Hunter's Introduction

It is mid-day, though the cold clouds and diffused sunlight make the time less apparent out of doors. Some are not out of doors, however. In fact, Verna has yet to leave the house, this day. Even were one not tracking her movements, the fact that she lounges in her chair wearing (recently-acquired) footed pajamas makes this a reasonable assumption.

In truth, 'lounging' would not be the most apt description: she is seated near the well-fed hearth, hunched over a large tome. Several others rest within reach in a stack upon a side table, whilst a table on the opposite side of the chair bears a mostly empty pot and a half-emptied teacup.

There's a soft knock at the front door before it opens and Auranar slips in. There's an expression of hopeful longing already engraved on her features. She has her arms folded carefully over her chest, and as she turns toward where Verna is sitting, the other woman can likely easily make out the little ball of fluff that is situated in Auranar's arms. Or rather the crook of one arm. "Verna?" She says hesitantly, bringing the little ball of fluff further into the house with her.

The knock draws Verna's attention to the door, though there is a blink of mild surprise at Auranar's arrival. "Oh, good morning, dearest. I did not realize that you were out so early." She may also not realize the time. She closes the book at the question, brows lifting in curiosity, and possibly concern. "Yes? Is everything well?"

"I found a kitten." Auranar gives wide eyes to Verna, and the kitten in question mews thoughtfully from the crook of her arm. Announcing quietly to the room that it is indeed there. It pokes its little head up and bright golden eyes peer around the room while Auranar brings it closer to Verna. "It was just sitting out there on our porch in the freezing cold! Came right up to my foot and looked up at me. So brave! Aren't you little one?"

Verna blinks again and rubs at her face after the book is down. All the better to look at the now doubly-announced kitten. "Oh my..." She looks from the kitten's bright eyes, to Auranar's wide eyes... back to the kitten.. back to Aura. "Yes, very brave, and very smart to seek your aid." A pause.

"If there is an implied question for which you seek my response, you should now well that I cannot deny that pleading expression. And, yes, the kitten is also quite cute as well." A smile, at least; genuine if wearied.

Auranar relaxes somewhat. "I just... was hoping that the kitten could stay with us? In this nice warm house?" She smiles at Verna and has stepped close enough that when she kneels the kitten is within easy reach of Verna. "I don't want to put it back outside, who knows what'd happen to the little thing."

Verna lifts one hand tentatively towards the kitten, which may have been Auranar's plot all along. "I would not throw it to the cold, love, much less against your wishes." Uncertain whether to wiggle her fingers playfully or attempt to pet it, she does a mixture of both. "I should warn that I am not learned in animal care... though it is my general understanding that felines are relatively self-sufficient?"

The wild elf stays very still, watching the kitten interact with Verna. The adorable thing paws at Verna's fingers and then pushes its head under her hand for petting. "From what I've seen they are. We'll need to feed it if it doesn't catch enough mice and such for itself... I'm not really sure what else. I think Dolan has a cat, maybe I can ask him? I... never have had a pet before, but I've always wanted one."

And there it is. It might have been instant for Auranar, but Verna is not immune. The nuzzling provokes light scritching of fingers as Verna's expression ... melts notably. "We will guarantee it does not starve. If it grows to hunt mice here, all the better for us all, is it not?"

The soft smile grows as she looks up from kitten to Aura. "It seems fortune has smiled upon you, love." Something that they both could use in abundance as a change of pace. "I was unaware he had one. He would know more than I what to do with ..." She looks back to the cat-seed. "Him? Her? I suppose that you will need to determine a proper name, as well."

"Not sure if it's a boy or girl actually." Auranar glances down at the kitten and shrugs gently. "Look at it playing with your fingers! A fine hunter I'm sure of it!"

She laughs and offers the feline to Verna. "Here, you take it, I'd like to get some tea in me while we decide on a name. As for Dolan, I found out he had one when I visited the last time. He mentioned that it was probably hiding. I'll ask him for advice soon. Goodness knows that I don't want to forget something important!"

