gurabad | 063 » until the stars fall

Entry tags:

063 » until the stars fall

[ Francel is a kind owner, gentle and giving and affectionate — Zephirin discovers this not long after they meet, when the young man chooses him from the selection at the shelter, taking him home that day and bustling about to get him settled in, as if he were still a kitten. A kitten, or perhaps a bunny, any cute and cuddly pet, might in fact have suited Francel better, but out of all his options, he decided on a grown cat trained to keep a much older master company, and even a few days since Zephirin's moving into the apartment, he doesn't seem to regret that choice.

That remains a puzzle. Most cats would enjoy living here, content to let their owner spoil them, lounging around as pampered companions to care for, but Zephirin is accustomed to a different, unusual lifestyle. He neither sleeps the day away, nor does he demand his new owner's attention well before dawn. Suddenly too idle, he is oddly restless.

It manifests as a sort of watchfulness: in Francel's company, his focus lingers on his master — he could be a guard dog in a cat's form, though no one is likely to break in or abduct Francel. At other times, he appears vaguely at a loss, awaiting some task to perform.

One evening, while Francel is in the bath, Zephirin hovers in the doorway to his owner's bedroom, warring with some peculiar instinct that heightens the appeal of Francel's pillows, the blanket. Silent steps take him into the room in the end, and there, he leans over the bed — if only to fluff said pillows and smooth out the covers for a time, smothering an urge to climb in and curl up on the mattress. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[francel was told very little about zephirin, in truth. the shelter did not seem to think that he was adoptable, or that francel was a suitable owner for him. they told francel that the cat was quiet and unsociable, likely to form attachments only to an old man like his previous, now deceased master.

too challenging, the receptionist who processed paperwork told him, especially for a first-time owner. a kitten or a bunny would have suited francel far better.

but francel was undeterred. i want a cat, he'd argued firmly, and a quiet one. deep down, he knew what the shelter's employees did not: that he was madly besotted with zephirin at first sight, that he would have done anything to make that sad and stoic cat even a little happier.

thus far, francel has been a kind master, and a patient one; he hasn't attempted to cross zephirin's boundaries just yet. many are the owners who would argue that pets should not be afforded the same respect as people, but francel is no such master, and he figures zephirin will open his heart up to hugs and pets when the time is right.

...that being said, he can't help but constantly hope that that time is now. when francel exits the bath, clean and drowsy and warm from the steam, he spots zephirin by his bed and smiles.]

What are you doing over there, Zephirin? [a little hopefully despite himself, he asks:] Do you want to sleep here tonight?

Edited 2019-07-19 02:08 (UTC)

[ Zephirin hears Francel approach, the sound of his footsteps upon the floor before he speaks. Atop his head, the cat's ears flick in a slight movement, giving away something of his immediate, attentive interest in his owner's presence. Glancing up from the sheets, he regards Francel with his customary solemn air. His hands stay laid against the covers a moment longer, and then, straightening his posture, Zephirin withdraws them. ]

...Are you certain?

[ It's not an answer, but then, Zephirin finds that he has no ready explanation. He knows only that the hopeful note in Francel's voice is distinct — again, it seems strange that the boy didn't simply adopt a younger pet, one that could match his nature.

For now, the bed looks pristine, neatly made. Another cat in Zephirin's place might have acted on a whim, greeting Francel already stretched out on his mattress. Zephirin, for his part, merely stands beside it, motionless, eyes tracking his owner across the room. ]

[zephirin is so still that even his most minute of movements is obscenely charming; francel feels his heart clench tight as the cat's ears flick towards him and zephirin's unblinking eyes fixate upon his master. patiently, without even the slightest regret towards not adopting a younger, more affectionate pet, francel perches upon the edge of his neatly made bed, nodding calmly.]

You can, if you'd like. It's not an order.

[he rests his hands in his lap, watching carefully for zephirin's reaction.]

I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to do.

[ Zephirin's gaze lowers, following Francel, watching him no less intently until the cat blinks, and closes his eyes in contemplation. He has yet to stir from the spot, if not for a lack of wanting to accept his owner's invitation. Francel would never force him into anything against his will, isn't the sort to give his pet orders — that much is clear by now — and his generosity and patience deserve something in return. ]

I know.

[ Murmuring the words, Zephirin sits down beside Francel, close enough that his owner could lean against him. The cat takes it upon himself to initiate contact, however, allowing their arms to touch, turning his head and tilting it to rest his chin upon Francel's shoulder, a gesture giving Francel his tacit consent for more, for whatever constitutes ordinary affection between master and pet. ]

Edited 2019-07-19 15:33 (UTC)

[a little thrill races through francel as zephirin lays his head upon his shoulder; he feels as though something living has just fluttered its way up from his heart to his throat. if zephirin were a different sort of pet, francel would take the cat into his arms, rubbing his nose up against his throat and blowing playful raspberries against his belly; as it is, however, he knows he shouldn't startle his pretty kitty, so he opts instead to be as a boulder in a storm, quietly supporting his new pet in this time of seeming vulnerability.

he starts slow, simple. he runs his fingers lightly over the fluffy ends of zephirin's hair, again and again, touch growing slightly heavier each time until he makes contact with zephirin's scalp.]

