username: wildsight
name: chowder
prompt:
Many know Chowder's best friend as Maggie, an inseparable pair for as long as anyone can remember. But such wasn't always the case for these two. Before they were friends, they were the exact opposite.
It began on one particular evening, one that Chowder would always remember. He'd lost his former home, forgotten at a bus stop and left to wander endlessly. The small feline had become covered with various debris and looked nothing like his former self, spending about a week or so on the streets searching. Occasionally, he'd be picked up and taken somewhere, but such was either an undesirable place or somewhere he only stayed for a few hours before being chased away. He'd had a terrible feeling that he'd been left to fend for himself on purpose, the child leaving him behind as payback against their sibling for a previous action. Regardless, now he had to live alone...until the moment he was found.
xxxxChowder had been exhausted at the time, tired of searching for a safe place - besides mourning the loss of his previous owner whom he was sure he'd never see again. It was during these moments that Chowder failed to notice an approaching figure. It wasn't until the shadow fell upon him that he noticed he was being followed. A yelp sounded from him as he was picked up, now looking into bright, curious eyes. "A kitty! You must be lost, but don't worry, I'll take you home!" A cheerful reply came and before he knew it, he'd been placed into a small basket which was connected to a bike. Then, all he remembered was his eyes slowly closing...he could hardly care anymore. He just wanted to be back home…
When Chowder awoke again, he was no longer among various buildings outside. He was inside somewhere. Somewhere comfortable and cozy, somewhere familiar in a way. His eyes grew wide as he looked over the room he was in, tail sweeping the ground below him. Was this...?
xxxx"Hey there! Welcome home!" A bright voice spoke suddenly, causing Chowder to flinch. His amber gaze flickered to the child who had spoken, a curious light within his eyes. "This is where you'll be staying, kitty. But first, you're much too dirty so you'll end a bath. Come on then!"
This was where Chowder met his best friend. He'd been in a small bowl of water, covered in soap when a new face came into view. The clicking of nails upon the floor caught his attention first, audible breaths soon to follow. As he turned to look in that direction, the strange creature arose upon her hind legs, pink tongue lolling from her mouth.
xxxx"Hey, girl! This is your new friend I was telling you about!" The child said to the strange being, patting it upon the head. Chowder shrank back, untrusting of this new animal. A bark sounded from the beast as he was picked up and dried with a towel. As he was placed upon the floor, he gazed up into the droopy brown eyes. "Why don't you two say hi to each other?" The child offered. A few tense moments went by as they each stared at each other, until the larger turned to get a closer view - only to knock the bowl of water over...right onto Chowder. And thus, was the beginning of what would soon lead to two enemies constantly against one another. Or at least, what Chowder believed it to be.
Such wouldn't stop there. As Chowder attempted to settle in, the large creature - deemed a dog - was constantly by his side. Sniffing, whining and drooling much too often. Large paws would constantly fall upon his head, back or even worse...tail. He'd shriek, scream and yowl but regardless of how much he did this, the dog wouldn't leave him alone for very long. The tiny feline could hardly spend a moment in peace without being disturbed by the large canine.
xxxxSo, what better way to take vengeance on this threat than to cause some disturbance of his own? He'd knock over her food and water bowls, hide her favorite toys and constantly scare her by jumping upon her back while she was asleep. He'd do anything to irritate the large canine that he could think of, but little seemed to bother her - if at all.
xxxxUntil he had pressed every button possible. On that day, he greatly regretted ever doing such. The canine - who was called Maggie - was currently playing with one of her favorite toys. Chowder had watched closely, before making his move - placing down a bag of treats before knocking it over. As expected, the canine's attention shifted to the food and soon made her way over to it. While she was distracted, Chowder did his best to rip the toy to shreds...but as he finished doing so, Maggie had returned her attention to her previous spot...only to see destruction.
A couple of crazed barks followed and before he knew it, he was being chased. Chowder was chased all throughout the house, desperately hoping to find somewhere he could hide. Yet he found nowhere. On and on it went, until he was chased outside of the doggy door. There Maggie stopped, barking after him as he ran onward. As he skidded to a stop, he swiveled about and hissed. This was when Maggie burst through the door, sending the tiny feline fleeing again. He fled until he could no longer hear her barks...which also meant he was dreadfully lost.
For the next couple of nights, Chowder attempted to navigate his way back but found himself growing more and more lost. There had been a decently sized woodland behind the house he'd been chased out of, which was massive to a cat the size of himself. Onward he searched for the following days...but his luck wasn't going to change anytime soon.
xxxxIt had been early that morning when trouble struck. Chowder had been stumbling about rather blindly before he suddenly felt nothing underfoot. He'd stepped over a ledge leading to a creek, tumbling down the incline and into it. The water swiftly carried him downstream, small legs kicking at it to no avail. Amber eyes were wide as he searched the area about him...he was at the mercy of the water now.
He'd been carried by the current for quite awhile now. Tumbling past rocks and branches, either squeezing past them or simply too short to grab onto them. Chowder was sure this was going to be it...until suddenly, he saw something in the distance - which he was quickly approaching. The small feline squinted, before noticing the outline...could it be? He only had one chance regardless. With all his might, he called out to what he believed to be the one he so despised. The figure turned toward him. It was exactly who he thought it was.
xxxxAs he neared, he could see her face clearly. Her brown eyes followed his form carefully, He continued to cry out, small paws working at the water helplessly. He pleaded. This was his only hope. As he began to pass the canine, his hope sank...only for a splash of water to sound behind him. She was coming. Coming to save him. Gently picking him up and bringing him to shore. She had saved him.
From that day forward, Chowder only showed his gratitude toward the large canine. And she seemed to accept it. The two often spent their days with each other, playing and adventuring by each other's side. They say this was when Chowder became more dog-like than cat-like. Learning to bark, howl and chase balls. Chowder never thought of himself as a lucky cat anyway...if he was a dog though...perhaps he might have better luck.
Regardless, he's been lucky enough to meet and befriend Maggie. His best friend.
