Ser Pounce and the oblivious humans

Introducing Ser Pounce

"Aren't you a cutie," came a soft, feminine voice. The kitten opened his sleepy eyes. He saw a human peering at him through the bars of the cage he shared with his siblings. She had long, wavy, brown hair and was looking at the kittens with a pleased smile. She turned her back to the cage and addressed an older human, "Grandma, I think I found the best present for Tommen. Look at these kittens. Aren't they just precious? I know he'll love them! We have to get them." 

The older human peered at the kittens in the cage. "Hmm I wonder," she contemplated, "Young Tommen does seem fond of kittens, but his mother may not be pleased." 

"Pleeaaase Grandma?" begged the girl, "He'd be so happy to have them!" 

"Oh don't think that means I disapprove Margaery dear," said the older human with an amused smile touching her lips, "We most certainly have to buy them now. It really is the perfect gift." 

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Tommen Baratheon was excited. It was his eight birthday and his mother was throwing him a party. He was happy to see all his friends and family, but mostly he was happy to see all the presents they brought him. His sister Myrcella said that she wouldn't let Joffrey steal them this time so he was in a great mood. 

"Happy Birthday Tommen," came a sweet voice from behind him. He spun around quickly, and saw his friend Margaery standing there. "Thank you," he said  to the older girl shyly. His cheeks pinked when she gave him a congratulatory hug and said, "I can't wait for you to see your present. I hope you like it." He couldn't wait either, but Margaery could give him a rock and he would love it. 

The sound of someone clearing their throat reached his ears and he realised his mother was standing there frowning. "How nice to see you Margaery dear," she said stiffly, "Why don't you go sit at the table with the others, I'm sure they'll be delighted to see you, besides.."she turned to Tommen,"it's time to cut the cake."

A bright smile broke out on his face. After the cake was present time. 

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The kittens mewled softly. After the girl and her grandmother had paid to take the kittens, they found themselves being placed in a box with holes.

After what seemed like forever, the lid was removed and they saw a smiling, blond haired human looking down at them. 

He gave a cry of joy and scooped up all three of them in his arms.

"Kitties!" he exclaimed. He snuggled the kittens and they squirmed in his grasp as he ran to his mother. 

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"Mother look what Margaery got me!" Tommen said, showing them to her. Cersei's eyes widened. Black kittens! That wretch Olenna had bought her son black kittens on his birthday! Oh she was most certainly going to have words with her. She knew the woman had it out for her and her family. Black cats were bad luck after all. She would not stand for being insulted this way. 

"Tommen darling I'm afraid you can't keep them," Cersei started.  

His excitement faded to confusion,"But why?" 

How did she explain this to him? He was a sweet boy, he didn't understand that the kittens would bring them bad luck. To him they were just pets.

"Well, you have other pets don't you muffin? Mr. Puggles wouldn't like cats around the house. Dogs and cats don't get along you know," she tried to reason, "And kittens will eat Goldy and Golda."  

"But..Joffrey flushed Goldy and Golda down the toilet. And he threw Mr. Puggles out of the attic window. Uncle Jaime took him to the pet doctor and the pet doctor said that Mr. Puggles went to heaven," Tommen replied with watery eyes. 

Cersei sighed internally. How many times had she told Joff to leave his brother's pets alone? Now she had to find another excuse. 

"Well don't you think it would be an insult to Mr. Puggles' memory if you kept cats as his replacement? He would be sad," she said. 

"What seems to be the problem," said Olenna, who had come up behind Cersei so quietly that she jumped at her voice. "Why the long face? Don't you like them?" she said to Tommen.

 "I love them but mummy says I can't keep them," he replied, his voice cracking at the end. 

Then the horrible woman turned to Cersei,"What's the problem? The boy could do with some new pets. I heard what happened to his last ones. It would help take his mind off of it if he had new ones to play with."

Tommen nodded along,"Can I keep them please? I'll make sure they're good, I promise!" He looked at her with his innocent, childish eyes and she couldn't bring herself to forbid him from keeping them any longer. 

"Okay darling," she relented, "You can keep them."

She glared at Olenna's triumphant look. She was sure those cats would bring her bad luck. And that's just what Olenna was hoping for, she knew it!

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"Margaery," Tommen cried, waddling his way over to her still holding the squirming kittens,"Mummy said I could keep them." He grinned at her. 

"So does this mean you like them," she said, smiling down at him.

"Yup, I love them very much," he said, putting the cats down at his feet, where they started chasing each other. 

"Well, what are you going to call them then," said his sister, who was with Margaery before he got there. 

"Hmm that one is going to be Boots, and the girl will be Lady Whiskers," he said, and looked at the last kitten. He was still thinking of a name when the kitten saw a leaf floating by and pounced on it. "Ah I got it! He'll be Ser Pounce," Tommen proclaimed proudly.