...Does this feel all right?

[ Francel's touch is pleasant, soothing. In days past, at most, Zephirin would have received a brief pat to the arm, his head when he was younger — this is novel, a little overwhelming as Zephirin's scalp tingles beneath Francel's fingertips, and his nerves seem wholly focused on the sensation, gooseflesh prickling across his skin. His eyelids grow heavy, lashes fluttering against his cheeks. At first, he musters only a quiet hum of sound in agreement.

Then, slowly blinking his eyes open, a sliver of green before he lifts his head to study Francel properly, Zephirin reaches up to lay his palm over the hand in his hair. He slides it lower, fingers brushing Francel's knuckles, pausing upon the boy's wrist. Behind him, his tail curls at its end.

Now his ears twitch, as if to beckon to Francel, inviting him to continue. ]

[the ears... the ears...!!

keenly attentive when it comes to his zephirin's movements, francel misses neither the curl of zephirin's tail or the interested little flick of his ears — he takes them both combined as an invitation to do more, though the hand on his wrist certainly cannot be mistaken for anything else.

smiling, francel pulls zephirin closer; he leans his back against the headboard of his bed, and presses zephirin's head against his thin chest (though his lap might make for a better pillow). he goes on petting zephirin for some time just like this, long, loving strokes down his scalp and neck...

...then, when he feels the time is right, he allows his finger to trail over one of zephirin's ears, starting from fluffy base and moving up towards fuzzy tip. he repeats the motion with the other ear, humming faintly, his heart full to bursting with affection.]

[ Doubtless a bunny or a kitten would be more openly affectionate, too, eager to claim Francel's lap as a pillow, seeking the comfort of his warmth — Zephirin holds still, for the most part, going where Francel guides him to settle in his owner's embrace. Too tall to fit across Francel's knees, besides, he stays seated on the edge of the bed, half-leaned against Francel, arranging himself with his arms resting atop the covers. The position is slightly awkward to maintain, but Francel's caresses coax Zephirin into a heady, blissful state of contentment, all tension gone from his limbs before long.

Eyes drifting shut once more, the cat might near falling asleep, head heavier. He shifts in place, fingers curling into the sheets; one ear presses to Francel's chest over the steady thumping of the boy's heartbeat. The other flattens itself sideways, meeting Francel's palm. Low in his throat, Zephirin hums again, as if echoing Francel, unconsciously drawing out the sound.

Nearly slipping down into Francel's lap rouses him somewhat, and he tips his head back, props himself up on his elbows. Focusing, his gaze traces Francel's expression. ]

Is there nothing that you want...?

What I want...?

[francel seems surprised that zephirin would even ask, though the cat has made his subservient nature apparent several times over by now. he continues rubbing one furry ear between his fingers as he contemplates the question.

this is novel for francel, too: he has never before been asked of what he might want.]

...If you want to do things around the house while I’m at work, I won’t stop you. But, Zephirin — [here he takes the time to fiddle with the very tip of zephirin’s ear] — you needn’t do anything you don’t want to. All I want is... to make you happy, and hear you purr, and know that you love me.

[his tone turns even gentler, almost chiding in a mock-motherly way as he presses a fond kiss to zephirin’s forehead — a first for the both of them.]

But you don’t have to force any of that, either. If you can’t love me, that’s just the way it is.

Edited 2019-07-22 13:33 (UTC)

[ The touches are distracting, tempting Zephirin closer, back into relaxation. He bows his head for Francel's kiss, still solemn, but it would be easy to grow fond of Francel, he thinks, to love him. Expressing it plainly, conveying even happiness, is a different matter.

Zephirin reaches for Francel's free hand, taking hold of it, lifting it to his lips. Back straight, then, after a moment's deliberation, he leans in, tucking his nose into the silky golden strands of Francel's hair.

The tip of his tail flicks back and forth. ]

You haven't forced me into this. I am happy here, I assure you.

[this is all, paradoxically, both too much and not enough at the same time — francel's whole heart feels suffused with affection for his cat, for the kiss to his knuckles, and he feels lulled almost to sleep by the gentle flicking of zephirin's tail. acting on an inquisitive whim, he reaches out with his free hand to touch it.]

Gorgeous kitty... oooh, and you're so fluffy, too... ❤

[sounding just a little overwhelmed, francel allows zephirin to prowl all over him as he likes, stroking his tail from base to tip as the full-grown cat scents and snuggles him.]

