Gabriel adopts another cat.

[cattygabriel]

Date:  March 27, 2003
Status:  Private (Gabriel, Loki) - COMPLETE
Setting:  The grounds of Tadfield Manor
Summary:  Gabriel meets another cat.

  Gabriel tilted his head back, smiling as he felt the breeze. It had been raining earlier, and the grass was wet beneath his bare feet. There was a fresh, cool smell to the air, and he inhaled deeply.

  A soft mew reached his ears, and he spun around, wondering if Earl Grey was wandering about outside. No, it hadn't sounded like the grey kitten. There was another mew, coming from his left, and he turned again, trying to locate the source. There was a large tree there, and he walked towards it, peering up at the dripping branches.

  Clinging to a damp branch, shivering in bedraggled fur, yet still somehow managing to look regal and aloof, was a beautiful young cat. Her eyes looked as though they were outlined in kohl, the way the Egyptian women had done all those centuries ago, and Gabriel was strongly reminded of Egypt, and of just why they had worshipped cats. He held out a hand to the cat, who shrank back, or as backwards as she could manage on the narrow branch.

"It's alright, little cat," Gabriel spoke softly, the ancient Egyptian language rolling off his tongue flawlessly. Why he was speaking Egyptian to the cat, even he could not say, but it felt fitting, considering her looks. "Come down. I will not harm you."

  The cat stared back at him for a long moment. A drop fell from an overhanging leaf onto her back; decision apparently made, she leapt into Gabriel's arms. He held her to his chest quietly, as she shivered, and lightly, tentatively, stroked her fur. Where his fingers touched, the fur became warm, dry and fluffy again. The cat squirmed.

"Ssh. It's alright. You're safe and warm now, little cat. Ta-Miu," he repeated the Egyptian for little cat. The cat gave another soft mew and snuggled against his chest, and he smiled, won over. He briefly wondered if Earl Grey would mind sharing, and then decided that even if the grey kitten didn't, it was too bad for his Lordship. Ta-Miu was staying with him.