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

[boldygoing]

Well that's... weird. It's not really like when Adia used her rune to speak with his, an overwhelming fountain spilling over the edges and demanding his full attention. No, it's subtler than that. A little curious spark, like seeing a familiar face in the corner of your eye, inquisitive and mischievous. It's strange, but not really intrusive.

Jim gives the matter some thought, as the kitten pokes at his chin with a paw, before the little fuzzball gets distracted by some interesting scent on his shirt. "What do you think about Zunar, or Doric?" he asks after a moment, and those curious little eyes swing up to look at him, shirt smells forgotten. "There's this old Earth movie about a cat from space; those are part of his name. You're not from space, but that's where we'll be going."

[mudblood_andproud]

Crookshanks looks a lot more settled as he watches his son bond with Jim. He purrs softly in Hermione's lap. Content that this worked as he had hoped.

"I think Zunar sounds a little more exotic." Hermione adds her two cents.

[boldygoing]

The kitten mews up at him, seemingly in agreement, and Jim rubs the soft fur between his ears. "All right, Zunar, then."

His smile dims slightly, though, when he looks past the warm furry creature in his hands towards Crookshanks. Old age catches up with everybody eventually, even kneazles, but it doesn't make it any less sad to know that he's on his way out. "I'll take good care of him for you," he promises, and when the kitten murrs a protest, he amends it to, "Okay, we'll take care of each other."

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione smiles sadly. Her fingers treading through Crookshanks fur lightly.

"Thank you. He will rest easier, knowing that you have each other."

[boldygoing]

Shit, he wishes there was something else he could do. Crookshanks has been a good friend, and it's got to be even worse for Hermione, who's had him as a companion for so long. Peace of mind is a small thing, but if that's all he can give, then he will.

"What's going to happen to the others? Are you keeping one?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"One will choose me. He will be the one who will choose last, after his brothers and sisters have chosen. He is waiting for me." Hermione smiles.

"My legacy from Crookshanks."

[boldygoing]

"He thinks of everything, doesn't he." Jim wonders if this is how Vulcans feel, making friends with humans. A sliver of memory, a remembered sorrow, gives him his answer before he even finishes the thought.

The kitten in his arms purrs and snuggles closer to his chest, wrapping little paws around his arm.

[mudblood_andproud]

"You will find that most times, your kitten will know what you need, even before you need it."

Hermione hands him a book, entitled "How to Care for Your Kneazle".

[boldygoing]

Jim cradles the kitten in one arm so he can take the book with the other hand, and he can't help but smile a little. "He comes with a manual, huh? Bet that'll come in handy."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Crookshanks thought of everything. Only the best for his children."

[boldygoing]

"Thanks. Both of you." He hadn't expected to come away from today's visit with a cat, but Jim is starting to get used to rolling with the punches. And this is one of the more pleasant, if bittersweet, surprises that he's had here.