Hummingbird and Rosemary Chap Four

Ratigan's eyes furrowed, "I guess Finch is an unwanted squatter?"

"Again...more or less," Basil repeated, "I don't want to go through the complicated rules with you. Now, close your eyes," he said standing up and opened his arms and opened his palms to the two opposite ends of the cell walls, "I mean this well, officer, if you truly want to go through this with me. You'll listen..." He smirked, "Like a good little boy." 

Ratigan growled and closed his eyes. 

"Now, don't open them until I tell you to." 

Basil's hummingbird tattoo gave a faint glow and the room rattled and trembled like there was an earthquake, the walls chipped away to reveal black ebony wood, and the private cell room itself was being eaten by an unseen force. The tile flooring turned into a black sleek path to a red door, and the cell collapsed and shuttered forward, breezing pass Ratigan in transparency before turning into a golden color old fashioned elevator with an elaborate red metal gate and a lever instead of buttons. Basil gasped out and slumped to the floor, "Open them..." He wheezed, "Open your eyes now." Ratigan slowly opened his eyes and he nearly felt his blood went cold what he saw around him. This was no longer a private cell in Dorset, this was somewhere else. Ratigan held in his urge to yell in surprise and slowly looked at the elevator and examined it. 

"This is a very old style paternoster," Ratigan exclaimed. 

"But it doesn't function like your typical paternoster," Basil breathed, slowly getting up, "Obviously, we are on my floor," he explained, "You see the red door behind us? Don't go through it." 

Ratigan rolled his eyes, "What? You have dirty magazines you don't want me to see in your dream realm?" 

"I mean it, officer," Basil retorted firmly, "My bedroom is for my own privacy and is my own private hell."

Ratigan was less than impressed at this, "Your realm can't be as bad as your cell. What's the worst that can happen?" 

Basil looked livid and sighed, "Always stubborn, no matter what the dimen...you know, fine, I'll wait here. You visit my personal room, but don't blame me if you come running back," he said, "Give me your cigarette pack and lighter."

"What? Why?" 

"I need to pass the time while you make a total complete ass of yourself."

Ratigan sighed in exasperation before he handed Basil his cigarette pack and lighter. Basil nonchalantly pulled out a cig and placed the pack in his pocket and lit it as he watched Ratigan go through the red door. Basil smiled and waited, silently puffing and blowing as he relaxed like he was waiting for the bus. He soon leaned back and started counting his fingers down 8...7...6...5...4...3...2...

"Aaaaaargh!" A loud cry echoed from behind the red door and Ratigan rushed out and slammed the door before barricading it with a chair underneath the door knob. Ratigan was pushed back by a strong force as the door was banged on, almost threatening to be knocked down by whatever creature was behind before it stopped as suddenly as it came. Ratigan was in hysterics and panicked, he rushed over to Basil grabbing the pack and lighter, "Give me back my cigs! Damn it!" He bellowed. Basil just broke into laughter.

"I see you met the monsters that inhabit my home," Basil chuckled, wiping away tears, "Oh my, the sheer look on your face...utterly priceless!" He laughed, clutching his stomach, "By the Queen, I wanted that look on my mantel...!" 

"Hummingbird...!" Ratigan growled, "Just what the fuck were those things?!"

Basil caught his breath and regained his composure, although he was still chuckling in between breaths, "Just a few inconveniences called Decadere; they're nothing but annoying husks," he explained, "Now if we're done, can we please visit the next soul within me? He's just at the next floor down." Ratigan would've thought he was talking about visiting a neighbor as if he was living at a flat if the circumstances were normal, but he breathed and followed Basil inside the elevator and closed the gate. 

"Do me one favor though...when you meet this chap," Basil said his hand on the lever and Ratigan leaned against the wall barely making a glance at him.

"That is?" 

"Don't take upon his advances," he explained, "He's, err, friendly."

"Friendly? As in inviting over for lunch type or-?" 

