The Illusion of Danger

Chapter 7

It was getting later and later in the day now; the sun showing signs of setting as a certain tuxedo cat strode down a side street.
With all that he had been informed about, he was glad to be returning to his place of residence for chores that he hadn't gotten around to doing just yet since he wouldn't be able to rest until everything was finished.
Luckily it was only a floors and windows week. Had it have been either kitchen or bathroom day, well, he'd be up nearly all night. This was the very reason why he reserved Saturdays for those days so that if he did have to be up all night, he would have his Sundays to get the rest he needed for laundry and ironing every Monday. He had a very strict routine for his chores and he frankly took pride in how well he organized himself so that he was also flexible with his schedule.

It was awfully quiet in this part of the city, however, something caught Mordecai's attention and made his ears twitch; even stopping him in his tracks.
It took him a moment to locate where the sound was coming from, turning his head to where he knew a park was set. While he really wanted to get to his schedule, he also wanted to figure out what that unusual sound was about. He hadn't heard it around here before.

From what he could see, the park was empty except for one automobile parked on the street. Everyone was likely home for dinner with their families around this time, so what was this about? It wasn't long before Mordecai's eyes narrowed, recognizing this automobile quickly. Of course... it seemed they had been crossing each other's paths oh so frequently.
Well, this could be a grand opportunity to scope his personal target and see if there was any information to be gained; so, taking another quick look around, the black and white cat started walking into the park, following the sound of the violin until he caught sight of the man in question, playing near the pond with ducks treading the water.
He made sure to stay just out of sight as he watched and listened closely.

Rocky had had a busy day at the cafe 'helping' Ivy and Mitzi with 'cleaning' and whatnot. He had helped so much that Mitzi gave him the rest of the day off. It was awfully kind of her, even though he had insisted on helping further, she had guaranteed him that the two women could handle the rest of the chores for the day.

"Those girls worked too hard."
He shook his head, chuckling at himself as he set down his violin case softly on the grass. The tabby hummed to himself as he rosined his bow and tuned the instrument.
"Perfect!"
He sang at the last pluck of a string in tune. Holding the bow with the tips of his fingers, he placed the violin under his chin and adjusted the shoulder rest correctly, then began to play a somber tune. He began to recite a poem that had been on his mind ever since his heart began to play for a certain man.

"Dear friend, those times are over and done; love's web is spun. Look upward where the poplar trees sway and sway in the summer air, here in the valley never a breeze scatters the thistledown, but there, great winds blow fair from the mighty murmuring mystical seas and the wave-lashed leas."

A tear rolled down the tabby's cheek. Thinking about his affections that would most likely never be requited.

Mordecai stood quietly behind a nearby tree, listening to the seemingly heartfelt words paired with the music of the instrument. He needed to slow his thoughts a small bit to take in the probable meaning within the poem being spoken.
All the tuxedo cat could wonder was what the significance was that made the tabby choose this poem in particular. Yes, it was beautiful in its own respect, but the way Rocky was speaking and the way that the violin was being played told him that there was a reason this poem was being recited.

"Sweet, there is nothing left to say but this, that love is never lost; keen winter stabs the breasts of May whose crimson roses burst his frost...  ships tempest-tossed will find a harbor in some bay, and so we may. And there is nothing left to do but to kiss once again, and part, nay, there is nothing we should rue... I have my beauty; you, your art, nay, do not start. One world was not enough for two like me and you."