(1942-07-30) Diabolical Mister Pickles
Diabolical Mister Pickles
Summary: Clifton rescues Madeline Wright from a rather unfortunate situation. Mister Pickles, an all-star jerk of a cat, looks on.
Date: 1942-07-30
Related: All this trouble caused by the same a-hole cat from Mister Pickles
Players:
clifton..kathleen..

River Front, Higsi
Sun Jul 30, 1942


The Watauga River flows right along side Watauga Drive. In some places it seems quite deep, in others shallow enough to walk across. The bank slopes gently down toward the river and flattens out before the water, making this an ideal spot for fishing.

Weather:
It is summer. The weather is hot and fair.


It's a lovely day, brimming with glorious sunshine.. it's as if mother nature is trying to make up for the deluge of rain that battered Higsi for many, many days. People are still assessing damage to their houses and businesses; crops and fields are still drying out, with many a farmer mopping their brow over the work that will be involved in 'fixing' things. Adult problems burgeon following the relentless rains, but…. children? Well, adult issues are beyond the scope of kids, even those who stand on the precipice of adolescence.

Madeline Wright, along with her very very best friend Katiebelle Abernathy (what an unfortunate name) have spent much of the afternoon by the river. Two lovely girls, each having turned twelve within a MONTH of one another — a big deal — enjoying a carefree summer day. What could go wrong, as sunlight beams down upon the two girls almost lovingly, only serving to accentuate their cheer…? 'Wrongness', too, is far from either of their whimsical, flighty thoughts as they walk along the river bank of the Watauga, relaxed even as they seem to be scanning the area for 'something'…

"D'you think he's closeby, Maddie? I swear, Mister Pickles doesn't often run off like that… I bet he went straight home." Katiebelle declares, looking sideward to the other girl.

"No, I think he went up this way… let's just make sure he's alright.. okay?" Maddie asks of her friend as they make their way toward a bend in the river over which a tree — stricken by the storms — hangs akimbo over the deepest part.

Clifton had gone into the Farm and Feed today to get in some extra work and money. Despite having the awesome income from doing the photoshoot with Tilda, more money always helped so he made sure to keep working. Done for the day now, he took a longer way home to enjoy the quiet and nice weather for a change.

"Maddie… look!" Katiebelle pipes up suddenly, pausing in mid-step to point toward the fallen tree. The blonde girl freezes alongside her, squinting in the direction of the other girl's straining arm. There, a blob of white, sits Mister Pickles…. right close to the end of the unfortunate tree. Beneath the surly feline, the dark surface of the Watauga burbles along. The preteens stare outright at the placement of the pampered cat, before looking at one another.

"D'you think we should wait? He could make his way back—" The redhaired girl pipes up first, stopping at the shake of Maddie's head.

"He isn't very graceful, you know… he could fall. I bet I could shimmy on across to get him. He loves me." Maddie proclaims, and the two make their way to the base of the upturned tree. What could POSSIBLY go wrong?!?

"Maddie…" Katiebelle starts.

There are times where Kathleen Wright resembles Madeline, the crown of her blonde hair glowing in some semblance of sunshine, the certain angle of her smile. But at times, too, Madeline resembles Kathleen: this is now. Hiking up the skirt of her pretty yellow sundress to step up onto the gnarled trunk, a determined set to her expression that is COMPLETELY Kitty…. Madeline starts to crawl off in the direction of Mr. Pickles. She is surefooted and confident and the tree, she figures, can hold her. She makes it out to collect the feline, and when she is midway back across…. right when the strained grain of the fallen tree utters it's first groan, Maddie instinctively throws the cat toward the base of the tree.

SNAP!! A singular, stark, powerful sound… the tree snaps!

As Clif walked, his extended journey took him by the very river the two girls located poor Mister Pickles. Traveling along the road, the Walker hears the sound of two small voices. One of them familiar as he gets closer. Maddie. A small grin spreads and he looks over, intending to call out across the river to them in good natured teasing. However, what he sees make him stop in his tracks. Maddie shimmying across the tree to retrieve the cat.

This wasn't going to end well. Something in his gut knew that as he watched her make it to the feline. "Maddie!" Clifton's intent was to tell her to get off the tree, but his warning was too late as it snaps under the girl. "Shit!" Running fast, but still not seeming fast enough in his mind, he races forward.

Both girls — Katiebelle moreso than Maddie — are aware of an interjecting voice. As Madeline plunges into the Watauga River, Katiebelle shrieks with alarm as she sees her friend's body descend into the water. Mister Pickles, at least, makes it out of the fray safely… though the cat yet got wet as his landing fell short of the end of the tree AND the shore. In a disgruntled, offended way that only a cat can manage, the persian-mix.. thing.. prowls out of the water and goes about grooming himself, nonplussed. Meanwhile mayhem has suddenly, abruptly unfolded.

Madeline mercifully is not met with frigid water, but it's cool enough to shock her. The frothy skirts that look so darling in the sun become a clinging web around her kicking feet and suddenly it's hard to maneuver in the moving water. Her hands grasp for whatever is close, grabbing desperately for the splintered end of the tilted tree. The whole thing lurches and trembles, it's already-questionable strength tested by the added weight of girl and current.

As Clifton sprints forward, Katiebelle hardly recognizes him from the tree incident with that damnable cat but cries out, nonetheless. "I-I.. I told her not to! Oh no, oh no—-!"

