{Not All Black Cats Are Bad Luck} OC X CANON

{1: The Musician Next Door}

1911, June 5 (Age Count: Mordecai - 12, Marly - 10)

     A Burmese cat slipped her arms through the straps of her cello case. Smiling, she checked herself out in the mirror. Marly wore her best suit, and had cleaned her case and her eyeglasses. She was young, but an aspiring professional cellist, and was already getting to it, being very talented for her age. Marly was content with how she looked for today and trotted down to see her parents.

     "I'm gonna go play with the neighbors kids!" She called out, and her mom smiled at her.

     "Gonna show them your cello?" Her mom chuckled.

     "Yep!!" Marly exclaimed, and her mom smiled, allowing her to go. Marly dashed down the stairs as carefully as possible so she wouldn't lose her balance and fall down, breaking her instrument. Soon the Burmese reached the nearest tenement, and knocked on the door. She waited, and soon the door was opened, and a dark pelted molly stared down at her. She looked kind, and had soft eyes when she smiled at Marly.

     The woman had glasses and was carrying a baby, her dark pelt had a bit of white markings here and there.

     "Hello," She started, "Why, look at you all dressed up! Are you one of the new neighbors from over there?" The molly pointed to Marly's apartment building, and the Burmese nodded her head. Marly just now noted how tired she looked, but she brushed it off, not wanting to get a bad start with the neighbors! New York City is a big place, and because of this Marly thought it would be good to have a group of people and friends that you can count on.

     "Yes ma'am!" Marly mewed with a smile, "I wanted to go check out and meet the nearby neighbors, and you and your family are some of them!" The Burmese peered at the baby her neighbor was holding, her ears perking up as her smile widened, "Oh she's so cute!" Marly exclaimed, and the molly smiled.

     "That's Hannah," She meowed, "You can call me Zippy," Marly nodded her head, what a fun name! Zippy continued, "I have three other children, go meet them," She smiled softly. The Burmese nodded her head and entered Zippy's apartment room when gestured to. When she stepped in, the molly called out, "Rose! Esther! Mordecai! Our new neighbor is here to visit!!"

     Soon, three tuxedo cats padded up to Marly. The smallest bounded up to her, young and bright.

     "Hi! I'm Rose!!" She mewed excitedly, circling Marly, her tail swishing side to side. The next tuxedo was also a girl, and she smiled at Marly, her hair in one large braid.

     "Esther, nice to meet you," Esther meowed, grabbing Rose's paw and gently pulling her closer to her sister. She seemed about Marly's age, perhaps.

     The last tuxedo stared at Marly through his circular yellow framed pince-nez glasses, but didn't speak quite yet. He held a book in his paws, and he adjusted his sweater, as it was falling off one of his shoulders. Marly watched him with intent, taking interest in his character. If she remembered correctly, this one was Mordecai.

     Footsteps approached them as Zippy stood behind Marly, smiling down at them all, "Mordecai, say hi to your new neighbor" She meowed. The tom kept his distance, but spoke.

     "Hello," Mordecai mewed quietly, glancing down at his paws. Zippy led them to the couch, where Marly took off her cello case and lay it down in front of her as she sat down.

     "I'm Marly," The Burmese mewed to them all. Rose waddled over to the instrument sitting next to Marly, eyes sparkling.

     "What's this?" She asked, looking up at Marly, her tail flicking in curiosity. Esther looked at Marly with a smile, also wondering. Mordecai opened his book, but listened to the conversation.