Katja
"You don't need it."
"It's a he, and I need him. I do. Really. I don't think I could live another second without him." Katja had made up her mind long before calling Artemis, but given his seniority, she felt obligated to inform him of this decision. He wasn't happy about it.
"Him, fine. You don't need him. What on earth gave you the idea that there would be enough time in your life for a-"
"Look, there will be. I'm great at multitasking, and for what it's worth, this one is so obedient. Once you meet him, you'll understand. Leonard is perfect for me, and he really fits in that void, you know? Like... I don't know, Artemis. He completes me."
"Did you honestly name him Leonard?" The agitation through the phone's receiver was causing the older Arden's connection to distort. "Do you- name for a- when did you- Fucking hell, Katja-"
"You're breaking up, but I'll be sure to bring him by the tea gardens so you have a chance to meet him. It was great talking to you again! Bye!"
Meanwhile, the poodle puppy tearing at her sneaker had already managed to snag his canines through the laces, effectively shredding the material. Katja cooed happily. "Everyone is going to love you. I know I do."
---
Leonard had gotten a hold of the poinsettias, and now Katja was sitting in the emergency vet's waiting room, wringing her hands. She tried calling Artemis for advice when it happened, but the older Arden had rid his conscience of her decision to get a dog by warning her that whatever trouble befell Leonard, it wasn't his responsibility to deal with it. Katja agreed at the time, but regretted the decision some months later while sitting alone at three in the morning while the Vet dealt with Leonard's vomiting. She had been assured that it took far more than a few leaves to poison a dog his size, but it was better to be safe than sorry, even if it ruined her sleep schedule. To pass the time, she googled festive plants that weren't dangerous for dogs to eat. The list was surprisingly short.
By the time she left the Vet with Leonard lopping lazily behind her, Katja had an hour to get ready for work. Still, seeing him well again was enough motivation to get her through anything the day had to offer.
---
Katja had taken the news of Des' death poorly, and for several weeks, she avoided leaving her apartment. Only Leonard earned any hint of effort from the Arden, and during their walks and trips to the park, she imagined what Des would have thought of her choice in companion. A dog while she waited to be assigned. A dog to stave off the loneliness of being an Arden without a charge. A dog to replace the family she had to give up in Arcadia. A dog who still chewed on her sneakers and ate every houseplant she dared to try and raise. Katja thought, despite how negative Artemis had been concerning Leonard, Des would have approved.
---
Leonard died on a Sunday evening. Katja hadn't thought it could happen so fast- that Leonard could run that quickly from the stoop of the apartment complex to the road... yet there he was. Cotton swab pressed to an open wound, all white and red, with his body tangled and his limbs buckled at their joints. Katja had never thrown up before, but she did it then. She sobbed first, and then threw up, and sobbed more after the contents of her stomach were mere feet away from her once lively pet. Everything was left congealed over the asphalt like an impressionist's art exhibit, too vague for details but too vivid to ignore. She scooped up his body with her jacket, and carried him from where people had begun to gather, her vision blurry and her throat sore from sobbing.
That night, Artemis called her, but she didn't pick up.
BDRP Admin. Writer. Villain. Personal Blog.
I tried running from the memory and the mourning.
I tried running from the memory and the mourning.
The following 1 user Likes Kat's post: Ghostly
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RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 01-11-2016, 05:54 AM
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RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 06-21-2017, 06:52 PM
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RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 09-29-2017, 10:35 PM
RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 01-16-2018, 09:12 PM
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RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 01-03-2019, 06:51 AM
RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 03-24-2019, 01:23 AM
RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 08-27-2019, 02:21 AM
RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 04-27-2020, 02:23 PM
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RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 12-27-2020, 08:13 AM
RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 01-21-2021, 03:40 PM
RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 04-13-2021, 05:28 AM
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RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 09-30-2022, 11:45 PM
RE: Kat's Blurbs [Read only] - by Kat - 11-05-2022, 04:28 AM
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