Cats had never really been James's favorite animals. In his prior life, if anyone had asked Frank about cats, he’d have shrugged and said, “Cats are dicks.” It wasn't that he hated them, per se. He actually thought kittens were adorable—those playful, wide-eyed little furballs that seemed to make everything more cheerful. But grown cats? They always seemed standoffish, distant, as if the world existed to serve their whims. Well, not all of them. There had been one cat that James had liked, a sweet-natured tabby named Suzy who belonged to his grandmother. Suzy had been different—she was affectionate, always seeking out love and attention, a comforting presence in a difficult time. But for the most part, James couldn’t help but feel that cats were just... difficult. And now, here he was, face to face with a Rift-born kitten that seemed every bit the stereotypical cat—cute, yes, but with an attitude that screamed trouble.
James wasn’t quite sure what to do next. The kitten had seemingly lost all interest in him and was now curled up, dozing peacefully. He glanced around the den, trying to gather more context about the creature and its surroundings. The cavern was larger than it had initially appeared, with the flickering light from the lantern casting shifting shadows across the uneven stone walls. He took a lap around the space, the beam of light cutting through the darkness, revealing jagged stalagmites and patches of moss that clung stubbornly to the damp stone. The stream, more like a small channel, cut across the floor. It was a narrow trough of water, its surface smooth and dark, flowing silently in an almost ethereal way. James couldn't see any entrance or exit to the den, no obvious path that explained how the kitten or the various objects had made their way in here. The thought that the kitten might have swum through an underwater passage briefly crossed his mind, but it seemed so unlikely. Cats hated water, didn’t they? This whole place felt like a puzzle, one he couldn't quite piece together, with pieces missing or deliberately hidden.
After finishing his circuit, James returned to the center of the den where the kitten lay. He was careful not to shine the light directly on it, remembering how it had reacted earlier. But as he approached, the kitten stirred, stretching its limbs in a long, luxurious movement before letting out a giant yawn. The yawn was almost exaggerated, like the kitten was putting on a show just to display how unconcerned it was by James’s presence. It fixed its gaze on him, those violet eyes narrowing in what seemed like evaluation. There was something almost intelligent behind that look, and James had to remind himself that this was no ordinary animal. It was a creature of the Rift—something far stranger and more dangerous than it looked.
The kitten stood up, shaking itself off with a practiced elegance before padding towards James. It moved with a kind of grace that seemed almost unnatural, each step deliberate, its eyes locked on James. It began to circle him, the way a predator might size up prey. James turned slightly, trying to keep it in view, but the kitten let out a sharp, commanding meow that froze him in his tracks. It was as if it were saying, “Stay put.” James, despite himself, obeyed. He stayed still, letting the kitten continue its inspection. It was a strange, almost ritualistic moment—this small creature walking around him, its eyes flicking over every detail as if assessing his worth. The scrutiny made James’s skin prickle, his muscles tensed in case the kitten suddenly decided to strike.
Unexpectedly, the kitten leaped up onto James's shoulder. He tensed, half-expecting claws to dig into his skin, but the weight was lighter than he anticipated. Instead of claws, he felt warmth—a soothing heat that radiated from the kitten’s body. It was strangely comforting, like holding a heated blanket on a cold day. The warmth spread from his shoulder, easing the tension that had built up in his neck and down his spine. But there was something else too, something that made his skin prickle in a different way. He felt a pulse of essence come off the kitten, a wave that washed over him, making his senses buzz. For a moment, he wondered if he’d been too lax, too trusting. This was a Rift, after all, and the creatures here were not to be trifled with. Could this kitten have lulled him into a false sense of security? There was something deeply unsettling about the idea that he could be so easily manipulated.
Turning on his {Essence Sight}, James watched the kitten carefully, his heart thumping in his chest. The world around him shifted, the colors of essence flooding his vision, swirling and pulsing like an otherworldly mist. He could see the vibrant, swirling hues that clung to the kitten, the energy flowing through its tiny body. There were deep blues mixed with sharp streaks of violet, the energy moving like a living thing, almost as if the kitten was cloaked in magic. Before he could make sense of it, the kitten batted at his face, its paw coming dangerously close to his eye. James froze, realizing just how easily the creature could kill him if it wanted to. One quick flick of those claws, and that would be it. And yet, the kitten held back, its claws still sheathed, the bat more of a warning than an attack. There was an intelligence in its gaze, a spark that told James it understood exactly what it was doing.