...I'll never leave you alone for long, Zephirin. I promise. You'll always have a home with me. And you... you won't go back to that shelter.

[ Francel's apparent fascination with his cat's fluffy fur is strangely gratifying, intriguing — Zephirin's tail stills for Francel's exploration, curled towards him, permitting him to pet it to his heart's content. Zephirin himself breathes deep of his owner's subtly sweet, comforting scent, hands coming to rest on Francel's knees. Francel's invitation crosses his mind, bringing with it the image of staying like this through the night, and not just once.

It's new even to entertain the notion fleetingly, let alone to share his owner's space to such an extent.

Finally drawing back an ilm or so, blinking away his drowsiness, Zephirin meets Francel's gaze. The cat's mouth curves upward at its corners just slightly; already, Francel's earnest promises are endearing, and Zephirin can guess at the thinking behind the boy's decision to choose him over a different pet, the reasons why he might have caught Francel's interest that day.

Perhaps Francel's own loneliness has been eased by a little.

But they've begun to do away with the distance that Zephirin knew, the respectful norm, allowing for a hint of a sense of humour to emerge on the cat's part: ]

I suppose few of the shelter's residents were as fluffy...

[ As if to emphasize that point, the cat's tail brushes against Francel's fingertips. Zephirin glances at the covers then, and rises to his feet to peel them back for Francel and himself. ]

I-I'd like you even if you weren't fluffy...!

[the master doth protest too much, perhaps, but francel does his best to assist zephirin with the covers, drawing them up and over their long-limbed frames. he lies on his side, all the better to watch his beautiful new cat — the sheets are cold, for now, but their shared warmth will soon fill what little space exists between them.]

But I do wonder, Zephirin... What was your first owner like? They didn't tell me anything about him except that he was an old man...

[ Joining his owner in bed, Zephirin lies down facing Francel, a narrow strip of mattress between them until he slides another ilm closer, turning for Francel to sleep tucked against his side, should the boy wish it — though their sleepwear is warm, combined with the blankets. The cat's small smile fades as more somber a look takes its place. ]

He was kind enough, if not like you. [ Briefly, he pauses, pensive. ] Perhaps, were I not a cat, one might say that he treated me almost like a son.

[ Not without certain expectations, but fondly. ]

[so they had a father-son relationship, then... which begs the question of what francel’s relationship with zephirin will turn into, but he seems content for now to merely sleep curled up beside zephirin, almost as if he is the cat and his cat is the master.

once again, francel cannot help but pet zephirin reflexively, though his fingers glide over the cloth covering zephirin’s shoulders and side, not fluffy ear or furry tail.]

Did he cook for you?

[francel closes his eyes, and then looks very young indeed, his round cheeks illuminated by the city lights filtering in through the closed blinds.]

Um, what I mean by that is... if you ever feel lonely, I’d be happy to cook anything he might have made...

[ Zephirin considers the question, the offer, quiet. Confronted with the possibility that he might feel lonely, even now, he searches his heart, but it isn't that, he decides — losing his home only left him adrift, aimless, out of place at the shelter.

There is no reason to feel such things any longer. ]

I was much younger then...

[ Back then, he saw a father in his previous master, only to learn a pet's place — still, something unspoken shaped their interactions, all the more in his owner's final days.

Studying Francel's soft features in the near-dark, Zephirin covers the boy's hand with his own as it wanders down his side. Again, he contemplates his new master's hopes for a pet, a companion to dote on. ]

Might we cook together?

...Yes!

[this seems to francel the first time that zephirin has actively expressed interest in doing anything at all — and francel would have indulged any wish, anything zephirin asked for, but the cat requesting something that will keep him alongside his new owner is an unexpected treat indeed. francel lights up with a smile so intense it seems almost as though all his earlier drowsiness has been dispelled by the promise of... spending more time with his pet.]

Yes, we can cook together! What do you want to make? Comfort food? Just the basics? We can do something complex like Thavnairian cuisine, too! Or Lominsan...

[he seems as though he's been standing at the ready, just waiting to cater to zephirin's whims...]

[ Francel's response is itself an unexpected treat — he looks aglow with delight even in the darkness of his bedroom — and something about it is catching, enough for another faint smile to settle on Zephirin's lips. By the sound of his owner's stream of questions, Francel would leap out of bed immediately to cook anything that Zephirin named, but it's late, around his usual bedtime.

Zephirin's fingers squeeze Francel's, silently grateful. This time, his answer comes readily: ]

If you'd like to cook a dish that I enjoy, I'll prepare a favourite of yours — once you've slept.

Aww... but how am I supposed to sleep when I'm so excited to spend tomorrow with you?

