catsandplastic

[catsandplastic]

Cecil and Betty bond a little

Zacharie and his cats

[catsandplastic]

(( Going on hiatus from this blog!

Hopefully it won’t last forever, but I’m not feeling the Judge as a muse right now. He’s more than happy to nap, and you should just let napping kitties rest. Sorry! ))

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welcometotheartistslairsrps:

Isaac chuckled as Judge talked about Zacharie. “That’s very interesting.” As he watched Judge collect the metal he needed, Isaac nodded. “Sure. Would you like the two of us to escort you back to the Zone Entrance?” Jay glanced up to the stairwell as he heard footsteps. “And here comes Si.. great, like we need more twin shenanigans.”

The Judge’s ears swiveled, and the tip of his tail bounced this way and that as he contemplated Isaac’s offer. After a light bit of mulling the feline gave a cut shake of his head, raising to his paws as he tucked his bits of metal away into his inventory, “I greatly appreciate the offer, dear Isaac,” he started, “However I feel I will be able to find my way with great ease, or perhaps, with enough ease that I will not find myself lost within the twisting streets of your expansive zone.”

Turning to Isaac and the newcomer, the Judge gave a deep and polite bow of his head, purring lightly, “Many thanks for your impeccable and vast hospitality and generosity during my extended period of traipsing about this lieu. I shall not forget your wondrous kindness, and will ensure another visit within the future--perhaps with my beloved family in tow.”

Padding past the others, the Judge cast a glance back over his shoulder, “I must bid you adieu for now! Farewell!” and with that, his white tail vanished beyond the door.

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Jay followed right after the duo as Isaac took the stairs two at a time, humming. Neither seemed too bothered as they made their way down the stone stairwell.

“We’ve kept the Metal Supplies down here for… safety reasons. Largely due to a mishap a while back,” Isaac spoke up, turning back to make sure he wasn’t too far ahead of the others, as he stepped off at the bottom of the stairs.

The Judge strode between Jay and Isaac, though his pace slowed when they made their way down the stairs, though he was able to make it down with ease--his Zone is full of stairs and ladders, after all. He reached the bottom a few steps behind Jay, curiously poking his head into the store room as his pink nose twitched to taking in the room’s smells.

“I see,” he mused in a distant way, “Usually procuring a safe room is a spectacular idea, should something happen,” he continued as he welcomed himself boldly into the room, “And of course it deftly keeps the floors of your abode far more cleanly should your collection of objects grow too expansive to keep within boxes.” he chortled darkly, “Zacharie knows of this plight all too well. Much to my own personal relief I have managed to curb his hoarding habits--at the very least he does not keep his vast treasury scattered indiscreetly upon the floors of my Zone.”

With his paws the Judge started to poke at some metal, getting a feel of how sturdy and malleable the chunks were. A few moments longer and he had collected some easily movable pieces into a neat pile in the middle of the pathway. Sitting beside them, he politely draped his tail over his paws and dipped his head.

“I have located and procured the metal with which I find would be best suited to my needs,” he purred, “If it is acceptable, I wish to collect these within my inventory and return to my homestead.”

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Jay chuckled. “A little smoke won’t kill us. We’ve been able to acclimate ourselves over time.” Digging into his pocket, he retrieved a small locket from it. “This should make it easier to travel here. Since the location of our little cube shifts so frequently, for safety reasons, it’ll glow when you get closer to the entrance.” He looked to the Judge, tilting his head. It wasn’t a collar, sure, but he wasn’t sure if the cat would be okay with wearing it.

Isaac strode past Jay, pushing the door open with a flourish.

Eyeing the trinket carefully, the Judge’s grin grew ever so slightly, “A charming and helpful device to be sure,” he purred, “I appreciate your giving it to me. I will be sure to remember to make use of it when I wish to return to this lieu.” he hadn’t thought about using it as a collar yet, though if he put thought into it he would have known that Sugar or Zacharie would have been more than happy with such a proposition.

The Judge took the trinket carefully out of Jay’s hand with his teeth, then tucked it safely away into his inventory. With a wide swish of his tail, he padded after Isaac through the door.

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“The time has come to render your final and futile judgement.”

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Isaac, once again began to fiddle with his sweater. “…Perhaps it’d be best to show you at a later date. I.. I just really don’t like talking about the incident any further than we have.”

Jay turned from the door, smiling a bit. “You’re welcome to come back at anytime. Access here isn’t restricted, but if you’d like, I can provide something to make it easier to travel back here.” At the Judge’s question, Jay nodded. “Yup, this is his office. And behind this door right here,” He patted the door behind Dedan’s desk, “Is how we’ll be getting to the Metal supply.”

The feline gave a single, solemn and slow nod. His grin had faltered during this exchange, the dread thought of Zacharie being in a state worse than death weighing heavily upon his mind. He wouldn’t press further; it was very clear that the subject was very uncomfortable for the others. He bristled a little, wondering if he had pushed a little too far. Oh well.

