Flattering Fellows and Web-Footed Friends
It had been a small while as they rode in the back of the truck, the last few minutes had been in silence as the kittens mellowed out. Steve took this time to groom them a little, mostly Maxine, his fiery darling’s hair constantly got tangled and he tried to catch them as much as he could.
All of a sudden a trio of growls rumbled from the kitten's stomachs, they each blushed lightly and whispered a polite “excuse me,” as they had been taught, making Steve preen that his kittens had learned something from his afternoon classes.
Billy only chuckled, the motion jostling his curls that shone in the light that caught Steve’s eyes.
‘ Like an angel…’
Steve shook his head and smiled as he saw Billy getting up, “Anyone for breakfast?” he asked. Steve and the kittens all tilted their heads at him, making him laugh quietly.
Max was the one who spoke up first, “What breakfast?” she spoke a little loud, a tap on her shoulder from her mother reminded her that she had to whisper.
Jane got the memo and whispered her question, “Where is it?” Billy tapped his ear as he spoke, ‘Right under that magic carpet. But now we have to cook up a little spell, you know. Ready?” All the kittens nodded eagerly.
“Alright, first, to make the magic begin, you wiggle your nose..” He trailed off as they did the action, making Steve laugh at the way they almost crossed their eyes to focus. Billy hid a laugh under a cough, “Now tickle your chin,” they did so, making themselves laugh, “ Now close your eyes and cross your heart.” The kittens did so, Dustin did his the opposite way, making the two adults laugh quietly.
Billy stretched upward and sent a wink to Steve over his shoulder, causing the latter to blush sweetly, the blonde then took the rug off to reveal a can of cream. “Aaand presto! Breakfast a la carte.”
The kittens opened their eyes that shone brightly as they saw the cream, they all started to cheer at once, “Hooray!” That was Jane, “We did it!” Maxine, “Look, mama, look!” And there was Dustin, always wanting to show their accomplishments. Steve shooed them on to start eating, making small conversation with Billy.
“Why, mister Montgomery, you are amazing!” Steve smiled at him under his lashes twirling scratching a spot behind the blonde's ears, causing Billy to look a bit dazed, “True….True…”
They stayed there eating for a good while until they had eaten their fill, but just as they had gotten into cleaning themselves and the kittens, the truck suddenly screeched forward, tossing all of them as a man, the driver, came running around to the back, he’d apparently seen them in the mirror.
Billy whispered to Steve, “When he gets closer, run into the grass over there and hide just like before, I’ll distract him.” Steve looked at him baffled. “But how-” He was cut off as Billy, who had waited for him to get closer, started scratching on the man. “GO!” Steve startled and ushered his kittens out of the truck and into the grass, shushing them as Billy fended off the man. When Billy backed away, “Sacre bleu! Thieves! Robbers! Mangy tramps! Mutants!” He screamed, starting to throw things at them, “Take that! And that!
When the man was far away enough with his truck, screaming curses along the way. Billy stood back up, helping Steve and the kittens up. Steve looked absolutely scandalized, “Oh! Oh, what a horrible, horrible human.” He spoke, running his fingers through his and Jane's hair, the girl was frazzled and clung to her mother's leg in comfort.
Billy stroked Steve’s cheek, “Well, some humans are like that, Princess. I’ve learned to live with ‘em.” He shrugged. Maxine apparently took that as a challenge, looking toward where the man had driven off, “I’ll show him!” She started hissing and spitting at the man, this made Steve and Billy laugh.
Billy ruffled her hair, “Hey, cool it, you little tiger. That guy’s dynamite,” He reasoned with the red-headed kit, but she only looked more frustrated, “But he called us tramps!” she whined.
Steve only put a hand over his heart, looking off in no particular direction as he worried, Oh, I’ll be so glad when we get back home..” He spoke somberly. Causing Billy to tense a bit, but relaxed, reminding himself that he knew that this was to get Steve home, nothing more, nothing less. “Well, that’s a long way off, so we better get moving.” Steve nodded and they began walking.