Clifton doesn't hear Katiebelle's shouts. His focus is on getting to that water. Getting to the edge of the river, there is no hesitation. With a leap forward, Clif is in that water and making his way towards Maddie. Stupid Mister Pickles. Stupid stupid cat!

There isn't much to Maddie; she may as well be some hapless bit of foliage or flower fluff caught up in the current. Her hands swat and grab at the tattered remains of the tree that failed her.. was that someone entering the water? Not sure; must survive. The girl gasps and tries to hold on.. go figure the point where the stressed remains of the tree snapped were above the deeper part. The river, still a bit off-kilter after the storms, is an angry thing. Ruthless, despite it's pretty, glittering, dancing surface. As Clif bounds into the water and begins to make his way to Maddie, Katiebelle is scooping up Mister Pickles and running toward the road.

"I'll get help!" The redhead cries. defaulting immediately to Maddie's family: Kitty. Not knowing that the poor woman cannot swim. In her panic, Clifton is a 'footnote'; all Katiebelle can defer to is finding Kitty.

Meanwhile, Maddie's cornflower blue eyes peer up over at Clifton as he draws near, before the flimsy shreds of wood unfurl and crack apart. The girl is beginning to be carried down the river!

Oh yes, Katiebell. Would be such a shame to forget the damn cat. Never mind that now, Clifton had more important matters to worry about…like ensuring Maddie not drowning! He is almost to her, so close, when the part of tree she had managed to grab onto betrays her. As she is carried down river by the current now, Clif tries to use the flow of the water to his advantage. With Maddie working against the water trying to stay afloat, it might provide enough resistance. The Walker relents himself to the current, swimming forward and trying to catch up with the girl.

Poor, poor Maddie. A good deed has gone punished, but all that blazes in the girl's mind is determination, not indignation. Early summer days spent with Katiebelle's family have equipped the kid with an ability to at least stay afloat.. but that was in standing water. While the river has not dissolved into rapids, it's still strong enough to push her along and center her, buffeting her away from the sides where had flailing hands might find purchase upon something, like a rock or branch.

All there is, is Clifton. The current carries the Walker along and he shall easily be able to grab the girl, whether by an arm or her clothes.

Success! As he reaches Maddie, Clifton grabs the girl by the back of her dress and just yanks her back to try and get her closer. If that works, he'd wrap a firm arm around her waist and hug her against him. Facing into him so the water hit her back and not her face as much. "I got ya', Maddie!" He may take an elbow or flailing slap for his efforts, but he'd heal. With the one arm around her, he kicks his feet harder and works with his other arm to keep the both of them afloat now. "Wrap around me. Hold onto me, Maddie!" If he could get her to hold onto him, he could use both arms to get them to short.

The girl is on a threadbare line which divides panic and calmness. She knows to panic and flail is to lose energy, lose air, and that's.. not good. Don't let her fluffy blondeness fool you, Maddie is smart. As she gives the water another fightened swat, Maddie feels herself being caught up and secured. Even if she were to whallop one such as Clif, she wouldn't leave a mark. All she notices is that she is being held, that she isn't alone, and that it's Clifton. Immediately she clings and the only thing causing grief, here, is the nimbus of her clothing as it goes against the water and hinders her legs. "II tried to save the cat-" She cries, voice weak against the water. Between the current and her dress, the girl is losing steam.

At this point, and it hadn't taken Katiebelle long, Kathleen is sprinting onto the shore. "Maddie!" She shrieks; yes, shrieks. Not common to hear that level of panic on her part. Katiebelle caught her unaware in a shower and Kitty is clad in a sundress that is inside-out and her hair is a flaring horror above her head, drying wavy of all things. Her eyes are wild with animal panic, even as she sees Clif holding the girl the woman is shin-deep in the water. "MADDIE!" Kitty hollers, looking as if she wants to dive in.

Usually the river was more varying. Being deeper at some parts, but less at others. The recent onslaught of rain had changed all of that and now more parts of it were deeper and ran swifter. Clifton knew they had to make it to the edge of the river. Back to land. He hears shouting, but is too distracted to peg the specific voice. Probably just people from town realizing in horror 'Oh hey look that Walker is trying to drown a little girl. They're all monsters!' Or something along those lines. Seems reasonable.

While Clifton could tread water for a long time and be fine, he could feel the weight of Maddie against him indicating she had spent a good deal of her energy. That's when he sees it. A tree with exposed roots along the edge of the river. If he could get to that root system, maybe he could grab onto it and help Maddie climb it to get out of the river. If nothing else it would get them to stop moving long enough for him to get his bearings. "Maddie. Hold on tight! Tight!"

With that Clifton suddenly turned them around so that he was on his back and navigating them towards that tree. Kicks and strokes are repeated in quick rhythm and soon they are nearing their target. With one last hard kick, Clif reaches out and grips one of the roots with his hand. His other arm goes around Maddie to secure her to him as the sudden stop against the flow of water causes them to jerk a bit. But they made it! This far at least.

As the two are carried along, this time with the added bonus of Kathleen coming onto the scene in all of her upset glory, Maddie shall yet be felt drooping a bit as the tiredness hits her. Had she been in a proper bathing suit and not a full skirt, her own kicks will have been more helpful and less exhausting.

But the girl is still conscious and aware, and her eyes fill her face as she clings tight to the Walker.  So terrified is she, that a miniscule ring of white circles her pupils against the sky blue of her irises. She lurches along as Clif kicks, hard, and all she can do is mewl worriedly.

