I am the Hammer and You Are the Nail ((Day 73))

[qualapec]

Growltiger slithered across the dock, heavy boots thudding decisively on the wood. He wanted to show the cat in front of him how patient a hunter he really was.

The cat in front of him cowered, tugging lightly on the arms of the crew members holding him in place.

"You stole from me, Ronald," Growltiger laced his fingers together, bones cracking in his paws. "I don't like cats who steal from me, mate."

"I-I'm sorry..."

He hated cowards almost as much as he hated thieves, or at least thieves that stole from him. "Robert---"

"My name's Ronald."

"Sorry, Ronald," Growltiger purred, ears flickering, "but I can't just let cats get away stealing from me. A cat's life is only worth as much as the gold in his coinpurse and the queen in his bed, and I can't have anyone taking what's mine."

"Please, give me another chance---"

"I don't give second chances," Growltiger interrupted curtly, already bored. "Isn't that why cat's pray?" He pressed a boot into the other cat's chest, relishing the flash of fear as he pressed back and his crewmembers let go of the cat's elbows. He slid soundlessly off the dock and into the dark waters below, dragged down by the anchor around his feet.

Growltiger laughed. "All right, then, mates. Business is dealt with, I think it's time I saw my Lady."

[Meadowlark]

It was nearly three o'clock by the time Griddlebone left the Demoniaque and she didn't reach the docks until about twenty til four, having taken her time on her way. She was on her way toward the Fishbone when she spotted a familiar tiger-striped tom and her eyes widened. Moving quickly, she wove her way through the back routes, hoping to reach the speak before he did. She got to the front step and got her key out to get the door unlocked.

[qualapec]

Growltiger caught sight of a white queen outside the door to his nice, land-lovin' business, and his heart stopped or skipped a beat or did whatever it was the poets said it did. "Milady," he greeted as he came up behind her. "Circe has finally freed me and I've returned."

[Meadowlark]

Griddlebone did her best not to startle as badly as she wanted to, getting the door open before turning. She smiled, hoping it wasn't nearly as guilty as she felt, "Tiger! You're home!"

[qualapec]

Growltiger strode up to her, and gathered her into a crushing hug. "I see the place hasn't burned down."

[Meadowlark]

The white queen gasped a bit at the hug, but managed a laugh, "No. No burning. Everything's as you left it, well, barring a couple of new cigarette burns on the table tops." And a scar on one of the tables from a knife, but that wasn't really a necessary detail.

[qualapec]

Growltiger smiled warmly. Everlastin' Cat, he'd missed her face. "So nothing new, sweet."

[Meadowlark]

She offered him another smile, "No. Nothing new. How was the trip?"

[qualapec]

"There were a few...hiccups around Cuba. Busted a couple heads. Nothing out of the ordinary." Growltiger shrugged, taking off his coat as he stepped through the threshold of the speak. He winked. "That last leg back's always the longest...and it's been a long time at sea. I might need to curl up in bed and sleep for a week."

[Meadowlark]

She smiled at that, "You always do. How long are you with me this time?"

[qualapec]

Growltiger met her eyes. "That's a good question. I'd say nine months..." He leaned his massive frame against a table, coming across as casual rather than exhausted, he hoped. "Have you given any further ponder to my question, Milady?"

[Meadowlark]

Milady paused where she was setting to work on cleaning the glasses for the evening, "I...have, and I just... you deserve better than me, 'Tiger."

[qualapec]

Growltiger wasn't sure if it was supposed to be a joke or not. "I don't care if that's true or not. You're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, if you'll have me."

[Meadowlark]

"Does that require a ring?" She hedged.

[qualapec]

Growltiger flinched. "I brought you another charm? I thought it would count..."