


tradgedy endless{f} XxX sorrow the tomb-keeper{m} XxX blue{m}
Chapter 2:
Waiting, Always Waiting
I shuffled my paws nervously. Where was he? Inside the main tomb, an egyptian casket stood closed in front of me. I know Blue had said not to worry, but when would he be back? How long did it take to drop off our backpacks outside the tomb? "Blue, hurry I up." I growled under my breath.
A low rustling sounded. Where did it come from?
I gasped, stepping back. I listened. The noise had receeded. "It was just the wind." I muttered quietly.
The hinges on the casket creaked. The door began to open.
I was paralyzed in fear. Before my very eyes, a cat with bright crimson eyes and cloth wrapped around him stood in front of me. A mummy cat. I couldn't scream. I couldn't move. My voice couldn't form words, my paws were rooted to the spot. The cat spoke.
"Do not be afraid." it said. It's voice was so gentle... But I couldn't let that fool me.
"Y-Y-You're a-a-a--" I stuttered, finding a tiny bit of my voice.
"I know. Those legends about my kind are not true. Please, there is no need to fear me. I won't hurt you."
His voice was so calming, so sincere. I felt my fear drain away. I was intrigued. I felt safe around him. I wasn't afraid. I
trusted him. "Who are you?"
"I could ask you the same question." he replied, his eyes sparkling with something I couldn't distinguish. His voice was playful, joking.
I couldn't hold back a giggle. I grinned as if I was speaking to a great childhood friend of mine and not some stranger who was supposed to be murderous and extinct. "I asked you first."
He chuckled. "My name is Sorrow. I am the keeper of this tomb. And you, m'lady?"
Why did I feel so flattered by his... What was it? Gentlemanliness? "My name is Tradgedy Endless. But my friends call me Tradge." I've never told anyone my full name.
Sorrow smiled, leaning closer. "Am I allowed to call you by your nickname, Tradgedy?"
I was insane. I was acting like he was my best friend. I put a paw to his cheek, grinning, and pushed him away with a roll of my eyes. "What do you think, Sorrow?"
Sorrow rolled his eyes also. "I think I'm going to call you Tradge whether you like it or not. Or would you prefer a cute nickname like honey or sweetie? Or a nickname that sounds like a bad-boy gave it to you, like babe?"
For an extinct species of cat, he had a way with words. He was flirting. I forgot all about Blue, lost in the mystery of this cat. "Tradge is fine,
honey." I said with a playfully mocking voice, with definitely a strong hint of flirtivity.
"Looks like I got myself a nickname, too, huh?"
I giggled with a nod. "Yes. Yes you do. Instead of standing here like strangers - even though we practically are - why don't you show me around your place So--"
He cut me off. "We're going by nicknames here." he declared with a sly wink.
I rolled my eyes again. "Fine. Why don't you show me around your place,
honey? There, happy now?"
Sorrow grinned. "Ecstatic."
I ran my paw over the very first step of the marble staircase. "Wow. Everything here is so lovely. I'm surprised it hasn't be damaged in so long." I marvelled.
"I've kept watch over it along the years." Sorrow said, watching me. I could feel his eyes on the back of my head, but it didn't bother me one little bit.
"Wow, it hasn't been ruined in that long?"
Sorrow arched a brow, his face serious. "Are you saying I'm old?"
Oh crap. He was offended. I turned, scanning his face. "No! I didn't mean it that way, I meant that--"
Sorrow broke into a smile. "I was kidding. Haven't you learned to take a joke?" he teased.
I frowned. "I can take a joke."
"No you can't. You take things so serious."
"I do not!" I growled self-defensively. "Just because Blue doesn't make jokes doesn't mean I can't take a joke."
"Who's Blue?" Sorrow questioned. Was that protectiveness in his voice? Probably not, but I swore it was.
I blinked. "My..." I looked down, guilty about flirting with him now. "My friend." I lied quickly.
Sorrow's eyes became guarded. "You seem to be pretty serious with that friend of yours."
"Trust me, we're just friends." I said. Then I wondered why I was trying to spare this cat's feelings. "Why does it matter to you?" I retorted.
Sorrow stepped back. "It doesn't. I just wanted to know if friends kiss and cuddle these days." he snapped.
"You don't know what Blue and I do. We don't kiss and cuddle." I growled.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure you do. It's kind of hard not to hear you two when the noise is echoing through the halls." he said mockingly. He wasn't kidding.
"You eavesdropper!"
"It's hard not to listen when it's the only sound in the whole tomb!" he snarled defensively.
His tone sounded like how mine got some of the time. Self-defensive. Guarded. Self-protective. I felt bad. I snapped at him for no reason. "Sorry. I just... I don't know. Blue and I are nothing but friends though." I said gently.
Sorrow turned his head away from me. His eyes were relieved. Relieved that Blue and I weren't in a romantic relationship? I felt bad again, seeing as he didn't know that we were. "Oh."
"What does 'oh' mean?" I asked calmly, not wanting to start this up again.
Sorrow turned to me quickly, as if surprised. "Its just..." he paused, sighing and shaking his head. "Nothing. It's just nothing."
"Sorrow, you were about to say something."
"No I wasn't." he replied quickly.
I sighed. "Fine." I had to give up. He would probably be uphappy if I pressed him.
"Let's just go, okay?" Sorrow said, looking anxious to do something other than talking.
"Okay." I said with obvious disappointment, but followed as he led me away without speaking or looking back at me.
((Chapter 3 coming soon :3))