But what of Kitty? Hers is a terror that is animal-like; energy makes her lithe body taut and jerky as she runs along the bank, following them. Tears stream past her nose as she sprints, mouth pressed into a line. She sees Clif grabbing hold of the root system but still does not like how their bodies are being tugged at by the current.
"I'm here!" Kitty hollers, voice uncharacteristically shakey. "I can help!" Unless she ends up in deep water.

Despite having a firm hold on the tree root, Clifton was now faced with a new dilemma.  He was clinging onto the root with one hand and holding a terrified exhausted Maddie to him with the other arm.  About five feet above them, past the tangled web of roots, was solid ground.  Years of the river's flow had eroded enough of the earth away to revel these roots, but it was still going to be a climb to get to safety.  Could the girl manage it?  

The Walker is running every scenario through his head of how to get Maddie up that climb, when he hears Kitty.  Clifton looks up at her, feet kicking under the water to see if he feels solid ground.  Nope.  Not until the rain water had run it's course more.

"I'm gonna' send her up!" he calls up to the elder Wright, still keeping a firm hold on both Maddie and the root.  "Come as far down as you can and pull her!"

He'd then look to Maddie, speaking between breaths as his kicks keep them above the water's surface but also trying to keep his voice calm and reassuring.  "Alright, Maddie.  I know you're tired.  I know you're scared…but I need you to climb."  A glance up at the root system above them before back to her.  "See those roots?  Just like branches.  I need you to climb them."

Using his grip on the root, Clifton pulls them closer and more out of the current of the river.  "I'm gonna' hold on with both hands.  You use me and step up and grab as high as you can reach.  You got that?"  With his position now he had her nestled between him and the roots, his arm coming from around her and reaching out to hold onto another root.

He then pulls back on the roots a moment to make sure they are secure, then putting one foot out against the wall or earth that the roots fed into.  It was muddy and slippery due to the conditions, but after pushing his foot into it enough he finds a firm hold.  "Alright.  Now use my leg to stand on.  Climb Maddie!"  With how he had positioned himself, in theory, even if she fell during her climb she would just land back on him.

It should work.. this particular jumble of roots. The bottom of which, touched frequently by the shifting tides of the water, are slick and slippery but the width of the roots are particularly good for the girl's hands. By now Kitty has appeared at the top of the bank and the top of the roots, ducking her body beneath the foliage and moving to shimmy down a little bit so that her butt rests on the topmost portion of the roots. Her wide amber eyes are locked upon both who tread the water below, clinging to the roots. Though she is obviously distressed and hating on herself for being unable to swim, Kitty tries hard to focus.

Meanwhile Maddie looks up at Clif's face as he describes to her what must happen, and with a grave and frightened little nod she looks up at that which the Walker clings to. "I-I'm so sorry to be stompin' all over you." She says pitifully, being a polite girl who yet apologizes for the rescue measures that Clif just laid out to her! Her feet — her pretty sandals were lost to the current — flit and pad around, one of them finding purchase upon Clif's thigh. The girl looks up at the gnarled tangle of roots, and Kitty's blonde-haloed head peering out over them in alarm.

Kitty meanwhile is making sure she is stable, getting down as far as she can where she can reach out as Maddie climbs up. One thigh hooks around behind a gap between roots and she pulls her leg in tight, one arm also reaching to grab another stable hold. One arm is now perfectly, solidly free to grab the girl once she gets close enough.
With that, Madeline reaches and attempts to climb! The dress, as it comes out of the river, clings tight and hangs heavily like a sheathe. It's difficult, climbing is hard. The girl desperately tries to shove the heavy folds of fabric back from her knees.

A couple of farmers have arrived, laying their eyes for the first time upon the production.

Trusting Kitty to get in position, Clifton keeps all of his focus on Maddie as she climbs.  "Stomp where you need I'll be fine."  Sure he'd heal, but hopefully he wouldn't come to regret those words too fully.  Either way, he keeps his hold on the roots firm and his leg steady as she makes her way out of the water.

"You're doing great, Maddie.  Just focus on the next root up and trust your feet.  I'm right here."  Even once she was off of him, he'd keep his position.  If she fell back into the water, she'd have to land on him first.  Which means the current wouldn't get her.  Given his attention on Maddie, the Walker isn't aware of the audience gathering.

One thing Clif can be sure of, Kitty is ready. Even though her expression is wretched with guilt and upset, she is not hysterical and she is solid. Her nimble frame tips forward just slightly, her lower half locked into position and every single muscle and fiber in her body is ready to grab that preteen girl. The tension builds as she watches Maddie trying to prepare herself, to make this easier on herself.. it hurts Kitty's heart to see even a note of fear in the younger Wright's features. She listens to Clif's words of reassurance to the girl, wishing she could say much of the same but her tongue feels glued to the roof of her mouth. For once.

"You alright Miss Wright?" A voice pipes up behind her.. it's one of the farmers who arrived; a beefy towheaded man… someone whom Kitty has dismissed in the past as a meathead but in this moment, she is so grateful for him being there. "Stay right there Morley.. ya see me falter, ya grab me. I don't care how." Kitty says quickly and pointedly, her voice gravelly. The bull of a man nods and kneels at the very top of the bank, watching raptly.

