“No good!”

I can’t believe how unstable these floor boards are.

I almost didn't make it past the porch without ending up under the house.

I think I’m going to need to get some helpers to fix up this place.

But where am I going to find a wandering spirit to become my familiar.

I suppose there are many places one would look for spirits but I don’t know the neighborhood all that well and wandering around a graveyard is spooky.

You never know what kind of spirits could be lurking around in places of great sadness.

I need to find a cheerful spirit who would be willing to form a contract with me.

I could always look for a fox. Those are said to make really strong familiars... but they tend to be... well, I guess it’s kind of bad to judge an entire species on just the few interactions I’ve had.

Maybe a loyal dog.

They tend to be a bit absentminded, though.

I guess I could go try to find an animal shelter and see what kind of animals they have available. I’m bound to find someone there who would be willing to be my familiar.

*scratch* *scratch*

“Hmm?”

I wonder if there is a family or mice living in the shrine?

It could be... those... though.

And I wouldn’t want to find out I have a family of... that... living in my house.

But this is an abandoned building. Chances are I’m going to have to deal with... those things...

Maybe I could burn the building down and build a new shrine...

No... that’s too much work and I could endanger the locals. It’s too early to take drastic measures when I don’t know for certain if... those... are really here.

*scratch* *scratch*

“Eeek”

If I fall into a nest of those things while I’m wandering this house I might just release my divine wrath down on this place.

Being cleansed in holy fire would help a little... but I would be scared for the rest of eternity.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

*Mrr*

Wait, that isn’t one of those... or a mouse.

It sounds like it’s coming from underneath the back porch.

“Hello?”

I don’t hear any response.

Looks like I’m going to have to crawl under the house and find out what else is living here...

Maybe I can just pretend that there is nothing there and it will go away.

*mew*

Wait! That sounds like a kitten!

Never mind! I’ll brave the scary crawl space. If it’s to save a baby kitty I could manage it.

Maybe I could make the kitty my familiar.

This could be fate!

People always did say I was lucky.

It might mean I’m a luck god.

It looks like there is a hole here...

Why did I go down here without a flashlight? I’ll have to use my phone.

Oh! It’s a momma cat!

*mrr*

She doesn’t seem too happy.

She looks hungry. Maybe I can get her some food?

“Hello, momma kitty. Could you come out of here with me? I can get you some food.”

*meow*

“I’m not going to hurt you.

*mrr*

“You can stay here, but I can’t have you stuck under the shrine.”

*meow*

“Oh, really. Three you say?”

She has three kittens down here with her.

“Please bring them out and come inside. I’ll go get you some cat food and water.”

*meow*

“It will be safe if I’m here to protect you.”

I think I saw a convenience store a couple blocks away. I have enough money saved up that a little cat food won’t break the bank.

Should I get her some tuna while I’m here? She might like fresh fish.

Oh! And I should get a cat bed too. This pillow will work. And cat toys!

And...

“...” I might have gone overboard. But it’s fine. I can ask her and her children to be my familiars when they get older.

In the mean time it’s going to be fun having a bunch of kittens to play with.

I’m not going to get any work done now, am I?