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The kitten let out a soft meow, a sound that, to James, sounded oddly like a sigh. Almost as if it were exasperated with him, as though he was being too slow on the uptake. James couldn't help but feel like he was being chastised. He felt another pulse of essence, and suddenly, a prompt appeared in his vision, the text floating before his eyes:
{Congratulations! Familiar Bond Was Accepted}
Optional Objectives:
1. Drain the Main Aquifer.
2. Rescue the Lost Wanderer. {COMPLETE}
Rewards:
1. Familiar bond
{Passive Skill Acquired}
- Familiar Bond (Saffron Level One)
- A connection forged between two beings, a Familiar Bond is a link of mutual respect and shared purpose. This bond allows for a deep, instinctive understanding between the familiar and the bonded, granting minor telepathic communication and a boost in essence sharing during times of need. Unlike traditional summons, a Familiar Bond is consensual among equals—both parties must choose each other freely. The familiar's personality and will are fully intact, and their loyalty is earned, not commanded. At higher levels, the bond may allow for shared abilities, deeper communication, and protective auras.
James blinked, confusion and surprise warring within him. A familiar bond? He hadn’t agreed to that—at least, he didn’t remember agreeing to it. The words “consensual among equals” echoed in his mind. When had he accepted this kitten as his familiar? He tried to remember, wracking his brain for any moment when he might have initiated something like this. And then, through the haze of his memories, he recalled the groggy moments after waking up—the disorientation, the strange presence nearby, the sense that someone or something had been watching over him. Could it have been the kitten? Had he, in his half-conscious state, reached out for help, not realizing what he was doing?
And the kitten—it had accepted him. Not as a master, but as an equal. That was the most surprising part. This tiny creature, with its sassy demeanor and sharp gaze, had chosen him. It explained the kitten's behavior—the way it had inspected him, tested him. It wasn’t just curiosity; it had been deciding if James was worthy. Its intelligence went beyond that of any ordinary cat—it was evaluating him, challenging him to prove himself. And he had, even if he hadn’t realized it.
James looked at the kitten, which was now comfortably perched on his shoulder, licking its paw with an air of smug satisfaction. It had brought the items to him while he was unconscious, hadn’t it? Somehow, it had cared for him in his weakest moments, and now, it had decided to stay. A reluctant smile tugged at his lips. He wasn’t sure if he should be grateful or exasperated. This wasn’t what he had expected when he’d come to this Rift, but then again, nothing here had been what he expected.
The kitten's smugness was almost palpable, and James couldn't help but roll his eyes slightly. “Alright, little guy,” he murmured, his voice soft, almost resigned. “I guess we’re in this together now.”
The kitten paused its grooming to look at him, its violet eyes narrowing briefly before it gave a small, approving nod—at least, that’s how it seemed to James. There was an undeniable confidence in its gaze, an unspoken acknowledgment that they were equals now, bound by something neither of them had fully intended, but both had ultimately accepted. With a final flick of its tail, the kitten settled more comfortably against his neck, its body fitting perfectly against the curve of his shoulder, a gentle purr vibrating against his skin. The sensation was oddly soothing, a reminder that in this vast, dark Rift, he wasn’t entirely alone anymore.
James couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking his head slightly as he adjusted his stance to balance the kitten more comfortably. It seemed that, despite everything, he had made an ally in this strange, hostile place. And if that ally was a sassy, opinionated kitten with a mysterious past and a lot of attitude, well... maybe that wasn’t so bad after all. The thought made him feel just a bit more hopeful. He glanced around the den once more, the lantern’s light casting its glow across the worn bedding, the quiet stream, and the dark shadows that lingered in the corners.
He still didn't understand how the little guy had gotten to him though, there was 8 feet of solid rock and soil in the way between the cavern he woke up in and the den he was in now.
A faint buzzing in the back of his mind caused James to look at the little guy who meowed gently in response, bringing him back to when he went to go fishing with Joey back when they were first getting their bearings here.
"Huh, Lost wanderer eh?" James stroked his non-existent beard. "Though I would say that you did more of the rescuing than I did." he continued musing.
A simple licking of the paw was all the response that James got back. "well the only thing that is unique in here is the channel for the water" James walked over there talking to the kitten explaining his thoughts.
"And if that is the case than this is the only entrance or exit, and I remember the fish went on a circuit between the island and somewhere down here." looking at the cat with a bit more intensity James asked him. "Did the fish come and help you somehow?" furrowed brows as the improbability of that struck James but it felt right to him.
"meow" was all he got back in response, honestly he realized. its a cat...