By now a few others have arrived, watching with alarm as the Walker floats there in the water with a girl between himself and the bank. The suspicion that he is hurting her begins to switch as they see him actually trying to ease her OUT of the current. What the hell? Walkers don't do that! Madeline's slender frame finally begins to rise out of the water, her dress a muddied yellow color, thin pale arms desperately grabbing for the roots. Suddenly one of her hands grabs tight to Kitty's, then the other hand… and the real strain begins.

Clifton watches, keeping that position until he sees Maddie and Kitty grab hands.  While others watching may let out a breath or even cry of relief, the Walker won't celebrate until he is sure Kitty has her sister pulled up and safely on solid ground.

He moves his foot back down into the water now, releasing the roots with one hand as well.  Still keeping the original hand holding on for his own support, he is still ready to let go and retrieve Maddie should she fall back into the water.  It is now that he sees others gathered, looking around before spotting a couple of the farmers near Kitty.  

"Help her pull her up!"  They may not like having the command shouted at them by a Walker of all people, but it is also obvious Clifton doesn't give a damn.  "Get something to wrap her in too!"  Sure it was warm weather, but the girl could still be in shock.

Walker or not, that's a girl in the water who won't be too happy when she's pulled out. The order is heard and 'Morley' immediately grips a limb of root jumble and snares a ham-fisted arm around Kitty's taut, straining waist. The elder Wright is in a position that isn't easy for pulling someone out of a current with the additional poundage and awkwardness of wet clothes. Maddie begins to cry as she sees Kitty's face, her dress hanging like a ghastly yellowish caul from her slight body. Her feet kick and drag at the roots, some of the sharper bits — rock, bark, splinters of wood — raking at the soles of her feet.

"Got ya baby, hang on, I got ya. I ain't mad, ya were just trying' to do good—" Kitty groans, pulling hard with one arm, feeling her triceps screaming. Morley sees that Kitty has the girl and with a burst of strength in the man's whole body, he pulls back with a bellowed grunt and pulls the BOTH of them up! Maddie is clear from the water and up over the bank, wrapped instantly in her sister's arms as Kitty falls back with her.

Pulling Maddie in tight against her heaving chest, Kitty hollers out instantly. "Get Clifton out!"

As soon as Maddie disappears over the top of the embankment, Clifton's form relaxes and his head lowers towards the water with a sigh of relief.  Now, for the easy part of getting himself out.  The Walker has already started pulling himself up and out of the water when Kitty shouts her own orders to those gathered.

The tricky part of the climb for Clifton is not using so much of his strength that he rips the roots out of the ground.  Because that wouldn't be peculiar at all!  So, instead of relying as much on his own strength and ability to get himself out, the Walker actually accepts the help offered as he climbs.

Once he made sure Maddie and Kitty were alright, Morley is back at the edge and offering his hand to Clifton.  There is a moment, an instant where the look is clear on Clif's face.  That realization of how people feel about Walkers and how they are used to being treated.  Fighting his learned instincts, he realizes the other man is helping him and takes the hand.  

With Morley helping by pulling and Clifton helping by pushing himself along, Clif is quickly back on land as well.  Going to his knees, he feels the surge of adrenaline leaving his body.  His limbs as sore despite his strength and his face betrays a bit of his own fatigue.  He'd bounce back fast though.  

Right now, his focus was elsewhere.  His attention is on the Wright sisters, his gaze going to Kitty "Is she okay?"  A hand pushes his wet hair out of his face, worried focus on the youngest Wright as she clings to her sister's embrace.

At least Morley is there to get things done… there's a couple of ladies standing on the bank by now and rest assured, they will get the lines tapping before long. The other farmer who first arrived, a friend of Morley's, is approaching with a blanket that he pulled from his truck. He's holding it out to the Wright women as the very moment the bullnecked Morley is grabbing Clifton's hand and making to haul the Walker up along the roots. Clif needn't war with his sensibilities long… Morley doesn't waste a moment in helping him out. Whatever he may or may not feel about Walkers, the big man saw this one keeping a girlchild from being taken downstream… and that's enough.

He's about to ask Clif if he's alright, when the New Yorker turns his attention immediately to the two ladies. Madeline huddles close to Kathleen, shrouded in a blanket that smells vaguely of dogs. Kitty's eyes, wide and bright and so intensely golden in this light, peer over the girl's wet head and straight at Clifton. Her full lips, so often given to smirking or snarling, are pressed into a tremulous line.. this is the only thing that betrays the carpenter's attempt at calmness. Tears glisten in her bottom lashes and her mouth continues to work as if she is swallowing down her hurt.

Kitty coughs a few times and against her best efforts, she cannot disguise the sob that bursts from her throat. Were it her to see Madeline fall, she couldn't have… the two of them would be fished out of the river, stone dead.  Clifton has saved her house, and now her beloved sister. "S-she's fine.. lil' shook.. feet are cut up but s-she…" The elder Wright falters, head tilting down into the soaked cap of her sister's hair.

Watching Kitty hold her sister tight against her, Clifton just offers a nod when she gives confirmation that Maddie is alright.  She's safe.  The Walker then lets out a huff of breath and looks up to Morley.  "Think you can get them a ride back home in that truck?"

His attention then goes to the small crowd that has gathered.  Shit.  Pushing against his knees with his hands, Clif moves to stand up.  For a moment he looks back to the sisters before back down the road.  They were safe.  People were starting to talk.  Part of him knew he should just go home, but he wanted to make sure they were taken care of first.

