The kitten frowned slightly as Lady Gwynn responded and refused to take the sword back but resisted the urge to go after her before Nitsa began speaking.
‘Lady Gwynn didn’t want a servant, she wanted a friend.’ … then what of all the times Lady Gwynn had openly admitted to not wanting a familiar -
her in the first place? Before she even had a chance to prove herself? And besides it wasn’t as if they couldn’t be friends at the same time, right? The cat glowered slightly at the woman but listened as she spoke without any response.
Nitsa’s words of departure hurt but they rang true. It probably was best for her to leave Lady Gwynn alone in their care. As Nitsa left with a twirl and a flirtatious comment the cat had no reaction and simply felt empty.
She didn’t think Nitsa was a bad person and at one time she would have been thankful for the honesty … but she already knew everything that had been said aside from understanding the depth of Lady Gwynn’s guilt.
Obviously she was thankful for how her former mistress had helped her out with the demon. And she honestly wished she had served her prior owner better. But that didn’t mean she was simply going to tell Lady Gwynn what she wanted to hear. “I’m so happy with my new mistress and am glad to be alive! I don’t hate you and am glad you created me! Let’s be just friends since all my romantic desire is gone!” But it’d be a lie, and after crying in Luna’s arm a week earlier the cat had realized that it wasn’t her job to alleviate any guilt her former owner felt with any sort of deceit. There was more than one way to stand up to someone.
The cat turned tail and left ears low to her head and tail pointed towards the ground as she began to walk through various celebrating people on the way home. She needed to talk with Lady Sorcha as well, but she was likely already at the dance. For now she just wanted to lay down in bed and sleep for a bit.
Of course, people didn’t always get what they wanted and Maoin was hardly an exception to that one.
”Kitty!” A small girly voice called out as the cat felt something impact her from behind again.
As she fell over from the “assault” she’d hear another voice, likely she’d recognize both of them anyhow.
”Solana, it’s not nice to jump on people from behind. I told you already.” A male voice to be sure.
”But Percy, she looks sad. Hugs are good for that, right?” Sol said as she gave Maoin a big hug.
The kitten let out a slight yelp as once again she was knocked to the ground but for the most part remained still as she recognized the voices.
”It’s fine, any friends of the Lightsword family are friends of mine. And thanks for your concern, Solana, but I’m fine.”In spite of herself the girl had been somewhat effective, the cat’s ears lifting just a bit as new life made its way around her.
”Ehhh? But I am a Lightsword now. Effectively.” Solana said as she stood and looked down at Maoin. She was just so cute. It was likely the cat ears, but they were just really cute to Sol. She couldn’t help but reach down and pet the catgirl’s head. She had an overly happy but dumb look on her face. Percy just stood back, quiet.
Maoin tried to resist the urge, but eventually she started to lean her head back and let out a happy purr as she enjoyed the attention. Maoin eventually managed to get enough self control to respond before returning to enjoying the pettings.
”Lady Solana, corr- mewwwww?”Sol eased a little on the pettings but didn’t completely stop.
”Ehh? What? Corr-- “Corrupting”? “Correcting”? What were you trying to say?” Solana asked, somewhat confused. It was hard to understand what the cat was trying to say when she stopped actually talking halfway through.
Maoin’s tail went back and forth and she let out a small contented sigh as the pettings continued.
”Correct, Lady Solana. I apologize for not speaking clearly.” Of course, she didn’t feel bad about it. It was difficult to feel bad when a nice hand was rubbing your ears.
”I mean, there’s nothing to feel bad about. As long as you’re feeling better than I’m happy.” Sol said as she continued.
”Ahh, but, weren’t you at that dinner thingy? Is it over already?” The girl had to ask.
Maoin frowned slightly as the dinner was brought up.
”I … I had to leave early.” She contemplated saying more, but in truth Marie’s threats managed to get to the cat and she remained silent.
”I was just heading home so I could prepare the place for Lady Lightsword and my mistress Lady Sorcha when they finish the dance.””Oh, yes. The dance was tonight. I’ve wanted to see Luna, but I’ve yet to actually do so. Would you mind if we tag along with you?” Percy asked, looking to Maoin.
Sol nodded,
”Oh yes! I’ve been wanting to meet Luna too. Stories only go so far.” Her pettings intensified a bit as she thought about it.
Maoin was once again rendered unable to respond to either of them as her legs even moved and her tail and ears twitched happily as the pets became too intense for her to handle.
”Mreooooowwww”Perhaps she wasn’t useful, but at least the girl was happy. Lady Solana was quickly ending up on her favorite persons list.