Basil rolled his eyes and pulled the lever, the elevator roared to life, with the number being lit on a screen just above the elevator gate: 2 RSTR. Ratigan squinted, confused by the letters. He thought it was an acronym but in this place anything was possible, for all he knew, RSTR could've been Basil's personal laundry floor where all the bad memories went and were made squeaky clean by magic dust and bird bath water. Ratigan's ears perked when he felt the atmosphere change, beyond the gate once the elevator landed on the second floor, a bright sensual light of a luxurious rosy red enveloped them. The hallway was filled with velvet red curtains and erotic antique paintings, and the swelling smell of a inviting incense was flirting with Ratigan's muzzle. Ratigan was caught off guard when the symbol of a rooster appeared on the top screen and it crowed loudly, startling him as the gate opened for them both.  

"As I mentioned before, don't take upon this chap's advances," Basil said as he walked out, "Rooster is a concupiscent sort," he winked, "But I guess with Finch that's something you're into, you hound!" He mocked. 

"Hummingbird, keep rattling that beak of yours...I promise to tear it. Right. Off." 

A buzz and a grating sound of a speaker came from around them, Ratigan looked around and noticed rooster shaped statues had a PA system inside their open beaks. "Hummy love..." Another Basil's voice echoed from the speaker, it sounded sensual and warm compared to Hummingbird and his bitterness, "So kind of you to visit, you know how terribly boring it is for me to take care of my hens and not have visitors. You know how long I've waited for you to come back? Five months? Ten years? A bloody decade? But, Hummy, I knew you'd come back...I have my ways in knowing you'd come back..." 

Ratigan stifled back laughter, "Hummy?" 

Basil's eyes widened and he blushed furiously, "Look here, you broody cock, we're just here on business. We need to speak with you. I'm not here to get your end way or any of the sort." 

The other Basil over the speakers tutted softly, "Must you always be so shrewd with me? It's bad for your character, Hummy; wouldn't want to leave a bad impression on your guest, would you?" 

"Gallus," Basil seethed firmly, "Open your door." 

Rooster huffed, "Using my real name in front of a guest...fine, fine, just let me get the switch."

Ratigan looked down the hallway and large arch double doors manifested unto the solid wall, almost melting into it like water, before it slowly creaked open to reveal a Maisonette style flat apartment with four stories just across a bridge; it was lavishly decorated with a mixture of Art Deco and a Chinese and Japanese influenced style on the windows and door, the front gate and brick wall was littered with paper talismans intended for protection. "So...what's Rooster's story?" Ratigan asked. Basil looked a little drained, so he sighed and shrugged, for once giving into Officer Ratigan's inquisitive nature.

"Basil Gallus, at a young age, he was adopted by a Chinese mouse mother, of course being adopted as an English boy into a Chinese family was a rare sight in the 19th century," Basil explained, "Gallus worked hard but as he grew older, he loved the wild nature of eroticism, but he also loved the supernatural; superstitions and luck was something he was familiar with so he made a business out of fortune telling when he found his way back to the London that left him..." He sighed, "Gallus was accused of being a fraud so he looked for money another way...his Ratigan helped him then, of course, Gallus had all ready lost his innocence at a young age so his Ratigan could take nothing from him ever after the constant pay of clients. Gallus was in deep love...you see." 

"How is he now? After he became a part of you after he died?" 

It looked to be a painful question, Basil winced like he had been struck, almost recoiling, "He's in a yearning state, he still desires love. It's, uh, difficult..." He managed to answer. 

Ratigan rose an eyebrow, "And you speak with him so harshly?" 

"I have to," Basil answered, "I don't desire him...he's mostly...erm..." He hesitated, his blood rising to his cheeks to his entire face and he looked like a freshly ripened tomato, "F-forget it. Let's just talk with Gallus and leave." It was rather amusing to see Hummingbird Basil suddenly fume and stomp off across the bridge to Rooster's flat and to the opened the gate before gesturing to Ratigan to follow afterwards. Ratigan was entranced by Rooster's dream realm, it seemed to be always during sunset and the softness of the atmosphere was inviting. He walked beside Basil and politely knocked on Rooster's door.

