Fur and Feathers ((open post, slow tagging))

[sharpcompassion]

Fǫnn has been checking up on Loki's cottage while he is away periodically, tidying up here and there, making sure the weeds and vines aren't overtaking it too much. There is no need or desire for a mowed lawn or a manicured flower bed; berry brambles are allowed to climb the wooden fences beside the meadow and mice and snakes are welcome in the woodpile, but the children's play equipment is kept cobweb-free, and anything living in the chimney gets promptly, if gently, evicted.

So it's a surprise to her when she enters one afternoon to check that the electricity and water are running properly, and finds the sofa a mess, cushions askew, stuffing on the floor, with tiny sounds coming from within the framework. An investigation turns up a little of kittens, eyes-open but not quite weaned, in an array of colors, each with a pair of bitty feathered wings.

She's seen the winged cats around this place before, but they seem to keep to themselves. She never imagined they'd sneak inside for any purpose. Unwilling to just snatch the babies away, she sets out a little food and water and waits. No sign of a mother appears before she leaves for the evening, and the next day when she returns to check, the food and drink are untouched.

A lot of things can happen to a small animal in the Nexus, this close to the Wilds. Maybe the mother's uncharacteristic behavior in hiding the babies indoors is a sign she was in danger? Or maybe winged cats lay eggs and they just never realized? She doubts that, but stranger things have happened.

She carefully removes the outer layer from the sofa and extracts all the kittens, checking them for injuries or illness. The rest of the day, and the next, are taken up with treating eye infections and fleas, feeding them with eyedroppers and preening their wings. Not until they're reasonably healthy does she wander to the edge of the plaza with a box of mewing and purring and flapping wings. On the edge of the box, she puts a sign that reads: CATWINGS: UNFLEDGED, NEED RESPONSIBLE HOMES.

She has no intention of charging anyoneto adopt, of course, but she's not eager to give them away to someone untrustworthy, either.

Comments

[tr1ckortreat]

So far the day had gone well with a few popsicle sales within his palace building. It was a rough Nordic design and more akin to a shack but Loki was happy enough to call it a palace. Many people were starting to warm to his popsicle business and especially now it was the summer months, he was making a good profit.

Walking another way back to his apartment he had veered off the usual route along the Plaza and had spotted a nearby box full of strange creatures. A young woman had put the box out and was obviously the owners of said creatures, since she was currently next to the box. What the Norns were they? Loki felt his curiosity piqued and had to walk towards the commotion coming from within said box. It looked like she was wanting them up for adoption.

"What the Norns are those creatures you have there?"

He leaned forwards slightly, peeking into the box further, noticing they had wings. They looked like cats but they had wings. Not the usual mortal pet, surely. Most people had opted for canines when Loki was back in New York, noticing the residents walking with them attached to leads. But here in the Nexus? There were cats with wings. They did look rather cute though.

[sharpcompassion]

Fonn is crocheting quietly while she waits for interest in her fuzzy little charges, making what seems to be a blanket or bunting in variegated shades of blue and pale grey. If she wasn't so absorbed in her work, she might have reacted sooner to Loki's arrival. She is well aware that the version she knows best is away on a mission, though she wouldn't put it past him to return abruptly and surprise everyone like this. When she hears his voice, she starts, back straightening, and nearly drops her work, eyes widening.

"Prince Loki?? I...oh..." A glance tells her this isn't the Loki she knows best. Not unless he's trying to trick people, which is plausible, but in that case altering just his hair and outfit would be underwhelming--or maybe he'd think the subtlety was funny?

She's overthinking.

"Um." She sets the crochet aside and rises, giving him a shallow curtsey--because a prince is still a prince, regardless of what version he is of himself, and Loki's title never was stripped from him. "They're a Nexus species, as far as we know. Normally they're sort of feral. Sociable with people, but not particularly cuddly, that is. But I think these are orphans."

[tr1ckortreat]

Prince Loki? Well, that felt rather refreshing to have his title placed in front of his name. She spoke his name as it should be and it offered him a good stroke to his ego. Yet, of course, she seemed to be mistaking him for someone else, judging by her body language. The other version of himself perhaps? So many Lokis.

"Just Loki will do but thank you for using my proper title."

He offered the girl a charming smile and nodded in greeting. She had good manners and this pleased him, knowing that decorum still existed within this Nexus. Back to the strange winged cats and he gently picked one up, studying it carefully. The fur was soft against his hands and he realised they were quite feisty but this didn't bother him.

"Can they fly? I see they have wings."

[sharpcompassion]

Oh. Well! She can feel herself blushing and hates herself for it, but it's hard not to with that charming smile directed her way. The Loki she knows better has given her permission not to use his title, as well, but it still feels weird, with both him and King Thor, to use their first names. She'll just have to adapt.

"I'm from Asvera," she explains. "Where the last Asgardians have settled, on Midgard. I know another version of you, but it's an honor to meet you. My name is Fǫnn Hauksdóttir."

The kitten he's picked up is immediately intrigued by the smell of his sleeve. If he doesn't watch out, it will probably start chewing in a moment. "The adults can fly. Most of these don't have any flight feathers at all yet."

[tr1ckortreat]

So, she knew of Asgardians and the other version of himself. It was all beginning to make a little more sense to Loki, who was currently still holding the catwing. Was it nibbling on the sleeve of his green linen shirt? It seemed to be.

"Then, it is nice to meet you, Fonn. I do know it must be strange having another like me wandering around within the Nexus. The many Loki problem must cause some confusion-"

Loki jumped a little when he felt tiny sharp claws at his wrist; the catwing playing with the fabric on his sleeve. A little persuasion and he managed to prize the needle-like claws away from the fabric. Feisty indeed. The god could no nothing but chuckle at the animal's sheer determination.

"This one seems to like my sleeve. I like animals with spirit and this one seems to have a strong one. May I adopt him?"