Selvina happened to be looking over at the fox when she fell on the ground in an impressively inelegant manner - almost as if it were meant to be a comedic scene from a play. Unable to resist a small giggle the mage looked over at the fox girl - pointing towards the sheets that Eith usually slept on. She wasn't sure when the hound would be coming back.
"Well there was a beast that slept there at one point ..."For a second or two the mage looked over the fox, unsure what size of bed she was talking about.
"I hate to spend the money ... but if my silly familiar is so clumsy that she injures herself I guess I have no choice." For a moment the mage considered teasing the fox about sleeping with her again, but she sensed that subject was a sensitive matter for her familiar.
"If you prefer to sleep in that form it shouldn't be too hard. I can visit a pet store and find something comfortable for you to curl up in." Of course, the chair was not intended to really be a bed at all, and Selvina was wondering why the creature had chosen it in the first place. However in truth there was not enough room to have another bed of her own size in the small apartment room they were currently in.
Maoin listened to the other two with a smile as they bantered back and forth about the small trinket she bought, letting out a sigh of relief as the dragon didn't seem upset with her. She'd been a little concerned about Lady Sorcha wouldn't like it, but she didn't take it out of her hair so it seemed acceptable.
Of course the way their conversation was going would likely create a massive mess for everyone involved if it continued the way it was going. The dorm room was fairly clean at this point and the kitten started to dust a little bit on the bookshelves. Aside from that she simply hummed a small tune as she went about making the place somewhat inhabitable again.
The phoenix looked around the square for a few minutes seeing the earliest of people here to start celebrating the fall festival. The girl saw one large purple tent and seemed to be drawn towards it as she observed the pretty colors. There were two tables - one had balls about the size of a fist and what was likely alcohol and the other had what were small cups scattered across the surface with numbers written on the back - those most distant from the balls had the highest numbers. No one se-
The crimson haired girl jumped towards Livia as suddenly an enthusiastic voice boomed from a large man behind the table.
"Hello there, friends! It is a little off from the height of the festival itself, but the early ones get the best luck do they not?" It seemed the man did not recognize the headmistress as of now.
"A noble lady and her daughter come to play? The game is simple, for five measly florins you can try to toss three balls into the cups as a game of skill, not magic." It seemed the man may have had issues with cheating in the past at the school.
"The higher the total number the larger the prize, but if any cup falls over the entire prize is forfeit!" Behind the man were a large collection of stuffed animals and other minor trinkets, although there were a few pieces of jewelry of slightly more serious value.
"Do either of you have the ability to score all three?"Fia suddenly looked very nervous as she seemed to step further behind the reliable shield that was Livia, and the headmistress would be rigged to give the person trying a very high chance of failure.
The black haired cat girl came around the alley as she looked at the apartments. She wanted to be patient, but her state of her short dress revealed why it wasn’t likely to last long. She had the look of someone who had spent a considerable amount of time either sleeping in the wilderness or in alleyways. With a sigh the prowler of the night slid up to a window, using a small thing to shove it upwards as she slipped into the room.
She didn’t want to do this.
She REALLY didn’t want to be tackled by several dolls and pinned to the floor a second later though.
”H-hey!” Surprise ran through the girl’s voice as she was shoved to the ground and saw some of the short figures runoff to the closet and pull out rope. She struggled against them, not realizing at the moment if anyone else was in the room.
”Everyone is showing up today.” Katherine complained as she raised from her bed with a slight stretch.
”What kind of rat made it in today?” She asked herself as she walked over.
”No, rather, perhaps I should say cat?” She stood over the cat and looked down at her. She took a few seconds to contemplate before speaking again.
”I rather hope Myrilla didn’t send you here. What reason do you have for breaking into a lady’s home? I hope you have a good answer.” The cat looked up to the tall woman before her gulping slightly as she realized this was the end of the line. The logical answer here would have been to respond nicely and perhaps claim it was an accident.
But the sudden attack and appearance of the woman in front of her and the adrenaline made her struggle harder to escape and shout.
”Let GO of me!? What are these things? WHO are you!?” A little panic was starting to enter her voice as she managed to get one of the dolls off her right arm only for two more to jump on her.
”Oh my, that’s not the answer I was looking for.” Katherine said, almost disappointed as the dolls with the rope moved over and started to work together with the rest to tie the cat up.
”When you break into someone’s home and they capture you, perhaps you answer their questions first.” The cat resisted more strongly as she struggled against the bonds and screamed as she did so. For all her valor her resistance was surprisingly weak as small beads of sweat were already pouring down her brow and exhaustion was starting to set in.
