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Gideon Nav and Harrowhark Nonagesimus looked at the various cats in the shelter as the snow fell outside with Christmas lights all around the roof shelter’s entrance. Calicos, Tabbys, Maincoones, American Bobtails, and a myriad of others were present. The shelter was over capacity as most if not all were. After a bit of searching Gideon found the perfect one.
Gideon smiled at the American Bobtail named Mia who had gray tones to her fur as she meandered back and forth while staring at Gideon inquisitively. Her light gray eyes seemed to stare into Gideon’s own golden eyes, trying to decipher who Gideon was as a person. “Well aren't you just the cutest thing?”
Harrow rolled her eyes at her girlfriend. “Griddle, we do not need this-this thing.”
“Don’t talk to Mia like that,” she turned back to Mia, “she didn’t mean it. She loves cats.”
“I do not.”
“Then why did you have three as a child?” Harrow herself looked at Gideon like a wet angry cat, “That’s what I thought.”
A somewhat meek-looking worker came up to Gideon and Harrow with a smile on her face. “Mia’s a very gentle and kind cat. She’s 4 years old and up to date on basic shots and doesn’t have any health abnormalities. She’s also very active and inquisitive as Bobtails typically are. Cat towers, perches and scratching posts are all very effective at keeping her attention for hours on end. She’s also extremely sociable and works well with other pets and humans.”
Harrow looked to Mia then back at the shelter worker whose name tag read “Casey.” “How long has she been in the shelter?”
“Six months.”
Harrow examined Mia like she would a bone from her job: efficiently to soak up every detail. Mia tilted her head at Harrow, extending a paw to bap Harrow’s face. Harrow accepted this bap, a small smile curling upon her lips.
“Aww, she likes you.” Casey mused.
“She does not.”
“Harrow, quit that. You know she does. How much is she?”
Casey laughed softly. “I understand the eagerness. We’re having a free adoption week for Christmas. She’s also been tested for FELV and FIV and both were negative. The adjustment period we had for her was a month, so I'd expect it to be a bit longer for you two. Do you have anything available for Mia in terms of food, litter boxes, things she can play with?”
Gideon smiled. “We actually have had cats before and kept everything we could. We have a scratching post, tower, perch, and we can get food specific for Mia’s tastes.”
“Well, you’re more prepared than most. You’ll need an enclosed litter box if you don’t already have one.”
“That’s the only thing we don’t have besides food.”
“Well thankfully litter boxes that are enclosed don’t cost too much. Mia prefers this,” Casey handed a small food container to Gideon that read , “it’s fairly cheap at Petsmart.”
“We also have a cat named Jasper. We know how to introduce cats properly as we’ve done it before. Jasper’s gotten lonely as of late. I feel bad for not getting a new cat friend sooner. Harrow lamented.
Casey nodded. “Pet death is extremely difficult. The good news is there’s always hundreds of new pets waiting for good, loving, safe homes. The bad part about working at a shelter is having the cats leave. I’ve grown close with Mia over these few months.”
As if on cue, Mia let out a soft but sad mew.
“I know, Mia. But these two seem like good cat moms.”
Casey got all of the papers for Gideon and Harrow to fill out. Once that was done, Casey wrapped Mia in a pink, fluffy towel, put her into a cat carrier and handed her off to Gideon. Casey lowered herself to meet Mia’s gaze. “I’ll miss you a lot, Mia. I hope you find Harrow and Gideon to be safe.”
Gideon and Harrow then went into a Petsmart to get a fair amount of the Instinct Original. Once back at the apartment, Harrow left Mia with Gideon to check everything was in place.
Sight blockers. Check. Under stoppers. Check. Screen door. Check. Scent soakers. Check Blankets. Check. Harrow found Jasper, her and Gideon’s white-and-gray Scottish Fold, sitting on her perch as if she knew something was coming.
Harrow hooked Jasper on to a leash then took Jasper in her arms and held her after wrapping her in a blanket. “It’s ok, Jazz. You don’t have to worry.”