They made it to the part of the path where they needed to cross-train tracks, Max was the most excited, she’d only ever played trains at home, “Gee whiz! Look at that bridge! Come on, let’s play train!” Steve smiled at her, for all her fire, she was a good leader.
That didn’t mean that he didn’t or couldn’t worry, cause he most definitely did, “Now be careful, children!” But it fell on deaf ears as the kittens established who went where. They lined up prettily, Max took the front, then Dustin, then Jane, “ Janie’s the caboose!” She jeered, Jane broke her posture to glare at her sister.
They made little train sounds as they walked across, causing Steve to coo at them, Billy busied his time holding Steve’s hand in his own and holding the brunette’s tail in the other, a very intimate motion, but Steve welcomed it happily, making Billy rumble in appreciation.
During one of their “choo choo” parts, a more real-sounding one bellowed from behind them, they all swiveled their head to see a train coming from the upper part of the tracks, Steve’s ears flattened on his head, “Oh no!” his fear radiated off of him, causing Billy to plan out some quick thinking.
Billy stroked his tail to calm him, “All right, now don’t panic.” He looked over to see the underpass with enough room for them if they squeezed in. “ Down underneath here.” He quickly got them down, the five of them huddling each other close as the train rumbled on. Billy held Steve close and put the kittens between them, they closed their eyes to cover themselves from the gravel that fell on them.
When the train passed they all opened their eyes, a splashing sound caught their attention, making Steve’s heart stop for a moment as he counted his children. ‘Jane. Where’s Jane? Where’s my baby?!” Steve's mind went frantic as he looked around for her when a meek, but loud, “Mama!” came from below them.
Steve thought he was going to have a heart attack one of these days with the way his children made his heart just stop. “Jane! Oh, Jane!” He called back out to his daughter, making sure she knew that he heard her, He looked over to Billy with pleading eyes. Billy nodded back at him, kissing his cheek.
“Keep your head up, Janie! Here I come!” He called out, jumping into the water after her. While he focused on saving her, Steve grabbed his other kittens and reverted to his instincts to jump from the underpass to a tree branch, kitten still in his arms.
He guided them down the tree as he stayed on the branch, “William! William up here!” He shouted. Billy looked over and nodded, bringing Jane over his head to toss her to him. Steve caught her and climbed off the branch to set her down with her siblings, grooming her lightly and quickly, knowing the rest would have to be done with the sun and wind. Maxine rolled her eyes, “Gee, Jane, why’d you have to fall off the bridge?” She taunted, Jane only glared at her and stuck her tongue out.
Steve turned back around, “Billy? Oh, Billy! Take care!” He called out, worried for the larger feline. Billy laughed as he trailed on the river, shaking his head to try and throw some hair out of his eyes, a mischievous gleam in his eyes shone clearly as he winked at Steve, running his tongue across his lips in a predatory look, “I’m all right, honey, don’t worry. I’ll see you downstream!” he spoke. Steve blushed a deep red and hesitantly looked over to continue cleaning Jane so they could meet Billy, the blonde cat’s laugh rang through the riverside.
A pair of geese hybrids were seen walking, the only way you would know is if you saw their slightly large nose and the feathers on their neck, wrists, and ankles.
The more red-toned hybrid with a pink ribbon in her hair spoke first, “What a beautiful countryside, Tina. So much like our own dear England.” She spoke happily. The other goose, more brown-toned and with a blue ribbon in her hair, spoke next, “Oh, indeed, yes. Carol, if I walk much farther I’ll get flat feet. Carol stopped to look at her, “Tina, we were born with flat feet.” They both kept a serious face for a few moments before they busted out laughing.
Tina stopped laughing for a moment as she looked over, “I say, look over there.” They both look over to see Billy letting go of a log to grab a branch. Carol hmm’d, “Oh. Oh, how unusual.”
Tina giggled, “Fancy that, a cat learning how to swim.”
Billy finally gets a good hold and paddles toward the shore. Carol tilted her head, “And he’s going about it all the wrong way.” Tina nodded, “Quite. We must correct him.” They both got into the water and swam toward him. When they got close enough, Carol spoke first, “Sir. Sir? You are most fortunate we happened along.” Tina nodded, “Yes. We’re here to help you.” She finished.
