Gift of a Kitten (Rhiana + ?) - Panther's Lair

Grace had settled into the new house, and now she sat in the livingroom, fire roaring away in the fireplace.  She carefully tied a ribbon around Furball's neck, and waited for Rhiana to arrive.

The soft knock came against the door, the sound of "Daaaddy!" coming from outside.

Grace laughed and went to the door, hiding the kitten behind her back as she opened it.

"Aren't we impatient this eve."

"Granny!" squealed the child, already holding out her arms to give Grace a hug.

Jamie laughed, ruffling the child's hair.

"Aye. She's been bouncin' t' meet wi' Granny all night."

Instead of hugging the girl, Grace smiled and brought the kitten out from behind her back to hand to the girl.

"Well, tonight ye gets a gift for coming t' see Granny. Your verra own kitten."

The child's eyes became as big as dinner plates. Her hands went up to her mouth while she stared silently at Grace.

Jamie's brow just rose.

"Och, aye. More kittens."

Grace lifted an eyebrow at Jamie.

"Be happy I be giving her a domestic cat, boyo."

Then she pulled Rhiana into the house.

"What d' ye wish t' name her, love."

"OhmigoshIdunno!" she said as she reached out to hug the kitten. Not hard, just with the enthusiasm of a four-year-old.

He rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"I half expected ye nay t' give her a tame one."

Grace chuckled.

"Well, Sam decided tha' he couldn't keep this one safe, so he asked me t' find a good home for her. Rhiana, love, any name ye come up with would be better than th' one she has now. Furball is no name for a beautiful cat."

Her little nose wrinkled. She didn't like that name. Didn't like that name at all.

"Can I call her Isis?" she asked. Once again, belying the fact that she was no ordinary four-year-old girl.

Grace smiled as the kitten purred.

"Tis a wonderful name. I be trainin' her t' be a right Goddess o' cats."

She giggled, once again the little four-year-old child.

"When can I take her home, Granny?"

He just shook his head and let the two women discuss the subject. He knew women, even pint-sized ones, weren't really to be trifled with.

Grace's face turned stern for a moment.

"Will ye feed her an' keep her happy? Will ye help clean the litter box? If ye leave th' hard work t' th' adults, I will be verra unhappy wi' ye."

She looked as serious as a child could muster. She nodded very seriously.

"I will, Granny! I promise!"

Grace chuckled.

"Then o'course ye can take her home."

She clapped her hands (likely scaring the poor kitten) as she bounced up and down on her tip-toes.

"Thank you, Granny, thank you!"

Jamie, bless him, just rolled his eyes.

Strangely, the kitten didn't seemed scared at all.

"Ye be verra welcome, my lil' dancer."

She took the kitten and started to pet her. Then she came over to Jamie, both arms held as high above her head as they could go.

"Say hi to Isis, Daddy!" was her demanding proclamation.

He reached out to take the kitten, scratching her on the head.

"Hello, Isis." His brow rose at the child. "Like tha', lass?"

Grace just smiled fondly at the pair, her face serene.

She nodded proudly.

Jamie laughed again and looked up to Grace.

"Was there anythin' else ye needed, Granny?"

Grace shook her head.

"Nay. If ye have other things t' go d' t'night, ye can go. I just wanted t' give Isis t' Rhiana."

He laughed.

"Are ye gonna teach her how t' talk t' Isis, too?"

She snorted and looked down at the girl and kitten.

"Ye wan' t' be able t' conspire wi' th' kitty an' have her actually understand ye?"

The little girl looked up at her with her eyes as big as dinner plates.

"You can do that?" she asked breathlessly.

Grace laughed.

"How d' ye think Serene kens when tis time t' herd ye t' bed?"