Ears perking upon the offer, the Judge stepped forward with one paw slightly, “I would present the greatest of gratitude, should you provide me with such a means to make my future travels to this lieu strikingly easier,” he purred, “Your generosity has been quite excellent thus far!”

Padding after Jay, he glanced up at the door, “Superb,” he mused, “I simply must find a way to repay you lot as well. For your hospitality and generosity. We do not posses much of interest within my own file, but our homes are well-furnished and beautifully crafted; and Zacharie possesses numerous wares usurped from the old world that I am brightly positive he would be more than delighted to share and sell.” he swayed his tail this way and that, “Should you be physically capable of returning your lungs to breathing in smoke for a short time, you may visit my file any time you wish.”

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Isaac sighed as Jay pushed the gate open, Ama and Hugo running off into the courtyard.

The two lead the way further into the Room, as Isaac answered The Judge. “Zacherie isn’t.. Technically alive, either. It’s… sort of stasis. As for the Metal, that’ll be easy to gather, no Credits needed… so long as we don’t run into Enoch or Dedan.”

Jay chuckled as he pushed open a door leading to a large, rounded office, and a door behind it. The overall look and feel shared similarity to Dedan’s old office, really..

“Ah,” the Judge grunted, “Perhaps I would not be as dreadfully and drastically confused over such a subject if one were to, if it at all possible, describe it to me with greater detail.” he huffed. He seemed to be a little frustrated over how frequently he got the information incorrect; perhaps he shouldn’t have made as many assumptions, or perhaps he wasn’t being told enough.

He padded after the others, “At... Any rate,” the feline continued with a flick of his tail, “I must express my distinct gratitude for your generous hospitality and offer.” he dipped his head, “If the lot of you would appreciate the thought, I would not mind in the slightest if I were to be given the opportunity to revisit this lieu in the future, as I am... Well, cutting this visit rather short. I had not in my wildest fantasies expected to remain in this place for such an extended period!” he added.

Ears perking, his golden orbs surveyed the room, “Pardon my aimless prattle if I am incorrect on my wagered guess, but would this by any chance be Dedan’s office?” his dainty little paws glided over the cool metal floor as he looked around.

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Isaac’s voice seemed to drop in tone as he responded to the Judge. “They’re not dead, thank the heavens for that, if you wish, but I’d deem what happened a fate worse than death itself.”

Ama looked back for a brief moment, and in turn, smacked into the gate that lead to the room.

Jay sighed, as he approached the gate, Isaac shakily standing a few feet away. “Well, we’re here.”

“A fortuitous twist,” the Judge mused, “he way you had previously woven the tale, it almost appeared as though they had in fact regretfully deceased...” he sighed. The thought was distressing to the feline however. When he got home he would make sure to curl up in Zacharie’s lap and purr away. He always loved that so.

Ears perking, he nodded as he looked up to the gate, “Splendid,” he remarked, “However as it may be, I do believe that I must be making haste to retreat to my home file within a reasonable time frame; I came seeking malleable metal to create furnishings with, and it would aid me in the greatest of ways if I could procure this material from you.” he bobbed his head this way and that, “Of course if Credits are an object, I will be able to overcome such a thing; I am in possession of a sizable sum.”

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Jay and Isaac looked at each other as Hugo ran to catch up with Ama. Sighing, they shook their heads.

“We.. don’t want to talk about it with Hugo around. It’s.. well, it was something that wasn’t what would we would call ‘good.’ I wouldn’t call it drastic or ghastly, but it was bad.” Jay sighed, as Isaac played with the hem of his sweater.

Looking at Hugo, Isaac sighed. “Zacharie’s fate is, at least, better than that of the Batter’s…”

Ears swiveling, the Judge’s tail swayed while he absorbed this information. He bit his tongue, at least for the sake of Hugo, in regards to the Batter, though he did feel a twinge of worry for Zacharie. Being his closest companion back home, he couldn’t stand to see something happen to the merchant--even if it were on another file entirely. 

“I apologize deeply and sincerely for such a loss as this,” he sighed lowly, “The boy is far stronger,” he continued as his golden eyes drifted to Hugo, “Than one could perhaps perceive on face value, however I do fully understand why one would not wish to subject him to such... Matters.”

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Isaac slowly turned his head to look at the Judge, before nodding. “Dedan and the others have been a huge help. It’s not easy to manage such a huge zone, especially if it were just Jay, Hugo, Ama, and I. They’ve been helping with resource and threat management.”

Jay nodded and hummed a little in thought. “We’re lucky to have them by our sides, especially with Isaac’s current condition. They’ve been absolutely wonderful.”

Hugo smiled widely and nodded, bouncing a little. “Misters Dedan, Enoch, and Japhet have been really nice! I miss Zacharie and Papa, though..”

Jay sighed softly, looking at Hugo, almost sympathetically. “They’ll be back, Hugo. We’ll just have to wait, okay?”

With a slight purr, the Judge’s warmer smile was returning. He may not have been on the greatest terms with the late Guardians of his home file, but he did find peace knowing that they were doing well in others. 

