(Untitled)

[puckishly]

Puck came downstairs this evening to discover a strange present.

He has now sniffed at it, and turned it over in his hands, and admired its coruscating qualities. The real fun begins, however, when his fingers come upon a small movable piece in the device.

Hrrrmmmmmmmmm--Puck drops the toy as if it's burned him and stares with wide, slightly wary

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[withhistailhigh]

Someone with sleek black fur and vivid green eyes is watching the dropped toy with Great Interest.

[puckishly]

Puck, for his part, glances up at the interloper.

(mmmmmzzzzmmm)

At least this newcomer seems to share his sense of priority.

[withhistailhigh]

If the cat notices it's being watched as well, it gives no sign. It simply crouches down lower, tail twitching in anticipation of the pounce.

[puckishly]

Okay, Puck's gotta see this.

Even if he's not a hundred percent sure he wants Macavity the Mystery Cat to trounce all over his present, freakish and infernal though it is.

[withhistailhigh]

Wait for it... wait for it...

In a flash of black fur, the cat leaps upon the mouse and makes what would be a killing bite if the mouse were flesh rather than polyester.

[puckishly]

Puck does not yip.

But it's a near thing.

"I beg your pardon," he remonstrates, though even he isn't sure whether he's chiding the cat or the sparkling jittery demon.

[withhistailhigh]

The cat scarcely acknowledges Puck. It's too busy rolling on the ground with the toy in its jaws and paws.

[puckishly]

Okay this has gone far enough.

Where there had been a more-or-less man-shape creature, there is now in Puck's place a very annoyed and mongrel-looking dog. It growls, and makes a pounce of its own for the toy.

(When dogs pounce, they tend to look pretty stupid.)

[withhistailhigh]

The cat leaps away and lands facing Puck, back arched and fur on end. It hisses at the dog-shaped creature.

[puckishly]

The dog bats down a paw on the toy, but doesn't quite catch it and sends it skittering off a little ways. He slides and this time succeeds in trapping it.

I did warn you, the dog ... seems to say.

He definitely warned SOMEBODY about SOMETHING.

[withhistailhigh]

"Oh, did you?"

Yes, that was out loud and in the voice of Neil Gaiman.

[puckishly]

If Puck the Dog is surprised by the fact that this cat is talking back, it doesn't show.

I am practically certain, he confirms.

[withhistailhigh]

"The only thing I heard that remotely resembled a warning," says the cat wryly, "came from a man. Whereas you are clearly a dog."

[puckishly]

That, snuffs the dog, is as may be. The I remains the same regardless.

[withhistailhigh]

"Then either the dog or the man has exceedingly poor taste."

[puckishly]

Puck barks out a laugh.

Do you say so?