Duchess simply adored pleasant afternoons like this, where she and her darling kittens could play in the green, neatly-trimmed grass of her owner's mansion, while the très magnifique sounds of her charming partner Monsieur O'Malley and his friends' upbeat music from afar provided a carefree backdrop to this lovely day. She sat, poised and elegant as ever, and watched Toulouse and Berlioz chase each other around the yard with a warm smile that graced her muzzle, laughing amongst each other. Marie was sniffing around, her curious mind wandering towards whatever unusual and interesting scents caught her nose.

"Now, do be careful, my darling - we don't want you getting lost." she advised with that distinct French lilt in her light, breathy voice.

"Again." she heard Berlioz remark, which she gave her dark-furred son a pointed yet amused glare at; Toulouse's giggles weren't helping, either.

A sudden yelp caught Duchess's ear, her smile vanishing as she saw Marie back away from the bins in surprise and urgently rush towards her. "Mama! Mama! There's someone back here, and they look scared!"

Duchess was quick to soothe her child with a reassuring nuzzle. "Shh, shh-shh, tout va bien, my love - I will go and take a look."

She didn't want to assume the worst, though she still kept her guard up as she padded over. Duchess gasped, her maternal instincts kicking in at the sight of the famished-looking cat cowered up against the wall, weary and wide-eyed.

"Oh, darling...!" She tutted. "You look absolutely petrified, poor thing. Don't be afraid, you are quite safe here, I promise." She glanced over at her kittens. "Marie, Toulouse, Berlioz - do you recall where the bandages are?"

Marie nodded eagerly. "Yes, mama! I'll go find them!"

"Nuh-uh, I wanna find them!" Berlioz insisted.

"No, me!" Toulouse added, as all three scampered off into the house.

Duchess rolled her eyes with an amused sigh before she returned her attention to their fatigued visitor, looking them over. "Now, ne t'inquiète pas - are you hurt?"