"Does he have a doorbell?" Ratigan asked.

"No," Basil replied flatly, "He doesn't use one, says it scares his chickens."

He paused, "Chickens?"

"Uh-huh."

"At his flat?"

"Right." 

"Real chickens?"

"Yes." 

Ratigan gave an extremely long pause, "Please tell me he doesn't do anything indecent with them."

"Please, the only ridiculous thing he does with them is put them in knitted teeny sweaters and talks with them," Basil said dryly, "He's the closest thing to a crazy cat lady," he explained. There was a sudden sound of locks and chains being opened and Ratigan felt his heart race when he saw Rooster Basil at the front door. Rooster was dressed in a fine laced corset, the striped blacks and reds with a collar on his neck in the shape of a heart; he wore a rose red mini mesh skirt, with garter fishnet pantyhose and red high heels; Rooster Basil's back head was also finely decorated with a Victorian headdress, that had the symbol of the Phoenix, and had tassels hanging on the sides. Ratigan was also surprised to see makeup on him, and could see the hardworking of the preparation of light blushes and eyeliner with eyeshadow. 

"Let me know if you're gonna pass out," Basil said sarcastically.  

Rooster smiled at them, "Ah, so good to have guests. Please mind my hens," he said, "They're flustered things and like to wander around the house, please don't step on them." 

Basil rolled his eyes, "Gallus, we're not staying long." 

"Then I'm insisting, Hummy," Rooster retorted.

"Don't call me Hummy. I'm not your Hummy."

"Then don't call me Gallus...tight ass long beak." 

Basil growled. Ratigan slowly walked in and saw a variety of chickens in the flat, some were sleeping on random chairs and what looked like dog beds but the chickens were now using as resting spaces. "So, uh...your chickens...how many breeds are here?" Ratigan asked as he hard time passing through as some hens walked around, and sitting on the couch caused a couple to flutter and land on the floor looking confused.

"Hm..." Rooster slowly pulled out a cigarette filter with a dragon wrapped around it that had gold wing designs sprouting at the filler bottom, and blew into it, the cigarette dissolved and grew back as he blew, "You want each breed alphabetically or by country?"

Basil became highly exasperated and pulled Ratigan's shoulder, "Wait outside, will you?" He hissed, "You bring up Gallus' chicken obsession and we'll be here for hours," he looked at Rooster who had his hand to his hip while he smoked, "He's not interested in your fluffy feather sacks." 

"Hummy, I've had it up to here with you," Rooster said as a doily napkin seemed to appear in his hands and he walked up to Basil and shoved it into his muzzle, "Now please be polite while I treat your guest." Basil seemed to have inhaled whatever scent was within the doily and he stumbled back and fell against the nearby piano, chickens fluttered in a panic as he slowly succumbed to sleep. Ratigan's eyes widened. 

"Chloroform?" He exclaimed.  

"Méi guānxi," Rooster replied kneeling down and picking up the doily napkin, "It's just a mix of lavender, vanilla, and evergreen scent oils. They're natural calm inducing oils and evergreen reduces anxiety. Of course, Hummingbird is very sensitive to smells, he easily gets sleepy out by the calmest of lavender scents," he looked at Ratigan, "Now, can we talk privately?" 

Ratigan's cheeks became heated and he rubbed his neck, "Um...I'm not p-"

"No, no, no!" Rooster hastily interrupted him, "Not that," he sighed, "What has he told you?" 

"He? Oh, yeah..." Ratigan felt himself becoming distracted, but Rooster was so eye catching it was hard for his mind not to travel, "What Hummingbird spoke to me..." Rooster idly watched on, blowing on his filter and puffing out smoke as a few of his pet chickens sometimes nestled themselves close to his heels in affection. 

"What has he told you?" Rooster repeated. 

"Many things...many weird fucking things," Ratigan replied, "Ugh, I have no idea what's going on in that mind of his. No less what's going on now. He told me to be careful of him, his stories are inconsistent as his behavior, then his display of hummingbirds attacking Britain, and his hummingbird reincarnation story. I can only take so much!" 