”Wh-what are you doing to me!?” ”What am I doing?” Katherine replied with a curious look on her face, as if it were blatantly obvious.
”Tying up a naughty albeit cute kitty that doesn’t like to answer questions when her condition seems to get worse and worse. Would you like to answer my question now?” The kitten looked at the dolls as they finished tying her up and for a bit the girl struggled against the ropes fruitlessly until she was left breathing heavily and her vision started to swim. For a couple of seconds she tried to collect herself, but recovery was slow.
”W-what questions?” She felt so, so exhausted. She had a pounding headache along with every muscle in her body being sore. It was hard to keep her mind straight. The bonds made it difficult to look up at the woman who was interrogating her as well and they were at least uncomfortable.
”P-please just let me go. I-I promise I won’t bother you again.” ”Nu-uh-uh. You’re not playing the game correctly now. If you want to go free, you might want to answer my questions. Since you don’t seem to remember, I’ll even be nice enough to reiterate them.” Katherine said as she got closer to eye level with the cat.
”Why did you break into my home? What do you call yourself?” ”I’m … I’m just hungry. I haven’t eaten in three days.” The cat put her face against the floor and started crying as more panic began to fill her.
”Please just let me go. Please.” Her tail went between her legs as she was scared of what could be happening next based on this woman’s disposition. Normally she’d be a bit tougher, but the complete lack of energy had drained the fighting spirit from her.
”If you want food, answer me. You just need to answer a few more questions if you want free then.” Katherine said, looking less and less amused. If the cat were smart, she would probably answer a question.
”Why are you here?” Free food? Sure. She’d answer the questions.
”I … this was just the next town over. My mistress died and I’ve had no money to spend on anything. I was chased out of the last town.” It wasn’t a lie at all, and the three days on the road hadn’t had good hunting at all.
”Oh, an answer. Good, good. Look here.” Katherine said as a doll walked away from her hand. There was a piece of jerky. Katherine kept a small stock of it just in case. . . She didn’t like winter after all. She held it close to the cat’s mouth.
”Eat it. . . Or you lose it.” For a second the cat hesitated, embarrassed by her predicament. But a moment later she struggled enough in her bonds and managed to grab it with her mouth with a strong bite. It split in half, and the girl picked the other half up off the ground with her teeth and devoured it as well. That wasn’t enough. Her eyes instinctively looked up towards the woman, begging. She wasn’t sure if it was for food or for freedom at this point however.
”Oh, how feral. Fine, let me ask you two questions now. Did anyone send you? What’s your name?” Katherine said, showing off another two pieces of jerky.
The cat looked at the pieces of jerky and felt her mouth water. Words started to escape her mouth before she realized it.
”Nobody sent me here … and my … my name’s Meowka.” Despite the girl’s state her cheeks flushed slightly as she said that in sheer embarrassment, but her eyes were soon on the pieces of jerky again.
”Meowka? Someone’s not very creative.” As Katherine put both pieces of jerky towards the cat’s mouth.
”Why were you chased out of your town, Meowka?” The cat grabbed the pieces of jerky first, devouring them in a similarly messy and feral fashion and even licking the floor once to make sure she got every tiny piece off.
”It … wasn’t really my town. I have been forced out of several. I stole a hen from this one …” She looked back up towards the woman in front of her.
”W-what are you going to do with me?” There weren’t any more pieces of jerky left and she was still hungry. And afraid, although she was calming down a little.
”I’ve not figured it out yet. What do you think I should do with you if you were in my shoes?” Katherine asked the cat.
Meowka looked down as she thought about this not sure about how to answer this. Her ears lowered to the top of her head as she thought about this …
”... you’d … feed me more?” It was an honest answer in her mind.
”I can’t tell if you’re clever or simple, but you’re not exactly wrong.” Katherine said as she pulled another piece of jerky out and put it close to the cat’s mouth wagging it in a tantalizing manner.
”So you’ve nowhere to go?” The cat looked up at the piece of meat and struggled in her bonds to reach it and obviously failed. Perhaps another answer would have been more clever but the food managed to make her honest.
”... no … I don’t …” Normally she would have been a bit more upset, but her eyes tracked the meat like it needed to be pounced on.
Katherine just shoved the piece of meat in the cat’s mouth.
”So, what do you plan on doing now? If I ever decided to let you free?” The cat almost choked on the piece of meat for a second and looked up at the woman with big eyes as she chewed it voraciously and swallowed it, coughing afterwards. For a moment she considered answering the woman with some sort of lie or just saying she’d be gone, but she didn’t have anywhere to go. Her mistress had died a little under three weeks ago, and she had no reliable family she could go visit.
