"The human mind is truly an interesting thing…" Shōko said with a sigh, her expression turning more disappointed and disgusted. She continued to observe with a growing dissatisfaction before finally deciding to slam her book shut.
"Gosh, I can't believe that an author can create such a gripping story, but in the same year make something as mediocre as this. It's utterly disappointing..!''
Her words were filled with this sense of grief, almost as if she had lost something near and dear to her, but no, just this one particular author she had been following published something she herself could make in her younger years.
She glanced up at a clock hanging against a wall. The hour arm was nearing three, signaling that it was almost time. She sprung off her seat and reached her arms over her head, aiming to get a good stretch since she had her butt planted on the cusion of the sofa for quite some time.
But as she was about to head to the toilet to wash up, she heard a faint, *ding dong* coming from her front door. Her heart suddenly started pounding, and her bones nearly rattled against each other. She slowly turned her head towards the door, an impending sense of anxiety washing over her. She inched her way to the door forcing herself through the nerves, she took a deep, calming breath before placing her petite hand on the knob twisting it and pulling the door open.
"Good afternoon, how may I-... Huh??!" She was stunned, by the absence of a living being. "What? I could have sworn that I heard the doorbell ring, but…"
She glanced around for a brief moment and as she was about to head back inside she heard a slightly embarrased voice from below.
"Down here girl..!"
She immedietly gazed down and her eyes met with the slitted ones of a cat. Or more specifically, a talking anthropomofic cat about half her size. Her face contorted slightly and her head tilted.
"Wha–?" She rubbed her eyes cartoonishly and gazed back down at the cat.
"Hohoho, never seen a talking cat before hmm?" He asked rhetorically before taking a puff of his size-appropiate pipe. He puffed a circle of smoke to the left letting the wind blow it away, his gaze realigned with hers before continuing. "You just gonna stand zere like a veeping angel 'cause I'm staring at ya? I've been sent by the Adventurers' Organization. Your application has been accepted ja."
She blinked suddenly as the information was still loading inside her head computer. She reached down her hand, placing it upon the cat's head impulsively to confirm what she was seeing wasn't a hallucination.
The cat was visibily shocked, as was Shōko. She awkwardly removed her hand before blurting something to change the subject. "Aren't you at least gonna introduce yourself before info dumping onto me!?"
The cat's eyes widened before he let out melodious chuckle, lifting a paw to wipe away a tear from his eye despite there being none whatsoever.
"Haah, I guess you're correct, I have been impolite and discourteus. Ze name given to me is Count." The cat replied charismatically.
Shōko's head jerked back slighty as she finally noticed a peculier feature about the cat. "Y-your accent. It sounds kinda Balkan…" She remarked in a measured tone, despite being quite certain. The cat simply nodded. She sighed before letting out a rather cute giggle stopping herself halfway.
"Ah s-sorry, I apologize it's just… Hehe, I've never seen a talking cat, let alone one that sounds Balkan. It's just a bit comical, hehe!" She explained, hoping the cat wouldn't take offense. The cat waved it off with a gentle smile.
"Oh its quite alright girl, I get zat a lot, but it doesn't bozer me. I mean, I'd probably have a similar reaction!"
"Oh well, I'm glad you didn't take offense," She said with a slight sigh. "B-but, why are you here? I don't often get talking cats showing up at my residence so….?"
The cat chuckled once more, his accent more prominent now. "Oh, you are quite ze scatterbrain aren't you..! I said I've been sent by ze Adventurers' Organization. Your application has been accepted and I'm to escort you to Lavden for you to pick up your license and certificate!" The cat explained, matter-of-factly.
Shōko clenched her jaw at the cat calling her a 'scatterbrain' but she breathed out a sigh to calm herself. Her gaze realigned and she inquired, "Oh that's just wonderful for me, but haven't you arrived a little early, Mr. Count? If I am to be correct, the email I received had clearly stated that my messenger would arrive at 3PM sharp."
From what she's heard, the Adventurers' Organization was nothing but professional; all contracted employees were to proritize professionalism over there own feelings, so why was this cat being all cheeky with her?!
"Care to explain?" She questioned with a degree of skepticality.
"Oh, I do apologize," The cat lifted his left arm and pointed with a claw to a dinky old vintage analog watch on his wrist. "My vatch is not working quite right. I've been meaning to get it fixed but never got around to it unfortunately…" The cat highlighted the cracks on the glass surface with his claw before dropping his hands. Shōko looked at the cat blankly while secretly giving him a look of dissapoinment in her mind.
She raises her hand at him. "Well then, please come in, I'll only take fiftee— no, ten minutes! I'll be ready in that time!!"
She stepped aside to allow the cat inside, then pointed at the singular sofa next to a small round table for him to sit at.
"Would you like some tea, Mr. Count? I wouldn't want my guest to go thirsty now..."
"I appreciate ze offer, but I am alright. You should focus on getting ready, ja?" The cat replied politely, his demeanor indicating slight surprise at her offer.
"Well then please wait here for ten minutes." She then turned and started getting ready, setting out her clothes, cleaning up in the bathroom, and getting her essentials. After the alloted time, she approached the cat who was leaning back in the relatively large sofa, his eye closed like he was taking nap. She cleared her throat before speaking, slightly irratated by this cats attitude. "Ahem. Mr. Count, I am ready to go. I hope you aren't asleep right now…"
The cat opened his eyes, his gaze landing on her. "I am not." He replied before hopping off the sofa and walking over to the front door, raising his hand up to grab the door handle and open the door.
"Vell, right after you little lady!" He offered, his expression bright.
"This little— Haah... Well then, off we go, Mr. Count..." She twirled her house keys on her finger as she exited her house. The cat exited behind her, and she closed the door and locked it. She turned around and noticed the cats gaze looking her up and down, which kinda pissed her off.
"What now, do I have something on my face?!"
The cat shook his head. "No, I vas simply examining your outfit."
His eyes roamed a bit more by her head, seeing the headscarf over her brunette hair, her grayish brown coat over her big frilly dress, and the short black leather gloves on her hands that held the sides of her puffy dress.
"My observation concludes that you look like Mary Poppins."
Her face turned red slightly, suddely feeling a bit guilty getting mad at the cat. "W-well that's… That's the vibe I was going for. Thank you for noticing, Mr. Count!"
"No problem, Miss Shōko..." He replied, chuckling slightly at her embarrased reaction.
"Ugh, let's just embark already. We have a long journey ahead of us, no?" She exclaimed as she walked passed him, putting into perspective just how short the cat is.
"Indeed, ve should get going."
They walked, exiting the porch and the veranda, and then the small front yard. They walked about through the path, among the tall grass, and under the shining sun, it's light glinting off the reflective butterflies and other insects flying around fields.
"I'm excited! I've dreamed of this for a while!" She said excitedly as she glanced down at the cat, who was only slightly taller than then grass off of the path.
"Vell, zat's a good zing. No point in going out on an adventure if you're not looking forvard to it. Hohoho!!"
She scoffed slightly at the cat's dumb laugh before gazing forwards.
"Yeah, you're right. Totally Right!!"