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Title: The Wild One OR In which an agreement is reached Part 2
Comment to Meridae here please
Phinx spent the first week of their acquaintance hiding in the back of wardrobe, his presence only indicated by occassional growls when Evan got too close to the piece of furniture in question, and the nightly subtractions from the food bowl and subsequent additions to the litter box.
Evan spent the week doing his best to cater to his new companion's comfort - the best fillet steaks and fresh salmon and organic, free range chicken breasts were dutifully acquired, carefully chopped (in case Phinx had unresolved dental issues) and gently placed into the dark cave of Phinx's sanctuary. Evan was careful to accompany each feline meal with its human equivalent, in the hopes this would tempt Phinx to change form should he be able to do so. A comfortable cushioned and enclosed basket had been further padded with a new sheep skin before Phinx was introduced to his new home, and Evan even went so far as to phone his father to request an advance on his stipend, although he was loathe to ask his darling pater for anything.
And still, nothing. Just the ocassional growl, and faint, barely heard litter box excavations as Evan drifted in and out of sleep at night.
Evan took to sitting next to the wardrobe while he studied, reading whatever text he was working on aloud, and discussing the problems he was struggling with on each assignment. When he finished his studies each night, he stayed on the floor, ignoring the ache in his hips, the stiffness in his knees and the chill it caused on his skin. He began talking about the life he and Phinx might have together, and the concern he had for the familiar's well being, especially the nasty matts in Phinx's beautiful silky fur, which surely must be causing great discomfort.
The silence took on a listening quality.
He invited Amur - his best friend and brother-in-law to Magister Warne, and the reason he'd known about Phinx's existence in the first place - to spend evenings with him, reasoning the presence of another familiar would put Phinx at ease. Amur joined him readily, lounging in feline form on whatever book he was studying (having learned the spell for turning pages at boarding school, although Evan still laughed at the affectation of the pair of tiny spectacles perched on Amur's nose) and would then turn human so they could continue their discussions on the meaning of life over a game of Wizards and Warlocks. They'd talk long into the night, leaving pregnant pauses during each topic to allow Phinx the opportunity to contribute if he wished - he never did - before continuing.
The air of listening continued, and the growling ceased, even when Evan was invading the wardrobe to clean the litter box in the morning. But nothing further.
Evan despaired. It wasn't that he minded a familiar who hid constantly and never came out, and certainly his magic was showing the improvements that even their very weak bond afforded - his spells held more confidence, their outcome more certain, their power improved measurably. He couldn't believe the ease with which he'd passed the practical portion of his Advanced Dark Hexes and Immutable Charms paper.
But none of that made up for the fact he was worried - was Phinx okay in the wardrobe? Was he frightened? Did the matts in his fur pain him? Was he getting enough to eat (although the evidence in the litter box would suggest so)? Was his water fresh enough? Did he realised Evan only wanted the very best for him?
Surely, hiding in a wardrobe couldn't be at all a satisfying and fulfilling way to live!
He expounded on this at length one evening, his verbosity assisted by a strong mug of rum-and-cider, eventually falling asleep on the rug and cushions he'd placed in front of the wardrobe to soften the cold wooden floor.
He awoke the next morning, headachy and sore, but not at all that cold. A naked body, all gaunt bones and underfed skin was pressed next to him, tucked back to belly along the curve of his body. Orange tipped white blond hair tickled his nose, and when he craned his neck over, blue eyes, slightly apprehensive, blinked at him.
::BLINK:: Good Morning.
Comment to Meridae here please
Phinx spent the first week of their acquaintance hiding in the back of wardrobe, his presence only indicated by occassional growls when Evan got too close to the piece of furniture in question, and the nightly subtractions from the food bowl and subsequent additions to the litter box.
Evan spent the week doing his best to cater to his new companion's comfort - the best fillet steaks and fresh salmon and organic, free range chicken breasts were dutifully acquired, carefully chopped (in case Phinx had unresolved dental issues) and gently placed into the dark cave of Phinx's sanctuary. Evan was careful to accompany each feline meal with its human equivalent, in the hopes this would tempt Phinx to change form should he be able to do so. A comfortable cushioned and enclosed basket had been further padded with a new sheep skin before Phinx was introduced to his new home, and Evan even went so far as to phone his father to request an advance on his stipend, although he was loathe to ask his darling pater for anything.
And still, nothing. Just the ocassional growl, and faint, barely heard litter box excavations as Evan drifted in and out of sleep at night.
Evan took to sitting next to the wardrobe while he studied, reading whatever text he was working on aloud, and discussing the problems he was struggling with on each assignment. When he finished his studies each night, he stayed on the floor, ignoring the ache in his hips, the stiffness in his knees and the chill it caused on his skin. He began talking about the life he and Phinx might have together, and the concern he had for the familiar's well being, especially the nasty matts in Phinx's beautiful silky fur, which surely must be causing great discomfort.
The silence took on a listening quality.
He invited Amur - his best friend and brother-in-law to Magister Warne, and the reason he'd known about Phinx's existence in the first place - to spend evenings with him, reasoning the presence of another familiar would put Phinx at ease. Amur joined him readily, lounging in feline form on whatever book he was studying (having learned the spell for turning pages at boarding school, although Evan still laughed at the affectation of the pair of tiny spectacles perched on Amur's nose) and would then turn human so they could continue their discussions on the meaning of life over a game of Wizards and Warlocks. They'd talk long into the night, leaving pregnant pauses during each topic to allow Phinx the opportunity to contribute if he wished - he never did - before continuing.
The air of listening continued, and the growling ceased, even when Evan was invading the wardrobe to clean the litter box in the morning. But nothing further.
Evan despaired. It wasn't that he minded a familiar who hid constantly and never came out, and certainly his magic was showing the improvements that even their very weak bond afforded - his spells held more confidence, their outcome more certain, their power improved measurably. He couldn't believe the ease with which he'd passed the practical portion of his Advanced Dark Hexes and Immutable Charms paper.
But none of that made up for the fact he was worried - was Phinx okay in the wardrobe? Was he frightened? Did the matts in his fur pain him? Was he getting enough to eat (although the evidence in the litter box would suggest so)? Was his water fresh enough? Did he realised Evan only wanted the very best for him?
Surely, hiding in a wardrobe couldn't be at all a satisfying and fulfilling way to live!
He expounded on this at length one evening, his verbosity assisted by a strong mug of rum-and-cider, eventually falling asleep on the rug and cushions he'd placed in front of the wardrobe to soften the cold wooden floor.
He awoke the next morning, headachy and sore, but not at all that cold. A naked body, all gaunt bones and underfed skin was pressed next to him, tucked back to belly along the curve of his body. Orange tipped white blond hair tickled his nose, and when he craned his neck over, blue eyes, slightly apprehensive, blinked at him.
::BLINK:: Good Morning.