The kitten’s eyes looked towards the floor this time, making it obvious that she didn’t have a legitimate response to that question. There wasn’t an answer. She’d just wonder.
”Have you not tried looking for a new master? Surely there was someone that would take you.” Katherine asked while looking a bit tired.
”Though perhaps not if what you said was true. There are plenty here looking for a cute familiar as yourself, perhaps you could find something here?” The kitten looked down a bit as her mouth suddenly went dry. As much as she hated to admit it … she had really cared for Ronat, hadn’t she? The bandit and her had their share of adventures together in the short time together.
”... I’m …” A look of sudden emotion went across her face as it seemed a memory went by but it was shut down by the prowler of the night.
”I … I don’t need a master. I’m … I’m fine on my own.” It would have sounded fiesty if it hadn’t been for the pauses. Truthfully she knew most mages would prefer to have either a stronger familiar or summon their own cute little thing than pick up a stray.
A couple of seconds passed as the girl struggled against her bonds again, the food in her stomach invigorating her a little as she looked up at her captor once again.
”You say that, but you need to realize something. What if you become weak again? And let’s say that you become weak in front of a horrid mage. A bad, bad person. Worse than me and he forces a familiar contract on you to do with as he pleases.” Katherine let the implications soak in for a minute. The nasty implications no one should really have to think about but was a reality of life.
”Rather than that, I’d suggest finding someone that would do you right and not force you to do such things.” The kitten looked away from the mage in an effort to maintain some of her dignity.
”I’d … I’d fight them off!” The girl stated far more confidently than she felt, her tail and ears standing on end as she imagined defeating them.
A moment later they dropped however. She … she needed a place to stay, didn’t she? Still though, the cat had her reservations.
”Call it what you want but most ‘cute little things’ are just kept glorified maids …” The thought seemed to make the cat a little angry. She wasn’t opposed to helping out around the house but she didn’t want for that to be her primary reason for existing.
”... and besides. I can’t really cook or clean or anything. There’s plenty of other strays who would be grabbed for those positions first.” ”But you’d be perfect for a thief. Considering how you broke in here.” Katherine teased a bit.
”But people use familiars for more than just housework. There’s a student that has a dragon for a familiar. Do you think she makes a dragon do maid work?” The cat gave the woman in front of her an irritated look.
”Do I look like a dragon miss?” ”No, but you don’t look like a maid either.” Katherine flatly said.
”Market yourself for your skills.” The cat looked up at the woman in front of her with an irritated look.
”Yes, because I’m sure some uppidty noble children at this school want a thief working for them. You know someone who’d want that right now?” Meowka wasn’t exactly sure who’d really want a thieving kitten - sure it was a nice side skill for a familiar to have, but many people with familiars used those sorts of things after regular household duties since no mage wants to clean their own room.
”Not everyone that goes here is a noble or something like that. I came here many years ago and I was an orphan picked up by an old man in a swamp.” Katherine told the cat. She was a little unsure why she gave that away afterward, but shrugged it off.
”Here, practice for me. What can you do that makes you special?” The cat looked up towards the mage with a look of irritation. With a mock highpitched cutesy maid voice she responded.
”Oh Miss, I’m looking for a mistress to take care of me. My skills include thievery … I could steal the answer sheet for you, and no one would ever know about it! I’m also good at listening in on things, so I’d be able to listen to what your crush has to say about you! Late to class and the teacher’s locked the door? No fear! I’ll pick the lock for you! And what if some big bully picks on you? I’ll pounce on them in the day, and I’ll prowl after them in the night and take care of them. Feeling lonely? Pet me and I’ll be the purrfect cute thing to run your hands over!” She gave the biggest pouty eyes she could manage, getting as much into the act as possible.
”I might be hungry and haven’t had a chance to bathe in a couple weeks, but please miss! Take me in and I’ll learn everything you want me to! I swear I’ll be your loyalist pet! Why be miss when you can be misstress!?” Katherine had been holding in her laughter since the beginning of the second half, but the fun little joke was the top of it for here as she burst out laughing.
”Oh my! You are great at thinking on your feet aren’t you? I’ve changed my mind, you are rather clever. I’ve half a mind to keep you myself. Fiesty, funny and clever, hah.” Katherine was thoroughly amused by this cat. That was for sure.
For a couple of seconds the kitten watched the woman in front of her laugh at the performance, but then lowered her head down afterwards and a little bit of depression washed over her. And all that attitude had done was gotten her tied up on the floor in the room of some crazy woman who had these doll like things running around her house. She had eaten - but she was still hungry. And she was possibly a little sick too - her head had been like hell for the past day. Probably due to a lack of nutrition and a lack of cleanliness.
”I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” ”Thank you, thank you. Alright, let’s go get some real food. I’ve not ate much today.” Katherine said as she stood and went to put her robes on and looked at some of the other dresses she had. Ones that would fit the cat on her floor.
”Here, this should work.” Meowka would feel the ropes loosen and fall off.
”Wear this, come with me and pretend you’re my familiar.” The cat for a bit looked up at the woman suspiciously as her sarcasm was taken well. Her ropes were loosened, a dress fell in front of her, and she was offered food. Would she really go so low as to accept this woman’s charity and lie about her status?
Hell yeah, she was hungry.
The two found themselves at a familiar restaurant to Katherine. The restaurant that made it more affordable for mages to feed their familiars. Katherine knew what she wanted and made sure to inform the staff that this was her familiar. The owner looked at her weird, but the cat looked very similar to the cat she brought last time so he didn’t say anything.
”Get what you want. Doesn’t impact my money situation much.”The cat looked down at the menu. Then back up at Katherine. Then back down at the menu. She was holding the menu upside down.
”I want this.” She pointed to her upside down selection of hard liquor with a degree of confidence.
Katherine looked over it but shook her head and corrected the menu’s orientation.
”Maybe later. Food first so you don’t get a headache.” In reality, she didn’t want to clean up after a vomiting cat.
The girl looked at her with a look of irritation. What did she mean Food first? Isn’t that what they served here? Still holding the menu upside down she pointed at another item.
”Then this.” She was pointing to a selection of lemonade.
”So you can’t read then.” Katherine said. She wasn’t disappointed or anything.
”What do you like to eat? I’ll just order something for you.” The cat was a little irritated at this woman. She’d done what everyone else did! How did she figure it out? For a few seconds Meowka looked over at the other woman critically before deciding against arguing. She was a powerful wizard, she could probably read her mind.
”Something with fish in it.” She wasn’t exactly sure what fancy dishes were served at an establishment like this.
The Puppeteer nodded and called the waitress over. She ordered deer stew for herself and asked for something with lots of fish for the cat.
”I think they’re just going to cook a lot of fish for you. But that would probably be better for you.” Katherine just smirked. The food for a familiar was negligible it was a wonder no one came here to buy a meal.
Damn, this wizard was reading her mind. How’d she know that’s what she wanted? Looking at some of the other tables she saw some person with this fancy looking fish dish with enough seasoning that the cat wasn’t sure she’d be able to stomach it in her current state. Still though … the kitten stared at the wizard and imagined her wearing a clown getup. She’d surely comment if she was reading her mind, right?
Katherine saw the cat looking around and then at her.
”I hope you’re not thinking something stupid.” Katherine said, returning the stare. She rather hoped the cat wasn’t going to do something stupid.
The cat’s eyes widened at the mage’s comment, and as the other woman stared back at her she was unable to maintain eye contact as a small panic started to go in her. The woman she was dealing with was casually reading her mind and was obviously an all powerful archwizard who just happened to live the small life. Glancing back up at the woman, she wondered what her true motive was for taking her to dinner.
Stop stop stop she’s reading your thoughts. Remain calm. Calm. Meowka forced herself to look at the ceiling and start whistling suspiciously.
”What are you doing now?” Katherine had to ask with a look of worry on her face. This cat seemed to be changing her demeanor too many times within a short time. Still though, the food arrived rather quickly. Katherine had her deer stew and Meowka had a plate full of fish and a couple of complimentary vegetables. For a cat, it was likely very delicious.
”As good looking as always.” ”I’m just uhhh … waiting for the food!” Before she started to dig in however she gave it one long look as her mouth began to water over. These fish looked like the tastiest things she cou-
At this point the cat looked up at the wizard, seeming honestly a little scared as once again the mage commented on her thoughts. It was probably best to confess everything before the Archmage punished her, right?
”L-listen … I don’t know what you’re doing, and I wasn’t lying to you, but … I actually was looking to deliver something to someone also, okay? My former mistress wanted to get something to her cousin, alright? I also stole a chalice from the church in the town previous to the first one, okay?” To Katherine the outburst would likely seem sudden.
