Diabolik Cat's (Reworked)

Naming [10]

A few hours had passed since I first discovered the strange new cats in my home. The initial confusion and anxiety had settled into something softer, something almost like acceptance. The house was quiet now, save for the occasional rustle of fur as the cats wandered around, exploring every corner of their new environment.

I sat on the edge of the couch, sipping a lukewarm cup of tea as I watched them. It was strange how quickly they had adjusted. Toast, my little attention-seeker, had already made friends with the lilac and red cats. They didn't exactly play together, but there was a sense of mutual respect, or maybe just tolerance, that eased some of my earlier fears. Duck, of course, continued to sleep through everything, occasionally opening one eye to lazily observe his surroundings before dozing off again. Typical Duck.

The dark purple cat had taken a particular interest in Duck, staying close but never too close, as if waiting for some kind of signal. Duck didn't seem to care one way or the other, which was oddly comforting. At least there wouldn't be any fights, at least, not yet.

And then there was the white cat, still keeping to himself by the window. His eyes, a startling red, flickered with a mix of curiosity and sadness as if he wasn't sure whether to join the others or continue brooding on his own. I felt a pang of sympathy for him, but I knew better than to push. Cats had their own ways of dealing with things, and I didn't want to force him into anything he wasn't ready for.

As I sat there, reflecting on the last few hours, it became clear that I couldn't just toss them out. They were more than just strays now; they were part of something, and as much as I hated the fact that my house was getting fuller, I couldn't bring myself to toss them astray. Whether it was my life or some strange twist of fate, I didn't know, but I couldn't abandon them.

"Looks like you're stuck with me for a while," I murmured, half to myself, half to the cats, who were too busy with their own thoughts to care.

If they were going to stay, they needed names. It felt wrong to just call them "the white one" or "the red one." They deserved more than that, even if they couldn't understand the significance. I set my tea down and stood up, brushing crumbs off my lap. Time to make this official, I supposed.

First, I approached the red cat. He was lounging on the rug, his bright fur standing out like a flame against the dark carpet. As I reached for him, he flicked his tail and narrowed his eyes, clearly unimpressed with the idea of being picked up. I ignored his silent protest, scooping him into my arms. He was surprisingly heavy, his muscles tensing as if ready to bolt at any moment.

"Alright, let's see... Cayenne," I said, testing the name out loud. It seemed fitting, with his fiery coat and prickly attitude. Cayenne, however, didn't seem to care. He squirmed in my arms, clearly unhappy with the whole situation. With a sigh, I set him back down, and he immediately strutted off as if nothing had happened.

Next was the dark purple cat, still hovering near Duck. This one was easier to handle; he didn't resist when I picked him up; he just stared at me with those intense, wine-red eyes framed by an odd pair of glasses that seemed far too dignified for a cat. He was calm, almost indifferent, as I cradled him, his sleek fur cool against my skin.

After a moment, I decided on "Echo." The name felt fitting, as if it matched the quiet, mysterious air about him. Echo blinked slowly as if acknowledging the name before I gently placed him back on the floor. Unlike Cayenne, he didn't run off; he just continued his silent vigil near Duck.

The white cat was next. I hesitated, not wanting to disturb him, but I couldn't leave him out. He watched me approach, his red eyes narrowing slightly, but he didn't move. When I picked him up, he was tense. Every muscle in his body coiled like a spring. His fur was softer than I had imagined, but his posture made it clear that he wasn't comfortable being held.

"Domino," I whispered, thinking of how his stark white fur contrasted so sharply with the rest of the room. He didn't seem pleased with the name or perhaps just with the situation in general. His ears flattened slightly as I set him down, and he quickly returned to his spot by the window, resuming his solitary watch.

Finally, there was the lilac cat. He had been watching me with wide, curious eyes the entire time, clutching his tiny teddy bear between his teeth. Unlike the others, he seemed eager for attention, practically jumping into my arms as soon as I crouched down.

"Hey there, sweetie," I cooed, holding him close. He purred loudly, nuzzling into my chest like we were close friends. His fur was a delicate shade of lilac, his eyes matching perfectly. I couldn't help but smile at how content he seemed, so different from the others.

"Angel," I decided, the name slipping out naturally. He tilted his head, still purring, as if he approved. It was hard to put him down; he clung to me, paws gripping my shirt, reluctant to let go. But eventually, I managed to pry him off, placing him gently on the floor. He immediately circled back, rubbing against my legs, clearly not ready to leave my side.

As I stood up, I took a deep breath, feeling a strange sense of completion. The names might not mean much to them, but they meant something to me. It made them feel less like intruders and more like... family, in a way. With his aloof demeanour, even Domino felt like he belonged here now.

I glanced around the room, watching as they resumed their activities—Cayenne exploring the corners, Echo observing Duck, Domino returning to his solitary spot by the window, and Angel staying close to me, his little teddy bear still clutched in his mouth.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. They weren't just cats anymore; they were part of my life, whether I liked it or not. Settling back on the sofa, it wasn't long before Angel pounced up, snuggling into my stomach, almost claiming it as his space, and he wasn't going to move at all.

23rd august 2024
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