they called me smiling jack [rogue group]

The overcast skies were a welcome reprieve from the usual bright and cheerful days, the cool breeze that came with the cloudy blanket offering a soothing feeling that was a stark contrast to the warmth of the sun. The entire forest itself seemed to take the hint and hunker down, preparing itself for rain. All around, the scent of water and ozone pierced the area like a warning bell. Birds, rodents and anything living basically had made themselves scarce, even the trees seemed to have lost their luster. At least until the threat of rain was gone and this too green place started waking up again. For the time being though, it seemed the best bet was to follow the example and just relax. Though perhaps the venue could be called into question by some - the Carrionplace, if memory served correct. And just by taking one sniff of the air it was plain to see why that was. The stench of rot and decay was everywhere, both of flesh and foliage and waste. If one listened carefully, they could hear the telltale squeak squeak of the rats that called this area their home, hunkered in their makeshift dens. It was almost familiar to the Cold Place in a way, except without the humans in white pelts and suffocating cages. The water and food were much more plentiful too, and even the hills of debris served as a much more comfortable resting place than the unforgiving metal floors. So far this place was making for an excellent home.

Now if only Felix would shut up his incessant babbling, it would be perfect. Curled up next to the scarred and matted tabby pelt of Sallie upon an old and mildew ridden mattress, the slender black and alabaster tom gave a growl of annoyance. His ears flicked down to his head as the dangerous sound rumbled louder and louder with every word out of the imbecile's mouth that reached him. Shifting from her tight little ball, the molly at his side nuzzled impossibly closer, sighing softly. ['Ignore him Jackie, I don't want to give up my pillow just yet.'] she purred cutely, soothing her mate's growing temper just enough to take the edge off. At least until Felix gave a squeal that was about the same as a glass plate hitting stone. A ragged sound between a snarl, yowl and possibly a roar escaped the black beast, his head jerking up as poison green hues blazed with fury. Beside him Sallie gave a groan of exasperation as her pillow did indeed leave her side, racing off the mattress and down the pile of garbage with gritted teeth. Seconds after his paws touched down, he slammed into the gray body of Felix, sending the gib to the ground with a surprised yowl. Teeth found the other male's throat mere moments later, biting hard enough to cut off the airway. "Be. Quiet." he snarled venomously, voice like thunder in spite of the choking and gurgling noises coming from the cat trapped beneath him. "Your mouth runs too much, one more word and you'll lose it. Got it Felix?" he released his subordinate then, watching impassively as the gib gasped desperately for air and scrambled away.

His point made, Laughing Jack turned his attention towards the other half of the conversation that Felix had been a part of. "Your friend here is a much better conversationalist, he doesn't say anything." Laughing Jack chuckled, shifting one fore paw under the chin of a ginger tabby. With legs splayed out on the bloodstained earth, flies buzzing to and fro and several stained bones protruding from various places, the cloudy eyed tabby had been some poor sap that had stared at Sallie a little too long for Laughing Jack's liking. Of course, Felix had claimed the corpse right away and had been chatting with 'Tabby' for the last three days. Something about Tabby being more intelligent conversation than Romeo or Tigger. The latter of which was eyeing the corpse with a hungry stare. A beat of time passed before Laughing Jack gave a gesture to the larger tom, who pounced on the deceased feline like a ravenous animal in spite of Felix's screech of outrage. "Maybe next time you'll learn not to get too carried away with your toys, Felix. Now keep it down. I'm trying to get some sleep here!" he snarled as he began to ascend back up to the mattress where Sallie awaited him... only to pause halfway up and glance back down. Hmm, that was strange. He saw Romeo resting, Felix was still despairing over Tigger devouring his newest toy... but then who was that in the corner. "Look alive boys! We got fresh meat!" a cackling shout escaped the black tom, and suddenly all three of his subordinates' attention was on the new presence. "Come on out, friend. Don't be shy~"