"Well, it's time to get you out of the bath." You hear the same scratching you dismissed before coming from outside of the room.
You thought it was T.B being difficult-
As you continue to dry T.B, the noise is still there.
[[ You decide it's time to have an actual good look. ->11A]]You have a good, long look around your home.
You even check underneath your house- that's house serious and annoyingly stupid of a sound that- to quote yourself: "Literally made you want to go and buy a gun. Like literally dude."
The noise is getting louder. You must be going in the right direction now.
On your hands and knees, you're neck deep in muck as you're crawling towards what might be the gasline?
The torch in your hand is shakey.
".....rrr......rrRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrggggggrrrrr........."
You can hear a deep growling. You didn't hear that before,
Every hair on your body stands upright at almost the exact same milisecond as you start to feel the heat condensation breathing right behind you.
Survival instincts start to freak out and while you feel your body crawl harder and faster away.
The intense scratching noise stops once you finally reach a pipe. But you're still feeling the warmth on your back.
You're afraid to turn around.
[[Be brave and turn around. ->12A]]
[[Ignore it. "Nah" You're 'good' you reckon. ->4B]]WOAH SHIT!
Your eyes adjust to the light but even in the muck you knew what you were looking at.
With a similar cat, lizard-like stature, you recognise pieces of it's body and are completely dumbfounded by other parts.
It's slenderness, however, did not factor into it's biology.
The sound- starting up again- the growling straight through your eardrums; you feel the rattle.
You can't think straight, is it possible to start to loose the ability to think with this subsonic bass?
The mouth of the mother of T.B....
You seriously thought The Bastard didn't have a mother insight or alive.
A part of you hoped secretly T.B was able to asexually reproduce so you wouldn't be staring down the barrel of an angry alien.
As she starts to eye you up, you feel the tongue flickering off your mud-skin as she
eyes you up.
<img src= https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ripley-and-the-xenomorph-in-alien-35.jpg>
[["BANG!" ->13A]]You were already overstimulated in the mud,
Felt like you were going to die a minute ago-
Now your seeing your alien child and a real- full flesh and blood monster body slamming into one another.
With the attention off of you, taking the opportunity and crawl out, with the fight following you at your crawl-path;
On your beginning move to get away you start feeling brave, grabbing the chubby tail of your alien child-
You make the mad crawl out underneath your house. With it's mother swiftly trailing behind;
[[ Your anxieties mixing with your survival instincts keeps you on the move out of the muck and back into the grassy sunlight. ->14A]]You're breathless on the grass.
As you wait for the monster to finally get out from underneath your house-
You want to admit so desperately you're tired.
You don't want to keep thinking of the next creative solution to get yourself out of this.
The slender, powerful and intimidating alien finally emerges from underneath- much lager than your T.B.
It's eyes are locked in with yours. Definetly has predator-eyes.
Staring right into your soul.
But it's not attacking now.
You think it sees T.B, close by your side but it's seeing you.
You stand up. Walk over to it, and put a hand out to the snout.
You finally get to touch the scales that have been chasing you for the past "god-knows-how-long-your-adrenaline-has-spiked" time period.
You breath in, pick up T.B just to see what would happen.
T.B at first seems confused, almost looking to you for instruction before the warm breath of it's mother hounded down it's tiny frame.
Mother opens up it's jaw to bite the scruff behind T.B's neck to finally drag it's baby into a stable, unfamiliar- loving embrace.
You decide the scene is adorable- but you know wildlife protocol.
As you let "sleeping dogs lay". you can't help but reminded of a puddle of cats with what you're seeing of what was to become of the final position the two took before a well-deserve nap overcame them both.
<img src= https://gifdb.com/images/high/cat-hug-sleeping-kittens-cuddling-frppt7dxe9z34vlt.gif>T.B is not happy with you.
As you carry T.B into the bathroom in your arms- you glance a few times over the matted, unruly tuffs of fur poking out from underneath the scales.
Beyond getting lost by fascination in this creature- all of the signs were undeniable.
T.B was seriously (either: "fucking pissed", "miffed", "not impressed") with you.
<img src=https://64.media.tumblr.com/99e1a6e7924dd08f53a863840c6db23a/ddc47f5445fb968a-66/s540x810/9385dc4223338a5330ce72efbb592c0a501aa33d.gif>
[[Time to turn the water on. ->2A]]You decide to not risk it, you break out the carrier cage and slap some leather gloves on.
