♞ 4th Cup ◊ Log, Open

[10shlling6pence]

[It has been a strange month.

Of course, Tarrant is quite used to strange--and he didn't think it was quite strange himself, more everyday happenstance. This particular kind of strange is nearly too strange for a man who's known strange most of his natural life.

That is quite strange.

And so, on a surprisingly quiet day, the Hatter is headed

Comments

[idomore]

[After months and months in the City, even the strangest things begin to seem quite normal. Or, at least, not very exciting. That is fine by Cat; he can make do with either feeling, so long as he can ride Syracuse and play with Klartch, and even (he might grudgingly allow) have his lessons.

Today is just like any other, perhaps a little hotter but not as sticky as the one before, and today, Klartch wants to window-shop and Cat wants to spend some of his allowance on sweets. So the boy walks beside the young griffin, still more a baby as its (his) talons scratch at the pavement, keeping a hand on occasion between his still small wings, tucking into feather to keep him from dashing at every shop.

Cat has to press a little harder as they approach the odd-looking man standing in front of a not yet open shop. Pausing some feet away, Cat looks up at the building as well.]

Hullo. Will it open soon?

[It's just a feeling that the shop might belong to the man; something in the smile. If it doesn't, the adult would know better than he anyway

[10shlling6pence]

[The Hatter's smile widens at the thought--clean windows, new lighting--the inside filled with the brightest fabrics and hattery--]

I certainly hope it will. Very soon. It is a rather nice shop, isn't it? A little dark, a little empty--all soon remedied--a place for everything, and everything in it's place, I think it is.

[idomore]

It looks nice.

[Cat agrees, and Klartch echoes, Nice! But really, he's caught more by the man's appearance than the shop. He forces his attention back. It might be Christopher's sort of place.]

[10shlling6pence]

Yes..it does, doesn't it?

[he turns a dreamy smile to the space next to him--...his smile drops, confused--surely there was someone standing next to him...then thinks to glance down, seeing Cat, and grins]

Oh! Good day.

[idomore]

Good day.

[Cat smiles, amused by the process of his discovery--better to be amused than disgruntled. Someday, when Klartch was huge... well, he'd be taller than, too.]

I haven't seen many people wearing hats. [Pause.] I suppose because there hasn't been a shop.

[10shlling6pence]

[he smiles himself--a rather nice young man--with a very nice companion! of course he's yet to make his acquaintance with the companion, but most of the griffins he's known have had quite the mild temperament]

Oh. [he glances at his shop, his smile fading a bit--a world without the joy of hats--a terrible thing indeed...but he brightens again, turning back] Yes, yes--and perhaps I can remedy this situation--I am a rather skilled hatter, as it is!

[idomore]

That would be nice. [he says, meaning it. In truth, Cat doesn't care much either way, but it would be reminiscent of his world. People wore hats there, some having a hat for every possible occasion. Plus, the man obviously cares, being a hatter and opening a shop.]

[Klartch nudges his arm with his beak, and steps in place, claws scratching.] --I know. This is Klartch. I'm Cat.