It can be seen in every twitch and tensing up of Kitty's arms and shoulders: she wants to go to Clifton and grab him. Not in a hysterical sobbing mess, or even to cling, but to simply grab onto him and hold fast, appreciatively. But is that a good idea, here? In front of these people who are approaching and reacting? Granted there's only about four onlookers.. but each have their variable thoughts on the whole matter. Kitty doesn't give much of a shit really.. for now there's only Maddie and Clifton, who saved her. She goes on outright staring at him, the emotions warring in her features.

Morley meanwhile looks at the two ladies who are seated there, and now one can see the kindness in the bear of a man whose thoughts aren't the most complex at the best of times. "Sure can. That alright with you Miss Wright? Can get ya straight home." He offers, kneeling beside them and smiling into Maddie's face. "Mind the river miss, ain't kind in spots."

Kitty nods to Morley, accepting the drive for Maddie's sake, but her eyes are on Clif as he ponders. Should he look to her one more time she will simply nod once, slowly. Showing that she understands. She's not going to put him on the spot, though everything is in the eyes. This is not common for Kitty, but it all happens easily after her being rocked to the core.

"Come later." She says quietly to the Walker as Morley tries to make Maddie laugh.

Clifton sees the look, glad for various reasons that Kitty does not act on her impulse.  When Morley confirms he can give them a ride and then goes about distracting Maddie…things are fine.  He can leave.

A final look is given to Kitty as he just gives a quick nod in confirmation.  He'd come by and check on Maddie's recovery from the day's excitement.  Check on Kitty's nerves too.  Understandably, she was upset.

Aside from that, not another word or glance is given to those around them.  Unless somebody stopped him, Clifton movs to continue his path down the road.  

Aw good, he got it. Kitty can be felt — or at least Maddie can feel her, and Maddie just doesn't catch onto much right now — relaxing, deflating. A deep sigh as she tries to cast her upset to the four winds. She will just go on holding Maddie for a time, trying not to squeeze too hard in fact. Maddie, who is starting to lengthen in her limbs and body, who is always checking the mirror everyday for 'changes'… she is still yet small enough to be cuddled whether she wants it or not.

Clifton prepares to leave and it is at this moment that Mister Pickles ambles along the bank, toward the small group. It is in this moment that the flat-faced white blob plops down onto it's arse, snaps a leg straight up into the air, and starts cleaning it's butthole.

Madeline Wright eyes the cat for a moment, and finally says her first shakey words. "You're a right asshole, Mister Pickles!"

Kathleen snorts once, tries to laugh, but at the fluting of her sister's calm and very-much-alive voice something in her breaks, and she crumbles against the girl.. sobbing properly. Letting it happen.


Wright Residence, Higsi
(Same day, hours later)

Built by the late Basil Wright, this beautiful Craftsman-style house overlooks the intersection of Cooper and Butler. A huge porch, flanked by two shade trees, is the first to greet visitors. It is set up seasonally with quite a few comfortable chairs and a large wooden table that looks rather archaic.
The immaculate interior presents a large kitchen with pantry, open dining room, den, full bathroom and two multi-purpose spare rooms. Closet-space is ample, appointed in nooks and crannies throughout the house and never given to clutter. A sturdy stairwell, with hand-carved designs set into the railing, ascends into a large second storey. There, one shall find a master bedroom, another occupied bedroom, a small bathroom and a large sitting room from which one can observe the street below through two large windows.
Departing the house and following a walkway around toward a fenced-in back yard, an addition from the late 1920s is accessible. There, two functional and comfortable rooms are located for usage as rooms-to-let to passing visitors. A large shed serves as a workspace for the home's owner.


Clifton had decided to give Kitty and Maddie a few hours to recover from the ordeal at the river.  After leaving, he had gone home and changed into dry clothes and helped with some things around the house.  After dinner, he decided to head back towards town.

His satchel, as usual, is over one shoulder with the strap across his chest.  In one hand a bottle of the famous Walker Moonshine.  Stepping up onto the porch of the Wright household, he lifts a hand and gives a swift few knocks to the door.

Those few hours were indeed spent recovering, with Maddie having been given a hot bath and put to bed for awhile. It was there that the girl slept away her shock and abrupt exhaustion and Kitty saw to it that she was woken just before dinner, so as to not ruin the night's sleep. Still unnerved by all that happened Kitty simply resumed what she had been up to the moment Katiebelle Abernathy came running into the yard. The second lick and a promise, at the yardwork, was done with ferocity. Alone, left with her upset and woes and frustration, the woman got the weeding done in double-time.

She could have lost Maddie, had Clifton not been there. She could have leapt into that river and panicked and taken the girl down with her.
While Maddie slept peacefully, Kathleen fretted. And replayed. And fretted more. And drank.

The preteen's dress, washed up from the stint with river water, hangs on a line out behind the homestead… it waves and flutters in the hot late-afternoon / early evening breeze like some sort of yellow ghoul. It is joined by a few other things… shirts, the odd dress, nothing too risque. Keen ears hear a knock and Kitty pauses with her rake, as she works to collect the grass she had cut that morning. Watered madly by the previous storms, it grew fast and furious and the woman can't stand an unkempt yard.

"I'm 'round back here, beside the house." She calls as she pushes a bunch of grass clippings off toward a bigger pile with said rake.

