(Untitled)

[ostro_goth]

There is a little grey kitten roaming the bar today.

There is a grim dark Goth by the fireplace as well, but he is much less noticeable than the small grey feline wandering around the bar and sniffing for anything edible, preferably with fish in it.

Comments

[by_matchlight]

Kitties are much more interesting than weeding. Lærke hasn't heard about her teacher's disappearance, but she had known that she was going to live with Uncle Jason, so she isn't overly concerned today.

So a little girl in light skirts is stalking the small kitten, oblivious to anyone around her. This includes grim dark Goths that she might bump into on her mission.

[ostro_goth]

Oh, a small human!

Small humans usually mean skritches, cuddles, games, and possibly food.

Count turns to rub his cheek on the small human's ankles.

[by_matchlight]

And he is snatched up. Lærke may know that you shouldn't pick up strange kitties, but...well, she's a little girl.

"Hello kitty! You are too small to be in a tavern alone. Where is your mother?"

She may crane her neck to look around for the possibility of a SECOND kitty around.

[ostro_goth]

There are two more, on the windowsill near the back door, but they're not going to come and save Count unless he cries for help.

Which he doesn't. Being hugged by a small human is good! He cuddles against her and purrs. Skritches!! Er, please!

[by_matchlight]

He is dragged carried over to the fireplace -her favorite spot!- and set down in her lap to get a good scritching.

"Those kitties over there are too big for you to play with, kitty. But I am small too, so you can play with me."

[ostro_goth]

Count curls up in her lap and purrs loudly.

Cuddles!!

Teja smiles in his chair; it is so sweet to watch the little cat scheming to get his own way!

[by_matchlight]

Little cat scheming? More like little bird scheming. Already Lærke's little brain is dashing about and trying to figure the best possible way to get this kitten back to her room where he can play dress up and sleep on her bed and live with her forever and ever and ever.

Brisi wouldn't mind. He can help raise him.

Like a little family!

She does wish Miss Khemrys were still around to show her how to stitch a bonnet, but she's sure she can figure that out.

As she scritches, she notices the kitty's positive response. "Oh, you like me? I like you. Would you like to come see my nice soft feather bed?"

[ostro_goth]

"His name is Count," Teja says, from his chair.

[by_matchlight]

She starts slightly, not really noticing the dark man at first.

"Oh...I am sorry, sir. I did not know he was your cat."

She doesn't look that eager to hand him over, though.

[ostro_goth]

"He's not my cat," Teja says. "I am his human; the one whom he may wake in the middle of the night, demanding food."

[by_matchlight]

She covers a giggle in the mound of kitten fluff in her hands. "You belong to the kitty?"

She giggles more, then her eyes widen. "Oh. Count, you are not a magic kitty like Brisi, are you?"

[ostro_goth]

"He is but a young cat," Teja says. "And who is Brisi?"

[by_matchlight]

"Brisi is the magic white cat. He can become a man when he wants. He's a prince, like in the stories, and I gave him a magic cloak so he could turn into a man and I am his princess."

Much of this is babbled quickly in childish excitement. She'd been terrified when she first learned of Yrael's transformation, but she's gotten used to the idea.

[ostro_goth]

"Ah yes, I know him!" Teja says. "He is a good friend, and reads stories to little Count. Why do you call him Brisi?"

[by_matchlight]

Her lips turn into a slight pout.

"Why do you call this kitty Count?"

[ostro_goth]

"My friend Carlotta named him," Teja says. "We had made a long complicated word-play about the word count before, and counting, and account. That was because I was one, before I became king. It seemed obvious that should be his name. He is Count the kitten, and I am taking care of three cats now, if you count the kitten!"