"Unnuthngh?" Bryn muffled raggedly, pausing in his own twisting efforts against the ropes long enough to look over at Cody with a hopeful twitch of his tan-furred ears. She glanced back with a frustrated shake of her head and an apologetic grunt, even as she struggled on with unflagging determination and altogether-characteristic spirit. "Grrrrrnf!" the weary catboy growled, tossing his head in aggravation, that simple, wordless exclamation perfectly summing up both of the catfolk captives' feelings at that moment. Though such feelings of helplessness were certainly not enough to keep them from continuing to try to find a way out of their skillfully-tied bonds.

But, it was a struggle that seemed as futile as it had been when they'd first awakened from their drugging, some time ago. A wispy sense of weakness would still play through their minds occasionally, counterpoint to the pasty taste lingering at the back of their cloth-tamped tongues. All-too familiar remnants of the chloroform with which they had been ambushed. The twins had thought that they were going to a party after receiving a mysterious, but seemingly trustworthy, invitation. And it appeared that such was the case, judging by the preparations arrayed around them. But certainly not the sort of party they were expecting - not at all. They had barely made it through the door of the mysterious building where the festivities were allegedly to be held when each had been jumped from behind by too-strong arms, a cloyingly-sweet cloth mashed over their noses and mouths. Both Cody and Bryn had fought back valiantly - they always did, after all - but in the end their struggles were in vain.

And when they had awakened, each found themselves tied to a chair, flanking that jarringly-festive cake arrangement. The sight of the cake knife, large and clearly quite sharp, was maddeningly frustrating. Potential freedom within easy arm's reach...if they could have moved their arms at all. Sadly though, that was a virtual impossibility, each captive sibling's wrists lashed and cinched tightly together behind the chairback, then strung to the under-supports of their chair by a trio of taut ropes. Keeping those arms pulled hard and almost immovably behind the chair, much like their feet, which were also pulled back and up, tethered to the rear chairlegs so that their toes couldn't even touch the floor. Each had had their mouths stuffed with a thick wad of some soft fabric, and then covered with another thick, darkly-jaunty cloth, tied at the nape of their necks beneath their shaggy blond hair. That the twins were arrayed among the other gifts scattered generously about the carefully-staged tableau almost seemed to imply that they were such as well. Or, at the very least, they were the unwilling "guests of note" at the otherwise-desolate "party".

A situation they had been doggedly trying to rectify for what had to be almost an hour already. Both had set to struggling as soon as they had recovered enough to allow for such exertion, but aside from working up a bit of a sweat and straining overworked muscles, Bryn and Cody hadn't accomplished much. Whoever had done this to them certainly knew their business.

Then the sound of the door on the far side of the room opening, with an almost tentative air, resounded. Both Cody and Bryn ceased their struggles immediately and looked up to see who was coming through. The mysterious "Sabriel" mentioned on the banner, perhaps? Along with their matched postures of tense, anxious anticipation, Cody's face held a look of fearful, almost desperate, hope - while Bryn scowled in defiant indignation. The same questions roared through both young siblings' minds, however, as the moment of truth seemed to loom nigh: Would they be set free? Would this all turn out to be some warped practical joke, perhaps not even at their expense? Or, did some more sinister fate await them? Only time would tell, and they didn't seem to have long to wait and wonder, as the true guest of honor at the party finally arrived to discover the surprises which awaited her...


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This would be a birthday present for Sabriel-Stock234 . ^^ Her birthday was the Thursday-before-last, and fell just before she went away on a trip - and while I was in the hospital. So - as so often seems to be the case with me these days - it's a bit late. But just as heartfelt. Sabriel is an extremely talented writer and a really nice person, and I'm very glad to have recently made her acquaintance. Go check 'er page and her stories out; you won't be disappointed.

So, Happy Birthday, Sab! ^_^ Hope it was a great one for you. And that you enjoy this belated surprise party (and gift) as well...