Lofting a brow at the voice that calls from around the house, Clifton leans back some straining to see while remaining on his spot on the porch.  Right.  Heading down the steps and back around to where the woman is, he stands there a moment and watches her work.  "Hey…"

The carpenter hadn't expected Clif, not this evening.. perhaps not until tomorrow at least. Which is why she yet worked out here, hadn't taken much time to put herself back together… but at least she fixed the inside-out sundress, which is still plastered to her form with sweat and dirt. So the knock to the door may as well have been one of the farmers' wives coming to call on her. Maybe with honest intent to help her, but also to dig.. dig dig as to why a Walker was helping her sister. The very same Walker who prevented damage to this house.

It's always with an underlying need for gossip, and feeding it. So if Kitty's voice sounded rough and uninterested? That's why. Clif comes 'round the side of the house and finally, finally, she sees him. Kathleen freezes, rake in hand, watching Clif for a few seconds. "Clif—" She starts, setting the rake aside and beginning to pad barefoot toward him. She still has a harried look about her; she doesn't look as if she has relaxed much at all.

She doesn't even care if she's sweaty, she reaches out to yank the Walker into a tight, firm hug.

Clifton wasn't sure if she'd be up for the visit.  Or what state she'd be in.  Assuming Maddie was still inside and resting, his eyes go towards the house for a brief moment before back to Kitty as she makes her way over.

He's calm.  Perhaps even seeming a bit somber.  Or at least more serious than when he usually visits.  Today had been a scare…worse than a scare…for the woman.  He realized that.  With everything she had already lost and how fiercely she fought to protect that child.  He didn't want to imagine the hell she was putting herself through right now.

So when he's pulled into the hug he just embraces her, wrapping both of his strong arms around her and pulling her against him.  Letting her hug him for a moment, he'd then speak in a soft tone.  "She's alright.  She's safe, Kitty.  You still have her."

Worry not Clif, she doesn't nuzzle or nestle; that's not Kitty's way. She hugs like a man, firm and tight with her neck craned in just so to rest her cheek to his ear. No clutching or head resting to chest, listening to heartbeats and and whimpering.. no no. Kitty's own hold is strong even if she, herself, isn't gifted in the strength department. But the returned hug is appreciated and her lips press tightly into that firm line which denotes her fighting something off. A hard blink as her eyes itch and she simply goes on holding, nearly clinging. The woman's heartbeat is a strong, pounding thing in her ribs.

"How is it that ya always end up being there. When the house was broken into, the truck gettin' stuck in the storm.. and now this.. Jesus merciful Christ," She cuts herself off, voice shaking hard. "And this, t-this was.. is th' worst.. I can't…" A deep breath, fierce and scared. Kitty feels like a solid slender length of taut steel. "Weren't ya there, were it me to see her.. I would sunk, I woulda—-"

One hand reluctantly pulls back as she rubs her face viciously. "I can't repay ya enough.. I don't know what I can do to repay ya.."

Hearing her worry on and fret about what could have been, what might have happened, Clifton just keeps her in the hug.  Perhaps to her surprise, when she moves to pull back he actually doesn't release her.  Instead, he tugs her back into him.  Not forcefully or roughly, just stubbornly.  

He doesn't look at her though, instead keeping his gaze ahead on the yard work she had left behind as he sighs.  "Damnit, Kathleen Wright."  It is then that he does look down at her and meet her gaze if she looks up at him.  "You don't have to be a stoic wall all the time.  You're allowed to fear.  You're allowed to grieve.  Even if the worst didn't happen, you're allowed to feel."

If she pushed against the embrace again he'd let her go, but otherwise he'd keep hugging.  "And I swear.  If you keep talking about this 'repayment' nonsense I'll walk right back home.  You understand?"

That said, his brow furrows, "I'm just glad she's alright…"  

Damnit Clif, why are you so wise? Whether trying to guide cousins and kin, or stubborn broads like this hot mess…. why? How? Kitty doesn't make to pull away; this is one of the longest times someone has ever held her tight. It's not terrible. She's too stubborn to cry again and Clif is too stubborn to let her get away with it. What a stubborn, stubborn mess.

Being given that permission to feel these hard things and let them show, Kitty yet fights it. But not for long. Maybe it's just the shock of it all, being held, being talked to by the one who rescued that precious girl. For the third time today Kitty lets her eyes well up and spill over but damnit she won't sob. This is progress, however, and when Clif looks down at her and she looks up at him her eyes are molten in the tears and low sun. "And if ya walk home ya take that fucking son of a bitch cat with ya. Do ya need a cat in the hills? Make a casserole out of the damned thing! Fuck that fucking cat!" She bawls out… okay, she'll cry, but she'll curse while doing it.

And right there, while Maddie finished up her bubblebath and pauses at the sound of voices outside, Kathleen Wright allows herself to cry. Angrily. But cry all-the-same.
"I gotta learn to swim.. I can't.. I can't bear that again.."

There it is.  Clifton knew it was in there and as the emotions come out he just continues to hold her.  The mention of the cat gets a laugh from the man and he nods.  "Fair enough.  I'll even bring you the leftovers so you can enjoy some too."  Damn cat.

When she mentions learning to swim, the Walker uses a hand to rub her back gently.  "I'll teach you if you want."  Once the river goes back down some obviously.  No need for a Part 2 of their today's adventures!

