A Blissful Kitty Nap Beneath the Dappled Shade Chapter 8

[xuebingcode]

Chapter 8

Bradley: …That reminds me. Mithra, don’tcha need to check on the Southern brothers? 

Mithra: Huh? Not really, I casted a protection spell on them so…

Bradley: Yup yup, I getcha. Worrisome ain’t it. Without a top notch wizard on scene things can go wrong. 

That settles it, we’ll go look after the brats. We leave the cat food or whatevs to you. 

Mithra: …Uh? We’re going outside? Uhm…?

Faust: …They’ve run away.

Lennox: The Master Sage is outside, so I’m sure those two won’t do anything crazy. 

Faust: That’s true. Alright, let’s have a look in the storeroom and kitchen.

Faust: The storeroom had dried meat and fish, cheese, and sausages…Lennox, what do you need?

Lennox: May I have some of the dried meat, sausage, and cheese?

Faust: Sure. I’ll make something with the dried fish. 

Seda: *sneak*…

Lennox: Ah…

Seda: …*stare*…

Lennox: …Lord Faust.

Faust: Pretend you didn't see him. We should let him be.

Lennox: Understood.

Seda: *stare*…

Lennox: …Lord Faust, will you still be using the pestle?

Faust: No, you can have it. …Should I wash it? It might have the smell of fish on it.

Lennox: It’s fine like that. Thank you very…

Faust: What’s up?

Red Tabby Kitten: Pyaaaa. Pyaaaaa!

Faust: Aah, I see. There’s a kitten climbing up your leg.

Lennox: Yes. Come now, you’ll hurt your joints…actually, is that only for dogs? Are cats fine with climbing?

Faust: Even kittens climb trees, so you have nothing to worry about, however…

Red Tabby Kitten: …….? …??

Lennox: Woah…hey, are you alright? Why are you hanging from there…?

Faust: Looks like its front claws got hooked onto your collar and they’re stuck now. That’s what you get for climbing without thinking…

Red Tabby Kitten: Pyaaaaaan, myaaaaan…!

Lennox: Okay, help is coming. I’ll lift you up, but what next? Do you want to continue climbing? Uhm…?

Faust: …Hehe.

Lennox: …Lord Faust, are you laughing?

Faust: I am. It’s not often I get to see you pushed around like this. 

Now now, that’s enough climbing on Lennox. I’ll cuddle you next. Up we go…

Red Tabby Kitten: …! Pyaaaaa! Kah…*nibble*

Faust: Oh, this one’s a biter. You have the temper of a big cat, you know?

Lennox: I’m sorry about that. Are you okay?

Faust: The fangs of a little kitten like this don’t hurt at all. …Alright, it’s time to go down. It’s dangerous to play here, so go to the other room. 

I think the other cats might come in, so I’ll put up a simple barrier. Satillquinart Mullcreed.

Red Tabby Kitten: Mew~ Pyaaaan.

Faust: There’s no point whining, I’m not taking the barrier down . 

Red Tabby Kitten: Mew~n. Myaaa~uhn…

Faust: ‘Myaaauhn’. Was that a yawn just now? Haha…

Ah…it’s come to a boil. Lennox, will you pass the ladle?

Lennox: Yes, here. …

Faust: …Is something wrong?

Lennox: Ah…no. I was just thinking that this must have been how your life in the Valley was like. 

And that…well…

…

…I don’t know how to put it. I feel like my words will force something onto you.

Faust: I don’t mind. You can say it.

Lennox: …

…This valley…it’s too quiet. For you to live in. 

The Lord Faust I knew was loved by many. Everyone, including me, thought dearly of you. 

That’s why…….I don’t know if this is the right way to say it, but…

Even after ‘that’ happened…I…I wanted you to be surrounded by people. 

I wanted you to be loved.

I didn’t want you…to be alone.

Faust: …

Lennox: But…I saw how at peace you were here. 

Despite being different from what I imagined, you were truly content with living here. 

Those feelings I have within me…they aren’t mixing well.

I’m happy for you, and relieved at the same time. 

Yet…I don’t know what to do with my selfish wishes for you…

Faust: …

Lennox: …I’m sorry. 

Faust: Don’t apologize. Thank you for telling me this.

…And…

It really was a quiet, peaceful, and solitary life. 

I had the small river stream, the blessings of the spirits…and the occasional creature that came by.

I needed this time to be alone, living with only those few things for company. 

…There was something that couldn’t be healed by living with others. 

Something that could only be healed by living alone in this Valley. 

Lennox: …

Faust: …Just like how there’s something that could only be healed by having this conversation. 

Lennox: …

…Is that so.

Faust: Yeah.

…Okay. I just need to let it simmer for a while. I’ll help you in the meantime. What’re you doing now?

