The Fishy Lighthouse! Part 24

The Fishy Lighthouse continues after having missed a day last week. WIth Lady Chambelle maybe playing a dangerous game. And McSniff himself might be overcoming some fears.

The Fishy Lighthouse! Part 24

Still holing on tight McSniff waits for the tub to stop rocking on the waves Will just made by jumping in the boat. His frown is clearly visible and a slight anger still hiding beneath the fearful face. With a shaky paw he points at some rails planted inside the wall, “Use the hook to hook up and pull us forward”.

Will picks up the hook and swings it around into one of the rails “You sure you want me to do this.” William stand in the middle of the tub with his feet planted sturdy apart, shifting his body to make the tub rock even more.

“Will stop…, stop it for crying out loud” McSniff shout is echoed through the tunnel.

“Hey you two, basket coming” Cats above lower a basket by rope. Will is still holding on to the hook keeping the floating craft steady as possible underneath the opening. “Would you mind getting that McSniff, I can’t do everything by myself”

With reluctant and careful movements McSniff tries reaching for the basket, unwilling to let go of the edge he reaches over only to miss the rope. One by one he releases his nails and stuck to the floor, he creeps a little closer to the centre of the tub. The rope of the basket being a little too short due to the low water levels he still can’t reach up to crab hold of it.

Will is holding on with all his might to keep the tub from rocking as much as it did, while McSniff is overcoming his fear by standing up with trembling legs. Picking the basket of the hook and see it filled with food. “Thank you, we be off now”

And with a tug from Will on the hook McSniff falls back and lands on his paws. He smiles it away with a slight scare and unties the rope of the tub. Will is pulling the tub deeper into the tunnel leaving the factory above them behind. The water is shallow and smooth giving McSniff some ease of mind.

***

On the other side of town in a field with a high grass border the orphans are playing tag with their new friend. Running around having fun are 5 little kittens and a puppy. On the side lines stand Francis, Kitty and Lady Chambelle smiling.

“Lady Chambelle, do you think this will work? It is not easy sneaking in a puppy let alone let it grow up here.” Francis is looking concerned at the dog with his rough brown hair. Its tongue hanging from the corner of his mouth whenever he rest for just a second, wagging his tail in excitement and playfulness.

Lady Chambelle shows her concern written all over her face, with a cup of tea resting against her lip. “I know the risks Francis, but I have good faith in the plan to socialize a puppy with kittens. It Is that I overheard Tommy saying we would not make it any longer if we don’t come up with a solution. He to suggested it to the king, but the King’s advisers threw it of the table as preposterous. We need to at least try. I learned that much from watching William who knew nothing but did his best. And even now he is out there helping us.”

Hope you enjoyed the read of the newest part of the story. On that is still growing.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

The Fishy Lighthouse! Part 11

The Fishy Lighthouse! Part 11

Panting in a pair of knickers and a bright red with white trim jacket, he points at the entrance. His swallow tail cut perfectly to merge together right above his tail. With a clap from the King the lackeys and maids leave the grand dining room. Only a few take a stand between the large windows awaiting the guests.

At the front gate William, Richard and Lady Chambelle are welcomed by a row of cats holding up their swords in their shiny armour. Lady Chambelle has her arm hooked into her husband’s and they walk side by side in front of Will. His head is turning left and right, amazed by all he is seeing. On first glance the palace does not look so big. A large gate street in a wall not bigger than that of a house you can reach from the street.

But once behind that wall things change. The path you would have to walk runs through a symmetrical garden all the way up to the entrance of the palace. The garden is surrounded by walls and small square windows. On the few steps into the palace stand a couple of guards, this time they are holding down their shield in front with the swords sheathed.

Will has trouble hiding his excitement as he twirls around sniffing up the scents of the flowers. When the door opens he hears a familiar voice. “Welcome friends. Allow me to guide you to your destination”

It is McSniff standing in the doorway and William notices he is not the smiling cat he tries to be. Will could sense a bit of tension.

“Welcome Lady Chambelle” With a bow he takes her paw and places a kiss onit “You look beautiful as always Lady Chambele”

-“You are still quite the charmer McSniff, Thank you” Her smile is graceful as she drops her paw beside her body when released.

