got them, going out has been easier as well, even if Martin still feels a bit foolish wearing it. It's better for John, and that's what's important.

By Tuesday night, they've spent their time together almost comfortably, though that might be easier for him to say than John. They'd gone to the Archive again, and afterward they'd just... let the day pass by, sharing the space. Martin's kept up his newly forming habit of just chatting at John, and John doesn't seem to mind - presumably it's better than no conversation at all. Apart from the ongoing concern of when this will be over, it's been... sort of nice. They've established a rhythm, and Martin is grateful to have the company, though the pleasure of it is mitigated a bit by knowing John is forced to be here. At least there's been no further hiding beneath the sink.

Tonight he finds himself sleepier a little earlier than usual, and as he gets up to make himself ready for bed, he glances down at John, sat in his little corner of the couch.

"I'm to bed, I think," he says. "I'll leave the door cracked as usual."

He can't be sure John is actually comfortable with it, but he has kept up the habit of sharing the bed, and Martin is glad for it. The nights are getting rapidly colder, and... well, Martin enjoys it, seeing John there in the morning. Which is sort of awful, really, and he's been trying not to think about it with limited success. After his rejuvenation yesterday, John had been much more of an active sleeper; Martin kept waking up to find him in a new position very time: sprawled out with a hind paw brushing at his thigh, curled up with the little curve of his back resting gently against Martin's, wedged neatly under Martin's arm or with his head pressed up against his shoulder - it's... it's adorable, and charming, and Martin couldn't stop thinking about it if he tried, but the point is, the point is John is comfortable. He seems comfortable. That's all that really matters.

At the very least, John tends to stay up later than he does, so he has a bit of time to settle himself first. Not like he's waiting for John to come join him, or something. He drifts off to the WC, then to the bedroom, puttering around a bit before finally crawling in under the comforter, curling up on his side and letting his breathing slow.
loficharm: (unamused)
Monday, September 23rd, 2019

Day 4 of Cat John


It would be disingenuous to say Martin is getting used to waking up with John in his bed, because that doesn't mean what it sounds like it means, but it's true insofar as John is a still a cat and Martin is getting used to the cat in his bed. And it would be fine if it was just a cat, but it isn't, it's John, and it is the worst thing he can think of, settling into the false warmth of familiarity over something that isn't going to last, that is wholly circumstantial, that wouldn't be happening if it weren't absolutely necessary.

Worst of all by far is that when Martin wakes up this morning, curled over on his side like he often is, he finds John pressed up against him, huddled in a ball against his chest, his little body shaking uncontrollably.

"John?" He sits up, not wanting to touch him, but not knowing what else to do. "John, are you-"

No, he's not all right, and what's more, Martin knows exactly why. They had just been discussing it last night, the worsening hunger for Statements, and Martin had watched John prowl around the flat like a hunter with no prey, and he'd felt the horror grip him, knowing exactly how this would go were John still human, seeing fully how easy it is for that state to take him, how little time it actually takes. It was comforting when the possible solution came from John, about the 'psychic amplifier' he'd met - a clever idea, hopefully, made easier by the realization that Martin had met her, too.

He'd thought they might reach out to Blue today. He was already planning to avoid the Archive as long as necessary, to tell Eliot and Kat they were just out sick, wanting to involve as few people as possible in this. But now, seeing John like this, he realizes with a quick, sickening lurch that they've already waited too long. There is no more might, no more thoughtful consideration and planning, there is only the immediacy of John right now looking like he might give out at any moment.

"Christ," he hisses under his breath and hauls himself out of bed. He grabs some clothes and hurries to the WC, getting dressed as quick as he can and brushing his teeth for about three seconds. No breakfast today, no fixing his hair, nothing. When he comes back into the bedroom, pulling on a light jacket, John is still where he was left. Martin draws a shaky, terrified breath before he leans down over him.

"John," he says quietly, "We're going to find Blue. I have to carry you again, I- I'm sorry about this."

As gently and gingerly as he knows how, he slides his hands under John and scoops him up, tucking him back against his chest, folding him into his open jacket and zipping it up partway. John is still trembling violently, and Martin can only hope the added warmth is enough.

"I've got you," he says softly, and regrets it the moment he's said it.

He makes his way outside as fast as possible and is startled but immediately grateful to see a cab parked along the street just outside, as though waiting for them specifically. He hurries over, quick to catch the driver's attention.

"I need you to take me to Crescent and, uh - erm... Archer Ave." That was it. At least his time spent studying the map is paying off.

"Hang on man, is that a cat," say the driver with the same reluctant, apathetic energy Martin's come to expect from many of the natives.

"Yes, he is, and he's not the one giving you directions; I am," says Martin, managing to sound cold and sharp even while barely hanging onto the thread of what he's saying. "You're going to take me to the cafe on that corner. It's a simple route. Two blocks that way and then several down. You're going to do it quickly and you're going to do it now."

He's not sure where all that came from, but if it gets the job done, he'll take it. The driver sighs but mercifully does not argue, and about five minutes later Martin is stumbling into Un Chat Gris and praying Blue is actually on today.

When he sees her behind the counter he feels like he could cry with relief. "Blue," he says, coming right up to her, dimly aware he's drawing a bit more attention to himself than he'd like. "I - I'm Martin, we met - I need your help."


[Archive Family mini-gathering! While the thread with Blue will obviously be the first thing happening here, after that John will be feeling more like himself, and Eliot and Kat are welcome to get their kicks in as well. Come meet your cat boss.]
loficharm: (tense)
September 19 (cont'd) - September 22

Bursting out of the mansion into the insufficient relief of cool night air is only step one, and it's such a fraught step that Martin freezes up, not sure what comes next. John is still clutched in his arms, trembling but also holding still with a level of tension that would be alarming in an ordinary cat, and is alarming either way. His claws are still digging sharply into Martin's shoulder, but the pain is a distant bother, nothing Martin has any room to worry about just now. He's breathing heavily, adrenaline still up and his throat sore from shouting at Magnus to no avail. He stands out front, dimly aware he's being watched by the bouncers, and looks around like he doesn't know where to go.

He pulls himself together quickly because he has to. Focus on what's important, what's right in front of you. Think like Basira. One foot before the other. He has to get home. All of John's belongings, his clothes, his phone, his keys, it all disappeared into this new body. There'll be no accessing his flat in the Bramford. Martin has to get them to his own, which might actually be further from here. God.

"It's all right," he whispers, a bit manic, like he doesn't totally know what he's saying. "I-it's all right. I'm - we're gonna figure this out."

He starts walking. Reaches the city proper, Old Forest Rd., and he'll just follow that until he gets to the other end, to Candlewood.

"Gonna be all right," he says again, his voice trembling a little, resisting the various impulses toward comfort that might be welcome on an actual cat - stroking his fur, holding any tighter than he absolutely has to, even, mortifyingly, planting a kiss on his head, a thought he banishes in a little rush of panic atop panic. The best he can do for John is hold him as securely as possible without constricting and just. Get him somewhere safe. And then, the next step will be next. Whatever that is.

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Martin Blackwood

October 2024

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