(no subject)

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy and Helen step out of the phone box into a street in Holby. It's cloudy, and looks a little like rain. Passers-by push past, in a hurry, without caring if they barge into anyone. There is a gloom about the place.

Guppy smiles at Helen.

"Welcome to Holby."

Comments

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy points to the tape on the fence post.

"That's where Claire drove herself into the sea. Otherwise yes, this is a nicer place."

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen nods slowly. "Oh." she says. "Right. I'm...very sorry to bring that up." Stupid, Helen! Very stupid!

[guppy_sandhu]

"Don't worry about it. Come on, the shelter's just down here."

Talking of Claire has made him nervous. Holby is a city of repeated disasters. He doesn't want any harm to come to Helen. He takes her hand and watches out for muggers, terrorists and crashing planes.

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen squeezes his hand and walks by his side as he leads the way. She walks calmly, just taking in her new surroundings.

[guppy_sandhu]

There is a sound of many cats and dogs meowing and barking as they approach a large building, with 'Holby Animal Sh lter' written above the door. Guppy holds the door open for Helen.

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen's eyes widen like a child in a candy store. "Wow...." She breathes. "This is amazing..."

[guppy_sandhu]

The receptionist looks up.

"Can I help you?" she asks, smiling at Helen.

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen smiles back, trying not to seem too overwhelmed. "Ah, yes. I would like to adopt a cat...or a dog...or both." she smiles warmly.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Well you've come to the right place. I wouldn't advise adopting both at once, but we'll see. Feel free to have a wander around, and then when you've made your decision come back here and I'll find a kennel hand to help you."

She indicates a door to the left.

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen smiles. "Thank you!" she grabs Guppy by the hand and opens the door. Think: Child entering toy store.

[guppy_sandhu]

All along the sides are cages and cages of cats, from tiny kittens to old, scarred felines. Each cage has a label, reading descriptions such as these.

'Name: Mr Puff-puff
Sex: Male
Age: Around seven years
Reason for adoption: Killed family's other cat
Special details: Should be kept away from other cats, children, dogs and people of nervous disposition.

Name: Ginger
Sex: Female
Reason for adoption: Death of previous owner
Special details: Is afraid of birds'

[ooc: mun has to go to bed in a minute]

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen twirls through the hall checking out each cage, reading the descriptions, and mainly focusing on younger looking cats. When she sees one she likes, she points it out to Guppy.

(Ooc--Ok we can pick up again tomorrow?:-)

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy smiles. "Yes, that's a nice one. What does the description say about it?"

[ooc: Yep, sure. I just have jetlag and parental nagging so can't carry on tonight. I won't be around until evening my time though because my Dad's on holiday so he's taking me and my brother out for the day.]

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen smiles. "No name, but female, about six months old." The brownish-orange kitten with a white belly meows at Helen, who sticks a finger through the cage and pets the kitten. "Hello, sweetie." she grins. "I think I like this one."

[guppy_sandhu]

"She's very pretty. She'd make a nice playmate for Scampi. Would you like me to go and find a kennel hand?"

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen grins. "I guess..." She thinks for a minute, and then asks, with the tone of a pleading child, "May I get a dog too?"

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy grins. "Don't ask me. You'll have to check with the kennel hands. It might be a bit much adopting both at once; remember some of these animals are from rough backgrounds and will need time to get used to you."

He flags down a passing kennel hand, who smiles through his mop of greasy hair.

"Can I help you?"

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen grins at him. "Yes, I think I'll take this cat, but I might be interested in looking at dogs as well."

[guppy_sandhu]

The kennel-hand scratches his head.

"Erm... we don't normally let you have both at once, but we'll see. We'll have to check that the dog isn't going to hurt the cat and so on. We can introduce them here to make sure they get along."

He puts a label on the cat's cage saying 'Offer made', then leads Helen and Guppy through another door to where the dogs are kept.

"Check the information at the side to see if they get along with cats generally. I'll be over here when you're ready."

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen begins reading cages of younger looking dogs, stopping every so often to pet a dog's nose with her finger. About half-way down the dog hall, she sees a small, thick coated puppy with the same colouring as the cat. "Look!" she points the puppy out to Guppy.

Name: Nala
Sex: Female
Age: 5 months
Reason for adoption: Death of previous owner
Additional info: Has lived with many cats.

"Maybe she likes cats?"

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy smiles. The match could not be better.

"I bet she does. And they're both young, so they will have plenty of chance to get used to one another."

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen waves to the kennel hand. "Can we try Nala-" she points to the dog, "with the kitten please?" She grins brightly.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Yeah, sure."

He goes over to the pen and puts Nala on a lead, then hands the lead to Helen.

"If you could step through into that room there, I'll go and get the kitten."

[prettyhelen.livejournal.com]

Helen takes the lead, then smiles brightly at Nala, offering her a hand to smell. After Nala licks her hand, Helen pets her behind the ears, stands up and says, "Come on, Nala," rather cheerfully. Nala bounces in front of Helen as she heads to the room the kennel hand pointed to. Helen turns to look at Guppy. "You come too!" she says, giggling.

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy grins and follows, jumping as an extremely large Alsation jumps up and barks at him from one of the cages. The room is full of dog and cat toys, with a couple of comfy chairs. A few moments later the kennel hand comes back with the kitten and places it on the floor.