"I know this won't convince you any, but this isn't your fault.  It isn't Maddie's fault either.  Sometimes things just…happen.  Like I said though.  She's here.  She's safe.  So stop worrying about the 'what could have beens' and 'what might be'."  

It is now that he releases her from the hug, bending down to the side and picking up the Moonshine he had set on the ground when she came to hug him.  "Besides.  I brought you some Cheer Up Brew."  Holding up the bottle he gives a grin.  "See?"

All good things come to those who wait, or at least in Clifton's case… the right words and unfortunate circumstances allow for this hard nut of a woman to crumble. The fierce staccato of Kitty's upset is brief and it is, again, another great letting of tension. It is one of a select few 'amazing' feelings in this mortal existence: the culmination of a great lay, a good dump, and a solid cry. That may be a bit obnoxious to mention, but it's Kitty. It puts things into perspective, how important this is.

The rub to her back is enough to have her ease her in closer, some of the steel leaving her frame as she allows herself to yet be human. Hugging a werewolf. "I.. am gonna have t'swallow my pride and accept it. I *hic* don't trust anyone else to teach me.. so maybe when the river goes down some." She admits, as if reading his mind. Another deep breath and Kitty tries to will herself to lean back, taking each and every reassurance to heart. "Maddie is upstairs having a bath.. she'll be out though. She wants t'see ya…"

Too late. As the cheer up brew is produced, Maddie stands upon the back step of the house, by that kitchen door. She watches the two hugging with a thoughtful expression, right up until Clif lets Kitty go and holds out the Walker Magic Potion. She isn't one to be jealous over her sister's friendship with the Walker, but sometimes it makes the girl wonder. "You're both awfully cute together, you know." She says pointedly, looking tired and thoughtful but very much alive. Kitty's gaze snaps over to the girl, eyes brilliant with tears.

"Kitty! Stop crying! I'm really okay!" Maddie exclaims, worriedly.

Clifton looks back over his shoulder as the girl joins his and Kitty's conversation.  A smirk spreads on his features "Now now, Maddie.  We both know your sister doesn't do 'cute'.  Ornery or stubborn, but never ever 'cute'."  Handing off the Moonshine to Kitty, he turns to better face the younger Wright now.

"She's just crying because she's glad you're safe.  Their tears of love and you should never try to stop those."  Taking a step closer to the girl, he just extends one arm out to the side.  Clifton fashion of inviting the girl into a hug.   

Ahem. Just like that, Kitty is trying to compose herself. She's left, no longer holding Clif but now, a jar of the Walker brew. A few deep breaths and she rubs the back of her hot neck, coming away with sweat which causes her to grimace. Golden eyes flit back to Maddie now and the elder Wright tries to smile. "Y'know me Mads… I ain't of a mind to lose ya. I had a scare, as I'm sure you did too. Ya did a kind thing, saving that fuc—-that.. cat. But next time ya let Pickles sort himself out. He knows what he's doin'." She lectures, stops herself.

It would have been too foolish a reason to lose a life so dear. She cracks open the jar and can't help herself, takes a deep swig. Anything to quell the roiling, the sadness in her belly. Just as well.. Maddie releases that train of thought and bounds forward, clearly her normal self. Unlike Kitty's stiff and firm hold, Maddie's hug is every bit the little miss's. She squeezes the Walker tight, smelling of clean soap and… well… safety.

"Thank you for saving me. I really should have been more careful but you see, if Katiebelle would've tried to go after Pickles, she would've been worse off. I can at least climb.. it's the stupid tree's fault for breaking like that." Maddie rambles into the front of Clif's chest.

Returning the girl's hug with his own, Clifton then looks down at her and ruffs her hair with one hand and a grin.  "Of course it's the tree's fault.  Should have known it was supposed to hold you."  Going along with the girl's reasoning a moment before his tone is more serious.

"If something like that ever happens again though, you go and find an adult to help you.  You understand?  I don't care if it's a cat stuck on a log or what.  And if Katielou gives you any grief about it you just grab her by the arm and tug her along with you."

Squeeeeeze. Maddie knows how to give hugs, and gleefully. The shock that dominated the girl's features leading up to her rescue is again replaced by her bright, youthful beauty. She is fine, she truly is. Kitty watches the interaction, reiterating the fact to herself over and over. Maddie looks as if nothing happened, if you don't look at her socked feet. Her soles were scraped up a bit in the scramble, but it could have been far worse.

"It won't happen again. Katiebelle said they're keeping Mister Pickles in for a few days. I'm going to head over to see what's going on, if she's okay… she called a little while. Did you know/…" Maddie leans back, looking dead-on at Clif as if preparing to impart some //critical news. ".. Mister Pickles has been wandering like that too often? Katie's parents are gonna keep him in and get him fixed, thinkin' that will stop his wandering. Fixed.. isn't that when they cut——"

Kathleen sputters and breaks out into a bark of laughter. "Serves him right, the son of a bitch!" She belts out, eyes still shiny from unshed tears and the liquor burning her nose a bit in the sudden, amused inhale.

"Kitty! Stop cussin'!" Madeline admonishes. "Can I run over to check on Katiebelle?" She asks with all of the gravity of one who feels they are charged with a grave deed.

