Volume 1: Episode 3 - An Invitation
Ramewet, A Remote Village
Kat rolled out of bed with a smile and a spring. Getting out of bed used to be a chore in itself, but the last several days breathed a fresh life into him. Dewa could do things he never imagined himself. He felt youthful and energetic and, after all the cooking Dewa did for him in the evenings, Kat enjoyed fixing a breakfast of fish and milk for him.
As Kat finished the fish and put Dewa's plate and cup on the table, Dewa began to stir from his slumber. In a moment, Kat would hear Dewa's sonorous baritone voice, the likes of which he never heard from anyone else. Dewa rose, smiling at the offering of fish, and ruffled the hair on Kat's head. Kat grinned and looked away, still unaccustomed to the attention.
Dewa: I see the sun shines brightly already. I must eat quickly and join Resef.
Kat sighed as he picked at his fish.
Kat: You called Resef "a bore." Why do you still go to him if you don't like him?
Dewa had already finished most of his plate by the time Kat asked his question. Dewa reached over again and pat Kat on the head.
Dewa: Tell you what. When I come over tonight, I shall give a more thorough explanation. I have a proposition to tell you about anyway that is somewhat related.
Kat hung his head low and tapped his claws together.
Kat: I mean, I get why you might like him. Even when we were young, he was always more handsome and capable than me. It's stupid, but I still kinda look up to him...
Dewa reached out and rubbed Kat's head, sending his ears into a flutter.
Dewa: Do not fret. I do not like him in any capacity. If I did, we would not be having this conversation.
Dewa finished his last morsel of fish and then drank his entire cup of milk in one go. When he was finished, he reached out and pulled Kat close. Kat nuzzled his head in Dewa's warm chest, hoping he would never let go.
Dewa: I'll see you tonight as usual.
Dewa stepped back, turned, and darted out the front door, leaving Kat to pick dejectedly at his food. Another day's worth of anticipation awaited him until the sun went down and Dewa would be there again.
Kat attacked the dirt in the field with enthusiasm, marking out several new rows before noon and clicking out a merry little drumbeat with his tongue the entire time. Barely aware of anyone else around him, Kat hoed out row after row, ready for planting, until Granny tapped his shoulder.
Granny: You seem to be in a good mood.
Kat reacted with a start, jumping and turning to see Granny looking at him with a smile and perhaps some mild concern in her eyes.
Kat: Oh, Granny!
Kat smiled sheepishly and looked away.
Kat: Well, I've been feeling better than usual in the mornings.
Granny: Well, don't overdo it, dearie. I was afraid you didn't notice that the sun was about to go down.
Kat turned abruptly to find that Granny was right. The sun was just about to disappear behind the hill.
Kat: You're right! I should be getting back, then.
Kat quickly gathered up his things and didn't even bother to put his satchel strap around his neck. He ran off toward his house, with his satchel half-open, using his arm to stop his little gardening tools from tumbling out. Granny watched him disappear down the valley with mouth cocked and eyebrow raised.
Kat arrived back at his house and cheerily went about preparing everything for the night's dinner and activities to follow, all the while wondering what Dewa planned to tell him.
With the table cleared and cleaned, Kat put down the last fork when Dewa appeared in the door, clutching a large package of meat and sporting a toothy grin.
Dewa: Shall I begin?
Kat hopped with glee and grabbed a bundle of wood for the fire.
Kat: Oh, yes! Let me get the fire started!
Kat dropped the wood under the grill and lit the kindling with his flint. Soon, a healthy fire rose under the grill sending smoke through the chimney. Dewa opened the package and took out today's meat, already sliced and seasoned, ready for the grill.
Kat: While we're waiting, maybe you could tell me why you hang around Resef all the time.
Dewa hovered his hand just over the grill and then turned, taking a seat on the kitchen chair.
Dewa: We have some time before the grill is ready.
Kat took this as a cue and sat down in the other chair without a word, just ready to listen.
Dewa: I do favors for people. After a certain amount of time has passed, I collect my payment. Usually, I leave and then return once the time has passed, but I decided I wanted to see how the favor played out. Plus, it gave me time to get to know your people.
Kat listened, but was mystified all the same.
Kat: A favor? What favor did you do for Resef?
Dewa squinted and leaned in closer across the table.
Dewa: That is between myself and Resef.
Dewa leaned back again, resuming his previous casual demeanor.
Dewa: It is nearly time for me to collect Resef's payment. After that, it shall be time for me to leave.
Suddenly forgetting everything else, Kat's ears shot up on his head upon hearing that Dewa was leaving.
Kat: What? No! You can't leave already. I'm just getting to know you.
Dewa smiled and rested his elbow on the table, leaning in again. Rather than face Kat directly, Dewa kept his head turned to the side, peering at him with one eye on the side facing Kat.
Dewa: I want to ask you to come with me.
Kat suddenly sat up straight as his ears flitted around on the top of his head. Many sounds came out of his mouth as he squirmed this way and that, though, for a time, none of the sounds were coherent words. He'd thought about leaving many times, but now that a definitive decision was upon him, the fear was overwhelming.
Kat: I... um... Is this... Would this be... one of the favors you were talking about?
Dewa smiled sweetly and faced Kat in full.
Dewa: No, Kat. No favors. No payment. I would like for you to be my companion for as long as you wish to remain by my side. I've been watching you for a long time and I believe you may be the right choice.
Kat continued to squirm in his chair, seeming to shrink more and more with each passing moment.
Dewa: I see you are not ready to make such a momentous decision. I can wait, but not forever. Tomorrow, I will begin packing my things, so I will be late. I hope you will give me an answer soon.
Dewa turned to the grill. Satisfied that it was ready, he stood from his chair and placed one of the steaks on it, filling the house with the pungent aroma of meat and spices.
