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

[silverseamariner]

skekSa is so huge that she's easily able to scoop up one of the kittens in a clawed hand, a gray one with black stripes. She pats her on the head. While she isn't especially knowledgeable about Earth animals - and she's sure Earth cats usually don't have wings - she has a soft spot for them. And a mouser in the tavern and even on board a ship wouldn't hurt.

Even Vassa can have unsavory Thra creatures deep in its bowels, and the last thing she wants is vermin getting into her supplies.

"I'll have two, if that's all right," the Mariner says as she points to a winged tabby cat. "Attractive creatures. From the Wilds, I can guess? I also assume Catwings are their name." She bows slightly. "You may call me Captain skekSa. Where I am taking these Catwings, they will have shelter and all the fish they can eat. I need to hire a mouser or two."

[sharpcompassion]

They haven't spoken before, but Fonn knows who skekSa is. She's heard enough about Eindrid's fondness for the tavern to recognize its proprietor. The kitten she's picked up seems uncertain about the big claws around it for a moment, but something about the scent of the skeksis must be familiar, because it only takes a few seconds of defensive posturing before the kitten opts to roll over and bat at one of the talons with her back feet.

"I think adopting two would be a good idea, so they have each other as company," she says seriously. "Although I don't know how they'll react to water, if you plan to put them on a ship."

"I'm also not sure how to teach them to fly. But maybe you can figure something out?"

[silverseamariner]

"I'll take them to the tavern. We could use mousers, and at the very least I imagine visitors would be fond of them. The fish tanks will have to be secured, though, to be on the safe side. My fish are for display, not eating, and as cute as they are cats are strict carnivores as I understand." skekSa speaks as a fellow obligate carnivore. Those teeth in her beak certainly aren't for show.

skekSa's met her share of Asgardians - Thor, Loki, and Eindrid. This Asgardian, though, is unfamiliar. The Mariner offers the clawed hand that isn't filled with a kitten for a greeting handshake.

"You're right. I'll have a second one." She points to a black cat near the back of the box. "I like her. That one looks like she'll go well with the other. I imagine learning to fly may come naturally to them as they grow up, as it does to birds where I come from."

[sharpcompassion]

That's a relief. Adult cats will probably adapt to a ship, Fonn imagines, but these little ones aren't very coordinated yet. Best if they stay landbound for a while. "Honestly, they're so little they might be at risk from a fish at this point," she says wryly. "But they'll learn."

She clasps hands firmly and without fear. "You'll probably want some soft food for them for a few weeks. They're not quite ready for an all seafood diet yet, but I think they'll enjoy it when they're bigger."

She scoops up the second catwing gently, and it mews at her and nibbles on her fingers. "This one wants to play all the time. You're going to have fun with her, she's trouble."

[silverseamariner]

"I think I'll name the gray one Silver, and the black one Flint. It's from an Earth novel about pirates. I would recommend it, though there's a delightful musical version with puppets." skekSa hasn't read much Earth fiction - her tastes are more along the lines of charts and oceanography books - but she made an exception this once.

She listens to instructions on the care and feeding of catwings. A trip to the Plaza to collect what she needs, then. That shouldn't be too much trouble.

"Trouble, eh?" skekSa opens her free hand for Flint as Silver scurries onto her shoulder. "I think the two of us will get along fine, then, lass."

[sharpcompassion]

That actually gets a soft chuckle out of Fonn. "I've seen that movie! Prince Loki's children enjoy it. You've met them, haven't you? Eindrid, at least. I know he comes to your tavern sometimes."

She gives Flint a little kiss on the top of the head, then places her in skekSa's hand. "You won't mind if I visit them? I'm just realizing I'm going to miss them."

[silverseamariner]

"Yes, I've met Eindrid. He's a charming boy and has the soul of a mariner. And as one myself, lass, I know these things. I hope the prince returns from his travels soon - it's hard, waiting on shore for loved ones to come home."

skekSa holds on to both kittens, careful given how much stronger she is. "But of course! You know where I live and work. You can visit any time you like."