catnap with destiny [open]

[regalduchess]

...Perhaps it is true that cats have nine lives.

Three days after the crocodile, Duchess wakes up in the same place she'd died (swiftly, not fast enough for blood to stain past the collar). She's curled up as if in a light catnap on the windowseat in one of the halls, but the dust on the velvet cushions betrays the truth.

Duchess opens her eyes slowly against the light that filters in. Warmth puddles on her back, slips away on her shadowed paws and tail curled under her body.

...despite how nice it feels, she still has a phantom ache in her throat. She'll sit at the windowseat for a while, alternately grooming her fur into perfection or soaking up the sun.

A little later, she'll pad down into the gardens and inspect the newest... additions to the landscape.  It's entirely possible that anyone could run into her, either at the windowseat, the gardens, or anywhere in-between.

Comments

[itstheend]

Frisk just sort of. Looks at her. Does not compute. Not in their paradigm.

"But... you're talking."

Is it she is a monster but just doesn't consider herself worthy of the title, like Chara pretends they're a demon? They ignore an I do not pretend! from within. That only makes them feel sadder about this.

[regalduchess]

"I couldn't talk to you in this way before I arrived at the castle. Perhaps the castle is lending me some of its magic."

She wishes she knew; neither she, the child, or any of the other denizens seem to have any idea.

[itstheend]

"'In this way'," they quote. "But you could still talk?"

If that's true, it means cats are a third variety of people. Frisk has no problem accepting this, and neither does Chara. "Okay. Sorry I thought you were a monster."

Being mistaken for something or someone you're not isn't a thing people enjoy, in their experience. They tilt their head at her, curious.

"Does the castle do that for everyone?"

It would explain how people from different worlds can communicate, Chara muses.

[regalduchess]

"Oh, I certainly hope so!"

She hides a smile behind a paw. "nd do not worry, my dear. You didn't know any better. But I assure you, I am fully cat."

She bats at their hand, encouraging more scratches.

[itstheend]

"Okay."

Frisk nods and happily obliges with more scratching, humming. They're used to petting dogs more, and it may show, but plenty of cat monsters liked this too.

It's good that she seems fine with the faux pas. And even if she's not a monster, they're still going to ask.

"Do you know any secrets 'bout this place?"

[regalduchess]

Duchess purrs and luxuriates in the scratching for a few seconds, question floating on the top of her mind; unanswered for the moment, but present.

"I know that the rooms change." A pause. "I know that it seems to provide anything we may need, with a little looking."

[itstheend]

"Anything?" Frisk says, continuing to scratch. "Like... things from home?" Could they find a butterscotch cinnamon pie if they went through all the cupboards, for example?

Frisk stop killing yourself with sappy nostalgia.

[regalduchess]

"I suppose." Except for a new collar, or one that is more elegant than the plain white band she has now.

"Think of what you desire, and I assume you'll find it eventually."

[itstheend]

"That's... really good to know, thanks Duchess!" Frisk's tone is genuinely warm and grateful. Chara is itching impatiently under their skin and they're tempted to ask for five more minutes but... best not to push it, given their past together.

They reluctantly fall back and Chara takes their place at the fore, not missing a beat on the scratching.

The sunlight's so warm.

[regalduchess]

Duchess sticks around to enjoy the petting for a minute more, though careful not to overindulge; if she gets sore, then she won't be able to fully enjoy any scratches she may get later.

"I'm afraid that I must go, my dear. I need to make sure that everyone else is safe."

[itstheend]

"Understandable," Chara says with a small nod. Not they themself know the sentiment in personal experience, but they can understand it. "I have things I need to do myself."

Given how small this place is, they're bound to run into each other again sometime. They stop scratching, and stand up, dusting off their trousers.

"Be seeing you, Duchess."

Off they go.