Rooster walked over to the couch, his heels gently clacking on the wooden floor with his hips swaying before he sat down next to Ratigan. Rooster crossed his legs and blew out a cloud of smoke before he finally spoke, almost as if waiting for the right time to speak and letting Ratigan take his time to breathe. 

"Hummingbird...is a liar," he said, "But he also tells half-truths. What else has he told you?" 

"Finch is an...unwanted guest." 

Rooster's calm demeanor suddenly changed and his eyes narrowed, "Wait here," he placed his filter away in a pocket and walked over to Basil, both his hands to his hips, "Wáng bā dán..." He picked up Basil by his collar, "Huài dán! You better explain to me why Finch is unwanted, I thought we've been over this!"

"I thought he was unconscious?" Ratigan asked.

"He's more asleep than knocked out," Rooster explained, "But what he told you is untrue about Finch. Finch is part of him, much as we are a part of Hummy. He's not necessarily a soul squatter or someone who wandered in; when Hummingbird came to your realm, he needs a body, but that body is usually destined to die. Finch, however is different, Hummy merged with him, then shoved him under; of course Blackbird is going to be irritable about a new tenant! But, that's not the worst of it..."

"Urgh..." Basil stirred, "Gallus...you suck..."

Rooster sighed in exasperation, "How you became the highest rank in these realms is beyond my ability or understanding." 

"Gall...I mean Rooster, what's the worst of it? Just what is happening?" Ratigan asked quickly, "What exactly do you mean by not the worst of it?" 

Rooster pulled Basil up, "You have Hummy to thank."

Ratigan looked at them in confusion, feeling like his sense of reason and logic was spinning in an endless circle as he tried to connect the pieces. The inconsistent stories, Finch's involvements, and everything else that he experienced was as jagged and as in pieces as a broken puzzle. Every piece had a meaning but they were not well put together. "I...uh..." Ratigan chuckled nervously, "I don't understand..."

"Hummy..." Rooster cooed sweetly. 

"No."

"Hummingbird...! This is your mess, either you explain it or I explain for him-"

Basil suddenly reacted violently, he slapped Rooster's cheek causing him to let go. Basil exchanged a glare to both of them before stomping off through the back door which lead to a yard. Rooster rubbed his cheek, sighing, "I should've expected this reaction," he looked up at Ratigan, "This clearly won't make sense to you, but as we are souls of different variants, soul fragments, live here after our death. It's not necessarily purgatory but it's no heaven either, but every individual carries the negative flaws of ourselves, from insecurities to fears to violent desires. The muck, the swamp water, the decay that rebirths as new soil..."

The swamp water. The muck. Ratigan now made the horrible connection. 

"Flaws..." Ratigan croaked, "Of course, flaws..." 

"Flaws are our internal monsters. They can never be defeated, we can only control them before they devour us," Rooster explained, "But can you imagine living here and fighting for your life? Fighting against...his flaws?" 

"Fight against-?" 

"As long as we share this body, the monsters roam our realms looking to devour us."

Ratigan was hesitant to ask, "Has Hummingbird tried to kill some of you?" 

"He has...not me, I can handle myself," Rooster sat on his chair and crossed his legs again, "But he hates Raven and Blackbird, but without them, we have no pillars. If Hummy asks you to kill Raven or Blackbird, don't listen to him; you're an officer, you know death isn't always necessary. The id cannot live without the ego and the ego cannot live without the superego. The pillars of the mind can be impenetrable forces, but when it comes to flaws, we are weak as we are burdened," he chuckled, "Too bad without flaws that's what let's us be us." 

"Rooster, you sound as cryptic as Hummingbird," Ratigan sighed softly. 

"Wouldn't surprise me," Rooster Basil cooed, stretching his legs, "I slept with the man." 

Ratigan almost choked on his own spit in shock, "Hummingbird and you-?!"