”Sol, she looks happy, but it’s a bit difficult for her to answer like that.” Percy said, pointing to Maoin’s intense movements.
Sol pulled her hand off for a second when she realized the cat’s movements. They were both in a little fantasy-land it seemed.
”Ahh, I guess ‘sorry’ isn’t quite the word you want to hear…” She put her hand back on the cat’s head and start to pet softly.
”But, uh, yea. What were we talking about?””Miss Maoin taking us back to the dorm she shares with Luna and her familiar.””Oh, right!”Maoin pouted slightly as she returned from that bliss back to a normal sense of awareness. Still though, she realized that Lord Percy was right. After looking around for a couple of seconds to make sure her surroundings were still the same the kitten stood up with a smile.
”Yes, I apologize my lord and my lady! Let me lead you home.” The cat began to walk before taking a look over her shoulder.
”Are either of you hungry or require assistance in preparing for the evening?””I’m feeling fine!” Sol proudly said before her stomach grumbled a little. She obvious needed something. She really couldn’t deny it either.
”I, uhh, could use a little bit. Maybe.”Percy laughed at this a little bit before answering himself.
”Ahh, yes, I could use some myself. Oh and please, just call me Percy. It’s what just about everyone calls me. “Lord” only really belongs in diplomacy.”Maoin frowned slightly before responding.
”I can prepare a meal for you both then.” The cat began to lead them back to her house, opening the door for the pair of them and letting them in while sitting them down at the table while she went to the kitchen and began to do her work obviously a little cheered up.
”I apologize for my memory, but what brought the pair of you here again? Aside from seeing Lady Lightsword, that is?””Honestly, father brought us along. I hate to admit, but he dotes on Luna a bit. She was the only girl born to our mother so he played a bit of favorites. To be fair, I think we all did a bit.” Percy said as he sat down.
”She turned out a great kid, so I think it works out quite well.” Maoin nodded.
”I’m sure your father is pleased to have a new lightsword then?” The kittens eyes drifted over to Lady Solana.
”But I think all of your family has turned out well from what I’ve heard. But I’m glad all of you watched over here … but she isn’t a kid anymore, you know?””Heh, I’m well aware of that. Though, she’ll always be a kid to me.” Percy joked a bit.
”She’s been more than capable of taking care of herself since she was little. I’ve never been too worried about her.” Maoin nodded.
”Well, I’ve been taking care of her for now. She never leaves a large mess at least and she seems to appreciate my cooking!” The cat continued her work as she focused on her subject.
”Is there anything I can get the pair of you to drink?””I think we can both do with just water, if you’re offering. ”Water is fine…” Sol said, seeming to want something else, though she really wasn’t sure what she wanted herself.
”So, you live here with Luna and your ‘mistress’?”Maoin brought over two glasses of water for the pair of them before returning to her work in the kitchen.
”There you two go. Yes, I live here with the pair of them and they are both very kind to me. My mistress is the grand dragon Lady Sorcha and as my owner she usually keeps me fairly busy. But she is kind and generally prevents the work from becoming too much, although she does enjoy a good pampering.” The cat’s thoughts drifted to the harsh scrubbing her owner enjoyed every time they took a bath.
”Oh yea! Luna has a dragon familiar. That’s really interesting! I’ve never seen a dragon before. Is it majestic?” Sol had to ask.
Maoin gave off a big smile.
”She’s pretty and majestic and wonderful and amazing! Maybe you could convince her to turn into her dragon form - oh I can’t imagine how wonderful that would be!” It was rather obvious that Maoin was quite the big fan of her owner.
”She has these wings that are wonderful to be wrapped in though. Quite the safe place to take a good nap in.””Oh! That sounds fun! I want to try!” Sol excitedly said. She was hoping she had the chance tonight! She’d stay here tonight one way or another!
”So, what are you making to eat?”Maoin finished preparing the meal in short order.
”Nothing too complicated, ma’am. Just a simple thing devised in Leinster known as ‘pizza’. Apparently it’s a national favorite there.” The cat pulled the ‘pizza’ out of the oven and placed it on the table in front of the pair before giving them a smile.
”Eat as you wish!””As you say.” Percy said as he looked over the ‘pizza’, contemplating how to eat it properly. Sol merely yelled in happiness and grabbed at one of the sliced pieces and took a bite.
”This is really good!” Percy looked at her behavior curiously but imitated her.
”Oh yes, quite so!”
Soon enough, the food was finished. It was interesting and nothing they had ate before.
