Grinning from ear to ear, I pulled him into a hug.If we were even closer, I would've kissed the top of his head but we weren't there yet.That kind of physical intimacy might have to wait until after the ceremony.
Balthazar let out a protesty meow."Is this hug over yet?"
I released him, resisting the urge to pat him."Sorry, I'm just so happy you said yes."
"I guess I'll allow it this once," he responded haughtily."But don't make it a habit."
He did a very good job at pretending to be all cold and detached but he looked quite pleased with himself and he did just agree to be my familiar.This was a big deal.A milestone, really.I couldn't wait to tell the important people in my life about this development, although it seemed two of them didn't need to be informed.
"I know you're eavesdropping, you can come in now!"I called out to the door, not surprised when it opened immediately and Gran and Betty came in with excited grins that likely matched my own.
"I'm so happy for you two," Gran enthused, her eyes shimmering with warmth and love.She touched my shoulder and Balthazar's head affectionately."Welcome to the family, Balthazar.I believe this calls for a celebration!"
Betty touched snouts with Balthazar in what I assumed was the cat version of giving her approval.At least, I hoped it was that.She'd been the only cat in our family for a long time and while Balthazar had been a regular guest at the coffee house, welcoming him into the Greendale family might change the dynamic.
Then again, the two cats seemed to get on well and Balthazar was never rude towards her.If anything, it was more likely that they would join forces and gang up on me with their demands.
"When will you be holding the ceremony?"Gran asked as she sat down at the table.
"We still need to discuss that," I said, glancing at Balthazar who was pretending I didn't exist.Oh well.He could pretend all he wanted because I wasn't going to take it to heart.
He stuck up his tail."You better not try to throw a huge party.I don't care for that sort of thing."
"Do you just want to go to coven hall and register our familiar contract there?We can go tomorrow," I said, curious about what he'd done when he became Viktor's familiar.Had they already thrown a huge familiar ceremony and that was why Balthazar didn't want one now?Or was he simply not as excited about becoming my familiar as I was?
The thought put a little bit of a damper on my mood.
Maybe I was the only one who really wanted this bond.Perhaps Balthazar was just going along with it because he didn't have better offers.What if I was his rebound guardian?Was there even such a thing?
Balthazar turned his back to me."Going to coven hall is lame."
Aha, now that was an interesting statement from Mister Grump.So he didn't want a big party but the most basic formalities weren't enough for him either.That sounded like he did want some sort of celebration or ceremony, just not too much fanfare.
I took my chance and scratched the base of his tail, causing him to jolt up and glare at me.
"We can talk about how and when we want to make the familiar bond official," I said, happy to give him time to come to terms with this.It was a big step for both of us and I would hate if he came to regret binding himself to me.
I could wait.I wasn't very good at it but I would because the familiar bond wasn't something to take lightly.No bond was.
TWO
Unlike an early bird,morning didn't usually fill me with joy but I still bounced out of bed with excitement.Today was my first day of having a familiar!
Sort of.We still had to sign the actual familiar contract and plan the ceremony but now that Balthazar had said yes, nobody would question if I referred to him as my familiar.
"Good morning!"I sang as I threw the covers off of me but Balthazar's cat bed was empty.Judging from the cracked open window, he was out enjoying hisvibrant nightlife.I still didn't know what that meant and maybe it was better that way.
A twinge of disappointment shot through me but I pushed it away.I shouldn't get ahead of myself.We might've established the first building blocks of trust between us but it would take time to grow affection and intimacy, just like any relationship.
I stretched the sleep out of my body and got ready for the morning.That meant putting on some clothes so I would be presentable for breakfast, opening the window more to let fresh air into the room, and picking up my wand from my altar, glad to find there was some magical charge in it thanks to the Wild Spirit.It would be enough for small feats of daily magic but nothing impressive.
Then again...I had nobody I needed to impress.I could become a celebrated Witch Mother andmymother would still find ways to criticise me.
I left my bedroom and made my way to the kitchen, hearing the clattering of plates and cups before I stepped inside.Gran was setting the table while Betty was lounging in her raised bed, not lifting a single paw.
"Morning," I said, going over to scratch the grey cat's head.She was always here and rarely left the coffee house for solo adventures.Maybe this had skewed my view on how cat familiars usually behaved.Maybe it was normal for them to be quite independent from their guardians.
Cats were cats, after all.
