#bergen_county

And at the Barn, the ironhawk house, Odin lays in a warm blanket, growing weaker , his one good eye blurring.

"MOM, DAD, I'M HOME."

Odin IS scooped up, in both arms so she can press her face in his fur. Like always.

He feels so frail... he hasn't been eating proper

and yet.. he manages a weak purr.. so weak, barely audible

Symon is nearby, but silent. He knows the signs well, not only because he has observed them many a time in small cages and jars that were filled with Ether. Not a CAT, mind you, he has standards, but... he can sense the end is near.

"That's my furball."

Jaymes comes in first "Dagmar, Sam? I... mmm he's not doing well"

"We got the stone." She rubs Odin's jaw with her thumb as he purrs, knowing all the old man's favorite spots.

another thready weak ass purr. Odin hurts, and is tired, but for a moment he's happy again

"I'm glad of that" Jaymes says. Tove enters and puts an arm around her daughter wordless

"So yeah. It's square."

Odin, were he able, would tell them that they have been, and always shall be, his servants.. but in his heart it would be more

i forgive you the rocks he thinks weakly They weren't really THAT bad

Odin tries to bump his head against her, but it's barely a shift

She mumbles nonsense to him.

"Mom, we got any purple tupperwares left for Sy?"

"Ohyes... I"ll get some" She says

And moves off, for once the singer seems at a loss for words

"He's a good cat" Jaymes says "Always shared.. shares his opinions"

Stiffly. "I don't want to talk about it."

Symon leans against her, not talking about it.

Jyames nods "Ok"

ANd doesn't talk, he does put a hand on the cat, gently

There's an eruption from the Chimney and fire place.

About a month too early

Lovecraft shoots out, leaving a streak of soot and ash.

And out fall Brown Dog, still with tinsel on his tail, glowing with enchantment. There's Lovecraft, black as soot and possibly covered in it, with a full throat of.. what IS that? And then... there's a piece of paper, clean as can be save for writing

She takes in the scene for a moment, trying not to sneeze from a snout full of ash.

"....The hell?"

Odin purrs one last time, and stills.... but then, a light seems to leave him, glamour it should be said is flowing all around.

Dag tenses, her throat closing up.

Her back arches a bit, and she makes the noise ALL cat owners recognize.

Hrrrk. HRRRRK.... Oh, right on Dagmar's feet.

And..whatever is now at Dagmar's feet , well Odins' lifelight floats down to it , with a claiming plunge!

A hitch in her breath, grief stalled by confusion.

A tiny kitten, its fur the same colors and markings as the old cat, now rests at Dagmar's feet.

It turns it's head up to her, and gives a DISTINCTIVE mew! Over one eye, there is a white slash of fur that looks just like Odin's scar - the one difference in the pattern.

Strange how a kitten can sound so much like a crotchety old cat.

"Incredible" Tove says with a tupperware of food in her hand

The old body in Dagmar's arms looks.. positively smug

Blink.

Blink.

Lovecraft gives another hacking cough for good measure, then scuttles away to hide under the couch,

Symon stoops and picks up the soggy kitten gingerly. "Uh."

Brown Dog uses a back paww to kick a piece of paper under the couch. Probably not meaning to. He is just a silly dog

The soggy kitten looks adorable, but his eyes are on Dagmar, paws outward

Then he mews, he has opinions, and the big opinion is he wants Dagmar! His Sam!

Symon whispers to Dagmar, "Let me take him for now." He offers to gently take the cooling form from her hands.

"I.. I don't.." A small frown, uncertain.

Symon's eyes flick under the couch where green slits glare at him. Symon's eyes narrow, promising her she WILL explain it later.

Lovecraft glares back. "Make me" she seems to say.

"MREH!" Demands the tiny Odin-clone that dangles gently by the scruff from Symon's fingers.