A Blissful Kitty Nap Beneath the Dappled Shade Chapter 9

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Chapter 9

Seda: …

I…I didn’t….

Rutile & Mitile: …

Rutile: …You know what, Seda. I’m gonna tell you about a special secret my hometown…the South Country has. 

Seda: A secret?

Rutile: Mmhmm. It sounds like you were taught that South Country has strength in solidarity and specializes in doing things together. 

And while we are that sort of country…

That doesn't mean we’re together every hour of the day. We wouldn’t have any time to ourselves.

Seda: Eh…

Rutile: Though it would be nice if we could spend everyday in a happy mood, there will be days where you just don’t feel good.

You don’t want to be with anyone, including your dear family and friends. Right, Mitile?

Mitile: Yeah. You don’t have any reason for why, you just want them to leave you alone. I think everybody has times like those.

Seda: …

…That’s…because Southern people are kind, and they make it work out. Look at you two, you get along. 

Mitile: T-Thanks. Ehehe.

Seda: If a lot of people who get along with each other gather, it’s obvious that things will go well.

I bet you guys never fought with each other before. 

You might bicker sometimes, but the next day you’re already made up. And you live happily ever after, or something…

Rutile & Mitile: …

Seda: …H-Hey. Why’d you go quiet?

Mitile: U-Uhm…I dunno how much I should say….

Rutile: We’ve never beaten each other up, right? You’ve hit me before though…

Mitile: Ah, don’t make it sound like I’m the bad one! Even you’ve hit me before like ‘thump’!

Rutile: Yeah, but I did it less.

Mitile: It’s not about numbers, you’re older than me!

Rutile: Sure, but it’s true that you hit me more. When you were little, you always used your fists as soon as you got mad.

Mitile: That was when I was kid! You were already five years older than me when I was born…

Seda: D-Don’t fight!

Rutile: Ah, sorry sorry. Uhhh, basically, what we wanted to say was…

Mitile: Fights are normal. Though we don’t use our fists anymore, of course.

You’ll get into an argument over the smallest things, or you don’t want to see their faces despite having no reason to…and when they scold you a little, you get cranky.

Once, I was so mad that I ran away from home. I flew on my broom to Dr. Figaro’s house, and asked him to let me stay for awhile. 

Rutile: Aah, right. I was so surprised to receive a letter from him saying that you wouldn’t be coming home. 

Mitile: For days we lived apart…and finally, Dr. Figaro helped us make up with each other, and I came home. 

Even though before I left I told Rutile that I hated him and was never gonna come back.

Being apart from him…was lonely.

Seda: …

Rutile: …I think that’s how your brother must be feeling. 

Seda, if you find it painful to be there, and you truly don’t want to go back home, then you can stay here. 

But…I want you to know that, when you want to be with someone, that doesn’t mean you have to stick to them all the time.

There will be times where you don’t want to be together…and it’s okay to want some time alone so you can breathe better. 

I hope you can remember that. 

Seda: …

…Okay…

Shino: Hey, look! The spotted cat just exited the house!

Mitile: There it is…! 

Riquet: We couldn’t find it anywhere while searching…where in the world has it been until now? 

Mithra: Probably another dimension. 

Bradley: For real, it wasn’t anywhere.

Akira: (I’m so tired I’ll believe anything…)

The last collared cat needed to lift the spell on us. It was the cat that greeted us at Faust’s house. 

Whether it was satisfied from eating the meal at his house, it never showed itself no matter what we tried. 

After the nine of us gathered, we thoroughly searched the manor and the forest–

and just now, unrelated to our efforts, the spotted cat crawled out the cat door with a big yawn.

Faust: Seriously…here kitty kitty. I’ll take that collar off you. 

He crouched down, and took the collar off the spotted cat.

Seda stared transfixed as he sat on the grass,

his tail swaying from side to side, unable to calm down. 

Faust, carrying the spotted cat in his arms after it begged him to, looked over Seda. 

Faust: Seda.

Seda: …

Faust: Once I purify this collar, the transformation spell done on us will reverse. 

As a result, that collar you wear will take on the countercurse, and you will become a true cat. You will forget that you were ever a human. 

Any objections?

Seda: …None…

Rutile & Mitile: …

Faust: Very well then, I’ll purify it. 

Satillquinart Mullcreed.

The moment he recited his spell, the collar he held in his hands faintly glowed,

and a chilling wind blew. The cats in the area grew silent as the nearby trees began to sway intensely.

Saccy’s ears turned backwards, and their tail puffed upwards, the same happening for mine. 

Seda’s shadow viciously shook. 