[mock-pouting, francel settles still closer to his beloved new cat in the bed, grateful that zephirin's very first night sleeping with him will be this close, this intimate. he takes a breath; zephirin smells faintly sweet, intoxicatingly so, perhaps owing to a combination of clean sleepwear and the body wash from his shower earlier. idly, he wonders if zephirin licks himself clean in the bath, or if that's something only for smaller cats...]

...I guess I could tell you a secret, Zephirin. You can pet me like I'm a cat, too. It makes me really drowsy and relaxed...

[ Now Francel succeeds in eliciting an amused sound from Zephirin, who momentarily finds himself facing the temptation of resting draped across his owner, something that surfaces suddenly, unbidden. Compromising, the cat turns onto his side again, curling around Francel slightly.

The secret entrusted to him is another invitation: he loosens his hold on Francel's hand, touching the boy's hair instead, curiously, the way that Francel began petting him. His fingertips graze Francel's scalp, the back of one long ear. ]

Mmmhmmm, like that...

[francel is no cat, clearly, but he seems to enjoy this just as much as any young kitten tottering on his first steps. he closes his eyes, smiling widely; his expression turns downright dopey when zephirin's fingers find his ear.

francel touched zephirin's ears earlier, too, but that did not seem to have such a pronounced effect. rubbing francel's ears seems to produce a kind of euphoria in him, and all his tension immediately eases from his body as he surrenders himself to his darling pet's touch.]

[ Zephirin's curiosity turns to satisfaction, an odd rush of accomplishment as he watches Francel's reaction unfold, noting how quickly the boy relaxes despite his excitement over the coming day. Encouraged to keep up his efforts, Zephirin runs his index finger along the edges of Francel's ear, tracing its shape from lobe to point, devoting his full attention to the task for some moments. His own ears are sensitive, and Francel's ministrations were potent, but he supposes that he must have seemed restrained, far less affected.

Francel, on the other hand, might melt into the sheets.

Once more, a pleased hum escapes from the cat, vibrating low and steady in his throat. ]

[francel has indeed transformed into a boneless puddle lying flat against the mattress — every ounce of live tautness has dissipated from his limbs, and he exists only in a state of half-consciousness as his senses are utterly consumed by the sheer pleasure of having someone tend so lovingly to his ears.

his mouth is ajar. he... might be drooling. oops.

he remains awake, however, and he is dimly aware that his cat is purring — purring, at last! he thought it would be weeks, months longer before he would hear anything so cute, so tender — but here is zephirin, purring and humming low in his throat, apparently content to have such a pronounced effect on his owner. francel closes his mouth, smiling, and wraps his arms still more securely around zephirin as he nears sleep...]

Pretty kitty... mmn, can't believe how much I love you...

Edited 2019-07-29 15:40 (UTC)

[ That telltale trickle of saliva only seems to spur Zephirin on, fingers tireless as they rub the blade of Francel's ear between them. The soft rumble of the cat's purring goes on uninterrupted; sensing that his owner is on the verge of sleep, Zephirin says nothing more, letting Francel hold on to him. Warmth soon envelops them both.

At length, when Francel's breaths grow deep and even, Zephirin lowers his hand, going still. He gazes down at his slumbering owner, who already seems satisfied with his pet, nestled close, offering his love freely.

Tomorrow promises more of the same.

In the midst of his musings, his restlessness hushed, Zephirin drifts off. Asleep, the cat draws closer to his owner in turn, the tip of his nose pressed against Francel's hair.

Morning finds the pair still entwined — Zephirin has burrowed deeper into the cocoon of their shared blankets, his head now pillowed upon Francel's chest. ]

[francel wakes on his back, tender and drowsy, suffused with sleepy warmth.

his mind is still chasing the phantom sensation of zephirin's diligent rubbing as he slowly blinks his eyes open, then lets them close again. his long, slow breaths quicken ever so slightly. there is something warm and heavy on his chest, squishing him into his mattress, pleasant as a weighted blanket. his arm fumbles for it in drowsy pats; slowly, he assesses the shape of zephirin's head, his ears. francel's fingers settle atop the cat's scalp, and then scratch, gently and lazily. he doesn't feel like getting up.

he doesn't have work today. he's never had work at all. francel dropped out of university after chlodebaimt died; he hasn't been able to go back since. part of it was that he pushed everyone away from him, but part of it, too, is that haurchefant wound up traveling halfway across the world, gallivanting in doma with some midlander; he used to call, but he doesn't anymore.

francel's family has given up on him, mostly. they sit and pray for the day he sits up, sees reason, rejoins society. now and then, laniaitte drops by to see if he's eaten, but she treats it like a chore, some unwanted burden that she alone will take up. but he can take care of himself. he doesn't like it when she comes over. he doesn't like it when anyone comes over.

his mother begged him to see a therapist. the therapist recommended a pet.

francel yawns and closes his eyes. if zephirin has yet to wake, he thinks, he'll go back to sleep.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject