“Watch the…” Becca grabbed up the laptop. “Well, I guess that’s the universe giving me a clue.”
She set the computer aside and reached to rub Clara’s ear, even as the two older cats nudged her for a position.
“Laurel, it worked.” Clara looked up, excited.“I wonder if I could try…”
“I know what you three want.” Becca extricated herself from the fur pile. “Treats, coming up.”
“Wait.”Clara looked from Laurel to Harriet.“Did one of you do that?”
“Family meeting.” Laurel lashed her tail and then, distracted by the movement, began to lick it. Hours later, the treats had all been eaten and Becca gone to bed. All three cats had accompanied her, of course, and now lounged around their person in various stages of repose.“It’s time!”
“Ahem.” Harriet, who had been napping, puffed herself up. Turning from Laurel to Clara, she pulled her large head back into her considerable marmalade ruff and began.“It has come to my attention that perhaps we have been lax in our lessons. Granted, we’ve had other concerns.”
“Like the pursuit of treats.”Laurel’s muttered aside was nearly muffled as she dug into one brown bootie.
Clara, who lay by Becca’s side, felt her whiskers twitch. Harriet didn’t often speak of anything at such length—anything but food, that is. Something was up.
“While we have been hoping that your natural feline intelligence would clue you in, it has become increasingly obvious that you have missed our role in your adventures.” Harriet’s voice rumbled with an almost growl-like solemnity that alarmed her baby sister.
“Your role? I’ve seen Laurel, but…” Clara turned to her littermate, but Laurel only shrugged, her caf? au lait fur shimmering in the moonlight.
“Our role,” Harriet repeated, slowly closing her round gold eyes for emphasis.“While you certainly have incipient powers, Laurel and I have been doing our best to boost those powers. Partly to aid you in your work, and partly to foster your independence.”
“My independence?”
A true growl, or it could have been the start of a furball, cut her off.
“Clearly, our person has chosen you as her familiar. For reasons of history and heritage, this makes sense. However, you must understand that the care of a human is a serious obligation, and all three of us must do our bit. So, while we’ve tried to encourage your strengths and your independence, it will not do for you to disparage or try to disown your family. We are your family, Clara, for good or ill. Your sisters.”
“So… you’ve been helping me?” Clara nearly squeaked. So much began to make sense—the failures of her shading, Laurel’s aid. Even Harriet’s magical grooming, which had healed her wounds. A warmth that could not be attributed only to her sleeping person’s proximity began to fill her, and she could feel the purr begin to start, deep in her chest.“Both of you?”
“Of course we’ve been helping you.” Laurel focused on her bootie and refusing to meet Clara’s eye, even as Becca sighed in a dream and nestled closer. Harriet, by her feet, was once more sound asleep.“We’re family.” Laurel’s distinctive yowl, softer now. “And that means we love you, Clown.”