So it is that Verna now finds herself with a handful of kitten. "Of course. Please, get fresh tea and warm yourself. The pot here is cooled." All this noted as she tries to hold the kitten comfortably, not drop it, and look it over, simultaneously. The end result is her cradling it, so it would not abruptly drop. "Are you cold, as well, little one?" No, she does not expect an answer, which would normally preclude speaking to it. Logically, that is.

Auranar grins at Verna's reaction to the kitten before quickly sloughing off her outer-wear in favor of warming up properly. She makes her way over to the kitchen and fills the kettle with water before taking it over to the fire. She'll have to wait a little bit for it to warm before she can pour herself and Verna some tea though. The kitten mews at Verna, cuddling into her and Auranar's gaze couldn't be any softer. "Have you figured out if it's a boy or girl yet?"

Verna looks to Aura and shakes her head lightly. "No. Someone was not very cooperative and would rather be comfortable..." A glance at the cuddling kitten. "Not that I fault him or her. As well, I do not know if I could discern the difference even if I were to get a better look. Perhaps Dolan or Andelena would know better." A thought and her lips purse. "I suppose that knowing this would be best before choosing a name. Unless you would find a neutral name acceptable, such as Cat?" It is practical, at least?

The wild elf laughs, sitting down in her chair while she waits for the water to boil. "Cats are like that." She offers, meaning that the kitten is not being unusual by making things difficult for Verna. "A gender neutral name would be entirely acceptable, though cat leaves a little something to be desired I think? Perhaps something more personal. Hunter perhaps? In the hopes that it will grow into the name?"

"They are most intelligent creatures, then," Verna offers. A trait she appreciates, surely.. even if her suggestion of name did not embody it. "Hunter is a strong name; a namesake to grow into, as you say." Her non-feline-supporting arm reaches out to give Aura's an affectionate pat and lingers a moment. Then it moves to scritch "The mighty Hunter does look more sleepy than mighty at the moment, but this is well and good." It is not until the third or fourth scritch that she realizes and asks, "Would you like it back?"

Auranar quickly agrees that cats are intelligent creatures with a nod, and as the kettle sets to whistling, she pours the fresh water into the tea pot so that the tea can begin steeping. "You can keep it for now. I don't want to rouse the little thing. Must have been so cold and uncomfortable outside for it! I bet that you are nice and comfortable comparatively." She smiles softly and offers to take Verna's free hand. "What were you reading before I came barging in with kitten in tow?"

Verna's hand is for the taking. No offense to the kitten, but it already has part of one arm. The rest is for Auranar. She blinks at the question and exhales lightly. "More research of the unpleasant events." A somber note that is, perhaps surprisingly, followed with a slender smile. "The book that you suggested... or possibly one of the related volumes. All concerning lucid dreaming and interpretations. I am hesitant to perform more of the former, but if we can better understand what we have already witnessed..."

A fresh exhale. "You are in no way an unwelcome distraction. Either of you. I admit I am in need of such."

"I know." Auranar says softly. "I have to admit that I had hoped that the kitten might alleviate some of your worries and give you something nice to focus on."

The wild elf glances at the feline and sighs. "There's so much happening right now, we need something good in our lives. Something that's going to make us smile rather than worry."

Verna frees her recently taken hand, but just enough for it to lift and seek Auranar's cheek. Verna's own are creased with a wide, warm smile, now. "You are a far wiser woman than I, love, and utterly amazing. Have I mentioned that as of late?" Auranar's hopeful plan certainly has succeeded. "May our worries soon be only who shall grow most round from your wondrous meals. Perhaps Hunter will be ravenous and thus shield me?"

Aurnar laughs. Touches Verna's hand on her cheek and smiles at the other woman. "I doubt that Hunter can eat _that_ much." With that said, she pours the tea out of the tea pot into the tea cups and offers the refilled cup to Verna before taking one up for herself. Offering hers in a little toast. "To good things then!" Certainly they could use them.

-End