You clear your throat. βWhatβ¦ what do you do here?β βI wait for my person.β The catβs voice is deep. It resonates in your chest. βShe cannot walk where she β where you are from. I wait by the ramp to ease her path.β βOh, a wheelchair?β you blurt out. βDid she β uh β did she ride you? Is that a weirdββ The catβs purr is interrupted by the low rumble of its laughter. βYes, she rides me. She cannot walk there, but here,β the catβs eyes open, βhere she flies with me.β βSo youβre waiting for her?β The cat nods, twitching its whiskers. Such a normal cat behavior seems bizarre and wonderful when magnified like this. βHow long since you saw her last?β The catβs eyes search the stars. βHm,β it muses, β200 hundred years? Maybe three.β "Oh." Your heart drops in your chest. "Oh, I'm sorry, but we don't live that long." The purring ceases. After a moment, it begins again, the catβs chest slowly pumping like a bellows. βI was afraid of that,β the cat hums, its eyes closing. βPerhaps it is time for the next one, after all.β βThe next one?β You take a very small step closer, so curious. βYouβve had otherβ¦ people?β "I have had many companions. They arrive when they are meant to. They need my help and I give it to them freely. I do not keep them when they are called away." You lean against the railing, frowning. "Will you forget her?" "Never," the cat intones. Its answer is immediate. "I never forget them." It feels sweet to hear that. You smile. "I hope your next one comes soon." The cat lifts a great, tawny lid to look at you. "Did it ever occur to you that it might be you?"
------
If you made it this far, thanks π€ I felt like stretching my creative writing muscle on this one. Maybe that's what Tumblr is for for me, writing a little more here and there as these dimensions inspire me.
I hope you're well, Tumblr people.