”Look, I don’t know what you want from me but all I want is a roof over my head and regular things to eat. I promise I’m not here for any reason involving you and it was simple chance. You know I’m telling the truth, right?.” The cat spoke sincerely and even found herself begging with her eyes and putting her hands together. She wasn’t sure what spells this woman had, but she didn’t want to be the victim of them for lying.
”Oh my, how honest. I knew you were keeping something from me but I wasn’t sure what.” Katherine said taking a bite from her stew and then continuing.
”Still, I won’t complain about someone stealing from the church. That said, who’s your former mistress’ cousin?” She had to ask.
”It’s a Lady of sorts known as Gwynn Foghlu. I’ve heard she’s a bitch but I was told to deliver this to her no matter what.” Meowka responded, pulling a small letter out of the dress.
”N-no one else is supposed to read it.” Hell, she had no idea what it said at all.
”Gwynn!? That girl? The one that gave up her cat and ran away? How humorous.” Katherine couldn’t help but laugh a bit at that. To think it was her of all people.
”Well, I can say she’s not at the academy. . . Yet. She should be back here sometime so if you stay long enough you should see her eventually.” The cat nodded although seemed a little surprised.
”Oh … okay.” Got … got rid of her cat? She got rid of Maoin? For a few seconds Meowka looked a little disturbed before shaking her head. Of course. That other cat had always been a little coward, hadn’t she? Before being able to continue with her thought however the cat looked down at one of the fish and put the thing nearly whole into her mouth, rotating it as she chewed through it with a smile.
Katherine took a few spoonfuls of her stew. The conversation kind of died down at the last part of that.
”Do you know the girl’s cat? Ex-cat that is.” If Gwynn and this cat’s former master were cousins it was likely.
The cat girl looked around with a slight frown seemed not to really want to answer. A little later though she finally responded.
”She … she was my litter mate. That’s all.” Meowka did not consider the girl nearly close enough to be a ‘sister’. That term of endearment was reserved for some others.
”Oh, you’re related. Sisters then. . . Hmmm, you learn new things every day. You’re definitely a lot more aggressive than her when you don’t get that whole downtrodden look.” The Puppeteer said with a smirk across her face. She was too obviously trying to antagonize the cat a bit.
The cat slammed one of her fists on the table and seemed prepared to make a point … but a fish hung out of her mouth as she started to speak and after a moment she decided to take a minute to finish her bites.
”That’s right. I’m not some prissy kitten like her, I’m a prowler of the night. I don’t know how we are related, really.” Meowka waved her hand dismissively to display the thought of that litter mate of hers was not even worth entertaining in her mind.
”I’d help you figure it out but I’ve no blood relatives to speak off.” Katherine said with hardly any thought as she put another spoonful into her mouth. She went to dip her spoon in her bowl again but looked back up to the cat.
”That said, I hardly think a prowler of the night would get caught by a woman and her dolls. Also, even if she is a ‘prissy kitten’ she still looks a lot cleaner than you. I say we fix that when we’re done here.” ”What do you …” The cat licked her arm out of instinct.
”I can clean myself, you know. That blasted woman managed to convince me to jump in a river once and I only did it because she was my master.” Meowka continued to chew on the final bit of the fish as she smiled in enjoyment.
”Not like I’m asking you to get in a river. Just a hot bath. I mean, if you’re ‘prissy’ I can understand not wanting to get in water.” Now to test if this cat was simple enough to be manipulated by mere words as such. Or if she was clever enough to see through. She obviously had a disdain for ‘prissy kittens’ though that’s not how Katherine would have described that cat.
The cat looked back at Katherine, preparing a response before realizing she was getting tricked. Her old mistress did this sometimes to see what she could get out of her, and she was NOT going to fall for this.
”You don’t own me, woman. I don’t have to obey your commands to hop into such an uncomfortable experience.” Meowka crossed her arms as the last of the fish was put down.
”A prissy cat would be persuaded by the water, but for me it is a matter of my instincts knowing such things are evil.” The cat stuck her head up haughtily as she knew the other woman would realize the truth of her words.
”So you say water is evil?” Katherine had to make sure.
Meowka looks back at Katherine, nodding. Obviously, since her instincts told her it was so.
”Yes. It hurts the ears.” As if to accentuate her righteousness the ears twitched slightly.
”Then you should probably stop eating those fish that come from the water. They’re probably evil too.” Katherine said before going at her stew again.
”But really, have you never had a bath? They are divine beyond divine you know.” ”I eat the fish because … it is the right thing for me to do so!” The kitten raised a finger. Yes, of course.