"We did share after-sex pillow talk...Hummingbird sure does live up to his tattoo sake when he desires sweet nectar," Rooster said casually as he went back to smoking his filter. Ratigan had briefly forgotten Hummingbird's explanation of Rooster's backstory, but how blunt and casual Rooster spoke of sex like it was just as normal as drinking water was more than shocking; mostly his amazement that Hummingbird and Rooster could even have sex in the realms was enough to make him flustered, "Huh? What's with that expression? You look as pale as porcelain." 

"Nothing, nothing, Rooster..." Ratigan stammered not realizing the sweat dripping off his head, "It's nothing." 

Rooster gently blew out another cloud of smoke, "Are you hungry?" He asked, "I can make you and Hummy some dinner."

"What about the outside?" 

Rooster laughed softly, "Outside? You mean the private cell?" He cupped his cheek, "Xīngān, don't worry, time runs differently here, and your time has been temporarily put on pause thanks to Hummy's ability. So...what are you in the mood for?" Rooster asked, "I can make English and Chinese dishes. I learned from my mother," he added, his tail wagging, before he paused and looked around as his chickens slowly became quiet.

"What's wrong-"

"Shh!" 

Ratigan fell quiet and he listened. He heard the sounds of cicadas outside, and glanced at Rooster. Rooster looked to be in focus, as if trying to figure out if the cicada chirping was real or not, but something told Ratigan that the cicada noises meant something more sinister in this dream realm. Rooster suddenly grabbed a shotgun out from a study drawer and kicked open the door. He looked around and pointed his gun, only to see cicadas chirping on the trees, and Basil fuming near some shrubs. Rooster rolled his eyes, "Hummy, get back inside," he scolded, "I have one of your bloody monsters out here and it's been killing my chickens."

"Gallus-" 

"Don't Gallus me," Rooster continued to scold, "Now come inside before that comes along," he pulled up Basil by the back of his prison suit collar, "Now come on, I've had more than enough of your follies." 

"Don't treat me like you're my mother."

"You're making me treat you like a juvenile." 

Rooster came back in as he held Basil before placing him on the nearest chair and fixing his hair and sighing in exasperation. He placed his shotgun away back in the drawer before he strutted into his kitchen without a word. Ratigan observed and glared at Hummingbird Basil. Basil looked heavily embarrassed, and crossed his arms as if to say he did nothing wrong. "You need to treat him better," Ratigan pointed out, "He's offering shelter, food, and he's even risking to protect us; give Rooster a simple thank you. He should appreciate it." 

Basil scoffed, "Now even you're treating me like a child." 

"Rath...stop acting like this," Ratigan said, "You brought me here to help you, so we can help release Finch-" 

Basil slammed his hands on the ends of the chair, "Stop talking about Finch! I don't even want to hear that stupid weakling's name!" He cried out, his face red from either furor or irritation, "You always talk about Finch! I wish Finch never existed!" He stood up, and picked up the chair, "I don't even want to hear an inch about your stupid yellow bird!" He tossed the chair at Ratigan as the officer shielded himself and Basil stormed off upstairs. Ratigan sighed and rubbed his temples. Rooster peeked in from the kitchen door, looking mildly confused about the ruckus. 

"Hummy had a temper tantrum?" Rooster asked. 

"Yeah, uh...a temper tantrum," Ratigan answered.

Rooster sighed softly, "Well, he'll be fine; may you please help me in the kitchen?" He asked. Ratigan was all too happy to oblige, even though he was concerned over the outburst, he understood Basil at this point that he needed space for his thoughts as Ratigan needed his own, "Just cut these vegetables, will you? Can I trust you not to slice a finger off?" 

"I live alone in my flat and cook for myself, I can manage," Ratigan replied.

"Good," Rooster smiled, "Cut them while I check on Hummingbird, will you?"

"Check on him?"

"It's fine for him to have space, but he overthinks too much," he sighed.

"Rooster," Ratigan started, "Please tell me, why does he act that way towards me?"