Clifton can't help but smile at the girl's ability to rebound from the event.  Ah innocent youth.  He was glad she lived in an environment that enabled her to still have that.  When she gets into explaining Mister Pickle's fate though…he almost feels bad for the cat.  Almost.  Fidgeting a bit in his stance, he clears his throat "Yes.  We know what 'fixed' means, Maddie."  Thanks for that!

Looking over to Kitty he gives a smirk and is relieved when Maddie mentions going to see Katieanne.  Anything for the switch of topic.  He watches the older sister, waiting to see what the answer would be.

"Go on now, and stay away from the river. Straight to Katielee's—-"

"Katiebelle." Maddie corrects.

"Y'hear be? Nowhere else, only Katielulu—-"

"KatieBELLE."

Kitty smiles, her answer given but her eyes still mildly sad. With a flourish the younger Wright leans up to press a kiss to the Walker's cheek — wouldn't the gossips have a field day at that, had it happened by the river — and takes her leave urgently. The older Wright watches her enter the house to get whatever fluffy flouncy crap preteen girls like to parade around in front another, and she sighs softly.

"Who the hell calls their kid Katiebelle." Kitty utters under her breath and looks pointedly at Clifton. "I won't be keepin' ya long, Clif, if ya gotta be off on yer way. Ernie went on home a couple of days ago, we got his house shored up… I've one room still rented, to a lady by th' name of Wolf. Ya know her?" She asks, taking a languid sip of the shine, eyes still a bit shiny in the late sun.

Laughing at the interaction between the sister's, the Walker leans in for the peck on the cheek and watches Maddie scramble into the house to get her things.  Whatever they were.  "I have no idea, but that is one way to ensure I never remember the poor kid's name.  Kayleebeth?" he says with a lofted brow and glance to Kitty.

With the mention of not 'keeping him' long, Clifton shakes his head.  "I came by to check on you.  You're not keeping me when I came here of my own resolve" he says with a chuckle.  Thank goodness.  Ernie was gone.  But another tenant?  The name is familiar and Clif just grins and gives another chuckle.

"Ah.  Yeah I know Wolf.  Not well, but we've interacted.  Had other…arrangements…but she went out of town before we carried through with anything."  He gives a casual shrug then, grin spreading, "Could always see if she wanted to join us for a go?" he laughs.  "If either of you are the sort for added…company."  Now opening in Higsi!  Wright Inn: Home of Debauchery and Orgies!

Oh man.. Kitty feels safe telling Clif a great many things; if she ever had to swear him to secrecy, she would.. knowing he would come through. But this… that which she learned about Wolf, from Wolf… and promised to Wolf to never speak of? Kitty sighs inwardly with resolve that this is but one thing she can never tell a soul: not Maddie, not Clif. Nobody.

She saw Wolf's other 'faces'; perhaps even had a 'go' with one of them not long after discovering such a thing. As unreal as it had been… she cannot bring it up. Kitty simply half-smiles and nods once. "I reckon she was wantin' to catch up with ya. If she's of a mind t'share, I ain't gonna say no. But I definitely consider her a friend.. she won me over with spiking her coffee in a family diner." She admits, before pausing and looking at Clif's face.

"If yer stayin' awhile… I get ya first." Kitty says outright, "Yer goin' on about not owing ya a damn thing, which I'll respect. But ya jumped in and saved my sister.. and for that I'm havin' ya six ways ta' Sunday til' yer fair limpin' back up that mountain." 

Clifton isn't surprised when Kitty agrees to the idea.  They were of the same mindset with those matters it seems.  Now to find a casual and respectful way to bring up the notion to Wolf.  Believe it or not, it was about respect for Clif.  Otherwise their whole arrangement would just make him feel creepy.

At the mention of getting him first and him not taking repayment for anything, he does pull a bit of a skeptical look.  "Alright.  As long as you're sure it's just because my heroics got your loins all worked up…and not out of any sense of debt."  Not that he assumed it from her.  It was more just obvious the idea of it upset him.  "I came to check on you.  Not to bed you, Kat."

If Clif were surprised, Kitty would be concerned. It's not often — damned rare, actually — for her to extend her bedsport to more than one another. It's dicey, though, in a place like Higsi… dangerous. It's not recent news that Kitty Wright isn't settling down anytime soon, and is exploring the field…. rarer still that she has taken a nudge at a woman once in a blue moon. But to take on multiples? Yeah.. tread carefully. But Clif shall see that the blonde woman hardly bats an incredulous eyelash at the deal.

Right now, all she wants is to potato-sack carry the Walker somewhere out of view of the street. Maybe get cleaned up first but he can bet his ass it's because of…. well, Kitty shall soon lend voice to that notion soon enough. Like, now.

She watches him then, one hand resting upon a hip. "Course it's because yer heroics got me hot. Just had t'get the upset out and it's all I'm left with. Gotta do something with it." The woman admits, licking her lips once. "That scare makes a body know they're alive.. and one way to act on that is…." She trails off. Blinks and shuffles awkwardly. "Fuck it, Clif. I missed ya, is all."

Aw, isn't she cute, trying to be horny and sentimental at the same time. c.c

Watching her a moment, reading her reaction and her response, Clifton finally gives a nod.  "Alright.  Then let's get you and that Moonshine upstairs.  Between the 'shine and the sex we'll get the last of that upset out of you."  Then she's saying she missed him.  Aw shit.  For tonight, he'd chalk it up to the fright of almost losing Maddie…

With that he'd follow Kitty inside and, once they were sure Maddie was well and off to her friend's house…yep!

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