Drabble 1

A soft tuft of brown fuzz pawed his stealthy way across the deck of the <i>Devil's Wrath</i>, with the larger figure of a Keronian behind him, keeping careful watch as they made their way to the ladder. Quiet red eyes darted after the kitten's twisting path, Pirarah wanted to be sure that Timotei didn't find some form of mischief to carry out before they departed the ship for the day's exploration, something which the creature was almost certainly capable of doing. He normally would have carried the young cat, but a few sweetly-toned mews had gained him freedom for the journey.

This decision was beginning to have quiet pangs of unease attached to it, as Timotei seemed to have made his own choice to prowl as much of the deck as possible before leaving, and it would be somewhat difficult to explain the cat's presence to another crewmember. Trouble's usual inevitability drove the deckhand to make a grab for his charge to settle him under his hat for the climb down to shore. “Here, let's go...”

Yet Timotei rejected this cautious plan with an irritated meow. He turned to face his apparent owner with a cheeky flick of his tail, and darted off behind a crate. Reflex drove Pirarah forward before he had even fully comprehended the situation, and he cried after the kitten, startled, “T-Timotei! Get back here now...!” He knew his demand wouldn't accomplish much, however, and so continued his pursuit, taking the opposite course around the crate in an attempt to cut the other off. All he caught for his trouble was a glimpse of the kitten dashing for the rail, and he didn't appear to be especially concerned about the ocean on the other side of it, or for the fall beyond it that made air as threatening as solid concrete.

“Stop!” He yelled again, desperately, almost too focused on Timotei to notice the piece of rope in his path. Thankfully, it caught only in his vision at the last second and not around his foot, which should have allowed him to continue uninterrupted. However, being distracted in midair carried a risk that he literally fell to, brought on in particular force by the sight of the kitten only a few feet from the railing throwing him off balance. It didn't look as if continuing his run would have made much difference, and now he was scared to look up from his landing place. He didn't want to see the scene that he knew would be laid out before him, or more precisely, the absence of an important character in that scene. He stared solidly at the sky, trying to hold back tears, only to be stopped by an odd, impossible sound. Another loud meow, this one laced with impatience.

Pirarah rolled upright to be faced with Timotei perched proudly on the railing, swishing his tail back and forth with bold motions. He blinked, and protested weakly, “H-hey... come on... don't do things like that.” In response to another beckoning noise, he rose and picked his way over to the rail, leaning on it at a position by the kitten's side. He immediately leaped off the rail onto the Keronian's head, draping himself over the headfin as if claiming it to be his throne, but his light landing was accompanied by an apologetic mewling.

“Ah... it's alright. I'm happy, I guess...” He reached up and gently stroked Timotei's fur, receiving contented purrs in reply. “You're here still, so it's alright.” He nodded slightly, though he was mindful of the young cat's location. It settled down quietly then, offering its attention to the rocking, murmuring waves. The calmness of the blue below them was soothing, some Pirarah appreciated after his brief shock. It seemed that a mutual decision had been agreed upon this time, there had been enough excitement for one day. Together, they soaked in the ocean, until a pink tinge in the sky showed in the water like a melted sweet, signaling the passage of time. Gathering Timotei in his arms, Pirarah carried the puffball back inside.