Harrow got out her phone and texted Gideon to come in. Gideon obliged and hooked Mia onto a leash, walking her to the door and cracking it open a bit. Harrowhark held Jasper in her arms from across the room. Gideon slowly entered the apartment, making sure to hold the leash well enough. Mia sniffed around a lot over the entire entrance. Then her nose led her closer and closer to Jasper. But she didn’t interact right away. She sat a few feet away, meeting Jasper’s gaze. They sat like that for a while until Jasper went down from her perch. Gideon moved back a bit more with Mia as Harrowhark let Jasper down.
Jasper slowly walked to Mia and sniffed the air around her. She purred lightly as she quivered her tail and Mia returned it. The air didn’t seem to be tense, but purrfectly pleasant. Jasper then went back to her perch. The next month and a half would prove challenging. Jasper and Mia slowly but surely got accustomed to each other. Gideon and Harrow made sure to keep interactions short even though they seemed to get along fine.
“Hey, Harrow. Don’t you think Jasper seems happier? Relieved even?”
Harrowhark smiled at Jasper who was currently purring at the scritches she was receiving. “I do. It seems that Jasper’s starting to…come to term with Selene’s death. Moving past it with Mia is the best thing she can do. And it seems that’s working. They’ve played well, no fights to speak of. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they’re quite close if you know what I mean.” Harrow chuffed at Jasper as she pawed at Harrow’s arm.
“You think they’re gay as their moms?”
“While scientifically it’s up in the air because of many factors, I think they’re quite the companion to each other. They groom each other daily and always sleep together. Not even Selene got Jasper to do that and they were practically joined at the hip.”
Gideon put a hand to her chin as she rubbed Mia’s ears which was much to Mia’s delight as her tail wagged. “Hmm..You’ve got a point. But is it really our business?”
Harrow shook her head, a small guffaw coming out. Both Gideon and Jasper looked at her like she’d just stolen a piece of food. “No. I just think it’s neat.”
“Gay humans with gay cats, who woulda thought?”
“What if we kissed at the gay cat clinic?”
Harrow pecked Gideon on the cheek. “That’d be lovely.”
Mia then jumped from Gideon’s lap and started running at breakneck speeds.
“Mia’s getting zoomies, Griddle.” Harrow casually stated as if it didn’t drive her ADHD brain crazy to have Mia running back and forth at insane speeds.
“It’s part of the adjustment period. At least she’s eating well. We wouldn’t want her getting sick.”
“But she is sleeping more than we thought.”
“We got her checked, she’s doing ok. Just a bit hyperactive.”
After zooming for a while, Mia leaped back into Gideons lap, nestling into a comfortable position. “Well, you just knew we were talking about you, hm?”
Mia chirped softly as she looked inquisitively at Gideon and Harrow. She then gently bapped Gideon’s face, seemingly grinning at her own action. Gideon grabbed her paw and kissed her beans, thankfully the claws weren’t out. Then again, she hadn’t really used her claws except for scratching posts. It was as Casey said: great with humans.
“So, Harrow, when do you think we should introduce her to Camilla and the others?” Gideon took Mia into her arms.
“Hmm..Mia’s not temperamental, which is good. I just want them introduced slowly, not all at once. Camilla is a good first best. Then Palamedes. She should stay away from Ianthe.” Harrow grabbed at the hem of her shirt, looking down.
Gideon admired her girlfriend regardless of anxiousness. She knew she just wanted was what’s best. Not just for Mia or Jasper, but for Gideon’s mental health too. Gideon tilted Harrow’s face upward, cupping her cheek and rubbing her thumb along it.
“Don’t worry, we will. I know you’re always calculated and careful. We’re doing fine, hun. Least I didn’t name Mia “Harrowhark Meownagesimus.”
They both chuckled, although Harrow’s was more nervous as she leaned into Gideon’s touch. “What would I do without you, Nav?”
“Be sad you wouldn’t have an awesome, funny, jacked girlfriend.”
A small, cute laugh emitted from Harrow, causing Mia to lick her cheek. “That is true. Let’s just keep the cats to two for a while, hm?”
“Agreed.”
“Merry Christmas, Harrow.”
“A merry Christmas indeed.”