“Richard always a pleasure” The firm Hand shake of both cats shows their strong friendship and the things they might have been going through. Richard stays silent and just laughs.

“Will come on in the king is waiting for you.”

McSniff guides the guests through a maze of hallways with floors of marble and beautiful decorated walls, into the grand dining room. A lackey slams a staff on the floor and calls out the names.

“Sir Richard Thomas Marquis and His Lady Chambelle. Sir Gregory McSniff and William the Hero”

On the other side of the rooms stands the king. His manes perfectly combed over his shoulder, he looks like a well groomed lion. His fur showing a beautiful orange sheen to it, as if a fire is covering him, but why is he not smiling? With slow strides he walks up to his guests, his big and strong presence has Will nailed to the floor. With a glance from head to toe the king looks at the Hero.

“You are smaller than I imagined” the kings paw grabs Will by the arm “And skinnier to”

The king turns his back to Will and walks up to McSniff.

“Welcome Richard and Cynthia, looking lovely as ever. And William I am King Lion de Paris. Thank you for saving our city, this is all in honour of you, please sit down”

Like, with the flick of a switch the King’s presence changed from strong to a certain comfort level.

To be continued…

Hope you enjoyed yet another read in the fishy lighthouse saga as the story is only just beginning.
Leave a though or a comment. Let me know what you think of the story so far.

Best wishes
Ranting Crow

The Fishy Lighthouse! Part 8

Welcome to my McSniff Thursday and a new instalment of ‘the fishy lighthouse’. Thinking up a plot for these silly cats and a life in Paris has been evolving and giving me lots of smiles writing it. Let us continue at Lady Chambelle’s house and William getting the first part of what happened with the cursed diary.

The Fishy Lighthouse! Part 8 

William and Kitty leave the room and walk down the stairs where they meat up with Cooky holding some cupcakes in her paws. The three of them walk over to the room where Lady Chambelle and  Richard are waiting. 

“Welcome William, and again thank you for saving me and my beautiful wife. You sure left a big impression on her.” Richard stand beside the table and gestures to be seated on the empty chair. 

-“Please call me Will, and I am not sure what kind of impression I could have made. “William takes his seat and watches Lady Chambelle poor him a cup of tea. 

“No need to be shy Will, you showed us we can over come our fears. Like the fear of water, that bath once used to it is incredible” 

-“Please Lady Chambelle, I did not do anything, other than being me.” 

“Still I thank you William and please I consider us friends so you can call me Cynthia”  

-“Enough with the soap acting. Here, have a cupcake Milady” Cooky shoves the cupcakes on the table “You sure made it fun, William laddy. Milady has loosened up a little after the rescue. Even thinking about learning to swim, imagine that. Now tell me what you think of these cupcakes I made.” 

“That be enough of that Cooky. No need to spill all our girly secrets now.” Lady Chambelle puts a paw over the face of Cooky and looks at Kitty who is smiling. “You two have some tea with us as well, you earned to know about the story of how we were created.” 

The tea is poured into the cups and the cupcakes shared on small matching saucers by Lady Chambelle with the help of Cooky. While the two ladies grab their seat it is Richard standing up. And pacing around with a certain feel of nervousness. 

“I promised you this story William…, Sorry Will about how it all started and how one can move between the real world you know and this Paris with cats. I bought the Diary and thought the text on the outside would fit the purpose of it. Writing stories in it about becoming an hero. Never expecting it to be cursed. I build this city, this Paris with the obvious love for cats. As a writer I let my imagination run free and gave it a king. This was all done beside more stories and before I knew it I was reading one story and like you got sucked into it. Not sure how to explain it to you. But basically a clone is created for the time you are needed to fix a problem.” 

-“Richard do not get me wrong but how do I get back” I take a bite out of the cupcake and taste some salmon with some herbs. 

Richard is playing with his whiskers and looks straight at William, “I know Will and please let me continue.” 

“The story started to lead a life of its own once written. So the problems caused are those of external people like Monarch or the witch who cursed the diary and last but not least the inhabitants. I met her, the witch, and learned how to go in and out of the diary. At first it is during sleep or being knocked out that you enter this world. Finding your purpose is when you loose your heart in the story. You change into that what you were in the story. In your case, becoming a cat. You have saved me as a cat still undergoing the change in the other world. I to have lost my heart here, to Cynthia my now beloved wife. I can still go back if I wanted to but after last time with Monarch, I decided I will forever stay here.”  

Richard has been calming down as his story is unfolding, having even Cynthia looking surprised at some of his  confessions.

©Ranting Crow2014

Hope you enjoyed this part of the story and be back next week for some more cats. Haven’t read “The Cursed Diary”? Find it in the Crow’s Nest next to all other stories I have been writing.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

The Cursed Diary, chapter 10

Welcome to another Thursday, a day we have a new chapter of ‘The Cursed Diary’.
Our Hero managed to stop Lady Chambelle from crying any further, he seen McSniff fight several cats who are trying to stop the bridge from being build. And there is more happening all during diner our lovely Cooky has made. And with that I will wish, who do celebrate, a happy Thanksgiving.

The Cursed Diary, chapter 10.

The smell of freshly made meal infuses with the air and the eyes are delighted to see a delicious plate filled a soft pink salmon mousse. Some frail looking herbs on top and slices of what look like potato. Cooky has been going al out as a second plate has a rose of more salmon, smoked this time and a colourful salad. Everyone is sitting at the table when the final course put on the table. A brown chocolate mousse cake stands in the middle, its scent already intoxicating our mind with how it will taste.

“Lad I thank you for bringing this along, Milady I was able to make your favourite dessert a chocolate mouse cake, my I ask our hero to do the honours” Cooky stands with a smile and has her hand stretched out to William, showing her gratitude.

-“Thank you so much Cooky, who provided us with these wonderful tasting ingredients. And If you please Sir William, ill you do us the honours?” Lady Cynthia is smiling and sniffs in some of the chocolate scent.

William takes a stand and bows to the ladies, “It would be my pleasure Ladies to give you all a slice of this cake. And let us thank Lady Gladys for filling the basket for Milady Chambelle”

With out wasting any more seconds, William starts cutting the cake and gives each of the ladies a piece of the mouth watering cake. Time is flying by as they enjoy their cake and coffee after. All in a lot better mood and smiling. Even Lady Chambelle has her guard down for a second saying McSniff makes her purr on times. Quickly she recover herself and tells everyone to be quiet about what she said. In her snobbish lady like voice. All they did was smile. What would have been Cooky’s secret ingredient in that cake.

William yawns and stands on his aching tired feet. “If the ladies do no mind it has been a very long day for me”

-“Ah yes Sir William, Kitty show the gentleman his room, he is staying here tonight, I hope you did ready the room while I was having mm bath “ Just like that Lad Cynthia is giving orders “I will be there soon to”

Kitty takes a bow and ask our hero to follow her to his room, where he can take his well deserved rest. Cooky pours a drink for her mistress and walks of to her kitchen to clean up and also get ready for bed after.

Little does the four know what is going on a little in land as a small air balloon is flying off in to the dark night. Up stairs William walks into a room bigger then imagined. A seating corner a large bed and still room enough to have a dance. A dresser with a small lovely decorated bowl filled with a little bit of water. Behind it a huge mirror in a decorated wooden frame.

But it all is to much to take in. kitty closes the door and William quickly undresses himself. To tired to wonder he slips into bed and within seconds fall asleep. Taking him back to the closet in that run down house.

William wakes up with a spasm, bumping his head against the wall and yelling in pain. Holding a hand in front of his mouth and one on his head, being reminded by the door with the broken louvres, he is not in Paris any more. His eyes checking his fingers knuckles to nails. His hand looks human again. A small ray of light reaches in to eh cabinet. Nobody is coming, could it be the tall man is out. He id bump his head hard. He opens the door and lets himself roll out. Stretching with a painful sounding  moan. Getting up slowly, his body have been crammed up in side that small space for some time.