Rooster suddenly burst out into hearty laugher and clutched his stomach. It was an odd sight, but Ratigan's cheeks felt just as hot as when he first laid his eyes on Rooster Basil. Rooster's laughter soon stopped and he caught his breath, regaining his composure, "Oh, you are a dense one," he chuckled, "I can read Hummingbird like a book and yet you can't read him at all. It's rather amusing, actually. But," he patted Ratigan's shoulder, "Do think on it...it's best that way than me telling you." 

Ratigan sighed, "Fine, fine, whatever. You and Hummy aren't making this any easier on me," he scoffed as he started cutting. Rooster chuckled.

"Finch is...truly a lucky mouse to have you." 

Basil sat in the guest room, he was against the wall as he hugged his knees close to his chest as his ears folded. He slowly brought his palm and turned it over, the Hummingbird tattoo still vibrant and gave a faint green glow upon the ink. He felt a sharp heaviness in his chest and slammed it onto the floor; the floor gently burned with soft flames that became the image of Ratigan before the ashes faded into the wood. He sighed, feeling his cheeks turn hot and tears pour as droplets. "Pads..." He sobbed, "Pads..." Basil yelped out in surprise as he heard the door knock. He quickly wiped away his tears, drying his fur, "C-come in..." 

Rooster opened the door, "Hummy, we need to talk," he said softly, and sat down next to Basil, "If I let you be on your own, you'll just run off again."

Basil scoffed, "I'm not in the mood to talk with you."

Rooster smiled, "Would you rather talk with the officer?" 

He fell silent, pulling his knees closer and facing himself away from Rooster. Rooster pulled out his filter and blew out a cloud, observing Basil as he patiently waited for a response; soon, Basil caved.

"I...I can't..." Basil choked.

"I know why," Rooster said looking at his pipe idly, "In fact, I know exactly how you feel. The flutter of the heart like a butterfly among a field of flowers; how the brain goes tipsy as if you drank the finest of ambrosial wines..." He sighed, "That wonderful feeling, I miss it as much as I desire to meet my man once more."

"At least your feelings don't turn your heart into a mangled, jaded mess." 

Rooster chuckled, "You think my heart has not suffered? Hummingbird...no, perhaps it's okay to direct you as you are the man before this journey began, before the wheel kept turning--Rathbark, before you came into my life I was as jaded and messy, if it were not for my Ratigan who gave me a life I sorely needed...I would've died on the streets." 

"Gallus, he was your...master. You gave pay for shelter-"

"How do you explain a man that was once so depraved to give his life for me as we both lay dying?" Rooster asked, "Am I still a man of the night who sold his backside for an inch or did I finally receive my happiness?"

"He could've used you for gain--killed you--he would've...would've..." 

"Hummy..." Rooster gently took his hand, "I not only slept with you, I know you...you were within me...and when I found shelter here. I gazed into you. My story started off as sad and bleak from the beginning but for those last few moments...my Ratigan decided to give his life for me. And I know how you reacted...the burning of your face, the green of your eyes shining brightly...you desire this happiness...and in return it's making you as bitter as your soul allows. You give off a scent to me, and it's stagnant...Hummingbird, you are decaying." 

Basil nearly collapsed into tears, "You can tell I'm jealous...." 

"I know you're jealous," Rooster said, "Can't hide it from me."

Basil was about to speak up but he stopped as soon as a buzzing noise echoed from outside. Rooster pulled Basil close as the buzzing grew louder and louder, but it came and went like a wave, "Those are your cicadas, right?" Basil whispered. Rooster just clutched him more tightly. 

"Hummy, be quiet. It's here," Rooster whispered.

A loud bang came from the window, and Basil could finally see it. It resembled the Basil's but it's eyes and fur were covered in a dark brown substance, its claws were long as it grazed its nails upon the window and its large cicada wings buzzed and twitched. Basil's mouth almost failed him, he was ready to scream, but Rooster covered his mouth with his palm. The monster growled outside and opened it's mouth, releasing a loud shriek before thrashing its body against the window, threatening to break it. Rooster glared at Basil. 

"That thing has been killing my chickens," Rooster spat, "And let me guess, you're still in denial?"