If you were going to get scratched up either way you thought you'd feel better about the current presented situation while wearing protective gear during the whole ordeal.
[[With your gloves on, you decided you're ready. ->2A]]
<img src=https://64.media.tumblr.com/99e1a6e7924dd08f53a863840c6db23a/ddc47f5445fb968a-66/s540x810/9385dc4223338a5330ce72efbb592c0a501aa33d.gif>That scratching noise seems to be getting louder over here.
As you walk thru the doorway of your bedroom- A quick survey of the area brought back nothing of note but you have a feeling you might be missing something.
"KRRAWWWWWWAAARRGHHHHHH????"
The Alien starts screeching at you defensively.
[["You're the one who got yourself dirty, stop hiding underneath here- come on lets GO" You sternly scold T.B, attempting to use morning brain to think of the options. ->2nd]]The Bastard is in the bathroom- finally.
As the water runs, the water temp feels a litte too "body temperature- like"
<img src=https://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvuw0ptfiX1qctsd2o1_500.gif>
[[Turn hot water up ->3A]]
OR
[[Turn cold water up ->4A]]Oh no!
A swift opening of the jaw, T.B has a mouthful of YOU!
<img src= https://media.tenor.com/L6UHrJFnjicAAAAM/nayeon-twice-nayeon.gif>
"THAT'S HOW YOU GOT YOUR NAME YOU FUCKER!" You shout so hard you're impressed with your windpipes.
The strength, vitriol and sheer strain in your voice scared The Bastard.
You start to feel bad and start to profusely apologise to T.B
To your merit, maybe there is a twinkle of a concept of understanding what an apology is in its eyes. A strong maybe.
You shake off your hand for a couple of seconds out of pain and kiss the puncture wounds after T.B finally releases you from their mouth, feeling resentful for the fact that you had to pry it's teeth off of your own flesh.
"Well, it's time to get you out of the bath." You hear the same scratching you dismissed before coming from outside of the room.
You thought it was T.B being difficult-
As you continue to dry T.B, the noise is still there.
Do you investigate or brush it off?
[[investigate ->11A]]
[[brush it off ->3B]]How do you kick off the bathroom walk of shame with an unruly animal?
[[As you go to pick up The Bastard it's vocalisations increasingly become more aggressive. ->1A]]
OR
[[You're afraid to pick T.B up. It hasn't bitten you today so far but.... you really don't like that T.B is yowling at you now. ->1B]]
<img src= https://i.imgflip.com/7garox.jpg>T.B seems really receptive to the warmth!
(link-reveal: "Big stretches!") [ T.B slowly blinks at you before opening it's mouth to yawn
slightly. Every day you wonder how life forced you to adopt an unidentified being.
You're still greatful for the unusual company.]
<img src= https://media1.tenor.com/images/c9f1258193adc96cd961bd186a2b928c/tenor.gif?itemid=12383739>
[[Keep filling up the bathtub ->5A]]<img src= https://media1.tenor.com/m/ZpBMkWyufhMAAAAC/dead.gif>
You decide to not think about it. At all.
Fate didn't give you a chance to reconsider.
Yeah- that's right.
That scratching noise?
Definetly not something you wanted to avoid.
Did you think The Bastard had no mother?
You didn't even give yourself the chance to rectify.
[[ Go on, go back. Make a better decision ->8A]](link-reveal: "KRAAAAAAAA!!")[
T.B lets out a god-awful screech. You're lucky they didn't decide to actually claw and carve intricately brutal patterns in your flesh out.]
[[Be greatful you're alive ->3A]]<img src= https://media1.tenor.com/m/ZpBMkWyufhMAAAAC/dead.gif>
Definetly not something you wanted to avoid.
Did you think The Bastard had no mother?
You didn't even give yourself the chance to rectify.
[[ Go on, go back. Make a better decision ->8A]]
Congratulations on becoming the new blood bank, though.
<img src= https://media1.tenor.com/m/ZpBMkWyufhMAAAAC/dead.gif>Here's the trickiest part:
Getting the soap out.
