Sera let herself get pulled in, laughing along with her lover, "See? It is hilarious. Stronger than the Metuzi...ha."
The two were just dying of laughter as they started down the road, giggling loudly. The angel and demon were trying to round up the rest of the group and get everyone moving, but the sight of kittens had everyone paused. Reynault was amongst the pile of them, picking out a small white Siberian cub, and holding it out to Lairia who cooed and scooped the tiny being up.
"Aren't you adorable," she exclaimed, holding the cub within her arms and petting its small head as it yawned, "Your name shall be
Rhaegal my little prince."
Her eyes flashed back to Rey and she gave him a dazzling smile reserved only for him, then returned to petting and murmuring to her new pet. Beside her Tatia was picking up a sweet panther kitten although she looked a little flustered. The siren had never had a pet before, or cared for one. But as she picked it up the kitten licked her cheek and purred, snuggling into her arms.
"I don't think it, he...she...wants to leave me," Tatia exclaimed, looking a little bewildered at Gerry, "Should I?"
Kai laughed at the look on her face, patting her shoulder, "Pets take work T. You got to raise them, and care for them and love them. But I think you'll do fine."
He walked away, following Sera and Elaya's footsteps. Tatia was still pondering whether to keep the little one as the crowd moved in on the other kittens that weren't were's, having been put in two groups. Those that were were kittens were being grouped together by a couple of pedestrians, offering to take them to the Circle for Amitiel who made no complaint. The other homeless kittens were quickly scooped up by many, until most of the crowd was splitting up to return home with their new pets. What caught Tatia's eyes was a small girl with brown hair pulled into a ponytail and dirt covering most of her skin. Her eyes were big and wide, and she was standing off to the side of the crowd, watching timidly.
"Excuse me for a second," Tatia spoke calmly, passing everyone and strolling slowly up to the girl, still within hearing distance, "Hey there. What's your name?"
"Bea," the little girl mumbled, looking to her feet, "Your kitten...is cute."
Tatia smiled, getting down on one knee so she was at Bea's level, "Would you like to pet her? She's very soft."
Her little head shot up and she gave a nervous smile, reaching out and then pulling back, "No...no I shouldn't."
"Just one pet?" Tatia pushed, and the small panther kitten looked at the girl, "She will love it."
Bea's tiny hand stretched out and touched the kitten. Her eyes widened another fraction and she pet it again, taking a tentative step forward so that she could pet the little one.
"She's a purr monster," Tatia laughed, the kitten vibrating with happiness, "Do you like her?"
"Yes. I've always wanted a cat."
Tatia smiled, "Bea, how old are you?"
"Eight. Although Mother Teresa says I act like I'm 2."
Her words only confirmed the siren's suspicions. She had seen something in this young girl that had reminded her of herself. And there it was. Within her words she had implied she lived in an orphanage. Most of the women who run those places were nuns, called Mother This, or Mother That. Tatia could remember a few still from her time, including a Mother Teresa. Perhaps they were one and the same?
"When I was eight, I had my own Mother Teresa in my orphanage who always said if I couldn't act my age, I would need to at least act older than three," Tatia whispered, although she was aware most of the group had good hearing. This was something she had shared with none of them. Other than a select few, none really even knew she was raised in an Orphanage, "She was a hard lady but fair. Mother Teresa Gable. I used to sneak out every few days and wander the city, looking for cool things to add to my collection. She always lectured me when I returned."
"That's my Mother Teresa's name!" Bea exclaimed, confirming it. The nun must have travelled to a new city to work in another orphanage. "She hates it too, but she hasn't found my box of things yet. I found a button and a thimble today. You were really in an orphanage too? But your...your so...cool."
That made Tatia smile; she hadn't heard that statement before. The crowd was most gone now, along with all the kittens, "You know what happened? I worked and I worked and never quit, and one day this woman came along and offered me a job to be on her team. That's how I got here. What do you want to do when you grow up big?"
Bea stuck her finger to her mouth, thinking before blurting, "I want to be pretty like you."
"Well Bea that's good," Tatia whispered, pushing hair out of the girl's dirty face, "Because you already are. You are the prettiest girl around. Your just hiding under all that dirt, waiting to come out."
Her smile grew and Bea dropped her hand from her face, the girl feeling a little less shy just then. Her other hand continued to pet the purring kitten, the little girl's brown eyes never quite leaving its cute face. Tatia watched and wondered if the orphanage treated this girl alright. Or was she shunned and punished, like Tatia had been countless times? The thought made the siren's stomach churned, that anyone could punish or hit this young, shy girl. But many orphanages weren't kind to their wards.
"Here," she handed the little girl the kitten, and her eyes bulged, fear forming over her face until the panther kitten settled into her arms and continued purring. Bea held the little beast and started to whisper to it nice little words that warmed Tatia's heart. As if the kitten knew what she was saying it mewed and purred, happy to be held and loved.
"I think she belongs with you," Tatia exclaimed, "She's very happy."
"Mother Teresa would never let me keep her," Bea's eyes filled with tears at the thought, obviously wanting the cub.
"Well you give Mother Teresa this," Tatia pulled her coin purse from her side and handed the entire thing to the girl, whose arms were now quite full, "And you tell her that Tatiana sent this along with her warmest wishes. She will know the name."
The kitten squirmed as Bea's arms grew too full, so the girl put the kitten down and it sat at her feet, obviously content with staying with the girl. Tatia's heart went to both of them, hoping all the best for Bea and her new sidekick. "Be good for the nuns, okay Bea? And feed your kitten lots of treats."
"I'm going to name her Lola," Bea grinned, "I will Tatiana. I will. Thank you."
She launched forward and threw herself at Tatia, hugging her tightly. The mood Tatia had been minutes before meeting Bea dissipated completely, feeling good for helping these two little lives. With the gold in that purse, Mother Teresa could feed the orphans for a good month without worry, and she knew that would mean the most to the nun. Hugging her back tightly for a minute, Tatia finally let go and watched the eight year old turn and skip away happily calling to Lola to follow, the kitten meowing and trotting after her new owner. Standing and turning in a fluid motion, Tatia faced the quiet group watching her. Even Kai had paused a few paces down the street to watch the interaction.
"Are we ready?" she clapped her hands and gave them all a dazzling smile, falling into her bubbly self. It hurt to see Rey with Lairia, but she'd be damned to be that girl anymore who pined after a man who did not want her. Seeing Bea had reminded her of herself. Tatia was strong inside. Strong and happy.
