Like Herding a Cat... - FFXIV Write 2024 - Day 1: Steer
(Ao3)
-
“Come on, ya blasted… sausage… roll!”
Halditar was thankful none were around to witness her current battle. The humiliation, she imagined, would have been immense and untended. The great Warrior of Light, struggling against, and bested by… a particularly fat cat.
The unruly beast growled (yes, growled! Halditar didn’t even know cats could growl before this!) as she tugged its ribbon reins forward again in some vain attempt to move it. But this fluffy, chubby monster remained firlmy seated onto terra firma. Its weight flattened any grass as she tugged it over, showing how far its new owner had been dragging for the past few hours. Which, in truth, wasn’t that far. Halditar heaved and panted, wiping sweat from her brow, feeling how her entire body was sticky from the sheer effort it took trying to bid this unruly beast to move. The ehat of the midday sun burned the back of her neck. They were overdue for a break at this point. All but collapsing into the grassy knoll, the soft green grass tickling and cooling her burning skin.
“Mmmrrrph?” A soft trill sounded through the air, followed by the jingling of bells.
The fatter cat, proving that it did indeed have legs capable of supporting its over-proofed loaf shaped form, pushed through the stalks of wild grass. Seeing her new master laying on the ground, she joined the roegadyn. Laying her heavy head onto her chest, purring gently. Halditar could only snort a single laugh at the insult to injury. But couldn’t resist bringing a hand up to pet behind the cat’s ear, amplifying its purrs to where the warrior could feel them reverberating against her bones.
“At least you don’t hold a grudge. I stepped on Moonlight’s tail feathers once by accident and she still throws a fit anytime I walk too close to where she’s nesting…” she said to no one in particular. Clearly not the cat, whose eyes were closed in utter bliss as Halditar’s fingers found that spot that sent the cat’s motor into overdrive, purring up a storm.
A cloud passed overhead, a puff as white and fluffy as a karakul’s fleece. Halditar couldn’t help closing her eyes, letting the wind cool her skin. The sound of grass rustling was a melody she never appreciated until it surrounded her. A song of the gentlest aether that chimed in her ears, constant and sweet. A perfect summer day, a (mostly) friendly pet—this was the stuff of lullabies and stories. Warmth she may know again, but she still should savor.
She had to crack her eyes open as a soft, warm paw poked at her cheek. No longer was the fatter cat content with pets alone, and Halditar knew why. Her own stomach was grumbled with hunger. She sat up and pulled her bag into her lap, having to use the back of her hand to push the curious cat’s face away from the entrance as she dug around for her tools.
“Back off, greedy. You’ll be getting your grub first, no crying.” She chided the cat to little effect, who pawed the ground with impatience. With the proper tools of a culinarian, she set to work.
Some of her colleagues would be aghast she was using her tools to make animal slop, but when one bought a persnickety kitty, or any animal in Halditar’s opinion, one had to treat it right. The best way to ensure that was making their food herself. And after seeing how both Gridanians and Ishgardians raised the best, fiercest, and most versatile birds in Eorzea by adding to their feed, she was inclined to follow their lead.
A couple of different meats, softened with broth. A cooked egg, couple of dried small fish, and a rabbit’s foot as the finishing touch and she had a meal fit for a cat king, she imagined. Her newest mount seemed to think so, drool dripping from her lower jaw as it mewled up at her with big, sparkling eyes. Halditar hadn’t even set the bowl on the ground before she attacked, purring with approval at the first mouthful. The only obstacle to the beast horking down the meal was the need to chew bigger chunks. Some insurance to see that she didn’t choke on her food from eating so quickly.
“What am I going to do with you…?” Halditar wiped her hands clean to pull out her own meal. A simple sandwich on focaccia, cheese, turkey, roasted tomato, olive oil with some fresh and dried spices.
Well, maybe not that simple for some. But this was one of her go-to favorites. It was light to carry in a small cloth wrap. The mix of zesty and mild, bright and acidic was a dance for the senses as she ate next to her ravenous companion, wondering ‘what next?’
She hadn’t even needed another mount. She had plenty under her care already, won from trials, earned from the strangest places and accomplishments, found in the luckiest moments. But when presented with this strange cat by the thaumaturge’s guild, unsure what black magicks had conjured it and unsure what to do other than send it back to the aetherial sea or find an owner… Her heart was just too soft towards animals, nowadays. Especially ones with such darling eyes and chubby cheeks.
But the intention of making a mount was proving less and less an option. It was obedient enough in all ways except moving. Even the behemoths she handled proved more affable to commands than this cat! It would thrive as a pet... but damn it, she wanted to ride it. She even got the most adorable saddle for it. Which it enjoyed wearing, and letting her sit on her back, but she refused to move. It was enough to make the roe feel a vein pop in frustration.
Halditar drowned her growing fury in her waterskin, filled with a strong tea, bordering barley-ish in taste, saved only by the sleeves of lemon she threw in before heading out. She was done with her meal long after the unnamed cat’s, who rolled and wandered around in the grass like a stout coeurl. It mimicked chirps and tried to hunt for small birds. Poorly, if it’s pathetic pounces after the smallest odd movement said anything. A hunter it was not.
“You won’t be much help on the island as a mouser, that’s certain enough.” She told the pudgy thing. With dewy eyes, it stared back at her before jingling towards her. She could feel her eyes staring, but not at her. Something else entranced the cat. Following the gaze, Halditar’s hand landed on her necklace. A long, shiny silver piece on a black leather thread. It glinted from the movement and the cat crouched, butt wiggling, intending to attack. A smile crept onto her lips, reaching back to undo her necklace.
“At least you’ve got plenty of energy, little- er… big one,” she lowered her necklace to the ground, shining in the grass like a little prize. As the cat dashed for it, Halditar pulled it out of the line of fire. The cat trampled more grass, scrambling to chase the bauble again. Only for her master to yank it out of grasp once more. The game of cat and mouse continued for minutes until Halditar relented and slowed her movements.
The cat purred as her paws caught the silver bauble, playing and biting it with eyes full of glee and pride. It seemed if she had a target, her newest pet wouldn’t relent until caught. A trait Halditar quite admired, even if her skills left much to be desired.
An idea popped into Halditar’s mind. A way, perhaps, she could get the stubborn cat to let her ride.
-
“Kitty! Big kitty-kitty!”
One of the few young children of Summerford Farms cooed as Halditar rode in atop the recently christened Kaiser (on account of her roll-like shape). The cat hardly cared for the weight atop her back, chasing the cat toy in front of her with nary an ounce of hesitation. Slowing to a stop only as Halditar pulled the toy from view. Kaiser instantly sat, legs disappearing underneath all that fur and weight. With a target to chase, she was much more open to direction. The warrior hoped with time, the toy wouldn’t even be needed.
As she threw her leg over and off the cat, the child from before ran toward them. Her own feline ears perked up in excitement and tail swishing. “Um, can I pet your cat, please, miss?” the child asked so politely. Halditar couldn’t help but laugh. Kaiser was becoming a big hit wherever she went, getting treats of fish and plenty of pets. Fittingly famous for a feline of her size.
“Of course! She’s friendly and likes it best if you pet behind her ears.” The child squealed and sat on the ground next to the cat, both hands sinking into Kaiser’s fur. The aforementioned cat’s purr rang out to proclaim how she appreciated such eager ear scratching. Letting her newest, most stubborn mount enjoy getting spoiled with attention, Halditar continued on with her delivery of seeds from the Botanist’s guild. Pondering if the spoiling would continue at their next stop.
Doin’ my part to support my favorite small business in this trying time! Love you @hachisales! Sending good health vibes to you and all your loved ones!!
What happened to the puppies in the House of Yesterday's tomorrow?
I’m not really sure......
That place was a twisted mess of doors and passages. So they may have gotten out.... But it was also a place of illusions. Were the puppies even real? I don’t know.
