when is a question not a question

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione has her hands full when she enters the Nexus today. She has a large box in her hands, which has Crookshanks laying on top of it.

"Where do you want to go?" She speaks to the cat softly. He blinks at her a couple of times. Hermione smiles softly, and heads towards the Grand Library. Their favorite place to visit. The same place where they first visited when they entered this area of the Nexus, so many months ago.

She sets down the box gently. Crookshanks closes his eyes, content with the location. He seems to be guarding the box. Or whatever is inside the box.

Hermione doesn't seem to have a question today. She pulls a large book out of her small beaded bag. And gives Crookshanks another fond smile, petting him softly.

Crookshanks seems to be waiting for someone to appear. Who could it be?

Comments

[mudblood_andproud]

"If you were able to complete a magical text into an electronic version, that opens up a whole new world. Imagine the amount of research that we could ensure is kept safe, for the ages."

Crookshanks purrs softly. "We would appreciate her time."

[fiveofnone]

"Digital files can be corrupted, too," he points out. "But yeah. It's a good start."

He starts to type out a text, then pauses and grins at the purring tabby. "Hold on, I have a better idea." He aims the PINpoint and takes a picture of Crookshanks, then sends it to Adia with the brief note, Your company is requested. =^.^=

...yes, Caspar uses cat emojis on occasion.

He keeps his PINpoint out to wait for a response, but it's unnecessary. Adia appears soon afterwards, running up to the library steps, hands buttoning up her coat, messenger bag bouncing against her thigh. "I'm here, I'm here. What's up?"

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione has to smile when Adia shows up, running to the library. Crookshanks cautiously gets off the box, and into Hermione's lap. Providing her support.

"Well... Crookshanks wanted to ask you both for a favor. He understands if it is too difficult of a task to accept."

Hermione opens the top of the box. And both of them start to hear several soft mews.

"He wishes for you both to take care of his legacy."

[fiveofnone]

"Of course," Adia says without thinking, panting a little as she catches her breath. Caspar gives her an incredulous look. Seriously? He likes Crookshanks, too, but they should at least find out what he --

The sound of soft, tiny mews stops his thoughts in his tracks. He looks down at the box, just in time to hear Adia gasp and bring her hands up to her face as if she can't believe it. "Oh!" she squeaks. "Kittens!"

"These are yours?" he asks Crookshanks before crouching down and peering at the squirming, fluffy kittens within. His entire expression softens into the tenderest of smiles. Damn, they're cute. "Crookshanks, you sly stud," he says with a chuckle. "Congratulations."

[mudblood_andproud]

"These are his sons and daughters." Hermione smiles. "But one belongs to you both. All you have to do is extend your hands out into the box... and one will choose you."

"Be careful not to touch the others."

[fiveofnone]

Adia, who looked like she was about to dive right in and pet all the babies, pulls her hands back guiltily. But Caspar just smiles at her and gestures towards the box. "You do the honors."

"That's all right?" she asks him. It's not just about who gets to be chosen by a kneazle kitten. It's whether they can commit to having a pet at all. She's ready, but she wants to make sure Caspar is ready, too.

He nods once. Throws in a wink for good measure. "Whatever one chooses you, that's the one I want, too."

She smiles back warmly, then puts her hands in the box, careful to not brush against any of the babies. Waiting patiently for the one that she and Caspar will be able to take home.

[mudblood_andproud]

Some of the kittens raise their heads at the hand entering their box. A few fall back asleep. But one uniquely-colored brown one gives a big yawn. And stretch. And then saunters forward, rubbing up against Adia's hand.

"You can pick that one up, now." Hermione speaks. It will be important for Caspar and Adia to both have the first few moments with their new kitten.

[fiveofnone]

Adia lovingly scoops up the soft brown tabby. "Caspar, look," she half-whispers. "She's so beautiful." She actually doesn't know for sure if the cat is female, but the orange eyes remind her of stories of Circe, sorceress and daughter of Helios, who supposedly had flashing golden eyes.

The kitten snuggles happily in Adia's hands. When Caspar gently strokes along one of its stripes, it begins to purr, its otherworldly eyes shutting to a content squint.

"She is," Caspar agrees quietly. That gentle smile doesn't leave his face until he looks over at Hermione curiously. "This kitten is part kneazle, too? Anything different about raising her versus a regular cat?"

[mudblood_andproud]

As both of them connect with the kitten, they both will feel the bond created between them and the kitten. It is a sensation at the back of their heads, that will let them know what their kitten will need. It is that sensation that confirms that the cat is indeed female.

"She is mostly Kneazle. The mother of the kittens was a full Kneazle."

"Here..." Hermione pulls out a book of 'How to Care for Your Kneazle' for them both.

[fiveofnone]

The formation of the bond is something they both sense consciously -- Adia, because of her moon rune, and Caspar because of his Cylon nature. They look at one another, as if confirming that the other felt that extrasensory connection, and smile. Looks like their little family has become a plus one.

