Mittens Has Class

Chapter 8: Perrault's Puss in Boots Might Be More Apt

Compared to the silent and empty nature of the last time she was on campus, there was a very surprising number of students milling about the university for how early in the morning it was. While it was still far from crowded, Mittens had not expected so many others to be already starting their day before it was even eight o'clock. Perhaps, like herself, many had arrived extra early to make sure they had everything and could find their first class without being late to arrive for it.

Regardless of the reasons, gaggles of students migrated along the walkways between buildings, most seeming lost in their own personal fogs. A few took an obvious moment to gawk at her as they passed, but many more seemed unaware of anything except what was in their hands, be that a map of campus, a schedule, or a coffee cup. She'd brought along the slimmer pair of 'cat-gloves', just in case, but she'd opted the start her day in full 'Mittens-mode'.

Her big fluffy ears were firmly pinned into place, her plush paws on feet and hands, her tail pulled through a small hole in the back of her shorts, and even the application of a little make-up to playfully mimic whiskers and a little black nose, she was determined to project her full feline self. What she'd hemmed and hawed for almost an hour over last night had been the rest of her clothes.

Should she make a little extra effort for more conservative dress? Keep it flirty and fresh? Push an envelope? While she did want to be taken, at least somewhat, seriously, she also wanted to make sure stayed true to herself. She'd finally settled on a cute sleeveless blouse and sweater vest, paired with black shorts in a formal style, and gartered black stockings in a plaid print. She felt it managed to mix playful, flirty, and academic fairly well and she looked kind of cute.

She'd also considered donning a pair of matte black hipster-style glasses but decided that might be a little too much. However, Master had bought her a special new collar, which sported a cute little silky bowtie above the bell and said 'BKOC' along the side. It stood for 'Big Kitty On Campus', he said. This she had proudly on display around her throat, the tiny lock in the back, shaped like a cat's paw, resting sweetly against the back of her neck.

She also had a little pink backpack, currently carrying several sticker-littered notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, safety scissors, post-its, glitter, a stuffed animal for emergencies, and her neko lunchbox, which was full of goodies Chloe had made for her. Master had joked that he hoped that Chloe was right about her not really needing to buy textbooks, since he wasn't sure she had room for them.

Strolling along one of the sidewalks, currently more exploring than really going anywhere, she considered the large campus and began to regret not having bought her own map while she could. The college was spread out over a large area, it was hard to tell where to go to find what. While she had arrived early to give herself time to find things, she was starting to think that she might not have given herself enough extra time.

"Wow! You really weren't kidding!" The voice behind her made Mittens start in surprise and whirl about. She found the girl she'd met in the bathroom when she'd come to take her placement tests standing there. She was dressed in much similar of fashion as before, gray cardigan over a green blouse, knee-length skirt, opaque leggings the same shade as the blouse, and a pair of gray ballet flats. The wristwatch was still fastened about her ankle, instead of a wrist.

"Oh! Hey!" She bubbled at the girl, delighted to run into her again. "Valli, right? Now, what was I not kidding about?"

She absently adjusted her glasses as she meaningfully stared at the stuffed paws on Mittens' hands. "That you would be coming to school as a cat. I wasn't sure if you were joking or serious."