”By eating the fish I am destroying evil. Yes. Yes I am.” The cat girl nodded with a grin as she knew the other woman would have no response to her statement.
”But by eating fish, are you not taking the evil into yourself. . . Slowly becoming evil until you become one of those cat demons?” Katherine added. Her stew was almost finished by now.
”C-cat demons?” Meowka had never heard of such a thing. Was it really true? The other woman’s glance seemed impenetrable. But no, only LESSER cats would be taken by the demons, surely.
”I-I’m a prowler of the night. The darkness is my domain. There is no way evil could ever corrupt me!” ”Oh? Have you never seen cat demons? They’re like normal cats but bigger and scarier. If they weren’t just born that way, I’d assume they just took a certain amount of evil in and became grotesque abominations.” Katherine couldn’t help to keep her smirk.
”If you really think there is no evil that can corrupt you, maybe you should prove it by taking a bath with me. The hot waters carry evil more than cold rivers.” For a couple of seconds Meowka’s eyes widened as the archmage continued to explain her point. Suddenly the girl began to have small beads of sweat form at her brow as she realized that perhaps she WAS playing too much with evil. And … and only having the fish in her stomach, she’d need something to balance it.
”Y-you there!” The night prowler grabbed the attention of a surprised waitress.
”My um … mistress here demands I receive additional chicken!” If this woman was trying to get her to perform an evil activity she’d have to run away as soon as she had her fill.
Katherine had to laugh. Too hard in fact. This kitten believed every word didn’t she?
”Oh, you are just too much. Let us go back a bit in that conversation now. That entire conversation goes on the assumption that water is evil because it hurts your ears, right?” She had to ask and make sure, though mostly make sure the cat understood herself.
The kitten at the point simply looked at the other woman, trying to understand what she had said before. That … had she made that assumption? Meowka seemed a little confused as she looked back towards Katherine doing her best to appear that she had some coherent line of thought but obviously incredibly lost as she did so.
”You said it was evil because it hurt your ears.” Katherine informed the cat before continuing.
”Wouldn’t you say then, that water was not evil if it didn’t make your ears hurt? Just keep your head above the water.” ”But you said hot water carries more evil than cold water … I don’t want to become a cat demon!” The archmage could read her thoughts anyways, so there wasn’t a point in not mentioning it out loud.
”W-what do you want from me?” ”Oh? That? I lied. About the water being evil. I was hoping you would see how ridiculous it was, but you didn’t. There are actually cat demons though, so I’d be caution if you’re ever out in the east.” The teacher said as she set aside her stew bowl.
”If you’re still hungry you can have your chicken.” The kitten glared at the woman sitting across from her … was water not actually evil? But then why was it so scary? Maybe the woman was trying to trick her again? Looking at the chicken she chewed on the piece slowly until it was mostly finished before giving the other woman a look.
”I …” Sudden realization crossed the girl’s face as she realized how she was going to get out of this situation.
”... I have to go! I’m sorry but I have an appointment! Yeah!” The prowler of the night knew herself to be clever as she began to rise from the table.
It was becoming increasingly obvious to the wait staff that Meowka and Katherine were not actually a master-familiar pair as they raised eyebrows at the two of them.
”Let’s not run off completely yet.” Katherine said as she tossed a few coins on the table as a light apology and payment as she stood up and exited before the cat, ready to drag her to the bath forcefully if need be.
The cat was already out the door however, tripping over the dolls set up outside.
Twenty minutes later the cat was shivering in the water despite it’s warmth a couple minutes after the dolls had forcibly inserted her into the pool. The night prowler found herself a little scared of the content that she was in but a glance over to the archmage showed her inherent fear winning out over the sense of warmth around her. Like when she had been tied up most of her vigor was gone as her ears dropped submissively.
”I’d tell you to cool your head, but it’s a hot bath.” Katherine joked as she joined the cat in the bath letting out a sigh of relief as she enveloped herself in the hot water.
”The water’s not evil or going to turn you into a demon you know?” The cat looked over to the archmage forcing herself to gather up the courage to speak to the powerful woman.
”Y-you’re the only thing evil here.” The shaking kitten looked away. In a way, she believed the woman had some other ulterior motive. On the other, the advice she offered and the gifts of food seemed to be genuine.
”W-what do you want, anyways?” Katherine couldn’t help but smile at the cat when she called her “evil.” It’s not like Katherine could really deny that or anything. She wasn’t a good person overall.
”What do I want though? Hmm…” Katherine pondered this for a second before answering.
