Goodbye, Dash.
We lost Dash, one of the two kittens I adopted about two months ago. I had ejected him from my workroom (he tries to climb the rat cage) and he had been batting at Uriel's feet as Uriel was preparing to go for work. I got up about half an hour after he left and found Dash unresponsive on the floor. No signs of trauma or choking or anything at all. He just... stopped. We think maybe he had a heart defect. I called Uriel and then called Dusty to keep me anchored while Uriel drove home. When Uriel got here we made arrangements with the vet and then just went out for a bit.
Dash's sister, Joy, is looking for him and is distraught somewhat. We need to find her a friend soon, but we're also giving her time to grasp that her best friend is gone.
I will be okay, but I deal with stress like this by withdrawing a lot. Everyone gives me condolences with the same words over and over and when you hear the same word repeated it becomes meaningless and I start wanting to lash out. So instead I withdraw and go silent.
This will be day by day, but I will be all right. Please understand if I am not very social for the next week or so. I've just lost a very good friend suddenly, senselessly, and far too soon. I just need time.