Billy glanced over and rolled his eyes, “Oh no, back off girls, I’m doin’ fine.” He kept inching himself toward the shore. Tina spoke again. “First, you must gain self-confidence by striking out on your own.” She swam to the other side of Billy who protested, “Go away! I’m trying to get to shore.” He spoke through clenched teeth. It was overlooked by Carol who spoke next, “You will never learn to swim properly with that willow branch in your mouth.” She tutted.
Billy had just managed to get his bottom half to the nearby rock when they spoke again, “ Indeed not.” Tina agreed. Carol positioned herself to use her mouth to cut the branch, “Snip, snip. Here we go!” She was about to cut when Billy panicked, releasing the branch from his mouth, “Don’t do that!” He splashes into the water wildly. The geese followed wherever he splashed, “You’re doing splendidly.” Tina commented, “And don’t worry about form. It will come later!” Carol called out to him. Abigail nodded, speaking to her sister, “He takes to water like a fish, doesn’t he? A very enthusiastic - Oh!”
They both shrieked when their tail feathers were pulled, blushing and laughing, Carol spoke to him after she recovered, “No! Now, this is no time for fun and games.” They both laughed again, looking at where Billy had sunk last.
They still waited, watching as bubbles came to the surface. Their laughing fades.
Tina held a hand to her chest, “Gracious me. You don’t suppose--” Tina nodded frantically, “OOh yes. Yes, I do. Bottoms up!” They both dived down to look into the water, after a few moments, they came back up, looking at one another. “Deeper!” They both called at the same time and swam down to grab the blonde cat.
Steve and the kittens had all made it to the shore, freshly groomed and drier than before. They began looking around to find Billy, it was Max who spoke, “Look mama, there he is!” She chuckled out. The group looked over to see Billy being held up by two geese hybrids that made their way to where he and the kittens were. Tina spoke, “You really did quite well for a beginner.” She congratulated him.
Steve felt his heart rate go back to normal, “Oh Billy! Thank goodness you’re safe!” He cried, immediately coming to help groom him as the geese set him down, fussing over his curls that stuck to his face. Billy would be in heaven if the geese girl group would just leave, but then Tina spoke again, “Keep practicing.” She reminded as the two began to take their leave, “And toodle-pip!” Carol spoke up.
Max came to Billy with a curious look, “Can I help you, mister Montgomery, huh?” She asked eagerly. Billy glanced back with an exasperated look as he wrung out his clothes, “Help?” he gasped, coughing out water, “I’ve had all the help I can take.” He managed to rasp out.
Steve left the two of them and walked to the two geese with her other two kittens in tow as he spoke to them. “Oh Mademoiselles, thank you so much for helping mister Montgomery.” He spoke sincerely. Carol waved at him, “ Of course, my dear. But first, introductions.” She concluded, Tina nodded, “Yes. We British like to keep things proper.” They both giggled at one another.
Carol introduced herself first since she was older, “Now, I am Carol Gabble, and this is my sister--” Tina spoke up, “Miss Tina Gabble.” She finished. “We’re twin sisters” Carol explained, “You might say we’re related.” Tina joked. They giggled again. “Oh how silly!” Carol chortled.
Steve, ever the sweetheart, just laughed with them, “Oh, how nice. I never would have guessed.” He smiled. Under them, Dustin and Maxine inspected the girls out of pure curiosity.
Dustin looked at their shoes, “Look! They got rubber feet!” He whispered to his sister who nodded as she looked at their tails with a tilted head, “Yeah.”
Steve asked what brought them to France, Tina answered first, “We’re on holiday.” Carol explained further, “For a walking tour in France.” Tina thought for a moment,” Swimming, some of the way.” She reminded me. Carol nodded, “On the water, of course.” She joked. They both giggled at one another.
Steve giggled and looked back at Billy who was still trying to get himself dry. “Billy, this is Carol and Tina Gabble.” She introduced. Billy sneered, “Yeah honey. Get those two web-footed lifeguards outta here!”
