Lionheart
By BC Petery
Lionheart heard The Bringer of Food gag and choke in
The Place of Food. He was feeling lively, having been staring out the window
(selecting prey for when he felt hungry), and decided to investigate. It was
best to check every noise in The Place of Food as The Bringer of Food was, in
Lionheart's infallible opinion, subject to a disobedient whimsy.
The Bringer of Food was looking displeased with a
plate. Good news to Lionheart as The Bringer of Food was often inclined to
present That Which Displeased to him for Inspection, Snubbing and Consumption.
The Bringer of Food was placing the plate and its
curious contents for Lionheart's convenience when the stranger entered. The
Bringer of Food hadn't noticed. She never noticed.
Lionheart spoke quietly, "Intruder. The Sunning
Place. Coming."
The Bringer of Food opened a way Outside, stepped
through and left it open. Lionheart
turned his attention to the plate. It had an odd smell, milky, sugary and
fatty. As Lionheart decided to Snub the Offering the intruder entered The Place
of Food, looked around and followed the trail of The Bringer of Food.
There was a hollow thump, followed by a crunching
noise, and the smells of blood and death were carried in on the breeze. There
had been no Disturbance.
The Bringer of Food reentered The Place of Food and
spoke, "Got him. You didn't like the flan? Maybe something fresh?"
Lionheart sat diffidently for a while. Once his
indifference was established he ambled Outside, his form swelling, the fur around
his neck and on his head growing long and dark.
***
Later, Lionheart spoke to The Bringer of Food,
"I have Sung of this intruder to The Sire of Cats. He wishes to know how
you why you lead these creatures into the Outside."
"So I can ambush them and whack them over the
head with my Magic Garden Gnome. Plus four 'to hit,' to be precise."
Lionheart relayed the information and received the
confirming purr of Essence from the Great One. He settled down at the window in
The Sunning Place. The Bringer of Food seemed agitated.
She spoke, "Didn't he want to know why I have a
Magic Battle Garden Gnome?"
"No. The Cat of All Cats does not try to
understand the minds of Creationers. You have survived. I have fed. That is
enough."
The Bringer of Food walked off, stiff legged.
"'Don't worry. You like animals, you'll like serving Jordi.'"
Lionheart
wasn't listening. The Bringer of Food's exit had sent a swarm of dust motes
dancing in the sunlight. He'd never been able to catch one. He wondered what
they tasted like.