Dust in his nose makes him sneeze after he took that deep breath and arch his back in to place. Still nobody coming up or into the hallway, he is alone in the house. He takes some careful steps into the direction of the room and pushes the handle down. With a squeak the door opens and William sticks his head through the door. Drag marks are still visible in the dusty floor. A chair a sofa and an old orange crate with a cup on it, likely used as a coffee table.

A pillow and a neatly folded blanket in he corner of the sofa and a metal handle sticking up above the arm rest. With a side step and his head looking around the seat he sees a  small cage. That must be where they kept the writer, or still do. A quick check with his head out the door, listening to any sounds he walks over to the far end of the room. Taking a peek into the cage he finds a cat rolled up on a news paper, with a small bowl of water. Cat food scattered around.

A tap against the bars have the cat look up. Stepping back with a frightful look on William’s face when he sees a touch of human characteristics. Tiny baby fingers on one paw and a human nose. He just cannot believe what he is seeing.

“What you looking stupid, is it really that unbelievable after you been in a diary?”

-“Wait… what… you can talk, how when what…is this real?” William stumbles over the small crate making even more noises, but this time he doesn’t care.

The cat stands on its two back legs, stretches his paws and back and sits down on his ass tail wrapped around to the front, “Would you be so kind as to open the door for me, not sure how long Mr. Gunther will stay away.”

On his hands an knees William crawls cross the floor and reaching out to the door to open the cage “Could you please explain to me what is going on?”

Squeaking hinges from down stairs, alarm the two and the cat jumps out his now open cage.

“He is back! Hide”

-“Who is back…, who are you talking about…, where are you going? Hey….” William keeps his volume down as much as he can during this temporary surprised anger moment and follows our released cat. “Wait up…”

©Ranting Crow 2013

That concludes chapter 10 of our Parisian cats and being back in the real world. What will happen now that William has freed the husband of Lady Chambelle.
Hope you enjoyed the read of another chapter. Chapter 10 already who would have thought. I didn’t.

Best wishes and happy Thanksgiving
Ranting Crow

The Cursed Diary, chapter 7

Welcome for another Thursday, the day ‘The Cursed Diary’ gets a new chapter. Hope you will enjoy the read as much as I love writing it.
S not making to much introduction and sorry for the missing scribble.

The Cursed Diary, chapter 7.

Cooky is busy and flower is blown up into the air like a fluffy cloud. While coughing and waving his paws William walks out of the door following Kitty through a small corridor into a large lounge looking room. A nice sofa fireplace beautiful vases filled with withered flowers. They sure must have been large arrangements considering one is like dried out sunflower. At the other side of the room a double door with elegantly engraved glass of a panoramic view, of cat like angels. Kitty opens the doors and you start to hear Lady Chambelles crying.

A small pause in Williams steps, with a slight hesitation he moves forward. Does he know what to say. Will he be able to stop her from crying. It is getting late. Kitty looks William in the eyes, “Are you okay, sir?”

-“I am okay Kitty, thank you, I am sorry, I was thinking about what to say.”

William takes a deep breath and walks through the doors in to a light and open looking conservatory. Looking out into a garden now nothing more than a mushy mud pool But in a small bed he sees some purple colours above some greens.. In a corner of the conservatory above what looks like a bucket made gutter, Lady Chambelle lays on a sofa sobbing and crying in a towel. Kitty stands in front of William and speaks to her mistress.

“Milady, Sir William is here, the Hero.”

She bows deep and turns to William. “It is up to you now, please help her.”

William grabs her by her face and whispers something in her ear. “Could you do that for me?”

-“I will sir, it will be my pleasure.” And Kitty walks away smiling. With all the doors open you can even hear Cooky sing in a far distance.

“L… Lady Chambelle? I am William. Could… Could you tell maybe tell me what you know?”

“No, sob… sob… sniff, I am show shorrrry” And she cries her tears out. “ I miss my Tommy”

William picks up a chair and takes it over, close to the sofa and sits down next to Lady Chambelle. As he sits down she Clears her eyes good as she can to get a good look at the Hero now sitting right in front of her.

“You look just like him.” Sniff, sniff…. Sob. But she is not stopping, her tears still rolling down her wet looking cheeks. Her fur spiked from salt and dirty tear channels. The white and reds must have looked so pretty and silky soft. Around the door post a small head appears. It is Kitty and calling out to William.

