The rain was relentless. In an alleyway, a little black cat was curled up underneath a door, the awning barely acting as cover when the wind whipped back and forth. It was cold and shivering, and in the dead of night, it blended into the shadows. But, the young woman that passed by was holding a lantern, and with the firelight, she was able to make out the poor shivering thing. She took it in her arms, hurrying down the street and shielding the cat with her body.
By the time she made it to the dilapidated manor at the edge of the city, she was already soaked. Her cloak did little good protecting her from the elements given how severe the storm was, but as a bit of reprieve, someone was waiting for at the door.
“What are you doing, staying out so late!?” the old man hissed, shutting the door and shuffling to the other room. Despite his annoyance, he kept his voice down so he wouldn’t wake the children. “And what is that you brought back? Do you really think we can afford to feed another mouth?”
“Sorry... But come on, how much is something so small going to eat?” The young woman held back a sneeze and threw her hood back, her blond hair clinging to her skin. Taking the towel, she set the poor creature on top and tried to dry it, and if it had any complaints it was unable to vocalize them. “And I didn’t want to leave at such an hour, but a court mage wanted to hear us out, so I had to go there as soon as I could.”
“Bah, I would be surprised if they didn’t just invite you over to call you a witch and laugh in your face.”
“Come on, don’t say that,” she replied, taking off her cloak and wrapping a towel around herself. She kicked off her boots and brought the cat near the fireplace, and she was relieved she had the foresight to replace the broken chimney cap just a few days ago. The floorboards creaked and the windows couldn’t seal perfectly shut, but for now, this was enough.
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With crossed arms, the man asked while following her to another room, “So, what did you talk about with them?”
“They’re willing to help provide funds to upkeep the orphanage, but I have to go and help them out with something,” she replied through the changing screen, freezing and trying to rid herself of the rainwater. “Apparently there’s some sort of plague sweeping the lands, and they could use a channeller to figure out the progression of symptoms. Since I’m a trained apothecary, I’m doubly suited for the task.”
That was met with a sigh. “I don’t like the sound of that. Be careful, will you?” he said, yawning. “I’m going to retire for the night. Wake me if anything happens, got it?”
“I won’t,” the witch replied with a snicker. When she was done, she took a portion of her dinner onto another plate along with a bowl of water. The cat, huddling by the fire, wrinkled its nose at her approach, pouncing on the food as soon as it was set down.
She watched on the worn sofa, curling up inside a blanket. It nibbled and only took small bites, and it stopped halfway through before deciding it wasn’t in the mood to eat anymore.
“Done already?” she mumbled, already feeling herself drifting off.
In response, the cat jumped up beside her and meowed, rubbing itself against her side.
“And your energy’s back already? You’re a hardy thing, aren’t you?” the witch petted it, and it then jumped right onto her chest, nestling into the crook of her neck. “Hey... what the... I don’t think I have ever heard of one of you little demons becoming this affectionate this fast.”
It rolled off and onto its back, swatting the air, and when the witch didn’t respond, it went back onto its feet and lightly bit her arm.
She pulled back with a yelp, annoyed but amused. “No collar, no name. I wonder what I should call you?” With both her hands, the witch lifted the cat up into the air to scrutinize. It was a staring contest that lasted no more than a minute. “Well, I do have a name I’ve always liked, and it seems to fit you well enough.”
Then, she set it back down, ruffling its fur.
“How does ‘Merry’ sound?”