For such a Herculean task, you let your trusty demon make the impossible task:
<img src=https://img1.picmix.com/output/stamp/normal/2/1/3/0/670312_99d72.gif>
[[Very Berry Shotgun Blaster Shower Gel ->6A]]
OR
[[Extremely Green and Clean Mint Body Wash ->7A]]"Very Berry Shotgun Blaster Shower Gel" You went and brought this specifically for T.B but you can't help but be hit with a nostalgia blast from the top notes of raspberry and lime citrus.
You swear you got this... scent, flavour- whatever you call it; in a pain medication for children.
You wonder if a little taste would hurt..
[[You lick a little soap from your hand ->8A]]
[[Resist the soap ->5A]]"Extremely Green and Clean Mint Body Wash" You went and brought this specifically for T.B but you can't help but be hit with a nostalgia blast from the top notes of frangipani and peppermint.
You swear you got this... scent, flavour- whatever you call it; in a toothpaste for children.
You wonder if a little taste would hurt..
[[You lick a little soap from your hand ->8A]]
[[Resist the soap ->5A]]<img src= https://i.gifer.com/origin/88/887ff6b5f96637be130ca299040c9ce1.gif>
Shouldn't of licked the soap.
Maybe not the soaps fault- but you gagged and coughed hard.
T.B is looking at you with concern.
Maybe you should stop playing around and actually lather the beast up while the water is still a good temperature.
[[soap up T.B, getting around behind the ears and under the jaw- giving a real good scratch ->9A]]
OR
[[Check for any marks, scratches, lumps and bumps ->2B]]So far, so good.
No bites here! You confidently think to yourself.
[[You admit that T.B is a bit grumbly but isn't attacking back, so that should be a good sign- Right? ->10A]]
The creature that hatched itself from your laptop?
A couple of months go by and it's still here.
You two have developed a bit of a rhythm with each other;
Mornings don't feel the same as they used to.
Nothing is quiet in the home as it used to be when it was just you.
You still haven't replaced the laptop- you're trying to figure out if this can be a tax deductable.
Warm light fills the tiled room, you are ready for another off-day to go finally kick off after you're done taking "preventative measures" to stop the pain of a threatening-to-burst bladder.
[[ "BuhdhthTHUD!" ->WASHDAY]]<img src=https://gifdb.com/images/high/freak-racing-car-crash-93s20j40ug2q1zn3.gif>
Unfortunately for you, it's an inpromtu wash day for The Bastard.
You hear a liquidy-glass-like smash hit the ground Mach 5.
Looks like someone is a bit clumsy today and you're surprised this wasn't your accident.
"Why did you have to run full force! You know that smooth surfaces equals sliding around, you're cute but not cute enough to destroy my shit!" You yell down the house.
You're not sure what has broken but you'll figure that out later.
You know.... you still haven't named it yet.
Unsure of what it's species is, if aliens comprehend gender, let alone has one.
<img src= https://c.tenor.com/AQXpIMfK1xgAAAAj/gender.gif>
You've started to call the alien T.B for short, you think it's cute.
Nonetheless, you decide that labels can wait.
You head off to the bathroom but on the way to- walking thru the hallway you can hear a deep scratching noise. With a slight unease, you realise:
<img src= https://media.tenor.com/o2ZFziUQleAAAAAM/cat-thousand-yard-stare.gif>
You haven't seen T.B in a while.
A couple hours, at best.
But seriously- where is that sound coming from?
[[ Walk to the bathroom? ->loop]]
OR
[[ Go back to the bedroom? ->1st]]
<img src=https://clipart-library.com/2023/Trail-Walking-Footprints-PNG-Clipart.png>
(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (transition-delay:pos * 30) + (transition: "instant"))As you're about to step into the bathroom it clicks that the sounds of scratching were getting weaker and quieter- with your better judgement you decide to go back and look anyways- Just incase.
[["Guess I'll retrace my footsteps..." ->WASHDAY]]
<img src=https://clipart-library.com/2023/Trail-Walking-Footprints-PNG-Clipart.png><img src=https://clipart-library.com/2023/Trail-Walking-Footprints-PNG-Clipart.png>You head off to the bathroom but on the way to the room, walking thru the hallway you're still hearing it again.
Unsure of where the source is coming from, you still continue to make your way over.
[[ "Hm.... I feel like I'm not looking hard enough" you wonder to yourself... ->end loop]]
<img src=https://clipart-library.com/2023/Trail-Walking-Footprints-PNG-Clipart.png>