”Nothing much really, I just have a soft spot for lost beings. Spirits, cats, dolls and sometimes people. I just help before I think sometimes. Be lucky you’re not a spirit though, you’d have to live inside a little doll for the rest of time.” The cat’s ears were still down as she looked back down towards the water, arms crossed across her chest as she cradled herself for comfort and made sure to keep her head above water.
”Then … thanks.” She let out a sigh for a moment after that.
”I’ll find my own way after this I guess.” There seemed to be a little less of the confident bravado the girl even had when she was tied up however - instead she seemed more thoughtful than anything.
”If you need a place to stay the night I don’t mind if you want to stay at my little home. The sheets have been thoroughly washed recently too. You don’t have to worry about me doing anything ‘weird’ either. Your body’s not matured enough yet.” The teacher stated as matter of fact right before sinking into the water a bit.
”You’d definitely have to grow a bit before that would happen.” She teased this time around. She wasn’t even sure if the cat would understand honestly.
”M-matured enough? I’m a prowler of the night!” This time the girl seemed to forget the water slightly as she approached somewhat nervously. But before she continued a frown crossed her face.
”I - I can’t though. I’ll find somewhere else to stay.” This woman clearly had a few tricks up her sleeve and staying with her in the long term without giving her anything would likely have some sort of repercussion.
”I wasn’t aware you had a lot of money. Where have you been hiding it?” Katherine had to ask. There likely wouldn’t be many that would offer a free place to stay to a stray.
”It’s not nice to turn down such a beautiful and kind woman’s offer.” Of course, she was only kind when it suited her. Like right now.
The cat simply looked down thoughtfully as it was clear some thoughts were racing through her mind. It was clear that the offer was nice, and the thought of a nice roof over her head and warm blankets - she’d had those at an inn once - were awfully enticing. But …
”Well, I won’t force you if you don’t want. It’s not like I’m your master and you my familiar. And unlike this bath, I don’t have to prove something.” Katherine wished she had some wine for the bath, but she came wholly unprepared. She just kind of looked at the cat while she made her decision.
Meowka raised an eyebrow as she looked back towards the mage. Even for her the mention had been a little obvious.
”I … I guess you're not, right?” The night prowler let out a nervous chuckle as she seemed to be thinking about something but found the difficult concepts hard to understand.
”So, did you want to? Or no?” Katherine asked. This cat seemed very indecisive at the moment. . . The Puppeteer wondered why, but kept quiet.
For a second it seemed like the cat had been prepared to respond as she approached the edge slowly.
”I … I think I’ll …” Just as she left the water however on all fours she collapsed to the ground on her side, moaning slightly in pain. How hot was it in here? The world seemed to become dark for her as …
… her eyes fluttered open as a single hand rubbed her head instinctively. Her body felt incredibly warm … was she … she was in a bed? What was going on? The archmage was nearby paying attention to one of those collected writings.
”W-what spell did you cast on me!?” The girl pulled the sheets up slightly as if to hide slightly behind them. She felt really comfortable in whatever she was wearing, but the situation was overwhelmingly unusual for her.
”The spell of clothes changing if I did any. I guess you were sick or stayed in the bath too long. Just rest there for the night.” Katherine said as she held her page in the book with a finger.
”Or else you might pass out again without someone willing to care for you.” ”I-I don’t need anyone to care for me!” The cat seemed a little offended at the other woman as she grabbed a convenient glass of water from a nearby table as she looked at the other woman and sat up. Her eyes darted towards the door as thoughts raced through her mind. She wasn’t a domesticated cat - she was a prowler of the night, wasn’t she? Something the law feared!
”You fainted. Just take a cat-nap or something. You probably need it.” Katherine griped. This was getting a little annoying.
”You’re not going to get far even if you do run.” The cat’s eyes drifted over the army of dolls that seemed to watching the situation as if at attention for the archmage’s command. The night prowler suddenly looked somewhat upset.
”Do you think you own me or something!?” This was different from breaking into the house - this wasn’t her mistress and she could do whatever she damn pleased.
”I didn’t mean it like I’m going to stop you. I meant it literally. You fainted once, you’re like to do it again.” The teacher let out a sigh as she rubbed the cat’s head a little,
”Just take a nap or something. You’ll probably feel better.” ”SHUT UP! You’re not my mistress and it’s not your fucking responsibility to take care of me! You think I’m a goddamn charity case or something?” Raising her voice actually hurt her head somewhat, but the cat seemed to be actually slightly angered as her head was patted a little bit. The girl forced the blanket off of herself as if preparing to leave the room.
