For you.

Sometimes, she shook her head and giggled, thinking, what was she doing?

She knew full well it was dangerous. Some day, he could lash out and kill her. Until then, she would hold on for dear life.

Some nights, she'd lie on the icy concrete floor, wondering why she was there, why she stayed. She certainly got there under cruel circumstances. The scars that would last forever, the ghosts of bruises and blood between her legs—they always reminded her of the day she decided she would never go back home. The day he showed her how to ride the stars.

/

It was a strange thought, but Macavity made her feel more responsible. Like his bright yellow eyes told her that she needed to forget her days under the blanket of junk towers and bright blue skies, and live fully for his touch and mercy.

Before that night, she lived without fear. Now, fear sits in every corner. Before that night, she was noisy. Now, if she speaks without permission she is struck. It excites her, keeps her smiling—it's sick and twisted, but she loves it so much.

/

If she was in the junkyard, she would see clouds and trees, she would hear birds and chattering kitties, would smell the yard's light, sour perfume. But sometimes, that got stale. The gray and black of wherever she was—that was even worse. But Macavity kept it exciting.

/

Sometimes, when he was in a really good mood (she'd never ask why) he'd hold her for a little while. If he was positively elated, he might even stay a little afterwards. Of course, that was only if she did well. If she didn't, he just left.

She knew that someday she'd get old. Sure, she may still be perfectly youthful on the outside, still young, spry Etcetera. But she was simply a toy, string that would get lost under the refrigerator at the sight of a toy mouse. She wondered what would happen then. Would he kill her? Forget about her? Sell her? The thought made her stomach clench.

But till then, she'd ride the stars with him.

I don't know what my issue with Etcetera/older toms is.

I have issues with waiting for a really long time to tell people who a character is, even if it's obvious.

I'll probably write Etcetera/Tugger next. Tomorrow, though.