Dinner pls

It was getting late, and naturally the young adventurer was hungry. All around, the familiar smell of roasted meat was in the air. It triggered him even more because of his enhanced senses. A cat could just smell things more intensely, that was how nature worked. His nose was guiding him towards one of the houses he knew all too well. It was the residence of one of the advisors, Arawn. He had observed her countless times, and had concluded that she would probably help out a hungry kitten rather than throwing her shoe at him. So Cassian sat down at the door and put his nails on the wood. A long, complaining meow accompanied the sound of scratching. Sure that would draw her attention, right?

&Arawn

From inside, he could hear the familiar sound of a chair being pushed back and footsteps coming to the door. The black kitten sat down and wrapped his tiny tail around his front paws. It didn’t take long for the door to open. Arawn looked down at him, and he looked back at her with the most innocent look as he could possibly have. A purr, followed by a soft squeak, escaped from his lips when she eventually picked him up from the ground. Score.

When he was put back down on the table, he meowed in a reaction to her words. Little did she know he could understand her though. She would probably think he was just reacting to her voice. Soon enough a piece of rabbit was held out in front of him. Yes. Dinner! He stepped a little closer to her hand, putting his paw on her fingers to keep himself in balance. Quickly he gobbled it down, licking his lips afterwards. His satisfaction was really audible right now, as he couldn’t hold back a soft constant purring.

For a second he thought he had misjudged her. She looked down with the same unbothered expression she always seemed to have on her face. But he trusted he could break through that, if he only tried his very best. And it seemed to work as she picked him up eventually. From her arms he looked around inside her house, quickly inspecting the decorations. It was a lot like all the other houses in this town, there were animal skins and tools all around but nothing of much value. If it was necessary, she could probably take everything she really needed and leave everything else behind in a matter of minutes.

From the moment they were inside, Arawn seemed to be a whole different person. There was a smile around her lips. It made him happy, honestly. Even more so when he was offered a piece of the delicious meal she was having. When she spoke again, he looked up at her and swept his little tail from side to side. Of course I am adorable. He focused on the next piece of rabbit, this time going into sneak mode and stretching his paw, as if he was truly hunting it. His little nails pierced the meat, carefully dodging her hand, and he pulled it closer before eating it happily.

The only thing that was sad about Vanaheim was that it wasn’t as cluttered with random stuff as he would have liked it to be. It was hard to push things off of tables if there was nothing to push to begin with. Honestly, he would sign up for the Conclave and when he was Commander he would make a rule that every house needed at least two (2) vases with flowers somewhere in the house. Not only would that improve the overall happiness of the inhabitants, but then at least he could keep himself entertained by bumping it on the ground. Amazing plan, 11/10.

So naturally he had to eat, so he could grow big and strong. One didn’t simply win a Conclave. He would need more rabbit! Luckily this one was already dead, as his hunting techniques weren’t all too impressive yet. After eating everything she’d offered him, he was rewarded with scratchies. The black kitten purred louder and pushed his head along her hand. More pls.

His instincts had proven him right once more. As a cat, he kind of knew if a person was going to like him or not. Arawn had been a tough one to read, but his trust was paying of for sure. The woman had given him some food and, most importantly, attention. It could only get better from this point forward. While she was eating, the little kitten explored his new kingdom, to the far borders that were the table. He knew that if he wanted to, he could jump down, but.. It was quite a long way, so he’d rather not. There were not many things laying around on the table, but for now he carefully stepped over or past them without knocking anything over.

Suddenly an object was placed right next to him. Curiously, the kitten noticed it was the leftovers of her rabbit. His silver eyes went from the food to her, and he saw how she seemed to be waiting patiently for his reaction. So.. He could have this? Yay! Again, he went into sneak mode and wiggled his butt a bit to reposition his paws before pouncing on the bone. He wasn’t really hungry anymore, but gnawing on the bone was a bit more realistic. Not that it would compare to a real hunt with a moving target, but hey, practise is practise.

For the time being, he had to hunt animals that were already dead. He was, after all, just a small kitten. His hunting skills were as good as non-existent. The only thing he could do, was follow his instincts and let the cat inside him take over as much as possible. He had no mother cat to teach him. Besides, if he went out into the woods, he would soon be the prey instead of the hunter. There were lots of scary things out there, and he was pretty sure they all were bigger, stronger and faster than him.

But this bone would have it. It would feel his terror rain down on it! While he was tearing off the last little pieces of meat, Arawn was cleaning up. When she sat back down, she demanded his attention by petting him again. The kitten stretched his back into the palm of her hand, little tail pointing upwards. “You wanna stay here for the night?” She asked him. Sure thing. But he didn’t visibly react to her words. He wasn’t supposed to understand the question. So he just rolled over on the table, grabbing her hand with all four of his paws. Softly he bit down in it. The hunt was only getting started.

Moments like this made his life worth living. When he actually felt visible for once. It was probably just because he was an adorable kitten, but it got him the attention he craved so often and couldn’t find back at home. And a belly full of good food, which was also important. Sometimes he would feel guilty. After all, he was tricking people into liking him. If Arawn found out he was not a real cat, he would probably get executed. Or banished from Mother’s Heart, which was the same thing.

But for now, at this moment, all was good. His feline mindset took over more and more, the longer he was in his kitten form. So most of his actions were sincerely just his cat instincts kicking in. That was why he placed his hind legs against her arm and scratched it when she challenged him. She was still wearing clothes, so she probably wouldn’t get hurt, but still. Meanwhile he growled playfully, which wasn’t all too impressive, as he was just a little kitten and not a lion.

A good meal and some attention. There was nothing more he could ask for. Life as a cat was simple. More fulfilling. He could honestly say he was happy at this point. It wouldn’t last, but he tried not to think about tomorrow too much. For now he was safe and loved. He wished it would never stop. But all good things came to an end, eventually. And to be fair, he was a bit tired of playing too. He sure was more sleepy when he spent his days as a kitten. Probably because he still had to grow so much.

That’s why he didn’t complain when she lifted him from the table again. The bear rug he was placed on, was very soft and fluffy. The fur of the skinned animal was almost as tall as him. But it was warm and cosy. This would sure make due. Arawn sat down next to him and he softly purred as she petted him some more. He pushed his black nose into the palm of her hand, as some kind of ‘thank you’. After that he curled himself up in the fur and yawned when the sleep was taking over his body.