Katherine stood and walked over to the door first, opening it.
”Fine, my patience has stretched far too thin. If you think yourself capable, walk out this door yourself. When you find that it’s hard out there or the ground is nowhere near as comfortable as a soft bed and roof over your head, beg and perhaps I’ll let you in.” She was obviously annoyed with the attitude of the cat.
”For the record, I find you to be possibly the biggest charity case this year. Perhaps rethink your situation really quick before jumping to your judgement of leaving and fainting in the hallway to leave.” For a second the cat looked at the door longingly, but as she set a foot back on the ground the world seemed to not be stable. Meowka did not seem to know why, but her sense of balance was usually far better than this. And the woman seemed to be angry.
The cat girl laid back down in the bed, still looking at the mage as if wondering what she should say. She realized that the moment she left those doors this would just happen again. Though suddenly a realization crossed her mind.
”You really want to take care of me then, don’t you?” ”Not if you keep acting a petulant child.” There’s a reason she never went after students as her master did. . . Aside taste in body type of course.
”It’s wearing my patience fast. Your body is tired and you need rest. Do you understand my words?” For a couple of seconds the girl seemed to look up at the woman before here as if contemplating. A nod followed along with a yawn … this was awfully comfortable. And her care was nice, even if it was a little annoying.
”Would you keep me? In the long term?” It took Katherine a few seconds to process the words. Even then she was silent for a dozen seconds longer. She almost couldn’t believe what she heard. From an objective stand-point, Katherine wasn’t all too sure where this came from and ran her hand into her hair a bit.
”I’m unsure of where to start on this. Where did this come from? I don’t understand.” ”What? I’ll be your familiar and pet, alright?” The cat looked at the other woman. She also didn’t want to spend one night at some random lady’s house that would make her soft before she was doomed to the streets again.
”I promise to be a good pet to the mage in front of me!” The wizard would feel the potential connection in the bond begin to activate to the archmage.
”I was under the impression you didn’t want to be near me. You yell and then ask to be my familiar.” The cat really didn’t explain her ‘why’ very much.
”You know I’m not that good a person right?” That much should have been clear right? Katherine thought so at least.
”Why exactly would you ask to be my ‘pet’ all of a sudden?” ”You’re a powerful wizard that’s almost worthy of having a familiar of my strength. I’m deciding to be merciful here by making the offer.” The cat gave a smirk to the woman who seemed to be confused starting to realize that she might not be QUITE all powerful.
”If you’re hesitating because you can’t handle me though I must admit I’m a little surprised. I thought you’d jump at the opportunity though.” For a second the girl seemed to pause before a thought crossed her head.
”I want a pretty collar though. I wore a rope as one for my last mistress and it chafed a lot.” Well, Katherine began to understand the why now at least. . . As much as she could through that garbled mess with a few inaccurate statements.
”I think you might want to fix a few of those statements since I would be the merciful one for taking you in. Still, I suppose I have to admire your. . . Self confidence.” Katherine wasn’t sure what to do at this point. . . She would say she was on the way with a familiar contract with that wonderful Undine with the oversized chest, but that probably wouldn’t happen.
”I suppose I could consider it. . . But I would require a few things. . . First of all a quick reform to your previous statement about you being ‘merciful’. Second, I have many close. . . Intimate friends. You’ll have to be fine with them here. I don’t even mind if you stay honestly. And a third one to come in the close future mayhap.” The kitten looked on for a couple of seconds, nodding.
”Fine. You are clearly a powerful archwizard who has proven their worth to me.” A couple seconds passed.
”... fine. I was not being merciful.” ”And who is being merciful in taking in a cute stray off the street?” Katherine asked, wanting confirmation from Meowka’s very own mouth.
For a couple of seconds the feisty kitten nearly decided to strike the entire deal off and slap the other woman across the face, but the thought of her next fish meal beat out her pride for the moment.
”... you are …” It was nearly silent, but the cat said it.
”I could practically hear your pride getting crushed.” Katherine said, almost too happily.
”Very well, I shall accept you, Meowka, as my familiar servant. Let us have fun together, shall we?” But not
that kind of fun, mind you.
The cat blinked as suddenly she felt as if there was another presence inside of her. It was familiar … yet different from before. Either way, the cat stretched now that business was done and pulled the covers over herself and closing her eyes.
”Like I said … pretty collar.” Then she passed out as she followed her new Lady’s prior directions.
”Yes, yes. Can’t have you looking shabby in front of everyone.” The Puppeteer sighed. She didn’t know what she walked into. . . Did she?