Though he found the remark about Zacharie and “Papa” curious. With what information the Judge knew, he could easily surmise that “Papa” could have very well been the Batter... Though he wasn’t entirely certain. His own personal prejudice against the man left the feline to focus more on the one he considered to be a good companion.

“Might I inquire what sort of fate befell Zacharie?” he asked, “To make him potentially vanish with nary a trace left behind? I pray It isn’t something too ghastly and drastic upon the fellow. He is a dear, dear friend of mine back in my home file.”

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Jay turned his head to look at the Judge, smiling softly. “The townsfolk aren’t defenseless. Besides, more than likely, the Secretaries will retreat back into the woods. They seem to like going after stronger things.”

Ama glanced back at them. “That, and they like chasing those who are suffering from the Corruption. That’s probably why they attacked in the first place. Because none of the townsfolk are suffering from it, and we left, they won’t have anyone to harass. For now, we’ll head up to the Room, and I’ll inform Dedan of the situation. He won’t be happy about the increasing Secretary population, but we did our best.”

The Judge’s ears swiveled pensively upon the explanation. Well, at least they had little to worry about, but his mind was having a difficult time letting go of unfinished business. He shook his head brusquely and pushed on. He was, however, interested to see Dedan once more. 

“Ah, I have not caught sight of the Metal Guardian in quite some time,” the feline mused, “Though in all honesty I cannot admit that I have seen any of the Guardians... How much of a blessing it must be to have them remain, regardless of their current status within your file.”

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Ama scowled, drawing her bat and taking a swing alongside Kali’s attack. As the secretary went down, she sighed. “These things are getting out of hand… Let’s get moving.” Putting her bat away, she turned and began to walk back up the path, Kali and Hephaestus following her.

Jay began to walk back to Hugo and Isaac, sighing. “You two okay? I was a little worried when Isaac went down like that.”

Isaac gave him a weak thumbs up, before pushing the remaining add-on to follow Ama. “Let’s get moving. If it gets too late… Well, Hugo, Jay, you know what’ll happen.”

The Judge’s ears perked. They were fleeing? Well, the sheer number of Secretaries were indeed getting out of hand. If the battle went on much longer the feline feared he would have been too exhausted to go on! The tactic of the coward was one that left a bitter taste on his tongue, but it was the one they needed to take for now.

Golden eyes watching as the others moved, the Judge was close on their heels as they made their escape. 

“As we make haste to flee this dreadfully unbalanced battlefield,” the Judge mused though his teeth, “I cannot help but find my feline curiosity overtaking my better senses; what shall be done about the abominations to or rear?” he cast a glare over his shoulder.

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Ama shifted her footing, wincing as the Judge was knocked back. Looking over the group, she barked another order, this time at the Add-On not supporting Isaac, one with a dog-like creature in it.

“Heaphestus! Get to work with healing immediately!”

With that order, the addon began it’s casting of Divine Treat, as Jay began a much more assualts with his bow.

The Judge called his thanks to Ama, throwing a glance to the supporting Add-On before making his way to attack the secretaries once more. This time he focused on using his claws, slashing at the Secretaries with wickedly sharp accuracy. 

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While Jay loaded his bow once more, hampered by Isaac leaning on him, Kali unleashed another burst of fire from the hellspawn closest to them, as the other two add-ons drifted over to Hugo, one of which stopping to support Isaac and move him out of the fray while he recovered.

Ama shifted her weight as she gave Kali short, sharp commands. Her hand settled on the handle of the bat attached to the belt on her waist, fingers drumming impatiently.

Closing in for another attack, the Judge was suddenly knocked back by the strike of one of the Secretaries. He yowled loudly as he tumbled backwards, splaying his claws as he tried to halt his momentum. White fur bristling all over his body, he hissed loudly while he regained his composure, attacking with Critical Aneurysm before trying to move in for another strike.

“Blasted abominations!” the feline hissed indignantly through his teeth, “Tragically and irritatingly persistent as ever!” he slashed at one with his claws yet again, this time landing its mark--it seemed to be effective as the secretary was taken down.

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Isaac seemed to sway on his feet after performing HorrorTerror Homophony only having Jay to rely on for support, leaving them both incapable to fight right away again. 

*POMF*A ball of fire slammed into the back of one of the Secretaries as a female voice cut through.

“Kali, keep at it! Heaphestus, hang back for now.” Ahead on the road was a young woman with three eye-like wheel/mechanical beings. Add-ons, judging from the fact they were still operational despite the flowers growing on them, and the fact they were taking orders from her. Inside each was either a plush or an actual animal.

“Ama!” Jay seemed particularly enthused by this change, even though she only spared them a glance.

The Judge’s ears flattened against his head, instinctively closing his eyes as the fireball came careening down. Once the heat had subsided he perked up once again, his golden eyes now on the newcomer. Clearly a friend, by their reactions. 

With a shake of his head, the Judge reminded himself the he had no time to dwell on such things. Once Hugo was safely tucked away he pounced into action, going in to slash at the closest secretary with his wicked claws. He quickly darted backwards after that, wishing to avoid taking as much damage as possible from the creatures.