”It’s really good! Kitty!” Sol said with a smile across her face.
”You said it was called ‘pizza’ right? That was interesting but good.”The cat looked over at the two as she enjoyed the meal as well. It was a good thing to know the nobility of England also enjoyed such a traditional Irish dish.
”Thanks Lady Solana! I try my hardest to replicate the recipes from home even if I haven’t made them in a while!” The cat looked towards Lord Percy with a degree of interest.
”Do you plan on spending the night in St. Sappho academy? I can offer to let you stay here for the night …”The kitten suddenly had a thought.
”What does your father think about Lady Luna liking girls … doesn’t that make succession interesting?”Percy had a look of shock over his face a bit before mellowing out a bit and scratching his head.
”Ahhh, well, as I said. Father dotes on her a bit. It wouldn’t bother him much. Still, I suppose more than that it’s been fully confirmed then?”The cat nodded.
”I mean even I get a little flustered when I see a cute guy. But Lady Lightsword looks at them as if they aren’t even there … then again, I’ve been trained to be flexible like that.” The cat paused for a second.
”But perhaps it is just a phase for her? Someday she’ll settle down and have a family?””I’m not entirely sure. She’s never really had a problem being around males. I… Had my suspicions though, considering her actions into her mid-years. She always seemed to shy away from maidens it seemed.” Percy joked a bit,
”So, I’m not too surprised if that ends up true.”The kitten looked over at Percy with a smile.
”Yeah! Wouldn’t surprise me - I best Lady Sorcha appreciates the attention at least!” For a couple seconds the smile remained on before it fell just slightly.
”Although I haven’t been so lucky. My owner doesn’t want to get involved with me like that and any other attempts have been futile.” The words hung in the air for a few seconds.
Percy went silent himself, studying the cat for a couple of seconds. Sol didn’t really follow the conversation much up until now, though the look on the cat’s face. She stood and tugged on Percy’s arm. He looked at her with a confused look, thought she rolled her eyes and walked over to the cat and hugged her.
”Well, if they’re not ‘getting involved’ with someone that can make such good food, then they’re dumb.” The child said.
Maoin’s expression dropped suddenly as she realized what just transpired.
”O-O-o what?!” The cat looked down at the child seemingly confused.
”My-my lady, aren’t you a bit too young to be talking like that!?” It was rather apparent the cat was utterly embarrassed.
”What? ‘Talk like that?’ I don’t get it. Don’t you just mean they’re ignoring you?” Sol asked. She was so confused. What did she mean by that?
The cat looked over at Lord Percy, begging for aid.
Percy didn’t know what to say either. He just looked at the cat as if saying, “I don’t know.”
Maoin frowned dramatically as she looked at Lord Percy as if she had been betrayed.
”I … I was just talking about getting pets from. Y-yeah! No one ever pets me!””Ah, yea, that makes sense…” Percy said shrugging. It was good to clean up your own messes. Right? It built character. Or something.
”You don’t have anyone to pet you?” Sol asked , trying to make sure.
”Y-Yep! Exactly!” Maoin nodded several times. Nope, she never got petted. Not by her mistress, not by the knightess. Nope, no one.
Sol made a frowny face as her hand reached to the cat’s head.
”I can change that!”The cat put her fingers together.
”Oh I mean I’m not supposed to ask for them or anything so its-”Sol just pet Maoin again.
”Ask for what?”The cat pressed her head against Lady Solana affectionately.
”N-nothing! D-don’t worry about meeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwww” It was rather apparent Maoin enjoyed the girl’s company at this point.
Percy put his hands together,
”Oh my, I forgot. I needed to speak to father. Miss Maoin, would you be able to watch after Sol for a bit?” Percy asked as he stood.
”I think she’d enjoy spending time with you.””Oh really? Well, I don’t mind staying here.”Maoin simply nodded into the pets unable to respond and simply bobbed her head slightly and let her ears and tail twitch.
”Ooooooaaaaaahhhhhkaaay.”Percy nodded and stood.
”I’ll see you later Sol.””Ok, bye bye!” Sol said, waving bye to Percy with her free hand and continuing her petting of the cat.
Unless Lady Sol decided to start another conversation she would see Maoin’s eyes close as she continued to be pet and her body gradually move to slower breaths aside from her ears which twitched happily with contentment despite her gradually joining the realm of sleep.
When the others returned they would see Maoin taking a nap with her head resting in Lady Solana’s lap purring due to some combination of sweet dreams and the pleasant state she was sleeping in.
