Cat Burglar!

Val’s mood seems to have improved a lot since his little date with Leo. I haven’t been able to sneak out as easily, but he talks about Leo more often since that day.

“Leo’s been proposing new ideas for the gardens. I think he’s trying to earn the money I offered him as a gift. Hah, he’s very honest.” is something Val said to me one night before bed, with a smile and a chuckle.

It seems like they’re making good on their promise of friendship! Sure, it would be nice for some romance to spark, but for now, this is satisfactory~ After all, plenty of people start as friends before stepping into a relationship with another person. Even if a romance doesn’t blossom, Val needs a friend. If that’s all Leo ends up being, then nothing is lost.

I lazily roll to my side and stare out the window. The maids have tied the latch shut so I can’t easily unlatch it anymore. It was silly of me to leave the window wide open like that, but alas. I can always find a way to undo the knot if I really need to get out. I’m just choosing to stay put for now! Seriously!

We’ve managed to run into Yancy a few times as well, though all she does is talk about cats. Even though it’s a conversation that Vallie engages in, it doesn’t feel like it’s gone anywhere. Val hasn’t extended an offer of friendship to Yancy like he has to Leo. Clearly he feels more at ease with Leo than Yancy… I wonder if it’s anything to do with his feelings towards either changing? It’s hard to say.

On the one hand, you could see him being more reserved around Yancy as a sign he still likes her and isn’t sure how to approach her just yet. Women seem to be people Val doesn’t fully know how to approach, after all. But on the other hand, Val and Leo becoming closer could also mean his feelings for him are growing instead, and he’s losing interest in Yancy. Both are possible, I think. The issue is. Ohhhh the issue surely is…

I. Can’t. Leave. This. ROOM.

Sure, I’ve chosen to stay here for the time being. Don’t get me wrong! I can totally undo the maids’ little trap any time! I’m doing this for Val’s sake of mind! But along with that, comes with the sacrifice that I don’t know how Val and Leo’s interactions are going. Are their feelings deepening? Or are they more comfortable as friends? Should I hit abort on Yancy or push him even more towards her? This is. Driving me. CRAZY.

Regardless, I think it would be good to help foster the friendship between both Yancy and Leo for the time being. Val can choose a partner when the time is right, I have faith in his heart to do what’s right for him. I just… can’t help but worry for him and the heart that’s faced so much ache.

Pressing my paws against the window, I grunt as I push away. There’s plenty of toys to play with, but I’m not in a playful mood. Maybe I’ll browse the books Vallie has on his bookshelf instead…

As I get up from my laying position, the door to the room opens, and Ms. Layla enters alone with a silver serving cart draped with a silky white cloth. I tilt my head in confusion. Usually, both Ms. Layla and Mrs. June come together. Glancing at the clock, it’s not even time for dinner. They finished grooming my fur about 15 minutes after lunch. What’s the purpose of this visit?

“Hello, Princess.” Ms. Layla coos, petting my head gently. “Are you in a good mood today? You seem chipper.”

Not really, she seems to be projecting her own feelings onto me, given how smiley she is right now.

“I’ve come to fetch you.” She says, getting up and removing the white table cloth from the serving cart. On the section below the top is a pet carrier. The fur on my back stands up on end. “It won’t take very long, so don’t be frightened. We’re just going to visit someone special.”

Is she trying to sweet talk me into seeing like, the vet or something?! No thanks! I hiss as she tries picking me up.

“Shshsh.” She shushes me even as I squirm and claw at the air near her hands. I’m met with gloved fabric. Shoot, she came prepared.

Placed inside of the carrier, she shuts the cage door and smiles.

“Be a good kitty, ok? No one’s going to hurt you, I promise.”

She then covers the whole cart with the cloth once again. What the heck? This is weird. Usually when they take me to the vet, they don’t do it like this. I thought she was just trying to catch me off guard. I meow, causing her to shush me again.

When the cart begins to roll, the wheels are unbelievably loud and squeaky. When I try to meow again, the wheels are loud enough to cover my voice. My stomach drops. Is this… a cat-napping?! Am I being kidnapped right from my own room?! I yowl as loud as I can, but a kick to the carrier causes my heart to nearly leap out of my mouth. I barely hear Ms. Layla mumble something, but can’t make out what. This is bad, if I don’t do something, I’ll be stolen from Val!

As I pace in a circle around the carrier, the cart stops and the cloth is removed. Sunlight floods my vision. We’re outside. When Ms. Layla lifts the carrier, she stops to talk to a man who’s waiting in front of a car. I frantically look around, trying to think of something, anything, that could help me get out of this, when I spot a familiar maid getting out of a car in front of the one Ms. Layla stands in front of.

This is it, I yowl as loud as I can. This catches everyone’s attention, including Yancy, who makes eye contact with me through the cage. I see her expression change from confusion to concern when Ms. Layla roughly puts the carrier into the car.

“Quiet down!” She hisses.

The door shuts. Ms. Layla and the man she was speaking with climb into the front seats and start driving off.

I’m so screwed!!