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Quenton went about business as modifiedly usual, since having hired on extra help to cover hours and make life during the whole of October easier with having a cast. Today Elliot was in front, which left him free to tidy up the Cat Lounge and ensure there was a selection of favored feather teasers, approved treats, clean pillows and lap blankets stocked in the VIP Room. He double checked where each of the current cats were and gathered Montague into his left arm to take into the suite first. The cross-eyed tortoiseshell was the cuddliest of all the cats there, enjoying lap time or even just sitting with a heavy lean against any present human like a little magnet, which seemed like something that would endear Colin. And do the danseur well in the unconditional affection department. The long hours at the ballet were a concern, but that could wait for posing to Colin directly.

The sculptor settled in on one of the room-ringing couches, drew a blanket over his lap, and allowed the cat to settle into a contented puddle of purring, upside-down fluff.

Waiting was never an object in the presence of cats. Time passed uncounted, but for gentle strokes of mottled orange-black ruff. Then Colin appeared at the door like the sun given a body and every ounce of electron energy to burn off in the next hour.

"Tortoiseshell colouration genes are carried on the X chromosome, so most are female. In the rare case that a tortoiseshell is male, he has three chromosomes: two X's and a Y. This is Montague, who has been born to this husky, female frame. " Quenton flatted both his hands on the puffy flanks and wiggled the cat lightly by her center of gravity. Montague showed no signs of offense at this treatment, instead increasing the purring rumble and hand contact and squeezing her eyes pleasantly.

"She's three years old, spayed. She was given to the shelter by the family of her previous owner, an elderly man, who died last year. All shots had. Almost entirely an indoor life, though she accompanied the gentlemen outdoors for gardening. We have other cats, of course, but she seemed a good possible first try. While you're being very polite and proper, like yourself, she doesn't need so much introduction." As Colin was seated, Quenton lifted the cat from her lean on himself and set her laying, like a well-pleased sack, on Colin's lap. She sniffed at the danseur's hands. Then licked his pants once before rolling to be upside down.

"And, naturally, you can rename the cats. This one isn't so bad, but usually those the shelter gives are mind-numbingly insipid. "

"How have you been?"

"She is, which I thought a plus for someone who might be in and out a lot, and who might have company over on occasion- she gets along with the other cats fine, but is fine being alone as well. Smart enough to entertain herself with shadows, window sitting, bird watching, dust bunny chasing. Dumb enough that being alone won't end in toilets flushed a hundred times, phones answered by cats, or sudden house renovation due to a feline stuck in a wall. "

"She hasn't shown any tendency to gorge on food left out, either. Her weight is mostly a factor of too much sunbathing and not enough playing chase. " The report of lessened idiocy was entertaining, if all the more that Colin had deemed it necessary to include so specifically. Like holding up a certificate of reprieve to a jailer to prove pardon had been given in the certainty that physical evidence and word were not enough. Maybe they aren't. The friendship has been damaged in that way, because of me. It is a small price, the better assurance that he is healthy and a greater statistic to survive a fight. Not a surety. There is no surety in this game the universe plays with us. "Honestly, I like cats a bit hefty. But you could work out with your own new furry overlord if they needed a diet or not. "


"The novelty period has worn off, but business remains very good. Being walking distance from the university was a perfect choice. We have more holistic and dietary-specific options than mainline coffee shops, and there's the cats. So competition has been almost a non-problem. As far as the students and professors seem concerned, if they're spending four dollars for a latte anyway they'd rather do it someplace with stringent concerns for the environment, fair trade, and some fluffy entertainment. If I can find a third staff member, there's been a lot of requests for extended hours into the late night for study sessions. It might be something to do limitedly, such as during the two weeks of midterms and the two of finals. I'll have to see. "

Quenton leaned to the table and opened the portfolio there that had scrapbooked pages of each of the current cats and paged along to a marmalade looking car with white socks on two of its feet as well as a white mustache marking. " would you like a feather teaser to play? She'll cuddle for hours given the chance- so if you want to see her play you'd have to convince her of it. Or did you want to meet another? This one here, Charlie, was the other one I thought a good possibility for you."

“Far be it from me to impede on her when she has you in her tractor beam. “ A quick reach was all that was needed practically anywhere in the CatFe, with a lean, and Quenton offered out a turkey-feather teaser for Colin’s use.

“Did you want to take her home today, which you can, adopt but pick up tomorrow or later this week, or some other arrangement? The adoptions paperwork and process is dictated by the shelters who provide our puffs. It's $50 for cats older than 2, and $75 for younger ones. None of our cats are younger than 10 weeks. It can all be done with a tablet. Verification of home ownership or if you rent we will need a copy of your lease stating that your landlord permits you to have pets along with your landlord’s signature and contact information. “

“That is all to assure that the animals aren't going to be abandoned. All adopters must complete an application form, which will credit check you, all adopters must be at least 21 years of age. If you have any animals already in your household, they must be spayed or neutered and have proof papers of vaccinations. All household members must be present prior to the finalization of an adoption, so if you have roommates they will need to confirm approval. Adoptions can only be approved to households within a 75 mile radius of our address, further locations would have to inquire with the shelters themselves. "

"We have little one-sheets on each of the cats, things like favorite toys, preferred foods and treats, and information about where they came from if they had prior owners. " A quick turn to the correct page for Montague, and pulling it out, provided that her favorite toy was the peak-a-prize puzzle. “She’s played with kickers, but usually only for immediately after they’re tossed on the floor. Then after she’s kicked them they are ‘dead’ until you or someone manually picks them up and tosses them again. “

" Each adoption comes with a beginner’s checklist and a soft-side, messenger-style sport carrier if you'd like one. Or we have temporary, recyclable cardboard carriers for take homes. “

"Since he's not on the lease, he's not legally able to make decisions about the upkeep and space, so there's no need to involve him in the process officially. You've already talked, and have confirmation as far as social obligations, and that's enough for courtesy sake. " Quenton stood carefully, so as not to startle Montague.

"I'll get the necessities from the front for filling out. Maybe you'll be spared a hand for the purpose instead of petting. It isn't any more complicated remembering the logistics than any other service industry. Going through it each time makes it easier to recall, really. "

"I can bring some drinks back as well. " A cousin on a couch was an unexpected boon for social living, but as the dancer mentioned, it was a temporary arrangement. Having a cat around would help buffer the loss for the overt, energetic man. She might not be a person, but she could well be the Queen of his domain in short time, and eclipse many negative, depressive pathways with a good purr and whiskered demands. He hoped.