Steve shook his head with a smile, “Now now, Billy.” He gave a pointed look. Billy sighed, knowing he was a sucker for Steve. “Okay, okay baby.” He looked over to the geese with a fake smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “Hiya, chicks.” He spoke deadpanned.
Tina and Carol giggled, the former spoke, “We’re not chickens. We’re geese.” Billy rolled his eyes where they couldn’t see and looked back with a smile, “Nooo, I thought you were swans.” He spoke sarcastically, causing Steve to give him a playful glare. The two geese were none the wiser, going as far as to blush, “Oh, flatterer,” She spoke.
Tina turned to Steve. “Your husband is very charming and very handsome.” She teased, Steve could only blush. Billy spoke from where he was rolling on the ground, his only known way of getting cleaned since it had been a long time since he’d been groomed. “Well, uh, you see.. I- I'm not exactly his husband.” He explained.
Carol gave him an accusatory look, “Exactly? You either are or you’re not.” She pressed. Billy could only give her a half-lidded stare, “All right. I’m not.” He finalized.
The sisters huddled close to one another as they made deductions. “Oh? Hmm?”
“It’s scandalous,” Carol whispered.
Tina nodded, “He’s nothing but a cad.”
“Absolutely, possibly a reprobate.”
“A roue. His eyes are too close together.
“Shifty too.”
“And look at that crooked smile.”
“His chin is very weak too.”
Obviously, a philanderer who trifles with unsuspecting women's hearts.” Tina concluded.
From where the kittens were talking together, Jane sighed with her hands clasped together and hearts practically in her eyes. “How romantic~” She swooned.
Steve hushed her and turned back to the two women to explain as efficiently as he could, “Please, please, let me explain. William is a dear friend of ours. He’s just helping us to get to--” He was cut off by Billy.
Billy didn’t like that Steve was wasting his breath talking to the ditz twins, “Come on, Stevie, come on. Let’s get out of here.” He turned to the geese to try and be as respectful as he could. “Well, girls, see ya around. We’re on our way to Paris.” He bid them goodbye and took a step to walk away.
Tina smiled, “Oh, how nice!” He kept walking. “We’re going to Paris ourselves.” What.
Carol spoke, “Why don’t you join us?” she offered, ‘Fuck fuck fuck’
Steve gasped happily, “I think that’s a splendid idea!” Billy felt his resolve draining down the river. He tried to reason, “Oh, no.” But it was futile as they began setting up how they were supposed to walk.
Carol positioned the children on either side, she would be on the left and Tina on the right. “ “Now, ah, you stand here, dear. And uh, let’s see, you take this position.” She put Jane and Dustin on the left with her. Her sister positioned their mother. Tina took a moment to think, “Duchess, you’ll do nicely here.” Carol nodded, “Yes, very good.” Then Carol put Maxine on the same side, “And you dear, you take this place. Now that leaves mister Montgomery.” She pondered. “Oh, we can’t leave him, can we?” Carol joked.
Tina snapped her finger as she found the right spot, “Mister Montgomery, I think you should be the rear end. “ She pointed to his pot on the left behind Jane and Dustin, he rolled his eyes and went to his spot. Giving a playful nip to Steve when he heard him giggle, when he was in position, the sister nodded, “Ready everyone?” They all nodded.
“Now think goose! Forward, march!” She announced and the cat hybrids walked weirdly behind them. "Do we gotta walk like them, Mama?" Dustin whispered to his mother from the other side of the path. Steve nodded, hair bouncing in step, “Yes, dear. Think goose.”
She focused back up in front of them as Tina spoke again, “When we get to Paris, you must meet Uncle Tom.” Billy squinted at them, “Tom?” Carol nodded, “Yes, he’s our uncle. We are to meet Uncle Tom at le Petit Cafe.”
Steve gasped happily, “Le Petit Cafe? Oh, that’s that famous restaurant. Ah, c’est Magnifique!" He gushed happily. Billy looked at him with a fond stare, he loved when Steve started speaking French, it made him feel more as if he was speaking to a French Goddess than another cat hybrid like him and he wouldn’t have it any other way.