[Game Thread] Chapter 1 - Market Day (CLOSED)

As Rasputin creeps cautiously down the hall, Apple Tart bounds past him, mewing loudly. Before Rasputin can decide how to react, the kitten is through the door to Jim and Jane's room and out of sight.

In the room, Apple Tart sees the raccoon. It is on Jim and Jane's bed. Now that Apple Tart can see it up close, it seems to have little chunks of some white material here and there its fur. Before it notices Apple Tart, it shakes its body, sending some of the white bits flying as well as raising a cloud of white powder that was apparently also in its fur. Then it sees the kitten and freezes - all except for its nose that seems to be twitching furiously, taking in the smells of the house. Downstairs, Jim trots quickly over to Middie. "No, no, Middie. Bigfoot is visiting." Jim leans down and attempts to scoop up Middie.Mr. Bigfoot can smell the chicken stronger than ever now, but he can also smell something else - an animal, but not a cat. And animal that doesn't belong in a human house.

Mr. Bigfoot runs to the stairs to hiss and make a show, but the stairwell is empty. Smells like cats just went up the stairs though - probably Rasputin and Apple Tart.

Bigfoot! What are you doing?" Jim shouts, clearly confused and seemingly oblivious to the intruder upstairs. It's amazing that humans stay alive as long as they do.

Upstairs, the racoon is looking franticly from Rasputin to Apple Tart. He seems like maybe he's trying to listen to Apple Tart, but he looks confused.

"Not speak cat good." the racoon chitters. He's not wrong, it's genuinely hard to understand him. "Was hide. Floor break. Fell." The racoon's ears twitch when Mr. Bigfoot hisses downstairs. Then he crouches, like he's ready to leap and run again - or maybe fight, it's hard to tell.

The racoon cocks his head at Rasputin, clearly trying his best to understand the cat-speak, though also clearly not getting all of it. He does pick up the important bits though.

"Sneak. Out. Yes," he says. Then all three of you (Apple Tart, Rasputin, and racoon) hear movement on the steps. First cat feet. Then human feet.

"Where are you going, Bigfoot?" Jim call out as he starts up the stairs. "There's no treats up there. The food's in the kitchen." He's still carrying Middie as he ascends the stairs.

The racoon listens to Rasputin and nods, seeming to calm down somewhat. Then Apple Tart starts shouting, followed by Mr. Bigfoot shouting. The racoon tenses up, his eyes darting about, and then he leaps off the bed and starts bolting back down the hallway.

At this point, Jim has reached the top of the stairs. He clearly seems flustered by all the cat howling and hissing, and then he finally sees the racoon. "Oh my god!" he shouts. "Bigfoot! No! He could be rabid. Oh god. JAAAANNE!"