Betty closed her eyes slowly and stretched out, inviting belly scratches."Morrrrrrning."
"You don't have a vibrant nightlife, do you?"I said, knowing that Betty had likely been snoring all night.
She gave me a confused look."Huh?"
I tickled her belly."Never mind."
"Toast?"Gran called from over by the bread bin.
"Yes, please," I said, moving away from the cat bed.
Betty gave me a grumpy frown, clearly displeased that I'd stopped fussing her until she realised I was opening the cabinet where the cat food was stored.She jumped off the bed with one smooth motion and raced across the tiled floor, the most exercise she would likely do all day.
She pressed herself against my legs, rubbing past them back and forth while I measured out the kibble into two bowls.One for her, one formyfamiliar.
A smile spread across my lips as I reached in the fridge for the plastic container with tuna.I closed the fridge door, jumping at the sudden appearance of the royal orange cat standing on the counter.He'd come out of nowhere and was now glaring at me with his big yellow eyes.
"You scared me!"I exclaimed, taking a deep breath to compose myself."Where did you come from?"
"Outside," he said, licking his lips."Do I get extra tuna today?"
"Sure," I said, deciding I would treat him today.After all, it was a day to celebrate.
Betty pressed herself harder into my leg."Do I get extra tuna too?"
I leaned down to scratch her head.Those two cats really had me wrapped around their little tails."Yes, you can."
Since it was a special day, I divided all the leftover tuna between their two bowls.It was more than their usual portion but hey-ho.I was in a good mood, especially now that Balthazar was here.
"Breakfast," I announced, setting down the bowls in the usual spots on the floor.
The two catslungedthemselves at the food, devouring it as if they'd been starving for days when I knew that wasn't true at all.It was a pleasing sight to have them sitting next to each other.One grey cat, oneroyal orange.Their tails were so close, they were almost touching but never actually did.I remembered the one time Balthazar accidentally stood on Betty's tail and she showed her fierce feisty side.He had been more careful from then on.
I leaned against the counter, watching them eat with a pleased smile.Balthazar was already part of our routine and now that he had agreed to become my familiar, I could stop worrying about him leaving.I was going to be feeding two needy cats for a long, long time and I couldn't be happier about it.
Balthazar finished his food first and hopped up on the counter, bringing him much closer to eye height.
"No paws on the counter," I reminded him."I won't bend the rules just because you've agreed to be my familiar."
He gave me a grumpy look."I thought there would be perks."
"There are.You just ate one of your perks."
"Hmm."He shook his head, spraying micro bits of tuna across the kitchen.
That was going to be fun to clean up...
"Can you do that outside next time?"I asked, grabbing a cloth so I could try to wipe his face.
Balthazar gave me the dirtiest look and catapulted himself towards the window so he was out of reach.I should've seen that coming but it had been worth a try.
"I didn't realise gentlemen walked around with tuna in their snouts," I said, holding back a grin.
The cat glared at me a little more but his pride made him sit down so I could wipe his snout clean.He pulled funny faces the whole time and I took the opportunity to give him a scratch behind his ears and smooth down some of his chest fluff.
I noticed that he wasn't wearing his new bow tie but decided not to say anything about it.Bow ties were the mark of a familiar and I hadn't thought about it when I bought him a new one but the one he was wearing right now had likely been given to him by Viktor.Maybe he wasn't ready to part ways with it.
Maybe he never would be.