Lennox: Thank you. I would like to add mountain goat milk at this point, but I don’t think that’s possible.

Faust: Well it is difficult to keep livestock here. And does it have to be milk from a mountain goat?

Lennox: No, with goat milk you can make a saltless soup. It’s just that my dog preferred the goat milk we got from the mountain goatherd. 

You usually hear things like shepherd dogs love sheep milk the most, but…in reality it’s all about preference.

Faust: A picky dog means a pampered one. As for me, when I was on my way home from collecting herbs, and you let me visit your mountain hut…

Lennox: Ahh! Haha, I remember that.

I thought I ought to prepare something for you to drink, but the water spring was sort of far.

So I went to my goatherder neighbour, and received milk from them instead. 

And then when I served it to you you’d only drink little amounts, so I thought you must’ve hated it…

Faust: It was freshly milked goat milk, something that you can’t even get with all the money in the Valley. I couldn’t just drink it like it was tea. 

I was amazed. It was still a bit warm, and there was a layer of cream on top. How can such quality milk exist?

Lennox: Hehe…please, come over anytime and drink it again.  

Faust: Of course. …Now then, instead of mountain goat milk, how about I give you some of my soup.

Lennox: Thank you very much. I’ll take some, then.
Seda: …

Lennox: …He’s gone somewhere. His tail was swinging, like he was deep in thought.

Faust: Could be…

...Lennox. Sorry, but there’s something I’d like your help with.

It’s about…

Lennox: …I understand. I will gladly help.

However, a spell like this will be difficult to accomplish alone. How about we talk with the others and ask for their help as well?

I don’t know about the Northern wizards, but I’m sure the kids and the Master Sage will be happy to help. 

Faust: …Yeah, let’s do that.

Striped Calico: Purrrrrr…

Rutile: Hehe, dear customer, is there anywhere that itches for you? It’ll be on the house for letting me take your collar. 

Mitile: You’re good at brushing, Rutile. My cat isn’t very…ah, hey!

Playful Cat: *swat* nom nom….*scratch scratch*

Mitile: As you can see, it goes straight to picking fights with the brush. Am I just bad at this…?

Rutile: Maybe it likes playfighting? Perhaps you can bring it over to where the Master Sage and the others are playing. 

Mitile: I dunno…ah! 

Rutile, it’s a magic letter! I think this handwriting might be Mister Faust’s?

Rutile: And it’s addressed to us. I’ll open it. Let’s see here…

Rutile & Mitile: …Hm hm hm…

Seda: …

Rutile: Ah…there’s Seda. Mitile, let’s put this letter away for now. 

Mitile: O-Okay!

Rutile: Hello Seda. Would you like to be brushed?

Seda: …No thanks.

Mitile: But can you even groom yourself, Seda? Compared to the other cats, your fur’s a little messy…

Seda: I…I can’t really do it well. I’m not used to licking myself, and the old man used to do it for me…

Rutile: Hahaha, I get that. We have these tails and ears too, but I’d need a little more courage if I’m going to lick them.

Mitile: Then come over, my brother Rutile’s really good with the brush. And I can pat you down with a wet handkerchief. 

Seda: …Well, only for a bit. 

Mitile: ! Sure!

Rutile: Lay down here, Seda. I’ll start from the head. 

Mitile: Then I’ll start from your hands and feet. Please tell me if anything feels bad. 

Seda: Okay. …

…Purrrr…

Rutile: Feeling good?

Seda: Yeah…hey, where’re you guys from? Central Country?

Rutile: Hmhm, nope. We’re from South.

Seda: South Country…a country where people work together to live. That’s what my tutor taught me. 

It sounds like a bothersome place.

Mitile: Heeey. Don’t say it like that…

Rutile: …Why do you think that?

Seda: Because…you’ll always have people checking in on you, asking if you’re feeling fine, being concerned about your mood.

They’ll be worried about you, and you’ll be worried about them. And you’re together all the time, every single day, forever and eeeever…

If I lived like that…I wouldn’t be able to breathe.

Rutile: …

Seda: That’s why I prefer this Valley of Storms. I want to be a cat that lives in solid…solidude…uhhh, I want to live alone. 

…But that curseworker guy looked kinda happy talking to that really big guy. 

Rutile: …Is the reason why you got mad at Faust earlier because you didn’t like how he was with all of us?

Seda: Yeah…it felt, unfair…or, no, not really. But like…it was all talk.

Rutile: Did you feel a little irritated, or frustrated, or sad, because you thought you could relate to him?

Seda: Yeah…yeaaah? No, maybe not. It’s more like, uhm…

Rutile: …Did you think it was nice? When it got lively. 

<      Index       >