Mitile: Ah…! A black cat came out of the shadow…!

Mithra: Rutile, Mitile, stay back. That’s the countercurse itself. Touch it and it’ll taint you. 

Bradley: The barrier around the house has broken. It’s time to say goodbye to these stupid ears and tails, and for that kid to become a cat. 

From Seda’s feet appeared a pure black cat akin to a shadow puppet. 

Compared to the large cat that played around with Bradley, this shadow cat was two times bigger. It was the size of a baby tiger.

Seda’s eyes wavered, but he silently sat on the spot. 

As if it were about to kill a mouse it hunted, the shadow cat rose over him.

Mitile: …Seda…

Mitile quietly called out.

By his side was Rutile, who brought him closer without a word.

Seda watched as his black pupils dilated. 

Breaths shallow and rapid, like he was going to cry.

The shadow cat, having found where Seda’s windpipe was, opened its mouth wide. 

Seda: …N…

No!

He shook the shadow cat off with all his might, and dashed from the spot with a roll.

Its prey having run from it, the shadow cat let out a piercing cry of agony. It chased after Seda, running like the wind.

Everything was a panic, frightening to behold–

and just as we expected.

Faust: Alright everyone. Move as we planned. 

Rutile: Yes. Riquet, Mitile, let’s go!

Akira: Faust, I’ll take the spotted cat.

I took the cat from his arms, whose fur had expanded in surprise, and made a run for the Cat Wizard’s house.

I let the cat inside, and put a patterned stone from Faust’s letter by the cat door.

Akira: (Now the cats inside will be safe. And there looks to be…no cats left outside. All I do now is wait by the stone talisman…)

Remembering Faust’s instructions, Saccy and I leaned towards the talisman as we watched over everyone.

Seda: Haaah, haaah…

Seda and the shadow cat were running around the manor in circles. He didn’t know where to go. 

Suddenly, he changed directions for the forest. 

Shino: Hey, wait, Seda! Crap, that kid…

Rutile: I’ll bring him back! Mitile, Riquet, can I leave the blessing magic to you?

Mitile & Riquet: Yes!

They gave a tiny nod, and Rutile grabbed his broom as it appeared midair. 

In a second he was gone, and dodged the trees like an acrobat until he reached Seda. 

Rutile: Seda! Listen to me as you run.

Right now, Faust and the others are going to try and erase the countercurse, and perform a ritual to turn you back into a human. 

Seda: Haaah, haaah…you’ll…turn me back…?

Rutile: Yes. But it takes time and a lot of arrangements to prepare it. 

Anyway, all you need to do for now is to keep your legs moving and running from the shadow cat. 

It’s going to be tough, but can you do it?

Seda: Y…yeah…!

Rutile: That’s a good boy. We’ll be doing everything in our power to help you turn back into a human.

Can you see Mr. Leno and Shino by the house? They’re going to stop the shadow cat from catching you, and help you run away.

For now, let’s go to where they are. I’ll protect you until then.

Seda: Okay…!

Riquet: Mitile! It’s time to perform our duty. 

We will calm the spirits and protect the area from unrest with our blessings.

Mitile: Yeah. We got asked to do this since me and my brother’s specialty lies in blessings and harmony, and you with your prayers.

…And also because we can’t fight, or use any cool spells…

Riquet: Hehe. I feel kind of proud.

Mitile: You do?

Riquet: Of course!

This was something we were tasked with because it's us. 

Mitile: …

…You’re right! This is something we were trusted with, because it’s us.

Alllright! Let’s give it our best shot, starting from me. 

Ortonik Sealsispilce!

Riquet: Sanretea Edif!

Bradley: Aaah, so this is how it turned out. What a pain…hey Mithra, hurry up with your magic circle. 

Mithra: Quiet. It’s a tedious circle to draw. Uhh, next is the hatchet and the reverse goddess…

Bradley: Ugh…you better be telling the truth about negotiating a pardon for me if I help out. 

Faust: I will, I’ll talk to the twins. And I’ll be giving you that nettle braid I made without exchanging words to anyone, Mithra. 

Bradley: You seriously okay with a braid for a reward?

Mithra: Of course. Braiding those really hurts and itches, you know.

Well, I wouldn’t expect an amateur like you to understand… 

Bradley: Hah?

Faust: Fight later, please. Time is precious right now.

I’m almost done my part. I’m counting on you guys. 

Seda: Haaah…haaah…!

Seda was already worn out from being chased around by the shadow cat. 

Distracting it was Shino with his scythe and Lennox with his kicks, but the distance between it and Seda was slowly shrinking.

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