Caspar does not bother to ask if the book comes in electronic form. He stops petting the kitten long enough to take the book and thank Hermione. He starts to leaf through it, but the kitten mews loudly, demanding attention from both her owners. He laughs and sets the book by his feet so he can resume stroking the kitten along her lighter-colored stripes.

"Thank you, Hermione. Crookshanks. This is a huge honor. Caspar, what do you think we should call her?" Adia doesn't know how she knows this, but she assumes that Crookshanks would like to know the name of his child.

Caspar thinks on it a minute, petting that soft, beautiful fur. "Anastasia," he says finally, a bittersweet smile on his face. He looks at Hermione. "It means 'resurrection'."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Anastasia." Hermione repeats the name. "A beautiful name for a beautiful kitten."

Crookshanks is also content. He purrs lightly.

[fiveofnone]

"Glad you like it," Caspar tells Crookshanks with an amused smile. "Smart move outsourcing your childcare, too."

"Don't be flippant," Adia says, but can't help but laugh a little, too. There's something very sweet about watching Caspar speak to Crookshanks like an old friend. It makes her excited for them to have a kneazle of their own to love and care for. She gently shifts Anastasia into Caspar's open hands so she can put the book into her messenger bag. "How many of the kittens are going to other people, Hermione? Are you keeping any?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"Crookshanks won't be able to care for them, himself." Hermione's voice is soft. As she gently pets the fur of her beloved familiar.

"There are six kittens. And the one who is left last, will choose me, once he is assured that his brothers and sisters have all selected their chosen."

[fiveofnone]

Adia catches the mood in Hermione's tone and looks at Crookshanks with a faint frown. "He won't?" Crookshanks is getting up in years, isn't he? Oh, she hopes she's not right about her hunch...

"Who are the other kittens going to?" Caspar asks, oblivious to the implications. He's too busy cuddling Anastasia. The kitten is licking his chin and he has the stupidest look on his face, but whatever. Worth it.

[mudblood_andproud]

"He is practically 100 years old. It is his time to rest." Hermione strokes her familiar's fur. She is taking strength from Crookshanks' peace of the situation.

"A few other people that Crookshanks feels need guardians in their lives."

[fiveofnone]

Adia's expression falls at the news, although she doesn't look entirely surprised. "Oh... Hermione... Crookshanks. I'm sorry..."

It's only now that Caspar seems to catch on to the true meaning of the conversation. He looks from witch to cat and back again, bewildered and in obvious denial. "But... he's a magic cat. Half-kneazle. He...?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"And 100 years is quite a long time for a magical cat. He has lived a long, full life."

Hermione smiles at Crookshanks. He purrs softly.

"He wanted to ensure his legacy was carried on, with his kittens."

[fiveofnone]

Caspar stares at Hermione as if uncomprehending. When the reality truly hits him, he looks away, his face an expressionless mask.

"I see," he says, his voice thick and a little shaky. "Well... good to have spent a bit of that time with you, old man." He hands Anastasia over to Adia before standing up, taking a step back for good measure. "I should go shopping and get what we need for the kitten. Can you give me the book?"

Adia tucks their kitten into the corner of her arm and pulls out the book. Caspar takes it without a word and forcefully wipes his eyes with the back of his hand before storming off. She watches him go, surprised and sad.

Oh, Caspar...

"Sorry," she says quietly, petting the kitten in her arms and looking apologetic. "He, um... he really likes you Crookshanks. It'll be hard for him -- for both of us -- when you go."

caspar... you made the mun cry...

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione nods softly. They can not really grasp how much harder it is for Hermione, who is bond to Crookshanks. The only way she is getting through this is because Crookshanks is actively sending her peaceful thoughts.

"He adores you both. That is why he wanted you both to have one of his children."

his little robot heart is broken. :(

[chiron_survivor]

"We'll take the best care of Anastasia,". She cradles close the kitten who is now dozing peacefully in crook of her arm. "I promise."

It'd be easy for her to cry right now, too, but she does not want to add the burden of her own grief onto Hermione's. Perhaps she cannot understand the bond between witch and cat just yet, but she knows that her friend is dealing with a grief much deeper than hers and Caspar's. Which makes her boyfriend stalking off with tears in his eyes unexpected and a little worrisome.

"We adore him, too." She gives the old tabby a bittersweet smile. "If there's anything you need, you have your witch get us right away. Okay?"

She gives Crookshanks a gentle scratch behind the ears, standing up as well, kitten safely in her grip.

"I'm going to catch up with Caspar. I, um... I'm not sure he should be alone right now. I'll see you again soon, okay? I'll let you know how Anastasia is doing."

[mudblood_andproud]

Crookshanks purrs softly, as Adia gives him a gentle scratch behind the ears.

"I would appreciate that. You take care of him."

[chiron_survivor]

It's tempting to linger, but Caspar needs her. "Let's go, little one," she says to Anastasia before heading off in the direction Caspar left. If she's lucky she can catch him before he reaches the Shopping District.