“Sir William, I got what you asked me.”

“Excuse me Lady Chambelle” And he gets up and walks over to the door. Receiving a bouquet of purple flowers. Thank you Kitty, sorry I sent you outside to get these.”

-“It was my pleasure sir, hope it will help. I will get me a dry apron if you do not mind, will you be okay.”

“I will be okay, and could you make us some nice tea after you are done with the apron? “

-“Very well sir, maybe the cake will be done then to.” And Kitty walks away holding her wet apron in her paws.
William smells the flowers and turns around facing Lady Chambelle. With a new deep breath he walks over to her sofa and bows deep.
“These are for you Milady, I had them cut from your very own garden, and we have tea and cake waiting for us. Please dry your tears. Kitty and Cooky are doing their best to make us chocolate mouse cake and find these flowers. And I am here to bring back your husband. I can tell you already he is doing okay, in the world he came from. I seen him. He is captured but please believe me when I say I will get him out of there and back in your arms. You have my word as a hero”

He still stands bowed down stretching his paws with the bouquet of flowers.
“Sniff…you sure.. sob… sniff… you can get him back… sob… sniff “

-“I have seen him Milady, In the other world I am but a room away from him, please let us stop crying. It is important you are here waiting for him and not drown in sorrow.”

“Sob… you are right sniff… But how…, All that water…, No it is sniff impossible” and she hides her face in the towel.

-“Outside, if you would believe me, if not, come see with your own eyes, that half the town has come over to build a bridge, under the supervision of McSniff. I am not making this up Milady, it all set in motion, please stop crying.” His tongue i quicker than his mind,maybe not half the town but still lots of cats came to help.

“Wreally… sniff” Her sobbing is changing, could it be she is calming down. William can only hope she will believe him. And trust him, in doing the things he said was going to do. After some more sniffing and little sobs, Milady takes the flowers from William.
“Thank you… Sniff shorry, you had to come all he way over here… for a shobbing Lady. But how did you get here?”

-“Tea is ready Milady, Sir William”  Just as he was about to answer Kitty walks in announcing tea is served.

“Milady would you do me the pleasure in joining me for a cup of tea” William smiles friendly and hopes he has gotten through to her to calm down and trust him and McSniff. “Milady, please.”

Lady Chambelle straighten herself up and sits on the canapé, drying her last tears from her face she lets go a small smile and a new sparkle in her eyes. In the back you could her Kitty feel excited to see her Mistress smiling and having her sparkle back. She could not contain herself and even clap in her little paws. After she got on her two little feet Lady Chambelle looks at William. Tea it is but I insist you have dinner here as well. And tell me everything about my husband.

William smiles, “It would be my pleasure Milady, tomorrow the bridge should be done and we can all leave and see the people who are worried about you.”

-“Why should they worry, you are here, Our hero after all.” Her confidence sky rocketed up to unknown heights. “I am Lady Chambelle after all”

Spoken like a true lady she discarded everything that has happened. As if a new person was born in front of William who can only smile since the crying at least stopped. The three of them walk on to the special room Lady Chambelle had made for when she is having tea.
Beautiful carvings on the panels covering half the wall.  A small cabinet with small drawers having the perfume of different tea when walking by.. A beautiful decorated table where Kitty has put some of the flowers from the garden. A set of cups and a pot with steam coming from the spout stand waiting. Easy looking armchairs with soft pillows covering the seat. And a large glass cabinet with different sets of cups, plates and pots.

William sits down, and sees Lady Chambelle still standing, she walks over to the small cabinet and opens one of the drawers. “Today I feel like having our “Harmony” Blend.”

She fills the little tea infuser and puts it back into the pot. She is so calm and composed now. Like a coin being flipped, Lady Chambelle is a completely different cat from when William met her.

Could it be…

©Ranting Crow 2013

Ladies and gents hope it was fun meeting Lady Chambellein this chapter. Hope you enjoyed another part of this n growing story.
We come close to the part Where our writer Tommy will be saved by our Hero William. Stay tuned for another chapter next week.
Share your thoughts and critique.

Best wishes
Ranting Crow