Riverpaw smiled, grateful that Charlie was so ready to assist. She went back into the living room where most of the cats had already gathered, hearing the door open and likely knowing it was time to go out. As usual, Dapper seemed apprehensive about going outside, so she picked him and kissed his head before holding him out to Charlie. "He and Rhino will be fine, but I'll need to get Phantom myself. He's stubborn."
(Hey! How's your new year going?)
(It's okay. Kind of messy.)
(Ah. Messy how? Anything you need to talk about?)
(Ah… just politics stuff, I moved into a new area, and high key touch starved.)
(Ohh. I'm sorry I can't help in some way :c)
(It's okay, hun. Thank you though.)
(I hope you're okay otherwise though! It's nice to hear from you again.)
(Getting better lol.)
(Do you feel like continuing this anytime soon? Whenever you're up for it, I can wait.)
(Sure! I'd love to continue. One moment.)
Charlie smiled at the sight of all the cats, her eyes gentle as she waited for instruction on how to help. "Do you want me to get Phantom?" She asks quietly, scratching Rhino gently under his chin. She kissed the top of his head before gently picking him up. She seemed so gentle with animals, holding them in a way that supported them but kept them close and comfortable. Worried that she might accidentally hurt one of the small creatures in her arms.
"O-oh, no." Riverpaw started, pulling a step-stool over to the counter so she could reach a cabinet and pull out a small bag of treats. "When I say 'stubborn', I mean he's temperamental and will scratch if he's not in the mood to move. The people at the shelter taught me how to handle him, so I've got it."
She nods a little before walking over to where River was and easily grabbing the bag of treats before handing it to her. "Here you are." She smiled gently before taking Rhino outside, cooing some praises and kissing his forehead before setting him down. Then she returned for Dapper, doing the same treatment as she had done for Rhino.
Riverpaw smiled gratefully and hopped down from the stool, watching Charlie and the cats for a moment before going back to the living room. She slid another stool over and slowly lifted herself to the height of the shelf the big grey Main Coon was resting on. She clicked her tongue, causing him to perk his ears in her direction, then placed a treat in front of him. Phantom stared at it, likely debating going along with the routine this time, and Riverpaw grinned when he leaned down and ate the treat. She gave him another from her hand, then turned her shoulder to him and waited once he was done. He took a moment to stretch before mindfully stepping down from the shelf and onto her shoulder, and she reached up to steady him while she stepped down. He was heavy, but she'd done this so many times that at this point, it barely fazed her.
She pet Rhino and Dapper quietly, her eyes focused on the skies. She sighed deeply and shut her eyes. She didn't want to think about anything right now. She wanted to focus on this moment, right here. Not on her dad not being here, not on her mom… She just needed to breathe and focus on the moment she was in. She didn't know what to do anymore. She looked down and scratches Dapper under the chin, and Rhino behind the ear. She waited patiently for Riverpaw to come outside with Phantom.
(I didn't even notice, but you called Rhino 'him'. Rhino's a girl c:)
"Hey." Riverpaw said softly as she knelt next to Charlie. Phantom took the opportunity to leap from her shoulder and onto the deck. He chirped at Rhino, who meowed back and gave Charlie's hand a grateful lick before follow him out to the yard. "Are you doing okay?"
(oof- sorry!)
Charlie hummed a little and glanced at her before nodding slowly. "Yeah… sometimes I accidentally slip out of the moment… but it's nothing to bad." She murmured quietly, shutting her eyes for a minute. "I just have to ground myself for a minute and then everything is okay." She glances at River, patting her knee gently. She watched the sky for a moment and inhaled slowly. "So… what were we doing again?"
She tilted her head and placed a careful hand over Charlie's, unknowingly slipping into a soft tone she used with anxious animals. "I have to check the fence to make sure everything is secure and then we'll take the dogs to the park. Is that okay?"
Charlie smiles at the hand on hers before nodding at River's words. "Yea… that sounds great actually…" She murmured softly. She slowly removed her hand and shut her eyes once again, letting herself ease and focus on her breathing. "Sounds really nice…"
Riverpaw smiled and stood up, heading down the steps and to the left corner of the house where the fence started. As she walked along the perimeter, pressing against the wooden planks and checking the ground for holes, she periodically glanced back at Charlie, worried about this stupor she seemed to be in. It took about a minute or two, but Riverpaw declared the fencing to be sturdy as ever and checked on the cats before rejoining Charlie at the deck.
Charlie let her memories go to the back of her mind before she pulled out of it and stood as River was checking over the cats. She smiled softly at Riverpaw, "Everything good to go?" She asks quietly, her eyes soft as she looks over the girl. "Is there anything I can do to help?" She asks curiously, a small smile on her lips.
Riverpaw nodded, "Everything looks good. And you've already been a great help by playing with the animals and getting the cats outside." She took Charlie's hand and led her back inside, closing the door behind them. "Now, we get leashes and take the dogs out."
She nods a little bit and squeezes her hand gently and shut her eyes as she leans against her a little bit. "I'm glad I could help a little bit at least." She murmured, smiling at Riverpaw. "Thank you for… practically everything." She whispers as she leans into the other. "Sounds good." She grabs the leashes, handing them to Riverpaw.
Riverpaw blushed as she took the leashes, her head and ears lowering in delight at Charlie's expression. "Y-you don't have to keep thanking me. You're very sweet and…well, it seems like you don't get to do stuff like this with people often." She explained before dipping into the dogs' room and quickly returning with five collars.
She hummed quietly and shook her head. "I don't remember the last time I spent any down time with someone. It was just… constant training, learning and being cooped up in a giant mansion." She sighed deeply. "It was fun as a kid, exploring all those hallways… but now…" She shrugged. "Just reminds you how lonely it is."